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The Law of Navigation

Anyone Steer the Ship, but it Takes a Leader to Chart The Course

Consider these four insights on becoming a Navigator

Navigators See The Trip Ahead

Former CEO of GE, Jack Welch stated, “A good leader remains focused….Controlling your direction is better than being controlled by it.” Leroy Eims would would say it this way, “A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and see before others do.”

Navigators Draw on Past Experience

Every past success and failure you’ve experienced can be a valuable source of information and wisdom. Successes teach you what you are capable of doing and gives you confidence. However, your failures teach you a greater lesson in life. They reveal wrong assumptions, character flaws, errors in judgment and they teach you poor work habits. Many people cover up their failures without ever learning anything from them. It is important to develop the discipline of REFLECTIVE THINKING!

• Gives you true perspective
• Gives you emotional integrity to your thought life
• Increases your confidence in decision making
• Clarifies the big picture
• Takes a good experience and makes it a valuable experience

Navigators Examine the Conditions Before Making Commitments

Drawing on experience means looking inward. Examining conditions means looking outward. The cost is evaluated before decisions are made. This means that inventory is made of finances, resources, and talent along with the intangibles such as timing, morale, momentum, and culture.

Navigators Listen To What Others Have To Say

No matter how much you have learned form the past, it will never tell you all that you need to know for the present. No matter how good the leader you are, you yourself will not have all of the answers. This is why that top leaders gather information from many sources, starting with their own team.

The Law of Addition

Leaders Add Value by Serving Others

The bottom line in leadership is not how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others! The key question here is; “Are you making things better for the people who follow you. Consider that 90% of all people who add value to others do so intentionally. By nature we are self-centered. Consider these four (4) insights on adding value to others.

We Add Value to Others When We Truly Value Others

Former chairman of Hyatt Hotels, Darryl Hartley Leonard stated, “When a person moves into a position of authority, they give up the right to abuse other people.”

We Add Value To Others When We Make Ourselves More Valuable To Others

The whole idea of adding value to other people depends on the idea that you have something of value to add. You cannot give what you do not possess. What is your personal growth plan for this year? If you can’t articulate it on paper, you are only day-dreaming.

We Add Value To People When We Know and Relate To What Others Value

Inexperienced leaders are quick to lead before knowing anything about the people they intend to lead. But mature leaders listen, learn, and then lead. Learn to lead based upon what you learn about the people you are asking to follow you.

We add Value To Others When We Do Things That God Values

I believe that God desires that we not only treat people with respect, but also actively reach out to them and serve them. The standard of our conduct influences everything that we do, especially our leadership.

The Law of Solid Ground

Trust Is The Foundation of Leadership

How important is trust to a leader? It is the most important thing. To build trust a leader must exhibit competence, connection, and character. Character is what makes trust possible. Trust is what makes leadership possible. Consider the following three insights on character.

Character Communicates Consistency

Leaders without inner strength can’t be counted on day after day because of their ability to perform changes constantly.

Character Communicates Potential

It was said once that “No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character. Poor character is like a ticking bomb. It is only a matter of time before it blows up a person’s ability to perform and the capacity to lead.

Character Communicates Respect

How do leaders earn respect? By making sound decisions, by admitting their mistakes, and by putting what it best for their followers and the organization ahead of their personal agendas.

The only thing that walks back from the tomb with the mourners and refuses to be buried is the character of a man – J.R. Miller

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!