Happy Holidays!

 

May you and your family have a truly blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year! 

The MMM will take off next week for the holidays and return on Monday, January 2nd of 2023. 

Words

 

What if the words you spoke appeared on your skin like tattoos, would you still be beautiful?

 

Wow.  Think about that.  I totally stole this from a social media post, but I did so because it really struck me.  What about the words I yell during a Longhorn football game?  Then there are words that run through my mind and out of my mouth when frustrated in traffic.  There are so many words I think and say that I would hate to have tattooed to my arms.  Words are powerful, but oh so easy to throw around.  We should think about this more, consider our choice of words before we open our mouths.  Next time you are about to embark on a cursing rant just envision all those lovely words tattooed on your skin!  Scary…

Unwritten...

 

Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

                    ~ Lyrics from “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

 

The past is useful.  We can learn from it, be proud of it and reminisce about it, but IT IS the past, and it cannot be changed.  Often, we spend too much time in the past, reminiscing, second guessing, and replaying history. We cannot re-write the past. We can only author our future.  Like the lyrics from the song above, today is where your book begins.  In another part of the same song, it refers to a “blank page before you”, each and every day is a blank page, an opportunity to write the future, an opportunity to impact what happens today.  Those opportunities do not exist regarding past events. They do exist for today and tomorrow.  The days, minutes, and hours which are yet to happen are blank pages.  The rest is still unwritten...

Followers…The True Test of Leadership?

 

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. There is an old leadership proverb that says… “He who thinks he leads but has no followers is only taking a walk.” Excellent leaders are marked by willing followers. Willing followers are not subordinates who have no choice but to follow. 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, and then consider those traits 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! The true test of quality leadership is committed followers.

 

Have a blessed week!

Eighteen Years of the MMM!

 

The Monday Morning Minute was born on November 21, 2004.  Today marks eighteen years of sharing leadership thoughts and challenges with you all on a weekly basis. I hope somewhere along the way you have found something motivating, encouraging or challenging, maybe all three.

 

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving and a great start to the holiday season.  Be blessed my friends…  

Get the Cream Sauce!

 

There is a lot to unpack in the below quote from the late Anthony Bourdain.  What a great way to do life!  There are nuggets in here about getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things, talking to new people, and taking care of yourself and others.  This topic relates to last week’s MMM ‘Til You Can’t.  It is also about trying new and different things, experiencing life, having a beer with a stranger.  Great wisdom here.  Cheers Anthony!

"Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride."

- Anthony Bourdain

‘Til You Can’t

 

I have quoted a lot of songs in the MMM over the years, including ones from Thomas Rhett, Jerry Jeff Walker, Toby Keith, Natasha Bedingfield and of course Jimmy Buffett.  Today that honor goes to Cody Johnson, who sings a song entitled ‘Til You Can’t.

I have stated here before that I am a really bad procrastinator.  I own it.  We really need to be mindful of how costly procrastination can be.  Some things you just can’t put off forever.  Certain opportunities only last so long.  We can easily miss great chances in life if we don’t take them!  Don’t miss your dream. Don’t miss your love. Don’t leave the important words unsaid. 

Consider these selected lyrics from ‘Til You Can’t by Cody Johnson…

If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance
If you got a dream, chase it, 'cause a dream won't chase you back
If you're gonna love somebody
Hold 'em as long and as strong and as close as you can
'Til you can't

So take that phone call from your momma and just talk away
'Cause you'll never know how bad you wanna 'til you can't someday
Don't wait on tomorrow 'cause tomorrow may not show
Say your sorries, your I-love-yous, 'cause man you never know

Vote

 

Are you unhappy with your local or national government?  Do you wish you could weigh in on the direction of our country?  Would you like to be heard?  Your opportunity is now.  Voting is both a right and an obligation.  Although not uniquely American, voting is woven into the fabric of this great country.  We may not always like the options or the process.  We may not care for the party system or the outcome, however we have the opportunity to participate.  Voting is speaking up.  Voting is taking a stance.  Voting is a privilege.  Take some time to educate yourself on the issues and candidates and then exercise your right to vote!

We have the privilege….let’s take advantage of it and go vote!

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes

 

“Only you can change you.”  That is so true.  To implement change, you need to be intentional and proactive.  It takes action and determination.  Resolutions do not instigate change.  Goals do not prompt change.  Good intentions only go so far.  Nothing changes if nothing changes.

 

Change is not easy.  We humans are resistant to it.  It is important to note that big changes usually start with small steps. There must be an initial step, a starting action item, a simple goal.  Make incremental changes to your diet.  Increase your workout frequency or intensity over time.  Start a new daily habit of quiet time, reflection, or prayer.  Eliminate the negative forces or distractions. Set a stretch goal in your professional life.  These are all easier said than done.  However, they have one thing in common, they all require something to change. 

 

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Outside the Box

 

“Thinking outside of the box” is an overused phrase, but what does it really mean?  Did you know that sticker burrs (yes, like you find in a field of weeds) were the inspiration for the fastener we now know as Velcro?  That is outside of the box thinking!  It makes sense, but I sure would not have thought of it.  When we look at the familiar with fresh eyes, we really open our minds to creativity. It is not easy to do. I am not the most creative guy around, but I try to look at business problems with an open mind.  It is very easy to get caught in a rut, to live with blinders on.  We tend to only see things within the parameters we are accustomed.  But wild ideas are often really very creative solutions.

“Thinking outside the box” might be overused, but it is an absolutely necessary way of thinking.  It does not come naturally. It requires intentionality. We must consciously force ourselves to see with fresh eyes and think outside of the box.

How will you see things this week? 

Be An Example

 

There is plenty of advice being passed around out there these days. Social media has created a lot of experts and it facilitates an increased amount of opinion sharing. Much of that has no tangible actions associated with it. Advice and opinions need to be replaced by lives of example. We know that humans learn by the examples they see and interact with daily. It is true of our children, our co-workers, and followers. A life lived by example is a life of influence.

 

There is nothing wrong with genuine, sincere, and well-meaning advice. I wish it was all that way. If you really want to impact someone’s life, don’t just tell that person, show them by how you live your life.

 

Remember, a pint of example is worth more than a barrel full of advice.

Life is a Team Sport

 

We are not meant to do life alone. People are not really capable of doing life alone. We need community. Humans need teamwork. The trials and tribulations of our lives are challenging. Each of us needs all the support, advice, hugs, and cheers we can get.

 

The business world of life is certainly not a solo sport. None of us individually possess all the skills required to produce results. We all have strengths and weaknesses, and we all work differently. The sport requires that we combine our different skill sets and working styles to accomplish common goals.

 

Don’t try to do life alone. There is no special prize for that! Take the time to recognize what you are good at, and what you need help with. Lean on your team! Life is a team sport!

 

*Some of this MMM material is taken from The Working Genius Podcast – Patrick Lencioni

Recyclable/Non-recyclable

 

As a society, we are becoming more conscientious about recycling, as we should.  The coffee cup I had in my hand this morning had something printed in the side about how it was produced from a certain percentage of recycled material.  We should all be concerned about recycling.  The world is not an endless source of resources. 

 

One thing that you cannot recycle is time. We all get the same amount of it every day.  We can say we don't have enough time, but that will not get us any more than the standard 24!  Once time is wasted, it cannot be recycled.  It does not mean that we must doing something productive every waking moment.  It does mean that every waking moment is precious and irreplaceable. 

 

Don't worry about recycling time, just use it wisely. 

Character vs. Reputation

 

It occurs to me that character and reputation may at times become confused, the words even used interchangeably.  It is probably obvious, but they really are quite different. 

 

Reputation – The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.

 

Character – The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

 

We live in a world that is very image oriented.  What people drive, where they work and what they wear can dictate their reputation.  We all know these things have little to do with one’s true character.  Great emphasis may be placed on how we outwardly appear in public, but that is not what really matters.  Our character, who we are on the inside, what we stand for, what we hold dear, are the things that really matter.  We should concern ourselves more with those things than what others see on the outside.  When we do that, a good reputation will follow.  A person’s reputation is not insignificant, but it may not be accurate.  Our goal should be to be a person of great character on the inside which will lead to a great reputation on the outside.

9/11

 

Twenty-one years ago, yesterday, our country was changed forever.  Those old enough, will remember exactly where they were that morning.  The attack, now known simply by the date of its occurrence, was nothing like this country had ever seen before, and hopefully never will again.  The images were, and still are, horrifying and unforgettable.  We were unified as a country, and we rallied together in the subsequent days, weeks, and months.  Unfortunately, that unity has faded away, but that is a story for a different day. 

 

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.  It is a fascinating collection of stories and memorabilia located at the base of the Twin Towers.  I found it to be incredibly well done, powerful, but somber and reverent.  My granddaughter, who was not even born at the time of the attacks, was riveted.  She came home with a true feel, and true feel for that tragedy that she will never get from a textbook.  I encourage you to visit there if you have the chance.

 

Don’t ever forget!

Happy Labor Day

 

It is not just about football season starting…

Labor Day: What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Leap of Faith

 

It has a little to do with procrastination but also with taking a leap of faith.  It applies to a lot of decisions in life.  You can never be 100% positive about anything.  There is always that small percentage that is a leap of faith.  If we wait until everything is "just right" we will never do anything.  We would never get married, buy houses, have children or change careers.  And, as it says you will gain better tools as you go along.  Don't wait...

“Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” - Napoleon Hill

Business Is Not All Business

 

It can’t be! People work in businesses and people can’t be all business all the time. We have issues in our lives, there is family, and of course there is drama.

It is important for leaders care about the people on their team. They need to know what is going on in their lives. Many leaders disagree with this. They believe that it is possible, and even preferable, to completely separate business from their team’s personal lives. I believe it is more nuanced than that. Leaders don’t have to be best friends with their team, but they do have to care. If a team member is facing a personal challenge, it will impact their work. Leaders need to understand that. Business is not all business, because we are human! Remember this….

“People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care”

-       John Maxwell

It's all about attitude!

 

Ever wonder what makes a person or team give 100%? What if greater than 100% is achieved? Here is an interesting math fact that might shed some light on this.

 

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

is represented by:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

 

Then:  K N O W L E D G E

           11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

And:    H A R D W O R K

           8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

But,    A T T I T U D E

           1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

 

Hard work and knowledge will get you close, but attitude is what gets you to 100%!

Fun and Recreation

 

When was the last time you did something really fun?  Enjoying life is key to making it through life.  It is important to laugh, relax and make time for recreation.  Here is a great quote...

 

"People who cannot find the time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness."

- John Wanamaker

 

It is always important to make some time for a little fun and recreation.

Be a Waterer

 

ESPN.com headline last week…“Dusty Baker, manager of the Houston Astros, buys custom suits for American League All-Star coaching staff”.

He paid for a tailor to make a custom suit for each of the American League All-Star coaches. How awesome is that? Here is Dusty Baker’s wisdom behind his actions. “I was always raised in kind of the church of he who waters gets watered himself. If you’re generous to others, then you know, the Lord and people tend to be generous to you.”

We could probably all do a little more watering. I love the analogy. Be a waterer. I am not talking about your lawn.

“He who waters, gets watered himself.”

What You Do Matters

 

 

Yes, it does! What you do matters. Is this referring to what you do for employment? Maybe, but I like to consider its’ application to all areas of my life. What I do matters…

-          How I treat others matters

-          How I react to situations matters

-          How I raise my kids matters

-          How I treat my employees matters

-          How I deliver to my clients matters

-          How I love, or don’t love, matters

-           

What you do does matter. Be intentional. Use your influence in a positive way.

You matter!

Experiences

 

Two weeks ago, the MMM talked about how life experiences make us who we are. Another aspect of that concept is how we use those experiences to help others.

We all have a story. We all have experiences. Don’t waste your story. Someone needs to hear that story. They may benefit from hearing how you made it through. We have overcome challenges. We have significant accomplishments and lesson learning failures. We have conquered, learned, persevered and grown. Those experiences make up our story. Don’t waste the opportunity to share your story.

“One day my story will become some else’s survival guide”

-         Unknown

 

*Portions of today’s MMM come from Rick Torrison of Right Now Leadership, LLC

Happy 4th of July!

 

Happy Birthday USA!  Have a great 4^th of July holiday and may God bless America!

Experiences

 

I completed my 40^th year in the post-college workplace this month.  Spare me the “old” jokes.  As a good friend suggested, I prefer “seasoned”.  My first job in June 1982 was at  InterFirst Bank in Conroe, Texas. I thought I would spend my career in banking.  Little did I know… 

Your path of life experiences makes you who you are.  They may be good, bad, or indifferent, but you are the culmination of those life experiences.  Yes, we can influence the direction of our lives.  We can certainly change course, grow, and improve.  However, what we experience and learn along the way plays a huge part in who we become.  I never would have guessed that after 15 years in banking I would end up in the manufactured housing industry.  I also would not have thought I would become an entrepreneur after age 50.  Along the way I went through a divorce, had a bought with cancer, lost my dad, a mother-in-law, and one of our adult children. There are too many lessons and experiences to count.  Many of them have provided the subject matter of the MMM over the years. All summed up these lessons and experiences have made me who I am today.

Embrace who your life has made you.  Make all of your life lessons positive ones even if the experience associated with them was difficult.  Don’t let failures, disappointments, losses and missed opportunities get the best of you.  Make it a point to create positive experiences and do the same for those that you lead!

Who am I?

I lost my dad way too early,

Who am I to doubt it was part of God’s plan?

 

His mother lived to age 98, why couldn’t he?

Who am I to question God’s timing?

 

He loved my mom and all of us so dearly,

Who am I to ask God why we don’t have him anymore?

 

He was married for 50 years, had nine grandchildren and a great grandchild,

Who am I to not thank God for the time we did have?

 

He had wood to carve, golf to play and trips to take,

Who am I to ask God why not?

 

He was kind, loved and respected,

Who am I to ask God why him?

 

For his disease there were no more options,

Who am I to ask God why no cure?

 

There were things I had not done or said,

Who am I to ask God for more time with him?

 

I never heard a bad word spoken towards him,

Who am I to ask God why not someone else?

 

He deserved so much more,

Who am I to question that God knows what he truly deserved?

 

I lost my dad far too soon,

Who am I to question God’s plan?

 

 

Barry D. Blanton

In loving memory of Don Blanton

January 6, 1935 – June 23, 2007

 

This MMM was originally issued fifteen years ago.  I will repeat it as long as I write MMM’s on a Monday near the anniversary of the passing of my father.

Leaders Don’t Know Everything

 

Positions and titles can cloud the judgment of leaders.  Often when leaders reach a certain level, they think they are required to have all the answers.  It is like they believe that with the title comes the obligation to answer every question immediately and correctly themselves.  They put undue pressure upon themselves to respond with authority, even when they may not be confident of the answer.

 

Solid leaders know that quality leadership requires a decision-making process.  That process may require time and it may involve other resources.  Good decision making does not come as the result of a title or a position, but is the result of experience, wisdom, and thoughtful processing of the circumstances.  Making the ultimate decision is different from feeling like you must have an immediate answer to every circumstance.  Great leaders are always prepared to step up and make a decision.  But in doing so, they know they don’t have to respond immediately and have all the answers themselves.  They know to consult experts, conduct research, and fully consider all options.  Our responsibility as leaders is to make sound, well thought out and rational decisions, not to simply have an answer.

Fight Fire with Fire?

 

There is an old saying that states, "You have to fight fire with fire".  I am not sure that is always true, nor wise. When the fire is an argument or disagreement, adding more fuel is not helpful.  If you take the analogy literally it would seem that you should fight fire with water, after all that is what puts out fire.  Fighting fire with fire escalates arguments and wastes energy.  It can make existing problems larger, hotter, more volatile.  The use of calming water can make them smaller, cooler, more manageable.  It may even put the fire out entirely. 

Be calm when dealing with a difficult situation, don't spread the fire.  Consider using a dose of cool, calming water the next time you have a fire to fight.

Happy Memorial Day!

 

If it were not for the armed services protecting the liberties, we have in this country I might not have the freedom to write the MMM!  I try to remind myself of that, but we tend to take our freedoms for granted.  We are truly blessed in this country and should be thankful for the independence that we enjoy.  Our freedom and liberties are, and always have been, protected by those that serve in the US military.

 

I hope the BBQ is juicy, the fireworks are spectacular, and the sun is shining wherever you spend this Memorial Day holiday!

Balance

 

There is always a lot of talk about work life balance. I want you to consider a different aspect of balance. There are fine lines in life that requires intentionality to navigate.

Consider…

·         Our strengths too excess, become our weakness

·         We often treat our loved ones worse than people we don’t even know

·         Things we love can become obsessions and unhealthy habits

·         A singular hyperfocus on any one aspect of life leaves voids other parts of our lives

·         Ever had a love/hate relationship?

How do you balance these aspects of your life?

Remember this line from a Jimmy Buffett song…

-       “It’s a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning.”

The Voice of Adventure

 

There is a rawness and a wonder to life.  Pursue it. Hunt for it. Sell out to get it. Don’t listen to the whining of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry and safe…Or you can hear the voice of adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart.  Follow God’s impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn’t safe, but what is.

This MMM taken from Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado.

Leadership Is Responsibility

 

All the effective leaders I have encountered – both those I worked with and those I merely watched – knew four simple things: a leader is someone who has followers; popularity is not leadership, results are; leaders are highly visible, they set examples; leadership is not rank, privilege, titles, or money, it is responsibility. Effective leaders delegate, but they do not delegate the one thing that will set the standards. They do it.

 

Point: Don’t expect to retain the respect of your employees if you completely delegate the central function of your enterprise, whether it is healing patients or selling bonds.

 

Today’s MMM was taken entirely from the thoughts of Peter Drucker in the book, “The Leader of the Future”.

Ironman

 

Ironman Texas was this past weekend in The Woodlands.  It is one of my favorite weekends of the year!  There are so many moving and powerful aspects to the weekend that I always come away motivated and fulfilled.  My two takeaways from this weekend are…

 

Inspirational - What these athletes accomplish in an Ironman is a special feat unto itself.  Many of them have special circumstances, unique stories and difficult places from which they have come.  In every single case, it is absolutely inspirational.  Seeing what people overcame, endure and push themselves to accomplish was amazing!  I knew a few first timers and several returning athletes this year.  Each had their own story and reason for this pursuit.  They have now accomplished something few others ever will.  I am just proud to know them and be inspired by them.

 

Volunteerism – Each year we are in charge of an aid station on the run.  It takes 120+ people and over 15 hours of hard work to put on what we like to think of as an event for the athletes.  We do it for them and we do it for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  It is so fulfilling!  The athletes are so appreciative.  We know that what we do for them can make the difference in when, and maybe if, they finished.  But what they did for us was just as important!

 

We were blessed to be part of such an incredible event and to support such impressive athletes!

Blessings

 

It is crazy the materialistic society we live in.  The United States is the richest country in the history of the earth and individually we are very wealthy compared to people in many parts of the world, yet we are often not happy with what we have.  That feeling is exaggerated by the barrage of advertising that promotes materialism. Think about wanting what you already have.  Most of us are truly blessed, no matter what our consumerism society would have us think.  Besides, there is a lot less stress in wanting what you have got than in not having what you want!

 

Count your Blessings, they are right in front of you!

Choices

 

Life is made up of a series of choices. We make choices each day of our life by prioritizing activities and choosing courses of action. It can be frustrating and challenging to make these choices. The alternatives are equally appealing, and the ramifications of the decisions seem so serious. The best we can do at any one point in time is to make a choice with the information and knowledge available to us at that point in time. Consider your alternatives, study your options, seek spiritual guidance, and make an educated decision.  Once a choice has been made, go on down the road of life. There is no value to be gained from beating ourselves up over past choices and decisions that did not work out. Sure, we should learn from past decisions, but there really is no need to re-live poor choices or to constantly second guess ourselves. Learn from those choices and grow. Make the best choice you can with the information available to you at the time.

 

Have a blessed week making choices.

Volume

 

Is it productive for anger and frustration to be expressed through increased volume?  Do strong leaders become loud to convey important facts?  Is yelling truly a better way to communicate urgency?  I suggest that the answer to all these questions is no. 

 

Unfortunately, I do not always live that way.  It is a very human reaction to “get loud” in certain circumstances.  Other than large crowds, great distances, and of course sporting events, what good is loud screaming?  The person you are communicating with was probably hearing you just fine before you got emotional and turned up the volume.  Sure, voice inflection and some degree of volume change can be used in communicating a message, but not out and out yelling.  Communication with excess volume can foster anger and disrespect.  It undermines good leadership, and it can feel demeaning and degrading to the listener.  Consider this the next time you feel the volume increasing for no good reason. 

 

“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success,
his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one
of the beautiful jewels of wisdom” -- James Allen 

Just Do It!

 

Yes, it is the Nike slogan, but it is more than that.  I am a renowned procrastinator, just ask anyone on my team (especially my trusted assistant – it drives her crazy)! This MMM should have run three or four weeks ago. I have been talking about getting back out with my Saturday running group since January. I have plenty of logical arguments (excuses) for my delays...

·         One must be 100% confident in their plan to get started, NOT REALLY!

·         Every possible option must be vetted in order to begin, NOPE!

·         The end result must be clearly visible and virtually assured to start a project, NOT EVEN!

We have all heard the phrase “Analysis Paralysis”. It applies to both decision analysis and implementation analysis. Too much analysis kills decision making and hinders implementation. At some point in the process, it is more important to just get started.

Old Chinese Proverb

-          “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is now.”

You don’t have to know how fast it will grow, what it will look like in ten years, or if it will provide the right amount of shade. You just need to plant the tree today so it can start growing.

Just Do It.

Trying Times (Two Years Later)

 

Last Friday, March 11^th, marked two years from the date the NBA and The Houston Rodeo both shut down.  It was the beginning of a shutdown of businesses across most of the country. A lot has taken place, and a lot has changed since then. Are these still trying times? Sure they are, in some similar ways and some new and different ways. Great leadership is still in high demand and hope is still our focus. Below is the MMM from March 23, 2020.

  

Trying Times

These times will test our souls.  Our faith will be tested, but it will become our rock.  Our resolve will be stretched but it will support us. Our businesses and economy will be damaged, but they will survive.  Our friends and families may be separated, but we will hold them tightly. 

Leaders are purveyors of hope.  Now is the time for us to step up.  Our employees, friends and followers need to see hope in our eyes and positivity in our voices.  It will not be easy.  They need to hear us say the things above.  They need to know there is an end to this and better days will come.  They need to know this is survivable.  It is time to instill hope.  It is time to step up as leaders.  It is time for us to pass the test of leadership.

Let’s do this together. Take one day at a time and lead with hope!   

Kindness

 

 Some great reminders about the importance of the simple art of heartfelt kindness…

 

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

-          Plato

 

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

-          Leo F. Buscaglia

 

"The measure of a truly great man is the courtesy with which he treats lesser men."

-          Anonymous

 

"If you can't feed a hundred people, just feed one.”

-          Mother Teresa