There is an abundance of sayings that address the concept of beginning something. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step," and "starting is more than half of finishing," are just two that come immediately to mind. But it seems to me that finishing is more important than starting.
Let me explain. In my lifetime, I've seen a lot of people start things; projects, businesses, jobs, careers, relationships, whatever. And I've done a lot of starting myself. But I have noticed that there are way more things begun than finished. As a matter of fact, I have come to think that the art of finishing is what seperates the truly great leaders from the rest.
Finishing Well is a concept that beggs consideration. Many leaders begin the journey, but only few finish. And even fewer "finish well."
J. Robert Clinton and Richard W. Clinton wrote that there are seven main barriers to "Finishing Well:"
1. Finances - their use and abuse
2. Power - its abuse
3. Inordinate pride - which leads to downfall
4. Sex - illicit relationships
5. Family - critical issues
6. Plateauing
7. Emotional and Psychological Wounding
A quick review of this list will have every leader's head nodding as he or she realizes they have either been sidetracked or tempted by one or many of these, or have known someone who has fallen to one of these culprits. But I found most helpful the list of things leaders can do to enhance their chances of finishing well, as given to the authors by their mentor, whom they refer to only as "Pastor Ray:"
1. gain and keep a broad perspective
2. develop an expectancy for renewal
3. practice disciplines, especially spiritual ones
4. develop and maintain a learning posture
5. have and listen to mentors
(paraphrased, taken from Leaders on Leadership, edited by George Barna).
As leaders on the journey to significance, I think it would benefit each of us to take these five enhancements to heart. Remember:
Any one can start,
and many do.
Few finish well,
it's up to you.
By Chris Brady
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Why Listening to Yourself Can Get You in Trouble!
Much has been written on leadership throughout the years. A question that has always plagued me is; if I am going to improve, how can I do it by listening to myself? For years I would go to the book store, look at the books on the shelf and decide for myself what I should read. Occasionally someone would recommend a book or a CD to me. The problem was that the recommendations, either from me or others, were not having much of an affect on moving me toward my goals. At times it even had a detrimental affect, getting me in the bushes on some subjects, although interesting, having no significant impact on my future.
After many years of being on this planet (52 to be exact) I have come to realize that the best advice I could get is from people that have had more experience, life success (not just financially; long ago I have come to understand that money alone does not equal success), wisdom and a vested interest in me. Now I know some of you are thinking, can you really find anyone with more experience than a 52 year old? Well, I’m here to tell you that you can and age has very little to do with it. Wisdom and knowledge, particularly today, does not necessarily correlate with age.
Now before someone starts to disagree with me, I am not saying that you cannot develop wisdom and knowledge over time; the only question is how much time do you want to take? At my age, I don’t want to take much longer to get it. I might suggest that if you’re reading this and thinking, I’m done working or I’m not in a leadership position, I’m here to tell you we will all be called to lead at some time in our lives. It may come when you least expect it, such as, when many years ago you agreed to be an executor of someone’s Will or an aging parent is no longer in a position to take care of themselves and you have to make decisions for them…that’s leadership!
Are you going to be prepared? I have heard it said that we are in exponential times. If you don’t believe me, just jump over to youtube and watch "Did You Know."
Whether or not you’ve invested 8 minutes in this link, we all have to prepare ourselves. What I have found is that the Leadership Incorporated (ldrshpinc.com) has come up with a creative idea: information that comes to you on a regular basis to help you make better life decisions; you might even call it Life Leadership. I know someone is probably saying, “I read about three or four books a year, why do I have do more?” Think about it. That’s like saying you take three or four showers a year and expect to smell sweet every day. Learning has to take place on a consistent basis.
Imagine if you read a book every two weeks and listened to a CD a day. Call it home work. It’s great for your kids, why not for you? Remember, we’re in exponential times; you can keep up by investing just an hour a day toward your development. I can hear you now, “I DON”T HAVE AN HOUR A DAY!!!” Isn’t carving out an hour a day worth changing your life?
Give it a try. If you haven’t read a book in a while, read one. If you’re feeling brave, go on to www.leadevgrp.com and take a look. For the price of a latte a day, you too can have the information that may just rewrite your future.
Your friend signing off…Find out more about me. Google - Greg Rau
After many years of being on this planet (52 to be exact) I have come to realize that the best advice I could get is from people that have had more experience, life success (not just financially; long ago I have come to understand that money alone does not equal success), wisdom and a vested interest in me. Now I know some of you are thinking, can you really find anyone with more experience than a 52 year old? Well, I’m here to tell you that you can and age has very little to do with it. Wisdom and knowledge, particularly today, does not necessarily correlate with age.
Now before someone starts to disagree with me, I am not saying that you cannot develop wisdom and knowledge over time; the only question is how much time do you want to take? At my age, I don’t want to take much longer to get it. I might suggest that if you’re reading this and thinking, I’m done working or I’m not in a leadership position, I’m here to tell you we will all be called to lead at some time in our lives. It may come when you least expect it, such as, when many years ago you agreed to be an executor of someone’s Will or an aging parent is no longer in a position to take care of themselves and you have to make decisions for them…that’s leadership!
Are you going to be prepared? I have heard it said that we are in exponential times. If you don’t believe me, just jump over to youtube and watch "Did You Know."
Whether or not you’ve invested 8 minutes in this link, we all have to prepare ourselves. What I have found is that the Leadership Incorporated (ldrshpinc.com) has come up with a creative idea: information that comes to you on a regular basis to help you make better life decisions; you might even call it Life Leadership. I know someone is probably saying, “I read about three or four books a year, why do I have do more?” Think about it. That’s like saying you take three or four showers a year and expect to smell sweet every day. Learning has to take place on a consistent basis.
Imagine if you read a book every two weeks and listened to a CD a day. Call it home work. It’s great for your kids, why not for you? Remember, we’re in exponential times; you can keep up by investing just an hour a day toward your development. I can hear you now, “I DON”T HAVE AN HOUR A DAY!!!” Isn’t carving out an hour a day worth changing your life?
Give it a try. If you haven’t read a book in a while, read one. If you’re feeling brave, go on to www.leadevgrp.com and take a look. For the price of a latte a day, you too can have the information that may just rewrite your future.
Your friend signing off…Find out more about me. Google - Greg Rau
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Seven Leadership Principles
By asking two questions, “Why lead?” and “When is enough, enough?” of successful leaders, we learned a lot about leadership. We discovered seven core principles of leadership. We invite you to consider these principles—in making the decision to lead, to continue to lead or to take your leadership to another level—and also to answer the seven questions that correspond to the seven principles.
Principle 1. Leadership is a choice—an act of the will.
It is a choice that every leader makes—and not just once. It is a continual choice that leaders make over and over again.
Early in life, leaders might make that choice without realizing the implications. Leaders who want the glory, status, or rewards of leadership often underestimate the sacrifice, burden, cost, and dedication required. Hence, the “why lead” question will have different answers at different times in leaders’ lives. For many leaders, the purpose and meaning of their leadership evolves as they engage in reflection. We advise you to keep a diary and to think deeply on the challenges in your life and leadership.
Question 1: Do I find meaning, purpose and joy in what I am doing?
Principle 2. Leaders have a clear sense of purpose.
From your sense of purpose, you can set goals and align them with that purpose—goals that serve as a blueprint to others. Leaders often accept opportunities to do things early in life. While they may seem to become leaders partly through internal drive, they are often challenged to do more than others at early ages. The spark of leadership is usually kindled by circumstances—both by those put in front of them and by those created by them.
Question 2: Can I recite my purpose for leading in one sentence?
Principle 3. Leaders create achievable dreams, and others want to share in their passion.
The leaders’ passion for their goals is articulated in communication that connects emotionally with others. They keep the dream alive, improving on the dream with a committed team. While the spark that kindles leadership remains mysterious, all leaders create purpose, set clear pathways, and go for it. Beyond purpose, however, there are no clear-cut or pro-forma paths to becoming a leader. It is hard to imagine the impact that a sense of personal mission can have on a person—young or old.
Question 3: Do my dream and passion excite me and others to “go for it?”
Principle 4. Leaders have ideals, integrity, values or standards.
Others may not understand or share these ideals, but they admire them. All leaders possess a strong drive for improvement, even perfection. Some leaders may seem obsessive or imbalanced. High-impact leaders make it clear that they are leading with intensity and conviction, which can often make their leadership frustrating, even lonely. Leadership that arises from values or spiritual conviction is easiest to grasp because the intention is so clear. All devoted leaders are actively engaged. The devotion to a cause that is larger than them (and often consumes their life) is an act of sacrifice that is difficult for most people to imagine.
Question 4: Am I doing this for me or for a cause that will make a difference?
Principle 5. Leadership requires resolve and fortitude.
Without a sense of inner determination, no leader can stay the course through the inevitable setbacks and failures. Even when others give up on the dream, leaders expend energy to rekindle the flame.
Who can predict what experience in life will inspire someone to rise above their challenges? We all have dreams, but leaders have the sustained drive to make those dreams happen, while bringing others along with them. A quest can arise early or late in life, bringing leadership to a higher level by linking the enticement of a vision with the energy of passion. Suddenly, an ordinary leader gains eloquence and magnetism while engaging committed followers in a venture. What makes a person step forward, even when it is difficult or dangerous to do so? Leadership emerges when it is needed most—often from surprising sources.
Question 5: Will I have the strength to sustain and recreate the dream?
Principle 6. No leader is bullet-proof to failure.
Some failure usually follows success, and success almost always follows failure—as leaders regain the momentum. Leaders learn and grow continuously—from both success and failure—and they refrain from assigning blame. They are naturally curious and learn what they can about a challenge or new opportunity. In doing so, they discover new possibilities. They are driven to question the world; they are also driven to question themselves. Such self-reflection is the source of self-awareness, development, and personal growth.
Question 6: Do I have recovery plans to survive a downturn or disaster?
Principle 7: Leadership is not simply an inspiration or calling—it requires honed capabilities.
Leaders may be born or discovered early, but they do not become effective leaders without being tested. They do better after they fail and learn from their mistakes. Leaders choose to throw themselves into the deep end, again and again, where they must take on more than they can handle. Special survival skills are needed to thrive, despite the odds, and hold things together while managing the transition.
Question 7: Am I using the lessons learned to correct course and direction?
Your leadership is a choice. Yes, it starts with you but eventually encompasses
an ever-growing circle of family, friends, and colleagues. Your purpose becomes
a beacon for others to follow.
Phil Harkins is CEO of Linkange Inc. and Phil Swift is Co-Chairman of ARC Financial Corporation and recipient of the 2005 Warren Bennis Leadership Award. They are coauthors of Why Lead? from which this article is adapted. www.Linkage-inc.com, www.arcfinancial.com
Principle 1. Leadership is a choice—an act of the will.
It is a choice that every leader makes—and not just once. It is a continual choice that leaders make over and over again.
Early in life, leaders might make that choice without realizing the implications. Leaders who want the glory, status, or rewards of leadership often underestimate the sacrifice, burden, cost, and dedication required. Hence, the “why lead” question will have different answers at different times in leaders’ lives. For many leaders, the purpose and meaning of their leadership evolves as they engage in reflection. We advise you to keep a diary and to think deeply on the challenges in your life and leadership.
Question 1: Do I find meaning, purpose and joy in what I am doing?
Principle 2. Leaders have a clear sense of purpose.
From your sense of purpose, you can set goals and align them with that purpose—goals that serve as a blueprint to others. Leaders often accept opportunities to do things early in life. While they may seem to become leaders partly through internal drive, they are often challenged to do more than others at early ages. The spark of leadership is usually kindled by circumstances—both by those put in front of them and by those created by them.
Question 2: Can I recite my purpose for leading in one sentence?
Principle 3. Leaders create achievable dreams, and others want to share in their passion.
The leaders’ passion for their goals is articulated in communication that connects emotionally with others. They keep the dream alive, improving on the dream with a committed team. While the spark that kindles leadership remains mysterious, all leaders create purpose, set clear pathways, and go for it. Beyond purpose, however, there are no clear-cut or pro-forma paths to becoming a leader. It is hard to imagine the impact that a sense of personal mission can have on a person—young or old.
Question 3: Do my dream and passion excite me and others to “go for it?”
Principle 4. Leaders have ideals, integrity, values or standards.
Others may not understand or share these ideals, but they admire them. All leaders possess a strong drive for improvement, even perfection. Some leaders may seem obsessive or imbalanced. High-impact leaders make it clear that they are leading with intensity and conviction, which can often make their leadership frustrating, even lonely. Leadership that arises from values or spiritual conviction is easiest to grasp because the intention is so clear. All devoted leaders are actively engaged. The devotion to a cause that is larger than them (and often consumes their life) is an act of sacrifice that is difficult for most people to imagine.
Question 4: Am I doing this for me or for a cause that will make a difference?
Principle 5. Leadership requires resolve and fortitude.
Without a sense of inner determination, no leader can stay the course through the inevitable setbacks and failures. Even when others give up on the dream, leaders expend energy to rekindle the flame.
Who can predict what experience in life will inspire someone to rise above their challenges? We all have dreams, but leaders have the sustained drive to make those dreams happen, while bringing others along with them. A quest can arise early or late in life, bringing leadership to a higher level by linking the enticement of a vision with the energy of passion. Suddenly, an ordinary leader gains eloquence and magnetism while engaging committed followers in a venture. What makes a person step forward, even when it is difficult or dangerous to do so? Leadership emerges when it is needed most—often from surprising sources.
Question 5: Will I have the strength to sustain and recreate the dream?
Principle 6. No leader is bullet-proof to failure.
Some failure usually follows success, and success almost always follows failure—as leaders regain the momentum. Leaders learn and grow continuously—from both success and failure—and they refrain from assigning blame. They are naturally curious and learn what they can about a challenge or new opportunity. In doing so, they discover new possibilities. They are driven to question the world; they are also driven to question themselves. Such self-reflection is the source of self-awareness, development, and personal growth.
Question 6: Do I have recovery plans to survive a downturn or disaster?
Principle 7: Leadership is not simply an inspiration or calling—it requires honed capabilities.
Leaders may be born or discovered early, but they do not become effective leaders without being tested. They do better after they fail and learn from their mistakes. Leaders choose to throw themselves into the deep end, again and again, where they must take on more than they can handle. Special survival skills are needed to thrive, despite the odds, and hold things together while managing the transition.
Question 7: Am I using the lessons learned to correct course and direction?
Your leadership is a choice. Yes, it starts with you but eventually encompasses
an ever-growing circle of family, friends, and colleagues. Your purpose becomes
a beacon for others to follow.
Phil Harkins is CEO of Linkange Inc. and Phil Swift is Co-Chairman of ARC Financial Corporation and recipient of the 2005 Warren Bennis Leadership Award. They are coauthors of Why Lead? from which this article is adapted. www.Linkage-inc.com, www.arcfinancial.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Character is Often Forged in Adversity
A leader’s courage is not for himself or herself; it’s for the people who are depending on him to lead. – Tim Marks
Tim Marks’s taught thousands this lesson --long term leadership’s depends on solid character. Marks reminded the standing-room-only crowd of business professionals that solid character often has roots in difficult childhoods and provided examples in the lives of greats such as Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill.
Marks explained, “Here is one, Ronald Regan. Reagan didn’t become the man that he was when he was president over night. Ronald Regan actually started out in a different political party. When he couldn’t agree with the party’s behavior and agenda, he knew he had to leave. Reagan’s character was forged over years of struggle.
“So many of us have probably had rough childhoods. If you haven’t had a rough childhood, then you are the minority. I know I could tell you on one hand the people teaching here that probably would say, ‘I had a great childhood.’ People that would say, ‘My parents they loved me and encouraged me. They were at all my football games. I never saw my dad get drunk....’
“The rest of us normal people are dysfunctional right? (Cheering) And we aren’t alone in history. Winston Churchill came from a dysfunctional family and had a rough childhood and so did Gandhi. There are all kinds of different leaders who have come from a rough childhood and that difficulty forged their character.
Character is Built in Youth
“A solidarity tree, if grows at all, grows to be strong and sturdy, and frequently a boy deprived of his father’s loved feels determined to win that love back even after the father has gone. It is said that famous men are usually the product of an unhappy childhood,” wrote Winston Churchill. At age seven, Winston was sent to boarding school. His mother rarely visited him; she even forgot his Christmas presents. His father, Lord Randolph, was never sure how Winston was and never visited him although Winston begged him to. (Source: Winston Churchill, My Early Life)
Tim Marks continued,” When Ronald Reagan was ten or twelve years old, he’d find his dad passed out in the front lawn, vomiting because he was so drunk. He had to pick his dad up and drag him into the house, clean him up and get him to bed. That wasn’t a one time occurrence. Can you imagine what that does to a kid? Some of you probably don’t have to imagine it.
”Everybody has these different circumstances. Ronald Regan became an actor and he was actively fighting the communist party that wanted to control everybody and make them think the way they wanted them to think. Reagan was under attack by the communist party. I mean they wanted to take him out. Obviously he became president years later and what is Ronald Reagan famous for around the world? It didn’t happen overnight but he did it. Took down the wall didn’t he?
“What a story! He would never have been able to fight that battle and negotiate all that if he hadn’t had his character forged when he was a young man.
“A leader’s courage is not for himself,” observed Marks. “Ultimately if he or she is a true leader; it’s for the people who are depending on him to lead.”
Character Means Being An Example Each Day
“How many people just by a show of hands noticed the color of my tie yesterday? Wow! Look at that! You notice today that it is red. I just wanted to see if you noticed.
“Be an example because people are always watching. No matter where you’re at, no matter what you do, if you’re at church, if you’re at work, you’d be surprised who watching you. Especially when you become a leader.
“It only takes one little mess up for a leader and what you did, not only hurts your own character but you deprived somebody of something because they might have looked up to you. That should be the biggest fear of every leader is letting down those who follow him or her. That scares me!
“I feel a great sense of responsibility to do what I said I was going to do and never give up,” concluded Tim Marks.
Tim Marks’s taught thousands this lesson --long term leadership’s depends on solid character. Marks reminded the standing-room-only crowd of business professionals that solid character often has roots in difficult childhoods and provided examples in the lives of greats such as Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill.
Marks explained, “Here is one, Ronald Regan. Reagan didn’t become the man that he was when he was president over night. Ronald Regan actually started out in a different political party. When he couldn’t agree with the party’s behavior and agenda, he knew he had to leave. Reagan’s character was forged over years of struggle.
“So many of us have probably had rough childhoods. If you haven’t had a rough childhood, then you are the minority. I know I could tell you on one hand the people teaching here that probably would say, ‘I had a great childhood.’ People that would say, ‘My parents they loved me and encouraged me. They were at all my football games. I never saw my dad get drunk....’
“The rest of us normal people are dysfunctional right? (Cheering) And we aren’t alone in history. Winston Churchill came from a dysfunctional family and had a rough childhood and so did Gandhi. There are all kinds of different leaders who have come from a rough childhood and that difficulty forged their character.
Character is Built in Youth
“A solidarity tree, if grows at all, grows to be strong and sturdy, and frequently a boy deprived of his father’s loved feels determined to win that love back even after the father has gone. It is said that famous men are usually the product of an unhappy childhood,” wrote Winston Churchill. At age seven, Winston was sent to boarding school. His mother rarely visited him; she even forgot his Christmas presents. His father, Lord Randolph, was never sure how Winston was and never visited him although Winston begged him to. (Source: Winston Churchill, My Early Life)
Tim Marks continued,” When Ronald Reagan was ten or twelve years old, he’d find his dad passed out in the front lawn, vomiting because he was so drunk. He had to pick his dad up and drag him into the house, clean him up and get him to bed. That wasn’t a one time occurrence. Can you imagine what that does to a kid? Some of you probably don’t have to imagine it.
”Everybody has these different circumstances. Ronald Regan became an actor and he was actively fighting the communist party that wanted to control everybody and make them think the way they wanted them to think. Reagan was under attack by the communist party. I mean they wanted to take him out. Obviously he became president years later and what is Ronald Reagan famous for around the world? It didn’t happen overnight but he did it. Took down the wall didn’t he?
“What a story! He would never have been able to fight that battle and negotiate all that if he hadn’t had his character forged when he was a young man.
“A leader’s courage is not for himself,” observed Marks. “Ultimately if he or she is a true leader; it’s for the people who are depending on him to lead.”
Character Means Being An Example Each Day
“How many people just by a show of hands noticed the color of my tie yesterday? Wow! Look at that! You notice today that it is red. I just wanted to see if you noticed.
“Be an example because people are always watching. No matter where you’re at, no matter what you do, if you’re at church, if you’re at work, you’d be surprised who watching you. Especially when you become a leader.
“It only takes one little mess up for a leader and what you did, not only hurts your own character but you deprived somebody of something because they might have looked up to you. That should be the biggest fear of every leader is letting down those who follow him or her. That scares me!
“I feel a great sense of responsibility to do what I said I was going to do and never give up,” concluded Tim Marks.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Sheep Dog Calling
Daily; dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive. - Larry VanBuskirk
Larry VanBuskirk recently compared the leadership calling to ‘serve and protect’ to an intrepid sheep-dog, working for the Shepard to protect and direct the flock:
If you want to be a sheep dog and walk the warrior’s path, you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.
This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog isn’t a yes or no dichotomy. It’s a matter of degrees. It’s a continuum. On one end is the head-in-the-sand sheep and on the other hand is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end of the spectrum or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between.
But since 9/11 almost everyone took a step up that continuum away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors and the warriors started taking their jobs more seriously. If you’re part of the military or a public servant like a firefighter or police officer, one of those sheep dogs, I’m honored to be in your company. God bless you.
It’s okay to be a sheep just don’t kick the sheep dog. Indeed, the sheep dog may just run a little harder, try to protect a little better and be more fully prepared to pay the ultimate price of battle when the sheep go from ‘baaaahhhh’ to ‘thank you’.
We don’t call for gifts or freedom beyond our lives. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank. When day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens may just be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep and be grateful for the thousands and the millions of American sheep dogs who give you the freedom to express even bad ideas.
Taking A Stand
We’re going to affect the world around us. We’ve got a comfortable, fat, complaisant life. We have that comfort because of the sheep dogs who have stood out, who have guarded our country, who have made us who we are, protected us so we do have the ideas and speech, the ability to assemble, the ability to learn together and develop a formidable team of sheep dogs. But we’ve got to take a stand - to stand on the basic principles that made this country great.
We’ve got to make a stand with our government. It has become a self-serving mechanism to continue its own power. We’ve got to take a stand in our schools. They didn’t take God out the schools; they took the teaching of principles and morals and ethics out of the schools. We’ve got to take a stand with the media. The media doesn’t talk about any victories only loses. The screaming minorities are treated as the majority. There is disrespect for family values, sex is cheap, violence is normal. Basic principles and morals that have built this country are scorned!
Are you the best worker in your workplace? In your church do you know what you believe in your spirit? I’m not telling you what to believe but you have to have the courage to explore your spirit because - if not - you have nothing to sustain you when you walk through the valleys.
I’ll tell you this. Any nation without sustaining spiritual principles does fall. And we’re going to change that. Come on sheep dogs!
By Larry VanBuskirk
Larry VanBuskirk recently compared the leadership calling to ‘serve and protect’ to an intrepid sheep-dog, working for the Shepard to protect and direct the flock:
If you want to be a sheep dog and walk the warrior’s path, you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.
This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog isn’t a yes or no dichotomy. It’s a matter of degrees. It’s a continuum. On one end is the head-in-the-sand sheep and on the other hand is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end of the spectrum or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between.
But since 9/11 almost everyone took a step up that continuum away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors and the warriors started taking their jobs more seriously. If you’re part of the military or a public servant like a firefighter or police officer, one of those sheep dogs, I’m honored to be in your company. God bless you.
It’s okay to be a sheep just don’t kick the sheep dog. Indeed, the sheep dog may just run a little harder, try to protect a little better and be more fully prepared to pay the ultimate price of battle when the sheep go from ‘baaaahhhh’ to ‘thank you’.
We don’t call for gifts or freedom beyond our lives. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank. When day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens may just be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep and be grateful for the thousands and the millions of American sheep dogs who give you the freedom to express even bad ideas.
Taking A Stand
We’re going to affect the world around us. We’ve got a comfortable, fat, complaisant life. We have that comfort because of the sheep dogs who have stood out, who have guarded our country, who have made us who we are, protected us so we do have the ideas and speech, the ability to assemble, the ability to learn together and develop a formidable team of sheep dogs. But we’ve got to take a stand - to stand on the basic principles that made this country great.
We’ve got to make a stand with our government. It has become a self-serving mechanism to continue its own power. We’ve got to take a stand in our schools. They didn’t take God out the schools; they took the teaching of principles and morals and ethics out of the schools. We’ve got to take a stand with the media. The media doesn’t talk about any victories only loses. The screaming minorities are treated as the majority. There is disrespect for family values, sex is cheap, violence is normal. Basic principles and morals that have built this country are scorned!
Are you the best worker in your workplace? In your church do you know what you believe in your spirit? I’m not telling you what to believe but you have to have the courage to explore your spirit because - if not - you have nothing to sustain you when you walk through the valleys.
I’ll tell you this. Any nation without sustaining spiritual principles does fall. And we’re going to change that. Come on sheep dogs!
By Larry VanBuskirk
Thursday, February 7, 2008
REAL LEADERS Take 100 % Responsibility
One of the biggest things to understand, if you're going to be a leader, is that you must take responsbility for your results in life. One of my favorite quotes goes something like this, "You are where you are because of the sum total of your actions to this point in your life." That's tough advice, but in my experience it is totally true.
What I run into a lot are people who would like to lead, or people who think they are leading, or people who have lead in the past, who refuse to take responsibility for their situation. Maybe they missed a goal, or maybe they didn't do as well in their finances as they had planned, or maybe a business venture didn't go so well, or maybe they have messed up relationships, or maybe they have trouble at home, but the ONE THING they won't even CONSIDER as a possibility is that THEY ARE THE PROBLEM.
Contrast this condition with REAL LEADERS. Real leaders take stock of a situation, take a look at themselves, and as Jim Collins says, they confront the brutal reality as it really is. Then they TAKE RESPONSIBILITY themselves to make the changes necessary to move on and fix the situation.
I don't know why this is so rare. But what I have witnessed time and again are people who decide that their circumstances are to blame, or their mentor is to blame, or their spouse is to blame, or any number of things that safely keep THEM out of blame's way.
Want to become a leader? Want all the benefits of success, admiration, recognition, contribution in the lives of others, and everything else that comes from striving as a leader? Want respect from those who should be following you? Do you really want this? I hope you do. And I'll share a secret with you about how to accomplish it.
Are you ready?
Here it is.
The secret to becoming a leader and enjoying all the benefits that go along with it is:
LEAD
What?
You've got it.
LEAD.
You are not a leader if you are not leading. In my opinion, anyone who is daring to become a leader ought to wake up each morning and command themselves to do just that, to "LEAD."
This is silly. This is dumb. It seems so redundant. "Of course," you might say, "If I want to be a leader I've got to lead. Who wouldn't have THAT figured out already?" Well, believe it or not, hundreds, if not thousands of people.
People want all the trappings of leadership without accepting any of the responsibility. People want the success without the struggle. And they want the respect without the battle.
If you ever feel as though you are failing in your leadership journey, the solution is simple. Go out and lead. Get active. Take command. Begin performing right now, right where you are, with what you have. Take responsibility for your results and DO someting about it. Get off your couch. Throw away the excuses. Go out the door. Lead.
There is no faking it in leadership. You are either leading or you are not.
We all have a choice.
We can either lead, or we can try to explain why we are not.
By Chris Brady as posted on "Author Chris Brady's Leadership Blog" 1/12/08
What I run into a lot are people who would like to lead, or people who think they are leading, or people who have lead in the past, who refuse to take responsibility for their situation. Maybe they missed a goal, or maybe they didn't do as well in their finances as they had planned, or maybe a business venture didn't go so well, or maybe they have messed up relationships, or maybe they have trouble at home, but the ONE THING they won't even CONSIDER as a possibility is that THEY ARE THE PROBLEM.
Contrast this condition with REAL LEADERS. Real leaders take stock of a situation, take a look at themselves, and as Jim Collins says, they confront the brutal reality as it really is. Then they TAKE RESPONSIBILITY themselves to make the changes necessary to move on and fix the situation.
I don't know why this is so rare. But what I have witnessed time and again are people who decide that their circumstances are to blame, or their mentor is to blame, or their spouse is to blame, or any number of things that safely keep THEM out of blame's way.
Want to become a leader? Want all the benefits of success, admiration, recognition, contribution in the lives of others, and everything else that comes from striving as a leader? Want respect from those who should be following you? Do you really want this? I hope you do. And I'll share a secret with you about how to accomplish it.
Are you ready?
Here it is.
The secret to becoming a leader and enjoying all the benefits that go along with it is:
LEAD
What?
You've got it.
LEAD.
You are not a leader if you are not leading. In my opinion, anyone who is daring to become a leader ought to wake up each morning and command themselves to do just that, to "LEAD."
This is silly. This is dumb. It seems so redundant. "Of course," you might say, "If I want to be a leader I've got to lead. Who wouldn't have THAT figured out already?" Well, believe it or not, hundreds, if not thousands of people.
People want all the trappings of leadership without accepting any of the responsibility. People want the success without the struggle. And they want the respect without the battle.
If you ever feel as though you are failing in your leadership journey, the solution is simple. Go out and lead. Get active. Take command. Begin performing right now, right where you are, with what you have. Take responsibility for your results and DO someting about it. Get off your couch. Throw away the excuses. Go out the door. Lead.
There is no faking it in leadership. You are either leading or you are not.
We all have a choice.
We can either lead, or we can try to explain why we are not.
By Chris Brady as posted on "Author Chris Brady's Leadership Blog" 1/12/08
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Over Deliver
I read a book recently that really got me thinking (always a good thing). It taught the lesson of giving value to others beyond the level expected. The concept is "under promise and over deliver."
What a great place the world would be if everybody, in every transaction, placed chief concern on adding the most value to the other person. In a world where so many people seem bent on calculated benefit to themselves, only doing things that they perceive will bring value back to them, it is always refreshing to run across someone who operates differently. "What can I do to help you?" "How may I serve you?" These questions, when sincere, are like a breath of fresh air.
Who are the people in your life who have behaved in this manner? When were you truly touched by the selflessness of another? Who deserves special mention here on this blog for living this principle? I think more of us should be inspired to live this way, and those who are deserve a call-out here! Let's hear about it; give us their stories! And let's all of us remember to add value to others as a matter of habit, without calculating a return for ourselves!
By Chris Brady
What a great place the world would be if everybody, in every transaction, placed chief concern on adding the most value to the other person. In a world where so many people seem bent on calculated benefit to themselves, only doing things that they perceive will bring value back to them, it is always refreshing to run across someone who operates differently. "What can I do to help you?" "How may I serve you?" These questions, when sincere, are like a breath of fresh air.
Who are the people in your life who have behaved in this manner? When were you truly touched by the selflessness of another? Who deserves special mention here on this blog for living this principle? I think more of us should be inspired to live this way, and those who are deserve a call-out here! Let's hear about it; give us their stories! And let's all of us remember to add value to others as a matter of habit, without calculating a return for ourselves!
By Chris Brady
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Leadership Habits and Self-Discipline
I am researching the habits of leaders. Self-discipline is critical to a successful life and it takes self-discipline to develop the right habits. Like they say, “You make your habits and your habits make you.” The following is from an article by Bea Fields that discusses some important leadership habits:
Many people are born leaders, yet the ability to lead is actually an art and an amazing collection of skills which can be learned and sharpened. The following top ten daily habits will help you and/or your clients grow as a leader personally, professionally, and spiritually.
1. Spend 30 minutes each morning looking for "cracks" in the major areas of your life.
Your depth of character is key to determining your success as a leader. It is easy for us to say that we are "in integrity," but your actions are the real indicators of strength of character. Spend 30 minutes each morning looking at the major areas of your life: career, marriage, family, community, and spirituality. Write down any instances where you see "cracks" (you have cut corners, something is inconsistent, you have not kept your word, you have been dishonest, etc.) Do all in your power to repair those cracks by apologizing and dealing with the consequences of your actions. After facing up to past actions, begin a plan that will rebuild you and prevent you from making further mistakes.
2. Show up and be ten minutes early for every appointment.
Great leaders show up for every appointment, and they are always on time. Each day, practice not only showing up but being ten minutes early for each and every appointment. "The early bird gets the worm" has never been so true than when it applies to becoming a great leader that others want to follow.
3. Be dedicated to a high level of learning.
Great leaders are highly competent, because they are dedicated to a high level of learning, growth, and improvement. Spend 15-30 minutes each day devoted to learning something new. Do not settle for knowing "how" to do something. Dig deeper by asking the question "why" and then, go find the answer. Search the internet, interview an expert, or take a day trip to find the answer to a question that is on your mind or the minds of those who follow you.
4. Be simple and crystal clear in all communication.
As a leader, your communication should be simple, clean, and clear as a bell. Examine both written and verbal communication for simplicity and clarity. Use as few words as possible, and eliminate jargon and "big words" from your vocabulary. Express yourself in a way that your listeners can understand.
5. Surround yourself with great people.
One of the secrets of a great leader is great people. Hire the right staff, surround yourself with a strong inner circle, and spend time daily with people who have a variety of gifts. With the support of a strong circle of men, women and children, you will be ready for anything that comes your way.
6. Develop a sense of commitment and responsibility.
People do not follow leaders who are not committed and responsible. Commitment and responsibility can be measured by the hours you spend and how you spend them, the money you spend and how you spend it, and by what you do for others. Spend 15 minutes each day analyzing your time, your checkbook, and your volunteer work. Look closely at how much time you spend with family and friends as compared to work, how you spend your money, and how you give back to the community. You may be very surprised at what you find.
7. Develop a positive attitude by altering your mind.
It is very possible to alter your attitude by altering your mind. Saturate yourself daily with motivational literature, positive people, and inspiring music/art. By conditioning your mind to be more positive on a daily basis, you will find that winning will be a daily reward of your life.
8. Accept responsibility.
Great leaders never play the role of a victim. They recognize that part of being a great leader is being ultimately responsible for all successes and failures. On a daily basis, analyze your current projects, and ask yourself "Have I done all that needs to be done? What have I not done that I should?" Once you have analyzed each project, if you find a weakness, go the extra mile by working extra hours, hiring an outside expert, or getting really creative to repair the weakness or to turn it into a success!
9. Make self-discipline a part of your lifestyle.
What do you need to develop self-discipline? Following a better diet or exercise routine? Getting up one hour earlier? Being rigorous with your spending? Learning something new every day? Eliminate excuse-making from your life, and begin to develop habits that will invite self-discipline to become the foundation of your life. Hire a coach to support you during the development of a routine of self-discipline, and remove rewards until the job is done!
10. Develop courage by facing fear.
By a show of courage, you will inspire others to follow and to walk in your footsteps. Spend 15-30 minutes each day doing something simply for the sake of developing courage: speak to an audience, make a difficult phone call, learn a new skill, write an article or a top ten, or visit someone you have always wanted to meet. As Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged: "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
God Bless, Orrin Woodward
Many people are born leaders, yet the ability to lead is actually an art and an amazing collection of skills which can be learned and sharpened. The following top ten daily habits will help you and/or your clients grow as a leader personally, professionally, and spiritually.
1. Spend 30 minutes each morning looking for "cracks" in the major areas of your life.
Your depth of character is key to determining your success as a leader. It is easy for us to say that we are "in integrity," but your actions are the real indicators of strength of character. Spend 30 minutes each morning looking at the major areas of your life: career, marriage, family, community, and spirituality. Write down any instances where you see "cracks" (you have cut corners, something is inconsistent, you have not kept your word, you have been dishonest, etc.) Do all in your power to repair those cracks by apologizing and dealing with the consequences of your actions. After facing up to past actions, begin a plan that will rebuild you and prevent you from making further mistakes.
2. Show up and be ten minutes early for every appointment.
Great leaders show up for every appointment, and they are always on time. Each day, practice not only showing up but being ten minutes early for each and every appointment. "The early bird gets the worm" has never been so true than when it applies to becoming a great leader that others want to follow.
3. Be dedicated to a high level of learning.
Great leaders are highly competent, because they are dedicated to a high level of learning, growth, and improvement. Spend 15-30 minutes each day devoted to learning something new. Do not settle for knowing "how" to do something. Dig deeper by asking the question "why" and then, go find the answer. Search the internet, interview an expert, or take a day trip to find the answer to a question that is on your mind or the minds of those who follow you.
4. Be simple and crystal clear in all communication.
As a leader, your communication should be simple, clean, and clear as a bell. Examine both written and verbal communication for simplicity and clarity. Use as few words as possible, and eliminate jargon and "big words" from your vocabulary. Express yourself in a way that your listeners can understand.
5. Surround yourself with great people.
One of the secrets of a great leader is great people. Hire the right staff, surround yourself with a strong inner circle, and spend time daily with people who have a variety of gifts. With the support of a strong circle of men, women and children, you will be ready for anything that comes your way.
6. Develop a sense of commitment and responsibility.
People do not follow leaders who are not committed and responsible. Commitment and responsibility can be measured by the hours you spend and how you spend them, the money you spend and how you spend it, and by what you do for others. Spend 15 minutes each day analyzing your time, your checkbook, and your volunteer work. Look closely at how much time you spend with family and friends as compared to work, how you spend your money, and how you give back to the community. You may be very surprised at what you find.
7. Develop a positive attitude by altering your mind.
It is very possible to alter your attitude by altering your mind. Saturate yourself daily with motivational literature, positive people, and inspiring music/art. By conditioning your mind to be more positive on a daily basis, you will find that winning will be a daily reward of your life.
8. Accept responsibility.
Great leaders never play the role of a victim. They recognize that part of being a great leader is being ultimately responsible for all successes and failures. On a daily basis, analyze your current projects, and ask yourself "Have I done all that needs to be done? What have I not done that I should?" Once you have analyzed each project, if you find a weakness, go the extra mile by working extra hours, hiring an outside expert, or getting really creative to repair the weakness or to turn it into a success!
9. Make self-discipline a part of your lifestyle.
What do you need to develop self-discipline? Following a better diet or exercise routine? Getting up one hour earlier? Being rigorous with your spending? Learning something new every day? Eliminate excuse-making from your life, and begin to develop habits that will invite self-discipline to become the foundation of your life. Hire a coach to support you during the development of a routine of self-discipline, and remove rewards until the job is done!
10. Develop courage by facing fear.
By a show of courage, you will inspire others to follow and to walk in your footsteps. Spend 15-30 minutes each day doing something simply for the sake of developing courage: speak to an audience, make a difficult phone call, learn a new skill, write an article or a top ten, or visit someone you have always wanted to meet. As Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged: "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
God Bless, Orrin Woodward
Friday, February 1, 2008
Anyone Can Be a Leader
Leadership is not about the size of your office or the prestige of your title. And it’s not just for CEOs and VPs of sales. We can all lead—in all we do. To me, true leadership is more about the depth of your commitment and the strength of your character than about the position you hold.
I write a lot about a phrase I’ve been sharing with business clients around the world. It’s a simple one that speaks to the power each of us has to craft a world-class career and remarkably successful life: Lead without a title.
To me, leadership is a way of being. It’s about inspiring all of those who surround you to realize their gifts and stand for personal greatness. It’s about taking responsibility for every dimension of your life (versus blaming others for what’s not working). It’s about devoting yourself to excellence in every pursuit and making things better—no matter how good they already are.
Leadership is also about connecting to people. Deeply. Genuinely. Passionately. Because business and life are really all about people.
As I write this, I’m reflecting on the death of a special friend of mine, Greg Brophy, found of Shred-it, a huge Canadian success story.
His passing, from a plane crash at the age of 44, brings so many things to mind. How incredibly short life can be. How we need to dream, act and be the people we know we can be right now. How all that we can leave behind in the end are the great things we have done—and the kindness we have given. And how success is powerful. But living with significance is even better. Greg lived all these elements. That’s what made him a superb leader and human being.
Any person who wants to lead—and live—a remarkable life can. Teachers can lead. Entrepreneurs can lead. Artists can lead. Students can lead. As Mark Twain once wrote, “If everybody was satisfied with himself there would be no heroes.”
By Robin Sharma
I write a lot about a phrase I’ve been sharing with business clients around the world. It’s a simple one that speaks to the power each of us has to craft a world-class career and remarkably successful life: Lead without a title.
To me, leadership is a way of being. It’s about inspiring all of those who surround you to realize their gifts and stand for personal greatness. It’s about taking responsibility for every dimension of your life (versus blaming others for what’s not working). It’s about devoting yourself to excellence in every pursuit and making things better—no matter how good they already are.
Leadership is also about connecting to people. Deeply. Genuinely. Passionately. Because business and life are really all about people.
As I write this, I’m reflecting on the death of a special friend of mine, Greg Brophy, found of Shred-it, a huge Canadian success story.
His passing, from a plane crash at the age of 44, brings so many things to mind. How incredibly short life can be. How we need to dream, act and be the people we know we can be right now. How all that we can leave behind in the end are the great things we have done—and the kindness we have given. And how success is powerful. But living with significance is even better. Greg lived all these elements. That’s what made him a superb leader and human being.
Any person who wants to lead—and live—a remarkable life can. Teachers can lead. Entrepreneurs can lead. Artists can lead. Students can lead. As Mark Twain once wrote, “If everybody was satisfied with himself there would be no heroes.”
By Robin Sharma
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