Of all the Things Leaders Need to Feel, Important is NOT one of Them!

As leaders we do not think a lot about what we feel and I get that. Leaders are often action oriented and much of our attention is focused externally versus internally. The caution, however, is that not paying attention to our feelings, can lead to negative consequences. This got me thinking out loud about what leaders should feel and what they should not.

Whether you realize it or not, as a leader you are constantly feeling things . . . frustrated, triumphant, cautious, joyful, etc. and sometimes all at once! You see according to author Bob Proctor; our FEELINGS eventually drive our BEHAVIORS which dictate our RESULTS. Therefore, it follows if we feel the better things, we get better results and if we feel negative things, we get negative results. Taking that to the next logical step, there are some things we should feel that will serve us and our teams better and some that will not.

In terms of the latter, I believe the point of leadership is NOT to:

• Feel Important – the most effective leaders are ones that do not dwell on their own importance or position but rather focus on helping others feel that THEY matter! If the only thing you live for is yourself, in the end that is all you will be left with.
• Feel Entitled – it is easy to spot a leader who feels entitled. They usually demand perks and favors from others. They see team members as interchangeable tools versus valued individuals.
• Feel Satisfied – I know this will sound strange in that leadership can be very rewarding and satisfying. The caution is to avoid what leadership and personal effectiveness expert John Maxwell labels the “destination disease” where leaders feel that they have “arrived” thus no more improvements are needed or efforts required.

On the other hand, the leaders I admire and believe are effective:

• Feel Compelled – effective leaders don’t just express concern about the state of affairs, they feel so moved that they actually want to DO something about the situation. This was the impetus of some of the greatest movements in history or group of students wanting to clean a park or a church that creates a clothes closet or food program.
• Feel Inspired – I believe that passionate leaders have the capacity to inspire both themselves but also others into action. Whether it is addressing a company merger or righting a wrong, we need inspired leaders because their energy and enthusiasm is contagious!
• Feel Responsible – I also believe that the most effective leaders don’t “kick the can down the road” and abdicate their responsibility to address issues and concerns NOW when they are in the position to do something about it. Truly effective and courageous leaders tackle the tough issues and make the hard decisions needed so that the problem does not snowball into something bigger.

So let me ask you, what do you feel COMPELLED to change or improve? What does that compulsion INSPIRE you to DO as a result? How far will you take a CHANGE ITEM due your sense of RESPONSIBILITY? Will you take it all the way to the end or just stop when things get tough? I would love to hear your answers to the above and feel free to email me and let’s talk it over!

As always if I can help you and the people you associate with Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would invite you to email me or to visit my website below and see if any of the training or coaching experiences I offer can provide an impact! Also, as a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical in order to add value to your organization!

Yours in Leadership,

Bill Faulkner

Principal Consultant – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

Visit our website at: www.outloudinc.com

Feel free to “LIKE” our FB Page www.facebook.com/outloudinc

For Leaders your ONLY Ground is the HIGH Ground!

The more I study and think about the PRACTICE or APPLICATION of leadership, the more I am convinced that the only “ground” a leader can firmly stand upon is the HIGH GROUND of INTEGRITY. No matter what other people may tell you, there is just NOT an alternative place to be. However, this often gets me thinking out loud about HOW as leaders can we maintain our integrity in a business, political, and social environment that constantly challenges not to!

First, there are many definitions of leadership integrity but author C.S. Lewis defined it as “doing the right thing, ALL the time, even when no one is looking . . . especially when no one is looking!” The question still remains, however, is HOW do we do this? What does leadership integrity look like? Unfortunately, we have fewer and fewer good examples among elected officials, professional athletes, celebrities, and others that used to be our society’s role models. And since they can no longer be depended upon to do so, it is therefore up to people like you to fill the leadership void!

 “Integrity is doing the right thing, ALL the time, even when no one is looking . . . especially when no one is looking!” - C.S. Lewis

I recently read a great article by Robin Amster writing for Success Magazine that helps clarifies some of those questions with some very important questions created by attorney Don Phin. In reflecting upon your own actions or leadership practices:

• Are you willing to verbally share your beliefs and speak up when you feel something is unethical?
• Does your conduct diminish or elevate you?
• Do you want others to follow your example or mimic your behaviors?
• Do you “own” ALL your decisions and actions or do you excuse or minimize them?
• What if your daily life was one big Reality TV show, would you be comfortable with what others see?

Robin goes on to share some practical strategies for building and demonstrating integrity that demonstrates to YOURSELF and OTHERS that you stand on the high ground!

• Keep Promises to anyone to whom you make one. If for some reason you cannot do so, apologize and explain why.
• Keep Appointments and be on time. One quick way to let others know that they of little importance to you is to miss an appointment or be late.
• Keep Commitments by evaluating beforehand your ability and willingness to do so.
• Keep it Simple by being very clear when you CAN or CANNOT do something.
• Keep it Professional in all communications. This pertains to the language you use, the tone you set, and the timeliness of responses (I can never understand vendors or individuals who do not return phone calls or emails!)

At the end of the day, this all comes down to the quality and strength of your character. Don’t misunderstand me in thinking this is always easy. It is not and I can share with you that standing on the high ground has sometimes cost me short term gains or advantages. But any loss was minimal when compared to how I felt about myself later. The point being is that you may not need to demonstrate moral courage now, but some day you will. THAT is the time and place when we need you to be brave . . . long after the impact of any blog, teaching, etc. has worn off and you find yourself in a moment of truth when you have the choice to take the high ground or not. It is you we are depending on!

As always if I can help you and the people you associate with Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would invite you to email me or to visit my website below and see if any of the training or coaching experiences I offer can provide an impact! Also, as a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical in order to add value to your organization!

Yours in Leadership,

Bill Faulkner

Principal Consultant – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

Visit our website at: www.outloudinc.com

Feel free to “LIKE” our FB Page www.facebook.com/outloudinc

Passion IS Profitable!

During a recent trip to Charlotte, NC, I observed how powerful passion can be the “impact multiplier” that differentiates between an enterprise and an experience! Now nothing is as common place as the ubiquitous hot dog, however I had the opportunity to eat at a hot dog restaurant called "JJ's Red Hots" where we met one of the managers named Alonzo. His hospitality and positive attitude was so contagious, it turned a visit into a happening! It was therefore no accident the place is always packed which got me thinking out loud that such passion is profitable (among other things!).

You have often read the statistics offered by Gallup about employee disengagement. The flip side, however is that 15% of any given work place IS engaged with 5% of that group being actively engaged. This is the staffing zone where things get done and boundaries get pushed. You see, when we are truly passionate about what we do, incredible things start to happen.

Passion creates Innovation – at JJ’s they offer a unique combination of ingredients and toppings that elevate the hotdog to a gourmet staple! Passion is what inspired Steve Jobs to introduce the IPhone which completely transformed the telecommunications industry. Passion is what made Amazon one of the largest retailers in the world. PASSION SPARKS CREATIVITY.

Passion provides Experience – instead of just dropping by our table, Alonzo spent time with us. He asked where we were from, joked with us, and even took pictures for us. Who does that anymore? When passionate people are interacting with your customers or clients, the whole customer experience becomes elevated. Unfortunately, I think we have become used to perfunctory or minimal service so just think how powerful it can be when your clients experience something far more than they expected?!?!

Passion enables Brand Loyalty – it has often been said that the best form of advertising is word of mouth (either literally or now on social media!). Just how Alonzo’s passion was contagious, you better believe that most of their customers are repeaters. You can be sure that we will make it a point to go back next time we are in town. Even more important, I am not being paid one cent for highlighting JJ’s, it is just the food and experience was just that good that I have no problem being a Brand Ambassador for them! Think about other restaurants you have recommended or vendors you have passed along their contact information. I would wager there is something about the service you received (fueled by passion!) that made you a willing ambassador for their business or services.

Passion increases Profit – all of the above equals more customers, clients, etc. which creates more volume and revenue. To prove my point, our host that introduced us to JJ’s mentioned that the space had been several other restaurants prior but JJ’s has been there the longest in what is a very competitive restaurant market in Charlotte. I cannot imagine any enterprise that can flourish for very long without passion.

So now that I made the case for passion, you might want to ask yourself a few questions:

• Are YOU still passionate about what you do?
• Are ALL your team members just as passionate as you?
• What would happen if everyone associated with your enterprise increased their passion just a little bit?
• What value-added experience can you add to your enterprise that would demonstrate to others how passionate you are?

By the way, if you are even in Charlotte, go by JJ’s Red Hots! http://www.jjsredhots.com

As always if I can help you and the people you associate with Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would invite you to email me or to visit my website below and see if any of the training or coaching experiences I offer can provide an impact! Also, as a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical in order to add value to your organization!

Yours in Leadership,

Bill Faulkner

Principal Consultant – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

Visit our website at: www.outloudinc.com

Feel free to “LIKE” our FB Page www.facebook.com/outloudinc

What Home Appliance Disasters Can Teach Leaders About Problem Solving!

When home appliances attack, there is much to be learned! While vising old friends this weekend, the refrigerator of our host’s home decided to run amuck by creating a free flow of ice. This “ice geyser” spilled all over the floor and would not stop! Now this group of friends, often referred to as “The Coalition”, has been a group I have known for over 20 years. Regardless of where I am and what I am doing, these people have been a constant in my life; thus we are VERY comfortable around each other. As a result of the hilarity that ensued, this got me thinking out loud about the roles people play when things go wrong!

So here are some of the leadership roles observed in this real-time human performance simulation:

Lead Panic Facilitators – these are folks that like to amplify the issue(s) or situation and create more problems! They generally get in the way, raise their voices, and make mountains out of molehills. Clearly they understand it is more fun to ramp up the drama!

Lead Train Wreck Watchers – these folks will stay in the sidelines and just watch what happens (often because they are not sure what to do!). They will offer advice (most of it not all that helpful) but usually just stay out of the way, neither helping or hurting. These are also the kind of leaders you can count on to catch all the action on social media and share accordingly!

Lead Problem Solvers – obviously, these are the kind of leaders we rely on to get things done. They analyze the situation, decide on the best course of action, and then jump in! They also understand they are most helpful directing or taking direction. Some will be there with towels to scoop up the ice, some will mop up wet floors, while others work on the out of control appliance! Afterward, they then suggest we all go out for hotdogs!

So the moral of the story is that when things go wrong, observe what others do. Then make sure you identify what is helpful and point out what is note! Granted, I may be embellishing the drama of our home appliance adventure, but as my good friend Anthony advises. "Don't let the vinegar of truth ruin a sweet story!" Also, these categories may be simplistic, if not a bit tongue-in-cheek, but as leadership expert John Maxwell shares, "some staff bring a bucket of water to a problem while others bring gasoline!" others work on the out of control appliance! 

“Don't let the vinegar of truth ruin a sweet story!”

The other lesson that can be learned here is that leaders need an inner circle of people that:

• accept you as you are
• don’t let you get away with anything
• keep you humble by telling stories about you when you were not at your best
• love you unconditionally and demand the same from you!

As always if I can help you and the people you associate with Get Better, Be Ready and LEAD OUT LOUD, I would invite you to email me or to visit my website below and see if any of the training or coaching experiences I offer can provide an impact! Also, as a bonus, if you go to my Out Loud Strategies website (www.outloudinc.com) and enter your contact information, I will send you a FREE guide to establishing a mentoring initiative program in your organization! Such an initiative would be critical in order to add value to your organization!

Yours in Leadership,

Bill Faulkner

Principal Consultant – Out Loud Strategies

Independent Coach, Speaker, and Trainer with the John Maxwell Team ^TM

Email = bill@outloudinc.com

Visit our website at: www.outloudinc.com

Feel free to “LIKE” our FB Page www.facebook.com/outloudinc