#Day7: To Lead, Live.

What if we used this concept of #Day7 and Staying in Action as an opportunity to lead by living?

Take away position and title. Take away work and school and to-do lists. When we live our life by our values, according to our causes, while activating our talents, we are leading. You are leading. You are contributing. You are LeaderShape.

Let’s break it down.

Values

By knowing, owning, and living by our core values we are communicating to others what we stand for. Living by our values provides us with a touchstone that helps us to stay the course, even when we are challenged, tired, or tempted. 

We are grounded.

Causes

Some call it passion. Some call it their calling. Whatever language you use, the bottom-line is to connect with a cause that drives and inspires. Contribute to the cause, to that very special idea or vision, through how you live your life each and every day. 

We are activated.

Talents
When we use our strengths, talents, and gifts we are able to contribute in a manner that is personally exciting and that increases our chances of success. How is that so? Because you are putting into action what you are best at. 

We are gifted.

To lead, live. 

Live your values, your causes, your gifts. 

Do it daily. 

What better day than #Day7 to start?

#toleadlive

Book Review: The Road to Character

I find it increasing harder to take the high road because so few people even know that a high road exists. 

Seriously. I struggle thinking about taking the high road, doing the right thing, rising above the fray, when it seems that so few people even care that you are doing so. What’s the lesson in doing the right thing when no one cares about the lesson? Yeah, I can hear you now saying how pessimistic that view is and how can I do that when I work at LeaderShape! We do have our moments from time to time even when we work in such a positive environment. 

I’m not sure if you struggle with the same thing or not, but I’m thinking a lot about it lately. Probably why I have been drawn to books on character, integrity, and beliefs. I’ve been reading the latest book by New York Times columnist David Brooks titled The Road to Character as the title really jumped out at me. Mostly because the title suggests that getting to character takes some travel. Perhaps even a journey. That journey is what intrigues me. Maybe we have to wonder a bit and struggle with these issues continuously as it molds us much like a river molds the river bank and shapes the rocks. 

I’ve mentioned before the importance of staying in hard conversations and “the mess” as a way to address the issues we face as a society and as leaders. That hard conversation can also occur within our own heads as we wrestle with decisions such as whether to take the high road or not. Brooks mentions the difference between “resume” virtues and “eulogy” virtues. Love the way he presents that. The virtues that we adopt to impress other people and the virtues we adopt that will be remembered by. Those are definitely decisions we make in our mind that craft our character and the virtues that we believe in and adopt. 

I think you will enjoy reading this book as you think deeply about those virtues you hold dear, whether you decide to take the high road or not, and how your journey is progressing on the road to character. 

Good luck in that conversation. It may actually lead you to that high road where you may run into someone else trying to do the same. Then maybe it will seem more real. More crowded. More well worn. 

More worth fighting for. 

Paul