Category Archives: Uncategorized

Getting rid of the bitter taste of leadership…

05 Friday Nov 2021

Posted by in Actions, Bitterness, Character, Communication, Decisions, Effective, Facade, Intentions, Kindness, Leader, Leadership, Listening, Love, Transparent, Uncategorized, Vision

≈ Leave a comment

Ugh… that tastes bitter. Even worse, that bitter taste can sometimes linger, and it begins to be all we think about; talk about distracting. It will probably hinder us from tasting the good of other things also.

But… what does bitter look like? Good question. Better yet, what does bitter leadership look like, and why is it such a thing? First, what is bitterness? A quick lookup gives this definition – having a sharp, pungent taste or smell, not sweet. Hello… not sweet, pungent… Talk about a bad quality of leadership… How about this statement, “I have a bitter taste in my mouth about…” Yep, been there, said that. Pungent… doesn’t even sound like a good word to say.

I would say, most of the time, our bitterness is always going to be with something or someone else. It mostly comes with disappointments which leads to frustrations, not only with yourself but others. Bitterness in your life affects so many things; confidence, mood, performance, likeability, respect… most of all, love. It deprives the sweetness of what leadership should be.

toxic_bitterness-1024x460

One area I see bitterness is in leaders who only think their way is “the only way.” They lead with blinders that prevent them from seeing anything anyone else has to say. By default, others begin to question, respect is lost, and their leadership becomes a facade, seen right through. I guess, in the end, bitterness comes and goes, but the effects can last much longer. A full circle runs through all people, especially when we do not get our way.

So… how can we fight bitterness? I am not sure there is an absolute answer. However, I have seen enough leaders with bitterness that I have some ideas on how I do not want to lead. First, be open to ideas and not have a closed-mind set. Second, be transparent with your leadership. If we can incorporate both of these concepts in our leadership, we will lead better, and others will not have to be bitter because you are.

Go figure and it sounds easy. However, when our EGO gets in the way, bitterness is going to taste bad. Let’s lead with a sweetness.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2021 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on…

Twitter @thebookchamber

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

It’s raining…

23 Tuesday Jul 2019

Posted by in Actions, Choice, Decisions, Leader, Leadership, Preparation, Relationships, Servant, Uncategorized, Value

≈ Leave a comment

Well, here we are in July… It is hot, humid, muggy, sweaty, etc… but tonight, as I sit on the front porch, it is raining.  It has actually cooled down the temperature a little (if you can say that) to where sitting outside is bearable…

c2445dd759cf52be7e37d294c62d730e

Tonight’s rain brings something that I enjoy… the sound and the smell of it.  There seems to be something about it that brings in a newness, fresh feeling that calms the mind.  I imagine it to be like an “all sensory sound machine.”  While I sit here enjoying the sound and the smell, the thought I have of rain that always comes back to me is the conversation line in Facing the Giants, “Prepare for rain.”

Here is the actual quote…

“There were two farmers who desperately needed rain in a drought. And both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out to plow his field to receive the rain. Now, which farmer trusted and believed that it was going to rain?”

As we go about our day, whatever that might be for each of us, are we preparing for the results of our leadership?  Many leaders just go about and lead only because of their title and/or position that they have.  While others actually work to make sure their leadership is meaningful, uplifting, positive for the benefit of others. They prepare their workings to be an outward seeking effect, instead of the internal mindset of “What’s in it for me?”

One thing that I have learned over the past few years is that we must always prepare to pause and pay attention to those around us.  As leaders, we move in and out of our days so quickly that it is easy to forget about who is around us.  We must prepare to lead others effectively, and we cannot do this if we do not know who we are leading.  They are not just a group of people who are hired to do a job.  They are people with a heart, mind, and soul – they matter.

As we close out July and get ready for school to start, the educational leadership that we provide will either help or hurt. Preparation is vital, but it must be more than “talked about” preparation.  Actually preparing the field for the rain, shows the level of commitment we have as leaders for others.  For the crops to grow, we must prepare for them to grow.

The next time it rains, take a moment to listen and smell the effects and give an intentional effort so others can see the preparation you are doing for them. Yes or no, the results will be seen.  What are you doing today in your leadership that “prepares for the rain?”

Thanks again for reading.

©2019 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts?  Follow me on…

Image result for small facebook icon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “Lights” of Leadership

30 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Christmas, Consistency, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…,” until you have to deal with the Christmas lights!

As we decorate each year, all of our Christmas lights are in one bin. Every year when we “undecorate” I take the lights, wrap them nicely, put them in a bin and close the lid. By the way, all bulbs of each string of lights are working…

Fast-forward eleven months and something has happened. Obviously, someone has gone in and tangled the strings together in knots, thus making many of the lights not work. I believe that the Gremlins have come back from the ’80s and are living in my attic. Anybody working with me? Have you Gremlins and lights not working too?

f6fb339ccaf818fc8f6c0f3e475ce7c2

So, where is this going with regards to leadership? Let’s see if we can turn the lights on and make a connection…

When you plug the lights in, one of three things is going to happen. Every light lights up, some light up, or none light up — only those three options. What happens when you plug your leadership in? Let’s let the lights represent characteristics of our leadership.

Those same three ideas are present when you plug your leadership in; your characteristics either all work, some work, or none work. Only one of three is for the best. Have you ever notice when you buy a box of lights they give you a “few” extra bulbs (just in case one does not work)? You cannot replace every bulb.

The question to be asked with regards to your leadership is, “Are the lights working?” Not some, not a few, but all. Think of it this way… Do the “lights” of your leadership shine? What type of connection are you making? Are there a few “lights” that are not working well? A much bigger problem is when not a single “light” comes on.

In leadership, we must regularly check to see if our “lights” are working; even changing a few bulbs out along the way. Sometimes we might just have to throw the whole string away and start new; and you know what, that’s ok too. Leadership is about finding what works.

Now, about all those strings being tangled up? I am going to blame that on the Gremlins… Someone fed them after midnight…

©2018 J Clay Norton

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

Follow me on WordPress, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram

The Golden Rule – It would be great if…

08 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

“We have committed the golden rule to memory; let us now commit it to life.” – Edwin Markham

golden

First, watch this video on the “Golden Rule.”

Second, this is not an endorsement for Marriott.  I just really liked the message of the video and thought about the connection it has with leadership.

Now, the video begs the statement, “It would be great if….”  Well, it would be great. Simple but direct thoughts as to why we should and how we can use the Golden Rule. There are numerous great one-line statements in the video.  The statement that stands out the most to me is, “It would be spectacular if the golden rule was golden to every man.” So easy to say, so hard to do.

The video made me consider how would someone practice and live the Golden Rule.  I convinced myself the reason more people do not, is because they, themselves get in their own way.

How can we be better stewards of the Golden Rule? Here are three ideas that we can think over…

You need to know who you are.
The real you is inside, and it will eventually come out. Great leaders know who they are. They know their strengths and weaknesses. It is hard to live the Golden Rule, as a hypocrite. The Bible is very clear on this, “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16, English Standard Version). The difference is leaders who think they are great need someone constantly affirming their “greatness.”

Do right by people.
Doing right by people does not mean “give them their way.” When we “do right by people,” we put ourselves in their shoes and consider them first. I believe this embodies the Golden Rule more than anything else. That notion of “treat others the way you would want to be treated” does not go both ways. We want “right treatment,” but do not always give “right treatment.”

Have humility.
Humility does not come naturally for some. Some of us even find it the hard way, if you know what I mean. It is hard to help others and do right by them if we are always looking out for “me.” Humility is part of being a servant leader; it is not stepping on them to help yourself.  Do something for someone without always looking for something in return.

The Golden Rule puts others first, and it shows sacrifice on our part. It is what we want for ourselves, so why not give it to others? “It would be great if…” we truly tried the Golden Rule. A lot of the statements in the video could be turned into reality.

Let’s look for ways we can use the Golden Rule in our leadership.  Be intentional and watch how others will appreciate your service to and for them.

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.