Tuesday at 2:00pm with Russ

It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)

Currently, I'm exploring different leadership quotes on this blog post, and pulling out some application for all of us. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.

Russ

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed." Adam Grant

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I read this quote from Adam Grant and it pushed some crazy memories into my head...

  • I thought about how rewarding it was to watch my kids play sports or perform, and how fun it was to celebrate their success.

  • I remembered the times when younger leaders had the opportunity to speak or train, and instead of looking at their presentation critically, I got to just enjoy their growth and the power of their impact.

  • I thought back to my first full-time job where I thought that the only way I would have success is if I did everything by myself. I didn't value my team, I burned myself out, and I was very ineffective.

There is so much truth in this quote, yet as leaders, we struggle to find that balance of showing and leading with our strengths vs. investing into others and helping them lead.

What I know now is that the success that comes from helping others succeed is so much sweeter! I can't explain it, but it's different. When I do something really well, for a moment, I shine. When I help someone else do something really well, it's not just me that shines, but we ALL SHINE.

Think about the last time you truly helped someone else experience success... What did you do? How did it feel?

DEEPER STILL:

I've shared this story before because it made such an impact on my leadership.

Years ago, I was traveling to Cuba on an approved visa to do a week of leadership training. I brought with me 2 young Ecuadorian leaders that I was working with, and my plan was to have them "watch me and learn from me" and this would be a great opportunity for their growth as they watched me speak, lead, coach and train hundreds of Cuban leaders over the week.

At the airport, upon arrival, the Cuban Consulate took away my religious visa which allowed me to speak publicly as an American. I could enter the country, but I couldn't do any training. I looked at Santiago and Ivet, my 2 young leaders from Ecuador, and I handed them my notes and basically said to them, "You're On!".

I then spent the week watching them, listening to them, and celebrating in their success. They were incredible. They connected so much better than I could of as native Spanish speakers. They were younger and they connected with these leaders and they shined.

At the end of the week, I realized that the best way for me to invest in others is not by having them watch me, but in helping them to experience leadership.

I thank the Cuban government for forcing me to learn this lesson.

Are you standing in the way of someone else's success? Are there things you can do to position others for leadership? What's keeping you from stepping back from the limelight and putting others up front?

 

Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:

Source: www.leadermundial.org