4 Questions When Seeking Clarity

4 Questions When Seeking Clarity

Leaders with clarity are like the Loch Ness Monster. Even when you see one, you’re not sure they’re real.

Confusion is good when you stop and reflect. Confusion is dangerous when you put your head down and pedal harder.

Image of the Loch Ness Monster. Leaders with clarity are like the Loch Ness Monster. Even when you see one, you're not sure it's real.Image of the Loch Ness Monster. Leaders with clarity are like the Loch Ness Monster. Even when you see one, you're not sure it's real.

The wrong question:

“What should I do?” is the wrong first question. There are a million things you could do. Five hundred thousand are perfectly acceptable.

You amplify confusion when you multiply options.

The first question to clarity is about identity, not options.

Before you ask, “What should I do?” ask, “Who am I?” Who you are informs what you do. Identity determines function.

“Leadership is a matter of how to be, not how to do.” Frances Hesselbein

You can’t do the ‘right’ thing until you know who you are. I’m not talking about morals. I’m talking about what’s right for you.

4 questions:

#1. Who do you aspire to become?

Take the ‘who am I’ question to the next level. Who do you aspire to become? Reflect on how you want to contribute to the world. What will be true of the world if you achieve your aspirations?

Don’t focus on organizations and bank accounts. Focus on people. How will the world be better if you achieve your aspirations?

Image of a young woman reaching forward. When you forget who you are, you define yourself by your circumstances.Image of a young woman reaching forward. When you forget who you are, you define yourself by your circumstances.

#2. What do you love?

I met a leader yesterday who has loved the weather since he was seven. He works for NOAA. He said, “I can’t believe I get to do this every day.” He’s probably related to the Loch Ness Monster.

#3. What are your talents?

You were born with aptitudes and inclinations. Don’t get into needlework if you hate details.

#4. What opportunities are available?

Clarity comes as you step forward. Don’t wait for perfect opportunities.

Clarity is saying ‘yes’ to a few things and ‘no’ to a million good things.

How might people find clarity in a confusing world?

Image source: File:Loch Ness Monster.jpg

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How to Live Your Purpose in Three Steps

How to Live Your Purpose in Three Steps

New Book Giveaway!

20 copies available!!

Leave a comment on this guest post by John Stanko and Jim Dittmar to become eligible for one of 20 complimentary copies of their new book, “The LEADERS Model: Essential Practices for Today’s Leaders.”

Deadline for eligibility is 2/19/2022. International winners will receive electronic version.

Image of a ship heading out to sea. A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.Image of a ship heading out to sea. A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

We love to talk about purpose. We buy books about it. We listen to others talk about it.

The problem is: We don’t believe it’s possible.

Oh, there are a rare few who seem to soar into the purpose stratosphere where the view is breathtaking and the returns rewarding. But that’s them, and this is me.

Where is me? Me is in the reality that there are bills to pay, kids to raise, corporate ladders to climb, and dirty jobs to do (right, Mike Rowe?).

Attainable or fairytale: 

Our parents told us, “Adults all have to do things they don’t like. Grow up! It’s part of coming of age.” I had a man call me for coaching once who loved acting and hated accounting, which he was doing at the time. He had made a life decision and wanted to run it by me for my feedback. His decision: He was going back to school to get a master’s in accounting! He believed purpose was a fairytale.

Purpose is real and achievable for everyone.

 How to live your purpose in three steps:

  1. Know your purpose. Please, no flowery, “I exist to care for the planet and help people.” That’s not a purpose; that’s a fairy tale.
  2. Do things that connect to your purpose every day. Do that for enough days and the way to purposeful living will “magically” emerge. The path emerges as you move forward.
  3. Stop talking yourself into “responsible living” and start talking yourself into meaningful work that gives you a chance to do what you love as often as possible.

 Purpose is a fantasy only for those who think it is.

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” John A Shedd

What prevents people from living their purpose?

What suggestions might you add for living your purpose?
John W. Stanko is the founder of Urban Press, a publishing service designed to tell stories of the city, from the city and to the city. John is the author of 50 books, including The LEADERS Model: Essential Practices for Today’s Leaders, which he co-authored with Jim Dittmar, the founder, president, and CEO of 3Rivers Leadership Institute.

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Michael Hyatt & Company Has a New Name!

Michael Hyatt & Company Has a New Name! – Michael and Megan ]]> {{ data.post_title }} {{{ data._highlightResult.post_title.value }}} {{{ data._snippetResult[‘content’].value }}} ]]> {{{ data._highlightResult.name.value }}} ]]> {{ data.display_name }} {{{ data._highlightResult.display_name.value }}} ]]> ‘).replace(/__/ais-highlight__/g, ”); } for (var key in hit._snippetResult) { /* We do not deal with arrays. */ if (typeof hit._snippetResult[key].value !== ‘string’) { continue; } hit._snippetResult[key].value = _.escape(hit._snippetResult[key].value); hit._snippetResult[key].value = hit._snippetResult[key].value.replace(/__ais-highlight__/g, ‘‘).replace(/__/ais-highlight__/g, ”); } return suggestion_template(hit); } } }); }); /* Setup dropdown menus */ jQuery(algolia.autocomplete.input_selector).each(function (i) { var $searchInput = jQuery(this); var config = { debug: algolia.debug, hint: false, openOnFocus: true, appendTo: ‘body’, templates: { empty: wp.template(‘autocomplete-empty’) } }; if (algolia.powered_by_enabled) { config.templates.footer = wp.template(‘autocomplete-footer’); } /* Instantiate autocomplete.js */ var autocomplete = algoliaAutocomplete($searchInput[0], config, sources) .on(‘autocomplete:selected’, function (e, suggestion) { /* Redirect the user when we detect a suggestion selection. */ window.location.href = suggestion.permalink; }); /* Force the dropdown to be re-drawn on scroll to handle fixed containers. */ jQuery(window).scroll(function() { if(autocomplete.autocomplete.getWrapper().style.display === “block”) { autocomplete.autocomplete.close(); autocomplete.autocomplete.open(); } }); }); jQuery(document).on(“click”, “.algolia-powered-by-link”, function (e) { e.preventDefault(); window.location = “https://www.algolia.com/?utm_source=WordPress&utm_medium=extension&utm_content=” + window.location.hostname + “&utm_campaign=poweredby”; }); }); ]]>

Two Seductions that Stunt Growth

Two Seductions that Stunt Growth

Talent provides advantage, but growth multiplies possibility.

You’re a runt when you squander growth opportunities. People might think you’re cute but neglecting growth insults talent.

You are responsible for your development. No one grows for you.

Image of a happy duckling. You're always less than you will be when you're learning and growing.Image of a happy duckling. You're always less than you will be when you're learning and growing.

Two seductions that stunt growth.

#1. Expecting others to help you grow.

Growth always includes others, a boss, teacher, coach, or mentor for example, but don’t expect others to help you grow. Your growth is your responsibility.

Others help, but no one grows for you.

It’s tempting to blame others for holding you back, a lousy boss for example. Others impact your trajectory, but you control the rudder.

A lousy boss is a source of opportunity for a person committed to maximize their potential. Stagnation is your choice.

A lousy boss fuels growth when you become the boss you wish you had.

Image of a toddler clapping and smiling. Others often notice your growth before you.Image of a toddler clapping and smiling. Others often notice your growth before you.

#2. Misunderstanding the growth process.

Growth is often shy.

Personal growth is like growing a garden. One day the seed breaks through; but change was happening all the time. You didn’t see it.

You notice change after it happens, not while it happens.

Others often notice your growth before you.

Explosive development is often followed by a season of quiet. The time after explosive growth might feel depressing. Sometimes you drift toward old habits.

The process of maximizing your talent is like a teetertotter. Sometimes you launch upward. Often you ratchet upward while you go up and down.

Four growth tips:

  1. Learn enough to teach others.
  2. Lean into challenge.
  3. Lower your expectations. Perfectionists fear falling short.
  4. Leverage the dark side. Adversity, disappointment, and frustration are growth opportunities.

You’re always less than you will be when you’re learning and growing.

Are you a growth leader? The seven beliefs and behaviors that growth leaders share

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7 Ways to Succeed at Forgetting

7 Ways to Succeed at Forgetting

Your inner critic helps you remember pain and disappointment.

Negative memories rain like rocks. Botched projects increase anxiety. Bungled relationships motivate isolation. Anxiety and isolation limit your life.

Research says you remember bad experiences with greater frequency, detail, and intensity than good.

Every manager I know wrestles with an annoying inner critic.

Forget about silencing your inner critic.

Image of an elephant forgetting. Everyone wants to strengthen memory, but sometimes it's better to succeed at forgetting.Image of an elephant forgetting. Everyone wants to strengthen memory, but sometimes it's better to succeed at forgetting.

Everyone wants to strengthen memory, but sometimes it’s better to succeed at forgetting.

7 ways to succeed at forgetting:

Don’t give pain and disappointment permission to govern the present. When pain and disappointment rule, the future hides behind the horizon.

The past is an anchor when it’s the reason you don’t reach for the future.

You can’t erase memory. You always remember painful experiences, disappointments, and failures.

Forgetting is choosing to act without pain and disappointment in mind. Remembering is choosing to act WITH vision and opportunity in mind.

You don’t forget by trying to forget. You succeed at forgetting by acting with the future in mind.

Image of elephants walking toward the sun.Image of elephants walking toward the sun.

Dwelling on a painful past turns you into a ‘don’t want’ person. You don’t want painful experiences coming back. If you want to succeed, be a ‘do want’ person.

Aspiration finds fulfillment in a forward-facing life.

7 ways to succeed at forgetting:

  1. Forget failure. Remember lessons.
  2. Forget disappointment. Remember what you saw in yourself.
  3. Forget pain. Remember people that enabled your growth.
  4. Forget the mess. Remember the reward.
  5. Forget things that weakened you. Remember that you’re stronger today.
  6. Forget jerk-holes that threw barriers. Remember people who provided opportunity. It’s self-destructive to live with detractors and haters in mind.
  7. Forget doubt. Remember things that strengthen belief. Remember times you overcame adversity instead of times you threw in the towel.

People are miserable because their body is in the present, but their mind grovels in the past.

What’s important to remember when you’re trying to forget?

What will you choose to remember today? (Remembering is acting with something in mind. It’s not simply recall.)

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Michael Hyatt & Company Changing Name to Full Focus

FRANKLIN, TN—Performance-coaching firm Michael Hyatt & Company has rebranded and updated its name to Full Focus, effective today. Founded in 2011 by Michael Hyatt, the company is a leader in performance coaching for leaders, corporate training, and productivity tools, including the bestselling Full Focus Planner.

Highly respected in the business community and a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestselling author, Michael Hyatt decided that removing his name was the best long-term choice for the company.

“The company has grown beyond my name,” says Michael Hyatt. “I’m proud of where we’ve been and excited about where we’re headed. With our commitment to continuous growth, this is the natural next step to even greater company success.”

Other than updated branding and a redesigned website, products and services will remain the same under Full Focus.

President and CEO Megan Hyatt Miller says of the change, “As Full Focus, we’re putting a stake in the ground for the future of our company and our customers, so that decades from now, we will still be providing high-performance solutions for individuals and organizations.”

About Full Focus: Full Focus is a performance-coaching company helping high-achieving leaders and their teams get the vision, alignment, and execution they need to drive extraordinary results without compromising their most important values. They provide books, courses, corporate training, and coaching to help leaders and teams achieve their most important goals. Their bestselling product, the Full Focus Planner, has sold nearly a million copies worldwide and is a leading tool for helping achievers plan their years and organize their days. Find out more at fullfocus.co.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use and believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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Does Love Work as a Leadership Principle?

Photo Credit: (KY3)

As I stumbled for my alarm at 3:00 a.m. on my first day on the job as a street washer, I wondered what I was getting myself into. CBS had asked my company to participate in its hit reality show Undercover Boss. As the CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) at that time, I’d agreed to work at Silver Dollar City, our original theme park in Branson, Missouri. I had no idea that what was about to transpire would change my life and my leadership approach forever.  

Before coming to HFE as CEO, I had spent 20 years in the auto industry where I witnessed mostly an autocratic and intimidating form of leadership. The results of this style were troubling; I observed a lack of innovation, arrogant leaders, little focus on culture or people, and sub-optimal financial results.

I always thought there was a better way to lead, but I had not seen a better way modeled until I arrived at HFE. In fact, I had an angst in my soul that longed to see better leadership and BE a better leader. But I thought I was the only one who felt that way.     

At HFE, my eyes were opened to something very different: a loving culture that put the employee experience and the guest experience on equal footing with the financial performance. We actually taught LOVE, the verb, to our employees. We defined LOVE as being Patient, Kind, Trusting, Truthful, Forgiving, Unselfish, and Dedicated. Yes, our leaders had to hit the financial goals, but they also had to lead according to these seven words and were held accountable to them.

So, as I worked with Richard on that cold morning in Branson, washing the streets of Silver Dollar City at 4 AM, I was able to witness our culture in action, and so did the TV cameras. I was honored to meet and observe hard-working employees like Richard, who treated each other well and treated our guests even better. To top it off, I was able to help Richard rebuild his home that was destroyed in a flood through a foundation we had started to help employees in need. During filming, I had the chance to work in a variety of roles and meet other dedicated employees like Richard, all of whom were able to receive help from our foundation. Thankfully, the show captured this very special culture and unique leadership model.

While I knew it made an enormous impression on me, I could not have anticipated the chord that our show struck with America. 20 million people viewed our episode of Undercover Boss , and as a result, we were inundated with thousands of letters, emails, and calls wondering how others could create the great culture that HFE exemplified. It turned out I wasn’t the only one with an “angst in my soul”! Thousands of others shared the same angst.

The simple truth is this: there is a crisis of…

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Three Things You Must Let Go

Three Things You Must Let Go

A man is hanging by a branch above a deep ravine. He looks down; then he looks up and yells, “Help! Help! Is anyone up there?”

“I’m here,” the reply comes.

“Can you help me?” the man calls.

The voice replies, “Yes, I can help you. Let go of the branch.”

After a desperate pause, the man cries, “Is anyone else up there?”

When it comes time to let go, most prefer hanging on.

Image of a funny monkey hanging on to a rope. Most people prefer hanging on to letting go, even when hanging on isn't working.Image of a funny monkey hanging on to a rope. Most people prefer hanging on to letting go, even when hanging on isn't working.

A former life:

Hanging on is exhausting and frustrating. Strategies that aren’t working won’t magically start working if you just hang on longer. Let go.

You need a former life filled with attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors you have let go. If you don’t have a former life, you’re exhausted and frustrated.

Everyone who grows has a former life.

Every leap forward includes letting go.

You can’t move forward until you let go of what holds you back.

Hanging on delays growth and progress.

Where nothing goes away everything stays the same.

How do you complete this sentence? “In my former life I _________.”

Three things you must let go:

  1. Waiting for the perfect moment. The ‘perfect moment’ is procrastination’s delight.”
  2. Thinking you’re always right. A wise person will suggest you try a new strategy. It will feel wrong. Try it anyway. Wisdom feels wrong to fools.
  3. Focusing on can’t. People who focus on what can’t be done are cowards, unless they come up with something they CAN DO.

Image of a person looking at a white board with the words, Image of a person looking at a white board with the words,

Before you let go:

Find a reason to let go.

Choose an aspirational future before you let go of something in the present.

A forward-facing life takes you further than circling the present or hanging on to the past.

Choose a goal that pulls you forward. Ask yourself, “What do I need to let go to move toward this goal?”

What should you hang on to?

What might people need to let go in order to thrive?

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Texas Roadhouse and a Leader’s Legacy

A personal note: This post is a tribute to Kent Taylor, founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse who tragically passed in March 2021. Kent was one of the most intentional leaders I’ve ever met, and I am grateful I had a chance to make his acquaintance, and more importantly, learn from his example. He lead with heart and was beloved by his employees. This article is excerpted from my book, The Intention Imperative.

 

What kind of CEO displays his biggest failures on the wall of his office?

Kent Taylor, founder of Texas Roadhouse, not only openly admits that three of his first five restaurants failed, but he has a memento from each mounted behind his desk with a plaque detailing the money lost. 

“That way,” he explains, “Visitors can see that failure isn’t a bad thing when you’re trying to innovate.”

The Beginning

Kent Taylor lived in my home state of Colorado and worked at nightclubs and restaurants. Known as a maverick, he often “got in trouble” with chain management for his innovative ideas and promotions. He returned to Louisville, Kentucky in 1990 with dreams of opening a Colorado-themed restaurant.

His new place opened in 1993 at the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana. Today TXRH has 549 restaurants in 49 states and 7 countries.

TXRH Today

Each store employs 170 to 200 team members, fondly referred to as “roadies.” The 6,700- to 7,500-square-foot facilities serve meat that is cut in-house and all made from scratch dishes (even the bacon bits). Their restaurants average 5,000 guests per week, and the chain serves 300,000 meals each day. 

The six-ounce sirloin began as the most popular dish and remains so to this day—25 years later. The steakhouse prides itself on a six-ounce cut of meat that actually does weigh six ounces, which is surprisingly rare (pun intended). Each restaurant has its own meat cutter, who maintain their edge through competition. The top ten attend the company conference, and the winner brings home a new truck. 

This might seem like an unnecessary expenditure to some, but an accurate cut means less wasted meat and money. The program to recognize their stars costs about one million, but they estimate it saves between 10 and 20 million dollars. It all comes back to the company’s views on employees: “embrace people and treat ‘em better than they would be treated at other chains.” And it certainly seems to be working. 

TXRH, at the time I’m writing this, has enjoyed 32 consecutive quarters of positive comparable restaurant sales growth. The guest count continues to rise 3.5% in the past year. The chain is about half the size of Outback Steakhouse, but is valued at more than $3 billion. Compared to that, Bloomin’ Brands and its entire portfolio of restaurants—Outback, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and Bonefish Grill—is valued at well under $2 billion.

Intentional Leaders Are Involved Leaders

This kind of success doesn’t happen by sitting back and letting…

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