by Deborah Leverett | Jun 20, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
There are things in our life that are within our circle of control. Those things outside of the circle are often the very things that get us into trouble and cause us the most pain. The right attitude will help you overcome those things in life that are out of your control. I couldn’t have said this any better: “Attitude” “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company … a church … a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past … we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude … I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitude.” ~ Chuck...
by Deborah Leverett | Jun 13, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
Don’t interrupt, don’t finish the other person’s sentences, don’t suggest words when there is a pause. Be aware of these selfish habits and get rid of them: don’t pretend to listen, don’t fidget, don’t stare blankly, don’t look impatient.
Ask questions: Is this what you are saying? What do you mean by that? Look beyond what words people are using and listen for the emotion behind the words. Look for underlying meaning. A great way to become a selfless listener: practice listening especially when you don’t want to! You find value in everyone by listening to people you don’t usually listen to. You show respect to a person when you listen without giving advice or delivering judgment. You are a selfless listener if you clearly restate the other person’s point of view – especially when you don’t agree. You are a selfless listener when you patiently and attentively listen to everyone: your superiors, your peers, your spouse, your children. You are a selfless listener when you care more about the person to whom you are listening than in your own thoughts and opinions....
by Deborah Leverett | Jun 2, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
This audit is for your benefit to determine how much value you bring to the table and your potential to get promoted. “A follower shares a common purpose with the leader, believes in what the organization is trying to accomplish, and wants both the leader and the organization to succeed.” Ira Chaleff Leaders are nothing without followers. How big of a role do you play in the role of a follower? Rate yourself on the following characteristics of a successful follower: Are you service-minded: to the mission, to your leader, to your colleagues? Do you have the courage to challenge leadership and the status quo when it needs challenging? Are you responsible? accountable? do you do what you say? Do you act with courage when it is the right thing to do and it goes against the popular opinion? What will you do today as a change agent? Do you know when it is time to...
by Deborah Leverett | May 30, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
The power of one is extreme: you can change a life, change a neighborhood, change a nation. Yet before anyone can lead the charge to make a difference in the world, personal leadership must be mastered. I have found in my own life that there are certain areas of attitude, beliefs and commitments that I have to continually practice and grow in to achieve my goals. 1. Do It Now Some people have been procrastinating for years, for decades. The way to overcome procrastination is to do it now! Fear is the attitude and belief behind this behavior. If you are afraid, you won’t leave the shore. You have to leave your place of security to grow. Change is applied effort and action undergirded by faith. What ONE THING can you do now to move forward? 2. Develop A Positive Mindset You have creative mental energies ready to be released: it will cause you to find ways that things can be done. The opposite uses exhaustive emotional energy thinking on why things cannot be done. Become aware of your mental state and challenge thoughts as they come in. 3. Live with Enthusiasm Enjoy what you are doing. Enthusiasm comes from the Greek en theos: In DGod. It is contagious. It is not a foolish attitude, but a level of positive energy that unleashes creativity and solutions. 4. Live a Disciplined Life: Create Habits and Routines It’s been said that discipline is the key to a happy life. You can change your life by changing your habits. Don’t be fooled by the 21-day theory. Set out to do something for...
by Deborah Leverett | May 23, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
Disturbing Numbers: an increase in the number of businesses folding a decrease in the number of new ones opening a decrease in the life span of current businesses We can’t finish this discussion without questioning the impact of poor leadership. Whether a large corporation or a small start-up, every successful business has leaders with certain traits: 1. Vision — If you can’t see where you’re going then you won’t need anyone to join you! The best leaders see, go first, then convince others to go along. 2. Commitment — If you’ve ever remodeled a room or a home, you’ve learned this lesson: it’s always more difficult than you expected, costs twice as much and takes three times as long. With every goal you desire to achieve, this is the pattern. Too often, a person in a leadership position finds and follows a path of least resistance resulting in a derailed vision. 3. Resilience — A successful leader will have courage, strength, will-power and stamina to see the vision realized. Resiliency is the ability to weather storms without sinking. When you think you can’t get up one more time, a successful leader gets up and goes again. 4. Focus — The word leader implies moving people in a certain direction (see #1). Management is about results. Too many leaders spend their days focusing on results only. That may keep the boat afloat, but is it moving forward? Management alone cannot create and sustain an enterprise – it will always need leadership. 5. Strength of Character — There is no substitute for honesty, wisdom, courage and compassion. People expect leaders to...
by Deborah Leverett | May 15, 2014 | Blog, Uncategorized
Last week in Disturbing Numbers Part One, I noted that the number of years of the life span of current businesses and the number of new businesses are trending down. In the second part of this series, I want to address a foundational issue as to why this is happening. The 2013 Gallup State of the American Workplace shows that only 3 out of 10 employees are actively engaged and committed to the success of their organization. 50% just show up, and 20% are the contrarians always looking for a reason to complain and behave in ways that negatively effect coworkers as well as customers. If 70% of your workforce is working to maintain status quo at best and actually trying to sabotage initiatives at worst, is it even possible that a company could survive? This number of unengaged employees definitely will negatively affect the work product, level of productivity and profitability. You can read in management and leadership books lists full of technical reasons why this is happening: inadequate hiring practices, poor management practices, toxic company culture; all are critical. I believe it is a much deeper issue. This is a reflection of personal character (integrity) and quality of work (excellence). By integrity, I mean: Telling the truth Standing up for what is right Keeping your word Keeping confidences Admitting mistakes By excellence, I mean: Doing the very best work with the resources at hand Taking care of details Going the extra mile Following through and following up Using time well Finding solutions to problems This is a moral compass issue that, in the workplace, ultimately effects the...
Recent Comments