February 2022 – Dan Greer

Taking responsibility for our actions

Posted on February 28, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

Taking Responsibility for Our Actions

“When you blame others, you give away your power. But when you take responsibility, you reclaim that power and empower yourself to transform your life.”

Yesterday, I recorded my second-ever VLOG/podcast for Leading from the Middle of the Pack.

I have a unique approach—I dislike scripts. As a kid, I participated in one-act plays for our community, and I was the actor who detested sticking to the lines.

It wasn’t because I was a bad kid or actor; I simply preferred adding my spin to make it mine. That’s why I never pursued drama in high school.

Returning to the point, I’m more of a bullet-point guy than a script guy. So, when I prepared to record this vlog/podcast, I had my topic in front of me and nothing else: “Why It’s Important as A Leader To Take Responsibility For Our Mistakes!” (shameless plug—check out episode 46).

As I discussed the topic, I realized there are three critical reasons why we need to take responsibility for our actions. The first reason is for our peace of mind. Surprisingly, I used to never accept responsibility for my mistakes.

I was always finding excuses, refusing to acknowledge fault. When we make excuses, it does a few damaging things internally. It convinces our minds that there is nothing we could have done differently for a better outcome. However, there’s always something we could have done differently to achieve a different result.

Another detrimental effect of making excuses is that it perpetuates the cycle of repeating the same mistakes.

Albert Einstein famously said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome.” His words offer profound wisdom—if we desire different results, we must change our approach.

However, if we believe there was nothing we could have done differently, nothing will ever change. By absolving ourselves of responsibility, we unwittingly perpetuate the same ineffective behaviors.

The next reason to take responsibility for our mistakes is the impact they have on those around us. Consider this scenario: Who would you trust more? Someone who acknowledges their mistake and outlines steps to rectify it, or someone who shifts blame and claims powerlessness. Most would trust the person who owns up to their error.

We are naturally drawn to leaders who display vulnerability because it makes them relatable. By taking responsibility, we not only demonstrate integrity but also appear stronger and more trustworthy to others.

Lastly, consider the example we set for those who look up to us when we take responsibility for our mistakes.

Whether we realize it or not, there is always someone who admires us. Reflect on the individuals you look up to—are they flawless or flawed?
Do they admit their mistakes or deny them? Are they arrogant or humble? Chances are that the most respected figures in your life are those who demonstrate humility and accountability.

By taking ownership of our mistakes, we inspire others to do the same and cultivate a culture of honesty and growth.

Is his name Dan? Just kidding, lol.

But seriously, here’s the point: We don’t look up to people because they’re flawless. There’s only been one perfect human who walked this earth, and his name was Jesus.

Consider this: if the people we admire aren’t perfect and make mistakes, why can’t we? It’s time to act.

The next time you slip up, own it. Don’t expect immediate forgiveness—it’s not always that simple. Just say, “Hey folks, I messed up. And I’m committed to fixing it.”

A bit more

As I reflect on my past (a rare moment of introspection for me, lol), all my mistakes come to mind. Not like cream on milk, more like oil on water—kind of cool to observe, but you don’t want to touch it, lol.

Anyways…

I’ve made a ton of mistakes, and in the past, I wasn’t always quick to admit them. Today isn’t about listing all those past blunders—that would take forever, lol.

Instead, let’s focus on one mistake from a while back that I only recently acknowledged.

A couple of years ago, I attended a marketing convention I was hyped about. After landing, I hailed an Uber to my hotel and checked in. Walking to my room, I felt the excitement building in my stomach.

I’m usually okay in crowds and don’t easily get caught up in the hype. I owe that trait to my mom—she’s a pro at keeping her emotions in check. Though sometimes I wonder if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, because I can hardly read her. Except when she’s mad, then it’s crystal clear, lol.

As I made my way to my room and unpacked, I couldn’t help but notice the hotel adorned with banners for the event. The sheer scale of it all—the omnipresence of their brand—was both exhilarating and daunting. What had I gotten myself into?

Later, I headed down to register, reluctantly donning the obligatory name tag and wristband. I’ve always despised name tags. Then, with some time to spare before the conference kicked off the next day, I decided to explore the hotel.

As I wandered, I couldn’t help but notice that nearly everyone I encountered was sporting some sort of event swag or nametag. It was impressive, but it also intensified the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

After grabbing dinner, I retreated to my room for the night. The next morning, I arrived at the event an hour early, not entirely sure what to expect. As I approached the venue, I was greeted by a throng of people. And when I say throng, I mean there were quite a few. Little did I know, there were about 4500 attendees!

The butterflies returned with a vengeance, my mouth went dry, and striking up conversations seemed daunting. This was a business event, and it wasn’t lost on me that I had only recently hired my first employee—for the second time, mind you. The first attempt at hiring hadn’t panned out due to a lack of work, and having to let someone go was gut-wrenching. It’s a side of starting a business they don’t warn you about—you’re responsible for someone else’s livelihood.

All these emotions resurfaced as I surveyed the massive crowd. So, I found a quiet corner near a door, opting not to engage with anyone, and waited for the doors to open.

The next four days were truly remarkable, and I did manage to connect with some incredible people. But looking back, I realized I made a mistake—I didn’t fully immerse myself in the experience. Instead, after each day, I retreated to my room, repeating the same pattern.

My error? I retreated into introversion when I’m an extreme extrovert. I mean, I strike up conversations with strangers on the street and in the grocery store!

Right after that conference, I acknowledged my mistake, and since then, I’ve committed to embracing my true self whenever I attend events. I’ve become that person who strikes up conversations with everyone and faces challenges without fear.

But just imagine if I had said, “I tried talking to people, but no one wanted to engage with me!” Where would I be today? Nowhere!

Even worse, I might have convinced myself that I’m introverted and dislike group settings. That would have completely altered my life and business trajectory.

When we take ownership of our mistakes, it opens the door to growth. So, go out there, acknowledge your mistakes, and use them as fuel to propel your growth!

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘Leading with Compassion‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com.

Teaching with Stories

Posted on February 21, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

Teaching With Stories

Let’s kick off this blog with a little tale… Once upon a time, in a land far, far, far, far away… Just kidding. Well, sort of. Lol.

My friend Jenna and I took a stroll around our property and realized it could use a couple of new trees. The front of our house looked quite bare, offering little more than a view of my parent’s house and the county road. Even from my office downstairs, peering out the door’s window, all I could see was the chicken coop and lamb pin. It’s tough to feel inspired when your view includes a chicken coop, you know?

I suggested to Jenna that we go on an impromptu afternoon date to Cortez, which is only about an hour’s drive away. She’s always up for an adventure with me, so she didn’t hesitate to say yes. Without questioning our destination, she happily joined me as we loaded up in our truck and set off for Cortez.

During the drive, we had some wonderful conversations about various topics. Just before reaching Cortez, I made a turn onto a county road, prompting Jenna to inquire about our change of route. I assured her that we were indeed heading to Cortez, but I had a brief stop to make first.

Jenna’s easygoing nature shone through as she simply responded, “Sweet, I love adventures with you.” We continued down a few more county roads until we eventually arrived at a mile-long driveway. Throughout the journey, Jenna and I chatted amiably, but she couldn’t help but wonder where we were headed.

With a tender gaze, I assured her that we were not lost and that I knew exactly where we were going. I promised her that she would love it. As we pulled into the Pleasant Tree Farm, her face lit up with pure joy, realizing my surprise.

With excitement evident in her voice, she exclaimed, “Did you bring me here to pick out some trees for our home?”

“Indeed, I did,” I replied with a smile.

We leisurely strolled through rows and rows of trees, carefully selecting six new additions to plant in our yard later that year, ensuring they would be dug up after they went dormant. When spring arrived, we returned to the farm, retrieved our six amazing trees, and transported them home. With careful hands, we planted four in the front of the house and two where I could easily admire them from my basement office window.

Witnessing God’s creations flourish in our yard is truly a remarkable experience.

You see, by engaging you in our story, I’ve created a connection. I could have simply stated, “Jenna planted a few trees in our yard. Trees have to be dug when they are dormant.” But which version draws you in more?

The best teachers often impart their lessons through stories. Jesus himself employed parables, which are essentially simple stories used to illustrate moral or spiritual lessons.

Do you use stories to teach others? I find that stories are incredibly effective for conveying all sorts of lessons. Sometimes they’re brief, lasting only 30 seconds, while on other occasions, they may extend for over 30 minutes. But regardless of length, stories have a unique ability to captivate and engage people, making the lessons they convey all the more memorable.

Take action!

Here’s the plan:

First, I’d like you to teach a concept using a story. Stories have a way of making information more relatable and memorable. You might already be using this approach without even realizing it.

After you’ve taught using a story, I want you to convey the same concept to someone else without using a story. This could involve a more straightforward explanation or perhaps using visual aids or examples.

Finally, we’ll compare how quickly each person grasps the concept. This experiment will help us understand the effectiveness of storytelling as a teaching tool compared to other methods. Are you ready to give it a try?

A little more

I might have shared this story before, but it’s such a powerful one that I learned from Myron Golden, and it’s worth repeating.

At a recent youth event, I asked for three volunteers who never usually step forward for anything. You could spot them easily because their friends were practically lifting their hands for them. The ones who were willing to raise their own hands were not the ones truly terrified of being called upon.

Then, I called three of those hesitant kids up onto the stage, one by one. Each of them bravely made their way up.

I held the microphone and asked each of them their name. The first girl, Rebecca, whispered hers into the mic. The next, Rachel, mustered up all her courage to say hers aloud. Then came the boy, Sheo. He stood there, avoiding eye contact, knowing what was coming. When he finally spoke, he said his name so quietly that I had to repeat it for everyone to hear.

I reached into my wallet and pulled out a few bills, making sure the kids on stage could see the larger ones. I had $50, a $20, and a $10.

Then, I asked all three if any of them wanted some cash. They all nodded eagerly, although none of them voiced their answer.

I fanned out the bills in my hand and explained the challenge: they had to take just one bill from my hand while my eyes were closed.

I closed my eyes, expecting someone to take the bill, but nothing happened.

Nothing. I mean, it was dead silent, except for the distant chirping of crickets and the shuffling of restless kids in their seats.

So, I opened my eyes, cracked a joke about it, and said, “Seriously, you have to take this or it’s going back into my pocket! Alright, let’s try this one more time.”

I closed my eyes again and extended my hand. After about 30 seconds, one of the girls timidly reached out and took a bill, followed by the other girl about 10 seconds later. Finally, the boy approached and took the last bill.

I hadn’t seen who took what since my eyes were closed. When I finally opened them, I saw them hiding the bills behind their backs. (I hadn’t told them to hide them.)

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You all just got a little richer, and you’re choosing to hide it!”

Next, I asked who took the $50. The girl who had it proudly held it up. “You took action first, so you get the biggest reward! Who got the $20?” The next girl showed hers.

“You acted next, so your reward was higher than the person who acted last. Waiting means you get half the reward.”

Then, I turned to the boy. “What happened, buddy?” He just shrugged and looked at the floor.

“You’re twice as strong as these girls. You should’ve been the one with the $50. But hey, you still acted, so you still get rewarded. How do you feel?”

His response surprised me. “I feel like I shouldn’t have hesitated. Because I did, I ended up with just a fifth of what I could’ve had.”

I asked him, “What did you learn?”

“Take action instead of hesitating, especially when you feel encouraged by God to do something; just go for it!”

I could have simply said, “I gave some kids money to show them the importance of taking action,” but would you truly grasp the significance without the story?

Not!

Similarly, if I had just relayed the story to those youths, would they have fully understood the lesson about acting?

Not!

Do you now understand why storytelling is so essential in teaching?

So, go out there, take action, and start teaching with stories!

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘What I learned when I read the book Traction (EOS)‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com.

The 7 WHYs

Posted on February 14, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

Have you ever heard of the 7 WHYs?

This is something I stumbled upon just a few years ago. It’s a simple yet powerful technique that uncovers the underlying reason behind your desires or needs.

Here’s how it works: You keep asking yourself, “Why?” repeatedly until you reach the core answer.

Recently, I guided a team member through this process, helping them unearth the true motivation behind their personal goals. While I won’t divulge their why—it’s their journey—I’m happy to share one of mine.

So, if you’re ready, I’m about to share something deeply personal and a tad intimidating for me.

Here it goes…

I found myself pondering the reasons behind my ambition to grow Eclipse DOT and build DOT Docs.

Let’s dive right in.

Question: Why do you want to build a company?

Answer: Because I see it as an opportunity to create something meaningful and impactful.

Q: Why do you want to start a company?

A: Because I want to assist others and earn money.

Q: Why do you want to help others and make money?

A: Because I want to give my family a great life.

Q: Why do you want to provide a great life for your family?

A: Because I don’t want my wife and kids to see me as a failure.

Q: Why do you think your wife and kids would see you as a failure?

A: Because I couldn’t provide for them, and they missed out on things they were supposed to experience.

Q: Why do you think they would miss out on things?

A: Because I missed out on things as a kid when funds were tight.

Q: Why do you think funds were tight?

A: Because my parents didn’t have a mindset of abundance.

Q: Why do you think having an abundance mindset is so important?

A: Because it lets you grow into anything you want and achieve what you believe is possible.

Q: Why is that so important?

A: Because a life without achievement isn’t fulfilling.

Q: Why is achievement important?

A: Because it measures significance.

Q: Why is importance crucial?

A: Because it influences how your kids perceive you.

We delved deeper than seven rounds of questioning, but we finally reached the core reason why I desired to launch a business.

It’s because I want my children to perceive my achievements as extraordinary. I don’t want them to view me as ordinary or just like everyone else. Instead, I hope they see me as someone who cares for others, fosters growth, and genuinely makes a difference in the world.

I rely on the 7 WHYs method whenever I face significant investment or decision-making situations. Before purchasing our plane, I conducted the 7 WHYs exercise multiple times to uncover the genuine motive (which, in case you’re curious, was to create unique family experiences and spend more quality time with them).

I’ll be completely honest with you: I recommend finding someone you trust deeply to undertake this exercise together.

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘You Have To Be Willing to Put in the Work‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com.

The Secret To Getting More Applications For Every Position

Posted on February 7, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

The Secret to Getting More Applications for Every Position

How we attracted a flood of applicants for the recently opened positions and successfully recruited A-Team players to join our team.

Lately, a common refrain from decision-makers is, “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find good help!” While I don’t entirely disagree with that sentiment, I believe there’s plenty of excellent talent out there eager for significant career opportunities. What they need is a compelling cause to rally behind and an exceptional leader to guide them in making their mark in the world.

As a leader, your task is to cultivate a compelling movement that attracts people to join. Moreover, you must ensure they have the support and resources to thrive and develop.

So, how do you achieve this?

Firstly, it starts with intentionality. When Jenna and I launched Eclipse DOT, we made a deliberate choice: we aimed to be the premier workplace where people would clamor to join our team. That’s what it means to start with intentionality—aspiring to be the best.

Consider Apple. They set out long ago to become the ultimate employer, and they followed through by offering pioneering benefits that set them apart. They fostered an extraordinary company culture, earning not just employees but devoted fans. Ever tried giving an Apple user an Android device? They’ll likely recoil in horror—that’s how loyal they are to Apple.

By starting with intentionality, Apple reaps the rewards.

Secondly, you must refuse to tolerate unacceptable behavior. Does this mean firing everyone who steps out of line?

Absolutely not!

What I mean is that everyone must understand the boundaries and the repercussions of crossing them. The more you tolerate, the more likely you’ll attract B-team players.

Here’s the thing: A-team players prefer collaborating with others of their caliber. They dislike shouldering all the workload, while B-team players aren’t too enthusiastic about putting in the extra effort. As a result, A-team players quickly become frustrated with this imbalance.

The more you tolerate, the more you compromise.

While I consider myself a very understanding person and tend to be lenient, everyone on my team is crystal clear about our boundaries and the consequences of overstepping them. Moreover, they understand that I’ll never assign them a task I haven’t tackled countless times before.

This brings us to the importance of being an exceptional leader, not just a boss if you aim to attract top-notch talent to your team.

Nobody likes working for a boss!

A-team players won’t stick around if they feel like they’re being bossed around. They’ll head for the door faster than you can say “promotion.”

But seriously, attracting top talent requires fair compensation. I’m not just talking about a decent salary; it’s about recognizing their contributions with rewards and incentives along the way.

On our team, we frequently provide salary increases to demonstrate our gratitude for our team and their efforts in advancing our mission.

However, compensation is just one of countless ways to express appreciation. There are numerous other ways to demonstrate care, such as offering an enhanced vacation package that grows more rapidly than the industry standard. Additionally, consider organizing an annual company trip that caters to families, fostering a family-friendly environment within the company.

You might consider hosting monthly company gatherings where you provide lunch and facilitate brainstorming sessions to discuss the company’s direction. Involving everyone in decision-making boosts morale.

Another idea is to honor employees’ birthdays without hesitation. Better yet, offer them half a day off with pay on their children’s birthdays, allowing them to spend quality time with their families.

You can also recognize their wedding anniversaries with a thoughtful gift.

The possibilities are endless! There are numerous incentives you can offer to keep your team motivated and dedicated.

One of the most effective strategies we’ve discovered for retaining A-team players is simply asking them what we can do to support their success.

Just today, one of my team members called me. He said, “Hey Dan, there’s this online training by Russell Brunson (one of my mentors) coming up, and I’d like to attend. It’s this Thursday at 2 p.m. Would it be okay if I participated? It should only take about 2 hours, and (here’s the best part) I’ll clock out for that time! I’m eager to learn this.”

My response completely caught him off guard, to say the least.

“Hey, buddy, not only do I think that’s an amazing idea! I want to pay you to learn from it, so stay on the clock for it. But here’s the kicker: after the training, if you found it valuable and feel like you learned from it, I want to compensate you by attending more sessions with his team to help you grow!”

There was complete silence on the phone for about 30 seconds. Finally, I asked, “Did I lose you?”

His response gave me goosebumps. “Dan, that’s exactly why I love working with you. I come to you, scared to death to ask, and you’re like, not only yes, but HECK YES. And then you go and put whipped cream on top of that. I’ve never felt better about what I do or who I do it with.”

I want you to take a moment to re-read that. Go ahead, I’ll wait…

Notice the words he used. He doesn’t work for me; he works with me. He loves the mission that we are working toward. He loves the team he works with. He loves the fact that when he has amazing ideas, he gets credit for them.

Do you understand now?

I’m not suggesting that every job will attract a flood of applicants, and I’m certainly not claiming that every business can hire A-Team players all the time. But if you aspire to transform into an A-team employer, it’s a deliberate choice you must make.

Let me tell you, it won’t be a walk in the park. You’ll constantly face the temptation to compromise your standards and take the easy road. You might hesitate to offer that third raise in a year. You’ll face numerous challenges, but you must choose greatness.

If you’re interested in having our team assist you, reach out to us today at info@eclispe-dot.com. Our mission is to simplify your life so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.

Now go out there, rev up your engines, and start achieving greatness!

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘Goals, how to set and achieve any goal!‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com.

Month: February 2022