All leaders who aspire to achieve greater personal, professional, and organizational success should be focused on leading and teaching resilience. Resilience is what makes the difference between those who give up and those who press on and reach their goals. And that’s a very important thing. Just imagine the ramifications within your organization. Imagine what can …
We all love the extraordinary. Extraordinary is a word used to describe those things in life that take us by surprise and infuse a moment with just a little bit of magic. You might smile and tell your mother that her pot roast is wonderful, or mention to a coworker that the concert …
Some people seem to have all the luck. You know, those people who score the coolest assignments at work, find the best shopping deals, win random radio contests, marry gorgeous spouses, raise genius kids, and whose investments always pay off ten-fold. You know, those people you love to hate. Are some people really …
“Success is a lousy teacher. It makes smart people think they can’t lose.” – Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates. If that statement is true—and I believe many, if not most times it is the absolute truth—each of us should take very serious pause to closely examine the huge ramifications of that statement and that truth in our lives and …
“Here’s conventional wisdom: Success makes you happy. Happiness permits you to be generous. In fact, it actually works like this: Generosity makes you happy. Happy people are more likely to be successful.” – Seth Godin I believe there is truth in both statements. Success, happiness, and generosity all go hand in hand—but not necessarily …
In chapter 12 of his recent book titled, Sometimes You Win – Sometimes You Learn, John Maxwell writes the following: “To me, a mature person [and leader] is someone who has learned from losses, has gained wisdom, and possesses a strong emotional and mental stability in the face of life’s difficulties.” If you read this column regularly, …
“What are you becoming?” This is a critical question every leader should frequently ask him or herself—and answer in detail. This is also a question every leader should frequently ask each and every direct report and team member. Not only is the question critical to achieving your potential and reaching your personal and professional goals and dreams, it is …
“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 …
“Yes, talent is important. So is education and experience. But in the end, it is our character that makes or breaks us.” – Michael Hyatt We typically don’t think much about a house’s foundation until we start noticing cracks in the walls or doors that are sticking. Unfortunately at that point there’s already …
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 …
We tend to put a much higher premium on action than we do thought. Though we’ve often heard the adage, “It’s the thought that counts,” we all know that just thinking about something isn’t the same as doing it. Even people who ‘get paid to think’ have to communicate those thoughts so that someone can …
“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 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 …