Leadership

Are You Stuck?

August 21, 2018 By kwmccarthy

(This video originally aired as an On-Purpose Business Minute. In rewriting the blog post, however, I decided to make it an On-Purpose Minute—where it seemed most appropriate.)

Being stuck comes upon us gradually until one day we realize it.

At first, a small panic settles in. We know we can’t afford to waste our days.

Yet hours, days, even weeks go by when we’re “busy”

shuffling papers
staring at bills
responding to emails
watching the news in a dulled sense of a former, more confident self

A life stuck in a job, in a marriage, or in the midst of a job search is terrifying and depressing at the same time.

What to do?

My hope is to offer a spark plus the fuel to get you moving again … and, importantly, back to being on-purpose.

How you get going is a personal matter that is frankly unique to you. There are many ways to get unstuck. The best way is the way that works for you. What matters is that you get unstuck!

Six Steps to Un-Sticking a Stuck Life

First, stop blaming yourself, anyone, anything, or any circumstance. The sooner you can Think Inc! or take 100% responsibility for yourself, your mindset, and your condition then the better and sooner you’ll stop living the blues.

I’ve been there several times in my career. Those dark places where I shut the door to life and wallowed over the injustices “done to me.” Except for true tragedy and grief, most “first world problems” are lifestyle afflictions to our preferences rather than our very existence. Perspective helps!

Second, reconcile your part. In every instance where I’ve been wronged or taken advantage of, I played a part. Generally, I made wrong assumptions, didn’t do my due diligence, allowed impulse to overtake my values system, or somehow denied the best of who I am.

Third, forgive! Admittedly, you may feel wronged or unjustly punished but dwelling on the offenses of the past is chewing up your present. Now you’re the one victimizing yourself! Stop beating up others and yourself. Forgive generously to live positively.

Fourth, be on-purpose! Life is meaningful and conspiring to make you a better person. “Character building moments” are more than an adage. They’re real if we’ll see them for what they are—lessons in leading our lives. Typically the harshest lessons are the most meaningful in the light of time and distance. Start by uncovering your purpose.

Fifth, decide to be joyful. Yes, that’s right, decide to be joyful. It is a decision of the heart unattached to circumstances, people, and conditions. The book Happiness is a Choice spells out the clinical foundations and practical methods for choosing to live “happily ever after.” Joy is happiness of the heart.

Sixth, take small positive steps daily. Writer Joshua Becker provides 12 intentional actions one can take to choose happiness and joy.

Need a bit more inspiration?

Watch this inspiring video from IAmSecond.com featuring Eric Metaxas where he talks about being trapped in a way of life that is fruitful but isn’t working. Listen and watch as he shares how a different point of view of one man and a meaningful dream transformed his life. Eric also speaks of how “blind faith” is bogus. Eric is the author of the NY Times best-selling biography Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.

How Good Are Your Questions?

August 14, 2018 By kwmccarthy

Is the mark of a leader his or her ability to give solid answers or to ask great questions?

In this On-Purpose Minute, ask yourself if you are interested in exploring some of the benefits of being one who listens when others are talking. There’s much gain from planned silence and saying nothing.

——-

Barbara Zerfoss is a personal and professional friend. I highly recommend her wisdom and insights found in The Power of Nothing. Click the book cover to order. Kevin

Along the lines of having an open mind, my good friend and business colleague Barbara Zerfoss wrote a Simple Truths book called The Power of Nothing.

The book starts with a simple, yet powerful premise … we can start anything in life or business with a blank slate. Too often we bring along a matched set of psychological and relational baggage and preconceived notions that get in the way of true progress and doing what’s right.

The back cover says “Whatever your background, you can choose to create the future you desire from a blank sheet of paper. The past doesn’t exist, and the future hasn’t happened yet.”

So what are you waiting for? Nothing to it … just buy your book today!

Are Your Leadership Skills Maturing or Just Growing Old?

August 7, 2018 By kwmccarthy

Are you maturing as a leader or just getting older?

The fear of being exposed for who we really are is likely the greatest fear gripping us and keeping us from realizing our leadership potential. This is especially true for those who bought into the lie of “fake it until you make it.”

Even a “successful” life built upon posing and lies lives in the shadow of discovery. Immaturity causes us to be afraid of what other people will think of us. This sophomoric pride keeps us from growing, improving, and testing ourselves at the next level.

On the other hand, none of us are perfect. In effect, we’re all goofballs at some level in some place at some time. So get over the pretenses of perfection and live into the real you. Being authentic is in the foundation of great leadership qualities.

So how good are your leadership skills and, importantly, your leadership attitudes?

Are you …

Learning (for a lifetime)?
Leading (your life so others want to follow you)?
Loving (unconditionally)?
Leaving (the world a better place)?

Many cite the absence of leaders today. Actually, we’re suffering from an absence of mature leaders stemming from the reality that we’re still trying to figure out what to do with ourselves when we grow up.

Certainly, there’s a benefit to having a childlike curiosity and faith. But let’s talk growing up here—stepping into adulthood with both feet firmly planted on the ground as a leader of one’s life who is growing in experience, wisdom, discernment, and judgment.

Our dearth of leaders may well reflect deeper challenges—the absence of mentors and the value of relationships over time. Accepting those rationales, however, are excuses. If you want to be a leader, you’ll find the mentors, experiences, and relationships that will grow you so you are learning, leading, loving, and leaving—the four attitudes of mature leaders.

At On-Purpose Partners we serve up heaping portions of maturity through our one-on-one On-Purpose Executive and Personal Coaching Programs. Is this your time to nakedly take your place in the front of the pack?

Is More Money Your Answer?

August 2, 2018 By kwmccarthy

Ask most business people what they need and the likely answer is “more money!” That’s like asking a football coach what he needs: “More points to win the games.” The real issue is What does it take to produce the points or the money?

Money (or points) is a self-deceiving answer or an easy target to articulate.

While Stephen Covey’s Habit #2 is “Begin with the end in mind,” it is as promoted just a beginning to the end. When we only have the “end in mind,” shortcuts are probably even ethical compromises.

The “Management by Objectives” movement has suffered many of these challenges. While never the intention of its creators, it became a rationale for sloppy management and the abdication of leadership and strategy.

Having worked as and with business owners for five decades (I started very early), I can tell you that money may be the obvious answer, but it is rarely the right answer.

Money is a specific commodity with well-defined functions, mostly as a measure.

Oddly, the lack of money in business may be more valuable than the money itself. It forces us to get real, to be creative, and to assess what’s working and what isn’t working. In the end, we’re apt to become better prepared and more capable of adding higher value and better services at a lower cost. Ergo, we make more money.

Being in business provokes us and pushes our buttons emotionally.

I’m not saying go out there and look to take stupid hits. On the contrary—avoid them, but some number of hits are inevitable. Rather than letting them take you down, let them build you up by learning, growing, and maturing.

In this On-Purpose Business Minute, I’m sharing with you the three most common attributes that attract money to businesses: law, order, and opportunity. If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur, this is a must see Minute.

Need some help with your business? On-Purpose Business Advisors has worked with start-ups and entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 CEOs. Email me to learn more.

Resource

Invest 9 minutes to learn about The On-Purpose Business Plan. This maps out the essential infrastructure to create sustainable growth and profitability.

Are You A Success and Feeling Successful?

July 31, 2018 By kwmccarthy

Success takes on a different meaning for each of us.

For those of us with high and noble ambitions success is mostly momentary. Success opens our eyes to new vistas off on the future horizon that are only reached by going back down the mountain, into the valley, and climbing the next higher mountaintop. It’s work disguised as adventure and the exploration of possibilities.

Far too often I suffer from feelings of failure because of all that I imagine and have yet to accomplish.

Recognizing success is different, however, from resting in it.

It’s odd how sometimes I can be restful and satisfied, yet at other times so restless and frustrated. What gives with that?

Unfulfilled ambition easily draws me into being a smaller, stingier, melancholy occupant of my being. I don’t like me in these flashes of embracing failure. My 30-plus–year quest of pioneering the planet to be on-purpose continues to be a financial battle to fund the next project on the horizon. Fighting feelings of frustration, nonrecognition, and financial shortfall wear away at my heart in doses of discouragement.

When I find myself tending toward hoarding and worry, I know for a fact that my better character is not at work. That devil of fear is pounding on the door of my heart and I have to decide whether to let him enter or tell him to go away.

To regain my sense of perspective and rejuvenation, I force myself to reconsider my personal and professional accomplishments over the long haul. Counting my current blessings fills me with a gracious gratitude and a spirit of generosity.

Whether it be 30+ years of marriage, a son and daughter who make me proud, two truly best-selling books in The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business Person, and more—much more—I’ve learned that none of “my success” was done by me alone. I’ve been forever surrounded by a supportive cast of family, co-workers, friends, classmates, and colleagues who’ve each invested in my work and life. Love has uplifted everything “I’ve ever accomplished.”

I’ve also dealt with people who “throw bricks” by stealing, cheating, lying, and taking advantage of me when I trusted. About every 7 years I get a major AFGE (Another Frigging Growing Experience) that keeps me from a sense of self-importance.

These “lessons” have made me wiser and stronger.

The biblical concept of the tithe (See The On-Purpose Person in the chapter titled “Giving”) is remarkably practical on this point of managing success and failure. Tithing is designed to be a joyful, intentional, and proportional (10+%) expression of our time, talent, and treasure (our success). For our benefit, the tithe offers us a periodic and healthy time for reflection regardless of the size of our accomplishments.

Giving can be off-purpose when used to control, manipulate, or lord it over another. Giving is free and without strings attached. Investment, however, comes with expectations, controls, terms, conditions, and covenants. You can be a giver and you can be an investor—just acknowledge the difference when you’re in the act.

When giving, discretion and discernment are our allies. Stewardship matters. We’re not to be gamblers in our giving but we are to take risks by stretching our comfort zones so our faith and trust are extended.

Giving freely, not from duty or obligation, is the healthy outpouring of a successful soul. This kind of success and giving are knit together. You can’t have one without the other. As my friend Steve Brown of Key Life Ministries would say, “Now, you think about that.”

What Is A Vision?

July 24, 2018 By kwmccarthy

Vision is a gift to look into the future with a creative clarity and belief that what isn’t will one day become.

Vision comes in many forms and manners. Vision is larger, much larger, than a goal. According to The Book of Proverbs, vision is what prevents us from perishing. Vision is personal, yet it can be shared and can engage a group to greater heights.

Vision is the second of four key strategic concepts for better leading one’s life, family, and/or organization. In context and order, here are these what I call “deep strategy” concepts: Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Values.

If you’re asking about vision, then you are likely in the midst of seeking a deeper understanding or clarity related to direction. Vision answers one of The Great Questions: Where am I going?

What is a vision, really?

If you’re confused as you read books or surf the web, then you’ll only be more confused. Sadly, there is no standard accepted definition for vision or its related strategic concepts of purpose and mission. We’re doing life and business in a Tower of Babel world. Our language is confused around these vital concepts. By casually comingling and using them synonymously, all of society pays the price for the confusion and poor communication.

Businesses are big about stating their visions.

Many a business person will tout their vision with flair and enthusiasm. Bravo Business Person! But wait, there’s more.

Vision without purpose is just a costly distraction.
Vision without missions and plans is just wishful thinking.

Purpose, vision, and missions need values to govern them toward the common good.

In the absence of standards, for over three decades, I’ve led the charge to fill the void by offering a standard in The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business Person. Meet The On-Purpose Pal—a cartoonish character who provides a simple sense of how purpose, vision, mission, and values are different, yet connected.

There’s much to learn about purpose, vision, missions, and values.

This post isn’t the forum, but let me give you one way to better understand what you’re wanting to know. Answer the following “Who am I?” questions and you’re on the road to what you’re really after—a life of meaning and purpose with a clear identity, direction, plan mixed with strong confidence, and hope for the future.

Purpose: Why am I here?
Vision: Where am I going?
Mission: How will I get there?
Values: What’s important along the way?

Answered these questions? You’re well on your way to being an on-purpose person in creation.

Story: Trusting One’s Vision

Vision can be cooped up inside us longing to escape if we will just dare to express it to the world.

Years ago one of our certified On-Purpose^® Professional Coaches was working with a woman who shared a vision for an inner city orchestra. At the time the client was a single mom working two jobs and caring for her two children. Dreaming was a luxury this single mom believed was ill-afforded to her. With some gentle prodding by my associate, the client risked putting words to paper. Her vision began to take form. Cautiously, she began to share her vision.

Remarkable events unfolded within three weeks. At church one Sunday, a local high school principal approached her with this statement: “I heard you are gifted with teaching music.”

“Yes,” was her simple response.

The principal continued, “Over the summer, my high school received funding for an entire orchestra. I have stands, instruments, sheet music, and an acoustically designed studio. But guess what I don’t have? Someone to develop and lead the students. Would you be interested in the position?”

The rest of the story is one that ends happily.

So, what is your vision?

Are you prepared to allow the world to conspire for your benefit? Share your vision in the comments section. Who knows what might happen if you do.

Tip: The On-Purpose Poster provides a more in-depth description in a four-color 11″ x 17″ format suitable for framing. At checkout, let us know if you want your poster personalized and signed.

Are You In A Critical Condition?

July 3, 2018 By kwmccarthy

Image via Wikipedia

Looking around it can get pretty discouraging.

Honest skepticism and discernment are always at a premium, yet as of late with bad news abounding, I find myself (and others) falling prey to being hypercritical and running into a negative streak.

The effect is

compounding
self-fulfilling
contagious

Today’s On-Purpose^® Minute offers great hope and a couple of practical suggestions.

Turn your critical condition into a healthy state of being.

It isn’t easy, but it outshines the alternative.

Perhaps you have an idea or two to tap into your greater good and get out of being in a critical condition. Please share your wisdom and insights in the comments section below.

Are Business Plans Still Relevant?

June 21, 2018 By kwmccarthy

What’s your business plan?

What? Don’t have one? Don’t put it off much longer!

With the ever-increasing speed of business, can business plans keep pace? In this On-Purpose Business Minute, let’s explore the shift in the nature and the need of business plans.

We’re in an era of people and speed—two generally opposing forces.

Most of us don’t embrace change readily or easily. This resistance slows down the speed of the organization and growth that is so sought by the organizational leadership and demanded by the marketplace. By embracing this basic understanding of human nature and the inherent conflict you’ll be wiser and smarter about what to do.

Armed with this insight about the change–speed challenge, the logical question is What to do about the need for speed and change.

First, accept it.
Second, manage it by going to the deep strategy—purpose, vision, mission, and values. These “clinical” understandings of the corporate culture need to be communicated via strategic stories that infuse and educate the team about why what they’re doing makes a difference. In other words, resistance to change falls by the wayside when the opportunity before us is contribution to a greater good. In fact, we get anxious (in a good way) and excited to see it come about. Now speed is what the team wants.
Third, make the connection between a traditional business plan and the purpose of your organization.

Much is written these days about corporate culture.

But what is it really?
How is it shaped?
What needs to happen to create and sustain it?

Deep strategy is the start in the form of an elegant business plan.

If you are a start-up or small business with ambition, then get ahead of the curve today by planning your corporate culture. If you’re leading a larger organization, then you can truly get big gains by going deep. It is more complicated the larger the business, but it is all manageable.

Do you have the “deep strategy” strength and clarity in place to engage and inspire your team so they’ll advance and accelerate the organizational goal?

Need help? Contact me.