Lead by example is by far the best leadership advice ever muttered. We can read 1,000 books and give hundreds of great speeches; however, nothing exemplifies leadership better than quality action coming from an authentic person. Don’t fight for a duty title, fight to do the right thing in the position you are in.
How true is this?! So often we hit a wall and take “a break”, but never start again. We know we will have to start again at the place we were stuck before. We look at starting again in a begrudging manner. Instead, we need to look at it as a challenge we can and will overcome. None of us look back on challenges we faced and overcame with regret, but regret the times we gave up all together.
I once hired a plumber to fix something I didn’t have the courage to tackle. I watched videos on YouTube and phoned a friend or two. All talked about how the job was not easy and was best to hire a pro. I did. I watched him come into my house and replace the valve in a matter of minutes and never broke a sweat. It looked so simple until I realized he had done this 100’s of times and was an expert with his tools. Don’t be afraid to practice those things that are hard to you now…they will get easier as you get more proficient.
This is an interesting statement. Our first instinct is to shy away from something that is different from the norm. We even criticize those who have the courage to try, but then we see them start to experience some success and want to emulate them. Be willing to look at what others are trying to do before you look at them as dumb.
We have nicknamed ourselves a one-mistake Air Force. However, we all know many people who have made serious mistakes and are still chugging along. The “one-mistake” refers to those egregious acts that show a deliberate decision to break the law. We all make mistakes…it is ok to mess up. We need to learn from them and move on. Just like Jenny taught us in yesterday’s article…it is up to us to change the culture.
If you are reading this, you are probably someone interested in bettering yourself. For many years, I would not discuss or share things I had learned with others. I didn’t want those I was leading to know I needed help being a leader. Once I became secure enough to admit I didn’t know it all, others felt secure enough to admit it to.
Couldn’t agree more. I wish I knew why success did not come easier. Why can’t there be an actual get rich scheme or get a six pack in a week plan? I don’t know why the best things in life require the most effort, but I do know that they do take work. Stop wishing you would have started 10 years ago and start today. You will be happy you did in 2029.
I love this thought. We can’t control most of what happens to us, but we have complete control over how we react to it. When someone throws a branch in our way, we choose what happens next. Are we going to stumble over it, jump over it, move it for those coming behind or go around? You have the power to choose.
Think about all of the times you have failed. I know all of my failures have taught me two things. First of all, everything is going to be ok as I have survived each failure. Secondly, I have learned from my failures what not to do next time. Some failures have been bigger than others, but each scar of failure is a reminder of a career and life where I took chances and grew.
