Tag: Service (page 1 of 3)

As Long as You Lead, Keep Learning How to Lead

March 28, 2016 / / 8 Comments

Leadership is the gift you unpack every day.

It’s the same but it’s never the same.

Always something new to learn.

Something new to try.

It will surprise you.

Frustrate you.

Move you.

Just when you think you’ve got it sorted out.

It suddenly slips through your fingers.

The answer you had in mind,

Doesn’t work this time.

So you adapt.

You learn.

That’s the nature of life.

“As long as you live, keep learning how to live.” - Seneca

Leadership is not a formula.

Leadership is organic.

What worked for someone else,

Might not work for you.

Or where you are.

So open your mind.

And open your eyes.

Listen.

Take it all in.

Try to find the path,

That’s right for you.

And right for them.

  • Keep learning how to lead yourself.
    The first and most important part of the journey is growing in self-awareness and building the internal compass and character that will guide you through the experiences you will face. This too is a process that never ends as long as you remain open, flexible and willing to change with each new discovery.
  • Keep learning how to lead others.
    People will stretch you to your limits. They will challenge you, teach you and inspire you. There are endless opportunities to expand your impact and your influence. Because you can’t see yourself clearly, nor fully understand what others feel or need, it is important to pay attention and try to see things from their point of view.
  • Keep learning how to lead the way.
    Take the risk to open up about what you see as possible and beneficial then engage others in sharing their opinions and ideas. With each new attempt at building support and engaging others in a plan to achieve meaningful goals, you will grow in your ability to influence and facilitate change.
  • Keep learning how to lead from your heart.
    Sometimes, what seems like the obvious choice may not be the best choice. You will experience situations where you heart and mind may feel like they are in conflict. Going with your intuition can seem like a risk, and there is no guarantee things will work out, but in the end, you will only learn to trust yourself if you practice following you heart.
  • Keep learning how to lead from your values.
    With every new leadership role, your values will be tested. Count on it. How you respond to each situation, and the choices you make, will impact your credibility, trust, and self-esteem. Sometimes your values may put you at odds with people in authority or with the culture of an organization. This can be among the toughest learning experiences you will face.
  • Keep learning how to lead from your dreams.
    Don’t lose touch with the image of who you want to be and the things you want to accomplish and experience. Take the time to consider how you can weave your life goals into your leadership practice. Share your dreams with those you serve and invite them to share their dreams with you. Learn how helping others reach their dreams will help you reach your own.

As long as you lead, keep learning how to lead.

Leadership Grace

February 17, 2016 / / 2 Comments

I couldn’t decide if grace was the right word.

But it felt right.

I’m trying to describe leadership that restores.

Leadership that lifts us up.

 

The kind of leader who senses we’re struggling and asks -

How can I help?

The kind of leader who senses we’re frustrated and says -

Let’s talk.

The kind of leader who senses we’re overwhelmed and says -

I know this is difficult.

The kind of leader who senses we’re hurting and asks -

Are you okay?

The kind of leader who senses our discouragement and says -

Don’t give up.

The kind of leader who senses our isolation and says -

I’m here for you.

The kind of leader who senses our uncertainty and says -

You did great.

The kind of leader who senses our excitement and says -

Go for it.

 

The kind of leader who does these things -

Even when we feel like we don’t deserve it.

And maybe we don’t.

But they do it anyway.

 

The kind of leader who senses and responds.

Empathy with action.

 

Leadership grace isn’t focused on the high performer.

Or the confident go-getter.

Leadership grace sees the quiet and hopeful.

The one who made some mistakes but longs for another chance.

 

We long for a leader who sees the beauty inside.

Who sees the potential we may not realize.

The dreams we have forgotten.

Who shows us we matter.

 

And rekindles our imagination.

 

There is strength in this kind of leadership.

A boldness grounded in love and humility.

It requires taking risks.

A belief in the unique value of every human being.

 

A belief that we’re all part of a bigger story.

 

There may be no greater experience in leadership than watching someone emerge from their fears, limiting beliefs and labels and step out into new possibilities.

As they take on new challenges and learn more of who they are and what they are capable of achieving, we get to share in the experience.

Perhaps the most rewarding moment is when we realize they have grown beyond us and we watch with joy and expectation as they set out to make their mark in the world.

 

And in that moment, we too find grace.

Me First Leadership

December 13, 2015 / / 1 Comment

self-hug

Love is a verb.

We know true love by actions, not feelings.

People can’t really know how we feel - they gauge our love by what we do.

Love in action is proportional to our self-love.

“[Love] is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them - we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.” - Brenè Brown

We can’t give what we don’t have.

Leadership is a verb.

We know true leadership by actions, not words.

or titles…

or promises…

or popularity…

When we describe a great leader we talk about what they do.

How they respond to adversity.

How they treat people.

How they earn trust.

How they get results.

We can only lead others as much as we lead ourselves.

And just like love, leadership flows from the inside out.

When we neglect the actions that generate self-respect we struggle to act in ways that generate other-respect. Sooner or later our self-doubt and incongruity will come to the surface. We can only operate as a divided self for so long before we lose our ability to hold the tension and do something we regret.

We can’t be available and take the right course of action if our inner resources are depleted. We can’t lift others up when we’re bottomed out.

Healthy leadership needs wholehearted leaders.

That’s why it’s so important for leaders to cultivate their inner lives. As difficult as that is to do in our distracted, hyperactive world we must find ways to carve out the time. As Dr. Stephen Covey noted we must learn to “put first things first”.

And sometimes that means putting me first.

Wait a minute, isn’t leadership supposed to be about serving others?

Yep.

Me-first leadership isn’t selfish or narcissistic.

It means caring for our body, mind and heart so that we have the resources, energy, confidence and capacity to give our best and do our best.

Body - The attention our body needs - e.g., sleep/rest, nutrition, exercise - things that nourish and energize your body, that replenish your resources.

Mind - The attention our mind needs - e.g., learning, hobbies, meditation - things that clear and refresh your mind, that spark your imagination.

Heart - The attention our heart needs - e.g., relationships, retreats, fun - things that heal and restore your spirit, that make you come alive.

It’s the opposite of selfish.

It just might be the most giving thing we can do.

So if your heart’s desire is to be the best leader you can be and make a difference over the long haul then make me-time a priority. Put it on your schedule. Learn to say no to others so you can say yes to you.

Treat yourself with the same compassion, forgiveness, care and support that you give to the people you lead. Maybe even a little more. Create an abundance in your own life that naturally flows to others.

Because leaders are at their best when they lead from all three of these dimensions.

And you can’t give out what you don’t put in.

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