Posts Tagged ‘inspire’

Wednesday Wellness: Change is Life

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Have you ever unexpectedly had life hit you upside the head and all of a sudden, everything has changed? Quite possibly, a change which you didn’t see coming, a change you didn’t want, expect and were quite upset about?

When this happens, we (most of us, but not all of us) dwell in a state of unacceptance and frustration. All we want is what we had, the way it used to be. We look back at “before” and everything seemed perfect once we look in a review mirror of what we no longer have. Isn’t it funny how life works that way?

Have you ever thought there’s actually a boring aspect of a life that never changes? We wouldn’t grow, get inspired, inspire others, reach new potentials, and learn.

I realize not every change is good, however if you look for it, even the worst change can bring you new perspectives to help you become more brilliant. The key, of course, is to seek it out and be open to what is ahead instead of what is behind us.

Whatever might ring true to you, look at a change you are either going through or recently went through, and shift your perspective and see what change can bring you instead of what you have left behind.


Thursday Thoughts: Leaders Inspire

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“Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must yourself believe.”
                                                                                                             -Winston Churchill
 
The ability to inspire people to reach new heights is a strong attribute that top-notch leaders possess. Passion and purpose, along with solid listening skills, are characteristics that lead to inspiration. Communicating that passion, purpose and meaning is what helps to establish an organization’s culture.
 
Success in inspiring people requires trust, vision and care. Employees must trust their leader, see a clear vision for the company to move forward and a plan for getting everyone there.
 
That trust is critical. People are not willing to recognize someone as their leader unless they trust them, not just intellectually, but ethically and morally as well. Likewise, people won’t follow someone unless they’re convinced that person knows where they’re going.
 
Inspiration requires a leader to show by example rather than telling others to be inspired. Here are five ways to instill trust and inspiration in others:
 

  • Include others. People need to feel closely connected to the actions and process that lead to decisions and the accomplishment of goals.
  • Feel passion and share it. The inspirational leader is passionate about the vision and mission of the organization. This leader is able to share that passion in a way that spreads it to others.
  • Possess genuine integrity: Integrity inspires others to follow.
  • Listen. When others feel you are listening to their opinions and needs, they will be inspired to work with you.
  • Provide solutions. An inspirational leader gives people what they want within his or her capabilities.

So, you might ask, how can you become an inspirational leader?
 
Realize that inspirational leadership is a fundamental shift in your state of mind. Understand how important personal appreciation and recognition is to maintaining a motivated workforce. Once your team has an inspirational vision, involve everyone in how you will achieve this picture of success.
 
You can build a personal brand identity as an inspirational leader by embracing the mindset that you will be the one who brings out the best in your people.
 
Choose to be an inspirational leader today and convert work into purpose.


Thursday Thoughts: Leadership Requires Sacrifice

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Next Monday is Memorial Day. Most of us will celebrate at backyard barbeques, in the company of friends and family, enjoying the fruits of our hard work.

But what are we celebrating?

We are celebrating – indeed, we are honoring – the courage of those who do what must be done, who bear the load for others so that they may be free to live their lives.

On Memorial Day we bear witness to the leadership demonstrated by the members of the armed forces – those who sacrifice so we don’t have to.

General Norman Schwarzkopf, who led America’s combat forces to victory in the first Gulf War, understands this sacrifice that comes with leadership.

In a speech about leadership to several hundred real estate executives assembled for a conference he posed the question, “Why do the troops go? Why do their families let them go?

His answer: They go because their country asks them to.

Schwarzkopf continued, “As I speak to you right now, somewhere in this great nation, servicemen and women are saying goodbye to their families as they go off to war. I know what it’s like. Think of the anxiety of a family that is saying goodbye to a loved one with absolutely no idea when they will see them again or worse yet if they will ever see them again alive.”

The general defines leadership as the ability to inspire people to willingly do that which they wouldn’t ordinarily do. He distinguishes managers from leaders: whereas managers oversee processes, systems or equipment, leaders lead people who have their own dreams and ambitions.

Sounding like a preacher delivering a Sunday morning sermon, Schwarzkopf emphatically stated: “Leadership involves a sense of duty. Leadership involves a value system. Leadership involves ethics. Leadership certainly involves integrity.”

So, as you enjoy our American freedoms this Memorial Day, join me in reflecting on the model of sacrifice and leadership embodied in the men and women of our Armed Forces.

Think, too, how you might apply that model to inspire others around you to higher ideals – those places they might not otherwise go.


Wednesday Wellness: Getting to the Top is Optional, Getting Down is Mandatory!

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Recently I read the book, No Shortcuts to the Top, by Ed Viesturs, one of a handful of humans to climb the highest 14 peaks above 8,000 meters (approximately 29,000 feet) and he did it without the use of oxygen tanks.  Currently, he’s a world renowned motivational speaker.  I love to backpack, however I have never been a Mountaineer!  I was memorized!  No, I have NO desire to climb Mt. Everest (ok, maybe to base camp!) however reading his biography of what he and others have endured was quite inspiring!

He was there during the Everest tragedy several years ago, and has witnessed several deaths.  Yet, throughout his quest, he had a motto which he feels kept him alive “Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory!

He always trusted his gut and never let the excitement of reaching the peak override his sensibility and safety.

Through this 18 year journey, he finally completed the 14th peak, Annapurna (which he had attempted a few time prior during this vigil).  Once he completed his lifetime dream, he questioned what was next.  He had reached his summit so to speak.  He always had a “peak” to achieve and at the time of accomplishment…he no longer had a summit…a goal, a purpose or a lifelong quest!

This got me thinking as to what my summit was (or is).  I always have goals, challenges, monthly routines…but it has been a while since I have set my eyes on a true summit and started the long arduous yet rewarding climb to the top!

We get in to our day to day mindset, day after day year after year and rather than reaching the top of a mountain, we traverse, back and forth, sometimes up a little, sometimes down.  Life, however is a journey as they say, not a destination, but what if during that journey we created a quest that we are always able to keep our sights on even when the mountain seems too stormy to climb?

I challenge you this week, as I challenge myself, to create your own summit to keep your eyes on during life’s daunting moments.  Search out the right route, the one which will get you there with safety (I didn’t say ease) but also the route which will get you back down the mountain…because that is mandatory!