Thanks Dad…
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
We all have our mentors... and I must admit I may have more than my share. From advice in business... to raising a family. On issues ranging from finances to health to conflict resolution to sales and marketing. From being a great husband or servant leader... to being a better dad. Some of these coaches and teachers I have sought out... to learn to golf... to improve my public speaking... to fly an airplane. Others... like my dad, were given to me. And that… Read More
Another story or two to make the point. It never ceases to amaze me how often the timing of events just seems to line up perfectly.
Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to witness the effects of leadership, or LACK of LEADERSHIP, in the lives of several "leaders". Yes, it is possible for those in "leadership positions" to possess a LACK of LEADERSHIP. And, as we have discussed previously, it is also possible for those with "leadership ability" to lead in very negative ways. Both of these circumstances tend to NOT END WELL for those who would choose to… 
I got a call from the wife of a friend. It seems he's been spending an inordinate amount of time on the Internet lately... specifically on my website... and she wanted to thank me. Okay... so what's the catch? Well, it started with a simple conversation last Spring. He was having a challenge in his business... clearly a leadership issue... and I had given him some advice and then pointed him in the direction of an article I had written and… 
So, if separating yourself from the crowd is as simple as making promises and then keeping them... a good rule of thumb would be to ONLY make promises you know you can keep! Another way of putting it is the old admonition to "let your 'yes' be 'yes'... and your 'no' be 'no'." Now, I know what you're thinking... this isn't rocket science. And, of course, you're right. But a lot of people mess this up... even those who probably should know better.… 
A week or so ago, my daughter and I were headed out for a walk when she looked at me and said, "Is this the best weather we've ever had in Summer, or what...?" I had to agree. And as I was acknowledging that, "Yes, in fact... I don't EVER remember more pleasant temperatures at the end of August...", it suddenly dawned on me that we were both bundled up in sweatshirts. I guess the reason that she and I like the Summer of 2009 so much is because, well... we… 
"Oh... you're going to miss it..." "I bet you're going to miss it..." "Don't you think you'll miss it?" I cannot count, even using ALL my fingers and toes, the number of times I heard similar sentiments from assorted well-meaning friends and relatives as they first learned of the sale of my business a few years ago. And there was more. I also heard... "Whaddya nuts...!", "How you gonna spend your time...?", and "You're only forty, for Pete's sake...!", though… 
