(By John Maxwell)
Scott Adams, creator of the popular Dilbert cartoon, tells this story about his beginnings as a cartoonist:
You don't have to be a "person of influence" to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life probably are not even aware of the things they've taught me. When I was trying to become a syndicated cartoonist, I sent my portfolio to one cartoon editor after another—and received one rejection after another. One editor even called and suggested that I take art classes.
Then Sarah Gillespie, an editor at United Media and one of the real experts in the field, called to offer me a contract. At first, I didn't believe her. I asked if I'd have to change my style, get a partner — or learn how to draw. But she believed I was already good enough to be a nationally syndicated cartoonist. Her confidence in me completely changed my frame of reference and altered how I thought about my own abilities. This may sound bizarre, but from the minute I got off the phone with her, I could draw better.
There is no telling what might happen if you were to begin encouraging the dreams of the people around you.
Encourage someone today and you might get to watch them bloom tomorrow.
Taken from Maximize Your Day by John Maxwell. (Published by OMF Literature, Philippines. Available now at Powerbooks and National Bookstore.)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Power of Failure
By John Maxwell
Success doesn't mean avoiding failure. All of us fail. As we travel, we all hit potholes, take wrong turns, or forget to check the radiator. The only person who avoids failure altogether is the person who never leaves her driveway. So the real issue is not whether you're going to fail. It's whether you're going to fail successfully (profiting from your failure). As Nelson Boswell observed, "The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views mistakes." If you want to continue on the success journey, you need to learn to fail forward.
Unsuccessful people are often so afraid of failure and rejection that they spend their whole lives avoiding risks or decisions that could lead to failure. They don't realize that success is based on their ability to fail and continue trying. When you have the right attitude, failure is neither fatal nor final. In fact, it can be a springboard to success. Leadership expert Warren Bennis interviewed seventy of the nation's top performers in various fields and found that none of them viewed their mistakes as failures. When talking about them, they referred to their "learning experiences," "tuition paid," "detours," and "opportunities for growth."
Successful people don't let failure go to their heads. Instead of dwelling on the negative consequences of failure, thinking of what might have been and how things haven't worked out, they focus on the rewards of success: learning from their mistakes and thinking about how they can improve themselves and their situations.
Try to see failure as a learning experience today.
Taken from Maximize Your Day by John Maxwell. (Published by OMF Literature, Philippines. Available now at Powerbooks and National Bookstore.)
Success doesn't mean avoiding failure. All of us fail. As we travel, we all hit potholes, take wrong turns, or forget to check the radiator. The only person who avoids failure altogether is the person who never leaves her driveway. So the real issue is not whether you're going to fail. It's whether you're going to fail successfully (profiting from your failure). As Nelson Boswell observed, "The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views mistakes." If you want to continue on the success journey, you need to learn to fail forward.
Unsuccessful people are often so afraid of failure and rejection that they spend their whole lives avoiding risks or decisions that could lead to failure. They don't realize that success is based on their ability to fail and continue trying. When you have the right attitude, failure is neither fatal nor final. In fact, it can be a springboard to success. Leadership expert Warren Bennis interviewed seventy of the nation's top performers in various fields and found that none of them viewed their mistakes as failures. When talking about them, they referred to their "learning experiences," "tuition paid," "detours," and "opportunities for growth."
Successful people don't let failure go to their heads. Instead of dwelling on the negative consequences of failure, thinking of what might have been and how things haven't worked out, they focus on the rewards of success: learning from their mistakes and thinking about how they can improve themselves and their situations.
Try to see failure as a learning experience today.
Taken from Maximize Your Day by John Maxwell. (Published by OMF Literature, Philippines. Available now at Powerbooks and National Bookstore.)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sold out...again
I just got the good news that we only have 12 seats left to the final Maxwell Videocast this Friday at the RCBC Plaza (CPR Auditorium.) The place can fit 440 people.
The acoustics and AV stuff is really good there. If you haven't watched, go out of your way to go! (I heard there will be free Krispy Kreme being passed around too.)
The acoustics and AV stuff is really good there. If you haven't watched, go out of your way to go! (I heard there will be free Krispy Kreme being passed around too.)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Imagine a world without Filipinos - from someone who can't imagine living without Pinoys
Abdullah Al-Maghlooth | Al-Watan, almaghlooth@alwatan.com.sa
Muhammad Al-Maghrabi became handicapped and shut down his flower and gifts shop business in Jeddah after his Filipino workers insisted on leaving and returning home. He says: “When they left, I felt as if I had lost my arms. I was so sad that I lost my appetite.”
Al-Maghrabi then flew to Manila to look for two other Filipino workers to replace the ones who had left. Previously, he had tried workers of different nationalities but they did not impress him. “There is no comparison between Filipinos and others,” he says. Whenever I see Filipinos working in the Kingdom, I wonder what our life would be without them.
Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Filipino workers — 1,019,577 — outside the Philippines. In 2006 alone, the Kingdom recruited more than 223,000 workers from the Philippines and their numbers are still increasing. Filipinos not only play an important and effective role in the Kingdom, they also perform different jobs in countries across the world, including working as sailors. They are known for their professionalism and the quality of their work.
Nobody here can think of a life without Filipinos, who make up around 20 percent of the world’s seafarers. There are 1.2 million Filipino sailors.
So if Filipinos decided one day to stop working or go on strike for any reason, who would transport oil, food and heavy equipment across the world? We can only imagine the disaster that would happen.
What makes Filipinos unique is their ability to speak very good English and the technical training they receive in the early stages of their education. There are several specialized training institutes in the Philippines, including those specializing in engineering and road maintenance. This training background makes them highly competent in these vital areas.
When speaking about the Philippines, we should not forget Filipino nurses. They are some 23 percent of the world’s total number of nurses. The Philippines is home to over 190 accredited nursing colleges and institutes, from which some 9,000 nurses graduate each year. Many of them work abroad in countries such as the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Singapore.
Cathy Ann, a 35-year-old Filipino nurse who has been working in the Kingdom for the last five years and before that in Singapore, said she does not feel homesick abroad because “I am surrounded by my compatriots everywhere.” Ann thinks that early training allows Filipinos to excel in nursing and other vocations. She started learning this profession at the age of four as her aunt, a nurse, used to take her to hospital and ask her to watch the work. “She used to kiss me whenever I learned a new thing. At the age of 11, I could do a lot. I began doing things like measuring my grandfather’s blood pressure and giving my mother her insulin injections,” she said.
This type of early education system is lacking in the Kingdom. Many of our children reach the university stage without learning anything except boredom.
The Philippines, which you can barely see on the map, is a very effective country thanks to its people. It has the ability to influence the entire world economy.
We should pay respect to Filipino workers, not only by employing them but also by learning from their valuable experiences.
We should learn and educate our children on how to operate and maintain ships and oil tankers, as well as planning and nursing and how to achieve perfection in our work. This is a must so that we do not become like Muhammad Al-Maghrabi who lost his interest and appetite when Filipino workers left his flower shop.
We have to remember that we are very much dependent on the Filipinos around us. We could die a slow death if they chose to leave us.
--
Thanks to Dr Mark Crapo for sending this to me. This is dedicated to everyone who has a relative working abroad -- I guess that's all of us!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The John Maxwell Leadership Summit Video Broadcast
| The Philippine Daily Inquirer Featuring all new content and timeless leadership principles from John Maxwell's latest books including The 360° Leader, Winning with People, and Leadership Gold Make the transition from success to succession-build your leaders now to ensure your organization's future Learn from America's #1 Leadership mentor and best-selling author on July 29, 2008 10:00AM to 5:00PM Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Tower 2, Ayala, Makati City |
| "You can effectively teach only what you can consistently model. A great leader and a powerful speaker because he speaks from the heart" ~ Rene T. Ceniza, San Miguel Brewery Inc "Very insightful and applicable. High relevance to work and personal life." ~ Cynthia M. Lapid, Glaxo Smithkline "Great initiative. Please continue to bring global speakers to the Philippines. " ~Trina Tanlapco, Johnson and Johnson "Excellent! Very organized. A very good speaker. Congratulations to the company/people behind this wonderful event." ~Marie Moya, Eastwood Properties, Inc. "Congratulations on a well-attended/organized event! I learned a lot!" ~ Zai Tan-Perez, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines "I certainly hope and pray that we could have more of such events! Good event! Very good organizers! " ~ Mayet C. Ramos, Asian Institute of Management "The seminar is very timely and is truly an eye opener" ~Patricia Yatco Manhit, Red Ribbon "The seminar is great!" ~Tony Soria, Flour Daniel, Inc. "It is definitely inspiring!" ~ Dolfuss L. Paredes, Abenson "As always Dr Maxwell is inspiring and enlightening. Someday, maybe in 5 years, I can bring my kids along with me in this seminar." ~ Michael Gubat, Accenture "Another first! Thanks for blessing many with this programs." ~ Josephine D. Gomez, Abenson "This event is great! Such a learning experience and truly worth the investment!" ~Charitess Carandang, Eperformax Contact Centers "Dr. John Maxwell, thanks for sharing with us your leadership! Learnings will inspire us to be more, do more and lead more. " ~ Christian Alfred C. Bongolan, Asian Institute of Management "This is highly recommended.. Life changing!" ~ Maria Isabel Delaguiron, Accenture "Very well organized - Congrats!" ~ Michael P. Melchor, Source Asia Business, Inc "It's really a one-in-a-lifetime event to learn from the leadership guru himself and I hope ther'll be a next time someday so my kids can have this opportunity too." ~Richard Uy, The Spa "This is one of the best training on leadership that I have attended." ~ Julita Abdula, Cardinal Santos Medical Center "Great learning opportunity." ~Allan T. Aguirre, Kumon Philippines "John is excellent. I learned a lot even though it's a one-day summit/training only. No dull moment. I am glad I was here" ~ Helena Alina, Accenture "It was a really enlightening and inspiring seminar. I learned a lot from Mr John Maxwell" ~ Royalyn Gonzales, Kumon Philippines, Inc. "Well done! Kudos to the organizing team. More power!" ~ Primo Palasi, Cypress Manufacturing Limited "Great Seminar!" ~ Edgar Allan Caper, Corporate Planning, HBC Inc. "Excellent! Part 2 for this please." ~ Joselito Arevalo, Global City Innovative College "Excellent!" ~ Aileen Riego-Javier, National Kidney and Transplant Institute Book your seat now! |
| THE JOHN MAXWELL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT VIDEO BROADCAST PROGRAM RATIONALE As a leader, you are the beginning of a chain-reaction--a powerful series of events leading to the achievement of your business goals. Nearly everything on your daily agenda - every email, meeting, phone call, and interaction-- is an opportunity to affect the people around you. Instilling confidence, winning with people, adding value, building trust, getting results--all begin with a choice to initiate greatness in everything you do. Because leadership is relationally driven, the outcomes and results are largely dependent on the nature of your original influence--what you do first as a leader has a ripple effect on everyone around you. That's the leadership effect! Small changes in your leadership practices pay off in huge dividends as people exponentially leverage your influence in the area of their greatest need. Led by world-renowned leadership expert and New York Times Best-selling Author, John C. Maxwell, you will unpack the components of the R.E.A.L. Leadership Paradigm -- essential principles in four key areas of your daily agenda that will help you take your leadership to the next level. Session 1: Leadership and Real Success Session 2: Leadership Gold Session 3: Five Levels of Leadership "The leadership gold teachings. They are indeed golden! Well done!" ~ Patrick Pilariza, Accenture |
| ABOUT JOHN MAXWELL He was also one of only 25 authors named to Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame. Three of his books, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader have each sold over a million copies. His latest book, Leadership Gold, was released last April 2008. "Bring John back! As soon as possible!" ~ Bernard Poplimont, Puratos Phils. Inc. |
| WHO SHOULD ATTEND? ~ Leaders at every level in your organization. If you are a CEO, Director, President, Vice President, Manager, Supervisor-you will benefit from this seminar. ~ Potential and aspiring leaders: If you are an assistant manager, management trainee or anyone who wants to develop their leadership potential-come to this seminar and start growing into a leader. PROGRAM SCHEDULE Program: 10:00am - 12:00nn Session 1 : Leadership and Real Success 12:00nn - 01:30pm Lunch 01:30pm - 03:00pm Session 2 : Leadership Gold 03:00pm - 03:15pm Break 03:15pm - 04:30pm Session 3 : Five Levels of Leadership 04:30pm - 05:00 pm Live Leadership Talk by licensed John Maxwell Facilitator JOHN MAXWELL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT VIDEO BROADCAST Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Tower 2, Ayala, Makati City Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 10am-5pm Price per person Sponsor/VIP Seats P2,200 (with free book and Audio CD) - 1st 3 rows Orchestra P1,750 Lodge P1,500 Balcony P1,200 Special Group Promotions: Book 10 get 1 additional ticket for free (10+1) Book 20 get 2 additional tickets for free (20+2) plus free John Maxwell CD: Power of Motivation Book 30 get 3 additional tickets for free (30+3) plus free 2 John Maxwell CDs: Power of Motivation & Core Values of a Winning Team Book 40 get 4 additional tickets for free (40+4) plus free 3 John Maxwell CDs: Power of Motivation, Core Values of a Winning Team & 12 Ways to Keep Good People +Co-Presenter and other sponsorship packages (including rates for exhibitors) are available. Please contact Ella Publico at 813 2703/32 or email us at ella@saltandlight.ph |
| BOOK NOW TO REGISTER FORM Fax this form to 8132745 or 8864841 Call 8132732/03; 8302191 ask for Nicole, Fina or Juliet Fill out the form below and email us at juliet@saltandlight.ph or slvguru@pldtdsl.net Send form together with your company check to: Salt and Light Ventures, Inc., 4/F Majalco Bldg., 104 Benavidez St., Makati City. The John Maxwell Leadership Summit Video Broadcast The Leadership Effect: Building R.E.A.L. Leaders Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:00AM - 5:00PM Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Tower 2, Ayala, Makati City [ ] Yes, I would like to avail of the special group promotions. I would like to reserve ___ seats. [ ] Yes! Please reserve ____ seat(s) for the following participants: (Please change if different) [ ] Sponsor/VIP Seats [ ] Orchestra [ ] Lodge [ ] Balcony COMPANY / ORGANIZATION ______________________________ ADDRESS ______________________ TELEPHONE # ______________________________ EMAIL WEBSITE ______________________________ RESERVING OFFICER'S NAME & DESIGNATION ______________________________ RESERVING OFFICER'S CONTACT & # EMAIL ______________________________ PRODUCTS BEING PRODUCED OR DISTRIBUTED ______________________________ TYPE OF SERVICES OFFERED ______________________________ COMPANY TIN # ______________________________ PARTICIPANT 1 [ ] MR [ ] MS [ ] MRS [ ] DR [ ] PROF LAST NAME ____________________ FIRST NAME ____________________ MIDDLE NAME _______ NICKNAME ______________________________ CONTACT # ______________________________ MOBILE # ______________________________ PARTICIPANT 2 [ ] MR [ ] MS [ ] MRS [ ] DR [ ] PROF LAST NAME ____________________ FIRST NAME ____________________ MIDDLE NAME _______ NICKNAME ______________________________ CONTACT # ______________________________ MOBILE # ______________________________ * For more than 2 pax, kindly copy-paste to add more. Thank you. * Mobile# is optional but important in case we need to confirm or inform delegates of urgent, last minute changes in case of emergencies (ie. weather, speaker changes, etc). KINDLY SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PAYMENT METHODS: [ ] By Cheque. I will send check payment to your office on ____________________________. [ ] By Pick-up. Please pick-up our check on ______________________________ (time/date). Made payable to Salt and Light Ventures, Inc. [ ] By Bank Deposit. Kindly remit the money to the ff. bank details: Company Name: Salt and Light Ventures, Inc. TIN #: 212-844-982-000-VAT Account #: BPI CA#3211-0837-85, Paseo de Roxas, Makati Branch For zero rated or VAT exempt companies, please include your Certificate of Exemption. Provide Form 2307 or Certificate of Tax Withheld if payment done with tax withheld. Please withhold only 2% as we are classified as suppliers or contractors of services. Source: jmax08videobroadcast-july29- TERMS: 1. No cancellations seven days before the seminar. Seminar participation may be transferred to another person in the same company. 2. This reservation form, when completed, may also serve as your billing invoice. 3. All seminar fees must be prepaid. |
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Working in Obscurity
by John Maxwell
I think very highly of the importance of leadership. I guess that's obvious for a guy whose motto is "Everything rises and falls on leadership."
Occasionally someone will ask me about how ego fits into the leadership equation. They'll want to know what keeps a leader from having a huge ego. I think the answer lies in each leader's pathway to leadership. If people paid their dues and gave their best in obscurity, ego is usually not a problem.
One of my favorite examples of this occurred in the life of Moses in the Old Testament. Though born a Hebrew, he lived a life of privilege in the palace of Egypt until he was forty years old. But after killing an Egyptian, he was exiled to the desert for forty years. There God used him as a shepherd and father, and after four decades of faithful service in obscurity, Moses was called to leadership. Scripture says by that time he was the most humble man in the world. Bill Purvis, the senior pastor of a large church in Columbus, Georgia, said, "If you do what you can, with what you have, where you are, then God won't leave you where you are, and He will increase what you have."
English novelist and poet Emily Bronte said, "If I could I would always work in silence and obscurity, and let my efforts be known by their results." Not everyone wants to be out of the spotlight as she did. But it's important for a leader to learn to work in obscurity because it is a test of personal integrity. The key is being willing to do something because it matters, not because it will get you noticed.
Give your best regardless if anyone is watching.
I think very highly of the importance of leadership. I guess that's obvious for a guy whose motto is "Everything rises and falls on leadership."
Occasionally someone will ask me about how ego fits into the leadership equation. They'll want to know what keeps a leader from having a huge ego. I think the answer lies in each leader's pathway to leadership. If people paid their dues and gave their best in obscurity, ego is usually not a problem.
One of my favorite examples of this occurred in the life of Moses in the Old Testament. Though born a Hebrew, he lived a life of privilege in the palace of Egypt until he was forty years old. But after killing an Egyptian, he was exiled to the desert for forty years. There God used him as a shepherd and father, and after four decades of faithful service in obscurity, Moses was called to leadership. Scripture says by that time he was the most humble man in the world. Bill Purvis, the senior pastor of a large church in Columbus, Georgia, said, "If you do what you can, with what you have, where you are, then God won't leave you where you are, and He will increase what you have."
English novelist and poet Emily Bronte said, "If I could I would always work in silence and obscurity, and let my efforts be known by their results." Not everyone wants to be out of the spotlight as she did. But it's important for a leader to learn to work in obscurity because it is a test of personal integrity. The key is being willing to do something because it matters, not because it will get you noticed.
Give your best regardless if anyone is watching.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thought Busters
By John Maxwell
The power of thought is indisputably great. For illustration, look at the life of Henry David Thoreau, a 19th-century Massachusetts philosopher.
In 1849, Thoreau, as a relatively unknown scholar, published his thoughts in a controversial essay about civil disobedience. The essay expressed his ideas about justice:
THOUGHTS ABOUT THINKING
Thoughts never begin fully formed.
Have you ever looked through a microscope? At first glance, the image appears blurry and indistinct. However, after adjusting the lens, the image comes into focus, and you can see with remarkable clarity.
When thoughts enter my mind, they are hazy and disordered, much like the initial image seen through a microscope. I have to fine-tune my thoughts by dwelling upon them, and connecting them to other thoughts I've had. It takes awhile for me to wrestle with a thought before its merit becomes clear.
Thoughts take time to develop their potential.
I am not a naturally brilliant thinker. My mind doesn't overflow with out-of-the-box creativity. However, I do leverage experiences to stretch my thoughts. I have found that reflection turns my experience into insight. At the close of each day, I'll review important lessons I've learned. I'll mine failure until I've gained a nugget of wisdom, or I'll consider how the day's events validated or invalidated one of my ideas. Through time, evaluating my experiences helps my thoughts to expand and mature.
Thoughts take others to develop their potential.
Alone, my thoughts are shallow and unexceptional. However, I am able to polish and refine them through my interactions with other leaders. I enhance my own thinking by piggybacking on the wisdom of friend and colleagues. In conversations or observations of their behavior, I strengthen and confirm my own inklings about leadership and life.
Each of us is trapped inside our own perspective and limited by blind spots and prejudices. If we isolate ourselves, we diminish our minds, and our thoughts atrophy.
We are wise to seek out others to test our assumptions and sharpen our thinking.
Thoughts are very fragile in the beginning.
Gardeners know the delicate nature of a newly planted seedling. To survive, the plant must receive nourishment and be protected from harsh winds, weeds, or hungry animals. Until its roots take hold and its stem grows, the seedling is vulnerable.
Likewise, our thoughts are fragile at first. They are endangered by pessimism, busyness, insecurity, forgetfulness, and a host of other threats. In the words of Bob Biehl, "Ideas are like soap bubbles floating in the air close to jagged rocks on a windy day."
In order to grow, our thoughts need careful attention and cultivation.
THOUGHT BUSTERS
Thoughts only reach their potential in a healthy environment. During my time as a leader, I've encountered the following environmental hazards, or thought busters, which threaten to destroy good thinking.
Criticism
When leaders pay any cost to ward off criticism, they sacrifice their best thoughts. In the words of Elbert Hubbard, "If you have something others don't have, know something others don't know, or do something others aren't doing, then, rest assured, you will be criticized." In my opinion, thinking requires boldness, the courage to be second-guessed, and readiness to endure conflict.
Lack of personal commitment to thinking
Taking action is by no means a negative quality in a leader. However, when a leader is all action, it's only a matter of time until he or she falls behind, steers off course, and surrenders the reins of leadership. I like Gordon MacDonald's appeal to mental fitness:
"In our pressurized society, people who are out of shape mentally usually fall victim to ideas and systems that are destructive to the human spirit and to the human relationship. They are victimized because they have not taught themselves how to think, nor have they set themselves to the lifelong pursuit of growth of the mind. Not having the faculty of a strong mind, they grow dependent upon the thoughts and opinions of others."
As leaders, thinking keeps us in front. Before we shape the future, we must get our minds in shape.
Excuses
"I don't have enough time," has been my most common excuse to avoid thinking. However, blaming time constraints is not a legitimate excuse. After all, a great idea is one of the greatest commodities a person can own. Besides, by taking the time to think, we invent smarter ways to expend our energy and resources.
"I'm not creative," has been another excuse of mine. Of course, blaming my lack of creativity is actually a sorry excuse for being lazy. Thinking well isn't easy. It takes concentration, focus, and, most challenging of all, the discipline to stop moving for a few moments.
For information on John Maxwell's Leadership seminars, please email us at bingericta@gmail.com or call 813-2049/2732 and ask for Bing Ericta. Text MAXWELL ON to 4632 (Smart) to get daily SMS leadership insights from John Maxwell.
The power of thought is indisputably great. For illustration, look at the life of Henry David Thoreau, a 19th-century Massachusetts philosopher.
In 1849, Thoreau, as a relatively unknown scholar, published his thoughts in a controversial essay about civil disobedience. The essay expressed his ideas about justice:
- Not all laws are just.
- A person should respect justice more than the law.
- Without resorting to violence, a person of conscience is justified to transgress the law to protest its injustice.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THINKING
Thoughts never begin fully formed.
Have you ever looked through a microscope? At first glance, the image appears blurry and indistinct. However, after adjusting the lens, the image comes into focus, and you can see with remarkable clarity.
When thoughts enter my mind, they are hazy and disordered, much like the initial image seen through a microscope. I have to fine-tune my thoughts by dwelling upon them, and connecting them to other thoughts I've had. It takes awhile for me to wrestle with a thought before its merit becomes clear.
Thoughts take time to develop their potential.
I am not a naturally brilliant thinker. My mind doesn't overflow with out-of-the-box creativity. However, I do leverage experiences to stretch my thoughts. I have found that reflection turns my experience into insight. At the close of each day, I'll review important lessons I've learned. I'll mine failure until I've gained a nugget of wisdom, or I'll consider how the day's events validated or invalidated one of my ideas. Through time, evaluating my experiences helps my thoughts to expand and mature.
Thoughts take others to develop their potential.
Alone, my thoughts are shallow and unexceptional. However, I am able to polish and refine them through my interactions with other leaders. I enhance my own thinking by piggybacking on the wisdom of friend and colleagues. In conversations or observations of their behavior, I strengthen and confirm my own inklings about leadership and life.
Each of us is trapped inside our own perspective and limited by blind spots and prejudices. If we isolate ourselves, we diminish our minds, and our thoughts atrophy.
We are wise to seek out others to test our assumptions and sharpen our thinking.
Thoughts are very fragile in the beginning.
Gardeners know the delicate nature of a newly planted seedling. To survive, the plant must receive nourishment and be protected from harsh winds, weeds, or hungry animals. Until its roots take hold and its stem grows, the seedling is vulnerable.
Likewise, our thoughts are fragile at first. They are endangered by pessimism, busyness, insecurity, forgetfulness, and a host of other threats. In the words of Bob Biehl, "Ideas are like soap bubbles floating in the air close to jagged rocks on a windy day."
In order to grow, our thoughts need careful attention and cultivation.
THOUGHT BUSTERS
Thoughts only reach their potential in a healthy environment. During my time as a leader, I've encountered the following environmental hazards, or thought busters, which threaten to destroy good thinking.
Criticism
When leaders pay any cost to ward off criticism, they sacrifice their best thoughts. In the words of Elbert Hubbard, "If you have something others don't have, know something others don't know, or do something others aren't doing, then, rest assured, you will be criticized." In my opinion, thinking requires boldness, the courage to be second-guessed, and readiness to endure conflict.
Lack of personal commitment to thinking
Taking action is by no means a negative quality in a leader. However, when a leader is all action, it's only a matter of time until he or she falls behind, steers off course, and surrenders the reins of leadership. I like Gordon MacDonald's appeal to mental fitness:
"In our pressurized society, people who are out of shape mentally usually fall victim to ideas and systems that are destructive to the human spirit and to the human relationship. They are victimized because they have not taught themselves how to think, nor have they set themselves to the lifelong pursuit of growth of the mind. Not having the faculty of a strong mind, they grow dependent upon the thoughts and opinions of others."
As leaders, thinking keeps us in front. Before we shape the future, we must get our minds in shape.
Excuses
"I don't have enough time," has been my most common excuse to avoid thinking. However, blaming time constraints is not a legitimate excuse. After all, a great idea is one of the greatest commodities a person can own. Besides, by taking the time to think, we invent smarter ways to expend our energy and resources.
"I'm not creative," has been another excuse of mine. Of course, blaming my lack of creativity is actually a sorry excuse for being lazy. Thinking well isn't easy. It takes concentration, focus, and, most challenging of all, the discipline to stop moving for a few moments.
For information on John Maxwell's Leadership seminars, please email us at bingericta@gmail.com or call 813-2049/2732 and ask for Bing Ericta. Text MAXWELL ON to 4632 (Smart) to get daily SMS leadership insights from John Maxwell.
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