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“Creating Successful Leaders”

September 30, 2014 4 Lessons From the Garden

Fall is upon us and, looking back, I learned some valuable lessons from my garden this past year. It’s a quiet instructor, but it can teach us a few valuable things about resiliency and promotion-worthy behavior in the workplace.

flower
1. A sunny personality stands out from the crowd. Which flower are you most likely to stop and admire: the one that shows its stuff and is bright and colorful, or the one that is shriveled and dull? Having a bright personality is one of the best ways to draw positive attention to yourself and promote your psychological brand. Companies endorse and promote those with optimistic, upbeat personalities.

2. What you put in is what you get out. With all the work and activities we tend to pile on our plates, it’s easy to neglect ourselves. We might skip meals, go to bed late, or forget to exercise. This way of living is unhealthy and frankly, unsustainable. If you really want to blossom and do your best at work, make sure to set aside some “me time” every single day and focus on health, nutrition, and quiet time.

3. “Bee” hospitable to others. You are part of a community and, like flowers reach out to bees, you should reach out to your co-workers. Even if you like being a lone wolf, the truth is we need and rely on the insights, advice, skills, and expertise of our co-workers. A couple months ago, I wrote a newsletter on why great leaders should help others succeed. Please click HERE if you are interested in reading the whole article.

4. Don’t plant shade-loving plants in the sun. Everyone has their own unique skill set or “sweet spot,” as I like to call it. As a leader or influencer, make sure your team members are working in the right area. If someone on your team is struggling, it may not be because of their competency, it may simply be because they are a square peg attempting to fit into a round hole. By paying attention and getting to know others’ strengths, you will distinguish yourself as a capable, insightful leader.

As winter sneaks up on us, don’t forget the summer flowers and the lessons they teach us!

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September 26, 2014 4 Ways To Know You Shouldn’t Throw In The Towel Just Yet

Last week I highlighted some questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if it’s best to let “it” go. “It” is different for everyone, whether “it’s” a goal, a project, a relationship, or even the career you’re presently in. This week, I thought I’d give a few counter points: how do you know if you shouldn’t throw in the towel? How do you decide to stick with it?

1. You know deep down that this is what you want. Maybe this has been a childhood dream of yours. You lay awake at night fantasizing about it; you daydream about it. No amount of time has dissuaded you from it.

2. You have a plan. It’s great to know you truly want something, but this isn’t worth much without a game plan describing how you’re going to get it.

3. Although sometimes difficult and discouraging, this goal has made a net gain on your self-esteem and your general happiness. 

4. You’re seeing progress

If these points describe your journey in any way, don’t give up! Keep pushing forward, stay open-minded, learn from your shortcomings, and most of all, reach out for support and guidance. You should never feel like you need to do it all on your own.

Keep chasing the dream!

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September 17, 2014 When Is It Okay To Throw In The Towel?

Our society goes on and on about the power of persistence. We’ve all heard the story of Thomas Edison trying thousands of times before finally getting the light bulb right, or of Martin Luther King Jr. bringing about social change against enormous odds. We idolize figures who strive against great obstacles and persevere, unwilling to give up.

To be sure, persistence and resilience in the face of hardship are admirable characteristics. But many blame themselves unfairly for not having success with something that might not be feasible. There are circumstances that no amount of will power can impact, and these are the times when the courageous thing to do, as counter-intuitive as it may seem, would be to let it go and move on.

But you may be wondering, how do you know when to let it go? Wouldn’t we still be using gas lamps if Edison had let go of his vision to invent the incandescent light bulb?

It is tough to know when to count your losses when you’re right in the thick of it, be it a project or goal or what-have-you. Making it harder still is that social stigma of being a perceived failure. However, there are a few key questions you can ask yourself that will help you know if you should let it go (for now!), and help yourself in the long run.

1. Is my goal feasible? Ways to determine this: Do I have a detailed game plan? What are the concrete steps to achieving my goal? Can I do it on my own? If not, who have I enlisted for support?

2. Am I making progress? If you’re heart is truly in it, you’ll see results, even if they are miniscule. But if you find yourself drifting away, it may be because deep down this project isn’t right for you at this time, and there’s absolutely no shame in acknowledging that.

3. Has the process thus far had an overall positive or negative effect on my life? There’s healthy stress that motivates us to keep going, and then there’s unhealthy stress, which crosses over into other parts of our lives and brings our general happiness down. If the goal feels like a burden you cannot handle, then it may be time to let it go.

4. Do I really, truly, deep down want this?

Consider these questions, and be okay with setting things aside if that’s what you feel is best for you. Acknowledging that you may need to let it go for a bit shows great maturity and self-awareness, and that’s something to be proud of! Remember: in the long run, you’re preparing yourself for even greater success.

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