Establishing a leadership style #3: How to avoid being artificial

We are told to “be ourselves,” that kids have a BS detector and will know when we are faking it, so on and so-forth, then the same people tell us how we are to be... How do we change ourselves without being false and a poser? Modify yourself through practice:

• Pick one characteristic that needs to be changed: Let's use inappropriate sarcasm as an example.
• Recognize that such a characteristic is deep set – you've been sarcastic your entire life, therefore you will not change overnight. Be patient and non-self-judgmental.
• Each time you let loose with a sarc comment, pinch yourself to remind yourself that you're not doing that anymore, then give a better more appropriate comment.
• Keep practicing. Eventually it will become a new second nature.
• Remind yourself that the kids are worth the effort.