Being a Person of Value

Thursday April 30, 2015 #721

“Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.”

~Albert Einstein

Any study of people who enjoy sustained success shows these people have a core competency in adding value to the people around them and the activities in which they engage.  Think about how or if you are adding value to the people and activities you engage in today.  How can you add more value?  Who can you help?  How can your unique talents and passions add value to the projects you are assigned to or lead?  Push yourself today to add a little more value vs. looking for how you will gain.

Leadership

Thursday April 2, 2015 #713

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.”

~Vince Lombardi

Yes, for some, leadership comes more naturally than others due to innate intelligence, charisma, and confidence.  However, sustainable success as a leader requires not only some level of these talents, but also the exceptional drive, motivation and perseverance required to push through inevitable challenges.  Even someone with limited charisma and confidence, and average intelligence, can rise to effective leadership success if they are willing and able to fight through obstacles and failures with determination and grit.  And highly intelligent and charismatic individuals often fail to lead due to laziness and hubris.  Regardless of your level of talent, if given the opportunity to lead, focus on your character and drive and you can be the leader you are capable of and that your people need.

Unique Talents

Tuesday March 31, 2015 #712

“Everyone is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.”

~Albert Einstein

Each of us has innate skills and talents, as well as activities and interests we are most passionate about.  If we are fortunate, we are able to bring those skills and talents to work and activities that bring us joy.  If not, we may find ourselves trudging through a life in which our talents are not utilized, and our passions are not realized.  Too often, we expect people to be something they aren’t.  Or others expect this of us.  It is important for you to understand your unique strengths and utilize them in a way that brings you satisfaction.  If you are in a position of leadership, it is important to recognize the talents of each of the people in your team, understand what they are passionate about, and strive to match these to tasks and roles that maximize their contributions and engagement.  Don’t stay in roles that require you to be something you are not or do not make use of your unique talents, and do not ask this of others.

Encouragement vs. Criticism

Thursday February 19, 2015 #702

“Be an Encourager.  The world has enough critics.”

~Dave Willis

Honest and direct feedback is essential to our growth and development.  If you are not receiving a critical assessment of your performance regularly, be sure to seek it out.  You also have an obligation to provide critical feedback.  But don’t think that this is your main occupation.  Effective leadership and being a valued friend comes not from your criticisms, but rather your encouragement.  In fact, studies have shown that the ideal encouragement to critical feedback ratio, known as the “Losada Ratio” is approximately 3:1.  By all means, provide honest and critical feedback when it is warranted.  But pay attention to the Losada Ratio and be sure that your positive feedback is outpacing your negative feedback at least 3 to 1.

Leadership

Tuesday January 20, 2015 #695

“When I talk to managers I get the feeling that they are important. When I talk to leaders I get the feeling that I am important.”

~Alexander Den Heijer

When you think of your supervisor and your interactions with them, how do they make you feel?  Energized or defeated?  Respected or not?  Valued or disregarded?  Leaders can have an amazing impact on the engagement, effectiveness, and energy of their teams simply by the way they make them feel in their interactions.  Most of you are leaders.  Now ask the same questions of how you make your team feel.  Energized, respected and valued?  Or defeated, disrespected and disregarded?  Make no assumptions on this – be intentional on body language, tone of voice, choice of words, and the unique characteristics of each of your people.   No matter what your experience is with your own leader, be the kind of leader you would want to have.

A Leader’s Role

Thursday January 8, 2015 #694

“A leader’s role is not to control people or stay on top of things, but rather to guide, energize and excite.”

~Jack Welch

Whether you are a titled leader, or simply in a position to lead in the moment in your work group, your family, or community organization, remember this:  being a leader is not about control, but rather about facilitating others’ success and achievement.  It’s not about you – it is about them.  Only by facilitating their success will you find long term success for yourself.  Though this fact is well known, few are able to act in this manner, getting lost instead in the human frailties of greed, hubris, and self-indulgence.  Be one of the great leaders rather than one of the many mediocre managers.

Creating Confidence

Thursday December 18, 2014 #688

“Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do. Because then they will act.”

~Jack Welch

If you are in a position of leadership, the most impactful effort you can make is to intentionally and authentically provide those you lead with confidence.  Confidence in themselves and their ability; confidence in their team and what they are trying to accomplish; confidence in you.  With confidence, a person can accomplish almost anything.  To do this, you must have a compelling vision for them, be able to articulate it, and do so frequently.  What have you done today to inspire confidence?

Effective Leaders

Thursday November 6, 2014 #676

“Patience and tenacity of purpose are worth more than twice their weight of cleverness.”

~Thomas H. Huxley

I often encounter clever people who are able to devise amazing ways to resolve seemingly insurmountable challenges, and yet who lack the confidence and tenacity to put their ideas into place and push them to success.  Similarly, there are those who are unable to find these clever solutions on their own, but when they understand the purpose and vision of those who can they are unstoppable.  The effective leader therefore, is the one who puts together teams of complementary talents: clever problem solvers and patient and tenacious doers.

Exceeding our Limitations

Thursday September 18, 2014 #663

“The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner.”

~Gordon B. Hinckley

I am energized by the possibility in all people to achieve great things.  The joy of leadership is to provide the environment in which anyone can exceed their perceived limitations and deliver exceptional results for themselves and for their teams.  This environment must be one of optimism, a clear purpose, mutual trust and respect, hard work and perseverance.  In this environment, all members contribute at a high level, rather than relying on a few stars.  Each of us, whether as a titled leader, or a leader among our peers, can create and preserve such an environment.  And in today’s complex and highly competitive environment, we must.

Listening

Thursday August 14, 2014 #653

“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”

~Karl A. Menninger

It is interesting that while we are most attracted to those who listen to us, we often forget to be good listeners ourselves.  It is a natural part of being human to want to be heard.  It is less natural to be willing to hear others.  In Stephen Covey’s seminal work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a key habit is “seek first to understand, then to be understood”.  This remains are core behavior of exceptional people, especially leaders.  Ask good questions, and then listen – really listen – to the answers.  You will not only find incredible insights by listening, you will create trust and attractiveness as a leader and as a person.