I’m not big into playing the blame game, but because I am in the group that I hold partially responsible for the predicament we are in, I will go ahead and bring it up.  If you are in your 40’s or 50’s, you (we) may have dropped the ball when it comes to the influence we had on the 20 and 30 somethings.

Admittedly I am speaking in broad generalities here, but nonetheless, somebody fell short in teaching leadership skills to the millennials and seeing how we raised them, I guess that makes it us.  Enough said on that, it’s time to look forward and not back.

In my travels to Orlando and Las Vegas over the last three weeks, I encountered two 22 year olds that really impressed me.  This will be a two part post to introduce you to a couple of kids (I can say that because my own kids are 21 and 23) that proved to me that we will indeed, have some solid individuals taking care of us one day.

Sometimes I just walk and think.

Let me introduce you to Ben.  Ben works as a server at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas.  My wife Michelle, was in some classes so I decided to do what I sometimes do, go walk and think.  If you ever have been on the Las Vegas strip, you know how hard it can be to think.  I decided to stop and get some lunch and Hard Rock seemed to be as good of a choice as any.

I got seated and then this younger guy comes over to me and sits down at my table and says “Hi, I’m Ben, what can I get for you.”  His demeanor alone, told me that he was an A game player.  Very self confident and looked me right in the eye when he spoke to me.  You don’t always see that anymore.

He made me feel like I was the only guy in the place.

He was busy, but made it a point to check in on me every time he went by my table.  I was by myself and I am sure he knew that I was not going to be a big ticket item in his section, but he continued to treat me like I was the only guy sitting out on the patio.  I am alwys intrigued by these young “go-getters” and I struck up a conversation with him.  I wanted to know what made this guy tick.

Turns out that his family had a restaurant back in New York that he started working at when he was 16.  Seven months ago he headed west in search of among other things, some nicer weather.  I asked how he got such a good job so quickly being a newbie in town and his response told the whole story.

He had filled out the on-line application for Hard Rock but knew that a face-to-face meeting could make a bigger difference in getting the job.  He intentionally wandered  into Hard Rock one day and was able to speak with a manager.  The manager was immediately impressed and he had his second interview during the same visit.

Shortly thereafter, he was invited for a third interview and a week later was going through orientation.  So what is the point of all this?  Well to me, it’s pretty simple.  Ben decided to happen to life and not wait for life to happen to him.  (Tweet This)  I wonder how many other applications sat on a hard drive while the applicants sat on their couch waiting for a call.

I will never forget that meal.

Ben said he loves the interaction with his customers as much as any part of his job and his actions definitely supported that.  I think most would agree that going out to eat is more about the experience than the meal and Ben made mine memorable.

At only 22, I asked him what he wanted to eventually do, what were his big aspirations?  His response; he wants to eventually get into fine dining.  I didn’t think about it at the time but I would guess it is partially because he will have the opportunity to make someone’s night out a memorable experience that won’t soon be forgotten.

My guess – Ben will be exceeding expectations in some really nice dining establishment someday and probably sooner than later.  Ben was one of those individuals that you can just tell will achieve his dreams.  Ben, at 22, was leading by example in his respective industry, and making a difference in the lives of those he serves.

THE QUESTION:  Do you have clarity on what it is that you want to achieve?

THE CHALLENGE:  Do something today that will get you one step closer to reaching that dream.

Later this week I will introduce you to Stephanie, who works in the world’s largest Marriott.

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Barry Smith  3/11/14   photo courtesy of amazon   © Building What Matters 2014

The post Raising The Bar For Generation Y – Part 1 appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

Sinek, the author of Start With Why, provides a deep look into what creates the most effective teams and more importantly, what keeps them working together, even during the most difficult of times.

This is one of those books that will take you a little bit longer to read because so many thoughts require you to take another look, just to make sure you understood the power behind them.  A phenomenal effort by Sinek, Leaders Eat Last not only looks at the dynamic of the team but of the individuals that make up that team.

What really sets this book apart is Sinek’s unique look at why some people make good leaders and others don’t and the “why” behind the results they get.  In this post, the first of four, I will attempt to capture the basic thoughts of the eight parts of the book.

PART 1:  OUR NEED TO FEEL SAFE

PROTECTION FROM ABOVE – Sinek starts out the book telling the story of pilot Johnny Bravo and about his courageous actions from the battlefield.  When asked why he risked his own life to protect the lives of his fellow soldiers, he simply responded “Because they would have done it for me.”  Are you willing to do for others what you would expect them to do for you?

EMPLOYEES ARE PEOPLE TOO – The second chapter is built around this great thought from Sinek: “The leaders of great organizations do not see people as a commodity to be managed to help grow the money.  They see the money as the commodity to be managed to help grow the people.”  Imagine that … focusing on people before profits. Isn’t that interesting?

BELONGING – Sinek introduces the concept of a “Circle Of Safety.”  We all want to belong to something and when a culture is created that not only provides the opportunity to be part of it, but also provides security and stability, then engagement, fulfillment and productivity go up as well.

YEAH, BUT … – This is a great chapter.  Sinek explores the idea that it is not extra work and long hours that stress people out, but rather the loss of control.  When we are able to control our environment, we are much more inclined to remain engaged and loyal to our team.

PART 2:  POWERFUL FORCES

WHEN ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH – If you are reading this, you probably already have more than enough.  In other words, your basic needs have been met and you are living more abundantly than most of the people on this planet.  Sinek begins to take a look at the physiological reasons that influence our thoughts and actions.

E.D.S.O. – Chapter 6 provides a clear picture of the four primary chemical incentives in our bodies and what happens when these chemicals are released.

• Endorphins – This chemical masks physical pain.  This is what makes you feel good after strenuous physical activity.
• Dopamine – This is the chemical that makes us feel satisfied, a sense of achievement or accomplishment.
• Sarotonin – This chemical provides a feeling of pride, respect or value.  This builds our self-esteem.
• Oxytocin – This is what enables us to form friendships, feel love, and build deep trust.

Sinek does a masterful job describing how all of these play into our role as a leader.

THE BIG C – No, not that one.  Cortisol is responsible for the stress and anxiety that we feel when something goes bump in the night.  It is our bodies way of telling us that something is not right.  The problem is that although it is a defense mechanism, it also puts strain on our body.  Using it to our advantage is the challenge.

WHY WE HAVE LEADERS – In order to function as a productive team, organization, or community, someone has to make the first move.  Someone has to lead.  Someone has to set a course in a new direction or we will simply exist where we are.  Someone has to make the first sacrifice so others can follow.

I know we are early in the year, but I have a pretty strong feeling that Leaders Eat Last will be one of my top books for 2014.  I actually had to good fortune to meet Simon Sinek earlier this week and hear him speak from the stage.

I can tell you this much, Sinek is the real deal.  In a crowded hotel lobby, he gave me his undivided attention and made me feel like the only one in the room.  He practices what he preaches and is consistent with his message.

Pulling from his highly viewed TEDTalk video, “People don’t buy into what you do, they buy into why you do it,”  (Tweet This / Post to LinkedIn) Leaders Eat Last will fill you in on the “why” that leaders use to lead.

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Barry Smith  3/6/14   photo courtesy of amazon   © Building What Matters 2014

The post Leaders Eat Last – Part 1; The Forces That Keep Us Safe appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

Four sections, seventeen chapters, and almost 40,000 words.  The thought of writing a book never would have even entered my mind three years ago. And now I have done it.  I typed the last word, hit save and just looked at the screen.  What now?

Since I started blogging almost two years ago, I have looked at many more of my experiences as not just something that happened, but something to write about.  If you think about it, there is really something to be learned in almost everything that happens to us.

I spent a good part of today reflecting on my journey through this book project.  There are many different challenges I faced.  I went back and forth on the things that many authors probably do. Things like what chapter to put where and what quotes to insert for emphasis and character.  You know, author stuff.

But as I put word count and punctuation to rest for a while, I discovered that there are much bigger lessons that I learned.

It’s not over until it’s over, and it will never be over.

I felt a multitude of emotions as I looked at the screen, which for the first time in weeks, did not have a word document icon appearing in the task bar.  I felt excited that it was done.  I felt anxious because there is still quite a bit to do before it actually hits a bookshelf.  Finish the cover art, editing, interior layout and so on.  The words are written, but the project is far from over.

The thought that came next was actually quite inspirational.  This book, due to the isbn number it has been assigned, will be forever.  Well, as long as they keep track of that stuff I guess.  But that will probably be quite a while.

Our decisions and actions don’t only determine our future.

But the thing that struck me is that the content will be able to add value indefinitely. This magnified the fact that lots of things we do will last forever.  The decisions we make and the actions we take all frame what comes next.  Every single thing, even down to the smallest detail, will set a unique trajectory for our future.

Let me give you an example.  Suppose you go to the store and the checkout clerk is clearly having a bad day.  You could return the attitude or you could value the person instead of the action and show them some random act of kindness, thank them and go on your way.

Random acts of kindness really do matter!

Now that experience might be done for you, but you have no idea what a difference it might have made for them.  It might have changed the direction of their entire day, including what happens when they get home with their spouse and kids.

You don’t have to think too hard to realize my new book, Leadership by Invitation, is about leadership.  One of the most popular quotes by my mentor John Maxwell is, “Leadership is Influence, Nothing More and Nothing Less.”  (Tweet This / Post on LinkedIn)

In the book, I make a very clear case that everyone is a leader.  After all, we all influence others in some way or another, don’t we?  My point is this.  The things you do matter.  They all matter.  The thing we overlook all too often is how much they can continue to matter, even after we think we are done.  Your influence matters.  Make it count!

The Question:  How much do you think about the collateral impact of your actions?

The Challenge:  Do something today for someone that won’t matter at all to you after your done, but will make a big difference for them.
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Barry Smith  2/14/14   image by Kendra Lynn Cagle   © Building What Matters 2014

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For more than two years Scott Fay has been my coach, mentor, and most importantly, my friend. When I was trying to separate who I was from what I did, and come up with a plan for the rest of my life, Scott believed in me and pushed me in the right direction.

Yes, this is another book that focuses a lot on leadership, but Scott provides 7 steps, built around the idea of Design, Build & Maintain, that will guide you along a path to success and significance in whatever lane you are travelling.

PHASE 1: DESIGN YOUR LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT

STEP 1 – Discover Your Sweet Spot – Design with the End in Mind

That design, when done correctly, will land in your Sweet Spot.  Scott breaks down your sweet spot like this; “The convergence of three things: Purpose, Passion, and Plan.”

• Purpose is who you are designed to be.
• Passion is what you love to do.
• Plan is the strategic convergence of being and doing.

STEP 2 – Sweat the Small Stuff – The Devils are in the Design

This is a great step.  Scott describes the importance of ALL the details, especially the small ones because they really represent the minor adjustments that can make a major difference.  Scott gives us the infamous five that seem to show up the most often.

1. Poor Drainage
2. Context Confusion
3. High Traffic
4. Aesthetic Misfit
5. Short-Sighted Plan

PHASE 2: BUILD YOUR LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT

STEP 3 – Tear Out, Then Build Up

He provides a great three step process to eradicate these weeds, or “excuses,” that are in the way of construction.  This is crucial.  If the weeds are not removed during the build phase to allow the new “roots” to take hold, you will will be focusing on pulling weeds the rest of your life.

1. Identify your weeds.
2. Own your weeds.
3. Eradicate the weeds.

STEP 4 – Build Midcourse Corrections

Scott gives us four things to consider regarding course corrections:

1. Intersect the issue.
2. Correct the problem.
3. Protect the goal.
4. Reflect the outcome.

PHASE 3: MAINTAIN YOUR LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT

STEP 5 – PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: Poor Maintenance Costs You More In The Long Run

To maintain the success, or significance, that we have achieved will not sustain itself unless we commit to continual growth.  Scott suggests asking questions to keep us on top of our game.  Here are his Elite 8:

1. What do I do best?
2. How can I do it better?
3. Who can I best serve doing it?
4. Of the things I currently do, what should I do more?
5. Of the things I currently do, what should I do less?
6. Of the things I currently do, what should I stop?
7. What should I start doing?
8. What am I missing?

STEP 6 – MAINTAIN THE MAIN THING: Keep Your Vision within Sight at All Times

Scott describes the importance of vision and how, unless we keep it on the forefront, it will soon be lost.  Here are his “Five Lenses of Maintaining Vision”:

1. Define The Vision 
2. Develop the Vision 
3. Drill the Vision
4. Distinguish the Vision 
5. Demonstrate the Vision 

STEP 7 – GIVE WHAT YOU CAN’T KEEP: Legacies are Maintained by Investing in Others

Investing in others and believing in them is the way we can leave our fingerprint on generations to come. We can’t take anything with us, but we can clearly leave something behind. (Tweet This / Share on Facebook / Post to LinkedIn)

I have reviewed numerous books and many have had a specific topic or targeted audience. Discover Your Sweet Spot is for everyone.  We all have a Sweet Spot, but very few are living in it.

Today’s challenge: Click Here and join us on a call that will help you on your way to living in your Sweet Spot

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Barry Smith    1/6/14   photo courtesy of Scott M Fay   © Building What Matters 2014

The post Isn’t It About Time You Start Living In Your Sweet Spot? appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

Some of you probably recognize Burg as the co-author of The Go-Giver, but this one is all his and according to the author, his finest work – the book he was meant to write.

Burg starts out by introducing us to the idea of Ultimate Influence ==>the ability to get the results you want from others while making them feel genuinely good about themselves, about the process, and about you.

Burg suggests that Ultimate Influence is based on five key principles that occur on an ongoing basis.  In this post, the second of four, we will take a deeper look into the first two principles (1) Control Your Emotions and (2) Understand the Clash of Belief Systems.  Take a look at these and see if any of them might apply to your life.

1.  CONTROL YOUR OWN EMOTIONS

• Responding Versus Reacting – I love this one!  Responding is how you stay in control.  React, and you are letting the other person control the outcome.  How is that working out?
• Effectively Handle Verbal Attacks
• Make Calm Your Default Setting – What if you could actually accomplish this? Have you ever noticed that when they get louder, so do you?  It does work in reverse – when was the last time you tried that?
• Overcome Anger
• The Persuasive Power of Positive Detachment
• Think Before You Speak
• Agree to Disagree – What would the world be like if everyone thought the same and agreed on everything?  Sometimes agreeing to disagree is the best way forward.
• Consider the Source

2.  UNDERSTAND THE CLASH OF BELIEF SYSTEMS

• Belief Systems – the Problems and the Solution – There is some great insight here. People’s beliefs are created largely due to what they have experienced in their life. Expecting someone to agree with you, just because you think you are right, is like expecting them to abandon everything they have ever known.
• “How Would You Define …?”
• Accept the Responsibility for Communication
• The Importance of Conscious Awareness – You know that I am a big awareness fan.  When you are consciously aware, you can use all the information you have to create and communicate a thought.  Isn’t that a better option that what you “have always done or said?”
• Personal or Not?  How Do You Know?
• Love Languages from Liberty the Cat
• First, Know the Issue.  Then, Choose the Words
• The Answer?  Based on What Information? – Better the question, better the answer right?  It works the same when making decisions.  Better the information, better the answer.  Have you ever tried to complete a puzzle without all the pieces?
• Perceptual Realities Equal Different Conclusions
• Change Your Non-Serving Beliefs to Be More Productive

Well, there is a taste of the thoughts and ideas found within this book.  I encourage you to pick up a copy and fill in the stuff I left blank on your own.  Some of the chapter headings listed above don’t make a lot of sense until you listen to Burg’s wisdom.  Now is your chance!

We certainly have much more to look at in Adversaries Into Allies but let me leave you with this question today; “If you stayed in control and recognized that other people can believe what you believe, but simply think about it a little differently, that it might just make sense to work with them instead of against them?”  Just a thought!

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Barry Smith   12/12/13   photo courtesy of burg.com   © Building What Matters 2013

The post Adversaries Into Allies – Part 2; Staying In Control appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

The reason I don’t care for the word magic is because to some, it represents some type of special power to make things disappear or transform from one thing to another.  In reality, magic is the perfection of one of the oldest professions on the planet.  Slight of hand, misdirection and so on.  Few talents impress me more than a magician who has mastered their craft.

I now have a new appreciation for the word.  I recently read “Real Magic – Breaking Through the Illusion of Success” by Nana Danso.  Danso, as a magician and motivational speaker,  spins a whole new perspective on magic, and this magic has nothing to do with tricks or illusions.  This magic is real.

The keys to Danso’s Magic Formula are simple and if followed, will help you to break through the Illusion of Success.  Here are the five keys to living a MAGIC life.

MOTIVATION

We all perform better when we are motivated but motivation is a short term condition.  There has to be a driving force behind that motivation, something that drives you, something simply described as your “why.”  As Les Brown says; “You’ve got to be hungry!”  Your why will provide the motivation to continue to achieve over the long run.  Your why connects you to your purpose and your purpose is what you have been created to fulfill.

ASPIRATIONS

Can you answer the questions; What do you want?  or What do you aspire to do or be?  What are your goals?  As a coach, it amazes me how many people lack clarity on what they really want.  I think this is the reason that so many people feel “stuck.”  Danso provides a great question in this chapter.  Do you know what the richest place in the world is?  Answer – the graveyard.  Why?  Because this is where are the unfulfilled goals, dream and songs that never happened have been laid to rest.

GIFTS

Danso makes a great observation here.  He suggests that if three people tell you that you are good at something, that you have a gift.  It is an indication that there is really something there.  I can totally relate to this.  I never pictured myself as a writer, but when several people took notice of the message in my words, I realized that just maybe there was something there.  Now, several thousands words leave my keyboard each week.

INSPIRATION

I could not agree with the author more when he makes the following statement; “The most rewarding part of life is helping others achieve their goals.  This begins with believing in people.”  Danso is right.  When you believe is someone and let them know that you do, not only do you inspire them, but you empower them to do and be more.

CONFIDENCE

Danso points out that when we expect a positive outcome then the outcome will be positive. This only comes when we have the self-confidence to move out of our comfort zone and go places we have not been before.  It is really that simple – confidence is the catalyst to achievement.  When we believe in ourselves, we can accomplish whatever we set our intentions on accomplishing.

Danso sums it up well with this statement; “Creating magic requires deliberate practice, effort, and dedication, but most importantly, it requires that you believe in yourself.”

A couple of questions for you today:  Is your life full of tricks and illusions?  Do other people see something that is not real when they look at you?  If you want to put some magic back in your life, check out Real Magic and find out how to break through the illusions holding you back.

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Barry Smith    10/31/13   photo courtesy of Amazon   © Building What Matters 2013

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If you have read any of Miller’s recent work, you know that he has a unique way of building a story around the premise of the book and in effect, brings the lessons and the story itself to life.  The Heart of Leadership is a follow up, at least as the story goes, to “Great Leaders Grow” (read my review of Great Leaders Grow).

Blake, who got off to a great start as a young leader now finds himself stuck.  Stuck in his job and stuck as a leader.  He turns back to his mentor Debbie, who had previously been mentored by Blake’s father before he passed away.

Debbie introduces Blake to 5 professionals that take Blake on a journey to find what he has been missing to take his leadership to the next level.  He has been missing The HEART of Leadership.

So let’s take a look at just what it is that makes up The Heart of Leadership.

HUNGER FOR WISDOM

Leaders recognize that if they want to be effective over the long haul, they need to be life long learners.  They need to commit to not only increasing their knowledge but their relational skills as well.  Be self confident and consistent in your beliefs and values but always be open to input, new ideas and the views and opinions of others.  We can always learn, even in our failures and difficult times.

EXPECT THE BEST

Miller states it very well; “To expect the best is an attitude, a belief, a choice, a lifestyle and a trait that virtually every successful leader possesses.  We believe the best about others and about ourselves.”  What a powerful statement.  Expecting the best is about attitude and as we all know, attitudes are contagious.  Leadership character is about having a positive attitude and creating a culture that expects and produces the best.

ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY

There may be no greater leadership character trait than owning your actions, and not only your actions, but the actions of the entire team.  John Maxwell says that “everything rises and falls on leadership.”  Miller makes it clear that accepting responsibility, for both the good and the bad, needs to fall on the leader.  Along with that, praise needs to be shared whenever possible.  Leaders with heart give the credit to others and find their success in the success of their team.

RESPOND WITH COURAGE

Miller pulls a quote from Dr. Henry Cloud; “Leaders get what they create and what they allow.”  [Tweet This] It takes courage to create.  Often times, leaders are faced with making difficult decisions.  Responding with courage, and doing it consistently, will shape your leadership character and help to build trust.  Courage is a product of confidence and confidence comes from believing in yourself.

THINK OTHERS FIRST

Leaders need followers and a leader’s responsibility is to turn those followers into other leaders.  This only happens when the leader focuses on the success of those he is leading. Miller puts it like this; “It’s about who is responsible for what, and how can I, as the leader, help people to be successful?”  Miller makes a valuable point that if we are to become servant leaders, we need to spend time with other servant leaders and learn how they think and understand the real reasons why they do what they do.

I think the biggest takeaway for me from this fine work was the example of an iceberg that Miller uses to describe leadership.  The 10 percent above water represents your leadership skills – What you know.  The 90 percent underwater represents your character – Who you are.  We often judge people for what they know but the true heart of leadership comes from your character – this is the heart of leadership.

I love this quote from the author; “It is ultimately leadership character that determines our opportunity for influence and impact.“  So today I have a challenging question for you:  What is included in the 90 percent of your iceberg?

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Barry Smith    10/24/13   photo courtesy of Amazon   © Building What Matters 2013

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Do you want to be treated fair or equal?  Are they the same?  Does it depend on the situation?  Maybe they mean something completely different. Who gets to decide?

If you want to know my answer, it’s fair.  Well some of the time.  Those of you that follow me know that I don’t make political statements and this post will be no exception.  That being said, I firmly believe in equal rights, freedom of speech as well as the freedom to pursue happiness.

We should all be treated equal and we should all have the right to pursue what we desire.  Where I get stuck is on equal opportunity.  I don’t want to get stuck playing word games and this could easily be a simple issue of how you define opportunity. Opportunity is not being handed something that is available.  I believe that is enabling.

What is fair is providing the opportunity but letting the most deserving, the one who has worked the hardest, the one who is willing to risk what they already have to achieve more, receive that opportunity.

This is the problem.  Our culture had allowed these two terms to be watered down so much that we no longer recognize the difference.  We have a broken system and no one party, organization, or administration is to blame.  I think we spend so much time talking about the problem and whose at fault that we forget to work towards finding a solution.

My opinion, yes my opinion, is not based on race, color, religion or political affiliation.  It is based on the belief that we need to stop enabling and start empowering.  The only way for people to get better, and better off, is to empower them to do so.

What’s fair to invest in people so that they will invest in themselves and in-turn will begin to invest back in others or in their communities.  That’s fair to them and fair to everyone else.

I may get a little push back on this post, and that’s ok.  Why?  Because I will stand behind my words.  I am willing to invest in others.  I believe in people and that the greatest gift we can give them is to do just that – believe in them.

I have no problem whatsoever, in giving a person an opportunity, but if we fail to empower them to embrace that opportunity as a way forward, we are doing them a dis-service and we collectively continue to be part of the problem instead of the solution.

My challenge today is to consider the desired outcome in helping those in need.  It doesn’t matter if it’s material goods, a job opportunity or maybe something as simple as a little encouragement.

Consider what you are doing or providing – is it a short term solution to a long term problem or is there a way to empower someone to be part of their own solution?

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SAVE THE DATE:  On October 10th, John will be doing a WEBCAST to teach from his new book and introduce the Maxwell Leadership Assessment.  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WEBCAST

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Barry Smith    9/28/13   photo by author   © Building What Matters 2013

The post Do You Want To Be Treated Fair Or Equal? appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

The official release of Scott’s first book, Discover Your Sweet Spot – The 7 Steps to Create a Life of Success and Significance, is scheduled for January 8th, 2014. If you want to be part of the launch party click here.

Yes, this is another book that focuses a lot on leadership, but Scott provides 7 steps that will guide you along a path to success and significance in whatever lane you are travelling.

Scott is the Vice President of the John Maxwell Team and one of the team mentors.  A very successful businessman in the Landscaping business, Scott parallels the ideas of DESIGN, BUILD and MAINTAIN into whatever environment we find ourselves.

This will be the final of three posts taking us through the 7 steps that will teach us how to Design, Build and Maintain a life of success and significance.

PHASE 3: MAINTAIN YOUR LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENT

STEP 5 – PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT: Poor Maintenance Costs You More In The Long Run

To maintain the success, or significance, that we have achieved will not sustain itself unless we commit to continual growth.  Scott suggests asking questions to keep us on top of our game.  Here are his Elite 8:

1. What do I do best?
2. How can I do it better?
3. Who can I best serve doing it?
4. Of the things I currently do, what should I do more?
5. Of the things I currently do, what should I do less?
6. Of the things I currently do, what should I stop?
7. What should I start doing?
8. What am I missing?

STEP 6 – MAINTAIN THE MAIN THING: Keep Your Vision within Sight at All Times

Scott describes the importance of vision and how, unless we keep it on the forefront, it will soon be lost.  Here are his “Five Lenses of Maintaining Vision”:

1. Define The Vision – If you can’t define the vision, you can’t achieve it.
2. Develop the Vision – Create a clear vision that represents the values behind it.
3. Drill the Vision – Include the entire team in casting the vision and create an environment of unity.
4. Distinguish the Vision – Your vision should set you apart from the rest.
5. Demonstrate the Vision – Very simple here – walk the talk!

STEP 7 – GIVE WHAT YOU CAN’T KEEP: Legacies are Maintained by Investing in Others

Those of you that have followed me for a while know how important legacy is to me.  Scott gives us a great quote from educator Elton Trueblood; “We have made at least a start in discovering the meaning in human life when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit.”

Investing in others and believing in them is the way we can leave our fingerprint on generations to come.  We can’t take anything with us, but we can clearly leave something behind.

I have reviewed numerous books and many have had a specific topic or targeted audience.  Discover Your Sweet Spot is for everyone.  We all have a Sweet Spot, but very few are living in it.  If you want to get there, do yourself a favor and pre-order this book.

Scott leaves us with this thought; “If you are enjoying any success in your life, it’s because someone has gone before you, sacrificed, and paid the price.”  

Today’s question: “What price are you paying today to create a legacy that will serve others after you are gone?”

• Click here to read Part 1 – The Design Phase
• Click here to read Part 2 – The Building Phase

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Barry Smith    9/18/13   photo courtesy of Scott M Fay   © Building What Matters 2013

The post Discover Your Sweet Spot – Part 3: The Maintenance Phase appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.

I used to think like that.  Then I realized how much I was missing focusing on the prize, the win, the victory.  It really is about the journey and not the destination.  I believe that real victory comes from playing the game when you play to learn and not necessarily to win.

If you are nearing the half century mark, or older, can probably remember the ABC Wide World of Sports Commercial with the infamous words “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport! The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.”

• The thrill of victory – being excited because you are the winner.
• The agony of defeat – the pain of being the loser.

Is this really what life is about?  I think it comes down to this …

• The thrill of victory – finding satisfaction from your hard work paying off and producing results.
• The agony of defeat – the frustration that all your hard work did not provide the outcome you were looking for.

I find myself questioning the real value in riding the emotional roller coaster of victory and defeat.  Remember that guy who said; “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”  Well he had it almost right.  I don’t think “how you play the game” is enough.  I think it comes down to what you learn from playing the game.

John Maxwell will be releasing his 74th book “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn” in early October and the focus of the book – losing.  Oh, did I say losing?  Well that’s what some of you call it when you fail.  This book is really about winning – winning by learning from your failures and maintaining a positive attitude while doing it.

You have three choices.  You can win, you can lose, or you can learn.  You see, you don’t have to lose any more. Although I am looking forward to John’s new book, I don’t need to read it to know that learning is better than losing. What it really comes down to is how I respond the the things I struggle with in my life.

I can be defeated or I can push through, get as close to “winning” as possible and learn from how I fell short so that I might improve next time.  For me, it is really about growing. With the right attitude, we can grow more from our failures than we can from our successes.

I know that if I continue to grow everyday, through the good and the bad, I will succeed.  John was asked what topic his new book falls under – leadership?  personal growth?  communication?  His response – “attitude.”

This book is about attitude and when our attitude reflects our desire to learn and grow, we are much more likely to actually learn from our mistakes rather than let them keep us down or hold us back.

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take the rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory not defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Life is much bigger than one single victory or win.  We can learn every day and more importantly, we can learn even from the things we fail at.

My question today will require a little thinking on your part.  What would you do if you knew you could not fail?  And here is the challenge; DO IT!

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SAVE THE DATE:  On October 10th, John will be doing a WEBCAST to teach from his new book and introduce the Maxwell Leadership Assessment.  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WEBCAST

Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page. 

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Barry Smith    9/21/13   photo by author   © Building What Matters 2013

The post Victory – Is It Really About Winning And Losing? appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.