#Beingaleader means you need to learn to compliment others. Compliments that focus on success. Compliments that are frequent. And ones that are done intentionally. #Beingaleader means that your compliments should focus on success. The success of your team member or your child. Everyone seems to receive an abundance of negative feedback whether intentional or unintentional. … Continue reading Compliment
Challenge
#Beingaleader means you have to challenge your team. To see things they can't see. To achieve more than they think possible. To help them win when it seems impossible. #Beingaleader means you need to challenge your team to see things they can't see. You are the one seeing the vision. Oftentimes you can challenge your … Continue reading Challenge
Boundaries
#Beingaleader means you need to have boundaries. Boundaries from one area of your life to another. Something that separates out your mind, your energy and/or your time from one activity to another. Something that separates work from family, recreation from projects etc. In the area of work, this has proven to be the hardest thing … Continue reading Boundaries
Friends
One of the downsides to #Beingaleader can be the feeling that you cannot have real friends. We have colleagues. We have followers. But not many friends. Oftentimes, leaders shy away from having friends for some reason or another but it is to their disadvantage to do so. In fact, you need friends more than anyone … Continue reading Friends
Motivate
#Beingaleader means you have to motivate yourself. Again and again. To do the things that need to be done. To do the things you may not want to do. To set yourself on the path to success. There is no easy success. And often it is not flashy. Sort of like raising a child. It's … Continue reading Motivate
Virtual
#Beingaleader in today's world means you have to lead virtually. Zoom. Email. Focused on the task but also building the culture you want. In the cloud. "Seeing" them but not really. Working on the tone of your emails to stop or at least not start, misunderstandings. #Beingaleader means you have to learn to lead virtually. … Continue reading Virtual
Coach
#Beingaleader means you are a coach. Someone who raises others up. Someone who encourages growth. And provides honest feedback. #Beingaleader means you raise others up. To make them reach their heights. Their goals. To make them better for having known you. The goal of @Beingaleader is to make leaders of those on your team. To … Continue reading Coach
Safe
#Beingaleader means you need to make your team feel safe. That sense of trust in your judgment. In the "ok-ness" of making mistakes. And the celebration of success. #Beingaleader means that your team needs to feel safe in your judgment. Do you have a track record of making right decisions? Does your team trust that … Continue reading Safe
Stop
Stop #Beingaleader. Every once in a while to see what impact you are having on others or yourself. Not just to refresh. But to reflect. Am I making a difference? Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? What I was made for?Can you imagine just going to work? Just attending church? Just … Continue reading Stop
Show Up
#Beingaleader means you need to show up. Physically. Emotionally. And for them. #Beingaleader means you need to show up physically. People need to see you. To see what you value. To encourage them to show up as well. To set the standard. Whatever you want to call it, it means that you can't hide for … Continue reading Show Up
Burnout
#Beingaleader means at some point you may come fact to face with the possibility of burnout. Exhausted. At the brink. Not wanting to keep going. Today's topic is not so much about how to deal with burnout once it happens but rather how to avoid burnout in the first place. Today we will focus on … Continue reading Burnout
Pause
#Beingaleader means you need to learn to pause. Pause before you respond. Pause before you react. Pause to allow all the facts to emerge. #Beingaleader means you need to learn to pause before you respond. We live in a culture that seems to require us to have an opinion. About everything. It's not just that … Continue reading Pause
Standards
#Beingaleader means that you need standards. Standards for your team. Standards for others. Standards for your life. A measuring stick for how you act, how they act and what is acceptable in your life. #Beingaleader means that you have standards for your team. Standards they know about and must follow. Whether it's for a product, … Continue reading Standards
Waiting
#Beingaleader means you need to get good at waiting. Waiting on others. Waiting for movement. Waiting for success. But not just waiting in an idle sense. Active waiting is what's called for. Waiting on the results but actively moving towards your goal. #Beingaleader means you need to get good at waiting on others. To complete … Continue reading Waiting
Dare
#Beingaleader means you have to dare. Dare to try. Dare to dream. Dare to be you. #Beingaleader means you have to dare to try. To experiment. To do something new. Regardless of potential for success sometimes you have to just try. It's important to try new angles and new approaches to see if you're able … Continue reading Dare
Restraint
#Beingaleader means you sometimes have to show restraint to your team. Restraint of words. Restraint of emotion. Restraint of self. #Beingaleader means you need to restrain your words. Just because you think it doesn't mean you should say it. Too many words are said out of emotion whether verbally or in an email. Some say … Continue reading Restraint
Control
#Beingaleader does not mean you are in control. Control is an illusion. If you think otherwise, you are probably delusional. And you probably have less control than you think. You can't control your team, your project's outcome or how people react to you. #Beingaleader does not mean you can control your team. You can do … Continue reading Control
New Day
#Beingaleader means you need to take opportunities for starting over. For a new day. Whether it's the beginning of a new project, the start of a new team, or the beginning of a new year. It's fresh. And full of opportunities. What's it like to start with a new canvas? A clean slate? The key … Continue reading New Day
Quickness
#Beingaleader means you need a level of quickness. Quickness of decision-making, of movement, of thought. #Beingaleader means you need to have quickness of decision-making. Life is fast. #Beingaleader only picks up the pace. You cannot afford to agonize over every decision. Analysis paralysis is a real thing. And it is incompatible with #Beingaleader. The more … Continue reading Quickness
Incrementalism
#Beingaleader means you have to learn about incrementalism: taking steps in a direction. For growth, for products and for progress on change. #Beingaleader means you should be taking steps for growth. Oftentimes, small steps. But still heading in the direction you want to go. Don't let impatience take away from evaluating the success you are … Continue reading Incrementalism
Testing
#Beingaleader means that you will go through testing. Physical testing. Testing by pressure. Spiritual testing. #Beingaleader means that you will experience physical testing: about your abilities and stamina. By the very nature of #Beingaleader, you will have your abilities and stamina tested. Are you able to take what you've learned in one circumstance and apply … Continue reading Testing
Loss
#Beingaleader does not make you immune to loss. In some cases, you will experience it deeper and more profoundly than others as you carry the burden not just for yourself but for your team as well whenever there is a loss. A loss of a project. Loss of a team member. Loss of valuation. You … Continue reading Loss
Influence
#Beingaleader means you are a person of influence. Influence is having the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. People are looking for leaders with positive influence, coordinated influence, and impactful influence. #Beingaleader means you need to exert positive influence. Influence can be used both for positive … Continue reading Influence
Remember
#Beingaleader means you need to take time to remember. The good. The bad. Successes. Failures. What worked and what didn't. All are lessons you can learn from for the future. This is blog #100 for me. So I wanted to take a moment and remember almost 2 years of intentional weekly writing with the focus … Continue reading Remember
Adapt
#Beingaleader means you have to adapt. Become adjusted to new conditions. Make changes on the fly. And recognize that while you are adapting to your own new things so too must you adapt to the changes that others are experiencing on your team. #Beingaleader means you have to adjust to new conditions. Things change. All … Continue reading Adapt
Feelings
#Beingaleader means you should not be driven or swayed by feelings. Yours or theirs. Good or bad. Don't let them control you or take you places you do not want to go or that undermine your vision or your destination for your team. #Beingaleader means you shouldn't be driven by your feelings. You are human … Continue reading Feelings
Choices
#Beingaleader means you need to make a lot of choices. Some simple. Some monumental. But each should be done with a similar mindset and criteria. #Beingaleader means you need to make simple choices. These are the ones that seem to fill up the day. Left or right. Up or down. They are simple but they … Continue reading Choices
Family
#Beingaleader means you need to take care of your family with your Time, Money, and Focus. Whether you are the father or the mother or guardian, your family needs to be your top priority. #Beingaleader means you need to take care of your family first. They are your top priority and you need to spend … Continue reading Family
Value
#Beingaleader means you are bringing value to your clients, customers and team. The value of product. The value of time. The value of cost. #Beingaleader means you bring the value of product or process to your clients, customers and team. If your product or process is not continually improving then you are going backwards. You … Continue reading Value
PTO
#Beingaleader means you need to take paid time off (PTO) - vacation, holidays, a break, sabbatical or whatever you might call it. It's important for your longevity and sharpness. I see too many leaders who cannot disconnect. They don't allow for time to rejuvenate or to give themselves time to clear their mind. This will … Continue reading PTO
Unstoppable
#Beingaleader means you are unstoppable. In forward progress. In desire to achieve. In conviction. #Beingaleader means you have unstoppable forward progress. A leader is always moving. You just can't keep them down for long. Maybe two steps back but always three steps forward. Always forward progress. Thinking ahead. Taking steps. Pushing forward. #Beingaleader means you … Continue reading Unstoppable
Remember to Lead you
#Beingaleader means you need to remember to lead you. I started out writing my blog (see https://beingaleader.blog/2019/01/08/leading-you/) on the topic of Leading you. Specifically, I touched on learning from others. You should continue to do so. But you also have to learn from you. Your past experience. Mistakes you've made. Things you got right. Keep … Continue reading Remember to Lead you
Consistent
#Beingaleader means you need to be consistent. Consistent in attitude. Consistent in message. Consistent in approach. #Beingaleader means you need to be consistent in attitude. This may be the hardest one so I start with it. A consistent attitude or countenance even when under stress or other issue will provide a level of confidence that … Continue reading Consistent
Wisdom
#Beingaleader means you need to be growing in wisdom. Wisdom can be defined as applying facts and experience to a new situation with soundness and soberness of mind. It's the application of internalized knowledge and understanding to situations you have not encountered before. I was fortunate to hear a sermon many years ago that was … Continue reading Wisdom
Teacher
#Beingaleader means you are a teacher. People will listen to what you have to say. Follow your example. And strive for things you determine to be important. #Beingaleader means that people will listen to what you have to say. Be careful what you say. Your words should be measured. Congratulatory when earned. Encouraging when needed. … Continue reading Teacher
Peacemaker
#Beingaleader means you need to be a peacemaker. For your team. Within your team. With others. #Beingaleader means you need to be a peacemaker for your team. If there is someone who needs to 'take the hit' it should be you as the leader. You should protect your team from all enemies, 'foreign and domestic' … Continue reading Peacemaker
Fulfillment
#Beingaleader means you should find a sense of fulfillment in what you are working on. A sense of satisfaction or happiness in a job well done. That you are accomplishing what you intended to. And you feel good about your trajectory into the future. If you never have a sense of fulfillment then you need … Continue reading Fulfillment
Pain
#Beingaleader means you have to endure pain. Emotional. Mental. From internal and external sources. Pain seems to be part of the job. The more you recognize that fact the better prepared you will be to handle it when it happens. Emotional pain is the type of pain that comes from the people who love us … Continue reading Pain
Training You
#Beingaleader means you need to continue to be trained. To get better. To be more focused. Craig Groeschel has said "everyone wins when the leader gets better." Do you believe that? If you don't, then you're reading the wrong blog. I firmly believe we need to get better in our leadership skills/gifting. #Beingaleader means you … Continue reading Training You
Overwhelmed
#Beingaleader means you are often overwhelmed. Sometimes you just feel it. Other times you actually are. Overwhelmed with pressure, deadlines, crises, decisions, finances, and life in general. It is important to understand that you will have times and days like that. Recognize it. Deal with it. #Beingaleader means you sometimes are overwhelmed. Schedules. Demands from … Continue reading Overwhelmed
Bold
#Beingaleader means you need to be bold. Being bold means you take risks, are confident and have courage. #Beingaleader means you take risks. Being bold requires you to see challenges as opportunities, hurdles as stepping stones and obstacles as exercise. Too many say "think outside the box". Instead, I say "blow up the box". Stop … Continue reading Bold
Resilient
#Beingaleader means you need to be resilient. Resilient is defined as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Difficult people. Difficult circumstances. Difficult emotions. #Beingaleader means you have to deal with difficult people. They seem to be everywhere. People you bump into. People on your team. Above you. Below you. We work … Continue reading Resilient
Uncomfortable
#Beingaleader means you are often uncomfortable. Uncomfortable conversations. Uncomfortable meetings. Uncomfortable decisions. Dealing with things most people would rather avoid. And in fact usually do. That's what #Beingaleader often means. Uncomfortable conversations could include facing our fears, helping others do the same, telling someone "no", etc. One of your fears might be these uncomfortable conversations. … Continue reading Uncomfortable
Diversity
#Beingaleader means you need to encourage diversity. Within your team. Within your life. Almost exactly one year ago, I wrote on the topic of "Different Than Me" (https://beingaleader.blog/2019/07/09/different-than-me/) where I focused on the types of advantages that can be had with the inclusion of those who think differently than me. It was not specifically about … Continue reading Diversity
Brevity
Brevity is an important quality in #Beingaleader.
Discord or Discourse
#Beingaleader means you need to make a decision whether you will participate in discord or discourse. Too many leaders make the wrong decision. As a result, they use their influence to sow discord rather than encourage civil discourse. By discord, I mean creating an environment where opinion becomes fact and one's opinion is greater or … Continue reading Discord or Discourse
Impact
#Beingaleader means you have impact. Known and unknown. Close and far reaching. Generational. To me it's sad that we often only hear of the impact someone had on another person's life at the funeral of the first person. Regardless, the impact was there. The person might not have even known that they had that impact … Continue reading Impact
For Such a Time
#Beingaleader means you are in a leadership position for such a time as this. Are you prepared to handle the moment? This is the moment to rise up. To give direction. To lead. To figure out things that others cannot or will not figure out. To move into action while others are paralyzed. You have … Continue reading For Such a Time
Clarity
#Beingaleader means you have to have clarity. Clarity of purpose. Clarity of mind. Clarity of communication. You need all three. Having only clarity of purpose or mind but not of communication makes it very difficult to achieve your goals. Each of us are better at one or two than the other and so we need … Continue reading Clarity
Forgotten
#Beingaleader means that sometimes you feel forgotten. Alone. Left alone. On your own. Even worse: sometimes you actually are forgotten by others. And yet you continue to lead. Continue to pursue the goal. #Beingaleader means you often live there. In that moment when you are working hard, even accomplishing your goals, but nobody notices or … Continue reading Forgotten
Being A Leader 