Category Archives: Consistency

Resisting the pull of weak leadership…

01 Friday Nov 2019

Posted by in Actions, Agenda, Consistency, Deciding, Decisions, Humility, Leader, Leadership, Sincerity, Transformational, Understanding, Value

≈ 1 Comment

Gravity is a powerful force. It literally weighs people down…

Leadership, quality or not, has a gravitational pull on people. However, it seems that the draw of one over the other creates a lasting effect on who we say we are with our leadership.

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Do you realize that we are one decision away from weak leadership? And that one decision creates a label that is very hard to remove. Leaders stand at a threshold every day and our decisions are capable of hurting hearts, betraying trust, or even damaging someone. Many leaders do not realize the depth their decisions have on others.

So… that one decision… how do we make sure we stay away from making it? A few thoughts…

First, we need to realize that everyone is watching. It is very easy to live our decisions with “I don’t care,” but when we lead like this, our value as a leader diminishes. I truly believe it is ok for others not to agree with some decisions we make. We cannot make everyone happy; however, our decisions have to show the consistency that we are doing the right thing by people.

Second, we cannot say we stand for something and then go and not do or support the same endeavor of someone else. We have to live the message we are leading. We must have honor in our leadership. We have to make sure our leadership is clean – no hidden agendas for ourselves to look better. A conscious awareness…

Third, we have to know what the leadership rules are. I guess you are probably thinking of a long list… No; rule number 1 – Do the right thing. Rule number 2 – Don’t forget rule number 1. I realize that leadership goes way beyond this, but having this concept can help simplify many of our decisions.

When leaders lead from a position of honor, for others, not themselves, they find the gravitational pull toward weak leadership does not really exist. It actually is more of a push against (rebound) which throws us immediately toward strong leadership, and that is where we should all strive to lead from with humility and sincerity.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Avoiding A Leadership Decline…

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Actions, Authentic, Choice, Consistency, Decisions, Decline, Importance, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Servant

≈ 2 Comments

Why is it that many times a leader starts out providing excellent leadership and then over time, people begin to wonder what happens? Well, I have a lot of thoughts for that, but we can save that for another blog topic.

Unfortunately, it happens. I believe a leadership decline happens when leaders start thinking about themselves more than others. The focus of arrogance instead of serving corrupts not only the leader but others as well to the point that no one has any pleasure in being associated with the leadership provided.

Leaders who begin to decline harden their hearts toward others who oppose or challenge the norm. They become cold in their relationships and provide a horrible example to follow. Being “right” about something is different than “having” to be right.

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So… how do we avoid being a leader who flirts with the slippery slope of decline?

Treat your leadership seriously

Nothing taints good leadership quicker than letting the poison of weak leadership continue to manifest itself. Many leaders make the joke, “fake it until you make it.” I do not want to lead or ever be led by a leader with this mentality towards leadership. My belief in what leadership is and should be is much more serious than “faking it.” Leadership is serious; it affects the lives of others.

Maintain sound leadership

What is sound leadership? Sound leadership is doing what is right by and for others for the greater good of the organization. Sound leadership is the process of building up, not tearing down. Leaders should never compromise the true meaning of why to lead.

Walk closely to other good leaders

Now this point could make you think a while.  How do you know if you are walking with a good leader? I would say, deep down, you know. A good question to ask, “Are they for others or themselves?” Look at the decisions a leader makes when the spotlight is not on them. This will tell a lot.

Be open to having a growth mindset.

Yes, you can still hold true to your values. Yes, you can still stand-firm on issues that are blatantly right from wrong. But not being open to suggestions is different. There is a great danger in leaders who stop hearing the voice of others because they only want to listen to what they say themselves.

As leaders, we stand in a position of influence, and you must hold yourself accountable in order not to let your leadership decline. If your leadership declines, you run the risk of alienating yourself to the point that no one will care what your leadership is or stands for because they have lost all respect for you, the leader.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Teachers… The “Stars” of Education

05 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Actions, Consistency, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Peculiar, Presence, Promotion, Purpose, Relationships, Servant, Teachers

≈ 2 Comments

Would it not be great for the “professional sporting world” to trade places with the “teaching world?” What if there was actually free agent status, trades or even a draft in the “teaching world?” And yes, let’s add the money in there as well. Would education be better off? Probably, but it is not like that, and we as educators (whatever role one is in) do what we do because it is what we do. The only autographs we sign are on the hall passes.

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For the most part, every teacher trains to be better at his or her craft. Great teachers want to get better (now there are some who do not, but we are not going to discuss those). They want high performance in their job. Every day teachers walk into their classrooms wanting and expecting the best from all. It is no different than any other person in the work world. However, teaching is seen as so fragile. Education is underpaid, overworked, disrespected, etc. It is a total mystery how educators “hang on,” and it is to their credit that they do.

The role of what a teacher does is extraordinary. Teachers adapt more than a chameleon does for survival. The predators are out there…

But… through it all, teachers are still the stars of education.

Why? (talking about the good ones here…) Because…

They Have Presence

They are in the moment; day in, day out. They show up ready to teach. They are engaged in their subject and the lives of their students. They keep distractions to a minimum, and their focus is to perform. The energy they emit adds power to the moment. Inspiring by being what and who they are; their presence is felt.

They Promote

Teachers do what no others can. They create a learning environment that promotes each student to a level that they were not previously. To go from here to there, per se… Teachers are walking advocates of what they believe in, and everyone knows if they are true to their walk. Every class they market their message, selling it to those who want to buy in.

They have Peculiarity

Teachers are different. They position themselves well to succeed. They know the role they play and stand apart. Each one, having that special “gift” that is peculiar to only them. They can explain a topic like no other. There is passion in the belief of conveying information uniquely; creating a learning moment that has a lasting, remembering effect.

Yes, teachers are the stars of education. They get results and is that not what we want from all people? They stir the emotion in others, students and adults alike. They play the role no one else can get and no it is not easy. Every day they go on stage and every day is the performance of their lifetime.

If you know a teacher, thank them today for what they do.  They are the stars that provide a light for others. For what it is worth, teachers are the protectors of our future.

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

Knowing Who You Are As A Leader…

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Consistency, Effective, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

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First, let’s state this as a premise for our thoughts today…

“Not everyone thinks like you.”

If you are hung up on this notion and believe that others should or even do, then trouble is already at your door.

Every leader has specific skill sets that allow them to be who they are.  This skill set can only be defined by words and actions – right or wrong as it may be. The fallacy is that many leaders go through life leading as though they are the example everyone should follow.

When we lead like this, our leadership is only supported by ourselves, and we limit leadership growth in others.

A few thoughts moving forward… Knowing who you are as a leader is important because…

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As a leader, we must be aware of how we lead and understand that not everyone is going to respond. To get the most out of people, we have to be willing to understand them.  When we do, our leadership and theirs become more effective.

Situational leadership is sometimes needed, but consistency is key. No one is for the better if they are always trying to figure out what we are thinking. Think of it this way… If other people are having to try to figure out why you lead like you do, it is like looking at the seven-day forecast of the weather. Why? Because they need to plan for however the wind blows…

Find a style of leadership that works for both you and more importantly, others.  Many times, we model our leadership based on leaders we admire or the latest book we have read and therein lies the problem.  We are not them.  Be who you are based on knowing your “why” and lead by serving.

The more I listen, observe, and participate in discussions with regards to leadership, the more I realize that society does not promote the type of leadership that is for others. We are in need of an agenda that helps, not an agenda of self. Start leading by knowing who you are.

©2019 J Clay Norton

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Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!