On Memorial Day of this year, I finished reading a Keith Grint book entitled Leadership, Management, and Command: Rethinking D-Day.  This deep-dive into every aspect possible of the D-Day invasion used the construct of tame and wicked problems to consider how each side prepared for and implemented their responses.  At times, the book was a slow moving read but, in others, it was a fascinating page-turner.  One particular section grabbed my attention and is the topic of this blog.  How does tank doctrine and production have anything to do with leadership?  Well, read on and you will find out.  

Far too often, people - self included - give up doing the small things because they do not seem to matter.  That decision, however, is short-sighted but is rooted in our "results now" culture.  Whenever we start or attempt anything, we always need to keep a long-term mindset.  This blog shares an example of when a little becomes a lot AND I'll be celebrating a little bit of personal success too!  Keep on reading...

Earlier this week, I shared a statement from my book on the Quotes page, with the promise that a more in-depth blog would be coming later.  Well, here it is.  If you have spent any time looking at leadership, you've heard comments that focus on what takes place when nobody is around because that is who you really are.  While that is true, I want to focus that even further and apply it specifically to the home.  Please notice what the title does not say - "leadership in the home."  While that thought is a small part of it, there is a much bigger issue at play here that looks at both the people and environment in the home.  If you want to learn more, then keep reading...

Have you ever selected a "word for the year"?  The intent behind that one word is simplicity and focus - its easier to remember than a long list of goals, helps you focus priorities each day, and (in theory) will be more readily attainable.  Many people pick those words out of routine but fail in keeping them (just like New Year's Resolutions).  In this blog, we'll tackle some thoughts on your one word while I share what mine will be for 2021.

I saw a meme the other day that made me laugh out loud. While not knowing who did this, we can all appreciate the sentiments behind the imagery.  Yes, 2020 - the year of "clear and great vision" - was a compilation of multiple messes that has left many people befuddled, frustrated, and out-right anxious with what the future may hold.  Will 2021 be a repeat or improvement?  Will things in 2021, as many are thinking, be even worse that the year just completed?  Honestly, nobody knows; however, we do hold the power of our lives in our hands.  Let's look at living life the 2021 way.

Have you stopped to ever think about the question mentioned above? If not, then pause - RIGHT NOW - and define that "f word" for yourself. Several years ago, I had a leader that sent me the image below. The image says fear has two meanings and we are the ones that personally choose our meaning of fear in our circumstances. Yes, can clearly see the emphasis on the terms above that place it all within our realm of responsibility. That personal nature is where we will focus on today's life and leadership blog.

With everything that took place during the pandemic shutdowns where businesses were closed and gatherings minimized, our deepest human desire - for personal connection - was starved.  Unfortunately, however, that occurrence is not an isolated incident.  The starving for a personal touch has expanded in recent years due to our increased reliance on digital tools.  We focus attention on "friends" we have never met but are hundreds of miles away while neglecting those within the walls of our home.  How do we as people, and as leaders, address that deficiency.  We will take a look at what some have done in the fast-food industry to combat this factor.

As you look at the photo below, what do you see?  You may have responded something like this:  blue sky, golf course, ball on the green, trees, flagstick, clouds, etc.  There really is not a right or wrong answer here BUT take a look at where the ball is located.  It is close to the flag, and that's good, but you do not know several things:  (1) how many strokes it took to get there; (2) how many are considered "par" for that hole; and (3) what happens after this picture was taken.  All of these descriptions are wonderful set-ups for accountability - the real kind of accountability that we need in our daily lives.  The term and process called "accountability" is often viewed with disdain; however, that should not be the case.  We need to learn to do accountability correctly to maximize relationships and results.

Have you taken the time to sit down and write out your core responses to any and every situation?  If you have not, then you should certainly do so.  In living, just as in leading, we must have things settled in our minds in order to practice them.  Without firm commitment to our convictions, then we will fall into making choices out of convenience.  By continuing, you will see the things established in my heart and mind - a little something called the S.M.I.L.E. Rule.

If you happen to have XM Radio and listen to Prime Country, then you will have heard the Patty Loveless song "Hurt Me Bad (in a Real Good Way)."  She has an amazing voice that pierces the heart in so many of her songs.  If you have never heard it, well, just click on the song title above.

What does this have to do with leadership?  Everything!  The song speaks to perspective about "good" and "bad" events that happen.  I'm going to share a real world example for you to help you understand the role of leadership in balancing progress and perspective.