Scarcity or Abundance?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Not sure how you feel about this Holiday, but I have a concern: With all we have…especially relative to the rest of the world…many in our country only formally give thanks once a year?

?Here’s why I think this happens: Too many worry about what they don’t have and give short shrift to all they do have.

?If you operate from this Scarcity Mentality (I Win) AND lead a team, I recommend you take some time this week to contemplate the impact that mentality is having ON your team. ?

?Here’s the reality: Leaders (whether they like it or not, accept it or not) have an impact on their team.

?Assuming your team follows your lead, if you are concerned about what you don’t have, the bulk of your team likely focuses on what they don’t have. Hey, if you don’t recognize how good you have it, why would your team?

?This negatively impacts many organizations. Use this metric to see where you/your organization stand: Do you put more energy into your team than you get out of your team?

?If the above metric reflects your results, change your mindset. Start by displaying sincere gratefulness and, over time, watch the positive impact on those you lead.

?Just imagine the improvement when your team is focused on contributing to the organization’s goals, confident they will be rewarded, instead of focused on what they get regardless of what they give. My experience and research show this Abundance Mentality (We Win) is the better approach.

?For this Thanksgiving, I am focused on being grateful for the heroes in my life who display(ed) an Abundance Mentality.

?I have previously extolled my thanks for those in my personal life.

?I dedicate this post to 2 from my professional life, specifically my days in the Air Force. First, General Clarence Autry…God rest his soul. General Autry helped me realize the importance of achieving the mission WITH the team, not at the team’s expense. Next, General Wayne Lambert taught me to prioritize and take care of the most important thing regardless of the personal cost. Here’s a stark example that also relates to what General Autry taught me. Our 1st daughter became VERY ill at 18 months old. The hospital where we were stationed could not handle the emergency. At risk of losing his job, maybe being court-martialed, General Lambert ordered a plane to stand down from worldwide alert status to fly our daughter to the closest facility where she could receive the care she needed. Uh, that’s not a typical response – unless the Leader focuses on the Abundance Mentality as General Lambert did!

?I am grateful Generals Autry and Lambert taught me to be a True Leader: Do the right thing even if that means it isn’t done in a manner most would consider the right way...

?Do you have 1 or more heroes? What have you learned from them? Would you please do me the favor of sharing your stories with me?

?Seems to me, because of where we live and the opportunities we have, the first thing when getting up each day and the last thing before our head hits the pillow each night should be to give thanks!

?Enjoy Thanksgiving: This week and every week…

?Ken Pasch, CEO, KiVisions, The Leader Transformation Company