Tag: Write

A Teaching Leader

Leadership thoughts are found everywhere. I appreciate friends who are constantly looking for and sharing these thoughts with me.

A few years ago, a good friend sat down to have some tea before going to bed and on the tea bag he read, “To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach.” Unknown

The thought is powerful and has great application to our leadership.

The last part of the thought encompasses the whole of it. Most of us have heard, known, or experienced how the greatest amount of learning takes place when we teach. Teaching the material helps us master it.

Thinking Leaders

Before we speak, write, or act, think first. It is simple to say, yet so difficult to follow.

Leaders must learn to “think first.”

Before we speak regarding family, personal, or professional matters, think first. Once words are spoken we cannot take them back. We can apologize, wish we could take them, or try to explain, but the bottom line is it’s to late. Think first.

The same is true with our actions. Before we decide to act on any given situation, think first. Others are watching. How will they perceive our actions? Will others know the intention of our heart based on what they see?

Leading Succinctly

Students often prefer essay questions. Primarily, because they have an opportunity to write enough “fluff” to maybe hit the right answer. Sadly, our approach to leadership can be the same.

Allowing uncertainty and a lack of clarity to be clouded with the minutia of indirectness is common. When we finish, no one seems to know what was communicated.

How can we be more succinct when communicating?

Think deeply.
Write it down.
Edit.

Good communication is the result of thinking deeply, writing, rewriting, and rewriting until we are succinct.

The same applies when communicating orally.

Five Minutes A Day

Imagine the difference five minutes a day can make in our leadership.

1) Take one minute to pray about something or someone and notice the change.
2) Before jumping to conclusions, take one minute to think first before reacting.
3) Take one minute to ask for or offer help to someone in need.
4) Spend one minute to write a note of appreciation, make a to-do list, or log daily activities.
5) Practice one minute every day to build up someone’s morale.

Five minutes a day makes a considerable difference for everyone influenced by our leadership.

Learn, Know, Master…

“To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach.” Teabag

The thought is powerful and has great application for leadership. Think for a moment.

Leaders must be students, learning from every possible source. Leaders must also produce what they learn in a format that others can use for years to come. Write it down!

The last part of this thought encompasses the whole purpose of this post. Experience has demonstrated that mastery takes place when we teach. As we learn, we write down thoughts in preparation for teaching, which strengthen our knowledge of the subject. Teaching the material then leads to mastery of the subject.