Leadership Strengthens Community

April 23, 2013 By Greg Richardson

Creating and strengthening a productive community is central to leadership. Leaders strengthen community when they make things clearer. Leaders do the work that it takes to recognize and appreciate their own core values and principles, and mentor other people in doing that deep work as well. Leaders focus their values into vision that points the way, and goals and objectives that motivate people to grow and learn. Leaders translate when there is confusion, resolve conflicts that get in the way,... Read more

Finding Our Depth

April 20, 2013 By Greg Richardson

Each of us finds depth for ourselves. Sometimes our depth journeys take us in the same direction. We find ourselves exploring depth in similar places, and are able to encourage and support each other. Many people have assisted me, and I have assisted many people. You and I, though, each have a unique thirst for depth. While I cannot tell you where to find depth, I might be able to help you become a wiser or stronger explorer. Depth is with... Read more

Focus Pocus

April 18, 2013 By Greg Richardson

I have been told that focus is one of my great strengths. I have also been described as having an Attention Surplus Disorder. Focus is not magic, like it is for television detectives who pretend to be psychics. I pay attention. When I focus on something, it is often a challenge for me to let it go. Once I am committed to an idea, a person, a course of action, it takes a great deal of effort for me to... Read more

Leadership Transforms

April 16, 2013 By Greg Richardson

Leadership is transformational. Leadership transforms leaders. The core essence of leadership is recognizing and growing into your true self. People who are asleep to themselves may plan and set goals, develop strategies, and manage well. Becoming a leader is impossible without knowing who you are and leading yourself first. Leadership grows from your core values, what you have believed and valued for as long as you can remember. Deepening your appreciation for who you are and what you value, leading... Read more

Rising to New Depths

April 13, 2013 By Greg Richardson

Part of the challenge is that when we hear the word “depth” we sense danger. We assume that going deeper in life is like diving in water. Deeper feels more dangerous than being on the surface. We need special qualifications and equipment to go deeper. We could go too far or come back to the surface too quickly. We assume that we will get lost if we go deeper, like going deep into the wilderness. Deeper is further away from... Read more

Once Upon a Time

April 11, 2013 By Greg Richardson

I know people who hunger for fairy tale lives. They want to meet someone and fall in love, have a fairy tale wedding, create the perfect family, and live happily ever after. They want to vanquish the villain, slay the dragon, and live happily ever after. I cannot fault them for wanting everything to work out well. It may not be the life I want; each of us gets to recognize the desires of our own hearts. What I question... Read more

Leadership and Reflection

April 9, 2013 By Greg Richardson

There was a long time when I did not appreciate the value of reflection. My life and leadership were based in action, without much real depth. I tend to be pretty focused, motivated by achieving goals, and very analytical. Those qualities helped fuel my approach to life and leadership. I was comfortable solving problems and reaching conclusions. Rational and analytical thinking felt linear, as if my mind was moving from point to point toward a goal. Reflection is different. For... Read more

A Matter of Life and Depth

April 6, 2013 By Greg Richardson

I do not see myself as a very deep person. My experience tells me that I am much better at being focused, at paying attention, than at being deep or profound. My background is more strategic, more about achieving results. I am only now beginning to trust my intuition. Most of the deepest times for me have been situations into which I have stumbled. I am fairly clueless about the implications of a meeting and ask a question out of... Read more

Strategy Translates Depth into Action

April 4, 2013 By Greg Richardson

Leadership is built on depth. I am able to lead with authenticity and integrity only as I recognize and appreciate who I really am. My leadership grows out of my core values, and is encouraged and fed by the time I spend in reflection. I am not leading when I simply meet the expectations of other people; my leadership is grounded in who I am and who I am becoming. Leadership flows out of wisdom. At the same time, leadership... Read more

Leadership is About Growing

April 2, 2013 By Greg Richardson

Leadership is about growing. Leaders grow, and they engender growth in others. Leaders grow. The experiences that motivate us the most as leaders are the times when we grow the most. We grow wiser or more effective as we learn from our mistakes. We grow deeper as we gain more intimate appreciation for our truest selves. We grow into new responsibilities to meet new challenges, and we may grow complacent. We grow by working as well as we can, and... Read more