Inspiration – Page 6 – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

Leadership Minute: Scripting Your ‘Good Ole Day’s’

Posted September 29, 2014
by admin

The illusion that times that were are better than those that are, has probably prevailed all ages. – Horace Greeley

This is perhaps a widely accepted generational belief that the good ole days of yester-year were somehow better than the present. It’s not hard to look around without having a certain measure of longing for what we perceive was a better time and place. Just bring back the good ole days we cry. But the good ole days of the next generation is what we create today. As a leader this is your day, this is your time, this is your moment to create the days you long and wish for. Time doesn’t stand still for any of us. The good that you hope the next generation will look back on and remember as the ‘good ole days’ is created by what you do today. It’s found in your daily random acts of kindness, the service that you render to others, and it’s a script that only you can write. You are the author of the next generation’s good ole days. How is your script coming along?

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Three Things Talent Can’t Do For You

Posted September 26, 2014
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I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. – Albert Einstein

Gary Inrig tells an interesting story about Bertoldo de Giovanni. Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art.

One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, “Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!”

When it comes to the recruitment of the best and brightest in most organizations the safe bet is to always go with the most talented. For example, you don’t see the top law firms competing for the bottom ten graduating students from law school; instead they go after those graduating at the top of their class.

It goes without saying that talent is important. You want and need talented people on your team. But is talent alone enough? I’d like to highlight three things that talent can’t do for you and in doing so hopefully help you to see the broader picture of what matters most.

Talent can’t be a substitute for your character

Whenever you place a higher premium on talent than on character you have made a mistake. A talented individual on your team can be a valuable asset. But if they are strong on talent and weak on character in the end you will both lose. This is a trap many leaders find themselves in. What do you do when the “star” of your office (top sales producer, etc.) is also the office jerk, a bully, cuts corners, or exhibits otherwise questionable behavior?

At the end of the day, you can always find talented people to help you. You can also find people of character. It’s not an either-or proposition. You can have both but you have to esteem one over the other. Which do you think is more important?

Talent can’t be a replacement for your motivation

Talent and potential is one thing while possessing the motivation and desire to achieve is another. A person with lesser talent but with a higher motivation factor can achieve more than an unmotivated person with more talent. Talent is not what gets you up and out the door in the morning. Talent does not give you an advantage; motivation does.

A classic example is Steven Spielberg. Spielberg dropped out of high school and applied to and was rejected by three different film schools because of his “C” average grade. His report card didn’t measure his motivation and passion. But because his motivation joined forces with his talents we’ve all enjoyed some really great movies. The key here is not to become complacent or coast just because you are talented. No one will remember you because you had talents, but they will remember what you did with it.

Talent can’t be a predictor of your success

What talents do you possess? What is your driving passion? What would you attempt to do if you knew that you could not fail? These are pointed but necessary questions you need to answer if you want to be successful. You see, it’s not your talents that define you or guarantee your success – it’s your choices.

In your possession are talents that you have been blessed with. And every day your choices take you one step closer to perfecting those talents and achieving those dreams or your choices hold you back.

Here are some key choices you will have to make: Your attitude; it will make you or break you. Your friends; the true ones will always believe in you and stick with you. Your faith; it will give you strength for your journey and peace in your storms. Your fears; you will be defined by how you overcame them or how they overcame you. Your talents; will you use them or will you lose them. Talent does not guarantee success it is simply part of the formula.

Embracing your talents is a necessary first step going forward. The formula looks like this: T (Talent) + C (Character) + M (Motivation) + C (Choices) = S (Success). What are you doing with your talents?

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Leadership Minute: Disturb Your Routine

Posted September 25, 2014
by admin

The best cure for a sluggish mind is to disturb its routine. – William H. Danforth

Have you ever been in one of those funks where you just couldn’t seem to find a way out? You know the state of mind I speak of – you’re in a rut where creativity is stagnant, you are not clicking on all cylinders like you are accustomed to, and you feel like you are banging your head against the wall. At some point in time we have all been there. One of the best ways to break out of that sluggish state of mind is to disrupt your routine. Disrupting your routine can be liberating and can help you gain some much needed perspective. When your routine becomes too predictable and robotic it can dull your senses to things going on around you. A little variety in your day can be therapeutic. Adding some variety to some otherwise predictable routines can help stimulate your mind and give you a different point of view. When it comes to a sluggish mind don’t be afraid to cause a disturbance.

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Leadership Minute: Seek to Serve

Posted September 24, 2014
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We lead best when we seek the welfare of those we lead, when we seek to serve rather than being served. – Alan McGinnis

As a leader you will put many skills into practice. You will learn the ropes of good people skills, time management, vision casting, teamwork, conflict resolution, and much more. But chief among those skills and what will set you apart from your counterparts is a genuine heart for those you lead. When you seek the welfare of those you lead above your own it will be the defining mark of your leadership. When you seek to serve your people they will see up close and personal what real leadership is all about. This leadership philosophy runs contrary to what many people experience and what too few leaders practice. But think of how different things would be if it were. Your leadership is a privilege and it’s a gift. The joy of leadership is found in that discovery. Seek first to serve and everything else will take care of itself.

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Leadership Minute: Building Blocks

Posted September 18, 2014
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One measure of your success will be the degree to which you build others up who work with you. While building up others, you will build up yourself. – James E. Casey

Building others up is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do as a leader. Your ability to influence and build up others can be a real game changer. When you take the time to acknowledge a colleague, congratulate on a job well done or give a word of encouragement, you have no idea the impact it can have. Perhaps that person is having a bad day and you’ve just renewed their faith in your leadership. You just never know the private struggle the other person is carrying. But because you are a leader who builds others up you can make their day. Will it come back on you in positive ways? Of course it will. But as you grow as a leader you will soon discover the joy of being the blessing more than receiving it.

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Leadership Minute: Are You Adding or Subtracting?

Posted September 17, 2014
by admin

No matter what level of the company you’re on, you have a choice about what you will contribute to the culture. – Bill Hybels

When it comes to your participation in your organizational structure are you adding to it or subtracting from it? Each day at your place of business you are either the face of everything that is good and right about your business or you are a good bad example. Your organizational structure is only as good and right and productive as each person in it. Some days are tough. I get it. There are some days and some people that just rub you the wrong way. I understand. The boss may be a jerk and there may be days you feel you are carrying the load by yourself. It happens. But at the end of the day your presence, your attitude, and your work ethic is a contribution for the good of your company’s culture or it’s taking away from it. The choice is yours. Let your contributions be an example others will choose to follow.

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Leadership Minute: Get Up and Get Moving!

Posted September 16, 2014
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Just remember that there’s no way for any of us to get to the place of our Big Dream without leaving our recliners! – Bruce Wilkinson

What is your big dream? It’s the dream or idea that will keep you up late at night and gets you up early in the morning. But the dream does not come true because you dream it – it comes true because you work it. Your dream is akin to a blueprint – it’s the map of your destiny. Without a blueprint the builder can’t build. Many people bemoan unfulfilled dreams but in reality, for most, it was work left undone. The reality is this: the bigger the dream the harder the work. My encouragement to you today is not just to dream big dreams but to work hard. You will know that your dream has captured your heart when it puts tools in your hand. Do you have a big dream? Get up and get moving. It’s time to go to work!

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Leadership Minute: Lead With Purpose

Posted September 15, 2014
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The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants. – Rick Warren

One of the most important things you can do as a leader is to run your own race. Doing so requires knowing your purpose and examining your motives. Many would like to have the title of “leader” but for what purpose? Is it for the sake of what that title can afford you? Is it for personal gain? How about your motives? Be sure of this truth in leadership – your motives will be revealed. But the servant leader is just as easily identifiable but for a very different reason. A leader with a servants heart places others first, looks for ways to lift others up, and is not too proud to serve. Servant leaders have a different mindset and create a different organizational culture. When serving others becomes your mission it’s a game changer. When “what can I do for you?’ replaces “what can you do for me?” it changes everything. The road of servant leadership is less crowded and for good reason. Give it a try!

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Leadership Minute: Are You a Thankful Leader?

Posted September 11, 2014
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Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life. – Robert Louis Stevenson

A thankful heart is an essential ingredient in the DNA of a leader. Daily you have to account for all the responsibilities that fall on your shoulders. Your leadership skills are constantly being sharpened as your challenges grow. But at the core of who you are as a leader should be a remembrance of just how far you’ve come and the blessings that you now enjoy. Don’t allow yourself to get so caught up in the pursuit of success that you don’t know how to live in the moment with a thankful heart. A leader with a thankful heart knows how to keep their eyes open to new mercies. Consider the sacredness that each day brings and with appreciation live it to its fullest. Who are you thankful for? What are you thankful for? Whatever your answer may be – don’t forget it!

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Leadership Minute: Courage to Lead

Posted September 10, 2014
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You will never do anything is this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. – Aristotle

When it comes to the naming of essential leadership traits, courage ranks high on the list. Courage is what it takes to stand by your values and convictions even if it means standing alone. Courage is what inspires you to act when all other indicators say it’s not a good idea. Courage is telling people what they need to hear and not just what they want to hear. Being courageous may not always be popular but it is essential. The confidence that springs from being courageous is the product of being careful. Courageous leadership comes about by being confident, considerate, and is never about being arrogant. The fuel that drives courageous leaders is not ego but humility. You need courage to lead. Courage is your secret weapon and with it you can go far. Let it be your silent partner and give you strength. The world needs courageous leaders like you.

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