Guidance

What is leadership and what are the qualities of a sound, effective leader? What is it about someone that motivates and even compels others to follow? These are questions that are often asked, and the answers are not necessarily universal. Circumstance and environmental surroundings can often dictate the answers. However, I would like to take an objective and outside approach, looking at qualities and characteristics in personality of an effective leader.

Leadership, a noun, is defined as “an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction.” This could suggest that someone leading is doing so as others are searching for guidance or direction. I’m reminded of an exchange in the 1985 movie The American President. The incumbent president does not want to engage in a character debate with the opposition who is running against him. One of the president’s aides advises him to stand up to his opposition, saying, “They don't have a choice! Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking! People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand.” To which the president responds, “We've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference.”

We need to know the difference! It is the true, genuine leader whom we should want to follow. How is it we know the genuine leader from the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”? If you search the web for “qualities of a good leader” you are sure to have to several hits and articles outlining those qualities. Some articles may have more qualities listed than others. However, I believe the following qualities are at the core. They are not listed in any particular order.

1. Vision

2. Drive

3. Passion

4. Care

5. Concern

6. Humility

7. Warm

8. Willingness to Sacrifice

9. No Desire for Power or Gain

Are there others you believe need to be a part of this list? Please share your list. There might be some other characteristics or even personality traits, such as charisma or humor, which helps and motivates others to follow. However, caution should be used in judging a potential leader or someone you might want to follow solely on charisma or oratory skills. While someone might possess these characteristics, they might not possess genuine traits of a quality leader.

I believe it is our responsibility to find the genuine leaders and follow them. This subject will continue to be examined in the coming days, weeks and months. I look forward to your comments as we explore leadership and define its true value together.

Poker Face

Well, howdy all again! There have definitely been things that have changed 'round here these parts since I last "blogged." Uh, I think North Korea decided to launch a missile of some sort--yeah, a nuclear missile. Hey, no biggie. The Navy SEALs saved the day killing three pirates that were holding a U.S. ship Captain hostage--really pirates, I mean REALLY, you thought you were going to get away with this one? Superman found a way to counter the effects of Kryptonite. Oh, and I am moving to Utah--relocating with my work.

Yes, you read that correctly. I am leaving my beloved home in Idaho and moving to Utah. It is an exciting process, and I am sure that there are some adventures to be had in Utah. Life throws curve balls and screw balls at ya all the time. But, when it throws that fast ball, be ready to swing and send it out of the park! (I would dare say over the green monster at Fenway. Yes, the BoSox are my favorite bball (for baseball) team--Yes Dave!)

The focus of my entry today is not all the changes, but a rather an interesting convo I had with a co-worker recently (same guy that I talked rock climbing with--see old post). Somehow we were talking poker and poker faces. See, the player who holds the best hand in poker doesn't necessarily win. The one who wins is the one who convinces others that their hand is the best--through their poker face. Some in life have been dealt a bad hand of cards. Some who hold those cards will tell you how bad their life is.

Then there are others who have it rough, but you would never know. Their life isn't centered around themselves, but around others and how they can help others. They find opportunities and sieze them when they find them. Some have been given great cards to play with, but they throw them away. How is your poker face? How positive is your life and the energy you give off?

Take a moment if you will, take stock or inventory of your life and the cards you hold in your hand. Is it a good hand? Could it be a bad hand? I propose to you that it doesn't really matter. As long as you seize opportunities when they come your way, take life by the horns if you will, help others when they seek your help, always give your best and all, your life will be full. Full of what you may ask? Only you have that answer...

Where are you taking me?

Wow, it has been awhile since I last "added value" to the blagosphere. Well, here I am--I'm back!

So, I posted this video to my facebook, but it makes me laugh enough that I thought I would post it here to the ole' blog. Maybe it is because this accurately depicts me and my attitude to Twitter. I don't "tweet" often, it seems to be kind of a hassle. Enjoy!

Shoot!

I am a sports fanatic, I will admit it. Last night I went to a basketball game to cheer on my high school alma mater. It was a squeaker of a game, and my team pulled out the victory 50-47 over our hated rivals.

While I was pleased with the result, I have a recommendation for the governing body of high school sports: there needs to be a shot-clock imposed for high school basketball. The quarters are only 8 minutes in length, and one team can just pass the ball around the perimeter and use a lot of clock, slowing the game way down and truly changing the dynamic of the game.

The college shot clock, in my opinion, is too long. Over half a minute to get a shot off? With college hoops really as the testing grounds for the NBA, the college shot clock needs to be trimmed a little. Take the college shot clock, put that in high school to help speed the game up and efficiently use the 8 minute quarters, and trim the college shot clock to be closer to the NBA clock. I think something like 28 seconds for the college shot clock will help develop college players vying for a NBA roster spot.

Imposing a high school shot clock will help high school players develop for their future days in college hoops.

Working hard or hardly working?

I had an interesting conversation recently with a coworker. As seems to happen with colleagues, the conversation turned to "work." We began discussing the difference between hard work and smart work--which are two completely different things.

It seems all of our lives we are told to work hard or work harder, as if hard work makes up for all else. I would like to submit and ask why we are not told to work smart or work smarter instead? Smart work outdoes hard work any day of the week.

My coworker used a great analogy to prove this point. He related an experience where he went rock climbing. He had never before been and so he was doing what he believed to be the right way to climb--working hard to scale upwards. After a short period of time he said that he became tired, exhausted even, and his brother down below (who was belaying him) shouted, "hey, use your legs!" All this time he had been using his arms to pull himself up, instead of using his legs to lift himself. As be started using his legs to lift, and his arms only as guides, the task of climbing became easier.

Now, was he working any harder when he started to use his legs instead of his arms to climb? No. He was working smarter; and by working smarter he in actuality did not have to work as hard. Is hard work important? Absolutely. However, it really is no substitute for smart work.

Are you kidding me?!!?

In debate about the stimulus bill, the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee declares: the American people don't care about wasteful spending? Are you kidding me?!? The American people care very much how their tax dollars are spent, at least the Americans I know. This is without doubt one of the dumbest comments I have ever heard, and believe me, I have heard some pretty stupid sound bites before.

I honestly do not even know what to write or how to respond. I want and am all in favor of a stimulus package. A jolt needs to be sent through our economic system, jobs need to be created, and more tax dollars need to be kept in the tax payer's wallet in order to stimulate the economy. President Obama in his first prime time press conference explicitly said that no pork was in this bill, none whatsoever (and Sen. Schumer's comments came not a full day after). So, this begs two questions really: Did the President lie to the American people, or has Sen. Schumer not read the stimulus bill and is speaking out of turn? I guess there are three questions: does Sen. Schumer now how to read? I mean, legislation is pretty lengthy (especially with the amount of money the "Spendulus" bill is), and the legal terminology used can be quite confusing I'm sure.

If there ever was a time not to engage in the "politics as usual," that time is now! Americans are losing jobs and homes, but no, we don't care about the "porky amendments" and where our money is headed. We need to stimulate the economy, not spend it to death with over-excessive debt and wasteful spending. Democrats like to respond by blaming republicans and the former president for the dire situation we are in. Well, how long have the dems had control of congress? And how does over-spending now differ from over-spending during President Bush's administration. Sorry, but two wrongs don't make a right.

Senator Schumer, it is time to reconnect with the American people--and I don't mean those who contributed to your campaign. News flash: Americans care what you do with their money!

Drowning?

A man who is accustomed to being in the spotlight probably isn't too pleased for the most recent reason for the beam that is upon him. The recent photo of Michael Phelps apparently smoking a pot pipe has brought a reprimand and a 3 month suspension from competition by USA Swimming. Wasn't this the same organization that applauded his public apology?

So, winning eight gold medals in one Olympiad is a piece of cake, but deciding not to smoke pot and get photographed doing it is a much harder task. Now, Phelps is only 23 years of age and it seems we have come to expect this kind of behavior from those who are in this age category. I see those who are saying that Phelps should be left alone since he "owned up" to his mistake. To a certain extent, I agree. However, at the same time, I think he lost the opportunity to be "left alone" after he became the winning est Olympic champion and accepted millions of dollars in endorsements. The game changes when you begin to represent companies and take their millions of dollars to do so. Those that are pressing him the most are the companies whose money he has accepted. Kellogg apparently is not going to renew their contract with him, stating that his behavior does not coincide with their image.

Though, I don't hear a public outcry to strip him of his medals or ban him from future Olympics--and he shouldn't be. No anti-doping regulations have been broken. With USA Swimming suspending him for 3 months of competition, it is sending him a message and the rest of the swimming world a message. Michael is a role model to countless young swimmers, and as thus should act accordingly. He understands that and has issued his apology and commitment to not let this happen again.

Does this entire incident change his image? Perhaps in the short term. But, when it comes to great athletes, our memories seem to be short. Remember when Phelps had a DUI at age 19? Come the next Olympics, I bet we won't remember this as he Tsunami's the rest of the competition. I also don't doubt that he will still be a millionaire when all is said and done.

(Photo: Clary/Getty)

That Darn Economy

It's not a secret, the U.S. economy is floundering. This was a major talking point throughout the presidential campaign and President Obama has tried to act quickly in passing a stimulus bill. The only problem is: the bill that is being considered isn't a stimulus bill at all; it is a pork-barrel spending bill aimed at giving special interests more money and running up the debt our nation is already in. The American people want action and the economy stimulated, but we aren't stupid. Just because legislation is proposed doesn't mean that it is the correct legislation.

A recent Gallup poll showed that a majority of Americans reject or want significant changes to the proposed legislation. Click here to read more. Now, I do recognize that most of what is in the current bill are "good" items. However, money to help renovate the national mall doesn't stimulate the economy. Money for STD research and prevention doesn't stimulate the economy. Call me old fashioned, but I know the best STD research and prevention: abstinence.

Listen, I know we need to act quickly and, as an American, I want President Obama to be successful. But, acting quickly is no substitute for acting smart.

And what about the fact that the current bill won't even send a jolt through the system? $900+ billion is a very large sum of money. But the Congressional Budget Office is reporting that only about 16% of that money will be spent in two years. Please, slow down!

With the understanding that the bill the House passed isn't exactly what the American people had in mind, a compromise should be reached by both parties and, working in an intelligent manner, the American family and worker will once again gain confidence.

It was a monster mash...

Thanks for the warning. I wouldn't want to run into them and have their frail, dead body parts on my car. Man, this takes me back to watching Night of the Living Dead. Remember that movie? I think it still gives me nightmares:) I'm trying to put myself into the frame of mind, driving to work say 5 o'clock in the morning and seeing this. First of all, NO ONE should be awake that early in the morning (I know, my alarm was set to 5 Saturday last week). So, if I were driving with "sleepers" still in my eyes and saw this, that would be something else. Because indeed, if you are driving that early in the morning you are nothing BUT a zombie.

If you are driving along and you see this sign, turn away immediately! For a related story, and somewhat funnier, check this out. God save the Queen!

Feel the burn

My dad's birthday was this past week. His present from my mom: a weekend getaway in Sun Valley (not to be confused with the Valley of the Sun in Arizona where I served my mission). It was going to be a time away from the hustle and bustle of life, and a day of skiing. My dad however does not like to ski alone, he likes to ski with his family. But this was part of the surprise. He begged each of his children to come up and ski with him, but we all came up with excuses that we could not make the trip and that he would just have to ski alone this time.

My sneaky mom though, she coordinated all of us to come up and surprise him on Saturday and go skiing with him. The look on his face when he saw all of us was priceless (the Master Card commercials come to mind). Anywho, after the day skiing I was spent. As I write this right now, my calves are still major sore. My legs felt like they had been struck by lightning--twice!

After we were through skiing, there were some interesting moments in the condo. Here are a few examples: it was explained to my mom what "spooning" is, and even after my brother and his wife demonstrated she still didn't get it. Actual spoons were needed for my mom to grasp the concept. And uh, my mom told us of an experience at a party where she misread the word "organism" out loud in the phrase "the world's biggest 'organism'". I won't write the word she said instead, but I am sure if you think about, you can figure it out;)

The trip was worth it though, my dad had a great birthday.

I'm back baby...

Last night I went and saw Jerry Seinfeld in living color do his stand-up routine. Completely and utterly amazing! This guy is hands down the king of comedy. I have been a Seinfeld fan for just about as long as I can remember. Three years ago he was in town and my brother and I went and saw him then also.

You know the phrase, "side splitting funny?" Yeah, that is what was going on for me last night. I was laughing so hard it seriously hurt. Had I been crying any more, you would have thought the faucet was on. I know, that's not funny, but that is how good he had me going:) I can't even write the jokes he told because that wouldn't do it any justice. He said there is talk of a Seinfeld reunion episode, after all four of their careers are completely ruined--which they are slowly working on. His opening act guy was pretty funny too. Seriously, if Jerry is coming to town, I recommend that you see him. His tickets aren't the cheapest in town, but they are worth every penny.

Jack is Back

As you may have seen if you have read the little blurb in my profile, 24 is one of my favorite shows. After about 2 years with no new episodes (thanks writer's strike) last night brought the first two hours of a two-day, four hour premiere of the new season (next two hours are tonight). My family and I gathered round the tube to watch the thrilling start to day 7 of Jack's adventures.

I don't want to give anything away if you haven't watched yet, or are planning to watch. Let's just say that that last night's episodes were true to past form with twists, turns and surprises. I am excited to see just how Jack will save the world with his 9mm pistol.

And now we know the rest of the story...

Well, it all came to a head last night: The FedEx BCS College Football National Championship. This was no David vs. Goliath game, these were two Goliaths duking it out on the field. With each school having played over 1,000 games each all-time, the University of Florida and the Univserity of Oklahoma had never before, surprisingly, met on the gridiron.

Oklahoma was seeking its 8th national championship, while Florida was seeking its 3rd (second in three years). Oklahoma's highest scoring offense in college football history was going against a top 3 defense. While Florida's explosive offense, and Tebow, was up against a relatively weak defense. The game was billed as a high-scoring affair--but that did not happen.

Surprisingly, this game was defensive (24-14 final). Each Heisman winning quarterback tossed two interceptions. There were red zone stands and points were left on the field. In the end, Florida's Superman (Tim Tebow) willed his team to win, as he has done many times before. Arguably college football's greatest leader today wanted his team to win more than Oklahoma themselves wanted to win. Florida's Goliath came out on top!

Following up with my previous post about my Boise State Broncos, sadness comes over me now as college football's season concludes. Attention now turns to college basketball and March Madness will soon be upon us. Congratulations Gators!

Ah, learning

Here we are, a new year. 2008 is behind us, and 2009 all in the front. With a new year comes excitement, intrigue, mystery, passion, anticipation, etc. of all the things life has to offer. I heard an interesting comment the other day. It went something like, "stop trying to have a perfect past." Indeed the past is behind us. No matter how hard we try, no matter how desperately we wish to change certain things, we cannot.

The only things we can control are the things we can control. Think about it. We cannot change what we, or others, have done in the past. We cannot control the mistakes we have made. We can, however, remember and apply what we learned from those mistakes. That is not to say mistakes won't be made again, but if we aren't learning and growing each time--that is where the true failure lies.

It is not that we have fallen, but whether or not we get up--and how we respond. We will fall, we will fail, but what will we learn? That is the question, and that is where true progression, greatness, and even happiness stand waiting. Let's take what we have learned in 2008 and apply that in 2009.

Happy New Year everyone!