Category Archives: Leadership

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

Posted on by

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

—Thomas Morell, English librettist and scholar

522

Image from Flicker by svenlohmeyer

Organizations often engage coaches to support the growth and development of their key people. They see these engagements as investments that can pay huge dividends as they create a culture of coaching.

Of paramount importance to these efforts is the fact that these key leaders and managers are setting an example for their teams, by demonstrating their own coachability and openness to change.

Exercise:

Who in your personal or professional life sets a great example for you to follow?

What can you do to set an even better example for others in your life?

From Robin S. Sharma, author and leadership expert

Posted on by

“The Universe favors the brave. When you resolve to lift your life to its highest level, the strength of your soul will guide you to a magical place with magnificent treasures.”

– Robin S. Sharma, author and leadership expert

Over the years I have read a number of Robin Sharma’s books, including The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, from which this quote was taken.

I fully believe that life itself is a miracle and we as humans have the capacity to manifest our own miracles, to guide ourselves and others to magical places with magnificent treasures.

Exercise:

Consider picking up a copy of Robin’s books. Two of his early works are The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Saint, The Surfer And The CEO. A newer one is The Leader Who Had No Title.

Consider subscribing to his blog for future booster-shots of his thinking and perspective at www.robinsharma.com/blog.

Quote From Playwright George Bernard Shaw

Posted on by

“Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

– George Bernard Shaw, playwright

How often do you find yourself leaping out of bed, looking forward to each day?

How much do you love your work?

How extraordinary are your personal and professional relationships?

How much adventure and excitement have you experienced recently?

Exercise:

What adjustments and enhancements can you make today in order to set an example of a life burning brightly for others?

#46: “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them…”

Posted on by

“… Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But with the best leaders, when the work is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done this ourselves.’ ”

– Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism

I have been a student of leadership for most of my adult life. I’ve always been fascinated by how leaders generate buy-in, alignment, loyalty, and shared vision. Lao Tzu’s quote points to a critical characteristic about leadership: people are most likely to buy-in when they have been actively involved in the creative process.

When people see their own ideas and fingerprints on the work, they have a sense of ownership that feels true and genuine.

Exercise:

Where in your work, family, and community can you draw on others to create the futures you desire? As long as you get there, who cares who gets the credit?

Quotes are posted on The Quotable Coach a week after being sent out by email. To get the latest quotes straight to your inbox, pop your details in the sidebar to the right.

You can’t help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.

Posted on by

“You can’t help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.”

– H. Norman Schwarzkopf, US Army General

Image of a team of mountain climbers

Image from Unsplash by Diogo Tavares

When I was a young boy, my mother would always tell my sister to take me with her. I liked being with the big kids, and I really liked feeling included.

Today, I focus much of my life on helping others grow both professional and personally. Through this process, I’ve had the great fortune of meeting many wonderful people, and have gained much satisfaction through my efforts. I also found that I too got “closer to the top” in the priority areas of my own life.

Exercise:

Where could you advise, mentor, or coach others in your life?

How can you expect to benefit through your generosity and care?