I have studied people, books, TED talks, etc. I realized many leaders repeat what others have done, which works for a while. There are interesting takes on how leaders lead in a new digitally connected world. We are increasingly becoming disconnected by technology from our people and our teams. We miss out on the human touch and interaction.
I also realize I am a divergent thinker. I tend to have ideas and solutions in the middle of the night that fit just like a puzzle piece I have been looking for. There is also more than one solution to many challenges. Why do I need to adopt “one way” of thinking about a problem? Can we chase our curiosity for a while, then take creative risk-taking? Sometimes I need more data and information to determine the best path. I need time to absorb and think about the many different potential answers.
I am also an empath. I see enormous potential in our workforce if we give them the power to build skills. I have taken a stand for employees I knew were loyal and did splendid work, even when they were on the chopping block by a pencil pusher. Some of these people outlasted the pencil pusher and the big boss. Why? Because they were worthy, and they were the right kind of person for the job. I did not always last. I was pushed out of a company in one case and that hurt. I stood for integrity in the process and was rewarded with a severance check. Did it matter that I stood up for these people? Yes! Would I do it again even though it was painful to go through and, in the end, lose my job? Yes!
So below are the tools that are meaningful to me. I look at some of these daily or return them when needed. These tools, resources, and experiences helped form who I am and how I lead. There are multiple “leadership models” and many ways to look at challenges, but there is only one way to be a human. That is have empathy and respect for each other.
My leadership toolbox consists of people I follow, books I read, and destinations or experiences that have moved me. No blogs or websites right now… I still must organize the 100’s of links I have… :-)… maybe someday…
People who move me and inspire me to be a better leader. I have found their messages on leadership to be immensely powerful:
- Richard Branson
- Adam Grant
- Seth Godin
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Tenzin Gyatso
- Nick Vujicic
- Malcolm Gladwell
- Jim Carrey
- Robin Williams
These books I reference for ideas and research and that I lean on for good foundations
- Think like da Vinci
- Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
- Jupiter’s Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph
- Learn Like a Polymath
- Brave New Work
- Screw Business As Usual
- Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
- 12 Major World Religions: The Beliefs Rituals, and Traditions of Humanity’s Most Influential Faiths
- Own Your Weird: An Oddly Effective Way for Finding Happiness in Work, Life, and Love
- Ikigai: The Japanese Art of a Meaningful Life
Business Books that provide useful information
- Crushing It!
- Exponential Organizations
- Digital Destiny
- Think Again
- Servant Leadership Roadmap
- GRIT, the power of passion and perseverance
- Nine Lies About Work
- The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership
Destinations that have humbled me and inspired me to think differently about people. You cannot underestimate the power of travel.
- Oradea, Romania
- Kyoto, Japan
- Tokyo, Japan
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Ireland
- New York, USA
- New Delhi and Agra, India
- Beijing, China
- Manilla, Philippines
