Power Of Small Things

Don’t be discouraged if it feels like your week or today is not filled with wow moment after wow moment. 

The significance of your leadership impact is built more on the little things that you do consistently day in and day out.

The small things include the way you greet people, the tone of your voice, the smile on your face, and your reaction to adversity to name a few. 

Things like this pour out of who you really are and matter.  Be aware of them and work on them as needed.

All of the little things that are part of your consistent and true character will add up to make you a leader of influence every day.

There is power in the small things. 

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching #bebetter #beblessed

Lessons From Officiating (2)

Yesterday we talked about the lessons learned from how an official shared his knowledge of volleyball officiating with me.

Today, let’s talk about three things I think we can do as receivers of knowledge.

1) Be committed to being better in anything and everything that you do.  Whether it’s your job or a hobby be intentional about being better at it.  How much?  Even just one percent. (See Sept. 21 post)

2) Listen to learn.
Bryant McGill said “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.”

Try not to listen to immediately think of a defensive response.  Listen out of respect, especially those with more knowledge in a subject matter than we have. 

3) Don’t be a fool. 
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn when it is given to you.

I mentioned yesterday that it was nice that I was asked if I wanted his input.  I would have been foolish to say no. 

As you go about your day consider the opportunities and moments you have to get better and step into them.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

Lessons From Officiating (1)

Part of what I decided to do this fall was to help out with an officiating shortage and  officiate volleyball.

The other night I worked with a veteran official who works more college volleyball than high school but was working that night.   He also had been a college volleyball coach for a number of years.

We talked during and after the match and he helped make me better at officiating.  The way he did it was a good lesson for all of us.

Here is how he did it:

1) He asked if he could share some pointers.  I thought that was really thoughtful.  He didn’t push them on me. 

I have experienced the other way too where someone just offers their opinion uninvited and it can lead to a negative experience.

2) He shared in a kind way with compliments. 
He found some positives and then offered some areas to improve on after that.

3) He shared his knowledge. 
He obviously had experience and extensive knowledge with the game of volleyball and shared it with me.

I had already worked with an official this season who had more knowledge than me but didn’t share any of it.  Another lesson perhaps for another day.

This positive lesson happened though because I believe number one and two were done before number three.

I hope this helps you in some small way as you continue to lead and live with those around you.  It did me.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

Take Time To Care

The challenge today is to take time, better yet, make time to care.

We get so busy sometimes that we think we are too busy to take time away to do something that should happen many times daily.

I was reminded of this with my oldest granddaughter when she was four years old or so. 

At least once every time she was around she would leave what she was doing, come find me and say “I just came to give you a hug”.

She would give me a hug, tell me she loved me and then return to the important task of playing.  In fact, she still does this three years later.  (Grandparents understand)

So what’s the lesson for us today? 

Let’s take a moment or two from the important tasks that we are doing to make sure someone knows we care.

Write a quick note of appreciation, pick up the phone for a quick call or text, or have a conversation about something other than work.

Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. People are the main thing.  Let them know they are valued and that you care.

If a four year old can do it so can we.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed