3/31/2023: “To be great is to be misunderstood.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The price of greatness is responsibility.” Winston Churchill
Emerson and Churchill are two significant sources of quotes and reelection for me. Ah, but therein lies the rub. Do we as leaders want to be considered misunderstood in our greatness, or do we want to be considered great servant leaders who can accomplish the mission and care for our people? Being merely misunderstood conveys a lack of communication AND transparency. It is arrogance. Bearing the burden of responsibility changes the calculus. Of those who are given much, much is expected. That is servant leadership!
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3/24/2023: Friday Thought Leadership. “Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week.” Charles Richards
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3/17/2023: Friday Thought Leadership (on Sunday). “Rest when you need to, but never quit.” John Wooden
I took a time-out on Friday. My Sweet Baboo and I inspected the property after last week’s big wind storm. RV trailer is ok; the property ok. I planted butterfly bushes and milkweed for the bees and hummingbirds. Recharged and recalibrated. Spring planting with Arbor Day is coming. Look out next week! I am on fire!
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3/3/2023: In our Inner Core resides a place called “References.” One of my references is Jack Welch, past CEO of General Electric. Leadership comes naturally to some, but mostly it is learned. References shape your reality. Keep learning, and keep honing your leadership skills. Accomplish the mission, take care of your people.
2/24/2023: “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” Jack Welch
A great big shout-out to the Tennessee Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) for yesterday’s outstanding HR Business Leadership and Strategy Conference in Franklin. Great educational content and a great networking opportunity for all. Thanks, SHRM!
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2/17/2023: “The fiery trials through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the last generation.” Abraham Lincoln. “Lincoln on Leadership.”
Leadership matters. Not any leadership; legal, moral, ethical leadership, the kind displayed by President Lincoln. How can our national leadership be in such disarray? They do not do the right things; they do not do things right. They fail to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. They lack the impeccable ethics of Mr. Lincoln.
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1/27/2023: I strive to be apolitical in discussing leadership issues, but the demonstrated lack of ethical behavior on a national scale troubles me deeply. My left and right limits for ethics were codified at West Point: “A cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those that do.” The highest levels of our government consistently lie, cheat, steal, and tolerate, yet there is no outrage. Where are our values? Whom can you trust anymore?
Previous Thought Leadership
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It is the holiday season, and as we approach the end of 2022, it is a great time to plan for 2023. The holiday season is downtime, so please take some time to reflect on your purpose. You don’t have to define it, but please think about it. What is your calling? Where are you now, and where do you want to be at the end of 2023? Stop. Set some new goals. Create a plan to get you there. “If you don’t know where you going, any road will get you there.” Find that road, or build that road. Plan. Execute.
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“The ultimate of being successful is the luxury of giving yourself the time to do what you want to.”
Leontyne Price A great R&R and a little time to recalibrate.
“In crowds, we have unison, in groups harmony. We want the single voice but not the single note; that is the secret of the group.” Mary Parker Follet
This week my Empire Builders Mastermind Group met for our mid-year conference. We all come from different walks of life and different disciplines. It was great to get together again to share experiences and learn from others. It was a wonderful gathering, and I come away motivated and energized by the power of the group. We shared harmony with our single voices.
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“You have to help people do more of the work that has impact and meaning. The more we do work that has no purpose, the less engaged and motivated we are. The less engaged we are, the less likely we are to find and create great work.”
Michael Bungay Stanier, author of “The Coaching Habit.”
Our work needs a purpose to be meaningful. Our lives need a purpose to achieve self-worth and meaning. My purpose is service. What is yours?
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“If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one is following, then you are just taking a walk.”
Benjamin Hooks
The old leadership adage: talk the talk and walk the walk. So many leaders talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. Friday reality check: turn around to see if anyone is following you. If no one is following, you are not only taking a walk, you are walking alone.
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“Chance can allow you to accomplish a goal every once in a while, but consistent achievement happens only if you love what you do.” Bart Conner.
I have had a few jobs that I hated but needed to do at the time. I consider myself blessed that I have had a military career that I loved and a new service career that I love. How good is that?
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“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action with vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Joel Arthur Barker, Futurist, Author, Lecturer, Film Maker
Joel Barker was the first person to popularize the concept of paradigm shifts in the corporate world. In 1980, in addition to his work on paradigms, he began to focus on a second crucial component for organizations and individuals: the importance of vision ( see https://lnkd.in/dEVHFtYc). What is your vision? Where do you get your inspiration from?
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“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action with vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Joel Arthur Barker, Futurist, Author, Lecturer, Film Maker
Joel Barker was the first person to popularize the concept of paradigm shifts in the corporate world. In 1980, in addition to his work on paradigms, he began to focus on a second crucial component for organizations and individuals: the importance of vision ( see https://lnkd.in/dEVHFtYc). What is your vision? Where do you get your inspiration from?
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“Unfortunately, most organizations have not defined their core values, and the resultant lack of clarity hinders their growth. When your people don’t embrace your core values, their actions hurt your cause more than they help it. By not defining what your values are, you have no way of knowing who believes in them and who doesn’t.” Gino Wickman in “Traction.”
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“When conscience governs vision, discipline, and passion, leadership endures and changes the world for good. In other words, moral authority makes formal authority work”
Stephen R. Covey.
As I gaze out on the world, and our nation, this particular Friday this pretty much sums up my feelings and emotions this morning. How about you?
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“Your first and foremost job as a leader is to take charge of your own energy, and then to help orchestrate the energy of those around you.” Peter F. Drucker
Well, it’s Friday. Most of us have pretty high energy on Fridays as we welcome the weekend. I faced a few challenges this week, and I asked my Master Mind Group to send me positive energy. And they came through. Lesson Learned. Align yourself with high-energy people, thank them, and pass the energy on.
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Traveling today and so great full for my blessings and my country; the land of the free and the home of the brave. Have a great weekend.
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“Teamwork (today) is often electronic, rather than face-to-face – email, telephone, video conferencing – all of which require not just new communication skills, but also new ways of establishing and maintaining trust.” Peter Hawkins
Covid accelerated electronic teamwork, but it was happening anyway. It is not positive or negative, it just is. A new leadership reality.
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“Many people use the term “leadership development” when what they are talking about is “leader development.” Leadership does not reside in the individuals, for leadership is always a relational phenomenon that at a minimum requires a leader, followers, and a shared purpose.” Peter Hawkins, in “Leadership Team Coaching.”
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“Most of us never qualify for life’s grand awards – no Oscar, no Emmy, no Noble Prize. But we all have a shot at one worthwhile pursuit – the chance to deliver quality in all that we do for others.” Dan Zadra
Seeking an easy way to do this? Think about joining Business Networking International (BNI). You will realize the ability to deliver your goods or services to great people of a similar mindset. Start small, network, and expand. It will be a great reward!
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“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” Alexander the Great
There is cause for deep thinking here, from one of the most successful warrior leaders in history. He was tutored by Aristotle. What does this say about leaders? What does this say about followers? Food for thought for this weekend.
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“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say, “Thank you.”
In between, the leader is a servant.” Max De Pree, author of “Leadership is an Art.”
Reality includes Vision, Mission, Core Values, and a current “reality check” if “how are we doing.” Work the in-between hard as a servant leader. Thank as many individuals as often as you can: employees, peers, customers, suppliers, etc. Never underestimate the power of a thank you note.
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“Hold yourself responsible to a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself – and be lenient to everybody else.” Henry Ward Beecher
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“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” John A Shedd
I have always loved this quote. It has helped me get out of a few harbors… my comfort zones. What do you need, or what do you need to do, to leave your comfort zone? 2022 is right around the corner. Create your plan for action. Fortune favors the bold!
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“You will become what you think about most; your success or your failure in anything, large or small, will depend on your programming – what you accept from others, and what you say to yourself.”
Dr. Shad Helmsetter
This book suggested to me through my International Coaching Federation (ICF) accreditation program. A really great read! I highly recommend it.
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“Anything is possible when you believe you can… when you have a plan, and take consistent, persistent, and intentional action towards its attaimment.” Honoree Corder,
Vision to Reality
At the heart of your Inner Core lay your beliefs. Your beliefs flow out from your self image. If you do not belief in yourself, who will? Without a plan, any road will get you to your future. First, believe in yourself. Second, determine you goal or goals. Third, create the map because you know where you want to go. Take that first step forward with your eyes on the prize. If you want or need a guide, contact me.
“The price of greatness is responsibility.” Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill is recorded in history as great because he took charge and he took responsibility as a leader in World War II. His sense of responsibility was visible in his Outer Core, but it was driven by the character, beliefs, and values of his Inner Core. Leadership begins in your Inner Core… your internal compass. Steer by true north!
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Respect is not given, it is earned. Showing respect is not the same as giving respect. It is really a reflection of pity for those who have no character or integrity, even if they pretend they do. Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong and don’t ever lower yourself to their standards. Maintain the moral high ground!
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“By centering our lives on timeless, unchanging principles, we create a fundamental paradigm of effective living. It is the center that puts all other centers in perspective.” Stephan Covey.
Once again I discovered this truth during leadership development coaching. We can’t address our leadership “Outer Core” unless we first address our own Inner Core. The Inner Core drives the Outer Core, the attributes the world sees. After observing the high-level military and civilian leadership failures over the past two weeks, it is imperative we look down and in before we look up and out.
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“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go on in.” Andrew Jackson
So much goodness in this quote. We can’t control our thoughts, but we can choose what we think about. Inner Core self-concept and character drive our values and beliefs. Values and beliefs drive our thoughts. Your Inner Core is your emotional compass. Trust it! Not to decide is to decide! He who hesitates is lost. Deliberate, decide, and take action. Move out smartly!
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“Every action we take, everything we do, is either a victory or a defeat in the struggle to become what we want to be.” Ninon de I’Enclos
The brain is hard-wired to resist change. We all attempt to establish and maintain a comfort zone. Change is stressful. Positive change requires conflict and a conscious choice to move past the fear of leaving our comfort zones. These are Inner Core Exercises! We can’t change everything in life, but we can change our ideas and our actions. You don’t need to be captive to anything.
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“I go on working for the same reason that a hen goes on laying eggs. There is in every living creature an obscure but powerful impulse to active functioning. Life demands go be lived.”
Henry Louis Mencken
To my comrades recently lost at Kabul Airport, Afghanistan. We who have served there, we survivors, must live so your memory is always preserved. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in Peace
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Sometimes it’s not good enough to do your best; you have to do what’s required.” Winston Churchill.
You have to look down and in before you can look up and out. Doing your best is what the world sees. Doing what is required comes from your Inner Core, from your self-concept, your character, your beliefs, values, and references. A certain kind of fear they call courage. Courage requires you to do what is required.
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“Leadership is an attitude before it becomes an ability.” A.S. Migs Damiani
Can leadership be taught? Yes, it can, and it can be further developed and coached. The key question to ask is: “Do you want to be a leader?” Enter the Inner Core element of Self Concept. During airborne school, the airborne instructors asked the trainees a dozen times a day: “What do you want to be?” The answer was “AIRBORNE.” The trainees knew what they wanted to be and were willing to pay the price to get it. Do you really want to be a leader? A good look at your Inner Core will answer the question.
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“Never underestimate the power of a thank you note.” We have mostly migrated to email as a way of communication, but if something is a really big deal, I will handwrite and mail a thank you note. I learned that from Jack Welch, former CEO of GE.
Team Hope has some great interactions this week with friends, mentors, and West Point Grads. Gratitude springs from your Inner Core to “communication skills” in your Outer Core. Thank someone today.
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) “Remember that morale always filters down from the top. It reflects the attitudes of people at every level – especially the attitudes of “supervisors” toward their own jobs and toward the people that they supervise.” Loius B. Lundburg
I am reminded of a long tradition in the military. Some person asks: “Morale check?” The answer is not printable here. It’s Friday. If you are a leader, do a mental moral check for your team or your organization. How is the moral? And who or what are your references? People join because of great vision; people leave because of poor leadership. Morale is a metric of leadership.
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“Avoid the cowardice of silence. So-called leaders often sit on their hands when it is time to speak up. Leadership requires the courage to make waves, the courage to confront bosses when they are wrong, and the courage of one’s convictions. Every Lee needs a Longstreet.” MG Perry Smith in “Blazing Flashes of the Obvious About Leadership.”
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“Leadership is a state of mind and a way of life, not something that one turns on or off.” Steve Adams
Because you cannot turn your Inner Core on or off. It is what it is, but with reflection and commitment, elements of your Inner Core can be changed for a more positive you. Thus great leaders first look “down and in,” and then “up and out.” The journey all starts with your Inner Core. Inner Core drives Outer Core… what the world sees. This calculus is constant. Address your Inner Core first!
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“If you don’t love it leave it, let this song I’m singing be a warning: If you’re talking down my country man you’re walking on the fighting side of me.” Merle Haggard
What do you value? What do you believe? What are your references? Happy 4th of July from Nashville y’all.
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From Rotary International.
The four-way test of what we think, say, or do:
First – Is it the truth?
Second – Is it fair to all concerned?
Third – Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Fourth – Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Such a simple test, yet it embodies all the elements of your Inner Core. Your Inner Core drives your Outer Core, what the world sees. Thank you Rotary for a weekly reminder through the four-way test
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“Integrity is all about having a high level of honesty. When someone takes responsibility for their actions, you know that they are an honest person. It’s not always easy to take responsibility for things that happen, but it is the right thing to do.
People with integrity choose to do the right thing, even when it’s hard.”
Beware those who “talk the talk” and don’t “walk the walk.” The boundary of your Inner Core and Your Outer Core is like a semi-permeable membrane. Your Inner Core traits must diffuse through this membrane to be visible to the outside world. Talking the Talk means that nothing diffuses through the membrane. Walking the Walk means your Inner Core traits, your thoughts, views, beliefs, and references, diffuse to your Outer Core… what the world sees.
If you talk the talk but do not walk the walk, you are not a leader of character. You are a charlatan, you are a fraud, and you lack integrity. This is what the world sees when there is no diffusion. You are not fooling anyone. Are you really walking the walk, or just talking the talk?
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Kristi and I returned to the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) this week to conduct a 2-day Leadership Workshop. Thank you IC, IC staff, and attendees. Leadership starts with your Inner Core, your self-concept, your character, your beliefs, values, emotions. It is always enlightening to observe the “ah-ha” moments with the attendees. Your Inner Core Drives your Outer Core, what the world sees. Another workshop of understanding and enlightenment for all.
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“Never give an order that can’t be obeyed.” GEN Douglas MacArthur
A large part of your Inner Core consists of “behavior tendencies.” These tendencies originate in your Self Concept and in your Beliefs. We tend to act on the basis of what our deep Inner Core tells us. In strategic and tactical leadership, this quote from GEN MacArthur provides a significant “stake in the ground” for leaders. In the military, subordinates can refuse to follow a command that is not legal, moral, or ethical. Good leaders never put themselves in a position where their orders or directives cannot be followed. Think about that this weekend.
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There are two times every year I stop and reflect on my chosen career: Memorial Day and the anniversary of the Gander plane crash. From my Inner Core, I have been committed to Duty, Honor, and Country. From my Inner Core, I have been committed to legal, moral, and ethical. I have always been committed to service, but I was only lucky to not have had to pay the ultimate price. Thank you to those who did. We can never repay you, but we honor you in heart and mind.
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“Your character traits are based on your personality, morals, ethics and beliefs. Knowing your best character traits can help you to develop them further and use them to your advantage in your career, from writing a compelling resume or cover letter to requesting a promotion.”
https://lnkd.in/eG8HzeN
At the heart of your Inner Core are the elements of your character. Although there are many character traits, the 13 below traits caught my attention for this Friday’s Inner Core Exercises. Your Inner Core is what YOU see; your character traits are who you are. Your Inner Core drives your Outer Core; what the WORLD sees. How does the world see you today?
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“As leaders, we are not only responsible for our own success, but for cultivating the success of the next generation.” Susan Collins
We certainly want the very best future of our children and we want to leave them a better world for our parenting and leadership. That is why the elements of your Inner Core needs to be constantly considered and reviewed. The elements of your character, your values, beliefs, references, and specifically your ethics, are critical guiding principals… stakes in the ground. Great leaders consider the next generation, and beyond. What does your legacy look like?
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I wrote an article this week on Corporate Culture for a local Nashville outlet. Just like a personal leadership journey, corporate culture begins with the Inner Core. Corporate Vision, Mission, Core Values, Ethics, and Operating Principals are formed and codified from the Inner Core. The Inner Core drives the Outer Core…. What the world sees. What the market sees; what your customers see. Post COVID is quickly approaching. Is it time to revisit the state of your Corporate Culture?
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Fact: The Inner Core Drives the Outer Core! Look closely at the 9 components of the Outer Core! All of them are related to leadership and leadership abilities. Before we look up and out as leaders, we have to look in and down. You must look into your Inner Core before you can make positives changes to the leadership attributes in your Outer Core. Over this weekend, prioritize your Inner Core changes, and on Monday, start changing.
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References. Who were/are your heroes? In Nashville of course, they’re cowboys. What it is about your own heroes that you admired? Brave? Daring? Charismatic? Fighters of evil? They are some of the references in your inner core. Take the positives from your heroes and emulate them. Lead the way!
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Two items of your Inner Core and opposite sides of the same coin. One side: Integrity. You own it; only you can give it away. Side Two: Respect. They own it; only they can give it away to you. Integrity and respect are two currencies you work with. Did you earn respect this week? Did you give away integrity? Inner Core thoughts to dwell on this weekend.
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“I believe that by knowing what I value, I truly know what I want.”
What do you really value? Your ethics? Your character? Your honor? Your selfless service? Your inner core drives your outer core. Do your values show on the outside; the positive virtues that set you apart as a leader… and as an example? Examine your inner core values this weekend. Be a better leader next week.
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Character. No, not a cartoon figure, but the inner essence of great leaders and great leadership. My mentor John Mattone identifies 6 key elements of character: Courage, Loyalty, Diligence, Modesty, Honesty, and Gratitude. The elements of character drive your beliefs, which drive your behavioral tendencies that the world sees. Are you anchored in elements of great character? Did you demonstrate that this week? Next week is simply a chance to improve, no matter where you are in your leadership journey.
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The third ring of the Inner Core contains thoughts, emotions, and behavior tendencies… a related trifecta that percolates up from self-concept and elements of character. Do you words (and actions) reflect the best of your thoughts and emotions? Next week let your thoughts be grounded in a better you.
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“If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” Steve Jobs
Your inner core drives your outer core. Look below at the components of the inner core. Even Steve Jobs brilliance and creativity were tempered by the elements of his core. Do some deep thinking this weekend about YOUR inner core and reflect on your timelines. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day either!
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“If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on everything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.” Margaret Thatcher
Your inner core contains your self-concept and your elements of character. A strong inner core means you will be true to your beliefs, values, and references. Review those three over the weekend and vow to live them to their fullest next week.
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“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work. Rather, teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Next week, be the provider of the vision and how the team is part of that vision. Have a great weekend.
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The Inner Core drives the Outer Core… what the world sees of you. These two concepts should be twin stakes in the ground for your character.. and your personal and professional behavior. I have embedded them in my Inner Core. I challenge you to embed them as well. They will never fail you!
It all starts deep within…
“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration. Impact involves getting results. Influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work. And you have to inspire your teammates…” Robin Sharma
What drives your passion? Continually ask yourself that question this weekend. Be a better leader Monday.
