Mark S. Brown – Page 32

The Tragedy of Insecure Leaders

We have all heard it said, “People are much faster to quit a bad boss, than a bad job.” I think one of the worst bosses to work for, is an insecure boss. I have always wondered how these people get promoted to their position.

A leader that is insecure is poison for an organization. They will destroy morale, and people will begin to leave. Maybe you have worked for one of these people in the past. They are easy to recognize.

1. An insecure leader does not provide security for others. These leaders are always looking out for themselves first. Their insecurity has them act to protect their job at the expense of others.

2. An insecure leader takes more from people than they give. These leaders are demanding of their people. In many cases they may not even understand the work associated with their demands. They want to beat their goals at any cost to keep their position.

3. An insecure leader limits the potential of people around them. They don’t ask for input. They don’t listen to suggestions. They are receiving all their input from the top. Those are the people they need to please, not their team. Your personal goals and growth do not matter to an insecure leader.

4. An insecure leader limits their own organization. Organizations are more effective when the talents of all are best utilized. This can never happen in an organization with insecure leaders.

If you are stuck working for an insecure leader, what is your escape plan? You are wasting your talents stuck in a position where you are not appreciated. Don’t think it will get better. Only when enough people leave will an organization see they have a problem.

This article may seem a little harsh, but do you really want to waste your potential?

Who Else Wants 2016 to Be a Great Year?

Maybe you are like me, and towards the end of each year, you reflect back and then set some goals for the next year. I was preparing myself for that annual activity, and decided that I wanted to take a different approach this year. I am sharing this so that maybe I can provide you with some new ideas, or an incentive to refresh your annual planning process.

One day last week, I was thinking about the goals I had achieved in 2015, and where I fell short of my targets. I also wondered if 2015 would really have been better if I achieved all my goals. That may sound crazy, but I was thinking that even if I achieved my goals, would I be the person I wanted to be.

The question that stuck in my head was, “How can I become a better person?” It is a much different question than, “What goals do I want to achieve in 2016?” My focus shifted from accomplishing a specific thing, to development. How can I grow my character? How can I improve my life?

Since that day of reflection, my attitude towards a plan for 2016 has been very stimulating. What does it really mean to be a better person?

With those thoughts in mind, I have started compiling areas to explore for my 2016 plan. Here is the list I have so far.

My attitude and how it affects everything I do
My faith
My relationships and investing in them
My generosity both money and time
My values and how I live them
My continued growth
My mental, physical, and spiritual health
My self-esteem
Making and handling commitments to others and myself
My approach to priorities

I think through this approach I will be able to develop a 2016 plan that is very rewarding, and probably more valuable than simply setting goals. I am excited about this approach and where it may lead me.

Some questions for you to think about:

What else do you think belongs on this list?
What is your plan for an end of year review?
What do you want to achieve in 2016?

What Everybody Ought to Know About Authenticity

Authenticity is a trait that we admire. In the business world it is used as a trait that is required, but being authentic is a challenge.

True authenticity requires being ourselves in all situations. Acting and behaving based on our values, beliefs, and thoughts. True authenticity prevents us from pretending to be someone we are not. It is living in our character all the time. Yet it is nearly impossible to achieve.

Here are at three situations that often cause us to not be authentic.

Protecting Others – Sometimes we need to act differently to support other people. For example, being brave even when we are not feeling brave. Lending strength to others even when you are feeling weak can be unauthentic, but necessary in certain settings. It is putting the needs of others before yourself.

Expectations – Sometimes we are expected to put on our “game face”. The situation we are in requires us to be something we are not. For example, the saying “don’t let them see you sweat”, comes to mind. When we behave in this manner are we preventing some negative consequence, or are we just playing the game?

Childhood Lessons – We are filled with childhood lessons because of someone else’s idea about our life. Most are harmless, but they can program us to behave in a way that is not our true self. For example, we are taught at a young age that men don’t cry. How does this lesson serve us? It results in men that cannot grieve. Another example is “don’t talk to strangers”. This lesson only serves us as a child. As an adult the ability to approach and talk to strangers is a strength. Can we live to our full potential without meeting strangers? How many childhood lessons have shaped you into something less than you could be?

How can we grow to be more authentic?

1. Recognize when you are not being authentic. Know thyself. Strive to live up to your ideals. When you act outside what is natural for you, evaluate why.

2. Don’t assume that being authentic will result in the best outcome for any situation. I am reminded of some advice from my mother. She said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Does that mean I should never speak up if I don’t agree with someone? No. But before I speak up, I should reflect on a couple of things. Do I understand their view? What is the best way to express my disagreement? When and how would it be appropriate?

Being your authentic self doesn’t mean following your instincts without thought. When caught in an emotional moment we sometimes let one aspect of our character overshadow our true self. I think if we practice evaluating difficult situations, we will find ways to be authentic, and at the same time respect respecting others.

When do you find yourself not behaving authentically?

Sometimes We Need a Reset and Restart

After a month, I am back. Maybe you didn’t even realize I have not posted anything in a month. I was sidetracked with a project, and missed a week, then two. Before I realized it a month had gone by. My routine and discipline broken.

What I discovered is that sometimes we need a short break to reset, recharge, and restart. Once my routine was gone, I asked myself if I should restart. If I did, how would I want my posts and newsletter to be different.

I realized that I couldn’t stop. Every week I received at least one thank you note from a reader. Every week I have the opportunity to shares ideas and thoughts that has the possibility of helping someone.

Restarting without improving is also not an option. So you will see some changes also. You will have to let me know if I succeed in providing useful information.

The lesson? When restarting a project, a task, a routine, or any process ask yourself the following:

1. Am I adding value? How could I add more? Reflect on your real motives and find alignment between yourself and the goal.

2. Am I ready to commit the required resources (time, money, effort)? If you want excellent results, you must expect excellence from yourself.

3. How can I expand the resources available to me? Search for untapped resources that can make the effort easier, or provide additional support.

4. What does success look like? Define a clear vision for success. Give yourself the focus that is required to make adjustments toward your goal as you encounter obstacles. It is counter intuitive that a clear vision provides flexibility.

5. How can I avoid doing the same things, making the same mistakes, getting the same results? Don’t restart without changes. It is the quickest path to failure. Reflect on your experience and define the adjustments you want to make. Measure your progress along the way.

Is there something in your life you need to restart? Or maybe something that needs a break?