motivation – Doug Dickerson on Leadership

A Message To Broken Leaders

Posted August 30, 2018October 4, 2018
by dougdickerson

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” – Psalm 147:3

A quick Google search netted 279 million hits. No, it wasn’t a search for the newest leadership success story or the latest self-help book that’s been released. This search was perhaps a little more ominous. The search category was simply “broken leaders”.

Broken leaders. It’s not the most pleasant of topics we like to hear and read about. We side-step it, and avoid discussing it, and squirm maybe just a little when the topic is addressed. I mean, after all, we have an image to uphold and a reputation to protect.

Let’s be clear – leadership is hard. John Maxwell, a leadership mentor to many of us summed it up once by saying, “Sometimes leadership sucks”. It’s hard and it’s messy, and not for the faint of heart. Or is it?

As a leader, and in the solitude of this moment in which you are now reading, you might be acknowledging for the first time that you are a broken leader. You’re tired, you’re hurt, you’re discouraged. Behind the public smiles are private disappointments, battle scars, and the lost ambition to try another day. If that’s the case, please keep reading.

The truth is, every leader I know–myself included, have come face to face with our own own brokenness. And it’s in these times that we must be brought back to simple truths that can put it all in perspective. So, to all the broken leaders reading this right now, please remember the following.

You are not alone

The struggles you face are the struggles we all face. On your leadership journey, you do not walk alone. The road to success is a journey of the broken- people who struggle and yet every day are trying to make a difference and add value. We strive together, we serve together, and we walk this road by sharing the load. Regardless of your circumstances today, you need to remember that you are not alone. Click To TweetThe brokenness you feel and the burden you carry is shared by many.

You are stronger than you think

I can’t begin to count the number of times when I thought I could not go on as a leader because of a setback, a failure, or discouragement, etc. But by God’s grace, I can look back and see that in my times of brokenness that hope was not lost but rather it was found in One stronger than me. If you are feeling broken as a leader and you think that you can’t go any further, take a moment and look back at how far you’ve come. Click To Tweet You are stronger than you think.

Your worth is not defined by your worst

Now might be a good time to cut yourself some slack. I don’t know about you, but sometimes the darkest moments in my leadership journey were not ones brought to bear by others – but by the man in the mirror. Over the years, I’ve come to learn that not every fear is fatal and not every mistake is final. But the attitude we chose decides the outcome. Simply put – we’ve all blown it. We’ve made mistakes. We’ve experienced setbacks of our own creation. Your worth is not defined by your worst, forgive yourself and move on. Click To Tweet

Your brokenness can be your blessing

Growing pains are not pleasant. And the feeling of brokenness you have right now as a leader may, in reality, be your growing pains. This season in your life – the brokenness and pain – is serving a greater purpose and is preparing you for your next level in leadership.

“Many of life’s failures, “ said Thomas Edison, “are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”. In your brokenness, you will be tempted to quit and abandon your dream. I’d like to challenge and inspire you today to not see your brokenness as the end of your leadership journey, but rather to see it as the blessing it has the potential to be in your life.

It’s out of your brokenness – your fears, your frustrations, your setbacks, and scars that you will be able to reach back and pull up the struggling leader behind you. Your brokenness may be God’s way of helping you let go of the pieces in your life that don’t belong. Click To Tweet

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What Do Your Motives Say About Your Leadership?

Posted July 27, 2017
by dougdickerson

“Men are more accountable for their motives than anything else. – Archibald Alexander

Bob Kuechenberg, the former Miami Dolphin great, once explained what motivated him to go to college.

“My father and uncle were human cannonballs in Carnivals,” he explained. “My father told me, “go to college or be a cannonball.” Then one day my uncle came out of the cannon, missed the net and hit the Ferris wheel. I decided to go to college.” To be sure, Bob Kuechenberg was motivated to go college and relinquish his future as a human cannonball.

In various ways, as children, we were motivated to get good grades in school or to do our chores. It often had monetary motivations attached to it. As adults, we have our motivations to perform well in our places of employment. We have the opportunity to move up based upon performance and other matrix and we are rewarded with the compensation that comes with it. Simply put, we all have our motivational tipping points.

You have heard the old expression, “check your ego at the door”. It’s sound advice for anyone in leadership. An unbridled ego can create a host of problems for a leader if left unchecked.

In as much as an unchecked ego can cause many problems, so too, can unchecked motives. A leader must be honest and come clean about overt or hidden motives that drive behaviors and actions. Before proceeding with your agenda, why not run them through a filter that will help you determine if your motives are pure. Here are six questions that will help you.

Would I support my plan or idea with the same level of intensity if the idea wasn’t coming from me?

This question is foundational and fundamental. An honest answer will shed light on the real motives you have. It’s not about who wins, it’s about the best idea winning. This is Leadership 101. Until you understand this, your hidden motives will always get the best of you.

Am I out to advance my own agenda and career or advance the good of the organization?

This is typically one of the driving forces behind hidden motives. When you seek the advancement of your own career and ambitions over the good of the organization then what is the real value of your service there? But when your commitment is to the good of the organization, good things will come your way. It all starts with your motives.

Am I territorial, making decisions that benefit me or my department over the good of the organization?

Leaders with wrong motives are all about making decisions that only benefit them or their department. Instead of looking at what is best for the whole team, they stake out their territory which leads to isolation and erodes trust. You will shine brightly as a leader when you are looking out for the best interest of everyone, not just a select few.

Am I guarded and reluctant to help others, or do I gladly share ideas and offer my assistance?

Your motives may be wrong if you are unwilling to help others for fear that they may outshine you, or get credit for something you shared with them. These motives are rooted in jealousy and insecurity and can openly expose your motives for not being a team player. A strong leader will gladly come alongside and help his or her teammates. It’s when you see yourself as colleagues not as competitors that you will have peak performance.

Am I manipulative, overbearing, and drive organizational politics in my favor, or am I a team player looking out for the best interest of everyone?

A leader with hidden motives can come across as overbearing or as a manipulator through office politics. They use this to further their agenda- be it career advancement or something else, they are master manipulators. A leader with nothing to hide is looking out for everyone and the good of the team. In the long run, people do not rally around a manipulator, but they will always respond to a leader who has their best interest at heart

Am I presenting myself one way in public, and another way in private?

Ultimately, this is where your hidden motives and agendas will catch up with you. It’s just a matter of time. Who you are will eventually come to light.

Here’s the rub – will all have our motives for doing what we do. Sometimes those motives are not very flattering while at other times they are good. The mark of your maturity as a leader and as a person is defined by constantly evaluating them, being honest with yourself, and only proceeding when you know they are in alignment with your core values.

What do your motives say about your leadership?

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Three Leadership Lessons from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Posted December 16, 2016
by dougdickerson

Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history!- Robert L. May

For many years, the story goes; Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago purchased and gave away coloring books as a promotional during the Christmas season. In 1939, company executives wanted to do something that would both reduce costs and be new and different.

To help with the new project they turned to Robert L. May, a 34-year old Montgomery Ward copywriter who was known to dabble in children’s limericks and stories. His creation was a short story written in rhyming verse and differed from the version known today. The original Rudolph lived in the woods with his loving parents far from the North Pole.

May’s story became an immediate success. Montgomery Ward gave away 2.4 million copies of the story in 1939 and by 1946, despite wartime paper shortages; over 6 million copies had been distributed. Faced with large medical bills because of his wife’s battle with cancer, May asked Montgomery Ward officials if he could have the copyright to Rudolph turned over to him. The company agreed and that same year the story was published commercially.

May also asked his brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, to adapt his basic story idea to music. When Marks was done, one singer after another, including Bing Crosby, declined to record the song. Finally, in 1949, Gene Autry accepted and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer shot to the top of the charts. Autry’s version is now the second best-selling Christmas song of all time, surpassed only by Crosby’s White Christmas.

From the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, come leadership lessons that are still applicable today. Here are three lessons that will serve you well regardless of the season.

We all have gifts and abilities

Rudolph was the object of scorn by the other reindeer who mistakenly thought that because he was different from the others he didn’t have anything to contribute.

We all come in different shapes, sizes, and with unique gifts. It is not in the similarities that we stand out, but in our differences. The gifts and talents you bring to the table of your business or organization may not look like anything else in your company, but that is your gift. As you embrace and celebrate those gifts, others will also come to appreciate what you have to offer.

We all face opposition

Because his appearance was different from others around him, Rudolph faced opposition. There will always be an element of people who will oppose you not based on your appearance as in the story, but because you have a different perspective, you have a different attitude, and you bring an optimistic mindset to the challenges of your organization.

When you embrace that which causes you to stand out you are on your way to the top. Others can ridicule you or join you but the choice is theirs. Regardless of your opposition, never surrender your uniqueness to any opposition.

Your moment to shine will eventually come

It is in the little things that you prove yourself. Even though Rudolph faced opposition from the others, he didn’t allow their negativity to defeat him. In the moment of crisis when Santa needed a go-to Reindeer, Rudolph was ready. Armed with his natural giftedness and positive attitude, he navigated the team of fellow reindeer to a successful completion of the Christmas mission.

Your moment of destiny will come one day and it may not happen the way you expected. Open your eyes to all the possibilities that your leadership can provide. As you remain faithful your big moment will come.

This Christmas season, celebrate your gift as a leader, rise above your opposition, and stand ready to embrace your destiny. As you do, you will have a greater understanding of just how special the season can be.

This post is back each year by popular demand.

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Leadership Lessons from Pat Summitt

Posted June 30, 2016
by admin

patsummit

“She could have coached any team, any sport, men’s or women’s. It wouldn’t have mattered, because Pat could flat-out coach. I will miss her dearly, and I am honored to call her my friend.” – Peyton Manning

As a native Tennessean and a proud member of Vol Nation, I was deeply saddened by the recent passing of legendary Coach Pat Summitt. Her passing due to Alzheimer’s at the age of 64 was a great loss and it’s hard to put into words how deeply she will be missed.

There is no doubt Pat Summitt made her mark on the game of women’s basketball. For almost 40 years as the head coach she led the Lady Vols to 8 national championships, 31 consecutive NCAA tournaments, and amassed along the way a record of 1,098 wins.

I had the honor of meeting Pat Summitt a few times and she was always gracious and a class act. Her leadership on and off the court was truly inspiring. Her legacy will live on in her players and in the coaches who served alongside of her and through the work of her foundation.

I’d like to share with you a few of my favorite Pat Summitt quotes for your consideration and how they might be a source of inspiration for you.

“It’s harder to stay on top than it is to make the climb. Continue to seek now goals.”

“Success is a project that’s always under construction.”

“Here’s how I am going to beat you. I’m going to outwork you. That’s it. That’s all there is to it.”

“There is always someone better than you. Whatever it is that you for a living, chances are, you will run into a situation in which you are not as talented as the person next to you. That’s when being a competitor can make a difference in your fortunes.”

“Teamwork is what makes common people capable of achieving uncommon results.”

“You can’t always be the most talented person in the room. But you can be the most competitive.”

“If you don’t want responsibility, don’t sit in the big chair. To be successful, you must accept full responsibility.”

“I’m someone who will push you beyond all reasonable limits. Someone who will ask you not to just fulfill your potential but to exceed it. Someone who will expect more from you than you may believe you are capable of.”

“When a player makes a mistake, you always want to put them back in quickly — you don’t just berate them and sit them down with no chance of redemption.”

“Quit? Quit? We keep score in life because it matters. It counts. Too many people opt out and never discover their own abilities, because they fear failure. They don’t understand commitment. When you learn to keep fighting in the face of potential failure, it gives you a larger skill set to do what you want to do.”

When reading her quotes you get a glimpse into what made her not only a great coach but a great mentor, friend, and inspiration to so many.

In honor or her legacy I’d like to encourage my readers who are so inclined in joining me in making a donation to The Pat Summitt Foundation. The foundation works in partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center for research in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. Visit the website at: http://www.patsummitt.org/

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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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Three Traits of Leaders Who Finish Strong

Posted November 26, 2015
by admin

finish

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man,

But soon or late the man who wins

Is the one who thinks he can.

From, The Man Who Thinks He Can, by Walter D. Wintle

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit.

As we move down the stretch toward the end of 2015 now might be a good time to think about how you are finishing the year. As it was with the Greeks, it’s the one who finishes the race with his torch still lit that wins.

At this juncture in the year you may be tired and weary. You may be more than ready to turn to turn the page on 2015 and welcome a clean slate that awaits you in 2016.

With the finish line of 2015 in sight let’s consider the traits of leaders who finish strong. It’s a simple list and is certainly not an exhaustive one. You may want to add to it. These are my top three.

Leaders who finish strong have clarity of purpose

One of the traits of leaders who finish strong are those who live their life intentionally with purpose. Each day is seen as a gift and an opportunity to add value to those around them and make a difference in their world.

Living and leading with purpose makes each day meaningful and unique. It’s an opportunity to use your God-given gifts and abilities for a good cause. When you live your life with purpose it motivates you in a different way. No longer is it about you, it’s about others. A selfless leader is a strong leader who will also finish strong.

Leaders who finish strong have a resilient attitude

I’ve yet to meet a leader who doesn’t face his or her fair share of problems and adversity. It comes with the territory. Maybe more so. But the leader who finishes strong is not the one who was exempt from adversity but the one who endured it.

Leaders who finish strong have discovered the secret that it’s not about what happens to them that matters but what happens in them that sets them apart. Leaders who finish strong have a resilient attitude that never gives up. They understand that they are responsible for it and work at having a good one every day.

Leaders who finish strong have tapped into their work-life balance

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so says the old proverb. Leaders who finish strong are those who understand the importance of a sound work-life balance. These leaders know and understand the value of hard work and give it their all day in and day out. They roll up their sleeves and are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

But finishing strong requires balance. And if as a leader you are burning the candle at both ends with no balance in your life as it pertains to rest and recreation soon you will be of little value to anyone.

Leaders who finish strong are able to do so because they have found the balance they need. Make sure that you give your mind and body the rest it needs and deserves. Remember, it was not about finishing the race first for the Greeks that mattered, it was finishing with your torch still lit. If you cross the finish line of 2015 burned out and spent how will you begin 2016?

As the year draws to a close think about how you can finish strong. What action steps do you need to take? It’s not too late. Finish strong and be ready to tackle a new year with a renewed sense of passion and purpose.

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Cracked Mirrors: Embracing Your Humanity as a Leader

Posted October 2, 2015
by admin

“Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror crack’d from side to side; ‘The curse is come upon me,’ cried The Lady of Shalott.” (From “The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred Lord Tennyson)

We all enjoy reading the stories of the likes of Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Steven Spielberg, and others who in spite of their setbacks and failures overcame their obstacles. The names and their accomplishments are too numerous to mention in this space. Suffice to say, all such stories are inspiring and serve as a source of encouragement and how that no amount adversity can overtake us if we persevere.

But I’d like to address a more personal issue as it pertains to our leadership. We are familiar with the personal characteristics of leadership that we strive for such as integrity, loyalty, trust, etc. But how do we reconcile our desire to live up to these virtues of leadership while embracing our humanity at the same time?

John Maxwell said, “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” And this is the challenge of personal leadership. The question is not whether we will fail, have errors in judgment, offend people, or otherwise not live up to our best as a leader. In short- we’re human. So here are a few tips going forward as you look at that cracked mirror of leadership.

Embrace your humanity

By embracing your humanity you are acknowledging that you are not perfect. As such you are also acknowledging that you are vulnerable and susceptible to shortcomings like anyone else. But this is not meant to be an “out” for bad behavior. As such you should have safeguards in place and surround yourself with trusted confidants to hold you accountable.

Be quick to forgive

Hang around in leadership long enough and you will come to know the value of forgiveness. As a leader you know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of criticism- fair or not. Life is just too short to hold grudges. In as much as you should forgive others their faults, be sure along the way to forgive yourself for the times you have blown it. And don’t be afraid to ask for it. When I understand the depth of forgiveness I need as a leader it’s much easier for me to look upon others through the lens of grace.

Keep the bar set high

That we as leaders may have come up short at times is no reason to lower the bar of excellence. Character still matters and striving to be better should be foremost in our endeavors. Don’t allow past mistakes to knock you off course. Don’t allow past failures to define you. Keep the bar set high and when you fall short don’t be discouraged. Your mistakes will overtake you only when you give up.

Walk humbly

Some might argue that walking humbly as a leader does not fit into the modern definition or understanding of leadership. Walking humbly is not abdicating your authority as a leader or otherwise exerting weakness. If anything, it’s the opposite.

Rick Warren said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” Walking humbly is living each day with an awareness of my humanity with the understanding of my dependence upon my faith to form me and my friends to complete me. It’s lived out when I realize the leader I want to be tomorrow is being shaped by my actions today. Do we fall short? Yes. But what we see in the cracked mirror is more bearable when we face the truth.

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Leadership Wit and Wisdom from Yogi Berra

Posted September 25, 2015
by admin

When you come to a fork in the road, take it! – Yogi Berra

We recently lost one of baseball’s most beloved icons – Yogi Berra. The former New York Yankee catcher was the consummate ambassador of the game long after his playing days ended.

Known for his quick wit and humor, his quotes have inspired and entertained us for decades. In tribute to Yogi Berra and his many infamous quotes, I’d like to share my ten favorite and how they can inspire the leader in you.

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it!”

Decision-making for leaders is very important. And while Robert Frost may have been more poetic in his observation of the road not taken, Yogi’s philosophy was more proactive – take it. There comes a point in time for every leader when every possibility and contingency is taken into account and you have to act. Just do it.

“Slump? I ain’t in no slump…I just ain’t hitting”

Perspective in leadership paramount to your success. Every successful leader has periods of time when he or she just may not be clicking on all cylinders. Everyone experiences setbacks and times when the wind is not at your back. It’s important to remember that slumps will pass and to overcome you have to dig in your heels and press on. It will pass.

“I’d rather be the Yankee catcher than the President”

When you do what you love and love what you do then there is nothing else that will satisfy and no other occupation to be envious of. Discovering your “one thing” and passion is the most rewarding thing you will do. And wherever journey that may take you, there you will find great contentment.

“If people don’t want to come out to the park, nobody’s going to stop them”

One of the hardest and most important things to learn as a leader is that not everyone will take the journey with you – and not everyone should. If people are not willing or capable of embracing your vision and the direction you are going then you can’t stop them from not coming along. And that is okay. Go forward without them.

“You can observe a lot just by watching”

A smart leader pays attention to his or her surroundings. You can learn a lot about your people and your organizational structure just by observing. Perhaps a good rule of thumb would be to talk less, listen more, and keep your eyes open.

“We made too many wrong mistakes”

We all make mistakes. Making too many wrong ones will do you in. Sometimes we can stumble upon success in spite of ourselves. The old adage in sports is that the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Learning from our mistakes is the key to our success. Avoid making too many of the wrong mistakes and in time you will be fine.

“The future ain’t what it used to be’

Change is the constant of life. As leaders it is imperative to understand change and how to be out in front of it. You will either be prepared for change or a victim of it. But make no mistake – change is inevitable. Smart leaders are early adapters and ahead of the curve. The future ain’t what it used to be so you best be ready for it.

“It ain’t over til it’s over”

Optimism is a key characteristic for every leader. Having a positive attitude will propel you in the good times and sustain you in the bad. You are not exempt from the challenges that come from being a leader but you do choose how you will face them. Regardless of how bad things may look, it ain’t over til it’s over. Don’t give up.

“He’s learning me all his experience”

Every leader needs a good coach or mentor. We don’t start out with all of the real-world experience and wisdom we need. Just as a ball player needs a coach to be successful on the playing field, leaders need coaches who can impart their wisdom and experience. Perhaps you are at the stage where you should be the coach or mentor to someone starting out. The simple truth is this- smart leaders are always learning and gracious enough to share what they know.

“Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t go to yours”

Leaders understand the power of relationships. People are your most appreciable asset as a leader and how you treat people is imperative. Never waste an opportunity to give a complement or practice a random act of kindness. How you treat others is a testament to your leadership and at the end of the day – it’s all about people.

Thank you Yogi Berra for your example and making our world just a little nicer place.

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Three Fears That Hinder Success

Posted September 11, 2015
by admin

What I’ve learned in these 11 years is you just got to stay focused and believe in yourself and trust your own ability and judgment. – Mark Cuban

The story is told of a new bank president who met with his predecessor and said, “I would like to know what have been the keys to your success.” The older gentleman looked at him and replied, “Young man, I can sum it up in two words: ‘Good decisions’.” To that the young man responded, “I thank you immensely for that advice, sir, but how does one come to know which are the good decisions?” “One word, young man,” replied the sage. “Experience.” “That’s all well and good,” said the younger, “but how does one get experience?” “Two words,” said the elder. “Bad decisions.”

We hear much talk in leadership circles about success. We read success stories of people and wonder what it would be like to walk in their shoes. In such instances one of two reactions happen. We are either encouraged to work harder and achieve that type of success or we grow despondent believing that it will never happen for us.

What about you? How do you react? In as much as we understand how a fear of failure will naturally hold people back, so too will a fear of success. The results are inevitably the same. Getting a grip on the fears that hold you back is the first step in overcoming them and placing you on the right course to achieve the success you desire. Here are three common fears that will hinder your success.

The fear of commitment

Unless this fear is overcome you will always be stuck where you are. There is no going to the next level of success without a next level commitment to take you there. Be it a successful entrepreneur, CEO, athlete, etc., the one thing they all share in common is an “all-in” commitment to their success.

Basketball great Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” The secret to your success is found in those words.

Jordan’s failures were his fuel. His failures were his motivation. And despite all of his setbacks his level of commitment took him to the top and he is now recognized by many as the best to ever play the game.

One of the greatest hindrances to your success is your fear of commitment. When you overcome this fear you are on your way to experiencing new levels of success.

The fear of resentment

Unfortunately, not everyone is going to celebrate your success. Be it a professional jealousy or some personal resentment there will always be those who will make it their mission to be critical. It comes with the territory. On your journey some will praise your success while others will be critical of it. But, it’s your race- your journey, not theirs- and you will need to learn how to tune out the critics and listen to the voices that matter most.

Elbert Hubbard said, “The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.” The day you fear the resentment that comes with your success is the day you allow everything that is negative to win over everything that is a positive.

You’ve come too far, worked too hard, sacrificed too much to allow the resentment from others to keep you from realizing yours dreams. Don’t allow the fear of resentment to hold you back. If the people around you can’t celebrate your success then it’s time to move on without them.

The fear of accomplishment

Sounds odd, doesn’t it? After all, becoming successful in achieving your desired goals is cause for celebration-not something to be feared. Yet still, some have a fear of accomplishment out of concern it will change them.

Those fears can easily be addressed when you value integrity more than success, character more than accolades, and your values more than the bottom line.

A fear of accomplishment will only hinder you on your road to success when you see success in a self-serving way. Successful leaders understand that the measure of their success is found in what they can do for others, not in what others can do for them.

You will have many challenges on your road to success. Don’t allow the fear of commitment, resentment, or accomplishment to hold you back. Go forward with confidence knowing that your fears are your fuel and your success is a tool for good.

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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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