Leadership

"I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us...if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do.

Christopher Reeve said these words, and his quote captures the essence of what our motivational book Walk the Talk is all about.

It reminds us that having values is important, but living them is much more important...that words without deeds are nothing!

QUESTION: What does "courage" have to do with being a person of good character...with someone who stays true to their principles and their values?

ANSWER: EVERYTHING!

You see, being values-driven means two things:

Doing what's right - following our conscience; refusing to compromise our principles, despite pressures and temptations to the contrary, and

Taking a stand against what's wrong - speaking out, whenever we see others do things that are incorrect or inappropriate.

Unquestionably, both of those require guts and fortitude...they require courage.

Courage is...

Following your conscience instead of "following the crowd".
Refusing to take part in hurtful or disrespectful behaviors.
Sacrificing personal gain for the benefit of others.
Speaking your mind even though others don't agree.
Taking complete responsibility for your actions...and your mistakes.
Following the rules - and insisting that others do the same.
Challenging the status quo in search of better ways.
Doing what you know is right- regardless of the risks and potential consequences.

I'd like to share the "Cadet Prayer" that is repeated during chapel services at the U.S. Military Academy:

"Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole truth can be won. Endow us with the courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy."

That is truly the essence of courage.

Have you read our motivational gift book Walk the Talk? How do you walk your talk?

Here's a blog post with an excerpt from John Murphy's latest book, Leading with Passion. John is an author, speaker, and management consultant. He has trained thousands of "change agents", helping them to create positive change.

Please enjoy this short excerpt!

People have debated for many years about the single most important characteristic or "ingredient" for leadership. These discussions tend to go on and on with interesting inputs but no resolution. The same endless debate might take place if we were to ask what the single, most important factor for chocolate cake is. Clearly, there is an argument for chocolate. There is also a good argument for eggs, flour, sugar, water and an assortment of other factors, including oven temperature and time in the oven. In fact, if any essential ingredient is missing or out of balance, the cake is vulnerable. It isn't everything it could be.

Effective, passionate leadership requires many things. In this book, we cover ten essentials. Combine these key factors and we have a means to inspire millions of people all over the world. These essentials transcend culture, race, gender, age, ethnicity and industry. They are a combination of ingredients that give leaders worldwide a means to bringing out the very best in people. Use them to tap the extraordinary power and passion available to you:

Start with purpose to make sure you are doing what needs to be done.

Add a compelling vision to give people something clear and meaningful to focus on.

Mix purpose and vision with heart to bind with determination, courage and conviction.

Add a healthy amount of attention to be present and aware of the now.

Blend with integrity to build trust and demonstrate authenticity.

Bake with discipline to perform at optimal levels and be accountable for results.

Cover with generosity so that everyone gets a share.

Serve with credibility so that it tastes as sweet as it is.

Give thanks with grace for the abundance we have.

Enjoy with spirit and feed the soul.

What are the ingredients for successful leadership? How can you become a passionate, effective leader? What does it really take to inspire others?

Today, we're happy to share our guest blogger, Michael McMillan. Michael has authored and co-authored four books published by Simple Truths, including Paper Airplane and The Power of Teamwork. Michael recently visited Washington D.C. and was reminded about the gravity of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech 48 years ago. Please enjoy Michael's post:

"We must use time creatively," MLK, Jr.

Last week I was in DC delivering a keynote to a group of educators—superintendents, principals and vice principals. The event theme, Turning Problems Into Solutions, is the subtitle of my book, Pink Bat. My challenge was to inspire the audience to embrace creative thinking, look at "problems" in a new light, and to provide tools they could use to motivate the many teachers they influence. The client had great expectations… and I had only 45 minutes to make it happen. I'm happy to report the audience was wonderful, and based on the feedback, the event was a success. It seems I made my 45 minutes count.

Since Anne was able to join me, we decided to stay an extra day and explore our nation's capital. We walked a good ten miles, taking in the many sites DC has to offer. At some point we found ourselves climbing the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. And then, unintentionally, we both stopped short of reaching the massive marble statue and bowed our heads… eighteen steps short to be exact. With heads bowed, we read the inscription engraved in the step, "I HAVE A DREAM. Martin Luther King, Jr., The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963." My mind raced and I became overwhelmed with emotions. Without thinking about it, we found ourselves standing on the very step from which Dr. King delivered his historic speech.

After a moment… I honestly don't know how long we stood there… we eventually made our way up the remaining steps and listened to the National Park Ranger's presentation. While his presentation was informative and the monument was inspiring, I couldn't stop thinking about Dr. King. I returned to the step and stood directly on it. Looking out over the National Mall, I closed my eyes and traveled back to 1963. I was five years old when Dr. King shared his dream, but I remember it vividly… watching it on a black and white TV screen, hearing it repeated on the radio, listening to adults and kids discuss it as I tried to reconcile his words, their words, and my thoughts about the turbulent times. Dr. King was then… and remains… one of my heroes.

I opened my eyes briefly to take in the entire scene before closing them again and trying to remember the words spoken here some 48 years ago. He conveyed so much in such a profoundly eloquent and compelling way. But it was the end of his speech—the part where Dr. King departed from his prepared notes and improvised—when his vision became known to the world. Apparently, Mahalia Jackson, an African-American gospel singer, prompted him by shouting, "Tell them about the dream, Martin!" And tell us he did.

When we returned to our hotel that evening, I looked up the transcript of the "I Have a Dream" speech and read the words several times. Then something profound struck me. In this iconic speech, this brilliant man masterfully referenced numerous biblical allusions, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Declaration of Independence, Shakespeare's "Richard III," an old Negro spiritual, and so much more… all in seventeen minutes! What more can be said?

Here's a video from Robin Crow, author of Rock Solid Leadership. While I would love to tell you more about Robin, I think this video says it all. Enjoy!

We ALL Have Something to Contribute to Life

"Someone out there needs you more than you need them!" – Lt. General Hal Moore

I remember a day, many years ago, when I had the privilege to meet Alma Powell. "Young or old, you still have something to give to your country," she said. Now that I'm squarely positioned in the "mature" segment of our population, I think a lot about the wisdom of this statement, and believe that it applies to life as well.

Who's to say that a person of a "certain age" contributes less to our world than someone of youth and physical prowess? I plan on living at least another 50 years on this planet (I have to – I have way too many plans to check out earlier!!), and not in one mental image of myself down the road do I see a woman who is not giving back to my community, country, friends, family and earth. I will leave this world kicking and screaming if I don't make a difference. And, honestly, part of the drive within me to do something significant comes from a huge recognition of the trails blazed and conquered by those who have come before me. My achievements are meant to be an acknowledgement of the debt I owe to those who created the life I have, and who did so in uncertain, difficult, and often deadly circumstances. Giving back is part of who I am.

So, when I was offered the chance to come to Montevallo, Alabama to honor General Hal Moore as he was appointed Distinguished National Honorary Chair of The American Citizenship Trust and its American Village Campus; and to see him present the American Freedom Award to his longtime friend General George W. Casey, Jr., and posthumously to General George W. Casey, Sr., a fire in my belly said, "Go!"

I did, and I didn't look back. In anticipation of what I knew was going to be an amazing experience, in the midst of the events of the celebration weekend, which included the 88th birthday celebration of General Moore, as well as a 10th Anniversary celebration of the American Citizenship Trust, I opened myself up to meeting amazing people like Tom Walker, Founder and CEO of the American Citizenship Trust, and his wonderful, accomplished staff at the American Village.

I met the man called "Driver," the author of A Tender Warrior, and his lovely and spirited wife Char. I had the pleasure of meeting Brian Sobel, of Sobel Communications, a specialist in military history and events, who has interviewed and written about General Moore for publication numerous times.

But, I cannot tell a lie. The event truly came alive for me the minute the beloved Vietnam War hero himself, Lt. General Hal Moore, walked into view, a handsome soldier with a huge, beautiful smile. When he passed by me in the processional, I knew I was right where I was meant to be that day. And when he delivered his prepared speech with strength and conviction and energy, nearly 600 of us were electrified. We were truly "in the presence of greatness."

Diane Y. Chapman is President of Words To Your Advantage Speaking and Writing service. Her website is www.dichapman.com.