What Challenges Are You Willing to Accept?

Today’s moon landing anniversary seems as good a day as any to share a little of what makes me tick.

Forty years ago, man landed on the moon. Although far too young to notice (not even a year old at the time), notions surrounding the moon have captivated me. For thousands of years prior, people would look up toward it as it hung in the sky, a symbol of our collective dreams. Early on there was fear, but soon it was replaced by wonder, imagination and greater understanding. Now, for many who look at the moon it symbolizes accomplishment. A feat our forefathers couldn’t imagine but many a grandfather got to witness. This huge achievement, not just for the United State in the midst of a space race, but for mankind with the creation of new technologies, possibility thinking, ingenuity and the celebration of success.

The moon program has shaped me indirectly in other ways. My father headed a group that worked on guidance systems. He was passed over for the Apollo assignment, something I did not know until many years later. Obviously, he felt disappointment he diligently headed a less glamorous group. In time, that group grew in influence, budget, and prestige. Eventually the Apollo program ended and members from that team joined his organization, illustrating that sometimes the less glamorous route can be more fulfilling and rewarding in the long run, despite initial disappointments. You never know.

In 1962 President Kennedy, who helped bring out the best in people by having a clear goal, uttered one of my favorite leadership quotes.

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills. Because that challenge is one that we're willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone and one we intend to win."

Every generation of humankind had been staring up toward the sky wondering about the moon. Then not too long ago, one of us says, let's do it, let's go there within ten years -- and we did it. A fascinating feat that illustrates just about anything is possible with vision, passion, action and a deadline.

I enjoy inspiring people who in turn inspire themselves; to help others find their strengths and see what they have to offer our joint endeavors. I help others find their vision or purpose and help them clear the path to their achievements by tearing down obstacles that are in the way. I do this partly for selfish reasons. I like how it recharges me and gives me energy, forcing me to take the focus off myself, and put it on others. It gives me the opportunity to combat the damaging effects of poor leaders, influencers, and others who abuse their power either through ignorance or through intent.

I also like measuring things. Not to see shortfalls but to see what we're capable of doing. I love to see the charts and graphs of goals and measurements of success. To see the results of common things in uncommon ways.

All this leads me to ask, on this day forty years after one of our greatest achievements. What current symbol surrounds us collectively, that can organize and measure the best of our energies and skills? If that is too broad, think of yourself and ask, what do you need to work on that is not easy, but will serve to organize and measure the best of your energies and skills? What challenges are you willing to accept, unwilling to postpone and intend to win and how can I help you?

Six Words of Advice for Writers

Writing is a leadership skill. To convey or challenge an idea and to persuade into action through the written word has always been a valuable, if under appreciated talent. Newspapers and traditional books sales may be down, but writing is up. Think about it. Anything you read, anything, was first written. Emails, reports, newsletters, reviews, eBooks, status updates on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. What you see on television, in movies and at plays began at a written script to convey an idea. Yes, even “reality” shows.

If you want to work on your leadership, work on your writing. Here are six words of advice.

Write
Writers write. You have to face the blank page or screen and begin to fill it. Start with something; an outline, note cards, a napkin, it doesn’t matter. Just begin.

Revise
No matter how eloquent you think you are, your first draft is bound to have a bit of uncertainty or a lack of clarity. It’s rare to get it right on the very first pass. Rewriting makes things better. Cut, reword and simplify what you’re trying to convey. Your readers will appreciate it.

Release
Eventually, you must stop your editing and revisions. At some point as you were writing with a burst of inspiration you may have felt your work was genius; but now you’re holding it back in an effort to make it perfect. This is a mistake. Most won’t notice or care, and those that do, will always find something to criticize you on anyway. Let it go and share what you write with others.

Receive
Receive the feedback on your work gracefully. Some will disagree with you, or be critical. Some won’t notice your words at all, but will be inexplicably moved by them. The written word always makes a difference, but the author may never know it.

Rejoice
Writing is about creating. Forming words in the right order to illicit a desired response and actually committing them to the page is no simple task. Sharing those idea and thoughts with others can expose vulnerabilities. That exposure is what keeps many from writing and those who write do from becoming better. Writing is not an effortless activity so make the time to celebrate your achievement with everything you write. On occasion you may fail to articulate what you intended adequately. Celebrate anyway. You’ve demonstrated leadership in caring enough to capture your thoughts for the benefit of others.

Repeat
Do it again. Continue to hone the craft of writing. Laziness in writing is laziness in leadership so keep exercising. Even if you only write 140 characters at a time, make them sing. Just as in leadership, effective writing must mix art and science. Through repetition, you will begin to explore the nuances of each.

Six Words of Advice for Writers

Writing is a leadership skill. To convey or challenge an idea and to persuade into action through the written word has always been a valuable, if under appreciated talent. Newspapers and traditional books sales may be down, but writing is up. Think about it. Anything you read, anything, was first written. Emails, reports, newsletters, reviews, eBooks, status updates on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. What you see on television, in movies and at plays began at a written script to convey an idea. Yes, even “reality” shows.

If you want to work on your leadership, work on your writing. Here are six words of advice.

Write
Writers write. You have to face the blank page or screen and begin to fill it. Start with something; an outline, note cards, a napkin, it doesn’t matter. Just begin.

Revise
No matter how eloquent you think you are, your first draft is bound to have a bit of uncertainty or a lack of clarity. It’s rare to get it right on the very first pass. Rewriting makes things better. Cut, reword and simplify what you’re trying to convey. Your readers will appreciate it.

Release
Eventually, you must stop your editing and revisions. At some point as you were writing with a burst of inspiration you may have felt your work was genius; but now you’re holding it back in an effort to make it perfect. This is a mistake. Most won’t notice or care, and those that do, will always find something to criticize you on anyway. Let it go and share what you write with others.

Receive
Receive the feedback on your work gracefully. Some will disagree with you, or be critical. Some won’t notice your words at all, but will be inexplicably moved by them. The written word always makes a difference, but the author may never know it.

Rejoice
Writing is about creating. Forming words in the right order to illicit a desired response and actually committing them to the page is no simple task. Sharing those idea and thoughts with others can expose vulnerabilities. That exposure is what keeps many from writing and those who write do from becoming better. Writing is not an effortless activity so make the time to celebrate your achievement with everything you write. On occasion you may fail to articulate what you intended adequately. Celebrate anyway. You’ve demonstrated leadership in caring enough to capture your thoughts for the benefit of others.

Repeat
Do it again. Continue to hone the craft of writing. Laziness in writing is laziness in leadership so keep exercising. Even if you only write 140 characters at a time, make them sing. Just as in leadership, effective writing must mix art and science. Through repetition, you will begin to explore the nuances of each.

A Parent America

Like most Americans, I become exceptionally patriotic around July 4th and introspective about the nation’s history, my own history, and the future of both. I vividly recall backyard barbecues, some of which were warm and delightful and some soggy but equally memorable. I remember our nation's bicentennial celebration and setting firecrackers off, much to my mother's dismay. I remember how firework shows terrified me as a child but now bring inspiration, awe and pride. I recall ad hoc barbecues in Boston and spending all day at the Esplanade waiting for the Boston Pops to perform. Nearly twenty years ago my wife and I celebrated our first Independence Day together as a married couple on the rooftop with friends. The night was full of music and synchronized colors. Soon the finale and all its illumination transformed the evening into daylight. The crackle and boom sounded like a war and we smiled with exhilaration and expectant joy.

Sadly, the nation has been through several real wars since then and undoubtedly, there will be more. Our nephews, cousins and friends have seen combat or have been stationed in some of the most dangerous places on earth. It occurred to me, and thankfully, he does not know it, since my son's birth in 2003, the nation has not been at peace. The resources of the country are so grand, the sacrifices of others so great that he has been insulated from the harsh realities of war.

I was recently watching a report from an embedded journalist in Afghanistan who was caught up in a firefight. The action was loud and captured the attention and imagination of my curious boy. His questions on who was fighting and why and if they were dying and why began to become increasingly difficult to answer. I found myself explaining terrorism and how brave men and women protect us every day. That yes, some die and no, they do not get the same attention that Michael Jackson does and that’s one reason why we should always thank those who volunteer to protect us.

How do we explain America to our children? That people wanting to do harm to us is not a new thing. That although we are peace loving, we are also a violent and brash culture. That for all our problems and dysfunction like our insatiable consumption of drugs, our fascination with any salacious story, our self-inflicted pain caused by antiquated healthcare, education, and infrastructure systems, we are also envied. Why? Because the American gene pool is made up of leaders, innovators, artists, and visionaries. People from every nation in the world have risked their lives to come here, to worship, to love, to create something better.

At 233 years, we are a relatively young nation culturally, but our form of government is one of the more enduring compared to the 203 other nations on the planet. Yet we are envied for the same reason we are hated. We value freedom and because we have it, we often take it for granted. We seem to treasure it most when it is at risk; otherwise, because we are fairly secure in it, something else often captures our attention. Consider the television coverage of the conflict in Iran. The voices there hint at a fragile democracy, much like our forefathers did, though this movement is buoyed predominantly by educated women, young and old. It’s a story that should transfix us. Freedom is on the march. Instead, it is put to the side in favor of a more accessible political sex scandal or Michael Jackson's premature death. We believe celebrity mystique is more appropriate summer fare than revolution. Revolutions seem to fit better in the autumn after we've recharged our batteries but before the holidays. What hubris. What audacity. What truth. Detractors think it's blissful ignorance. That to be truly great, we need to organize our problems and solve them in a linear way. America doesn't work that way. This nation has the talent, enthusiasm, and skill to solve almost any problem. That's why it's so maddening when we don't address critical problems more timely. We could make things easier for ourselves, but as Americans, the easy way is seldom the most fun and we like a challenge.

What our nation has is boldness and maturity. Many nations are similar to the kids in the backseat of a car on a road trip. Sometimes we sing or play fun games together, but invariably they ask, "Are we there yet?" They are vocal. They complain. They want us to pull over just as we are gathering speed. The one thing they never do is drive - nor do they want to. America is the parent. Our population’s attitude follows a continuum between the reluctant parent and the kind who are smothering. Like a parent, we will often question our abilities, our decisions, and ourselves. Others will challenge our authority, rebel, ask for money and sometimes seek our hugs. It is not our role to whine about it. It is our role to lead it. The world expects that of us.

Enjoy your weekend and the parades, fireworks, and celebrations. Thank those who came before you quietly and those who protect you loudly and then dedicate yourself to finding your own special way of leading and making the nation and the world better in some way, grand or small.

A Parent America

Like most Americans, I become exceptionally patriotic around July 4th and introspective about the nation’s history, my own history, and the future of both. I vividly recall backyard barbecues, some of which were warm and delightful and some soggy but equally memorable. I remember our nation's bicentennial celebration and setting firecrackers off, much to my mother's dismay. I remember how firework shows terrified me as a child but now bring inspiration, awe and pride. I recall ad hoc barbecues in Boston and spending all day at the Esplanade waiting for the Boston Pops to perform. Nearly twenty years ago my wife and I celebrated our first Independence Day together as a married couple on the rooftop with friends. The night was full of music and synchronized colors. Soon the finale and all its illumination transformed the evening into daylight. The crackle and boom sounded like a war and we smiled with exhilaration and expectant joy.

Sadly, the nation has been through several real wars since then and undoubtedly, there will be more. Our nephews, cousins and friends have seen combat or have been stationed in some of the most dangerous places on earth. It occurred to me, and thankfully, he does not know it, since my son's birth in 2003, the nation has not been at peace. The resources of the country are so grand, the sacrifices of others so great that he has been insulated from the harsh realities of war.

I was recently watching a report from an embedded journalist in Afghanistan who was caught up in a firefight. The action was loud and captured the attention and imagination of my curious boy. His questions on who was fighting and why and if they were dying and why began to become increasingly difficult to answer. I found myself explaining terrorism and how brave men and women protect us every day. That yes, some die and no, they do not get the same attention that Michael Jackson does and that’s one reason why we should always thank those who volunteer to protect us.

How do we explain America to our children? That people wanting to do harm to us is not a new thing. That although we are peace loving, we are also a violent and brash culture. That for all our problems and dysfunction like our insatiable consumption of drugs, our fascination with any salacious story, our self-inflicted pain caused by antiquated healthcare, education, and infrastructure systems, we are also envied. Why? Because the American gene pool is made up of leaders, innovators, artists, and visionaries. People from every nation in the world have risked their lives to come here, to worship, to love, to create something better.

At 233 years, we are a relatively young nation culturally, but our form of government is one of the more enduring compared to the 203 other nations on the planet. Yet we are envied for the same reason we are hated. We value freedom and because we have it, we often take it for granted. We seem to treasure it most when it is at risk; otherwise, because we are fairly secure in it, something else often captures our attention. Consider the television coverage of the conflict in Iran. The voices there hint at a fragile democracy, much like our forefathers did, though this movement is buoyed predominantly by educated women, young and old. It’s a story that should transfix us. Freedom is on the march. Instead, it is put to the side in favor of a more accessible political sex scandal or Michael Jackson's premature death. We believe celebrity mystique is more appropriate summer fare than revolution. Revolutions seem to fit better in the autumn after we've recharged our batteries but before the holidays. What hubris. What audacity. What truth. Detractors think it's blissful ignorance. That to be truly great, we need to organize our problems and solve them in a linear way. America doesn't work that way. This nation has the talent, enthusiasm, and skill to solve almost any problem. That's why it's so maddening when we don't address critical problems more timely. We could make things easier for ourselves, but as Americans, the easy way is seldom the most fun and we like a challenge.

What our nation has is boldness and maturity. Many nations are similar to the kids in the backseat of a car on a road trip. Sometimes we sing or play fun games together, but invariably they ask, "Are we there yet?" They are vocal. They complain. They want us to pull over just as we are gathering speed. The one thing they never do is drive - nor do they want to. America is the parent. Our population’s attitude follows a continuum between the reluctant parent and the kind who are smothering. Like a parent, we will often question our abilities, our decisions, and ourselves. Others will challenge our authority, rebel, ask for money and sometimes seek our hugs. It is not our role to whine about it. It is our role to lead it. The world expects that of us.

Enjoy your weekend and the parades, fireworks, and celebrations. Thank those who came before you quietly and those who protect you loudly and then dedicate yourself to finding your own special way of leading and making the nation and the world better in some way, grand or small.

Can You Make a Difference? Thoughts on Cheering Freedom

Whenever people stand up for a change against a repressive status quo, it invigorates me. It could very well be that the change they are seeking is not substantively different, but be it instant or a slow progression, it is still evolution. Any moment that arouses the hearts and minds of people to stand up, seek truth and take peaceful action is a moment deserving of applause and support. When any nation moves closer to democracy or its populace exerts an effort to become “more perfect” it is cause for celebration. When citizens take action to expose its own nations’ hypocrisy - all the better.

Perhaps this belief is the mix of nature and nurture within me. My grandfather rescued his family and countless others in 1940’s Europe by skillfully squeezing past the suffocating grip of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. I was born and raised in Massachusetts where details about the heroic efforts of patriots in the American Revolution were weaved into school trips and bicentennial celebrations. In college, I walked along the same Boston streets and stood alongside the shadows of the same historic buildings and landmarks that witnessed the forming of our nation.

While in college, I watched the televised protests in Tiananmen Square, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the fall of the Soviet Union and the liberation of former Iron Curtained states. And although this nation has seen its own travesties, it remains the beacon of hope, a model for young republics and the envy of freedom loving people.

In contrast to twenty years ago, the newspapers and cable news organizations of today are comparatively impotent, but the Internet, the greatest and most affordable conduit of ideas civilization has ever seen, has come alive. YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and most notably Twitter have provided instant images and perspective from participants, sympathizers, foes and opportunists alike. At times, feeds of information channels have adopted a mob mentality themselves as revolutions have become participative. Disinformation, panic, fear, lemming-like regurgitation of conflicting stories have been mixed together with bravery, images of compassion, and ever present hope. The naive and the knave, the instigators, the healers, the scholars and the rogues all compete for attention. It is frustratingly difficult to separate the signal from the noise. Yet, if you love the pursuit of freedom, it is also beautiful.

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Still, cynics say there is no appreciable difference people sipping cappuccinos or playing on their Wii can have half a world away. That symbols like tinting your profile picture green or other signs of solidarity are equivalent to giving an alcoholic vagrant a dollar. It makes you feel better, clears your soul, but doesn't address the core issue. Maybe. Maybe not. How can you know? Freedom is addictive and any citizen of a free society enjoys seeing more of it. Realism tells us there is nothing we can individually do to affect change. However, realism didn't win the American Revolution. Faith, hope, determination and other intangibles did. So too, do those intangibles work today with every freedom loving movement.

Given our long history, freedom is a relatively new concept to humankind. It is still a fragile thing but it is desirable and we know we achieve greater things when we have it. Whether we broadcast it, or know it quietly in our heart, those who have a taste of freedom will always cheer and help those who are not. And in some incalculable way, make a difference in the process.

Can You Make a Difference? Thoughts on Cheering Freedom

Whenever people stand up for a change against a repressive status quo, it invigorates me. It could very well be that the change they are seeking is not substantively different, but be it instant or a slow progression, it is still evolution. Any moment that arouses the hearts and minds of people to stand up, seek truth and take peaceful action is a moment deserving of applause and support. When any nation moves closer to democracy or its populace exerts an effort to become “more perfect” it is cause for celebration. When citizens take action to expose its own nations’ hypocrisy - all the better.

Perhaps this belief is the mix of nature and nurture within me. My grandfather rescued his family and countless others in 1940’s Europe by skillfully squeezing past the suffocating grip of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. I was born and raised in Massachusetts where details about the heroic efforts of patriots in the American Revolution were weaved into school trips and bicentennial celebrations. In college, I walked along the same Boston streets and stood alongside the shadows of the same historic buildings and landmarks that witnessed the forming of our nation.

While in college, I watched the televised protests in Tiananmen Square, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the fall of the Soviet Union and the liberation of former Iron Curtained states. And although this nation has seen its own travesties, it remains the beacon of hope, a model for young republics and the envy of freedom loving people.

In contrast to twenty years ago, the newspapers and cable news organizations of today are comparatively impotent, but the Internet, the greatest and most affordable conduit of ideas civilization has ever seen, has come alive. YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and most notably Twitter have provided instant images and perspective from participants, sympathizers, foes and opportunists alike. At times, feeds of information channels have adopted a mob mentality themselves as revolutions have become participative. Disinformation, panic, fear, lemming-like regurgitation of conflicting stories have been mixed together with bravery, images of compassion, and ever present hope. The naive and the knave, the instigators, the healers, the scholars and the rogues all compete for attention. It is frustratingly difficult to separate the signal from the noise. Yet, if you love the pursuit of freedom, it is also beautiful.

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Still, cynics say there is no appreciable difference people sipping cappuccinos or playing on their Wii can have half a world away. That symbols like tinting your profile picture green or other signs of solidarity are equivalent to giving an alcoholic vagrant a dollar. It makes you feel better, clears your soul, but doesn't address the core issue. Maybe. Maybe not. How can you know? Freedom is addictive and any citizen of a free society enjoys seeing more of it. Realism tells us there is nothing we can individually do to affect change. However, realism didn't win the American Revolution. Faith, hope, determination and other intangibles did. So too, do those intangibles work today with every freedom loving movement.

Given our long history, freedom is a relatively new concept to humankind. It is still a fragile thing but it is desirable and we know we achieve greater things when we have it. Whether we broadcast it, or know it quietly in our heart, those who have a taste of freedom will always cheer and help those who are not. And in some incalculable way, make a difference in the process.

What's the best compliment you've ever received at work?

According to a recent survey, 65% of respondents agreed with the statement, "At work, I am recognized for my achievements."

I'm creating a piece on recognition and would love to hear from you. What's the best compliment you've ever received at work? How did it make you feel and why do you still remember it? Share your story of a fabulous compliment you received. Selected entries will be incorporated into the article, and if yours is cited, you will get a free copy of “Pushing Back the Ocean”. All entries will receive a copy of the piece once it's complete.

You can email me at Karl@karlbimshas.com with the subject line “Best Compliment Ever”, but why not share your greatness with others by responding via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or commenting on my blog, Reflections on Leadership.

Thanks for your participation. Today, tell someone else how much you appreciate them.

What's the best compliment you've ever received at work?

According to a recent survey, 65% of respondents agreed with the statement, "At work, I am recognized for my achievements."



I'm creating a piece on recognition and would love to hear from you. What's the best compliment you've ever received at work? How did it make you feel and why do you still remember it? Share your story of a fabulous compliment you received. Selected entries will be incorporated into the article, and if yours is cited, you will get a free copy of “Pushing Back the Ocean”. All entries will receive a copy of the piece once it's complete.


You can email me at Karl@karlbimshas.com with the subject line “Best Compliment Ever”, but why not share your greatness with others by responding via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or commenting on my blog, Reflections on Leadership.


Thanks for your participation. Today, tell someone else how much you appreciate them.

Do you have your “ships” together?

Dreams, aspirations and goals stimulate our imagination, but they aren’t enough for those used to achieving more. Sailing through life rudderless isn’t an option. It’s time to get your ships together. I can think of eight key ships you ought to evaluate for seaworthiness.

Relationship
Many times, there are wide variables between our interactions with our significant other, our family members, friends, and colleagues. Are you being authentic in all your relationships? Are all of your relationships where you want them to be or are there some that you could improve? Are there people you sometimes want to throw overboard? Examine your relationships and surround yourself with the best crew possible.

Leadership
I believe everyone has the capacity to be a leader, be it of a household, a company, or even a little league team. Any organization of people needs a leader. Someone to set a vision, inspire movement and encourage people along the way. There is something in your life that you’re leading whether you know it or not. It would be better to know it. The helm is yours, captain.

Ownership
Although material possessions really don’t matter much in the big picture, when we work for something, scrape and save for some tangible thing we want, like a camera, new shoes, special watch, car or house, the basic pride in ownership is the same. We take care of the things we own. We clean it, shine it, and show it off. We do so because it’s a symbol of our success. Are you taking pride in ownership? Polish the brass.

Citizenship
It is a sense of patriotism. Many look at what a country owes them instead of what a country full of liberty provides, like security, tranquility, justice, and the ability to pursue happiness. Everyone’s taxes are too high, but if you think about the value you get for that contribution, it’s a pretty good deal. To function properly a country needs good citizens. A population that educates itself, votes, serves as jury to justice, contributes in ways big and small is one that reports for duty and takes responsibility seriously. Raise the flags, show your colors and salute.

Stewardship
Nothing lasts forever, but there are times when things fall under your watch. Leading a team, babysitting a child, living on the planet. No one wants something bad to happen on their watch. Stewardship is treating something that’s not yours as though it were and then leaving it with grace and in a little better condition than you found it. What can you make better?

Craftsmanship
Everyone does something well. Something that requires their head, heart and hands. It may be your hobby or your vocation, but it calls you and your work speaks to others. It’s funny how people tend to be the most skilled craftsmen around the things they are most humble about. Devote time to your craft. Practice, hone, improve, excel. Make the engines purr.

Entrepreneurship
Start something. You often see a need, a way to be of service that others haven’t thought about before, but you too often ignore your great idea. How faithfully you go about filling that need is your entrepreneurial spirit. It may be risky, but go for it anyway.

Followership
Often we overestimate the leader and underestimate the follower. Without the follower, the leader fails; without a leader, followers perish. You must know when to lead and when to follow. Know when to offer new ideas and solutions and when to support and respect existing ones. Respect your crewmates and the command.

Navigating these eight “ships” comes with a fleet of emotions. Pay attention to them. Take care of them. Inspect the hull and scrape the barnacles off from time to time. Send them out to explore uncharted waters. Spend time with them and just enjoy what they uncover alone and working in harmony with each other. Do you have any other “ships” you would add? Let me know.

Visit http://karlbimshas.com/tools.html for a FREE self-assessment on your personal fleet.

Do you have your “ships” together?

Dreams, aspirations and goals stimulate our imagination, but they aren’t enough for those used to achieving more. Sailing through life rudderless isn’t an option. It’s time to get your ships together. I can think of eight key ships you ought to evaluate for seaworthiness.

Relationship
Many times, there are wide variables between our interactions with our significant other, our family members, friends, and colleagues. Are you being authentic in all your relationships? Are all of your relationships where you want them to be or are there some that you could improve? Are there people you sometimes want to throw overboard? Examine your relationships and surround yourself with the best crew possible.

Leadership
I believe everyone has the capacity to be a leader, be it of a household, a company, or even a little league team. Any organization of people needs a leader. Someone to set a vision, inspire movement and encourage people along the way. There is something in your life that you’re leading whether you know it or not. It would be better to know it. The helm is yours, captain.

Ownership
Although material possessions really don’t matter much in the big picture, when we work for something, scrape and save for some tangible thing we want, like a camera, new shoes, special watch, car or house, the basic pride in ownership is the same. We take care of the things we own. We clean it, shine it, and show it off. We do so because it’s a symbol of our success. Are you taking pride in ownership? Polish the brass.

Citizenship
It is a sense of patriotism. Many look at what a country owes them instead of what a country full of liberty provides, like security, tranquility, justice, and the ability to pursue happiness. Everyone’s taxes are too high, but if you think about the value you get for that contribution, it’s a pretty good deal. To function properly a country needs good citizens. A population that educates itself, votes, serves as jury to justice, contributes in ways big and small is one that reports for duty and takes responsibility seriously. Raise the flags, show your colors and salute.

Stewardship
Nothing lasts forever, but there are times when things fall under your watch. Leading a team, babysitting a child, living on the planet. No one wants something bad to happen on their watch. Stewardship is treating something that’s not yours as though it were and then leaving it with grace and in a little better condition than you found it. What can you make better?

Craftsmanship
Everyone does something well. Something that requires their head, heart and hands. It may be your hobby or your vocation, but it calls you and your work speaks to others. It’s funny how people tend to be the most skilled craftsmen around the things they are most humble about. Devote time to your craft. Practice, hone, improve, excel. Make the engines purr.

Entrepreneurship
Start something. You often see a need, a way to be of service that others haven’t thought about before, but you too often ignore your great idea. How faithfully you go about filling that need is your entrepreneurial spirit. It may be risky, but go for it anyway.

Followership
Often we overestimate the leader and underestimate the follower. Without the follower, the leader fails; without a leader, followers perish. You must know when to lead and when to follow. Know when to offer new ideas and solutions and when to support and respect existing ones. Respect your crewmates and the command.

Navigating these eight “ships” comes with a fleet of emotions. Pay attention to them. Take care of them. Inspect the hull and scrape the barnacles off from time to time. Send them out to explore uncharted waters. Spend time with them and just enjoy what they uncover alone and working in harmony with each other. Do you have any other “ships” you would add? Let me know.

Visit http://karlbimshas.com/tools.html for a FREE self-assessment on your personal fleet.

It’s your fault. There, I feel better.

It’s easy to lay blame when things don’t go right. People blame the weather for how they’re feeling. They blame the economy for their own financial situation. Schoolyards, boardrooms and the halls of Washington reverberate with outrage as people try to assign blame to someone else. It’s easier. It’s easier to dispense blame than to accept accountability. Some people in the world have two viewpoints, yours and mine. When things go wrong, the fault is yours. When things go right, the credit is mine. Blame helps aid this belief. When I blame, I am able to shift accountability and shirk responsibility. Whew, what a relief. Unfortunately, I also give up power and leadership credibility. If I exert any effort to blame someone other than myself for some event, I empower him or her and weaken me.

When we blame someone, we are declaring that the responsibility was his or hers and it was misused. To be clear, there are times in our lives when this is empirically true. We see people squirm and contort all sorts of stories to shed the skin of responsibility they had. And more often than not, how do they respond? By blaming others. Watch any Sunday morning news program for ample examples.

Why are we, the most freedom loving people, so regularly ready to give up our power? It’s because responsibility scares most of us. What if we screw up? People might blame us.

There are two ways to interrupt this vicious cycle. One is to accept blame that is rightfully yours. You can probably share it with someone else, for few are blameless, but it’s better to take it alone. Accepting responsibility knocks the breath out of blame. Accept it, fix what you can and move on. If you dwell on it, you are just perpetuating the blame on yourself. What a waste.

The second way to begin eliminating the destructive power of blame is to overcompensate with its opposite, praise. Do you feel you are getting too much praise in your life? Do you get too much recognition for all the good things you do everyday? Some may say they don’t need praise. I say, they just don’t realize they need it. Do you feel like you are receiving more blame than praise? What are you finding more fault or admiration with others? Even if you are not speaking the words, your mind is either assigning blame or praise, while you wait in line, read an article, watch the news, listen to the radio, attend a lecture or rally, or sip a drink at a bar. You can’t turn off these thoughts but you can ensure your focus is more on praise and what’s going right with your world and less on blame and what’s going wrong.

Please pass this message on to a friend or colleague, and encourage them to sign up for Karl Bimshas’ Reflections on Leadership.

If you want more than just a periodic reminder of personal development activities, or want a new perspective, consider an accountability partner. Send me an email at karl@karlBimshas.com and I’ll send you information on Personal Consulting.

It’s your fault. There, I feel better.

It’s easy to lay blame when things don’t go right. People blame the weather for how they’re feeling. They blame the economy for their own financial situation. Schoolyards, boardrooms and the halls of Washington reverberate with outrage as people try to assign blame to someone else. It’s easier. It’s easier to dispense blame than to accept accountability. Some people in the world have two viewpoints, yours and mine. When things go wrong, the fault is yours. When things go right, the credit is mine. Blame helps aid this belief. When I blame, I am able to shift accountability and shirk responsibility. Whew, what a relief. Unfortunately, I also give up power and leadership credibility. If I exert any effort to blame someone other than myself for some event, I empower him or her and weaken me.

When we blame someone, we are declaring that the responsibility was his or hers and it was misused. To be clear, there are times in our lives when this is empirically true. We see people squirm and contort all sorts of stories to shed the skin of responsibility they had. And more often than not, how do they respond? By blaming others. Watch any Sunday morning news program for ample examples.

Why are we, the most freedom loving people, so regularly ready to give up our power? It’s because responsibility scares most of us. What if we screw up? People might blame us.

There are two ways to interrupt this vicious cycle. One is to accept blame that is rightfully yours. You can probably share it with someone else, for few are blameless, but it’s better to take it alone. Accepting responsibility knocks the breath out of blame. Accept it, fix what you can and move on. If you dwell on it, you are just perpetuating the blame on yourself. What a waste.

The second way to begin eliminating the destructive power of blame is to overcompensate with its opposite, praise. Do you feel you are getting too much praise in your life? Do you get too much recognition for all the good things you do everyday? Some may say they don’t need praise. I say, they just don’t realize they need it. Do you feel like you are receiving more blame than praise? What are you finding more fault or admiration with others? Even if you are not speaking the words, your mind is either assigning blame or praise, while you wait in line, read an article, watch the news, listen to the radio, attend a lecture or rally, or sip a drink at a bar. You can’t turn off these thoughts but you can ensure your focus is more on praise and what’s going right with your world and less on blame and what’s going wrong.

Please pass this message on to a friend or colleague, and encourage them to sign up for Karl Bimshas’ Reflections on Leadership.

If you want more than just a periodic reminder of personal development activities, or want a new perspective, consider an accountability partner. Send me an email at karl@karlBimshas.com and I’ll send you information on Personal Consulting.

The Parallels Between Leaders and Artists

I have been thinking again about the parallels between leaders and artists. When a person has a vivid and compelling vision that others want to follow, that person becomes a leader.

A writer can find inspiration in a variety of things, from lint to a sunset. When they are able to weave those elements of inspiration into a story and inspire others, they become an author.

At on point, all leaders and artists have a feeling of uncertainty. For some, it festers into insecurity. The suffering artist or burdened leader is a cliché. Uncertainly is fine. It is threaded throughout the fabric of life. However, people seldom follow the insecure. Healthy self-esteem and confidence are the hallmarks of successful leaders and artists.

The Parallels Between Leaders and Artists

I have been thinking again about the parallels between leaders and artists. When a person has a vivid and compelling vision that others want to follow, that person becomes a leader.

A writer can find inspiration in a variety of things, from lint to a sunset. When they are able to weave those elements of inspiration into a story and inspire others, they become an author.

At on point, all leaders and artists have a feeling of uncertainty. For some, it festers into insecurity. The suffering artist or burdened leader is a cliché. Uncertainly is fine. It is threaded throughout the fabric of life. However, people seldom follow the insecure. Healthy self-esteem and confidence are the hallmarks of successful leaders and artists.

Leaders and Artists

Leaders and Artists show passion.
Leaders and Artists tell great stories.
Leaders and Artists practice their skills.
Leaders and Artists understand form and function.
Leaders and Artists have a consistent point of view.
Leaders and Artists know their strengths and limitations.
Leaders and Artists work with their head, hands and heart.
Leaders and Artists stand on the shoulders of those who taught them.
Leaders and Artists are never really “done”; they can always find something to improve.

Leaders and Artists

Leaders and Artists show passion.
Leaders and Artists tell great stories.
Leaders and Artists practice their skills.
Leaders and Artists understand form and function.
Leaders and Artists have a consistent point of view.
Leaders and Artists know their strengths and limitations.
Leaders and Artists work with their head, hands and heart.
Leaders and Artists stand on the shoulders of those who taught them.
Leaders and Artists are never really “done”; they can always find something to improve.

Who do you know that you wish more people could meet?

Who is the person in your life who you most wanted to introduce to other people? For me it was my grandfather. He was of another era. His voice, cadence and dialect were like watching an old Frank Capra or George Cukor movie from the 1940's. He was always ready with amusing stories, riddles or a practical joke.

Growing up we would visit nearly every Sunday and spend a few hours with him and my grandmother. One of my favorite memories of him, and I learned one of his favorite of me too, was the day he was pitching tennis balls to my wiffle ball bat in the back yard. I was fairly young and I was dismal and I was getting frustrated with myself. Embarrassed, I collected several of the missed balls that were scattered by my feet and tossed them back to him so we could try again. A few rolled behind him and into the bushes forcing him to crawl in to retrieve them. My frustration grew; I couldn't even toss a ball right. I was determined to hit the next pitch with all my might.

He brushed himself off, paused for a moment, asked if I was ready and then hurled the brightly colored ball at me. I concentrated and hit it perfectly on the fat part of the bat with an exploding crack. Literally, the 'ball' exploded into hundreds of little pieces! At first I was scared, what had I done now? Then I was bewildered as my grandfather began laughing heartily, like Santa Claus, but much more mischievous. As we walked toward each other he held out his hand and revealed three large unripe crabapples, the same coloring as the balls he had been pitching me. He had switched them when he was in the bushes. He was equal parts thoroughly amused with himself and proud of me for finally getting a hit squarely and forcefully, with a smaller object to boot. My expression seared itself on his memory. From that point on he would periodically begin laughing spontaneously during our visits and retell the story for the next twenty or so years.

I loved when he told stories. They could be from his childhood or from a recent visit to the doctor, he always had an anecdote. During our visits he would hold court from his leather chair in the corner of the living room, or in the dining room sitting in the only armed chair. In the den he would faithfully watch the Red Sox or Patriots during the time when they were contenders but not yet regular champions.

One of the saddest days of my life was helping him into the car at the funeral of my aunt, his youngest daughter. His sudden sobs were unexpected, heartbreaking and profound. In time, the stories, riddles and jokes returned even as his health began to decline. We were fortunate to have him grace this earth for nearly a century. Although he has been gone for several years now, whenever I hear a story or riddle well told or witness a prank well played, I think of him and smile. Lately, I find myself remembering him and wishing more people could have met him and benefitted from his humor and class.

Who do you know that you wish more people could meet? How many people are being introduced to you? Share your gifts freely and with great authenticity, because the world will be better for it.

Who do you know that you wish more people could meet?

Who is the person in your life who you most wanted to introduce to other people? For me it was my grandfather. He was of another era. His voice, cadence and dialect were like watching an old Frank Capra or George Cukor movie from the 1940's. He was always ready with amusing stories, riddles or a practical joke.

Growing up we would visit nearly every Sunday and spend a few hours with him and my grandmother. One of my favorite memories of him, and I learned one of his favorite of me too, was the day he was pitching tennis balls to my wiffle ball bat in the back yard. I was fairly young and I was dismal and I was getting frustrated with myself. Embarrassed, I collected several of the missed balls that were scattered by my feet and tossed them back to him so we could try again. A few rolled behind him and into the bushes forcing him to crawl in to retrieve them. My frustration grew; I couldn't even toss a ball right. I was determined to hit the next pitch with all my might.

He brushed himself off, paused for a moment, asked if I was ready and then hurled the brightly colored ball at me. I concentrated and hit it perfectly on the fat part of the bat with an exploding crack. Literally, the 'ball' exploded into hundreds of little pieces! At first I was scared, what had I done now? Then I was bewildered as my grandfather began laughing heartily, like Santa Claus, but much more mischievous. As we walked toward each other he held out his hand and revealed three large unripe crabapples, the same coloring as the balls he had been pitching me. He had switched them when he was in the bushes. He was equal parts thoroughly amused with himself and proud of me for finally getting a hit squarely and forcefully, with a smaller object to boot. My expression seared itself on his memory. From that point on he would periodically begin laughing spontaneously during our visits and retell the story for the next twenty or so years.

I loved when he told stories. They could be from his childhood or from a recent visit to the doctor, he always had an anecdote. During our visits he would hold court from his leather chair in the corner of the living room, or in the dining room sitting in the only armed chair. In the den he would faithfully watch the Red Sox or Patriots during the time when they were contenders but not yet regular champions.

One of the saddest days of my life was helping him into the car at the funeral of my aunt, his youngest daughter. His sudden sobs were unexpected, heartbreaking and profound. In time, the stories, riddles and jokes returned even as his health began to decline. We were fortunate to have him grace this earth for nearly a century. Although he has been gone for several years now, whenever I hear a story or riddle well told or witness a prank well played, I think of him and smile. Lately, I find myself remembering him and wishing more people could have met him and benefitted from his humor and class.

Who do you know that you wish more people could meet? How many people are being introduced to you? Share your gifts freely and with great authenticity, because the world will be better for it.

Never be Frozen by Fear

I had a nightmare recently, the kind that makes you wake up in a cold sweat. This is rare for me as I have what I consider to be a gift, in that I found I have the ability to control my dreams. It started in early childhood when I was terrorized by Snuffalufagus and The Count from Sesame Street. They used to routinely and terrifyingly chase me around a neighborhood grocery store. I eventually trained myself to make them stop. I take this as a point of pride and it has often spared me uncomfortable dreams. If I didn’t like the direction one was going, my mind would call for a rewrite and I reprogrammed the plot. Not so the other night. I was completely frozen and could not control the outcome.

Who knows how the crazy world of dreams puts you in one predicament or another. In this one, I was frightfully clinging to a cliff. The sun was setting over the ocean, casting a deceptively peaceful golden light while the winds were growing stronger.

Perhaps because of my training in television and film I have found I am frequently able to control the angles or the “shots” of the movie in my mind. Like a director in the control room, I’ve been conscious of my ability to zoom in and out and to pan or dolly to get a better or more cinematic view of my surroundings. This nightmare was no exception, but doing so made my peril more visible. As I zoomed out it became clear that I was not clinging to a cliff, but a large rock formation beyond a cliff. Perhaps, I remember thinking, if I were able to scale it I would be able to safely leap back to land. Unfortunately, as often happens in dreams, there were unexpected obstacles. The texture of this weathered rock was smooth with very few crevices to grasp. It also appeared that this rock disguised a marine geyser similar to La Buffadora in Mexico. It acted as a volcano and the top of it threatened to explode huge violent streams of water at any moment.

In my twenties, I participated in a ROPES program with a group of at-risk-kids. The day was filled with trust walks and physical and mental obstacle courses. One of the last challenges was to don a harness and scale a telephone pole, stand on top of it and leap toward a flag that was suspended slightly above it. The belayer controlling the rope from the ground mitigated the fall. By that time in the day, I was physically exhausted and my legs had turned to jelly. I scaled the pole just fine, but could not unlock my legs enough to stand. Ultimately, I decided to push myself off and flailed toward the hanging flag, missing it but remaining safely cradled in the harness as I was unceremoniously lowered to the ground.

While stuck on this rock that memory engulfed me. Unfortunately, this was four times higher and there was no harness and nothing but waves and rocks below. I couldn’t judge if I would be able to dive past the rocks into the ocean. The strengthening wind made me doubt it. I was paralyzed and felt a complete loss of control. Standing there, clinging to a rock, the wind battering me, with the threat of the unknown above me and uncertainty below me.

Much of my nightmare was just the prolonged anguish of witnessing myself in that pose. It was a horrific feeling and I could no longer stand it. I continued to look upward and downward in utter indecisiveness. It was then I woke in that cold sweat. As I lay awake and breathless, I began to replay the scenario in my head. Why was this a nightmare?

The thought occurred to me; how many times do we have to face difficult choices armed with limited knowledge? The choice to move in one direction has uncertainty. A misstep or a random disruptive influence from the outside world could be catastrophic. The choice to move in the other direction may have a more definitive outcome, but it too is a lousy option.

In my dream, if I was able to climb up, I might have been visible to a rescue helicopter. Or, I might have been blown off the side. If I leapt off into the ocean below, it is likely I could have perished from the fall, if not the waves crashing against the rocks. Maybe I could have stayed and waited it out. Perhaps the tide would rise above the rocks. But then it would be night and I was already exhausted clinging for life. How much more could I endure?

That is what made it a nightmare. To have absolutely no control over the situation and to be paralyzed by fear and inaction. I morbidly began to think on where I would have most liked to have had my body found. Clinging to a rock in fear, or somewhere else that showed I at least tried.

It may seem, at certain times in your life that you have no control over the situation you are in. This may be true, but you are always able to control how you respond to these situations. Huddle down, assess your options, and then take action. Sometimes, though rarely, waiting can be an appropriate action – if you’ve assessed your options and made that a conscious decision rather than a fall back to inaction.

Never be frozen by fear. You can never know the result of your decision ahead of time. It may be good or it may be bad, but you will certainly get immediate feedback once you’ve made it. Then, you will need to make another decision based on what you’ve learned. And then another and another. Make them. Make decisions and accept the consequences of them. Choose decisively and keep moving forward.