It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Greetings to you!
Each week I send out a short leadership blog that's called "Tuesday at 2:00pm". The purpose of this is simply to provide a brief thought on leadership that you can read and think about in just a few minutes. I send it out every week at 2:00pm (PST) and encourage you to make an appointment with yourself to pause and think about the thing I'm writing about.
Russ...
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"The most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me." Scott Adams
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
We're going to explore this word INFLUENCE for 2 more weeks. I just finished a week outside of Atlanta with 66 Global Leaders & Coaches, and the theme of our week was "The Influence of a Leader".
Coming out of these days together, I really resonate with Scott Adams quote above. I'm sure this is true for many of you as well.
There are people who have had and continue to have a profound influence on my life, and they are completely unaware of that influence. They are simply living their lives, leading, impacting their sphere of influence, and I get to somehow learn from these people, I'm inspired by watching these people and they shape me as a leader and as a person.
In my life, I'm thinking of a couple of people that stand out:
Don Schuler was my middle school carpentry teacher. A very quiet, gentle man. He taught me some basics in carpentry, and I really enjoyed the class. What I learned from him was PATIENCE. He was the most patient person I've ever met, either with a group of middle school boys, or years later as he continued to serve that school in many different capacities, he was just willing to serve others and to do it with patience. I remember being inspired by him many times in how he related to people, but I've never had the chance to tell him how he influenced me.
Guy Adams was an advisor in college, and he had a unique way of AFFIRMING me and CHALLENGING me at the same time. I was serving in a student government role my senior year and Guy just pushed me gently to believe in myself and those around me. I always felt more confident after spending time with Guy and I want people to feel that way about me when they are with me. I'm sure Guy doesn't know the impact he had on me, but it was profound.
Patrick Lencioni, one of my favorite business authors, has written a number of books that have profoundly influenced my life and leadership. The 5 Dysfunctions of Team transformed the way I led my team, and his work through The Advantage impacted the health of the organization I was helping to lead at the time. Lencioni has influenced millions of people through is writing and speaking. I've heard him speak in person, I follow his social media and I devour every book or article he writes. Deep influence, and he has no idea!
I could go on and on as I think through a flood of faces and names who have influenced me in unique ways, and they probably don't know the impact they've had on me.
Don't underestimate influence that happens from a distance.
Make your list? Who has influenced you over the years that most likely doesn't know about it? Maybe you should let them know!
DEEPER STILL:
INFLUENCE
I began to share 6 ways to influence people, then got distracted. Let's get back to that.
#2) MODEL INFLUENCE, DON'T FORCE IT
#3) BUILD TRUST BEFORE TRYING TO CHANGE ANYTHING
#4) LISTEN BEFORE YOU LEAD
#5) BE AN ENCOURAGER
#6) INFLUENCE CAN BE IN BIG THINGS OR SMALL THINGS
This final one is just a reminder.
Sometimes I think we believe that INFLUENCE has to be some huge thing, some major affect into our lives.
The reality is that we are influenced all the time by people in BIG THINGS and in SMALL THINGS.
When I see someone stop to give money to someone begging on the street, I'm INFLUENCED to explore my personal generosity and my critical world view.
When I see someone driving and someone cuts them off and they DON'T REACT, I'm challenged with the way I respond when faced with the same situation.
When I see a dad demonstrate love to their child publicly, I EVALUATE how I'm doing as a dad and a grandfather.
When I hear a successful business leader share about their company, I'm challenged to LISTEN to APPLY principles that might work for my organization. I learn from them.
When I see an act of kindness or some kind of celebration clip on social media, I EXAMINE my own circle of relationships.
Yes, influence can come from the professional and from the child, it can come from anywhere, and it does. We are constantly being influenced by those around us, by the media, and by everyday actions.
This week, identify 2 - 3 "small influences" that impact you during your normal day... what were they, how did they influence you?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Yes, Lencioni’s 2 books, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team & The Advantage are 2 huge influences in my organizational leadership!
Last week while traveling to and from our Leader Mundial Conference Center, I had the joy of stopping at Buc-ee's multiple times, introducing friends to clean bathrooms on the freeway and great brisket sandwiches!
Last week while spending hours in the car, I listened to a bunch of Jelly Roll on Apple Music. What a story of transformation where one song is pure chaos and the next is pure worship. Really interesting story of redemption and influence!
I've been hearing about the value of AG1, an athletic greens supplement. Last week while traveling, I used a pack every day. It gave me some great value nutritionally. It's a little pricey, but a great way to find health, especially while on the road.
I watched on interesting series on Apple this past week while traveling called Tehran, from 2020. Interesting to watch that in the midst of what's going on in the world today. Haven't finished it but it was interesting.