Making A Difference

Sometimes we get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of our daily routines that we forget about the little things that add value to us as leaders.  The things that make all of the fast-pace, stressful and often craziness worth every second of the time and energy we put into our team and careers. A kind word of appreciation from a team member can make a positive impact on a leader. It gives leaders a sense of accomplishment. Normally, I would write about leaders making a difference but today I want to share my thoughts on how those we led can make a difference. How many times have you said thank you or I appreciate what you do or have done for me to your leader? I find it important to give praise to the person that is the leader. I realize that not everyone may like their leader (for the record in my opinion I have a great leader) and it happens but do you ever stop and think that maybe as a team member you could make a difference or add value to your leader? When I started my career, I had no thoughts of leadership.  All I desired was a paycheck. As I literally grew up in my place of employment, I begin to see opportunities for the future. I set goals and once I reached one I would set another one. My goals were stepping stones to reach the ultimate goal which I achieved (never stop setting goals). It took a lot of work, often tears from the stress and advil at times for the headache it implicated.  Despite all of the aches and pains along the way, it's worth the journey when a team member says thank you.  Receiving positive feedback from a team member does add value to leaders.  It added value to me.  It allows leaders to know they are on the right track with the team. It indicates they are making a difference. A simple thank you can have a strong effect. Often we overlook the impact we can have on those around us. 

My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done,

Leave countless marks for good or ill ere sets the evening sun,

This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray,

Lord, May my life help other lives it touches by the way.

  Author unknown

Say thank you, add value, make a difference!

Determination

Determination is a trait that I am certainly not lacking but is it possible to be over determined at times? Does being over determined help or hurt the team? These are questions that often I seek answers too. I looked up the definition of determination which states: firmness of purpose, resoluteness. I furthered my reading to find synonyms for this word: willpower, strength of character, single-mindedness, perseverance, persistence, spirit, courage, grit and much much more. Those that know me, my picture was not listed beside this definition in the dictionary.  In my opinion, a good leader should be a determined individual.  One that is fair but firm but firm first (which was some great advice I received from a former CEO). One that has the courage and strong-will to take risk for the greater good of the team. If we don't take risk then how do we better the team and ourselves? Sure there are no guarantees with any risk but we will never find out if we just sit and wonder what would have happened if we had not taken a chance.  If we fail, then we fail forward as John Maxwell has stated in his book Failing Forward. We are subject to fail so it's not a matter of if but a matter of when. It is how we react to the failure that determines how we overcome it. We can learn from it and move forward or not. This is a hard one, no one likes to fail. I know I don't but having the determination to take risk, then if it doesn't work out having the determination to learn from it then move forward builds character and strength. Have you ever been so determined to reach a goal and got so caught up in the journey that you were willing to do whatever it took to achieve it? I'm not talking about giving up the farm by any means but to go the extra mile or extra ten miles if that's what it takes to reach the finish line. This quote reminds me of a journey I have experienced, like many of you have too I'm sure.  "Determination, energy, and courage appear spontaneously when we care deeply about something. We take risks that are unimaginable in any other context," said Margaret J. Wheatley. I had a previous boss to tell me that I care too much about people. I call it believing in people and adding value to others. I am determined to do just that every chance I get so if that makes me over determined at times then so be it. I don't think it hurts the team but hopefully builds a stronger team. "The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand," per Vince Lombardi. 

Have courage, take risk, be determined and fail forward!

A Leader's Serving Heart

A successful leader must have a serving heart. Are you thinking what is she talking about? I will explain my thoughts on a serving heart. As a leader of a small group, I am not in a position to dominate people, maneuver them, brow beat them or to manipulate them, but there to serve them. One of the best things we can do as a leader is give of ourselves to others. One of my final assignments during college was to write a lengthy paper on what I thought my purpose was in relation to business management. I wrote that my purpose was to serve others. Ironically, since I wrote that paper I have been fulfilling more and more of that purpose. This is not a short term goal or long term goal to be reached but a lifelong goal to continually pursue. I think if we lead others with a serving heart, we can make a difference. We may only make a difference for one person but it’s that one time that otherwise might have never happened. I worked with a special lady for seven years and learned a great deal from her. At the time I did not realize I was learning, but I have come to realize how much she taught me especially about having a serving heart over the last few years. She was not in a leadership position but one doesn't have to be in a position to be a leader. You can lead from anywhere in an organization. She was and still is a wonderful role model to those that know her. She made a valuable contribution to my career. She believed in me, took me under her wing and gave of her serving heart. By doing so, she help me grow and develop into a leader. To me, there is not a better example of a serving heart than hers. I enjoy reads from Coach John Wooden and Coach Bear Bryant. These were two fantastic leaders not to mention coaches. Coach Bryant had a serving heart (read Bear Bryant on Leadership by Pat Williams). “Coach Bryant said to me, ‘Marty, give of yourself so others can grow.” – Marty Lyons, Alabama defensive tackle, 1975-78. Are we truly giving of ourselves to make others grow? I have pondered upon this question to myself multiple times especially over the last few weeks. I looked inside my heart to realize that I was not doing enough for those I lead. Since then, I have dug into some deep reading material, made a list of new goals and objectives in order do better serving those that rely on my leadership. It is my desire to do whatever it takes to make my team members grow and develop their leadership qualities. In my opinion, anyone that desires to be good leader can be one if they give it their best and develop leadership skills. There are others that can be great leaders because they desire to be better than the best. My goal is to help others be the best or better than the best. It all starts by having a serving heart. I will end with this quote from George Washington Carver, “It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.” I believe a serving heart can make a difference in the success of those we lead. It certainly made a positive impact on my career twenty two years ago.