No, I haven't forgotten the question I raised in my last post about how you make a leader. But, before I get to my own answers there, I just wanted to share some humor with you.
Signs from England
Sign in a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT
Sign in a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS
In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN
Outside a farm:
HORSE MANURE 50p PER PRE-PACKED BAG 20p DO-IT-YOURSELF
In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD
On a church door:
THIS IS THE GATE OF HEAVEN. ENTER YE ALL BY THIS DOOR. (THIS DOOR IS KEPT LOCKED BECAUSE OF THE DRAFT. PLEASE USE SIDE DOOR.)
English sign in a German cafe:
MOTHERS, PLEASE WASH YOUR HANS BEFORE EATING
Outside a second-hand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Sign outside a new town hall that was to be opened by the Prince of Wales:
THE TOWN HALL IS CLOSED UNTIL OPENING. IT WILL REMAIN CLOSED AFTER BEING OPENED. OPEN TOMORROW.
Outside a photographer's studio:
OUT TO LUNCH: IF NOT BACK BY FIVE, OUT FOR DINNER ALSO
Outside a disco:
SMARTS IS THE MOST EXCLUSIVE DISCO IN TOWN. EVERYONE WELCOME
Sign warning of quicksand:
QUICKSAND. ANY PERSON PASSING THIS POINT WILL BE DROWNED. BY ORDER OF THE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Notice sent to residents of a Whiltshire parish:
DUE TO INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH LETTER LOUTS AND VANDALS WE MUST ASK ANYONE WITH RELATIVES BURIED IN THE GRAVEYARD TO DO THEIR BEST TO KEEP THEM IN ORDER
Notice in a dry cleaner's window:
ANYONE LEAVING THEIR GARMENTS HERE FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS WILL BE DISPOSED OF
Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
Spotted in a safari park:
ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR
Notice in a field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES
Sign on a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
Spotted in a toilet in a London office block:
TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW
Sign in a Japanese hotel:
SPORTS JACKETS MAY BE WORN BUT NO TROUSERS
Sign in Egyptian hotel:
IF YOU REQUIRE ROOM SERVICE, PLEASE OPEN DOOR AND SHOUT, "ROOM SERVICE!"
It's good to laugh, isn't it?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
How do you make a leader?
A good friend and I had an interesting discussion a while back. We were talking about the age-old argument of whether leaders are born or made. I jokingly said that I've yet to see a leader who wasn't born and he, in a similarly joking tone, said he'd never seen a leader who wasn't made.
Joking aside, we started kicking around the idea that if leadership can be developed, then there is certainly a process that can be defined for doing it.
And, I'm curious about that process. I wonder what you might think that process looks like. Now be careful as you consider an answer. I'm not just talking about a listing of skills, abilities, practices, or even principles that effective leaders have or follow. I'm not talking about character traits or personality types. I'm not even talking about leadership styles or methods of communication.
All of those are well and good, but they don't tell us how leaders develop. How do you take someone who would be defined as a "non-leader" and put them through some "mystical process" so then they would be defined as a leader? What is that "mystical process?"
I've got a few thoughts on the matter, but would be deeply interested in your opinions. Please, share!
Joking aside, we started kicking around the idea that if leadership can be developed, then there is certainly a process that can be defined for doing it.
And, I'm curious about that process. I wonder what you might think that process looks like. Now be careful as you consider an answer. I'm not just talking about a listing of skills, abilities, practices, or even principles that effective leaders have or follow. I'm not talking about character traits or personality types. I'm not even talking about leadership styles or methods of communication.
All of those are well and good, but they don't tell us how leaders develop. How do you take someone who would be defined as a "non-leader" and put them through some "mystical process" so then they would be defined as a leader? What is that "mystical process?"
I've got a few thoughts on the matter, but would be deeply interested in your opinions. Please, share!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Passion, Desire, Leadership
What's the one key you need to be successful as a leader?
Is it effective goal setting? The right vision? The right knowledge? Wisdom? Experience?
What truly makes one leader more successful than another?
Jeffrey Gitomer, a well-known sales trainer and motivational speaker, recently wrote in his nationally syndicated column that it's all about intention. What you intend to do is what you'll really do, goals notwithstanding.
As a leader, what you intend to do is what you'll really do. Nothing else matters.
What you desire is what you will seek, work for, and achieve.
Here's another way to think about it: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing you will be successful." (Albert Schweitzer)
What makes you happiest? When you're truly happy, what are you doing?
I had the experience of spending a little time with a good friend a number of years ago. He was struggling with what to do with his life. He had just graduated with a college degree in a field he had no interest pursuing. He really didn't know what to do.
He came to me for help. Not really knowing truly how to help him, I simply asked, "If you had all the money you needed, all the basic physiological needs covered, and no other worries in the world to concern yourself with, what would you do?"
He thought for a few minutes and then said, "I'd do genealogy. I love searching for my ancestors. I get a thrill every time I just think about it." He went on for several minutes. Without prompting. He just talked, babbled almost. He was on the verge of being giddy, even. It was exciting to see the fire come alive in his eyes.
That was his passion. I didn't have the words then to describe what happened in those few minutes with my friend. But, I saw it come alive in him. It was passion.
How deep is your passion? It's about passion. I'm not talking about the kind of passion you generate just to get enthusiastic about the work so others will be excited about the work, too. I'm not talking about creating some false excitement around the ugly tasks, just so people get motivated.
I'm talking about the passion that runs deep, the intense emotional desire.
Let me share with you one last source for a bit more information regarding this subject. It comes from Jack Zufelt, who's on a mission to help 100 million people before he dies (and he's in his mid-50's now!). He wrote about these concepts of passion, desire, and desire in his work, "The DNA of Success."
Would you take a moment and check out what he has to say about the importance of Core Desires? Then, let me know what you think.
http://tinyurl.com/ylc2d3
Here's to Your Leadership Success!
Michael
Is it effective goal setting? The right vision? The right knowledge? Wisdom? Experience?
What truly makes one leader more successful than another?
Jeffrey Gitomer, a well-known sales trainer and motivational speaker, recently wrote in his nationally syndicated column that it's all about intention. What you intend to do is what you'll really do, goals notwithstanding.
As a leader, what you intend to do is what you'll really do. Nothing else matters.
What you desire is what you will seek, work for, and achieve.
Here's another way to think about it: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing you will be successful." (Albert Schweitzer)
What makes you happiest? When you're truly happy, what are you doing?
I had the experience of spending a little time with a good friend a number of years ago. He was struggling with what to do with his life. He had just graduated with a college degree in a field he had no interest pursuing. He really didn't know what to do.
He came to me for help. Not really knowing truly how to help him, I simply asked, "If you had all the money you needed, all the basic physiological needs covered, and no other worries in the world to concern yourself with, what would you do?"
He thought for a few minutes and then said, "I'd do genealogy. I love searching for my ancestors. I get a thrill every time I just think about it." He went on for several minutes. Without prompting. He just talked, babbled almost. He was on the verge of being giddy, even. It was exciting to see the fire come alive in his eyes.
That was his passion. I didn't have the words then to describe what happened in those few minutes with my friend. But, I saw it come alive in him. It was passion.
How deep is your passion? It's about passion. I'm not talking about the kind of passion you generate just to get enthusiastic about the work so others will be excited about the work, too. I'm not talking about creating some false excitement around the ugly tasks, just so people get motivated.
I'm talking about the passion that runs deep, the intense emotional desire.
Let me share with you one last source for a bit more information regarding this subject. It comes from Jack Zufelt, who's on a mission to help 100 million people before he dies (and he's in his mid-50's now!). He wrote about these concepts of passion, desire, and desire in his work, "The DNA of Success."
Would you take a moment and check out what he has to say about the importance of Core Desires? Then, let me know what you think.
http://tinyurl.com/ylc2d3
Here's to Your Leadership Success!
Michael
Saturday, January 6, 2007
It's Just the Beginning
Well, I'm finally breaking into the world of Blogs. In the process of focusing my attention on the personal and professional passion of my life, I decided a blog would be a nice addition.
You see, I love leadership. Leadership spans across every industry, every field of endeavor, every aspect of humanity. Leadeship is needed. People long for leadership excellence even when they don't know that's what they are missing.
Management is not leadership. But management benefits from leadership. Effective managers often become effective leaders. Though it is possible that someone may be an effective manager and not ever become an effective leader.
Leadership is not management. And leadership doesn't usually benefit from management. Effective leaders are not required to become effective managers. Sure, an effective leader may become an effective manager, but it's not a common occurrence.
How can these two concepts be? Managers manage things, projects, processes. Leaders lead people. The skill sets required for both may overlap at times, but they'll also be completely different.
Fo me - I enjoy studying leadership. I enjoy discussing leadership. I enjoy teaching leadership.
So, obviously, this blog is about leadership.
I welcome your thoughts.
You see, I love leadership. Leadership spans across every industry, every field of endeavor, every aspect of humanity. Leadeship is needed. People long for leadership excellence even when they don't know that's what they are missing.
Management is not leadership. But management benefits from leadership. Effective managers often become effective leaders. Though it is possible that someone may be an effective manager and not ever become an effective leader.
Leadership is not management. And leadership doesn't usually benefit from management. Effective leaders are not required to become effective managers. Sure, an effective leader may become an effective manager, but it's not a common occurrence.
How can these two concepts be? Managers manage things, projects, processes. Leaders lead people. The skill sets required for both may overlap at times, but they'll also be completely different.
Fo me - I enjoy studying leadership. I enjoy discussing leadership. I enjoy teaching leadership.
So, obviously, this blog is about leadership.
I welcome your thoughts.
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