Have you ever built or had a house built?
What was the first thing you did before starting construction? Good start, but no, it wasn’t pouring the foundation. Before you did anything, you looked at a picture of what the house would look like after it is finished, and then looked at the blueprints to see the plan for constructing it well. Just as you would not think of starting a jigsaw puzzle or building a house before you knew what it should look like when it is finished, you should see what your business looks like before you start it. A building is built on a foundation of concrete and a jigsaw puzzle is completed on a flat, stable surface. Your business should be build on solid foundation of business and ethical principles and processes, a solid foundation to reach and serve your customers. Sol says… “Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. – Proverbs 9:1 Whether you are leading a business or an organization within a business, build on a firm, principle based foundation for your business and life. Make it a great day and keep being awesome.
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Have you ever had the situation where someone said something derogatory to you and you wanted to shut it down with a sharp retort?
Anyone who has ever served in leadership roles has had such a confrontation. Did you react or respond? What’s the difference? Thank you for asking. Those who have gained wisdom and understanding respond, while those who act emotionally react. The first century teacher, James wrote, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” As an organization’s leader, your first question to resolve the situation is to ask yourself what caused the comment. By doing so, you display your strength in leadership and your desire to understand the other person’s motivation. Where do you find that strength in leadership? Sol says, wisdom and wisdom says, “I possess good advice and sound wisdom; I have understanding and strength.” ~ Proverbs 8:14 Wisdom is only good for those who find it, and you can’t find it until you seek it. Seek it today, make it a great day, and keep being awesome. How is the work culture in your organization?
A toxic work culture is easy to spot, with some of the signs being – -> low morale, -> constant drama in the workforce, -> a belief that failure is unforgiveable, -> and high turnover, usually resulting from behaviors like gossip and an unwillingness to resolve conflicts. Sol says… “A worthless person, a wicked man goes around speaking dishonestly.” ~ Proverbs 6:12 The best medicine for a toxic work culture is making toxicity uncomfortable for those who bring it into the organization, resulting in signs that your organization is a good place to work as demonstrated by: -> Noticeable improvement of employee health and attitudes -> Improved profitability from a noticeable retention of the best and most productive employees -> Improved morale from the reduction of negative behaviors -> Increased productivity and work results Evaluate your workplace culture to be sure it is respectful and team oriented toward excellence. When you do that, you will make it a great day and keep being awesome. As a prospering leader, where do you find the wisdom to lead your organization and its people to a life of achievement?
If you are like the Texas born country singer Johnny Lee, you may be looking for wisdom in all the wrong places. Back in 1975, Lee’s song, Lookin’ for Love documented the search for love in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons. Looking for wisdom in the right places, my search led me to a church Sunday school taught by the great Zig Ziglar. Zig had found the holy grail of everlasting wisdom and generously shared it with any searcher who had open ears and a heart for learning as he led us to study a king who lived over 3,000 years ago, King Solomon, recognized as the wisest person to ever live. Solomon found the source of great wisdom and generously shares it in the Book of Proverbs. Sol says… “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity.“ ~ Proverbs 2:6-7 Don’t let pride, the silent killer of effective leadership hold you back from finding the true source of wisdom. Make it a great day and keep being awesome. Have you ever been around a leader who immediately impressed you as being full of wisdom?
Was your next impulse to seek wisdom in your own life? The most effective leaders tend to be known more for their wise leadership than their success since effective leaders are more concerned with their people and outcomes than they are the limelight. Gaining wisdom is a lifelong journey rather than something you stumble across in your busy life. Sol says… “Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,” ~ Proverbs 3:13 Here are four of the ways you can acquire wisdom and live better. -> Get as much life experience as possible, learning from both the positive and negative outcomes. -> Spend more time reading by developing a plan using biographies, novels, and nonfiction. -> Listen more, or as Stephen R. Covey wrote, “Seek first to understand before being understood. -> Be discerning in your decision making and the actions you take as a result of those decisions, ensuring they align with your beliefs and values. Charlie “Tremendous” Jones famously taught that “In five years, you will be where you are now except for the books you read and the people you meet.” Start reading insightful, thought provoking books and meeting wise leaders now to set your direction. Make it a great day and keep being awesome. Do those you lead demonstrate the same attitudes you show as their leader?
Buy-in to the organization’s purpose and living the attitudes and skills required for fulfilling that purpose are critical to your desired success. Look for the personal attributes leaders desire in the people they trust for fulfilling their purpose. -> Integrity – Adhering to expected moral and ethical principles. -> Reliability – Personal dependability to adhere to schedules and work well with others. -> Work Ethic – Demonstrating their value for work and their focus toward working hard and well. -> Respect for Others – Continually demonstrating respect for their workplace relationships and the organization as a whole. Sol says… “the complacency of fools will destroy them.” ~ Proverbs 1:32 Well, don’t let the complacency of fools you may hire destroy you. Great leaders recognize that having people with the needed attributes begins early in the hiring process, not after they are hired. When you hire well, you will make it a great day and keep being awesome. |
AuthorBrian Kennedy is an encourager who shepherds small business owners and entrepreneurs along the path of business success to preeminence by embracing time tested principles and executing the associated fundamentals daily. Archives
March 2024
Leadership
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Brian Kennedy
123 Longleaf Drive Mooresville, NC 28117 214.906.8517 |