Thoughts About Change
One of the great global Renaissance women of our time, Maya Angelou, wisely contributed to the dialogue on change by declaring, "I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refused to be reduced by it." Clearly her mindset accepts change as inevitable, but something around which an attitude option exists as a choice. In Angelou's case, she embraces the power she possesses to be resolute about maintaining her balance and purpose -- to refuse to be diminished in any way be the change experience. In fact, when looking at Angelou's life, one could fairly accurately opine that she has embraced change in such a way as to extravagantly enhance her life (one outcome being wisdom).
There is extraordinary power in change ... with an optimistic and embracing attitude it can be invigorating rather than enervating. Harness the power of change, and watch as the miracles you desire fall into place!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
When the Sun Got Stuck: The Paperback!
I'm very pleased to announce the release of my new book,
When the Sun Got Stuck: A Fable for Leaders and Their Teams, is now available in paperback, and it continues to be available in the eBook (kindle) version. Order by clicking the link below. You can even take it for a test drive on Amazon.com before committing!
When the Sun Got Stuck: A Fable for Leaders and Their Teams, is now available in paperback, and it continues to be available in the eBook (kindle) version. Order by clicking the link below. You can even take it for a test drive on Amazon.com before committing!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
“Catch-22” Situations
Countering a leader who seems to consistently put you into no-win situations or impossible dilemmas, and insists on adherence to illogical rules and regulations may be assisted with these responses:
• Let go of ego around confrontations, remember the old adage that you don’t always have to be right to be happy.
• Be logical and clear in your communications with your supervisor, and when confronted with communication that isn’t logical and clear politely ask for an explanation. The key here is to have the intent of clearing up any miscommunications for the good of the organization. By removing the personal, and making the need for clarity about the success of your boss and his/her goals and objectives, you remove a threat – you!
• Invite your supervisor to your team meetings regularly, or at least often enough that they know and understand your desire too seek their input as you work through tasks effectively with your team. Shining a light on the fact that you are open and agreeable to your supervisor’s presence can be quite a tonic for good.
• Always be supportive of the goals and tasks of your boss. Have empathy for the tasks and responsibilities that are assigned to your supervisor, and let them be aware that you support their position within the organization.
(This is an excerpt from an earlier blog -- When the Cow Jumped Over the Moon, Part One -- see blog archive.)
Countering a leader who seems to consistently put you into no-win situations or impossible dilemmas, and insists on adherence to illogical rules and regulations may be assisted with these responses:
• Let go of ego around confrontations, remember the old adage that you don’t always have to be right to be happy.
• Be logical and clear in your communications with your supervisor, and when confronted with communication that isn’t logical and clear politely ask for an explanation. The key here is to have the intent of clearing up any miscommunications for the good of the organization. By removing the personal, and making the need for clarity about the success of your boss and his/her goals and objectives, you remove a threat – you!
• Invite your supervisor to your team meetings regularly, or at least often enough that they know and understand your desire too seek their input as you work through tasks effectively with your team. Shining a light on the fact that you are open and agreeable to your supervisor’s presence can be quite a tonic for good.
• Always be supportive of the goals and tasks of your boss. Have empathy for the tasks and responsibilities that are assigned to your supervisor, and let them be aware that you support their position within the organization.
(This is an excerpt from an earlier blog -- When the Cow Jumped Over the Moon, Part One -- see blog archive.)
The Power of Deciding
There is perhaps no more powerful statement on the power of “deciding” than the famous words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who in the early years of the 19th Century said:
“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration; I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”
(Excerpt from my earlier post: Why Good Leaders Must D.I.E. -- go look up that blog posting on my site to see why such a provocative title ...)
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