Category Archives: Authentic

A Leader’s Word

02 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Actions, Authentic, Decisions, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Trust, Word

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“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“I give you my word…”  or “I promise, when…” Anyone ever tell you that?  What happened next can only be one of two things…  Either that person’s word stood, or it did not.  There is no “hem-hawing” out of it.

The people you lead have to believe in you and your credibility, and it can only be shown by your words with actions.

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Photo Credit: Behappy.me

Here is a great question… Are you respected and worth listening too?

As a leader, your word denotes everything about you.  As we ponder on that statement, your word characterizes a few things about your leadership.

Ultimately, your word is…*

Your word is your BOND

It should carry an authority that is as good as a handshake of sealing a deal.

Your word is an expression of your NATURE

What you say represents the measure of your image.

Your word is a measure of your CHARACTER

One word:  Integrity

Your word is magnified above your NAME

When we begin to equate our word with our name, it will begin to carry much more value, and we will be more careful of what we say.

Your word is the sole source of FAITH

People must have faith in you and that you are going to keep your word.

Your reputation is put on the line every time you give your word. You are a walking “advertising billboard” that sells your word as being trustworthy.  You place value on what you are saying and hope that others will do the same.

*This was adapted from Ed Cole’s “Five Propositions Regarding God’s Word.”  I have taken four of the points and applied it to my thoughts as it would pertain to leadership.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

 

“Relationshipablitiness”

23 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Communication, Culture, Ideals, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Servant, Team, Trust, Unity

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“When leadership is a relationship founded on trust and confidence, people take risks, make changes, keep organizations and movements alive.” – James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

When there are people around, to lead, I figure you just might have to have a relationship with them. Can you lead if relationships are absent? I suppose you can but…

I believe the one ingredient leadership must have, is “relationshipabilitness” (I just made that word up). Leadership relationships create an atmosphere across many different ideas, concepts, interests, etc. What leaders need and should understand is that relationships must be built and YOU, as the leader, must be the builder. If you cannot be that builder, what type of structure will your leadership be? Now, some leaders just choose not to build. This is very sad. Often, you might find that leader who states, “I am in charge and what I say goes, blah blah blah.” What you have here is a leadership facade that looks good on the outside, but on the inside, it is in shambles. No thank you.

When your leadership has a relationship with people, it listens to understand them. It considers and acknowledges their thoughts and ideas. Leaders must see that people have value. What happens is people begin to see that you are committed to them and just not yourself. Leading for yourself is easy. It is all about you. When we lead for others, we devalue ourselves. Notice the “for” in each of the two previous statements. Who is your leadership “for?” At the end of it all, that has to be the question asked and answered.

Do you honestly want to connect with your leadership? Then build relationships beyond yourself. Building relationships has to be one of the most effective leadership traits of a quality leader. Be a leader who is known for having “relationshipabilitiness.”

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

An Approved, Pure, Blameless Heart For Leadership

02 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Heart, Humility, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Servant

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“Great leadership usually starts with a willing heart, a positive attitude, and a desire to make a difference.” – Mac Anderson

This past week during our Wednesday night Bible study we looked at Philippians 1:10 and the focus on three words of the verse: approved, pure and blameless. While each of these has a spiritual connotation as to how we should live our lives, I began thinking about how each of them could help us live our leadership.

Each of these three words can describe if your leadership has a pulse or is dead leadership walking? There is a two-part test to determine which you have. One is to take a self-examination and admit short-comings. The other is allowing others to give us our grade. Whenever we begin to look within ourselves, while at the same time allowing others to see our leadership, it starts to take on a whole new perspective.

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As we look at each of the words, take time to consider the value they can bring to your leadership.

Approved
Is it authentic? Or, maybe we should ask, “Is it the real deal?” I like the word “genuine.” Having our leadership approved by others does not equate with having popularity. Having it approved by others means that it is what it says it is. Approved leadership is tested time and time again, always yielding the same result. Its value is consistent and will be rewarded over time with proof that it is real.

Pure
The idea here is finding out if your leadership passes the test when it is held to the light. We are talking about real light from the sun and not lights that are fake. Ever notice what all a sunbeam shows? It shines on everything and shows everything in its path. It is tough to hide weak leadership when the light shines on us. Bottom line… pure is on the same level as sincere. Do others see your leadership as sincere?

Blameless
Our leadership should be seen as blameless. Well, how does that work? Leaders should make every effort to make sure there is no wrongdoing. We should strive to make sure our leadership is appropriate. That is the meaning behind blameless. Is it the right thing for the right time? Or, does it provide guilt? I would dare say most people by nature do not enjoy feeling guilty unless you are just that evil of a person (but there are those who are). We need our leaders to be seen true and right, appropriate for what it should be.

When all three of these words are united within your leadership, it will not only be seen but also felt. Too many leaders carry the mantle of leadership title only without carrying the authenticity, sincerity and the appropriateness, especially toward and for others. Let your leadership be approved, pure and blameless. Have a heart for leadership.  You and everyone around you will be better off, and they will thank you for it.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

Intentional Leadership for Others… ACTS

19 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Clarity, Communication, Deciding, Humility, Leader, Leadership, Power, Purpose, Servant, Transparent

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“Leadership is a way of thinking, a way of acting and, most importantly a way of communicating.” – Simon Sinek

When you convey your leadership to others, what comes to mind about it? One of the most important ideas to remember is our leadership should be about others. It is never about you. With that being the case, the question of how should we deliver our leadership is important. Is it intentional? Does it carry a positive servant attitude? Does it…?

As a Christian, I learned an acrostic to increase and have a more purposeful prayer life. It is ACTS. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. A prayer life that models this style enables you to make sure everything has the correct place and is meaningful.
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Now, what if we applied that same acrostic to making our leadership intentional? What would each letter signify? It could go something like this:

Intentional Leadership for Others… ACTS

ACKNOWLEDGE – When we provide leadership, do you focus on yourself or others? Steven Canfield, Lead Teacher for Life Action Ministries, said: “We should never look past others.” When I heard him say this, I had to camp out on it for awhile. Why is this important? If we are providing leadership, it should be for the benefit of those around us. When we acknowledge everyone in the room, the receptiveness of the group increases.

CONSIDERATION – Acknowledgement leads to consideration. It is one thing to acknowledge someone, but not to consider the value they could or can bring creates a downer. Considering others allows the quality of your leadership to enhance. Which allows the empowerment of others. If you want the attention of someone, acknowledge and consider them. Their thoughts and willingness could be a great addition to your leadership.

TRANSPARENT – Everyone needs help in some area. Thinking that you have it all together with your leadership leads to arrogance. What weaknesses we have should not be a secret. That is why transparency is crucial to leadership. People do not want to be around fakeness. Your leadership value strengthens when others see the example your leadership brings with transparency. True leadership is when you can express your weaknesses or acknowledge the weaknesses of others and help them. Weak leaders can do neither of these. Let others see the true you.

STEP – Go where you need to go next. Sometimes that might be a step forward or a step back. Know your audience. Trying to force your leadership usually backfires. Let your leadership be a living conversation that can go and change direction as needed. Be willing to adapt. Part of great leadership is doing what is best for others. Know where to step. Just make sure you do not step on others. (Thanks to Allen Marett for helping me figure out a word for “S”)

This acrostic might seem silly or simple, but how many times do we know if we are reaching our audience? If you do not ask yourself this question, then admit it is all about you. The next time you have the opportunity to provide leadership, try ACTS; acknowledge others, consider their thoughts and who they are, be transparent and know where and how to step next. Each one is intentional and builds on the other. When we do that, a connection is in the making.

Here is the idea of leadership… You can know right, do right, and still not be right.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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