VLOG – Selflessness and Hard Conversations
I often encounter leaders that have a tough time having hard conversations with those that they are called to lead. Sometimes it’s just their personality and they are not comfortable, however, that is one of the most selfish things you can do. If you put your own comfort in front of another person’s growth, that is selfish. If you have the courage to step into that discomfort you are feeling and have that difficult conversation you are allowing them to have the opportunity to grow. We define selflessness as putting the needs of others before our own needs, desires or convenience. It is your duty and moral obligation as a leader to have the courage to step up and have that hard conversation, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable, to allow that other person to better themselves and expand.
VLOG – Integrity – Excuses or Lies
Do you lie sometimes? It happens to all of us, we may say, “we ran out of time,” however we just did a poor job of planning our time efficiently. Making excuses is just another form of lying, do you agree? If we prioritize our time for what and who is important, we probably could have come through on our promise or achieve a deadline. If we continue to make excuses, our integrity is at stake. We define integrity as doing what is good, right and proper, even at a personal cost. So next time you find yourself making an “excuse” ask yourself, is this the right thing? Or Should I just own up to the fact that I didn’t plan properly?
VLOG – The Courage to Trust
Most leaders want to be trusted, yet often times they don’t show it if they are micro-managing or lording things over their team. Most of us won’t trust someone that we know, don’t also trust us. If you want to become a leader of character and you want people to trust you, you have to trust first. That takes courage. Have the courage to trust first and you will be surprised the difference it makes in building committed teams.
VLOG – Humility and Sharing Your Weaknesses
When a leader admits they “suck” at something, that they’re just not good at certain tasks or parts of their jobs, they are admitting what most people already know. When we admit this, other people will realize that you as a leader actually sees yourself clearly and that you have a real understanding about who you are. This usually leads to your team committing to you instead of just being compliant to you. When we are not able to admit our weaknesses and mistakes it makes it appear that we think we are perfect; we need to use humility and be realistic with our team. We define humility as “believing and acting like it’s not about me” When a leader is honest with their team about their shortcomings and what they need help and support it actually builds trust and a team that is committed to helping and support their leader. That is a sign of being a Leader of Character.
VLOG – We Don’t Trust People That Don’t Trust Us
We don’t trust people that don’t trust us. It takes courage from the leader to offer trust first. If you micromanage your team and question them, it creates a perception of lacking trust. If you want to have a committed team instead of just a compliant group, you need to first offer up trust; nobody commits to someone that doesn’t trust them. The team will never rise above mediocrity. To lead a team that is built on trust and committed to what they are doing, we need to have courage and show trust. We define courage as: “”acting despite perceived or actual risk.”” To be a good leader you must trust first and then you will have a committed team.
VLOG – The Duty and Obligation of a Leader to Develop Their Team
Early on in a career is the most important time to address character issues. It’s the duty of a leader or supervisor to not ignore issues because they don’t want to bother with it. It is their moral obligation and duty to address it immediately. We need to develop our people early on so that they will be ready and deserving of a promotion later on and not just promote people based on a test score or an interview process. Do your duty; focus individuals early on in their career and avoid having leaders of low character within your departments.
VLOG – Humility – Compromise is Not a Weakness to
Compromise is not a weakness. Don’t let your pride get in the way of compromise. Being unwilling to compromise prevents progress and can break down relationships. Comprise is something that confidant and humble leaders practice. Learn to. compromise, learn to put your pride away and act humbly you will be amazed at the outcomes you can achieve.
VLOG – Your 1st Instinct Will Get You In Trouble as a Leader
What is the difference between our first instincts and our second instincts? Character. Our first instincts can get us in trouble. We need to pause and develop our second instincts – our character. Watch for 120 seconds and think about your own instincts and character.
VLOG – Where Leadership Separates from Management
We manage resources and processes. We lead people. In the next 90 seconds I discuss a leader’s moral obligation to the people on the team. If the people are not growing, that leader is not fulfilling his/her Duty to lead those people. They are just managing.
VLOG – Moral Drift – How Did I Get Here?
You never drift towards excellence. Excellence is only achieved with intentionality. Becoming a Leader of Character takes intentionality. Watch my story in this 106 second video and think about where you can become more intentional with your choices.
VLOG – Leaders Lead Change They Don’t Manage the Status Quo
Nobody is inspired by a leader who says “I’m going to fight to keep everything exactly the way it has always been!” Change is coming. Fighting for the status quo insures you are falling behind everyone else. When a leader fights for the status quo, they are uninspiring and bound to lose that battle. In the next 120 seconds, hear my thoughts on why leaders fight for the status quo.
VLOG – Three Steps To Strengthening Your Character
Muscles don’t get strong without exercise. Neither will our character. You have to DO what you want to BE. You have to practice character to have character. Here are 84 seconds clarifying the three steps to building our character.
Publish VLOG – A Challenge to Introverts
If you are an Introvert, this 91 second video is for you. What is an introvert’s moral obligation when they are uncomfortable – especially as part of a team?
VLOG – Maintaining Your Standards Tests Your Integrity on
IDo you have standards? Do you hold to those standards? Is this an Integrity issue and how is our Integrity at stake when our standards are challenged? In 94 seconds, here are some of my thoughts.
VLOG – Defining Teamwork – In One Sentence
The type of teammate you are predicts the type of leader you will be. Watch this 97-second video where I discuss what teamwork really is and how you can be that great teammate and leader if you understand one sentence.
