Price Check: Does Your Leadership Value Equal It’s Worth?

05 Friday Oct 2018

Posted by in Actions, Clarity, Consistency, Importance, Leader, Leadership, Servant, Understanding, Value

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The perspective of the value of leadership is based on actions and not words of the leader. How much value do you place on something? Better yet, let’s ask this question, “How much are you willing to spend on something?” Everything has a price, even leadership, yours and others.

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Let’s use a piece of art for example.  How much is it worth? What is it’s value? Who determines the value? You? Others? Now, let’s ask the same question when it comes to the value of leadership.

To understand the value of leadership; a few thoughts come to mind. While they sound natural, putting them into practice is a different concept. Value is a funny concept… something only has value if it means something to you. That is the way it is with most things we hold dear in our lives.

Leadership that has value…

has IMPORTANCE
We can all agree that leadership should be and is important. However, do we carry and lead like it is? Many leaders just show up and hope, whatever happens, happens, and it makes them look good. The importance of leadership is based on themselves, not the issue at hand or who is involved. Leadership importance for self carries no value for others; it is worthless.

is LIMITED
Many people want to lead, but… Leadership is limited. I genuinely believe just because you are in a leadership position does not mean you are a leader. Real leadership is limited to those who have that servant-based mentality for others. Others can only measure that value. While you may determine your own price and too many “leaders” do, value is usually priced on how many people want what you have.

has CONSISTENCY
Just like anything else that has value, consistency is the main ingredient. It stands the test of time. It feels the same. It tastes the same. If anything, its value actually increases over time. Can we agree that some things get better with time? How many leaders do you know who are inconsistent with their leadership? Something is always different, and it usually depends upon what kind of mood they are in. People want consistency, and they will pay for it. Why? The value it brings. We all know what “something” is supposed to be. Let your leadership be what it is supposed to be, consistent for the good of others.

The world is seeking leadership. You can go back to the beginning of time and see it throughout all of history. There is a great need for leadership with value. However, it needs to provide value for others, not our egos. A leader is who they are before others, and nothing more.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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The Heartbeat Of Leadership

28 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Choice, Clear, Compassion, Heart, Honest, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Understanding

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An agreed-upon statement (I hope)… Regardless of the setting or situation, just like your heartbeat, everything rises and falls with leadership or any relationship for that matter.

“I wish they understood.” “I wish they knew what all was going on.” “Why do they never listen to us?” “I wish…,” “Why…?”

Every one of us, at some time or another, make statements or ask questions like these, leaders and followers both.

What is more important than the above comments?  How they are being answered. How do you as a leader, respond? Often, events happen that can be stressful (and stress is not good for the heart), but it does not always have to be the case. Many times, we create the stress ourselves. We start “over-thinking,” and “reacting” and that becomes the problem.

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To make sure your leadership “rises and falls” like your heartbeat and stress is limited, you need to be the following…

BE CLEAR
Do you model the expectations you have for others? Do others even know what your expectations are? As brilliant as people think they are, they are not mind-readers. Too many times, people are left guessing at what leadership wants, and it needs to be clear for all.  At the same time, never believe that expectations are a one-way street.  Others have expectations of you as well.  Allow the road to go both ways.

BE HONEST
It would go without saying; leaders must be honest with themselves and others. Pretending to be a super-leader with all the answers and a “my way” attitude is a quick way to alienate and limit the growth of others. Be honest and humble enough to recognize that others might just have a good idea that is not yours. It is ok to let others know that you are not always the fabulous piece of work that you currently think you are.  It is very hard, to be honest with others if we cannot be truly honest with ourselves.

BE COMPASSIONATE
Being compassionate does not mean not correcting when you have to. However, it does mean having some level of understanding of what goes on in the lives of others. How many leaders do you know that walk around looking for that “gotcha” moment? Usually, when this happens, it is an opportunity for a leader to look better or to put someone down. Too many times a leader will only have “surface” knowledge and not “depth” knowledge of a situation. Being compassionate is not a weakness.  It is a strength that shows you are giving grace and mercy just like you would want to receive.

Are there more or different leadership characteristics? Yes. But if you do not have these three in your leadership repertoire, your leadership heartbeat does not and will not function very well. Your leadership heart will rise and fall in an unhealthy rhythm, causing that stress that is not good for you or anyone else.

The heart drives all three of these characteristics.  When we lead with our heart instead of our minds, we lead with a level of motivation that can be felt by others.

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

“You and We” vs “I and Me”

21 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Character, Communication, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Servant, Understanding

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It is such a simple thing, not one that really stands out to be said or heard, but what it means and how it is perceived can likely determine what type of leader you are.

Simple words… “You and We” vs “I and Me.”

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When we listen to those in leadership, what do we hear?  Depends on what type of leader you are or have.  Do they speak with what I like to call the language of “selfology.”

If we listen carefully, attentively, we can hear it more often then we think.  It does not take long to hear the words of I, me, my, mine… They are the words of taking credit. Words that “I” need to make “me” look good…  When this happens, leaders undermine not only the work but also the character and respect of others.

When voiced out loud, corporately, the stage is set for only one entertainer.  There is no need for a three-ring circus. Only one tent for the person who speaks “selfology.” Leaders who use that language are plagued with insecurity issues that keep them wanting the spotlight deserving for others.  Too many times, they have to roar, flex their muscles, let everyone know they are in charge; only to eventually have their audience slowly walk out and find somewhere else where they can be acknowledged and appreciated.

“I and Me” leaders number one mindset is to convince themselves that they are the ones who make things happen. Every day they allow their ego to get in the way for other’s successes. They are the leaders who say they have the answers. It is as though they believe that others are there for their benefit and not the other way around.

Servant leaders intentionally make a point to use “othersology” speech: we, you, our.. and they want to; from the heart and not the mind. Rather than me, it is we. Rather than I, it is you. Rather than mine, it is ours.  Why… because they do not feel threatened.  They are comfortable enough in their own skin that enables others to be in the spotlight.

Think about it this way… A great friend and mentor in my life once told me, “Unfortunately, there are those who ‘push others down’ out of petty jealousy and small-mindedness. Beware of those who look to make a name for themselves on the bones of others.”

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

Teaching With Dignity

14 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Character, Choice, Dignity, Giving, Leader, Leadership, Opportunity, Purpose, Servant, Teachers, Understanding

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A quick web search for the definition of dignity… “bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.”

I like the part “… appreciation of the gravity of a situation.”

My questions for you today are:

“Does your job as a teacher reflect the dignity it should?” and “Do we understand the gravity of what a teacher should be?”

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A few weeks ago, I alluded to the notion that I believe too many teachers downplay that teaching is a privilege, and not everyone can or wants to do it.  Many people say they have respect for teachers and they are probably sincere.  However, teaching has to be a profession that represents your self-respect.

How does that look?

Having dignity as a teacher shows…

An endless opportunity to give.

Every teacher should teach with a goal of helping others in mind. Teachers are part of a solution that has the opportunity to improve society.  I am sure that other professions can have that type of empowerment, but teaching has to be at the top of the list.

Doing what is right.

When we do what is right, we often have to forgo what is easy.  Do we teach the “right way?” Do we teach the children that walk into the classrooms the same way we teach our children at home? If we ever take the time to see the students we teach as our own; teaching and learning will take on a whole new level.

Changing the way we look at others.

Understand this: it is not about YOU.  When we realize this, our ability to listen to and learn from others enables us to be better. When it is about ourselves, we miss the opportunity to treat others with respect.  If you can ever have an appreciation of your dignity, then you can begin to have an appreciation of others.

No one can give you dignity. There is not a “dignity” line to stand in.  It is one of the few characteristics that we must go out and get for ourselves.  As teachers (and leaders for that matter), our dignity reveals so much about us.  Let others see that we take pride in what we do, that we have self-respect, and accept the gravity of the situation of educating the future.

We might not always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but that does not mean we don’t use our flashlights or light candles to help shine the way until we do.

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