Expert Advice: Win By Taking Responsibility
Posted: April 3, 2009, 04:02 PM by Leslie Grossman
I'm working on WLE's newest soon-to-be launched leadership program and in so doing, I'm reading everything relevant I can get my eyes on...Knowing my thirst for leadership material, WLE Cofounder Andrea March gave me a copy of a summer '08 Leader to Leader Institute publication. I was totally engaged by an article written by the brilliant Rosabeth Moss Kanter, prolific writer and Harvard leadership professor. Her article "Six Opportunities for Renewing America," while published in 2007, couldn't be more relevant. I want to share a few of the article's gems. Kanter shares the following. " In every endeavor - whether in politics, business, sports, or the game of life - Kanter's Law kicks in: 'Everything can look like failure in the middle.' What separates long term winners from perpetual losers is the confidence to bounce back from troubles." Kanter advises: "Take responsibility. Don't waste time assigning fault or pointing fingers; anger and blame are unproductive emotions. We must analyze problems and face our role in them head-on. Winners indeed work harder. They don's whine or deny problems; they seek ways to improve. Get moving. Doing something, anything is always better than doing nothing. Losers tend to feel helpless and passive. Winners favor action. When problems seem overwhelming and when circumstances seem uncontrollable, that's when winners focus on whatever it is they can control. Celebrate small wins. Championships are won one game at a time, one play at a time. Small wins produce confidence to tackle bigger issues." Let the game begin!
Reader Comments
Posted: April 9, 2009, 02:47 PM by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
What a great quote, Leslie! We couldn't agree more. As we discuss in our new book, THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we've learned throughout our professional lives as well as in our personal lives, that it's the small steps we take that have the biggest impact. We never set out to create a billion dollar ad agency. Instead, we started with one client and a home office, but by tackling our problems one small bit at a time, we were able to grow to the agency we are today. Often, we are told to "think big" in order to succeed, but as Kanter illustrates, the key to success is to get small and then get going.
Posted: April 6, 2009, 08:42 PM by Anita J. Barbero
This positive affirmation about taking responsibility and positively affecting the world by what we take on is so essential to moving ahead and making progress. Especially in the 'down' times it is so important to keep moving and do something to maintain the energy flow even if at times it seems stagnant.It is not;as long as you, me, we keep moving! Onward and upward ,giving and receiving ,blessing and extending. That is how the universe works! Let's all choose to be a part of that.
Blessings and good health,
Anita
Posted: April 6, 2009, 05:53 PM by Amy Stachler
Leslie,
If you want the most up to date information on creating leadership, I have a book and assesment for you!! Energy Leadership is a process that not only identifies your level of energy, but relates it to your ability to lead. Leadership as defined by motivating and inspiring, by engaging in your relationships, and increasing your level of awareness so that you improve your decision making ability. There is actually a attitudinal assessment that you can take on line, that when read by a practioner, can show you what the blocks are that are getting in your way of being empowered and purposeful. I would be happy to send you a copy of this book, but if you are truly seeking to become educated in the most updated leadership training and assessment, feel free to contact me. I am one of five hundred people worldwide who has access to this transformational work.
Have a great day!!
Amy Stachler
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