Start with what you want to achieve, instead of limiting yourself to what’s realistic or sustainable.
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Grab your favorite coffee cup and get ready to embark on a transformative journey. The Champions Brew Newsletter is here to invigorate your mornings and ignite your drive for personal growth and impact! Fuel your mornings with motivation and purpose. As you savor your first cup of the day, let the Champions Brew infuse you with the insights and strategies you need to make each day a stepping stone towards your aspirations. Let’s Go!
- Uncommon Leader Insights – In the latest episode of The Uncommon Leader Podcast, I had an insightful conversation with Fred Joyal, author of the best-selling book Superbold – From Under-confident to Charismatic in 90 Days. Throughout life, many of us struggle with developing and sustaining boldness in our actions and decisions. Here are 3 takeaways from my recent chat with Fred:
- Embrace Discomfort: Fred emphasized that true boldness stems from embracing situations where we feel uncomfortable. It’s not about being naturally confident; it’s about taking bold actions despite feeling unprepared or hesitant. Fred shared his own story about volunteering to wash dishes at age 14, a decision that opened doors to lifelong friendships and business opportunities. His message is clear: step into your discomfort zone and let it expand.
- Defy “Doctor No”: We all have an inner critic, which Fred nicknamed “Doctor No.” This voice magnifies our fears and preemptively produces negative outcomes that discourage bold action. Bold people succeed not because they lack fear, but because they identify the fear and do it anyway! Whenever Doctor No pipes up, remember that risk is often overestimated.
- Sharpen Your Skill: Boldness is a skill which means it can be developed over time through intentional practice. Fred’s Pride method—an acronym for Prepare, Relax, Insights, Dosage, and Everyday Actions—details practical steps to gradually build this muscle. From small actions like smiling at strangers to more significant efforts like public speaking, each exercise adds strength to your boldness muscle, helping you seize opportunities when they arise.
You likely find yourself at one of these stages in the journey to becoming bolder right now. Fred’s journey challenges us to prioritize bold action over hesitation and cultivate the confidence to chase our dreams. You can catch the entire encouraging conversation I had with Fred here.
Are you aware that The Champions Brew explores various topics that I frequently coach and consult on with other leaders and organizations? If you or someone you know is seeking to elevate their business or personal life from underperforming to uncommon, I would love to connect with you and discuss 1:1 or group coaching, as well as performance consulting. In fact, click the following link to schedule a FREE CALL to explore how coaching could benefit you and your team. Let’s work together to unleash your full potential and achieve your goals
- Think Positive – Who here remembers the iconic character, Fonzie, from the beloved TV show “Happy Days”? The ‘Fonz’ was known for his cool demeanor, but there was one thing he couldn’t bring himself to do: admit when he was wrong. It’s a classic scene that many of us can recall.
But here’s the real question: Why do so many leaders seem to channel their inner Fonzie when it comes to acknowledging their mistakes? We’ve all seen it – a leader makes a decision, things go south, and radio silence. Your frustration with the lack of accountability surrounding the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, regardless of which side of the aisle you are on, highlights a critical issue in leadership: the perceived weakness associated with admitting mistakes.
Let’s face it, leaders are often driven and ambitious. They’ve climbed the ladder by making tough decisions and exuding confidence. So, the idea of admitting they were wrong can feel like a crack in their carefully constructed facade. This fear of appearing vulnerable can lead to a culture of blame-shifting and defensiveness, hindering progress. The lack of responsibility taken by government officials, especially presidents, is a major reason why many feel our country is suffering from leadership sadness. According to 2024 PEW Research Center statistics, only 22% of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right. If you happen to be a business leader, you don’t perform much butter. According to a May 2024 Gallup poll, leadership research shows only 23% of employees strongly agree they trust the leadership of their organization! If that isn’t the definition of leadership sadness, I don’t know what is.
The truth is, admitting mistakes can be a powerful leadership tool. Here’s why:
Increased Trust: When a leader acknowledges a misstep, it shows authenticity and humanness. This transparency builds trust with followers, fostering a more open and collaborative environment.
Learning Opportunities: Mistakes are building blocks, not setbacks. Owning up to them allows for reflection and learning. Sharing these lessons with the team can reduce future errors and promote continuous improvement.
Empowerment: Leaders who admit mistakes create a safe space for others to do the same. This promotes a culture of innovation, where team members feel comfortable taking risks and learning from their own experiences.
Of course, admitting mistakes isn’t without its challenges. There’s the risk of appearing incompetent or losing control. For some leaders, especially in highly political environments, there may be potential career repercussions. But, I believe the advantages far outweigh the risks.
Leaders, we need to take responsibility and shift the narrative around admitting mistakes. People are demanding it, and the fact is they already know!
- Read More – Here we go. We are traveling together on a journey with an inspiring speaker, and author, Ed Mylett, and his book “The Power of One More – The Ultimate Guide to Success and Happiness”. As an avid listener of Mylett’s podcast, I’m thrilled to revisit this great book that holds a special place in my Top Ten influential reads. Join me as we uncover wisdom within its pages.
Chapter Thirteen – “One More and Defining Leadership”
In this week’s chapter Mylett outlines three universal leadership elements that transcend who you are or where you’re at in your life, whether you’re a parent, a friend, a coach, or a business leader. Those three elements are selling a big dream, everyone is born with unique gifts, and six basic needs drive us. In this post, I am going to focus on my perspective of the first element: ‘Selling a big dream’.
Proverbs 29:18 reads “In the absence of a vision, the people perish.” As a leader, you need a dream so big it can encompass the aspirations of everyone you guide.
Mylett offers a powerful take that your team doesn’t necessarily need to believe the vision itself, but they must believe that you believe your vision. When someone speaks with unwavering passion and belief, it’s contagious. Great leaders act as evangelists, igniting a fire through their own unwavering faith in the vision.
But, as we all know, actions speak louder than words. People will be far more inspired by what you do than what you say. Hold yourself to the highest standards. If you expect excellence from your team, you must model it yourself. Are you thinking big, talking big, and acting big? Your team will take their cues from you.
For me, a personal source of inspiration is a paraphrased version of the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10) I keep taped to my laptop:
“Lord,
Give me more than I need so that I can be a blessing to the world around me.
Use me so that my life might make an eternal impact in the lives of others.
Be with me because what you’ve called me to is too big for me.
Strengthen me and rescue me from every attack of the enemy.”
It reminds me to dream big, to seek a life that impacts others, and to trust in God’s guidance. But beware of the power of answered prayers! If you truly believe, your vision will be tested. Are you prepared to lead with unwavering conviction, even when the going gets tough?
Next week: One More and My 11 Leadership Principles
Quote of the week: “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T Washington
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: This week, Champions Brew challenges you to reflect: Do you believe your own dream? Are you leading by example, inspiring your team through your actions and unwavering commitment? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
