Take Up the Leadership Torch
Every Fourth of July, I am inspired by recollecting our founding father’s sacrifices and intentions to build something that gave people freedom, but provided the guard rails to keep them on track. Lady Liberty is such an inspirational monument to this cause. Sometimes the day-to-day obligations of our lives and jobs make it tough to focus on being effective leaders.
“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” – George Bernard Shaw
We are all leaders. We are all leading a life that impacts those around us whether we realize it or not. With that leadership comes great responsibility. Sometimes it takes a conscious effort to remember what great leadership is and to emulate it. I challenge you to consider your leadership habits and make sure your foundation is strong
Living your True North matters to your entire organization. Live authentically, courageously and passionately where your thoughts, words and actions are in complete alignment with your values and purpose. Once you know it first individually, then your organization can follow.
Vulnerability is necessary to grow. It takes an exceptionally strong leader to open themselves up to uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure.
Perspective changes everything. How we think becomes how we act. It develops our personality. There is value in the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.
“Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world.” – Wayne W. Dyer.
Gratitude changes lives. People primarily leave jobs because they don’t feel appreciated. They want everyday achievements to be recognized. Everybody wants to a do a great job. Encourage it.
Performance Choice is the moment-to-moment decision you make in life to live on auto pilot (by omission) or on purpose. We all have things we want to do, ought to do and have to do. There is zero energy in anything we “ought to” or “have to” do. Operating in fear over time in those will lead to resentment and bitterness.
An Absolute Advantage is a person who honors their word. That integrity is a strategic performance choice that delivers value in a marketplace of look-a-likes. There is an economic value to trust. Uphold your integrity. Do a cost/benefit analysis before you make commitments.
Our Purpose is not our to do list.
Love is the unselfish, strong desire, devotion, enthusiasm or motivation for something or someone. You can build a business around what you love, but you also need to put people into positions that they love. Build an organization of motivators.
Growth does not come easily. Stress is a signal that something needs to change. Suffering is when we don’t make the change. Growth occurs when we do.
Light your leadership torch.