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~ J Clay Norton, Ed.D.

The Book Chamber

Monthly Archives: May 2017

Leadership Observation

26 Friday May 2017

Posted by The Book Chamber in Leadership, Observation

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“I see something you don’t see….”

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When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you.  The misinformation will feel unfair, but stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth, just like you did.” – Jill Blakeway

Did you ever play that game growing up? If you did, you probably chose the smallest, hardest object in the room. If you were the person trying to guess, your observation skills were kicked up a notch, and you became more aware of your surroundings.

What is it we see when we look? Better yet, what are we looking for and trying to see? How many times do we say someone or something might or might not pass the “eyeball test”? All of these questions deal with how well we observe our surroundings.

So, here is a question we must ask ourselves: Is being a good observer a leadership trait?

As leaders, we constantly have to observe the bigger picture. An analogy I have often used for this idea is a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces are just dumped out on the table, and we start putting it together. If you are like most people, you start by putting all the side pieces together to form the “frame” and go from there.

Is that it? How do you finish the puzzle? The key to finishing the puzzle is seeing the “bigger picture,” and we start looking at the box top cover. Why? Because the box top shows what the finished “bigger picture” product should look like.

We are either intentionally or unintentionally observing. Either way, we are observing. What we will find is not everything is always as it seems. We must take time to observe our surroundings and see what we can find out about others and ourselves.

When we begin to do that, our leadership observation will begin to see what others do not, and you might win the game.

Remember…  THINK LEADERSHIP

© 2017  J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/thebookchamber

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Squeezed? What comes out?

25 Thursday May 2017

Posted by The Book Chamber in Integrity, Leader, Leadership

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“I’ve long believed the hardest part of leadership is self-leadership. If you and I can’t figure out how to do this well, leading others will be difficult at best, if not impossible.” – Mark Miller

Do you know what comes out of an orange when squeezed? The same can be said of us when we are squeezed. What is truly inside of our heart will come out.

newSqueezedOrange

One thing I truly believe… The heart of a leader is where their core values are held.

But… how do you know what these values are?

Well, let’s put a leader in a position to be squeezed and see what comes out?

Here’s the thing though…what comes out is usually a determined by what is put in.

So here is the question that must be asked, “What do we put into our hearts as leaders?” Is it humility or pride? Is is servant-minded or step-on minded? Is it give or take? The list can go on and on… but be sure of this, something is going into your heart.

Here is a great analogy: Let’s say you have an orange and it represents your heart. Squeeze it, and orange juice is supposed to come out. Now, instead of putting that juice back in, you decide to put black ink back in. Guess what comes out the next time you are squeezed? Black ink. Even though the orange is still there on the outside does not mean that orange juice is still on the inside.

That’s the way it is, and the cycle continues. Good in, good out, bad in, bad out.

As leaders, it is not a matter of if but when we will be squeezed. So, what is going to come out?

Orange juice is so good. It has lots of vitamins. The black ink really does nothing more than stains. Let’s make sure our leadership does not stain.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP

© 2017  J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/thebookchamber

Subscribe via email to my blog at the top of the page

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Pursuit of Purpose

23 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by The Book Chamber in Passion, Purpose

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“Without a purpose that is bigger than yourself, you are more likely to serve only yourself.” – Lolly Daskal

Below is a compelling and truthful infographic to consider. I believe the one thing you have to have in your pursuit of leadership and your life is… purpose. The purpose is denoted by the blue star, smack in the middle of everything. That is where we are as leaders, right in the middle of everything. Sometimes it is wanted, sometimes it is not. As you study infographic, focus on where you are and where you would like to be. Notice how hard it is to have one without the other.

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What you do now is up to you. Whatever you find your purpose to be, make it worthwhile. When genuinely find our purpose, we will leave our mark on leadership. What will be your mark? Time will tell and so will those who follow us.

Remember…  THINK LEADERSHIP

© 2017  J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/thebookchamber

Subscribe via email to my blog at the top of the page

 

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Are You Ready?

19 Friday May 2017

Posted by The Book Chamber in Humility, Leader, Leadership, Servant

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“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.” – Andy Stanley

 

Are You Ready - 3D Words

Are you ready?

Ready for what?

Leadership.

I don’t know… What makes a leader?

I’m sure everyone can come up with his or her ideas for an answer to this question. But… are our ideas formed from what society thinks or from what you think? I believe that success can be equated with leadership but at what expense? Here is a thought, just because people follow you does not make you are a leader. A “leader” is so much more than directing where others should go and what they should do. Can we be a leader that puts off the “self” and puts on the “others” mentality? Leadership is sometimes hard to define but very easily recognized. The hardest question to answer is the one we have to ask ourselves, “Am I a good leader?” We can lie to ourselves but those who follow us know the truth.

As we continue to lead, the challenge is to have a more servant leader mindset. It must be about others. And at the end, everyone around will breathe a little easier.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP

© 2017  J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/thebookchamber

Subscribe via email to my blog at the top of the page

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