​Who Can Lead?

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Clarity, Heart, Humility, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

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“Do you think we choose to be born? Or are we fitted to the times we are born into?” Daniel Day-Lewis, playing Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln,” asked this question.

How often have we heard the question asked, “Are leaders born or made?” Which one is correct? Better yet, why does it even matter? Either way, great leadership at all levels is in great demand.  What society needs is great leadership and they want to know, “Who Can Lead?”

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Everywhere we look there is a new leadership “fad.” Do this and don’t do this leadership… It would seem there is a deficiency in general leadership ability among “leaders.”  And you know what… that is more than likely the correct assumption. (Note: Leadership is not about your position or title. Please change this mindset if you believe this to be true. Change it for the good of others and yourself. As I have stated before, these “leaders” only lead the minds. They never lead the hearts.)

Leadership gets complicated. Leadership depends on where and what the situation is and it is not the same across the board for everyone. Just because this leadership “theory” worked in or at one place and time does not mean it will work at another. There are too many variables… But, understand this… It is the challenges that determine a leader, not if they were born or made. Leaders who overcome challenges do so through personal experience and knowledge of situations. They observe others or learn from their own past situations. Great leaders develop a mental portfolio of what has and has not worked in their past and they make use of it.

Our opinion of what great leadership is and what it should look like differs from what others think. Leadership is not a fine-tuned set of ideas and beliefs. When we start to believe we can “box” leadership up and “sell it,” leadership starts to be vague and less effective.  Now, this is not to say that we cannot learn from new ideas, but… At the end of all, leadership is relative. What might be true for you is not necessarily true for me.

It is not a question of if you were born or made as a leader. The question is, can you lead?

So… Who can lead?

Anyone…

Actually, you can… Just decide to.

All you need is a servant-heart, humility, an open-mind, and an opportunity. We cannot control the “when” but we can control what we do with the “when.”

 

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.

I Choose To Stand

15 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in confidence, Deciding, Humility, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Perseverance, Purpose, Servant

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“You have enemies? Good. That means you stood up for something in your life.”  – Winston Churchill

Well, everyone else is doing it this way… Majority rules, correct?

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Is there value in standing with the few? How many times have you been in the minority regarding your leadership?  Do you often find yourself standing alone?  Sounds negative to me… Who wants to be in the minority?  Well, that depends on what the majority is standing for.

Here are a few “I Choose To Stand” ThinkLeadership thoughts…

If you do not agree with the majority opinion, it does not mean you are wrong.
Be intentional about your stance. Now, understand this… It is going to be hard to get others to follow you. Often times it is hard to believe, but many people want to identify with the majority even if they are wrong. These people are crowd followers. They are going to side with whomever will make them look good and to save their own skin.

Be a good follower.
What? You thought leaders were to lead? Yes they are… But, being a good follower of a good leader enables you to actually lead. Know who is worth following. Being a follower might not be where you want to be in your leadership at this time… so do not push your own agenda. In time, your leadership will show. Leadership should be a shared concept. Servant-leaders recognize this the most.

Do not believe it is all about you.
Even if you are in the minority, please forget the notion that people cannot make it without you. They can and they will. Standing alone is fine if the cause calls for it but do not make it about you. This leads to ineffective leadership. Make it about the cause. You will have the respect of others.

Be yourself.
Finding good leadership qualities to emulate will always help. More importantly, find leadership qualities that identify with your style. Do not try to be another leader. It does not work. Be you.

Know your strengths and your weaknesses.
You will not have to tell people your strengths, they will show for what they are worth. Your weaknesses are a different story. If you know your limitations, you better let everyone else know. Ok… you have to be kidding right? No… (go read the next bold statement).

Be transparent.
Have some humility. Kill the ego. It is ok to know and admit your weaknesses. If you do not, you will soon find them out. Others are usually quick to help you find them (It takes the spotlight off of them). Ask for help when you need it. True servant-leaders will do this and they will help others when asked. Insecure leaders will only focus on themselves. Asking for help is a strength.

 

We can often find ourselves with the idea of… “I do not know if I agree with that…” This thought process does not make us wrong. It just means we agree to disagree.

There will be times when our backs will be against the wall. We will even have to suffer the ramifications of others who do not believe the way we do or have a point to prove. But know this, you stand with honor, humility, and with your core values which were never compromised.

In your leadership, whatever decision you make comes down to this… When you decide to stand firm, make sure your feet are planted firmly.

I will plant my feet firmly.  I will stand firm.  I choose to stand for what is right and honorable.  Above all else, I choose to stand for my faith and my family… even if it means that I stand alone.  I CHOOSE TO STAND!

What do you choose to stand for?

 

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.

 

 

“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

 


 

 

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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.

 

Chain Reaction Passion

01 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Passion, Uncategorized

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“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes.  It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.”  – Wade Boggs, Former MLB player of the Boston Red Soxs

“Hey! I like what you have…”

“Ok… what do I have?”

“Passion.”

“Passion?”

“Yep… Passion! If you did not have it, we would not be having this conversation.”

“Ok…”

“If you are not careful, it could cause a chain reaction and when it does, it is going to affect a lot of people.”

 

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A small fictitious dialogue that has a lot of meaning.

Almost all of us are passionate about something. But, let’s ask two questions regarding your passion…

  1. Do others see it?
  2. Does it cause a chain reaction?

Question two will not have an answer if the answer to question one is NO.

So… Do you know your passion? It is easy to figure out, determine what you value. Find that one thing which “stirs the heart” (compliments to Doug Dickerson for this phrase) and let it be life transforming, for you and others. Defining your passion is key to leadership success. If leadership is to be effective, passion has to be one of the most important characteristics. The time and effort we invest in our passion allows us to burn a blazing path. A path that does not wander but one that focuses in a single direction with purpose.

As leaders, we have to know that everyone is not always on the same level when it comes to passion. Many times we are not sure what directions our passion will or should take. Will it inspire and resonate with others?

To have someone’s passion visible is inspiring. You are able to see their passion in their lives as pure joy. If you love something, then show it. If we use our passion for fulfillment of others, it will in return provide fulfillment for us as well. Passion creates happiness for all stakeholders. Start that chain reaction of passion and see how many people it can affect. One thing is for sure; it is exciting to see how one’s passion evolves into a leadership mindset.

Passion also allows leaders a reason to persevere, even during the hardest times. Having that blazing path of passion gives an inward drive that we can reach down deep inside and use. See it as a baseline for what “stirs the heart.” There has to be something that creates a fire in a leader. Passion is that fire.

Believe in your passion. Let it be enjoyable.  Please, let it become a chain reaction.

The alternative… It’s boring to be around someone who doesn’t even seem to care about what they are saying or doing.

Here is a great video about how something so small can cause a chain reaction. Let your passion be as such…

 

 

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.