Rough Drafts By Cory Miller

We have tough jobs and don't always get our just and due recognition .... but we short circuit it when that need to feel needed gets in the way. 

And what incremental changes can we make to improve and arrive faster or better to who we want to be. 

Part 2 from the previous episode on Step 1: Show Up. Step 2: Do the Hard Work.

First, you gotta show up. Every day.  Then, you gotta put in the tough, sometimes grueling work.  Consistently. Over and over and over. 

My friend Jonathan has taken 500+ cold showers in a row. And I relate his reasons why he does this to the task we're responsible for in leadership.    https://jonathanwold.com/523-days-of-cold-showers/ Here is his site on Tiny Habits btw: https://tinyhabits.io/

For 8+ years I've had an annual retreat with my business group in Oklahoma City ... and for a year I did a quarterly two-day ... and I talk about the benefit of these get-aways for perspective (and recharge).

Over and over again, it's hard news to swallow ... but absolutely critical to success.

And what you can do about it. 

I talk about ways I lean into my strengths as another way to get a confidence boost when up against a challenge.  Here are the two strengths tools I mention:  http://strengthsfinder.com http://www.viacharacter.org/ Here's my previous video on getting a quick confidence boost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZcKfeUcBNk&t=1s

Gallup suggests we need to help our teams cultivate work friendships .... but what about leaders? I share thoughts about work buddies for leaders. 

One way to engage and also retain your best people? Be a promoter of good people! 

The question is ... how do we motivate our people? I don't think we motivate anyone. I think we find and foster the things inside others that motivate them intrinsically and match that to our mission. 

I've been reading "Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life" and the authors share 5 mindsets for how to approach it that I think are indispensable tools for leaders.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BJSRSEC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_tAabDbTEV59RJ

Investing in your team's professional development has numerous benefits, but I see 5 keys to doing so. 

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

This concept got on my radar through my friend Marcus Blankenship's workshop a couple weeks ago ... Here's his article on tips for providing appropriate help to others. https://medium.com/@marcusblankenship/three-steps-to-stop-inflicting-help-on-others-be176d05b071

What are your words saying and communicating to your team? 

I talked through this awesome HBR article about leadership ....  https://hbr.org/2016/03/the-most-important-leadership-competencies-according-to-leaders-around-the-world

Do the Superman or Wonder Woman pose before any big meeting or presentation (maybe in private). :) 

Most leaders and managers ask: How can I get MORE from my team? Rather the better question is: How can I get the BEST From my team?