Steve Leonard’s Post

10.05.2024: USSuccessCenter's daily column, 'Forrest Allen Ward's Words,' ... intended to encourage and support. "When we look back on all the years of growing, maturing, and living the life we have always wanted, what is the common denominator in and around these accomplishments? It is Action! A long time ago, we figured out that we get discouraged and quit without action. We perform and perfect our actions every day. It is true that when hard-driving executives retire from their lofty positions, they die within a few months. Why? Because their actions made them succeed, but in retirement, there is no use for what they were used to. Many studies have shown people who live far into old age, yet they are happy, centered, and effective. Why would that be? Because these people have a zest for actions that make sense and satisfy them. There is a progression in our growth. Let's take the example of these 3 words: DistrACTION. TrACTION. ACTION. We find no use for distractions when we are on our way to stellar actions. After dropping 5 letters, the word becomes TrACTION. That is when we have our feet under us, and we are ready for what we must do. Once TrACTION is put into practice, we find that ACTION is there all the time for us to get more engaged and on our way to mastery. There is no mastery without action! Once these actions are completed, that is when we get SatisfACTION! Remember to have fun with all of this." - Forrest Allen Ward #ussuccesscenter #newpossibilities #leadership #significance #success #executiveleadership #leadershippresence #results #powerconnector #authenticleadership #network #globalcollaboration #leadership #workplaceculture #corporateculture #leadershipdevelopment #salescoaching #salesdevelopment

Leadership thought for the week Today or tomorrow? Modern life is designed to prevent us from living in the moment. We are swept along on a tide of work and domestic commitments with no time to pause, and time flies by. We then have societal pressures that drive us to focus on continual progress: more money, a bigger house, better holidays, the list goes on and on. All of this drives us to live in the future. We aspire to reach a different place where we believe things will be better. A key problem is that this process never ends; when we make progress on our goals, we normalise our new situation, move the goalposts and the process starts again. This is called the Hedonic Treadmill. But here’s a key realisation. None of us has a right to tomorrow. The current moment is yours, tomorrow is a gift you may receive, or you may not. This isn’t a morbid thought; it’s a universal truth. Ask yourself what you would do differently if you knew today was your last day … there may be much to learn from your answer. What’s the lesson for leaders? Well, at a personal level, absolutely strive for business growth and success, but make sure you enjoy the journey. Be focused at work, but find time for the things that really matter to you. Have a dream and a massive goal for the future, but frame these as exciting possibilities rather than being the only things that matter, unless of course they genuinely are for you. At the team level, recognise that even if you choose to focus on the future, that doesn’t mean everyone should; their focus on today doesn’t mean de facto that they lack ambition. Take time in team meetings to celebrate even small wins today; these will compound to the big wins tomorrow. As a final thought, reflect on this. If you live to a normal age for Western society, you have about 4,000 weeks in you. That’s it. Doesn’t seem like that much does it? If you want a real wake up call, in business terms that’s less than 350 quarters. Enjoy today. [PS: another picture of that wine for all the people who commented on it last time!]

# Beyond Understanding: The Practice of Impactful Leadership I just read this insightful World Economic Forum article on "5 Ways to Make an Impact as a Leader," and it sparked some thoughts I'd like to share with you... While the article brilliantly outlines the framework for impactful leadership, there's one crucial element I'd add: Intentional Practice. You see, in our coaching sessions focused on finding meaning in life, we often discover that understanding your 'why' is just the beginning. The real transformation happens in the daily practice of living those values. Take the Tibetan protocol for finding meaning in life, for instance. Its power lies not just in identifying your values and purpose, but in the conscious, intentional practice of living them out. This is where Personal Leadership becomes tangible and transformative. Looking at the article's five aspects through this lens: ✓ It's not enough to identify your passion - you must actively pursue it ✓ Don't just decide to act - create daily practices that ensure action ✓ Don't just rethink risk - regularly challenge your comfort zone ✓ Don't just pursue respect - practice making principled decisions daily ✓ Don't just know your legacy - live it out in every choice you make The article (which I highly recommend reading - it's short but impactful) provides an excellent foundation. But remember: Understanding these principles is just step one. The real impact comes from turning them into daily practices. What's your experience with this? How do you bridge the gap between understanding leadership principles and actually living them? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #PersonalLeadership #IntentionalLiving #LeadershipImpact #PracticeOverTheory P.S. If you're interested in exploring how to turn leadership understanding into practice, let's connect. This is exactly what we focus on in our meaning-finding protocol sessions. 🚀 https://lnkd.in/dw9CT3D2

As an executive coach, I often encounter leaders hesitant to make the difficult decision to end an activity or program that seems healthy and thriving. Henry Cloud's book "Necessary Endings" brilliantly normalizes the emotions that can occur when an ending is needed. Cloud illustrates that sometimes, we need to prune even the healthy aspects of our lives or organizations to make room for more significant, flourishing growth. Imagine a tree in your garden – to promote its overall health and vibrant growth, you occasionally need to trim even the seemingly strong branches. This proactive pruning fosters the sprouting of new, healthier branches, leading to a more robust and resilient tree. In leadership, this principle is paramount. Recognizing when to let go, even of good things, is a sign of strategic vision and strength. By doing so, you create space for innovation, development, and a thriving environment for your team and yourself. To get more insights from this great book, you can get a copy here - https://amzn.to/3RLVBS0 #NecessaryEndings #HenryCloud #LeadershipDevelopment #AwarenessActionAccountability

Redefine Leadership by Breaking Old Habits True leadership begins with personal growth and the courage to break unproductive habits. By stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change, you can develop the skills necessary to inspire others and achieve greater success. For instance, practicing active listening and being open to constructive feedback can significantly improve your team's performance and trust in your leadership. Learn more via the link. #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #SuccessMindset #TheSalesBlog

Change is never easy; it's often uncomfortable and messy. But the good news is it doesn't have to be so hard. With the right mindset and approach, leaders can lead their teams through change successfully. However, doing so requires avoiding the danger of past success and knowledge, counter the risks that make people change-averse, and understand and acknowledge people's fears. #ChangeManagement #Leadership #Management

Just Be You: Your Presence is Your Power 💫 At times, self-doubt can cloud our perception of the impact we have on others. But remember, you don't need to strive for perfection to inspire people. Simply being yourself—authentic, kind, and dedicated—can leave a lasting impression on those around you. Your presence can uplift a room and influence others in ways you may not even realize.There are people out there who are inspired by your potential—by the way you approach life and your challenges, even if you don't always see it. Leadership isn't always about loud gestures or bold statements; often, it’s about quietly showing up, being resilient, and staying true to your values. As Brené Brown says, “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.” It is this authenticity that makes you magnetic. People are drawn to those who lead with heart, and by just being YOU, you're already motivating others. Don't let self-doubt or external voices undermine your potential. Surround yourself with those who see and celebrate your strengths, and always remember that your uniqueness is your greatest asset. #Motivation #MentalHealth #BeYourself #Leadership #SelfWorth #PersonalGrowth

“Marks and Scars - A Journey of Leadership and Healing” As someone who has spent over two decades leading and building teams across the Caribbean, I’ve prided myself on leaving marks - marks of growth, empowerment, and positive transformation. In every role I’ve held, I’ve done my best to shape cultures, mentor talent, and ensure that the legacies left behind were ones to build upon. Those were my marks - reminders that I was here, that I made an impact. But my previous role, well, it left me with something different. Scars. We all know them too well. Scars aren’t just physical; they’re the invisible reminders of betrayal, toxic leadership, and workplaces where survival often feels more important than thriving. My time in that space - a role that should have been one of the pinnacles of my career - left me with more than just experiences. It left me with scars from individuals who wore the title of leader but acted far from it. It’s in those moments, though, that I’ve found strength. Scars don’t define us - they remind us. They remind us of what we’ve endured, how far we’ve come, and how much more capable we are of rising above. I know I’m not alone in this. Many of us have faced toxic environments where leaders leave scars instead of nurturing marks. This brings me to the incredible work of Stefanie Costi, whose insightful posts have resonated with me on many levels. Stefanie, your commitment to calling out toxic leadership and promoting cultures of support, respect, and true growth is something we need more of in the corporate world. You’ve encouraged me to reflect, heal, and remind others that real leaders should leave lasting impressions of growth, not lasting wounds. To anyone reading this: If you find yourself collecting more scars than marks, don’t wait. Take stock, reflect, and - most importantly - move. You owe it to yourself to seek environments that elevate, not tear down. Here’s to leaving marks, not scars. #Leadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #ToxicLeadership #Healing #Growth #StefanieCosti #LeadershipMarks

#Life has a way of coming full circle.✨🌟 Today, I found myself sitting across from a man who not only shaped my career but also left an indelible mark on how I approach #leadership, #humility, and #gratitude—Mr. Manish Kumar, my erstwhile boss at NSDC. The day he hired me feels like a distant yet vivid memory. I was just starting out—a junior resource, eager to prove myself but unsure of my place in the vastness of the professional world. Little did I know I was stepping into the orbit of someone whose #leadership was as understated as it was profound. Mr. Kumar wasn’t just a #boss; he was a quiet force of #inspiration. What struck me early on was his remarkable attention to the small, seemingly ordinary gestures that spoke volumes about his personality. For instance, every SMS 📲 he sent would end with “Regards” irrespective of the hierarchy of the recipient. A simple word, but one that carried respect and grace. And then there was his way of saying “Many thanks”—just one extra word added to a common “Thanks” made all the difference. It made you feel seen, appreciated, and #valued, no matter your role or contribution. It was a masterclass in leadership 💎wrapped in something as simple as a phrase. Meeting him again today, after a few years, was a deeply humbling experience. Time may have passed, but his wisdom remains timeless. As we spoke, I found myself once again in awe of his ability to listen intently, offer guidance that felt both practical and insightful, and see the bigger picture when I could only see fragments. Leadership, I’ve come to realize, isn’t about grand gestures 🛎️ or loud declarations. 📣 It’s in the subtleties—in the way you treat others, the words you choose, and the respect you give. Leadership is not always about leading others, but about #liftingthem. Thank you, Manish Sir (as I call you), for your quiet influence, and for the invaluable lessons that I carry with me every day. Here’s to #mentors who shape us in ways that last a lifetime. #RespectfulBehaviour #Leadership #Mentorship

11.24.2024: 'Forrest Allen Ward's Words,' a daily column ... intended to encourage and support. "Negative thinking can be tricky because once a negative idea appears, we tend to resist it, fight against it, and wind up exhausted. You can find negative thinking when things do not go as you thought they would. Usually, there is no foundation for being negative. It just appears and we are tempted to deny it, try to reason with it, and allow these ideas to dominate us without much hope for being positive to flourish. We can find relief from these draining thoughts as we learn to notice them without fighting them. Negative thinking is based on assessments, conjecture, and faulty reasoning. Unless we stand for making a positive contribution, negativity rampantly shows up and invades our perceptions while dismaying our reaching for goals that are worth our while. We either have reasons for advancing or we have excuses to the contrary. Be bold enough to have a clear vision for your life and allow that vision to become the hallmark of a life well-lived. Distance yourself from negativity and uphold your promises, requests, and declarations that express your vision. Negativity is always a reaction to something or someone. Our vision keeps us on task with what is important and ensures that we respond appropriately. Do you want to be a person who reacts or responds? It is possible you can have the life you have always wanted ... and being negative never gets you that life. A vision that rips you out of bed every day assures you are far from merely being motivated. A positive vision helps you sort out distractions, disappointments, and delays in getting what you ultimately have chosen. Surround yourself with those who are advancing their lives away from negativity. Rise beyond the circumstances. Negativity is only another circumstance while positivity shows us how to be effective and efficient daily. Choose wisely! The choice to be positive will lead you to instances and people who are worth your participation." - Forrest Allen Ward #ussuccesscenter #newpossibilities #leadership #significance #success #executiveleadership #leadershippresence #results #powerconnector #authenticleadership #network #globalcollaboration #leadership #workplaceculture #corporateculture #leadershipdevelopment #salescoaching #salesdevelopment