You were not born for the shadows; you were born for the light.
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Grab your favorite coffee cup, sit back, relax, and get ready to sip on some enriching and thought-provoking content that will equip you to thrive in all areas of your life:
- Uncommon Leader Insights – In Episode 112 of The Uncommon Leader Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ernesto Mandowsky who shared compelling insight on how to foster effective business operations. Here are three of my key takeaways from our conversation that could help transform your leadership and organizational systems:
People First:
Ernesto’s anecdote about his encounter with a restaurant owner during his youth left an indelible mark, reminding us that hospitality can extend beyond food service. As leaders, when we treat our team and customers with exceptional care and create memorable experiences, we build loyalty and inspire passion. Imagine every business interaction as an opportunity to host and delight, introducing hospitality into our leadership character.
Process Second:
In a digital age where information overload can stall progress, Ernesto illuminated the ‘Cost of Chaos.’ By streamlining customer journey processes and decreasing dependency on scattered documentation, he advocates for a more integrated approach to information management. As leaders, it’s imperative to recognize when operational inefficiency takes its toll and take bold steps towards a systemized, clutter-free workflow.
Technology last:
Finally, Ernesto elaborates on his ‘Six Pillars’ framework, an instrumental system that supports organizational priorities, people, projects, promotion, playbooks, and planning. By applying such systems, we catalyze not only organizational efficiency but also empower individuals to realize their full potential. It’s not about replacing human capacity with technology but enhancing our personal and collective capabilities to create a more productive, harmonious work environment.
At the heart of Ernesto’s message is a call to action for leaders to share their ‘honey’ – their unique value propositions. By integrating systematic approaches, ones that take people into account first, then the processes they perform and THEN the technology that can augment their performance, we not only streamline the path to success but also cultivate an environment where long term success is not only possible, but probable.
Listen to the entire episode 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
- Work Hard – I read an entry from Zig Ziglar’s Life Promises for Leaders this week that epitomizes, to me, a main cause of some of our society’s ill’s at this time. It was titled “The Curse of Mediocrity”. In it, Zig shared this:
Some of us have lost our passion for work, God, our families, and everything else in our lives. We drag ourselves in after a long day and collapse on the sofa only to tune out in front of the television. We no longer want to change the world. The most we can muster is changing the channel.
We used to be excited about this goal or that purpose, but no longer. We used to care deeply about this person, but not anymore. All we want is to be left alone or to find somebody or something that will give us a few moments’ pleasure. The curse of mediocrity ruins us and everything we touch.
If your heart is lukewarm, step back, take stock of your stress level, and notice any negative habits you’ve allowed to develop – and make changes. Don’t settle for mediocrity any longer, but don’t just add more activity to your life. To become fully alive again, you may have to eliminate more than you add.
I know that the readers of the Champions Brew do not share this ‘curse of mediocrity’, but I make up that instead we choose the ‘blessing of uncommon’ that is going to arise as we continue to get better every day. But, it is a choice we have to make. Getting a clear view of what we DON’T want can be a first step toward positive action.
- 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 remarkable book that holds a special place in my Top Ten influential reads. Join me as we uncover the profound wisdom within its pages. Got your copy yet? Let’s dive in!
Chapter Five – “One More Emotion”
Love and Hate. Joy and Sorrow. Peace and Anger. Bliss and Rage. Emotions encompass a wide spectrum of experiences, neither inherently positive nor negative. Defining emotions can be as challenging as pounding a nail through jello. According to psychologists Don and Sandra Hockenbury, emotions involve subjective experiences, physiological responses, and behavioral expressions. While complex(hence the nail through jello analogy!), understanding emotions is crucial for effective leadership in any domain.
As leaders, it’s essential to be aware of our own emotions and attuned to the emotions of those we lead both at home and in the workplace. Emotions are natural reactions to events or situations, each serving a purpose. By learning to identify our emotions, we can begin to loosen their grip on us and respond more consciously.
To cultivate more positive emotions, awareness becomes our primary tool. Recognizing triggers that evoke anger or frustration empowers us to manage them effectively. For instance, the news often aims to elicit emotional responses, and if anger arises, we can take control by turning it off. Conversely, identifying triggers for positive emotions allows us to consciously move in that direction. Personal strategies, such as listening to uplifting music (I personally love the ‘Liked Songs’ list on Spotify when I need a quick jolt of positive well-being!), can serve as catalysts for positive emotional experiences. I am so glad we don’t have to make mixtapes anymore! What a series of emotions we had to go through as kids to get the best recording. Which one of you was lucky enough to have the dual cassette deck?! Enough nostalgia for one post.
In the pursuit of emotional well-being, embrace the capability of awareness. By understanding our emotions, recognizing triggers, and consciously choosing positive influences, we can navigate the complexities of our emotional landscape with greater ease and resilience.
Next week: One More Association
Quote of the week: “Where a man’s wound is, that is where his genius will be. Whever the wound appears in our psyches, whether from alcoholic father, shaming mother, shaming father, abusing mother, whether it stems from isolation, disability, or disease, that is precisely the place for which we will give your major gift to the community.” – Robert Bly, American poet, essayist, activist
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Develop a heightened sense of emotional self-awareness. Pay attention to how you feel and the impact your emotions have on your interactions and decisions. Embrace the power of intentional emotion management without suppressing your authentic feelings.
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!!
