Inspire Action

Doing some reading this weekend and one TED led to another TED and I ended up on this one called How Great Leaders Inspire Action.  As I decided to send it out to a few of you, I got an email from a former team member.  She sent the link to me via email with a “must watch” note.  Coincidence?  Only if you believe in such things….

"You know, in the military, they give medals to people who are willing to sacrifice themselves so that others may gain. In business, we give bonuses to people who are willing to sacrifice others so that we may gain. We have it backwards. Right?” – Simon Sinek

We absolutely do have it backwards, but the great news is – it isn’t too late. “WE” can change! And when I say “WE”,  I always start with the “I”. 

“Leadership is a choice. It is not a rank. I know many people at the senior most levels of organizations who are absolutely not leaders. They are authorities, and we do what they say because they have authority over us, but we would not follow them. And I know many people who are at the bottoms of organizations who have no authority and they are absolutely leaders, and this is because they have chosen to look after the person to the left of them, and they have chosen to look after the person to the right of them. This is what a leader is.” - Simon Sinek

Be the leader who sets the tone.  And set a beautiful tone that is not only visionary and strategic, but also kind and compassionate. Most of all set the tone that allows team members to fall and learn and get up again [repeat] and then reward those team members for having the courage to fall forward. Reward them also for watching out for the colleague on the right and cheering them on as they fall forward.

Through that selfless action, make the world, your company, your home a GREAT, safe place to learn and grow.

TED Talks: How Great Leaders Inspire Action http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action

Whatsapp Founder wanted A Job; Facebook Said No -- In A $3 Billion Mistake

Was commuting to work and reading Forbes when a headline caught my eye. Whatsapp Founder wanted A Job; Facebook Said No -- In A $3 Billion Mistake.

As occurs often in our technology-related jobs, by the time I got to work two or three team members had forwarded same article to me or to the team with varying comments -- but all recommended a read.

Having already read it, I decided to respond to the entire distribution list with the following:

I absolutely LOVE this story.

While I think Facebook and Twitter made a mistake, I don’t believe it was a mistake for Brian Acton. In fact, NOT being hired was probably the best thing to happen. Heck, without corporate boundaries, he was able to be create WhatsApp. Thank heavens he wasn’t hired!! If he had, would he be worth $3 billion today? Would we even know his name?

The bigger message in this story just feels good and is a good reminder:
• It’s not important how many times you are knocked down. It is important that you get up and continue forward.
• Do not get hung up by people or companies that don’t know your value. Know your personal value.
• Do not EVER be content with lack of leadership. Instead rise and be the leader you want to see in your workplace.
• And, always remember that investment in people wins in the end. One of these days, I will consolidate all of these "reminders" as I imagine I would have quite a list.

Happy Thursday all,
Stacy

Vulnerability

Brené Brown has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. The first five years of her study focused on shame and empathy. She is now taking that learning to explore a concept that she calls “wholeheartedness”.

Last year, a friend introduced me to a Ted Talk by researcher professor, Brené Brown. Upon recommendation, my friend told me to “move beyond the title” and just watch the video. That was when I knew I was in trouble. Yep, there was going to be a message for me within the video.

The title of the Ted Talk was “The Power of Vulnerability”. My thoughts went between “um, okay” to ““Really?” to “No chance in …” to “If I get a free moment.” But, I did watch the video and 20 minutes later I understood why she had recommended it to me.

Brown describes herself as a “researcher storyteller” who studies the human connection. In the Ted Talk, Brown talks about her “slugfest” with vulnerability and the journey to understand courage, authenticity and shame in a world that thrives on controlling and predicting. Brown says, “And now my mission to control and predict had turned up the answer that the way to live is with vulnerability and to stop controlling and predicting.” AHHHH! If you have seen my pantry, you know I enjoy a degree of control and predict … so letting go was CRAZY TALK! Or was it?

In our world that focuses on our imperfections, how does one find the courage to embrace vulnerability in order to find authenticity and worthiness? And, how do we build a culture of compassion to connect with others and share the message that we are all worthy. We all belong. And, we all deserve joy.

Now it is your turn.

Get beyond the title.

Watch the video.

There is a message within uniquely for you.

TED Talks: The Power of Vulnerability http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html