Navigating the Fires: Leadership Lessons from Churchill's "If You Are Going Through Hell, Keep Going"

Have you found that leadership is rarely a smooth and predictable journey? How often do you experience obstacles that arise, setbacks, and crises that demand immediate attention? I have found that in these moments of adversity, I feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and tempted to give up. I feel like there is a battle in my mind between pushing through and just giving up.  In these times, I am often reminded of a quote attributed to Winston Churchill, "If you are going through hell, keep going." This powerful quote serves as a persuasive reminder for all of us to persevere through challenges, maintain our course, and emerge stronger on the other side.  For those who are in a leadership role, whether you like it or not, others are watching how you respond.  Here are some thoughts.

Embracing the "Keep Going" Mentality

• Leading by Example: Your resilience and determination are contagious. By demonstrating a "keep going" mentality, you inspire those in your care to face challenges with courage and perseverance.

• Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Develop your own and encourage in your team a growth mindset, emphasizing that setbacks are opportunities for learning and growth. By how you respond and coach, help them see challenges as stepping stones on the path to success.

• Focus on the Long-Term Vision: When faced with adversity, It's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Remind yourself and your team of the long-term goals and the ultimate vision we are working towards.

• Providing Consistent Support: During challenging times, offer unwavering support and encouragement to your team members. Be a source of strength and provide the necessary resources and guidance to help them overcome obstacles.

• Celebrating Small Victories: Acknowledge and celebrate small wins along the way. Recognizing and appreciating progress, even in the face of adversity, can boost morale and keep the team motivated.

• Lean on Your Cohort Community: As a leader, we are often the tow truck for others.  I recently heard someone ask, “When things get rough, who will tow the tow truck?”  This is what your closest allies are for.  It is important to build a community around yourself of people who will guide you through the tough times.

Leading Through Uncertainty

Many of you have seen that in today's rapidly changing business landscape, uncertainty is the new normal. As leaders, we must be adept at navigating ambiguity, adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and making critical decisions with limited information. The "keep going" mentality is crucial in these situations. It requires leaders to:

• Remain Agile and Adaptable: Be willing to adjust strategies, pivot when necessary, and embrace new approaches.

• Foster a Culture of Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing learning and development within the team to adapt to new challenges and embrace new opportunities.

• Adopt Innovation: Encourage experimentation and innovation to find new solutions and overcome obstacles.

• Embrace the Concept of 80% Solutions: In business, this is applied as 80% of all solutions are a result of 20% of effort.  A practical way to implement this is to not wait for a full, complete solution before moving in a meaningful direction.

Leading through challenging times requires unwavering determination, resilience, and a deep-seated belief in your and the team's ability to succeed. By embracing the "keep going" mentality, you can inspire your teams to overcome adversity, achieve their goals, and emerge stronger than ever before.  In short, another Churchill quote seems appropriate, “Never, never, never give up.”

The Rise of "Cloud Repatriation": Why Some Businesses are Bringing Workloads Back On-Premises

This week I am taking a slightly different approach.  Today, the focus is on a trend that I am starting to discuss among a number of business and technology leaders.

Note: Cloud repatriation refers to the process of moving applications and data back from the cloud (public or private) to on-premises infrastructure.

The term, “Cloud”, as it is used in the current business environment could mean many things, but in essence it is the renting of space in someone else’s compute environment. In renting this space, typically, the responsibilities of securing, storing, maintaining, patching, equipment refresh/replace, and threat reduction of the compute environments are handed over to the organization from whom you are renting.  From a business operation perspective, this rental space can be in the form of a replacement to an on-premises configuration and business solution where you still maintain the software licensing, support, and maintenance (like JD Edwards EnterpriseOne or Oracle eBusiness Suite).  It can also be a subscription service (Software as a Service – aka SaaS) for your business system (like Oracle ERP Cloud or Oracle HCM Cloud) where you pay “by the seat” for employees to access the items to which you are licensed.

The cloud has revolutionized how businesses operate, offering unprecedented flexibility and scalability. However, a growing number of organizations are re-evaluating their cloud strategies and considering 'repatriating' certain workloads back to on-premises infrastructure.

Key Drivers of Cloud Repatriation:

• Cost Optimization:

• "Cloud Bill Shock": Unexpectedly high cloud bills due to unpredictable costs, underutilized resources, and complex pricing models can lead to significant cost overruns.  Additionally, once locked in, a contract renewal can show up with significant per unit cost increases in the rented compute power.

• On-premises can be more cost-effective for predictable workloads with stable resource requirements.

• Data Ownership, Sovereignty, and Compliance:

• Data residency regulations: Some industries and regions have strict regulations regarding data location and storage.

• Data security and privacy: Organizations with highly sensitive data may prefer to maintain greater control over their data security and compliance by keeping it within their own secure environments.  Think about how many national or international organizations have hit the news in recent years regarding sensitive data being breached?  Is your data compliant with GDPR and CCPA

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union (EU) law that protects the personal data of EU citizens. It's considered one of the world's strongest privacy and security laws

• The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a state law that protects the privacy of California residents. It gives consumers rights to know and control how their personal information is used and shared

• Data Ownership: Contractual agreements should outline who owns the data and when/how it can be moved or migrated to a different platform should the need arise.  Within the past 5 years, even with contractual agreements in place, organizations have lost control of and access to their data due to hotbed political issues and this must be considered.  What is your exit strategy for cloud hosted data?

• SaaS Data: For SaaS business systems, you often do not get direct access to the data behind the screens you use.  This means that migrating to an alternative solution requires a new, completely full setup of data like Charts of Account, Automatic Accounting Instructions, etc.

• Performance and Latency:

• Cloud Location: Often the rented compute space will be several states, countries, or even continents away from the location where business operates.

• Applications with stringent performance requirements: Applications that require low latency, high throughput, or real-time processing may perform better on-premises with optimized network configurations.  Certain financial reporting and cash transactions need to be tracked in real-time. 

• Edge Computing: For applications that require processing data closer to the source, on-premises solutions or edge computing may be more efficient. IoT operations often require immediate response times.

• Maintenance Cycles: For most public Cloud offerings, the owner of the rented compute space tells you, rather than asking you, when various maintenance operations will take place.  There is little or no consideration for your business operational needs.

• Control and Customization:

• Greater control over infrastructure: On-premises deployments offer greater control over hardware, software, and security configurations.  You get to decide on your own outage windows for patching, refreshing equipment, and other maintenance operations

• Tailored solutions: Organizations can tailor their on-premises infrastructure to meet their specific needs and requirements more effectively.

• Vendor Lock-in Concerns:

• Reducing reliance on single vendors: Repatriating some workloads can help reduce reliance on a single cloud provider and increase flexibility.

Important Considerations:

• Cloud Repatriation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's crucial to carefully evaluate the specific needs and circumstances of each organization.

• Hybrid cloud strategies: A hybrid cloud approach, combining on-premises and cloud resources, is often the most effective solution for many organizations, allowing them to leverage the benefits of both worlds.

The Future of Cloud Computing: Changes and growth in cloud computing should also be factored into decisions being made.  Here are some additional considerations as cloud computing looks to the future.

• AI and Machine Learning in the Cloud:

• AI/ML-powered Cloud Services: Cloud providers are increasingly integrating AI and ML capabilities into their offerings, enabling businesses to leverage these technologies without the need for significant upfront investment.

• Examples: AI/ML-powered services include natural language processing, computer vision, fraud detection, and predictive analytics.

• Sustainability and Green Computing:

• Focus on Energy Efficiency: Cloud providers are increasingly focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability in their data centers, utilizing renewable energy sources and implementing energy-saving technologies.

• Green Computing Initiatives: Organizations are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. Cloud computing can play a crucial role in achieving these goals by enabling energy-efficient data centers and reducing the need for on-premises infrastructure.

• Serverless Computing:

• Increased Adoption: Serverless computing, where developers only pay for the actual execution time of their code, is expected to see significant growth.

• Benefits: Serverless computing offers increased scalability, reduced operational overhead, and improved cost efficiency.

• Quantum Computing as a Service:

• Emergence of Quantum Computing in the Cloud: Cloud providers are beginning to offer access to quantum computing resources, enabling businesses to explore the potential of this groundbreaking technology.

This only touches on considerations on the leap into cloud computing, repatriation, and hybrid solutions.  Information Technology, Information Systems, and Business Operations leaders have a lot coming at them very quickly.  It is important to stay informed and have key individuals who can help with navigating these new territories.  What thoughts would you like to add to this conversation?

Walking The Tightrope: Leaders Balancing Between Task Management and Team Well-being

How often do you find yourself striving to balance the constant dichotomy of task management and team care? As leaders we often are responsible for managing, meaning we are ensuring projects and tasks are completed on time and to a high standard, driving results and achieving organizational goals. Simultaneously, we are called to lead, meaning that we have a crucial responsibility to foster a healthy and supportive environment for our team members, ensuring they are not overburdened, stressed to the point of burnout, or feeling undervalued. This tightrope walk requires a delicate touch, a keen awareness of individual capacities, and a commitment to open communication. A leader who prioritizes tasks above all else risks alienating their team, stifling creativity, and ultimately hindering long-term success. Conversely, a leader who focuses solely on team well-being without effectively managing tasks may struggle to meet deadlines, lose credibility, and jeopardize the organization's overall performance.

Herein lies the challenge, of finding the sweet spot where productivity and compassion intersect. It's not about choosing one over the other, but rather integrating both seamlessly into the leadership approach. Each team and organization will have its unique harmony. This involves setting clear expectations and goals, providing the necessary resources and support, and regularly checking in with team members to gauge their workload and stress levels. It also requires a willingness to be flexible and adjust plans when necessary, recognizing that unforeseen circumstances and individual needs may require shifts in priorities. As leaders we must be attuned to the subtle signs of overwork; such as decreased engagement, missed deadlines, or changes in team members' demeanor – and take proactive steps to address these issues before they escalate.

One of the most effective tools for balancing task management and team well-being is open and honest communication. As leaders we should set expectations and conditions where team members feel comfortable sharing their concerns, asking for help, and providing feedback. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and informal conversations can provide valuable insights into individual workloads and team dynamics. By actively listening to their team and demonstrating genuine care for their well-being, leaders can build trust, foster a sense of community, and create a culture where everyone understands expectations and strives to support one another in driving successful outcomes.

Ultimately, the ability to balance task management and team care is a hallmark of exceptional leadership. It requires us to be both results-oriented and people-focused, recognizing that the success of the organization is inextricably linked to the well-being of its team members. By prioritizing both, leaders can create a thriving and productive work environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best work, achieve their full potential, and feel valued for their contributions.

If you would like to talk through this dichotomy in greater detail. I welcome your conversation. Reach out to me at todd@toddrthomsen.com.

Building a Foundation of Trust: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership

Over the years, I've learned (and continue to learn) that trust is more than just a feel-good notion; it's the bedrock of strong teams, successful partnerships, and ultimately, organizational growth. Just as a house cannot stand without a solid foundation, a leader's ability to inspire, motivate, and achieve results hinges on the trust they've built with their team members, clients, and stakeholders.

The Imperative of Trust

• Enhanced Collaboration: When trust is present, team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, admitting mistakes, and working together towards common goals. This fosters a collaborative environment that sparks cohesion, innovation, and problem-solving.

• Improved Employee Engagement: When a team trusts their leader, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and invested in the success of the organization.

• Stronger Client Relationships: Trust is essential for building strong client relationships. Clients who trust your expertise and integrity are more likely to be loyal, receptive to your recommendations, and open to long-term partnerships.

The Pitfalls of Broken Trust

Just as trust is essential for building a successful organization, a broken trust can have a devastating impact. Here's how a lack of trust can manifest in the business world:

• Decreased Morale and Productivity: When teams don't trust their leaders, morale suffers, leading to decreased productivity, increased mental and physical absenteeism, and higher turnover rates.

• Communication Silos: A lack of trust can lead to communication breakdowns, with team members withholding information or becoming hesitant to voice concerns. This hinders decision-making and problem-solving as crucial facts are missing or misrepresented.

• Damaged Client Relationships: Broken trust with clients leads to lost business, negative word-of-mouth marketing, and difficulty establishing new client relationships.

Rebuilding Trust

Regaining trust after it's broken takes time, effort, and genuine commitment. Here are some initial steps a leader can take:

• Acknowledge the Breach: Transparency is key. Openly acknowledge the mistake or broken promise and take responsibility for the actions that led to the erosion of trust.

• Communicate Authentically: Be honest and upfront in all communication. Clearly explain the steps being taken to address the issue and preventative actions to avoid future occurrences.

• Demonstrate Consistent Action: Actions speak louder than words. Follow through on commitments and demonstrate a consistent effort to rebuild trust through your behavior.

This Blog Post is Just the Beginning

If you, as a leader, would like to engage further in this discussion, or any other leadership topic, feel free to reach out to me at todd@toddrthomsen.com.

The Last of the Amazons - Steven Pressfield

Image from Greek Reporter

Have you ever woken up one morning realizing everything you thought you knew about your life or career was about to change? That's the gut punch Steven Pressfield delivers in his captivating novel, 'The Last of the Amazons'.  In this novel, he transports us to a world facing unexpected and unplanned change, where the legendary Amazons, a society of warrior women, face the end of their society. The book highlights Theseus, the Athenian hero, and his encounter with the Amazon queen, Hippolyta. The book delves into the complex dynamics of a society grappling with internal strife, external threats, and the inevitable shift of power. While it is unlikely that you have experienced the same level of alteration in your life.  The struggle for survival, the clash of cultures, and the exploration of leadership in the face of extinction outlined in this book provide powerful metaphors for the challenges and opportunities we face in business and personal lives today.

 When being introduced to new business models or working conditions, we can use the illustration of Hippolyta, and the burden of leadership during a time of profound transition. She is torn between holding tight to the traditions of her ancestors and adapting to the changing realities of the world. This resonates with the challenges faced by leaders in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Whether it's digital transformation, adapting to new market trends, or building a new career, leaders must balance the need to honor established principles with the imperative to innovate and adjust. Hippolyta's struggle to maintain unity within her ranks while facing external pressures reflects the complexities of managing teams and navigating client relationships, especially in a fractional capacity where you're often working with diverse groups and established organizational cultures. 

 Like how the ability to predict how dynamics shift with the addition of new stakeholders is difficult.  The conflict between the Amazons and the Greeks represents a clash of cultures, values, and ways of life. Pressfield masterfully portrays the strengths and weaknesses of both societies, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives. In the business world, especially in leadership roles, this ability to understand diverse perspectives is crucial. Whether you're working with clients from different industries, managing multicultural teams, or navigating complex stakeholder relationships, the ability to empathize, communicate effectively, and bridge cultural divides is essential for success. This theme is particularly relevant to the challenges of building a managed services practice, where understanding diverse client needs is paramount to building trust and delivering value.

 Despite facing overwhelming odds, the Amazons demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability. Even in the face of their impending decline, they fight fiercely to preserve their way of life and find a new path forward. This theme of resilience is highly relevant to our personal and professional development. In our careers, we inevitably face setbacks, challenges, and unexpected changes. Adapting, learning from our experiences, and persevering in the face of adversity is crucial for achieving our goals. This is especially true for entrepreneurs and those building new businesses or practices, where adaptability and resilience are key to navigating uncertainty and achieving long-term success.  My question is, how well are we leading through the changes we see in business?  Are we communicating clear and understandable messages?  Are we connecting with those in our care?

 Just as the Amazons faced the challenge of adapting to a changing world, businesses today face constant pressure to innovate and evolve. Whether it's through strategic leadership or the implementation of tailored services, helping companies navigate these challenges and achieve their full potential is my core mission. By understanding the principles of leadership, resilience, and cultural understanding, we can empower businesses to thrive in today's dynamic environment. If you are interested in having a conversation about how I can be of service to you, feel free to reach out to todd@toddrthomsen.com.

The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great

Image from AhramOnline

Steven Pressfield's "The Virtues of War", we read a compelling portrait of Alexander the Great, not merely as a military genius, but as a complex and multifaceted leader. While the backdrop is ancient warfare, the principles of leadership, strategy, and resilience depicted in the novel resonate deeply with the challenges and opportunities I have witnessed in today's business world. As I've reflected on Alexander's approach to leadership, I've found striking parallels to the skills and mindset required for success in building managed services practices and providing effective fractional CIO/IT Leadership services. It's not about conquering territories, but about conquering challenges, building strong teams, and delivering impactful results for our clients.

One of Alexander's defining traits was his strategic brilliance. He was a master of anticipating his enemies' moves, adapting his tactics on the fly, and seizing opportunities that others missed. This strategic agility is paramount in today's rapidly changing technological landscape. When developing IT roadmaps for clients as a fractional CIO, or when building a new managed services offering, the ability to analyze market trends, anticipate client needs, and adapt to unforeseen circumstances is crucial. Just as Alexander adapted his strategies on the battlefield, we must be willing to adjust our approaches and solutions to ensure we're delivering maximum value and achieving our clients’ objectives. This ability to pivot and adapt to changing conditions is essential for providing effective fractional services where each client presents a unique set of challenges.

Alexander's ability to inspire unwavering loyalty and motivate his troops to extraordinary feats is another key takeaway from "The Virtues of War." Building and leading high-performing teams is essential in any leadership role, and it's especially critical in the context of managed services. Whether managing an internal team or collaborating with client teams in a fractional capacity, the ability to communicate a clear vision, foster a collaborative environment, and motivate individuals to achieve common goals is paramount. Just as Alexander inspired his troops to fight for a shared purpose, we must inspire our teams to deliver exceptional service and build strong client relationships. This is even more important in a fractional role, as you are often integrating with existing teams and need to quickly build trust and rapport.

Beyond strategy and motivation, Alexander's success stemmed from his unwavering discipline and relentless focus on execution. A brilliant strategy is meaningless without the discipline to implement it effectively. This is equally true in the business world. Whether it's managing a complex IT project, delivering ongoing managed services, or providing strategic guidance as a fractional CIO, discipline, and execution are essential for achieving desired outcomes. In my experience, building a successful managed services practice requires meticulous planning, consistent execution, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Just as Alexander demanded the highest standards from his troops, we must demand excellence from ourselves and our teams to deliver impactful results for our clients.

Read, adapt, apply, teach, grow…these are all essential in today’s business climate. Reach out to me at todd@toddrthomsen.com if you would like to discuss leadership mentoring or coaching.

5 of 5 - Intellectual Engagement and Growth - Optional or Non-Negotiable?

This is the fifth and final in a series of principles, that in order to live a fulfilled life and lead others successfully, requires committed, intentional, and consistent action. I will continue to give credit to Thom Shea as the person who introduced me to these 5 pillars. Each of us will have our own way to apply these to our lives. I view these pillars, as non-negotiable. Have you been convinced so far? Let’s see what you think about this one.

It is critical that we stay mentally engaged and challenged throughout our entire life. Our brains function much like muscles, in that to experience growth we must exercise. If we fail to exercise our brain atrophy will engage. The older we get the sooner atrophy sets in and the quicker we lose functionality. There are supplements we can consume to help, but the reality is growth requires hard work, dedication, and intentionality.

I have read the synopsis of studies and listened to neuroscientists who are much better at sighting evidence that being intellectually engaged and growing helps overcome cognitive decline as we age. I want to be like my great-grandmother and my mother. They were always mentally engaged. Every time I would see either of them, they had something to talk about and was wanting to know about the lives of those around them. They both quilted, crocheted, and knitted until weeks before they died. They were knowledgeable about current events and could carry on a conversation even in their last days.

There are a few tools I use to seek mental growth and engagement.

• Long-Form Podcasts - These are gaining in popularity. I believe it is due to the desire for people to engage in more than just sound bites. There is an increasing hunger for a deeper understanding of thoughts, ideas, theories, and details around important aspects of our lives. One podcast that may be a good start is Huberman Lab. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

• Reading Books - Whether it is a digital or physical book, reading material that is more than just a few pages engages our brains in multiple ways that short-form cannot match. The plot/storyline is built and expanded upon, specific details are explored, and thoughts and ideas are challenged. While I appreciate audiobooks and podcasts, reading engages the mind more deeply and thoroughly as pages are turned and more senses are involved. Two leadership books I would highly recommend are Unbreakable by Thom Shea and Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

• Exercise - Yes, this is great for addressing the first pillar in this series (1 of 5 - Physical Health - Optional or Non-Negotiable?), and being physically fit helps engages us cognitively. The blood flow and nutrients necessary for intellectual growth are more abundantly delivered to our brain while we exercise and when our overall physical well-being is being addressed.

As we age and technology progresses, how are you going to grow in intellect? Will you find a creative way to implement Artificial Intelligence into your job or your daily life? Will you explore the concept around blockchain? Are you going to find new ways to partner with other professionals and provide improved services to your clients? Will you learn a new language?

We all have our unique ways of engaging intellectually. Even as an individual, the most effective tool you use today may be different than what you needed yesterday. Spend time being mentally challenged and engaged. Push through difficult concepts and ideas to gain a better understanding. You will find it rewarding. It provides an opportunity to have more conversations. When we speak humbly and intelligently about topics, others will be more open to our ideas. We can better understand those around us who have better expertise when we have a base of knowledge in the topics that interest them.

The key is growth, movement, and challenge. My tools for mental improvement are not going to be the same as yours. How I apply my tools will be different than yours. We are each uniquely and wonderfully designed. Stay engaged mentally and you will find it worth the time and effort.

4 of 5 - Maintaining and Strengthening Intimate Relationships - Optional or Non-Negotiable?

This is the fourth in a series of five pillars that in order to live a fulfilled life and lead others successfully, requires committed, intentional, and consistent action. I have adopted and adapted these five pillars, but they originated from Thom Shea. These pillars are non-negotiable. Let’s see if I can articulate well enough that you might also be convinced.

We have been designed as social beings. One of the worst things you can do in life is to isolate yourself. The most severe punishment in jail is solitary confinement. Thom Shea has shared the story of a time when he was a BUD/S instructor and learned how much isolation will cause the strongest SEAL candidates to quit. We found out through the 2020 response to a virus, just how painful it can be for individuals to be alone. Suicide, alcohol abuse, opioid dependency, and many other problems increased significantly due to government mandates requiring self-isolation. Our mental and emotional stability is indescribably tied to having close relationships with key people in life, and physical and emotional intimacy with our “significant other”.

Building strong intimate relationships touches on the very core of who we are and how we successfully navigate the world in which we live. These are people who know our deepest desires and greatest weaknesses and still love and care for us. They are also the ones who we will give our lives to protect, our hearts to support, and our thoughts to guide. When we experience our biggest triumphs, these are the people we want to celebrate at our side. We applaud their successes with great enthusiasm and deep pride.

Do you have someone in your life who will clean your wounds, insist you take your medicine, push you to exercise…and you will do the same for them? I am referencing all aspects of these areas and not just physical. Our wounds that need cleansing, medicine to take, and exercise that needs to take place may be spiritual or emotional as well. This would be someone who loves as you are but will help you reach and push to achieve even more, and you do the same for them.

Some of us learn the hard way that this is a crucial part of life. The physical, fiscal, emotional, mental, and spiritual drain of going through a divorce takes its toll. We need to take the time and make the effort to show our loved ones they are important. 30 minutes a day, devoted to listening to and communicating with your loved ones will pay back dividends that cannot be tracked on a balance sheet or time card. It does not need to always be deep conversations, but it can be. If there are times when they need more than 30 minutes then do it…for as long as is needed. This is not a staff meeting at work that must begin and end by a specific time. Give your significant other the time they need to verbalize their thoughts and be thoroughly heard. Speak your mind with a humble, honest, and loving purpose. Intentionally follow up on promises and commitments made during these conversations.

If you want to be able to lead others in a professional environment, it takes putting in the effort to lead well in your intimate relationships. This is where you learn to uncover motives, fears, and uncertainties. You strengthen your ability to empathize and have compassion. You learn how to hear inflections in voice and watch body posture, to see how these reflect emotions. You grow in the ability to deeply connect.

Love and be loved. Your life will be more fulfilled and you will have an increased ability to share more care and compassion with those you are called to lead. In the end, people will remember how you treated them more than the words you spoke to them. Having and building intimate bonds with those who are close to you will give you greater strength to face challenges and encourage others.

3 of 5 - Spiritual Wellbeing - Optional or Non-Negotiable?

This is the third in a series discussing five pillars for which I have become convinced that to live a fulfilled life and lead others successfully, requires committed, intentional, and consistent action. I have adopted this idea of these five pillars as a result of reading books written and listening to a podcast by Thom Shea. I view these pillars, as non-negotiable. Let’s see if I can articulate well enough that you might also be convinced.

This post is a bit of a struggle for me. It is so because, by design, we are all created to have a unique and individual spiritual experience. Putting words to my thoughts here will give you the way I see my spiritual well-being lived out. To compact this huge topic into a post that takes just a few minutes to read is not giving proper justice. I will hit some highlights, and let you decide whether Spiritual Well-Being is “Optional or Non-Negotiable”.

Humans are the only creatures on this planet to have a conscious knowledge of the difference between right and wrong, or good and evil…a sense of morals. Exodus 20, in the Old Testament, gives us the 10 Commandments. These are the groundwork for a moral and spiritual compass…perhaps we can call it a target for which to aim. Having morals and laws protecting other humans is more than just following “survival of the fittest”, which defines most other creatures on our planet. Morals are born from spiritual awareness and valuing of other humans despite their differences in appearance, ancestry, or other immutable characteristics.

In today’s business culture, we shy away from the word “sin”. The origins of this word come from ancient archery terms “Hamartia” (Greek) and “Hata” (Hebrew), both meaning, “to miss the mark”. It takes years of practice and incremental improvement to achieve the skill to hit a precise target. Over the course of these years, you will often miss the mark. If you have ever tried archery or any other marksmanship challenge which requires precise targeting, hitting the mark is very difficult and takes coaching, patience, and thousands of iterative attempts.

When we watch great athletes compete, what compels us to stand up and cheer when there is a big play or accomplishment? Could it be that it is a display of physical dedication, emotional commitment, and a spiritual experience that culminates and causes such great excitement in our heart and mind that we feel like we cannot resist the desire to cheer and celebrate? Great athletes have gifts and talents that go beyond DNA and intellectual acumen for the sport. They have what some call “intangibles”. Is there something spiritual in those intangibles?

When we use the 10 Commandments as our target for our moral direction, we will miss more than we hit. However, through coaching, practice, and diligent attention and focus our accuracy is improved. This journey also teaches us to be humble and understanding of the difficulties that arise when aiming at Spiritual Well-Being and growth. Putting us in a mindset to better influence those in our care and help them aim in a direction that brings them spiritual health.

I am not espousing a specific religion. I have been raised in a Christian community that is governed by Judea-Christian principles. I have the privilege of living in a time that is built on a foundation formed by the likes of Socrates, Plato, Plutarch, Jesus of Nazareth, Saul of Tarsus, and many other great thinkers who challenged common culture and pursued the spiritual realm. These men have shaped our Western Culture. Spirituality is not about perfection nor about controlling others. It is about getting in touch with the “intangibles” that are within each of us to help us grow and pursue a target that makes us better people and leaders.

2 of 5 - Fiscal Stability - Optional or Non-Negotiable?

This is the second in a series of five principles (aka pillars) that I believe are necessary to live a fulfilled life and lead others successfully. These pillars require committed, intentional, and consistent action. As mentioned in my previous post, I have adopted this idea as a result of reading books written and listening to a podcast by Thom Shea. Each of us will have our own way to apply these pillars to our lives. I have come to view them, as non-negotiable. Let’s see if I can articulate well enough that you might be convinced.

How to define fiscal (aka monetary) stability is somewhat personal. Two people who are predominant teachers of personal finance, Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki, have very different points of view on debt, credit, and how to be financially stable. I am not here to debate or declare one idea or approach as better than the other. I encourage you to research, evaluate, and (like my previous post on Physical Health), start one step at a time.

How many of you have had an argument with a friend, spouse, family member, or some other loved one over money issues? These heated discussions are not necessarily based on whether you can afford to spend the money, but rather on what the spending priorities should be. How much more intense will those feelings which lead to arguments over spending priorities be intensified when there is too much month left at the end of your paycheck?

Fiscal security affects the very foundation of who we are. When finances are in bad shape we will question the ability to keep a roof over our heads and provide sustenance for ourselves and those we love. On its own, financial distress creates pressures which can consume our thoughts, cause lost sleep, shake our confidence, and influence all other aspects of life.

Alternatively, when our finances are in order we are free to spend time and energy on things that are more beneficial to ourselves and those who we influence. It can be like losing weight…it lightens our load and frees up energy to be used for growth in other aspects of our lives.

So how does this apply to leadership? Here are a few ways.

1. Establishes systemic and ongoing discipline in life, knowing to stay within your limits.

2. Increased opportunity for the generosity of time, effort, and finances.

3. Having your own life in order provides credibility when you desire to influence others.

The more your own life is well organized, the higher your likelihood of other opportunities. Whether or not we know it, we are being watched by others. When our physical and fiscal pillars are solid, we have the freedom to thrive in other areas of life. When we have gone through the crucible of overcoming physical and financial obstacles we are better positioned to empathize with the struggles and lead others through their own difficulties.

Something to consider, a position or title of leadership does not equal leading. Leading means someone must be willing to follow. If we lack self-discipline, there is very little chance to inspire others to trust us to lead. All five pillars require attention and focus. Over the next few months, I will be adding the next three pillars (Spiritual, Intimate Relationships, and Intellectual).