Vision, measurable goals and strategies to actualize it, are some of the stuff of leadership.
-All levels of leadership.
We spend many hours imagining a preferable future for our organizations and our personal lives. Some times we spend even more time and energy to shape those pictures into the sweeping eloquent words of a vision statement. It takes time, energy and money to get something inspiring written on the wall. Be that the wall of your company foyer, the office, or the wall of your imagination. The question is, is what is written on the wall happening down the hall?
The same question applies to the big multi million corporation, the small to medium enterprise, our families and households, as well as our personal and private lives.Whether you are dreaming of corporate success or personal fitness and health. Whether you are trying to save money for a holiday trip, or planning another take over:
A Strategy is only as good as it's implementation.
You may have wonderful measurable goals, all worked out and lined up. They might even have time lines -as any respectable goal should have. But nothing will happen without strategies: -Those things that needs to happen or be done, so that the set goals can be met, by when they should be met and the whole dream can start to fall into place........! Having said all that: The best strategies or plans, will still accomplish nothing on their own: They need to be implemented.
Sometimes we have wonderful dreams, lofty ideas and great plans about things that we want to accomplish, but many times we don't really dó anything to make it happen. Many of us procrastinate -only to chastise ourselves later.
I have observed that many times the simplest most elementary plans, have spectacular far reaching results -simply because someone took responsibility to see that it actually gets done!
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
ARROGANCE
Make a small cross with a black pen on a white A4 size sheet of paper. Now make a small circle about 4 cm to the right of the cross. Take the paper in your right hand and keep it at some distance in front of your face. Close and cover your left eye and with your right eye focus only on the cross that you have drawn. Slowly move the piece of paper closer to your face, until the black circle disappears. (That should be at about 10-15cm from your nose.) -If you have actually done this, you have just experienced what is called a blind spot! Just like this physical one, we all have some blind spots when it comes to our character and behaviour in general. Yes: There are things about ourselves that we don't know, we don't know!
Hopefully we will allow people who love us and care for us, to tell us about those things.......
Arrogance seems to fall into the blind spot area of some leaders. Everybody else knows and talks about it, but they keep on behaving with an ignorant overbearing sense of self importance! Feeling unduly confidant and superior to other people. You are arrogant when you have a high opinion of your own position, importance and abilities.
It is noteworthy that most great leaders of the past and present are everything but arrogant! They usually have one thing in common: They are servant leaders. People who are blessed with various abilities, that they apply for the greater good.
These men and women are normally conscious of the practical difference between function and position; between egoism and selflessness; between legacy and lunacy -and between (self) importance and making a real difference.
We do not have to remind others of our titles. -It is not so much about your title, but about who you are as a person and about what you do in practice! We should not carry on talking about the importance of our positions. -We should rather keep reminding ourselves about our responsibilities and function and keep on thinking about the legacy that we would like to leave behind. Someday that is what we all will certainly do: Leave everything behind. Then as surely as you read this, someone else will take your place -and all that will outlive you, is your legacy!
Ask some of your friends and colleagues if they think that you are arrogant. -If you flinch at the idea of doing that: You already know what the answer is!
Hopefully we will allow people who love us and care for us, to tell us about those things.......
Arrogance seems to fall into the blind spot area of some leaders. Everybody else knows and talks about it, but they keep on behaving with an ignorant overbearing sense of self importance! Feeling unduly confidant and superior to other people. You are arrogant when you have a high opinion of your own position, importance and abilities.
It is noteworthy that most great leaders of the past and present are everything but arrogant! They usually have one thing in common: They are servant leaders. People who are blessed with various abilities, that they apply for the greater good.
These men and women are normally conscious of the practical difference between function and position; between egoism and selflessness; between legacy and lunacy -and between (self) importance and making a real difference.
We do not have to remind others of our titles. -It is not so much about your title, but about who you are as a person and about what you do in practice! We should not carry on talking about the importance of our positions. -We should rather keep reminding ourselves about our responsibilities and function and keep on thinking about the legacy that we would like to leave behind. Someday that is what we all will certainly do: Leave everything behind. Then as surely as you read this, someone else will take your place -and all that will outlive you, is your legacy!
Ask some of your friends and colleagues if they think that you are arrogant. -If you flinch at the idea of doing that: You already know what the answer is!
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Passion
It's invigorating to observe passion! There is something contagiously inspiring and energizing about seeing and hearing someone talking and working with positive and healthy passion. Passion attracts people. It touches our hearts and intrigues our minds.
Passion is the fuel of success! Many times the only difference between success and failure, is passionate perseverance. Passion makes up for a lot of leadership shortcomings.
You do not get hold of passion: Passion gets hold of you! Passion is a strong deeply felt enthusiasm. It is a fervent love or interest in something or someone. It can lead you to give your life to something -sometimes literally! It is the urge to keep on thinking and talking about something. -in spite of the frustration and boredom of others!
Passion can't be faked (Not for long anyhow). It comes from the heart! It comes from a place of integrity and meaning. People around you knows that you have it, even before you do. Passion gives physical, emotional and spiritual energy to everything you do.
You can feed a particular passion and make it grow stronger -by spending more time thinking, reading, studying or researching about it. Circumstances and doubting or negative people can attempt (and sometimes succeed) to kill passion in you life. The good news is that passion can be revived!
Get clarity about the passion/s in your life. Make sure that you focus on the ones that can make a positive difference to your life and the lives of others. Spend a significant part of your time advancing that passion/s.-Doing so will ensure that you live and work from your passion/s and strengths. It will make a world of difference in how you live your life: It will make you come and stay ALIVE!
Feeding and keeping your passion/s alive and growing is your own responsibility and not that of anyone else!
Passion is the fuel of success! Many times the only difference between success and failure, is passionate perseverance. Passion makes up for a lot of leadership shortcomings.
You do not get hold of passion: Passion gets hold of you! Passion is a strong deeply felt enthusiasm. It is a fervent love or interest in something or someone. It can lead you to give your life to something -sometimes literally! It is the urge to keep on thinking and talking about something. -in spite of the frustration and boredom of others!
Passion can't be faked (Not for long anyhow). It comes from the heart! It comes from a place of integrity and meaning. People around you knows that you have it, even before you do. Passion gives physical, emotional and spiritual energy to everything you do.
You can feed a particular passion and make it grow stronger -by spending more time thinking, reading, studying or researching about it. Circumstances and doubting or negative people can attempt (and sometimes succeed) to kill passion in you life. The good news is that passion can be revived!
Get clarity about the passion/s in your life. Make sure that you focus on the ones that can make a positive difference to your life and the lives of others. Spend a significant part of your time advancing that passion/s.-Doing so will ensure that you live and work from your passion/s and strengths. It will make a world of difference in how you live your life: It will make you come and stay ALIVE!
Feeding and keeping your passion/s alive and growing is your own responsibility and not that of anyone else!
Thursday, 29 March 2012
P...A...C...E
The pace a which you are doing the things that you are passionate about, can devour your passion!
In a long distance road race, in leadership, in your career and in life in general, there seems to be three basic approaches: You can start with a blaze! Running as hard and as fast as you possibly can and then attempt to "hold on" during the latter stages. It is just not possible for any human being, whatever their capacity, to start at full speed and to keep it up for the distance.
a Second approach would be to start out rather cautiously and moderately over the first part of the journey and then, because you have "saved up" some energy, be able to complete the second half of the distance more quickly and strongly! There are those who would label people following this approach as "late bloomers."
Looking around and observing leaders who have covered some distance in life, I notice that most have apparently taken the first option. Many are tired and are barely holding on. Some are literally stumbling forward without any zeal or vision left! -They certainly did not start out that way... Some where referred to as "movers and shakers", not very long ago. The distance have taken it's toll.
It might be second nature for passionate, ambitious young leaders to start out guns a blazing. And to tell the truth, when scouting for younger leaders, that is exactly the kind of person that many leaders are looking for: Energetic, driven, self-starting, go-getters...! But how do you look after yourself in the long run? How do you make sure that you can stay the course?
Most athletic coaches say it is best to go for a third option: Maintain an even, consistent and sustainable pace throughout the race. A pace that will enable you the to go the full distance and still have some energy left at the end! Some may describe this third option as boring. -"Who needs energy at the end of the race? What for?"
Our strengths, capacity, personality type and general attitude towards life, will ensure that we look at these three approaches differently. -All I know is this: I need to pace myself. I need to make sure that I do what I'm passionate about in such a way, that I would be able to keep on doing and enjoying it!
No one else can or will do this for me: I have to establish what a sustainable pace looks like for me, and I have to keep on keeping it! -I suspect the same is true for you.......
In a long distance road race, in leadership, in your career and in life in general, there seems to be three basic approaches: You can start with a blaze! Running as hard and as fast as you possibly can and then attempt to "hold on" during the latter stages. It is just not possible for any human being, whatever their capacity, to start at full speed and to keep it up for the distance.
a Second approach would be to start out rather cautiously and moderately over the first part of the journey and then, because you have "saved up" some energy, be able to complete the second half of the distance more quickly and strongly! There are those who would label people following this approach as "late bloomers."
Looking around and observing leaders who have covered some distance in life, I notice that most have apparently taken the first option. Many are tired and are barely holding on. Some are literally stumbling forward without any zeal or vision left! -They certainly did not start out that way... Some where referred to as "movers and shakers", not very long ago. The distance have taken it's toll.
It might be second nature for passionate, ambitious young leaders to start out guns a blazing. And to tell the truth, when scouting for younger leaders, that is exactly the kind of person that many leaders are looking for: Energetic, driven, self-starting, go-getters...! But how do you look after yourself in the long run? How do you make sure that you can stay the course?
Most athletic coaches say it is best to go for a third option: Maintain an even, consistent and sustainable pace throughout the race. A pace that will enable you the to go the full distance and still have some energy left at the end! Some may describe this third option as boring. -"Who needs energy at the end of the race? What for?"
Our strengths, capacity, personality type and general attitude towards life, will ensure that we look at these three approaches differently. -All I know is this: I need to pace myself. I need to make sure that I do what I'm passionate about in such a way, that I would be able to keep on doing and enjoying it!
No one else can or will do this for me: I have to establish what a sustainable pace looks like for me, and I have to keep on keeping it! -I suspect the same is true for you.......
Friday, 23 March 2012
Position
Funny how people who occupy relatively "low positions" on the so called authority ladder, sometimes acts as if they wield enormous power and influence! Think about custom officials and army corporals for example. They can make you run against your will and they can keep you from passing through a border, or just make life difficult for you, but that's about all...
Why do most of us think that leadership is about some or other position? Some people will do about anything, just to be elected or appointed to a certain position. Does a title, abbreviated job description, a plaque on your office door or desk, or a descriptive business card make you a leader? -Someone who can lord it over others!
Is filling a position equal to being a leader? Most of the time people follow positional leaders because they have to, not because of respect or perceived leadership abilities. In John Maxwell's old adage about leadership (1993:5-7) : Position is the lowest level of leadership and normally "will not extend beyond the lines of one's job description."
"Real leadership is more than having authority; it is more than having the technical training and following the proper procedures. Real leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow."
Leadership is not about position. (Although it might be a starting point recognition of some sort.) Leadership is about attitude and behaviour and the ability to influence people, regardless of your position. Leadership is being the person that others trust and want to follow.
Which poses the question: Can one exercise leadership without any (official) position?
*John Maxwell 1993, Developing the leader within you. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville.
Why do most of us think that leadership is about some or other position? Some people will do about anything, just to be elected or appointed to a certain position. Does a title, abbreviated job description, a plaque on your office door or desk, or a descriptive business card make you a leader? -Someone who can lord it over others!
Is filling a position equal to being a leader? Most of the time people follow positional leaders because they have to, not because of respect or perceived leadership abilities. In John Maxwell's old adage about leadership (1993:5-7) : Position is the lowest level of leadership and normally "will not extend beyond the lines of one's job description."
"Real leadership is more than having authority; it is more than having the technical training and following the proper procedures. Real leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow."
Leadership is not about position. (Although it might be a starting point recognition of some sort.) Leadership is about attitude and behaviour and the ability to influence people, regardless of your position. Leadership is being the person that others trust and want to follow.
Which poses the question: Can one exercise leadership without any (official) position?
*John Maxwell 1993, Developing the leader within you. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Meaning
Many things that we do on a daily basis may be regarded as part of our personal occupational hazards... It is those things that we don't really like, or might even dislike intensely, but we just have to do it. It seems that everything we do, have one or more of those "don't-like-dreary-meaningless" elements embedded in them.
But, when most of what you are working hard for, does not really matter to you today and in the long run, -frustration and dissatisfaction will at some point surely knock on your door.
The World Health Organisation believes that by 2020 one of the leading causes of disability will be depression. Don't underestimate the consequences of "meaninglessness"....
When you study the legacies of people that we generally regard as being successful, you will find that many of them have spent most of their time doing something that they regarded as meaningful. Something that had deep meaning to them personally. (Not necessarily to others.) Something that they are, or were passionate about!
I have often wondered why many successful leaders and so called achievers, seem to be so disappointed and disillusioned with their lives at the end. -Is it because achievements without real personal meaning, doesn't last ?!
How much of what you do has real meaning to you?
Its all about passion! Finding it and planning how to pursue it over a lifetime. Its about doing a lifestyle audit and making sure that you spend a significant amount of your time on things that has deep meaning to you.
For some of us it might mean that we have to evolve or cycle into a different role or function in our workplace. It might even mean that we have to start searching for something else. Many of us would simply have to find and spend more of our free time, doing the things that really matters to us and vibrates in our hearts and minds!
Life is too short and valuable to be spend on meaninglessness!
But, when most of what you are working hard for, does not really matter to you today and in the long run, -frustration and dissatisfaction will at some point surely knock on your door.
The World Health Organisation believes that by 2020 one of the leading causes of disability will be depression. Don't underestimate the consequences of "meaninglessness"....
When you study the legacies of people that we generally regard as being successful, you will find that many of them have spent most of their time doing something that they regarded as meaningful. Something that had deep meaning to them personally. (Not necessarily to others.) Something that they are, or were passionate about!
I have often wondered why many successful leaders and so called achievers, seem to be so disappointed and disillusioned with their lives at the end. -Is it because achievements without real personal meaning, doesn't last ?!
How much of what you do has real meaning to you?
Its all about passion! Finding it and planning how to pursue it over a lifetime. Its about doing a lifestyle audit and making sure that you spend a significant amount of your time on things that has deep meaning to you.
For some of us it might mean that we have to evolve or cycle into a different role or function in our workplace. It might even mean that we have to start searching for something else. Many of us would simply have to find and spend more of our free time, doing the things that really matters to us and vibrates in our hearts and minds!
Life is too short and valuable to be spend on meaninglessness!
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Clarity
On a clear night the average human eye can see the Triangulum Galaxy.
(If you know what to look for...!)
That is a distance of 3.14 million light years away! OK, what we actually see is the light coming towards us, but still -that is far! When we look straight forward on a clear day, the average human eye can see +/- 4.8 Km (2.9 miles), until the earth's curve causes you to hit the horizon.
On a cloudy, foggy day visibility can be restricted to only a few meters....
It's amazing what clarity can do: It helps us to see clearly and specifically that which is there.
It defines what is really important. It opens the door to more creative options. It empowers us to take better decisions. It clears the mind. It keeps us focused. It enables us to stay on course.
It reduces stress. -No one should proceed without it.
Sometimes our minds, our vision and decision making abilities becomes blurred with the fog of circumstances, choices and the everyday chores and worries of life. Sometimes clarity is obscured by a shapeless, nameless cloud that hangs over us and fills our thoughts. It rains on our dreams and displaces our energy.
In those times clarity (eventually) comes I have found, when I spent a little time to think (or even write) about what exactly is going on. Spend some time to become aware of exactly WHAT or HOW you are feeling. When you can define that: Ask yourself: WHY you feel that way?
When you can answer that honestly -establish whether there is anything that you can DO about it?
If there is nothing that you can do about it: -Let it go!
If there is something that you can do: Do it without delay!
(If you know what to look for...!)
That is a distance of 3.14 million light years away! OK, what we actually see is the light coming towards us, but still -that is far! When we look straight forward on a clear day, the average human eye can see +/- 4.8 Km (2.9 miles), until the earth's curve causes you to hit the horizon.
On a cloudy, foggy day visibility can be restricted to only a few meters....
It's amazing what clarity can do: It helps us to see clearly and specifically that which is there.
It defines what is really important. It opens the door to more creative options. It empowers us to take better decisions. It clears the mind. It keeps us focused. It enables us to stay on course.
It reduces stress. -No one should proceed without it.
Sometimes our minds, our vision and decision making abilities becomes blurred with the fog of circumstances, choices and the everyday chores and worries of life. Sometimes clarity is obscured by a shapeless, nameless cloud that hangs over us and fills our thoughts. It rains on our dreams and displaces our energy.
In those times clarity (eventually) comes I have found, when I spent a little time to think (or even write) about what exactly is going on. Spend some time to become aware of exactly WHAT or HOW you are feeling. When you can define that: Ask yourself: WHY you feel that way?
When you can answer that honestly -establish whether there is anything that you can DO about it?
If there is nothing that you can do about it: -Let it go!
If there is something that you can do: Do it without delay!
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