Last Week's Leadership Lessons - May 8, 2023

Lessons From The Week of May 1, 2023

This Week's Topics:?Addiction / Awe / Desire

Reader Beware:?If you were here last time, you know the drill. Please feel free to jump right on ahead to the list of stories. If not, read from here on to understand what I'm trying to capture in the?Last Week's Leadership Lessons?series.

Talking about leadership can be repetitive and boring as hell!

We're always seeing and hearing the same old definitions, constructs, and formal tips related to -- and regurgitated about -- the leadership field, every so often punctuated by a perpetually rotating door of the latest industry buzzwords.

Even with all their great energy and intention, the themes and hopes of the leadership discipline, admittedly, can become a little monotonous -- without great stories and living examples to bring them to life.

(Granted, I post about them as well. Guilty. So I guess maybe I mean "overkill." The?overkill?of your run-of-the-mill leadership ideas is what I'm trying to offset -- and maybe undo -- here through more unique takes and lenses.)

Hence why I launched this series.

The way the world is going, I think it's essential to think about and take in more lessons on humanity in general than leadership specifically.

In this series, I want to capture themes and ideas for leadership while being particularly intentional about them not being labeled specifically as leadership lessons in the articles or sources I cite. I want to find examples that demonstrate more lessons about?HUMANITY?and navigating life and our responsibilities than the usual script of clichéd leadership building blocks.

The way the world is going, I think it's essential to think about and take in more lessons on humanity in general than leadership specifically. And it's not like I'm forsaking one for the other; the former should inform and be the foundation for the latter. (That's just me. That's just my take.)

And to be clear, these valuable lessons, as I express them, aren't carved in stone. My translations aren't absolute. They can't be. They're not that simple. I think that's what gets us in trouble when it comes to learning (or not) about society and each other: Most issues are typically seen as black and white, left and right, up and down, one side or the other. But again, it's not that simple. Not everything can be. We force it to be that way.

In most instances -- not all, but in most -- there is room for interpretation and different ideas and views to be exchanged somewhere on the middle ground. More nuance exists than we typically see -- or will admit.

And in that nuance there's beauty. Because in that nuance we can learn from each other. And because of that nuance, each of my breakdowns is just one interpretation for consideration in that middle ground of learning.

All that being said, below are three articles I came across last week that have valuable lessons for leadership, purpose, and expression. In reading these pieces, you may find the lessons for leadership do not immediately stand out or reveal themselves -- and that's because lessons can range from the loud, obvious, and obnoxious to the subtle, unassuming, and hidden. In my breakdowns below I'll first cover the idea In General and then it's applicability In Leadership.

...it never hurts to continue learning from your fellow human beings, whether you know them or not.

And although the source materials are not all leadership-related per se, they can all apply to leadership -- in terms of how you present yourself, navigate through life and work, and move, impact, inspire, and appreciate others.

Even if you feel you've already crafted your leadership to where you want it to be and the results clearly show it -- where others can get behind them and vouch for you -- it never hurts to continue learning from your fellow human beings, whether you know them or not.

Gestures, speeches, action, inaction, decisions, announcements, etc. They all tie in.

So, bear with me. Some of them might seem like a stretch. But have some faith that I may be crazy but not?too?crazy.

This practice is merely an effort to learn about ourselves, where we can improve, and how we can evolve.

Lessons are everywhere.

1. Is Your Addiction Working?

In General

There's value in stepping away from things. Whether they're stressful and you need to take a moment (or more) for yourself, or you've hit a creative wall and need to retreat for some new inspiration and motivation, or just to relax and not think, stepping away allows that separation to freshen up your mind and reinvigorate your drive.

So what happens if you don't take that pause regularly. In fact, what if you do the opposite, immersing yourself more in your work and tasks, feeling that pull to consistently and constantly create, deliver, and achieve. What if you're not able to disconnect?

One of the best things in life is boundaries. They show us where we stand. Whether it's the line between light or dark, right or wrong, left or right, your work and your pleasure, or you compared to the next person, the existence of one helps define the other. There's balance. The same goes for how much we pour ourselves into something: A limit and boundary should exist so we don't lose ourselves.

Not everyone has to work and play the same amount of time and intensity. We all have different needs, wants, and desires.

In Leadership?

Balance is also important in leadership. You need to know your boundaries. You need to know when to separate -- from the work, from the people, from the mission. You can't be on all the time. You need time to refocus, recharge, and reassess what you need in your life and work to keep each of them working for you -- with balance.

This will look different for each of us. Not everyone has to work and play with the same amount of time or level of intensity. We all have different needs, wants, and desires.

But -- and that's a big BUT -- sometimes you don't know what's good for YOU. You do what feels good in the moment without giving any thought to what it might cost you later. Relationships that fade, work that suffers, energy that burns out.

Do you know if you're addicted to work? What is it costing you?

Check Out The Article?HERE !

2. An Awe-Full Life

In General

It's mind-blowing how much we've overcomplicated life. Most of us have our basic needs met -- health, security, food, shelter -- but we're still stressed out. We tether ourselves to and get lost in our (over)commitments, expectations, wants, and desires.

Sometimes our world seems to close in on us because of all those things we sign up for -- work, relationships, hobbies, volunteering, etc. We're overextended in our little piece of the universe.

It's important to open it up for a reset from time to time, to see what is out there -- a world that's so much bigger. It won't take your stresses and problems away, but there is something to stopping, taking a breath, and taking the world in, remembering that no matter what happens, it's all still going to be here. You get in touch, even if just for a moment, with the simplicity of the beauty and awe around us -- which used to be all we had.

Sometimes our world seems to close in on us because of all those things we sign up for...

In Leadership

Just like it's important to step away from the work just to get away from it for a bit, it's also important to step away into the right environment. One great option of where to step into is where you might be able to find some appreciation, gratitude, and awe.

Stepping outside of your stress, concern, and commitments when possible and seeing the larger picture helps you realize, as the article shares, how much of the world is out there.

Yes, what you do in your role matters, absolutely. But don't get so lost in the weeds you can't see the big picture of what it's all for and what it contributes to.

What do you take a moment to look at and be inspired? What leaves you awestruck?

Check Out The Article?HERE !

3. What Do You Desire?

In General

Knowing what you really want takes a lot of work. Yes, we may have the impulse to lean toward what feels good in the moment, but that doesn't often reconcile with our deepest internal desire.

In our day-to-day, we're heavily driven by spontaneous reactions, influenced by the societal script, and shaped by relational pressure. And that can all lead to a nagging sense, no matter how subtle or grinding, of unhappiness and frustration because we're not really in tune with what it is WE really want. We forgo what we truly desire for what we think we need or to put others before us.

The hard work is in stepping away from what's comfortable and walking away from the noise of other people's needs (yes, selfishly for a bit) to determine who we are away from all of our interactions and search for what it is we truly desire.

In our day-to-day, we're heavily influenced by spontaneous reactions, the societal script, and relational pressure.

In Leadership

Leaders can get completely lost in what their bosses and leaders want. Yes, performance, delivery, and results are important. If there's no achievement and no progress, and nothing is moving forward, things can implode.

Leaders need to step back and determine how much their workplace or mission is straying from their own values, wants, and desires. They don't have to be completely in synch. That would be impossible. But once the mission and those values stray too far apart from each other, that leader will feel that conflict, whether they know what that sensation is or not.

In the meantime, there will be pressure to keep keeping on, so each leader needs to determine where that breaking point is for them, and make adjustments before it's reached.

What do YOU want (and why)? Has anyone asked you that? Have you asked yourself?

Check Out The Article?HERE !

Honorable Mention

Want To Play A Game?

In Leadership

Not all of us can practice mindfulness with the same ease. Quieting the mind and our thoughts can be a bit tough for some of us. Some of us don't even need to find a quiet Zen state to clear our minds. Sometimes all it may take is focusing on the right thing and achieving a state of flow -- an intense focus and utilization of skill to achieve a task that is so strong you get lost in it.

This is another area of exploration for leaders to lose themselves in -- momentarily -- stepping away from work. Gaining that clarity of mind to come back fresh to the task that was set aside.

If meditation is not for you, and jigsaw puzzles -- or any other kind of puzzle -- aren't your cup of tea, where else might you be able to get lost for clarity?

Check Out The Article?HERE !

Honorable Mention

Study This!

In Leadership

Whether it's working on a current task or anticipating the unknown, taking in and processing information is a major building block to being prepared for both expected and unforeseen challenges.

Leadership can't be all heart and soft skills. It entails preparation on all fronts. There's a need to understand the technical and structured in order to harness the power of those being lead.

Most leaders might underestimate how they take in, organize, and process their information, winging it because (a) it's worked in the past and (b) immediate action seems more urgent than thinking about our thinking. But there are always subtle tweaks we can make to our processes to make them a bit better.

In your leadership, how do you study the information that is needed to be effective?

Check Out The Article?HERE !

That's it! That's the list for this week.

What other examples of leadership lessons – maybe even those that aren’t so apparent and obvious – do you come across in your everyday life and work?

What have you read lately that offers some insight on being human and navigating life -- and yes, by default, leadership.

Reach out to me ?and let me know what you think of these. Please share your own if you've found articles or stories with great lessons or insights that can contribute to how we carry ourselves through our lives and work.

Last 10 LWLL Editions

April 24, 2023 ?- Storytelling / Arguments / Saying "No"

April 17, 2023 ?- Success / Toxic Forgiveness / Obstacles

April 10, 2023 ?- Self-Discipline / Wandering Minds / Power of Creativity

April 3, 2023 ?- Apologizing / Preparation / Bad Habits

March 27, 2023 ?- Procrastination / Confident Introversion / Thought Leadership

March 13, 2023 ?- Listen Up! / Anxiety Is Old News / Manhood Stuff

March 6, 2023 ?- Slow Down! / Hope & Happiness / Primitive Empathy

February 27, 2023 ?- Fear of Public Speaking / Being Interrupted / Sensitivity

February 20, 2023 ?- Communication / Doing Just Enough / Self-Compassion

February 13, 2023 ?- Self-Belief / Leadership Branding / Inner Child

Full Directory of Past Editions

Coming This Summer!

In July, I'll be contributing my voice to this upcoming collaborative anthology.

In my chapter, I break down what inspired my signature talk, Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection, digging into my story -- and that of and with my parents -- to understand what's behind the way I interact with those in my network, serving them as if they were my clients.

The days of traditional networking, where we memorize our elevator pitch and repeat it to everyone we encounter, hoping to gain something only for ourselves, are over.

Our network should be at the top of our client list. We need to elevate their work and reputation as much as our own to build a solid and effective ecosystem of connections, relationships, and success.

Latest Episode of The Book Leads

Episode 49 :?Greg Kettner - WorkHappy? ?? ?& Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz

The?MAIN QUESTION?underlying my conversation with Greg is, Whether as an organization or an individual, what intentional steps are you taking to make your happiness and mental health a priority throughout the day?

I'm always looking for a good read full of great and impactful lessons.

Here is the list of books I've gotten into in 2023. Reach out if you'd like to come on The Book Leads or if you know anyone you'd recommend for that conversation.

What are you reading these days?

About The Book Leads

On The Book Leads podcast, I speak to specialists and experts across various industries and from varied backgrounds to learn about the book that made an impact and left an impression on their work, life, and leadership. In the course of my conversation I also learn about my guest's background, experience, and work they're carrying out today.?

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

• Watch on?YouTube
• Listen on?Spotify
• Listen on?Google Podcasts
• Listen on?Apple Podcasts
• Read About The Book Leads?–?Blog Post

About Me

I'm a Leadership Performance Coach and Consultant at Coach It Out, LLC (www.coachitout.com ).?In addition to coaching, and as you can see above, I enjoy writing, podcasting, and speaking about leadership. Specifically, I work with clients to realize what they're all about when it comes to (1) new positions they've been hired or promoted into; and (2) rediscovering what they want out of their leadership, development, and career.

My signature talks include Design Your Leadership! Nine Ways to Sharpen Your Leadership Brand In The Everyday, and Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection.

Reach out to me [email protected].