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Showing posts from July, 2018

Suspicion Always Haunts The Guilty Mind

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A story is told of a bishop invited a young priest to dinner. During the meal, the young priest noticed some signs of intimacy between the bishop and his housekeeper. As the priest was leaving, the bishop said to him quietly, “I can guess what you are thinking, but really our relationship is strictly proper.” A few days later the housekeeper remarked to the bishop that a valuable antique silver soup ladle was missing since the young priest's visit and she wondered if he had taken it. “I doubt it, but I will ask him,” said the bishop. So the bishop wrote to the priest: Dear Father, I am not saying that you did take a solid silver ladle from my house, and I am not saying that you did not take a silver ladle from my house, but the fact is that the ladle has been missing since your visit. The bishop received the young priest's reply, which read: Your Excellency, I'm not saying that you do sleep with your housekeeper, and I'm not saying that you do not sleep w

The Legend Of Brother Leo

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A legend tells of a French monastery known throughout Europe for the extraordinary leadership of a man known only as Brother Leo. Several monks began a pilgrimage to visit Brother Leo to learn from him. Almost immediately, they began to bicker about who should do various chores. On the third day they met another monk going to the monastery, and he joined them. This monk never complained or shirked a duty, and whenever the others would fight over a chore, he would gracefully volunteer and do it himself. By the last day, the others were following his example, and from then on they worked together smoothly. When they reached the monastery and asked to see Brother Leo, the man who greeted them laughed. “But our brother is among you!” And they pointed to the fellow who had joined them. A great leader earns his reputation through his deeds not through his reputation.  The above story along with many others can be found in Dan Spainhour's latest book, Leading Narratives: The

Positive Pledge For Team Members

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I pledge to be a positive leader who sets the example for my teammates through my positive attitude and actions. I promise to share positive energy and encouragement with my team. I will not be an energy vampire nor will I sabotage myself and team with negativity, complaining and excuses. When I make a mistake I will own it and seek to improve. When I'm not performing well I will stay positive and strive to get better. When I experience self-doubt I will remember a time when I succeeded. When I feel fear I will choose faith. When I face adversity I will find strength. When my team experiences a defeat I will choose to stay positive and prepare to achieve another victory. With hard work, determination and faith, I will never give up and will always help my team move forward towards our vision and goals. Today and every day I will be positive and strive to make a positive impact on my team. --Jon Gordon The Power of a Positive Team: Proven Prin

Coach K On....

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“People have to be given the freedom to show the heart they possess. I think it’s a leader’s responsibility to provide that type of freedom. And I believe it can be done through relationships and family. Because if a team is a real family, its members want to show you their hearts. Being a leader: “I get a group of people who are talented to commit to excellence and to work together as one. That’s where it starts. Different talents, same commitment.” Planning and staying flexible: “There are things you can talk about and plan and then there are things that just happen. Sometimes players do things that bring out the best in each other--like when a group of talented musicians hits their groove. Cultivating a positive team culture: “We try to  create a jealous-free zone. We look each other in the eye. We tell each other the truth. And we trust each other.” Maintaining culture: “Don’t take your culture for granted. There needs to be a constant renewal of values that lead to ca

Thinking Big

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Five takeaways from The Magic Of Thinking Big: Wishful Thinking is not Big Thinking:  You can’t wish away a mountain. You can’t wish yourself into an executive suit or a position of leadership. But you can move a mountain with belief. Belief works this way. It generates the power, skill, and energy needed to do. When you believe I-can-do-it, the how-to-do-it develops. Intelligence and Success:   The difference in the very successful and the very unsuccessful is reduced to difference in attitudes, or difference in thought management. Successful folks worry less, are more enthusiastic, and have a sincere liking for people. Age is not an Excuse:  Age is not a handicap unless you make it one. Believe Big:  The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. Think Big:  Where success is concerned, people are not measured in inches or pounds or college degrees, or family backgr