Obstacles

There will sometimes be obstacles. Obstacles are not distractions.

Obstacles are barriers in the way of the Vision – they impede progress. They are real and cannot be ignored. Obstacles don't just go away with hope. If they cannot be taken down, a detour must be built around them.

Some leaders ignore obstacles, thinking that by pretending an obstruction is really just a distraction, it will somehow magically disappear. They demoralize.

Great leaders:

1. Identify and acknowledge obstacles – they do not ignore them or confuse them with distractions.
   
2. Deliberately and quickly collaborate with the team, developing plans and strategies to effectively deal with them.
   
3. Don't allow obstacles to cause them to lose sight of the Vision.

They energize!

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Obstacles

Distractions

There will always be distractions.

Opportunities, details, problems, crisis, tragedy, can pull our focus and attention from what we should be doing. (Details? Sometimes our focus on the minutiae replaces the purpose for them.)

What should we be doing? Only that which takes us closer to our Vision - our purpose.

Great leaders:

1. Relentlessly ensure that everyone has absolute understanding and clarity of the Vision.
   
2. Put every distraction into proper perspective, and continually refocus and reset energy and efforts back toward the Vision.
   

Some leaders entertain and/or are the creators of distractions. This is why they never become "Great" leaders.

They frustrate.

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Distractions

No Pain – No Gain

The term "no pain – no gain" has often been misunderstood. Positive and beneficial exercise or change (gain) will cause some short term discomfort(pain). If we do not experience the short-term discomfort, it means that we have not pushed ourselves hard enough.

There is a huge difference between this "beneficial short-term discomfort" from profitable change or exertion and the intense throbbing of injury. The pain experienced from a back injury does not bring any gain. Neither does continuing to run with a knee injury.

How do you know if you have made a decision or change that has caused your organization to "jog with a knee brace?" How do you know if it was the wrong decision?

1. The pain doesn't go away
   

The discomfort caused by beneficial change always goes away. The new level that we have pushed ourselves becomes the norm. On occasion, we may push ourselves a little too hard and as a result may take longer to recover, but we do recover.

If the pain never goes away – injury has occurred.

2. Symptoms prevent normal activities
   

Physical injury makes it impossible to carryout normal everyday activities. Business decisions that have caused injury to the business do the same – stop the essential everyday activities. For example: If you can no longer provide the service to your customer that your business was built on – something is seriously wrong.

Pushing through "knee injury pain" (unwise business decisions) is a terrible idea. Don't let pride get in the way.

Knee replacement surgery means it is too late.

Photo by: notcub

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Character

No Pain – No Gain

Joggers with knee braces

I respect people that run (jog) for exercise. It indicates that they are making smart choices in all areas of their life for the benefit their health. What I don't understand is why people run with knee braces on? It's not that I think it looks bad or anything like that, but a knee brace is an indication of an underlying problem – like a knee injury – or more to the point - pain!

Recently, I witnessed a guy running on the grass (people run on the grass to reduce the pain they feel because it is softer and generates less impact than running on concrete), with knee braces on both knees. Our bodies speak to us through pain. We learn this early in life. The child that touches the hot stove instantly learns not to do it again. If I hit myself in the head with a hammer, the pain that I experience makes me question whether I want to try it again. "No pain – no gain" has obviously been misunderstood.

What does this have to with leadership?

Leaders must make decisions that often cause discomfort. Exercise is uncomfortable to our bodies in the same way that change is uncomfortable to our routines and habits. The soreness and pain from change in business and/ or a physical workout goes away in time – it gets easier and easier until it becomes normal. Further challenge repeats the cycle and we continually elevate our capacity.

However, sometimes we make decisions that cause unhealthy pain. The pain experienced by a runner from a damaged knee, will not go away by continuing to run on it. The pain caused to an organization by a hasty, or unwise decision will not go away by continuing to stick with it. Leaders must understand the difference between the beneficial, short-term, discomfort of healthy decisions and the damaging, intensifying pain of unhealthy decisions.

It is never too late to reverse our decision, but it will usually mean that we have to swallow some pride. I.e.: Can't run anymore.

To the runners with the knee braces: There are many other ways to get a good cardiovascular workout that will still allow you to walk after the age of 60.

Photo by: cesareb

Joggers with knee braces

Privileges

I notice a woman park in a handicap parking spot with a vehicle that has a legitimate handicap parking tag as well as wheelchair lift apparatus. I watch as she walks into the store and realize that she is clearly not physically handicapped.

Just because you can - doesn't mean you should.

When leaders abuse privileges, what message is sent to the rest of the organization? Using company assets, resources or time for personal non-business purposes gives licence for anyone else to do the same. Respect is earned; it is not part of a benefit package that comes with title. Acting with integrity – even when you think no one is watching – will earn respect.

That means: always do the right thing.

If you are the leader – you are the standard – you set the example.

Everyone is a leader, is some way, in some forum.

Privileges

Great Leaders

I am currently in the midst of a career transition.

Many people have stepped out to help me during this transition in various ways. Friends, family, colleagues – some people that I have not spoken to in years – and even some that I have just met.

If you have ever been unemployed, you understand how much it means to have people on your side – doing what they can to help.

Great leaders understand that: the more people they can help - push up - the more successful they themselves become. They find fulfillment in helping and investing in others and there are no dividing lines between their personal and professional life when it comes to relationships. I am grateful that so many have crossed my path.

If you know someone that is in between jobs, careers or vocations, help them out. Introduce them to someone in your network, refer them to a potential employer – forward their resume, or just take them for coffee and listen to them.

Your acts of kindness will never be forgotten.

Great Leaders care about other people.

Photo by: FotoFling Scotland

Great Leaders

Don’t let your lunch get stolen

I suggested to my wife that we should check out "mail order DVD rental." "Oh yes, we have a free night so let's go rent a movie - to watch . . . in three days," was her sarcastic response. Hmmm, I guess that's out – at least for us anyway.

She had a good point. I don't think watching a movie is something that most people generally plan in advance. Most (mail order rental schemes) do have streaming options but my TV is nowhere near my PC and curling up in front of the computer monitor with a bowl of popcorn is not very appealing.

There is no dispute that many are using this system, but why? Could it be that it is currently a better alternative?

The convenience of brick and mortar DVD rental outlets is still a big advantage, but they do still need to compete in every other area.

How?

• Instead of punishing those who return late with extra fees, reward those who return early.
  
• Simplify checkout – set up on-line reservation so that I know the movie I want is there and waiting for me.
  
• Drive through return drop off (pick up) so that I don't have to burn extra calories getting out of my car.
  

Why not just ask the customer – they will tell you.

Or . . . just keep trying to copy the new competition – but Red Box (not yet in Canada – see photo), is going to be a real problem.

Sometimes leaders that once exercised compelling vision become complacent. They get comfortable with success – lose their edge. This allows others to "eat their lunch and pop the bag!"

RedBox DVD rental - At McDonalds, 50 miles east of Houston on I-10. Photo by Adam Melancon

Don’t let your lunch get stolen