Three Minute Leadership - Ownership's Gifts

by Michael M. Reuter on 7/25/2010

To:  The Great leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

 

John Maxwell in his book, Be All That You Can Be, tells a simple story that demonstrates the impact ownership has on our perception.

 

“I remember that when I was a little kid, my grandfather often walked me around his farm.  As he walked and looked, he would find uniqueness and beauty in things I wouldn’t have looked at twice.  He would see great potential in a fun-down shack on a back lot;  I would see kindling.  He would show me a rusty, old tractor and see a machine with possibilities;  I would see a piece of rust-covered junk.  Why?  How could we look at different objects and see different things?  He owned them and I didn’t.”

 

This wonderful story teaches the power of ownership, be it the ownership of an idea or a material object.  Ownership influences and changes our view of our world.  It brings with it a sense of commitment, or “pride” and “investment” as  Maxwell writes.  Ownership opens our eyes to potential and possibilities that others may not see.  It may also reveal frailties and opportunities or points for new possibilities. 

 

If you want to change the world, take ownership of whatever it is that will enable you to do it.  Once you do that, your eyes will be opened to its infinite possibilities.  If you want to succeed in something, as the expression goes, you need to make it your own.  Then when you do, turn it upside-down and inside-out. Find and see what no one else see.  Be a Michelangelo;  find your David in the stone.  And have fun doing it.

 

Have a beautiful day and a fantastic week!!!

 

Mike

Three Minute Leadership: Are You an Elite?

by Michael M. Reuter on 7/18/2010

To:  The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

 

In a recent article Seth Godin poses an interesting question:  Are you an elite?  The traditional perspective of an ‘elite’ in our world is someone who has wealth and/or an advanced education.  He argues, however, that the definition is changing, and it is something more… much more.

 

"In more and more societies, though (including my country and probably yours), I'd argue that there's a different dividing line. This is the line between people who are actively engaged in new ideas, actively seeking out change, actively engaging--and people who accept what's given and slog along. It starts in school, of course, and then the difference accelerates as we get older. Some people make the effort to encounter new challenges or to grapple with things they disagree with. They seek out new people and new opportunities and relish the discomfort that comes from being challenged to grow (and challenging others to do the same)."

 

The message is simple:  continuous learning, stretching ourselves and taking on new challenges, engaging people to see different perspectives.  A very dear friend captures this beautifully in his words:  "Your life will be Beta."  When we adopt this as our mindset, our approaches to whatever we undertake change.  Our world opens to infinite possibilities and incredible excitement.  Go beyond the elite that you already are.  Live your life as beta – one filled with insatiable curiosity, exciting explorations and a passionate love of life and all that it offers.  And have fun doing it!

 

Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!

 

Mike

Three Minute Leadership: About the Learnings All Around Us

by Michael M. Reuter on 7/11/2010

To: The Great leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

Many of life’s greatest learnings come to us through simple stories that demonstrate a lesson. The following story is about a problem presented to job applicants. The purpose is to understand how they would handle a decision when presented with a moral/ethical dilemma. Here was the problem:

You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus. Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Among the alternatives that could be considered are: You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first. Or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

The story goes on to say that the candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. He simply answered: “I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.” The point of the story is: "Never forget to 'think outside of the box.' We sometimes gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations." Yet there is more. We see in the response a person’s values. In this case we see his values of 'win-win' and a selfless servant leadership to people. We see a holistic mindset that looks at a bigger picture. We hear the words of someone who has a passion for the richness of life.

A key take-away is that every situation can be viewed in multiple dimensions, and seen through different lenses thereby providing us with great learning opportunities. The story teaches us that life is about always asking: “What else is there? What other dots can be connected in this example or event? What is the bigger picture in terms of a great goal or vision.” We learn that when we look for solutions, it is beyond thinking solely outside-of-the-box. It is also thinking within and around the box. It’s about living and seeing life in its fullest richness that at end of days we can speak the words from Erma Bombeck, newspaper columnist: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.” Use up all your talent…and have fun doing it!

Have a beautiful day and an incredible week!!!

Mike

Three Minute Leadership: Daring the Impossible

by Michael M. Reuter on 7/4/2010

To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

In his book, The Difference Maker, John Maxwell speaks about the importance of a positive attitude: “You are not what you think you are, but what you think… you are.” There is a world of possibilities that challenge great leaders every day. Each moment presents an opportunity to do the seemingly impossible, to dare to do something different, to do something more to stretch and grow their limits beyond what they know. Maxwell shares an Adidas ad that captures this thought with electricity and excitement:

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

There is a caution, however - attitude alone will not ensure success. There is another component, competence: “If you think you can do something, that’s confidence. If you can do something, that’s competence. Both are needed for success.” Live life to its fullest. Think great thoughts! Dream colossal dreams! Acquire the skills, knowledge and competencies needed to fulfill those dreams. And be more that you ever dreamed you could be. Borrowing from a Nike ad: “Just do it!.”

Have a beautiful day and a fantastic week!!!

Mike

Three Minute Leadership: "Some Of Us Are Going to Do Something About It"

by Michael M. Reuter on 6/27/2010

 

To:  The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

In Madeleine Albright 's, 2007 Commencement Speech at the University of North Carolina, her message to the graduating class of future leaders was:  “You have work to do.”  She shared with them an inspirational story of Tom Burnett, a passenger on Flight 93 that went down in Pennsylvania of September 11, 2001.  In his final call to his wife from the plane he said: “I know we are going to die. But some of us are going to do something about it.”   About his heroism, she says:

 "'I know we are going to die,' is a wholly unremarkable statement. Every of us this morning could say the same.  It is Burnett's next words that were both matter-of-fact and electrifying.  'Some of us are going to do something about it.'"

It is in these words, she believes, exists the fundamental challenge of life.  “We are all mortal.  What divides us is the use we make of the time and opportunities we have.”  We all have the same twenty-four hours of each day.  We all have our own unique talents, skills and knowledge that wait to be stretched and some to be found. It is our magnificent moment of growth each day to take the challenges that life offers, to make use of the opportunities we have and not miss one of them. 

Be one of the great and exciting people who leaves a footprint in the world each day, because you make a personal choice "to do something about it."

Have a beautiful day and fantastic week!!!

Mike

 

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