Category Archives: Integrity

The CANNOTs of Leadership

06 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Balance, Choice, Clarity, Culture, Decisions, Humility, Ideals, Inspiration, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Momentum, Opportunity, Passion, Perseverance, Power, Purpose, Servant, Team, Trust, Understanding, Unity

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“Leadership is an aspect of power, but it is also a separate and vital process in itself.” – James MacGregor Burns

Society has done a terrific job and an injustice of conditioning the minds of many leaders to be shallow and superficial. It distorts our thinking and our ability to make decisions. In some sense, it becomes a drug that is killing the future of what great, quality leadership should be.

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Photo Credit: gettingsmart.com

Unless there is a radical change in our thought process of the way we view leadership, to be for others and not ourselves, leadership will simply fade away.

Here are a few thoughts that we CANNOT allow ourselves to do…

  • We cannot simply flow with the societal trends of leadership.
  • We cannot elevate our leadership and at the same time not hold to the foundational truths of leadership.
  • We cannot promote our leadership by not living out what we say our leadership is.
  • We cannot fall victim not acknowledging that leadership requires humility.
  • We cannot fail to realize that leadership requires enthusiasm.
  • We cannot abandon our desire to want right leadership.

Today’s leadership models promote so much focus on self that we lose sight of serving others. It is self-absorbing. To make matters worse, we buy into it. We accept it as the norm. We allow it to become part of our inner being… ME FIRST!

Our defense against leadership, that is worldly and weakens right influence, relies on distrusting our ego to the point that we must separate the error it causes in our thinking.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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Leadership Expectations

23 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Choice, Expectations, Humility, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Servant, Trust

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“We expect because we trust. Otherwise we doubt, or do not expect at all.” – Anonymous  

What should your leadership expectations be and why?

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Photo Credit:  thetransition.org

 

Before we can ask that question; we must ask, what are you expecting?

  • Are you expecting awards and trophies?
    They will collect dust, thrown into a box, placed in the attic, and someone someday will throw them away.
  • Are you expecting relationships?
    Most people will let you down. Some on purpose, others unintentionally. They love you in the good times and forget your name in the bad times.
  • Are you expecting fame?
    Odds are, you will never be satisfied.

If these are what your expectations are, then you are for yourself. Just ask around, no one likes these type of leaders. If we believe we already have it “going on” or we are “self-sufficient,” then we are miserable.

So, since we have debunked the selfish expectations, let’s think about what our leadership expectations should be.

  • Our ultimate leadership expectation should be above ourselves and reaching to help others.
  • Great leaders strive to put others above themselves. They never push or pull them out or down; they push or pull them in, helping them beyond their own power and capabilities.
  • Great leaders are in some form or fashion are a creator and sustainer for others. People depend on you to be who and what you say you are. Many times, you are the lifeline that helps others to evolve into what they want to be.

What are your leadership expectations? As you reflect on today’s topic, consider how and what you do on a daily basis. If our expectations continue to be about us, we are not expecting much. When our expectations begin promoting growth, then much value can be placed on our leadership and we will meet our expectations.

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

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

 

Aromatherapy Leadership

16 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Balance, Clarity, Culture, Decisions, Humility, Inspiration, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

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“If you want people to respect you, be respectful.” – Lolly Daskal

I have a bottle of Aromatherapy “Comfort” Lotion sitting on my desk a co-worker gave me. The “Comfort” label states it contains vanilla + patchouli. The vanilla absolute is for calming the mind to encourage relaxation, and the patchouli oil is for creating a sense of harmony. The other day I took time to read the back of the bottle. It is almost funny to read what the “Comfort” claims to do. The Aromatherapy Tip: “Massage into skin after a long day for pure comfort. Breathe deeply for best results.”

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Photo Credit: Bath & Body Works

No, this is not a commercial or an endorsement for the “Comfort” Lotion, but it is for “Comfort” Leadership.

Ok, the question you might be asking is why I have that “type” of lotion? Maybe my co-worker was trying to tell me something? Actually, I have dry hands in the winter time and need some lotion every once in a while, and that is what she gave me.

As I thought more about this “Comfort,” I began to ponder how our leadership affects others. Does your leadership promote “Comfort?” Can you agree with the statements advertised on the label as it falls under your leadership?

Questions to ask…

1. Does your leadership provide a calm atmosphere? Or, is there a conflict because no one knows what you expect because of the cloudy storms that are scattered daily?

2. Does it encourage a relaxing environment where people can be themselves? Or, are they tense because they do not know what type of mood you are in from day to day?

3. Is there a sense of harmony where everyone is on the same page with the mission and vision? Or, is it wound tight where everyone is afraid to breathe?

When people can set aside their egos, it is amazing what can be accomplished. Our leadership must be able to see and be for the bigger picture. We should do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Too many times, leaders do what they think the right thing is for themselves. Why? Because it is comfortable for them and then wonder why everything is in chaos and uncomfortable for others.

There is “Comfort” to be found in Aromatherapy Leadership. You just have to decide if you want to use it or not.  When you do, you will find it is as much for you as it is for others. Everyone can feel the effect and all will be better 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