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Accountability blog Change Leadership Leadership Principles Morality

HAVING GREAT CONVERSATIONS – A CHART

This week’s CHART focuses on HAVING GREAT CONVERSATIONS

They say SMALL MINDS talk about other People, Average Minds talk about Events and GREAT MINDS talk about IDEAS.

Some of the greatest conversations I have ever had have been about Events and Ideas. The worst conversations I have had the misfortune of being a part of is those when individuals have to talk about others. It leaves me wondering if they can talk about others to me then they must be talking to others about me. I know, I know, those small minds do not know any better.

Sadly, those that exceed at talking about others do so not because of their level of education. I know several very smart, very bright, and highly educated individuals that, at a drop of a hat, dive into the cesspool of talking about others. Even sadder, are those that talking about others it is all they have ever known.

Leaving the temptation of talking about others behind immediately puts you on the trajectory of reaching the high levels of conversations. Delivering on the kinds of conversations that leave people seeking you out in that you not only talk not about others. The conversations you bring to the human interaction are the stuff that people want because it stimulates and intrigues them. It makes others wanting more.

Bring the opposite and others will do all they can to avoid you. As you should do all you can to avoid being in situations where the topic of conversation is others.

Remember, the longer you stick around and listen you rest assured to be mentioned in the next conversation (without you).

I am David Guerra and I said this.

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Accountability blog Change Leadership Leadership Principles Morality

BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF – A BELL CURVE

This week’s BELL CURVE focuses on BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF

We are all human beings. Yet, we are all very different. But we all have three sides to who we are.

The Public facing side: The side we pridefully show the world. This public facing side is usually facing one way because, heaven forbid others see the rest of who we are. If and when they find out who we are, usually the Public will care as long as it takes for something else to come along and distract them.

The Personal facing side: This is the side we show those close to us. This personal side is usually what we show those we love or keep close. We do so without fear of it being used against us. Yet, there are those occasions where we are either mislead or others collect what we share only to use it as fodder when they

The third side of who we are is our PRIVATE facing side: This is the side what is within us. This side is who we are in our truest form. This private facing side is never revealed, sometimes not even to ourselves. This is called the PRIVATE side for a reason. We all have it. We all live with it. Here in the PRIVATE side resides all our deepest hopes, dreams, fantasies, resentments, and plots of revenge. For most people, that is where they stay.

Many live with all three sides out of balance and broken. They fear truths being revealed. They live in fear and are never happy.
Individuals that do not fear being revealed live in balance. A balance that they have nothing to lose by letting in those that mean no harm. A balance by immediately dealing with those that mean them harm.

The balanced life comes from BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF, FIRST!

I am DAVID GUERRA and I said this.

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Accountability blog Change Ethics Inspiration Leadership Leadership Principles Mentor Motivation positive Work Ethic

Leading From The Front

When it comes to leadership in all its varying forms and style nothing and I do mean NOTHING will beat the penultimate leadership style of LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

Up until recently, there were very few real world examples of LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

The current and most relevant example is Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Yes, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the current situation with Russia invading Ukraine, the Zelenskyy is out there fighting to push back the invaders, he is also out there fighting on behalf of his country to more international support.

The Ukrainian President is out there, on the front lines, walking his talk. How many “leaders” do that on a daily basis. How many leaders, today, are willing to walk out there where the bullets are flying.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the definition of Leading From The Front. He is out there fighting for his country, his constituents, his family and for his life. He is the epitome of walking his talk. He could have opted to rule from behind a desk far from the fighting. Instead, he opts to walk out to where the bullets, mortars, missiles, and tank shells are flying.

Sure there are many politicians that “claim” they lead from the front. Without shame they claim that they are out there and “no one works harder for their constituents than they do”. Yet when the opportunity to go to the front comes, they go there in a chauffeured limo. Then the moment things look like they are going sideways these politicians duck back in, speed away. Soon they find comfort in their nice cozy, comfy office chairs as far away from the front-lines as they can get.

Then there are some political officials that will flat out ignore a direct order to go to the front-lines. When questioned about why they are not going to the front-lines, their only response is a dirty look and a “cackled” laugh. Next question, please.

So much for working hard or is it working hard at avoiding any hard work? I challenge anyone to prove me wrong or try to change my mind when it comes to those politicians.

But, this post is not only about politicians. It is also about business managers, military personnel and the countless others that want to be great leaders but do not want to put in the work. They may claim they are putting in the work but yet, they are continually found behind their desk managing by email or zoom or by text (this is the worst of all). Again, I ask how can you become great if you REFUSE to get your hands dirty.

Who does not want to be known as one of the great leaders of our time? I promise you this: The person is lying if they claim they do not want to be great.

Sure, some people may be satisfied with their life if they never are seen as great. Some may be perfectly fine if they can achieve some level of greatness. No matter if a little, some or none and sure as the sun rises, everyone wants to be great.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being great. As many have said (including myself) time and time again, to be great you have put in great work.

WORK! W-O-R-K!

There’s that nasty four-letter word. It will never go away especially when you want to do something and be something. You have to put in the work. THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO BEING GREAT.

However, you can move the process along by getting out there and Leading from the Front and by leading from the front means you are out there ACTIVELY participating.

You are out there NOT getting in the way. You are out there not for a photo-op but to actually do something that is helping. The following is what you can do to become a great leader:
Stand Up
Step Up
Go To The Front-lines
Dig Foxholes, Fill Sandbags, Chop Wood, Carry Water
Stay Out of The Way

That is it. It does not get any clearer and better than that. Get To Work!

Thank you for your time and consideration,
David G. Guerra, MBA