It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
LEADERSHIP QUOTES
We're exploring some great quotes that will help us in our lives and leadership. 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:
"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." Rosalynn Carter
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I really appreciate this quote from Rosalynn Carter because it speaks to an aspect of leadership that is difficult.
Many times as leaders, we envision people following us and it seems so easy to lead people into places that aren't difficult.
Our leadership is tested when we decide to lead people through difficult situations, even when we know we can take an easier route. We can't run away from the hard things, because that's where we need to show up.
If I were to look back at different times that I had to step into leadership with my team, the times that were the deepest, the most memorable, the ones where our team came together and built trust with each other, the ones that made a difference? These were all around really tough things. It's in these most difficult days that you become a "great leader" as Carter says.
Think back to some of your most defining moments in leadership: What was happening? What were you going through? What did you learn about yourself? Were these moments mostly easy times, or were they during the difficult times?
DEEPER STILL:
There's a moment in the movie, Saving Private Ryan where Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) is leading a small group of soldiers on a search to find Private Ryan. They have encountered some really difficult things, but they are staying true to their mission and they are pushing through.
In a moment of intense conflict, Captain Miller gets vulnerable and shares a little bit of his story, and where he came from. The troops are stopped in their tracks, and they lean in to hear these words and get some insight and perspective. It was a sobering moment in a very difficult film, but I've often thought back to that scene....What an image of leadership, vulnerability, and focus. That defining moment changed his leadership and brought them together to complete their mission.
While I've never had to lead people through battle, I have led through some intense situations. I know that I have been tested. I've also had the privilege of seeing other leaders become great leaders in the middle of some very difficult situations.
Don't avoid the more difficult path, because it's in these moments that your leadership might be defined.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
What are you avoiding today? What "battle" do you need to be willing to enter into? Leadership isn't just about the fun and flashy stuff... it's filled with the tough and gritty stuff!
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
If you want to read an incredible book about leadership through some hard times, read Ernest Shackleton's book, Endurance. A great story and a truly inspirational story of leadership.
While enjoying the wedding celebration of David & Rheanna this past week, we danced to some of the great tunes of Michael Jackson. Listen to this incredible work of music: Michael Jackson Essentials
John Maxwell's book, "Running with the Giants" is a great study in Old Testament Leadership
We went to a movie theatre for the first time in almost 2 years. Enjoyed the latest James Bond Movie, "No Time To Die". Classic Bond that brought back years of memories from the full James Bond Movie Deck.
I was intrigued listening to a Tim Ferriss Podcast on how he built his podcast. Almost 3 hours of conversation, but many lessons learned from this episode with Chris Hutchins.
OK... Here's a personal hack of mine... I found this tie extender years ago. This past week, I wore a tie twice for the first time in a long time, and this extender helps keep my neck comfortable. Not a big deal, but it sure is nice!