Personal Growth

Is fear taking over?

You’ll probably have to make some fairly significant decisions today – in your work, with your team, for your boss, at home, financially. It really doesn’t matter who you are or what you do – sooner than later you’re going to have to make a decision, take a stand, or lead the charge.

This post is part of the series – What Ever Happened to Personal Responsibility?
Would You Return to Your Organization?
If You’re Not Growing, You’re Dying…Really?
Leaders are the Most Creative People on the Planet
Great Leaders Serve
Is Fear Taking Over?

The thought of challenging the status quo or stepping outside of your comfort zone can be paralyzing. And, it’s usually because of fear.

When Leaders Need Help

No matter who you are or how successful you’ve been, you’ve most likely discovered that you can’t do everything on your own. We know you’re good! – but you “occasionally” benefit from the assistance of others. Even leaders need help!

In fact, when you think you don’t need help, you are telling others that they don’t matter to you. Do you really believe that?

The truth is – all of us together are smarter than any one of us. And all of us together are smarter than all of us apart.

You get that – and so do I. Which is why we occasionally seek feedback or advice from a colleague, a mentor, a coach, or a friend. And we’re better for it!

BONUS: I’ve created a NEW Guide that will walk you step-by-step through writing your own Personal Life Plan. You can find out how to get a copy of this life-changing tool at the end of this post.

Success – When Your Successor Is More Successful Than You

If you’re really honest, you’ve got to admit – you will eventually leave your current job. One way or another – on your own or with help of a supervisor. (Let’s hope it’s the former.)

Whether it’s this year or next year – or five years from now – it’s only a matter of time.

The real question is – HOW will you leave?

Creating Your Business Vision

Early in my career, I experienced a number of incredibly difficult challenges in a relatively short period of time. I know you’ve been there too.

Although my team was experiencing record-setting achievements, relationships were strained and my influence was dwindling. I couldn’t make sense of it. And I didn’t understand why my colleagues resented my passion for my work, my aggressive goals, and the long hours I put in.

I loved my work and I loved the outcomes. I loved my team and how they were growing. But it never occurred to me that my passion, energy, and achievements would intimidate those around me. After all, I was laser-focused on improving the organization we were all part of.

Their fear morphed into resentment. I began pushing harder, defending the vision and strategy, and reacting to challenges. As you might imagine, none of this improved the situation. In fact, it made matters worse.Read More

Time is Running Out

If you’re like me, you think of yourself as time conscious. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which coordinates universal time (UTC) is asked 50,000 times a second, What time is it? That’s a lot of people who are concerned about time!

How many times a day do you check your watch? 10? 20? 30 times? Or maybe you’re that guy that discovers that your watch is still on Standard Time two days after Daylight Savings Time began. (I may or may not have done that yesterday.)

Most people mark time by how old or how young they are until they get into their 40’s. Then – it happens! You realize that you’ll never be young again – and you begin considering how much time you have left and what your life will mean.