admin – Page 9 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Why Every Leader Must Value Failure

Posted April 18, 2022
by admin

When achievers fail, they see it as a momentary event, not a lifelong epidemic. – John Maxwell

In 2014’s Oscar-winning film Birdman, Michael Keaton plays a washed-out actor trying to start his life again after a series of failed roles. But his efforts are haunted by the voice of the Birdman, the superhero role that had made him famous in his youth. The voice in his head tells him a story about his life- a story about failure and missed chances.

It taunts him with memories of what he was and what he could have been, but now isn’t. The continuing question running through the film is simple: Will he listen to that voice of a failure, or will he dare to believe that he can flourish again?

The story of the movie is one that plays out in the mind and imaginations of many leaders today.

You may relate to the character played by Michael Keaton and wonder if you have squandered too many opportunities in the past and doubt if or if you will ever flourish again.

In order to answer those lingering doubts and questions you may have, I believe it all hinges on your reaction to and outlook on failure. In other words, do you see the value in failure? Do you see the growth opportunities that come to you only because you did fail that otherwise, you may have missed out on? I want to explore two specific ways why valuing failure is important to you as a leader.

Value failure for what you learn

Tom Watson, Sr. is the man who founded IBM. Once, many years ago, he had a top junior executive who had spent $12 million of the company’s money on a venture that failed.

The executive put his resignation on Watson’s desk and said, “I’m sure you want my resignation.” Watson roared back, “No, I don’t want your resignation. I’ve just spent $12 million educating you. It’s about time you get to work.”

It’s been said that experience is a great teacher. So is failure. But most of us don’t like experiencing failures. I get it. But when you see failure as part of the stepping stones towards success your outlook will change. Failures and setbacks are part of your journey so the question becomes what will you learn when they happen.

One of the most valuable things you learn from your failures and mistakes is what you learn about yourself. When you know your strengths and weaknesses it helps you move forward in a smarter and more productive manner.

John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts,” and to that end, never despise learning and know that as long as you have a pulse, you have an opportunity to grow and learn.

Value failure for your personal growth

In his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, John Maxwell states, “The greatest limitations people experience on their lives are usually the ones they impose upon themselves.” That statement is packed with so much truth and wisdom.

Let me ask you today – what limitations have you placed on your own personal growth and development that as a result is holding you back? What lies have you bought into that make you feel inferior?

Every leader I know has made mistakes and has experienced failure at some point in time. I know that I have made my fair share of mistakes and know what failure feels like. But here’s the truth you need to be reminded of: you experience failures – you are not a failure. You make mistakes – you are not a mistake.

The attitude you embrace and the mindset you establish fundamentally determine how failure will shape your leadership. When you welcome failure as your teacher it will help you grow and get better. But when you turn inward and see yourself as a failure then it will hold you back and defeat you.

Final Thoughts

Failure and learning go hand in hand. As leaders, it comes with the territory and is part of the journey. While we don’t intentionally or purposefully set out to fail we do know that it’s all a part of our humanity that we embrace. Especially as leaders. Welcome it. Learn from it. Grow from it.

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Stay In Your Lane: Why Focused Leadership Matters

Posted April 11, 2022
by admin

Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. – Jack Canfield

I came across an interesting story not long ago about Roger Bannister. He was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes. That was in May of 1954. The next month, Australian John Landy broke that record by 1.4 seconds.

In August 1954, the two fastest runners in the world met for a historic race at the British Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada. The race was dubbed “The Miracle Mile”, the “Race of the Century” and the “Dream Race”.

As Bannister and Landy turned for the last lap, Landy was ahead and looked certain to win, but as he neared the finish line he lost focus and allowed his mind to wonder about Bannister’s position. Unable to stand the strain, he finally looked back over his shoulder, and as he did his stride faltered and Bannister passed him to break the tape and win the race.

How that race ended is an example of what happens when we lose our focus. As leaders, it’s not how you start the race that matters but how you finish.

Roger Bannister and John Landy sculpture.

To commemorate the historic race, Vancouver sculptor Jack Harmon crafted a bronze sculptor of the two men captured at that moment when Bannister overtook Landy for the win.

Keeping focused as a leader is important. Staying in our lane is essential. I was reminded of this recently while driving on I-95 in Florida and passed a big sign that read, “Stay In Your Lane”. The primary purpose of the sign, of course, was to remind motorists of basic safety rules and that staying in your lane is a thing.

How you navigate the ins and outs of your leadership is important. In many respects, it’s about learning how to stay in your lane. Why is this important? Why should we be mindful of staying in our own lane? Here are a few tips that I think will help.

Staying in your lane keeps you focused

Staying in your lane keeps you focused on your priorities and responsibilities. As a leader, you have certain duties and things that fall under your purview that require your attention. But not everyone’s business is your business. Understanding what needs your expertise and work and what needs your opinion is something you need to learn as a leader. Click To Tweet

When you drift out of your lane, you tend to be in places where you don’t belong and end up meddling in ways that are unhealthy. It can lead to resentment and can cause more damage than good and when the crash happens it will be your fault. Stay in your lane!

Staying in your lane protects boundaries

Staying in your lane protects boundaries that must be respected. Just because you have an opinion on what’s happening two lanes over from you doesn’t mean that you need to swerve over and weigh in on it – unless you’re asked. Nothing will break down morale and hurt the culture in your organization faster than when someone gets out of their lane to barge in on someone else. And consider this: When you leave your lane of responsibility, what’s not getting done in yours that should be?

Healthy workplace cultures operate best when people stay in the lane that is designed for them. When you stay in your lane you will thrive in your lane and when you do no one is getting hurt. Stay in your lane!

Staying in your lane accelerates progress

The logical outflow of staying in your lane means everyone is moving forward at optimum speed. When you stay in your lane, focused on being your best where you are, doing what you do, means everyone else has the time, space, and energy to do the same. When you resist the temptation to change lanes or drift across drawn lines, it gives you and those around you the opportunity to move forward faster.

If your workplace or organization operates more like bumper cars then it could be because too many people are trying to change lanes. And while it’s being done by well-meaning people just wanting to help, it will end up creating more harm than good. The best advice I can give to you as a leader is simply this: stay in your lane!

Final Thoughts

Staying in your lane can be hard. It’s too easy to get distracted and lose focus. It doesn’t mean you walk around with blinders on and are oblivious to what’s going on around you. There may be times when a lane change is necessary to help at the moment, but then you get back in yours. There has to be a degree of flexibility here, but by and large, when you stay in your lane, crashes are avoided and everyone is moving forward together.

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Five Signs Your Leadership Has a Settler’s Mentality

Posted March 28, 2022
by admin

There is no passion to be found in playing small- in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. – Nelson Mandela

About 350 years ago, the story is told, a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a townsite. The next year they elected a town government. In the third year, the town government planned to build a road five miles westward to the wilderness.

In the fourth year, the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?

Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision.

This story in some ways embodies what can happen to leaders when they “arrive” at certain levels of success or accomplishment and settle for where they are. And instead of blazing new trails and creating new opportunities, they are content to stop and smell the roses without any thought of moving forward.

You may be in a place in your leadership where you feel that you are in a rut or have grown stagnant. Would you even know that you have or what that looks like? What are some of the signs that you have a settler’s mentality when it comes to your leadership? Here are five for your consideration.

You stand in the way of change

A leader with a settler’s mentality stands in the way of change. He or she not just longs for the ‘good ole days’ but still has that mindset and to some extent prefers it. While one can certainly appreciate the past one must not live or stay there.

John Maxwell once said, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” And so long as you stand in the way of change, you will be like the early settlers in the story above who made a three thousand mile journey across the ocean but lack the vision to move five miles out of town. You can stand in the way of change and be a settler, or change and be a pioneer.

You don’t have a personal growth plan

A leader with a settler’s mentality is in many ways a leader who has grown stagnant. In other words, they’ve stopped growing. Your growth and development as a leader have no endpoint where you’ve arrived and you know it all. If you are not learning and growing as a leader then you are settling.

When you embrace a growth mindset and have a personal growth plan you can break out of that settler’s mentality. It will invigorate you and it will add value to your team. If you’re not growing you are not moving forward. And as a leader, you can’t afford to settle. With growth comes more growth. Don’t settle for where you are, grow to where you want to go. Click To Tweet

Others have moved on without you

Another sure sign that you have a settler’s mentality as a leader is that, well, others have moved on from you. And this is not necessarily because you are not a likable person, but because they’ve outgrown you. They’ve outgrown you not necessarily because they are more talented or gifted, or possess a greater skillset. They’ve moved on because you’ve stopped growing.

Take a look around you. If those closest to you never stay close to you for long, this might be a sign that you’ve settled for too long.

You’re afraid to take risks

Settlers tend to only move when they know it’s safe. If you are a leader whose afraid to take risks then you might have been one of the townspeople opposing the road out of town. Life is full of risks and as a leader, you have to be willing to take them. Click To Tweet

This doesn’t mean that you throw caution to the wind and that you recklessly make decisions, but so long as you never make them, you will always be a settler. Dare to dream, dare to take risks, dare to bet on yourself.

You’ve stopped dreaming

The by-product of a settler’s mentality in your leadership is evidenced in that you’ve stopped dreaming. When was the last time your dreams kept you up at night? Have you lost the passion that you once knew? When you give up on a dream or when it begins to fade, you begin to settle.

When you stop dreaming, something inside you stops growing. A settler’s mentality has no vision of the future beyond their current surroundings.

Are you settling or moving forward?

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Leadership For Such A Time As This

Posted March 13, 2022
by admin

And where were you?- Winston Churchill

A story is told that in the early days of World War II, Winston Churchill called Britain’s coal miners together. A great crisis had arisen. The miners were not getting out enough coal to fuel the factories that produced the planes and ships they so desperately needed.

When Churchill stood to speak he said, “I want to give it to you straight.” For an hour and forty minutes, he outlined the desperate situation confronting Britain.

Then in stirring language he said, “When at last it is all over, we’ll parade these streets again and as you go by, people will call out, “And where were you?” Someone will answer, ‘I marched with the Eighth Army,’ and someone else will say, ‘I was in the skies over Britain,’ Another will reply, ‘I was in the Merchant Maries pushing the ships through the sea up to Archangel,’ Then I shall be standing there and I will call out, ‘Where were you?’ I will hear your answer, ‘We were down in the black pits right up against the face of the coal.”

Then thousands of coal miners arose and with tears streaming down their faces, cheered the Prime Minister, and the coal came out. They had caught a fresh vision of the importance of their work.

We are challenged on every front right now. We see the horrific images coming out of Ukraine, our hearts are broken as we see the human suffering and senseless loss of life.

And just when we begin to see that we have turned the corner with COVID we are now facing an economic strain that we haven’t experienced in decades.

It’s in moments of historic significance we find ourselves living in right now, that we need to hear in the back of our minds the words Churchill invoked as he spoke to the miners when he said, “And where were you?”.

This is one of the most significant questions of our generation that we need to answer. I’m asking all leaders to search their hearts and ponder these questions:

In this time of adversity and trial – Where are you?
When our world cries out for leaders with backbone, clarity, and vision – Where are you?
When the world begs for leaders with integrity and true north – Where are you?
When there is brokenness and despair in the hearts of people around you – Where are you?
With the spiritual climate in decline and the moral vacuum has to be filled – Where are you?
When partisans at every turn try to divide us – Where you are?
When our neighbors are in distress and in need – Where are you?
When those without a voice need a voice to speak on their behalf – Where are you?
When our youth need mentors and a guiding hand – Where are you?

Our world needs leaders to step up and answer these questions and more with courage and conviction. When the world is broken all around us, may people look to you and me as a source of healing and strength. Click To Tweet

Final Thoughts

The Old Testament speaks of a woman named Esther who became queen. In Esther 4:14 it says, “…and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” This verse was spoken to her because she found herself in a position to rescue her people from death. In that season of her life, her faith was tested, just like your leadership is being tested today. Esther trusted and believed that God had put her in that position, in that time, to do what needed to be done. Her faith was tested, but God was working in her position.

I believe that this is our moment in time to step up be the leaders the world is looking for – for such a time as this.

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Becoming A Generous Leader

Posted March 6, 2022
by admin

Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness. – Augustine

A story is told of a mother who wanted to teach her young daughter a lesson on giving. So she gave her daughter a quarter and a dollar just before going into church. “Put whichever one you want into the collection plate and keep the other for yourself,” she said.

When they were coming out of the church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she put into the collection plate. “Well,” said the little girl, “I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection, the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I would be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did.”

At the heart of the lesson is a reminder all leaders need to hear. That the little girl might hold onto the dollar and only give the quarter might not be all that surprising considering her young age. But the expectation ought to be higher for leaders.

As a leader starting out, I’m thankful that I had mentors and other leaders who generously spoke into my life. I’m grateful for their influence and the wisdom that they shared. I’m where I am today because of their generosity.

If there’s ever been in a time in our world for cheerful and generous leaders it’s now. Our world is troubled and broken and in great need of leaders who can make significant contributions to those around them. But where do we start? Here are three simple ways to be a generous leader.

Be a generous encourager

It’s been said that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. You may not know the battles, the struggles, the stress, the family situations, etc., of those around you. Your one word of encouragement can go a long way in making someone else’s day. It may not seem all that significant to you but it can make their day. Be an encourager.

Be a generous listener

Over the years I’ve come to the realization that I’ve helped more people not by what I ever had to say, but simply by listening. I’ve also learned that I don’t have to “fix” everyone’s problems and more times than not it’s not what people are after. People today want to be heard and have leaders in their life who will listen. Be a generous listener. It can a world of difference.

Be a generous resource

One of the great joys in life is giving. Living a generous lifestyle pays dividends in many ways. I challenge myself daily with this one question – what one generous act can I do for someone today that will add value to them or brighten their day? I do this for people that I know – I love resourcing people – especially with books and find other ways to add value to those around me. I do this for strangers – I like to pay it forward by picking up a check for someone’s dinner in a restaurant or for their beverage at the drive-thru. I don’t mention these things to boast but simply to illustrate that when generosity becomes a lifestyle it becomes contagious and makes the world just a little nicer place.

Final Thoughts

What generous things are you doing to add value to those around you? How might you become a more encouraging leader or a better listener? Our world could use a little more cheer. Let’s learn the joy of being generous leaders.

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Why People Fire Their Leaders – And How To Stop It

Posted February 21, 2022
by admin

People quit people, not companies – John Maxwell

I remember my first job out of college. I was excited and filled with great enthusiasm. But it played out like A Tale of Two Cities, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. I was surrounded by people I genuinely liked with many friends. With a great team in place, we made great strides in the community we served. But I had “the boss from hell” who made life hell. So, I fired him.

An article in Inc. magazine identified the top 5 characteristics that caused employees to leave their jobs. They are:

Management style — 37 percent
Condescending attitude — 30 percent
Mean or bad temper — 30 percent
Inappropriate behavior — 26 percent
Harassed employees — 24 percent

Speaking of bad boss behavior, here is a sampling of what respondents called unacceptable or deal-breaking behaviors: Your boss takes credit for your work 63%, your boss doesn’t trust or empower you 62%; your boss doesn’t care if you’re overworked 58%, your boss doesn’t advocate for you when it comes to compensation 57%, your boss hires and/or promotes the wrong people 56%, your boss doesn’t provide proper direction on assignments/roles 54%, your boss micromanages and doesn’t allow you “freedom to work” 53%, etc.

When you look at the above examples of why people leave their work or the characteristics of bad bosses, one thing is certain – there is a leadership gap. As it relates to employee engagement, bad bosses, company morale, and corporate culture, how the leadership gap is addressed going forward is critical. A boss without strong leadership skills will drive his or he people away.

I’ve said it in this space before: Building the type of organization that your people would never dream of leaving begins by being the type of leader everyone wants to follow. Let’s explore three basic ways in which you can build that type of culture.

Serve your people

The higher you ascend in your organization the more responsibilities you take on – not more rights. This is where many a boss drops the leadership ball. Think of a pyramid. The old way of thinking is that at the bottom you have many rights and at the top, few responsibilities. Now flip it- when you do, the opposite becomes true. You now have more responsibilities as the leader/boss and fewer rights. Now, start acting like it.

You will build the type of organization people would never dream of leaving when you develop the mindset of servant leadership and by empowering your people at every opportunity. Click To Tweet

Empower your people

Employee engagement is directly tied to empowered employees. The cited survey, along with many others drive this point home. If your people are micromanaged, underappreciated, and not given credit for their ideas and work, is it any wonder they are firing their bosses?

Billy Hornsby said, “ It’s okay to let those you lead outshine you, for if they shine brightly enough, they reflect positively on you”. The boss who makes for a good leader understands that when his or her people are empowered it makes them look good. You will build the type of organization they would never dream of leaving when you empower them to reach their full potential.

Engage your people

Employee engagement is only as meaningful and effective as the leader who engages on this level. The boss who only sees employee engagement as something “they do” may have the work of his employees’ hands, but will never have their hearts. If you want to stop your people from walking out the door, then you must open yours. You must be among your people, know your people, and serve them. Click To Tweet

Building the type of organization people would never dream of leaving begins when you understand that they are the most appreciable asset you have. Simply put, employee engagement begins at the top.

Final Thoughts

There’s no way in this space to take a deep dive into all of the issues that need to be addressed here. But engaged and invested people need to step up and help right the ship. What role will you play in closing the back door and helping build the type of culture no one would ever dream of leaving?

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The Value of Adding Value

Posted February 13, 2022February 13, 2022
by admin

There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being, to help someone else succeed. – Alan Loy McGinnis

I read a story about Jan Paderewski when upon leaving his native Poland to play his first recital in London, had asked an influential compatriot for a letter of introduction to a leading figure in Britain’s musical world. He asked for this just in case anything should go amiss.

The letter was handed to him in a sealed envelope. He hoped that everything would proceed smoothly and he would not have to use it.

As it turned out, Padwereswski didn’t need the letter. His debut in London was a success. Some years later, while going through his papers he came upon the letter and opened it. It read: “This will introduce Jan Paderewski, who plays the piano, for which he demonstrates no conspicuous talent.” I wonder what went through Paderewsko’s mind when he read those words? I’d like to think he had a smile on his face.

As leaders, one of the most important things we can do is to add value to those around us. It’s when we understand this imperative leadership principle that it changes everything about how we view and exercise our leadership – it’s not about us.

In my span of years in leadership, I have intentionally applied four basic principles when it comes to adding value to the people around me. These are the four questions that I regularly ask myself.

How can I speak encouragement into someone’s life today?

If you are observant and take a look around, it’s not going to be hard to find someone who might need a word of encouragement. Your one word of encouragement can make all the difference to someone who is facing a struggle or a challenge.

By being observant and speaking words of encouragement to those around you it demonstrates that you are a leader who is in touch with your people. It says you are not so self-absorbed that you miss the cues. Click To Tweet

In what ways can you add value to those around you simply by speaking words of encouragement?

In what ways can I resource them?

Your words of encouragement are important and can certainly add value. But I’ve also discovered that I can also add value by finding ways to be a resource to those around me.

By this I mean, if I can find a book, an article, a podcast, etc., that I’ve come across that I know will add value to another person, then I will pass it along. People not only appreciate what you’ve done for them, but it shows that you are invested in them and want to see them grow. As an avid reader, I really enjoy giving books away. Being a resource is a simple way of planting seeds of growth in others that has many returns.

What introductions can I facilitate?

One way in which I try to add value to others is by helping facilitate introductions. I really enjoy bringing people together who share common values and interests.

I remember on one such occasion some ten or more years ago, I facilitated a connection for a friend (at my prompting) and that connection took her career to a new level because of it. As a result, she’s had doors open to speak and train all over the world. It all happened because in a conversation with her I said, “I need to introduce you to…”

As a leader, be mindful of your connections and how you can build bridges with the people you know. By doing so, you can add value in ways that can greatly benefit those around you.

In what ways can I challenge those around me to embrace their giftedness?

There are moments in your leadership when you see and recognize something uniquely special – a gifting, in someone else that needs to be embraced and called out. This person may have a story or perspective on life, leadership, or business that the rest of the world needs to hear.

When you do this, chances are you are only validating what they have already been thinking or feeling and your challenge gives them the confidence they need to step out.

Final Thoughts

Adding value to those around isn’t complicated. Be intentional by asking yourself, “How am I adding value to others today?”. Be a leader of value by adding value.

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Leadership Lessons From The G.O.A.T.

Posted January 31, 2022January 31, 2022
by admin

Losing is no disgrace if you’ve given your best. – Jim Palmer

The Cinderella ending of Tom Brady’s playoff run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is not the one he wanted. But with class, he played the hand he was dealt. Will he retire from the game? By the time you read this, we may have our answer.

My intention here is not to stroll down memory lane detailing all of the highlights of his remarkable career. There’s not enough time or space here to do that. His accomplishments speak for themselves.

Any player can give glowing remarks after an incredible come from behind win or other such accomplishment and look good. But how you handle the disappointment of a loss is more revealing.

After the defeat of the Buccaneers to the Rams in the recent playoff game, Brady took to his Instagram page to comment about the loss. In doing so, he gives us a few lessons in leadership that transcend the game.

Allow me to break down those leadership lessons taken from his post. I believe these lessons can benefit any leader regardless of your profession.

Gratitude

“…but this week, all that is on my mind is the gratitude I have for this team and the fans that have supported us…”

In this statement, Tom Brady brings to the forefront a leadership characteristic all can emulate. When you lead from a heart of gratitude it speaks volumes about your character. The lesson here is simple but profound – no one does it alone.

Brady rightfully acknowledges his teammates and fans for their support. He acknowledges that when everyone comes together and works hard then great things can happen. A heart of gratitude and humility is refreshing coming from a player the caliber of Brady especially after a loss.

Hard work pays off

“This year has been incredibly rewarding personally and professionally and I am appreciative of everyone who worked their ass off to help our team achieve so much.”

Simply put, Brady is acknowledging the obvious – hard work pays off. When everyone is invested and willing to work hard and make the sacrifices to achieve great results, it’s a humbling experience. Even though the season ended sooner than he and the rest of the team would have liked, he acknowledged everyone’s efforts and did not blame anyone for the loss. It was a total team effort that was characterized by hard work and determination.

Hard work and self-discipline have always been hallmarks of Brady’s career, even in the offseason. When a leader or athlete like Brady is the one who sets the bar, it lifts everyone to a higher standard and he gives credit where it’s due.

Keep everything in proper perspective

“ I always want to win., I think that’s pretty apparent by now, but that doesn’t mean I equate losing to failure, especially when you go out fighting the way we did.”

Brady’s quote here is leadership gold. When you understand that losing one game does not equal failure it’s a game-changer.

In his book, Failing Foward, John Maxwell writes, “ The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.” Brady’s ability to see in this light indicates that he clearly understands the difference.

Click here to order the book

Final Thoughts

Tom Brady demonstrated that winning is not characterized by the final score of a game. He showed that some things are more important – like living with gratitude, working hard, and keeping everything in proper perspective.

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Attitude Checkup: Three Questions You Need To Answer Now

Posted January 24, 2022
by admin

Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. – Lou Holtz

I read a story about a girl named Naaz. One day, she looked in the mirror and found that she had only three strands of hair left on her head!

She said to herself, “I think I will braid my hair today!” So she did and went out and had a great fun-filled day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and found just two hair on her head!

She thought to herself, “Well, I think today I will part my hair down the middle”. So she did and had a wonderful day.

The next day, she woke up and noticed that she had only one hair left. She said, “Well, today I will put my hair in a ponytail.” So she did and had a jolly good day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had no hair on her head. “Hurray!” She exclaimed and said, “I don’t have to fix my hair today.” And went with a big smile on her face.

The moral of the story? – Be happy with what you have. Each one of us is fighting some battle. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

I like the story about Naaz. It’s a simple reminder of something that at times can be lost on us – the importance of choosing the right attitude.

As a leader, your attitude is extremely important. It needs to be. Think of your attitude as the thermostat by which all other attitudes are set. Would you consider that a good thing or bad?

In Business News Daily, Jennifer Post writes, “Psychologists generally agree that our brains are hardwired to put more of our focus and energy on bad news. Maybe it’s because we are surrounded by it, now more than ever in the age of instant news and videos of tragedies being uploaded seconds after they happen.” Sound familiar? This is why your attitude matters.

So let’s take a few moments and have an attitude check-up. Here are three questions worth asking yourself right now.

What are you thankful for?

When you are intentional about what you are thankful for, it will change your perspective and attitude. It’s all too easy to dwell on negative things and complain about what we don’t have or don’t like. When your focus is on what you are thankful for it can be a game-changer.

Even when Naaz had lost all of her hair, she had something to be thankful for. Chances are, you do too.

Question #1 is the mindset question. Your mindset and attitude are uniquely connected. Guard them both.

What are you dreaming about?

When you have a dream in your heart that inspires you it will have a positive effect on you. You cannot move in the direction of your dreams and ultimately achieve them if you harbor a negative attitude. Click To Tweet A dream bigger than yourself will require an equally positive attitude to get you there.

What dream do you have right now that requires the best attitude from you to achieve it? Never allow a negative attitude to take away your dream.

Question #2 is the passion question. How far you go with your dream is in large part determined by your attitude. Guard them both.

How are you serving others?

When your focus is on serving others and giving back you will find it hard to entertain a negative attitude. When you take the focus off of yourself and put it on others it will change your perspective. As a leader, you have to remember that it’s not about you. When you learn that, it changes everything.

In what ways can you serve others in your organization or community? Your attitude will shift for the better when you learn the secret of selfless leadership.

Question #3 is the purpose question. When you know and understand your purpose your attitude will naturally follow.

Final Thoughts

When you align your attitude with your mindset, your passion, and your purpose you will open a whole new realm in your leadership. How’s your checkup looking?

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Walking the Leadership Tightrope

Posted January 17, 2022
by admin

We must be courageous but also reasonable. The world admires us for walking a tightrope without falling off. It asks us to keep our balance. – Lech Walesa

Standing at only five feet and five inches and weighing in at only 140 pounds, by standards of stature, he was not that impressive. But Charles Blondin was a showman extraordinaire and people would come from all over the world to watch him perform.

Charles Blondin, also known as “The Great Blondin”, was a tightrope walker and was famous for his daredevil walks across Niagra Falls back in the 1800s.

On one such occasion, he called out to the crowd, “ I am the Great Blondin, who believes I can cross Niagra Falls on this tightrope?” The crowd would roar with approval and watch in amazement. On another occasion, Blondin reached in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, and called out, “I am the Great Blondin, who believes I can cross Niagra Falls on this tightrope, while blindfolded?”. The crowd roared with approval, “We believe!”.

Then Blondin pulled away a sheet revealing a wheelbarrow. Again he called out to the crowd, “I am the Great Blondin, who believes that I can walk this tightrope across Niagra Falls, while blindfolded, pushing this wheelbarrow?”. The crowd roared its approval, “We believe!”.

Finally, Blondin gave the ultimate challenge, “I am the Great Blondin, who wants to get in the wheelbarrow with me?”. With that, the crowd fell silent.

In many ways, leadership is like walking a tightrope. You will have a lot of spectators and people will come from all over to cheer you on- until you ask them to get in the wheelbarrow with you.

But what are some of the more common tightrope issues leaders have to deal with? Here, I’d like to point out a few of the most common ones and why they are tightrope issues.

Walking the tight rope between your principles and popularity

It’s a struggle many leaders wrestle with – the balancing act between wanting to be liked versus doing the right thing.

Walking this tightrope can lead to you making decisions based on the way the winds of popular opinion are blowing today is blowing today and your desire to be liked. When faced with this dilemma, always choose to stick to your principles over your popularity.

Walking the tightrope between putting the team above your personal success

This is another common tightrope leader’s walk- finding the balance between putting the good of the team ahead of your own personal success.

When your people see that you will put them first, they will go the extra mile not just for the team but for you. Click To Tweet

Walking the tightrope between what your people need to hear and what they want to hear

How you communicate is just as important as what you communicate. Learning how to walk the tightrope in your communication between what your people need to hear and what they want to hear can be a real balancing act.

Make it a priority to learn how to genuinely communicate with your people and build off of a relationship of trust.

Walking the tightrope between empowering your people versus managing your people

Every good leader knows that you manage things and lead people. Your balancing act is usually found between how you empower your people and falling back on managing them. Understand this – your people want to be empowered, not managed.

The sooner you learn this lesson as a leade the better for you and better for your team. Your work as a leader is to empower your people to become the best they can be. Sometimes that happens by getting out of the way.

Final Thoughts

Walking the tightrope in leadership is nothing new. Keep your focus on what matters most and don’t allow yourself to lose your balance due to things that don’t matter. Keep your focus and always put others first.

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