In a previous issue of Leadership Notes we began a discussion of courage as it relates to Leadership. Certainly anyone who bears the responsibility of leadership is well aware of the reality of the requirement that courage must be an integral component of one’s wiring harness.
As a quick summary, there are at least three times when courage is particularly essential:
Guest Blog: by Karissa Meador, Stronger Families Minute
Sometimes when the opportunity for change presents itself in our lives, the mere thought can feel overwhelming.
In the continuing pursuit of achieving a worthy objective in 2013, we have outlined several practical steps: select "one-thing" as the primary learning objective for the year, break it up into 4 segments consisting of 90-days each, and take each segment as an intermediate objective, and then ask a friend to hold us accountable for each objective along the way.
In the continuing pursuit of achieving a worthy and yet focused, objective in 2013, in other words, the "one-thing" we have selected as our primary learning objective for the year, we have agreed that it is most effective to break it up into 4 segments. Then, taking each one as an intermediate objective, seek to accomplish each of them on a quarterly basis, resulting in a successful year of reaching the intended goal.
We could stop there and many people would be successful in achieving their goal for the year.
Last week I proposed an idea for the coming year. More precisely, I proposed a challenge by asking, "What if each of us each set one new goal for 2013 ?"
In determining the one-thing, I suggested we would do well to, "Make it simple, doable, delightful, compelling. Focused. A Concentrated effort. Write it down. And then do it. This is a practical way that each of us can advance the ball in our lives or careers. Not on lots of things. Just one thing."
Several years ago I wrote an article for a CEO publication on the power of focused effort, emphasizing the difference between a laser beam and a 100-watt incandescent light bulb. The illustration capitalized on the example of concentrated light, as contrasted with light that is entirely diffused: whereas the laser is a beam of refracted light that is highly focused (concentrated), the other is an omnidirectional incandescent bulb that is designed to "not miss anything" in its limited effective range.
The Founding Fathers had a clear vision. And it is reflected in the most basic documents that frame this nation.
Every life has value. Your Life. My life. The lives of those we know. And those we don’t know. This truth has become particularly poignant in light of the tragedy last week in Connecticut.
We have been reminded that each life has rock-in-the-pond-potential - and will impact others: For good. Or for not-so-good. Or, unfortunately in some cases, for evil.
Potential, yes. Choices, yes. Impact, absolutely.
This past week I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting and hearing from New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas while attending a leadership conference sponsored by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and the Stewardship Foundation. As the foundation of his presentation, author Eric addressed the person at the center of his latest biography: German pastor, leader, and ultimately spy, Dietrich Bonheoffer.
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. (Albert Schweitzer)
Psychology Today recently wrote an article entitled, “The Benefits of Gratitude.” Quoting from it we read,
I have sought to keep these emails very short because you as a leader are very busy.
Today I am making an exception. I am sharing with you that I personally believe will be entirely worth the 17 minutes it will take you to watch this video. It is a recording of a "TED Talk" by Simon Sinek. ("TED" - Technology Entertainment and Design - is a global set of conferences curated by the American private non-profit Sapling Foundation).
