High Performance Leadership

Sometimes we get stuck. The answer hides and the problem persists. If you have the same problem that you had a year ago you have not yet found the real problem. Keep digging. -- doug smith

Have you ever known someone who clearly needs training and isn't getting it? Or, maybe you've had a moment of your own when you could have bought that book or joined that workshop and decided to cut corners? No need to feel any shame about that; I've done it, too. But what if we took another approach? What if we always chose yes to opportunities for developing ourselves? Invest in yourself. Develop yourself. Learn constantly. Grow. It's the path of power even though it's not always free. If you don't invest in yourself who else will? -- doug smith

The trouble with assigned goals is that it's within our nature to avoid them. That's true even if YOU are the one assigning the goal. The first question for any goal is: what is your motivation to achieve it? What will you get out of it? How will it make you feel? If those answers come hard to you, it might not be a goal for you. Question any goal that doesn't promise to make your life better. -- doug smith

Opportunity doesn't send invitations; it sneaks up on you, surprises you in the middle of doing something else, and then keeps you awake poking you until you rise to the occasion. If you ignore it long enough, it slips away in the dead of night and finds someone else who is more awake. Are you ready? Are you ready for your next level of leadership? It could be ready for you. -- doug smith

I'm on the road, facilitating a workshop on controlling chaos, sitting in my hotel room and of course, learning. Watching videos on leadership. What else would a leadership trainer do on the road? I started with a famous leader speaking and somehow wandered into this video by Drew Dudley. Honestly, I hadn't heard of Drew Dudley, but you should. He's inspiring. His ideas spark energy. I believe he does his best to live his values, and I love how he builds in the human element into his goals. In the video he talks about values, about questions to ask in order to more earnestly live your values, and about making a positive difference, especially for people who so often go unrecognized and unappreciated. Here's the video. Yes, I know it's 17 minutes long - but go for it. Invest 17 minutes in this and you'll find a story you'll likely repeat and some insights you'll want to start using. I know I will. Three Values Steps: Six Questions: ...

When does leadership development stop? What leader does a leader spend the most time developing? Leaders are never finished with their own development and their team's growth. The process always starts now, and the process never ends. My advice to any new leader is: - Get the training you need - Talk to lots of seasoned leaders to find out what it takes to succeed - Get to know everyone on your team - Say hello to everyone on your team every day - Find a coach who will hold you accountable - Try new things - Explore opportunities to develop your clarity, courage, creativity, and compassion - Care about your team - Focus on your goals and how to achieve them - Read sage advice from leaders you admire and appreciate - Build your character by radically telling the truth - Over communicate. Over communicate! ...and on and on, an endless list of ways to develop as a leader. What are you doing today to develop yourself and grow your team? -- Douglas Brent Smith http...

Athletes, actors, and musicians train every day. Shouldn't leaders train regularly? When was the last time that you attended any leadership training? When will you attend more opportunities for learning? What could happen if you neglect your leadership development? How much more success could you achieve by improving your leadership skills? -- Douglas Brent Smith http://frontrangeleadership.com