Trust that little voice in your head that says, ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if…’ And then do it. – Duane Michals
One of the fun things about people who live life without limits is their willingness to take risks. Playing ‘not to lose’ is no way to live. It’s when you dare to listen to the voice in your head (or your heart, if you will) and live the life you’ve imagined – that life that changes for the better. Think how different your life would be if you embraced a ‘wouldn’t it be interesting if…’ mentality? Wouldn’t it be interesting of you stopped listening to dream robbers in your life? Wouldn’t it be interesting if you started writing that book, or opened that business, or took that trip? It’s not too late to turn a ‘one of these days’ mentality into a ‘wish I had done it sooner’ reality! Wouldn’t it be interesting if you started today? Trust that voice in your head and go for it. What are you waiting for?
Leadership is all about taking people on a journey. The challenge is that most of the time, we are asking people to follow us to places we ourselves have never been. – Andy Stanley
Intuitively we know that leadership is a journey. So much of where we go as leaders is a journey of the heart as much as it is the head. But when you invite other people to take the journey with you it changes things. If as a leader you have no idea as to where you are going then convincing others to follow will be a more difficult proposition. Knowing where you are going and why you are going there are two critical fundamentals for any follower. People will follow a leader who can confidently articulate a vision, but it’s incomplete information. The follower must know why taking the journey matters to them and what their involvement will be. As a leader you have to make the case for the journey, lead with authority, and communicate with clarity.
You need enough ego to believe you matter but not so much that you ignore others. –Dan Rockwell
One of the dangers of your leadership is that of an over-inflated ego. If not careful, leaders who achieve a certain level of success can make the mistake of believing that everything revolves around them. The danger worsens when you believe you matter more than you do and by ignoring others in the process. While it’s good to believe in yourself you should not be writing your own biased headlines. Strive to make a difference and be grateful for your success. Your accomplishments matter but not nearly as much as the people around you. Don’t let your ego be the stumbling block as it relates to your growth as a leader. Remember, it’s not about you. You will keep your ego in check when you seek to elevate those around you and serve with humility.
I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him. – Galileo Galilei
Leadership is a life-long learning process. Class is always in session; it never ends. As leaders we have the ability to tap into many streams of learning opportunities. Be it a book, a workshop or seminar, or webcast. The point here is simple and direct –learn all that you can from as many sources as possible. Working around you are many people from whom you can learn. Some may be more beneficial to you than others, but from everyone you can learn something. A little humility is in order as it relates to what you can learn from your peers or others in your circle of influence. If you come across as a “know it all” then it might be a challenge to think you can learn from those around you. The question is – are you willing to learn? Don’t try be so above everyone around you that you can’t learn something new. You can. A smart leader realizes he doesn’t know it all and is humble enough to learn.
Today, I will remember that if there is no risk there is no recognition. – Jimmy Collins
Risk is part of a leader’s life. Does it always pay off? No. But one thing is certain – without risk there is no recognition. Risk-takers are peculiar. They had rather take big risks and fail than to play it safe and succeed. Risk-takers are those who see the same opportunity-in-waiting as the next person but with one major difference. The risk-taker will act. The risk-taker will dare to believe that what the other person deemed as impossible is actually possible. Pride in one’s work and the desire for achievement comes with measured risk, there is no recognition for the one who remains safe in the harbor. Are you ready to step out and take a risk? Are you ready to cast your sails and set out on an improbable journey of success? It’s not about throwing caution to the wind, but sometimes you have to put your sails into the wind if you want to succeed.
The word impossible is not in my dictionary. – Napoleon Bonaparte
Words are important. From them your belief systems are formed and realities are defined. As a leader you will inspire confidence and courage based upon your word selection. What message do you want to send? To be sure, you will face many obstacles and challenging circumstances will always be a companion on your journey to success. But when the word impossible enters your vocabulary you then marginalize your leadership and the chances of success for your team. When your words sow seeds of doubt about the obstacles before you then that doubt will serve to magnify the challenge. The challenge of your leadership is to sow seeds of faith and to instill confidence. This happens by the words you speak. It doesn’t make the challenge or obstacle any less real; it simply means that you choose to not be defined by them. The sooner you take the word impossible out of your vocabulary the better off you will be.
They do not love that do not show their love – William Shakespeare
Among the inductees in the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2014 was the great Michael Strahan from the New York Giants. He joined fellow inductees Derrick Brooks, Ray Guy, Claude Humphrey, Walter Jones, Andre Red, and Aeneas Williams.
Strahan is the youngest of six kids and in his induction speech he said that he is absolutely an “improbable Hall of Famer,” and an “improbable football player.” The son of a career Army man, Strahan did not grow up playing football. He received a scholarship and attended Texas Southern University where he learned to play. Another “improbable” moment later came when he was drafted by the New York Giants.
Michael Strahan played defensive end for the Giants for 15 years. He set the NFL’s single-season record for the most sacks (22.5) in 2001. He played in 216 games for the Giants and had a career 141.5 sacks (5th all-time in the NFL). His final game for the Giants came in 2007 with a win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
In listening to his Hall of Fame induction speech you can’t help but hear the love not just for the game of football but for the people he credits for his success. From coaches and teammates that spanned the various generations of his illustrious career, Strahan took time to recognize them all. Here are three leadership take-aways from Michael Strahan that are worthy of a closer look.
It’s not when you begin but how
Strahan trained and conditioned in Germany. He didn’t take up the game of football until college – in Texas. By that time most of his peers had considerable experience that would seemingly put him at a disadvantage. But he worked hard and learned the game and had to be teachable.
As a leader it isn’t about when you begin but how. If you work hard, are willing to learn and apply yourself, then there is no goal in your sights that you can’t reach. Your age or lack of experience is no match for a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
Improbable doesn’t mean impossible
By all accounts Strahan possessed every disadvantage imaginable when he started out. His lack of experience would surely put him at a disadvantage. Or would it? Learning and excelling at the game while in college and being drafted into the NFL was even more improbable. But he did it.
Strahan joins the company of many others who would have been labeled as “improbable” by any other standard or measurement. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for “lacking ideas”. Steven Spielberg dropped out of high school and applied to three film schools but was unsuccessful due to his “C” average. President Harry Truman was rejected by the U.S. Military & Naval Academies due to his poor eyesight. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. What does Michael Strahan share in common with all of these people? He refused to be labeled and refused to give up. All successful leaders do this.
Humility is refreshing
For all the success that Michael Strahan achieved in his NFL career there is something quite refreshing about not forgetting those who helped and sharing he credit. Strahan was remarkably generous in paying homage to those who helped him. Striking in his remarks was in how he acknowledged predecessors like Lawrence Taylor and Howie Long. What was honorable was the way in which he proclaimed his love for his parents and proudly admitted to being a “momma’s boy”.
The road to success is long and hard and the bonds you forge with those around you who share the journey make it all worthwhile. When you can remain enough humble to learn, at any age or at any stage in your career, it’s a leadership quality worthy of respect and emulation.
While Strahan’s journey was on a stage for the entire world to see and enjoy it’s not unlike countless others who can and will do the same. Likely far removed from the spotlight and fanfare of a Strahan-like career, you will serve with the same degree of passion and purpose.
It’s important to remember these three lessons: it’s never too late to reach for your dreams; improbable circumstances don’t define you – they only indicate your starting point; humility is never out of style and will always serve you well. Thank you, Michael Strahan, for reminding us.
Accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days the statue. – Dilbert
If you hang around in leadership long enough you will come to know this truth. It comes with the territory and it’s not always glamorous. Leadership is hard and is not for wimps. The action you take today will make some love you and some hate you. Your decisions tomorrow can turn the tables the other direction. As a leader you are an easy target- and some days, well, some days you are the statue. But your longevity as a leader will not defined by how well you played to the crowd and tried to be a people pleaser. What makes you a leader that lasts and stand the test of time is to stand strong during times of testing. What’s at stake is not about your popularity but your principles. If you sacrifice one for the other you will always be the statue. Come what may- good or bad, be a leader who stands tall and with honor for doing the right thing, the right way, at all times.
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. – Alfred North Whitehead
As you look back over the span of your life as a leader I’m sure there are people along the way who made an impact. Do you remember them? They are the ones who befriended you in a new job. They helped you grow and develop your confidence. They stood by you and believed in you when no one else would. They gave you correction when you needed it and patiently gave of their time to help you grow and become the leader you are today. Expressions of your gratitude are in order. Why not reach out and reach back to say thank you to those who were kind enough to help you? Perhaps you can give them a call or send them a note expressing your gratitude. Life is too short and leadership too hard not to pause now and then to remember, reflect, and give thanks for where you are and for those who helped you. Who are you thankful for?
Blind spots: Every organization has them; only few are willing to point them out. – Scott Williams
One of the most important things you can do as a leader in your organization is to have honest dialogue about blind spots. Every organization has them as does every leader. A good exercise you can utilize in your organization is to bring your team together for some honest evaluation. Better yet, bring in trusted outsiders who can tell you what you need to hear and help you navigate your way forward. Blind spots are not weaknesses unless you avoid them. Dare to know and embrace the truth with the attitude of making corrections. If you bury your head in the sand regarding your blind spots your competitors will take advantage of you. The first step in the process is a willingness on your part as the leader to identify your own blind spots so you can lead with clarity and purpose. Your effectiveness as a leader depends on you seeing what others see. You don’t have to be blindsided by blind spots. Lead with your eyes open.
