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

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.

“Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth.” – Unknown

Why do we look in a mirror?  To see what we look like.

When we look in the mirror, all we see is ourselves and I know this sounds corny but it is the only place we truly see ourselves.  The mirror is where we come face to face with the self-reality of our leadership.

Our leadership “check” is the mirror.  It is the only place we can have an honest evaluation about and with ourselves.  And it is very hard.  Why do you think this is?

Because we are the only ones that know the truth. We can hide, disguise, suppress, etc..

When we are faced with having a leadership self-check, does it help?  Why or why not?

If yes, then we have become broken, humble and our EGO has not gotten in the way.

If no, then we believe we are better than we really are.

Here a few “we will” leadership check thoughts as we look in the mirror…

1. We will compare ourselves with those who we are better than.  This way we will make sure we always look good.
2. We will never compare ourselves with those who are better than us.  Why? Because we have no desire to look inferior.
3. We will always seek out those who think like us.  This will give us the answers we want to hear.
4. We will rarely seek input from those who do not think like us.  Why?  See #3.
5. In our own minds, we can justify anything to our benefit.

Looking in the leadership mirror is hard.  Accepting what we see in the reflection is even harder.

Let’s make sure that the leadership reflection we see is the leadership others want us to have.

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.