Lead From Within
From left to right: John Faulkner, Erin Macdonald, Sarah Carpini (support staff), Louise Mackay, Pat Owen (who flew in from Canada as support staff), myself and business associate Lynne Truair.
We just finished a powerful 7 day training for 3 principals from Melbourne, Australia (names in bold).
All three principals run their own school. Professionally, they are leaders. Yet each has a life that is far bigger than their careers.
In reflecting on the training and the meaning of leadership I realized that everyone plays a number of roles in life. You may be partner, parent, teacher, principal, sister, brother, friend, aunty or uncle, daughter or son all at the same time. You are a leader; you make a difference in every role that you play.
Your thoughts, mind set, attitude, and actions make a difference. You have the power to touch those in your world in a positive way by changing yourself.
Here are three secrets of leadership from within:
- Discover the difference between success and significance. Choose to become a person of significance, a person who makes a positive difference in the lives of those around them.
- Know yourself! Look at yourself in the mirror every morning and promise yourself a great day.
- Intend to have a positive influence in the lives of those around you today.
- Use all five senses to visualize the day in vivid detail.
- Give thanks for a great day.
- Close the day at the end of the day.
- Give thanks for all the good things that happened in the day.
- Intend to improve and be an even more positive influence tomorrow.
Remember that it takes 24- 30 days to imbed a habit. Don't be like the 5 year old who planted a carrot seed and then got so impatient that he dug it up every day to see if it was growing. Plant the seeds and water them by doing the practice daily. If you give the change a chance to take, the results will surely follow!
Turning Intention into Action
In the summer of 2010, three principals from Melbourne, Australia approached me to
ask for training in my anti-bullying program. They requested a train the trainer program saying that they wanted to deliver the curriculum to their students.
After much discussion, a hundred e-mails back and forth with Lynne (my business partner), and a series of dialogues as to the where, when, what and how of it the date was set. It was decided that we would do it in the islands and the stage was set.
They arrived over the weekend and the 6 and a half day program commences today. John Faulkner came in on Saturday with his wife, Jill. Louise and Erin arrived on Sunday.
This is an exciting event as up until now I have done all Australian training in Australia. This is the first time I am hosting Aussies to Hawaii to take a training program.
Aloha to the determined team of three!
I have to admit, it was amazing to observe the power of the team's intention as it was turned into action! They asked for the training, stuck with their decision, followed through with all the paper work and planning, and are now in the islands ready to begin!
I'll keep you posted as the journey unfolds!
