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What you do towards what you have been purposed to do matters!
It is natural to want to see the end product, and you should have a vision of what that change looks like when completed. However, just be reminded that meaningful change takes time and progressive steps and is not microwavable. Whatever you do, do not be paralyzed and left motionless.
Dream big and visualize big because your purpose is big.
Get into action and remember, enduring things are built brick by brick.
As a leader, think about what the air of trust feels like in your organization. If you want to do a litmus test, self-check these two items.
People want to trust that they are working on important things. To be true, people need a clear purpose, mission and vision, and aligned goals. Further, they need resources and to be empowered to do the job.
People want to trust that they can be authentic at work. For that to be true, you must create and nurture a culture where psychological safety exists. In short, an environment for risk-taking that supports change without fear of negative consequences to self-image, status, or career.
If you can check “affirmative” on both of those, you are well on your way!
There are well over 70,000 books on leadership. Pick your desired area of learning, from philosophy through execution techniques, and you will find vast resources. However, if you keep two things in mind at the end of the day, you will be ahead of the game.
One, people are human and want to be treated as such. Don’t let phrases such as “human assets” and such harden you otherwise. Two, lead in a way that you are proud to share with your grandparent or pastor. That litmus test will keep you in check. 🙂
We all need more fuel for our tanks.
Expected outcomes can be a crucial motivator but are often difficult to see amid change. Leaders must help bring that into view, both the big picture for the team and individually for the players within their unique roles.
[Read More in the post]
We all need more fuel for our tanks.
Expected outcomes can be a crucial motivator but are often difficult to see amid change. Leaders must help bring that into view, both the big picture for the team and individually for the players within their unique roles.
[Read More in the post]
When I think about who we are, the words that come to mind are purpose, gifts, talents, morals, values, principles, beliefs, character, and so much more. [Read More in the post]
Working hard towards opportunities and success is one thing, but you increase your odds when you become an attractive person. So, what is the definition of an attractive person professionally? There is a common theme often heard when you ask others. It is someone that you “know, like, and trust.”
The “know” and “trust” parts seem to get addressed intuitively. People promote their skills and competencies, and people gain trust by delivering on their promises (e.g., objectives, goals, etc.). However, the “like” part can often hang out there a bit. [Read more in post.]
When change happens, we operate in one of three spaces: the circle of control, the circle of influence, or the circle of concern. Our greatest point of leverage lies within our circle of control, followed by our circle of influence. Thus, the best strategy is to expand those to overtake the circle of concern.
Does that mean we ignore the circle of concern? Absolutely not. However, it does mean that we choose where to direct our primary energy. Expand your circles!
Great journeys start with tons of energy and excitement—the vision, the expected outcomes.
However, great triumphs happen when we overcome adversity, fatigue, and self-doubt.
“Are you working in the system or on the system?” That was one of the best questions a team member asked me several years ago.
As a leader, it is easy to get our hands into everything, as we want to help others be successful, drive results and pursue the organization’s purpose. However, there is a difference between the individual, in the moment efforts, and operating systems.
I liken it to a glass of water spilling on a table; if it happens once or twice, it is acceptable to grab a towel and clear it up. However, if this will be a repeated act, you need to address the real need, fix the spill’s cause, or install a “system” of trenches to catch and dispose of the water.
Give some thought to the systems you have stewardship responsibility for and make them better.
The moment you have that realization for yourself, life changes. Driving to be the best version of yourself, in and of itself, is a fantastic journey.
If only opportunities would walk up to us and introduce themselves with a warm greeting!
In the simplest form, businesses are born by solving a problem that people have. If you can observe the problem and have the talent to solve it by developing a product or service, that could be an opportunity.
Be observant of your spaces, starting with your problems. As an example, Pastor Grannum once said, “If you’re single and want to be married, start looking around here at church. When I’m praying, and all eyes are closed, open yours and take a look around!” 🙂
Many times, we attribute the lack of success to not having worked hard enough. However, often the root cause is a lack of focus on what we are purposed to do.
Declutter and remove the extra. Clothes from your closet you don’t wear but touch them each time you go to get dressed (donate them), Apps on your phone that you don’t use (delete them), items on your to-do list that you lightly touch but never complete (archive them).
Choose the practices that make sense to you, clearing a path to what’s essential.
