In business terms, a profit is the margin that you have when you take the difference between the amount of money you were paid and what it cost you to deliver goods or services. It is not all business endeavours that are profitable, and the margin can be different depending on the type of endeavour and how it is managed. In fact, the type of investment, market conditions, business climate, business strategy, management skills, etc. determine profitability. Most profitable businesses are those that are managed efficiently, where resources are optimized for gain. It seems that most endeavours in life are just like business transactions. For example, you can invest time and effort in studying for an exam so you can gain academic success. You can also invest time and emotional connection in a relationship so you can gain companionship. Whatsoever you invest and how you manage the investment would determine how much gain would be available thereafter, and the gain could be for you or shared with others. In the same vein, leadership calls for an investment; an investment of one’s personal resources including time, emotions, skills, talents, effort, and good will in other people. The most profitable leaders invest in others. The hallmark of leadership is the manifold effect realized when the world gains other leaders because of our investment. As individual leaders in our areas of niche, let us make the new year a profitable year by becoming intentional in our relationships with those we work with. Every single one of us can be a source of inspiration to those around us. Our conduct, dedication, contribution, and the support we provide to others become part of our collective effort to build a better society. The world becomes a better place when individuals become better people. That would happen through your stewardship and my stewardship, as we become more profitable in our leadership in the new year. Actions for the week
A quote to remember “If you want one year of prosperity, grow grains. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people.” – An old Chinese proverb. Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books
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You are approaching the end of the year. You have worked hard. You have put in your effort. It may not matter whether you have won or not, but you finished. Even if you did not conquer territories, you saw the end of the year’s campaign. Maybe you are just like me, having had a lot of goals written so you can reach them in the year. You achieved many but missed some. Or maybe the year didn’t even start on a great note, but you managed to navigate through the complexities of the year. You are looking at the end of the year, taking stock, wondering if the year was successful or not. I have good news. The real feeling you would experience at the end of the year depends on how you think it went. It is a perspective. Meanwhile, we must all realize that we have another year to look forward to. Instead of worrying about the year that is passing, we can pull back from all the busyness and find time to rest. This is the season of rest, a time when we withdraw from the hassles so we can draw new strengths for the coming year. Retreating helps us to relaunch so we can gain new momentum from the recoil effect. You have emptied your fuel tank during the year. It is time to refill, reload and replenish. As we approach the December holiday, you and I need to find time to recuperate so that we are fit to achieve bigger things in the new year. It is truly a festive season but also a season to recharge. Would you make it a restful season? I have decided not to start the new year under stress. What about you? I am spending time resting, reflecting, and setting specific goals for the new year. I want to be smarter next year than I have been this year. I want to rebound with energy, full of hope, grace, and goodwill to everyone I encounter. I hope you are willing to do the same. Let us use this season to retreat, replenish and rebound. Actions for the week
A quote to remember People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep. – The book of Ecclesiastes 5:12 (NLT) Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Sometimes when people say they are results-oriented, they may mean one of many things. Perhaps they are such that their work or leadership can lead to the completion of projects, achievement of milestones, realization of set goals or reaching a destination. However, in some instances, it may mean getting outcomes at whatever cost. Some people are so focused on the milestones and results from their work, such that it doesn’t really matter what process leads to the end. If results are achieved, then everything is fine. For some, it may mean circumventing principles and policies to achieve results, while for others, it may mean driving people like machines to reach their goals. Yet for others, it may mean paying whatever cost, including neglecting their loved ones and paying little attention to their own health, in the process of achieving results. I like to use a zoom lens on the aspect of using people to achieve results, which is common where people are seen just as numbers. At least, the organization paid for their time, so why not use them vigorously to get where we are going? The truth is that people are more important than the work. If the purpose of leading is to drive people like farmers would use oxen to drive a plough, then we have missed the whole point. Instead, we build people who, in-turn, build the society. It has always been my principle to get people to feel comfortable around me when we work together. I want them to know that the work they do is very important, but that they themselves are more important than the work. Leading is not about bossing people around but about influencing people for positive impacts. When we build a collegial environment, the work becomes easy. If we focus on building and empowering people, while providing the necessary direction, getting excellent results becomes a by-product. One of the reasons for leading is to show the way; the way that others would go. In that case, we do not drag people along the way. Instead, we give them the map, prepare them for the journey and let them go all the way. How do you lead? Actions for the week
A quote to remember "A leader ... is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind." —Nelson Mandela Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Do others in your field of endeavour look up to you for leadership, tutelage, direction, inspiration, or guidance? Are you so knowledgeable and skilled, such that your expertise and contributions command respect? If your answer is “yes”, you are a thought leader. People see you as the one to go to and as a source of authentic information or knowledge. Thought leaders have so much influence. If there is a thought leader in your field or work, you can learn a lot from them and glean from their wealth of experience. However, thought leadership may not be effective if the so-called leader does not add thoughtfulness to their knowledge. Have you seen a rocket scientist that, due to character flaws, cannot build the relationships needed to achieve much? Those who are thoughtful engage their minds in paying attention to the things that really matter. For example, they think about the needs of others, their relationship with others and the implication of their actions. They know that being smart is not enough but being wise is even better. You and I need to add thoughtfulness to our thought leadership. An effective leader is a person of influence and character. Leaders think deeply, take time to reflect, are empathetic and do not make decisions on impulse. Being thoughtful means careful and considerate thinking. It means thinking to consider factors surrounding an issue before acting on the issue. Thoughtful people are apt. Strong, brave, and supportive people normally gravitate toward thoughtful leaders. In that sense, a thoughtful leader will attract to themselves those who will help them succeed. It is not surprising that thoughtful people are successful people. However, someone who is very bright and smart but finds it difficult to attract good people to work with or who repel kind people should check their thoughtfulness level. Don’t just be a thought leader. Be a thoughtful leader. Actions for the week
A quote to remember The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind. – Wayne W. Dyer. Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books People wear masks for different reasons, and that, intentionally. A mask serves to cover all or part of someone’s face. A person wearing a mask has concealed their true face, thereby projecting a face that is not theirs. Whatever they wear is what others see. Moreover, an individual can put on different masks under different circumstances. They may wear a funny face today but look like a scary monster tomorrow. Those who hide behind a mask have the flexibility to change who people see from time to time. In fact, they may wear a face when you see them and then wear another one when I see them. You may know them as Jonny while I know them as Rosie. Those who wear masks conceal their identity so they can hide or, in fact, fool others. Are you wearing a mask? Anyone who projects an identity that does not truly represent them is hiding behind a mask. One of the major requirements of a successful business relationship is trust or reliability. But if you are wearing a mask, how can we trust you? A person of integrity maintains principles that do not change easily. When they say “yes”, we know they mean “yes”, and their “no” is “no”. Those who wear their real face maintain the same character everywhere they go. They are the same at home, at work and in the community. They are predictable and dependable. Are you? If you are a manager at work, do those who work with you trust you? Can they take your word for it? If you are working in a team, can your colleagues trust you? This is a call to integrity – integrity in both words and deeds. In my journey through life, I have met people of integrity, people who show their real face and maintain consistency in their positive character and disposition. I have also met people who lack moral character to lead or influence people for a lasting change, who wear masks to look good to some and then look otherwise to others. We all choose where we belong. Whatever is your choice, know that real people don’t wear masks. We know who they are. Actions for the week
A quote to remember As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself. Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility. – Nelson Mandela Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Weighing scales exist for the singular reason of telling us how much of a thing is in there. Depending on the value, the weight of a substance helps us to understand how much it is worth. Gold may be measured in grams, meat measured in kilograms and gravel measured in tons. Whatever is the scale or unit of measurement, a higher weight signifies more worth and more value. Meanwhile, weight is not only attributable to physical items. Intangible things can also be measured by weight. For example, how much does your idea weigh? You can weigh your options. You can be dealing with a weighty issue. There is one more non-physical item that I would like you to consider. How about weighing your thoughts? We all wish for a significant outcome from our endeavours. We want our effort to translate to gains, results that we can relate with and rewards for our satisfaction. However, the value of our thoughts and the outcomes of our lives are directly related. People do not generally rise above the value or worth of their thoughts. In most cases, the outcomes of our lives are not superior to the way we think. That is why everyone must weigh their thoughts and ensure that they measure up. What is the worth of your thought? If we were to measure what you think, would we place a lot of value on it? This is how it works. The mind is a powerful engine. It is the command center of everything we do. What we think and how we think determine what we do. If I think I can climb the mountain, then my mind will start giving me suggestions of ways I can reach the summit of the mountain. And that will become the foundation of my actions toward climbing the mountain. In fact, most of the things we do are automatically suggested to us by the subconscious part of our minds based on how we usually think. That means we cannot afford to have small minds. We must always check to see that our thoughts produce so much value. Check your own mind; evaluate your thought? How much did it weigh? Actions for the week:
A quote to remember: “All limits exist only in the mind, and it is only in the mind that they can be overcome.” — Alan Cohen Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Most of the time in my life, I pursued what I wanted. I would determine where I wanted to go and head for the direction. I would put all my effort into achieving whatever I wanted. Part of my experience was that I didn’t always have what I wanted. There were lots of hits and misses. Each time I missed the mark, I would get disappointed but also gather strength to try again. In fact, I have had many failures and have faced brick walls on many occasions. Through my journey, I learnt that life’s success is like a fabric woven with a series of losses and wins. Sometimes we win and other times we lose. The road to success is not an expressway. One thing that keeps me going is my understanding that nothing I missed achieving is worth my worry. If I set out to achieve something and I missed it, of what use would be my agitation and sleeplessness about it? The way I think is that I didn’t have it before I set out to achieve it and neither did I have it after. For example, if you were looking for a job and you applied for a job because you saw an advert in the newspaper, but was not hired after the interviews, you would have lost nothing. You did not have the job before you applied, and you didn’t have it after. If there were to be any change about you, it would be the fact that you learnt something during the process. Before you get too disappointed about what you didn’t achieve or what you missed, consider that your attempt was a good thing. Instead of worrying about what you didn’t get, you can spend the energy to reposition yourself for a better try next time. Each time we fail or miss the mark, we learn the lesson and keep moving forward. Whatsoever is your pursuit, one of the ways to handle disappointments on your way to success when you don’t get what you want is to remember that you had it neither before nor after. Maintaining a positive attitude will help you gather the strength to move forward. Actions for the week
A quote to remember We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King Jr. Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books One of my goals is to live on, forever. What do you think? Well, you and I know that it is naturally improbable to never die. Yet, I have seen many people who lived several centuries ago but are still living on. The memories we have of them keep them alive. They are dead but alive. They are gone but are always here. You know some of them – people like Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Mahatma Gandhi, etc. History remembers them for one of two things or both: who they were and/or what they did. If you and I will not be forgotten, we need to do work that will not be forgotten. One thing I have observed is that a person’s name is generally inseparable from their work. Your work will give power to your name. You don’t need to be a royal prince, a governor, the pope or even Cinderella. More importantly, you do not need to come from a popular family, have a noble antecedent or be born in America. It doesn’t matter what your background is, your work will give power to your name. If you do work that cannot be forgotten, your name will be remembered forever. Some people think they can make their name live on through their physical offsprings. While that may be true for a few generations, what really counts in the impact that anyone makes while they are here. One may say, but it is not possible for all of us to make names like those mentioned above. Yes, you are right. However, each person’s work is unique to them. Everyone makes an impact based on their own ability. What is important is that we do work that is worth remembering, work that makes memories of good things in the hearts of others. Every simple act matters. Every contribution matters. Everything we say matters. Our work matters. The way to never die is to do that for which others will keep remembering us even when we have departed from this material world. Actions for the week:
A quote to remember: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Have you ever worked with perfectionists, people who will not accept anything less than their standard? It is a good thing when we do things according to standards. We need to add thoughtfulness, care, and class to whatever we do. But we must use our energy the right way. When I was in high school, I had colleagues who would write neatly and exceptionally more legibly than I would ever do. Their notebooks looked so clean, with letters arranged perfectly and straight. Those colleagues would take extra care in creating notebooks that looked like art masterpieces. Unfortunately, the marks that we all scored in our physics and math had no respect for the beautiful handwriting. You could design your math results with whatever kind of craft you like without it meaning anything to the math principle. I preferred to focus on understanding the principle rather than trying to become an artist in physics class. Think about it. Is it possible to get serious with matters that add no value to our endeavour? We sometimes get busy with things that do not necessarily help to accomplish what we planned or targeted. In many instances we hold onto little things that detract from the main issues at hand, majoring in the minor and vice versa. The problem with getting busy with minor matters is that of wasted time. We do not need to discuss matters in circles without making any decisions. We do not need to spend all the time insisting on our own points of view alone when there are many other views on the table. We cannot afford to dwell on past matters that prevent us from moving forward and onward. It is too expensive to spend time thinking about the wrong others did to us rather than facing the future. Here is where I am going with this message. There are major things and there are minor things. In all our doings, we need to separate what is major from what is minor. We need to identify what is important to accomplishing what we set out to do and separate it from what is not essential. We need to learn to let go of petty, minor, non-value-adding issues and focus on the major, essential, and much-needed activities. Actions for the week:
A quote to remember: “You’ve got to think about the big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.” —Alvin Toffler Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books There are lots of things we do without thinking about them. Sometimes they are routines and habits we have formed over time. There is nothing wrong with having routines. It is okay to put some of our daily affairs on autopilot. In fact, forming good habits helps us to get ahead in many ways. A student that forms a habit of studying well will have a better chance at academic success. A person that consistently sets aside a significant amount of their earnings as savings has a better chance at financial success. Meanwhile, one of the downsides of our routine-based life is that most people are not intentional in setting up the routine. It does seem like we generally coast onward in life based on what is convenient. We just follow the ebb and flow of the sea without control over the direction of the wind. Yet our ability to make a difference lies in our willingness to become deliberate, to think through what we will do and how we will do it. For example, imagine how you would prepare if you were invited to meet your Prime Minister, President, or King personally. You will think and plan how to dress, what to say and how you will conduct yourself. Now imagine that you approach most of the major affairs of life the same way. Think about your work or business. Could you become intentional in how you handle every aspect of your work? Could you lead your team intentionally and not just as a matter of routine? Could you deliberately think through how you will contribute to success at your work; what you will do, how you will do it, and the difference it will make? The same applies to our families and relationships, and involvement in the community and associations. Make your relationships intentional. Be intentional in how you deliver services to others. Deliberately determine what your product would look like. Be intentional in how you project yourself to the world. It is time for us to always make it intentional, to live life deliberately Actions for the week
A quote to remember The key is not to prioritize your schedule but to schedule your priorities. – Steven Covey Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Share Tweet There are real issues in life, and we experience them at various proportions. I have seen people face the direst circumstances, so extreme that it is difficult for anyone to survive the situations. I have also experienced both challenging situations and breakthroughs. I am sure you have had your fair share of life’s overwhelming circumstances too. The situations may get difficult at work or at home. You may think that the beautiful things you were expecting are not forthcoming. You may even wonder why the light is always at the end of the tunnel and not inside the tunnel. In fact, you may be tired of waiting, thinking of letting go. Despite the challenges, I have concluded that life is beautiful for those who stay positive in their situations. Why focus our attention on what is not working when we have a whole lot to appreciate and enjoy? No matter how appalling the situation may be, I have noticed that most people have at least something to be grateful for. The mental attitude of positivity, appreciation and gratefulness helps us to stay strong in the face of problems. We need inner strength to overcome difficulties that arise while achieving success and fulfilling our purpose in life. Whatever is your current situation, whether good or not, does not define who you are. Your circumstances may shape your experience but does not tell your whole story. In most cases, our real experience is more about how we see our circumstances and less about what happened to us. How we experience life is more important than what we experience in life. And if you find yourself in an outrageous situation, remember that you may be at the edge of a breakthrough without knowing it. In that case, don’t ever let go. Hold tight. Stay strong and you will weather the storm. Actions for the week
A quote to remember “Keep your face always toward the sunshine―and shadows will fall behind you.” - Walt Whitman Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Have you ever wondered that it is usually a small number of people that make impacts compared to the vast majority? In games, there are the players and then the spectators. Some people will be on the stage while the majority will sit and watch. Each person has an opportunity to choose which side they will be on. The truth is that we cannot all be players, neither can we all be spectators. Some must play for others to watch. One more thing: the number of watchers is usually much larger compared to the number of players. In fact, solo singers, boxers, magicians, and orators depict that idea very much. While thinking about that fact, I concluded that life is also a game. Some make things happen while others watch. In a team of workers, there will be the performers and those who just mark time. Some people will blaze the trail while others trail the blaze. There are those who make significant contributions while others watch them as they thrive in their endeavour. Meanwhile, the choice of which side anyone would be on is for the individual to decide. Everyone chooses where and how they will participate in the game of life. We are constantly facing the decision to either be the performer or the spectator. You and I may not be the star actor in every area of life. However, we possess the ability to become key contributors in our own areas of niche or talent. We cannot afford to become onlookers in the areas where we are naturally inclined to perform. Here is the key point. Every one of us must ask ourselves what we are doing wherever we are. It goes like this: what am I doing here? Answering that question is important to determine if we are the player or the spectator. In all your endeavours, strive to be the performer, the superstar, in the area where you are strong. Everyone has an area of strength. Check where you are now. What are you doing there? Actions for the week
A quote to remember Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life. – Jackie Robinson Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Team dynamics can be an interesting phenomenon. There are those who see things differently from the mainstream idea. People like that may not follow popular opinions or group thinking. They think independently for themselves, bring different perspectives to issues and prompt questions that help shape ideas. You and I need people like that in our teams. We need those who bring a diversity of opinions to the table where crucial matters are discussed. Meanwhile, I observed a paradox. Diversity of opinion may not necessarily translate to positive outcomes, especially when it is overdone. There is no need to always play a discordant tune when the music is going steady. When people offer perspectives without holistic thinking, there may be no progress. Have you imagined what it would look like if we were diverse in opinions but worked in harmony, toward the same goal? Sometimes, what others need from us is our cooperation, our support for the matter at hand. It is not in every situation that we need to look for an alternative opinion. Once we have determined to work together on something worthwhile, then everyone should think about how to make positive contributions. In fact, your diversity of thought should be such that you are looking for ways to make the matter successful. As much as it is possible, you and I need to learn how to work with others in a cooperative, attuned manner, free from dissent and negativity. Great things happen when we work together in agreement. Think about your team, your co-workers, your family, or your community. There are many ways you can engage with others in a good-natured way. Your pleasantness, cooperation and support for other people will go a long way in building something that works for everyone. In every way possible, let us ensure that whatsoever we bring to the table contributes to the progress and eventual success of the matter we are involved in. Those you work with do not really need you to be at variance with them. They need your cooperation instead. Actions for the week
A quote to remember "No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." – H.E. Luccock Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books People show up at different times in our lives. We also show up for those we care about and those around us. There are various reasons and circumstances that necessitate one person showing up for another. You may grace the occasion of your friend’s birthday by attending their party. You may send a gift to someone you know. You may visit a family member at the hospital. You may babysit your friend’s kids while they are away on an important appointment. You may donate items to your local foodbank, give to a charity, send aid to those abroad or even volunteer your time to serve your community. Acts of kindness are beautiful when delivered with genuine motive. There is a sense of fulfillment we enjoy when we contribute to the betterment of others. Meanwhile, I have observed a situation where showing up for others touches their heart deeply. There is a common saying that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” If I have 10 oranges, giving me one more orange may not necessarily touch my heart deeply even though I would appreciate the gift. Giving food to someone who is not hungry and who has plenty to eat and to spare may not touch their heart. The mistake most of us make is that we focus our giving on those who already have what we are giving. Some even give to those who have so that they may receive something in return. It is okay to give to anyone we want, but it is more heartfelt when we give to those who are despairingly in need. There are lots of people who desperately need what we can give. They have been waiting for us to show up. Several years ago, I concluded that you are most useful if you are available when you are most needed. We need to show up when people need us the most; when we can meet people at the very point of their needs and touch the deepest parts of their heart. We do not need to have something grandiose to touch lives. We can do a lot with whatsoever we have by channeling our resources and effort correctly. You and I need to make ourselves and our resources available when we are most needed. Actions for the week
A quote to remember “Sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare”. – Mike Mclntyre Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books No one has anything in this world that has not been given to them. It is true that success and other great things are not necessarily given to anyone on a platter of gold, but they are still given. Behind the successes and achievements of most of the wonderful people we know are stories of enabling connections, collaboration, and the involvement of others. You have also probably benefitted from the advice, recommendation, tutelage, sponsorship, support, or benevolence of someone else. We do not get to great places or achieve great feats by being an island of our own. The leverage we enjoy when we are carried by others is very significant. Meanwhile, this message is not about you and me enjoying benefits from others, but about us becoming the lever for others. It is about carrying others as they try to reach their destination. We must not downplay the significance of the sponsorship, support, or recommendation we provide to people who are serious about their future. You and I may hold the key that opens the door to the blessings and breakthroughs of those around us. In fact, sometimes, what someone needs to succeed may be an introduction to someone else, a recommendation for an opportunity or providing direction. As simple as those sound, they require a genuine and deliberate effort on our part. The question is whether we accept the responsibility or not. Here is the call to carry someone else and participate in their journey to great achievements. If you look around, you will find many who need what you have. You have probably been brought into a place of honour, repute, and grace so that you can be a blessing to others. Someone may say, “but I also need help. I am not there yet”. You are right, everyone needs help. That is the reason we must spread help around and carry one another. Who do you carry? Actions for the week
A quote to remember “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Whenever I look on a busy street and see people passing, going about their regular business, I try to imagine what they are thinking. They are probably thinking about their work, family, favorite sport, friends, personal progress, how to make ends meet or even how to survive. People are preoccupied with the ups and downs of life. Although there are some that are busy working on evil schemes, most people are inherently seeking good things, just minding their own business, and trying to make life work. Yet we are generally inclined to think less of others, either seeing them on the other side of the societal divide or making unproven assumptions about who they are. What and how we think about others matters. We usually get what we expect. Our perception of others is determined mostly by the way we think. Most times we conclude who people are before we even meet them. It is not so much about what others do or where they come from. It is more about how we think about what they do and who they are. We let our minds take the shortcut of tricking us to assume people are who they are not, instead of trying to know them better. Don’t we see people the way we want to see them? We need to do better. We need to start seeing others in a better light. Here is where I am going. It is better to expect good things from those around us, because we get what we expect. If you expect good things from someone you will probably find good things from them. The converse is also true. If you expect less or expect bad things from those around you, you will always see bad things in them. It may not even matter how much good they do; you will focus on the bad side instead. The light you throw on people determines how you see them. What light do you throw on others? Actions for the week
A quote to remember “Persons appear to us according to the light we throw upon them from our own minds.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Have you ever wondered when you will be paid back for all the good things you have done? Do you feel discouraged, thinking you have contributed a lot but have not received much? You are not alone. You are among other millions of “good doers” who spend their energy and resources to build other people and society. Without a proper understanding of the purpose of doing good, one may be weary and feel like discontinuing their effort. Genuine “good doers” do not really expect much in return, especially at the beginning. They do good for the sake of “good”. They found purpose, a greater purpose, in doing good even if there will be no recompense. Meanwhile, it is important to note that doing good is also like sowing a seed. In that case, expecting something good from doing good is okay. Depending on the species of the plant, seeds have different lengths of time for germinating and the plant takes different lengths of time to become fully grown. If you are expecting a harvest from what you sow, you will need to wait for the length of time it takes. It is also important to note that whatsoever anyone sows are what they will reap. If you planted corn, you would harvest corn, maybe in a couple of months, and only once. If you planted a cocoa tree, you may wait a few years to begin harvesting but will reap the reward for several years. When we do good, we feel a sense of accomplishment. We feel the joy of sowing something for which a harvest may be expected whether we benefit from it or not. Doing good may come in different forms and shapes. You may spend your time and resources helping others. You may be a good parent to your children. You may provide training and mentoring for the next generation. You may be a positive and resourceful contributor at work. You may work to be a model of character and sound moral judgement for others. You may spend your life serving humanity. Whatsoever is the case or your reason for doing good, doing good is good business. Actions for the week
A quote to remember “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.” – The Bible (Matt 12:33 NLT) Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books It’s been two full years of weekly publishing of the Prowezz Leadership Newsletter. This milestone is worth celebrating. We learnt a lot of lessons along the way. Although there is much to celebrate and reflect on, the focus is on the future. As I wrote in my book Pursuit of Personal Leadership, success can get in the way of success. The reason some are unable to achieve greater success is because they settled into their previous success. They became complacent; getting off the bus at a bus stop that is still a long way before their destination. They told themselves they had arrived, even though they were just starting the journey. You have probably heard that life is a marathon and not a sprint. Completing a marathon requires endurance, focus and courage. You and I must keep moving forward. We must keep the fire burning. Success comes by forward movement, not by stagnation. We may have milestone achievements to celebrate along the way, but we must not lose sight of the future. Sometimes, we may not even have much to show for a lot of effort, but we must keep pressing forward. Whatsoever is our experience, our eyes must be on the finish line; on the goal that lies ahead. As we celebrate two years of this weekly newsletter, I would like to encourage you to stay committed to your dreams and aspirations. I am also making the same commitment and more. We are all on a journey, with each one of us in their own lane. Let the thought of reaching your future goals keep you awake to the tasks you need to complete to get there. Do not settle for anything small in your career and life. Do not let the success you have attained becloud you from seeing the greater things ahead. Stay on course. Continue to be productive. Keep the fire burning. Actions for the week
A quote to remember “Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out.” – Gordon B. Hinkley Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books I am yet to see anyone do anything great without courage. Courage is an ability; the ability to do something challenging or difficult. It is also the ability to go through a tough time without breaking. Incidentally, we face mountains and challenges in life. We encounter difficult situations at work. Some of the hard times are related to decision making while others relate to dealing with people. We also press against barriers as we forge our way into success. We are carried by the wind of change that requires that we brace up and brave the situations. Whatever is the case, we all need courage to succeed. One may ask: how do I secure courage? Well, courage is not something that can be given. It is more like an attitude that we must personally develop. Although one may be encouraged by someone else, one must learn to receive the courage. Being courageous is something internal. We get better at being courageous by practice. Our level of courage is tested by difficulties and challenges. If you “chicken out” in the face of oppositions, lack, set-backs, pain, or roadblocks, you may need to check your courage level. Developing courage helps to weather the storm. It makes you stand when your circumstance suggests that you should fall. I am not sure what your current experience may be at home, work, community, or society. Whatever is the case, you and I need courage. You need courage to make that leap. You need courage to overcome that situation. You need courage to make progress. You need courage to sort out the relationship issue. You need courage to be the top performer at work. In fact, we all need courage to navigate the complexities of the world we live in. As times change so do we need courage to adapt to change. Do not let your situation weigh you down. Do not let anyone despise you. Secure the courage to stay atop; to keep moving forward. Actions for the week
A quote to remember "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." – Dale Carnegie Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books Sometimes when I see people go all the way to do something important, I usually wonder where the energy, the driving force comes from. You may have team members that go the extra mile to ensure that things are done appropriately and acceptably. Those who give their best, who are selfless in their approach to progress are usually inspiring. One thing I have realized is that we all do what we do for a reason. Some do things because of personal and selfish gains, but I have seen people who do spectacular things without expecting anything. Then I realized the real reason anyone would do anything. When we share a true connection and we have genuine respect for one another, we would find it easier to step forward and give our best. A relationship, and especially one based on trust, cannot be underestimated. People will go to whatever extent possible to do remarkable things for those they truly care about. In that case, the reason they do it is not because of the thing itself, but because of the relationship. A quick test for you: have you had a situation where you did something good for someone just because you liked them; the same thing you wouldn’t have done for someone else? That is exactly what I am saying. The real reason you do what you do is because of your love for someone else. Otherwise, you will be doing it for a selfish reason. Imagine how much your team would achieve if there were a true connection between the members. People thrive and make meaningful contributions when they work with those they love and care about. It should be the intention of any leader to build relationships, respect, and trust among those they lead. Relationships provide a reason for anyone to do anything for anyone else. Actions for the week
A quote to remember "What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" — George Eliot Until another time,
Dele Ola, Award-Winning Author of Be A Change Agent Click HERE to learn about and get copies of Dele’s Books |
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