Get results through inspiration, not insistence

"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another." - John C. Maxwell

Often we are asked to lead projects, initiatives or causes that require bringing together a team of people for a common goal.  In our crazy world where the pace is the speed of light, we are inundated with more asks than we could ever answer, and personal goals often overshadow the greater good, this can be a tall order.  

The people who succeed consistently do so by inspiring people to jump in the boat with them rather than assigning them an oar and shoving them in.  I've seen a few people in my life do this really well and I aspire to be like them.

It sounds hard; and it is.  But it's worth the effort.  If you have seen the movie Finding Nemo, you know the power of getting the momentum of a group headed in one direction.  It's exponentially more effective than the most valiant efforts of the leader alone.  Also, from my experience, when everyone is pulling, the results will often far exceed the not only the original goal but even what was imagined as possible.

  So, how do we do it?  I'm not entirely sure what the full recipe is, but below are a few principles that feel like the right place to start.

Believe in the mission.
There is nothing less inspiring than a leader whose heart isn't in it.  If you don't believe in what you are doing, nobody else will either.  Have a clear vision of what the mission is, why you care about it, and why others should too.  If you don't have this, start again.

Run up the hill.
Rather than dragging people up the hill, pushing them from behind or running aside screaming for them to go faster, just run ahead.  Chances are good that people will follow you.  Not because they have to, but because they want to.  Being out in front is a risk, but watching from a safe distance is an even bigger one.

Cheer the loudest.
It's important to get momentum, but don't fool yourself into thinking that everything will go smoothly after that.  Stay engaged, celebrate the small victories and keep running, even when you are in quicksand.  Recruit others to join (not replace) you in the effort to keep the team strong and focused.

"A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes.  It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results." - Wade Boggs

Summer Bucket List

How can 4th of July have come and gone already?  Several friends of mine define this holiday as the 'midpoint of summer'.  While I'm not sure I agree, or at least don't want to think of it that way, I guess it is as close as we have to a mid-summer checkpoint.  As a kid, I remember summers being epic, awesome, endless, and amazing.  As a parent, I feel pressure to ensure that my children have those same feelings.

I have made mistakes on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to summer vacation.  I have announced that we are going to relax and have no schedule.  In a week, we are all bored.  I have scheduled the whole summer with 'special events'.  By the end, we are all exhausted.

A few years ago, we implemented something that has worked well, the Summer Bucket List.  The basic premise is, a few weeks before summer starts, we ask the kids "What things do you REALLY want to do this summer?"  They give us their short lists and my husband and I add a few too.  By the way, items on the list can be as simple as a picnic in the park.

Once you have a complete list, narrow it down based on a few criteria.

• Remove the 'fly to the moon' type requests that inevitably are there.  
• Make sure there is a mix of traditional things and new experiences.  If lacking in either, ask for more ideas or add them.  
• Determine who will be involved in which activities. Within reason, I let the kids pick the things that they want to do by adding their initials to the narrowed down list.  This can be interesting with teenagers who think of family time as a necessary evil.  I'm a big believer in quality time with everyone together, yet also realize that we have varied levels of excitement for certain outings due to gender, age, or interests.  It's perfectly reasonable to have a mix of plans where everyone goes and others where it is some of the family.
• Finalize the list with a reasonable number of items.  Reasonable is the key word, it depends on your family, what else you have going on and how much you like to run.  

Post the list where everyone can see it and cross them off as you get to them.

Don't let summer slip away, create your Summer Bucket List today!