Christmas is a great time to reflect, and reflect on what’s most important to us. I hope you enjoy watching today’s video blog.
Merry Christmas!
Tim
In: Culture
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One of the things I’m most grateful for are the interns who serve with us at Growing Leaders. Tyler Williams is a University of Georgia grad who recently joined our team, and I asked him to write about mentors he is thankful for as he looks back on his life and prepares for the future. It reminds me of the deep gratitude I have for men and women who cheered me on as I grew and developed my skills through the years. They helped make me the man and leader I am today.
Tim
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The air is crisp, burnt orange and rust colored leaves litter the ground. Holiday music begins to fill the airwaves while family and friends around the country gather to reflect on all they have to be thankful for. As for myself, I shared a delicious meal with my immediate family. Mom always prepares the best Thanksgiving meal. Shortly after dinner, we decided each of us would share something we felt was life changing to us as we moved from childhood to young adulthood and finally into adulthood.
I knew my answer instantly. Intentional mentors!
While I recognize that my parents didn’t and still don’t have all of the answers, there are a few areas where they were intentional in how they led me and today I am reaping the benefits. My father was and continues to be a tireless worker. He modeled for me commitment and responsibility, in easy and difficult times. My mom is driven to serve others. Her servant heart revealed to me how a simple act of service can transform someone’s life.
During college, I began a mentoring relationship with an older adult whom I admire. It has been a privilege to have him speak into my life as a mentor. At different intersections in my life he has provided wisdom and guidance that is years beyond my sometimes — narrow vision. He models an integrity filled life, which creates authenticity and builds trust. Truth be told, he has never told me specifically what to do in any given situation. His leadership has enabled me to take ownership of decisions in my life. He has coached, not controlled.
This Thanksgiving I am eternally grateful for those who made the effort to invest a little of their time in me.
Who are you leading intentionally?
Tyler
In: Culture, Leadership
On Monday of this week, I turned 51-years-old. And I’m OK with that.
I will confess, however, I had misgivings that morning when I found out what usually happens to people by the time they turn 52-years-old.
Do you know what it is?
A study by doctors reveals that when the average person turns 52, they officially become “grumpy.” Something happens physiologically and emotionally that can twist an otherwise good-natured person into an aging, grumbling person who has more aches, pains and offenses accumulating than positive thoughts.
In fact, the study went further. It reported that as people age, they laugh less. During infancy, a person laughs an average of 300 times a day. By the time we are teens, the number has dropped to 60 times daily. By 52, the number is 5 times a day. Ugh. Wish I could laugh about that.
I’ve decided this Thanksgiving — I’m going to revolt against the norm. I am going to laugh. I am going to enjoy the moment. And… I am going to be grateful instead of grumpy. I believe gratitude can turn a meal into a feast. It can turn despair into hope. It can transform a negative attitude into positive one. And, it can change the fear of scarcity into the belief that the best days are ahead. It all boils down to where we focus our attention.
So, I’m inviting you to join me in my revolt. As you age, be mindful to include people around you each day (we are much more likely to laugh when we are around others). Be sure to consciously count your blessings and forget your hardships.
What do you say we start this revolt this Thanksgiving holiday?
Tim
In: Culture
Yesterday, I began a list of 12 characteristics of influential people. The list comes from the Roper Research, and is contained in a book called, The Influentials. I enjoyed it because they boil down the kinds of traits that attract others to follow. If you care about leveraging positive influence on others, this list may intrigue you. Here is Part II of the list I started yesterday:
7. They value education and believe it is key to the future.
These influential folks place a high value on education. Most of them are college educated and want the same for their children. They believe it is key to the “good life” and realizing dreams.
8. They demand a job that is interesting, enjoyable and contributes to society.
They want a job that’s defined by 3 criteria: interesting to perform, enjoyable to them, and one that benefits or adds value to society at large. Work must benefit others, not just generate a profit.
9. They are visionaries, and keepers of society’s high ideals.
They possess a vision of tomorrow and it helps them maintain hope. They tend to dream, and hold fast to society’s highest ideals and values. People lean on them to remind others of the big picture.
10. They feel they are responsible to their communities and the world around them.
This was interesting. Far and away, these influentials are most likely to feel responsible to their communities. They cannot just “live and let live.” They believe they are accountable to others.
11. They define success as loving and being loved by their family.
Along with their spiritual beliefs, they define success not with money, but as loving their spouse and kids. They want to “win at home” before trying to accomplish something on the job.
12. They believe in growth and change.
Finally, these influentials are predisposed to growth and they welcome change. They are the first to adapt and change in order to grow. They are into progress and improvement.
Let me ask you the obvious question. As a leader — do you possess these qualities? If you are an emerging leader — are you building these in your life? These are not necessarily the characteristics that automatically make a person highly influential, but the vast majority of the most influential citizens of our country carry these virtues. It can’t be just a coincidence. I believe they explain part of the reason others listen to them. May you become a person of influence yourself.
OK. Let me hear from you. Is it right or wrong to want influence? Should people focus on following well, and let leadership take care of itself? Or if we should cultivate our influence, do you have any characteristics to add to this list?
Tim
In: Culture
Just re-read a book I wanted to pass along to you. It’s called, The Influentials, by Ed Keller and Jon Berry. If you care about leveraging positive influence on others, you’ll enjoy their insights. In the book they document the type of person who carries great influence in America. Their research says that 1 in 10 people pretty much influence others where to eat, how to vote and what to buy. They are the people that others listen to, watch and follow their lead.
Keller and Berry call these folks “The Influentials.” While I was intrigued by much of their research, I was especially drawn to the conclusions about what qualified a person as an “influential.” What is the make-up and personality of an “influential?” According to nationwide Roper Research, the following qualities sum up these influential persons. I plan to blog about the list today and tomorrow. Here are the first 6 qualities:
1. They are able to sort out and define what matters.
These influentials can sift through all the noise and clutter, and determine what’s important. Then, they follow through on what they believe are the top priorities. They don’t get lost in the mundane.
2. They are more optimistic than the average person.
Influential people believe the future is bright and consequently, they plan to engage in it. Their dreams are bigger than their memories, and they live with the hope of an amazing 21st century.
3. They are selective and discriminating in their choices.
People listen to these influentials because they scrutinize their decisions, skeptical of empty promises in the media. They’re not Pollyannas. They’re discerning as they plan what to do or buy.
4. They are authentic; they don’t just follow the norm but think for themselves.
These influentials don’t merely follow he crowd. They carve out a life that suits their identity, and aren’t afraid to live a life that is a bit different than mainstream society.
5. They are good listeners and are very teachable.
According to research, these influentials list good listening skills as a high goal for themselves, especially if they’re in leadership positions. Although they know a lot, they listen to learn more.
6. They believe in God and are active in serving their communities.
More than the average person, influentials believe in God and claim to have a relationship with Him. Consequently, they are active in serving voluntarily in their communities and churches.
If you’re like me, you’ve thought about this issue. Let me hear from you. Is it right or wrong to want influence? Should people focus on following well, and let leadership take care of itself?
Or if we should cultivate our influence, do you have any characteristics to add to this list? What are the characteristics you believe make a person influential?
Tim
In: Culture
