Monthly Archives: August 2017

You Decide…

25 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Deciding, Heart, Humility, Leader, Leadership, Servant, Understanding

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“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot

you-decide001

Ever have that moment when two or more are gathered and a question comes up like… “Where do you want to eat?” Answer: “I don’t care, you decide.”

“You Decide”…

Two very simple words, yet very powerful. Why? Because those two words have power. Power in what? Power in the ability to decide within itself. You now have the opportunity to have a voice and make a difference. In fact, the other members of your group relinquished control of the situation.

Everyday, when we wake up, we can assert some power on the day with these two words, “You Decide.” It becomes a mindset. Now, there are going to be days when so much bombards us with so much “stuff” that it becomes overwhelming. But… how we decide to handle those and every situation shows the heart of your leadership.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to make good decisions. So, what is there to decide about? Whatever the situations are, when you decide to decide, you must have…

  • A clear vision – Do you know where you are wanting to take the decision? Do others know this as well?
  • A plan – How will you decision unfold?
  • The ability to convey – Will you be able to get your decision across to others?
  • A humble heart – Humility is the beginning of leadership. Please understand that it is not about you.
  • A servant mindset – Will you help others with your decision?

Each of these are unique on their own but when brought together, true leadership is evident. Others are able to see and feel your leadership. Often times, the first two will get us by. But the last three allows a leader to empower themselves by empowering others. Now, this goes against every bit of what society states leadership should be. Society wants you to have a “me first” decision-making mentality.

However, this one thing is true… leaders, no matter what type, face different decisions. Some decisions will be minor and may not affect anyone but themselves. Some decisions will be major and can affect many others. Decision making is a daily expectation. Being in a leadership role, makes decision-making very important.

If you are a leader, you must come to grips with and master decision-making. When we decide, we decide. This is good and bad. If our decision is good, then we look like a genius. If it is bad, then we are the goat (not the greatest of all time). But the other side of decision making is also true. When we decide not to decide, we decided.
One thing we do not want are leaders who are “wishy-washy.” As we ponder this idea, “You Decide” where your leadership is and where you would like to see it. Only change for the better.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP

©2017 J Clay Norton

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

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Ideals, Leadership & Legend

18 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Ideals, Leadership, Legacy

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“Men make history…not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” — Harry S. Truman, 33rd U.S. President (1945–1953)

I’m a huge Batman fan when it comes to superheroes.  Why?  Because Batman does not have any superpowers, per se.  All he has, is just what he has…  Batman must use his mind, anticipate the actions of others, etc. He must use his human attributes to become a superhero.

Often times, we as leaders must carry the same mindset as Batman.  Now, let’s begin to think about that and how it can transcend into our leadership.

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In the clip below, Henri Ducard (Ra’s Al Ghul) speaks with Bruce Wayne (Batman) about what it takes to become a legend.

Here is the conversation.  The best lines are in red.

Bruce Wayne:  You’re vigilantes.

Henri Ducard:  No, no, no.  A vigilante is just a man lost in the scramble for his own gratification.  He can be destroyed, or locked up.  But, if you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, and they can’t stop you, then you become something else entirely.

Bruce Wayne:  Which is?

Henri Ducard: A Legend, Mr. Wayne.

This is what we should want to do in our leadership.  As leaders, we must devote ourselves to an ideal.  When we do that, passion and fire are evident in our lives.  And… We usually will not let anything stand in our way.  When we find an ideal of leadership we believe in and others buy into it, that is when our leadership can take on a legendary status (Note: There are also very bad ideals and leaders out there).

We have all had certain people in our lives that have influenced us with their leadership.  What were their ideals?  Why did you “follow” them?  Leaders who have had a “special touch” on our lives, we see as legends.  If we look back on history and look today, we can see the “pillars” of leadership.  Their leadership became legendary because their ideals were for the good of others and not themselves.  Those are the ideals we should strive for, an ideal of being a servant, putting others first.  

What are you doing today, this week, this month, this year, this life to make your leadership legendary?  If we do not have a leadership ideal to strive for, then we are just going through the motions.  Too many times, all we do is follow.  Be the leader who is devoted to an ideal and let your leadership become legendary.  Society is waiting…

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.

 

 

Inspiring Ourselves by Inspiring Others

11 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Heart, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Passion, Purpose, Servant, Trust, Understanding

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“Clarity of purpose is inspirational.  When your job description is clear and there is no confusion or when you are crystal clear of what is required of you to do your job or task, that is inspirational.  It allows you to go full stream ahead without thinking…” – Tony Alford, Running Back Coach, The Ohio State University   (I think this quote can be used for life as well)

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If you had to pick four or five ideas that would inspire the greatness inside of you, what would you choose?  I’m pretty sure we would get many different answers and there would be a few that would overlap.  Finding ways to inspire others should be relatively easy.  Finding ways to inspire ourselves is much harder. 

Why do you think there is a gap between inspiring others and ourselves?  Self-inspiring will always be an ongoing battle.  Not only for our minds but also with our hearts.  But here is what I believe… One sure way to inspire greatness in ourselves is to inspire greatness in others.

So… How can we inspire ourselves?  Let’s begin with…

Inspiring others with your passion.  When this happens, passion becomes contagious.  Helping others find meaning and purpose can ignite their passion.  A “shared-passion” creates an exciting atmosphere to be a part of.

Inspiring others by letting them know you are authentic.  Quit being fake.  The world is full of fake, phony leaders.  People want a real you.  Our leadership must show the ability to relate, understand, and when needed have empathy.  You also need to have their back.  Fake leaders only talk about it while authentic leaders show and prove it.

Inspiring others by having a servant leadership heart.  If you are not willing to serve, get out of leadership now (see above statement).  Eventually, people will know where your heart is and your true leadership will show.  Leadership is often measured in time and time always will tell the truth.  What does this mean?  Never ask someone to do a task that you are not willing to do yourself.  No one really wants to be around a finger-pointer.

Inspiring others by investing in their lives.  The more you know about others enables you to understand them on a different level.  When we truly care about the lives of others, there is a deeper understanding of what makes them tick, what makes them “stop and go,” what makes them… them.  All of this will show you truly care and see them as someone and not something.  Using people for your benefit is not cool.

By understanding the value of others, maybe we can begin to understand the value of ourselves.  If we are not inspired by what we do, how can we ever expect others to be inspired by what we want them to do?

A good quote to end on… “You really never had a good day, until you can do something for someone that they can never repay you for.” – A lot of different people are given credit for saying this. Now that’s inspiring…

Some good stuff to think about.

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.