June 2022 – Dan Greer

Picking the RIGHT leaders, just got a little easier!

Posted on June 27, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

Picking the Right Leaders Just Got a Little Easier

Finding the right leaders for your company or organization can be challenging, but this should help simplify the decision.

The world abounds with individuals who believe they possess the qualities of great leaders. However, the stark truth is that genuine greatness in leadership is a rare find. Looking back through history, one can discern only a select few who truly exemplified extraordinary leadership, including figures like Moses, David, Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill, to name just a few.

These leaders shared commonalities in their reluctance to assume leadership roles and their feelings of inadequacy for the positions they were thrust into. None of them actively sought power or leadership; rather, circumstances compelled them into these roles. They did not inherit their positions but instead found themselves thrust into positions of authority.

Why do we consistently prioritize individuals who actively pursue leadership roles within our companies and organizations instead of identifying the most qualified leaders? As leaders, it’s imperative that we closely observe our team members—I mean, truly observe them. Who naturally garners followership? Who humbly contributes ideas without seeking constant recognition? Who demonstrates resilience and determination when confronted with challenges? Aren’t these the qualities we seek in our leaders? Those who take the initiative to resolve issues without seeking permission and quietly handle situations without seeking acknowledgment are the ones we should prioritize for leadership positions.

These individuals often fly under management’s radar because they efficiently get the job done. Ironically, many managers perceive them as idle because they don’t feel the need to report on every task they accomplish. Consequently, their value often remains unrecognized until they depart the company or switch departments. Suddenly, their absence reveals a host of issues their manager had never faced before. What is the reason for this absence of problems in the past? Their “lazy” employee silently resolved them without seeking recognition—they just got things done.

Many great leaders initially doubt their qualifications when entrusted with leadership roles. Did you know that Moses, upon being called into a mentor position by God, argued vehemently, claiming he wasn’t fit to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? He even negotiated with God, citing his lack of eloquence and suggesting his brother Aaron as a more suitable spokesperson. Moses was adamant that he wasn’t the right person for the task. However, history reveals that he was precisely what the Israelites needed. Not only did he successfully lead them out of Egypt, but he also guided them through the desert for forty years.

How frequently do we overlook promising young individuals within our company who possess great leadership potential but aren’t pushed to assume leadership roles? I’ve witnessed this scenario repeatedly, where we promote based on tenure rather than merit. Sadly, this often results in missed opportunities to cultivate exceptional leaders because of our resistance to change. Arbitrary criteria such as residency, years of experience, age, appearance, or past management roles should not hinder someone’s progression. These biases serve as poor justifications for denying individuals the chance to advance and contribute to their fullest potential.

I urge all of you reading this to refrain from judging individuals solely by their appearances. Take the time to identify the leaders already present within your organization. Seek out those whom others naturally turn to for guidance in various situations. These individuals will bring immense value to the organization, as they’ve already garnered a following of individuals who trust their advice implicitly. Instead of solely prioritizing previous experience, focus on personality and attitude when hiring. The most effective leaders are often those who need convincing to accept a leadership role. Their humility and genuine desire to serve will make them excel in their positions.

Allocate the necessary time to step beyond your comfort zone and actively seek out a truly exceptional leader for your organization.

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘TRUST AS A LEADER‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at RealDanGreer.com.

Pivoting to where you need to be instead of where you want to be

Posted on June 20, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

Pivoting to Where You Need to Be Instead of Where You Want to Be

Whenever I make such decisions, I express gratitude to the higher power for guiding me. Making tough choices is never easy, but ultimately, it’s always worth it in the end.

Consider this: What if the creator orchestrates events in our lives to guide us onto the right path? Think about it for a moment. Have you ever experienced a life-altering event? Most likely, yes. What if such events occur to prompt us to pivot and align with our destined path? Imagine if we had never made those pivotal decisions and instead stayed on our original trajectory. Where would we be now? What opportunities and experiences would we have missed out on?

How would your life have turned out differently?

At the start of this year, everyone was forced to adapt. Many of us had to undergo significant changes in various aspects of life, including business, education, and daily routines. With schools closing and children needing to study from home, workplaces that previously resisted remote work had to reconsider. Some businesses had to shift entirely to digital operations, while restaurant owners were restricted to offering only takeout or delivery services. These changes represented major shifts for everyone involved.

Reflecting on the pivots we made this year, one of the most significant shifts was towards a more digital sales approach. Initially, this transition was challenging for us, as we thrived on face-to-face interactions and the energy of in-person meetings. Personally, adapting to conducting pieces of training via Zoom felt like speaking to a wall at times, despite my childhood knack for talking to anything, even a fence post! However, embracing the digital marketplace turned out to be one of our best decisions. It exponentially expanded our reach, allowing us to connect with over 1,000 times more people than before. This led to a steady increase in our client base, exceeding our expectations and enabling us to assist more individuals than ever before. If given the chance to do things differently, I would have embraced the shift to digital sooner, recognizing its immense potential for growth and impact.

Consider hiring a coach.

Another significant pivot we undertook was enlisting the support of a coach to guide us towards our goals. Despite experiencing growth, we recognized the need for external assistance to ensure we were progressing in the right direction. After thorough research and consultations with friends, we interviewed several coaches and ultimately hired one. It was a daunting but essential step for us. By holding ourselves accountable and learning from their guidance, we avoided the common pitfalls associated with pivoting. Hiring a coach proved to be incredibly beneficial, not only for our business but also on a personal level.

The final pivot I’ll discuss is the mental shift I underwent. I used to believe I was ineffective at sales, and unsurprisingly, I struggled to make sales. There were moments in meetings where I doubted my ability to close a deal, and as a result, I failed to secure sales. Conversely, I’ve also been in situations where I knew our product was the perfect fit for a client, and I approached those meetings with confidence. The difference in mindset made a tremendous impact. I’ve come to love sales because I firmly believe in the value our product offers. Having a positive mindset is crucial; if you believe you can achieve something, you will. Conversely, doubts can sabotage your efforts. Today, I approach sales with confidence, knowing that our service is genuinely beneficial to our clients and the world at large.

Have you ever had to make a choice—a pivot—in life that completely altered your outcome?

Numerous times, I’ve faced such pivotal decisions in life. Each time, I express gratitude to the higher powers for guiding me in making those tough choices. It’s never simple, but invariably, the outcome proves to be worth the struggle. These decisions consistently led me down the path I was meant to follow, even if it wasn’t the route I initially envisioned needing.

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Put Others First

Posted on June 13, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

My Origin Story (PART 3)

“It’s the timeless notion that prioritizes others before oneself. This principle has been ingrained in me since childhood. You value others above yourself, so ‘don’t fuss, dear; get on with it’.”

Audrey Hepburn

Why is prioritizing others so crucial, and how can we do it without neglecting our own aspirations? Let’s begin with a timeless source of wisdom: my all-time favorite book, the Bible.

In 1 Corinthians 10:24, Paul imparts this wisdom to the Corinthian church, emphasizing, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”

Speaking of games, have you ever played Catan before?

If you haven’t played before, let me give you a quick overview. In Catan, you start by placing your village at the intersection of three commodities (there are five total commodities on the board), each with a number assigned to it. When someone rolls the number corresponding to your commodities, you collect those resources. These resources are used to build structures and acquire special cards.

The objective is to construct settlements, cities, and roads and accumulate enough experience points to end the game. Experience points are earned through building and other game actions.

Yesterday, as we played, my 10-year-old daughter found herself in an advantageous position, consistently acquiring various resources.

There were moments when she had so many resources that the bank actually ran out of cards for those commodities. She made a point to trade cards on her turn to prevent this from happening again.

In the game, trading is a key mechanic, requiring both parties to agree for a trade to occur. Despite this, everyone was eager to trade with her during the game, even when it didn’t always benefit them.

You might be wondering, “Dan, why encourage your daughter to make deals that don’t immediately benefit her?” Here’s the thing—she always had more than enough resources and chose to be generous, prolonging the game instead of ending it quickly. Her generosity paid off as others continued to trade with her, ensuring she received the cards she needed.

It was a lesson in the principle that the more she gave, the more she received.

How can we prioritize others’ needs over our own in simple ways?

Allowing someone to go ahead of us in line is a straightforward gesture.
Offering a ride even when it inconveniences us (like when we’re headed to church or work) is another way.
Giving up our seats on public transport and standing instead shows consideration.
Helping our neighbor by mowing their lawn, even if ours also needs attention, is a kind act.
Choosing to let someone else have the last piece of pizza demonstrates generosity.
Opting to walk so someone else can use our car showcases selflessness.
Going a step further, giving our car to someone in need is a bold act of kindness.

Putting others first may seem easy, but it’s often challenging because we tend to be self-centered. If we don’t see immediate benefits for ourselves, it can be difficult to prioritize others.

Why do we work? To earn money for our livelihood.
Why do we own cars? To reach the destinations we desire.
Why do we engage in activities? We anticipate some form of personal benefit from them.
Given these natural inclinations, why should we prioritize others when our instincts push us to prioritize ourselves? How does prioritizing others lead to our success?
The game example illustrates this well, albeit on a small scale. If my daughter hadn’t traded her surplus cards with others, she wouldn’t have gained the resources she needed but lacked.
One crucial aspect to remember is that prioritizing others doesn’t mean neglecting ourselves. It’s about understanding that success and fulfillment often come from symbiotic relationships and collaborative efforts rather than purely self-serving actions.

Just as in airplane safety instructions: “In case of an emergency, oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling. Please secure your mask before assisting others.”
This serves as a critical reminder.

Here’s the rephrased version:
First, if you’re unable to help yourself, how can you help others?
Let’s delve deeper into this.
It’s challenging and unwise for people to seek financial advice from someone who isn’t managing their finances well.
Consider this: Would you heed advice on overcoming credit card debt from someone deeply in debt themselves?

Here’s the rewritten version:
If someone offers advice on business growth but their own business is struggling, would you value their input?
Would you consider getting advice on enhancing your company’s culture from a leader whose culture doesn’t align with your goals?
In all honesty,
NOT A CHANCE!

It’s essential to ensure we’re on the right track before offering advice.
However, that doesn’t mean we can neglect others along the way. There are still ways we can offer help and support.

Tony Robbins suggests that if you dislike money, you may not have given away enough of it. Some might retort, “But he has so much money, so it’s easier for him to be generous.”

In the book of Mark, Jesus also touches on this idea. He sat down across from where people placed their offerings and observed as the crowd made their contributions to the temple treasury. Numerous wealthy individuals generously gave large sums.

However, a destitute widow arrived and contributed two small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Jesus, summoning his disciples, remarked, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has given more to the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44) This remarkable woman had faith that God would continue to bless her and provide for her needs.

Today, I want to inspire everyone to actively seek opportunities to help others. Find someone who needs assistance and offer your help willingly. Identify individuals whom you can support and go the extra mile to assist them. By prioritizing the needs of others, you’ll experience personal growth beyond measure as you give more generously than ever before.

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “The Gift Of Giving” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

Putting in the Work

Posted on June 6, 2022April 25, 2024 by dan_adm

Putting in The Work

Ensure that you’re not merely riding on the coattails of someone else’s hard work. Make sure you dedicate the time and energy necessary to be proud of your accomplishments—every single day!

At some point in our careers, we’ve all benefited from riding on someone else’s success. But how long did that last, and did we truly gain anything from the experience? Likely, it didn’t endure for very long, and the lessons learned might have been minimal. If you do believe you learned a lot, take a moment to reflect on how much more you could have learned by creating your wave.

If you sense that you’re riding on someone else’s success, it’s essential to reassess the situation. Ask yourself a series of questions to gain clarity:

Am I living in alignment with my purpose?
What actions did I take to reach this point?
Do I genuinely deserve the recognition I’m receiving?
Have I invested the necessary time and effort to achieve this success?
What steps am I taking to progress to the next level?
Who am I impacting or influencing while in this position?

There are numerous questions you could consider; these are just a few that I reflect on personally.

One such question is: What is your purpose in life?

That’s a question I find myself pondering nearly every day: Why am I here on this earth, and what is my true purpose? For me, there are several answers to that question. One is that I’m here to spread the word of God while aiding others. Another reason is to encourage growth and progress, both in myself and in those around me. I strive to be a supportive father, husband, and friend. After reminding myself of my purpose, I reflect on whether I’m truly living up to it. I consider what actions I can take to better align with my purpose. What about you? What is your purpose?

How did I arrive at this point?

One of the more challenging questions to tackle, in my opinion, is: How did I end up here? In my corporate days, I often pondered this question while traveling, staying in luxurious hotels, enjoying fine dining, and meeting remarkable individuals. Among all the employees, why was I chosen for this position? Why me? Upon deeper reflection, I realized it was both a blessing and a burden. While I relished the perks of my job, I also grappled with its drawbacks. Spending 50% of my time on the road meant missing out on 50% of my children’s lives and being away from my wife. Luxurious hotels meant sacrificing the comfort of my own bed and the intimacy of cuddling with my wife. Indulging in gourmet meals took a toll on my health as I traveled across the country weekly, longing for home-cooked meals and family dinners. However, the opportunity to meet extraordinary people was an undeniable highlight, enriching my experience and allowing me to assist others whom I might never have encountered otherwise.

I’ve also experienced riding on someone else’s success in the past, only to realize it was short-lived. I found myself in a place I thought I wanted to be, but it wasn’t where I truly needed to be. I hadn’t invested the time and effort required for lasting success. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, seeking a shortcut to a “get-rich-quick” life without putting in the necessary work?

What actions did I take to deserve this recognition or success?

I find myself asking this question every day, especially when good things happen. Did I truly put in the effort to earn this, or am I simply accepting a gift? Throughout my career, I’ve encountered individuals who constantly seek handouts rather than opportunities to improve themselves. Personally, as a naturally giving person, it’s challenging for me to witness this behavior. I’ve come to understand that some individuals become so accustomed to receiving without effort that they cease to strive for improvement. I’ve been in that position before, and I’m determined not to return to it. I prefer receiving a “hand-up”—advice and encouragement to help me stand on my own two feet—rather than undeserved gifts.

One example from my past stands out: a manager offered me a jacket as a reward. Instead of accepting it immediately, I proposed a challenge: give me two weeks to complete a project to their expectations. If successful, I would gladly accept the jacket; if not, they could keep it. This approach served two purposes: it made me accountable and provided a tangible reward for a job well done, while also incentivizing my boss to offer more rewards in the future. Reflecting on your own experiences, have you ever accepted a gift that you felt you didn’t deserve?

Have I invested the necessary time and effort to reach this point?

If you tend to be hard on yourself, your initial response to this question may be “no.” When I ask myself this question, my initial inclination is often the same. However, upon further reflection, I realize that I may be too harsh in my self-assessment. To determine if I truly put in the necessary time and effort, I consider some additional questions.

Firstly, I assess how much effort I’ve dedicated to the project, rather than solely focusing on the duration of time spent on it. There’s a significant distinction between the two. Some of my projects have remained incomplete for years, not due to a lack of time but because I haven’t invested much effort in them.

Secondly, I reflect on my level of dedication to the project. This is a question only I can answer, as my dedication greatly influences the outcome and reflects the true effort I’ve put forth.

Lastly, I question whether I genuinely believe in the project. There have been instances where I’ve found myself working on projects, I had little faith in, resulting in minimal effort. Alternatively, there have been times when I failed to take the initiative to understand the project fully, leading to a lack of effort in promoting or completing it.

What steps am I taking to advance to the next level?

Everything we do should be aimed at propelling us to the next level. Otherwise, what’s the point? Let’s take a moment to reminisce about the Miro brothers from our childhood. When we played, why did we smash every block? To collect coins or gain a mushroom. Why did we raise each flag? So, we wouldn’t have to start from scratch every time we failed. Life is akin to a game in many ways. Every action we take serves a purpose, even if we don’t realize it at first. I’m constantly pondering how to progress to the next stage of my life and what my ultimate goal is. Sure, I make mistakes every day. There are days where I misjudge, like jumping on a turtle only to have it rebound and make me small again. But I don’t see these moments as failures; I see them as opportunities for growth. Consider what you’re doing to propel yourself to the next level.

Who am I impacting while I’m here?

We all exert influence on others every day, whether we realize it or not. Even when we’re not physically interacting with anyone, our actions still have an impact on someone. For instance, my wife and I have a rule when it comes to posting pictures on social media: we ask ourselves, “What kind of memories will these pictures evoke in 1–10 years?” If they won’t bring back positive memories, we refrain from posting them. We cherish the memories that resurface on our feeds and strive to maintain a positive image for our followers. It’s not about portraying a fake life; it’s about showcasing our real experiences.

During my travels for previous jobs, I often reflected on the influence I had on others during each trip and whether it was positive. I regret to admit that there were instances where I had to apologize on my next trip for not being a positive influence. What kind of influence are you exerting on those around you? Take a moment to review your old posts and consider how you can improve your communication with your community.

Ultimately, you are the only one who can determine whether you’re putting in the work. It’s up to you, and you alone, to assess whether you’ve truly made the effort or simply coasted on someone else’s hard work. Instead of constantly seeking handouts, strive to be the person who offers a hand to those around you.

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 Eclipse DOT.

Month: June 2022