Lead Through Adversity and Change

Universally acknowledged as one of the world’s wisest leaders, King Solomon, applied leadership principles that are as relevant and powerful today as they were in his own time. This article examines the importance of leading through adversity and change always learning and growing as a person and a leader.

King Solomon, a leader synonymous with wisdom, says: “The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.”

Wise leaders are always preparing themselves and their group to meet the future. They create a positive and optimistic approach to support themselves and others. To learn how to lead is largely a matter of getting acquainted with the development we are a part of, constantly seeking knowledge and new information that will move things forward.

Development takes place all the time. We are in a never-ending process of transitioning from yesterday, to today and towards tomorrow. The world is changing physically, socially, and economically at this very minute. When we recognize that life itself is about development, our task becomes to creatively resolve the various situations we encounter and to see things in new and different ways.

We can all count on situations where we will experience adversities, difficulties or problems. But by accepting change as a natural part of life and leadership, we are taking important steps towards renewal. In effect, we are setting ourselves up to learn more of life’s exciting journey.Wise leaders realize that success is right on the other side of perceived failures. They see failure as a part of the process of development and as an opportunity to gain experience and to learn. They are constantly asking new questions, and that opens up new perspectives.

Solomon says, “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.”

Failures contribute to the discovery of weaknesses. Then our analysis of what occurred makes it possible for us to gain support, practice, and learn so we can strengthen what was weak. So, even if this sounds rather strange, we actually learn more from failure than success.

Wise leaders consider adversity as temporary information on how far they have come on their journey. Using adversity, they mobilize people to gain new energy and power for the next step. They examine perceived failure for the learning inherent in it, and they communicate in a way that produces positive energy in their group, thus building an incentive to take even stronger action.

As Solomon noted, “The swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle. Wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous.”

Wise leaders realize that – as many say – life is not fair. We are sometimes struck unfairly by losses, which may be heavy burdens to bear. But even when we suffer considerable losses, we still have something most valuable left, something that no loss can take away: The freedom and power to choose how we will respond to life situations and events, and how we intend to address other people we encounter along the way.

Next to life itself, the power of choice is our greatest gift. Wise leaders know that It’s not what happens to us – but what happens in us that really counts so they choose to respond constructively to life events and situations. They choose to turn the negative into something positive and learn from it. They choose to be grateful for life’s trials – which they view only as opportunities for learning.

We all have access to that power within us. We have to accept life as it is and balance what we receive against that which we expect, so we always will maintain a positive movement forward.

Solomon advises, “Don’t you know that this good man, though you trip him up seven times, will each time rise again?”

Wise leaders draw strength from setbacks and learn from failures. They realize that trials make people to grow, that the suffering teaches us patience and patience develops internal strength and character. We mature. They know that the more experience they gain and the more setbacks they overcome the better and stronger leaders they will become.

Therefore, they are working hard on themselves and their groups to look at every situation from newer and greater perspective. They retain the view that gives them the strength and energy to proceed with commitment and interest. We are especially important for each other, to support each other in such an approach.

Solomon tells us, “Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow – perhaps it all will.”

During challenging periods, wise leaders focus on short-term objectives and progress, and they strengthen initiative and the ability to act. Accomplishing small steps gives encouragement to go further and strengthen the group’s self-confidence and sense of being successful. Each day, step-by-step dealing with and resolving opportunities, information, and issues that we are facing, brings forward the best in us. This is how we grow!

Solomon says: “Look straight ahead; don’t even turn your head to look.”

Wise leaders teach themselves and their group to identify the focus of concern—that which they can directly affect and that which they can affect in a process forward. They continue with determination to gather experience, which they then turn into wisdom. They renew their group’s cultures and in this way build the new society. Wise leaders feel the deep pleasure and the call to create the new, better, and greater.

To become a wiser leader:

• View life as a constant process of development.
• View perceived setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Balance what you receive against what you expect.
• Help your group to analyze in all the different situations what they did well, what could be developed further, and how others have done.
• Focus on short-term objectives and progress in tough periods, which creates energy and positive ambition to keep moving in the face of adversity.
• Know that the situation is never as bad as it seems and never as good as it can be.

I encourage you to reflect and act on the following questions as seeds for your own self-exploration and development:

1. What experience has been vital for your development?
2. What turning points have there been in your life?
3. What have you learned from life so far about what is most important to you?
4. What personal challenge are you facing today?
5. What are you going to do about it today?
6. Think of 2-3 short-term objectives you can focus on get you closer to overcoming your greatest challenge.

Lead With Possibility Thinking

Universally acknowledged as one of the world’s wisest leaders, King Solomon, applied leadership principles that are as relevant and powerful today as they were in his own time. This article examines the importance of leading with possibility thinking to inspire, encourage and motivate everybody around us.

King Solomon, a leader synonymous with wisdom, says: “ The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.”

Wise leaders are possibility thinkers. They look for opportunities for development, where others are talking about problems.

The aim of wise leaders is to develop the accepted facts so they can create the new, better, or greater “something” that will endure over their lifetime and well beyond.

With the big picture of the desired situation in mind, leaders seek a perspective that stimulates new ways of thinking and viewing. This releases energy into planning programs and activities for moving ahead.

In the same way, wise leaders support their team in the direction of their envisioned positive future. They impart their vision complete with attractive opportunities for team members to create and contribute to greater value for customers, employees and stakeholders. Not only do they inspire the team, but they also support each individual so all team members are lined up and happily pulling in the same direction.

Solomon advises, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

Our thoughts are powerful resource in creating what we want – or don’t want. They direct our actions and shape our lives and futures.

Whatever we dwell upon and think about grows and expands in our individual lives. Our thoughts are like seeds in a garden. What we plant today will grow tomorrow. If we plant roses, we reap roses. If we plant weeds, we will reap weeds.

When we are focusing our thoughts toward a positive future we become more full of energy, self-confidence and joy. Each situation we face becomes a positive one when we decide to see it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop toward the achievement of our deepest dreams.

As Solomon noted, “The wicked man’s fears will all come true, and so will the good man’s hopes.”

When we focus on the possibility of success, we will act decisively and with optimism. We realize – that is we make real – that which we see within us. If we are seeing success, we will certainly move in that direction.

All things are created twice: First inside, in our thinking, and then outside, in our doing. We are creating first mentally what we then physically implement, step-by-step, in our development process.

When we grow in possibility thinking, we are moving ourselves towards what we want. The opposite is problem thinking that concentrates on what is not working or is wrong.

A possibility thinker moves the question from “What it is that is not working?” To “What do we need to do to make it work?”

A wise leader strengthens the group by encouraging members to focus on the positive side of every situation and to see each other as resources for their development and success.

Solomon advises, “Only a simpleton believes what he is told! A prudent man checks to see where he is going.”

Thinking positively of the future is not the same as being naive.

Even if wise leaders are optimistic and recognize the positive about the future, they understand that setbacks, difficulties and suffering will come. It is a natural part of life and entrepreneurship that strengthen the passion and the purpose.

Solomon tells us, “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

To become a wiser leader:

• See the future as a possibility and an asset.
• Constantly look for opportunities for development.
• Focus your thoughts on what you want to achieve.
• Be aware that you are creating that which you expect – so expect what you want!
• Believe in yourself and your capacity.
• Look at other people as an abundant resource for development and success.
• Recognize that it is your choices, decisions, and actions, not your circumstances that determine how the future will be.
• Look for that which is good and constructive in all situations.
• Embrace humor and laugh at yourself and your situation now and then.
• Regularly exercise and [save energy?] in a playful way.

I encourage you to reflect and act on the following questions as seeds for your own self-exploration and development:

1. Do you see yourself as an optimist or a pessimist?
2. Do you focus your thoughts on what you want to see happen in the future?
3. Is your attitude strong and positive? Is it hesitant or negative?
   Determine the attitude that can best help you the rest of the day. Create a picture of that inside you. Can you see how you radiate a positive attitude and well-being as the picture clarifies and solidifies?
   What would happen if you made up your mind to help to raise other people’s spirits and attitudes? Make a decision to do that at this moment. Remember, what you give out you will receive.
4. If you are in a leadership position, reflect on how you can help your team to more clearly see the positive value that each member of team is contributing to the team’s overall success. For example, start your next meeting with your team by asking everyone to share 2-3 things that he or she is most proud of having accomplished since the last time you met?

Reflect and act on these Questions this week

First read through Part 1- 6 about how to Lead by example.

I present you with the following questions and exercises to reflect over, as seeds for your own exploration and development.

This week take an honest “look in the mirror” to see if your actions are aligned with what you preach.

1. Take note of the decisions and choices you are making, from how you start your day until the last thing you do in the evening before you go to sleep.

Ask yourself – are what I chose to do aligned with what matters to me and with what I want to stand for?

2. What do I need to be more aware of in my life and leadership?

3. What can I start doing to show and communicate more clearly what I stand for in my life and leadership?

Part 6

We all possess a greater potential within us. The question is where we find the situation and the persons that can attract this greater betterment that we carry within us.

How I can create my future and how I can lift my surroundings will be the key questions for my leadership.

Wise leaders realize that there is only one way to go. It is to deepen one’s own awareness of and confidence in the future.

The example and responsibility that lay before us as leaders are to always operate for the good, a better future, and a better world.

This is a deep conviction of the values that possess a weight and validity beyond one’s own self, and which gives life qualities and larger dimensions.

To summarize this week

To become a wiser leader:
• Lead by example by acting in accordance with higher values.
• What you as the leader spends time and attention to count.
• Be trustworthy by serving as a model and good example.
• Align what you practice with what you preach.
• It’s not only what you do, but also HOW you do what you do.
• Keep your commitments and promises to the entire group.
• Create the arena for your employee’s success.
• Deal with your environment with dignity and respect.
• Have the highest demands of yourself.
• Be the model of the behavior you want to see when it comes to relationships, attitudes, and work habits.
• Always operate for the good, a better future, and a better world.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead using your most precious asset”.

I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead using your most precious asset the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 5

Wise leaders understand their role to create the arena for their employee’s success. The arena makes it possible to interact in a winning way in relation to its surroundings.

We as individuals are unique and at the same time complementary and need a supportive leadership to develop fully.

Some leaders create leadership by enthusiasm when facing a task with themselves at the center.

Others lead by providing a clear picture of the situation and opportunities.

Others still have a more orderly manner to lead their group further to the development, taking it step by step.

A wise leader provides a sense of continuity for the team and defines limits that all have to comply with, mainly the leader himself.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 4

Wise leaders walk the talk. They know that its not what they say, but what they do that count. They keep their promises and commit to do the right thing.

By keeping promises to themselves and their environment they build confidence and trust.

This is the source for excellent performance from themselves as well as the group creating value and lasting success.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 3

Wise leaders know the best way to integrate values and ethics into the thinking of their coworkers is by modeling good character and excellent performance themselves.

They know that it’s not only what they do, but also HOW they do what they do that count.

We expect our leaders to set a good example and act in an exemplary and positive way.

Wise and effective leaders live as they learn through acting in accordance with vision and values.

As the saying goes: Our actions say more than words. That our words and deeds are aligned constitutes the basis for credibility of leadership.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 2

Wise leaders know the importance of being trustworthy.

They align what they practice with what they preach.

They do what they say they will do.

When the environment sees that words and deeds are consistent, it creates credibility. And it is through being credible that a leader can bring a long-term commitment in the group.

When you lead by example, you make it easy for others to follow you.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Part 1

Wise leaders lead by example by acting in accordance with higher values.

Those values permeate confidence in their behavior ranging from creating good relations to completing the task fully. Quality, creativity and consistency are the key words.

What the leader spends time and attention to counts. They deliberately devote time to the group’s viability and development.

Supporting both the group and the individual becomes the norm in that it gives higher priority and greater focus.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead by example”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead by example the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

Reflect and act on these Questions this week

First read through Part 1- 6 about how to Lead using your most precious asset.

I present you with the following questions and exercises to reflect over, as seeds for your own exploration and development.

1. What single activity within your professional—or private—life would, if it were done regularly, be of crucial importance for your desired results and your wellbeing?

2. How can you use more of your time for this activity?

3. Write down three other activities that also would mean very much to your development.

4. Find a key person/a mentor you have great confidence in. This could be a friend, your spouse or a relative, that you trust and feel open with – so that you can discuss these issues in order to come to your unique solution.

This will support you in your development and help you keep focused!