Follow A Leader – Lead a Follower

 

Any worthwhile discussion of leadership will focus on the concept of willing followers.  There has been much written about leadership skills, qualities, methods and systems, but the true test of leadership is followers.

“He who thinks he leads but has no followers is only taking a walk.” 

-       John Maxwell

Excellent leaders are marked by willing followers. That does not mean subordinates who follow out of obligation. True followers are those who follow when they have the freedom not to. We are all followers in some roles in our lives and leaders in others.  Think about what causes you to follow certain people. What qualities do they have? Do those same traits show up in your leadership roles? I don’t know about you, but when I am in a leadership role, I do not want to be just taking a walk!

Change

  

There is an old Jerry Jeff Walker song entitled Too Old to Change.  I recall being in my late twenties and early thirties, thinking that song applied to me.  I had this notion that I was who I was, and was not likely to change much, people around me just needed to accept that.  At that point, my song title should have been Too Stupid to Change.  Maybe it still should be!  We are never too old to change, we are however, often too hardheaded to change.  We do not grow as people if we do not change.  Self-improvement requires change. I know this better now, even if I am still not very good at it.  Life is all about change and how we accept, embrace, and adapt to it. 

 

Don't be too old to change!

Memorial Day

 

If it weren’t for the brave men and women of our armed forces, I might not have the freedom to write this message today. It’s something I try to remember, even though it’s easy to take for granted. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country where our liberty is protected by those who selflessly serve in the U.S. military.

This Memorial Day, I hope the barbecue is delicious, the fireworks are spectacular, and the sun is shining wherever you celebrate. But also, let’s take a moment to reflect on, and give thanks for, the sacrifices that make our freedom possible.

Happy Memorial Day!

More on Habits

 

Are you becoming the type of person you want to be? If not, review your current habits. Habits play an important role in our daily routines, often guiding our actions without us even realizing it. From brushing our teeth in the morning to checking our phones before bed, these repeated behaviors help bring structure and efficiency to our day, or maybe not. Effective habits can help support our goals; ineffective ones can hold us back. By becoming more aware of our routines, we can make intentional changes that lead to a healthier and more productive life. You are your habits!

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement”

-       James Clear