Every leader has lids:
My friend asked me the other day “How good can you stand it, Holly?” Considering all the ups and downs of my journey lately I found it a funny question. I was happy with how my life had evolved and where I was going. Then he sent the 3rd bouquet of flowers and I simply could not receive any more goodness. Then I realized he was right. I have put myself in an imaginary box of limitation and excuses.
In the book I am currently reading, 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day Revitalize Your Spirit 7 Empower your Leadership, by John Maxwell Day 2 We read about limiting beliefs, the fear, impatience, denial, impulsiveness, jealousy, and anger that all of us sometimes come up against as invisible boxes that create our reality. Recently I went on a hunt for a gift for my niece and nephew… books of course and came across this one. No Excuses today while preparing to lead the children’s program I read it again to myself.
I uncovered hidden excuses that were holding me back. For example, this blog; I can’t write a blog. I’m a talker I would say. Then I’d muse on to say.. Leadership isn’t funny or interesting, nobody cares about my stories. Without trying I had made a multitude of excuses that were holding back my ability to soar.
So now I go back and ask myself “How good can you stand it and say… Bring it on!” I’m raising my imaginary box of excuses and knowing only the good that comes from ditching that old box that wasn’t serving me anyway.
Today’s question for reflection: What are the imaginary excuses you have been making as a leader? What will you do to overcome them and leave yourself and your organization better for it?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Leaders are Readers
As I glanced at my vision board today I found the word “Reading” as one of the key elements of the board. The Virgo in me even has the board set up according feng shui so the word can be found in the lower right corner or the “Knowledge & Self-Cultivation” corner of the board. Few people dare to ask me what I’m reading. For several reasons, I think, one because I read so much so fast I’m done with one thing before they can finish the sentence and two because it spans the shelves of many libraries. Tonight on my bookstand for instance you’ll find Success Magazine, The Science of Mind Textbook, a book on women entrepreneurship and my journal flanked by a book on Yoga and an NSA CD. I warned you!
As part of my letting go process I’ve made an intention to slow the reading down a bit and open more to the practical application of all that I am reading. I’m putting action behind this making a commitment to one book
21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day
Revitalize Your Spirit 7 Empower your Leadership
By John C. Maxwell
The book blends leadership principals and questions and will become the focus of my blog for the foreseeable future.
Week 1 – Law of the Lid
Leadership ability determines a Person’s level of Effectiveness
The thought for the day goes back to my last post – Every person has the potential to become a leader
Some leaders lead by delegated position for example a president of a company or organization. They are told to lead and make change others simply see opportunity for change and say “Yes”.
I want to be the leader who learns, choses, and builds organizations that through inspiration and passion connect people ideas and action to create positive change. I want to be the leader who says "Yes"
In times of challenge is when leaders really are moved to action are you willing to lift the lid of your abilities, admit short comings and grow. I know as I have started my company I have had to demonstrate the willingness to learn new tasks like business accounting, contract negotiation and sales techniques. All of these skills helping me to grow into the entrepreneur I was put on this planet to be and lifting me to leadership in the next level.
Today’s question for reflection: In your leadership are you leading by position or leading by example? How do you respond when your leadership is tested?
As part of my letting go process I’ve made an intention to slow the reading down a bit and open more to the practical application of all that I am reading. I’m putting action behind this making a commitment to one book
21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leaders Day
Revitalize Your Spirit 7 Empower your Leadership
By John C. Maxwell
The book blends leadership principals and questions and will become the focus of my blog for the foreseeable future.
Week 1 – Law of the Lid
Leadership ability determines a Person’s level of Effectiveness
The thought for the day goes back to my last post – Every person has the potential to become a leader
Some leaders lead by delegated position for example a president of a company or organization. They are told to lead and make change others simply see opportunity for change and say “Yes”.
I want to be the leader who learns, choses, and builds organizations that through inspiration and passion connect people ideas and action to create positive change. I want to be the leader who says "Yes"
In times of challenge is when leaders really are moved to action are you willing to lift the lid of your abilities, admit short comings and grow. I know as I have started my company I have had to demonstrate the willingness to learn new tasks like business accounting, contract negotiation and sales techniques. All of these skills helping me to grow into the entrepreneur I was put on this planet to be and lifting me to leadership in the next level.
Today’s question for reflection: In your leadership are you leading by position or leading by example? How do you respond when your leadership is tested?
Let it all Go!
Many of you know my passion for volunteer leadership flows and abundantly and gracefully as the blood in my veins, the air I breathe and beauty that is all around. Teaching and leadership is something that I have spent my life wishing, hoping and dreaming I could more of. Now as I serve through my company Leadership Solutions International I live this passion each and every day. My first day in this right livelihood was Tuesday April 20, 2010, the start of National Volunteerism week in the US clearly all of this in perfect alignment. I have followed my calling and I am releasing fear, and doubt. I am grateful for the cast of 1,000’s who have helped me on my journey. In today’s blog post I want to send special gratitude to my new friend Karen. Karen came over for tea the other day our first casual meeting. She said “Seize your leadership it the gift you have been given. I know you can handle the uncertainty.”
Today’s leadership question is – What are you willing to release that will bring out the leader in you?
Today’s leadership question is – What are you willing to release that will bring out the leader in you?
Leadership - What I know for sure
Every person is a leader in some way.
As I have started my business I have been called to dig down deeper and find the leader in me. As I go deeper I call readers of my blog and clients to dig deeper too. I start by saying I think everyone is a leader here are a few examples that I have experienced in the past few weeks:
To Brad you are a leader for having the courage to find business partners, and financial support that grow a vision grander and greater than you.
To Gary who months ago reached and said to me.. Why don’t you join us at the Wednesday night meeting? We have a lot of fun and learn together. You are a leader by taking a risk, reaching out and calling me to be a part of your team.
To Mykala the sweet second grader who wanted to read, and read, and read every page of the book I was sharing. You are a leader by sharing your passion and expertise with others
To Renee you are a leader by dreaming big dreams of participating in Iron Man and Duathlon (run, cycle, run)no matter what. You are a leader
These are just four examples of “real” people of all ages, races, ethnicities that have done little meaningful things to be leaders in this world.
Today’s question – How are you going to be a leader today?
As I have started my business I have been called to dig down deeper and find the leader in me. As I go deeper I call readers of my blog and clients to dig deeper too. I start by saying I think everyone is a leader here are a few examples that I have experienced in the past few weeks:
To Brad you are a leader for having the courage to find business partners, and financial support that grow a vision grander and greater than you.
To Gary who months ago reached and said to me.. Why don’t you join us at the Wednesday night meeting? We have a lot of fun and learn together. You are a leader by taking a risk, reaching out and calling me to be a part of your team.
To Mykala the sweet second grader who wanted to read, and read, and read every page of the book I was sharing. You are a leader by sharing your passion and expertise with others
To Renee you are a leader by dreaming big dreams of participating in Iron Man and Duathlon (run, cycle, run)no matter what. You are a leader
These are just four examples of “real” people of all ages, races, ethnicities that have done little meaningful things to be leaders in this world.
Today’s question – How are you going to be a leader today?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Think Bigger
Never Give Up - How to Live a Meaningful Life
Anne Clarrissimeaux August 27, 2008
As the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Carson, 57, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this year for his groundbreaking contributions to medicine and his efforts to help America’s youth fulfill their potential.
Dr. Carson shares his philosophy of what he believes creates a successful—and meaningful—life through the acronym THINK BIG. He instills his message in the students awarded the Carson Scholars Fund scholarships, but says that these ideas can be useful to anyone, from any walk of life or any age.
Talent and time. Recognize them as gifts.
Hope for good things and be honest.
Insight from people and good books.
Be Nice to all people.
Knowledge: Recognize it as the key to living.
Books: Read them actively.
In-depth learning skills: Develop them.
God. Everyone has their own beliefs. When you THINK BIG, what does the “G” stand for in your life?
Anne Clarrissimeaux August 27, 2008
As the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Carson, 57, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this year for his groundbreaking contributions to medicine and his efforts to help America’s youth fulfill their potential.
Dr. Carson shares his philosophy of what he believes creates a successful—and meaningful—life through the acronym THINK BIG. He instills his message in the students awarded the Carson Scholars Fund scholarships, but says that these ideas can be useful to anyone, from any walk of life or any age.
Talent and time. Recognize them as gifts.
Hope for good things and be honest.
Insight from people and good books.
Be Nice to all people.
Knowledge: Recognize it as the key to living.
Books: Read them actively.
In-depth learning skills: Develop them.
God. Everyone has their own beliefs. When you THINK BIG, what does the “G” stand for in your life?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Lessons in Leadership Learned at the Olympics
I believe every person every day is a leader in some way. So, I am careful postng this not to overshadow the blog post today with a story of Olympic greatness. While reading my nightly leadership publications I had to pass this one along.
Every life well lived leaves behind a lesson learned that makes the world a better place. It is tradgic to watch the world stop at the annoucement of the death of Luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili.
Please read this link from Harvard Business Review and take pause to think about who you are listening to as a leader?
http://blogs.hbr.org/research/2010/02/the-olympic-luge-tragedy-and-h.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">
Every life well lived leaves behind a lesson learned that makes the world a better place. It is tradgic to watch the world stop at the annoucement of the death of Luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili.
Please read this link from Harvard Business Review and take pause to think about who you are listening to as a leader?
http://blogs.hbr.org/research/2010/02/the-olympic-luge-tragedy-and-h.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Survive & Thrive - See Holly Live
Beyond the blog - I am proud to offer my passion and experience to the Portland Female Executives www.portlandfemaleexecutives.com on February 16, 2010. Here's a short review of the program - Hope you can join us!
Survive & Thrive – Leadership in the New Economy
Are you looking for what do next in your company, volunteer organization or community? In this session we will review enduring practices in leadership. Will the “old” time tested principals of leadership still be relevant in our “new” economy? In this session we will look at the principals of the best-selling books Good to Great & The Leadership Challenge and ask, are these traits still applicable? If so, how do you implement those findings into the work you are doing.
Objectives:
• Learn enduring principals of leadership
From Good To Great by Jim Collins
What is a Level 5 Leader?
From Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes & Barry Posner
How do I get extraordinary things done in Organizations?
• Recognize the leadership traits in you
• Connect & apply leadership principals in your company, community organization, church, or school
• Interact with fellow attendees to discuss the future of leadership and PDXFX
• Take away exercises that you can utilize to raise your leadership profile
Survive & Thrive – Leadership in the New Economy
Are you looking for what do next in your company, volunteer organization or community? In this session we will review enduring practices in leadership. Will the “old” time tested principals of leadership still be relevant in our “new” economy? In this session we will look at the principals of the best-selling books Good to Great & The Leadership Challenge and ask, are these traits still applicable? If so, how do you implement those findings into the work you are doing.
Objectives:
• Learn enduring principals of leadership
From Good To Great by Jim Collins
What is a Level 5 Leader?
From Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes & Barry Posner
How do I get extraordinary things done in Organizations?
• Recognize the leadership traits in you
• Connect & apply leadership principals in your company, community organization, church, or school
• Interact with fellow attendees to discuss the future of leadership and PDXFX
• Take away exercises that you can utilize to raise your leadership profile
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