Leadership.
We often equate this word, this topic with the business world or heads of state/countries. After all, leaders are C.E.O.s and others with fancy titles right?
Consider this: Who leads your family? Who leads your life?
Recently, I read “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions” by world-renowned leadership expert, coach, pastor, author, and speaker John Maxwell. As I immersed myself within the pages of his book, I could see why it would be so beneficial for someone re: their career development. As I thought about the leadership questions and lessons John shares, I became aware of how beneficial many of these questions and lessons are not just for professional growth but personal growth. More specifically, I thought about the role of leadership in an organization that is often over looked and under valued…the family.
So many of us have no problem developing a career plan or strategy for furthering our careers but how many of us take the time to consider how we can better our marriages, relationships, and families? I wonder what would happen if we invested in building our families as much as we focus on building our careers.
10 Key Leadership Lessons:
1. By Example.
In the wise words of Ghandi, may you and I “Be the change you want to see in the world.” May we be the change we want to see in our family, our marriage, our workplace, our community, etc.
After all, the best leadership occurs…by example.
“You can’t do much about your ancestors, but you can influence your descendants in a wonderful way.”-John C. Maxwell
2. Character + Competence = Credibility
Competence is about what we are capable of doing.
Character is about we are when no one is watching; when things aren’t easy; if we don’t ever get the credit.Credibility is established when who we are and what we do is consistent.
Can you help me? That is a competence question.
Do you care for me? That is a compassion question.
Can I trust you? That is a character question.
“Successful people do daily what unsuccessful people do occasionally.”-John C.Maxwell
3. The Good S.I.N.
Great leaders are able to use the strengths of each member of their family/team combined with their interests to address the needs of the family/organization
USE Strengths + Interests to ADDRESS Need.
“One source of frustration in the workplace is the frequent mismatch between what people must do and what people can do. When what they must do exceeds their capabilities, the result is anxiety. When what they must do falls short of their capabilities, the result is boredom. But when the match is just right, the result can be glorious.”-Daniel H. Pink
4. Fear summed up…
“All fears stem from either ‘I am not enough’ or ‘I don’t have enough'”-Paul Martinelli
Now that we know this, may you and I be better at recognizing it when it comes up personally, professionally, in others, and in ourselves.
5. Purposely Purposeful.
Something to ask ourselves and learn about those in our family/organization.
What makes me sing? Your answer reveals what brings you joy.
What makes me cry? Your answer reveals what touches your heart.
What makes me dream? Your answer reveals what sparks your imagination.
What makes me excel? Your answer reveals your strength.
What makes me different? Your answer reveals your uniqueness.
-John C. Maxwell
6. Reach Higher. Extend Wider.
Sitting where you are, reach as high as you can. Now reach a little higher.
Now, extend your arms as wide as you can. Now extend them a little wider.
So often we fall short of how high and how wide we can truly live. Reach higher to be the very best you can be. Extend your arms wider to connect with compassion to all those around you. Love, Life, and Leadership is not meant to be a solo act.
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”-Albert Schweitzer
7. Ask Better Questions.
“Good questions inform; great questions transform.”-John C. Maxwell
May you and I learn to ask better questions—ones that get to the heart of a matter and/or the heart of a person we are dealing with. Sometimes, that person we need to get to the heart of is…ourself.
8. Perspective is One of Y(our) Greatest Superpowers.
“Before you attempt to set things right, make sure you see things right.”-Unknown
9. Leadership is Not About How Many Serve You But How Many YOU Serve.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very ungrammatical. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”-Arthur Ashe
True servanthood occurs in the moments when you’d rather sit back and relax, when the mess has nothing to do with you, when something is not your fault. Servant hood is not about you and all about you.
Humility. Honors Others. Heart Work.
10. Leaders Do What Is Right Even If It’s Not Easy, Convenient, or Popular.
“Cosmetic changes are relatively easy to make. They give the semblance of change, but often don’t actually produce positive results.”-John C. Maxwell
The principles of effective and excellent leadership apply both in the workplace and in life.
A good leader does what is necessary to help others/an organization survive.
A great leader do what is necessary to help others/an organization THRIVE.
May you and I be people whose goal is to always help those around us thrive (not merely in our workplace but in our family as well). As we do, we can rest knowing that as others thrive, so will we. The ripple effect occurs when you and I are willing to say, “I’m in” and live it…every day. No matter what.
Leaders Prayer
“God, when I am wrong, make me willing to change. When I am right, make me easy to live with. So strengthen me that the power of my example will far exceed the authority of my rank.”-Pauline H. Peters
BOOK REVIEW: “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions” by John C. Maxwell
Are you a leader or an aspiring leader? This book is for you.
Have you ever wonder how to deal with tough challenges like resolving conflict, working with difficult people, working under poor leadership, and navigating leadership transitions? This book offers the answers or atleast some timely advice.
In his new book “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions,” leadership expert John C. Maxwell answers hundreds of questions related to all things leadership.
“Questions unlock and open doors that otherwise remain closed”-John C. Maxwell
“Good questions inform; great questions transform.”-John C. Maxwell
Looking to find your purpose? This book is for you.
Looking to learn from one of the greatest leaders out there? This book is for you.
Looking for timeless wisdom, insight, words to live by, and questions that lead to clarity? This book is for you.
This book is not just for business folks but is for anyone who is looking to be a better leader in life.
This book is not just about leadership, it’s about life. It’s about living on purpose. It’s about building and strengthening relationships. It’s about becoming all that you were created to be.
“Life’s greatest rewards come from your inner self, from the choices you make, from how you decide to live under whatever circumstances you find yourself in.”-John C. Maxwell
John C. Maxwell is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, coach, and speaker who has sold more than 25 million books in 50 languages. In 2014 he was identified as the #1 leader in business by the American Management Association® and the most influential leadership expert in the world by Business Insider and Inc. magazine. He has also been voted the top leadership professional in the world on LeadershipGurus.net for six consecutive years. As the founder of The John Maxwell Company, The John Maxwell Team, EQUIP, and The John Maxwell Leadership Foundation, he has trained more than 5 million leaders. In 2015, he reached the milestone of having trained leaders from every country of the world. The recipient of the Mother Teresa Prize for Global Peace and Leadership from the Luminary Leadership Network, John speaks each year to Fortune 500 companies, presidents of nations, and many of the world’s top business leaders. Follow him at Twitter.com/JohnCMaxwell.
Special shout out to the wonderful team at Hachette for their partnership in today’s post.
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