It is the time of year where I become very reflective about a lot of things. It is a time to give thanks and to remember the sacrifices of others. It is a time to give more of yourself for those around you.
I have a pair of sneakers that I call my "Humble Shoes". They are a pair of white with black logos and lettering Avia's. These sneakers have holes in both sides of the toes from being the wrong width, and over a period of a couple of months the leather gave way. These are very comfortable for me.
I call them my Humble Shoes because I am not a wealthy person, but I can usually afford to buy myself a pair of sneakers without holes in them. They are my Humble Shoes because they keep me grounded.
I thought about these shoes when I was on a recent business trip and as my bosses and I were at a business dinner with a prospective vendor, there was a table of 14 men and women having a dinner. What was interesting about this group was the story that a member of the group told us as they were taking a picture of the table. This group of 70 somethings were laughing, reminiscing, and enjoying each others company. They men of the group were all part of the same company stationed overseas pre-Viet Nam, but post Korean Conflict. The oldest of the group was a gentleman in a wheel chair, he was their commanding officer. Each year, this group would get together, and as it was harder for the groups Commander to travel, they all decided to travel to him and his wife each year just to stay in touch. Interestingly, the men and women of this group were actually 7 married couples that had been married for over 50 years each. WOW!!
After being inspired by this group, I realized how much these men sacrificed over the years. Some were more successful than others, but they valued the relationships they forged 50+ years ago.
My Humble Shoes keep me reminded that success comes only after sacrifice. Comfort comes from years of being uncomfortable and learning from mistakes.
At this time of year, I look around at how commercial the holiday season is. I am a fan of the lights and music, don't get me wrong, however, you have to remain grounded and remember that there are people around you that are struggling each day. Some you would never expect have struggles. Treat people with respect and dignity at all times.
My Humble Shoes keep me humble regardless of personal or professional success. Like those Veterans who served our country and worked hard to be able to enjoy their lives with their spouses, remember those who struggle and persevere through adversity.
Life is not easy, stay humble.
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Leadership Lessons from Mom
On this Mother's Day it is important to remember the CFO's in our lives. That is Mom, the Chief Family Officer. I first heard this term on a commercial on the radio, and today on Mother's Day it seems appropriate for remembrance of these unsung hero's.
From the day that each of us are born, typically it is our Mom's that not only provide nurturing, but also provide us guidance through the good times and bad. When tough decisions need to be made, we turn to Mom. When financial decisions need to be made, we need Mom's blessings. Through our years, it is our Mother's that have the hope their development of us will allow us to reach our full potential.
As a Chief Family Officer, Mom really has final say over Dad, whether he wants to admit it or not. Dad's will take their direction from Mom and each child understands the hierarchy in the family can make what decisions. As we progress past High School and into College and the workforce, we translate the understanding of who decision makers are in the workplace. We gain an understanding that the professional organization, much like a familial organization, must have a person who is truly looking our for the best interests of each individual and the organization as whole. In most families, Mom is this person.
As each person embarks on their careers, we remember the lessons of our family organization. How tough decisions are made, how we communicate with one another, when to play, and when to be focused. The business organization is one that we spend 40+ hours per week at and where we need to effectively communicate, make tough decisions, work hard, and play hard with our professional family.
At the end of the day, we learn more about how to interact with others through watching the interactions of our mother's. We are successful, as a result of the drive and desire to succeed that our mother's instill in us. Think about how your first interaction with a CFO was really your mother, the Chief Family Officer.
Today, I leave you with some quotes and thoughts... Remember your Mother today on this Mother's Day.
Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont
Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Author Unknown
I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln
From the day that each of us are born, typically it is our Mom's that not only provide nurturing, but also provide us guidance through the good times and bad. When tough decisions need to be made, we turn to Mom. When financial decisions need to be made, we need Mom's blessings. Through our years, it is our Mother's that have the hope their development of us will allow us to reach our full potential.
As a Chief Family Officer, Mom really has final say over Dad, whether he wants to admit it or not. Dad's will take their direction from Mom and each child understands the hierarchy in the family can make what decisions. As we progress past High School and into College and the workforce, we translate the understanding of who decision makers are in the workplace. We gain an understanding that the professional organization, much like a familial organization, must have a person who is truly looking our for the best interests of each individual and the organization as whole. In most families, Mom is this person.
As each person embarks on their careers, we remember the lessons of our family organization. How tough decisions are made, how we communicate with one another, when to play, and when to be focused. The business organization is one that we spend 40+ hours per week at and where we need to effectively communicate, make tough decisions, work hard, and play hard with our professional family.
At the end of the day, we learn more about how to interact with others through watching the interactions of our mother's. We are successful, as a result of the drive and desire to succeed that our mother's instill in us. Think about how your first interaction with a CFO was really your mother, the Chief Family Officer.
Today, I leave you with some quotes and thoughts... Remember your Mother today on this Mother's Day.
Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont
Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Author Unknown
I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln
Saturday, April 28, 2012
It's a Journey, not a Sprint!
As many high schools, colleges, and universities prepare for commencements over the next month, many students will enter the "real world". As stated in the song "Closing Time" by Semisonic, "Every new beginning is some other beginnings end."
For students they may enter the workforce, the military, or choose to continue their education at one of this country's institutions of higher education. When the pomp and circumstance is over, each person will now have to make their individual decisions for the rest of their lives. Some will make good decisions, others, not so good.
In my house, we have volume's of the "Book of Dumbass" as we affectionately refer to it. Each day we live, we add another page, each month another chapter, and each year a new volume. My boys know that each decision they make has a consequence, both positive and negative, and my wife and I hope we have instilled good decision making qualities in both of our sons. For them making a bad decision is not the end of the world, as we all have made them in our lives. Life is a journey, not a sprint.
It is important throughout our careers and our lives that each of us remember that what we do is a journey, not a sprint. We need to enjoy all that our experiences offer us. You hear professionals comment all the time how the low points in careers made them stronger and better equipped to make tough decisions, or execute a plan, or a play in the future. The experiences we all have as professionals and individuals provide us the tools and resources to draw upon to make better future decisions.
As leaders, it is up to us individually to mentor those around us. Allow others to draw on our experiences, but also allow others to make mistakes as they create their experiences. Losing or failing should never deter anyone. Look at Abraham Lincoln. Business failures, bankruptcy, elections losses, and ultimately became one of the most important figures in American or for that matter World history. For him, life was a journey, not a sprint.
I had the privilege to coach youth football with someone in Oklahoma. One of the mantra's of that team was "Never, never quit". We would chant it before each game. It instilled an attitude of long term success, even if the short term results were not successful. Each player that played for him is developing into a winner in their own rights, both on and off the field.
As each person begins their next chapter in life, remember it is a journey, not sprint.
For students they may enter the workforce, the military, or choose to continue their education at one of this country's institutions of higher education. When the pomp and circumstance is over, each person will now have to make their individual decisions for the rest of their lives. Some will make good decisions, others, not so good.
In my house, we have volume's of the "Book of Dumbass" as we affectionately refer to it. Each day we live, we add another page, each month another chapter, and each year a new volume. My boys know that each decision they make has a consequence, both positive and negative, and my wife and I hope we have instilled good decision making qualities in both of our sons. For them making a bad decision is not the end of the world, as we all have made them in our lives. Life is a journey, not a sprint.
It is important throughout our careers and our lives that each of us remember that what we do is a journey, not a sprint. We need to enjoy all that our experiences offer us. You hear professionals comment all the time how the low points in careers made them stronger and better equipped to make tough decisions, or execute a plan, or a play in the future. The experiences we all have as professionals and individuals provide us the tools and resources to draw upon to make better future decisions.
As leaders, it is up to us individually to mentor those around us. Allow others to draw on our experiences, but also allow others to make mistakes as they create their experiences. Losing or failing should never deter anyone. Look at Abraham Lincoln. Business failures, bankruptcy, elections losses, and ultimately became one of the most important figures in American or for that matter World history. For him, life was a journey, not a sprint.
I had the privilege to coach youth football with someone in Oklahoma. One of the mantra's of that team was "Never, never quit". We would chant it before each game. It instilled an attitude of long term success, even if the short term results were not successful. Each player that played for him is developing into a winner in their own rights, both on and off the field.
As each person begins their next chapter in life, remember it is a journey, not sprint.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Be the Difference!
What if?
In Garth Brooks song, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" he says, "Tell that someone that you love, just what your thinking of, if tomorrow never comes."
This is something that I have been thinking about a lot recently, both personally and professionally.
What if your business plans had to take an unexpected turn?
What if people that you expected to see each day, were no longer there?
What if skills you took for granted today, did not exist tomorrow?
Is the future of those around you secure? Have you made sure that those that need to have the answers, actually have them?
I know I have asked a lot of questions, however, are you setting your legacy up properly?
I had the privilege of having a phenomenal leader work with me several years ago who made sure her legacy was a positive one. She worked hard for her team on a daily basis. I asked her one time why she put so much effort into what she did. She replied that at the end of the day, it did not matter what she personally accomplished, but rather that when someone uttered her name many years in the future, that there would be positive thoughts associated with her name. I can say that all who came in contact with her had both personal and professional respect for her.
Recently there have been several people who I knew personally and professionally that have passed away. I regret that I did not get to know them better than what I did, because they truly left a positive legacy associated with their name.
As a leader, how are you going to be remembered? Are your employees going to remember you as someone you genuinely cared about them, or someone that was more focused on achieving a number? Make sure you have proper lines of communication in place to so that your organization can continue in your absence, or the absence of others.
Take time tonight, tomorrow, this week, next week, and as often as you can and tell people around you that you truly care about them. I guarantee that it will have as much an uplifting effect on you, as it will on others.
In Garth Brooks song, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" he says, "Tell that someone that you love, just what your thinking of, if tomorrow never comes."
This is something that I have been thinking about a lot recently, both personally and professionally.
What if your business plans had to take an unexpected turn?
What if people that you expected to see each day, were no longer there?
What if skills you took for granted today, did not exist tomorrow?
Is the future of those around you secure? Have you made sure that those that need to have the answers, actually have them?
I know I have asked a lot of questions, however, are you setting your legacy up properly?
I had the privilege of having a phenomenal leader work with me several years ago who made sure her legacy was a positive one. She worked hard for her team on a daily basis. I asked her one time why she put so much effort into what she did. She replied that at the end of the day, it did not matter what she personally accomplished, but rather that when someone uttered her name many years in the future, that there would be positive thoughts associated with her name. I can say that all who came in contact with her had both personal and professional respect for her.
Recently there have been several people who I knew personally and professionally that have passed away. I regret that I did not get to know them better than what I did, because they truly left a positive legacy associated with their name.
As a leader, how are you going to be remembered? Are your employees going to remember you as someone you genuinely cared about them, or someone that was more focused on achieving a number? Make sure you have proper lines of communication in place to so that your organization can continue in your absence, or the absence of others.
Take time tonight, tomorrow, this week, next week, and as often as you can and tell people around you that you truly care about them. I guarantee that it will have as much an uplifting effect on you, as it will on others.
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