If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery If you want your Team Members to really excel in performance, and blossom professionally (as well as personally), do not simply hand them a role description. No, … Continue reading Teach them to long for the immensity of the sea
The world is not made better by living to impress. The world is made better by living to: Gladden the heart of human beings (through whatever is your discipline or profession),Feed the hungry (literally, figuratively, or otherwise through whatever is your discipline or profession),Help the afflicted (through whatever is your discipline or profession),Lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful (through whatever is your discipline or profession), … Continue reading Gladden the Heart of Human Beings
When dealing with others (loved ones, co-workers, customers, C Suite executives, absolutely anyone), it’s very useful, indeed vital, to see as they see. It doesn’t matter if you agree with them. It matters, however, that you strive to see matters as they see them. This is empathy. Don’t confuse empathy with sympathy (many people do); the two are different. When dealing with someone who is … Continue reading Look Behind the Anger (and other emotions)
See this excellent post from Shane Parrish. His thoughts and observations are highly recommended for all who wish to explore things off the beaten path. When we communicate with another person, and we disagree with them, particularly about some sensitive and/or emotion-provoking subject, we may be inclined to then label the person as “stupid,” “ignorant,” “backward,” etc. We then mentally exile them and view them … Continue reading For the Love of Humanity, Communicate Well
It’s worth every leader’s time to creatively experiment with the Pygmalion Effect. And not just leaders but anyone wishing to help others. Why? According to me, it’s because you can participate in a dynamic process (which is less-than-fully understood) whereby we can act as facilitators for other people to become greater versions of themselves, often versions they heretofore had never thought possible. This certainly benefits … Continue reading What they can be…
The world may belong to those who read. But what is read is more important. Does the reading contribute to mobilizing us to gladden the heart of human beings? Does it contribute to mobilizing us to feed the hungry (“feeding” can take many forms)? Does it contribute to mobilizing us to help the afflicted? Does it mobilize us to intervene to help those in trouble? … Continue reading Read with Purpose
I ask that you reflect upon how many (some might say most) modern human beings are far worse at reading the body language of their fellow human beings than our ancient ancestors. Why? Because we are distracted by words. We place such a high importance on what others verbally say, while we overlook what their bodies are non-verbally saying. We are distracting ourselves (by an … Continue reading Distraction is Dangerous
Hi All, See this nice article published over at the Task & Purpose blog. It’s a great article, detailing 5 mental preparation/performance tools, developed and used in military settings (specifically special operations), which any of us can use to address any challenge. While developed in military Spec Ops circles, these same methods can and should be leveraged in any setting. Read the article. Here are … Continue reading 5 Ways to Prepare for a Battle (lessons learned from military Special Operations)
Conflict Transformation & Ethical Guardianship 