Absolutely Positive!

I write a lot about leaders striving to be better (including me!) Often those messages are embedded in real life examples of leadership failures (including me again!).

But here's the thing...so much of what happens around us...to us...and for us...is because of...

...us!

All In My Mind
I am often 'accused' of having such a positive outlook that I don't have a real grasp of reality. I LOVE THAT! So what it is that has made the Jay-Filter so effective despite problems, stress, mistakes, pressure, even bigger mistakes, and failure?

Every corporate setting I've been exposed to (large or small) comes with a dose of the aforementioned challenges. Dwelling on those problems, for some, is a competency they have perfected after years of practice.

I don't love that.

However, finding the opportunity in every problem that blows up in our face...seeing the potential...interpreting the chaos as a challenge to be world-class...is something that has made an enormous difference in my life, both personally and professionally.

Stop It
Have you practiced your negativity skill a bit too long? Is complaining about everything that is wrong with the world your comfort zone?

Why?

Does it make you feel better?
Does it improve the operations of your organization?
Does your team create amazing results because of the negative environment?

Um, no, no and no.

How About You
Life is full of negative things...that isn't going to change. What can change however is what you do about them. 

Get fired up!

Laugh off the madness, and charge ahead (even if you don't know what to do next)!

...and most of all...find the good each day! It's all around you!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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What You Bring

It comes naturally for some...and for others it's a struggle that requires thoughtful, intentional effort. It can build upon itself and push us even higher. Or, it can be so draining that we need to literally take a break and rest.

We've all been around people who show it consistently in their work. People are drawn to them, they want to be around them, work for them, go the extra mile for them.

You know the type. The room fills with energy the moment they arrive. Their energy level always seems to be so high, yet their loud voice and broad smile are sincere. What's up with these people?

More Than Attitude
Those positive leaders that seem to "have it all together" are not flukes. They aren't just naturally taking risks, going out of their way to support the team, or treating everyone as if they are as important as the CEO.

Every. Single. Time.

Their actions are based on a conscious decisions to be positive. It's as if they've not just talked about doing the right thing, they've internalized that mindset so it looks and feels natural to those around them.

More Than Just Energy
How does it happen? Isn't that massive focus on energy all the time absolutely draining? Oddly enough, that energy spreads. 

If you watch closely you can see the reaction among the team, and watch it grow. That, in turn, comes back to them. 

It is a cycle that is positive, impactful, and helps to create corporate culture beyond the programming and "models" that seem to dominate contemporary work.

How About You
When was the last time you made the decision to be a positive, high-energy force of nature in your workplace? You absolutely can do it. Ask those role models in your organization how they do it...and copy them. (Here's an insider tip...they're copying their role models too.)

What you bring can make a huge difference.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Deciding to Win

Consider your situation right now...personally or professionally. 

Have you achieved your goals? 
Are you hustling with a company that you love? 
Have you found a sense of inner peace...with all of the successes and failures and near-misses and disappointments and noise that are part of "peace?"

Hoping to Win
It's funny how our early dreams of future lives...filled with hope for personal satisfaction and professional success...somehow never seem to get to an end point. It's as if we can...never...quite...get...there...regardless of how hard we (have convinced ourselves that we continue to) try.

There is a tired, but accurate phrase, that says 'hope is not a strategy.' However, it appears to be one of the most common forms of self-evaluation, self-esteem, and overall measure of one's worth.

I vote that we use hope as part of our thinking, but pursue a different path when it comes to actually getting things accomplished.

Deciding to Win
Now consider your situation again, but this time let's use a different lens. One that is not based on workplace hustle, personal bliss, or finding the perfect job. Instead, let's take an inventory of what you have accomplished over the last couple of years.

What bold moves have you made in your career?

How does it feel to be on the other side of major life decisions that caused so much stress, but are now behind you?

What else is different now, but you were in such a hurry to focus on the next thing that you've forgotten how much of a difference you've made?

How About You
As it turns out, winning is not a place, or title, or partner. Winning is what you decide it is. So, will it be the endless pursuit of...pursuing? Or, will winning be something entirely different for you?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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A Deeper Look at Half Full v Half Empty

We  go to great lengths to remain positive in most every situation, right?  That doesn't necessarily mean we pull it off, but by nature we intentionally try a positive approach on the first pass.  The classic challenge of whether or not the glass is half full or half empty is automatically a "half full" answer for us in leadership.  At least it should be. 

Terry Starbucker's recent post on appreciation eloquently speaks to the "half full" phenomenon, and how powerful appreciation can be when integrated into our leadership.  But is there something beyond the half full/half empty question that we've missed?

WE'RE MISSING THE "REAL" QUESTION

Taking a closer look at this question goes beyond whether or not there is any water in there, and speaks to whether or not we are happy with our "glass" at all.  Having a positive attitude is a great perspective to take as we travel through life; but if we truly are not happy, it will be extremely difficult to maintain a positive approach.  That can be downright lethal for us in leadership.

Does it really matter if there is any water in the glass anyway?

WHAT TO DO WITH THE "REAL" QUESTION?

So now what?  Clearly the question is about life, not a silly metaphor for plastering a smile on our face during times of crisis.  In his June blog post, Dr. John Mandrola reflected on the power of a positive attitude and what it can mean not only in his work as a cardiologist, but for the patients he serves as well.  The task at hand is to first critically examine our own lives.  What's working, what's not, and most importantly what choices are we going to make to effect change?  This isn't easy for any of us, particularly me. 

HOW ABOUT YOU

How have you reconciled the half full/half empty question?  Are you satisfied with where you are on the life journey; or, is it time to reevaluate and develop a new plan for the coming year? 

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

pics courtesy of www.seraph.com and www.bbc.co.uk/humbe