This Week in Leadership
The Friday Five - Issue 14
Helping leaders maximize their potential
Terry Wetzel ~ Summit Leadership Development
Before We Begin
A quick note before we dive in: Thank you for being here. In a world competing for every second of your attention, I don't take your presence for granted. My goal each week is simple—to ensure that the few minutes you spend with these ideas are some of the most useful minutes of your day.
No, No, No.
In the world of leadership, the word "No" is not a rejection; it is a boundary that protects excellence. Every time a leader says "Yes" to a low-value meeting, a trivial commitment, or a social obligation that drains their battery, they are indirectly saying "No" to the high-impact work and the people who truly need their presence.
The Decision Itself or How It Was Communicated?
Getting resistance from your team or colleagues on a decision you made? Do some reflecting about how you communicated the decision. Was it too much of a surprise? Were your words poorly chosen? Did you communicate the “why” and were the reasons for the decision crystal clear?
Collective Pride
Does your team feel a sense of collective pride? It isn't just a "good feeling"—it is a shared belief in the team’s high standards. It’s the difference between a group of people who just work together and a team that cares about each other and the work. When people feel collective pride, they aren't just managing their time; they are managing their contribution to something larger than themselves. The goal isn't to make people work more; it's to make the work worth their precious time. If you are a leader, how are you contributing to this feeling?
The Problem is Not The Problem
I heard this recently (apparently Captain Jack Sparrow said it) and reflected on just how correct it is. The problem is rarely, if ever, the problem itself. It is how we think about the problem. Our mindset. It is futile to fight the problem but instead we have to find a way to work with it, around it, through it. A dance, not a fight. Think of a problem at work and find a way to shift your mindset in order to solve it.
What Are You Known For?
In your professional life, being known for your consistency is something to strive for. Being seen as the person with a cool head and steady demeanor who gets s*it done is very valuable. There are times for intensity, but over the long run consistency is what you should aim for. Ask yourself sincerely, “what am I known for at work?”
Quote of the Week
“Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part” — Unknown
Book of the Week
I read this book a few years ago but recently picked it up again. It is different than the typical business or self-development book in that it chronicles the young author’s journey interviewing the world’s most successful people (Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, etc.) to figure out how they launched their careers. It is not so much about the interviews themselves, but the process he used to get the interviews. I found it motivating and it presented lessons in discipline and resilience as well as new ways to think about perceived roadblocks in our lives.
That’s it for this week
Be epic, not average. The world has enough average.
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