As leaders, we are constantly coaching, teaching, and influencing those whom we are privileged to lead. Leadership is very serious business! Your leadership will have a long-lasting positive or negative impact on each person and each organization you lead. We really don’t have a choice. If you are a leader—and everyone is a leader—you are …
“Most of the time we don’t choose our adversity, but all of the time we can choose our response to it.” John Maxwell wrote this powerful statement of truth in his latest book, Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn. How true it is that “most of the time we don’t choose our adversity, but …
In chapter 7 of his recently published book titled Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn, John Maxwell addresses the critical importance of a teachable spirit and a consistent, lifelong personal and professional attitude of teachability. Maxwell writes, “people often ask me what most determines if they will reach their potential. My answer: a teachable spirit.” Maxwell …
Former cabinet member John W. Gardner said, “The first and last task of a leader is to keep hope alive—the hope that we can finally find our way through to a better world—despite the day’s action, despite our own inertness, shallowness, and wavering resolve.” Create, nurture, and keep hope alive—this is a universal …
What is the focus of your learning? Think about it carefully. As a human being and as a leader, what is the focus of your learning? In chapter 5 of his recently published book titled Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn, John Maxwell writes, “The desire to improve themselves is the DNA of all successful …
Leaders can be motivated by many things. Some leaders pursue a position of leadership simply because it’s a normal career path. Others become leaders in hopes of greater salaries and better benefits. And of course there will always be the leaders who are seeking power and control. But by far the best leaders are …
“After more than forty years leading and mentoring people, I have come to the conclusion that responsibility is the most important ability that a person can possess. Nothing happens to advance our potential until we step up and say, ‘I am responsible.’ If you don’t take responsibility, you give up control of your life.” The …
I am very much a believer in being the best you can be, at what you do best. You can spread yourself out trying to pursue many things and most likely end up being merely mediocre at most of them. Or, you can focus on a few key things that you already do well, and …
One of the most critical foundations for productive learning and leadership excellence is understanding and accepting reality. Not what we wish, not what we hope for or what we want to believe. It is truly amazing how many leaders do not clearly understand reality. Or staunchly refuse to believe and accept reality. In the end these …
I have long advocated the importance and effectiveness of focusing on your strengths instead of your weaknesses. I strongly believe that in order to achieve greater success, you should identify, improve, and leverage your strengths. I think this is especially true in leadership. Leaders who leverage their strengths are much more confident and …
In chapter 2 of Sometimes You Win—Sometimes You Learn, author John Maxwell discusses the critical importance of humility. He writes, “Pride is concerned about who’s right. Humility is concerned about what’s right.” I love the immense wisdom contained within this short but powerful statement. Following this reality is a key element to achieving true leadership excellence! Maxwell goes …
Last month Shawn Ellis, host of the Better Life/Better Business Podcast, interviewed Janice Marturano, author of the new book, Finding the Space to Lead: A Practical Guide to Mindful Leadership. In the interview they discussed the concept of mindful leadership and its role in the pursuit of leadership excellence. Marturano, who is the founder of …
Leadership expert and author John Maxwell has written yet another book worthy of study, reflection, and action. The book is titled Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn: Life’s Greatest Lessons Are Gained From Our Losses. Like many great books, there are not necessarily a lot of new revelations, but rather critical reminders of what is truly …
Nobody likes to hear that they’re wrong. Criticism, no matter how “constructive,” usually hurts. Even the most tactfully phrased comments made with the best of intentions can still deflate, discourage, or anger the unlucky person on the receiving end.
I think people in leadership particularly dislike criticism. Even leaders who claim to welcome honest feedback still bristle or ache a little when that honesty hints at a mistake or a flaw…
...As I’ve said many times, I strongly believe that “Leadership Excellence is the Ultimate Strategy for Success.” I also believe that an organization’s culture is paramount to its overall impact and success. And as is true with so many things, an organization’s culture starts at the top. Building and exemplifying a strong, positive company culture …
Author and speaker Jim Clemmer says, “The basic foundation of leading is optimism.” If you stop to reflect on that statement, it really does make sense. In order to be a leader, you must lead someone somewhere, and optimism is at the heart of forward progress. Conversely, pessimism is the language of stagnation. It’s …
As all great leaders know… leaders are not perfect. Try as they might, every leader still has flaws. They still make mistakes. They still fall short. They still have regrets. They still yearn to do better. Every leader is imperfect. So why is it that so many leaders try to appear flawless? While strength and …
As a leader, you likely spend a lot of time talking, teaching, training, delegating, and making decisions. That’s what you do, that’s what leading is about. But in order to lead effectively, leaders must start by listening. As author and speaker John Maxwell says, “Listening is the foundation for all leadership decisions.” In order to …
I recently revisited a blog article from last summer, written by bestselling author and speaker Jon Gordon. In the article, Gordon shared five leadership lessons he learned from some highly successful organizations and teams. I think these five lessons are essential for every leader to remember, so I am passing them on to you today: …
The beginning of a new year tends to be a time of fresh starts, new beginnings, big ideas, personal resolutions, and professional goals. As a healthcare leader, you set the bar for those whom you lead. Their eyes are on you; you are the example, good or bad. So as you begin this new year …