A few thoughts..... Part 2

Continuing from the topic of yesterday....

Life is not a popularity contest. Leadership is definitely NOT a popularity contest. You will disappoint others. That's not easy for many. Develop your courage to do what is right, even when it's hard, even when it's unpopular. This path leads to something more meaningful than popularity - respect.

Be a little more kind than you believe necessary. It may sound strange, but discover the healing power of kindness. It costs nothing. No committees are involved. No capital required. Just a decision to be a little more kind. It just may open doors. It may be just "what the Doctor ordered for a specific person at that moment". It may be what people remember you for. It will create more of the environment we all wish to work and live in.

Remember your families. I suspect each of you has high expectations for yourself. I've not yet met a person that got "here" on their own. Work is important but don't take your primary relationships for granted. They may not be there for you when your time is perfect.

Turn around and give a hand to someone. Medicine started as a craft industry. One person taught the next person who taught the next person. The opportunity, and I might say obligation, to bring others along is still a potent ambition. Others helped you. Turn around.

Tell others what you see in them while they are present to hear it and be motivated by it. A mother who lost a daughter once said something that has not been forgotten. "I hope my daughter knew she meant this much to others when she was alive." Don't miss an opportunity. I've yet to meet a person that has said, "no thank you, I've had enough appreciation or recognition". It costs nothing. We can get better at it and there's a decent chance it will lift another person at precisely a time they need it.

It's a big company and there's a lot going on. Remember this when you feel left out or missing critical information. It is almost assuredly not intentional. Assume positive intent. It's just easier that way.

Have zero tolerance for non-compliance for the most important things. Define for yourself what those most important things are. For me, it is treating others with respect, employee safety, a healthy work environment, advocating with integrity, and the experience of those around me. Do a check and make sure your actions are matching your intent.

Don't connect dots that don't belong connected. Boy, this is a tough one. It is so easy to fill in the story, and often, not so positively. I assume that we are each doing the best we know (if we knew how to do better, we'd likely do it), have some faith that others have made a reasonable decision. Not everything (in fact, most things) should be personalized. Those of us who are more sensitive will require a bit more practice on this one!

Leaders are always on stage. We teach others what we expect by what we say and what we don't say, what we ignore and what we take on, what we spend our time on and what we don't give time to, what we invest in and what we don't. As leaders, we are always being watched for these clues. It is healthy to do a check-in to see if you are teaching what you want more of. If you're really brave, ask your team what they think is important to you. That mirror, though sometimes painful, is a wonderful leadership development tool.

Put failure in perspective. Serious failures require very intentional and specific interventions. Thankfully, most of the time, that is not the case. We can breathe and talk honestly about the occurrences, the outcomes, and ways to mitigate in the future. Don't forget to check on the individual that is carrying the failure. Your words of encouragement may just well mean the difference between throwing in the towel or getting back on the horse.

Laugh. This is a serious business but we are creative, sometimes crazy, inconsistent human beings. That in and of itself is the source of fabulous comedy. Find humor in yourself and let it lighten the team.

Be Grateful. Life is often hard. Each day make the decision to begin it with a grateful heart. If you have to think of what to be grateful for, and can think of nothing, be grateful for breath. Your spouse, your children, your grandchildren. Things you learned while growing up. Memories you have of special people in your life. Be grateful and share what you have with others. You will never regret sharing who you are.

Be Brave, Be Kind, Be Awesome!!

Blessings!