Leadership: 9 Ways to Successfully Navigate Changes, Tragedy and Triumph – Implementing the Never Give Up Perspective
Everyone is faced with hardships throughout their lives. The key to moving forward in the face of adversity is to learn how to successfully navigate changes and adapt a never give up perspective.
My entry into the world of professional speaking came about when I wrote my first book Kidjacked: A Father’s Story. It told the true events that rocked my world to its foundation. You see, when my kids Jonathan and Alexandra were 4 and 2 years old they were kidnapped and taken to the Middle East by the person I trusted most- their mother, my wife Liza! Leadership was not foremost on my mind, But as it turns out, it needed to be.
I was devastated, lost and emotionally trashed. And yet, I accomplished what few people said that could ever be done. I located them, came up with a less than fool proof plan and eventually was successful in getting them home to America! And, I had the honor and pleasure of raising them…except for a few moments in the teenage years! Today, my kids are grown, I’ve remarried and with the extraordinary help of my fantastic wife Meg, we raised two wonderful adults.
Today’s world is filled with horrific stories.
It’s difficult to pick up a paper, read an article online or talk to a coworker without discussing a school shooting, another woman being harassed or worse at work or cyber or personal bullying.
Okay, the bury our head in the sand approach is not working. And, we complain, almost in unison that this and that must end. Today! Yet, it all continues, we feel helpless and there often appears to be no end in sight. It requires individual leadership.
Feeling like crap, are you? Well, happily there IS something you and I can do. I learned it many years ago and I call it The Never Give Up Perspective.
Here’s how it works.
Are you old enough to remember when seat belts were often not worn in cars? No laws required it. How about drinking and driving? Smoking on airplanes? Same sex marriage? Legalized Marijuana? Laws, laws and more laws! So, how does change professionally and personally take root and grow into a movement and more? Here’s how change works and keeps going:
- Communication
- Sharing information
- Getting mad
- Losing someone/something you loved
- Doing something. Speaking up/speaking out
- Be brave
- Realizing that whatever you’re aiming for takes time
- Building a base of support
- Never ever under any circumstances giving up!
You have something(s) you’re passionate about at work. Something that MUST change.
We all do. Be that voice. Be brave. Know that others feel the same way and are looking for a leader to support
You’ve seen the ugly in life. You’ve seen the inappropriate in the workplace. The leader is you. The first move is yours.
Moms got MAD and driving while drunk laws changed.
People did not want others smoking on the plane and in restaurants/bars. Laws were enacted.
People wanted people to marry whomever they choose. Laws were changed.
Seatbelts-new laws
Inappropriate behavior in the workplace- laws, regulations and PEOPLE being brave and speaking up!
Kids kidnapped– Moved forward, fell down many times and never gave up. So, did all of the women and men who made the changes above.
Safer gun laws that protect our children and citizens… Perhaps closer then we think!
As humans we’re often quick to complain, quick to judge and slow to react.
History shows us that it is often the act of 1 person that begins to move a cause or action at work or in society forward. A brave woman in Selma. A brave man in San Francisco, a group of mothers and more!
Please, don’t wait for that women to come forward. Don’t watch to see which man will speak up. Instead, be that person that so many are waiting for. It always begins with a single voice. Perhaps yours.
#METOO, gun violence, workplace harassment, bullying, cyber shaming. How do you deal with these things? Do you speak out against this and more?
Are you willing to be THAT voice of change professionally and personally? We’re counting on you! We counting on your leadership, communications and guidance.
Interested in having me speak at an upcoming event? Let’s chat.
