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The Thoughtful Leaders BlogAre you quitting too soon?
“It’s always too soon to quit!” Norman Vincent Peale
So often I’ve wanted to quit just before a breakthrough. I’ve been at the edge, ready to throw up my hands and give up in disgust, to walk away from what I wanted and what I wanted to accomplish, and for some strange reason, perhaps a bit more determination, a bit more hope, or a bit more prodding from someone else, I’ve held on and given it one more try…and I’ve broken through to my goal. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyLead like a duck
“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but paddling like the dickens underneath.” Michael Caine
When things get frantic, do you get frantic? Can those who work with you and live with you notice your frenetic energy? And do they then get frantic themselves? An essential leadership skill – whether you’re leading an organization, a team, a project, or a family – is to learn to flow with the chaos and show a calm demeanor to the people around you. Related Posts:2 Responses to “Lead like a duck”Leave a ReplyIs it a good thing to be asleep on the job?
Related Posts:Leave a ReplyThe first step towards winning an argument
“There’s more than one way to look at a problem, and they may all be right.” Norman Schwarzkopf
Have you ever been totally certain you knew the right and best answer to a problem? You knew the best way to approach an issue, how to get the greatest outcome…only someone else was also completely certain that they knew the best answer, and it wasn’t close to the solution you came up with. And what if that someone was someone who really mattered to you, whose opinion mattered, who you needed agreement from, needed on your side? And they were steadfastly asserting that their “wrong” answer was the way to go. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyTen steps to actually doing what you say you’re going to doThe other day I presented a few leadership tips to a group of small business owners and senior leaders of organizations. They all listened patiently, politely, and even with a great deal of engagement. A few even took copious notes – as if to remind themselves of the personal and professional changes they truly wanted to, and planned to, make. And then one extremely honest individual raised his hand. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyCobbler’s Children Syndrome in the WorkplaceIn many organizations I have encountered during my consulting career, people have complained about “Cobbler’s Children Syndrome”. Like the proverbial children of the shoemaker who go without shoes, I have consulted to technology companies that have outdated computer systems, marketing firms that don’t market themselves in any way, and consulting firms that fail to put into practice for themselves a single theory or model upon which they have built their businesses. Related Posts:Leave a ReplyI’m OK, you’re OK
“My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents, and I lay them both at His feet.” Mahatma Gandhi
This one is hard for most people – to see our faults and missteps as blessings. How can that be? I do know that the things about myself that I like the least are often the things from which I learn and grow the most, when I finally accept them. And I’ve often come to see the blessing within, when I let go of self-judgment and blame. Related Posts:2 Responses to “I’m OK, you’re OK”
Leave a ReplyLeave a ReplyLeadership starts with youThose of you who know us at Chatsworth Consulting Group know that we believe in Thoughtful Leadership – looking inside yourself, taking the time to reflect, and taking action with thought and clarity. I recently came across a great piece on the subject of looking inside yourself and knowing yourself – and wanted to share. This blogpost at thoughtLEADERS llc outlines four areas for every leader to reflect on and know for themselves – finding your internal motivation, charting your path, stating how you’ll move down your path, and most important from my perspective, inspiring yourself. They recommend creating a living, evolving document that describes your leadership philosophy and the maxims and principles by which you will lead. Good stuff! Related Posts:Leave a Reply |
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I was really, really tired. It was mid-day and I could feel the pressure mounting of everything that had to get done and all there was to cross off my to-do list…but I was really, really tired. I swear it felt as if my head was pulsing and my eyes just wanted to drift close.
Theresa Sage 
View Robyn McLeod's profile
I once received some feedback about this very issue. It seems that when I took one of the many typing indicators it determined that I was as calm in a high stress situation as in areas that were routine. This was good and bad. The good as you pointed out was that the team remained calm and did not get rattled and unable to perform, the bad is that no one really knew how bad the situation was and therefore did not have the chance to rise to the occasion and help out. I have not changed the nature in which I take stress, but I have found cues to help those around me appreciate the gravity of the situation. Just thought I would share this to enhance your thoughts.
Thanks Dwight – that is excellent food for thought and I know I will incorporate it for myself and my clients as we talk through stress, calmness, and reactions. Good for you that you took the feedback and found a way to work with it that worked for you (and those around you)!