Leaders: Something Feels Deeply Unsettled in Our Society Today. You can hear it in conversations at work, see it in headlines, and feel it in the quiet worries people carry home. We’re bombarded with noise, negativity, and division. Business leaders in their prime talk about walking away. Senior managers confess to burnout and exhaustion. Everyday […]
Integrate being curious into your daily routines. Challenge yourself and your team to think differently, question assumptions, and relentlessly pursue new knowledge and understanding. The future of your organization could depend on how effectively you cultivate this essential quality. As Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
Throughout history, virtuous behaviors by leaders have served as the bedrock upon which thriving societies and successful businesses are built. In societies, virtuous leaders have been lauded for their ability to unify diverse groups, make decisions in the best interest of the majority, and set moral standards that shape the ethical fabric of civilizations.
Great presidents don’t shy away from challenges; they embrace them and guide the country through them with grace and strength. They understand the importance of relationships, both at home and abroad, and they know that progress comes from collaboration, not isolation. Most importantly, they lead with empathy, genuinely caring about the people they serve and finding joy in connecting with the public.
I often observe many leaders who think they are the exception to the rule. Maybe in some regards they are, but not across the board. Furthermore, not all exceptions are equal or worthy of consideration. There are some obvious rules of personal and business behavior that we should all respect
Leadership is all about character. Anyone can manipulate words and stretch the facts to suit their short-term objective. However, it’s challenging to maintain a facade of behavior long-term, and your actions will ultimately catch up with you.
Leadership can be hard, challenging and humbling, but it should also be fun and rewarding. It should give you energy not just take it. If you are in a constant state of stress and/or unhappiness, you should really ask yourself what’s wrong with what you are doing. It is a genuine privilege to lead others. In almost all cases, assuming the mantle of leadership is a choice. Rarely is it forced upon you and even when it is you should learn to embrace the opportunity because the alternative makes no sense.
John Mellencamp has a great line in a song: “You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything.” Business, like life in general, is full of temptation. Especially when faced with tough competition or mounting financial pressures, it’s easy to stray and choose what’s convenient. We have all heard the saying, “If you want to learn who someone truly is, give them money and power.” If you don’t know what you stand for, it is more challenging to make difficult decisions, especially under duress.
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