"I believe the best leaders are the ones that are focused on bringing out the best in their people - transforming lives. When someone has that as their purpose, the profits just naturally follow." ~Susan Bagyura
Leader (definition): A person who rules, guides, or inspires others.
The definition of leader varies greatly among the people I have come across in my lifetime.
For some, leader is the word equivalent to ‘power’ and for others the word leader means ‘helper or guide’. For me, the word leader is a combination of both. To be a leader you have to be willing to lead others in a positive and personable way. As an effective leader, people have to be able to approach you and feel comfortable doing so. Leaders should never make their subordinates feel inferior to them nor should they take the approach that their way is the only way without compromise. Many leaders who take this approach often do not stay in power for very long and are often overthrown and/or challenged by someone close to them. True leaders’ makes those who follow them better by giving them the tools needed to become leaders themselves someday. If the people under you go on to lead a company, platoon, school, or team as well or better than you did, you will be considered a great leader in history and favor will shown upon you for the rest of your life and beyond.
My challenge to you this week is to lead others in a way you yourself would want to be led. What this means if you like to be treated with respect in dignity you should always try to do the same and if you want clear and concise answers you should provide the same information when asked for it. Every one of us has a leadership role in this world as either a parent, sibling, mentor, partner, or friend. Help others in your life find their true potential by leading others using guidelines of love, honor, humility, and most importantly respect.
Jay Knight
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” —Robert McCloskey
I often find myself over analyzing everything anyone says to me. At dinner time every single night my daughter suffers from a mysterious stomach illness. She tells me; “My tummy hurts”. On the surface it seems as if her stomach hurts and that she does not feel like eating but what she actually means with this statement is; “Yes I am hungry but I do not want to eat what you have in front of me”.
My challenge to you this week is take the time to understand what people are saying to you. Rather then get offended by the comment or argument, engage the person you are speaking with so both of you get a clear understanding of the conversation that is taking place. Also make sure that when you are speaking with someone that they understand what you are trying to tell them before you let them leave your presence. This will help in maintaining a positive household, relationship, and work environment.
Nkozi Knight
I often find myself over analyzing everything anyone says to me. At dinner time every single night my daughter suffers from a mysterious stomach illness. She tells me; “My tummy hurts”. On the surface it seems as if her stomach hurts and that she does not feel like eating but what she actually means with this statement is; “Yes I am hungry but I do not want to eat what you have in front of me”.
My challenge to you this week is take the time to understand what people are saying to you. Rather then get offended by the comment or argument, engage the person you are speaking with so both of you get a clear understanding of the conversation that is taking place. Also make sure that when you are speaking with someone that they understand what you are trying to tell them before you let them leave your presence. This will help in maintaining a positive household, relationship, and work environment.
Nkozi Knight
Failure Is Not An Option
Whatever failures I have caused in life, whatever errors I have committed, whatever mistakes I have engaged in during my lifetime have been learning experiences designed to make me a better person.
Like everyone I know, my life has not always been perfect and I have made countless mistakes even some more than once, twice or even three times. I have learned through these mistakes that God has a sense of humor and he surely finds humor in me.
In my failures, errors, and mistakes I have found that life is not predetermined. I find the idea of our lives being within our control as extremely encouraging. When I am deterred, upset, or down I try to find the good things in my life that I have going for myself to keep me going. Life is never easy and it is up to all of us to make it enjoyable.
Our failures will most certainly set us back, dampen our spirits, and knock us down but it is our job to move forward, rejuvenate our hearts, and get back up and “keep it pushing”!
Like everyone I know, my life has not always been perfect and I have made countless mistakes even some more than once, twice or even three times. I have learned through these mistakes that God has a sense of humor and he surely finds humor in me.
In my failures, errors, and mistakes I have found that life is not predetermined. I find the idea of our lives being within our control as extremely encouraging. When I am deterred, upset, or down I try to find the good things in my life that I have going for myself to keep me going. Life is never easy and it is up to all of us to make it enjoyable.
Our failures will most certainly set us back, dampen our spirits, and knock us down but it is our job to move forward, rejuvenate our hearts, and get back up and “keep it pushing”!
The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count on our blessings. ~ Eric Hoffer
When is the last time you counted your blessings? I would bet a penny that it was either during a time of turmoil or great stress. The reason the arithmetic that Mr. Hoffer refers to is so difficult to master isn't because of its complexity but rather its lack of use. There are many things to be thankful for but when asked to name them we usually stall after the first obvious answers (family, health, job, etc…). I currently find myself counting my blessings. My journey with Wells Fargo will soon be coming to an end. Clearly the economy and climate of our industry plays a role but that's not the only reason. We as individuals also play a part in the fate of our future. As I count my blessings during what could easily be one of the most trying times of my professional career, I take comfort in the fact that my blessings were endless. Great new relationships, exciting new experiences, proof to myself that I'm not afraid to try something even if there is the possibility I could fail, exposure to great minds and personalities, and a year of resources that I otherwise wouldn’t have. My only disappointment is taking the time to count these blessings now rather than every day they were at my finger tips!
My challenge to you this week is to have a conversation about your blessings. Don't wait for a reason to have to the conversation, have it just because you can. You may uncover reminders to yourself that you should be more visible or be in contact more often with others. You might rediscover a hidden passion for a hobby or interest. Leaders are blessed with the ability to pause and give thanks for their teams not when times are good or bad but also every time in between. I've been blessed to be able to share a weekly message with you. I fully intend to continue doing so! :)
Alonzo Kelly
Senior Vice President Wells Fargo Funds Management Group
When is the last time you counted your blessings? I would bet a penny that it was either during a time of turmoil or great stress. The reason the arithmetic that Mr. Hoffer refers to is so difficult to master isn't because of its complexity but rather its lack of use. There are many things to be thankful for but when asked to name them we usually stall after the first obvious answers (family, health, job, etc…). I currently find myself counting my blessings. My journey with Wells Fargo will soon be coming to an end. Clearly the economy and climate of our industry plays a role but that's not the only reason. We as individuals also play a part in the fate of our future. As I count my blessings during what could easily be one of the most trying times of my professional career, I take comfort in the fact that my blessings were endless. Great new relationships, exciting new experiences, proof to myself that I'm not afraid to try something even if there is the possibility I could fail, exposure to great minds and personalities, and a year of resources that I otherwise wouldn’t have. My only disappointment is taking the time to count these blessings now rather than every day they were at my finger tips!
My challenge to you this week is to have a conversation about your blessings. Don't wait for a reason to have to the conversation, have it just because you can. You may uncover reminders to yourself that you should be more visible or be in contact more often with others. You might rediscover a hidden passion for a hobby or interest. Leaders are blessed with the ability to pause and give thanks for their teams not when times are good or bad but also every time in between. I've been blessed to be able to share a weekly message with you. I fully intend to continue doing so! :)
Alonzo Kelly
Senior Vice President Wells Fargo Funds Management Group
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows. ~ EpictetusI remember reading a quote by someone that went something like this; By 20 do something, by 30 know something, by 40 have something and by 50 give something. This week I will celebrate my 35th birthday. According to the quote, I'm supposed to know something. I reflected on what I know this past weekend and here's what I came up with. First, I know that I don’t know as much as I thought. Second, I have too many friends that already know it all. Third, I know that the sun rises every morning. Finally, I know that moments of clarity are some of the most mind blowing experiences I've ever had. One such example of clarity involves reflecting on my professional success. I arrogantly believed that it was what I knew that was propelling my success and that it would be enough to sustain my development in the future. It turns out that it was actually my drive to understand the things I didn't know that was the wind behind my sails. The more I thought I knew, the more treacherous the professional development seas became. What an incredible moment of clarity! I suppose life experiences will do that for you if you just allow them to.
My challenge to you this week is to reflect on what's fueling your motor. Do you refill on the things you know or the things you don't? Do you believe that you already know all there is to know about your partner, your current role at work, or a subject you teach? Or are you willing to accept that there may be some things you've missed. Epictetus was on to something when he said its impossible for us to learn what we think we already know. Our friends and bosses have some colorful words for us during those times when its obvious to them that we don't know nearly all we think we do. Our staff or students also have choice labels for us during those times but with much more at stake. If your direct reports don't believe you have anything to learn from them, they will assume they don't need to effectively communicate with you in the future. I would advise not waiting 35 years to understand the consequences of that.
You never saw a fish on the wall with its mouth shut. ~ Sally Berger
Greetings fellow leaders! One of the hardest things to do, even when you're right, is keep your mouth shut. In some of my most recent 'spirited debates' with some friends, what kept the disagreement going was the fact that neither of us would stop talking for long enough to understand where the other person was coming from. Both of us had to be right and both of us needed to prove that the other was wrong. The problem was that being right and proving someone wrong is difficult to do at the same time. How can I prove you wrong on anything if I haven't listened to what you had to say? A simple debate about the shortest distance between two points could unnecessarily lead to something more serious. If I'm arguing that the answer is a straight line and he's arguing that it's not, I wouldn't care about his reason so long as he knows why I'm right and he's wrong. This is a classic example of not accepting the 3 levels of listening (hearing what you say, knowing what you mean, and KNOWING WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM). If my friend is an astronomer, he will take exception to my answer because the shortest distance between two points is NOT a straight line in outer space. We've risked our friendship because neither of us would just shut up and listen and understand where the other is coming from. It is never enough to hear what someone says and think you know what they mean. You must also take the time to understand their point of reference. Leaders must become experts at this when strategizing or collaborating on projects. Where a person is coming from dictates their participation, their input, and the root of their suggestions. Perhaps we'll eliminate calling other peoples ideas stupid with this new approach.
My challenge to you this week is have a conversation with someone about something you already know about them. Take the time to be clear on where they are coming from with their likes or dislikes. Each of us has a friend that we know is afraid of public speaking, doesn't easily trust others, can't stand to watch science fiction movies, or hang out in large crowds. Rather than simply being proud that you know little facts about them, take your relationship to the next level and understand the root of preferences. You may have a friend that doesn't like attending the fireworks celebrations in July. Do you really know why or do you just assume to think its because of the hassle of parking and battling large crowds? I laughed when I first read this weeks quote until I really thought about it and realized its not so funny. Not one fish mounted on a wall got there because it kept its mouth shut. Perhaps the lesson of the mounted fish could be one of our greatest leadership gains.
Alonzo Kelly
http://alonzoweeklyleadershipthought.blogspot.com/
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