Empathy & Understanding

 

“One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.”

 

-       Charles M. Blow

 

Just think about it…

Work like you are going on vacation tomorrow...

Do you know what I mean?  Seriously, don’t you feel like you get really productive before you leave for vacation?  I try to keep my desk at the office pretty neat, but it is never as neat and clean as it is right before I leave town.  Somehow before a vacation I always find a way to get a lot of work done; I become more productive.  Some people that work for me might tell you that I just delegate better before I leave town, maybe so!

 

I really am more focused and accomplish more before I know I am going to be away from the office.  Why can’t we work like that all the time?  Why can’t we always run our lives the way we do the week before we leave the office, making decisions, cleaning off the desk, returning calls, getting stuff done? 

 

By the way, I leave town tomorrow! My desk is spotless…

Standing Ovation

 

Do you crave recognition and approval from others? Many of us do, and I can relate. However, as leaders, our focus shouldn't be on seeking applause for ourselves. Instead, we should direct the recognition toward our team. Success and achievements are not ours alone to celebrate. Those celebrations are for our teams.

As a breakthrough leader, you should aim for the standing ovation to be for the people you lead.