Thanksgiving in Three Words

17 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Authentic, Family, Freedom, Giving, Gratitude, Humility, Leader, Leadership, Servant

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“What if today, we were just grateful for everything?” – Charlie Brown

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Have you ever considered what “makes” Thanksgiving work? Not the “works” of turkey and dressing and the other fixings, but the “works” of our thoughts and why we are thankful. I am sure we have many ideas as to why we are thankful, and you can probably start the sentence off with “I am thankful because…”

If you are on twitter, you might follow @goodreads. It is a site for book lovers. Often, it will tweet out, “Describe the book you are currently reading in three words.” I find this interesting because I catch myself asking this with a lot of my general activities. Simple questions like this sometimes provide the most thought.

So, my statement for you today and next week is, “Describe your thoughts on Thanksgiving in three words.”

It would be interesting to know what each of you would say. I am very sure that there would be an overwhelming amount of the same words from person to person. The idea here is not to limit our thinking, but to be intentional about our thinking.

My three words for describing my thoughts on Thanksgiving are:

Authentic
I once heard someone say, “You can never separate who you are with what you say you believe in.” One reason I admire the Pilgrims is that they were a group that held firm to their beliefs of who they were. May we unapologetically do the same.

Generosity
Another saying I once heard was, “Your level of generosity is not determined by how much you give, but by how much you hold onto.” How often do we give of ourselves? While giving is not a natural born characteristic, we can learn how to give of ourselves and be generous. It takes time and most of all, effort.

Gratitude
Everyone has something to be thankful for, and only you know what those things are. Allow your gratitude to be intentional. Let it show as a helping example for others but not in a boastful manner.

This Thanksgiving, as you celebrate, take time to consider the statement, “Describe your thoughts on Thanksgiving in three words.” You might even decide to have this as a topic for conversation with friends and family at the table.

But most of all, make sure you take time to give thanks. By doing so, we bow before the Lord in our humility. Thankful that He is willing to save our souls as we look forward to an inheritance of eternal life which He has promised.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Remember… THINKLEADERSHIP

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

 

 

Dysfunctional Leaders

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Actions, Attitude, Culture, Leader, Leadership

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“Egotistical leaders look for and want exposure.  In the end, they will be exposed.” – J. Clay Norton

Dysfunctional leaders; they are everywhere, and their population continues to grow. Please quit moving to their town and taking up residence.

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Picture by Due by Monday – duebymonday.com

It seems like every aspect of our culture is under attack, so is leadership. I am convinced that as leaders, we must do everything we can to avoid the label of dysfunctional. For that matter, any other label that creates a negative.

So, how do we avoid having the label of dysfunctional? Here are some thoughts…

Avoid being moody.
No one enjoys being around a moody person, much less if they are in a leadership position. We will have bad days, but we choose to have a bad disposition.

Avoid the EGO.
Do not be a self-promoter and stuck on yourself. No, the world does not revolve around you. Quit thinking that it does.

Avoid the “Poor Me” syndrome.
Quit playing the victim. For the most part, everyone is not out to get you.

Avoid being passive-aggressive.
Do not use side stabs and silent insults to get your way.

Avoid being the leader that says, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Talk about inconsistency. Functional leaders say and do.

Leadership is in trouble when these characteristics are noticeable. Leaders like this live in a world of denial.

Have you ever noticed the word “fun” in dysfunctional? Probably not, because there is none. Everyone walks on egg-shells around dysfunctional leaders. They are the ringmaster of their circus. Remember this; every entertainer needs an audience to perform. Let their performance be for themselves. Tippy-toe, drama-making, face-saving dysfunctional style leaders can stay in their own “one-ring” circus.

Good leadership will have its challenges. It is not a matter of if, but when. It is a guarantee, especially when we are doing our jobs. Staying grounded and cultivating a strong leadership culture is a must. Let’s be intentional in taking the “dys” out and be functional leaders and do what is right and be a joy to be around.

Everyone around will appreciate it.

Remember… #thinkleadership

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

 

Don’t Let Your Leadership Drift

03 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Actions, Deciding, Drift, Leader, Leadership, Purpose

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“Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

When we go to the beach, I love to buy a cheap float, blow it up, and float in the ocean. Here is what I do, I go out in a straight line from where we are set up on the beach, this gives me a point of reference. After a while, all I end up doing is floating, riding the waves. Over time, I will be nowhere with regards to my point of reference. All I am is a weight, floating on top of the water. I go with the flow with the waves of the ocean, going wherever it takes me. I do one thing and one thing only, I drift.

 

Have you ever considered leadership with regards to drifting? Think of it this way; leadership is often like a piece of driftwood, sitting there on the water, drifting. No purpose, no fixed point, no anchor, no nothing. Just worthless driftwood.

Driftwood

 

Here are a few things that we should consider with leadership that drifts:

1. It requires no effort.

The moment we decide not to lead, we drift. It requires no effort not to do anything.

2. It is unconscious.

We drift unaware of what is around, against, and under us.

3. We never drift against the waves.

The waves push us, and the wind blows us where it wants. We become no more than a pushover.

4. Once leadership starts going downhill, it goes fast.

Think of it this way, when we hear and see the waterfall; it is usually too late to change the course. One thing is certain; you are about to drop.

5. It loses focus.

If we lose sight of our point of reference, we could end up anywhere other than where we need to be.

6. It will become dangerous and crash into something.

Only a few things can happen. It can rot, crash into something else, go over the waterfall, or collect so much baggage that it sinks.

 

When thinking about these points, we must remind ourselves that our leadership is our own. It should have a fixed purpose and must have a presence that is stable and shows consistency to others.

Does your leadership ever have moments of drifting? If it is, what are you doing to correct it? We must answer both of those questions. You and others around will appreciate it.

Remember… #thinkleadership

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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

Is Your Leadership…C.A.L.M.?

27 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by in Leader, Leadership

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“In calm waters, many captains are able. It is in the tempest when true leadership emerges.” – Thomas Kohntopp

How many times have we been on the side of telling someone to stay calm and relax or not overreact? And most of all… breath (I have been, at many times this person.  You can ask my parents).

Everyone is capable of being a leader when the waters of your environment are peaceful and still.  But… when the wind starts blowing your hair, the waves start turning your stomach and the storm breaks your sails, you better have an idea of what to do.

 

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Here are some thoughts for being able to stay C.A.L.M. in your day to day leadership…

Consistency with Confidence

Are you staying consistent with your decisions?  Are they true to form with your past behaviors?  Or… Do you waffle and flip-flop and show a lack of consistency with a lack of confidence? Be a pillar of hope for others that will stand and is sure.

Authentic with Availability

Bottom line… Are you real?  Leadership must have authenticity. No one wants to work with a fake leader.  Also, having authenticity enables you to be available. Think about this… Does someone have to ask what type of mood you are in before they come to you with a question or problem?

Loyalty with Lightheartedness

If you want loyalty from others, you better be loyal to them.  Loyalty is a two-way street.  A lot of characteristics are available to show your loyalty.  Do you care about, invest, help develop, and most of all believe in others.  While being loyal, consider being a little less wound tight.  They say laughing is healthy… Having a spirit of lightheartedness will go along way with everyone around you. Others will not act like they are walking on pins and needles.

Meaningful with Mercy

Do others find your leadership meaningful? Does it have a purpose or does it go as the wind blows? People want leaders with value.  Let what you do and what you say mean something.  Also, every so often, things will not always go as planned… mistakes happen. People by nature do not mess up on purpose.  Now, there might be that time when disagreements arise, but… mercy should be a quality of all leaders.  It is unfortunate that mercy is not a word that is often associated with leadership. I figure too many people view it as a weakness.

Who do you know that exhibits C.A.L.M. leadership? Do you have C.A.L.M. leadership? Those who are around us the most know the truth.

Remember… #thinkleadership

©2017 J Clay Norton

Follow me on Twitter at TheBookChamber

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