The mission of the individual needs to align with the mission of the team, which needs to align with the mission of the organization. CHARLES GARFIELD Author of the widely acclaimed "Peak Performance" trilogy: Peak Performers, Team Management, & Second to None In the tapestry of leadership, purpose serves as the guiding thread weaving together individuals, teams, organizations, and society at large. Charles Garfield's profound insight encapsulates the essence of purpose-driven leadership—a philosophy that transcends individual aspirations to embrace collective missions that resonate with the pulse of humanity and the planet. At the core of purpose-driven leadership lies the acknowledgment that each individual possesses a unique life mission and a set of deeply held core values. In addition to that, leaders need a personal leadership philosophy. These elements serve as the compass guiding one's journey, illuminating the path toward fulfillment and significance. However, the true power of purpose emerges when it converges with the missions of teams, organizations, and society—a harmonious alignment that ignites transformational change. Garfield's words echo the interconnectedness of missions, emphasizing the imperative of alignment. Just as a conductor orchestrates a symphony, a purpose-driven leader harmonizes the diverse voices within their team, aligning individual passions with collective goals. This alignment fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose, fueling collaboration and innovation. Yet, the scope of purpose extends beyond the confines of the organization. A purpose-driven leader recognizes their responsibility to contribute to the greater good of society and the planet. They understand that organizational success is not measured solely by profit margins but by the positive impact it generates on communities and the environment. Thus, they strive to align the mission of their organization with broader societal and planetary needs, fostering sustainability, equity, and social responsibility. More than ever, we need purpose-driven leaders like this today. Leveraging purpose as a catalyst for change requires intentionality and vision. It begins with the introspective journey of self-discovery, as leaders identify their own life mission, core values, and leadership philosophy. Armed with this clarity, they can then articulate a compelling vision that inspires and mobilizes their team toward a common goal. Creating a shared mission and values statement with the team reinforces a sense of unity and direction, cultivating a culture rooted in meaning and purpose. Through open dialogue and collaboration, leaders empower their team members to contribute their unique strengths and perspectives, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment. Studies continue to demonstrate how internal or intrinsic motivators and reinforcement, like meaning and purpose, are what really drives behavior, engagement, retention and more. The journey toward alignment does not end within the confines of the organization. Purpose-driven leaders recognize the interconnectedness of their mission with the broader context of society and the planet. They champion causes that promote social justice, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment, aligning the organization's efforts with the greater good. In the tapestry of leadership, purpose serves as the unifying thread that connects individuals, teams, organizations, and society. As leaders, it is our responsibility to weave a narrative of purpose that transcends boundaries and inspires collective action. By aligning our missions with the needs of the world around us, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that reverberates far beyond the confines of our organizations and our lifetimes. In the grand symphony of life, let purpose be our guiding melody—a harmonious blend of individual aspirations and collective endeavors, resonating with the heartbeat of humanity and the planet we call home. To embark on your own journey of purpose-driven leadership, learn more about our Purpose-Driven Leadership Program here.
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I am who I am… This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you. THE VOICE OF GOD Exodus 3:14 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) The name of God for the Israelites is the word Yahweh, which means, "He is." The Hebrew word from the Torah, ‘ehyeh, means “I Am.” When Moses asked who should he say who sent him when he encountered the burning bush, God's answer in the original ancient Hebrew was “’ehyeh ’asher ’ehyeh” or “I am who I am” or in other translations, "I am that I am." Jesus of Nazareth later makes reference to this using the word "'ehyeh" when referencing himself when he is quoted as saying, “I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I Am” (John 8:58). According to the story, this prompted people in the crowd to pick up stones to throw at him at such blasphemy. He escaped without incident. The Sanskrit word Aham, also means "I am." The ancient OM pronounced "AUM", familiar to many who practice meditation, is a derivative of Aham. OM is considered to be the original name of God by many Hindus and that by repeating the sound as a mantra during meditation, can help you deeply relax and achieve higher levels of consciousness and powers of manifestation. Hindus believe that in the creation of the universe, the divine, all-encompassing consciousness took the form of the first and original vibration, manifesting as the powerful sound AUM. The sound of AUM resonates in many religious and spiritual traditions for the name of the Divine Creating Force or Ultimate Being: Allah, Alpha and Omega, I Am, Buddha, God, Krishna, Ra, Tao, or Yahweh, for example. The sound of “ah” is common in all of these names. Dr. Wayne Dyer says about this sound, “…you begin to manifest without the use of the mind. It is done through the power of sound… It is the first sound of creation.” Saying positive “I am...” statements and using the AUM sound as a mantra can be a powerful experience, especially if done positively, routinely, and consistently. It can help you enter a meditative state more quickly, relax more fully, and can help you achieve higher levels of consciousness or a higher state of being. It calms the mind and brings about a peaceful state. It is then that you are most creative, more focused, make better decisions, and are more effective. Some believe that invoking the Great I Am invokes the power of creation and manifestation and so, to be very careful about what we follow with any "I am..." statement. Our negative self-talk like, "I am stupid" or "I am a failure" or "I am poor" can, whether through human psychology or the power of unwittingly invoking God's name, be self-fulfilling prophecies or invoking a universal spiritual power. In The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program, I share a powerful, inspirational YouTube video that I sometimes use as a great way to start my day or give myself a pick-me-up whenever I feel like I need one. What Successful People Do In the First 8 Minutes of Their Morning features several prominent speakers, including Joel Olsteen. In the video he addresses the power of "I am..." statements. Today I want to share it with you below. One of my favorite ways to integrate the AUM sound comes from a powerful musical meditation that Wayne Dyer created to support his book, Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting. He reports that in his research while writing his book, he came upon another book by James F. Twyman, The Moses Code, and found that tonal qualities could be created to match the Great I am. I am so grateful that it is still available on YouTube and I use it often. It's beautiful and peaceful tones and music while meditating or contemplating can be powerful. It opens with some explanation by Dr. Dyer and the actual meditation starts at 07:20. It's a long video. So, I usually only listen to just a few minutes while I sit and do some block breathing and either contemplate some aspects of my Life Mission/Leadership Philosophy and Core Values statement or just meditate, quieting my mind and body. Enjoy! Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]. JESUS OF NAZARETH Luke 17:21 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) The Rabbi’s Gift was written in 1979 by the hermit, Francis Dorff, O. Praem and made popular by M. Scott Peck, MD, by reproducing a version of it in the prologue to his book, The Different Drum. I shared the below version in a blog (not sure where I got it) in August of 2012. Since my server only goes back to October of that year, I'm re-sharing it with you today. We need its message more than ever today. THE RABBI'S GIFT A famous monastery had fallen on hard times. Formerly its many buildings were filled with young monks, but now it was all but deserted. People no longer came there to be nourished by prayer, and only a handful of old monks shuffled through the cloisters serving God with heavy hearts. On the edge of the monastery woods, an old rabbi had built a little hut. He would come there, from time to time, to fast and pray. No one ever spoke with him, but whenever he appeared, the word would be passed from monk to monk, “The rabbi walks in the woods.” And, for as long as he was there, the monks would feel sustained by his prayerful presence. One day the abbot decided to visit the rabbi and open his heavy heart to him. So, after the morning Eucharist, he set out through the woods. As he approached the hut, the abbot saw the rabbi standing in the doorway, as if he had been awaiting the abbot's arrival, his arms outstretched in welcome. They embraced like long-lost brothers. The two entered the hut where, in the middle of the room, stood a wooden table with the scriptures open on it. They sat for a moment in the presence of the Book. Then the rabbi began to weep. The abbot could not contain himself. He covered his face with his hands and began to cry too. For the first time in his life, he cried his heart out. The two men sat there like lost children, filling the hut with their shared pain and tears. But soon the tears ceased and all was quiet. The rabbi lifted his head. “You and your brothers are serving God with heavy hearts,” he said. “You have come to ask a teaching of me. I will give you a teaching, but you can repeat it only once. After that, no one must ever say it aloud again.” The rabbi looked straight at the abbot and said, “The Messiah is among you.” For a while, all was silent. The rabbi said, “Now you must go.” The abbot left without a word and without ever looking back. The next morning, the abbot called his monks together in the chapter room. He told them he had received a teaching from the 'rabbi who walks in the woods' and that the teaching was never again to be spoken aloud. Then he looked at the group of assembled brothers and said, “The rabbi said that one of us is the Messiah.” The monks were startled by this saying. “What could it mean?” they asked themselves. “Is Brother John the Messiah? Or Brother Matthew or Brother Thomas? Am I the Messiah? What could all this mean?” They were all deeply puzzled by the rabbi's teaching, but no one ever mentioned it again. As time went by, the monks began to treat one another with a new and very special reverence. A gentle, warm-hearted, concern began to grow among them which was hard to describe but easy to notice. They began to live with each other as people who had finally found the special something they were looking for, yet they prayer the Scriptures together as people who were always looking for something else. When visitors came to the monastery they found themselves deeply moved by the life of these monks. Word spread, and before long people were coming from far and wide to be nourished by the prayer life of the monks and to experience the loving reverence in which they held each other. Soon, other young men were asking, once again, to become a part of the community, and the community grew and prospered. In those days, the rabbi no longer walked in the woods. His hut had fallen into ruins. Yet somehow, the old monks who had taken his teaching to heart still felt sustained by his wise and prayerful presence. What does the story mean to you? Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page Contentment is the only real wealth. ALFRED NOBEL In a world that constantly bombards us with messages of striving for more, it's easy to lose sight of what truly constitutes wealth. Alfred Nobel, the visionary behind the Nobel Prizes, understood this paradox intimately. Despite his journey from childhood poverty to immense wealth, he recognized that material riches alone did not equate to contentment or fulfillment. His assertion that contentment is the ultimate wealth resonates profoundly in today's hyper-competitive society which always seem to scream, "More!" Benjamin Franklin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that contentment transcends financial status. He understood that a mindset of gratitude and satisfaction enriches even the humblest of circumstances. Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN But contentment shouldn't be misconstrued as complacency. True contentment, as Nobel and Franklin both exemplified, coexists with a relentless pursuit of purpose, growth, and contribution. It's about embracing the present moment while striving for progress—a dynamic equilibrium between gratitude and ambition. Nobel continued to invent and patent hundreds of things to help improve the world even after he had amassed great wealth. Even at 80 years old, Franklin continued to serve the burgeoning new US as a well-respected senior statesman. As leaders, cultivating this mindset is paramount. In the midst of ambitious goals and relentless pursuits, it's easy to succumb to the illusion that external achievements alone define success. However, true leadership stems from a deep-rooted sense of contentment—a wellspring of inner peace that radiates outward, inspiring and empowering others. So how do we cultivate this invaluable asset in our lives and leadership journeys? First, it begins with a shift in perspective. Instead of fixating on what we lack or desire, we must train ourselves to appreciate the abundance that surrounds us. Practicing gratitude daily can rewire our brains to focus on the positives, fostering a sense of contentment irrespective of external circumstances. Secondly, identify, clarify, and leverage your purpose. We can use our imagination to develop a vision of what and who we want to become, what difference we want to make in the world, and to use our conscience to decide what principles and values will guide us. When we have a clear sense of purpose, it organizes and drives purposeful goals, helps us manage behaviors, and provides a sense of deeper meaning. It promotes greater goal commitment and engagement with our goals. It gives us a reason to get up in the morning. When we work at something which fate or the Divine has called us to—to something which we work at and which we love—the work-joy dichotomy disappears. When we believe in and act on something that gives us greater meaning and purpose in our lives, we simply try harder, work longer, are more creative, and produce better results, products, and outcomes. It also serves to bind others together in a higher, common cause and boosts engagement, connection, and team cohesion. It brings a sense of greater contribution and fulfillment. Third, embracing a growth mindset allows us to pursue excellence without being consumed by perfectionism or comparison. Understanding that failure is an inevitable part of growth liberates us from the shackles of fear and insecurity, paving the way for authentic fulfillment. Lastly, connecting with a community of like-minded individuals who share our values and aspirations can provide invaluable support and accountability on our journey towards contentment and purpose-driven leadership. In essence, the true wealth lies not in the accumulation of possessions or accolades, but in the richness of our inner landscape—the contentment that transcends circumstances and fuels our journey towards meaningful contribution and fulfillment. Call to Action Ready to embark on your journey towards purpose-driven leadership and personal growth? Explore our Purpose-Driven Leadership Program, coaching services, speaking engagements, and transformative assessments like the LPI360. Connect with us to unlock your full potential and lead with authenticity and impact. Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page When I was 16 years old and too young to fully grasp the sensitivity of the situation, I interviewed my grandmother’s friend, JoAnn, who was terminally ill, for a school project entitled “The Speed of Life.” About five minutes into the interview I began questioning JoAnn about her illness and her life situation. “So,” I tried to delicately ask, “What is it like to wake up every morning and know that you are dying?” “Well,” she replied, “What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you are not?” MARC CHERNOFF In the fabric of existence, there’s an undeniable truth: We are all journeying towards the same inevitable destination—mortality. And yet, like Marc Chernoff reports in his 2014 post, 25 Things You Should Never Stop Doing for Yourself, that I quote above, “What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you are not?” many of us deny, or at least suppress, that truth. Yet, it's not the ticking clock that defines us, but rather how we choose to spend the time we have. This profound realization forms the cornerstone of my mission: Partnering with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. When I think back on my encounters with mortality, particularly within the realm of healthcare and EMS, I’m reminded of the fragility of life. Each life stage, from infancy to the elderly, has whispered to me the same message: Time is fleeting. But in this fleetingness lies an invitation—to awaken and transcend the mundane; to align our actions with our deepest truths and purpose. Reviving the Essence of Purpose Echoing through the ages are the words of sages and spiritual luminaries, urging us to confront our mortality. From the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth to the meditations of Anthony de Mello, SJ, we're called to reckon with the finite nature of our existence, that one day, "I will die." It's not an exercise in morbidity, but a pathway to clarity—a chance to distill our essence and unearth the purpose pulsating within us. In both my book, A Travel Guide to Leadership, and in the Purpose-Driven Leadership Program, I pose questions that pierce through the veil of superficiality:
Embracing Mortality: A Leadership Imperative Leadership, in its essence, is not merely about managing tasks or accruing accolades. It's a sacred dance—a call to shepherd souls and catalyze change. Yet, when we avert our gaze from mortality, we risk diluting our leadership potential. By acknowledging our finite nature, we infuse our leadership with a sense of urgency and authenticity. Imagine awakening each dawn with the clarity that this day could be our last. How would we lead differently? How would we love more fiercely, speak more authentically, and act more boldly? It's this sense of immediacy that births purpose-driven leaders—individuals who lead not from a place of fear but from a wellspring of conviction and compassion. A Call to Action Today, I extend an invitation—a summons to leaders poised to embrace their mortality and seize the reins of purpose. Through my Purpose-Driven Leadership Program, we delve deep into the crucible of introspection, crafting life missions and leadership philosophies that resonate with our core values. With personalized coaching and the transformative power of the LPI360 assessment, we sculpt leaders who lead not just with competence but with unwavering purpose. In the tapestry of existence, mortality serves as both a reminder and a guidepost. It beckons us to live with intention, to lead with conviction, and to leave an indelible mark on the world. So, let's shed the cloak of denial, embrace our mortality, and embark on a journey of purposeful leadership—one that echoes beyond the confines of time itself. In the pursuit of purpose, every moment matters. Let us seize them with reverence, for in embracing our mortality, we unlock the boundless potential of our leadership journey. Enjoy the two inspirational, bonus videos below Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page Successful leadership and adaptation feed on the opportunity to learn. Good leaders never slack off learning, they make it conscious, and they take every opportunity to apply it… Leader is or ought to be synonymous with 'learner.' URSULA G. LOHMANN, PhD Former Dean of Academics at the Army Management Staff College Who is the person and leader you want to become this year? As we stride into 2024, it's crucial to contemplate the leader we aspire to become. Are we merely passengers on the journey of personal and professional growth, or are we actively steering our own development? Let's embrace the challenge of ownership over our evolution. Committing to this path not only fuels motivation and engagement but also sharpens focus, cultivates relationships, expands skill sets, and advances careers. Here are five indispensable strategies to empower yourself for a triumphant year ahead: 1) Clarify and Contemplate Your Purpose A clear sense of purpose is the cornerstone of impactful leadership. It is linked to self-actualization, overall well-being, and higher engagement at work. Purpose-driven leadership not only enhances individual satisfaction but also boosts team performance and organizational success. Many have listed purpose-driven leadership as one of the key leadership development trends for 2024, including Forbes and Sylvia Lafair PhD, CEO of Creative Energy Options Inc. You can't contemplate what you don't have. Start by crafting your Life Mission, Leadership Philosophy, and Core Values Statement. These foundational elements will not only guide your daily leadership but also shape your growth trajectory. Reflect on your purpose regularly, fostering self-awareness—an essential trait for effective leadership. Contemplating your purpose implies a certain level of self-awareness; another key competency you may want to consider. A regular, consistent contemplative or meditative practice was identified as a characteristic of the most effective and agile leaders by Bill Joiner and Stephen Josephs in their book, Leadership Agility. Your Life Mission, Leadership Philosophy, and Core Values Statement should be the main driver of not only how you want to show up as a leader everyday, it should also direct your growth and development. If this competency is a developmental opportunity for you, consider enrolling in The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program. It's a powerful, enriching, empirically-driven, and engaging leadership development experience. In this transformative program, you'll discover and unlock the profound impact of both leading with and through meaning and purpose. It can be delivered completely online and on-demand, hybrid, or as in-person workshops—whichever best meets you and your team's needs. 2) Seek Constructive Feedback I call leadership feedback leadership gold. View feedback as invaluable currency in the realm of leadership development. Actively solicit feedback from diverse sources, including supervisors, peers, and subordinates. Embrace both informal conversations and structured assessments like 360° feedback tools, such as the Leadership Practices Inventory or LPI360. Harness insights from industry experts, leadership blogs, and organizational resources. Feedback serves as a compass, guiding your developmental journey and illuminating areas for improvement. 3) Set Developmental Goals and an Action-Plan Identify key behaviors and skills pivotal to your leadership journey. Set both short-term and long-term goals aligned with your aspirations. Consider your current competencies and envisage where you aim to be. Where are you currently in terms of your skills, competencies, and behaviors? Where do you want to be? Consider what career achievements you want to accomplish and by when. What metrics do you need to be focusing on and what do you need to learn and/or boost in order to achieve them? How does your life mission and core values drive what you focus on? Don't procrastinate! Develop an action-plan and work it into your calendar. Block time and hold it sacred. This is your personal and professional development time and you deserve it. Leverage the Eisenhower Matrix, popularized by Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Some of your goals may be Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG) and need to be broken down, maybe even over several years. That's okay. Others may be as simple as enrolling into a course and taking it. But block the time and take action. And, ask yourself how you are going to hold yourself accountable, what other resources you need, and who can help hold you accountable. 4) Volunteer for stretch assignments and projects Volunteering for challenging, stretch assignments and projects, while on the surface may appear risky, can have huge payoffs in terms of development and career advancement. Take for example the director of an emergency room I worked with who took on the project of reducing a persistent patient wait-time issue. You might think, why is that a stretch-project to take on? Any ER trying to address wait-times has not only internal systems, structures, processes, and people to contend with but almost every upstream and ancillary department in the hospital. A slow lab or radiology department, patient transportation, admissions, administration, receiving floors, surgical services, staffing issues, and even environmental services (cleaning) can impact patient flow through an ER. This type of conundrum for hospitals is so notorious that it inspired an experiential learning activity and game called Friday Night at the ER. Needless to say, this director ended up partnering and working with so many stakeholders in her hospital from the Chief Nursing Officer and VP of Patient Services to frontline hospital cleaning service workers. By the end of the project, not only had they reduced wait-times in the ER, but almost everyone in the hospital had firsthand working experience and a deeper relationship with her. She developed skills and competencies she never had before and set herself up for future success. 5) Embrace Coaching Unlock the full potential of your leadership journey through personalized coaching. Engage with a seasoned professional who offers inquiry, support, and empathy while helping you gain clarity, focus, strategy, and accountability . Coaching provides a confidential space for reflection, goal setting, and skill enhancement. Leverage coaching as a catalyst for accelerated growth, navigating challenges with clarity and confidence. You can learn more about coaching with me here: Coaching with Alan As we embark on this journey of leadership excellence, let's continue to learn, adapt, and evolve. Share your strategies and aspirations for 2024 in the comments below—let's inspire and empower each other to reach new heights. Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page Vision is everything for a leader. JOHN MAXWELL I just read a few days ago that for over 30 years, Harvard Business Review has been asking thousands of executives and board members globally to define success using the "champagne question." If we were drinking champagne on New Year’s Eve because your organization had just completed an outstanding year, what would have been accomplished? Coincidentally, in the Purpose-Driven Leadership Program, I ask a slightly different version of that same approach as one of five steps in helping leaders get to the same thing: Imagine it is 3-5 years from now. Your team has been awarded the ‘Team of the Year’ award. A Shared Team Vision I'm talking about a Shared Team Vision. Whereas a Shared Team Mission defines your team's purpose or 'why' and values are the underlying beliefs or principles that motivate people to act one way or another, a Shared Team Vision is a statement of what you hope to achieve in the future. Usually, strategic, project, and/or action plans are created to support and implement that vision. Why should this be important to you as a leader? Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, the bestselling authors of The Leadership Challenge and creators of the Leadership Practices Inventory assessment have been asking people around the globe a different question for over 30 years. “What are the characteristics of the most admired leaders ?” Respondents are asked to rank order leadership characteristics from a list. Four of these leadership characteristics have been selected by more than 50% of the respondents across time, across industries, and from around the world ever since Jim and Barry began their research. In fact, throughout most of the survey time frame, these four have been selected by more than 65% of respondents. They are (rank ordered):
Forward-looking While all of these characteristics are important for the most effective, purpose-driven, and admired leaders, it is forward-looking that distinguishes a leader. Anyone can be honest, inspiring, and competent without necessarily being a leader. Leaders are expected to communicate a forward-looking vision that points the direction, lifts the fog, and quiets the noise and distractions of everyday work life. A Shared Vision—one in which team members and stakeholders have a voice—enables them to have greater buy-in and to respond with greater focus, and more quickly and safely, in a changing environment. Another reason this is so important for leaders and their teams also comes from Kouzes’ and Posner’s research. When direct reports were asked about the frequency of how often their leader displayed a list of leadership behaviors, those key behaviors that characterize a leader as being forward-looking, are consistently rated at the bottom of frequency for the population of leaders at large. Leading through meaning and purpose with a Shared Team Vision is one of the most challenging competencies for most leaders. So, if you're experiencing any challenges around this key leadership competency, you're not alone. Thankfully, the Purpose-Driven Leadership Program will not only help you get better at it, it will skyrocket your ability to be a forward-looking and a forward-leading leader. It will walk you through a step-by-step process that will guide you and your team towards painting a compelling picture of the future that drives results. All of the great leaders of the past have had a great purpose (authentic & inspiring) and got things done (competent) . They were also all forward-looking; envisioning the future and gazing across the horizon seeing greater opportunities to come. Join me on this journey of leading with and through meaning and purpose. Amplify your leadership effectiveness. Achieve yours and your team's goals and dreams. Lead with purpose-driven leadership. Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page What I try to tell young people is that if you come together with a mission, and its grounded with love and a sense of community, you can make the impossible possible. JOHN LEWIS A Legacy from Central Europe It remains astonishing to me that my grandparents on my mother's side, immigrated from Czechoslovakia as young children with their families to embark on a journey to seek a better life, settling as sharecroppers in rural, central Texas. It makes me wonder how bad it must have been in Czechoslovakia that coming to the United States to become sharecroppers was better. Pictured above, my Grandpa Rychlik plowed cotton fields and he and my grandmother had a determination fueled by dreams of a better life for their children, despite language barriers, prejudice, and social inequities. The struggle echoes in my mother's tales of being born at the tail-end of the Great Depression and growing up during World War II and the post-war years. Born into hardship, she began picking cotton as a kindergartner, along with her brothers and sisters pitching in to make ends meet. Amid scorching Texas summers, sleeping on the porch of their modest homestead was a communal necessity. By the time I was a boy and our family visited Grandpa and Grandma, the farm had gained electricity, but they never had running water on the farm. Dropping that bucket down into the deep well on the back porch on a hot, summer day to pull up a cool drink after running through the fields and chasing chickens around the barnyard was both marvelous and astonishing at the same time. This seemingly mundane act of getting a drink of water from the well epitomized the marvels born from resilience. As a suburbanite, the contrast between our lives and theirs became more profound. As I grew and developed, our farm visits transformed from adventurous fun into utter awe and admiration at the grit, courage, strength, character, and commitment to purpose both my grandparents and parents had. A Legacy Born from Slavery John Lewis, referenced in our opening quote, shared a different yet resonant struggle with sharecropping. Growing up in segregated Alabama, John's heritage shaped by the legacies of slavery and subsequent sharecropping, shared a parallel resilience with my family. But unlike my family, he grew up facing the stark reality of racial inequality, even being denied access to the local library due to his skin color. John is quoted as saying, "I remember in 1956, when I was 16 years old, with some of my brothers and sisters and cousins, going down to the public library, trying to get a library card, and we were told the library was for whites only and not for coloreds." John later went on to be a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and served in the US House of Representatives until his death in 2020. He has been described as a leader of conviction, courage, and commitment. Like any great leader, he was devoted to a cause much greater than himself. As pointed out in David Gergen's book, Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made, John (and other examples) had to sort out and embrace core values, finding a true north, summoning inner courage, and living a life giving back to and serving others. He died a national hero. Connecting Generations Our stories, seemingly worlds apart, find a common ground in the crucible of adversity. The shared hardships, whether plowing fields in Texas or battling segregation in the American South, reveal a universal truth about leadership emerging from the forge of challenges. These connections become the fabric from which purpose-driven leaders are woven. As I explore these intergenerational narratives, it becomes evident that the challenges faced by my family resonate with those encountered by leaders like John Lewis. Their shared experiences of childhood labor and navigating systemic inequalities forged a sense of purpose and an unyielding commitment to creating positive change. The images from my grandparent's farm juxtaposed with John Lewis's memories of being denied access to a library speaks volumes about the struggles each generation faced. Yet, it is precisely these struggles that cultivated the seeds of leadership, rooted in a deep understanding of the value of education, equality, grit, and purpose. Leadership Development & Core Vaues Just as John Lewis's leadership journey was marked by the need to define and embrace core values, my family's experiences underscore the importance of staying true to one's principles. Leaders, whether on a farm or in the hallowed halls of Congress, must navigate challenges with conviction, courage, and unwavering commitment to a cause larger than themselves. Gergen's insights into great leaders resonate powerfully here—the journey towards leadership involves not just overcoming obstacles but also aligning one's compass with true north. It's a process that both Lewis and my grandparents undertook, guiding their families through tough times with a deep-rooted sense of purpose and an unshakable commitment to shared values. The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program These reflections on shared struggles and triumphs pave the way for a crucial discussion about purpose-driven leadership. In my own life, the lessons handed down through generations have fueled my commitment to creating a space for leaders to discover their true north and develop the skills necessary to lead with purpose. In the face of challenges, whether in the fields of rural Texas or the battlefields of civil rights activism, the common denominator is commitment to purpose. The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program aims to channel the spirit of resilience and purpose seen in my family's history and leaders like John Lewis. By intertwining personal narratives, core values, and a commitment to a greater cause, this program is designed to empower leaders who not only navigate adversity but transform it into a catalyst for positive change. Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a seasoned coach and leadership development consultant nearly 20 years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email: Contact Page Refer and review like your reputation depends on it and is attached to it. LOREN WEISMAN January 22, 2024 - Laedan Professional Services, LLC is proud to announce the addition of professional referrals services to its repertoire of services. At the core of my commitment to unparalleled service is the belief in the power of referrals. As a testament to this commitment, I extend my services beyond individual expertise, actively connecting my clients, associates, family, and friends with reputable professionals in the community. No longer will you need to navigate the vast expanse of Google or Angi, sifting through stars and reviews. I'm part of a network of exceptional individuals, eliminating the guesswork from your search. 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Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a coach and leadership development consultant with 15+ years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. Impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email me: Contact Page January 17, 2024 - Laedan Professional Services, LLC is proud to announce that Owner and LLC Manager, Alan Mikolaj, attained the esteemed Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) today. To qualify for the ACC credential, applicants must complete 60-hours of training, ten hours of mentor coaching, 100 hours of client coaching experience bound by the ICF Code of Ethics and Standards of Behavior, submit and pass a recorded coaching session performance evaluation, pass a written exam, and take the Pledge of Ethics of the ICF Professional. "There are so many people to thank for guiding and accompanying me on this journey, thus far," Alan said. "A special thank you to the instructors at Coaching Out of the Box, my mentor coaches, Carolyn Hamilton-Kuby and Joanne Peck, my fellow students and colleagues, all of my amazing clients, coaching sponsors, and especially my lovely wife, Leah." With over 15 years of coaching experience with leaders from the frontline to the C-suite, Alan brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His commitment to excellence is unwavering, as evident through his credential and membership with the prestigious International Coaching Federation (ICF). Mr. Mikolaj adheres unwaveringly to the ICF's Standards of Behavior and Code of Ethics, ensuring the highest level of professionalism and integrity in his coaching practice. He is also a certified graduate coach from Coaching Out of the Box. From front-line employees to top-tier, C-suite executives, Alan has an impressive track record of empowering leaders to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. With a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University, Alan combines academic excellence with practical experience. As an esteemed educator, he has taught at multiple institutions, including San Antonio College, North Harris County Community College, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Lone Star College, Sam Houston State University, and the Bradford School of Business. Alan is also the author of three books and a contributing author in the 20th edition of The Change: Insights Into Self-Empowerment, one of the world's fastest growing book series published by Jim Lutes and Jim Britt with a forward by Les Brown. Please join us in congratulating Alan on this prestigious achievement. Have an amazing journey today! Alan Mikolaj is a coach and leadership development consultant with 15+ years of experience. He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations. Impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results. Alan holds his Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality. You can learn more about them on the ICF website. Transformational change starts with a conversation! Alan is on a mission to partner with like-minded leaders who want to make a positive difference in the world. Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan Or call or email me: Contact Page |
Alan Mikolaj
Alan Mikolaj is a a professional, experienced, positive, and passionate speaker, leadership and organizational development consultant, change agent, author, and coach. He holds his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University. He is a certified graduate coach from Coaching Out of the Box and holds his ACC and membership with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Free Discovery Conversation!
Impactful change starts with a conversation! Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan
Or call or email: Contact Page In his third book, A Travel Guide to Leadership, Alan offers you simple, fundamental, and powerful lessons that have the power to transform you, your relationships, and your career.
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