Have you ever heard of Don Miguel Ruiz’s classic, The Four Agreements?
It is one of my favourite books because it is a simple yet powerful guide that, surprisingly, can transform not just your personal life but also the way you lead – both self-leadership and your leading of others. The beauty of The Four Agreements is in its straightforward wisdom, yet when you commit to living these principles consistently – life will change for you.
Here are the Four Agreements with an example of how each one can be applied for self-leadership and in your role leading others. Enjoy!
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word
Self-leadership: This means honouring commitments you make to yourself – like following through on that early-morning workout or sticking to your personal development goals. By keeping your promises to yourself, you will build trust in your own capabilities, which then flows into your confidence at work.
Leading others: Being impeccable with your word is all about clear, honest communication. Whether it’s giving feedback or announcing a new team project, your words set the tone for respect and integrity.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Self-leadership: This encourages resilience. If someone criticizes you or your work, remember it can often be all about their own preferences or pressures. Practice asking for and learning from feedback without letting it define your self-worth.
Leading others: Not taking things personally allows you to focus on problem-solving rather than seeking to find someone or something to blame. It helps you respond calmly and objectively, which in turn contributes to a more positive and constructive team environment.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Self-leadership: Make sure to catch [and stop] all of those creative made-up stories you tell yourself without having all of the facts. Get curious, ask questions, get clarity, and reduce unnecessary stress and frustration.
Leading others: Assumptions can and will derail collaboration and positive communication. By encouraging open dialogue, you’ll nip miscommunication in the bud and keep relationships strong.
Photo credit Elena Mozhvilo – Unsplash
4. Always Do Your Best
Self-leadership: Be prepared to continuously learn – to grow and challenge yourself. Recognise that your “best” will vary day to day, however striving for consistent improvement will keep you energized and engaged.
Leading others: Model the behaviour you want to see. When your team sees you giving your all – with integrity and compassion – they’ll likely be inspired to do the same.
Applying these Four Agreements to your leadership approach can be a transformative experience, both personally and professionally. Curious to explore more ways to lead with authenticity and impact? Let’s connect and start the conversation!