Tag: Worst

What Are You Looking For?

People generally find what they look for, or so we are told.

We find truth in this thought because when we look for the worst, we tend to find the worst. When we look for the best, we tend to find the best.

Occasionally, even though we look for the worst, or best, we find the unexpected. We find the opposite.

This is especially true when leading people.

Consider the outcome if leaders led with intentionality and a purpose driven by the desire to look for only the best in people, and create the highest expectations.

We might just be surprised at the incredible results.

See the Best

If we look for the worst in people, the worst is what we find. If we look for the best, the best is what we find.

Mister Rogers said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day… I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

It is easy to become jaded.

Work to see the best in the situation and in other people. We reach our potential when we help others reach theirs.

Preparing for Leadership

Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.

Every leader needs to possess and portray a level of expectation as well as preparation.

Sadly, the opposite mindset often exists. Leaders expect the worst, while preparing for the best.

Leaders must always expect the best because the result instills hope in all who follow. Therefore, the key element is preparation. Consider a few questions:

1) Who will be affected if the worst happens?
2) What actions need to be taken to prevent the worst case scenario?
3) How will we respond to our leadership role if the worst case occurs?

Preparation minimizes the opportunity for the worst.

What Are We Seeking?

As a leader, what do we see in others?

John Lubbock said, “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”

Do we seek the best…or the worst?
Are we seeking truth…or are we satisfied with preconceived ideas?
Do we seek just enough to get by…or do we seek ways to excel?
Will we seek to provide compassionate and understanding leadership…or will we seek our own way? 

The attitude of others reflects the leadership they seek to follow. What we look for in others is exactly what they will look for in us. Are we leading with this in mind?