LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"A genius does many things, but only one at a time." Matthew McConaughey, Greenlights

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I listened to this book from Matthew McConaughey, and he said this short line. I stopped where I was walking, wrote it down, then continued on my walk. I went back to try to find it, and couldn't find it. I then searched for it online, and couldn't find it.

Maybe this line was just for me today. Maybe it's for you.

So many times, I do a lot of things at the same time, thinking that I'm really skilled and gifted. I can keep the plates all spinning with very little breakage, and I amaze myself with my multi-tasking ability.

The reality is that in my attempt to keep the plates spinning, I'm not doing anything really well. Instead, I'm doing everything with mediocrity.

When did our ability to be good at multi-tasking become a skill that we all aspire to?

Watch this "Plate Spinning Fail". Do you relate to this? I relate more to this image of plate-spinning.

How is your "plate-spinning" going? Are you losing sight of what's most important? Is there "breakage" happening?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Time You Enjoy Wasting Is Not Wasted Time." John Lennon... and Others

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I saw this quote and I stopped to think about it, then I did some research and found that there are a number of people that are attributed to this quote including Bertrand Russell, T.S. Elliot and Kierkegaard. Lennon just repeated it, and I'll repeat it as well.

Look at the simple words of this quote:

"Time You Enjoy Wasting..."

It's easy to think about all the time I waste. I spend time doing things I don't need to do, and sometimes I feel guilty about this and sometimes I just move on.

This thought is more about being INTENTIONAL. When I waste some of my time, and I enjoy that, it's no longer wasted time.

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm." Publilius Syrus

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This quote is simply a statement of the obvious.

Often, when things are going well, we're not truly tested, and many times this means that we're not ready for the tests when they come.

Recently, my wife and I were on a sail boat in the Pacific Ocean. The captain of the boat got us out of the harbor, navigated with the wind into the right direction, then he handed the steering to me.

For about 5 minutes we just sailed, it was beautiful.

Then, the winds changed, and in an instant we were off course, heading away from the wind, and the captain jumped in and made the corrections.

While the wind was blowing in the right direction, I was the greatest sailor on the planet! Then things changed quickly.

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"When you shut down vulnerability you shut down opportunity." Brené Brown

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

I was reading an article from Brené Brown, and this quote jumped off the page. It caused me to reflect a little bit and to think about my story.

I remember days in my past where I thought that leadership was about power and having it all together. For years I worked hard at trying to prove and convince people that I had it all under control, and I had it all together.

Eventually, when I didn't have it all under control and when I didn't have it all together, I learned a couple of important lessons:

• People still looked at me for leadership

• People came closer, and they offered support and help

• People felt they could trust me more

I don't know about you, but I wish I had learned the lesson of vulnerability much earlier in my career.

Success isn't about being perfect, it's about being real.

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you could dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time." Patrick Lencioni

I read this quote today after watching a couple of rowing events in the Olympics in Tokyo. I was amazed at the speed, timing, and teamwork that was demonstrated by these paddlers in a variety of events, and his quote just jumped out at me.

I've done some rowing, and I've learned that sometimes it's easier to just row by myself than to try to coordinate with someone else. However, by myself, I can only go as far as I can push myself. When I work with other people, and we are working well together, we can do so much more!

Don't take the easy route. Getting my team and organization moving together in the same direction is worth the work it takes.

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"If you can't state your position in eight words, you don't have a position." Seth Godin

I like reading Seth Godin's blog because he has the ability to say really good things in very few words.

When I saw the quote above from him, it caused me to stop and think.

How many times, instead of sharing a clear mission, vision, or position, I instead go to a "menu" of things I do, things I care about, and stories that back that up. I try to talk my way into and out of a simple question:

What is your Mission?

Can I say it in 8 words?

Tesla says it in 8 words: "To accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable energy."

Starbucks takes a few more words: "To inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time."

Google says: "To organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

Apple says it like this: "To bringing the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software, and services."

Coca-Cola: "To Refresh the world. Make a difference."

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"You can learn great things from your mistakes when you aren't busy denying them." Stephen R. Covey

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

Covey wrote The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People many years ago, and the 7 Habits have helped leaders around the world to think differently, me included.

This quote is so classic Covey because he challenges us to learn from all that is within us, and to use that to help shape a better future.

I've made some mistakes in my life. I know some of you are really surprised by this, while most of you can attest or tell great stories of my failures in leadership, however, I have learned over the years to do 3 things, once I realize I've made a mistake:

#1) Own It: I admit it to myself and to others

#2) Study It: I look at it from all angles

#3) Learn From It: I learn from it so I don't repeat it

This doesn't always keep me from making the same mistake twice, but this simple process helps me turn the corner and helps me avoid being stuck in a cycle of paralysis.

What do you do when you realize you've made a mistake? Do you try to figure out who to blame it on? Do you deflect? Do you deny? Or... do you own it?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"It is only by being bold that you get anywhere. If you are a risk-taker, then the art is to protect the downside." Richard Branson

What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This past week, Sir Richard Branson was in the news as he became the first person to ride into space aboard a rocket he helped fund. Bransons dream is for "suborbital space tourism" as a viable business venture, so Branson put himself on the flight to show people the opportunity.

If we're talking about risk, there's not much more than putting your life on the line.

Branson records a short message HERE from space, for the world.

When I think about MY leadership, while it's a little different than Virgin Galactic, am I willing to be BOLD? Am I willing to take risks?

Do you look at Branson as a risk-taker and a pioneer or do you see him as someone taking unnecessary risks? How far are you willing to go to convince people that you are a BOLD LEADER?