As a leader, you’re expected to have the answers. Whether the questions are coming from customers, clients, competitors, employees, or the media, it’s important to be equipped with the right answer at the right time. But there is something even most important for leaders than having the right answers.
...It is incredibly, critically important for a leader to remain teachable and realize that he or she is not always right, and that the wisdom of others should be heeded, because “maybe they are right!”
...When you experience a loss or failure, you can choose to change, grow, and learn from it. While this is much easier said than done, it is possible! And learning from your loss makes it less of a loss… and more of a win.
...I will never forget a lesson I learned early in my career that I think helped serve to strengthen and increase my habit of reflection and analysis. I learned that perception truly matters.
...No matter your position, and no matter how much experience and expertise you now possess, the fact is at some point you were a beginner. At some point you had to be taught. That’s true for all of us! But the more experienced and successful we become, the more difficult it is to remain teachable.
...Leaders understand the challenges and the critical importance of getting new, valuable people on board with their product, service, or organization. But what do you do once you have them? What about after you’ve made the sale, delivered the service, or finished training the new hire?
...Balance. It’s something I believe we all want, but all tend to struggle with. There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day or days in the week to fit in everything we need and want to do. But maybe there isn’t a secret to balance, because maybe balance simply isn’t realistic.
...While most of us are familiar enough with our own houses that we would pretty quickly notice signs of foundation problems, the same is not always true of ourselves.
...If you’re like me, the word stamina brings to mind physical energy and athletic ability. It’s that physical drive that enables a person to push their body’s limits, stave off exhaustion, and just keep going. But is there more to it?
...You are not designed or equipped to do every job. You have your limits. But you are specially equipped to do the job meant for you. So, sharpen your focus to that one thing you are meant to do, and let other people around you do their jobs too.
...Roadblocks are a fact of life and leadership and are often unavoidable. We may not be able to prevent or avoid every roadblock, but we can change how we approach and deal with them.
...Inspiration, unlike motivation, is real and enduring. True inspiration is invaluable – if you can truly inspire those whom you lead, everyone will win!
...Today I want to share some characteristics of inspirational leaders along with a selection of quotes that appear in my first book, Presidential Leadership, and are relevant to everyone who desires to be an inspirational leader.
...Today, at the beginning of this new year, take a few moments for self reflection. Days, weeks, months, and years from now, what will others remember about how you made them feel? Your words and actions today will fade from memory. But the way those words and actions made others feel might last a lifetime.
...A subtle but very significant characteristic of highly successful people isn’t their ability to lead and control a conversation, but their ability to listen. Truly listen.
...Whether it’s observing a little girl share her ice cream with her brother, witnessing a teenage boy give up his seat for an elderly woman on the subway, receiving an unexpected and precious gift from a friend, or getting the opportunity to bless an overwhelmed waiter with a big tip, kindness and generosity have a way of bringing beauty into even the ugliest days.
...The incredible positive effects of frequently feeling and expressing gratitude have been extensively studied, but it doesn’t take science to know that being grateful makes you happier and more successful.
...Much of the external circumstances affecting your life are out of your control. That is, as they say, “reality!” You cannot control many—if not most—of these circumstances. So instead of needless, unhealthy, and wasteful worry and consternation, simply focus on what you can control.
...Sometimes we’ve got something great that is worth hanging onto and fighting for. And sometimes what we have is good or ‘okay,’ but we should be willing to let it go in favor of something better. It takes flexibility, humility, and wisdom to know the difference.
...Next time you’re feeling annoyed, frustrated, or critical toward a fellow human being, stop for a minute and strap on their shoes.
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