In a wonderful post, "Not Fitting In", David Porter wrote on leadership. He posits that true leaders "don't fit." Yes, true leaders often don't fit, but wise ones understand their surroundings and lead in a way that will both challenge others and bring them along.
True leaders by their very nature are out front, ahead of others. This can be difficult for the leader and follower. It takes understanding on all sides. True leaders lead with wisdom that enable mutual understanding, being by their very nature visionaries.
True leaders provide the best environment of understanding which challenges and fosters others in various degrees. The onus is on them; the outcome is on all.
Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leadership. Show all posts
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Being Encouraged
My friend, David Porter, who I respect and admire, wrote an excellent post on being encouraged. Do pop over to his blog, David Porter Leadership, to read the expansion of his thoughts. I have outlined the points below. Pop on over; you'll be encouraged.
1. Change your physiology.
2. Change your focus.
3. Change your words.
4. Don't watch television news for one week.
5. Take 15 minutes a day to meditate or visualize how you want your life to be.
David's posts often include beautiful photos taken by his daughter, Chesapeake. She's a beautiful thoughtful talented young lady. While you're over at David's blog, do check out hers too. Father and daughter are both special indeed.
1. Change your physiology.
2. Change your focus.
3. Change your words.
4. Don't watch television news for one week.
5. Take 15 minutes a day to meditate or visualize how you want your life to be.
David's posts often include beautiful photos taken by his daughter, Chesapeake. She's a beautiful thoughtful talented young lady. While you're over at David's blog, do check out hers too. Father and daughter are both special indeed.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Being Peggy Noonan IV
The arrogance of some reporters never cease to amaze me. The fact that they actually presume to know what the American people want is often mindbogglingly. CNN reported that Peggy Noonan suggested in an editorial today that the American people may be getting tired of seeing President Obama before the public.
Is President Obama not our leader in one of the most trying times in our economic future? It as if in such a time we do not need clear leadership and transparency. Peggy Noonan needs to be checked. Perhaps it is she that we would like to see and read less of. Maybe we would be better without her glib remarks in print and on television.
Is President Obama not our leader in one of the most trying times in our economic future? It as if in such a time we do not need clear leadership and transparency. Peggy Noonan needs to be checked. Perhaps it is she that we would like to see and read less of. Maybe we would be better without her glib remarks in print and on television.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Being a Real Leader
"Leaders focus on the soft stuff. People. Values. Character. Commitment. A cause. ... it's the stuff that real leaders take care of first. And forever. That's why leadership is an art, not a science."
--Tom Peters
Are measurements your first focus of leadership?
--Tom Peters
Are measurements your first focus of leadership?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Being on Meet the Press II
Last week I wrote about Being in the Old Guard after seeing the pictures of Senator Harry Reid, Senator Dick Durbin, and the presumed Senator Roland Burris. The point essentially was where are the fresh faces in Congress who can bring a new voice? Listening to the venerable Bill Cosby, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters speak on the African American community, on "Meet the Press" today, I now essentially ask the same question. Where are the fresh faces on relevant issues to the African American community?
Adrian M. Fenty, the Mayor of Washington D.C., was a part of the discussion and he had some good things to say. But overall the language, examples, and stories were all told in such a way that I felt as if there were no new ideas; I felt as if I was watching "Meet the Press" of the 60’s, even though the ideas centered around the first African American president in the 21st.
"Meet the Press" is prime time. The conversation could have been much sharper and the ideas more innovative. While some issues are systemic, thereby not new, the ideas surrounding them need to be new if we are to see change. The African American community needs fresh ideas to spark innovation in education, healthcare, diet and exercise, and jobs. With such a platform, the discussion seemed less then brilliant.
(I sincerely hope this does not sound disrespectful to any of the panelists, as I honor them for paving the way for me. But something new has to happen now and it's not only the election of the first African American president. Innovate now!)
Adrian M. Fenty, the Mayor of Washington D.C., was a part of the discussion and he had some good things to say. But overall the language, examples, and stories were all told in such a way that I felt as if there were no new ideas; I felt as if I was watching "Meet the Press" of the 60’s, even though the ideas centered around the first African American president in the 21st.
"Meet the Press" is prime time. The conversation could have been much sharper and the ideas more innovative. While some issues are systemic, thereby not new, the ideas surrounding them need to be new if we are to see change. The African American community needs fresh ideas to spark innovation in education, healthcare, diet and exercise, and jobs. With such a platform, the discussion seemed less then brilliant.
(I sincerely hope this does not sound disrespectful to any of the panelists, as I honor them for paving the way for me. But something new has to happen now and it's not only the election of the first African American president. Innovate now!)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Being Respectful II
"It is great hope someday to see science and decision makers rediscover what the ancients have always known, namely that our highest currency is respect."
--Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The above quote reminded of what I used to say to myself daily when I ran a rather large mixed-use hotel where every single department was in complete disarray. "Leave them with their dignity," I would say. From banquets to housekeeping there were no systems in place, no personal responsibility, and little positive interrelations among staff or with guests.
Such an environment was indeed challenging. Besides putting simple systems in place, such as checklists for the maintenance department, I had to deal with mindsets. This was challenging indeed. Most seemed to feel like there being there was simply enough--not to mention that they came and went as pleased, covering for each other.
Even in this kind of environment, perhaps particularly so, I had to remind myself daily to leave them with their dignity when, in fact, they did not appear to be very dignified. I would be dishonest if I said that their attitudes did not get the best of me at times. But I think I was quite successful overall, raising the level of each department. Within 9 months traffic increased as did our room sales.
Respect is a form of dignity, a kind of empowerment, we give to others that affects the bottom line. "The highest currency is respect."
As a leader or a decision maker are you empowering others through respect?
--Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The above quote reminded of what I used to say to myself daily when I ran a rather large mixed-use hotel where every single department was in complete disarray. "Leave them with their dignity," I would say. From banquets to housekeeping there were no systems in place, no personal responsibility, and little positive interrelations among staff or with guests.
Such an environment was indeed challenging. Besides putting simple systems in place, such as checklists for the maintenance department, I had to deal with mindsets. This was challenging indeed. Most seemed to feel like there being there was simply enough--not to mention that they came and went as pleased, covering for each other.
Even in this kind of environment, perhaps particularly so, I had to remind myself daily to leave them with their dignity when, in fact, they did not appear to be very dignified. I would be dishonest if I said that their attitudes did not get the best of me at times. But I think I was quite successful overall, raising the level of each department. Within 9 months traffic increased as did our room sales.
Respect is a form of dignity, a kind of empowerment, we give to others that affects the bottom line. "The highest currency is respect."
As a leader or a decision maker are you empowering others through respect?
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