Leadership

A black hole is a "region of space-time where gravity is so strong that nothing that enters the region, not even light, can escape" (Wikipedia). Black holes are the enemies of good ideas. A father can become a black hole if he puts down every suggestion.  Children want to be affirmed, to feel valued.  No one wants to be constantly put-down.  The easiest way to avoid a put-down?  Offer no suggestions. A boss can become a black hole if he or she believes every good idea must originate with them.  Employees who offer ideas only to see them dry up or go unused will eventually stop offering ideas. A friend can become a black hole if they treat opinions with sarcasm.  Not every opinion is equal.  Not every opinion is correct.  But every opinion is personal, even the most hair-brained idea.  Sarcasm communicates a lack of appreciation -- not just for the…

Yesterday afternoon, while driving home from a radio interview, I got word that Junior Seau had died.  The initial reports were saying it was a suicide; a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.  For those who don't know, Junior Seau was an All-Pro linebacker for the San Diego Chargers for many years. I never met Junior Seau, though we were once in the same room together (that is, if you consider Jack Murphy Stadium/Qualcomm one big room).  But his reputation and image were well-known and much loved in San Diego. All deaths are tragic.  Every person who dies was someone's son or daughter.  But if it's true that Seau committed suicide, I have to wonder why.  Why would someone so well-loved and so active in the community get to the point of taking their own life?  One news report (in USA Today) said this came with "zero warning." These sorts…

“The words influence and influenza are cousins.” -- David Jeremiah We are a contagious people and not just when it comes to germs and viruses and hand sanitizer. Attitudes are contagious.  One sour person can sink an entire meeting.  A little grumpiness goes a long way.  On the other hand, a gentle answer to a harsh question can soften the atmosphere (that should be in the Bible!). Vision is contagious.  I believe people are hungry for a higher purpose than Angry Birds or voting on American Idol.  A clearly articulated, passionate vision will spread -- hopping from one carrier to another. Morals (or lack of) are contagious.  Parents understand this.  It's why we pray for our children to make good friends, to surround themselves with positive influences.  But what about at work?  When a leader lacks a moral compass, the moral temperature gets set at whatever degree is in the…

Thanks to his bathtub, Archimedes discovered the concept of displacement.  As he sat down in his bathtub, he noticed the water level would rise.  The weight of his body displaced the water.  From this epiphany, he realized he could use similar experiments to measure the volume of certain objects. In life, we have ... Placements -- things that are in their proper place. Misplacements -- things that are not placed in their proper place Displacements -- things that are replaced by other things. Displacement shows up when we transfer our feelings about one thing/person/situation to another thing/person/situation.  In counseling terms, it's called "kicking the dog."  You "kick the dog" when, after a hard day at work, you come home and kick the dog.  The dog didn't cause your bad day -- you simply displaced your frustration. Often times, we practice displacement and don't even know it.  Little things that might…

Perry Noble says the number one sign of an insecure leader is that they see people as working for them and not with them.  (Read the full list here). These two small words (a combined seven letters, average of 3.5 letters per word) reflect a large difference in attitude.  This difference not only affects the leader's style but how the people respond to their leadership. I've told my children, "There's a difference between 'I've got to do something' and 'I get to do something.'" When you've got to do something, it's often viewed as a burden.  You do it because you are obligated or fearful of what will happen if you don't do it. When you get to do something, it's act of passion or purpose.  You don't watch the clock or groan about it. As a leader, if you view people as working for you it is likely they…