Leadership Lessons Learned

Rapture has many definitions and meanings.  Lyrics above from the song of that name by Blondie (1981) debated as perhaps being the first rap video shown on MTV.  Rapture also has significant biblical and religious symbolism.  It is also found in Bioshock as the name of an underwater city in the north Atlantic Ocean.  While in “raptor” might well be depicted by the situation my lovely partner looks to have placed herself in the picture, in “rapture” has the primary definition of feeling intense pleasure or joy.

Personally, I find myself in rapture while learning.  Prior to a surgical procedure the other day I was unable to answer the question about how I learn best and contemplated it while drifting off and again upon awakening.  Stepping back from formality of visual, auditory and kinesthetic and using layman language, I probably learn best from doing, from watching, from practicing, and from reading.  Reading a lot lately about leadership and leaders and trying to balance with my own experiences being led or trying to lead.  A thank you to examples from afar such as Karen Lynch (CVS) and Mary Barra (GM), but also thanks to those I have been schooled by as they had the joy of being my “manager” (17!) in different capacities up ‘til now:  Phil Collins, Kathleen Stevens, Scott Ireland, Marcella Fulmer, Mary Margaret Lee, Gail Vogt, Karen Simonenko, Rich Parker, Sally Waite, Pat Fox, Jeff Blanchard, Andy Treanor, Tom Butts, Jeff Kao, Burt Willey, Jim Crook, & Rich Tarrant.  Perhaps even weightier thanks to the literally thousands that have been my peers, colleagues, customers, partners, and teachers, when I was granted the privilege of being paired with all of you, or truly ironically listed on paper as your “leader”, despite us all knowing who was leading who!  With that thank you for now, and while opening back up Kent Coleman’s “It’s Not About The Mangos:  Organizational Success Means PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST” to learn more about leadership, in an ode to passing things along, here’s a few bumper stickers of mine with leadership lessons to try or apply:

Enable instead of Label.  Even labelling something great can be limiting.  Labelling in any negative way is beyond gating.  Seek ways to inspire to aspire. Teach the person to fish.

“A” versus “The”.  There is no singular way or reason as cause for either good or bad.  Never believe something is “The” way.  If it is simply “A” way, then you will seek greater understanding, causation, and improvement.

Choose fidget over widget.  Process and tools are necessary, but coloring outside of the lines leads to innovation.  Don’t get boxed in, and realize foot twitchers in chairs might be itching to rise and shine.

We did, I didn’t.  If positive or accomplished, “WE” did it.  If not so it was because of what “I” didn’t do.  Winning starts with a W just like We.  Introspection starts with an I.  Remember that always.

Yoda was wrong.  There is not only do.  There is absolutely a try.  Never underestimate what trying can in fact do, even if what is tried doesn’t get something done.

One syllable instead of six.  Change has one syllable, transmogrification has six.  Interestingly enough, changed still has only one syllable.  Keep it simple and understandable to all, and things get done.

Okay to be hangry, don’t be angry.  Hunger can propel you.  Anger is directional and toxic.

Shania Twain was right.  Don’t impress me with what you know, what you have or what you do.  Impress me with who you are and how you treat others.

Some botanical fruits are culinary vegetables.  Be adaptable and appropriate for the time and place just like tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash.  Full circle, being flexible enables versus labels.

I’m hopeful something in this feeds your yearning for learning.  As always, let’s learn as we lead and lead while we learn.  #leadership #itmatters