My gut is telling me… I got a funny feeling about… My intuition says something isn’t right… Have you heard this before? Some of us have well developed intuitions that we trust and use to make decisions and some of us don’t trust our intuition any more than we would knock on wood.
But what is intuition? Intuition is your brain on autopilot. Think about when you take a shower. Most of us don’t think. We are on autopilot. We start with our hair and work our way down or however you do it. You do it the same every day and your brain takes in information while you are probably still waking up. Your brain is functioning outside your awareness, which is called nonconscious thinking.
It is safe to rely on nonconscious thinking for tasks such as showering, preparing that morning cup of coffee, walking or even driving to the office. These are routines that your brain is capable of handling without you getting involved in the process.
But your brain is also functioning in this capacity during complex processes that you think you are fully aware for. Our brains are capable of very complex tasks and when we involve the subconscious mind, sometimes we lose those sound judgments our intuition has processed as we begin to overthink a situation and question ourselves. We dismiss our intuition. All of the factors that influence our reactions are always available to our conscious minds.
My mentor says that spirit is our intuition and therefore is always right. In my own experiences, I have found that before I understood this concept, I questioned or flat out ignored my intuition and made some pretty bad decisions and when I accepted this thought – I found that my intuition has been spot on.
Many people believe that God speaks to us through our intuition and yet we still ignore all the signs and overthink something to disaster. Test your intuition for the next 30 days. Keep a journal of when you get a funny feeling and write down the circumstances and then the outcome. Be sure to go back after the month and review whether or not you followed your intuition and how accurate it was. It may just surprise you.
Vision gives team members direction and confidence
Great Vision precedes great achievement!
Author Ezra Jones states, “Leaders do not have to be the greatest visionaries themselves. The vision may come from anyone. The leaders do not have to state the vision, however, Leaders also have to keep the vision before the people and remind them of the progress that is being made to achieve the vision. Otherwise, the people might assume that they are failing and give up.”
How do you measure vision? How do you know whether it is worthy and compelling? You need to check your compass to see if you are going in the correct direction or not. There are six checks that need to be made by every great team.
Check your moral compass (Look Above) – Andrew Carnegie states that a great business is seldom if ever built up except on lines of strictest integrity. It is the moral compass that brings integrity to the vision. It is what causes every team member to check their motives to see if they are laboring for the right reasons. It brings credibility to the leaders who cast the vision.
Check you intuitive compass (Look Within) – Where integrity brings fuel to the vision, passion brings fire. The true fire of passion and conviction comes only from within. Authors Kouzes and Posner write in Leadership Challenge, Visions spring forth from our intuition. If necessity is the mother of invention, then intuition is the mother of vision. Experience feeds our intuition and enhances our insight. The vision must resonate deep within the heart of the leader
Check your historical compass (Look Behind) – There is an old Indiana saying, “Do not remove the fence until you why it was there!” A compelling vision should be built on the past, not diminish it. It should make positive use of everything that has been contributed by previous teams. Anytime you cast vision, you must create a connection between the past, the present, and the future. People will not reach for the future until they have touched the past! This does two things. First is shows respect to those who have been around the organization a long time – they feel valued. Secondly, it give security to the newcomer because they sense that a future is being based upon solid decisions from history.
Check you directional compass (Look Ahead) – David Thoreau wrote, “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” A goal motivates the team
Check your strategic compass (Look Around) – Vision without venture goes nowhere. The value of a strategy is that it brings process to the vision. It identifies resources and mobilizes the members of the team. Beyond information and inspiration people need instruction. They need instruction in how to make the dream a reality.
Check you visionary compass (Look Beyond) – The vision of the team must look beyond the current circumstances and shortcomings of teammates to see the potential of the team as a unit. Your vision should stretch your team. A far reaching vision will help you to stay focused on the long view and not to focus on the short range failures.
LINKS
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE
Integrity is based on what that one person perceives another with integrity really means. Each of us has our own set of values and beliefs and therefore defining ones’ character as having or lacking integrity is subjective.
With that said, however you define integrity, I believe we all can agree that determining ones’ having integrity relies mostly on them standing for something and then staying on purpose with whatever that something is. When one sways from that purpose and behaves in a way that is no longer in alignment with what they previously stood for, they can become labeled as being out of integrity.
Have you heard – Do as I say, not as I do? Prime example of someone who does not stay on purpose with what they stand for and believe in. If they did, then the saying would be do as I say and as I do. If you are a parent, this is crucial. Parents are modeling behavior for their children. Actions speak louder than words. Children pick up on those subtle behaviors and ignore lip service.
The same holds true with adult relationships. Work or personal, it doesn’t matter. People are savvy and see right through smoke screens. Some may not be sophisticated enough or have the confidence to call another on it but when people exhibit a lack of integrity, out goes the trust factor too. You can’t trust someone who doesn’t do as they say. What they are telling you is that they don’t believe their own advice either.
In the Personal Development industry, when you are seeking help from a coach or mentor, it is important to interview and get to know the person who will be advising and guiding you through a process. Ask questions about how this has helped them. Find out what their values and beliefs are so you can match yourself with someone who has similar values and beliefs as you.
Winning Teams have players who make things happen! Catalysts are get-it-done-and-then-some people
Every team has one of three types of people:
People who don’t want the ball – Some people do not have the ability to come through for the team in a high-pressure moment. As a result these people do not want the responsibility of carrying the team to moments of victory. You should not give the ball to these people
People who want the ball but shouldn’t – This is the group who cannot carry the team to victory but who believe they can! This is a case of inflated ego that is greater than talent!
People who want the ball and should – This is by far the smallest group of team members. These are the people who want the ball in crunch situations and they can deliver under pressure. These are the catalysts.
What are the characteristics of a catalyst?
1.INTUITIVE – They tend to sense things that other people miss. They recognize weaknesses and strengths in the teams plans and can often make an intuitive leap into what appears a disadvantage and turn it into an advantage. They can also spot talent and have the ability to recruit
2.COMMUNICATIVE – A Catalyst will say things that other team members will not say to get the team moving off dead-center. These conversations become the turn around moments.
3.PASSIONATE – A Catalyst feels what others miss. They are passionate and desire to share that passion with the team. When passion leaves it does matter how much skill you have, you are done!
4.TALENTED – A Catalyst is able to do what others cannot do because their talent is as strong and their passion. Rarely will you become a catalyst outside your gifts and talents. Also to be a catalyst is to be an influencer and that is something that you cannot do if your performance is poor. You must have credibility.
5.CREATIVE – A catalyst will think things before others. They are constantly looking for new and innovative ways of doing and thinking. Carl Mays asserts that “creativity involves taking what you have, where you are, and getting the most out of it.” Other times it is rewriting the rules of the game all together on how business will be accomplished
6.INITIATING – A Catalyst will do what others cannot do. Not only are they creative in their thinking, but they are disciplined in their actions. They take joy in making things happen.
7.RESPONSIBLE – A catalyst will carry things that others will not carry. Dan Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A had a saying; “If it is meant to be be, it’s up to me!” A catalyst is not a consultant – they actually do what they recommend, they make things happen.
8.GENEROUS – A catalyst will give what others will not give. They are prepared to use their resources to better the team whether that means they give of their time, spending money, or sacrificing personal gain. New York businessman Eugene Lang on June 25 1981 challenged 61 students at Public School 121 (75% drop-out rate) and became a catalyst by telling them if they stayed in school he would offer them a cash scholarship for college. Today this program is called “I Have A Dream” and sponsors over 10,000 kids. All because one person decided to become a catalyst
9.INFLUENTIAL – Catalysts are able to lead teams in a way that no one else can do. These are the individuals who have influence far beyond their team. Influence is the corner stone of leadership.
Victory is achieved by get-it-done-and-then-some people. How are you when it comes to crunch time on your team? Are you a person that steps up and asks for the ball or would you rather that someone else take the final shot for victory? Begin today implementing these three things:
1.Find a mentor – A catalyst looks for people that are better than they are.
2.Begin a growth plan – You will never reach your full potential if you are not growing. Remember you cannot lead anyone past your own thinking.
3.Get out of your comfort zone – you will never learn what you are capable of if you do not stretch yourself in new ways.
LINKS
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE
Where does your inspiration come from? Does it come from your family? Is it passed down generation to generation? Is it your grade school teacher? Your big sister? Your relationship with your creator? Where do you get your inspiration and how do you channel it?
We all hit a block at some point in life – sometimes more than we care to talk about and we need a little inspiration to relight our fire and let our creativity flow freely again.
This morning, do you remember waking up and what you did for that first hour? Can you recount all the motions you went through? If not, then you need some inspiration. You need to mix up your routine and throw some spontaneity into your life. Stop and smell the roses.
The older we get, the busier our lives become and we take for granted all those little things that we were in such awe of as a child. It’s time for a life reboot – to untether ourselves from our everyday doldrums and take a moment or two to see what we have been missing for a long time now. It is time to get inspired!
Have a plan – not a detailed plan – but something that you would like to stop and do for a moment that you have either wanted to do for a long time and couldn’t find the time or something that you used to do that you miss very much. But not too planned – in the event while executing your plan you find yourself wanting to do something else, be flexible and go with the flow.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Smell the flowers, notice the older couple holding hands, see the children running through the park, smile at the dog with the pink studded collar… don’t follow the tour guide at the museum – be your own tour guide and spend longer at an exhibit really taking in the intricacies of the piece.
Document your experience. Bring your camera and whatever else you need to capture these moments.
Bring a friend. Take the time to explore somewhere with someone you care about and share this experience. Create memories.
Stay away from subways. Sounds odd but if you are travelling underground how do you get to enjoy what is happening? Walk if you can and then when you need to rest – find a place to sit and people watch. Recharge your internal batteries and then go again.
Don’t look for inspiration. That sounds funny but this is an exercise in creating inspiration through your environment and not by creating false inspiration through planned events. Be free and enjoy what is already around you!
The strength of the Team is impacted by its weakest link!
On March 24, 1989, the news broke that an environmental disaster had occurred in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. The oil tanker Exxon Valdez had ran aground on the Bligh Reef, damaging 8 or the 11 cargo tanks. As a result 10.8 million of the ships 83 million gallons of oil poured into the sea.
The economic damage shut down tourism and fishing in the area. The environment lost approximately 250,000 seabirds, 2800 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, 22 killer whales, and an immeasurable loss of food in the ocean chain of life.
Exxon lost $2.2 billion in cleanup costs, $300 million in claims paid, and $1 billion in state and federal settlements
When it comes to teamwork….
Not everyone will take the journey – the reason vary from rootedness to attitude to status quo.
Not everyone should take the journey – your team should not be someone’s agenda for their life at a given point in time to accomplish their goals. Wish them well and show them the pathway off of your team
Not everyone can take the journey – not everyone is capable of being on your team. They may not be able to keep pace with other team mates to accomplish the larger goals of the team
If you cannot help a weak link in the chain of your team find another place, here are some things that might happen when they are allowed to remain.
The stronger members will identify the weaker one – Strong people on your team will always know who is not holding up their end of the deal. Weak individuals cannot hide around strong team members.
The stronger members will have to help the weaker ones – If you people must work together as a team in order to get anything accomplished, then you only have two choices. Ignore the weaker members or help them so the team can be more successful.
The stronger members will come to resent the weaker member – Regardless of whether the stronger members help or not the outcome is usually the same – RESENTMENT!
The stronger members will become less effective – Anytime you have to carry your work and someone else’s work as well, you run the risk of compromising performance. Over time the whole team will suffer
The stronger members of a team will begin to question the leaders ability – Anytime a leader allows a weaker team member to remain part of the team, others are forced to compensate for the weak member. As a leader you risk loosing respect from your team and performance will suffer.
The bottom line is that a team cannot cover up its weaknesses!
LINKS
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE
Information is crucial for everything. Can you think of an instance where you don’t need information? It’s like going on a trip without a roadmap or through life without goals. We need information to help us get from A to B and all points in between.
With the Internet, we have information almost instantaneously with a push of a button. Do a search on any topic and there is flood of websites to tell you all about whatever you are searching for. Sometimes the search is spot on and other times it is completely off base but the beauty is you can search again and again refining until you get it right.
With that, why are so many people still ill informed? There has never been a time like now with access to so much information through our phones, homes, cars, cafés, libraries… even restaurants give free access. And yet you hear people say the craziest things and have outlandish opinions based on no facts you are aware of.
This is partly due to the other form of information – the media. The media has its own agenda and long gone are the days of unbiased news outlets. But this isn’t about the media. It is about information and how to obtain useful information that is both accurate and proven to be true.
When it comes to personal development and growth, there are many people who claim to have the secrets to success. And from appearances, they sure do look successful. But their success may not equate to your definition of success so my advice to you is this:
Define what you think makes a person successful. Not how to be successful. Illustrate through words what a successful person is – from relationships to material goods. However you define success. And from that – match up those who claim success to see if they fit your description, which is based on your values and beliefs. If they don’t, then pass on their advice. If they do, then find out how you can work with them or someone associated with them to mentor you and help you to achieve success.
As the challenge escalates the need for teamwork elevates!
What is your Everest?
You may not be Edmund Hillary or Tenzing Norgay who climb Mt Everest – But I would dare to conclude that you have a BIG DREAM! That said, how will you put together a team to accomplish your big dream? Consider these three questions:
What Is My Dream? This question will reveal what can be. Unless there is a dream there is not much that is going to happen. If you are going to do something great you must have a dream. Great dreams however, require a team.
Who Is On my Team? This question reveals what is – it is a measurement of the current situation. Your potential is only as good as your team. A great dream with a bad team is what is called a nightmare!
What Should My Dream Team Look Like? Your team must be the size of your dream. If your dream is great and your team is pitiful, your dream goes no where.
It would appear that the Team is should be equal to the dream if not beyond. In other words we focus too much on the dream and not the team. Consider these examples:
New Challenge Creative Team
Controversial Challenge United Team
Changing Challenge Fast & Flexible Team
Unpleasant Challenge Motivated Team
Diversified Challenge Complementary Team
Long-Term Challenge Determined Team
Everest-Sized Challenge Experienced Team
LINKS
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE
Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on Stitcher – SUBSCRIBE
It is essential to have an attitude of believing the best in others; understanding this concept can have its challenges.
The self-fulfilling prophecy refers to the idea that when someone creates a belief in something that is not yet true, and expects something with certainty, it will become true. With people, it suggests that as we communicate our expectations, they will conform and deliver the appropriate results.
When working with people, this is critical. When you express a lack of confidence in someone, it is returned with mediocrity, however if you believe in them and expect them to do well, research has shown that they will live up to that expectation.
What we expect, all too often, is exactly what we get.
The four key principles of the self-fulfilling prophecy:
We form certain expectations, or beliefs, of people or events based on our own perceptions and experiences
We communicate those expectations through our behaviors in a way that we would not have done without the belief
People generally respond by adjusting their behavior to match
The result is that the original expectation becomes reality
Based on these principles, we can conclude that the expectations leaders place on their team determines the quality of the teams’ output. A study of 100 self-made millionaires has shown that the most common characteristic in the group was the desire and ability to see the good in others. They were people builders, not critics. They empowered and supported their team to be their very best through positive means.
Believing the best in people is a critical piece of building successful viable relationships.
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