A leadership requirement...

Let’s just put it out there right away so there is no need to read any further unless you want to. In a Harvard Business Review article by John Coleman entitled For Those Of You Who Want To Lead, Read he writes:

But deep, broad reading habits are often a defining characteristic of our greatest leaders and can catalyze insight, innovation, empathy, and personal effectiveness.

So there you have it; for anyone who fancies themselves a leader it may be worth counting the books on your night table — at the very least it’s some quantitative data you can work with.

And if you need further proof, in the book STILLNESS IS THE KEY (which I’m reading for the second time) Ryan Holiday offers a perspective on the subject:

Tolstoy expressed his exasperation at people who didn’t read deeply and regularly. “I cannot understand,” he said, “how some people can live without communicating with the wisest people who ever lived on the earth.” There is another line, now cliché, that is even more cutting. People who don’t read have no advantage over those who cannot read.


I hated to read until two things happened; I started wearing glasses and had an inspirational grade eight teacher. I’m not a particularly fast reader, I like to savour every word, and over the years, I’ve collected my fair share of books — sometimes I would have two or three books on the go so ownership became less costly than borrowing from the local library. As I read and collected there was a point where I got it in my head it was nicer to have my books stacked then on a shelf; be it stacked on my night table or stacked on the floor. It was my very own literary art. Most of the books I’ve read (if only just in part), and for those I haven’t started yet, the book is on the go — I ‘m just on page one.

I can’t say my eclectic stacks of books make me a good leader, but rather, something I am working on.

iamgpe

PS — As for this stack of books I can only say I’m not sure why I got it in my head to take a course on Statistical Techniques; The SILK ROADS: A NEW HISTORY OF THE WORLD offers a fresh perspective on how we got to where we are; although 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is still on the go, I definitely need to check to see if there is any insights into dealing with pandemics. And it goes without saying that Dilbert is simply a must.

Where I am...

This is not meant to be a philosophical reflection or a confession of any sort but simply an observation on something relevant to anything you may want to accomplish.

“Where I was, where I am, and where I will be”

Words that wandered into my head a couple of days ago almost as a mantra, and have stuck with me ever since. I don’t think they will shake loose until I’ve made my peace.

These words start in the present and draw a line in the sand; a benchmark from which to reflect, as well as look forward to the possibilities. A benchmark forever shifting — Tick tock, tick tock. This does not necessarily indicate progression but simply movement. A movement of time and the movement of activity, where time is the only constant and the activity is ever dynamic. Taking you from there to here and ultimately from here to there. Tick tock, tick tock.

This movement can be progress and these humble words offer an important signpost to reflect, evaluate, course correct and continue the journey; a journey that is never linear because straight lines are a human invention. A journey that takes you ever closer to that mountain you want to climb, and that’s what’s important. Remember though, it has to be your mountain because a journey to climb someone else’s mountain is a fool’s errand which has you forever asking, “Where am I?” Tick Tock, tick tock.

There is a truth that needs to be accepted, not in these words per se, but in how you look at where you stand and at that footsteps that mark the sand. A false view gets you lost with nothing but wasted time for your efforts. Tick tock, tick tock.

This hasn’t shaken out the way I thought I will admit.

I thought maybe this would meander to a commentary advocating good plans and maps to your find your way but that’s not where I found myself. Warren Buffet, a man who admittedly is wealthy enough to buy more or less anything says the one think he cannot buy is time. It is finite, constant, and the same for everyone.

So in the end, it turns out the words “where I was, where I am, and where I will be” are a reminder to stop dicking around and get to it because there is only so much time.

Tick tock, tick tock.

iamgpe

Moments — "Preparedness in life or the lack there of..."

It’s not that I ever really run out of ideas for blog topics but sometimes what I have in the proverbial “hopper” seem a little stale so every so often I fish for ideas, and the waters are always plentiful.

And on my hook this time… “Preparedness in life or the lack there of…”

Something born out of Covid 19 I suspect, and most likely a reflection of dealing with what we like to affectionately call the new normal, or in other words trying to understand a deadly new virus while dealing with interrupted employment, children at home, operating in isolation, having your support groups operate from a distance, and only just now, not having to worry about a reliable toilet paper supply chain.

These seven words make for a huge topic, and where to start? Are we talking about building good foundations, or managing through crisis, or dealing with change and adaption, or dealing with emotion, or simply all of it? In situations like this, when the topic is huge, I always go to my “sayings” file and see what I’ve squirrelled away for motivation.

And the waters are always plentiful when it comes to pithy sayings.

Like this one for example:

Next time you’re stressed, take a step back, inhale and laugh. Remember who you are and why you are here. You’re never given anything in this would that you can’t handle. Be strong, be flexible. love yourself and love others. Always remember — Just Keep Moving Forward. (Unknown)

And this one

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you have lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. (Asha Tyson)

I suppose Life is an odyssey we are never totally prepared for and we need to confront situations that come our way with a knowing and a confidence that we can work through whatever is in front of us. Strength, flexibility, determination and kindness are our guides, and we are greater for it.

There you have it.

Pithy quotes are the answer to almost everything.

iamgpe

PS — Someone really did send me this blog suggestion, and I am thankful for it because I really needed some pithy quotes right about now.