09
Jan
2022

Leadership Stretch

When I was a teenager I could go into the weight room and pick up weights without a warm up and have zero consequences.  Multiple decades later this is NOT the case.  If I do that something will pull, strain, tear, or worse!  I must warm up and stretch.

Stretching is neither fun nor enjoyable.  On top of that the results neither come quickly nor are they glamourous.  The older I get the more essential stretching becomes, but not just physically.

In his book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth leadership expert John Maxwell discuss the “Law of the Rubber Band” which states:

“Growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you could be.”

As we age we are tempted to stick with what is safe, comfortable, and easy.  There is a downside to this.  We stay the same.  If we choose to stay comfortable, we fail to become the person and leader we were created to be.  Allow me to suggest an idea of how to stretch in four areas of self-leadership.

Physically

Since 1950 sedentary jobs have increased 83% according to the American Heart Association.  John Hopkins has found that only about 20% of the U.S. workforce has physically active jobs.1  Other parts of the world such as Uganda and China do not have this problem.2  How do we grow in this area?

Move.  Whatever that looks like in your life.  Get a Fitbit to remind you to move every hour.  Stand at work.  Build in an exercise routine of walking, pushups, or working out at a gym.  At first this may be painful because it will be a change, but the energy gained will be worth the discomfort of change.

Mentally

“Where success is concerned, people are not measured in inches, or pounds, or college degrees, or family background; they are measured by the size of their thinking.”

David Schwartz

Thinking takes energy and a great resource I have found to get better at thinking is How Successful People Think by John Maxwell.  The digital program is excellent.  To grow our thinking we need to create space in our schedule and a place to think.  For me that is in the morning before anyone else is up.  Maybe having a journal to write your thoughts will stretch you.  Have one question to reflect on and write about it.  See how stretching your thinking helps you grow.

Emotionally

How do we stretch emotionally?  That sounds different.  I would suggest it could either be self-control or vulnerability.  As a leader you may be tempted to keep your struggles to yourself.  Who in your life could you process the fears and frustrations with and be more vulnerable?  Maybe you allow your emotions to take control and you say things you regret.  Taking time to slow down and take a deep breath or walk away and come back may be a stretch if you just want to “get it off your chest.”  In the long run vulnerability and self-control will help us connect and lead more effectively.

Spiritually

I am a person of faith and you can skip this if you want.  I would suggest this may be the biggest area of stretching because it pushes us to think into our purpose.  Maybe the first stretch in this area is considering there may be someone bigger than us in control.  For me embracing this truth decreases the burden stress brings.  In my book When I Am Afraid I provide a forty day journey to move from fear to trust.  If this is an area you want to stretch in check out the resource and let me know if you find it helpful.

Which of these areas do you need to stretch in?  I’d love to know.  Need a partner in this journey to help you think into any of these areas of self-leadership?  Contact me for a no cost to you thirty-minute coaching session.  Stretching is not comfortable but done consistently we grow and improve our results.  Keep stretching and lead well.

© 2022 Wheeler Coaching Systems, All Rights Reserved

  1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2019/03/06/americans-sit-more-than-anytime-in-history-and-its-literally-killing-us/?sh=3a91bf94779d retrieved Jan. 3, 2022
  2. https://ergonomictrends.com/sedentary-lifestyle-sitting-statistics/ retrieved Jan 3, 2022
Posted by Randy Wheeler in Lead Yourself
02
Jan
2022

Goals to Growth

The annual clock has turned and maybe you have set some goals for this new year.  If you are reading this when it has been posted hopefully you haven’t failed already.  Those of you encountering this around mid-January have possibly hit some bumps.

I have a habit of daily going to the gym and those of us that are regulars smile around January.  During the first couple of weeks people get inspired to go to the gym and we see them in full force at the beginning of the first week.  Then slowly over the next couple weeks they all seem to disappear.  What causes this?

Muscle soreness and the difficulty is part of it.  Not seeing results quick enough possibly could be a reason.  I would suggest a shift in mindset could help.  A shift from goals to growth.  Here are a few shifts that may help you as you pursue something you are trying to reach.

From Passionate to Persistent

We’ve all set a goal and been passionately determined to accomplish it.  I have some goals I’ve established both on a personal and professional level and I’m excited about it.  Here is the problem.  Passion is like the first two hundred meters in a mile race.  We start hard and then run out of energy to finish the race.

Here is the first shift.  Have a passion that is like an established fire.  The slow strong burn from big logs versus the fast flame from twigs that burn out quickly.  How do we build that?  Being persistent.  James Clear in his book Atomic Habits (a great book on changing habits by the way) captures the role of persistence when he says:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals.  You fall to the level of your systems.”1

Systems create a way to be consistent.  To be consistent requires persistence.  As we maintain that commitment even when we don’t feel the passion, we grow and reach our goals.

From Fast to Far

Leadership expert and author John Maxwell heard when he was younger that if he wanted to become an expert on something he needed to spend one hour a day for five years learning about the topic.  He began this journey and wanted to get there fast around year three something shifted.  He went from asking “how fast can I get there?” to “how far can I go?”

This is another shift from goals to growth.  The problem with fast is we get there and then look for the next goal, but may not have learned anything along the way.  Truett Cathy of Chick-Fil-A captures this idea when he responded to people telling him he had to expand the organization.  He said:

“If we get better, our customers will demand that we get bigger.”2

Do you have a goal to get big fast?  Maybe you need to pause to think how you need to grow so others demand that what you lead gets bigger.  Maybe your team needs to be developed to handle growth.  Think far not fast and see what happens.

From Do to Become

I like to get things done.  When I was in college my thinking shifted.  I was concerned with what I could do to feel worthwhile and of value.  I had some people speak into my life during that time who reminded me I am not a human “doing”, but a human “being.”

I believe each of us has been designed on purpose for a purpose.  Yes, the purpose involves doing something, but our value is not in what we achieve or what we do.  Our value is in who and whose we are.  This final shift is recognizing we are on a journey to grow to our full potential to accomplish what we were put here to accomplish.  That may be building a business, being the best at a specific technical skill, being a great spouse and parent, or many other possib.  I think John Maxwell put it best in his book Leadershift when he said:

“When you get better, it makes you bigger.  Growth is sustaining.  Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow will be better than today.”

My friend how will you shift from goals to growth?  Need help breaking through thinking that is preventing you from growing?  Contact me for a no cost to you coaching session.  Grow to your full potential and lead well.

© 2021 Wheeler Coaching Systems, All Rights Reserved

 

  1. Clear, James. Atomic Habits.  New York: Avery, 2018.
  2. Andy Stanley, “Better Before Bigger,” Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, May 3, 2013, MP3 audio, https.//store.northpoint.org/better-before-bigger.html.
Posted by Randy Wheeler in Lead Yourself
27
Dec
2021

Planning for the New Year

One holiday ended and we are rapidly approaching the New Year.  This is the time people set a goal or a “resolution” and inevitably within weeks break that resolution.  Last year during this time we had to get out of town because of the craziness of 2020 so my usual reflection didn’t not happen.

This year I will take time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the next both professionally and personally.  I know this, I am the limiter to my success.  If I don’t take time to plan a path of growth, I will limit the potential success I can have. 

Last year around this time I shared a friend’s method of evaluating the year.  This year can I share with you a personal growth plan?  If you read to the end you will see a link to a page where you can get a free resource to help you think into your growth plan.

Vision

Purpose and vision can easily get confused.  This is when we are asking what am I about right now?  Purpose is our “why” behind all we do.  For example, I do what I do to help leaders transform so they can be transformational agents at work, home, and in their communities.  A vision statement for this purpose is what I am about for a period.  For example, on a personal level my vision is to equip my children to be men who know and live out their purpose.  This vision will change as they leave my home.

A professional vision specifically relates to your professional life.  You may desire to get promoted to a new position or grow your business results to a certain level.  Maybe you see an area you need to grow in professionally that you want to focus on.  This vision is something that will keep you moving toward your professional goals.

Top 5 Values

At times with one on one clients I challenge them to determine their values.  Knowing our top values serves as a filter for knowing what to say no to as we make decisions.  Many tools exist that can help you determine your values.  If you need help determining your top values let me know and I can provide a resource to assist in that process.

Top 3 Goals

This is where we get very specific.  Look at the next thirty days and decide what are three specific, measurable, reachable, and stretching goals you want to accomplish both personally and professionally.  Next look at three months and determine the same answer.  Finally determine what the top three things you want to accomplish this next year are both personally and professionally.

Annual Personal Development Goals

This final section is broader and more focused on intentionally developing ourselves.  In the book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership author and leadership expert John Maxwell’s first law is The Law of the Lid which states:

“Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.”

We are the lid on our business, leadership, and life.  This final section helps us think intentionally about ways to raise our lid by increasing our awareness.  One of the ways to accomplish this is learning from others.  As you think into the year ahead what books will you read, people will you intentionally meet and learn from, and events will you attend to help you grow?  This will provide a simple personal growth plan to maintain.

One Word

For a few years now I have decided on a word for the year.  This may or may not be a beneficial exercise for you.  I find it provides a simple purpose or vision for the next twelve months that I can easily remember.  It could be courage, focus, trust, discipline, or any number of words.  Don’t overthink this one.  Let the word come to you.  You will know it when it does.

I hope you have found this helpful.  As I mentioned at the beginning if you want a resource to help you walk through this process go to https://bit.ly/WheelPGP to receive access to your free growth plan guide.  Make the most intentional and purposeful year yet!  Lead Well.

© 2021 Wheeler Coaching Systems, All Rights Reserved

Posted by Randy Wheeler in Lead Yourself
19
Dec
2021

Leadership Lessons from LOR: Fellowship of The Ring

Almost every year around this time we watch the Lord of the Rings series.  The story is so intricate I seem to learn something new every time.  Recently as I was watching the first movie in the series, I spotted three leadership principles.

For those of you familiar with the movie you may know what I reference with each of these ideas, but those of you who are not you will see at the bottom I have provided a link to the scene which prompted the idea.

Have a Community of Support

A small hobbit has inherited a ring of power that has the power to do great evil.  At this point a group of individuals are gathered determining what to do with this ring. (video 1 below) During an argument about how to destroy the ring Frodo, the hobbit, volunteers to carry the ring into Mordor to destroy it and save the world.

After volunteering to carry the ring, eight other people determine to support him on this treacherous journey.  They, and he, know this is not a journey that can be taken alone.  These individuals understood what John Maxwell said in The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork:

“If you want to do something big, you must link up with others.”

Frodo’s mission was enormous, and the leadership burden he had to carry required a team around him.  As leaders if we don’t need a team around us, I would suggest we may need to look for a bigger vision.  The vision can be overwhelming and feel like a burden so we need others around us on the journey.

Have a Guide

Gandalf, a wise old wizard, had been friends with Frodo and his uncle for years.  He was the one who helped him arrive at this point in the elf land of Rivendell.  The team has assembled and they are following Frodo as he exits the gate. (video 2 below)  At the exit point there is a crossing road and Frodo whispers to Gandalf “left or right.”

Frodo knew he had to be the leader and the team was ready to follow him, but he was leading in faith and needed a mentor by his side.  That mentor was Gandalf.  Gandalf knew the path to Mordor because he had seen it.

As a leader you may have the vision and are excited by what you want to accomplish, but deep down realize your knowledge and experience is limited.  Every successful leader has someone in their inner circle who has been down the path before and can guide them at crucial moments to make the best decision.  Evaluate your closest relationships.  Who in your inner circle can guide you when you are at a crossroads?

Have an Encourager

The team has fallen apart because of the enemy and Frodo has realized his path is diverging from the rest.  He launches off in his canoe to reach the trail across the river when his friend Sam comes running into the water willing to drown and not abandon him. (video 3 below)  After pulling him up into the boat Frodo, who was ready to go alone, realizes he has a great encourager at his side.

Leadership is not easy and we are often tempted to go alone even in a community.  Sam was the person in Frodo’s life who helped him carry the burden.  He could not carry the ring because that was Frodo’s burden to bear.  He could encourage him when he was down, carry him when he was weak, be a voice of truth when others were trying to take him off his course, and be a friend who he could be honest with.

My friend, if you are reading this I know you have a leadership burden you carry.  It could be at work, in your community, or in your home.  Do not carry the burden alone.  Who in your life is your encourager, your guide, and your community?  The leadership journey is hard, your vision is worth it, but do not journey alone.  If I can serve you in any way let’s connect.  Lead well.

© 2021 Wheeler Coaching Systems, All Rights Reserved

Community of Support

A Guide

An Encourager

Posted by Randy Wheeler in Lead Yourself
13
Dec
2021

Three Ways to Understand Your Leadership Gifts

Somebody had watched my weekly video recently where I mentioned how our individual purpose is found in our giftedness.  After watching that he replied to my e-mail.  (Those who get the free leadership e-book get these directly to their e-mail).  He challenged me with the question:  what are your gifts?

I don’t know about you, but seeing my weaknesses are easier than realizing my gifts.  I took a few minutes and replied with some ideas and asked for his feedback.  If you watched that video and then got a little stuck or are at a point where this type of reflection will help you lead more effectively then allow me to provide a few ways to help you discover your gifts.

Ask Others

As I mentioned above some of us can be our worst critic and only see our weak areas.  Think for a moment who are up to five people who know you well.  Some of them may be in a personal context and others in a professional.  Reach out to those people and ask them:  what are the top three to five things you see that come easily for me?

As they answer this question this will provide insight on your gifts.  Gifts are the things we do so naturally we don’t realize it may be difficult for others.  Maybe you easily think of new ideas.  Creating order out of chaos may come naturally to you.  Possibly you can quickly identify the steps to accomplish a goal.  Communicating, mathematical analysis, or many other abilities.

I encourage, if you can, ask people who have known you before you were working.  These people will know the abilities that have always come naturally even before you were trained or developed them further.

Reflect on Experiences

I have a friend who took me through a process of reflecting on all my life experiences to get a picture of themes in my life.  Through this process we identified certain skills or qualities that were natural in me.  For example, throughout my life I have always sought mentors. This reveals to me the natural desire to learn and grow.  This may not be the gift but thinking and reflecting may come more naturally to me than others.

As we evaluate our present and past experiences, we recognize themes.  These themes will often point us toward our strengths.

Use Tools

An excellent resource I have used and continue to reference as well as use with clients is a Maxwell DISC Personality Indicator.  This tool takes only about ten minutes to complete.  What is unique and beneficial about this as a leader is the POWER DISC.  This helps us understand where we are strong in seven key leadership areas.  This also helps us understand our personal style and strengths.

Another tool I have used is Strengths Finder by Gallup which helps us understand our top five strengths.  When I originally took it, I received a keycode after investing in the book Strengths Finder 2.0.

These are only two of many tools available.  The challenge is taking the information and evaluating what it means and how to leverage our strengths to lead more effectively.

How will you use this new information to lead more effectively?  How can this help you determine what NOT to do?  As you go through this process you may see the value of a thinking partner to help you see what you cannot see or process how to apply these gifts in your leadership.  If so, and I can serve you as a thinking partner, then contact me to schedule a 30 minute no cost to you coaching session.  Lead Well.

© 2021 Wheeler Coaching Systems, All Rights Reserved

Posted by Randy Wheeler in Lead Yourself
06
Dec
2021

PS5 and Leadership Success

Last year about this time I walked in the house from my early morning workout and there was my thirteen-year-old son smiling ear to ear.  He also had an important question for me:  “can you pick up the PS5 I just bought?”

If you don’t have kids at this stage of life or like me have definitely outgrown the video game stage of life let me explain.  These could not be found last year!  Unknown to my wife and I my son had created a Twitter account for the sole purpose of watching when PS5 orders had been dropped.  He was on the lookout daily and that was where he learned one was available.

After picking up his PS5 at Target I reflected on a few leadership lessons any leader or entrepreneur could gain from his approach.

Discipline

For about three weeks my son was obsessed with getting a PS5.  He had saved up the hundreds of dollars he needed to purchase it.  Each day he demonstrated the discipline to check his social sources, online, and even call some stores.

In the classic book Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill had studied the lives of many successful people of his time.  He tells the story of a man who desired to work with Thomas Edison.  Hill concludes:

“He stood by his desire until it became the dominating obsession of his life and finally a fact.”

My son was obsessed with getting this PS5 to the point it became a dominating obsession.  (As Dad I must confess I was getting a little concerned.)  As leaders we must have the type of desire that gives us the discipline to accomplish the vision.

Faith

I am going to suggest for this conversation faith is the ability to see something we do not have and know we will have it.  This could be an object, vision, relationship, or something else.  If you have ever pursued something you wanted and refused to quit then you know it required faith.

At times my son got really frustrated, but he continued his discipline, maintained his desire, and believed he would get it.  This was even amidst reports only a few were available at a time.  As leaders we must cling to faith that the vision we have will come to pass.

Self-Control and Persistence

Allow me to remind you this was my thirteen-year-old son.  You can look up the cost of a PS5 and you will see it required self-control for him to save all that money.  Like most of us there are plenty of other things he likes to spend his money on, but he desired this so much that he controlled himself to save.  Of all that my son did the greatest leadership less is what he combined this self-control with:  persistence.

Napoleon Hill states in Think and Grow Rich:

“Lack of persistence is one of the major causes of failure.”

Like I mentioned earlier, my son checked daily.  He checked often and was persistent about asking my wife and I to take him to various stores to see if they had one.  He had the discipline, faith, self-control, and persistence to get up first thing in the morning and see the tweet three minutes after it was made so he could purchase it immediately.

What about you?  With the burning vision you have for what you are leading do you have the discipline, self-control, faith and persistence my son demonstrated?  If not, which of these areas do you need to grow in?  Maybe your desire is waning.  What will reignite you?  Go out in the next week and reignite your desire.  Maybe you simply need to keep persisting with faith that you will get the breakthrough.

Do not give up on your vision my friend.  Keep climbing the hill knowing your vision is worthwhile.  Need someone to think into your vision with?  Contact me for a thirty-minute thinking partner session at no cost to you.  Lead Well.

© 2021 Wheeler Coaching Systems, All Rights Reserved

Posted by Randy Wheeler in Lead Yourself
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