Inspiration or Irritation?

There are THOUSANDS of leadership books out there all spouting off about how, if you want to be a good leader, you must be a role model of excellence, quality, integrity, etc.  When done well, embodying these traits can be a faith-building source of encouragement.

But is it possible to over-do it?

In other words, are your efforts to be an excellent role model inspiring...or irritating?

When someone - even a role model - is not relatable, it can actually put off members of your team instead of engaging them.  Being completely competent in your behaviors is only half of the requirement of being a leader.  Unless there is a relationship with your team, your "good example" efforts can be seen as distancing you from their "mere mortal" results.

The solution?  Be a role model of humility.  Be a role model of honesty.  Be "real".  Share (appropriately) your shortcomings, your pain and concerns - in a way that they can identify with withOUT undermining their confidence in your or the journey you are all jointly traveling.  This will help them see that you are experiencing the same "reality" that they are challenged with - and you are choosing to strategically persevere and have a positive attitude through it all.  Just like they can.

So they continue following you and everyone benefits. 

Just a natural consequence of NOT being irritating - and, instead, being an inspirational leader.

Think about it.  But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Getting Experienced...In A Good Way

As a collector of quotes - and life experiences - I just came across an aphorism by Louis L'Amour that is my current favorite: "You can't learn anything from experiences you're not having".

So much meaning. So few words.

Business life is too often full of mere talk. People analyze and study and discuss and have meetings and argue and write reports and present and talk some more...and wonder why nothing gets done!

In order to get new results, we have to "do new". "New" requires learning. Learning requires engagement. Engagement requires action. In short: Having experiences.

Ironically, the most successful people are those that take action before there's a 99% chance of success. They leap earlier - 80%? - and learn along the way. This earns them a competitive edge.

The key? That edge is NOT just the results of the action. What creates the real edge is their experience...what they gained from actually taking action.

It's an edge that can be realized no other way.

So, connect the dots for yourself this year. Step out in a way that you never have before - and experience more...learn more...grow more.

You'll soon see it makes all the difference in the world.

And your world will never be the same.

Isn't that what you want? A better life?

Go out and get some more experience...in a good way! ;)

Think about it, but more importantly do something about it...today!

First, Last, and LastING Impressions?

Recently thinking about some "common knowledge" aspects of human relationships - both personal and professional.

We've been reminded (ad nauseum!) about how important first impressions are. Ditto for last impressions. No argument there. First impressions establish a context and expectation while last impressions provide the last thing you see/hear about the experience when leaving.

What I don't hear much about is a little different take on developing an impression...how about the importance of making a lastING impression?

The lasting impression of any interaction usually occurs somewhere in the middle - between the first and the last impression. When talking with people - friends or customers - I find it very interesting that they will have a particularly good (or bad) experience in the middle of the interaction that really sticks with them. It seems like we'd invest a little more time crafting ideas for creating lastING impressions as some people do for first or last impressions.

That focused kind of effort is what sets apart the extraordinary from the ordinary.

Here's my personal priority:

1. Lasting impression: How can I really connect with them and add value in an unexpected way?
2. First impression: How can I make them immediately feel "at home" and ready for a special experience?
3. Last impression: How can I ensure they enjoy closure while still wanting to experience the interaction again (and be an advocate sending their family/friends to me as well!)

If more corporate training programs included this in their Orientation and Training programs, (and reinforced it all on the front line operations), their businesses would exceed expectations and really make a difference in the lives of their customers - both external and internal (employees). I mean, if we're making the effort anyway, who wouldn't want to make a lasting impression as well?

In these difficult times, connecting with people and making our impressions long-lasting just makes good (long-lasting) sense.

Think about it...but more importantly, act on it - today!

Making a REAL Hero

Lots in the news lately about the passing of several celebrities.

Unfortunately, these past few weeks have also seen the passing of several friends and colleagues of mine.

Over the past 30+ years, I've had the rare chance to work with scores of A-list (as well as B, C, and D-list) celebrities. Of course, during those years I have also worked with and spent time with numerous colleagues.

The swirl of comments from news folks as well as folks I know have included words like: "unspeakable loss" and "changed my life" and "my hero".

Maybe its because of all that "behind-the-scenes" time I spent with both groups - but I must say, when I think of words like "hero", I think of less superficial traits than simply being flashy, well-known or rich. I think of people who touch lives in a personal, meaningful, and lasting way. I think of people that share themselves in a way that changes someone else's life for the better. I think of people that are selfless, sacrificial, and focused on lifting someone else up - rather than themselves.

I haven't met too many "celebrities" that match that definition. They often are nothing more than sparkling packages that are empty inside.

However, I've been blessed to personally know several people that would meet the criteria of real heroes: Substance over style. Integrity over dishonesty. Real over fake. Truth over lies.

I am proud to say that I've known people who have lived these to their end...and really made a difference with their lives. They've led their lives in a way that led the way for others they personally touched.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to know them.
I'm grateful for the impact they had on my life and on the lives of others.
And I'm grateful for yet another reminder about what is really important in Life.

We seem to get signposts throughout our lives that put our life in perspective. We can review what we're currently doing and adjust our behaviors and direction for the better.

I hope you take THIS opportunity to test your priorities - and judge whether you are living the life that you are meant to live. Are you making the kind of difference you should be making? Are you leaving the legacy that you could be living?

People are counting on each of us to do the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right reason. We can be that person when we're needed most.

Yes...YOU can be that hero that makes THE difference. The REAL difference...not some empty illusion of heroism.

Think about it - but more importantly, do something about it...today!