Leading Everyday - Action over Fear

Quote: "Fear builds its phantoms which are more fearsome than reality itself" - Jawaharlal Nehru

Principle: Do not let fear paralyze or lead you to act irrationally 

When I was growing up, I was afraid of the dark. I don't know why I was scared of the night; I just was. But thinking back, was it because I couldn't see what was in the dark, or was it because I was afraid of what was in the night?

Thinking about it now, it makes no sense why I was afraid. It was probably the fear of the unknown and the thought that something would happen to me in the dark. Of course, nothing ever happened to me. I never saw or heard anything scary. But laying in my bed in the dark made me afraid, and I wouldn't move an inch of my body.

If I were to guess, I would be correct in saying that many adults feared the dark when they were younger. And If I were to think again, I would also be right in saying that most adults now have a different kind of fear other than the dark. Many fears either paralyze you into inaction or make a wrong decision. 

Today I invite you to shake off your fears. Do not let fear hinder your personal or professional life. Don't let fear stop you from trying new things, whether taking on a new project at work or traveling to a place you have never been to but have always wanted to go to. And indeed, do not let fear push you into a decision that could prove costly.

The first step in combating fear is acknowledging it instead of pushing it away. Then honestly, ask yourself, where is the fear coming from? Next, choose a different course of action. If it's paralyzing fear, be intentional about taking action. If fear drives you to make wrong decisions, stop and go through a process to make the right decision. But whatever you do, do not let fear rule the day.

Additional resource: https://hbr.org/2017/10/dont-let-your-inner-fears-limit-your-career

Leading Everyday - Create Habits that Lead to a Life of Less

I have committed to a life of having less. Fewer clothes, less stress, less entertainment, and less TV. There's a whole lot less that I can do without. I am on a mission to have less of anything that distracts me from the things that matter in life. At the core of my journey of having less has been creating good habits that drive my new life commitment.

There are many good and positive habits that you and I can adopt that will lead to the life we have always pursued. Whether you are aiming to be less materialistic or accomplish a life-long goal, there are many different habits that you can adopt. Below are some practices I have adopted on my journey of living a life of less.

Commit to doing something different

 It's a cliche -- but a very true cliche -- insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Committing to something different from what you have always done would be best. Yes, it takes willpower, inner strength, a renewed mind, or simply being sick and tired of doing the same thing. Whatever it takes to do something different, you must commit and find the strength to change.

Create a routine

Once you commit, you have to create a routine. It might sound boring, like having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch every day. But practices will keep you focused, grounded, and committed to any life change you have adopted. If you decide to start going to the gym three to five times a week, then set up a routine to go to the gym at the same time every day. If it's 5 AM or 5 PM, could you pick a time slot and stick to it?

Allow for flex

After you adopt a routine, you can keep the momentum going, but you can learn to flex. Life happens to us all. If you commit to going to the gym at 5 AM, but one day you don't make it for whatever reason, Don't consider your habit and routine shot. Shrug it off, accept it, and move on; get back into your performance the next day, and don't look back. Feeling defeated or cheated is easy because you temporarily quit your routine. But don't let that distract you from the journey that you are on.

Shun the mainstream

Refrain from following the mainstream. Did you know that only about 20 percent of the American population workout? In other words, 80 percent of mainstream Americans do not get the recommended exercise. Following the crowd is not the way to go if you want to create good habits. If you wish to transform your life to have less and follow the mainstream, there is a perfect chance you won't invest in the things you want to do.

Resist the pressures of marketing and advertising

Marketing and advertising can make you think you need that new shiny thing. Whatever that new shiny thing might be. In the United States, companies spend nearly  $183 billion annually, or $567 per person, to get you to buy stuff. Also, material goods are becoming less expensive to get people to buy things they do not need. Don't fall into the trap!

Invest in relationships

Instead of buying things, substitute them with investing time in others. Nothing can replace the value of having good relationships. If you will have distractions, get distracted with good relationships, not material things that will soon wear out. Could you make it a point to invest time with those closest to whom you can add value and vice-versa?

Say "no" to addictions

Stay away from addictive behaviors. Drug and alcohol abuse can ruin everything you can think of. If there is one thing you don't want too much of- or none- it is drugs and alcohol.

Be grateful

And in everything, be grateful. Develop a habit of gratitude; you might not have everything you want. But you have a lot compared to others. So be thankful you have the basics: food, shelter, and clothing. Anything above and beyond is extra; you can use it to help others.

It's never too late or too early to start new habits that lead to a life of less, like me, or a different lifestyle from what you currently have. No matter your life goals, create good habits that will pave the way to your desired life.

Leading Everyday - Waking life is a dream controlled

 

As a leader, it's essential to recognize that waking life is genuinely a dream controlled. What do I mean by that? Well, every aspect of our lives is a reflection of the decisions we make and the actions we take. We have the power to shape our lives and the lives of those around us through our thoughts and behaviors.

As a leader, it's essential to remember this and always be mindful of our impact on our team members. Are we leading by example? Are we setting a positive tone and creating a culture of growth and development? Are we empowering our team members to take ownership of their work and strive for excellence?

If we can answer "yes" to these questions, we do our part to control our waking dreams positively. We're leading purposefully and intentionally, inspiring those around us to do the same.

But if we're not mindful of our actions and their impact on others, we allow our waking dreams to unfold without conscious control. We're abdicating our responsibility as leaders and need to create the kind of positive change we can.

So let's remember that waking life is a dream controlled. Let's take ownership of our thoughts and actions and strive to create a better world for ourselves and those around us. As leaders, we have the power to make a difference – let's use it wisely.

Leading Everyday - Making good Decisions

 

It is said that leadership is all about influence. One way to influence is to make good decisions. With so much information, opinions, and experts, how do you make good decisions? Below are four simple things you can do to help you make good decisions.

Seek Knowledge. The right kind of knowledge is relevant and most important to the topic at hand. Facts must be sought after from the many sources available. Don't just seek wisdom from the sources that lead you to the decision you want to make; also seek knowledge that might go against your way of thinking to get a different perspective.

Embrace universal values of honesty, integrity, and not harm others. Regardless of what part of the world you live in, telling the truth, being a person of character, and looking after the welfare of others are universal truths that no one can deny (well, some people can, but they would be wrong).

Be at peace with your decision. After you have processed all the data, evaluated it against each other, weighed the pros and cons of all the relevant data points, and made an initial decision, do you feel a sense of peace? Or, in other words, does your gut feel good about the conclusion? You should revisit step one above for a better gut feeling.

Seek the advice of others. Ultimately, it will be up to you to make the final decision. But there is something to be said about seeking wise counsel from others with years of life and work experience. Seek two or three trusted friends or colleagues who share similar experiences. Each will have a different perspective and possibly make a different choice than you.

What other ideas can you add to making good decisions?

Leading Everyday – Tell a personal story

 

As leaders, we are so used to buzzwords and catchphrases: teamwork, collaboration, continuous improvement, “there’s no ‘I’ in we,” synergy (80s throwback!), and the list can go on and on. 

I get it. We want to create a culture within our teams where everyone is watching out for each other, truly cares for one another, and is a good steward of our resources. But buzzwords and catchphrases or nothing but that. 

They are jargon that, if they have no connection with reality and personal experiences, at best, people will nod their heads in agreement and not truly understand the spirit that you are trying to capture. And at worst, they will ignore them as just another flavor of the month and completely miss the intention behind it.

Leaders need to put a personal touch on them to capture the spirit behind buzzwords and catchphrases. 

Leaders need to breathe life into buzzwords and slogans and grip the hearts and minds of those they lead. 

To accomplish that, leaders need to tell a story. Stories that inspire, motivate and encourage. It’s crucial that when telling the story, the right words should be used and cognizant that there is much power in words.

I want to share three key things about what a personal story can do with the message that you are trying to deliver:

Relate – those you lead can better relate to your words. In a previous blog post, “Leading with Excellence – Does your team reflect you?” I use a personal story to deliver the message of those I lead, reflecting your character, attributes, and the culture of the company I work for. Using a personal account will allow those you lead to relate to you at a personal level. They will understand that you put your pants on one leg at a time, just like they do. 

Make it real – using a story will deliver a real message. It’s not enough with concepts and theory. The report will bring to light that your message is firmly rooted in the personal experience that you have gone through as a leader. Those you lead will know that the message you are trying to deliver is as accurate as the person standing before them providing the news. 

Influence and inspire – Buzzwords and catchphrases do not influence and encourage themselves. They are shells of what is truly inside. And what’s inside is a story that those you lead can relate to and know is real. When you touch the hearts and minds with your account, it will drive people to action because they will recognize something tangible at the end of that journey. 

What else can a personal story do for your leadership endeavors?

Leading Everyday - Does your team reflect you?

One of my all-favorite moments as a father happened at our church. I was in the foyer, and a church lady friend looked at me, looked over at my daughter, and commented how much she looked like me. I just smiled. My wife, who was near me, smiled, and a young lady friend of the family also heard the comment and smiled.

Our church lady friend didn’t realize my daughter was not my biological daughter. That’s why we were all smiling. I raised my daughter since she was two years old. Inevitably, my daughter will take some of my characteristics as the nurturing dad I have been over the last 13 years.

The experience got me thinking about my leadership role at work. The question that came to mind was, do my employees reflect who I am? Who do I want them to be as professionals? Am I nurturing them so that interactions are positive when they interact with clients and colleagues and with a spirit of service?

While I have consciously and intentionally tried to ensure that the questions above are a resounding “Yes!” As leaders, we have to make sure that we have a plan and drive that plan to ensure that our team members reflect us and, inevitably, themselves in the most positive way. Below are three practical things that you can plan to do with your team members:

Invest time – Investing time with your employees is critical to developing a relationship with them and ensuring they reflect your values and attributes. But not just your values and details but also those of your employer.

Your employer has a culture they want to create in the organization, and as a leader, it is your responsibility to ensure that the culture is permeated throughout your team.

One practical thing you can do as a leader is set up recurring one-on-one with each team member. This is an opportunity to talk to your team members and get to know them not just at a professional level but also at a personal level.

Training – dollar investments must be made in training. Not just technical training but soft skill training, for example, how to deliver best-in-class service to customers.

Investment in training reflects your philosophy as a manager that you care for your employees' well-being and that you are invested in their growth and development.

When employees see that you are genuinely invested in their personal development, they will also be invested in you as a leader.

Suggest Readings – I like reading about many different topics. Everything from leadership to fiction, you name it, I want to read it.

Leaders should encourage their team members to read about various topics. Some might want to read more than others because of time constraints.

I suggest encouraging team members to at least read abstracts on topics they enjoy. Abstracts are book summaries and give you the most important message the book is trying to convey.

If your team takes the time to read, it can develop many attributes, i.e., tolerance and open-mindedness, which will help them perform their job with a renewed purpose.

So, what are you doing as a leader to ensure your team reflects who you are?

Leading Everyday - The Power of Choosing the Right Path: A Guide for Leaders

 As a leader, you face countless decisions that can impact your team, your organization, and yourself. Sometimes, it's not clear which path is the "right" one to take. However, as Dr. J. Vernon McGee once said, "Sometimes you will notice that there is no correct path, but rather correct reasons to choose a path."

Initially, this might seem overwhelming. How can you make the best decision when there's no obvious "correct" path? However, this quote is incredibly motivating for leaders who value their purpose, their team, and their organization. It reminds us that leaders can make choices that align with their values, goals, and vision for the future.

There was a time when I had to choose between staying comfortable at my job where I had been for over a decade and was considered an expert and go-to person. When my desire to develop grew inside of me, I had a choice. Stay where I was comfortable, making decent money and being respected by my peers and employees. Or venture out and grow and add value somewhere else. I chose the latter. Significant growth.

As leaders, we should be driven by a clear sense of purpose and have a solid understanding of our team and organization. We should be guided by a set of core values that will naturally lead us toward the "correct reasons" for choosing a path. We must know what we stand for and utilize that clarity to make decisions that move us closer to our goals.

Sometimes we are faced with two or more paths, each with its advantages and disadvantages. However, even in those moments, we can use our values and vision as a compass to guide us. These values help us stay true to ourselves and our organization and enable us to make decisions that align with our long-term goals.

It's important to remember that mistakes are inevitable, even for the most experienced leaders. Making the wrong decision occasionally is a part of the learning process. The most successful leaders are the ones who can learn from their mistakes, adjust course as needed, and keep moving forward.

As a leader, you will face countless decisions throughout your career. However, Dr. J. Vernon McGee's quote can help guide you. Remember that there is no "correct" path but many paths that can lead to success as long as you stay true to your purpose, values, and vision. Keep moving forward, and you will see your organization thrive.

Leading Everyday: The Empowering Art of Giving People a Way

 

In the poignant words of Sue Monk Kidd in her novel "The Secret Life of Bees," we find a simple yet profound truth about human connection: "If you need something from somebody, always give that person a way to hand it to you." This insightful quote holds a powerful lesson for leaders in all realms of life. It speaks to empowering others, fostering collaboration, and creating environments where people feel valued and heard.

At its core, this quote challenges leaders to move beyond demanding or expecting results. It calls for a shift in mindset—from focusing solely on outcomes to recognizing the importance of the journey and the individuals involved. Authentic leadership isn't about dictating tasks and enforcing compliance but cultivating mutual respect, trust, and support.

Here are some ways leaders can embody this philosophy and create a more empowering workplace:

1. Articulate Clear Expectations: Ensure everyone understands what's needed and why it matters. Provide clear guidelines and resources to support success.

2. Offer Meaningful Autonomy: Grant individuals the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Trust their expertise and encourage creative problem-solving.

3. Facilitate Open Communication: Create safe spaces for dialogue and feedback. Actively listen to concerns, ideas, and suggestions.

4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Guide individuals towards growth and improvement. Frame feedback as opportunities for learning and development.

5. Recognize and Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge individual and team accomplishments. Demonstrate the value of contributions and create a culture of appreciation.

Real-World Examples

• The Collaborative Leader: A team leader who actively seeks input from members, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement.

• The Mentoring Leader: A manager who invests in coaching and development, helping individuals unlock their potential.

• The Vulnerable Leader: A leader who demonstrates humility and openness to feedback creates a psychological safety culture.

When leaders embrace the art of giving people a way, they ignite a powerful ripple effect. They empower individuals to contribute their best, foster a sense of belonging and purpose, and ultimately drive collective success. By understanding and applying this leadership principle, we can cultivate more harmonious, productive, and inspiring workplaces—and create a world where people feel valued, supported, and capable of making a difference.