by Deborah Leverett | May 26, 2017 | Uncategorized
With so many leadership tips, books, BHAGs, and other tired slogans, the idea of genuine leadership is often obscured. The leadership that shapes families, communities, companies and nations isn’t built from a list of traits. But it is the kind that courageously understands that actions have consequences and the best leadership takes responsibility for consequences. The best leadership is seen in those individuals who are willing to go first, eat last and endure more than those they lead. An leader’s act of courage is seen when the leader is the model and can model and multiply his/her efforts. This is why a leader’s ability to coach is so vital. Often when a myriad of solutions have been tried and have failed, the courageous act of the leader faces problems and failure by inspiring others (i.e. to put life into.) through the leader’s character and habits of resilience, agility and innovation. The essence of leadership is character which is acquired in a courageous act of self-examination and a willingness to pursue personal clarity, coherence and meaning. This is a leader others will...
by Deborah Leverett | May 18, 2017 | Uncategorized
In the March-April 2017 issue of Harvard Business Review, Hal Gregersen writes about the bubble in which many leaders find themselves. Power is often a place that insulates leaders from the ideas and critical information needed to move forward successfully. Gregersen offers these questions to see if you’re in an insulation capsule: How many barriers do people have to cross to talk directly with you? How much of your typical workweek is spent outside your office or headquarters? When was the last time you were dead wrong about something at work? How quickly did you uncover your last mistake? How fast did you change course? How often do people ask you uncomfortable questions at work? How often do you talk with people who make you uncomfortable? How much time do you spend in places that cause you to feel uncomfortable? How many questions do you ask versus statements do you make in typical conversations? How often do you wait silently (three seconds or more) for others to answer your questions? How many times this week have you said “I don’t know’ in response to a question? When was the last time your provocative questions gave rise to a catalytic story — one that radically transformed some part of your organization for the better? Discovering the answers to these questions will raise the bar of your impact and increase your...
by Deborah Leverett | Apr 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
In an age where everyone has a megaphone, a blog, a FB; we have to admit it feeds our ego. (by the way, this is a bad thing) Very slowly we are becoming more and more entitled giving into a victim – mindset where our thinking is all about how things affect us. Then, when we get yelled at; or slighted; or treated unfairly (and it happens to everyone) we think: “Don’t you know who I am?” “How dare you?” It seems our view is myopic… The movie “Hidden Figures”, beautifully tells the true story of 3 African American women who who served as the brains behind John Glen’s orbit around the earth. But, the power of the movie lay in the strength of character of these three women who overcame incredibly adverse conditions in the workplace. They understood they weren’t demeaned just because someone treated them unfairly. Their inner strength and confidence of who they were was stronger than the assaults that came against them. Even when credit was being given to others, there was no whining, no complaining…just a dignified sense of restraint and a willingness to persevere with grace. They were not focused on being offended because they had the wisdom to know that the key to their success was in their ability to exercise prudence instead of giving into their emotions. In our current workplace culture , we may not see overt negative behavior and resentment, but it’s there: tempers that are simmering beneath the surface, stress related illnesses, burnout. We aren’t helping people, when in their development opportunities, we solely focus on their strengths;...
by Deborah Leverett | Apr 14, 2017 | Uncategorized
If you’re a gardener, you know there comes a time when it is necessary to weed the garden. Removing the weeds gives each plant more space to grow. Otherwise, weeds choke out the plant and the fruit shrivels up and dies. So it is in our own lives. We spend an inordinate amount of time listening: to others, to clatter, to mindless conversations, to noise. What does this incessant clamor cost us? How much does it hamper our inner voice? Our ability to think critically? How important is it to turn off all of the shouting voices and spend, even for just a few minutes, in solitude? In one of my favorite books, Gift From The Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, she writes: “Certain springs are tapped when we are alone. The artist knows he must be able to create; the writer, to work out his thoughts; the musician to compose; the saint, to pray…What matters is that one be, for a time, inwardly attentive.” Sharpen your listening skills by finding time to quiet the outer world and listen to your inner voice. There you might find creativity, strength, perspective,...
by Deborah Leverett | Feb 22, 2017 | Uncategorized
Did previous generations suffer from the angst of being overwhelmed? Did the early 19th century pioneers, who faced survival issues every day, run around frantically filling their days with meaningless activity? Probably not; because if priorities (food and shelter) were ignored, their fate was sure. Discretionary choices were luxuries only a few were afforded. 21st century Americans have many discretionary choices. I often encounter people who have forgotten they have many choices and that they have the power to choose among those choices. Everything we do, say, think, feel, eat, buy, who we spend time with; is a choice we have made. When we forget we have the power to choose we let the ‘tyranny of the moment’ dictate what we do, say and how we feel. Greg McKeown, in his book, Essentialism, says ‘The ability choose cannot be taken away or even given away–it can only be forgotten.” When we forget to choose, we start thinking like victims: I don’t have time, I have to do this, I can’t say no, what will people think, etc.. What price are you paying to say yes to everything? Besides being overwhelmed and frustrated? I believe it affects two very important areas: Our character: when we make and break promises to ourselves, we learn that we cannot depend on our decisions. We learn that we don’t have very much self-discipline and that is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Beyond the personal character issue, being driven by outside demands denies us the option of focusing on what we want, what we deem as important: family, friends, time to enjoy, time to reflect and plan,...
by Deborah Leverett | Jan 25, 2017 | Uncategorized
I’m often asked the best way to spot up and coming leaders. While never an exact science, there are specific traits you can look for to find the individual that has the potential to be an effectual leader. The second column is the opposite side of the coin. Positive Attitude Negative, blaming, victim-thinking attitude Humility Does not take criticism well, arrogant, doesn’t see need to learn Potential to Grow Small-minded; limited vision; resists change Perseverance Leaves projects hanging; gives up too soon Reliability Is inconsistent when fulfilling commitments, meeting deadlines Resilient Takes failure and mistakes personally; does not rebound Person of Integrity Does not follow through or follow up These are the non-negotiables: skills, experience and performance should be examined only after this character audit has been passed with flying...
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