It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
LEADERSHIP QUOTES
I'm going to spend a few weeks looking at some great quotes. Over the past few weeks we've looked at quotes from Genghis Khan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ghandi, Steve Jobs, Avot de Rabbi Natan and Abraham Maslow. You can read these posts HERE.
The format for this season is the following:
#1) LEADERSHIP QUOTE: I'm going to share a quote with you. I'd like to encourage you to think about it, respond to it, process it. You can stop here, or go to Section 2.
#2) A LITTLE BIT DEEPER: I'm going to share a couple of thoughts that come to my mind when I think about the quote. Just a short reaction from me. You can stop here, or go to Section 3.
#3) DEEPER STILL: I'm going to share something I've found from someone else: A quote, some tips, a challenge, a thought....
#4) RUSS' LIST: I'll continue to share some links, ideas, books or products that I think some of you might benefit from.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"It is only by being bold that you get anywhere. If you are a risk-taker, then the art is to protect the downside." Richard Branson
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
This past week, Sir Richard Branson was in the news as he became the first person to ride into space aboard a rocket he helped fund. Bransons dream is for "suborbital space tourism" as a viable business venture, so Branson put himself on the flight to show people the opportunity.
If we're talking about risk, there's not much more than putting your life on the line.
Branson records a short message HERE from space, for the world.
When I think about MY leadership, while it's a little different than Virgin Galactic, am I willing to be BOLD? Am I willing to take risks?
Do you look at Branson as a risk-taker and a pioneer or do you see him as someone taking unnecessary risks? How far are you willing to go to convince people that you are a BOLD LEADER?
DEEPER STILL:
I believe that as leaders, we need to be BOLD, especially when it comes to:
Our MESSAGE
Our PURPOSE
Our CALLING
We encourage people to lead from their convictions and to be willing to take risks to accomplish these tasks.
We also encourage people to calculate the risk, to mitigate the downside and to make good and balanced decisions.
Sometimes it's difficult to know when to take a risk, and when to step back.
I'm reminded of the great risk Peter the disciple took in Matthew 14 when he climbed over the side of the boat. He walked on the water with Jesus. What an incredible reward to his immediate response to Jesus' invitation.
Are you more comfortable in the boat or climbing over the rail?
Leadership is a constant state of risk-taking and evaluation.
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I've been using this company for years for screening products and promotional products. If you're ever looking for something, check them out! 4imprint
Watch my friend Wes Beavis on his new YouTube Channel: "Depression is Sometimes Good". There will be great content from this gifted communicator & Psychologist!
Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson write an interesting book called, "Leading from the Second Chair". While it's written to church leaders, there is a lot to take away from this around the idea of not being the number one leader, and being in a support role, but still exercising your gift of leadership.
This past week, I watched the documentary: Jimmy Carter, Rock & Roll President. I enjoyed the history, the music, but more the story of Jimmy Carter. I'm not sure where you can access it, but it's worth a watch. Also, while watching, I was exposed to The Allman Brothers Band. What a great catalog of music!