Caught this post from Lois Kelly today and I was shocked.
I confess that I've never looked at the U.S. Air Force as being that progressive/innovative. As Lois points out, they seem to understand social media and the impacts.
If the Air Force can do it, can't your organization?
I read this over weekend from The Wall Street Journal Weekend…Peggy Noonan's book recommendations, I believe. The content relates to Mother Teresa and a recent book by Joseph Langord.
"In this book, based on her letters, writings and conversations, he tells of how
she came to serve "the least, the last, and the lost," not as a female Albert
Schweitzer but as "a mystic with sleeves rolled up." Father Langford tells the
story of her encounter on the train, of what was said, of what she heard, and of
the things he learned from her including, most centrally, this: You must find your own Calcutta.
You don't have to go to
I added the bold and italics because of how much the statement means to me. I hope it hits home with you as well.
Considering the level of concern on faces I've seen and the hearts and minds connected, I thought I would give you a link to a post I wrote some time ago titled "What Happen When I Was Told to Leave." It deals with my personal journey after being asked to leave my last corporate America job.
My life is so different and better since that wounding (being told to leave). I can only hope it encourages you (if it fits) to not give up. I also hope it will encourage you that every story has tense moments and disappointments, but those are designed to help you to see the possibilities of a new life/career/calling.
Obviously, this is easier to write than to live. But I can tell you that the above post is stamped with integrity (whole not part). Know that you're not alone.
I've always believed that I have grown because of those who've been kind enough to pour their lives into mine. In that spirit, here is a list of people who practiced the art of difference making in my life:
Eileen Pennington
Scot Herrick of Cube Rules
Anna Farmery of The Engaging Brand
Marshall Goldsmith
Terry Walling of Leader Breakthru
Matthew Scott of the Life's Work Group
Marc Michaelson of the Glowan Consulting Group
Ryan Bettencourt of Learn From My Life
Nina Simosko
Michelle Malay-Carter Mission Minded Management
I am better for the brilliant light they have left me.
In times of crisis (economic or otherwise) organizations begin to think about leadership. Actually, they think of it often. What they do about it is another thing.
I feel for those organizations that neglected growing leaders when profits were up. That would have been the best time to change the world. But alas, those were the "best laid plans."
If you run an organization that has never given much thought to leader development, then I would advise you to prepare for a great deal of pain (it is worth it). The pain process goes like this:
This is not an easy endeavor. I think you can understand why these organizations mostly hang themselves on leadership development as a talking point. You know what I mean; it feels better when you say leadership development versus living it.
I don't mean to sound Grinchy, but best not to sugar coat. It's sort of like a 62 year-old worker who started planning for retirement 5 years ago. Is it too late? No, but it will hurt.
I may be all wet about where we're at, so find out for yourself. Ask this tough question:
What are we/you specifically doing to grow your leadership?
The answer to that question will reveal a lot.
During these times many are saying we need to find a way out. I say we need to find a way through. We'll never be the better for this time if all we find is an escape hatch.
Had a great conversation with Marc yesterday. We spoke a lot about future plans with our two companies, but it was his brief statement below that made me pause:
"You have two paths you can go on in this environment. One says this sucks, and the other says I see an opportunity."
Those words cconfirmed mmuch in my heart.
Even when things have been bad, I have gravitated toward optimism. No applause needed here. Many (family, friends, and associates) have come to count on me for looking up. This hasn't always been easy.
Even in the times where I wondered if Epic Living would make it, I wrote from the perspective of optimism. Why? You don't need another source/media that communicates how bad things are-in my life or the world as a whole. Believe me, this is not lofty fee-good babble. It hurts me when people fall into the quick sandd of pessimism.
I know that many are experiencing difficult times right now. But could these hard times be the preparation ground for your greatest opportunity? I fear that many could miss it because of that quick sand I mentioned. Pure gold can't come about without some intense heat.
The real battle is in our heads.
Those who seek to grasp power and promotion are usually the least fit to manage it.
There is a lot of emphasis in leader development on knowing who you are. In other words, how you're authentically wired. This is a good thing.
Analyzing a leader's wiring is effective in making sure the leader finds the work best suited for their strengths. It helps organizations as they determine right fits for their structure. I can't think of a more liberating place to be than to see oneself doing what makes the heart come alive.
There are some downsides though.
As it is with a country who has lived under dictatorial rule for decades, so it is with leaders who've been squelched in their attempts to be authentic. But sometimes liberation can lead to license, or worse, addiction to self-empowerment. Almost like the liberators deciding that being a dictator is not so bad now that power is in hand.
The practical danger for leaders who discover they're authentic wiring comes when they believe the organization/team must submit to their way of seeing the world. For example, I'm the type of leader who needs to connect emotionally, before any type of transaction can occur. This is important to me. However, I can't expect that a client or partner will give me this every time we meet. I don't have to deny or give up my value (emotional connection), but I do have to practice the art of give and take. If I never receive the emotional connection, then certainly I'm in the wrong place/organization.
Here are some tips on how to prevent your wiring from overrunning your path to becoming a quality leader:
The above video comes from Seal (one of my favorite artists) and I found it during that time of isolation. The director portrays well the idea of being alone (notice Seal singing and all of the people walking past him). I was struck by how connected I was to the theme.
Fortunately, I had wise mentors/advisors who told me that I would need to go through a period of aloneness. That counsel prepared me, but it didn't take away the pain. If you're reading this and don't have someone to give you direction, then email me and I will. No charge, just encouragement.
Now I can look back and see how that time was essential in remaking me into who I am today.
Life is sometimes like Hebrew.