Achieving Greatness

Tuesday August 18, 2015 #750

“I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.”

~Woodrow Wilson

I have known many individuals, particularly senior leaders, working endlessly in isolation, determined to solve a problem or create value.  These same folks rarely achieve anything remarkable for the simple reason is that they have relied solely on their own abilities and resources, forgetting or ignoring the fact that no one achieves greatness alone.  It is only by recognizing the talent and value of every individual, and asking for their ideas and assistance, that great problems are solved and great victories are achieved.  Be confident in, and utilize fully, your own talent and resources.  But always, always, be aware of and seek out the help and resources of those around you.

Begin Where You Are

Tuesday June 2, 2015 #730

“Don’t let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was.”

~Richard L. Evans

It is easy and common to allow yourself to become overwhelmed and discouraged by the challenges and obstacles this life throws at us.  Or to be envious of people who seem to have what we want:  health, wealth, happiness.  If you find yourself feeling this way, I implore you to accept the fact that these people – almost without exception – began just like you:  with frustrations and challenges to overcome.  And you can do just what they did:  decide what you want and take action to improve your situation.  Achievement must always be preceded by a decision and an action.  What are you waiting for?

You Can!

Tuesday May 26, 2015 #728

“Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’”

~Eleanor Roosevelt

The first step to achieving anything worthwhile is to take action.  The only certain path to failure is never starting, which usually is combined with a certainty that “it can’t be done”.  If what you want to achieve is worthwhile, begin with taking an action – even a small one – and you may surprise yourself at what is possible.  You needn’t be sure of success to start, but never believe success is impossible or taking any action will likely be impossible.  Act, and you can then determine if you believe.

Learning From Our Mistakes

Tuesday February 17, 2015 #701

 “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”

 ~James Joyce

 Rather than focusing on avoiding mistakes, which are inevitable for anyone trying to push themselves to achieve their dreams, to challenge their capabilities, and to explore possibilities, the real value-add activity is to use mistakes to learn.  When mistakes are a result of carelessness, the key learning is the need for intentional action.  But when mistakes are the result of intentionally pushing boundaries, the discoveries can be profound – but only if you take the time to carefully reflect, learn and apply the learning to your actions ahead.  Push yourself to discover the wisdom in your inevitable mistakes.

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.

Changing Your Thinking

Tuesday December 30, 2014 #691

“You are where you are right now because of your best thinking. If you want something different, change your thinking.”

~Tony Rush

You are an amazing talent. You are driven to succeed and keep yourself in action daily toward achievement of your professional and personal goals.  And yet…  You’re not satisfied with your progress or achievements.  What is happening?

Today’s quote asks us to stop, reflect, and rethink both our goals and our actions.  Take the time today to assess the goals you have laid out for your personal and professional life.  What have you experience and learned this last year?  How have your capabilities grown or changed?  Who has come into your life, or left it?

Does any of this require rethinking your goals?  If so, make the change today and begin altering your actions to move toward your revised goals.  If not, but you are still not satisfied with your progress, it is time to change your thinking – about your goals, about your capabilities and resources, and about the very actions you have been taking.

Experience, reflect, learn, change, repeat….

Knowing What You Really Want

Thursday November 20, 2014 #680

“As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.”

~Denis Waitley

Often the biggest challenge to achievement is knowing what you really want.  The people around you and popular culture will aggressively attempt to define this for you – how you should look, the possessions you should buy, the career you should have, and more.  Step one in the journey to becoming the best “you”, is taking the time to reflect on who and what inspires you and how best to bring your talents to the world.  Only you can make this decision.  Once you are able to determine your desired destination, persistently move toward it by taking actions daily – even small ones – that move you forward.  Whether you are 20 or 60, it is never too late to rethink your destination and get on the path that allows you to fully bloom.

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.

Taking the Next Step

Tuesday August 5, 2014 #650

 “All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man has taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of your first.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

So many times we begin our journey to achieving our goals, but stop when things get a little challenging.  Taking the first step toward your goal is fantastic.  Most never even begin. However, the only way to achieve anything worth having is to have the persistence to continue taking the next step and the next, despite challenges, lack of resources, and distractions.  Take that next step!

True Belief

Thursday June 26, 2014 #639

“We think we believe what we know, but we only truly believe what we feel.” ~Laurence Gonzales

Logic and factual knowledge are great sources of strength you can and must use to bring context and understanding to ambiguous situations and problems.  However, the only thing that truly keeps us moving with commitment, drive and passion is our belief in ourselves, in others, and in our vision of the future.  And that belief is not due to logic or factual knowledge.  It is due to how we feel.

As leaders, we must provide our teams with a compelling vision of the future that they can believe in.  That vision must be grounded in fact, but even the seeming impossible can be achieved when people believe in their ability to do something great.

Determine your vision for your team’s success, articulate it with passion repeatedly, support efforts to make progress, and watch the magic happen.  And be sure to pay attention to how you and your team are feeling along the way.