Transforming Leadership

Adapting

2011-04-13T13:12:00.002-04:00

It is evident that each of us will be challenged to change or adapt an aspect of our life in order to better ourselves, our company, or perhaps a team. Adapting can evident in our lives through examples such as... 1. Ordering a Pepsi product when Coke products are not available 2. Switching from sugar to another type of sweetener per our physician's order 3. Ordering Fat Free Yogurt instead of custard 4. Potato Chips instead of French fries 5. Paper grocery bags instead of plastic As you may be able to discern, I have food on my mind currently. Anyway, I think that we can all agree that due to circumstances within our environment, one's self, or in accordance to meet a greater need- adapting from what we may normally prefer is necessary. To take this subject further it may be necessary for us to continue to adapt or change to avoid complacency; hence also bettering ourselves in the process. Have you ever heard anyone say. "that's the way we have always done it"? You, yourself may be guilty of this explicitly ignorant statement; I know that I have! Whenever I catch myself or hear another person proclaim this, I want to respond with- "that begs the question- I guess that it has always been accomplished inaccurately". Naturally, out of respect for myself, and other interested parties- I simply ask them to explore the effect of something being done differently. What is handicapping you from growing? It may be personally, spiritually, relationally, or professionally. Be honest with yourself, because I know if you are anything like me (human), then adaptation (i.e. learning, observing, strategic, implementing) is a part of the natural cycle in which our creator endowed us with. Being a person of faith, I believe that God created us with this wonderfully complex mind so that we are uniquely able to explore, discover, and reason the vastness of his creation. If this is true, how does it apply to me? Unfortunately, I am not going to begin to speculate what your gifts, or abilities in which God has blessed you with. What I do know is that whatever he has created you for, it is your responsibility to hold steadfast to it with uncompromising devotion. What do I mean by this? Whatever situation that you find yourself in within life do it with all of your ability. 1. If you are blessed to be a parent, be the best parent that you can be. This may involved reading, mentoring, counseling, etc- but it is your duty to do it right! 2. If you are a custodian- then make sure that your floors and windows are the shiniest around. That your abilities and gifts are imprinted on everything that you do. 3. If you are a teacher- you are the best teacher that you are capable of being. You adapt and change your curriculum and teaching style in order to reach more students. 4. Instead of watching TV on your lunch hour, read a book or explore ways to improve yourself. The principle is easy in concept, but difficult in practice- that is why it is necessary to constantly ADAPT or change. Think of it this way, would you want to have cardiovascular surgery performed on you by a doctor that was a "C" student in college twenty years ago- and does not keep up on the most advanced procedures? Then why do you expect less of yourself? JFH

Discipline

2010-09-05T21:26:00.001-04:00

It has been quite some time since I have heard of anyone describe their self as disciplined. It seems to be taboo in today’s society to be disciplined within your occupation unless we are describing an athlete or a surgeon. But within the business world one may be seen as greedy or a workaholic if they are strategic or regimented about their occupation.

Do not misunderstand me, I am not endorsing an unhealthy balance in one’s family/ work life, but I am stating that during the time that we are fulfilling our vocation that it would be beneficial for us to pursue it with our full energy. Our attention while at work is a reflection of our whole character. Which means that if we are lazy, and have a disdain in our work then it will show throughout all aspects of our life.

Discipline should be the action behind our character. Discipline is all about the details. Discipline is respect for others as well as one’s self.

No one ever said that it was easy, but anything worth much in this world is not.

JFH

Leadership is an Art

2010-06-27T20:35:00.002-04:00

Leadership is not an endowment through a title; contrary it is an art, partially a gift and partially forged though challenging trials and diligent study and insight. Unfortunately, most of us have had the misfortune of experiencing an ill-equipped manager that was catapulted into a role that they were not ready for, or did not have a competency for. I am not saying that they were not hard workers, or that they were not intelligent. But we have to realize that not every smart- hardworking individual should/ could be a manager.

It is important as we begin grooming individuals to sprout through their career trajectory that we are truly assessing whether their skill set aligns with a leadership position. Unfortunately, just because we have a hardworking and intelligent worker does not mean that they should be considered for a management role. If we do this, we are not only handicapping the team, because of the strife that a misplaced employee could reap. As important, we are hurting the individual by falsifying their skills.

Celebrate our team members strengths, and don’t promote individuals just because you want to reward them. In turn our teams will be stronger , because we will have everyone in a career that they will be successful at!

JFH

Legacy

2010-06-02T22:18:00.003-04:00

Flora Whittemore once said, “The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live”.

In Stephen Covey’s book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” he writes about a Sunday afternoon when he was riding on a subway and a gentleman and his children boarded the train. The children were untamed, running through the isles into people as they were reading their newspapers. Mr. Covey being quite agitated turned to the man and scolded him. The gentleman apologized, and began to inform Mr. Covey that the children had just been to the hospital where their mother had passed away. Not knowing how to digest the news the children became insubordinate.

Sobering isn’t it?

I know that there have been plenty of times in my life where I have prejudged a situation or persons intentions based on my education, ego, and the tinted filter of life lessons that I have been apart of. Given my personality, I not unlike Mr. Covey would have been put off by the perception of the children’s disobedience, but the question is- would I have been right?

As managers and leaders it is not uncommon for us to experience times when an exceptional employee’s work has drastically suffered. But how are we dealing with these issues? Do we write the employee off, stating that they are no longer motivated, or have become lazy? Friend’s this is a serious issue that most manager’s face at times in their career, but the issue may be something else (sickness in the family, marital problems, financial difficulties, etc).

I think the question is what do we value as an employer, and who do we value? We have to begin to make human calculations when dealing with such a valuable commodity. If your most valuable asset is not well, you do not cash them in, but aid them in the healing process.

As leaders we cannot remove ourselves from Ms. Whittmore’s quote, because how we deal with even the insignificant situations in our lives determines the legacy that each of us will leave behind.

What will be said about your leadership ability? Were you fair, and honest? How about your character?

I know that I have stumbled many of times, but I pray that a glimpse of goodness will be seen through me.

Humbly,

JFH

Leadership Model

2010-04-10T03:00:00.002-04:00

How we lead, or better yet how we serve will determine the impact that we will have on our team. I believe that the top down structure that most organizations have and adhere to is problematic and does not foster the results that sustain a healthy environment for growth.

About two thousand years ago we were given the ultimate lesson on leadership through humility and selflessness. By washing each of his disciples feet, Jesus taught us that in order to lead people to where they need to be, we have to be willing to serve them first.

I do not know about you, but this is a difficult concept to get my head around, not because serving is physically tough, but because it is humbling. I’m not sure how I fell about washing anyone’s feet except my own, because it is a position of servitude. But as leaders we have to step out of the safety of these generational misconceptions of leading/ managing and be able to humbly serve our team.

Leading is not about barking orders, or knowing all of the answers. It is about how certain changes are going to affect situations through knowing your team, and their personalities. It is about gathering facts and being able to discern what is the proper course of action, but mostly leadership is about teaching/ coaching through emulating best practices.

If leaders/ managers continue degrading practices such as micromanaging, and top down managing/ babysitting without the consideration of the genius that is in their team- then it will result in not being able to effectively perpetuate long term viable change. Micro managers will have short term success, but they will not allow success to blossom through the cloud of their distrust.

Educate, Show-coach, Empower, Evaluate, REPEAT.

JFH

Muddied Waters

2010-02-24T13:25:00.001-05:00

We have all seen what happens when fresh clean water is mixed with soil. The water becomes contaminated which not only makes the water not suitable for consumption, but it also places a dingy film on everything it comes in to contact with.

Unfortunately, throughout each of our lives we are going to run across the contaminating soil that pollutes our water. The soil might be in the form of a failed project, discouraging co-worker, incompetent boss, or inadequate training or resources. Nevertheless, this contamination could cause you to question your ability, dwell on your mistakes, cause you to stop enjoying your job, or stunt your professional or emotional growth.

The truth is that industries will fail, people will stumble and disappoint all of us- so it is up to each of us as leaders to stand waist deep in the muck with a coffee filter protecting, encouraging, and educating our team members on how to be better prepared and equipped.

I have/ had a team member who was always apologizing about his feelings and ideas. Let your team members know that their ideas and opinions are valuable, and that the environment that you are fostering is safe, because in the business world not much is safe.

Control the controllable, and be the safety screen that a leader needs to be!

JFH

Ownership

2010-01-30T20:03:00.004-05:00

How does the idiom go…, “Possession is nine tenths of the law ”?

What does that say to the leader in you?

Recently I visited a local retail behemoth to purchase some dress shoes for my son. My wife and I went to the boys shoe section- picked out a nice pair of dress shoes, and preceded to the checkout line. What I did not tell you was that all of the boys dress shoes were marked 50% off, including the ones that we had chosen.

Once we arrived at the checkout counter, the gentleman that was checking us out stated the price. This was the price that was marked on the box; the original price. We avowed to him that they were marked on-sale, and he called the shoe department without luck. My wife and I were distraught about the lack of service that we were receiving, so we thought that we would return to the shoes department, and show the supervisor the 50% sale card in front of the shoes. To our dismay, when we returned to the shoe department (approximately five minutes later) all of the sale cards were missing. I summoned the attention of one of the shoe salesmen, and stated that the shoes that I was holding had a sales tag in front of not only them, but also in front of all of the boys dress shoes. He shook his head in agreement, and stated, “Yes there was, but they really were not on sale, so I removed the sign”.

Ignorance is bliss my friend. What this gentleman, the supervisor, the store clerk, and possibly the retail behemoth failed to realize is that their lack of action in service cost them a customer for life. Not only that, but the siren sound informs us that I am going to notify others that may want to frequent the store.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have managed individuals for years. Some people unfortunately are blind to the impact that they could cause in lacking adequate service. For example, many times in my career I have witnessed- service employed individuals schedule their lunch times during the busiest times in the office. This tells me that they are either uninformed about their role, or their lack of consideration about what their role is truly about.

How do you serve to lead others around the situation that my wife and I experienced in the shoe department? Are your employees educated, and empowered to make sound decisions that are not only good for the customers, but good for business? Let your team members possess the tool of decision making through proper education- then they will own one of the keys to success!

Go out and serve somebody today!

JFH

Mentoring

2010-01-05T21:06:00.002-05:00

How did you get to where you are? Did you “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”? If so, fantastic- but I think that there may have been other factors aiding in your climb through the ranks.

I know that with myself, there have been a handful of individuals that have mentored me through education, rebuke, and emulation of best practices. I am confident that I owe a certain amount of my success to their efforts and care in myself.

So, I guess the question is… 1) Who has facilitated growth in your life? 2) Who could you benefit by being an adviser to? 3) Every organization could benefit by instituting an effective mentorship program.

Today, take someone under your wing, and help them the same way that you were helped!

JFH

Leadership Priorities

2009-12-08T22:07:00.002-05:00

Hurried and inconsiderate is the approach that most of us take in pursuing our time on the earth. We seem to chase seemingly self fulfilling deeds that we believe will somehow bring about gratification. Unfortunately, the more that we search for this satisfaction without self contentment; the more we are going to feel empty and further away from joy.

The problem is that the world is echoing that your need for… money, beauty, the newest and greatest, as well as other stuff to mask the true emptiness that each of us is susceptible to feeling. Authentic success is not contingent upon the world’s standard of triumph, but on the leadership qualities that you are genuinely implementing in your daily life.

Worldly achievement is not synonymous with peace and joy. Neglecting your family for a paycheck, or sacrificing your precious time with your spouse and children will sabotage the most important segment of your life. Your family should take precedence over any other activity. When was the last time that you turned the television off and had a family game night? Remember that you cannot rewind your life, and give back time.

What are your priorities? When is the last time that you have reevaluated them? Now is the time to recognize and implement a new strategy to succeed in life; it’s not too late!

Leadership is not just about being a team leader in the employment world. It is a lifestyle that permeates every part of your life.

JFH

Change; not just the stuff in your piggy bank!

2009-11-21T00:01:00.004-05:00

Why is change such a tough word to swallow? I do not think that it has anything to do with the action of change, but the uncertainty or insecurity one may have about themselves going through change.

Have you ever noticed that anything worth anything is hard? It takes sacrifice, hard work, and educating ourselves about the changes that need to be made in ourselves.

If we are unwilling to change, then we may miss an opportunity that would/ could transform your career or life for the better.

Next time you are confronted with change, open your mind and evaluate the benefits. It may be exactly what you need!

JFH

Planting Seeds

2009-10-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

An effective leader is like a gardener planting seeds in their backyard. The first step is to prepare the plot by working the soil. Then after the soil is ready, the gardener carefully places the seed in the ground. Once the seed is planted the gardener waters the patch methodically while waiting patiently to see what results he will reap.

A leader ought to facilitate the effectiveness of their team in the same way, by getting to the ground level and measuring the acidity. While at the ground level it is the leader’s duty to coach the players around their strengths, and provide nourishment so that they are able to grow. The coaching and nourishment are essentially seeds that the leader is planting. Through continual encouragement, coaching, and patience the entire team will reap success.

JFH

Humility

2009-09-13T19:59:00.002-04:00

Humility is an uncommon word to describe leaders. You would be hard pressed to hear anything on this subject at a secular university. You would be taught that a leader should be in control, have all the answers, and be able to maneuver and manipulate their surroundings to advance up the corporate ladder.

But, I disagree.

What is leadership worth if you rollover your colleagues, take credit for successes that are not necessarily solely yours, and fail to establish a meaningful relationship with your team members?

If your incentive for leadership is a paycheck then you had better reevaluate your career trajectory, because you will ultimately fail as a leader.

Humility is a valuable ingredient in great leaders, for they understand that success is not simply derived from them, but cultivated by them through the ingenuity of a fine tuned team. Just like in a sporting team, one player or coach does not determine the success of the team, but the wholeness of the team working together for the greater good. Good leaders understand and are humbled by the fact that they are only as good as their team.

JFH

Discipline

2009-09-01T20:09:00.003-04:00

One of the most difficult issues that most people struggle with in their life is discipline. Obviously discipline can encompass a lot of different areas of our life, like exercise, time management, education, or ridding ourselves from addictions or substance abuse.

But discipline means that we take ownership over all areas of our life, and make strides to better ourselves one step at a time. Everyone is subject to a vast number of flaws that are only apparent when you get really close to them, while others have flaws that appear as deep cracks in a windshield. But it is each of our responsibility to own our decisions, habits, preferences, addictions, actions, and words.

Today is the day that we take control of the controllable, and stop making excuses for our laziness. Discipline is not how the world sees us, but how we see ourselves with the gifts that we have been given. Each of us have been blessed with inherent gifts, and it is our duty to take ownership through discipline to lay down our fears for the betterment of ourselves and society.

You can make a difference today! Take ownership of your life through discipline.

JFH

The Leader in You

2009-08-25T21:51:00.002-04:00

When most people hear about leaders they conjure up images of icons from history books like Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, or Susan B. Anthony. Most of us fail to recognize leadership qualities in a factory line worker who acknowledges pivotal moments in their co-workers lives or a stay at home mother who is nurturing her children by providing them with a safe and educational environment.

All of us encompass the ability to provide evidence that we have leadership capabilities. Rosa Parks is the perfect example of an unlikely leader. She was not born in to privilege, but in a fundamental instant she stuck to her principles and refused to relinquish her seat. I am confident that she did not view herself as being a leader, but she most certainly was.

Leadership is shown through the small everyday things that we do. Go the extra mile. Stand up for what is right. Praise individuals that make strides to better themselves. Be positive, you are a leader no matter what your profession is!

JFH

The Core

2009-08-23T21:46:00.002-04:00

Whatever happened to faithfulness, honor, brotherhood, and hard-work? We have all heard of “the greatest generation”, those who were born in the roaring twenties, spent their childhoods struggling through a national depression, went off to fight against fascism, and came back to forge our country in to the greatest industrial revolution in history.

These were times when gents held open doors for their ladies, took off of their hats when entering a building, asked fathers permission to court their daughters, and when please, thank you, madam, and sir were a constant stream flowing out of children’s mouths without thought.

Authority was not seen as a threat, but a community keeping us from destroying ourselves through thoughtless selfishness. As a communal body we were held in keeping each other accountable so that we were building a stronger society based on values such as honor, truth, and sacrifice.

Leadership is restoring the moral fabric that is tore even when it is unpopular or uncomfortable to do so. It is about going against the grain of idea’s that conflict with your convictions and present barren fruit. I am not stating that change is bad, but a leader must be able to discern whether change is compromising their core, or not. Preferences can be altered, but we have to hold steadfast to our uncompromising values. Do you have a core? I challenge you to look at what is at the center.

JFH

Relationships

2009-08-21T09:01:00.001-04:00

At some stage in most of our lives we lose focus on the authentic reason for our existence, and begin to situate our efforts in to collecting stuff, chasing the next big promotion, or lining our walls with academic or athletic accolades. The reason for our continuation, though often times clouded is to generate and foster relationships.

Great leaders understand that escorting their family or team members toward the next great summit is not about barking orders, but about getting to know their teams specific needs, strengths, and passions. After a leader authentically establishes a relationship with their team they are able to effectively utilize the team to encounter and overcome their objective.

Do you really know your team members, clients, or family members? I would encourage you to invest in people by really listening to them. Give value to relationships.

JFH

It's Not About You!

2009-08-19T19:57:00.002-04:00

As a leader sometimes we are struck with a false reality that everything is for our glory, not for the glory of the team, or the purpose we are striving for. We tend to believe that if not for ourselves success would not be possible, but as I had earlier stated, this is untrue.

A good leader should not be caught up in the WIFM (what's in it for me), but in doing what's right, coaching up their team members, and leaving a legacy of good character. Unfortunately, in the business world this point of view is unpopular, but after your career has ended what will be said of you? Were you fair, honest, humble, or are there less desirable words to describe your character?

Take a look at yourself today! Remember that leadership is a way of life!

JFH

The Journey

2009-08-10T21:08:00.002-04:00

Picture yourself climbing Mt. Everest which stands 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) above sea level. You probably have prepared for years by mapping out a course, making sure that you are physically fit, and researching weather patters to ensure that your venture is successful.

During the appropriate season you gather your team of experienced professional climbers and you attempt to make the journey. Your team consists of a group of individuals that have a variety of skill sets to optimize your chances of success. Even though you have a fantastic team, you understand that the journey will be difficult. Your team will have to endure dangerous weather conditions, and the treachery of the jagged mountain.

Leadership is not unlike preparing for this feat, and you realize that your preparation did not exempt you from the trials that you have prepared for. You begin to climb the mountain and someone gets hurt, or the weather is so bad that you have to wait it out. The mountain is the journey, and you cannot predict what is going to happen. You most certainly will make mistakes, but it is not the mistake that will cause you to fail, but it is how you deal with the mistakes.

Do you have the strength to forge on? I once heard that if the mountain was not jagged, then you could not climb it.

JFH

The Power of a Hand Written Note

2009-08-09T12:40:00.000-04:00

In an increasingly impersonal world, a leader can separate themselves by sending handwritten notes to an employee, student, family member, or even a client.

Do not substitute a handwritten note for an email, instant message, or a text message, because they do not have the same effect.

Today, send someone a handwritten note letting them know something that you have appreciated about them.

JFH

Serving

2009-08-08T16:31:00.000-04:00

When is the last time that you washed the proverbial feet of those you lead?

Great leaders understand that you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves, get on your knees, and begin washing. The reason that this is necessary is because leading and serving are synonymous. You have to learn how to serve, before you can gain permission to lead. Remember that leadership is not about a title, but a way of life.

How are you serving your family, friends, staff, and your community?

JFH

The Call to Leadership

2009-08-07T20:49:00.000-04:00

It is undeniable that each of us have spheres of authority that we influence in our day to day lives. Our life circumstances, occupation, personalities, education, spiritual belief system, and convictions all play a role in how we affect others for the betterment of society.

It is our duty to begin the leadership process not on those that we manage or influence, but on ourselves and our families first. A true leader is not someone that has it simply stamped on their business card, but someone who takes time to self-assess, adjust, learn, fail, relearn, and apply the principles that they have learned for the development of others. We are commissioned to make the world a better place one life at a time, beginning with ourselves, expanding to our families, our communities and beyond.

The first step in leadership is realizing the significance in praising others. Take time today to tell your spouse, children, or friends how much you are proud of them.

JFH