by STRONG | Apr 12, 2020 | Learn + Grow
Leadership is a word that is often tossed around and loosely used this day and time. So, what makes a good leader? Is it their ability to lead or their ability to follow? People spend millions of dollars each year in an effort to empower and equip themselves with the tools they believe are necessary to achieve their goals. However, there are usually 8 characteristics you should seek in their quest for leadership. These characteristics are not rocket science, but they are simple enough that many people forget just how impactful they can be. Grab a pen and paper during this quarantine lesson and see how many of these you can implement in your journey to enhance your leadership skills.
1. Connection : Either you have it or you don’t. Leaders speak in a language that interests their audience. They are clear about what they are offering and why it adds value to a particular area.
2. Direction : Great leaders will not dote over you following them. they want to see how what they offer gives presence to your growth. No to be confused with, taking credit for your accomplishment, but acknowledging your process in your evolution.
3. Perception : When things are implied, but not clear, true leaders speak to the elephant to find a resolution versus applying a bandage in hope that the wound will not seep through.
4. Redirection : Understanding when it is time to redirect is a leader’s trait. Leaders do not rest in the failure they use it to push them further into the pivotal direction of their next opportunity.
5. Critical Thinking : Having data and information from research is important. however, the ability to encounter situations that have not been charted before and come out on the other side is vastly more important. Leaders will not be bound to information they are given, they have to execute based on long vision.
6. Empowerment : Leaders are not opposed to building others. Creating opportunities for others to do what they do best can generate new ideas, build morale and possibly the bottom line. A leader who understands a person’s strengths can help curve weakness and inspires self-development.
7. Clarity : A leader is clear on their vision. There is no question as to the vision and what task needs to be accomplished once a direction has been given.
8. Co-Communication : Effective communication is the cornerstone of leadership. being able to convey what you mean and what needs to be done is paramount in leadership. While giving direction is often spoke about, receptive communication is not always addressed. The ability to listen and interpret what someone needs is just as important as telling someone what you need. Leaders co-communicate, meaning they do both efficiently.
After reading through these 8 characteristics what areas do you think you are strongest and weakest? What can you do this week to start improving in the areas that need work and enhance those where you currently deem yourself to be effective. Remember, leadership isn’t just about running a business, leadership is about running your life. The better you become at growing in who you are the more it spills over to other aspects of your life.
by Torrie Oglesby | Feb 16, 2016 | Learn + Grow
As you recall, I urged us all to focus on African-American literature for the month of February in my latest article. I wanted to share a review on a book I’ve recently finished written by the legendary Toni Morrison. God Help the Child is a historical literary fiction novel, centered on a dark skinned girl who calls herself Bride. Throughout the novel you see her life unfold and you get multiple perspectives from different characters. This novel is a heavy read that focuses on social issues, identity issues, relationships with ourselves and how that ultimately shapes the relationships in which we have with others. Toni Morrison does a remarkable job in pushing the plot forward and developing the characters swiftly while not rushing any aspect of the story, in a short 178 page novel.
Not every novel you read affects you, however, this was the second fictional book that I’ve read this year that I was annotating, highlighting, and was forced to stop and think about the simplest sentences that Toni arranged. As an author, Toni has a way of pulling the reader in and making the reader question social issues, personal issues, and issues within races and sexual classes. This novel made me cry, made me raise my eyebrows and even gave me the chills at certain parts.
I’m going to tell you guys what I told my two best friends, if you only read one book this year, have it be Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child. I will warn you again, it is heavy and deals with a lot of trigger issues, but they are issues that need to be brought to the light and discussed. If you are willing to dive into the conversation that Toni Morrison is stirring up with this book, please pick up your copy! And if you have already read this book, tell me your thoughts in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!
torrie o.
by Altimese Nichole | Jan 17, 2016 | Learn + Grow
I have been blessed beyond measure. As I prepare for the next year- I am reflecting on all that has been achieved this year and the many years before. Within this year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing people, being promoted twice, getting married to my best friend, and I am finally finding true peace on my journey. Walking in purpose for me was more than a desire or wish, it was a necessity at a very early age. I can’t recall that moment that something clicked in me that purpose matters— but when it did, I followed with all that I had. It is a beautiful thing to not only discover purpose in life, but to live in your purpose.
If you’re looking for your purpose, here are some things that helped me along the way, that I would like to share with you:
- Find out who YOU are Where your Source Resides
Among finding your purpose, we must first recognize the core of you.Who are you? Truly. What’s your truth; when you’re most authentic, most comfortable, most aware and filled with freedom? When this place is discovered, purpose can be found. As you find out who you truly are, it’s inevitable to overlook your Source of being. I realized that when I placed my source on tangible things or earthly things– my happiness and joy became dependant upon that tangible source, which made me extremely unstable and unable to plant myself in true security of knowing, “I am safe, here in my truth.” For me, it’s God. It was hard for me to find my purpose and passion and not seek Him first.
- Ask yourself, “If I could do anything in this world with no limitations, what would it be.”
This for me was discovered, when I was a child– and my mother noticed it. I loved talking and I craved relationships. I make friends very easily, I still do (now with a wisdom-guided compass). I LOVE relationships. Not just the good things but the moments of growth that many people consider to be the downsides of relationships. It is in those moments, that we grow into our authentic voice and relationships become deeper than the superficial connections. I can also talk a lot (my love for both birthed my desire for writing, so I’ve always kept a journal to release the things that I felt wasn’t ready to be spoken in the world). Fast forward years later into adulthood and I’ve studied Communications and Management, worked at my childhood dream job, stumbled into Public Relations, used social media as my core skillset– made a decision to switch to marketing, and now building on that foundation through building an organization’s greatest asset; their people. All of this involves those two things of communication and relationships.
Find your passion. Truly ask yourself this question and embrace your soul’s response. We think that we fear failure but often times we fear the success that follows if we pursue our dreams. Dare to dream and have the courage to move toward that dream.
- Become a student to life and to all you encounter
It would be total deception to believe that my purpose was discovered and fulfilled on my own. It’s not true. The first person who helped me was my mother and there are MANY others along the way. After graduating from undergrad, I had all the passion but I was very naive to the importance of being teachable. I thought that my passion was enough– and it was not. Passion is not enough. It is an important key but there are other keys to walking into purpose. The door of my unthinkable didn’t truly open until I opened myself up to truly becoming a student to life. I was already great at being an academic student but there were people in my path that succeeded at the things I wanted. It wasn’t until I allowed my soul to learn from those people (through humility and a welcoming spirit).
Passion can most definitely get you there. However, developed character and integrity will help keep you there. These two things happen through adverse times or the wisdom of others. The path we take can sometimes be up to us.
It blows me away that all things I’ve dreamed about as a child and as a teen have been manifesting before my very eyes– and to think that it’s not close to being over is astonishing. There’s no luck here– only abundant grace–from God, and intention– from myself. You can do the same and I hope that this article helps spark the internal conversation that’s needed to shift your life to you mind-blowing life journey.
XOXO
by Torrie Oglesby | Oct 20, 2015 | Lifestyle+Culture
We live in a high-tech digital world that is only going to get more digital with the coming generations. We can order our groceries online and have them delivered at our house, we can text people instead of picking the phone up to call them, and we can even deposit checks into our bank accounts with our phones thanks to technology. If we wanted to, we could avoid human contact all together. We are the generation of likes, apps, retweeting, connecting, friends and emoji’s. While there’s an abundance of screen to screen interaction, face to face interaction is dwindling and with it depression, anxiety, and discontentment are on the rise (everydayhealth.com)
So is this screen to screen interaction really connecting? How do we move with the times but keep the simple act of communicating and really connecting with each other alive? People need people. When we start replacing real conversations and language with text messages and emoji’s we’re creating gaps for the enemy to come in and attack individuals. We need to remember that no amount of connecting online can take the place of actually connecting and getting together with people to be present with them and be a shoulder to lean on or to share a laugh with is crucial.
With our gadgets it’s easy to hide. It’s easy to appear one way but actually be the complete opposite. It’s easy to mask real issues that need to be dealt with. So how do we get back to basics here? Here’s some tips on how to start connecting with the people you love and strangers 90’s style.
- CALL YOUR FRIENDS
Yes, we mean actually pick up the phone and check in on your friends! Once a week make an actual phone call in which you are interacting with someone without texting or through a social media outlet.
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN THE CAR
If you are going out to lunch or a movie with a friend or your boyfriend, LEAVE THE PHONE. It’s okay. You don’t have to capture every moment. Be present. Give whoever you are with your full, undivided attention. They deserve it and might even need it.
- Dare I say, GET RID OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Okay, you don’t have to get rid of all the outlets, but maybe try giving up or deleting the app on your phone for a day or two. Watch how this will free up your time and challenge you to connect in different ways. The world will keep spinning if you aren’t tweeting, trust me.
- WRITE A LETTER
Yes. Go get some paper and a pen and write a letter to a friend! This is a good way to brighten someone’s day and an excuse to go to the post office and interact with humans.
With love and big smiles,
torrie
by Altimese Nichole | Sep 16, 2015 | Learn + Grow
Life is real and sometimes we face challenging times that make us feel as if the next step forward is a thousand miles away. When this happens, here are a few ways to help you during the difficult times in your life:
- Hit the Reset Button
When we hit road blocks in life, the blow can hit us so hard that we lose focus on the bigger picture. Understand that this is okay. It’s called life and the longer we live, the more we experience. When we experience curve balls in life, take a moment to step back and remind yourself of the WHY in your life. This is called hitting your reset button. Your WHY is the things, people, or mission that keep you motivated in life. By taking a moment of reflection (the sooner the better), the more you can embrace the inevitable while remaining in grace and focus through your process.
- Fight thoughts of Negativity
Sometimes we can become our worst enemy through our condemning and self-destructive thoughts. The battlefield begins in our minds; we can make ourselves think we are in the best position possible or the worst circumstance imaginable. Make the effort to cast down negative thoughts that linger because they will simply make root in your heart. To fight your thoughts, speak to them. (Sounds crazy, right? Good. Try it.) When thoughts arise to remind you of the problem you’re facing, speak life (or your desired outcome) aloud. It’s impossible to have your thoughts contradict your words—eventually one must align and words take precedence. Speak life to your situation and watch it shift, first with your mind and then into your reality.
- Find Your Happy Place
Think of the things that make you happy. Is it cooking? Singing? For me personally, my happy place is reading, writing, and nature. They’re my place of escape when I desire to mentally take a break. Seek your happy place to help you find your balance. It can’t make your problems go away but will help shift your mood while you’re in it.
- Spend time with your Core Loved Ones
Relationships matter and the within the core of our hearts reside our core support system. When life gets a little difficult, tune in deeper to the people you love. In addition to reminding you that you’re never alone, they help you cope with moments of hard times. Stay connected and spend time with your core.
Although adversity is inevitable, it’s up to us to ensure the direction of how the issues of life impact us long after they are gone. We can allow them to make us bitter… or better. The choice is ours. Since the only way through it is “Through It,” add these tips to your resource tool box for those rainy days.
![STRONG, Inc. [Simple Transitions Render Opportunity Necessary For Growth]](https://www.knowyourstrong.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NewLogo.png)
Recent Comments