Leaders Can Be A Blessing
In our work and life there are many reasons for us to feel like the world is against us which makes it difficult to be the blessing others need.
We may not be treated with the respect we deserve, our leaders may not reward our contributions the way we would like, and some trusted colleagues may choose to compete rather than collaborate. We don’t get to decide what others choose to do.
But that is not the end of our story. . .
We are not powerless
As people who are committed to becoming the leaders others want to follow, we realize that while we cannot control the circumstances of life, the power we possess is in our response. Mother Theresa wrote it well in one of my favorite poems, Do it Anyway.
Do it anyway
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
What can you do?
Being successful starts with the attitude we bring as we face each day. How much better the world would be if we awoke with a thought that focuses our attention away from ourselves?
Actions to consider:
Write a note to a person that you admire encouraging them for the work they do
Do something today that improves the day of a co-worker (something you don’t have to do)
Encourage someone to do the right thing
One book that can help you build a healthy culture at your workplace is All In. It really helped me think about how to bring the change people wanted to see.