3 Steps to Becoming a Leader for Change

In this post I’ll provide 3 steps on how we can become “Leaders for Change”.  I will use the 3R concept of (Recognition, Reconciliation and Reconnection) as the framework for this discussion.

It's important to recognize that leading for change is just as important in our homes as it is in the corporate world, our place of work or worship. For the rest of this post I will use the term organization to refer to any group to which we belong.

Change constantly occurs all around us. Just take a look at the auto industry with the use of hybrid and electric cars. Also take a look at the proliferation of cell phones and tablet computers. Personally, I am amazed at how often I purchase major items off the Internet from the comfort of my own home. I would not have done these things 10 years ago.

Change is a nonnegotiable part of life and can either be embraced or rejected.

Step 1.       As leaders it's our job to recognize that if our environment does not change, it will stagnate. We must be aware of those changes that will benefit our organization. Then visualize how to seamlessly integrate this change into the fabric of our organization. Now this is where the rub comes in.

Change is never easy to implement. Dr. Peter Senge, author of “The 5th Discipline”, said: “People don't resist change. They resist being changed!”  The reason is that most of us are creatures of habit and in many cases will do whatever it takes to avoid changing these habits. Even though we know in our heart of hearts that a change is necessary.

Step 2.       As leaders we must figure out a way to reconcile those in our organization to the benefits of change. To accomplish this we must be great communicators as well as visionaries. We must communicate the need for this change to those in our group, in order to gain their cooperation.  

For example, how many have ever tried to get teenagers to wake up an hour earlier than normal without threatening them to within an inch of their life? It can be done, but it's not easy.

So far, we have visualized a change that will benefit our organization. We have reconciled the members of our group to the need for this change.

Step 3.       Now we must reconnect back into every day working operations.

Even though everyone has agreed to and signed off on the change, we are sure to encounter resistance at this point and find unexpected bumps in the road. This is to be expected. Change doesn't happen overnight. It is a process and as leaders for change we must be persistent and patient in its implementation.

In summary, in order to become leaders for change we must:

1. Recognize the need for change and how it applies to our organization.
2. Reconcile those in our organization to the benefits of the desired change.
3. Reconnect this desired outcome into daily working operations.

Thank you & God Bless!

Emergency Steps to Conquer Fear

If anyone ever tells you they’ve never experienced fear, they're liars! In this post I'll teach the importance of using your three-part nature to overcome paralyzing fear in a manner that keeps you calm, confident and creative while remaining connected to your goals and ultimate life’s purpose.

I’m reminded of the time when I was a crewman aboard a “fast-attack” nuclear submarine performing  high-speed under water maneuvers that we called "angles and dangles". The stern planes failed in a full-dive position and everyone knew it was only a matter of seconds before the water pressure would literally crush us. I was at my post in the control room when an amazing sequence of events took place. Although we were plunging towards certain death, no one panicked and the crew quickly, efficiently and successfully executed a set of emergency procedures that brought the boat under control.

Here’s a list of emergency procedures to help you overcome your fears and bring your life under control: 

1.    Recognize that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Trust your spiritual nature and know that it acts as your mentor to guide you through this difficult time or situation. 

 2.    Be honest about the situation.
Don't pretend that there are no difficulties or try to persuade others they don't exist. This is like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand and pretending what it fears isn’t there. 

 3.    Search for something in your present circumstance or situation that will prove useful to you.
This step could be as simple as taking responsibility for your role in creating the situation. The accomplishment of this step will allow you to help others avoid similar circumstances in the future. 

 4.    Act in a quick and definite manner to defeat your fears.
This is where our intellectual nature plays a major role. Start immediately and create a plan. Any plan that keeps you in touch with your spiritual nature and overcomes your fear. It doesn't have to be perfect since you can modify it as necessary. 

 5.    Be Strong and Courageous.
Trust that there are unlimited resources available in both the material and nonmaterial realms. You are only limited by your imagination. 

 6.    Stay connected to your spiritual nature.
I'm assuming that your spiritual nature is occupied by a benevolent higher power or force that continually directs you towards the highest and best good of everyone involved. 

 7.    Forget the past.
Although it may seem difficult, this step is very important. When your mind is focused on the past you can’t see or take advantage of present opportunities. Also, when you’re focused on the past or worried about the future, the link with your spiritual nature is broken. 

 8.    Know that there really is nothing to fear.
As you complete the prior 7 steps, you will watch your fears dissipate like dark shadows as you approach them with the light of action and purpose.

 The take away from this post is to know that when you are properly connected to your three-part nature there is no power here, above or below able to keep you from accomplishing that, which you are created to do.

Here's hoping that you live today and every day passionately and with purpose. Thank you and God bless.  

Discover a New, Little Known Secret to Success

I have spent the last few posts discussing the concept of success and shared how it is applicable to anyone (corporate leaders, single-parents or individuals experiencing traumatic change in their life). I defined success as: "Gaining or attaining the desires of our heart" and concluded that it's not necessarily related to finances, material possessions, who we know or where we go.

Now, I’d like to share with you a surefire framework that will guarantee success. This framework uses a concept I call: The 3R’s.  This concept came about during a period of self-reflection and personal growth where I looked back over my life and tried to determine the infinitesimal difference between success and failure. I used this concept to write and publish my book titled: “The 3R's of Spiritual Growth”.  The 3R's are: Recognition, Reconciliation and Reconnection. This framework can be utilized by anyone to successfully address and solve any of life’s problems areas.

The first step is to Recognize the impartial forces, factors and issues that are at work in our life and influence how we respond to it. We then recognize our negative core beliefs, which hinder us from attaining our goals.

Next, we learn how to set goals that are aligned with who and what we are. Much of our stress occurs when we set goals or desire objects that have been attained or belong to someone else which are not aligned with our purpose for living. This easily happens when we allow our desires to run rampant and influence our activities. These are the times when our lives really begin to get out of whack.

The cool part about the 3R framework is that it recognizes each and every one of us has a purpose for living that only we can achieve. This framework provides us with comfort and satisfaction as we proceed towards our goals by helping us stay in touch with our 3-part nature.

Next, we Reconcile where we are in life with what we want and desire. We do this by taking responsibility for the circumstances and situations in which we find ourselves.  We then develop a plan that moves us in the direction of our desired success. Along this path we will employ our understanding of “The Law of Cause and Effect” which simply says: “We choose how we experience life”.

Finally we take what we learned and Reconnect back into every nook, cranny, circumstance and situation in our life. We apply what we've recognized and reconciled into those areas of our life that aren’t working. When we accomplish this we will find that: our stress will be reduced, our health will improve and we will be able to experience life's unspeakable joys by remaining in the present moment and trusting in our new ability to successfully respond to whatever life throws our way.

This 3R framework can be easily taught to anyone desiring it. I hope that you have enjoyed this post and here's hoping that you live today and every day passionately and with purpose. Thank you and God bless.