Category: Leadership Skills

3 Things Successful People Do

Successful people do what is right no matter how they feel, and by doing right, they feel good. - John C. Maxwell

This month, I’ve focused on “The Simple” from Proverbs 7.  The Simple chase success through the following:

  • Wealth: Probably the most common misunderstanding about success is that it’s the same as having money.  King Solomon of ancient Israel, said to be not only the wisest but also the richest man who ever lived, asserted, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.”
  • A Special Feeling: Another common misconception is that people have achieved success when they feel successful or happy. But trying to feel successful is probably even more difficult than trying to become wealthy.
  • Specific and Worthwhile Possessions: Possessions are at best a temporary fix. Success cannot be attained or measured that way.
  • Power: Charles McElroy once joked, “Power is usually recognized as an excellent short-term antidepressant.”  English historian Lord Acton said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Power really is a test of character.
  • Achievement: Many people have “destination disease.” They believe that if they can arrive somewhere—attain a position, accomplish a goal, or have a relationship with the right person—they will be successful.

John Maxwell provides a roadmap that will change your life in his book 3 Things Successful People Do, which are:

  1. Knowing your purpose in life
  2. Growing to reach your maximum potential
  3. Sowing seeds that benefit others

Click here to learn more about Maxwell’s 3 Things

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

Everybody has value; even if to serve as a bad example. - Attila the Hun
When you consider, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” who is the last name that comes to mind?  Perhaps it’s Attila the Hun.

During his reign, Attila the Hun was one of the most feared enemies of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires.  In a second-hand description, Jordanes describes Attila this way, “He was a man born into the world to shake the nations, the scourge of all lands, who in some way terrified all mankind by the dreadful rumors noised abroad concerning him. He was haughty in his walk, rolling his eyes hither and thither, so that the power of his proud spirit appeared in the movement of his body.  He was indeed a lover of war…”

Interestingly, Dr. Jose Bolton—a retired Air Force Colonel, who was a key advisor and mentor of mine in the Johnson Space Center’s HR Development Office—offered me a book along with this advice, as he returned to the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, “My best for you as you lead the team.”

I had just been named the HR Director for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and Dr. Bolton gave me a copy of Dr. Wess Roberts’ Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun.

Over the years, I learned to heed Dr. Bolton’s advice, so I quickly read the book.  Here, I’ve distilled a summary for you.

Click here to continue