Monthly Archives: October 2014

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Who Are You?

Throughout our lives, we have multiple identities. We may be fathers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, leaders, businessmen, athletes, and the list goes on.

We have title after title. We have position after position. We have responsibility after responsibility.

The crazy thing is, we can get lost and easily forget who we are.

We don't always know our identity

Image by Hape Gera

That’s one of the reasons why I loved watched the beginning of CBS’s CSI: Miami. The theme song for the show was The Who’s Who Are You song.

Who Are You is a catchy song that, at the beginning, simply asks Who are you? Who, who, who, who?

The question is pointed and it’s loaded.

Do you know who you are? Do I know who you are? Who are you?

There’s a good reason this resonates with me. It should resonate with you.  Read more...

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Fearful Leaders Are Bad Leaders

Leaders are called to be many things. Leaders need to be brave. Leaders need to be honest. Leaders need to be innovative.

But one thing leaders cannot do is to let fear rule their decisions.

When fearful leaders rule, bad things begin to happen.

I’ve been trying to catch up on the TV series 24 with Keifer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. He’s one bad dude you don’t want to mess with.

In 24, you rarely see him come across as fearful. The further I’ve watched 24 (I’m on season 5 or 6 right now), the more clear it’s become about the role fear should play in leadership.

You’ll see multiple presidents come and go on the show. Currently, there’s President Logan running the nation.

He’s a man who’s ruled by fear. President Logan fears:

Making a bad choice  Read more...

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5 Habits Of Highly Effective Leaders

Effective leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Effective leaders are willing to work hard and get the job done.

Effective leaders also have habits that they routinely act upon. They know there’s something to be said for acting on good habits.

Today, I want to share with you 5 habits of highly effective leaders.

Highly effective leaders have habits

Image by J.D. Hancock

Highly Effective Leaders Do…

Highly effective leaders know it takes more than mental prowess to lead well. Leading well takes forming great habits that will positively impact you for a lifetime. Well, not only you but those you lead effectively as well.

So, what are these habits of highly effective leaders? I believe highly effective leaders have the following habits:

1. Highly effective leaders make it a habit to learn: Effective leaders know they must constantly take in and process new information. Most effective leaders do this through reading. Yet there are other ways to continue your education.  Read more...

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Why Fair Isn’t Always Fair

Growing up, we all heard that we had to be fair to others. This meant not getting an extra cookie in the lunch line. Or maybe being fair meant that everyone got the same sized treat. Still, fair could also have meant we all had to take turns singing a silly song in class.

We were taught by making everyone have the same treats or the same amount of time on the ball field or taking turns was the fair thing to do.

Knowing what I know now, I have to say I disagree. Much like I disagreed back then.

This fair mindset often seeps into our leadership. After all, it’s been ingrained into our minds that this is true fairness.

Only once everyone has what everyone else has can the world be fair. The playing field is leveled at this point.  Read more...