In the very beginning of The Power of Positive Leadership: How and Why Positive Leaders Transform Teams and Organizations and Change the World, Jon Gordon is very upfront about the fact that he is not a naturally positive person. Boy, can I relate! Most who know me will agree that I am usually stern-faced and deep in thought. They might say I am too serious to have fun. I like to think my personality is much better than advertised, but the jury is still out on that.
Even so, I have always wondered, if I am not being viewed as a positive person, how can I ever be put in a position that’s responsible for positive leadership? So, this book came at just the right time.
I had the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Jon’s book, The Power of Positive Leadership, as part of his launch team. As such, I’m sharing some observations here with you.
Have Positive Leadership to Create a Brighter Future
In television and life people get knocked down. Those who see themselves as victims stay down. But those who see themselves as heroes get back up and, armed with optimism, courage, and faith, they move forward and take action to create a brighter and better future.
What an awesome quote! One we need to remember. Too often, we like to play the victim. It’s the easiest trappings of life. To point a finger and cast blame. When we cast ourselves in the role of victim, we have an excuse. It’s our “get out of jail free” card.
We’re really just imprisoning ourselves, though.
Similarly, as a leader, you must be careful not to force others into a state of victimhood. You also must recognize when they have put themselves there and help them to gain release.
As Jon says, realize your people are facing the battle between faith and fear every day. “You job,” he says, is to “inspire them with faith.”
Most of us are not naturals when it comes to positive leadership. We have to work at developing and refining that skill. Jon Gordon’s book, The Power of Positive Leadership is a practical and valuable guide to help you grow your positive leadership muscles.
The Value of Positive Leadership
Teams where positive leadership is a persistent thread will be teams that more effectively work together. Also, they can stay positive, connected and committed as they battle various challenges. Even better, they maximize each other’s talents.
Why? Because, when they believe together the achieve together.
As their leader, your followers want to know 1.) can I trust you? And 2.) do you care about me?
We are not all naturals at positive leadership. So we have to work at developing and refining this skill set. If you’re looking to grow your positive leadership muscles, start with those two questions.
Devote Yourself to Positive Leadership
The book, in many ways, reads a lot like a devotional. There are nine main sections, such as “Positive Leaders Create and Share a Positive Vision,” “Positive Leaders Create United and Connected Teams,” and “Positive Leaders Have Grit.” Each of those sections has a handful of micro-sections, helping the reader to apply practices and/or be inspired by true testimonies speaking to the larger topic.
If you’re want to learn more about “Leading with Purpose,” you have nine different sub-sections to dig into! Or maybe you want to explore the ways that positive leaders “Drive Positive Cultures.” Go to that section and read about how culture beats strategy or how to inspire a feeling culture.
The options for application are varied.
The point is, though, that you can find wisdom in many fronts. Wisdom that both develops you and helps you positively develop your team.
Buy the Power of Positive Leadership on Amazon