We face a leadership cliff, not a fiscal cliff

 

     Washington D.C. is just a reflection of the issues that our lives and businesses are facing. Real leadership requires making the tough decisions. Our political system is showing the strains of difficult times. True leadership requires making not only the tough decisions, but ones that are unpopular and even cause pain in the short-term. This is no different from our decisions in business or life. We want to be liked. We want to take the easy way. Circumstances and events of life can make that an impossibility. It is hard to admit; sometimes, it is the result of our bad decisions.

   When we try to postpone or "kick the can" down the rode, there are days of reckoning. It is time to lead. It is time to take inventory both personally and professionally. Leadership is not just a matter of knowing where you are, but also of where you are going. Can you see the big picture? Can you see the ramifications of your actions? Leaders do not make decisions in a vacuum. We are calling on those who are in positions, have the talent and abilities to stand up and lead. This is a clarion call from every aspect in society: personal, business, political, faith-based and civic. Quit looking around to find whom to blame. It is time to lead. Everyone must understand that to lead there is a need for trustworthy person to bounce ideas off of the confidant. A coach can help true leaders filter out noise for a true sound judgement. Do not let pride or indecision stand in your way. Call upon a coach to bridge this leadership cliff.

 



 

 

     

 

 

The issue isn't always the issue.

 

 

How many times has a person brought up an issue and we attempt to solve it. It is later that you find out that wasn't the "real" issue. You wasted all of that time and energy to start again. You can see this played out over and over again. Was this intentional on the person who came to you. Did they truly want to divert in you in some sort of hide and seek game?

 

I can not speak for all circumstances; however, human nature tends to cloak issues. We have trouble with transparency. This involves more than interaction with others. It is often that we cloak issues ourselves. You can probably remember a time when you thought your initial problem was the true problem. It depends on whether it took time or talking it out whether another party that the "heart of the matter" was discovered. Susan Scott of Fierce, Inc. calls for "interrogating reality". We can deceive ourselves and set to believing or trying to solve the surface issue. It is only by questioning and examination that one can make sure that is the true issue.

 

Don't waste time with the initial issues of life. Dig deep, interrogate reality! We do have challenges where you may not be able to "see the forest for the tree". This is where a coach help you examine what are the real issues, because the issue isn't always the issue. 

Glass: half full, half empty or stolen?

It is funny how our own perception can be skewed. We get so tuned into the noise of the world around us that we miss out. You can look at your circumstances just like the glass. It is half full and you see optimism and hope for your goals and life. It is half empty and pessimism is ruling your life. The stolen glass means you are a victim with no hope.
We can’t afford to simply let the circumstances around us dictate our quality of life. We need to listen to our inner voice and find the true direction for us. The mariners of old wouldn’t give up just because a storm brewed and the seas got rough. Those mariners would stay the course while taking precaution for the storm. Survival meant not giving in or up. Those wise sailors would use navigation tools to help assure that the course remained steady. It is no different for our own life’s course. Coaching can keep the course steady and show that the glass is neither half empty or stolen. Stay the course get the direction that you need today.

Analyze your stupidity!

Mistakes happen. Failure is a part of life. It is how we deal with it that matters. I know that we are to desire success. It is in the striving for success that we will fail. Winston Churchill said that “success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” It is in this vain that we must analyze our own stupidity. It is only when we are willing to dig through our bad decisions that we can make better decisions. John Maxwell talked about this process in his book “Failing Forward”. It is painful to unpack our emotional experience in bad cirucmstances. It is especially tough when we have made the stupid mistake. Holding the mirror of our deeds in front of our face is not comfortable. Our socieity has not been well trained to be reflective on when it comes to mistakes. The instinct is shift the blame or just hide. It is crucial that we overcome mistakes in a healthy manner. Do you have the skill and/or tools to perform this operation on yourself. It is in those moments that a coach could help you. The coach is not there to condemn, but to help you see the error and correct it. The coach can draw truth out of the situtaiton through a series of reflective questions or exercises. It is so much easier with someone guiding you through the process. It is must better than your own self loathing or someone pointing their finger at you.It doesn’t matter if it was a personal or business decision. Why do you need to have or even hire someone to add to your guilt with no benefit to you? We can learn from our mistakes. Our corporate life and personal life deserve the best attention that we can give them. Let us face the fact of the matter, you know that the decison was stupid. You still need to analyze it!

Risks

Many of us shudder when we hear the word risk. We have been taught to fear this concept. The only outcome will be a negative outcome. Our minds hear the words “no risk, no reward,” but our hearts won’t let us go there. Can anyone, who is not a thrill seeker, add risk reasonably to their life? Are there times that we need to “take a leap of faith?”
The short answer is Yes! There are times that call for a calculated and deliberate risk taking. It is the risk takers that climb Mount Everest. It is those that take a chance to quit their job and start a business of their own. You can still receive advice or perform your due diligence and still take the risk that is necessary.
What have you been waiting on?
What is it that you have always wanted to do?
Is there something inside you that is holding you back?
If you need the extra insight and motivation seek a coach to help.
Step out and enjoy the new found freedom!