There are three disciplines I have practiced in my life - placement of priorities, obtaining quantitative and qaulitative data and establishing a rhythm when it comes to setting meetings. At the end of the day, debating data is where the priorities emerge.
There is self-discipline too that cannot be forgotten.
Let your people know that you genuinely care about them. With it, you have great latitude for forgiveness; without it, nothing else is important in leading people. A true leader will have the self-discipline to express sincere care about others. - General Bill Creech, Air Force.
Taking an interest in what others are thinking and doing is often a much more powerful form of encouragement than praise. - Robert Martin.
Competencies usually require years of continual learning to master, and, certainly, specific leadership skills are not learned overnight. The successful leaders are those that have the self-discipline and perseverance to “stay the course.”
Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability. - Roy L. Smith
It is because of this that Jim Collins talked about leadership competency in his book, Good to Great, of both self-discipline and organizational discipline.
Merriam-Webster defines discipline as training that is expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. Discipline is both an attitude and a competency. The word “discipline” actually means “being a disciple unto oneself.”
Basically that means staying true to what I believe in, ask for the help I might need and make sure the actions that are needed to get done, get done. It is true, if I cannot lead myself, how do I lead others? It is discipline that drives me to do what is right when no one is watching.
It is not a soft topic - being well-organized, being able to demonstrate willpower and determination, having clear goals, having clear priorities - they all provide a sense of discipline and control. I am sure this is where others begin to respect and admire.
Self-discipline is practiced by persisting in the face of difficulties.
A good example of the importance of self-discipline is Gary Player, one of the past great international golfers. When someone once said to him: “I’d give anything if I could hit a golf ball like you,” he responded: “No, you wouldn’t. You’d give anything to hit a golf ball like me, if it were easy.” Player then listed the things one would have to do in order to achieve his level of play: “You’ve got to get up a five o’clock in the morning, go out and hit a thousand golf balls, walk up to the club house to put a bandage on your hand where it started bleeding, then go and hit another thousand golf balls. That’s what it takes to hit a golf ball like me.”
