High Performance Leadership

Do you energize yourself with at least one inspirational quote of the day? I subscribe to many email newsletters and I enjoy the ones that provide a short quote to get me going.  One of the newsletters I subscribe to comes from KristinCoach and Kristin Taliaferro is consistently apt at picking wonderfully inspirational quotes. This one reminds us about playing a bigger game. Here is her selection for today: We have all been hypnotized into thinking that we are smaller than we are. Just as an undersized flowerpot keeps a mighty tree root-bound or a little fishbowl keeps goldfish tiny, we have adapted, adjusted, and accommodated to a Lilliputian (trivial or small) life. But place the same tree in an open field or the fish in a lake, and they will grow to hundreds of times their size. Unlike the tree or goldfish, you are not dependent on someone else to move you. You have the power to move yourself. You can step into a broader domain and grow to your full potential.  --...

Are you developing your performance? How about the performance of the people on your team? It can feel like a game and that we're in constant competition. I'd much rather work collaboratively than competitively, but guess what? -- I still must compete with myself to improve. Status quo won't do. Performance must constantly improve or we're going backwards. There is no standing still. Developing performance is a game we all can play. Just like a game we must explore, discover, and practice. Tougher goals lead to stronger skills. More chances at success make success much more likely. It's not a game anyone must lose -- we can all win. When you get stronger, I can also get stronger. When I get smarter, you can also develop your intelligence. It's not a zero sum game, it's a game of endless possibilities. Developing performance is like a game. Play the game. -- Doug Smith

Do you like it when someone blames you for something you didn't do? For that matter, you probably don't like it when people blame you for things you DID do either. Blame creates more ill feelings. While it may be intended to build in accountability, does it seem to you that it works that way? Instead, problems get escalated. People point fingers. Guilt is transferred. When justice is required, seek justice. But assigning blame -- randomly or otherwise -- seldom improves the situation. Blame brings shame so play a better game. It might take courage. It might take compassion. It might take the clarity of seeing the bigger, better picture and working to create the better relationship. Find ways to get past the situation to a mutually shared goal. Play a better game. -- Douglas Brent Smith