Last week, my 10-year-old son Jack, and I discussed an incident in school. After listening to his story, I asked, "Why do you take what he said personally? He paused and rather than answering, he asked, "Why don't you ever seem bothered by what people say or do?" This caught me off guard, but it made me reflect. He had unwittingly touched upon a crucial trait that every leader should cultivate: the ability not to take things personally.

Why Leaders Need to Let Things Slide Off Their Backs:Foster Objectivity: A leader's role requires making decisions based on facts, and the best interests of the organization. Emotional reactions can cloud judgment, leading to choices based on ego rather than what's best for the team.Maintain Credibility: Leaders who react emotionally to every critique can appear insecure or unstable.

Build a Positive Culture: Leaders who take everything to heart can create a tense environment where team members are afraid to voice concerns and feedback. Leaders who can handle feedback encourage open dialogue and foster trust.

Preserve Energy for What Matters: Getting bogged down by every negative comment or action can drain a leader's energy reserves, detracting from the tasks and challenges that need attention.

Model Resilience for the Team: Demonstrating resilience can inspire their teams to be more resilient in the face of challenges.

Happiness: When you see feedback as a path to growth and are grateful for it, it's easy to not take it personally.

Five Tips on How Not to Take Things Personally

Practice Self-awareness: Understand your emotional triggers. Work on recognizing when they're activated. Seek Clarity: Before jumping to conclusions, ask questions to understand the context and intentions behind feedback or actions.Detach from the Outcome: Feedback is often about the task, role, or outcome, not a reflection of your worth as a person.Surround Yourself with supportive people who can offer perspective and help you navigate challenges.Practice Regular Reflection: Take time to assess and reflect on your reactions and behaviors.

The Counterpoint: The Importance of ListeningWhile it's essential for leaders to not take things personally, it's equally important not to swing the pendulum too far and become apathetic to feedback. Constructive criticism can be instrumental in personal and organizational growth. Remaining open to feedback, discerning the valuable insights from the noise can help leaders see blind spots, stagnation, and missed opportunities for improvement.

The balance lies in being emotionally resilient while staying receptive to growth. I tried to explain this to Jack. I am not sure he fully understood what I was saying, or maybe he did because he replied with, "Well you do seem to be much happier than most grownups I know. I like being happy!" And then he asked to go play Fortnite. Lol.

Question of the WeekIt's time again to answer, "What you are reading now?"Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight. I love this story.Shoe Dog is more than just a memoir chronicling the ascent of Nike; it's a vivid portrayal of the passion, grit, and ingenuity behind its founder. Knight's transformation from selling shoes from his car's trunk to spearheading one of the world's most iconic brands serves as a powerful testament to tenacity and vision, reminding us that even the grandest companies sprout from a singular idea fueled by fervor. His relentless spirit in overcoming myriad challenges, from financial hurdles to legal confrontations, offers invaluable insights for leaders navigating their obstacles. His journey wasn't solitary. He accentuates the importance of fostering a committed team, highlighting the integral role his early Nike team, affectionately termed the "Buttfaces," played in the brand's evolution. Perhaps most poignantly, Knight's candid admission of his fears, doubts, and blunders underscores the essence of vulnerability in leadership, making "Shoe Dog" an essential read for all of us.