Leading

Only Look Down At Those You’re About To Bring Up

Garth Beyer

It’s difficult to follow someone who you know you are better skilled than. It’s a universal condition. It’s exactly why we need to work on ourselves before leading at something others are better at leading.

On a happier note, nothing moves you up quicker than bringing those less skilled than you to your own level. Growth happens when you teach who you can, not just who you want.

 

Stay Positive & There’s No Division Between Leading, Teaching And Learning

Is A Decision

Garth Beyer

Cutting this to do that… is a decision.

Being busy… is a decision.

Staring at the blank page/canvas/map in front of you instead of forging on… is a decision.

Admitting defeat… is a decision.

Picking yourself up after rejection… is a decision.

Picking yourself to lead… is a decision.

Wearing two different socks… is a decision.

Running from fear… is a decision. So is dancing with it.

“I don’t have time”… is a decision.

Your motivation… is a decision.

Cutting corners and making shortcuts… is a decision.

Being in it for the long-haul… is a decision.

Not moving forward with a project because your partner back out… is a decision.

Everything you do throughout the day you decide to do. So it is with what you think, how you feel, who you talk to, who you ignore. Noticing each decision may not make you feel comfortable or safe. In fact, it will likely be the opposite. Yet, it’s exactly how you will get to where you want to go: quicker, stronger, happier.

Controlling your life… is a decision.

 

Stay Positive & No One Said Steering A Boat In Rough Waters Was Easy

 

 

You’re Not That Important, But Everyone Loves You

Garth Beyer

I’ve sifted through dozens and dozens of blogs, attended some productive, some not-so-productive meetings and listened to speakers all week. Here are some tips to spitshine your blog, your productivity and your speaking.

Blogging

  • Never start a blog post with anything that is similar to “it’s been awhile since I’ve written,” “I’ve been sooo busy and haven’t been able to write lately” and “I’m going to try and write more.” Nothing makes me cringe as much as seeing 165,000,000 results show up on Google
  • You won’t find that fine line between personal and professional until you write a lot under each.
  • I met with blogger Danielle Bruflodt who advocates planning out blog posts. I, on the other hand, never do. I argue that not planning forces you to observe more and keep a more open mind throughout each day to find something to write on. Both ways work.
  • What Danielle and I both agreed on: write daily.

Productivity (meetings)

  • Don’t let any meeting go past an hour.
  • Know who the leaders are and those that flat-out standout. Thank them for it.
  • Some meetings don’t need to be ran. Some meetings run themselves. Recognize this. Leading meetings that don’t need to be lead damages productivity and how people will view you as a leader.
  • If you’re not running the meeting, know more about the people who are than anyone else attending. It’s not creepy to know I completed National Novel Writing Month or stayed in Madison for Thanksgiving.

Speaking

  • Much like the que on how you start a blog post, never start speaking by giving an apology, no matter what you’re sorry for.
  • Not everyone loves cherries on their sundae’s, but everyone loves getting gifts when they get information. Give. Give. Give.
  • Handouts are your friends, but not at the start of your presentation. Let everyone know they are getting a handout outlining the presentation. What matters is that they focus on you, not on following an outline and not on taking notes the entire time.
  • No one goes to just listen to a speaker anymore. They go to speak to. Involve your audience, they expect it. There’s a reason it’s called a “speaking engagement.” Engage them in conversation.

 

Stay Positive & Do, Learn, Share

Garth E. Beyer

Most Don’t Want A Leader

Garth Beyer

Captain O Captain

But they want to be told what to do, they want to be given deadlines, they want you to check their work, they want you to take what they give you and combine it with what someone else gave you, they want you to answer the big important questions, they want you to solve their problems and decide between “this” and “that”.

They want to be lead, but they don’t want a leader.

A leader isn’t a position to be filled, it’s a type of person. Leading doesn’t mean you have different responsibilities, it means that you have more added on. Leading is about trust, not control. Leaders direct from a chair, while those who lead are on deck.

Ask yourself. Are you leading or a leader?

 

Stay Positive & Captain O’ Captain

Garth E. Beyer

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