A Thankful Leader

                                 

                                

I have so much to be thankful for and certainly more than I deserve. I read on Facebook friends’ post of thankfulness since it is a season of Thanksgiving but we should be thankful and give thanks daily. Since, I utilize this blog for a leadership blog, I will keep this post directed for that intent. I have posted a photo that I took while visiting part of my team. I have this photo framed on my desk so I can look at it daily. It has a great deal of meaning for me. I look at this picture and am reminded of how important safety is in this field of work. Safety is everything to those doing this work and their families. I see the significance of team work and the value of working together. I see communication and the importance of having good communications with your teammates. As I look at the shape in the sky, it reminds me of all the reasons I love my job. If I ever get to the point that I don’t love my job, then it would be time to change. I have a sense of great pride in my team. I am extremely proud of them. One can perceive this photo in many different ways but to these individuals it is their way of life. They make a difference. They are providing a service that we often take for granted until we are without it. It is an honor and privilege to be the leader of such an awesome team. This picture will always remain on my desk to remind me of the points of interest I mentioned as well as other things of great value and importance to me. I am thankful for this team and their safety in which I pray for daily. I am thankful for the opportunity to have a job that I love going to each day. It may be hectic at times but each day that we are able to go home at the end of our shift is a great day. Be thankful!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Are you riding the fence?

Are you riding the fence about a decision that needs to be made? As a leader, being a decision maker is of vital importance. I’ve always said, right or wrong, I can make a decision. Sometimes it is not simple and requires analyzing the situation, weighing the options and hopefully arriving to a conclusion. Then there are times when an immediate decision must be made. I look for this decision making factor when selecting a leader. I had a difficult work related situation where I had to make the ultimate decision. My heart was leading one way while my mind was leading the opposite direction. I ended up making the decision to the best of my ability and thankfully the situation was resolved successfully. It is difficult being torn in two different directions. We must realize that our choices may affect many people. Sometimes we make a decision and then after the fact, realize it was the wrong choice. It takes a person of integrity to admit they were wrong and reverse their decision. Our lives revolve around the choices we make. Do you need to jump off the fence and make a choice? Is your heart and head playing tug-o-war? I like this quote from Tim Redmond, “There are many things that will catch my eye, but there are only a few things that will catch my heart.” In my opinion, successful leaders know which side of the fence is the best choice and they know when to listen to their heart. Decisions that are made based on polices and procedures are factual, in black and white but the ones we must make that rely on our on intuition are often the hardest yet can be the most rewarding. Get off the fence before it breaks! You can't allow one decision to hold up progress. Make a choice and move on to the next one.

What path are you traveling?

What path are you following? Are you on a path to nowhere or are you going places? Allow me to explain my thoughts on this blog. As a leader it is important to make the best choices for those you lead, manage and for yourself. How often have you seen a leader that is traveling down a path that you disapprove of or know it is wrong but yet you are expected to look to this individual for leadership? It happens. I've seen it. I think that is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about leadership. I desire to make the right choices to the best of my ability. Sometimes the right choice is the hardest.  They can be painful but we have to make them. I read this piece from my favorite leader, "Your friends will either stretch your vision or choke your dreams. Some will inspire you to higher heights. Others will want you to join them on the couch of life where they do their least. Because not everyone wants to see you succeed, you have to make a choice”.  Excerpt From: John C. Maxwell. “Sometimes You Win--Sometimes You Learn.” Center Street, 2013-10-08. iBooks

As leaders we fall into this example as well. A leader will either stretch your vision or choke your dreams. I do not want to be the dream crusher but dream builder. I enjoy watching people seek their dreams and succeed at them. It is even more rewarding to be a part of the their journey to success. We can apply this to our personal lives as well. Are you around folks that hold you back because they are dream crushers and reek of negativity? If so then you must make a choice to join them on the path to nowhere or take the positive path towards success. It is a difficult and sometimes painful decision to make.  Each minute you spend with the wrong people takes away time you could be spending with the right ones. The path is clearly visible but our choices are what impacts the outcome of our success or lack of success. Be the right person, the positive role model, the dream builder and the mentor that makes a positive impact on those that are future leaders.