"You Would Have Been Strong...I Wonder if You Would've Been Just"

I was watching the movie "Gladiator" the other night and the Emperor Marcus Aurelius said this to his daughter as he wondered aloud what it would be like if society would allow her to become emperor...

"You would have been strong...I wonder if you would've been just."

I perfect question for any leader.

See...it's so easy to wield the power you have as a leader.  You can bark orders and folks will follow.  You can rule with a strong hand, with hard discipline and people will follow.

For a short time...

It won't last and you won't have peace - just like the poor emperors of the past - someone will always be looking to knock you off...to stage a coup...

Now I don't think it will be as serious as the failed emperors of the past but you will lose control of your operation.  The culture will turn sour and the goals, budgets, sales, expectations will not be met. You will not have anything left to lead.

It is so easy to "write-up" your associates.  And you may believe you have every right to do so.  An associate violates a policy, procedure or something in the handbook so the thing to do is to write the associate up to document the violation.  You cover the write up with the associate and you have done your job as the leader. Move on.

Nope!

That's lazy management - not strong leadership and certainly not just leadership.

I often coach our new leaders about this lazy management.  It is easier in the short term but it is not better.  Sure, it's difficult and takes more time to teach, train, coach and develop your team to success.  It is harder to create the culture that allows for success to happen.

But that is what strong and just leaders do

They take the time to make sure their team has everything they need to be successful.

When you are a strong and just leader you will be the leader that gains followers, that creates that culture that allows for success to happen.  Your team will not be afraid to do the things that lead towards achievement because they will know they have support from leadership. They will know that mistakes are a way to learn...not a way to get punished.

Everyone wants a strong leader...everyone wants a just leader.

A real leader is both...just as the movie Marcus Aurelius suggested...

Being Naked!

Did the title get your attention?

Being Naked!

I hate to disappoint you but there will be no nudity in this post.  So sorry.

The "naked" I am referring to is...

Transparency or Being Transparent

"Having thoughts, feelings or motives that are easily perceived

or

open to public scrutiny"

That's how dictionary.com defines transparent.  I aslo define it as

Being Naked

Be open to the people around you.  Be open in your business with your partners, associates, and employees.  Things just work better with transparency.  The more your team knows about what is happening the more they will be invested.  Your folks want to know what is going on.  They want to be a part of what is going on and they want to help with all the things going on.

Some businesses keep everything under wraps.  They keep everything clothed in darkness and then they wonder why their team doesn't engage in the business.

Take off those dark clothes...become more transparent and enjoy...

Being Naked

Energizer In Chief

I was just reviewing things on my computer and ran across my old blog - Energizer in Chief!    Not too many posts there but I enjoyed reading it...it's like catching up with a friend.

Take a look...if you're curious...and everyone should be curious about things and life...it makes it more exciting 😀

http://energizerinchief.blogspot.com

What if...

"What if..."

This is what the Kratt Brothers say right before they are transported into the cartoon world on their PBS Kids Show "Wild Kratts".  My five-year old, Eleni loves this show and I do too!  It teaches about the animal world and it is interesting to see how much of the information Eleni retains and I think it's due to the combination of live action and animated story.  She sees real animals but also gets to see a action pack animated feature.

"What if..." 

The brothers say this as an excited, anticipatory question. Not one of regret as many of us do.  

What if...we jump into the world of a honey badger.

What if...we live like a komodo dragon does.

What if...we swim with a sea lion.

What will we learn?

So...

What if...

We did the same thing?

What if...

We asked the "What if...?" question more often?  Where would that get us?  Would we be able to look at issues and/or opportunities in a different way?  Would we take the plunge, as the Kratt Brothers do, into a wonderful world of possibilities.

What if...

Gratitude

As I sit here it is between Christmas and New Years...a time where many of us reflect on the year and our lives.  I am no different.

However, I am not reflecting on things I want, desire or wish I had.  I am reflecting on all the wonderful things I do have - a great wife, beautiful children who make me laugh everyday, extended family who love me and I them, fantastic friends, good job and nice home.

And so much more...

We often do not think of these things that bring so much richness to our lives as we search for other things we yet have.  That's a little bit sad.  By not thinking of the great, wonderful things we have - no matter how small - we are missing out on a peaceful life.

Running water - I am so grateful for this.  Can you imagine being one of the millions around the globe who must walk miles to get water - and it may not even be fresh water?  I am so grateful that all I have to do is to walk to a faucet, turn it and instantly I have either cold or hot water - my choice!

Laughter - I am grateful that I have so much laughter in my life.  Many cannot say this and many can't actually hear it if it is happening around them.  Oh...what a tragedy.

My wife and family - I am blessed.  A wife that is beautiful inside and out and three wonderful daughters.  I also have many brothers and sisters - and we all get along.  Not everyone can say that.  There is little to no strife in my household - I am very grateful.

There are many things each day to be grateful for - shoot just waking up is something - Although I understand that some individuals wish they didn't wake up this morning.  We all should get into a habit of listing three things we are grateful for each day.  They can be big philosophical things like finding a relationship with our creator or something seemingly small like the wonderful taste of a Butterfinger candy bar.  Both bring joy to one's life...

Recognizing things to be grateful for brings peace to your life - at least it does mine.  It makes me a better father, husband, leader...person.

Try it...write down at least one thing if you can't list three things each day that you are grateful for.  Keep it in a journal, notebook, on your phone...somewhere you can go back and review occasionally.

It will change your heart...

Dance (work) like no one's watching

I actually typed the title to this post over a year ago and then stepped away from it.  As I signed back into my account I saw this and realized I never wrote anything but the title.

Weird

But ok

I am assuming I typed the title so that I would remember to write on it.  "Duh"...as my daughter would say.  Why else would I type it!?  😀

Everyone knows the quote...

"Dance like Nobody's Watching."

But...

"Work like Nobody's Watching"?

Not something you hear everyday.  And what does it actually mean...when you work don't you want people to notice...to be watching.

Yes...but...

By working like no one is watching you are able to work uninhibited...you don't mask you energy and positivity...you take risks that you wouldn't otherwise.

You have fun!

And all of this allows you to perform at a higher level than you would if you are looking over your shoulder...wondering what people are thinking.

YOU DON"T CARE WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING

People will then start to recognize what you are bringing to the business and help you move ahead further - if that is what you want.

So go dance...even at work (especially at work!)

(In the back of my mind I think I have read a book on this subject in the past - perhaps that is why I typed the title a year ago.  I would love to credit the source but I couldn't find the book...even on google.  If I do...I will come back and give credit.)

5 Frogs

5 frogs are sitting on a log. 4 decide to jump off. How many are left?

Answer: 5.

Why?

Because deciding and doing are not the same thing.

I saw this on twitter the other day - Nicky Gumbel's page - and thought it was actually very profound.

What do you think?