Should A Leader Swear?
A prolific leader by the name of Spencer W. Kimball once noted: “Profanity is the attempt of a feeble mind to express itself forcefully.” How many people would agree with that statement? It’s also been mentioned that a person who uses profanity to continuously express themselves is only showing their limited command of basic language skills. Most, if not all languages, have multiple ways of expressing themselves strongly for just about any type of situation without the use of swearing or the use of profane language. Sometimes though people find the need to cuss in order to get the point across to others.
When given the choice of using profane language, some freely choose to verbally let loose like the most talented sailor as the saying goes. But what good is it to cuss? Read more
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Give a Gift without Expecting Something in Return
In the work of French sociologist, Marcel Mauss, it’s stated that “Gifts are never free!”. That when someone gives another person a gift, they are always expecting something recipricol in return from that person. Now how much truth is in that really? Many of my friends and associates have argued with me when it comes to the notion of there being no such thing as a free gift. Some even have gone so far as to say that one should be wary of an unexpected gift giver appearing before you and giving you a gift. Especially one you didn’t ask for. Is there really such a thing as a free gift? I say there is. Read more
Sphere: Related ContentLeading and the Multigenerational Factor
If you’re in the workforce today you’ve probably experienced misunderstandings that occur due to people being of differing generations. You may not know or believe that misunderstandings can occur due to people being of different generations, but they do and it’s simply a fact of life. This simple fact is probably more important today than ever before and here’s why. For the first time in human history, we have four separate generations working together in society. Each generation has its own characteristics, strengths, likes and dislikes, and working style. Read more
Renew Your Energy
We all have a battery pack within us that helps to sustain our personal energy throughout each day. Nope, I’m not talking about the meal we have in the morning with that fresh cup of coffee or tea, although that is a part of the overall energy equation. I’m talking about the personal energy each one of us has when it comes to just going about the day. Either at work or at a baseball game or the sort, when our personal energy is charged, you feel good. You feel that you can do good work, enjoy game you’re watching, or keep up with a group conversation. But when your personal energy is down, you find yourself getting easily irritated, your concentration becomes more difficult to maintain, your interest in doing something begins to be lacking. Read more
Managing vs. Leading vs. Directing vs. Guiding vs. Coaching vs. Supervising vs. Perceptions
Managing vs. Leading. I’ve heard many things and read many articles about being a manager versus being a leader. At the same time there have been many articles and seminars on what I’ll call the components of a manager and the components of a leader.
Being a leader. Is it the same as being a manager? Is being a good manager the same as being a good leader? What does coaching and the ability to coach mean when it comes to being a good manager? When it comes to being a good leader? What does guiding have to do with leadership? With managing With directing? A manager has to know how to plan, organize, direct and control but a leader may not know how to plan, organize, direct and control. Yet they are still a leader! Read more
Sphere: Related ContentLet’s Have Some Character; Keeping One’s Word
Keeping one’s word. It’s probably one of the easiest ways to build credibility and also one of the easiest ways to loose it. Keeping your word is also one of the simplest ways to show character and integrity. Why do I say that? Let me tell you what recently happened to me and how someone, unfortunately, tainted their character by doing something as simple as not keeping their word on more than one occasion.
The other day I was with someone who had introduced themselves to a colleague of mine and I at a function earlier in the year. His name was Robert and the function we met at was being hosted by an organization that I am a member of. I also help to run many of the organization’s functions and this particular function was no exception. Read more
Sphere: Related ContentWhy Would Someone Want to be a Leader?
It’s a question I find myself asking every now and then. Being a leader always comes with it added responsibility in some form or another. Added responsibility because everyone has things they are responsible for in their life. Whether it is their rent or mortgage, grocery bills, school homework, parenthood responsibilities, job responsibilities, you name it. We all have them in some mix. When a person is a leader, added responsibilities come about. With that added pressures, added stress, more hours most likely needed in order to get things done. So why would someone want to be a leader? Read more
Sphere: Related Content64 Great Sites and Articles on Diversity and Appreciating Differences
There are many differences that separate each and every one of us. For me, that is one of the things that makes life so interesting and enjoyable. Unfortunately, there are people who incorrectly assume something about another person or the group they belong to simply due to a difference. When it comes to diversity and appreciating differences, no one can honestly say that they are not interested in it. The reason for me stating such a comment is because regardless of who we are or where we come from, everyone has biases toward people we perceive to not be like ourselves. Whether it’s a difference in skin color (or shade of the same skin color), difference in language, or difference in gender, we all will have some form of naturally occurring preconceived opinion of a person who is not like ourselves. That is, until we educate ourselves and/or simply become a little more informed about Read more
What Does Exercise Have to do with Leadership?
Filed under: Leadership, Personal Development, Positive Attitude
Exercise. Some of us dread it, others can’t wait to get to it. It’s true that exercise can become additive and almost an obsession at times to some people (I myself have been bitten by the exercise workout bug). When I’m forced to go more than a couple of days without working out, I find myself having more trouble getting through the day unscathed by life’s all too familiar stresses and challenges. Read more
There is No ‘I’ in Team…But There is an ‘M’ and an ‘E’
Every so often I hear business teachers and coaches mention that there is no “I” in the word team. I understand that what is meant by many of them is that one shouldn’t place one’s own needs above that of the team. But all too often some individuals take it to the extreme and basically neglect their own needs in order (as they perceive it) to allow the team to perform at it’s best. This is where the line really needs to be drawn because if one neglects their own needs, then one’s potential contribution to the team can and will be lacking to say the least. Read more
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