destiny – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Choose One Chair: Evolving as a Leader of Destiny

Posted May 27, 2016
by admin

chair

“Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they’re here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday.”- “Yesterday”, by Paul McCartney and John Lennon

In Guidepost magazine a number of years back Luciano Pavarotti relates a story from when he was a boy and his father introduced him to the wonders of song. He recounts, “He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’ “‘Luciano,’ my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.’ “I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book–whatever we choose–we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that’s the key. Choose one chair.”

At some point every leader has that moment of awakening when one chair wins over another. The process of getting there will vary person to person, but that day will ultimately come.

Your growth and development as a leader is a fluid process. Foundational character principles that guide you on your journey will not change, but for the sake of future growth and development as a leader you must be open to change and new ideas.

As leaders we also know that the only constant is change. What worked for you in years past may not be sufficient today. If you are content to just “phone it in” and coast as a leader on how it was done in years gone by then you may like have lost your edge. So what is a leader to do? Here are three basic questions you need to answer. Reaching your destiny as a leader may very well depend on it.

Is yesterday’s passion enough?

Passion is the fuel of your leadership. With it the sky is the limit in terms of your potential and destiny. It’s what keeps you up late at night and gets you up early in the morning. It’s the “why” that gives your life meaning and purpose.

Yet perhaps the wear and tear of the daily grind has taken its toll on you. Perhaps your dreams haven’t been realized and you feel there is no use in going forward. Let me encourage you today to buy-in to the words of Joel Osteen when he said, “If you’re alive and breathing, you can still become everything God has created you to be.” Becoming a leader of destiny requires a new passion going forward. While the passion you started out with may have been sufficient at the time; today’s goals, dreams, and destiny will require more.

Is yesterday’s attitude adequate?

If passion is the fuel of your leadership then your attitude determines your mileage. How far you go is about possessing the right attitude. Your attitude in years gone by may have served you well up to a point, but to get to the next level you may have to step it up a notch.

Zig Ziglar said, “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine you altitude.” And that is the secret to achieving your leadership destiny. Leaders who have stood the test of time understand the importance of a positive attitude. Every leader has also dealt with the challenges-both internally and externally, of right thinking. Your attitude will cause you to reach your destiny as a leader or it will prevent it. Be sure it’s a good one.

Is yesterday’s mindset working?

One of the greatest threats to your leadership today is holding on to a “this is the way we’ve always done it” approach of years gone by. Evolving as a leader is not about disrespecting the past but has everything to do with letting it go for the sake of your future.

While values are timeless your methods must be current and relevant to today’s world. Are you still open to new ideas? Do you still have the attitude of a student who is humble enough to learn? Don’t forfeit the destiny that could be yours because of limited thinking. Stay current, be relevant, and keep growing.

When Pavarotti chose his one chair it changed the course of his life. It was that singular decision that put his destiny in motion. In like fashion you must choose your one chair and make sure that you have the right levels of passion, attitude, and mindset to take you to the top.

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Choose One Chair – Evolving as a Leader of Destiny

Posted September 4, 2015
by admin

“Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they’re here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday.”- “Yesterday”, by Paul McCartney and John Lennon

At some point every leader has that moment of awakening when one chair wins over another. The process of getting there will vary person to person, but that day will ultimately come.

Is yesterday’s passion enough?

Is yesterday’s attitude adequate?

Is yesterday’s mindset working?

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The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership

Posted August 17, 2014
by admin

When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment and common purpose, anything is possible. – Howard Schultz

There is a story involving Yogi Berra, the well-known catcher for the New York Yankees, and Hank Aaron, who at that time was the chief power hitter for the Milwaukee Braves. The teams were playing in the World Series, and as usual Yogi was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his teammates on the one hand, and distract the Milwaukee batters on the other. As Aaron came to the plate, Yogi tried to distract him by saying, “Henry, you’re holding the bat wrong. You’re supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark.” Aaron didn’t say anything, but when the next pitch came he hit it into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging up at home plate, Aaron looked at Yogi Berra and said, “I didn’t come up here to read.”

The story is a great reminder of why having and knowing your purpose is important. Do you know your company’s mission or vision statement? If not, sad to say, you are not alone. According to a survey conducted by TINYPulse (http://bit.ly/1puoP3z) of over 300 hundred companies and 40,000 anonymous responses, the survey revealed that only 42 percent of employees know their organization’s vision, mission, and values.

If your employees do not know your company’s vision, mission, or values then they will be poor representatives of your company. If you, as the leader, have not clearly communicated those core values then you have fallen down on the job. How can your employees represent what they do not know? Purpose-drive leadership is essential to your success. Here are three reasons why.

It gives context to your past

In order to understand where you are and where you are going it is important to understand your past. Knowing the back-story of your organization – all the successes and failures and how it emerged in the formative years is foundational information worth understanding.

Marcus Garvey said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without its roots.” Seek to understand where you have come from in order to make sense of where you are going. From that knowledge you can have a greater understanding and appreciation for where you are today.

It keeps you focused on the present

When your purpose and vision is clear it gives your employees the focus they need to succeed. If your team is in the dark about its mission and vision they are without the most basic of tools needed for success. Your employees cannot lead your organization to its intended destination if they do not understand why they are going there or the values that will guide them.

A clear understanding of your purpose gives them the ability to focus like a laser on accomplishing their goals and objectives. Just as Hank Aaron was able to tune out the distraction at home plate and hit a home run, so too, will your team succeed when they focus on their mission.

It gives you direction for the future

When you can put your past in context and focus on the present then you can build for the future. When you have a purpose that is known, with employees who are engaged, then you have a future that is promising.

“Even though the future seems far away,” said Mattie Stepanek, “it is actually beginning right now.” Purpose-driven leadership is about empowering and equipping your team. Purpose-driven leadership is the rudder of your ship and will keep you on course. Your future is only as promising as your ability to empower. The time is now to lay claim to your purpose, make known your mission and vision, and discover the possibilities before you.

What do you say?

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Are You A Believer?

Posted August 11, 2012
by dougdickerson

It’s okay to let those you lead outshine you, for if they shine brightly enough, they reflect positively on you. – Billy Hornsby

Last year MarketTools, Inc. conducted a survey on employee satisfaction. The results revealed that most employees may not feel appreciated. Nearly 50 percent of employees surveyed have considered leaving their jobs. And 21 percent have applied for another job in the past six months.

According to the study, salary was by far the leading cause of employee dissatisfaction, cited by 47 percent of study participants. Other leading causes of dissatisfaction cited included workload, lack of opportunities for advancement, and the employee’s manager or supervisor. The study also found that 72 percent of surveyed employee’s companies do not have a formal program to regularly solicit feedback, or the study participants weren’t aware of such a program.

Exercising due diligence in hiring the best and brightest by companies is smart. But it is equally important that the same considerations be given to doing the right things that will keep them there. While there may be some dissatisfaction among the ranks over certain issues, the real difference maker is leadership. A strong leader sets the tone for the climate of the organization. When a leader believes in his people it can change that culture in a positive way. Here are four ways a leader can do it and why it matters.

Leaders are believers in the vision. One survey I read recently said that as many as 40 percent of employees do not know or understand their company’s mission. That is a disturbing percentage and it goes directly to the heart of leadership and why without it you are at a distinct disadvantage. If your vision is not known internally then it will be of no value to anyone externally. If your team is clueless then so are your customers.

When leaders believe in the vision of their organization and communicate it on a regular basis it gives your team the fuel they need to succeed. Sharing the vision of your organization is a necessary ingredient in establishing the right climate and is a minimizer of unnecessary negativity. Leaders not only believe in the vision of where they are going but willingly share it.

Leaders are believers in his people. The most appreciable asset you have as leader is your people. It’s a simple rule of leadership – loyalty to the leader always precedes loyalty to the vision. When you honor, respect, and empower your people you will have little worries about their loyalty to you.

Building your business or organization takes hard work and commitment. While it is important that your people buy-in to your vision it is equally important that as the leader you buy-in to them. Believe in your people and they will believe in you. Never miss an opportunity to express your confidence and to encourage your people. Where would you be without them?

Leaders are believers in your purpose. Similar in nature to vision; believing in your purpose goes deeper. In general, vision revolves around a shared set of goals and objectives for the organization. On the other hand, purpose has more to do with the dreams and aspirations of the people.

As a leader when you believe in the individual goals of each team member- goals that may transcend those of the company, you are exercising a high standard of leadership that few attain. The mark of leadership at this level signals your unselfish commitment to the purpose of investing long term in the life of others. Believing in the purpose of your people is the beginning of fulfilling your destiny.

Leaders are believers in destiny. The formula of V (vision) + P (people) + P (purpose) = D: destiny. As a leader you face many challenges as well as opportunities. Achieving your destiny is not by accident or happenstance. It is a combination of all parts of the formula working in harmony to see it come to pass.

I believe you can achieve your destiny. I believe when you apply this formula with your faith that your destiny is within reach. Your destiny awaits you. Are you a believer?

Follow Doug at www.twitter.com/managemntmoment

Doug’s new book, Great Leaders Wanted! is now available. Visit www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com to order your copy today.

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