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, Abraham Maslow, Stephen R. Covey, Seth Godin and Patrick Lencioni. 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:
"When you shut down vulnerability you shut down opportunity." Brené Brown
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I was reading an article from Brené Brown, and this quote jumped off the page. It caused me to reflect a little bit and to think about my story.
I remember days in my past where I thought that leadership was about power and having it all together. For years I worked hard at trying to prove and convince people that I had it all under control, and I had it all together.
Eventually, when I didn't have it all under control and when I didn't have it all together, I learned a couple of important lessons:
People still looked at me for leadership
People came closer, and they offered support and help
People felt they could trust me more
I don't know about you, but I wish I had learned the lesson of vulnerability much earlier in my career.
Success isn't about being perfect, it's about being real.
Learning to be vulnerable and real in my leadership has been one of the most important lessons I've discovered.
When I read Brown's quote above, I wonder if that's true? What opportunities did I miss because I shut down vulnerability? What do you think? What's been your experience?
DEEPER STILL:
I remember a time in my leadership that I was showing and telling another leader about all of the incredible things I was doing and our team was doing. I spent days framing our work and impact, yet at the same time, I was going through a tough time personally.
In a "vulnerable" moment, I chose to share my struggles with this leader at the end of our time together.
While driving to the airport for him to return to his country, I asked him what thing had he seen over the past few days that made the biggest impact. I was expecting him to talk about all of our programs, our organization, our team, and all of the great things we were doing.
Instead, he simply said to me: "When you shared your struggles, it gave me hope because I too have struggles. Thank you for being honest with me."
I will never forget that moment.
I don't want to miss any more opportunities because of my fear of being honest.
What does vulnerability look like for you? Can you think of a time that you chose vulnerability instead of creating an image of only success?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Brené Brown shares a 20-minute TED Talk on Vulnerability that is worth the watch! Brenés book, DARE TO LEAD is also a great work on leadership.
Lencioni's book, Getting Naked is a great business fable about the power of vulnerability in leadership.
OK, The Dollar Shave Club has a new Mint Leaf Lip Balm. Check it out!
The Kry Unplugged is one of my favorite albums from the 90's. This Christian Canadian Band recorded this Unplugged Album in 1995 and I still enjoy listening to it.
I just read this book recommended by my friend Paul. Really interesting as it talks about decision making in a creative way that makes a lot of sense! Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke. Duke is a formor World Series of Poker champion and draws examples from poker and other things to talk about better decision making.