Bound to Fail, Again

I think it’s interesting that we default human nature to negative behavior. Think about it for a minute. People take the easiest path…and it’s human nature. Employees do just enough to get by…and it’s human nature. Leaders sit back and avoid conflict because….well…it’s human nature.

And we almost expect things in life to go poorly…we’re bound to fail…it’s human nature.

I’m calling B.S. on human nature. There is a huge difference between courage (which is the human nature I prefer) and laziness. Laziness is not human nature…it’s a choice…it’s an excuse…and makes people look like fools.

Self-Confidence First

When was the last time you heard someone characterize a leader’s courageous style as their “human nature?” We all know…albeit only a few leaders…whose courage seems to come naturally. 

They have no fear when it comes to trying new strategies. They don’t worry about consequences the way we think they should. 

They are rule breakers…they don’t care about norms…they just see endless possibilities.

It’s in their nature.

Bound to Win

So how do we move from “life is horrible” to “I am so committed to helping my organization win that I’ll try anything?” What is the secret that moves us from the hapless masses that quite candidly are a waste of our time…to moving in to the rarefied air of being confident, fearless, and loaded with so much courage we scare those around us?

The answer is quite simple…but the execution is difficult for most. Corporate pressure and politics cloud our ability to think clearly. They become derailers that move us away from winning for our organizations. You must do what you are scared to do…what you think is too politically complicated…and what may compromise your position. 

Others may mock you along the way. So what?

Others may openly question if you’re doing the right things. So what?

You may even end up feeling quite alone along the path to progress.  So what?

How About You

You are NOT bound to fail. You are bound to take risks…to try new things…and make a real difference.

Do not falter.

Do not look back.

Do not rejoin the hordes of leaders stuck in 1995.

Lead. Today.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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I Will Live My Thanks

Even though the world feels like it’s completely upside down, I’ve been doing some thinking about how lucky I am. It was worth the few minutes it took to gather my thoughts. Maybe a small investment of time will help you gain some perspective too.

Personal stuff that really matters to me.

Her.

My mom and sister.

My kids.

My granddaughter.

My faith.

My church family.

My friends.

My music.

My health.

My city.

Business stuff I’m thankful for.

My job at my firm.

My current and former colleagues.

My business associates.

My career.

My opportunities ahead.

What’s on your list?

Thanks for being here.

Jay

Don’t Suffer Twice

We all go through a lot. Maybe we realize that a bit more in our post-pandemic world? I know I do. How many of us have had a friend open up to us and we think to ourselves “I had no idea what they were going through?”

Probably all of us.

With mental health becoming a topic we can discuss openly, including here on the blog, I’m reminded of a comment one of the guys in my weekly bible study said recently….

“WE ALL GO THROUGH SO MUCH…AND WHEN WE CONSTANTLY WORRY ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN, AND THEN GO THROUGH IT FOR REAL, WE ACTUALLY MAKE OURSELVES SUFFER TWICE.”

Add to this that our minds frequently spin out the worst case scenario (that often does not come true) then we are really suffering on a scale that is simply not necessary.

We suffer again and again, inside our heads and outside our heads.

There aren’t any easy answers here. There isn’t a workout routine or healthy diet to follow that magically solves this dilemma (although they certainly can help.) What I’ve found is that something extra can be powerful in these moments. Something that requires trust, discipline, and an open mind. It takes several forms, and all are effective.

Faith.

Prayer.

Meditation.

Quiet time.

I’m not preaching here today. Yes, my faith has been life changing for me. Perhaps yours has been for you too? I have friends who use meditation, quiet thinking time, reflection, etc…all have served a powerful purpose. A sense of inner peace is often the outcome of integrating these practices into a daily routine.

At the very least if you are able, reach out to a friend. That has also worked for me and I’m guessing it will for you too.

How do you avoid the scourge of suffering twice? 

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Endings and Beginnings

Getting ahead. 

Taking that next promotion. 

Leading a new strategic initiative. 

Moving on from one organization to join a new one. 

Taking a career risk that works out.

Leadership is a wild ride. Just when we think we have things figured out something or someone changes the dynamic. It can be exciting, frustrating, difficult or challenging. Often, simultaneously.

It feels as if life is nothing but a series of endings and beginnings. 

Freshman year to Senior year.

First job to leadership job.

New relationship to committed exclusive partners.

How do you cope with this ever changing cycle? We all live it, yet successfully navigating these waters is tough. At least it is for me.

My lessons learned have made a huge difference in how I move through this cycle of change. At some point it became a bit of a thrill, quite honestly I want to experience the ride. Not knowing exactly how things are going to work out; yet, still diving in and going for it. 

Is that how you do it too?

Maybe I’m a career-adrenaline junkie?

Perhaps my energy levels naturally push me to go beyond my limits to see what kind of difference I can make?

Whatever it is for me, I’d love to hear how you manage…or avoid…life’s cycle of endings and beginnings.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Not Just Today

Today is an important day. Sure, all holidays are important because we take extra time to focus, commemorate, pause, celebrate, and today, recommit to how we aspire to lead.

But sometimes when we take a few moments to acknowledge these special days there is criticism that we are either being insincere or simply celebrating because it is politically correct.

Well friends, here’s how I look at this. I’m thankful there are holidays, special days, and commemorations for all sorts of reasons…not the least of which for one of my all-time role models, Dr. King. I’ve written about him multiple times over the years, and feel compelled to do so again.

Why? Quite simply the world is a mess. Bitter divisions exist: racism, anti-semitism, extreme nationalism, and hate speech all in the name of religion and country have reared their repulsive heads.

We desperately need to remember Dr. King not just today, but everyday.

There are other influences we need as well…but today is the day we focus on one man and his incredible courage, eloquence, and sacrifice.

I hope that you celebrate Dr. King today in any way you see fit. The “how” doesn’t matter as much as long as we “do.” Talk about him. Share video clips of his speeches. Talk about his passion for all people. 

If we truly believe everyone is important, then it seems to me that today is the perfect day to live that belief, not just talk about it.

Thank you Dr. King, for everything.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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Strong Cultures…AND…

I talk with a lot of large employers across the country. We discuss their people challenges: turnover, dissatisfaction, engagement, communication, external threats, and inevitably…their ‘strong culture.’

Strong culture. I hear that phrase a lot. And I suspect that it’s mostly true.

Here’s the problem with relying on your strong culture…the world of work has turned upside down in the last couple of years. Employees not only think about work differently; they believe work is different now. Not that it’s changing, but that it has already changed. 

Most employers have not caught up to where their employees are, and the corresponding result of vacancies, employee activism, and external threats seem to have leaders baffled.

How is it possible that we’re still wondering why people “don’t want to go to work” or that “we just don’t understand what’s going on?” Seriously? We are the ones who are supposed to be leading the way, not throwing our hands up in disbelief.

I bet you believe your organization can rely on it’s strong culture too, right?

Here’s the new reality. Many organization have strong cultures…AND…their employees are thinking differently all at the same time. You can no longer rely on your corporate history to save the day. That’s like saying you want me to fax you something.

Today’s savvy leaders leverage their culture and they push themselves out of their corporate comfort zone and adopt contemporary approaches to communication, employee engagement, and digital strategies. The best of the best challenge themselves to not only think differently, but to lead differently. 

That’s a scary proposition particularly if you’ve been a successful leader for a long time. However, if you don’t pivot to blend your culture and the new world of work, you won’t have the privilege of leading much longer.

In my opinion it’s one of the most exciting times to be in a leadership role. There is no longer a business as usual rhythm to the work day. It’s wide open! New ideas, new thinking, new technologies and new behaviors will all play a role in how you drive your organization forward.

That sounds pretty awesome to me.

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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95%

I don’t have a ten-year study to prove it.

I don’t have a trendy article that declares this is true.

But, I’ve quoted this for years and candidly no one has challenged me yet.

95% of all organizational problems are a result of ineffective leadership.

Still with me? Believe my bold assumption?

Let’s break it down:

- leaders develop budgets

- they hire

- they fire

- they approve just about everything including vacations and staffing assignments

- they implement new strategies

- they decide on how communication will flow and which tools will be used

- and on and on…

With so much authority concentrated in a small group, wouldn’t we expect those leaders to be dynamic, engaging, savvy, and passionate about the people they are leading?

Where should we go from here? If 95% is a real thing, does that trigger a response? What does that response look like? It’s easy to say that leadership is important; however, framing true leadership as a very small group of individuals that control everything feels a bit different, right?

What about empowered employees?

What about pushing decision-making down to the frontline?

I don’t believe it’s true…that’s just double-talk in my opinion.

What do you think?

Thanks for being here.

Jay

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