10 Ripple Effects Of Leadership

Do you understand that the behaviors and decisions you make today determine tomorrow’s success?  This is one of the sobering and liberating aspects of leadership.  Our actions today have ripple effects that could be felt for years. 

I am amazed at the recent hypocrisy of the NFL’s stance on “devastating hits”.  Players will now be fined and/or suspended as a result of head shots or hard hits.  Rather than give my opinions, ESPN’s Mark Schlereth says it better than any of us ever could.  Check out the link below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Nlez1Gs3I&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0]

The NFL has in essence created monsters roaming the countryside and now they want to cage the monsters.  It’s too late.  The question for leaders will be “Is it too late for you to cage the monsters roaming the countryside that YOUR leadership has created?”

Here are decisions we make everyday that will cause ripple effects and result in long-lasting consequences, either good or bad.

1. Family – Is your career ambitions marginalizing your time with your spouse and children?
2. Health – Are you eating properly and getting enough exercise and sleep? 
3. Relationships – Are you purposeful about developing relationships or are you going to one day wake up alone?
4. Learning – Thomas Jefferson once said “The only difference between people is the people they’ve met and books they’ve read.”  Are you a continual learner?
5. New Experiences – Forrest Gump once said “Been there.  Done that.”  Leaders should be Going There and Doing That.
6. Decisions – Are the decisions you are making profitable both now and in the future?
7. Preparation and Planning – Do you have a sustainable plan that carries you through good times and bad or are you constantly making knee-jerk decisions?
8. Finances – Are you making wise investments and not going in debt?
9. Generosity – Are developing more of an “open hand” with your financial resources, time, and possessions?
10. Emotions – Are you managing your emotions properly or is stress going to kill you?

However, for me the biggest ripple effect is what I do with the person of Jesus Christ – Are you growing in your faith daily?  I have found that for me this largely determines the success of the other ten.

The key to improving as a leader is not make this too difficult.  Just try to improve in each of these areas TODAY.  Take it one day at a time.  Once you string enough individual days together you will soon see a change in habits and behavior.

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