The recent DDM challenge fired me up, and what I realized was that it had been a sleeping lion--and, with evaluations around the corner, the lion woke up and roared.
Now what?
Well now we'll look systematically at the issue and move forward from there.
There will always be great challenges to meet. That's part of life. It's never going to be a continuous, smooth road with no disruption. And if it were, that would be quite dull.
How have the greatest leaders in our midst handled challenge?
Who do you look to when it comes to facing challenge with humility, humanity, care, compassion, and competence?
Some important messages I've learned to date as I think of this are the following:
- It's typically not one person who has the solution, but instead the result of "collective genius" or the best of what we have to offer together.
- Good process and systematic think mostly leads to good resolve and results.
- It's not an individual who is oppressive or cruel, but instead, oppressive and cruel behavior that demeans and oppresses.
- Sometimes we may not be aware that one's behavior is not positive; that's why collaboration can help everyone achieve more.
- Yet, sometimes an individual has to stand up and it's better to stand up and speak up sooner than later. So many sad events in history started because people did not speak up when small matters began to take hold. For example, just think what might happen if we elect a leader that demeans and insults multiple groups in our country and world--could that person ever be trusted to lead all?
- Love dominates.
- We err, make mistakes, and are never perfect. We have limited vision when it comes to what we know and see, that's why we need to work with others well.
- Good ethics, manners, respect, and listening are key components to leading and living well.
- Positive and proactive communication matters, and transparency saves time and leads to good work.
- The more challenges you face, the more resilience you develop, and the better you become at facing challenges.
There's much more I'd like to learn about facing challenges. Here are some quotes that will begin he journey for me:
"To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It's not about winning and losing; it's about every day hard work and about thriving on a challenge. It's about embracing the pain that you'll experience at the end of a race and not being afraid. I think people think too hard and get afraid of a certain challenge. - Summer Sanders, American Athlete
"Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others." - Amelia Earhart
"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." - Moliere
"It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a specific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties." - Abigail Adams
"Everything negative - pressure, challenges --is all an opportunity for me to rise." - Kobe Bryant
"Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity." - Stephen Covey
Most of all we have to bring our challenges respect, humanity, dignity, and care. This is not always easy to do when faced with a challenge, but it's the right thing to do. More learning to come :)
