Category Archives: Heart

New Opportunities…

12 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Heart, Humility, Inspiration, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Opportunity, Passion, Servant

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“We cannot control the when of opportunity, we only control what we do with it.” – J. Clay Norton

 

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“Oh, I wish I could go back and…”

I have made that statement many times in the past. You know what, I cannot go back and neither can you. We can only learn and put ourselves in a position to do better when a new time comes. Believe it or not, most times, it will come back around again.

I am not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Our pastor, Dr. Greg Belser stated once in a sermon that “… if something was important to do, then go ahead and do it.”

I believe this is pretty solid advice. We live in a world of instant gratification. We want a lot of stuff now, so why is it typical for each of us to wait to do something for others or for ourselves?

So, why does a new year matter? I can only answer for me. Maybe you can have a thought or two on this as well. A new year matters because it allows for opportunities that should never wait.

  • An opportunity to understand even more that it is not about me.
  • An opportunity to appreciate the little things that make someone happy.
  • An opportunity to be kind-hearted and serve.
  • An opportunity to care and value others.
  • An opportunity to just do the right thing.
  • An opportunity to…

The above list can go on and on. Most importantly, we must understand that each of these can and should add quality to your life. If you want them, why not put them into practice? Why wait? Your opportunity to do any of this is waiting for you.

 

Also, wanted to say thank you to everyone who subscribes to the blog and to those who read it via email. Your support is very appreciated. To those that follow on Twitter, thanks as well.

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.

 

 

How Powerful Is Your SERVE?

06 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Attitude, Heart, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Servant

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“Leadership is an opportunity to serve. It is not a trumpet to call to self-importance.” – J. Donald Walters

 

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Why do some leaders not serve? Are they too __________… you can fill in the blank.

 

I once heard an adage that stated, “It is very hard to give or receive anything with a closed hand.” That statement can also go for anyone who has a closed heart. A closed heart has got to be one of the saddest things out there. A leader with a closed heart is even worse.

This I believe… Having a closed heart slams the door on you being able to serve.

The amount of influence a leader has is extraordinary. But that influence has both positive and negative measurements. Why do we not understand the value we bring to any situation when we serve? I fear that most leaders today would rather be served than to serve others. Serving has become a lost commodity in leadership.

So… What must we do to make sure we have a powerful SERVE?

Inspire…

Believe it or not, there are people who want you to lead them. When you lead, give others the feeling that makes them believe in themselves.

 

Respect…

Give others the respect you would want yourself. For a true leader, it takes zero effort to be nice and respect others. Let others see you value them and their commitment.

 

Give…

Not only of yourself, but give everything that others will need. Please do not put someone in a situation where they do not have the resources to complete a job.

 

Help…

Help those around you. Do not be that leader who does everything themselves. Convey the knowledge you have and allow others to glean. Help them become successful. The better they look, the better you look.

 

We do not have to go very far to find an opportunity to serve. And when you do have that opportunity, please do not blow your own horn. It does not sound as good as you think it does anyway. Serving is not about you. It is about those who you are serving. In the end, you will make a difference and will have an impact on others.

The powerfulness of your SERVE is about others working hard with you and not for you. This happens when you work hard with and for others. Please notice the difference between the two sentences.

An opportunity to SERVE awaits us all. We just have to have the “want to”…

 

Remember… #thinkleadership

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

 

 

​Who Can Lead?

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Clarity, Heart, Humility, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

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“Do you think we choose to be born? Or are we fitted to the times we are born into?” Daniel Day-Lewis, playing Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln,” asked this question.

How often have we heard the question asked, “Are leaders born or made?” Which one is correct? Better yet, why does it even matter? Either way, great leadership at all levels is in great demand.  What society needs is great leadership and they want to know, “Who Can Lead?”

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Everywhere we look there is a new leadership “fad.” Do this and don’t do this leadership… It would seem there is a deficiency in general leadership ability among “leaders.”  And you know what… that is more than likely the correct assumption. (Note: Leadership is not about your position or title. Please change this mindset if you believe this to be true. Change it for the good of others and yourself. As I have stated before, these “leaders” only lead the minds. They never lead the hearts.)

Leadership gets complicated. Leadership depends on where and what the situation is and it is not the same across the board for everyone. Just because this leadership “theory” worked in or at one place and time does not mean it will work at another. There are too many variables… But, understand this… It is the challenges that determine a leader, not if they were born or made. Leaders who overcome challenges do so through personal experience and knowledge of situations. They observe others or learn from their own past situations. Great leaders develop a mental portfolio of what has and has not worked in their past and they make use of it.

Our opinion of what great leadership is and what it should look like differs from what others think. Leadership is not a fine-tuned set of ideas and beliefs. When we start to believe we can “box” leadership up and “sell it,” leadership starts to be vague and less effective.  Now, this is not to say that we cannot learn from new ideas, but… At the end of all, leadership is relative. What might be true for you is not necessarily true for me.

It is not a question of if you were born or made as a leader. The question is, can you lead?

So… Who can lead?

Anyone…

Actually, you can… Just decide to.

All you need is a servant-heart, humility, an open-mind, and an opportunity. We cannot control the “when” but we can control what we do with the “when.”

 

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

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

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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

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