Leadership/Inspiration
- Sometimes you get a sign
You never know what impact your words will have on someone. I was going about my day a couple weeks ago, and had a conversation with someone that made me realize that people may actually care what I say. This person doesn’t fully know what a profound impact our conversation had on me. It was a simple comment about this site. Someone actually read what I had to say, and it lit a fire within me to keep going. It made me think about my role as a leader. Am I doing enough to appreciate my team? Do they know that I think about their futures and truly have their best interest in mind? Do I realize how in a leadership role your words matter, your words count. You never know what a comment or conversation can do for someone, the profound way it can impact their life. Take the time to share genuinely a compliment, praise your team for what they do, but most importantly let them know you hear them and that you truly know them as a person.
- Everybody has a story
One of the very basics in leadership in my opinion is understanding that we are all human beings. Never judge a book by its cover. It is the easy path to simply assume the whole based on the basic first glance, or first encounter, but people are multi-dimensional beings that transcend what is simply on the surface. If you really want to be a leader, know your people! If you want to be a great leader… care about them!
As human beings we tend to worry and care about ourselves first, and then others. It is a basic survival instinct that has been passed down from our evolution. We know our story, we live it daily. We may not remember every second of every day that we have experienced life, but we certainly remember the big events. Those things that had the most profound impact on our development, those times of happiness, and those times of great sadness. Your story is who you are. You also know that no one else has your story, your own unique experience and chronology of events.
As a leader we have to realize that this unique life experience give us filters through which we examine, evaluate, and live our lives. These filters include biases, judgements, and knowledge that we use to navigate every day. It is sometimes difficult, but essential that we learn what our filters are, and to understand how they impact our opinions and thoughts. Our employees have a story, their own unique experiences that make them who they are. As a society we tend to put people into boxes and categorize them because of these filters.
Be open to your team, listen to them. Have a conversation and get to know them for who they are. Know what their priorities are and what makes them tick. It is often those outside influences that drive us every day. Learn their story. At the end of the day motivating them and leading them is about how they need to be led and mentored, not what we as leaders think they need. Knowing your folks and letting them know you do makes all the difference in the world, but it must be genuine. I have found that my growth as a person is amazing the more I get to know people and nurture the bond that connects us all, our basic humanity, and life experience.
- Don’t be afraid
I told myself at first that I wouldn’t let anything deter me from posting my thoughts, this is my attempt at doing just that. Someone close to me poked fun at my attempt at launching what I was hoping would be a positive influence and a way to connect with people. It took me some time, but finally I’m marching forward.
As a leader you have an incredible responsibility to those you lead. A simple comment could make someone feel completely inadequate, imperfect, and have self doubt. Likewise a simple comment could be the thing that sparks confidence and moves them forward. The choice in how you lead is truly your own… if those you lead push back, seem disengaged, or lack courage, look at yourself in the mirror.
In high school, sister Luz said something to me that has been ringing in my head since I began this venture. “Allan, you have the ability to influence and move people. It’s your choice how you see that gift.” If you knew the relationship between Sister Luz and I you would know how unimaginable it is that after all these years she would be a part of the reason I am putting myself out there.
At the end of the day those you lead and influence to home and talk to their families about you. You can be a catalyst for positivity or the dreaded boss people have to face every day. What do people say about you around their dinner table?
- Launch is a GO!
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