A Lesson From Ben Franklin

Even in death, Ben Franklin still manages to pass along wonderful insights and lessons.  I was the lucky recipient of his latest lesson.  My oldest son, Blake, was given an assignment in his 3^rd grade class.  He had to read a biography and then create a poster that would answer a series of questions about that person.  Blake picked Ben Franklin because he knew that Ben was a prominent figure in nearby Philadelphia.  Blake picked a book from the library and proceeded to read it so he could get started on his project.

I looked over the requirements of the project and thought, “Wow!  This is a really cool project.  There is so much that we can do to make this the best project EVER!”  I must admit, I love these elementary school projects and if I had to do them, they would totally rock…Anyway, after Blake read his book he thought we should go to the Franklin Institute where we could learn even more about Ben and see firsthand some of the items he possessed.  So, we spent the day at the Franklin Institute where Blake took some time to take notes in his notebook and take pictures of some of Ben’s personal effects.  During this excursion, I started to formulate what I thought the project should look like and what Blake should include on his poster.  I told Blake he should write about how Ben Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence or was the first Governor of Pennsylvania.  Blake wasn’t interested in those facts.  As he was taking a picture of Ben’s tea set, I tried to push him to take a picture of the bifocals Ben invented.  Clearly, Blake wasn’t doing what I suggested he do.

After all the data was gathered and all the pictures were developed, it was time to create and assemble the poster.  I sat down with Blake and lined out what I thought we should do.  He interrupted me as politely as he could and said, “Mommo, this is my project.”  To say I was a little offended would be an understatement.  I mean, I was just trying to help!  I wondered if the project would be as good if I wasn’t involved.   So, I left Blake on his own to complete his project.   I provided help when he absolutely needed it or asked for it.   There were times he asked my opinion and I provided it but Blake was basically on his own.  When he was finally done, Blake excitedly called us over so we could see the finished project.  I was speechless.  It really was quite good.  Looking at the poster, I was absolutely certain that Blake’s project was much better than any poster I could have created.  As he beamed with pride and a sense of accomplishment rushed over him, he asked that I take a picture of him and his project so I could show the “world” on facebook.  He was proud of himself and he should have been.  I think Ben Franklin would have been proud of Blake’s project but I am pretty certain that no one was as proud as me at that moment.

So, what did I learn from a 3^rd grader and Ben Franklin?

LIFE’S LITTLE LEADERSHIP LESSONS

1.    Leaders give others the opportunity to develop and grow.  It would not have benefitted Blake in any way if I gave him all of my ideas because what would he have learned?  He would have learned to rely on others for ideas and not believed in his own abilities.  It was amazing for me to watch him light up when he came up with different ideas.  It was even more amazing for me to watch his initial ideas develop and blossom into something amazing from that initial, single thought.  This gave Blake confidence and allowed him to try different things (some which did not work) until he got it the way he wanted.  A true learning experience for him and for me.  Give people the time and space to grow.  Remember, it is not always about you!

2.    Leaders dare to do things differently.  Most people follow the rules and that generally works well for society.  It does not set people apart from others or change the world, however.  Those who dare to think differently and do things differently are the ones who typically leave an impression on others.  Blake didn’t change the world by doing research at the Franklin Institute.  What he did do was have the courage and confidence to challenge himself to do something outside of what he believed to be the rules (the instructions to the project).  He simply looked at the directions a little differently and followed his gut.

3.    Leaders take a moment to recognize their successes.  Blake was very proud of what he accomplished because he did it on his own.  He did not have to rely on me or anyone else to get it done.  He was proud of the work he did and felt a great way to celebrate that success was to post his picture with the project on my facebook page.  Acknowledging one's success helps build self-confidence so it should be done as often as possible.  Leaders should also recognize that there is nothing wrong with patting themselves on the back.

APPLYING LIFE’S LITTLE LEADERSHIP LESSONS IN YOUR LIFE

• How might you be stifling or preventing those around you from realizing their full potential?  Why do you do this?  What can you do differently?
• Commit to yourself that you will look at one thing differently this week.  Approach it differently by challenging your typical ways of thinking and don’t allow yourself to do what is comfortable or what you would typically do.
• Reflect on a recent success.  How did you handle your success?  Why were you successful? How do you feel about your success?   What can you continue to do to be successful in the future?

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

~Ben Franklin~

Step Away From the iPhone...

In my last few blog entries, I’ve been sharing examples of people who have inspired me with their positive actions.  Well, I am not sure about the rest of you, but throughout my career I have also learned how to lead by watching individuals who have had what I would describe as questionable leadership skills.  Instead of criticizing and judging those people and their behaviors, I will simply point them out from time to time so that we can learn from them.  You can come to your own conclusions as to what you feel about them and whether they are good or bad.

My latest inspiration comes from two of my favorite things:  Starbucks and Apple (as in the company that turns everything to gold, Apple).  I visited my local Starbucks almost two weeks ago so that I could write my group dynamics paper.  Two younger students caught my attention, mainly because they were sitting right across from me.  They were studying for a science exam so I was naturally interested and drawn to what they were talking about (and clearly looking for a diversion from doing my own work).  As they were chatting and quizzing each other, I could not help but notice one of the girls’ constantly playing with her iPhone.  I am certain she picked her eyes up only a few times when she had to ask her partner to repeat what was just said.  What was equally intriguing was that her study partner did not seem to mind at all…it was kind of an accepted behavior!   Even when they were having a conversation, she kept her head down, focused on her iPhone. 

For a moment, I thought to myself, “Kids these days…they are too wrapped up in themselves and their technology…” I was appalled until I realized this is a common scene with me and many other leaders in the world today.  I looked around the Starbucks and everyone had some sort of technology they were “tied” to.  Then the insight came to me about what I could take away from these two young ladies.

So, what did I learn while sipping my Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks?

LIFE’S LITTLE LEADERSHIP LESSONS

1.    Being a leader takes work and you have to practice.  I took away something positive from these two young ladies.  While I was watching them study, it reminded me how important it is for leaders to continually develop themselves.  Leaders need to study their craft:  if you want to be a better leader, you need to study leadership and practice it.   Good leadership does not happen by chance, it happens on purpose.

2.    Leaders are always in the present.  Leaders make people feel special.  They do that by giving people their undivided attention.  Leaders do not allow themselves to get distracted by their PDAs or other stimuli in the environment.  When they spend time with people, leaders make them feel like they are the most important people in the world.  They do not think about the past or worry about the future; they live in the “here and now”.

3.    Leaders work together.   Leaders don’t know everything but are smart enough to know what they don’t know.  When leaders need help, they draw in other people for support.  Leaders return the favor: they share their knowledge with others in the spirit of helping others learn and develop.

APPLYING LIFE’S LITTLE LEADERSHIP LESSONS IN YOUR LIFE

• What are you currently doing to make yourself an even more effective leader?  Make a promise to yourself that you will work on at least one thing this year to be an even more effective leader.
• What pulls you out of the present at work?  At home?  How do you think people feel when you disengage while you are with them?  What will you now do differently?  How often do you make people (your loved ones or co-workers) feel like they are the most important people in the world? 

Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.  

~Jean de la Bruyere

WWJD When it Comes to Leadership?

When I think about leadership, I sometimes wonder how would Jesus lead?  OK, I admit that HWJL does not sound as good as WWJD but I found myself asking that question when I was in church two weeks ago.  When I think about how Jesus would lead, I am pretty sure he would lead just like Pastor Stuart at St. James Lutheran Church in Limerick, PA.

I have had the privilege of watching Pastor Stuart lead for a little over a year now.  I have been impressed with the way he communicates and inspires the congregation.  Pastor Stuart is by far the craziest Pastor I have known (case in point – he conducted service once with red and green hair)!  He is also one of the best I have ever seen not only because he is so passionate about his work but because he also happens to have a lot of fun while doing it.  What a concept, huh?

What I especially have noticed and appreciated over the past year being a member of St. James is the different ways Pastor Stuart reaches the congregation.  First, he does not stand elevated and hidden behind a podium.  He preaches – without a script – by the pews, at our level.  He uses creative ways to teach the members about church, the Bible or Scripture.  For instance, he has led worship series that follow a theme for a few weeks (reference Super Heroes of the Old Testament, Goals Oriented Life, Discipleship for Dummies, Luke for Lent, etc.).  These worship series inspire me to come to church because I don’t want to miss an “episode”.  That would be like missing a week of Glee and then watching it the following week and feeling slightly lost.  He uses impactful videos or movie clips that illustrate a particular learning.  It is amazing because I often have an insight and think to myself, “Man, I did not see that when I was watching the movie!”  Pastor Stuart tells stories – personal stories – that often make people have to grab a box of tissues (just ask Alicia…she’ll tell you!).   The congregation also loves (*chuckle*) when he asks everyone to reflect on a particular topic and then sends a microphone around where people can then share their insights.  As difficult or uncomfortable as that may be, it is very empowering for others to share their insights in a group setting.  When people share, everyone benefits and Pastor Stuart is gracious enough to allow that to happen.  Finally, I am not sure who has more fun during the Children’s Sermon – Pastor Stuart or the children.  He loves to rile up the kids (I like to call it organized chaos) but he delivers the messages in a fun way that helps the children remember the lesson.  All of these different ways of communicating ideas and values keeps it interesting, keeps it fresh and makes it relevant to me and other members of St. James.  Really, I could go on further, but there are already quite a few nuggets in here about leadership.  Let’s take a look.

LIFE’S LITTLE LEADERSHIP LESSONS

So, what have I learned by watching my Pastor in church:

1. Leaders make people think.  It is not just that they make them think, it is how they make them think.  Pastor Stuart mixes it up so that he can reach all people.  He uses videos, music, stories and Scripture to get his point across.  No matter what medium he uses, he does it beautifully and allows people the opportunity to have insights.  A second part of this is leaders believe in what they do and want to share that with others.  There’s not much more to say about this one other than a leader’s passion for their work shines through and catches others’ attention.  Leaders teach others and love doing it.  This makes people want to follow them.  A very powerful concept indeed.
2. Leaders have fun!  Yes…the age of the stoic leader is gone!  Leaders today know how to play and not take themselves too seriously.  People love when leaders show their fun side – leaders almost become more human when they do that.   When a leader has fun, people around him feel that they also have “permission” to have fun.  When everyone is having fun, ordinary people will do extraordinary things.
3. Leaders tell stories.  They pull you in when they share personal stories that serve the purpose of teaching a lesson or showing a more human and vulnerable side.  Stories allow leaders to pass on their values and beliefs in a way people will often remember.  Stories – if told over and over again – can transcend generations.