An Attitude of Gratitude Part Deux

I ran across something in a book recently that really resonated.  It had to do with perspective.  Listen to the words of author Steve Goodier:

“Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts.  All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for.  They thrive on that diet.  But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals.  Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants.  The vulture lives on what was.  They live on the past.  They fill themselves with what is dead and gone.  But hummingbirds live on what is.  They seek new life.  They fill themselves with freshness and life.  Each bird finds what it is looking for.  We all do.”

As leaders, our ability to articulate vision is indispensable.  When it comes to casting that vision, our personal perspective can have a dramatic impact on our team’s ability to connect their work to it. 

Leadership requires that you understand WHO you are, WHERE you are, WHERE your organization is, and WHERE you are going together.  Only then can you “find what it is (you are) looking for.” 

Vision isn’t something you “catch”, it is something you find.  And like the vulture and the hummingbird, we find what we are looking for.

Think with me for a moment:

Reflect – what is your biggest blessing from this year to date?

Adjust – how has that blessing affected your outlook and experience in a positive way?

Collaborate – play “phone a friend.”  Take a moment to find someone in your life to share that blessing and impact with.  Take a moment and listen to their quick story.

Activate – dance a “do-si-do.”  Texans ought to be able to do that!  But it requires a partner.  So, find a buddy and find a vision of blessing from this year so far together.  Take them through the steps we just discussed so they can find and experience their own!  Remember, they need your help!

Next week, I want to share three things that are required of all leaders when it comes to articulating and casting vision.  When we do that with our TRIBES, we can play, dance, and fly with purpose!

Have a great week!