Learnings from my sunglasses...

A few months ago, as I put on one of my favourite sunglasses I smiled as I looked at the "screwstopper" on the left side.

Mum-powered

I'm Mum-powered!

My Mum (of blessed memory) always had something to counter every "I can't". Such that decades after I last heard her words, I'm very confident because my Mum said I could...

Today, I'm celebrating every Mother and Mother-figure. You are blessings to many of us on so many levels. Thank you for who you are and all you do.

"I live"...

...I mean "I leave."

Start!

Yes, just start!

This is something I have been struggling with for a few months - actually I'm sure it's been for a few years or maybe even more than a few. Well, in the last couple of months, I've heard people say:

"Start before you're ready."

In looking up the author of this quote, I found and really like how Marie Forleo put it:

"The key to success is to start before you're ready."

 It's one of the best pieces of advice I have heard in a long time...to access success you need to start.

We were raised in and are conditioned by the "Ready, Set, Go" mindset. When I say "start before you are ready", I'm not saying that you should start without any preparation - that would be really unwise and totally disrespectful to yourself and to others. What I'm saying that it (whatever you are starting) doesn't need to be perfect before you start. You can only improve on and perfect something that you have started i.e. tested. Agree?

Another aspect of starting is to start somewhere. "When you see yarn that is all tangled what do you do?" Do you ignore it hoping it will untangle itself or start somewhere to untangle it? Or do you insist on locating the "beginning" of the yarn? I don't think so. Like most of us, we'd either locate one end - any end - and start untangling from there or if it's too complex, simplify it by snipping it to create a new beginning otherwise no progress will be made. Likewise when you are starting something new, start small and start simple. You won't stay small because as you go on...you will grow.

Don't be fooled...

...any one who doesn't LEAD is not a leader

I have said it countless times that everyone is and can be a leader. You do not need to have a title to be a leader. With that as our backdrop, this post will focus on 4 ways I believe that leaders show up.

Live in and enjoy the moment:
Too many of us are rushing from one task to the other... Always moving quickly to the next thing. I agree that time does not wait for anyone however, enjoying the time you are in is what makes memories. How many times have you gone somewhere and when others are recounting the experience you wonder if you were even there with them? The common saying "stop and smell the roses" comes to mind. Leaders take charge. This includes knowing when and how to slow down to live in and enjoy the moment - and they encourage those around them to do the same.


Enable others to be their best:  The world has become more and more competitive. It has become so bad that in some situations people - including their managers/leaders - are actively putting others down in order to lift themselves up. As leaders, we must never look down on others except we are helping them up. One quote I live by is this one by James Keller...it's so true. Imagine a room full of lit candles.
The world is definitely a brighter and better place when more people shine...leaders light and help others shine bright.


Appreciate those around you: I know that this is not in some people's radar. Essentially their thoughts are: "Why do I need to appreciate you for doing what you are paid to?" or something like that? I know that there a number of people who are not into the "touchy-feely" stuff and that is partially okay. This quote articulates the way to get performance to the next level. Beyond that, truly and regularly appreciating those around you is the right thing to do as a leader. The way I see it, when you appreciate people for their value, they appreciate in value...to you and the organization and everyone wins.

Deliberately give the present of your presence: Competing and conflicting priorities are sometimes the order of the day, the week or even of the role. I have found that you cannot give your best self to a task if you are not fully present or engaged in it. As much as it may be encouraged and done, multitasking is very tasking. As leaders, it is important to pay full attention to the people around you. You cannot afford to be distracted when talking to people especially in a one-on-one meetings. With each person you interact/meet with, they need to feel that they are the most important person at that time. Give them the present of your undivided presence.

There are many other ways that leaders do/should show up. Real leaders - worth emulating - do not waste time fooling themselves or anyone else. They are authentic role models in many ways especially as they LEAD.

The Act...

...and art of leading

When this topic dropped in my heart, I took a few weeks to mull over it. As I started writing it up, it seemed best to first define these words:

Act: "take action; do something. (verb); a thing done; a deed (noun)."*

Art: "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power."*

A lot has been writing about leadership and it is a very important topic in my mind and experience.

There's the ongoing debate on whether leaders are born or made. In my opinion, everyone is a leader - it has nothing to do with whether you have a formal title or not. Taking it a step further, each of us can (and should) develop our leadership skills to become better leaders - of our selves and/or of others.

The ACT of leadership highlights the importance of doing something - anything to become a better person - and/or to help others become better versions of themselves...doing nothing is not an option.

The ART of leadership speaks to the importance of creativity in leading others. I have found that the best leaders show how to develop themselves (by example) and let others participate in their self-development. It's all about creatively applying yourself and demonstrating emotional power and emotional intelligence that appreciates and is appreciated by those who interact with you/them. 

 
Personally, combining the act and art of leading has made me a successful leader in the different areas and aspects of my life. It's a fruitful and fulfilling leadership path.

It would be my privilege to serve you and chat some more if you (and/or someone you know) need coaching in this area. You can reach me by email or LinkedIn.



Reference:
* Google (emphasis mine)

Life happens - now what?

“Life happens” – that’s a phrase that I have heard so many times in the last 5 or so years and wonder why some people use it as an excuse not to step up and be more.

No one can control what happens to them in life. You can only control your response to what happened to you. You always have a choice to become better or bitter when “negative” things happen to you. The fact that someone else got the job or promotion that you had always wanted is not a reason to become bitter. It should motivate you to keep working towards your purpose in life which is bigger than one job.

Have you ever wondered why you are here – at this time? Why were you not born decades earlier or later? 

“The two most important days in your life are 

the day you are born and the day you find out why.” 

~ Mark Twain

Discovering why you were born requires a lot of digging and is hard work. For this valuable work to be rewarding and sustainable, you need to be committed to discovering your purpose and pursuing it with passion.  To do this, you need to ask yourself some necessary questions over and over again - and taking specific actions based on the answers will lead you to living a fulfilled life.

If you need help with discovering your "Why", contact me via email or LinkedIn.