Faith – Page 18 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Leadership Minute: Let It Go!

Posted March 14, 2014
by admin

Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff. – Richard Carlson

It’s no secret that life can get complicated and we all have our fair share of stress to contend with. Leaders are not exempt. Couple the many daily decisions you make along with your other responsibilities and you can see why it can take a toll. How do you handle the stress? Some of the most stressed people I’ve met over the years are that way because they don’t know how to let things go. Inventory the major stress points in your life right now- which ones are really not your battles? Why are you fighting them? There comes a point in time when you just have to let go of battles that are not yours and reclaim your peace of mind. Simply put: let it go!

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Leadership Minute: Practice Kindness

Be kind to one another, because most of us are fighting a hard battle. – Ian McLaren

One of the misconceptions about leadership is that once you are a leader you have fewer problems. One of the truisms of leadership is that leaders are no different from anyone else. We all have our share of hardships and troubles. What will separate you as a leader is when you go out of your way to show kindness to those in the battle. Going through the battles of life is not uncommon, but you shouldn’t go through them alone. While it’s not your place to solve everyone else’s problems, you can show acts of kindness and give encouragement. Be the type of leader that has not only open eyes; but also an open heart.

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Three Boundary-Busters Every Leader Must Face

You’re the same today as you will be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read. – Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

About 350 years ago, as the story is told, a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into 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 into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?

Here we had people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there but in a few short years were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. They were unable to move beyond their current boundaries.

If not careful, we too can get stagnant where we are and not move forward with fresh thinking and ideas. Expanding your borders as a leader and as an organization is about growth. Will your current way of thinking cause you to move forward in a positive way? Are you placing limits on the possibilities that could be yours? Here are three boundary busters that I think held the people back 350 plus years ago that could be holding you back today.

Having a big vision without the big picture.

Initially the people knew what they were signing up for and went along. But the vision that took them 3,000 miles at the start would not take them five additional miles at the end. Buy-in at the beginning of your vision is imperative but if there is no big picture to motivate your people to its completion it’s tragic.

An unfulfilled vision will frustrate you as a leader and disillusion your people. If you want to expand your boundaries beyond where you are today then your people must see the big picture. Open it up to them. Let them see the steps in the process and why they are needed. Do your people know your ten year plan? How about a five year plan? Do you know it? When your vision is clear then the big picture will make sense but not until then. If you want your followers to know it then it’s up to you as the leader to share it.

Limitless possibilities constrained by limited accomplishment.

The first few years these new travelers did what was necessary. They established a town site and government. By all accounts they were making progress. But a shift happened. Their thinking changed. What do you suppose happened? My guess is that the urgency of the vision that brought them there has now settled and they have become comfortable.

Complacency is a threat to any organization and leader. When you allow yourself and those you lead to “auto-pilot” their work, goals, or expectations then you have become settled. You may not be losing ground but you are certainly not gaining any. The townspeople could not see the big picture because they were comfortable. Never mind that they could have expanded their borders and improved their way of life. So long as you are comfortable where you are you will never expand your borders.

Small thinking in the face of great possibility.

Surely there was more to the 3,000 mile journey than a cozy little township. Was not surviving the hardships of sea now worth greater exploration? Expanding your borders is not about settling. Do you not have new trails to blaze? Do you not have new discoveries to make? Sadly, in the face of such great opportunity were those who were ready to obstruct progress.

The lesson learned here is this: Not everyone who starts with you will finish with you. Not everyone will pay the price to go to the next level. The greater the sacrifice the fewer your numbers will be. Many will want to bask in your accomplishments but not all will help you get there. But leaders understand this and will not hold it against them. It is the point of separation. If you want to expand your boundaries as a leader you must be willing to pay the price. Sometimes you will travel alone. But your possibilities are there for the taking if you are willing to lead the way.

What do you say?

I invite your feedback!

1. What boundary-busters are you challenged with?

2. How can you more effectively share your vision and big-picture with those you lead?

3. In what ways can you encourage those you lead to take the journey with you?

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100 Books for 100 Teachers

Posted February 28, 2014
by admin

LEADERS WITHOUT BORDERS…

Over the past few years I’ve had the joy of going into many schools thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses that have partnered with us to give copies of my book to teachers. Our teachers are the heroes of the classroom and our communities and our way to thanking them is by gifting them with copies my leadership book.

I am using my “Leadership Minute” space today to ask you for your help. My goal is to gift 100 books to 100 teachers in the coming days and I am asking for your help. If you would like to help me honor our teachers, perhaps in a small way to say thank you for the teachers who helped shape your life, then I’d like to hear from you. If you have been inspired, encouraged or motivated by the “Leadership Minute” then would you consider helping us in this worthy cause?

Here’s the challenge: Go to my website, www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com, and order one or more books for this challenge. As a thank you when you place your order I will email you a free PDF version of the book!

With your generosity and help I know that we can not only reach this goal but I am confident we can exceed it. The more books gifted the more teachers we can impact! At just $10 a copy this is simply a small investment to say thank you for all that our teachers do. Thank you for your generosity!

* You can read more by clicking on the “Leadership in Education” tab at the top of the page. Again, thank you for your help today!

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Leadership Minute: Prepare Your Victory Speech

I never expect to lose. Even when I’m the underdog, I still prepare a victory speech. – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Your expectations as a leader are very important. They are reflective of your attitude which is a strong indicator of your mindset. When you have high expectations about your tasks at hand and the future you are working toward it sets you up for success. We all face obstacles and the path is not always smooth. Sometimes you may even be the underdog. But when you choose to embrace a positive attitude over a negative attitude you are more inclined to come out ahead. Control your thoughts and you control your attitude. Control your attitude and you control your destiny. Have you prepared your victory speech?

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Leadership Minute: At Ease

Posted February 26, 2014
by admin
2 Comments on Leadership Minute: At Ease

Try to be like the turtle- at ease in your own shell. – Bill Copeland

If not careful leaders can find the demands and expectations of leading to be a daunting challenge. The constant barrage of requests for time, critical decisions that must be made, and bouncing from one meeting to the next – it can all be a bit overwhelming. But when you learn to be comfortable in your own skin that’s where the much needed separation takes place. As you embrace the confidence you have in your abilities and when you set the pace for those around you it can generate the calming effect that others around you need. Are you comfortable in your own skin?

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Leadership Minute: Called To Serve

Leadership is an opportunity to serve. It is not a trumpet call to self-importance. – J. Donald Walters

When was the last time you gave consideration to the meaning of your leadership? Is it about climbing the corporate ladder? Perhaps it’s achieving a certain status or rank within your organization? These are not necessarily bad things unto themselves but in the larger meaning of leadership I submit it’s missing the point. At the heart of leadership is a desire and willingness to serve and develop others. It’s about discovering the seeds of greatness in others and doing your part to help it grow. Leadership comes with privileges and responsibilities and at its pinnacle is the realization that it’s not about you. Find the joy and meaning of true leadership by serving others.

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Leadership Minute: Believe in Yourself

Belief in yourself comes from a positive attitude that sees life as worth living and that you have a wonderful part to play in it. – John Patrick Hickey

This is a life truth as much as it is a leadership truth. How you see yourself is important. While it’s true that your worth is not defined by others you can be your own worst enemy if your perceptions of your value are low. You are not here by chance or by accident. You are a person of value whose life has meaning. When you live your life in a way that reflects your worth and it’s aligned with a positive self-image your value as a leader multiplies. When you believe in yourself and the reason why you are here you will leave the world a better place.

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Four Ways Following a Leader Can Be Difficult

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. – John Maxwell

An old woodsman gives this advice about catching a porcupine: “Watch for the slapping tail as you dash in and drop a large washtub over him. The washtub will give you something to sit on while you ponder your next move.”

Inspiring leadership is needed now more than ever. What’s not inspiring, however, is watching reactionary leaders who are chasing porcupines with washtubs who never seem to be ahead of the game. What’s even more frustrating is trying to follow this type of leader.

A few years back Forbes contributor Eric Jackson wrote an article on the top ten reasons why large companies fail to keep their best talent. In a nutshell they are baldy managed, send mixed signals, and have misplaced priorities. These things not only drive away your best talent but are the things that also undermine your ability to lead. Here are four ways following a leader can be difficult and why it matters.

When there is no clear vision and purpose.

Simply put, if you don’t know where you are going as a leader what makes you think anyone will want to follow you? A chief hallmark of a leader in any organization is one who knows where he is going and why, and has convinced you of the same. If the vision and purpose of your organization is not clear among the leadership then you can be assured it is unclear to everyone else. If your vision or purpose is not known internally then those who have the most to gain from your service or product will be the ones who lose out. This is a Leadership 101 issue. You will never succeed personally or as an organization if you can’t define your vision or purpose. What can you do about it? Define it. Share it. Do it.

When communication is not clear and consistent.

Communication is the lifeblood of your organization. It’s not something you leave to chance. Think for a moment of the measurable things within your organization that are important to you such as sales projections, budgets, or employee performance reviews. These are important things that you track and rightfully so. Communication deserves the same treatment. Nothing will frustrate the people in your organization more than poor communication. If they are in the dark about what is going on or they find out information second- hand then you are dropping the ball. Be clear, consistent, and frequent with your communications and always be ahead of the curve. Getting information late can have the same negative consequences as not finding out at all.

When team members are not valued or respected.

Not all team members are equal in terms of responsibility, skills, or assignments. But all are worthy of being valued for what they contribute and are worthy of respect. This is a fundamental leadership practice that you should not even have to ponder. But leaders can be hard to follow when they fail to recognize the hard work and efforts that each person brings to the table. Not everyone’s experiences will be the same but everyone’s input has value. Leaders can be hard to follow (and rightfully so) when they allow unprofessional conduct such as bullying to go unchallenged. Leaders worthy of being followed will take a stand and not allow it. Smart leaders give their team members respect and value their expertise. They make following a pleasure.

When leaders are inconsistent and fail to set the right example.

What followers of any leader want more than anything else is a leader who is consistent. They want to follow a leader who knows who they are, where they are going, and have made a compelling case for their leadership. Followers don’t mind weathering the storms. They will follow you through good times and bad so long as you remain true to your values and do the right thing. Yes, leadership can be hard, but even more so for followers who want a leader who says what he means and does what he says.

What do you say?

I invite your feedback!

1. Which point was the most troublesome for you as a follower?

2. As a leader, which point do you need to work on the most?

3. What would you add to the list?

4. What are some tangible things you can do to develop your followership skills?

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Leadership Minute: See Past the Majority

When I think of vision, I have in mind the ability to see above and beyond the majority. – Charles R. Swindoll

This is one of the toughest leadership principles to grasp. Vision is relatively easy compared to getting past the majority opinion. Leaders come under an enormous amount of pressure to lead in such a way as to please the majority. All leaders had better understand this truth; leadership can be lonely at times. When your vision takes you to a place where the majority does not reside you’d better be prepared to stand alone. Your vision is not a popularity contest. Stand by your principles. Be true to yourself. And then let the chips fall where they may. But at the end of the day don’t forfeit your dreams for the appeasement of the crowd.

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