Day 315 - Attitude Adjustments

"I pulled him aside for a while so that both our attitudes could improve."

The day was dragging on. We were going from store to store and my eyes had glazed over. My strength was sapped like Superman next to Kryptonite. I noticed one of my sons unraveling. His actions and words were getting louder. 

What I didn't see was the person he was taking his cues from...me. 

We often don't see ourselves until someone points it out. They may tell us what we are doing but most of the time they won't say a word. We see it in their eyes. We hear it in their responses. I saw it in my son that day. 

Have you ever had one of those moments when you realize you were wrong or that what you thought was appropriate was out of control? How did you realize that? Most likely it was during or after the fact when someone told you a different perspective than your own. 

Look for the signs and see it in their non-verbal communication. Be open to change and ask how people see you. Get ready to hear things you don't like. If they love you then they will tell you the truth but they will also help you to change. It helps to have someone to hold you accountable. 

That day my son and I sat for a while and we went back together with better attitudes. 

How do you see yourself in others reactions? How do you change for the better when you see these things? 

Day 85 - Leaders Lead

"Leaders have to lead and often that means thinking for others, giving clear direction and then following up to make sure that they do it. Then along the way you have to deal with personalities. It is not easy."

I smile when I read this thought from last year. As a leader this is what I live every day. First, I have to lead myself. I have to know a clear direction and keep after it. I have to be accountable as a leader and also have to know my personality. I have to know when to say when and when to not make a decision because of my own personality conflicts. Leaders aren't perfect. We have to have people in our lives who will tell us the truth and who can tell us things that are hard to hear. My wife is great in this area. 

Once you have yourself in line then you can start getting others to follow. You have to give them clear direction and follow up with them. Don't expect people to read your mind or understand your vision after one conversation. Especially if your vision came from long hours of thought, prayer, study and dreaming. If it took you a long time to get the vision it may take more time for others to get it. 

Then comes the personalities. If you can be tactful and diplomatic when it comes to other people's personalities you can thrive as a leader. Many times conflicts don't come from problems in operation or finance. Most of the time I find that the conflict comes from personalities. Managing personalities takes care and sincere love. People want to know that you are sincere and really care about their problem. 

I finished my thought from last year by saying it is not easy. It really isn't...but it is rewarding. If you can lead yourself and lead others effectively then when the vision is accomplished everyone wins together. The reward is unity and productivity. 

How do you lead yourself? How do you handle others personalities with love?