A leader worth following does it differently.
They learn from Tom Rath, the bishop, and Jean Valjean. They seek to make others’ lives better in the midst of the overwhelm, knowing that it will lead to their fulfillment and happiness.
A leader worth following possesses the willingness to do self-reflection. Self-reflection involves uninterrupted time to evaluate past decisions and ponder future directions. In decades past, this time of reflection naturally occurred while sitting idly at a stop light or waiting to pick up your kid or board your flight.
Because of all the demands on a leader’s time, it is commonplace to bounce between tasks, conversations, meetings, and messages. Leaving one feeling unfulfilled and unproductive. To accomplish what only you can do, you need FROZEN PIPE FOCUS.
And one thing it will never replace is the value of human intelligence. It will never authentically laugh or smile. It will never express true kindness. It will never be genuinely trustworthy.
Asking for help tampers the unfounded belief that everyone is only in it for themselves.
So if you feel cynicism and skepticism are dominating your internal narrative, ask someone for help.
So, THANKS, TOM!
Thanks for noticing and praising me.
Your words lasted well beyond that night.
Now, to praise some people and pay it forward.
At that moment, Sean McDermott was the kind of boss everyone wishes they had.
A boss who sees us first as human.
When we lose sight of this, we try to siphon off cents at the expense of decades of dollars, which is a losing proposition for our business and our customers.
Schedule a day to DO NOTHING productive. No work. No grocery shopping. No checking “have-to’s” off your list.