Bridging the Gap Between Knowing and Doing
The Art of Walking the Walk
Hi Everyone!
Carrie Pierce here, leadership coach at Building Champions. In the journey of leadership and personal development, a gap often lies between knowing what we should do and actually doing it. This divide, seemingly small at first glance, can be the difference between a team that thrives under pressure and one that crumbles; between a leader who inspires action and one who merely voices it. At the root of bridging this gap lies intentionality about "walking the walk," a principle that should be embedded in every team's core values.
The Knowledge-Action Divide
We've all been there, seminars filled with groundbreaking ideas, books brimming with life-changing strategies, and meetings where plans are made with the best intentions. We walk away eager and motivated but that energy fizzles out, and the status quo creeps back. The reason? A common human disconnect between knowing and doing.
Knowing is our understanding, our plans, and our strategies. It's comfortable and safe to know things. Doing, however, involves stepping into the unknown, making decisions, and facing potential failure. It’s much more demanding than knowing and so we don’t always do it. But it's in the doing that growth and progress reside.
The Power of Intentionality
Intentionality is the bridge over this divide. Being intentional means making a conscious choice to align actions with knowledge. This doesn't just happen; it requires deliberate effort. For leaders, this means setting an example not just in words but in actions.
Walking the Walk in Leadership
Walking the walk is more than just astute-sounding jargon; it is a leadership imperative. Leaders who embody this principle own their actions and their outcomes, showing their team that accountability is not just a word in the company handbook but a lived practice. They cultivate trust. Actions speak louder than words. When leaders’ behaviors consistently align with their messages, they build trust, the cornerstone of any strong team. Also, they inspire through action creating a ripple effect of action-oriented mindset across the organization.
Let's be intentional about embedding this principle in our team's vision. Have an action plan, write it down, and calendar it. The goal is to demonstrate through your actions that you are committed to walking the walk. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of how to bridge the gap between knowing and doing, or have access to our plans and tools, feel free to reach out.
Carrie Pierce, leadership coach at Building Champions
P.S - Check back for our next post on navigating turbulent times in leadership.