Growing is important for a leader, but as we get older the world tells us that we do not need to continue to grow. Is that really true?
A Leader's Response
Listening is Therapy
If you were going to rate yourself on your listening skills 1 to 10; level 1 being not very good and level 10 being a great listener. How would you rate yourself? Every leader needs to score a 10 on listening. It is a key attribute that enables a leader to develop a deep relationship with people that creates real trust. I witnessed this on a recent backpacking trip. Here’s the story…
Overcoming the Culture
Leading Each Person Uniquely
Set Your Vectors - Stay the Course
I received another one. Every week since I started working with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), we received an inspiring message from the acting Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), Thomas B. Modly on the Navy’s public blog site where he posts communication to the Sailors, Marines and civilians working for the Navy. These messages were called “Vectors”. The name struck me for some reason, so much so that I wanted to find out why he called it this.
Decisive Leadership
Using the skill of decisiveness is not only used in the workplace and when you are working with those you have the opportunity to lead. It is used in all aspects of your life. Would you consider yourself decisive? If you are wondering and want to reflect on it a bit more, take a few minutes to reflect on my thoughts about the topic.
It's All About the Journey
Where has the road led you and what have you learned along that road? I am learning as I grow older that it IS all about the journey; the journey of life as a leader. I think it is important to keep our eyes focused on our destination, but if that is ALL we do then we will miss so much along the way.
Tell Me More...
Plan, but ALWAYS be Ready to Adapt
So Ross, a close friend of mine and amazing endurance junky, threw a question at me late last fall and asked, “Do you want to do a road bike ride with me this spring?”. Now I had not ridden a road bike since I was in elementary school, but did ride quite a bit with my Dad back then. I had actually acquired my Dad’s old Miyata touring bike from him just before this and because I always like a challenge, I said, “sure”...
Feedback: The Art of Balancing
I met former Marine Sergeant the last adventure trip that my son and I went on to West Virginia. He and his daughter were avid rock climbers and through discussion he discovered that we were going to be bouldering, but not rock climbing because we didn't have the gear to climb. He immediately invited us to climb with he and his daughter the following day; we definitely took him up on it. He let us use his gear and so I put the harness on, the shoes and then listened as he reminded me of how the carabiners and rope all worked. I locked in and then looked at him and said "climbing" and he looked back at me and said "belaying". I turned to the 70' wall, looked up at it to strategize on the path that I would take, lifted my foot and hand to the first foothold and handhold and off I went.
Growing Leaders Through Experiences
I read a quote by Ben Franklin the other day and it really got me thinking about life. He said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I learn. Involve me and I remember." Ben's quote made me think about how much time I let pass quickly by when I have not intentionally given those I'm leading the opportunity to gain experiences, even experiences that may push them outside of their comfort zone. I also thought how many experiences when those who have led me went without intentionally asking if I could be included in order for me to gain knowledge through the experience.
Fear Is A Choice - Does It Lead You?
It was after my freshman year in college at Maine Maritime Academy when I went on a Navy summer deployment to fulfill my NROTC commitment and scholarship. This deployment was a two week excursion on a 42' sailboat that a Lieutenant (LT) and six Cadets sailed from Newport, Rhode Island to Castine, Maine. I had sailed before with my family and had taken sailing for a Physical Education class in my first semester. I knew how to sail, but I had never experienced anything like what I did off the coast of Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts.
Leading in Times of Risk
Are you comfortable with risky or edgy situations? As a leader, should you be? If you were, would it help you become a better leader? I have to say that I love a good challenge and if there is risk involved, then I love it even more. I don't know why I love risk so much. It could have been the influence of my brother when I was young as we repelled out of 70-foot oak trees. It could have been the influence from my time in college when I jumped off of 40-foot cliffs in Horseshoe Beach, Bermuda. It could have been the influence from my time in the Marine Corps where we did all sorts of training with guns and explosives. What I do know is that all of this "risky" experience has helped me understand that when you take risks, there are rewards that come with them. This not only helped prepare me for life's risks ahead, but also for taking on risks when I think it is most important: when I am leading people.
