Sometimes, we have to pass along one of the hundreds of stories we’ve received from people who are using the Pathways to Leadership tools (www.pathwaystoleadership.com) to create greater results. Here’s a powerful one from Steve S that may affect how you interact with people today:

 “A global positioning system (GPS) can tell you where you are – and can provide specific directions on how to get to your destination. The tool chooses the best and fastest route. 

 “What is interesting is how it handles my deviations from its preferred route. Once, as I got close to home I chose my own route by going straight – even though the GPS instructed me to turn.

 

“Each time I disobeyed it stated, ‘Recalculating,’ and immediately gave me a revised route to the destination, based upon where I was. Time after time, deviation after deviation, its only feedback was new directions to my original goal.

 “What struck me was that it didn’t say, ‘I told you to turn left.’  It didn’t blame me by saying, ‘Because of your deviation you just added 1.2 miles to our trip!’  It didn’t threaten by uttering, ‘Well great, now we’re lost. If you’re not going to listen then I’m done trying to help.’

 “I have reflected on this when supporting my kids and colleagues. When I’m not flexing my Awareness Muscle (from the book, Stomp the Elephant in the Office, Pg 129. www.stomptheelephant.com ), I want to say ‘I told you that would happen,’ or ‘If you had listened to me this would not be the result.’ 

 “I think the GPS’s approach is best. Forget the past – and focus on where and how you can best support. We are all on different journeys to desired destinations and with great frequency we take detours. Stay focused on what’s necessary to move forward, recalculate, and continue to move towards your goal!”

 Where will you lead – where will you stomp elephants – today?

One of the Pathways to Leadership facilitators shared, “It is often said that ‘it is lonely at the top.’ But isn’t it often lonely in the middle…as well as at the lower levels of an organization?”

 

How true! While those at the top certainly deal with immense pressures, it’s not just those at the top that could use extra support. With all the talk of bailouts, the rest of us might be left wondering, “What about me? Am I going to make it?”

 

It’s a huge elephant in the office for many organizations: No one can work and deliver at a high level when they’re distracted. With the inherent pressures of an economic firestorm, those around you are feeling the heat. Yet, no matter the rank, the tenure, the place on the ‘org chart,’ the absolute truth is, everyone wants to be GREAT.

 

Pretending the pressure isn’t there doesn’t work. And yet, while so many have the passion to serve others, the tactics used to serve often fall short; “Don’t worry, be happy” might make for terrific song lyrics, but it rarely helps those in need.

 

You can provide an emotional bailout for those around you by:

1)     Validating their emotions and perspective.

2)     Ask questions that allow them to:

a.    Build their strengths: “What is working well for you right now?”

b.    Build confidence: “How have you succeeded in difficult moments in the past?”

c.    Build momentum: “What can you do today that will help you focus and move forward?”

3)     And check back with them. Telling someone “Let me know if I can be of further assistance” rarely helps. Instead, mark your calendar and come back to them in a week with questions that allow them to share their successes with you.

 

Everyone wants to be great – not just those at the top. Help people to be great by assisting them in shedding the distractions that drag them down.

  

 

It’s a well-known axiom: Tough times reveal a person’s true character. Right now, what is being revealed about you?

 

A participant in Chicago shares, “I’m surprised how many people around me are whining. Victims seem to be everywhere! Yet, the economy isn’t doing anything to us. The economy isn’t even alive. It simply is what it is. We still have choices we can make.”

 

That’s a big elephant for a lot of people: Too many people are conceding! By focusing on “what’s bad” they are forfeiting their ability to choose a better response to the current economic circumstances. This guarantees they remain a victim – at the whim of circumstances out of their control.

 

Conversely, there are select leaders within every organization who are stepping up and taking responsibility. They are accepting the way things are, and regardless of how poor things look, they’re not conceding to a “it’s-going-to-be-bad-for-a-while” attitude. They are living and leading in a way that reveals the best of what is inside them.

 

Our good confidant, Randy, says, “These people are taking off their training wheels. All our experiences have brought us to this moment. Within each one of us is the desire to prove we are worthy of meeting difficult challenges. It may be difficult, but most people want – and are willing – to go for it.”

 

These questions help take off the training wheels:

• What can I control right now?
• How can I better accept the way things currently are?
• What actions can I take that will demonstrate the values I hold dear?
• How will taking responsibility right now reveal my true strength of character?

 

Some people go through life waiting for the moment to show themselves and others how strong they are. Others know such moments exist every day.