Leadership – Page 24 – Mark S. Brown

The Secret of Getting Things Done

When I was 9, my older brother was responsible for shoveling snow from the driveway after a snowfall. To me, shoveling snow looked like fun. When I asked to help, of course he said yes. But after shoveling snow for only a few minutes, I didn’t want to continue. It wasn’t fun. It was work.

If you are like me, some of the goals you have set for yourself feel as difficult as shoveling snow. We discover that some of them require a lot more work then we are willing to give.

I know that to accomplish a difficult goal, I must be willing to do the work. It can’t be any simpler. To accomplish something, I need to take action.

A few weeks ago, I was shoveling the snow from my driveway. The process was the same as it was 45 years previously. It is still hard work.

The difference now is I did not give up. I continued shoveling until I had cleared the the driveway, the sidewalk, and the steps to the front door. Why? Because it needed to be done.

It has made me reflect on my goals. Am I really doing the work required?

Sometimes we just need to get started. Sometimes we need to be reminded that it is not easy. Next time you feel stuck, remember what it is like to shovel snow for a few hours. And then get to work.

How to Embrace Generosity

Are you generous? That is a tough question because there is no standard formula for generosity. What standard do you compare yourself with? We are probably not as generous as Mother Teresa. But maybe we can consider ourselves more generous than many of the corporate and business leaders that we know.

I would like to be more generous. I would imagine that you would also. How can we embrace being more generous? When we look at all the demands and responsibilities in our lives, is it possible to give more? I think so. Especially if I expand my thinking about generosity.

Earn more to give more. In the last few years I have learned that the more I give, the more I am rewarded with new opportunities. I had to stop telling myself that I would give more when I earned more. Instead I had to give more, which gave me the proper attitude about earning more.
Value my time more than money. Generosity is not just about money. It is about giving your time to people that need it. My time is more valuable than money, so I began to use it for the value it represented. Two small changes made a difference for me. First, never dismiss someone’s request for help because I felt like I did not have time. It used to be too easy just to say no without thinking, because I am always busy. Two, every day find a way to do something for someone else. No matter how big or small, this effort will make a difference.
Value my relationships more than money. I expanded my concept of giving beyond just donations to my church, the United Way, and other organizations. I began to see how I can do a better job of supporting others in ways that build relationships, changes lives, and brightens the future. When you see, feel, and participate, it is more than a donation. I want to make sure my generosity is about people and relationships.
Think long term. Nothing I do today will have a dramatic immediate impact. However, doing something everyday for someone over the next ten, twenty, or thirty years will help make a better future.

Being generous not only helps other people, it makes me better. These changes in my life have affected my daily attitude. Each day I get up knowing that I am doing my best to be generous. How do you want to embrace generosity in your life?

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?

Find Your Success Within

It is no secret that real leadership starts within the leader. John C. Maxwell has said, “to do more, you have to be more”. He is referring to our character, our values, our thoughts, and our actions.

How often do you reflect on your own character? How strong are your values? Take five minutes and challenge yourself to put in writing your beliefs, values, and strengths. Make a list, and capture a description of your inner self.

The list is your pathway to success. It defines behaviors that you need to live every day to be successful. It should not describe the person you desire to be, the person you are. It should clarify in your mind the areas that require more of your focus, and areas that you need to be more intentional with.

How do you become more? You need to grow yourself in the areas that you value, and the areas of your strengths.

The list should also reveal your passions. Passion allows you to see opportunities. Passion is the fuel that triggers your action.

When I did this exercise, I learned that even though I am driven to help others succeed, I can sometimes be stuck routines that limit my effectiveness. I am excited about the ideas I generated on how I can help others in new ways, and hopefully more effective ways.

If you didn’t already stop to make your list, take the chance to do it right now. It will lead you to new ideas. Ideas that will let you become more, and do more.