For many of us, we collapse these two concepts. Not by our own fault, but by our training. Most days, our bosses and colleauges are expecting us to “better manage” the processes and outcomes of our jobs. Frequently when we get advice on how to manage, it’s about controlling, driving or measuring more. No wonder we struggle to lead.
Leadership isn’t about controlling, driving or measuring. It’s about courage, inspiration, intimacy and service. It’s about setting situations and people free to do their own work – even inside the walls of corporations.
Want to learn more about the difference between management and leadership? Join me tomorrow, July 23rd at 11:30am for “Fundraising 3.0 – Stop managing and start producing results” hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit. Learn more by watching the video and clicking here for reservation details.
Life and work, at times, feel like an uphill struggle. We constantly second-guess our careers, our roles, our projects, our life, our relationships and … and … and…
I do it too. Maybe more than anyone else.
The thing is, where does it get us? Not very far, although I keep trying to prove that theory wrong.
A recent email from an out-of-work IT professional sparked some thoughts on how to make life / business a bit less of an uphill climb:
Consider there is no such thing as perfection. Perfection is an invented conversation whose only purpose is to keep us confused and disengaged from pursuing what we really want. It’s sneaky too as many people say “But I’m not trying to be perfect.” If you’re experiencing frustration about where you are in life, you are engaging in some type of “perfection-seeking”. So, stop looking / striving for it.
Stop pursuing what you think is the “right” career path (the one everyone else tells you to follow) and start pursuing what you’re heart is telling you.
Make time daily for prayer and reflection. If all you do is spend 10 minutes per day in silence, your world will change for the better almost overnight.
Cancel all of the following as of today: a) Newspaper / magazine subscriptions, and b) Cable/satellite TV
Stop watching, listening or researching the news – period. The media is poisonous and it’s 100% deadly when you’re down. There is nothing important about the news. If there is, it will find you without you seeking it.
Find a book club, professional group or recreational group to hang out with. Make sure the folks are in it for the activity and to support one another.
If unemployed, stop hanging around unemployed people. They are almost as poisonous as the media and are likely not in a position to hire you.
Sigmund Freud has a brilliant quote, “What you resist, persists.” All the ways you’re trying to “fix” yourself will only make you more broken. Fixing is the easiest way to resist what we don’t like about ourselves, but will result only in the persistence of our perceived brokenness.
How do you find what will work for you as a career? In my case, I followed my heart and said “f-you” to all the folks who said I was nuts or wrong. Not a very “coach-like” method, but it initially got me into a career I love.
Don’t stop when it gets tough. If it’s getting tough, it means you’re almost at the point of breakthrough. Seth Godin wrote a brilliant book called “The Dip”. He explains this thought in detail. Read it.
Regardless of how steep life’s hill is, I realize I have a daily choice: a) allow my circumstances and stories to kick me to the curb, or b) go make a difference for someone. Which should I choose?
A plug for two guys who make a world of difference in Detroit…Charlie Wollborg and Terry Bean:
If you’re interested in hearing more than 25 top-notch, local experts unload powerful ideas and insight into business, success and passion, you’ll want to attend Motor City Connect’s Third Annual Birthday Bash this Friday from 1pm to 5pm at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois, Troy, MI 48083.
Goal #144 – “Ask my partner to give three hours of his/her time per week, to release me to do something I really enjoy.” ~ Thomas Leonard, www.thomasleonard.com
Can you imagine that?
Most of us can’t. Time is just too scarce. Just too valuable. Plus, we’re the only ones who can do what we do.
What a crazy trap we set for ourselves. Much of it is based in ego; the rest based in the concept that suffering under current circumstances is still more comfortable than changing them.
So why not ask your partner, friend, spouse or colleague to give three hours of his/her time this week. Sure it might seem a bit uncomfortable, but imagine what those three hours will be like if you’re doing something you really, really want to do.
If you’re really saavy, you might just consider spending those three hours developing even more awareness and breakthroughs around time – check out our Time Leadership Workshop on February 25th.
How frequently do we want to fit in? Isn’t that the lifeblood of most all communities? So what could Seth Godin mean?
Perhaps leadership is what he’s inviting us to consider.
Leadership means:
Being different when all others want you to be just like them
Being outrageous when all others want to be safe
Being loud when all others want to be quiet
Being creative when all others choose to react
Being responsible when all others prefer the familiarity of victimization
Being on the margin when all others race for the middle
Communities, businesses, families and organizations require us to join them so they can thrive. But joining them doesn’t have to mean subscribing to “sheepdom”. Be willing to bring your crazy ideas, your over-the-top energy, your unrelenting pursuit of integrity, and your quest for excellence.
Leadership Practices:
Notice where you complain and don’t act in your business, family or community
Make a list of 20 things you’d like to change in your business or life
Starting today, make one of those changes – then make one change per day for the next 20 days
Practice asking “For what?” about and in all meetings and conversations – (Is the meeting and conversation truly in service to what you’re trying to create?)
Practice embracing and having compassion for criticism, upset and funny looks – avoiding those means you’ve moved to the middle
Make a list of your three favorite leaders and ask “What status quo are they unwilling to join?”
A bumper sticker on a neighbor’s car reads, “Women who behave will never make history.”
Goal #144 – “Ask my partner to give three hours of his/her time per week, to release me to do something I really enjoy.” ~ Thomas Leonard, 
