The Value of Good Mentors

There are those who are fortunate and those who are less fortunate. Throughout my career, I have been able to excel, been able to see things from different perspectives and been able to accomplish much. I do not take the credit for this. It is because I have worked with some of the greatest minds I know. In every career move I've made, I have had the fortune of recognizing and listening to those who knew the path, followed the path and now are teaching the path.

I had what felt like an out of body experience earlier today. I viewed something differently than I would have several years ago. I was being asked for advice where I might have taken the same approach that was proposed. It seemed liked the right approach at the time, but when factoring other aspects, wouldn't have accomplished what was intended. I don't know when this transition of thinking happened to me.

I do know, left to my own devices, I wouldn't have been able to distinguish this or it might have taken many more years. The point I'm trying to make is that I am very appreciative of my mentors. Of those who take the time, of those who teach and of those I get to learn from. "Good leaders create other good leaders and not followers." Words I read years ago and know that experiencing good leadership does change how a person thinks.

Carving the Path

Often times I observe others afraid to take risks. Afraid to go against the grain. Afraid to take a chance. My advice: Do it. Take the chance. Take the risk. I have a story that I feel defines my personality.
My husband and I were car shopping several years ago. I found a red brand new mustang that I absolutely wanted. The problem: It was standard. I had never learned to drive standard. Needless to say, I bought the car anyway. I didn't even know how to drive it home. My husband had to. So why did I use this to define my personality? Because even though I didn't know how to drive the car, I knew, I'd learn how to. What better motivation, but to take it home. I had no other alternative. If I didn't learn how to drive the car, I couldn't go to work. The pressure was enormous. Sink or swim.
I take this same approach in my career. I'm a young, successful person and am often asked "Aren't you afraid?" Of course, it's scary. I'm not superhuman. But I don't let fear interrupt my progress. I let it challenge me. Being out of your comfort zone is not easy. Just the opposite: It's quite difficult. But the lessons you learn are carried with you while you carve your own path.

Practicing Forgiveness

Practicing forgiveness is an on-going evolution of a person who is able to tolerate transgressions because there is progress that can be made. I find myself in this lesson often. Either I am in the position of practicing it or engaging with someone who must practice it with me.

I have noticed that the more I am able to get past certain situations and forgive others, the more content I am as a result. It is not the situation that defines you, but the response you have in those situations.

Allowing your experience to trump your immediate response can be difficult, but is necessary. I won't pretend to not have those same feelings or emotional responses to situations that would make your blood boil, but it is you who chooses how to react to them.

Valuing Diversity

Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. ~ Stephen Covey

Often times I have come across people that cannot comprehend why people might view or do or even see things differently. If they do not fit into the box that they can comprehend; they must be doing something wrong or indifferent or have something left to learn. How often are people really appreciative of diversity? We speak it, we train about it, we are well aware it exists, but how many people really understand and value it?

Being confident in your beliefs, in your values and your morale compass means that you value the fact that other people might have different view points or beliefs. That you accept others because they are unique and have something to offer. That even though there are differences, there are a common set of goals.

Valuing people on all levels means you understand that people are unique and have something valuable to offer. The key may be finding what that is or guiding people to discover it for themselves or discovering that you might be learning from someone else.

Work/Life Balance

For years my life revolved around work and school. My routine started with breakfast, work, lunch, dinner, (meals are important) a drive to school, a drive home and bed time. Weekends were breakfast, homework, more homework, an hour or two of free time...did I mention homework? Fast forward to eight years of doing this and the routine changed, but not much. Breakfast, work, lunch, dinner, work. Weekends were breakfast, work, more work, an hour or two of free time...did I mention...you get the picture.
Yes, that is what happened. Homework prepared me for more work. After a few years of doing this, I've decided to change things a bit. Now it's breakfast, work, lunch, dinner, well whatever happens next. Weekends... breakfast followed by well, whatever happens next. No more spending free time doing work. Free time is meant to be....well you get the picture.

The New Business Manager: Change Leadership

There are various leadership styles that I have learned over the years. While some choose one approach, the most effective is the situational leadership style. This means constantly evaluating decisions for the situations that are before you. How you approach one situation may be different than how you approach another due to several factors and your experience in these circumstances. In order to quickly be able to adapt to change, it is important to keep this style because it creates a flexible leader. At times, a manager who chooses a “fixed” style of leadership tends to either get frustrated or is unable to quickly adapt to the change.

Jack Welsh said it best, “Change before you have to.” I am beginning to understand this concept. Either you can change and adapt to the situation or choose not to and painfully have to get there or never do and that has its own tensions.

Leadership in Tough Times

Anyone can lead when the waters are calm. True leaders are defined when they can lead through a storm. Are people willing to step up and be leaders when it's not convenient for them, when there is no prize or recognition for their efforts? Are people willing to step up if they also must feel the pain? Good leaders do what is responsible because that is what is required. Hopefully, others follow suit and, if not, then their leadership ability is defined in the storm. Those who are team players may not get the convenience, the prize or the recognition in the short-term, but in the long-term, they demonstrated what it really takes to be a leader and sometimes that means sacrifice. Those who cannot sacrifice are short-term thinkers wanting immediate satisfaction as opposed to what truely defines a person's character in the long-term. Good leaders demonstrate selflessness and not selfishness. It is much easier to serve yourself instead of others, but good leaders prefer challenges.  Which are you?