Why Are you Followed?

Last weekend my wife and I enjoyed the classic, “White Christmas” with friends at a local theater. The musical was written well after the movie version, which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. As you know, the plot has its twist and turns as a Christmas performance is planned to help save and old Army General’s Inn.

Crosby and Kaye enlist the help of their old army division to attend the show and lend financial and moral support to their leader and friend, General Waverly. What struck me, besides the beauty of the song “White Christmas”, was another song that was sung by the entire ensemble of men summoned to help their General…”We’ll Follow The Old Man.”

Imagine a group of soldiers gathered around, singing about their leader, who they entrust their lives to “follow the old man wherever he wants to go…we’ll stay with the old man wherever he wants to stay…because we LOVE HIM…we love him…”

Sometimes in leadership we concentrate too much on the bottom line and forget that the business we’re ALL in is a PEOPLE business. This holiday season take some time to pay attention to the people you serve, to the people who rely on you, the decisions you make, and the direction you’re taking them… and imagine…what would they sing about you????

Be good to yourself…

How Do YOU Brighten A Room?

I gather my inspiration for” Krause’s Quips” from the most unusual places at times. The quote below is such an example. I saw it on the back of a semi rolling down the highway during my Thanksgiving travels. The quote read… 

Everyone brightens up a room… 

Some by coming in… 

Others by going out… 

So my friends, consider, what the reaction is of those you lead when you enter and when you exit their room or office…and your evidence?  

Be good to yourself… 

Can't See The Forest For The Trees? Take A Hike!

How many times have you made things worse only by trying to make them better? I was reminded of this phenomenon as I was painting my bathroom recently.  The harder I tried to perfectly edge between the ceiling and the wall the worse I made things.  Rather than listening to common sense, which was SCREAMING, “WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW, YOU’LL HAVE MUCH BETTER LIGHT…YOU’RE TIRED AND ARE NOT SEEING THINGS WELL!” I let my ego dictate my direction and ultimate frustration.

As leaders we often find ourselves in similar situations where we believe our sheer determination in making something better, will simply happen as though we can will it to happen. We continue to push on as our desire to finish a task, to cross something off our “to-do list” propels us even though we see the signs that things are NOT getting better.  Our passion, pride, or ego simply get in the way of doing what it is we want to do in the first place…to do our job well.

There’s an old adage, “can’t see the forest for the trees” that reminds us that when we find ourselves in the thick of things, sometimes it’s better to remove ourselves to get a fresh look and a new perspective on the situation.

My bathroom you ask? It’s amazing what rest and new light on a problem brings.

Be good to yourself…

How Long Does Your Gratitude Last?

By the time you read this, the smell of turkey, the recent conversations and laughter with friends and family, along with your reflections of gratitude are becoming your most recent of memories. Thanksgiving has a way of making us feel “full”.  Certainly it fills us with great food, but it has a way of filling us with joy and hope as we take time to count our untold blessings. It allows us the time to appreciate our loved ones, our communities, our workplace, and helps us re-prioritize what it is that matters the most in our lives.

Sadly, too many times Thanksgiving is much like that great conference we attend during the year. We reflect, become rejuvenated with new aspirations, only to slide back into our same routine in the weeks that follow. 

Recently, I came across a post in ContantLeadership that compiled 10 quotes revolving around the importance of gratitude throughout the year from various sources across the web.  The intent was for the reader to consider living a life of gratitude to aid in our quest to become better leaders, spouses, parents, colleagues and friends to the people who most matter in our lives. 

“For something to change in your life, one of two things has to happen: your life changes, or you do.” 

This post from Entrepreneur Magazine acts as a rallying call-to-action to adopt a “practice of gratitude” throughout the year. The author argues that changing our attitude to focus on the positive can transport us from a mindset of victimhood to a mindset of action, especially in the face of adversity. 

“I found myself losing the ‘me’ perspective and gaining a ‘we’ perspective.”

In this uplifting piece, Author Jamelle Sanders reflects on the power of gratitude in the wake of a friend’s tragic accident. His ruminations on how gratitude can quiet the ego and manifest success in your life are a much-needed reminder.

“It’s gratitude that draws people together, builds trust, and strengthens ties.”

This compelling post from Michael Hyatt uses research to teach us four tangible ways gratitude can improve our lives; some research presented here even suggests gratitude can not only strengthen, but lengthen, your life!

“If you stick to your practice – even if it’s not ‘heart-felt’ in the beginning – eventually it transforms into true gratitude.”

This post gets tactical with gratitude, providing the reader with seven immediately applicable ways to begin a practice of thanks giving. The author acknowledges it can be difficult to feel thankful in the face of problems and roadblocks — but she provides real-world strategies we can all use to begin authentically giving thanks even when the going gets tough.

“Some people grumble that roses have thorns. I am grateful that thorns have roses.” 

Leadership author Skip Prichard compiles 28 thought-provoking quotes culled from an assortment of great minds — from Cicero to Oprah. A quick read that adds more than a little food for thought to your Thanksgiving table.

“Cultivating gratitude doesn’t cost any money and it certainly doesn’t take much time, but the benefits are enormous.”

While some of the positive effects of gratitude are well documented, a few compiled here may surprise you.  One study cited in this post even suggests gratitude may help you sleep better.

“Gratitude, honor, and recognition are so much deeper and more powerful than just saying thanks.”

Dan Rockwell challenges us to go beyond the words “thank you” to find more robust and heartfelt ways to express our gratitude and honor people’s accomplishments. This is a timely reminder to find as many ways as possible to express appreciation.

“Few things are more heartwarming than bearing witness to one human being expressing deep gratitude for the profound, course-altering impact another has played in her or his life.” 

Herein lies as elegantly and articulately expressed a ‘thank you’ as you’ll ever read. Although sometimes composing the right message of gratitude can be difficult — Camus (a literary giant), not surprisingly, finds just the right words. It’s a nice homage to mentorship and friendship.

“The benefits of gratitude go far beyond doing something because it’s the ‘right thing’ to do.”

While this post echoes many of the benefits featured in the other posts, we like that it explicitly calls out the need for a nobler reason for expressing gratitude. Eikenberry warns us that if we embark on a practice of giving thanks only because we’re supposed to, or in hopes of a ”quid pro quo,” that our efforts may be dead on arrival.

“We have to constantly remind ourselves to look for ‘what’s right’ in our lives instead of ‘what’s wrong.'”

This quick read reminds us to be diligent in resisting the scarcity mindset that prefers looking for “either,” “or.” Eker emphasizes that being grateful for what you have does not mean you are being complacent — you can be both grateful for what you’ve accomplished today and want to push to be better tomorrow. This post helps to frame gratitude as an abundance mindset.

So my friends…enjoy the sense of “fullness” Thanksgiving brings…being full of gratitude can be a year long celebration for everyone to enjoy…

Be good to yourself…

How Old Are You...REALLY?

Not too long ago my wife and I were discussing when it is that people grow old. After briefly throwing out ages, we began to identify “old people” in their 30’s and 40’s and marveled at some friends who were well into their 70’s who were full of life contributing their talents to those around them.

I’m sure I’m not the first to draw this conclusion, but it seems to me that growing old has nothing to do with the year we were born, but rather what it is we’re capable of dreaming and pursuing.  It appears that when our dreams begin to fade and our vision is clouded and vague that we begin age exponentially.

When I think of great leaders, age never seems to be a factor. It’s their enthusiasm, their inspiration, their vision and dreams that keep them young and vibrant.

Consider this…

Henry Ford was 40 when he founded Ford

Thomas Edison was 45 when he founded GE

Harold Stanley was 50 when he founded Morgan Stanley

Ray Croc was 52 when he founded McDonalds

Charles Flint was 61 when he founded IBM

The Colonel was 62 when he founded KFC

Bifocals were invented by Benjamin Franklin at 73

Over 33% of new businesses are started by “seniors”

My point? As leaders your chronological age is irrelevant…it’s your leadership age, your ability to inspire and motivate that keeps you young, and keeps those around you guessing how old you really are…

Be good to yourself…

Leadership Primer by General Colin Powell

Having celebrated Veteran’s Day this past week, my thoughts revolved around great military leaders and their abilities to lead in the most stressful of situations. One such contemporary leader, General Colin Powell, authored a no-nonsense “Leadership Primer” with the following lessons for us all to consider.

Lesson 1 – “Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”

Lesson 2 – “The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”

Lesson 3 – “Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world.”

Lesson 4 – Don’t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.”

Lesson 5 – “Never neglect details. When everyone’s mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.”

Lesson 6 – “You don’t know what you can get away with until you try.”

Lesson 7 – “Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so just because you might not like what you find.”

Lesson 8 – “Organization doesn’t really accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything either. Theories of management don’t much matter. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the PEOPLE involved. Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds.”

Lesson 9 – “Organizational charts and fancy titles count for next to nothing.”

Lesson 10 – “Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.”

Lesson 11 – “Fit no stereotypes. Don’t chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team’s mission.”

Lesson 12 – “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”

Lesson 13 – “When picking people look for intelligence, judgment, and most critically a capacity to anticipate, to see around the corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego, and the drive to get things done.”

Lesson 14 – “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through the argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.”

Lesson 15 – “Don’t take action if you only have enough information to give you less that a 40% chance of being right, but don’t wait until you have enough facts to be 100% sure, because by then it’s almost always too late.”

Lesson 15 – “The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise.”

Lesson 17 – “Have fun in your command. Don’t always run at breakneck pace. Take a leave when you’ve earned it. Spend time with your family. Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.”

Lesson 18 – “Command is lonely.”

“Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.”

I find it curious that great leadership is great leadership…no matter the industry.

Be good to yourself…

Aspire to Inspire?

Like most of you, I’m a lover of quotes.  One that stands out to me is credited to  John Quincy Adams who said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more; you are a leader.”

Inspire…but how? What traits are exhibited with inspirational leaders? What do they share in common? I’m guessing there are a number of traits that come to mind, but a recent article in Inc. 500 succinctly identified three such characteristics. 

Inspirational leaders EARN trust  - By being transparent,  keeping promises large and small, exhibiting dependability, preparedness and organization; taking responsibility when things go wrong, while praising others when things go well, aids in building trust.

Inspirational leaders show enthusiasm – The article points out that one of the keys to inspiration is pure joy and excitement. My dad would say, “Success BREEDS success.”  Leaders must be the nucleus of spreading positive energy to their followers, which leads us to to the third and final trait trait.

Inspirational leaders insist on an air of optimism – This comment is not intended to sway the reader to believe that inspirational leaders run away from problems.  To the contrary, inspirational leaders attack problems head on looking for positive solutions and opportunities that every challenge brings to the table.

So my friends, what characteristics do you use? What would you add to this list? What have you seen in other great inspirational leaders? Let me know…in the meantime…

Be good to yourself…

BOO-HUMBUG!!!!

If there were a “Scrooge” to Halloween, I’d be the poster child. I have a hard time embracing the idea of giving credence allowing individuals the opportunity to transform into their alter-ego. More often than not, their character resembles a violent, gory, blood sucking, half dead zombie.  Without question, Halloween is my very least favorite “holiday.”

Trying desperately to follow my own advice and look at “both sides of the coin” I offer the following as possible positive correlations between Halloween and leadership…consider…

Identity IS Important – Although fun to put on a mask and pretend to be something/someone else for a brief time IS rather appealing, leaders are expected to be transparent, honest and real.

Engagement IS Important – While counting the minutes to the end of the neighbor’s Halloween party, I can’t help but to watch how the group is fearless in engaging one another…the same neighbor who hasn’t said a word to me all year is now babbling on and on to me and others in the room making connections, feeling a part of something, feeling heard…valued. Are there those in my organization who are quiet all day who simply need a suitable vehicle to express themselves in the workplace? 

Creativity IS Important – I have to admit, that when given the opportunity, these rather dull neighbors have come up with some pretty creative costumes…some rather simple, others rather elaborate. Do we inadvertently squash creativity in the workplace as we dictate policy, procedures, and protocols?  Do we become boring and predictable?

FUN IS IMPROTANT – There is something intoxicating when laughter fills the air and no one is walking on eggshells fearful of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person.  No one’s guard is up, simply enjoying the company of other creatures, ghouls, and zombies…

Hmm…OK, maybe Halloween can offer some positive points to ponder…ahhhh BOO-HUMBUG!

Be good to yourself…

How Do You Handle FEAR???

FEAR…it’s something that each of us has encountered, endured, and hopefully conquered. It’s something that can debilitate, leaving us curled in a fetal position, or something that can stimulate us to experience something new. It rarely leaves us from where it was we started, as it has a way of moving us back…or moving us forward.

Since fear will continue to be a part of our lives and part of the lives of those we serve, it is important to reflect how we approach it. Consider these acronyms:

Forget Everything And Run                               

OR

Face Everything And Rise

The choice is really up to YOU!...Be good to yourself…

Divine or Personal Intervention?

Like most of you, I have found myself looking to the skies, on more than one occasion, asking for Divine intervention when situations arise with which I need support, direction, and encouragement to move forward. Recently, I came across “The Knot Prayer” and in all places, on Facebook. I thought I would share with you with the hope of giving you pause to ponder...

The Knot Prayer – Author Unknown 

Dear God,  

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart, and my life. 

Remove the have nots, cannots, and the do nots. 

Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart. 

Release me from the could nots, the would nots, and should nots that obstruct my life. 

And most of all, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart, and my life all of the “am nots” that I have allowed to hold me back. Especially the thoughts that I am not good enough. 

Amen 

Funny thing…sometimes we don’t need Divine intervention to answer our own prayers… 

Be good to yourself...

When You Stumble, Make It Part Of Your Dance!

I was pretty clumsy as a kid. My mother would make me put my hands in my pocket as we walked through a department store out of fear that I would knock something over. She swore that I could trip over the pattern of the rug…which my wife would attest that I still do on occasion. I learned early in life that when you stumble, it’s better to make it part of your dance.

As leaders, there are times that we trip, when things don’t go as smoothly as we had hoped, or we simply missed the crack in the path which threw us off balance.  As humans, we’re not expected to be perfect. Everyone stumbles, or even falls on occasion. What’s important, and what our followers really watch with intent, isn’t so much the fall, but how we REACT TO IT. Do we blame others? Do we pretend it never happened? Do we get angry? OR do we simply “make it part of our dance” learning as we go?

As one who has stumbled often, literally and figuratively, I can attest to the joys of making up a new dance…sometimes others join in and you find yourself and your organization moving forward instead of blaming others, pretending it didn’t happen, or simply getting angry. The choice is yours…

Be good to yourself

Follow Your Moral "GPS"

I’m reluctant to admit it, but over the past few years I have become rather reliant on my GPS versus using my memory, gut instincts and “good common sense” to set my course. Truth be known, it’s when I ignore this electronic compass that I find myself off course, in unfamiliar territories, lost, and in areas I don’t belong.

My wife read me a passage today about the word compass and its origins. Interestingly enough its roots revolve around the relationship between points. As leaders, we each have our moral compass which guides us when facing those ethical dilemmas which have no answers, yet demand that answers be given.  

Our moral compass has been developed and honed over the years and should be trusted, adhered too, and valued when we reach those crossroads in life that forces us to pause and ponder the right path to take.  LISTEN to your moral compass as you would your GPS or you may find yourself off course, in unfamiliar territories, lost, and in areas you don’t belong…

Be good to yourself…

THESE Should Be The 'Good Ol Days!"

Anyone in a successful organization will tell you of the importance of taking time to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals, a team, and/or the entire organization. If you think about it, we ENJOY celebrating. Can you imagine a quiet home stadium after the winning shot in the final seconds of a critical basketball game? Of course not! The stadium would erupt…high fives would be shared with complete strangers with nothing more in common than the joy of an accomplishment. The question that keeps taunting me is, “How long do we celebrate?”

As a life-long fan of the Chicago Bears, this question continues to amuse me as the ’85 Championship Bears are revisited year after year after year along with their dominating season. I’m guessing this is not an unfamiliar tradition where we celebrate the past and what we recall as the greatest season ever…what haunts me is the why…

I fear, at times, we enjoy recalling “the good ol’ days” as looking into the future gives little sense of hope for being any better and recalling the past is more of a celebration than looking to what the future has in store.

If your organization continues to celebrate what once was…you really need to consider the why… getting your team excited to what is yet to come should be your focus…if not, you’re doomed to live in the past…

Be good to yourself…

Are You Curious?

I find it curious that at times leaders shy away from being… curious. In an attempt to be a “strong leader” with all the answers, leaders can easily lose sight of the vital role curiosity has in any organization.

Walt Disney pointed out that “…curiosity leads us down new paths.” It provides a catalyst to explore, question, and grow. In the late 80’s Hewlett-Packard had an ad campaign that showed members of an IT team problem solving by using a simple question…”What if?”  Curiosity begs us to ask questions, to find solutions, to move forward. It’s a natural human instinct that we’re all born with, which Google has capitalized and made a fortune, for without curiosity what need would we have for a search engine?

How do you facilitate curiosity in your organization? Do you model curiosity or do you always have all the answers?  Just asking, as some of the greatest minds would suggest the only way to get right answers and to move forward is to constantly ask…What if…

Albert Einstein once said, “I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.” Isn’t that a curious statement?

Be good to yourself…

Are You Consistent?

Over the years, the importance of consistency has been raised in various conversations I’ve had with emerging leaders. Apparently, somewhere in Leadership 101, budding candidates are told that leaders must be consistent for their followers to trust, as inconsistency leads to confusion, disarray, and chaos.

There’s a fine line between consistency and rigidity. Great leaders understand that doing things right isn’t always the right thing to do.  I’d suggest that the consistency needed isn’t necessarily in the policies to be followed or how we handle the “either/or scenarios” we’re placed in, but rather the way we treat the people we’re governed to serve.

If you have to be consistent…consider being consistent with the following:

Value Those Around You – Make them feel safe to speak up and share their thoughts. Challenge them to THINK and to express their thoughts. Use the pool of talent you have wisely created and encourage them to grow.

Communicate – TALK to people! After the 2^nd email exchange, get up and TALK to the person. Communicate your expectations, your vision, and your values. Provide feedback and encourage others to do the same.

Lead By Example – Walk the talk…consistently

Be Accountable - Take responsibility when things go wrong, and praise others when things go well.

Ask Questions – We all stop learning when we stop asking questions.

Emit Positive Energy – Inspiration motivates people to take action.

Teach/Mentor – Great leaders consistently groom new leaders.

Take Time to Build Relationships – No matter the leadership role, we all are in a “people business”, take time to build relationships with those that you serve.

Love What You Do and Do What You Love – ‘Nuff said…

Be good to yourself…

Labor Day and Transitions

As a child, the Labor Day Weekend served as a benchmark of sorts. It was the end of a glorious summer vacation and the beginning of a new adventure. As I grew a bit older, it was a time of brief reflection, reviewing past performance and anxiously anticipating what was ahead.  It was a bittersweet time as the long summer days were fading and trees began to transform into a kaleidoscope of colors.

In the final analysis, Labor Day has always represented a time of transition, a time to move from point A to B. This Labor Day Weekend, I urge you to take care of yourself, rest, reacquaint yourself with your families and take a moment to reflect…is it time for a transition in your life…in your leadership style? There’s a quote from John Maxwell that continues to swirl in my thoughts and urges me to continually move forward…”We can not become what we need by remaining what we are.”

Be good to yourself...

What Do You See In Great Leaders?

Recently I read a blog on Leadership Freak (https://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com) where there were comparisons of the attributes we like and dislike from our leaders. As leaders, we’re challenged to create and nurture the culture of our organizations setting the moral tone and dictating the barometer of the morale. Rather than stating the obvious of what we dislike, I thought to give you some attributes which people genuinely like and appreciate from their leaders.

• VISION – Not only have a vision, but SHARE it and share it often. Let your members know where they are going and trust them to make wise decisions to get there.
• EXCITEMENT - Get jazzed about something. Folks are tired of long faces on their  leaders. If you think it makes you look important; in reality, you look depressed.
• BE HONEST - Don’t pretend it’s easy, just believe your team can find a way forward if everyone pulls together.
• PRAISE OTHERS - Tell the team about extraordinary efforts, remarkable results, and positive energy exhibited by others.
• SAY THANK YOU – Yes, we’re all getting paid to do our job, but gratitude is cost effective.
• BE LOYAL - The leaders who influence the most are loyal to individuals that hang with the people they believe in when times get tough.
• HONEST FEEDBACK - People WANT to know how they are doing. Nearly every person I ask says they would like more feedback; good and bad.
• LOOK AT BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN - See life from other points of view, not just your own.
• PRIORITIES - Sharing and having a life outside of work and encouraging members of your team to do the same.
• INSPIRATION – Inspire others to want to do more, learn more and be more.

Interestingly enough, not one of these things cost a penny, but is worth everything…

Be good to yourself…

Mushing and Leadership

This summer our travels took my wife and I to our 49th state, Alaska.  Interesting state…Alaska is a geographical marvel. When a scale map is superimposed on a map of the lower 48, Alaska extends from coast to coast, yet boasts the lowest population density in the nation, perhaps due to the fact that one-third of the state lies within the Arctic Circle. You won’t see a billboard in the state, but can see 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the US, and nearly half of the world’s glaciers. 

Dog mushing happens to be the state sport and something of which I knew little.  Native Alaskans are proud of the various dog mushing teams and the grueling Iditarod, where hundreds of competitors come from all over the world each year to make the 1,150 mile journey from Anchorage to Nome with their dog sled team.

Listening to various strategies of making an ideal sled team certainly drew parallelisms to creating and nurturing great teams in any organization.

Consider…

Know you team members – Get to know your team members as individuals. Each has a unique personality and skill set. Make each individual feel that they are needed and wanted and a valued member of the team.

Build relationships with the team members – If you’re going to take time to know your team, make time to build a relationship with your members. The great Alaskan mushers will tell you that time after time they will get more production from their team if there’s a relationship, a bonding to the unit. It’s much easier to ask your team to pull you out of a tough situation if you have a relationship with them.

Understand strengths and weaknesses - Know who your lead dogs are, your wheel dogs, your point dogs, etc. If you assign project tasks to your team, make the best use of your resources by using their strengths to your advantage. Pair a stronger worker with one that needs more guidance. Plugging your team into the correct roles can increase its effectiveness dramatically.

If it’s not working, don’t be afraid to change – Mix it up! If a member isn’t working well in the position you placed them, don’t be afraid to try someone new. A new lead dog may reveal hidden talents if given an opportunity.

Love what you do - As the “Musher” in your organization, your team can smell if you truly love your work or if you’re simply “doing your job.” Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm.

Respect experience - Strange as it may seem, the dogs have to be taught team manners, and the lead dogs learn to steer the team with the musher giving them voice commands. Developing the relationship between the musher and the lead dogs can take months, even years of training. But once a team is established, old leaders actually take over much of the training of younger leaders.

In my wildest imagination I never thought I’d have so much in common with a musher…who knew? I guess it boils down to great leadership qualities are indeed great leadership qualities…

Be good to yourself...

CONGRATULATIONS! You're in charge!

Congratulations! You’ve been placed in charge! It really doesn’t matter what it is you’re challenged to accomplish or the number of people you have to get the job done. What DOES matter is the way in which you approach your team. Will you be a Boss or a Leader?  What’s the difference you ask? PLENTY! The way you approach your position will be a huge factor in the success of you and your group. Here’s the good news…the decision is entirely up to you…so choose wisely.

One only needs to “Google” leader vs. boss to be faced with close to 30 million entries on the web. Here are some of my favorites for you to consider:

·        A boss drives others; a leader coaches them toward their best performance.

·        A boss instills fear; a leader inspires enthusiasm.

·        A boss blames others; a leader works to help repair the damage and understand what happened so it won't occur again.

·        A boss thinks in terms of him or herself; a leader thinks in terms of we.

·        A boss knows how it's done; a leader shows how it's done.

·        A boss depends on his or her own authority; a leader depends, along with the entire team, on mutual accountability and trust.

·        A boss uses people; a leader is interested in helping them grow and develop.

·        A boss takes the credit; a leader gives credit to others.

·        A boss is a commander; a leader is more concerned with asking and listening.

·        The boss says Go!; the leader says Let's go!

When reading between the lines, it should become obvious that a leader must let go of their ego and in doing so yield to other’s ideas, facilitate collegiality and collaboration and keep an open mind to all the possibilities generated by the group.

Who will you become? A boss or a leader?  Are you ready to choose? The ball is in YOUR court!

Be good to yourself…