admin – Page 8 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Don’t Forget The Small Things

Posted July 22, 2022
by admin

Be faithful in the small things because it is in them that your strength lies. – Mother Teresa

In the final pages of his great epic The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien writes of his heroes, Sam and Frodo, and their desperate quest to reach the cursed Mount Doom to cast the ring of power, a device that held much of the dark lord Sauron’s power, into the fire and destroy it. As they came closer to the mountain, their situation grew more desperate.

They were wasting away physically, Frodo’s spirit was failing, and their quest seemed hopeless. In a key moment, Sam attempts to encourage Frodo by asking him if he remembers the taste of strawberries and cream, the sound of water, and the beauties of spring in their far-off home, the Shire.

The lesson here is as powerful as it is simple – we must not forget the small and meaningful things in life that we often take for granted. In life, we are so busy and the “tyranny of the urgent” often crowds out what’s truly important.

In leadership, remembering the small things is also a necessity. The small things that leaders do are what make them great leaders. So, let’s examine some of the small things that yield great returns.

Mind your manners

It should go without saying, but I’m saying it, leaders must mind their manners. Common courtesies of respect matter. It may seem like a small thing to you but people see, hear, and notice when you use your manners and in particular when you don’t.

Give credit, take the blame

Little things like giving credit or praising the work of others are one of the most honorable things you can do as a leader. Take responsibility when things go wrong, and give credit to others when things go well.

Listen more, talk less

You will be more effective as a leader when you understand the value of listening more than speaking. Often, it’s not what you have to say that’s so important, but what you need to hear that will make you a better leader.

Put your phone away

It will be hard for you to be in the moment and for your people to believe that you matter to them if you are constantly toggling between them and your phone. This is not just common courtesy, it’s a matter of respect.

Walk humbly

Never allow yourself to get so proud and “successful” that you forget what the struggle was like when you started out and what the struggle is like for those following your footsteps. You can be a great resource and help others but not if you are haughty or prideful.

Remain teachable

John Wooden said it well, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” This is timeless advice. You will never know it all so never stop learning.

Laugh at yourself

Life’s too short to be taken so seriously. Learn how to laugh at yourself. You’ll feel better and it will endear you to those already laughing at you.

Be reliable

Nothing will frustrate the people you lead more than not being reliable. If your people are unsure about you as a leader they will be unsure about where you are leading them.

Keep your word

It’s a simple rule of leadership. If your people can trust you they won’t follow you.

Be Generous

Leaders lead by example – be generous with your time, your talents, and your treasure. Every day strive to make the world a better place because you are in it.

Final Thoughts

“Character demonstrates itself in trifles,” said Louise Imogen Guiney, and while it might seem small to you, the small things add up and your leadership depends on it. Don’t forget the small things.

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The Power of Your Tribe: Who Belongs In It and Why

Posted July 14, 2022July 14, 2022
by admin

Some people will hear you louder in silence. Those are your tribe- they’ll get you through the tough days and give you something to laugh about on the way. – Nikki Rowe

In one of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues, the Crispen’s Day speech from Henry V, King Henry inspires his soldiers in the face of grim odds with a rousing speech about how the men who fight this battle with him will be forever united as a “band of brothers.” This is a king speaking to peasants, and yet he’s saying that what they are about to go through will unite them all as brothers.

We don’t always get to choose the battles life throws our way, but we do choose our response. And just as important, we choose the tribe we run with.

While you may not always have control over the people who surround you in your organization, you do choose your inner circle in life that has a way of completing you. These are the people that walk with you through the good and bad and are there when the dust settles and the smoke clears.

Finding friends and acquaintances is not hard work for the most part, but your tribe is a different breed of people that you discover along the way. Who are they? What are their characteristics?

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones once said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” And to that, I would include those who you make part of your tribe. So let’s find out who belongs in your tribe.

Your tribe sees the best in you and keeps you humble; they see the worst in you and still love you

This characteristic of people in your tribe is so important. And quite frankly, you wouldn’t have much of a tribe without them.

They will be quick to celebrate your accomplishments and wins. And when you feel like you’re invincible they will keep you grounded by not being overly impressed by you. When they see you at your worst they will have your back, speak the truth you need to hear, and will walk patiently with you.

In your tribe you need loyalty.

With your tribe, you share common values

While it’s common to have many friends and acquaintances, not all of them will share your values and priorities. It’s not a deal-breaker in terms of friendship, but in your tribe, you need those who share and understand the values that drive you and the priorities that guide you.

When the bond among your tribe is driven by shared values it provides the clarity that you need. When your people understand the significance of your priorities it keeps everyone focused and accountable. It’s why knowing who belongs in your tribe, and those who don’t, is so important. While many may be impressed with what you’re doing and where you’re going, not all are willing to make the sacrifices and pay the same price as you to go there. Click To Tweet

In your tribe you need purpose.

With your tribe, you travel higher and farther

With a shared mindset and values, your growth potential is multiplied. It’s why each person must find their tribe. You can only travel so far by yourself but can travel higher and farther when part of a tribe of like-minded people.

When you are committed to your personal growth and are surrounded by those who share that passion you position yourself and your tribe for greater opportunities and greater impact. Pick your tribe wisely because with them you can go far, but the wrong tribe will hold you back.

In your tribe you need clarity.

With your tribe, you have greater balance and perspective

As you settle in with your tribe of like-minded people, you begin to develop a certain vibe and develop an understanding that is the product of being in a genuine relationship. Over time, you begin to know one another better, and before too long a comradery forms that Shakespeare wrote about.

One of the great benefits of finding your tribe is that those people bring balance and perspective to your life that you may not have with anyone else. Having a close tribe is a game-changer and one that every leader should seek.

In your tribe you need community.

Final Thoughts

Having a tribe of like-minded people is one of the most consequential things you can have as a leader. But you must be intentional in finding them. When it’s built on loyalty, purpose, clarity, and community you will be part of a powerful community.

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Building a Culture of Respect

Posted June 27, 2022
by admin

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. – Mother Teresa

Building and maintaining a healthy workplace culture is a challenge within any organization. Creating and sustaining a healthy culture where comradery thrives begins with respect and trust. With it, there is such potential for great things; without it, there’s always going to be tension between that potential and the disappointment of unfulfilled goals.

If there’s ever been a time for building a culture of respect it’s now. A great tension exists between our culture as a whole and how that plays out day-to-day in the workplace. Whatever stands you take and positions you subscribe to in our current culture at large, those can and do inevitability carry over into the workplace.

So how does a leader set the tone for a healthy workplace culture when the people within it bring such diverse and strong points of view regarding the things that are taking place outside of it?

Here’s what I know to be true and what everyone needs to remember - there is a difference between people being divided and being divisive. Click To Tweet And as a leader, you have to know the difference and set up healthy boundaries. People will have differing views on all sorts of issues. That’s to be expected and normal. But people choose to be divisive by their actions and behaviors.

The other day I called my friend Tom. He and I have been friends for more than 30 years. He was one of the first ones to visit my wife and me in the hospital after our children were born. He was very instrumental in some of my early career choices and he is a valued and trusted friend.

Our friendship transcends the different ways in which we see the world. And after some of the recent major headlines, it was Tom whom I wanted to talk with. Why is that?

While we have our different convictions and differences of opinion our friendship transcends them. The fact that we don’t always agree is precisely why I called him. I didn’t want an echo chamber conversation. I wanted to talk, ask questions, listen, and broaden my perspective and understanding. And this is what we’ve been doing for more than 30 years.

Over the years our friendship has lasted because of one word – respect. Our friendship is not defined by our political points of view, by a label, by always having to be right, or by the need to get in the last word. We listen to each other with respect and do not allow any disagreement to come between us.

As a leader, how you walk this tightrope and how it plays out in your workplace is vital to the health of your organization.

On a practical level, what can you do as a leader? How can you help build a culture of respect? Here are a few ideas.

Model it

Having the kind of workplace culture that you want as a leader begins with you. If respect is what’s needed, then respect has to be shown. Never insist on any action or behavior that you are not taking the lead on. Respect, as with any other value within your organization, begins with leadership. It succeeds or fails by your example.

Make it a priority

As a leader, you are not responsible for the beliefs and actions of the masses outside of your organization. But you do have a say about what takes place within it. Building a respectful culture within your organization not only has to be modeled by you but must be made a priority. Once values and behaviors are communicated they must be made a priority that your people embrace.

Hold people accountable

Within the context of building a culture of respect within your organization, there have to be accountability measures in place. The culture of the organization does not rest on the shoulders of one person- everyone shares that responsibility.

Hold diversity in high regard

Benjamin Franklin said, “When everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.” And this is when you run the risk of getting stuck. You need people who see things differently and who think differently from you. Your diversity is not the problem, it’s your strength and you need to recognize and celebrate it. Mutual respect and trust must be the glue that holds it all together.

Final Thoughts

Building a healthy culture in your organization begins with respect. Along with trust, it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built. It takes a commitment on your part to model it and make it a value and when you do and it takes hold, you will have a culture worth emulating.

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Authenticating Your Leadership

Posted June 20, 2022
by admin

Authenticity is your most precious commodity as a leader. – Marcus Buckingham

The painting was named the Sunset at Montmajour and depicted trees, bushes, and the sky that was later confirmed to be inspired by the landscape at Montmajour hill, near Arles, France, near where the artist Vincent van Gogh lived. The painting had spent years in the attic of a Norwegian private collector.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam had previously rejected the painting’s authenticity in the 1990s partly because it was not signed. Was it truly an original by the renowned painter?

Thanks to new research at the time (2013), and an extensive two-year investigation, it was concluded that the artwork was indeed by the artist Vincent van Gogh. It was called a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” at the unveiling ceremony.

The painting was authenticated by letters, style, and the physical materials used. The investigation into the authenticity of the painting took two years.

The authentication process is one that was done with a great deal of research and care. There could be no doubts or reservations before making such a bold declaration.

This leads me to the question of how we go about authenticating leaders.

Many people desire to be leaders. Many people claim to be leaders. Some are the real deal and, of course, there are pretenders. But how can you be certain? How do you authenticate or validate one’s leadership?

Over time many things will ultimately reveal whether a person is truly a leader – whether that person is just starting or has been around for a long time. So what are those distinguishing characteristics? Here are a few ways to know.

Authentic leaders seek to serve

This is one of the most distinguishing differences that exist in leadership – those who chase after power and position, and those who seek out ways to serve others. A true leader understands that ultimately, it’s not about you.

Jim George put it this way, “Serving others prepares you to lead others.” And this is why it takes so long for so many to authenticate their leadership – they have it all backward. When you prioritize serving others, you are laying the stepping stones to your success as a leader.

Authentic leaders walk with humility

Since authentic leaders know that it’s not about them, they check their ego at the door. Authentic leaders know that the more they are entrusted to lead and influence those around them the more responsibility they assume.

Thomas Merton was correct when he said, “Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.” Let that thought sink in for a moment. Grandstanding and self-promotion come across more times than not as being artificial and fake, but those who walk with humility demonstrate true characteristics of leadership that are appealing and worth emulating.

Authentic leaders are trustworthy

The great thing about authentic and trustworthy leaders is that you don’t have to question their motives. You don’t have to second-guess the validity of the relationship. Their word is their bond.

Authenticity in this area of your leadership is critical to your success as a leader whether you are just starting or have been around a while. You have to build trust and be trustworthy because with it anything is possible, and without it nothing is. Click To Tweet

Authentic leaders growing leaders

Authentic leaders are growing leaders. They are constantly learning, failing, re-evaluating, and re-entering. They are not afraid to make mistakes and fail and appear at times to not have it all together. They are comfortable in their skin because they know that this life and leadership journey is real and at times can get messy.

This tribe of leaders embrace the mess and had rather risk looking foolish than be a phony who never ventures and never learns and never grows. They’d rather be authentic- warts and all.

What sets this authentic leader apart from the rest is their insatiable desire to grow and be the best they can be and leave their mark on the world.

Final Thoughts

Authenticating your leadership is an important aspect of your leadership. And these characteristics listed here are a good place to start but certainly aren’t an exhaustive list. But you can begin by taking an honest assessment of where you are now with this list. Dare to challenge your beliefs and assumptions and dare to be authentic.

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Swimming Upstream: What Salmon Teach Us About Leadership

Posted June 13, 2022
by admin

Only dead fish go with the flow – Andy Hunt

I read an interesting article at Sciencing.com not long ago about fish who swim upstream. The main reason salmon, for example, swim upstream is to ensure the survival of their offspring. Salmon are born in freshwater rivers, spend most of their adult lives in the ocean, and then return to the place they were born to lay their eggs.

As young salmon hatch in their home stream, they learn the smell of it. As they migrate downstream and into the ocean they may even memorize certain scents along the way. Even after being away for many years, when the salmon return to their birthplace as adults, they will use those smells to “test the waters” and find their home stream. Some studies have shown that salmon use the Earth’s magnetic field to guide their migration. This helps them travel long distances and understand where they are going.

Many interesting things stood out to me as I read the story of the migration of the salmon, but namely, it was that salmon swim upstream to ensure the survival of their offspring.

In your leadership, there will be times, more often than not, when for your survival and success you will need to swim upstream. In your organization, you may feel that you are swimming against the current as it relates to values and direction and this has placed you in an awkward situation.

But not all swimming upstream is necessarily a bad thing. At times it’s going to be required of you. Let’s look at four reasons why.

You have to swim upstream to grow

Your growth as a leader is not automatic and to grow you have to be intentional. When swimming downstream with the rest of the crowd it’s easy to just relax and go with the flow. But if you want to grow as a leader you will have to embrace what John Maxwell describes as the law of trade-offs. In other words, you have to give up to grow up.

Eric Hoffer said, “People will cling to an unsatisfactory way of life rather than change to get something better for fear of getting something worse,” and it’s this mindset that you have to break free from. It won’t be easy and you will have to swim upstream to attain it. But your growth as a leader depends upon it.

You have to swim upstream to stay true to your values

When it comes to your values and belief system as a leader, you will have to fight to keep from getting swept up in the downstream current. It’s so much easier to swim downstream and blend in. And by downstream I mean the downward current of negativity, bad attitudes, office politics, and toxic people.

“The first step toward success,” said Mark Caine, “is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment you find yourself in.” And this is precisely what you have to do as a leader. Your values and belief systems are your non-negotiables and to stay true to them, you will have to be relentless and swim upstream. Just as the salmon swim upstream to preserve their offspring, so too will you need to swim upstream to protect your values.

You have to swim upstream to make a lasting impact

Swimming upstream is painful and difficult. As a leader, you have to embrace the pain if you want to grow and make an impact on the lives of those around you.

Neale Donald Walsh said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and this is the push I am encouraging you with – get out of your comfort zone. Swimming downstream requires little of you and consequently produces little from you. Click To Tweet But to swim upstream requires more and therefore, the return is more significant. When you embrace the struggle of swimming upstream you also embrace the reward it generates.

You have to swim upstream to be your best

If you were to pause and look around at those closest to you in your circle- your friends and colleagues, how many would you say are living their best life as they swim downstream? These are unquestionably good people but are in a downstream current with no thought of where it’s taking them.

John Maxwell said, “We become the combined average of the five people we hang around.” Let that sink in for a moment. Think of those five people. Are those five floating along downstream? How many are swimming upstream? Are they taking you downstream with them or are you leading the way up?

Final Thoughts

I believe that your best days as a leader are found when you discover that swimming downstream with everyone else is not the destiny that’s meant for you. It’s discovered when you realize that you want more out of life and leadership than just blending in. And just as the salmon swim upstream to ensure the survival of their offspring, so too, you need to choose to swim upstream to ensure your success as a leader.

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This is Your Time

Posted June 5, 2022
by admin

Prosper ISD Graduation / Homepage

“…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8

I’d like to dedicate this time and space to the Class of 2022. Whether you’ve just graduated from high school or college, your accomplishment is to be commended. Congratulations!

In the Netflix documentary, The Movies That Made Us, in the episode about the movie Back to the Future, screenwriter Bob Gale has this to say as he reflects on making the movie: “Time is the only thing money can’t buy. And it can’t be replaced in any way. Time only goes one way so far, and we never get it back. You never know what the future will bring.”

That time has been on your side and has brought you this far is a blessing. For that, you can be thankful. But the question that lingers that you need to ponder is what will you do with the time – the hours, days, weeks, months, and years that are before you? How will you use this time that is on loan to you?

I’d like to offer up a few suggestions and words of advice for you to consider. And my hope is that you will find a path forward with a purpose that makes wise use of your time.

Serve causes greater than yourself

One of the first lessons leaders has to learn and perhaps the hardest is that it’s not about you.

You live in a world that in many ways is broken, hurting, and divided. Use your time to serve people and causes greater than you so that when your days are over you can look back and say that you may not have changed the world but you helped change your world and you left it better than you found it.

Don’t be afraid to fail

The greatest accomplishments in your life more often than not are realized on the other side of failure. At an early age Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for “lacking ideas,” Albert Einstein had the label “mentally slow” put on his permanent school record, and Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. No one looks at these individuals as failures, but rather they are remembered for their outstanding accomplishments.

Thomas Edison said, “ I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” In life, we come to expect failure. It will be a great teacher for you. The only thing that makes you a failure is after you get knocked down you don’t get back up. In life, learn to fail forward and you will be just fine.

Don’t let anyone define your worth or put a lid on your goals a dreams

Your purpose and destiny in life are just that – yours. And you must not allow anyone – especially your critics, to define your worth and dim the light of your dreams. You have not been placed on this earth by accident and you have a destiny to fulfill.

What God has spoken to you, placed in your heart, and the passion that’s been ignited in you was not a conference call. It was birthed in your heart. Not everyone will understand it, but always remain true to it.

Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly

As you embark on this new journey and season in your life, many will be looking at you. Some with a dose of skepticism and others with optimism. This is your time to step up – but not with arrogance or pride.

This is your opportunity to act justly – be a model to those around you by the way that you serve a broken world. It’s your time to step up and love mercy and show mercy to a world that can be so cruel. And finally, walk humbly (remember, it’s not about you).

Final Thoughts

None of us are promised tomorrow. We only have the time that we have been gifted each day to make a difference and change our world. My prayer for you, the Class of 2022, is that you will serve each day to the best of your God-given abilities and be a force for good.

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Five Advantages of Connected Leaders

Posted May 23, 2022
by admin

Humans are social beings and we are happier, and better when we are connected to others. – Peter Bloom

I came across a story about how a tree stump in New Zealand keeps itself alive by holding onto the roots of its neighboring trees, exchanging water and resources through its grafted roots system.

Though the remnant appears dead, a grafting of roots underground connects the part that looks dead to the healthy trees.

I found this story to be inspiring by the way the tree stump stayed alive by being grafted to the other trees around it.

That story says a lot about the importance of how healthy leaders stay connected to the sources that give them the greatest opportunities for growth. In leadership, it’s imperative to learn this lesson early.

The late John Lennon once wrote, “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality,” and that sums up the power of being connected to like-minded people who can move you from dreaming to achieving.

What does a connected leader look like? What sets them apart from other leaders? Consider these five advantages of being a connected leader.

A connected leader has greater momentum

Ask any leader or look at the one commodity of any organization and momentum is one of those things that once you have can lift you to new levels. By yourself, creating momentum is a challenge. Within the confines of being connected, it’s much easier to attain and keep going.

If you are a leader who’s lacking momentum, consider your level of connectedness to those around you who can give you that confidence that comes with momentum.

A connected leader has greater resources

A great advantage of being a connected leader is that you have greater resources at your disposal. It empowers and equips you in ways that you’d never experience otherwise.

If you are a leader who is lacking in resources, then consider the advantages of being a part of something larger than yourself and resources that can elevate your leadership.

A connected leader has greater accountability

One of the most important advantages you can have in leadership is to be surrounded and associated with a group of people that will support you and hold you accountable. While many may resist it, it’s the one thing that will help you the most.

A “Lone Ranger” leader who is not accountable is one that can easily squander their potential. Accountable leaders are growing leaders.

A connected leader has greater influence

Ultimately, a leader who is connected to a team of other like-minded people significantly increases their potential in ways never previously imagined. This kind of influence is a game-changer in how it impacts the lives of others, increases the mission and vision of their organization, and has the capacity to grow more leaders in the process.

If you are a leader who seriously wants to increase your influence then be a leader that’s connected to something greater than yourself. Click To Tweet

A connected leader has greater rewards

This is the culmination of what being a connected leader is all about. Ultimately, being a connected leader is not about what’s in it for you but rather what you, as a connected leader, can do for others. It’s about how you and your life-minded tribe can add value to others and be the leaders you were destined to become.

If you are a leader who has a desire for greater rewards, then consider the mindset of a leader connected to a cause and purpose greater than you.

Final Thoughts

What you stand to gain by being a connected leader is far greater than anything you think you might lose by going it alone. The truth is, we need each other, and leaders who are connected to one another have that advantage. You weren’t meant to do life alone- get connected and see the difference it can make in your leadership.

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The Power of Resistance in Leadership

Posted May 8, 2022May 11, 2022
by admin

Only a mediocre person is always at his best.- W. Somerset Maugham

I came across an interesting story not long ago about how our muscles grow and develop. According to medical research, “muscle size increases when a person continually challenges the muscles to deal with higher levels of resistance or weight. This process is known as hypertrophy. Muscle hypertrophy occurs when fibers sustain damage or injury. The body repairs damaged fibers by fusing them, which increases the mass and size of the muscles.”

Did you catch that? Muscles build when there is resistance. The process actually includes the tearing of muscle fibers. It sounds like a painful process but it is necessary for the bigger picture; gaining muscle strength and growth.

When it comes to our personal growth and our growth as leaders, we tend to stay away from things (or people) that cause us pain. And often, the very thing that will move us in the direction of more growth and development, is the very thing we try to avoid. Why? Because it’s painful or because we are unwilling to pay the price for that growth. It’s the ultimate catch-22.

In The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, here’s how John Maxwell defines the Law of the Rubber Band, “Growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you could be.” There are many uses for a rubber band, but it’s of no use or value until it’s stretched.

As a leader, how willing and open are you to being stretched for the sake of growth? What sacrifices are you willing to make to become a better leader tomorrow? Unless you are stretched you will never reach your full leadership potential.

Your physical muscles grow as they are challenged to deal with higher levels of resistance. What does that look like in leadership? Let’s consider these two ways.

You grow in your leadership as you resist your comfort zones

When you begin moving out of your comfort zones – those familiar places where you routinely operate with a great degree of predictability, then you will begin to feel resistance. It’s akin to the feeling you had when the training wheels came off when learning how to ride a bike, or when learning to swim and you took the plunge into the deep end of the pool. All of your training and learning up to that point have prepared you for the next step. In order to grow, you must be willing to move in the direction of the things you’ve resisted the most up to this point. Click To Tweet

In the book Originals – How Non-Conformists Move the World, Adam Grant quotes John Kotter who sheds additional light here stating, “Without a sense of urgency, people…won’t make sacrifices. Instead, they cling to the status quo and resist.” Perhaps in your leadership, this is where you find yourself – with no sense of urgency. Here’s what you need to know – without embracing resistance that will develop you as a leader, you will stay right where you are. Without a sense of urgency, you will be at the same place a year from now as you find yourself today. Click To TweetYour personal growth and development will only happen when you are willing and prepared to make the sacrifices to get there.

You grow in your leadership when you embrace the tension of growth

Developing your leadership mettle happens when you embrace the tensions of growth. I’m not talking about the tension that arises due to strained relationships or conflict in the office. The tension that I am referring to is the tension that’s created when you recognize that your comfort zone is no longer serving you well and it’s time to get out of it. It’s the tension that takes place when you move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and from a negative attitude to a positive attitude. It’s the tension that takes place as John Maxwell says when you are willing to give up security for significance and addition for multiplication.

Ultimately, by embracing the tension of growth you will develop a new set of leadership muscles and fortitude you didn’t have before.

Simon Sinek remarked, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” And passion is the ultimate difference-maker when it comes to how you lead. It emboldens you with confidence and confidence is contagious.

Final Thoughts

Your personal growth and development and that of your leadership occur when you embrace the tension and put resistance to work. As you embrace the tension, you will grow as a leader. This is how you put resistance to good work.

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No Small Roles

Posted May 2, 2022May 2, 2022
by admin

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. -St. Augustine

“There are no small roles, only small actors.” This famous line was spoken by Konstantin Stanislavski, “the father of modern acting”, who required actors who performed in his theatre productions to engage their roles with equal commitment, whether they were lead actors with large roles or supporting actors with few lines or no lines at all.

While seen as a sign of accomplishment to land a leading role in acting, one can’t overlook the smaller or supporting roles that can make a movie a success.

A list compiled at StudoBinder.com lists the Academy Award winners for best-supporting actors. Included on the notable list are Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood), Christian Bale (The Fighter), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), George Clooney (Syriana), Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting), Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive), Jack Nicholson ( Terms of Endearment), and Jack Lemmon (Mister Roberts), just to name a few.

When you look at the list of award winners for supporting actors, no one would look upon their respective acting careers in a lesser light due to winning best supporting actor. They are all distinguished in their own right for their contributions not only to those respective films but to the lead roles they’ve starred in since.

Embracing the mindset of no small roles is critical to the success of any business or organization that looks to make a difference. Nowhere is this more needed than in its approach to leadership. Inside many organizations is an unspoken competition to see who can get the leading roles, be the star of the show, and do whatever it takes to have the spotlight shine on them.

What’s needed is a casting call – a casting call for supporting leaders whose only motivation is what’s best for the team.

But how do you find such leaders with this mindset? Is it even possible? How do you build a culture where everyone embraces their respective roles for the good of the team? Here are a few ways to begin.

Cast the vision often and the importance of every role

A no small role mindset begins when everyone understands the significance of their role and why their contribution matters. When you make this a priority it builds a sense of pride that everyone is contributing to a cause and purpose that matters and without them, it wouldn’t happen.

Cast the expectations

Just as Stanislavsk demanded the best of every actor, regardless of the role, so too must you make expectations clear within your organization. A clear vision followed by clear expectations puts everyone on the same page and the possibility of success more attainable. Click To TweetThis can only work when egos are set aside and only what’s best for the team is embraced.

Play your best role

Not everyone will have the lead role, but everyone has a role to play. Attitudes matter, communication matters, trust matters, and commitment matters. These are the roles that when played with conviction will set your team apart from the rest.

Final Thoughts

Understanding that there are no small roles is essential in leadership. Every role is important and every role matters. As does every person. It’s when everyone knows it and gives it their all that teams can reach their full potential.

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The Dirt on Leadership

Posted April 24, 2022April 26, 2022
by admin

The test of leadership is, is anyone or anything better because of you? – Mark Sanborn

For several years back in my high school days, I worked in a garden center. It was a fun job and I learned a lot. As a result, I have always had an eye for landscaping and enjoy getting my hands dirty- especially in the spring with the planting of flowers and various projects.

I vividly remember those days in the winter months at the garden center. Business was always slow but we were busy preparing for spring. We would build greenhouses to store the hundreds and hundreds of roses that we would spend countless hours potting.

The mixing of the soil was always fun- especially for the new guys. We would build mounds of soil mix for the potting process. The mix would include soil, fertilizers, manure, and other ingredients in order to pot and produce the best-looking roses you could find. This process required us to get shovels and mix it all together over and over until the consistency and balance were just right.

I often look back on those days and see how one’s growth and development as a leader have similar parallels. Here are a few lessons I learned from my days in the garden center that apply to leadership.

If you want to be a leader, be willing to pick up the shovel
One of the big drawbacks to mixing the fertilizer, of course, was the smell. It wasn’t pleasant. But the job had to be done. But before too long, it was something that we’d get used to over time. The potting process took a couple of months to complete. And while unpleasant in the beginning, after a while no one even talked about it. We just shoveled our way through it one rose at a time.

The Lesson: If you are not willing to humble yourself as a leader and pick up the shovel, then you forfeit the ability to lead. Leadership is not about the entitlements you think you deserve, but about the posture of your heart. As someone said, if serving is beneath you then leading is beyond you.

If you want to be a leader expect to get some cuts and thorns
After the greenhouses were built and the soil prepared, the potting process began. There was nothing really glamorous about it. We’d have stacks of one-gallon buckets and we would fill the bucket to the prescribed limit, prune the rose, and pot it. While the process was monotonous, there were always two things we could always count on – thorns and cuts. Despite the wearing of gloves it always happened and by the end of the day, our hands would be bloody and scarred.

The Lesson: Many aspiring leaders want the rewards of someone else’s labor but are not always willing to pay the price to grasp it for themselves. They want the smell and beauty of the rose that makes them look good, but not the smell of crap on their hands that made it possible. If you want to be a leader, you have to get your hands dirty and put up with a few thorns along the way.

If you want to be a leader, you must grow yourself daily
In the garden center, we worked tirelessly every day in those winter months because we knew spring was coming. We knew the payoff for our efforts was within our reach if we worked hard. The days were long and tiring but worth it in the end. Every part of the process was intentional and calculated and the outcome was profitable.

The Lesson: If you desire to grow as a leader, you must be intentional about your growth and daily do those things that move you in the right direction. Your growth and development as a leader are not accidental. It’s on purpose. And without a plan, you will never grow as a leader.

Final Thoughts
Make the commitments daily to grow in your leadership. Remember that it’s not about you and never has been. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and remember that before you can grow others, you must first grow yourself.

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