It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
LEADERSHIP QUOTES
I find it interesting... Over the past week I've received a number of notes from readers talking about how much they are appreciating the "Quote Format". Many of you like that it's short, that it's practical and that it's an easy format to walk through on a weekly basis. Maybe we'll keep going for a while longer. There are some great quotes to explore, and if you'd like to share your favorite with me, please post on the comments section of the Blog. You can read these past 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:
"I wouldn't ask anyone to do anything I wouldn't do myself." Indra Nooyi
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
This quote from Indra Nooyi, the formal CEO of PepsiCo rang true this morning. She had a successful time at Pepsi doing a restructure, and multiple sources site that she lived out this quote.
As Leaders, sometimes we think it's our job to simply TELL others what to do.
We need to SHOW others what and how to do it so they understand exactly what we're looking for.
I remember a job I was given cutting down a tree when I was a kid. I had no idea what I was doing or how to operate a chain saw. My uncle showed me how the chainsaw worked. He showed me how to operate it safely, and how to work on the tree. He answered my questions. He then watched me for a few minutes, then he left. I felt empowered and equipped to take down the tree, and I learned some great lessons along the way.
Do you spend more time TELLING others what to do, or SHOWING them what to do?
DEEPER STILL:
I remember the first time I heard Jim Burns teach on the topic of DELEGATION. The model he shared was simple and practical:
Phase 1: I do it, You watch
Phase 2: I do it, You help me
Phase 3: You do it, I support & supervise
Phase 4: You do it, I do something else
It's a simple model of multiplication, but it's anchored with the principle of this quote above... "I wouldn't ask anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself."
I've taught and led this delegation principle many times over the years, and it works.
Many times we think that delegation is dumping the stuff that we as leaders don't want to do on others, but it's actually the opposite. Good delegation is modeling leadership, and helping others grow in their leadership, capacity and responsibility. It often involves letting go of things that you really enjoy doing to other people.
Don't consider yourself ABOVE doing things because you're the leader. Model for your team how to do it, and serve them by being willing to do some things because they just need to get done, not because they are the most important or visible jobs.
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Brené Browns book, Dare to Lead is a great resource on brave leadership and how to show-up for your team.
HomeWord has great resources to help families succeed. I've been a fan of their resources, leadership and platform for many years!
The Barnabas Group that I'm a part of is sponsoring a great event in Southern California on October 11th called IGNITE. If you'd like to join us for a great evening, reach out to me directly or register using THIS LINK.
Word Genius had this great word a while back: CLAQUE: "A group of people hired to applaud (or heckle) a performer or public speaker". The next time you are speaking someplace, consider bringing a CLAQUE with you.
I listed to Under the Bridge by The Red Hot Chili Peppers this past week, and have been humming the song all week. Here's the original music video. Powerful lyrics on loneliness and Los Angeles!