A Beehive Called Mediocrity

I recently encountered a beehive called mediocrity.  When you think of a beehive, you are presented two opportunities: one for sweetness and honey or another can be a painful attack. As a leader, you realize quickly that a decision must be made.  Do you become the ‘influencer/troubler’ (the person who stirs the beehive and leads the hive to new actions, beliefs, and ways of doing) or do you hear the collective cries that state “we’ve always done it this way” or " let us be”?  Will the outcome of your leadership produce honey like that which is found in the choicest of hives or leave a sharp bitter pain because of numerous stings? 

I am reminded of a wise teacher who spoke of entering a city.  He noted that he could not accomplish the work he was gifted to accomplish amongst the people because of unbelief and familiarity. Unbelief and familiarity become the pillars of mediocrity.  The teacher offered much to the people but the people settled for comfort.  They rejected his wise teachings and became a source of resistance to his leadership.  In turn, the teacher noted that he couldn’t accomplish work in that city. He quickly exited and pursued other opportunities.

As leaders we must discern whether our leadership in an opportunity or atmosphere has the potential for sweet honey and victory or bitterness and tragedy. There are risks at every corner and challenges in leadership.  No work of leadership is 100% victory at every moment but eventually there should be evidence that your presence as a leader creates beautiful synergies and impacts for positive outcomes.  Your leadership should be value add.  Are you connected with those who believe in you, your abilities, and what you stand for? If not, will your attempt of leadership bring disruption that stirs a hive to attack?  What will become of your attempts?

Some atmospheres will never change or accept what you bring. Some atmospheres are not hungry enough to step out of what has become a comfortable norm.   Take some time this week to assess whether you are connecting with people and atmospheres that receive your brilliance or attack your brilliance.  At some point you must be willing to shake the dust from your feet and move forward to the place where your gifts, leadership, and excellence are received and flourish the most. Take time today to consider if your gifts are tied because of mediocrity. What good is brilliant light if it is smothered by a pseudo darkness known as mediocrity.

Like a B.O.S.S.- Build on Something Solid

We are in the age of the “BOSS”.  Many are using the term to describe a person who not only leads people or has people reporting to them, but also to describe a person demonstrating the ability to make great strides in entrepreneurship.  I believe individuals have the opportunity to be a “BOSS” in any aspect of life.  The key to this is: Build on Something Solid.  Solid foundations enable us to be wise builders.  What do I mean when I say have a solid foundation?  There was a story given by a wise teacher who instructed his followers that if they heeded his words and put his words to practice, they would be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Afterwards the rain came, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house but the house did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.  The teacher understood that he offered principles that were sound and were sturdy and if his followers adhered to his principles, they would be able to face obstacles but not fail.

In the excitement of our times, most of us desire greatness and some level of accomplishment with the work of our hands. This is possible but how many stop to consider the foundation first? Have you assessed what values, beliefs, habits, and processes you adhere to that will allow you to be successful? Have you assessed if there are areas that need strengthening? Are you aware of the time commitment necessary to have a solid foundation?  Most foundations must be allowed to ‘settle’. 

Considering these questions, my thought today is if you desire to be a “BOSS”, then Build on Something Solid.

Seek a solid spiritual foundation. Seek a solid foundation in knowledge and wisdom that is enhanced by curiosity. Seek a solid foundation in technical expertise and agility. Seek a solid business plan with a solid product or service.  Seek a solid foundation with great processes.  Seek a solid value system. Seek solid communication.  All of these produce for a great foundation and will undergird whatever you seek to accomplish.  Then as you move forward, when the unexpected trials and storms approach, whatever has been built can be sustained because in the end, you know the foundation is sure.  Brilliant ones, let’s go build, but build on something solid!

The Art of Treating People Well

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself”. This is a command and principle I have heard over and over again since I was a little girl and I have even repeated the saying.  You can repeat a principle verbally without really understanding how to execute the principle in day to day interactions.  Earlier this week as I was sitting at my desk, a thought came to mind about this principle and soon thereafter a phrase came to mind: the art of treating people well.  As I look back through my formal education, spiritual upbringing, and even professional development, I noted that there was NEVER a class or course offered or an extended emphasis on how to treat people.  I believe our society equates this as a principle that should be taught in the child rearing years. 

Most service oriented businesses are employing some type of training around this topic.  The sheer nature of customer interfacing and the desire to deliver exceptional service has economic implications. People like great service and will pay for great service. But how many individuals have the desire to become artful masters at treating people well just because?  How many have embraced this as a way of leading in life? As I further contemplated this topic I looked to those who I admire who in my opinion were/are great leaders (Jesus, Mother Teresa, Oprah, and a list of others) and found that one of the common things they were exceptional at was treating people well. I could give countless examples.  Be it through their service, philanthropy, or teachings, at the root of it is love and a desire to treat others exceptionally regardless of whether they deserve it.  As we aspire to lead brilliantly, let us not forget the strength and brilliance of serving, loving, generously giving, forgiving, and impacting others because we simply treat them the way we would treat ourselves.