Category: Values

Lesson one from 2009: there is more than one lesson!

I’m fortunate – I don’t work in a salt mine – though I do like my life to have full flavour. These are my New Year’s day ramblings looking back on my leadership lessons from 2009. They’re personal to me – there’s only one person in the world you can change – and for me, that’s me.  I’ve put in italics what these things mean to me.  They might not mean the same thing or anything to you.  That’s okay.

  1. Being happy really is important, really important.  Could be all there is!  Will you follow an unhappy leader?
  2. There is no superhero who can change anything!  (except you).  You’re the leader, so lead.
  3. We all have a default expression – mine is grim, so I better watch it ‘cos I’m laughing inside!  First impressions can count.
  4. I love distance running – the more I do the better I feel.  It helps me to focus, solve problems, keep healthy, try ideas out with my fellow runners and I see more of the country than I ever thought possible.  A healthy leader is around longer.
  5. Give.  That was a promise I made in March.  It’s an attitude shift and much easier and more rewarding than I thought it would be.  It’s not  to be confused with marketing or sampling.  It’s giving only.  Leadership is about giving for others.
  6. Twelve months ago I was going through changes.  Many people helped me for which I am very grateful.  I notice there are people right now going through similar changes.  I hope I can return the support given to me to others.  Leadership is about giving for others (again!)
  7. I’ll never give up having fun and laughing.  Authenticity.
  8. Someone will wrong you.  But in the end you’ll learn so much you will be grateful for the experience. Reflection is a powerful leadership habit.
  9. I try not to pretend.  Authenticity.

In 2010 I want to let my creativity flow to discover new ways to continue to learn about leadership with other happy people who want to make a difference.  Full flavour for me in 2010.

So when I say happy new year, the happy part really is important.

Happy new year!

Stephen

ps did you know that in New Zealand’s largest wine growing region, Marlborough, we mine salt?


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What a blast!

My 19 year old son Thomas invited me to a concert yesterday.  Knowing his tastes in music I purchased earplugs, and off we headed.  Are you sure you’re okay with coming along he asked?  Sure man, I like music!  After a bite to eat we headed off to The Transmission Room.  The band was called Lightening Rod Bolt, apparently from New York – it goes without saying I had never seen them previously.

Checking in at the door I was asked “Father and Son?” and on confirmation “hey what a cool Dad!”  Of course (sorry I had to say this – when you’re closer to 50 than 40 you hang on to everything you can).

Not since Mr JJ McAullife told me off in Form 2 Latin have I heard such noise!  I thought my jeans were vibrating, then I realised they were actually being forced to one side by the wind from the speakers.  The band played at floor level so unless you were right up close you couldn’t seem them.  The first “row” of spectators immediately started shaking wildly which I quickly realised was dancing, followed by the second and third rows and which point Thomas excused himself to join in.  I felt slightly anxious that the shaking thing might envelop me but was reassured when I looked at the people around me to see that they were probably Jesus’ disciples (or at least they had the same hair styles). 

What did I notice and why am I writing this up?  What really struck me was the respect that everyone had for each other.  Going crazy in the moshpit they moved and jostled as one and no-one appeared to get pushed or hurt.  You wouldn’t know it if you landed there without some context, but this long-haired, black T-shirt crowd could teach many of us respect for each other in a tight situation.  Thomas tells me there were only two in the band – though I didn’t see them.  It was fun and the crowd (and one Dad!) were pretty cool.

 


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Are you cutting corners to save time?

During an afternoon coffee with a friend today we talked about a significant event that had impacted on both of us over a period of time.  My friend had initially been somewhat on the peripheral of what was going on and I had assumed that the details of the events were not necessarily of great importance to him.

How wrong I was.

During our discussion it became apparent that what I had seen as unnecessary explanation or detail was in fact rightly perceived as non-disclosure.  My friend was not judgemental in this regard but was honest in seeking to understand why it appeared that I had made selected and timely disclosures of information as it suited me.

I believed I was simply saving time.  I know that I was also avoiding potentially difficult conversations which I had not been ready for.  I was cutting corners.  Not only was that wrong,  I shouldn’t have even been on the road.  I wasn’t ready.

Not everyone needs every detail.  But when you are dealing with your trust bank, there really is no short cut.

Don’t get on the road, if you’re thinking of taking short cuts! People will notice. I was fortunate this time to have a friend who believed in me enough to tell me.


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Are you for real?

Earlier this week I had some meetings with some great people talking about leadership. Getting ready for work that morning I decided to go full-blown shirt and tie. Yep, I’ve got dozens of ties, lots of suits, but frankly, that’s just not me. But my expectation was that other’s expectations were that I should wear a shirt and tie. Even writing this now seems absurd. But it’s what I did and I admit to having done it in the past.

My first appointment was smartly dressed with an open neck shirt. “so, where does your programme fit in? what’s different to others he asked”. “Well I said, it’s about authenticity, we want people to develop the real leader inside them – not like a copy of someone they think is a great leader – take Barak Obama, most people would say he’s so natural, himself.” Then it hit me and I confessed! Continue reading “Are you for real?” →