Category Archives: Team

“Entitled” Leadership?

29 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Clarity, Deciding, Leader, Leadership, Team

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“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates and customers.” – Robin S. Sharma

 

I need a title!

Why?

It makes me look better.

Does it or will it make you lead better?

I don’t know, but it makes me look better!

Screen Shot 2017-09-29 at 8.53.59 AM

 

Let’s start with this fact… and it is a fact: A title does not make you a leader. But oh, how many people live in that fictitious world.

So… Some thoughts about leaders being “entitled”…

Titles are like business cards. Anyone can get one… Make one up and hit print.

Leadership is a melting pot of complex, different attributes. A good leader will rally those around for the good of the group and have their support. But… a true leader will be able to step in when difficult situations occur and make the hard decisions. Given almost any situation, a leader will emerge from within a group. Natural leadership ability will always rise.  The need to self-appoint will not be necessary.

It would be great if titles meant effective leadership ability. But that is not the case. Many leaders with titles cannot or chose not to lead. Either case, sooner or later, failure will happen. When it does, the lack of leadership will show.

Leaders who are “entitled” are blind and have limits to their leadership. Their ego and self-centeredness become known for what they are. “Entitled” leaders take credit for others work, give orders for something they do not want to do, or place blame on others for their own mistakes and failures.

But why are these people in positions to lead? Who knows… the problem is that they are there. It does not take us long to figure out that “entitled” leaders surround us every day. What is worse, they have the power to make decisions that affect a lot of different areas.

But where does a title come in? It doesn’t. Please quit thinking it does.

Some of the best leaders we know do one thing well, they lead. Leadership is a verb, not a noun. It is action. It is the form of doing. Those who lead by title only do so because they have a title.

Anyone and everyone has the capability to be a leader. But leadership is not for everyone and that’s OK. A person chooses leadership when they make a decision for the greater good of a cause and stand for it. They lead by example. They do not ask others to do something they are not willing to do themselves.

.…And most of all, leaders act like leaders even when they do not have a title.

 

Remember… #thinkleadership

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

“We Walk Together” – Unity Leadership

08 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Attitude, Culture, Leader, Leadership, Power, Servant, Team, Unity

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“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.” – Leo Tolstoy

 


 

 

Slide1

When you think of unity, what comes to mind? I would assume most of you would say something like “coming together as one” but is it that easy and simple? How many times do you hear of leadership as it relates to unity? Do you believe that leaders actually want unity? This will usually depend on if the leader is servant-minded or self-serving minded. I guess if we knew these answers, we would all have unity in our leadership.

Leadership unity requires an investment in others. The hard part is getting others to invest in you. This is true… people either agree or not agree with your leadership direction. The problem lies with those who may agree and support your leadership but not invested. Because someone supports your leadership does not equate with unity with your leadership. They follow you on the surface, go through the motions to make sure all is well and the “apple cart” does not tip over.

If people invest in you, then your leadership has power. This is a good thing. Why? Because they are “with” you. The “with” means they want what you want. They commit to your vision. They have your back. They have the backs of others. Most of all, their investment in you shows in public and private. No one likes the “two-face” leader or follower.

So… why is there not more unity with leadership? Do you realize how many different people have different agendas? There is so much negative out there and that negative becomes contagious. I am sure we can provide an infinite list of reasons… Conspiracy theory or not, there are actually people who want to see your success not happen.

Leadership unity provides a path for success. Our job as leaders is to bring people together. Together for a common cause, for the good of all. As a leader, you either help or hinder the cause for unity. Unity is essential for leadership. When unity happens, “we walk together” becomes a reality. Mindsets change, personal agendas are set aside and total contribution of all exists.

As we move forward with our leadership, let’s put a focus on unity and see what the outcome will be. I would dare say the results will be positive and you will find that “we walk together.”

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.

 

The Wisdom of Flying Geese

22 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Leader, Team

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  • There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.  -Nicolo Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter 6

    Let’s think about the idea of “The Wisdom of Flying Geese” as we lead our teams and also as we follow others.  So many animals have great instincts.  I really like basic truth #4.

    The Wisdom of Flying Geese

    In the Spring, when you see geese heading North for the Summer or South in the Fall, flying along in “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

    By flying in “V ” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

    Basic Truth #1– People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

    Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

    Basic Truth #2- If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are heading in the same direction as we are.

    When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

    Basic Truth #3– It pays to take turns doing hard jobs, with people or with flying geese.

    These geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

    Basic Truth #4– We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind.

    Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group.

    Final Truth– If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other, protect one another and sometimes make new friends who seem to be going in our direction.

Victorious Leader

22 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Leader, Momentum, Team

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  • “Great moments, are born from great opportunity.” – Coach Herb Brooks, USA Men’s Hockey Team Coach that defeated the Russian Hockey team in the 1980 Winter Olympics.  

    As leaders we must put ourselves in situations where opportunity is.  We cannot be seen standing passive.
    Great locker room material with Victorious Leader.
    Also, if you get a two minute break watch the following youtube clip.  This is really good stuff.
    Victorious Leader
    I do not choose to be a common man.
    It is my right to be uncommon…if I can.
    I seek opportunity – not security.
    I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
    I want to take the calculated risk:  to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.
    I refuse to barter incentive for a dollar.
    I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence:  the thrill of fulfillment to the state calm of Utopia.
    I will not trade freedom for beneficence, not my dignity for a handout.
    I will never cover before any master or bend to any threat.
    It is my heritage to stand tall, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefits of my creations, to face the world boldly and say:
    “This is what I have done.”