I think. . .I hope that most of us want to be better people. Better people, simply put, make better leaders. Here, then, are some thoughts on how we can all be better by. . .
Being inclusive rather divisive. Whatever our driving belief structure, we should recognize that all people on this earth have a purpose. The more people we include. . .the greater good we can accomplish.
Having a sense of humor. There is light in even in the darkest of places. . .and usually that light is the ability to laugh, the sensibility to recognize irony and the emotional intelligence to know that humor exists in all things.
The ability to be both teacher and student.
Not whitewashing or excusing that which is unjust or untrue; having the guts to work for change.
Being kind.
Being light. Hum a tune, sing a song, have a casual conversation. . .engage with the people and the environment that surround us.
Helping.
Understanding. Empathy is so much more a gesture. It is a willingness to have a deep understanding of a situation and the ability to smartly respond to that situation.
Recognizing that a firm foundation for life is not having all of the right answers; but instead, having the humility to ask the right questions.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Friday, February 17, 2017
Great Leadership is Selfless
One of the foundations of leadership is this: great leadership is a selfless task.
Leaders are responsible for not only the output, but also for the welfare of those who are following. Whether this is one or two people. . . or whether it is thousands, or even millions - this is a sacred responsibility.
This is not done by making everything about you. Great leaders do not spend their time creating arrows that point at them. Great leaders focus positive energy outward.
This is not accomplished by being thin-skinned and feeling the need to react to every perceived slight or piece of negative news about one's self. Self-martyrs are not leaders.
Name-calling of opponents does nothing to take are of those you are responsible for. Nothing. In fact, it is a detractor.
Deflecting blame because it is inconvenient is cowardice. Lack of ownership for one's own actions means that things are only going to get worse; you cannot change what you do not own.
Great leadership is this. . .
A greater concern for the good of the whole than assessing everything by "how it's going to impact me." At the end of the day - no one really cares about the welfare of the leader - but everyone cares about the health and welfare of the greater population.
A commitment to own the issues and to resolve them rather than to blame everyone else. The former truly changes the world, the latter does nothing.
The ability to build bridges. . .not burn them.
The natural instinct to work with the facts as opposed to creating mirages that most will recognize as fabricated.
The leader is transparent, both in terms of honesty but also in the ability to let those who are led to shine through as opposed to directing all of the attention to the leader.
Leaders who are selfish not only put themselves at risk - they imperil their followers. Those who follow selfless leader are in secure hands.
Like it? Share it!
Leaders are responsible for not only the output, but also for the welfare of those who are following. Whether this is one or two people. . . or whether it is thousands, or even millions - this is a sacred responsibility.
This is not done by making everything about you. Great leaders do not spend their time creating arrows that point at them. Great leaders focus positive energy outward.
This is not accomplished by being thin-skinned and feeling the need to react to every perceived slight or piece of negative news about one's self. Self-martyrs are not leaders.
Name-calling of opponents does nothing to take are of those you are responsible for. Nothing. In fact, it is a detractor.
Deflecting blame because it is inconvenient is cowardice. Lack of ownership for one's own actions means that things are only going to get worse; you cannot change what you do not own.
Great leadership is this. . .
A greater concern for the good of the whole than assessing everything by "how it's going to impact me." At the end of the day - no one really cares about the welfare of the leader - but everyone cares about the health and welfare of the greater population.
A commitment to own the issues and to resolve them rather than to blame everyone else. The former truly changes the world, the latter does nothing.
The ability to build bridges. . .not burn them.
The natural instinct to work with the facts as opposed to creating mirages that most will recognize as fabricated.
The leader is transparent, both in terms of honesty but also in the ability to let those who are led to shine through as opposed to directing all of the attention to the leader.
Leaders who are selfish not only put themselves at risk - they imperil their followers. Those who follow selfless leader are in secure hands.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Strong Voices
More than ever . . .in the workplace. . .in the world. . .we need strong voices. We need people who embrace truth, fairness, justice. We need individuals who are unafraid of the hard work of finding the facts and propagating the truth.
We need strong voices. . .and that means:
Rational and reasonable. Going to the extreme side of an argument isn't usually helpful. We need to embrace issues for what they are, understand as many sides as possible, and then advocate for what we believe is right.
Not everything is an argument. In fact, ideally, very few things should be an argument. There are many alternatives to an all-out verbal battle that frankly serve the cause better. Candid discussions with a commitment to a higher purpose are far superior to arguments. In other words, if you are going to battle. . .choose your battles wisely.
Know the facts and embrace the facts. Do your research and do your research across a wide, respected spectrum. Find what is true. . .even if it is inconvenient. Base your argument on a factual foundation.
Clarity. Be clear. . .and often that means. . .
Be concise. Seriously, if you can make your point in five sentences or less. . .chances are your audience will hear you and understand you.
Speak using words that people understand. Acronyms, "words of the day," technical jargon are usually not friends to making your point.
You have an audience. Get inside their heads. Speak to what is important to them.
A clear voice is supported by open ears.
A strong voice means you embrace your courage.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
We need strong voices. . .and that means:
Rational and reasonable. Going to the extreme side of an argument isn't usually helpful. We need to embrace issues for what they are, understand as many sides as possible, and then advocate for what we believe is right.
Not everything is an argument. In fact, ideally, very few things should be an argument. There are many alternatives to an all-out verbal battle that frankly serve the cause better. Candid discussions with a commitment to a higher purpose are far superior to arguments. In other words, if you are going to battle. . .choose your battles wisely.
Know the facts and embrace the facts. Do your research and do your research across a wide, respected spectrum. Find what is true. . .even if it is inconvenient. Base your argument on a factual foundation.
Clarity. Be clear. . .and often that means. . .
Be concise. Seriously, if you can make your point in five sentences or less. . .chances are your audience will hear you and understand you.
Speak using words that people understand. Acronyms, "words of the day," technical jargon are usually not friends to making your point.
You have an audience. Get inside their heads. Speak to what is important to them.
A clear voice is supported by open ears.
A strong voice means you embrace your courage.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Beer. . .and the Danes
This past week I saw two commercials I want you to watch. From a marketing perspective, both are superbly strategized and produced; more importantly, both speak of the necessity of breaking barriers to be successful. First, take a look at the commercial that Budweiser produced for this week's Super Bowl. . .and, read some of the comments below it. . . (if the link doesn't work - You Tube: Budweiser 2017 Super Bowl Commercial.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmlRtpzwos
Simply put, this is a lavishly produced spot that is representative of who we are as Americans and what has made us successful. It is a tribute and a reminder. Reading the comments, however, one becomes alarmed at the negativity. . .the aggressiveness with which some commentators want to segment people in a box. Particularly disheartening are comments that differentiate the historic Western European migration vs. current migrations from other parts of the globe.
. . .and in the midst of this arrives this commercial from the Danes. . .please watch. . .several times. . . (and again, if the link doesn't work, You Tube: TV 2 All That We Share)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD8tjhVO1Tc
Simple. Thoughtful. Elegant. It is a short story that speaks volumes about that which is perceived to separate us as well as the reality that what we have in common webs us together and makes us stronger. If only we are willing to acknowledge that commonality. . .
The truth? We are stronger if we accept one another and seek the our sameness vs. our differences. That requires, however, that we bravely step out of our boxes and make alliances with those that perhaps, at first glance, do not seem like the most natural match.
Within our home, our workplace, our nation and our world. . .we can either weaken ourselves by staying in our boxes. . .our we can strengthen ourselves by recognizing and embracing that which we share in common.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmlRtpzwos
Simply put, this is a lavishly produced spot that is representative of who we are as Americans and what has made us successful. It is a tribute and a reminder. Reading the comments, however, one becomes alarmed at the negativity. . .the aggressiveness with which some commentators want to segment people in a box. Particularly disheartening are comments that differentiate the historic Western European migration vs. current migrations from other parts of the globe.
. . .and in the midst of this arrives this commercial from the Danes. . .please watch. . .several times. . . (and again, if the link doesn't work, You Tube: TV 2 All That We Share)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD8tjhVO1Tc
Simple. Thoughtful. Elegant. It is a short story that speaks volumes about that which is perceived to separate us as well as the reality that what we have in common webs us together and makes us stronger. If only we are willing to acknowledge that commonality. . .
The truth? We are stronger if we accept one another and seek the our sameness vs. our differences. That requires, however, that we bravely step out of our boxes and make alliances with those that perhaps, at first glance, do not seem like the most natural match.
Within our home, our workplace, our nation and our world. . .we can either weaken ourselves by staying in our boxes. . .our we can strengthen ourselves by recognizing and embracing that which we share in common.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
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