It amazes me how many people despise HR
Be careful who your messing with (1:20)?
HR, We’re confident and it’s a way of life (30 sec)!
I’m a real man… what about you?
What would you rather be doing in this economy… oh so many choices?
You just got to laugh sometimes (we all know HR has the most crazy cat people)!
Many people have their own opinion of Leadership and who should or should not be considered a leader. This also is true for the “who” should be developed and kept out of leadership. Of course I have my own opinions (that’s why I write). In listening to HR Happy Hour – Episode 35 “The Leadership Show”, I agreed and disagreed with many opinions. That’s the great thing about an opinion is that everyone has one. The even better thing about an opinion is either you can CHOOSE to agree/disagree and learn or question your own predetermined beliefs on any topic.
The problem with a “definition…”
…is that there are so many definitions. No different in defining leadership. Leadership has become such a trendy topic that it is used in resumes, company programs, webinars, and interventions. Often I hear the thought that “We are all leaders” or “You can be a leader.” Umm ok. I do not firmly believe this, but I do believe that many people (given the right framework, personality and personal will) have a potential to lead.
Some definitions of Leadership
Here are a few of the current and well respected ideas/definitions of leadership from people much smarter than I.
Function: noun 1 : the office or position of a leader; 2 : capacity to lead 3 : the act or an instance of leading — Merriam-Webster On-line
My definition of a leader . . . is a man who can persuade people to do what they don’t want to do, or do what they’re too lazy to do, and like it. Harry S. Truman, 33rd President
The definition of leadership is influence. John Maxwell
Leadership is the art to of influencing and directing people in such a way that will win their obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in achieving common objectives.” — U. S. Air Force
The feminine leadership style emphasizes cooperation over competition; intuition as well as rational thinking in problem solving, team structures where power and influence are shared within the group . . . interpersonal competence; and participative decision making. Marilyn Loden
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” — John Quincy Adams
“I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done.” — Henry Ford
“A manager takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to.” — Rosalyn Carter
Not a Pretender: Now I don’t pretend to be as smart as these people and I’m pretty smart (Just talk with me and you’ll agree ha, I’m joking)! I haven’t written any New York Times best sellers and yet to become a historical figure, having my own thoughts and quotes be used as a cornerstone to measure or carve out concepts and ideas. However, I have had my share of experiences. What my experience tells me is that CONTEXT is everything. Leadership should be considered and dependent on the situation, environment, organization and people. It is subjective.
The beauty and problem with a definition, is that it often attempts to lock terms, people, places, events, and concepts in time; trapping the idea from being able to evolve. If we treated people like this, then they would be doing one thing and only one thing for the rest of their lives. Not cool. We as humans evolve. We change and adjust with our environment. Some things in our lives are concrete but overall from the time we were born we have lived a life of chaotic change. How weird would it be if we did not evolve… kind of like a baby head with an adult body (no one would ever ask you out).
Evolution: Leadership is an “Idea”
Humans evolve. Because the practice of Leadership is so closely aligned with our humanity, the definition and idea of it must also evolve with us. In that, Leadership is an idea. Our ideas evolve and change.
Leadership… a Belief?
To some Leadership is a belief. They practice and perfect the way they present their belief. Preach on whether you are born with it or can learn to be. They focus on individual criteria and competency tests. The problem with a belief is that beliefs often do not change. They are sometimes locked like stone into our psyche – like religion or politics.
Bottom Line: One Size will not fit all.
Jennifer V Miller has a nice summary of free resources available on Leadership so you can review and formulate your own idea. However, we all have our own beliefs, an idea on what a Leader is and what they should be. Regardless of how you may feel, be willing to engage, listen and research. Be willing to challenge yourself and evolve. Before any of us were experts at anything we were idiots on everything. Don’t be an idiot!
So what do you think, any ideas or hardcore beliefs?
My intent was not to give a definition but to simply discuss that there is not necessarily a right or wrong. But I could be right… or maybe I’m wrong… or… never mind.
Dilbert: No longer relevant since everyone has PTO now 
Aren’t presentations so predictable?
FAIL! Unauthorized Outback Steakhouse Recruiting Video (1 min)
How Not To Interview (5 min)
I am a lifelong learner. I will continue to fill my plate with whatever quenches my appetite.
“The people that are the most passionate about what they do
never, ever stop learning”
Many people are afraid of the new. Scared that if they make mistakes, that they will be looked at negatively.
You learn by trying… doing. You learn by perfecting… failing.
Not all people can handle the pressure. But with pressure, diamonds are made. Not all will become diamonds but for the few that face the pressure, they will see the beauty of the work and trial they put in. In this new century, I know you will have to face this fact head on and then continue to learn in order to thrive and survive. So…
“Get busy living or get busy dying”
The following video discusses the barriers, challenges and opportunities for learning at any time. In this time, we have to continually evolve and continue to Learn HOW to LEARN.
Any thoughts about this or do you shamelessly nod your head yes or no with no opinion? I don’t believe that ~ let me know what you think!
When beginning my career, after starting to work in the real world (per say) – I would spend my time on ironing boards.
I would neatly press all my shirts and slacks, usually on the weekends. I would hear from people about how they took everything to the cleaners. Had everything pressed, starched and dry cleaned. I was never the one to do such a thing. I had the time so I did it myself. On Sundays, I would get everything ready for the week. Maybe have a little time for television. This way I would not have to do so much and rush. This is not so easy to do now.
Old habits are old habits for a reason. Those habits get tired too. Their bones begin to ache and those habits, they may be forgetful at times. So it is hard to get back into the routine.
Last night I found myself in my basement. Getting ready to get ready. Intending to iron one sweater. I ended up continuing with the other sweaters, shirts, pants, etc. Weird how relaxing it was. It was simple, minute and arbitrary.
We all have certain things that take absolutely no thought. These actions allow our minds to be completely blank. Allow us to go to a place void of worry. Cause us to forget what may have happened over the course of a day or even what we may face for the next. For me, it is washing the dishes, scrubbing them clean by hand when I know I could just as easily place them in the dishwasher
or…
mowing the lawn. Trying to get the track of lines in a yard perfectly aligned and parallel. So careful not to damage the baby tree that has so much to look forward to. Even when I’m washing the car… vacuuming it out… taking the towel to remove gook… from all the nooks and crannies. Detailing the details.
We need time to reflect. In order to be better at work, professionally and personally, I believe we need these small and at-first-glance meaningless events. Events that we have some power to contain. The power and ability to remove all thought from the regular, daunting and otherwise engaging moments outside of our personal lives. If at no other time, we can feel right.
The moment we as individuals realize that we are not in control of everything… all that happens to us, we may then see how we might gain control. Sometimes we try so hard to have that control that we press to hard and become sprained. We can control our reactions. We can control some of the things within our own space. Yet we cannot control everything.
I don’t wear starched shirts and well-designed ties as much as I use to. My shoes have no need to impress my colleagues as much as they needed to in the past. Every event and interaction in my life… I do not always get right…
but my space… those little things that matter, I am in need… to get those right. So I will…
iron the shirts,
clean the car,
wash the dishes and
mow the lawn
because those are the small moments… the little things that are needed to stay sane.
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