Competent, Confident, And Agile

Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.
–Vince Lombardi

Human contortionist in a glass box

How Are They Made?

If leaders are made by hard effort, as Coach Lombardi points out, then I need to know how. What traits should we strive to intentionally develop within our future leaders?

I thought about this question long and hard. I wondered if I could even “boil it down” to a list that did not infinitely consume binary one and zeros within Microsoft Word. I felt challenged by the opportunity to succinctly and coherently define the traits common to all leaders.

Finally, (as if someone turned on a light bulb within my brain) three words came to mind:

  • Competent
  • Confident
  • Agile

7 Leadership Lessons From JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit

A Reel Leadership Article

The movie version of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey releases in theaters today. Are you going to watch it? I’m hoping I’m able to watch the movie soon. It looks amazing.

But did you know before The Hobbit was a movie it was a book?

The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote it as the prelude to the enchanting Lord Of The Rings series. The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins as he leaves Bag Ends and enters into a world of adventure.

As I was reading his story, I picked up on 7 leadership principles we could all learn from The Hobbit.

  • Sometimes leadership finds us unaware: Bilbo wasn’t ready for an adventure when Gandalf stopped by his house one unassuming morning. But adventure is what Bilbo received. Your entry into leadership can happen like this. Someone sees your potential. He picks you. Before you know it, you’re on a grand adventure of leadership.

Facing Change With Confidence

Today, I am writing as a contributor to the Christian Writers Blog Chain. The theme for September is “Change.” If you are a Christian author or writer, be sure to check out Christianwriters.com to network with others.

The pace of life seems to be ever increasing. Along with the increased pace comes increased change.

Your looks change, your children change, your friendships change, your life changes…

All this change can be scary.

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime Changes | Image by Fuyoh!

The good news is: It doesn’t have to be as scary as you make it.

Change isn’t always bad. It’s just different.

Sometimes it’s slow. Sometimes change comes quickly.

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.”
— Taylor Swift

I’m sure you can think of bad changes and good changes that had occurred in your life.