Tag Archives: leadership

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EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™

If we accept that chaos is the “new normal” and that “VUCA” (Volatility–Uncertainty–Complexity–Ambiguity) is a reasonable framework to recognize the nature of the conditions that we operate in, then that begs a question: “How can we best operate in this VUCA environment?” I believe that EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™ will unfold as an extraordinary solution to a stable and balanced life.

INDIVIDUAL STABILITY

Simply put, I believe INDIVIDUAL STABILITY is the most fundamental and essential requirement in life. Other people can tell you about it, demonstrate it, and even try to teach you with tips, tricks, and shortcuts. But I believe it’s an inside-out process that’s best attained through Self-Development (the first phase of LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®).

In order to be highly effective… in fact, EXTRAORDINARY, we must seek to master INDIVIDUAL STABILITY. Yes, it’s a lifelong journey. But, like learning to fly a helicopter, your first major task is to HOVER… to firmly establish yourself on the path to master INDIVIDUAL (aircraft) STABILITY.

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The LFYCP® One-Week Challenge

I want to provide you with a basic framework to help you refocus and achieve extraordinary daily results. I call this framework: “The Top 4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Day to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®”. The world is calling out for your genius, but the noise and clutter of your world may deafen that call.

Try answering these four questions every day for just one week and see what a difference it will make… and let us know what kind of results and insights you have below.

Four Questions

The four key questions you should ask yourself every day to Lead From Your Current Position® are:

  • What is my primary responsibility as a Leader?
  • What is the ONE thing I should create, cultivate, and encourage in my environment?
  • What is the ONE thing I should eliminate in my environment?
  • Are there additional questions that would give me insight into how I can lead from my current position?

Sign up for the FREE “Leader’s Guide” on my homepage if you haven’t already done so.

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8 Questions You Can Use to Provide Clarity on Your Journey

There are many tips, lists, and tools to help you navigate through life. One tool that I’ve used since its introduction by Tom Peters in 1996, is a PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION. Tom outlines eight simple and thought-provoking questions that you can use to provide clarity on your journey.

The PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION is my #1 navigation tool for assessing my journey through life. I’ve used it since 1996 and update it every 90 days. I also recommend completing and reviewing a PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION every 90 days. Doing so will reduce the chances of stagnation and promote action, intention, clarity, and innovation in your life. It will also promote your connection to others.

A PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION by Tom Peters

  1. I am known for: [2-4 items].
  2. By this time next year, I plan also to be known for [1-2 more things].
  3. My current project [which is:_________] is challenging me in the following [1-3 ways].
  4. New stuff I’ve learned in the last 90 days includes [1-3 things].
  5. Important additions to my Address Book in the last 90 days include [2-4 names].
  6. My public—local/regional/national/global—“visibility program” consists of [2 things].
  7. My principal “resume enhancement activity” for the next 90 days is [1 item].
  8. My resume is discernibly different from last year’s on this date in the following [1-2 ways].

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YOURSELF TO BLAME by Mayme White Miller

The experience, education, and training I’ve had in my life continually highlighted the significance of a sense of personal responsibility. I’ve been far from perfect, but I actively attempt to counter the trap of blaming others. This is a valuable key to keep us focused on our purpose, goals and objectives, rather than the conditions of the journey.

Dr. Ben Carson continually shares this valuable key to his professional maturity. Introduced to him early in his childhood by his Mother,  she had him read this poem every time he made an excuse, whined, or complained.

This simple poem was the catalyst to his amazing life. I hope it can provide similar insights and inspiration to you.

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4 Key Lessons from “A Message to Garcia”

One of the most published articles in history, “A Message to Garcia” (by Elbert Hubbard) highlights several great challenges and lessons of life. There are four key lessons that I would like to discuss:  three of those lessons are key points from the author and the fourth is one that will assist you as you LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®

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Lead From Your Current Position® Logo

The Lead From Your Current Position® logo consists of:

A position indicator symbol that incorporates a tilted globe,

three people (in the core of the globe) forming the point,

and a diagonal swoosh around the top, placed on a map.

Here’s what each symbol means:

  • Position Indicator Logo (placed on a Map) = Your current position/location… not your position/title.
  • Globe = The concept is Global: All people; no one left out!
  • Swoosh = Action is required from each of us. Only those who act will triumph!
  • Three People = The minimum number of people required to form a stable partnership (three–a TRIAD). Four is better and even more is even better.

The word “LEAD” in the phrase Lead From Your Current Position® emphasizes the necessity for all of us to LEAD (contribute to an environment where others flourish) AND incorporates a triangle inside of “A”  to highlight the significance of the TRIAD as the foundation for stable partnerships.

The LFYCP® Subtitle: The world is calling out for your genius!

Leadership is contributing to an environment where others flourish.--Wayne Pollard #LFYCP #Leadership Click To Tweet

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Check out the Blog Posts in these Categories:
Leadership — Personal Development — Productivity — Passion

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Why LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®?

I wanted to take a moment to describe what inspired me to create Lead From Your Current Position®. Knowing this will give you a better understanding of the concept and insight into the rationale of why you should Lead From Your Current Position®… and maybe inspire you to contribute your thoughts here.

What is our duty?

Developing this concept is deeply personal. In my journey through life, I’ve consistently sought to identify my purpose… to identify my duty.

In addition to the preparation my parents and schooling provided me, I’ve been fortunate to serve in one of the greatest leadership apprenticeship programs in the world: serving in the United States Army. A Retired Army Officer, my military career spanned 24 1/2 years where I served in a variety of positions as an Airborne Infantry and Attack and Cavalry Aviation Officer. I had the privilege to lead five platoons and command two companies and an ROTC battalion. Additionally, I taught at the Aviation Captain’s Career Course, the United States Military Academy (West Point), and Indiana University (Bloomington).

Always a Soldier, I’ve spent my entire life inquiring about leadership and learning. This has continued since I transitioned from military service.

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The Nature of Leadership

What is the nature of LEADERSHIP

Leadership Defined?

To begin to answer that question, many start out by trying to define leadership. Is it:

  • the position or function of a leader?
  • to provide purpose, direction, and motivation?
  • influence?
  • setting the example?
  • having followers?
  • having certain characteristics?
  • to accomplish organizational objectives?
  • etc. etc. etc.?

Google it

We might even start by googling leadership. If you do that, you’ll receive 5.6+ billion results. Additionally, you’ll discover that experts have tallied over 1500+ leadership definitions, over 40+ leadership theories, and numerous styles, historical views, and myths. All of this only seems to complicate the issue of the true nature of leadership.

I’m always surprised by the answers I get when I ask someone “What is the nature, definition, or purpose of leadership?”… as well as how hard it seems to be to answer the question. Any one of those three variants seems to stop people dead in their tracks… every time. After a very long pause, I usually get one of the examples I used above.

Leadership Re-imagined, Simplified, and Re-defined

I’d like to suggest a way to simply leadership so that we can all do it more easily and more naturally. So, here’s my attempt:

Leadership is contributing to an environment where others flourish.

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In The Following Pages

As I start to unfold the re-imagined leadership conversation here and encourage your involvement and participation, I’d like to start with this quote that describes my true intent.

In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense; and have no other preliminaries to settle with the reader, other than that he will divest himself of prejudice and prepossession, and suffer his reason and his feelings to determine for themselves; that he will put on, or rather that he will not put off, the true character of man, and generously enlarge views beyond the present day.”  Thomas Payne, Common Sense

And, in tribute to Warren Bennis (8 Mar 1925 -31 Jul 2014):

None of us is as good as all of us.--Warren Gamaliel Bennis Click To Tweet

He was a Soldier, an American scholar, organizational consultant, and author, widely regarded as a pioneer of the contemporary field of Leadership studies.

So, please join me as I synthesize and share my insights and observations from my current position. Everything on this site is intended to spark conversation, creativity, and innovation… to encourage you to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®. Additionally, I will share tips and techniques on personal development, productivity, and my passions (Golf, Fountain Pens and Inks, Photography, Books, Technology, and Racquetball to name a few).

Lead From Your Current Position® is about Self-Development, Partnership, and Service #LFYCP Click To Tweet

My strongest desire is that we generously enlarge our views beyond the present day.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:  What is your biggest obstacle or challenge that keeps you from leading from your current position?

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Check out the Blog Posts in these Categories:
Leadership — Personal Development — Productivity — Passion