| "Nothing can work more damage except myself; | | | | Go visit a prior supervisor. Talk and visit with |
| the harm I sustain I carry about with me, and | | | | them and listen to their experiences. You might |
| never am a real sufferer but by my own fault." | | | | hear a little of your story in there as well. And |
| St. Bernard wrote those words a very long time | | | | you will gain a new perspective on what you are |
| ago, yet they still say as much now as they did | | | | going through. |
| then in regards to Leadership. | | | | Tell your team what you are struggling with and |
| Are you in a Leadership role and sometimes | | | | ask for suggestions. This act of trust will endear |
| carrying "harm" about yourself? Are you | | | | you to them. More often than not, they will point |
| damaging your career? Are you harming others | | | | you in a new direction pitch in to help you get |
| with poor Leadership decisions? | | | | there. |
| And if so, what are you going to do about it? | | | | Take off from work early one day; rent either |
| Here are some quick ways to get out of the | | | | "Rocky", "Gladiator", "Braveheart", "The |
| "harm I sustain" and get into positive action. | | | | Contender", "Norma Rae" or "The Shawshank |
| Get involved with someone. Help a friend, a co | | | | Redemption. (These are just a few |
| worker, a neighbor...anyone with a problem that is | | | | recommendations; if you don't like one of these, |
| not related to what you have on your mind. This | | | | pick your own) Plug one of them into the dvd |
| one act of commitment to someone else will go a | | | | player. Don't make popcorn, this is study time. |
| long ways to take your mind off your troubles | | | | Watch the movie with pen and paper in hand. |
| and at the same time provide benefit to | | | | Take lots of notes and answer these 5 questions. |
| someone who needs it. It will also allow you | | | | What was the challenge the Leader faced in the |
| stretch your Leadership muscles in ways they are | | | | movie? What action did they take to overcome |
| not being stretched now. | | | | the challenge? What support did they receive (if |
| Ask for a tough project. It is an act of courage in | | | | any) from anyone else? How did they treat |
| ones self to ask for something difficult to do. It | | | | others around them? What new thought can you |
| also begets courage from others who see you do | | | | take back to your situation and put into action |
| this. This will challenge you to find new folds and | | | | right away? |
| wrinkles in your thinking, your Leadership style | | | | Take notes on why the characters inspired you. |
| and your action plans. | | | | If you can, watch more than one and answer this |
| Write a letter to a mentor, someone you admire | | | | question. What one Leadership characteristic did |
| or a long lost friend. Ask them to provide a half | | | | they all share? |
| hour a week of time to listen to you in exchange | | | | As you complete one of these action steps, start |
| for you helping them with something that is near | | | | thinking about what St. Bernard said all those |
| and dear to them. You will gain insight and | | | | years ago, and stop being "a real sufferer but by |
| experience that might take you several years or | | | | my own fault. |
| several mistakes to learn. | | | | |