Books, books, books

It's interesting. We offered a book club over winter break on Secret Life of Bees by Susan Monk Kidd. Lots of people signed up for it. Lots of people read the book. About 40% met to talk about the book.

What's so interesting about this? Well, the book was great simply to read. However, when you read a book in the frame of leadership, the perspective changes. I flagged page upon page of potential talking points for the book club. When we actually met to discuss the book, we really didn't talk that much about the content. Rather, we talked about the bigger ideas of the book and what it means to be a leader. Some fascinating discussions came out of it.

Because folks wanted more, we're going to read another book over spring break. Fascinating. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

I encourage you to pick out a work of fiction. Read it with the idea of "leadership" in your mind. it will open your eyes!

A Focus on Values

No matter what you call leadership--what words you might use or even how you might define it--effective leaders have to focus on their values.

Take some time to reflect on what your values are. Right now (not later, not tomorrow), take out a piece of paper and list your values. Once you've done that, consider how much time you spend each day, week, month, or year on each of those values. How are you doing? Are there things that you need to change in regards to how you spend your time? Or are you right on with what you've listed as your values?

So. You've listed these values. But how does it connect to leadership? Well, if you aren't walking the walk or talking the talk, how will you inspire others to do the same? How will others come to trust you (and feel empowered by you) if you aren't even true to yourself?

Huh.