Inspiration – Page 5 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Leadership Minute: Different Is Good

Posted October 30, 2014
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To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater. – Bono

How is it that we are all different but we can’t tolerate the differences in others? It seems paradoxical. But one of the hallmarks of your leadership is to not only recognize the differences in others but to show respect. Not everyone will see the world as you and you will not see it like others. But before you dismiss the other person for their differences consider for a moment what you are missing out on. It’s as you learn to respect the differences in others you can begin to learn from them. Don’t allow your fears or prejudices to marginalize you as a leader. It doesn’t mean you have to compromise your values or you principles in order to lead. You build respect by being respectful. Besides, just think how boring things would be if we were all alike.

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Leadership Minute: The Measure of Your Happiness

Posted October 29, 2014
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Happiness…consists in giving, and in serving others. – Henry Drummond

What is happiness to you? How do you measure or quantify it? For some it’s found in the acquisition of possessions; for others it’s their career or the sum of their bank account. For leaders, however, I’d like to submit there’s a different measurement. Yes, there can be happiness found in the success and in the rewards of your career. But leaders know and understand that it’s much deeper than that. The focal point of leadership is a servant’s heart that is more concerned about giving than it is about receiving. Your place or position in leadership is not about having all eyes on you. It’s about embracing the responsibility that comes with where you are and using your influence to serve others. The measure of your happiness then becomes a reality when you understand your purpose is far more important than you.

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Leadership Minute: Make Believe

Posted October 28, 2014
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Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore N. Vail

What real difficulty are you facing? Regardless of what it is you can overcome it. With the right attitude and a lot of determination you can turn things around. But your imaginary difficulties are the ones that will trip you every time. What are imaginary problems? They are the ones created by vivid imaginations, paranoia, and insecurity. As a leader you cannot allow your imagination to get the best of you. It’s not healthy to create real life difficulties out of imaginary circumstances. It’s when you are secure and confident in your talents, gifts, and in your ability to lead that you can rise above those false perceptions. Every leader faces challenges and difficulties and you won’t always be popular for the stands you take and the principles you lead by. But that’s where you must draw the line. Don’t create additional problems for yourself with a run-away imagination. Make believe or making it real – the choice is yours.

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Leadership Minute: Redirect Your Rejection

Posted October 27, 2014
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As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better. – Steve Maraboli

On your leadership journey you will experience setbacks, failures, and rejection. Am I a pessimist? Not at all. How you react to these experiences that will surely come your way is what will set you apart from the want-to-be leader who sulks in his or her self-pity and the one who will learn and grow from it. Every obstacle you face introduces you to who you really are. For that you can be thankful. What you choose to do with it going forward is up to you. Will you sit and sulk, or will you rise to the occasion, roll up your sleeves, and work even harder? Obstacles and rejections are merely stepping stones to something great if you will change your attitude and not take rejection personal. Redirect your rejection and use it for something good. The outcome is up to you.

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Leadership Minute: Don’t Lose Your Way

Posted October 26, 2014
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Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. – Proverbs 11:14, The Message

Have you ever been lost? When you lose your sense of direction it can be frustrating and time consuming. Good directions are essential to reaching your desired destination. As a leader it’s important to have good directions. You have people who rely on you and look to you for assurances that you know the way. One of the best things you can do for yourself as a leader is to get wise counsel. That’s right; ask for directions! There is so much you can learn from mentors and other role models who can speak truth into your life and keep you grounded. The easiest way to lose your way is to think you can do it alone. But when you are willing to humble yourself and learn from others, the better your chances are for success. What have you learned today?

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Leadership Minute: Never Give Up!

Posted October 23, 2014
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Never, never, never give up – Winston Churchill

Leaders – have you ever felt: like throwing in the towel, overcome by discouragement, all alone and wore out, like a babysitter, frustrated, stressed, angry, confused, looking for answers, tired, burned out, weary, delirious, doubtful, skeptical, hurt, battered, bruised, betrayed, overworked, underappreciated, and asking the proverbial question of ‘why me?’. Welcome to the world of leadership. So before you throw in the towel and call it quits (we’ve all been there), let me take a moment to encourage you. You are more than the sum of your fears and frustrations. Your life, your purpose, and your destiny have you today where you are meant to be and doing what you were meant to do. It may not be the final stop on your leadership journey but it’s your place to shine today. Don’t allow your emotions to sidetrack you from fulfilling your purpose or keep you from your ultimate destiny. Take a deep breath and remember you are not alone. Never, never, never give up!

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Leadership Minute: Serve Your Purpose

Posted October 20, 2014
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Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye. – HAL computer, 2001: A Space Odyssey

What is your purpose as a leader? You’d be hard pressed to find anything more important to you as a leader than serving your purpose. It’s what gives your leadership meaning. Unfortunately for many, the purpose of leadership gets lost to secondary matters. For some it’s about attaining an element of power. Others might think it’s about a title or position. When these things become the focal point or belief as to what leadership is about then the purpose of leadership has been lost. The higher you climb as a leader and the more responsibilities you take on as a leader the greater this knowledge becomes. In short; it’s not about you. It is however about taking and using the influence you have to serve causes greater than yourself. Once you understand that this is your purpose as a leader you can then see it really has little to do with you. It’s about what happens through you.

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Leadership Minute: Know Your Surroundings

Posted October 7, 2014
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I really do believe in the influence of your surroundings. – Matt Sharp

As a leader, your surroundings are an important factor in the formation and execution of your leadership style. The people you surround yourself with may not always be of your choosing. Just as some circumstances are out of your control, so too, are some of the people around you such as co-workers. Being aware of your surroundings is about your cognizance of toxic behaviors and attitudes that you need to be on your guard against. It’s an awareness of your surroundings and knowing who to keep out of your circle. But when you know your surroundings here is what else you know: You know who you can trust. You know who has your best interests at heart and who the pretenders are. You know the power of being with like-minded people and what you can accomplish together when ego and who gets the credit is not the driving factor. Knowing your surroundings is all about knowing who you want to surround yourself with. Are you familiar with your surroundings?

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Leadership Minute: A Winning Attitude

Posted October 2, 2014
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I think whether you’re having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude. – Colin Powell

Your attitude is one of the most important attributes as a person and as a leader. All leaders go through times of testing. It can be a rough and tumble world out there. But whether you are in the midst of good times or setbacks, your attitude is very important. The only thing that can make the good times better is an attitude of gratitude. The only thing that can make a setback worse is a bad attitude. The common thread in any situation you face is whether the attitude you choose will help you or hurt you. When you display a winning attitude it will spread to others around you. The message it sends will inspire confidence and give hope that even though things may look bad at the moment, things are going to be fine. What message is your attitude sending to those around you? Choose today to embrace a winning attitude.

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Leadership Minute: Set Your Course

Posted September 30, 2014
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Among the safe courses, the safest of all is to doubt. – Spanish Proverb

Let’s be honest; all successful leaders starting out have their doubts. Whether those doubts about the future and their goals are self-inflicted or placed upon them by someone else, every leader has doubts. You know the doubts I speak of: Am I qualified? What happens if I fail? What will people say or think if I fall short? Well, hang around long enough in leadership and you will no doubt hear those sentiments. The question is not whether you will have doubts but what you will do with them. The key is not to be defined by your doubts or doubters but to set your course and not look back, neither to the left nor to the right, but straight ahead to the goals before you. You must listen to the only voice that matters that comes from deep within you saying this is the way. Set your course, cast aside your doubts, and chase your dreams. You can do this!

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