Category Archives: Leadership

Killer Cats, Socrates & the Construction of Reputation

My four children have four cats (Sam, Sylvester, Tin Tin and Bo Bo). These cats love people, but they are ferocious–killers! Tiger, lion, panther and cheetah are better descriptions. These fur-filled kitty-cats are indefatigable hunters–resilient killers!

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How do I know? Because their collective body of work speaks loud and clear. Because they leave their “trophies” on our door mat–we have to see their work.

But, from a distance or a casual inspection, one might find our cats lounging lazily in the sun or reclining restfully on some high perch. Perhaps, you would come over and find all four of them wrapped up like baby dolls being pushed by our five year old daughter in a stroller. You would ask, “These social tabbies–killers? Never!”

There is always a closer inspection. This happens whether you chose to acknowledge it or not. You are always under the lens of someone else’s inspection.

Thus, THE QUESTION: “What do others (your mate, boss, children, parents, co-workers, strangers, friends, etc.) find when they examine your life?”

Examine closely our cats and you’ll find stone-cold killers, habitual hunters, and dedicated destroyers of all forms of fluttering and slithering vermin. What about you? Are you honest when you examine your life? Will others be honest with you if you ask them to examine your life?

“The unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates

Try these inspection (examination) methods:

1. Examine your foundation (your heart, beliefs, and values). Does it match what you are leading others to believe about you?

2. Ask a trusted counselor for a “construction inspection”

A. What does it appear I am building in my life?

B. Am I building for success?

C. How do others view me?

D. Do you see any “cracks” in my construction that will cause foundation problems later?

 

“Even a child is known by his ways (deeds)” Proverbs 20:11

What are you know by? Answering this IS your reputation! 

Why Your Great Idea Died

Ever had an idea or thought you turned into a plan that didn’t produce the results you wanted? Chances are yes, and you are not alone.

Crystal Pepsi

Ideas are like children. They must be birthed, nurtured, corrected, and supported. Otherwise they will experience the epic fails of New Coke and Crystal Pepsi (Google these if you are under 30 years old). Ideas die painful deaths because they are extensions of you! Today’s great idea is tomorrow’s dinosaur. Continue reading →

What Picking Cucumbers Taught Me!

What Picking Cucumbers Taught Me!

I remember picking cucumbers as a boy in the fields of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina in the summer. It was hot. The kind of hot where the ground sweats and gives off steam. I have no pleasurable memories of this experience! Except, that a good memory doesn’t have to be a pleasurable memory. Infact, this singular experience of picking cucumbers with my two elder brothers taught me, perhaps, one of the most valuable lessons about work I have ever learned…

cucumbers

In fact, if memory serves correctly, my two elder brothers (Aaron and Elliott*) and I worked for over 8 hours and picked over 1100 lbs. of cucumbers—just the three of us. Black sap tar covers your hands, insects, humidity, sweat dripping in your eyes, dirt, rotting cucumbers, vermin, more insects, bending over all day, sorting under prickly leaves barely begins to describe how hard it is to pick cucumbers. However, that day probably marked my work ethic more than any other single day in my life.

Why?

Continue reading →

The Risk of Commitment: Intention is not Commitment

The Risk of Commitment: Intending is not Committing

I have observed that many people can never break the cycle of failure. They start strong, they intend well, they may even plan to some extent, but in the end they end in absolute, abject failure and frustration.

“Roll your works…” (Prov. 16:3)

I have seen many people that begin well but implode or explode shortly into the journey.  I have seen people hover on the edge of success never touching or grasping it, but always hanging around—grasping vainly at something potentially tangible, but always invisible. I have seen others develop great intentions that would produce truly impactful results, but never get beyond the intending. I have observed a great idea that never launches because of a lack of great preparation or great patience. I have seen achievement become elusive like a white whale because the suitor grew weary, worn and complacent. Continue reading →

Obstacles (Often Unseen) Leaders Must Overcome — Pt. 3: Admiration

Admiration — does admiration help the leader or the organization at all?

“…the flattering mouth brings ruin.”

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Don’t confuse admiration with encouragement. A true encourager is on par with a trusted adviser. An encourager is not a flatterer–their praise has everything to do with intent. The better the leader is at discerning true intent the more effective they will be at graciously detecting and deflecting flattery. Continue reading →

Obstacles (Often Unseen) Leaders Must Overcome – Pt. 2: Insulation

Insulation — the archaic definition of this word means to literally “make an island.” Insulation was a defensive technique that cities or castles used to keep enemies out, whereby they dug trenches to cut easy access off from others. The term has come to mean in the last century to keep warmth in, but it has not always been so. It is key to grasp that a leader who becomes insulated, creates a massive obstacle for their followers and ultimately their own ability to influence, communicate, and promote growth.

Therefore, if isolation is withdrawal, then insulation is the construction of barriers or obstacles that signify a full-blown retreat. Insulation is a by-product of isolation. It is, literally, entrenchment. Entrenched obstacles are permanent, lasting and more difficult to overcome. Continue reading →

Obstacles (Often Unseen) Leaders Must Overcome — Pt. 1: Isolation

Obstacles (Often Unseen) Leaders Must Overcome

Part 1: Isolation

Often it’s not the obstacle that you can see that causes you to stumble, but rather the obstacle you can’t see that impairs, impales, and immobilizes you.

There are always obstacles. Leaders should learn to recognize both the danger in unseen obstacles and the value of overcoming them. Many obstacles are relatively easy to recognize.  However, there are several silent, slippery slopes that the developing leader must learn to traverse with sensitivity and skill.  These obstacles are extremely personal in nature and can blind, blindside and bust the leader into pieces.  In fact, these very challenges have decimated many promising leaders throughout the epochs of history. Continue reading →

Be Strong and Courageous. And, Don’t Give Up!

“If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small” Proverbs 24:10

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It tells me that no matter what I am faces with, I must choose not to quit. I have quoted my father many times over the years saying, “no son of mine is going to quit, that is your job, get back to work!” He said this when I got up enough courage to tell him at 16 years old that I wanted to quit washing dishes, coming home at midnight soaking wet with cracked and bloody dishpan hands, and get a job bagging groceries.

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I could have quit in my heart and let it affect my work, but that thought never crossed my mind. I knew that if I continued to work there I had to get better, faster, and stronger. It was my “day” of adversity, I could choose to excel or I could loaf so I’d get fired. If I was going to stay, I knew I must be the catalyst for my own change, growth, and development. Continue reading →