When things are hard it’s natural to think you want to quit, or at the very least, stop. Will you? Or will you let adversity help you grow? One way or the other, you’ll get there. One way is slower, with penalties and interest, the other is direct. The only way out is through.
“You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” James Clear shared this as part of his keynote at the recent EOS Conference, and it really spoke to me. As I think about my own systems, those in place for me personally are a bit more elusive than those constructed in concert…
Everybody leans on leaders. Do you ever feel like you’re the shock absorber for those around you? I know I do. You buffer things, are a sounding board, are the voice of reason, and a helper to those around you who may need a confidential source to confide in when things are chaotic. When you’re that resource for others, where…
Let’s talk about intentionality. What does it mean to be intentional and how does it show up in our world? I’m a pretty disciplined person at this point in my life. When I say that what I mean is, I intend to have certain results, and if I want them, I ask myself, “who do I need to be and…
When you think about your team, do you recognize you’ll only go as far and as fast as the sum of all? It isn’t about any one of you, it’s about the collective. The intangible, connective tissue that bonds the team and makes those overlaps and gaps between you irrelevant. It’s about finding resources, accelerating what can be done, and…
Today, let’s pause for a minute. Who makes your life easier, nicer, kinder, and just plain better? Have you told them? Will you tell them? Little things you may take for granted – like the fact that my husband fills my gas tank to ensure I don’t have to do it. How cool is that? Also, I don’t have to…
What if you treated every conversation as if it were the last opportunity you had? How would you relate differently to them? How would you listen? What difference would it make in your relationships? As I worked with a team recently about communication, I was reminded of how challenging it is to balance the demands of the day with the…
Observing greatness is one of my favorite ways to learn. I have the honor of working with teams and watching behavior. Having honed a few skills, patterns emerge with people, and it’s become easier to see signs of distress, anxiety, frustration, acceptance, disagreement and the subtleties we each display when in agreement and not. When a leader demonstrates genuine care,…
An extraordinary team is an ordinary team with an extraordinary commitment. The extra refers to their commitment, not the players. Relatively speaking, any team can be extraordinary. To be extraordinary, you must align yourselves and be resolute in your collective commitment. This means a firm determination, shared by all. When push comes to shove, an extraordinary team will always find…
Say exactly what you mean. There’s a concept! It’s very non-Midwestern. You won’t always be popular or please people, but you will be clear. You’ll also find the world around you (people, opportunities, events and rewards) will amplify. Too often, when trying to please others or deliver the message you think others want to hear instead of saying exactly what…