Get Real What defines you, really?

By Stephen Garber

How would the people in your life describe you and what drives you? How would your colleagues at work and clients describe working with you?

How consistent are the answers?

Change is inevitable. Think about the technology and environment that frame our day-to-day life.

How many of us have a camera, a day planner or even a landline that is not VoIP-ready? We have smartphones that have more computing power than the lunar landing module.

How then do we remain consistent, authentic, effective in this new world? One theory you’ve likely heard of is “situational leadership”—a brilliant concept by management authority Ken Blanchard that has been (mis-)used as a concept by many. In short, we use different leadership methods in different situations with different people.

With this mindset, are we then inconsistent and unpredictable? Most people seek consistent and reliable responses from their leaders. They want to be able to present ideas, issues and solutions knowing what their leaders generally seek as ways to communicate, decide and execute. So, sometimes as the parameters of a situation are not as clear as we’d like, and adaptive leadership styles might lead to confusion and disappointment.

Our core values and beliefs are shaped over time—sometimes with great thought and effort. Sharing them is part of our way of working and being. Sometimes, they are defined by simply being and doing—never codifying them for ourselves, our colleagues or our businesses.

Yet, things do change. Our roles change. The people we work with change. How can we operate from the same core values throughout our experiences, careers or lives?

Here’s how:

We get to define daily who we are and what’s important to us. We can operate from fairness, merit, growth, stability, honesty, transparency, preparedness, confidentiality … or any other concepts that move your needle of values and what you bring to relationships at business or home.

You can change your behavior to adapt to a situation. You can learn and grow from your experiences and education. At your core, be real. Bring your authentic self to every encounter that matters to you. Your authentic self will shine, regardless of your situation. ♦

Stephen Garber is director of Third Level Ltd. Contact him at 561.752.5505 or sgarber@thirdlevel.com.

You May Also Like

A South Tampa couple is in the business of the finer things

David and Nicole Debourg-Kahn found love the second time around. Together for 10 years, and married for seven, they have five children between them. Nicole worked as a human resources executive in technology for the past 20-plus years but changed directions and formed her own business, Hazel Ivy Botanicals.  David, with his knack for custom

A Union well made (PHOTOS)

What happens when you blend the expertise of Jeff Gigante – a 20-plus year veteran of the dining and hospitality industry, Andrew Wright – chief executive officer of Franklin Street, a commercial real estate firm located in Tampa, and Joseph Guggino – a local lawyer and investor with an affinity to the restaurant industry? A

Catching Up With Brian Murphy, CEO of ReliaQuest 

A lot has happened in the world of Brian Murphy since Tampa Bay Business and Wealth featured him on its cover in December 2018. His business, ReliaQuest, a cybersecurity firm, based in Tampa, has grown substantially, his company’s name is now featured all over the country, associated with one of the biggest college bowl games,

One Liners Hillsborough: Next Level Brands, Ideal Image and more

►Next Level Brands, a partnership between restaurateur Jeff Gigante, real estate entrepreneur Andrew Wright and attorney/investor Joseph Guggino, celebrated the opening of its third culinary concept, Union New American, at Westshore City Center, in Tampa. (Pictured above) ► Jim Marshall and Clint Babcock, from Sandler Tampa Bay, were honored with the David H. Sandler Award

Other Posts

On the Scene: Inspire, Imagine & Hope Gala (PHOTOS)

The Inspire, Imagine & Hope Gala, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, took place at The Vinoy St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.  Nearly 200 came out for the event, raising $415,000 for care and support programs, research and advocacy initiatives from the Alzheimer’s Association. Bridgette Bello, chief executive officer and publisher of

Preparing your business for a hurricane

By David Pettinato, Esquire OLDER LUNDY KOCH & MARTINO Storm season is quickly approaching. For over 25 years, I have been successfully advocating for my client’s rights for coverage under almost every type of commercial insurance policy. Working with business owners before, during and after a storm has led us to create our own preparedness

Market influence on buying vs. renting in a tumultuous economic environment

The law of demand states that as the cost of a product rises, the quantity of demand falls. This concept goes further into the consumer psyche in explaining that when the cost of complementary goods go down, the demand for their complements go up. The free peanuts at the bar are designed to stimulate enhanced

CEO Connect: Lisa Holland talks leaving her comfort zone, mentoring women in aviation and more

Lisa Holland was appointed as chief executive officer of the nation’s largest privately owned aviation services and real estate network a few weeks before COVID-19 shut down the world and while dealing with the unknowns of a global pandemic that essentially grounded air travel until the world adapted. Meanwhile, she was finding her foothold as