Make History
Bill Johnson says in one of his books (page 180),
Making history is a two-step process:
First, we "make history" by the learning and decisions we make when no one is looking, however...
Second, the history "we make" through others is always dependent on the habits, experiences and integrity we develop on our own and in-private with our mentors.
You are "making history" whether you like it or not.
Many of your employees never forget the positive or negative way you inspired them. Many of the people working at your clients are positively or negatively affected by your interactions and services. Your peers, community, and others are often influenced by your behaviors.
And the way you have changed their behaviors then extends out through these people to thousands of others, which then extends out to....
You are "making history" whether you like it or not. So please consider the three aspects of making history that Bill Johnson suggests are foundational to our outcomes in the MEETING IDEAS below.
Why make less money because you have leadership tendencies instead of GREAT leadership skills, systems and focus?
Your employees "make history" that reflects your leadership.
Here are some ideas to discuss with your leadership team and/or company as a whole to improve your ability to leave a legacy that is consistent with your good intentions.
Habits: I just finished the book The Power of Habit (see below). I strongly recommend it. Our habits control how we spend our time. Bad habits never go away, they're just overpowered by stronger habits that we develop.
I suggest that you evaluate your work habits in three areas:
- Leadership systems: Systems provide consistency, improve performance, and develop trust. If you are not systematic in your leadership then you are costing your firm thousands of dollars, if not millions of dollars, and negatively impacting others too often.
- Time management: The discipline of managing your time affects your ability to achieve your key career objectives. We spent too much time at work not to regularly evaluate and improve the way we manage our schedules.
- Company culture: Your company culture exists whether you focus on it or not. It can be a weed that grows uncontrollably and fools some into thinking it is a flower as it invades and overpowers good parts of your garden. Or it can start as the seed about beautiful flower or strong tree that is intentionally planted, fed, watered, pruned, and encouraged to bring lasting beauty and positive impact to your garden. Your habits determine whether you are growing weeds, or stunning flowers and an awesome forest.
Experiences: Your work as a leader is full of choices. The longer your career and more successful you are, the more choices you have. Choose wisely how you spend your time and who you associate with so that what you learn through your experiences enables your history to more positively impact the lives of people.
Integrity: I suggest integrity is taken for granted too often. Too many people assume they have integrity rather than demonstrate it consistently.
Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) that reminds me of how many people assume their integrity is perfect when it is flawed:
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'..."
If you truly want to be a person of integrity then it is a journey of holding yourself to a standard far above what you demand from others. It is a road of realized mistakes, apologies, redirecting yourself back onto your path, tenacity, and undying hope.
Why? Because making history, maximizing profits, and becoming the best you can be is hard, long work.
MAKE HISTORY!
I look forward to hearing about the wonderful things you are achieving.