Leadership

For months I’ve closed my blog posts with the phrase “Be Intentionally Great.” Today I want to drill down on what this really means. If I ask 100 people what it means to be “great,” I’m confident I would hear about 100 different answers.

Dictionary.com gives a few ideas on what “great” is:

• unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions
• large in number; numerous
• unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.
• wonderful; first-rate; very good
• being such in an extreme or notable degree
• notable; remarkable; exceptionally outstanding
• important; highly significant or consequential

As you can tell, defining greatness is difficult. There are many views of what “great” is. I want to share a key principle that has the power to change your life, your family, your workplace, your community, and ultimately our world. My view comes from not only a mentor or friend, but someone whom I call Lord and Savior. I consider Jesus Christ to be THE ultimate leader and model for all humanity. If you are not a person of faith, please hang in there with me for a moment to consider how Jesus defined greatness. Regardless of your faith beliefs, this principle is powerful.

One time Jesus was teaching people about how to live so they could honor God. In the midst of many teaching points in Matthew 23, he simply says “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (v. 11) This was an eyebrow-raising idea in the first century. Think about it. In a culture where class systems were strong and divided, Jesus says that those who are greatest are actually those who serve others. Kings had servants. Political and religious leaders were fighting for positions where they would be served. Society was set up in a way for people to strive for more and more power. And then Jesus flipped it upside down by saying that those who serve are actually the greatest. What?!

Servant leadership has become a buzz concept in the business world over the years. We are hearing more and more leaders talk and write about this. Why? Because serving others rather than expecting others to serve you changes culture!

In a world where people are claiming “greatness” all the time and trying to become “king of the hill,” we need people to become great by serving those around them. Instead of a Mohammed Ali type proclamation of “I am the greatest!” we need servant leaders who put others first and help people achieve more and reach their potential. We need leaders in all sectors of society to look around at their followers and choose to lead them by serving.

Do you want to be truly great? Start serving the people around you. Start by serving your spouse, kids, parents, co-workers, neighbors, and even the strangers that you meet. Les Brown famously states “You have greatness within you!” I agree with him because every one of us can serve others. Greatness isn’t about being #1 and putting ourselves on a platform above others. Rather, it is about helping others shine and succeed. Being great is about helping others reach their potential – to become the best versions of themselves.

Are you still not convinced? Think about this – Who do you love to be around – someone who is always promoting how great they are or someone who helps you feel or become great? I know the answer is easy for me. I want to be around people who lift me up and motivate me to be better. I want to be around people who expose my blind spots and help me grow and achieve more. I want to be around people who have my best interest in mind rather than seeking to force their agenda on me. I bet you do too.

As you move forward in your week and even in your life, my hope for you is that you will truly “Be Intentionally Great” by finding ways to serve those around you. I know you have greatness within you because every one of us can serve the people within our reach. I believe in you. Go out and test this principle out.

Be Intentionally Great today!

Have you ever had a vision for something and then been frustrated because it didn’t become reality soon enough?

Have you ever wondered why you had a vision that seemed impossible to achieve?

Have you ever given up on a vision because you grew impatient waiting for it to happen?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I hope this teaching will help you understand what must happen to fulfill your vision. There is a three phase process that we must go through and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Phase 1 – The Vision

In this phase, you receive a vision about what you can, should or want to do. The vision energizes you, excites you, and motivates you to take action. For some, you may buy web domain names, set up Facebook pages or groups, call/text your friends to share what it is, set up a crowd funding page, start writing a blog or book, etc.  You are inspired and flying high. But then something happens…

Phase 2 – The Valley 

Once the initial surge of energy wears off from receiving the vision, you get distracted or discouraged. You feel like nothing is happening. You wonder if you really “saw” the vision. You feel confused about what actions to take or who you can ask for help. You become impatient. You wonder if you can even achieve the vision. Self-doubt creeps in. You may even battle depression because it feels like there is a huge gap between where you are and where the vision is.

In the valley, you are being prepared. Most visions are WAY bigger than us. We have a lot of growing to do in order to accomplish the vision. And growing hurts! Jim Rohn once said, “Don’t wish it was easier. Wish you were better.” A friend of mine shared the illustration of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. We all want to become the butterfly, but a transformation has to happen inside the cocoon (aka “The Valley”). And that transformation requires growth, which means we are stretched, pulled, challenged, and the rough edges must be chipped away. That hurts! That is what happens in the valley. But there’s hope…

Phase 3 – The Victory

When you endure the valley and grow into the person you need to become to achieve your vision, victory is coming your way! This is when the vision becomes reality. You open for business. You launch your product or service. You publish your book. Whatever it is, it’s now “go time!” This is when you become what others see as an “overnight success.” People who haven’t watched you struggle through the valley think you had an idea one day and the next day it became a reality, but you know better. That is why victory tastes so sweet.

Think about victory in the sports world. All the training. All the sweat. All the injuries endured. And then the team is lifting the championship trophy or receiving the gold medals. You can’t wipe the smiles off the players’ faces because they finally achieved what they envisioned before the season began…maybe even since childhood.

And guess what often happens? You get a new vision. Something bigger than the last. Something that will require you to go through the valley again so you grow even more. But you’re battle tested now! You’ve gone through the pain once and you can do it again. You’re ready for another victory. So you press on and go through the process again. You’re a champion. You’re Leading Life BIG!

Are you ready? Are you up for the process? I sure hope so because the world needs you to accomplish the vision you have. Please don’t hide it. Press on and grow to achieve it. And know I’m here cheering you on.

Be Intentionally Great today!

***Join the Lead Life BIG Community email list to receive blog alerts and other information about personal and professional growth opportunities. Click HERE to subscribe!

Too often we feel the pressure to get better in our weak areas rather than improve upon our strengths. While we can always grow in both areas, top performers stay in their strength zones and delegate their weaknesses. Think about it. What if Michael Phelps focused on a sport he isn’t talented in rather than swimming? Or LeBron James focusing on something other than basketball? Or Bill Gates trying to be an athlete rather than a computer developer and businessman? There are many examples around us of people who are doing great things, but what if they were focused on their weaknesses instead of their strengths? What would they have to offer the world?

If you are in a job that you’re weak in, maybe it’s time to look for new work or at least find a way to use your strengths where you are instead. If you’re not seeing the success that you desire in your life, it’s time to evaluate where you’re putting your energy – your weaknesses or your strengths?

I believe that a key problem holding many people back from success is not knowing or working in their strength zones. Don’t let that be you. Find what you are strong in and devote your energy to using those skills and growing to be even stronger. As for your weaknesses, delegate them to others. If you can’t delegate them, find ways to make adjustments so you aren’t having to focus on them.

If you want to become all you were created to be, it’s time to figure out your strengths and start living them out.

Be Intentionally Great today!

One of my mentors shared a great teaching last week that I wanted to pass on to you today. Christian Simpson of The John Maxwell Team reminded us that every meeting and activity is an opportunity for growth if we approach it the right way. How do we accomplish that? It’s a simple three-step process:

PREPARE – PARTICIPATE – REFLECT

Let’s walk through each step briefly…

PREPARE – Whatever you have on your calendar, prepare in advance by gathering your thoughts, writing down questions or notes, and thinking through the conversations or activities that you will participate in. By preparing in advance, your mind will be ready to receive information that will stick. This gives you a greater opportunity to grow.

PARTICIPATE – When you are engaged in an activity or conversation, BE FULLY PRESENT. It is very easy to be distracted in our culture today. In order to participate for maximum impact, you must intentionally engage and stay focused. This may mean you need to silence your phone (or put it away out of sight). It may mean you need to find a quiet meeting place. Whatever it takes for you to give your full attention, do it! Too many of us are physically present while being mentally and emotionally absent. One way to participate better is to take notes. Make sure to write down important information so you will not forget later.

REFLECT – After you have participated, spend time reflecting on what was said or done.

• What can you learn?
• What did you hear that you need to apply?
• What are action items that you need to address?
• Review your notes.
• Spend time thinking through the topic that was discussed.
• Review the activities that you participated in.

Whatever you did, take time to reflect so you don’t miss lessons along the way. This process requires you to be intentional. We don’t naturally do this. When we live on “auto pilot,” we miss a lot of growth opportunities. Make the decision today to implement this process into your life. We don’t become GREAT overnight. Rather, we do so through daily disciplines that compound over time. Become more disciplined and you will see yourself growing and moving toward greatness.

One way I want to help you BE INTENTIONALLY GREAT is by inviting you to a FREE weekly leadership training call. Beginning Thursday, September 22 at 8pm EST, I will be co-hosting a weekly conference call with my John Maxwell Team colleague, Mark Williams. To sign up and receive the call-in information, click HERE. We hope you’ll join us!

Be Intentionally Great today!

I recently found myself staring at multiple “to-do” lists. All the items on them were good things to do, but were they all the best things? Of course not. If you’re anything like me, your mind is always generating thoughts of what you COULD do, but when we start feeling overwhelmed, we need to step back and define what we SHOULD do.

How do you move from COULD to SHOULD?

1. Slow down and take a breath. 
2. Remember your “why.” (Are you clear on your purpose?)
3. Comb through your to-do list and see what lines up with your “why” and what is required of you right now.
4. Of the things that do, prioritize what should be done first, second, third, etc.
5. Schedule times on your calendar to work on each item. (What gets scheduled gets done!)
6. Start tackling one item at a time.

The feeling of being overwhelmed is a common problem for many of us. There never seems to be enough time in the day. However, when we begin to sift through the clutter and schedule actions to be taken, we start to gain momentum. Over time, the “compound effect” kicks in and we start to feel like we’re winning.

This week, dedicate time to sift through your clutter. One key action that might help you is to physically clean up your work space. A cluttered desk or office actually causes more problems for you than you may realize. Get organized. Be intentional about your to-do list. Schedule time to take action. And make sure to do it!

I’m confident if you take these steps you will start to gain ground in areas where you have felt like you’ve been losing. The process itself is not complicated, but it does take discipline. Make a commitment right now to choose discipline so you can live and work most effectively.

Be Intentionally Great today!

***Be looking for details of an upcoming personal growth opportunity that I’m going to be launching with a fellow John Maxwell Team coach and trainer. We will be kicking this off on Thursday, September 22nd.

Many people get overwhelmed when they think about goals or dreams. They seem intimidating or unachievable. Because of this, many people stop dreaming and setting goals altogether. Today I want to encourage you to spend some time dreaming. Get a notebook, a pen, and find a peaceful place to think about what you want to accomplish in your lifetime.

• What do you want to accomplish in your family?
• What do you want to accomplish in your work?
• What do you want to experience in your free time?
• If money were no object, what would you do with your life?

Now, write down a next step for each of your dreams. Don’t worry about the entire plan. Figure out one next step and commit to taking action. Then come up with another next step. Keep repeating this and keep moving forward. As the familiar saying goes, you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time and similarly you can only accomplish your dreams one step at a time.

I believe you have greatness within you. You were created with a significant purpose. Your personal and professional potential are great, but you have to intentionally take action to achieve all you are capable of.

What is your dream?

What’s your next step?

Ready. Set. Go!

Be Intentionally Great today!

The Scene

As I write this, I’m sitting on the 3rd story balcony of the beach house our family is living in for the week. I am reminded that life on the ground can often be short-sighted and overwhelming. I’m watching the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico. I’m watching rows of cars pass by down the street. I’m watching joggers and bikers go up and down the bike path. I’m watching families head back home for the night after a fun day at the beach. The ocean is calming down for the night. The moon is rising and reflecting on the water. Life is good.

The Lesson

As I reflect on what I’m seeing, I realize that I don’t get up above ground level enough. I need to climb higher regularly. I need to reflect on what is going on around me consistently. Years ago I was on a youth mission trip to a Native American reservation in northern Arizona. Our team was broken up into smaller groups to climb a nearby mountain where we could see over top of the community we were serving. At the top we could see approximately 90 miles away. We could see 360 degrees. It was breathtaking. It gave us greater perspective about the community we were serving and why we were there. There was a much grander vision than we saw at the base of the mountain.

• Do you ever stop to reflect at a higher level?
• Do you rise above the daily grind to reflect on your greater life purpose?
• Do you consider why you do what you do?
• Do you think much about the mission and vision of your job, organization, or family?

Many people are afraid of heights, but let me tell you that life from the 3rd story brings a greater perspective. Maybe it’s time to face your fear of heights so you can see things more clearly. Maybe what you need most right now is a higher view of your life so you can gain greater understanding of what’s going on at ground level. Maybe a time of reflection will refuel your tank and help you achieve more personally and professionally.

If you desire to Be Intentionally Great, you must start with greater clarity. One of my mentors has taught me the following path that makes a greater difference in our lives: clarity > competence > confidence > influence > impact > income.

I believe in you. You have greatness within you. You were created with a great purpose.

Go Be Intentionally Great today!

Last night the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first NBA Champions to ever come back from being down 3 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. They were playing their talented West Coast rival, the Golden State Warriors, who set the single season record for wins this year after winning the title last year. This was a Finals series that will not soon be forgotten.

Two years ago, LeBron James returned to Cleveland after winning two titles in four years with the Miami Heat. By leaving Cleveland for Miami he became a hated man after being the beloved hometown hero of Northeast Ohio. He returned and was forgiven. He came home with a mission to give Cleveland a title after a 50+ year drought of any professional sports championships. Last night, he delivered.

What can we learn from this historic accomplishment?

I believe that DETERMINATION and PERSEVERANCE are the obvious lessons. LeBron was determined to do all that he could to deliver a title to Cleveland, but it came through an incredibly challenging journey. One year ago, the Golden State Warriors defeated Cleveland in the Finals. Two key players – Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love – were injured for the Cavs and LeBron had to depend on lesser role players. They couldn’t overcome the gap. This year they faced the same Warriors team, but were healthy and determined. Because of this, they stayed the course even when they were down 3-1 in the series. They didn’t give up on themselves and they took one game at a time.

You may not be a sports fan. I understand that. However, we are often faced with personal challenges that feel insurmountable. Many of us look at the uphill climb and decide it’s not worth the pain, sweat, and tears so we surrender to mediocrity and “stability.” I confess that I’m often tempted to do this. When the days are difficult and you don’t see progress from your effort, it’s discouraging. My encouragement to you is to STAY THE COURSE. Breakthroughs will come. The biggest breakthroughs take more time to incubate and develop. We have to become the people who are ready to receive the breakthroughs. This means we must have our character developed.

A John Maxwell Team colleague, Ivan Oberon, wrote a powerful post last week that I want to share with you. Click HERE to read his comparison of the gestation periods between dogs and elephants. I’m confident you will be blessed and challenged by reading this.

As you begin your week, let the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers teach you a powerful lesson. Stay the course, persevere, and prepare daily for the breakthroughs that are coming in your life.

Be Intentionally Great today!

How many books have you read this year?

How many articles have you read to help you improve personally or professionally this year?

How much time do you spend watching TV versus reading and studying to improve your life?

Am I stepping on your toes?

So many of us want to have a better life, but how many of us are actually investing in ourselves to get what we desire? How many of us could be called continual learners?

In our Western culture, we spend so much time on formal education to graduate high school and college, but then we opt out of continuing education that will help us to keep growing for the rest of our lives. Think about it. We invest the first 18-25 years of our lives to get diplomas so we can get good jobs and be successful, but then often give up on continual growth for the next 50-70 years.

If you want to be intentionally great, you need to invest in yourself. You need to read books, articles, blogs, go to workshops, work with a mentor or coach, etc. You need to believe that you can keep learning and growing until the day you die so you can achieve greater goals and contribute to society at greater levels.

Don’t be a statistic by ignoring your personal growth. Be a continual learner and put into practice what you learn. Information is abundant in our era. You have no excuse to stagnate. Make a commitment to yourself today that you will invest in yourself, and therefore, invest in those around you as you grow. Pass along what you’re learning and watch how those around you start to grow.

Be Intentionally Great today!