Leadership Notes -- Thoughts on Leading People and Making a Difference in Organizations
Word count this issue: 283
Estimated reading time: 1:45 minutes
Greetings from Regina where I’ve been working with a great group of leaders exploring tools to increase resiliency and accountability. I love my job!
I’ve been thinking about a conversation recently about “badges.” Badges were a big thing when I was a cub and scout. You earned them for gaining a competency in certain activities. There is a long history of badges designating us as part of this group, or having achieved a goal or commendation. There is even a famous American novel called The Red Badge of Courage that was often on high school reading lists. The badge in this case was a battle wound the protagonist is hungry for as he journeys from an act of cowardice in the face of battle. In short, a badge is most often an external symbol of something worthwhile achieved.
I’ve been wondering, what about giving ourselves badges for work well done? Giving yourself a badge for a project completed, a lesson learned, a skill acquired? Yes it is great to get those externally as well, but what about taking the time to give yourself credit, and a badge.
To earn a badge:
- Set the criteria for yourself, and it should be a bit of a stretch goal
- Identify what the badge will be; a new piece of clothing, a small item of jewelry, a small gift for someone else. Whatever it is is should have meaning for you.
- Meet the criteria.
- Give yourself the badge.
I’ll be interested to read your ideas for badges and how you go on earning them.