Be A Pain

In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.  ~ Solon ~

When you give advice and feedback, ensure that you are being honest and upfront.  It's OK to tread lightly so you don't hurt esteem, however, watch out.  When you soften your feedback or advice the seriousness could get lost.  Your help as a leader should never be harmful but it is sometimes painful.  However, you can be tough and caring at the same time.  Just know that your help is caring and remember, the other person's perception of caring is all in the delivery and the support.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:


I give caring, honest and helpful feedback.

Shut your mind up!

The word 'listen' contains the same letters as the word 'silent'. ~ Alfred Brendel ~

The best way to listen is to not only silence your mouth but silence your mind.  You often let your own biases and agenda keep you from listening. How do you develop as a leader if you are never silent around your those that lead.  Next time someone has something to say, shut down your feelings and open up.  In addition, don't always contribute...ask questions instead. You can't truely listen if you are too busy prepping in your mind what you want to say.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I quiet my own thoughts when someone is talking."

Strong Leaders Don't Make Weak Apologies

A stiff apology is a second insult.... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt. ~G.K. Chesterton~

None one is perfect.  You will make mistakes.  When it effects other people an apology is the first step to mending any wrong.   You should heal the insult, even when you don't believe it was an insult.  It's about the other person, not you.  You must be authentic in caring about how you make others feel.  Apologies are even important to people you don't know that well because it speaks to character.   It is a way for people to not have the wrong impression about you.  If you give in inauthentic apology then people will see a flawed leader.  Give a sincere apology after a mistake then people will look past the flaw and see a noble leader.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I am a stronger leader when I give sincere apologies."

Do Something…Anything

Fake it till you become it.  ~ Amy Cuddy ~

Some days you just don't feel it.  Try.  Try, anyway.  Even if it's just a little effort, don't slack off.  Be honest with yourself and then lie to yourself.  Tell yourself that you are engaged -  just do something because people are counting on you.  You can have an off day - just don't show it to the world.  Have a confidant because you might need someone to vent to but leave it at that and go change the world...even if you don't feel like it today.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I make myself feel more engaged."

Forget Perfection

Let's be honest.  There's not a business anywhere that is without problems.  Business is complicated and imperfect.  Every business everywhere is staffed with imperfect human beings and exists by providing a product or service to other imperfect human beings.  ~ Bob Parsons ~

Most of our bad behaviors and choices comes from attempting to attain perfection.  The perfect product, the perfect customer, the perfect service, the perfect employee.  Let it go.  Mindful leaders know that it is more important to focus on the reasons we do what we do.  Why did you make this career choice?  Why did you go into this industry?  What value do you bring to the world? To society?  To your community? What is your purpose?  If you lead with a good intent, you will automatically do your best.  When you do your best, you let go of negative feelings and poor decisions.  When you try your best, that is in of itself perfection.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I focus on always trying my best.