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Greetings, Summit Leaders.
I am encouraged and inspired by the conversations with over thirty Summit leaders this week. Their optimism, attitude, and words describing how they are adapting during this time of crisis motivate me.
I call it "personal excellence."
Reflecting on the responses of great leaders in times of sudden change highlights three insights leading to "good success."
Discipline is required.
These leaders understand that these times are opportunities for growth.
For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. I am impressed with their level of determination in becoming the leaders they envision. They are building their character.
"Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. ― Stephen Covey,
At the thirty-year mark of my career journey, I discovered that we live a speedy life in history. Everything is moving so quickly, including myself. I noticed something would happen to stop me from moving forward.
Usually, I would get sick. During the recovery, I began to reflect and listen. I call it "course correction." So, I used the time to ask myself three questions regarding my quest for success.
1. Am I going in the right direction?
2. Are my motives pure?
3. What changes do I need to make when I am up and going again?
Success means different things to people, and each person has to discover what it looks like for themselves.
The second discovery is what I call "Affirmation." After some time of soul searching, I could get a sense of direction. If there were changes I needed to make, I would write them down. Maybe, I was moving too fast and out of step with my vision, or perhaps my desire shifted to focusing on what I could gain instead of what I could give by serving others.
The process reminds me that my focus is to first sow good things in the lives of those I serve. A leader who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
The third phase is what I call "Revitalization." A "soul check" is like a check-up that produces a good report from your doctor. It gives you a boost of confidence that you are capable of going forward. The affirmation that you are heading in the right direction gives you hope and renews your dedication to your vision, purpose and calling. One great leader once said;
"Stand beside the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths. Which is the way to what is right? Then take it and find rest for yourselves."
Tomas J. Watson, Sr. the founder of IBM, once shared his vision with a group of IBMers on January 25, 1933. "Tonight marks the beginning of our thoughts along the lines of the "Century of Progress," the century that is to come, and we must lay our plans accordingly.
The future is going to demand more of us than the past has demanded, and it is going to give us more in return."
Another great leader shared his vision of "good success."
"This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua," ForbesQuotes.
Let's join the leaders who employ desire, discipline, and dedication in preparing for the future. One leader stated, "the worse thing we can do is do nothing."
Let's listen and learn all we can from these circumstances and prepare for our chance to lead.
Victory!
