Every day we face new opportunities and challenges, yet we often overlook the most important aspect: Innovation is the only way to guarantee creating a legend. How we seize opportunities and overcome challenges is the difference between a mediocre manager and an exceptional leader. Exceptional leaders are not afraid to “think outside the box” and challenge not only themselves, but their staff as well, to develop unique solutions. Walt Disney, considered by many to be an exceptional and creative leader, once said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” His statement, while simple, is empowering because it reminds us that often something seems impossible simply because it’s never been attempted.
When we experience situations which seem impossible, we need to take a step back, reevaluate our options, and develop an innovative approach to address the issue. Encouraging your staff to be creative in their thinking boosts morale, allows them to see they are truly stakeholders in the success of the company, and will result in the “extra mile” we all want to elicit from our staff. Challenge yourself and your team to develop and implement a truly innovative solution and you will find they that will be craving the opportunity again. Inspire others into action not only through your words, but by your example as well. Demonstrate to them that not only do you encourage development of creative solutions, but that you require them. This same theory was summarized best by John Quincy Adams when he said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
All of us want to leave a lasting impression of positive accomplishments – a legacy, if you will; few actually succeed. At one time or another, we’ve all sat back and wished we had done something different instead of what was commonplace. You still have time to become that dynamic leader that people will speak about long after you have moved on. If you truly want to make your mark, leave behind a legacy that keeps evolving through the thoughts and actions of others. Inspire them to dream, learn, and do more. Accomplish that and, like Winston Churchill, you will be able to declare, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”
I think that your observations are right on the money for regular people working a regular job. I wonder what the reaction to “impossible situations” would be to those of us who work at a place that provides us a cause to work for, a place that inspires us to high achievement because the organization is that special to us personally and our community. Our reaxtion the impossible should then naturally be outside the box, extra-mile, creative, innovative solutions. If that is not our first inclination at the onset of difficulties, then maybee we should seek employment somewhere else that does inspire us.
I think that your observations are right on the money for regular people working a regular job. I wonder what the reaction to “impossible situations” would be to those of us who work at a place that provides us a cause to work for, a place that inspires us to high achievement because the organization is that special to us personally and our community. Our reaction to the impossible should then naturally be outside the box, extra-mile, creative, innovative solutions. If that is not our first inclination at the onset of difficulties, then maybee we should seek employment somewhere else that does inspire us.
My general experience is that the majority of people don’t experience the sence of community and desire to put in the extra effort you describe. While I agree that if you don’t feel that way you should be considering a new place of employment, reality is that most people just consider it a job, not a partnership. Exceptional leaders instill that sense of partnership in their staff.
Thanks for your thoughts and insights. I appreciate the interaction.
Chris, excellent topic on leadership and legacy. Great Leaders and even great managers can instill that ‘above and beyond’ mentality because they communicate their vision so clearly and passionately that they transfer ownership of it to their co-workers.
It is now a shared vision, and that is how difficult challenges are conquered, impossible dreams realized, and truly amazing results can come from getting outside the box.
I suggest that a successful leader doesn’t suggest out of the box thinking, he brings you to the exit, and holds the door open…
In closing, a selfless leader should not be concerned about his legacy; do the right thing, for the right reason, and at a time in the future ‘they’ will speak your legacy for you.