Reflections and Sacrifice

Don't look now, but summer's over! Fall arrived with the autumnal equinox, which occurred Friday, just after 5:04 a.m. EDT.  I’d be lying, though, if I didn’t tell you that part of me is sad to say good-bye to the long, carefree, and relaxing days of summer. But the other half of me is looking forward to getting back to a sense of structure in my days. This feeling probably dates back to being in school, when the slight temperature drop meant heading back to the classroom.

Summer quickly exhales her last warm breath as autumn arrives in a faint, cool breeze.  When the seasons change, I begin reflecting on deeper layers of myself.  Winter signals to me a slow silence that prepares me for an inner rebirth in the spring.  Summer teaches me to relax and “go with the flow,” and fall takes center stage as I reflect and let go. 

Everything about the fall invites letting go and self-reflection. The light fades, days are shorter, trees begin to drop their foliage – the season almost begs us to sit nightly by the fire and stare into the embers and golden of light and reflect on what habits, behaviors, or negative thoughts we are going to relinquish before the slow silence of winter sets in.  Summer brings reconnection with others in picnics, and reunions; fall is a time to reconnect to ourselves.  Of course we can reconnect with ourselves any time of year, the stimuli of fall naturally encourages us to do so. 

Now is the time to ask yourself: “What is it time to let go of?”

One of the most common misunderstandings of people in leadership is the thought that leaders have extra perks and advantages.  But what people might not understand is that leaders constantly let go and give up.

As I mentioned in a past podcast, football season is here.  As you know I am born and raised in Pittsburgh.  I grew up in the “City of Champions.”  In the 1970’s the Pittsburgh Steelers won not just one back-to-back championships, but two.  When I was in high-school, the Pittsburgh Penguins won back-to-back championships. 

Why are back-to-back championships so rare? 

The answer is simple.  People assume that a championship team can duplicate the same results by doing the same thing.  Have you ever noticed some teams come back (no matter what the sport) to the new season and lose?  That’s because players make the mistake of failing to prepare themselves for the next year’s challenges.  They become reluctant to make additional sacrifices by training in the off season.  And what won the team a championship last year is not what keeps them there.  Leadership is the same; it requires continual change, constant improvement, and sacrificing by letting go. 

Most people have been on a diet at some point in their lives.  They might let go of eating candy to reach their goal. They might sacrifice the pleasure of drinking a fattening latte.  Whatever it is, they are willing to trade something of value to gain something more valuable. 

I have become a fan of the television reality show, Storage Wars.  In the show they auction the contents of abandoned storage units.  Have you ever seen a live auction?  It is very exciting.  The auctioneer speaks very fast, everyone present gets excited with hearts racing as fast as he speaks.  Lots of people start out bidding on an item, however; as the price goes up, the item has fewer and fewer bidders.  In the end, only one person is willing to pay the price for an item. 

The same is true with leadership; the higher you ascend, the more it’s going to cost you. Leaders are willing to pay the price.  They know that to be successful, they must change. They have to let go of what was successful yesterday to be a champion tomorrow.  

No success comes without sacrifice.  When you see success, you can be sure someone sacrificed to make it possible.  Even if you do not see your own success, you can be sure someone in the future will benefit from what you have given. 

What have you given up in the past in order to reach a goal?  So, what are you willing to let go this fall to help you reach your goal?  What one thing would you give up today that would move you closer to a goal you set for yourself? 

Take time to sit by that fire this season.  Reflect on what you can give up, and what will you focus on instead.  Set that goal, and pick up a fallen leaf. Write down on that leaf what you are going to let go off, and allow the cool faint breeze of fall to carry it away.  

Development

I learned how to make a scarf yesterday.  When I started, it didn’t look like it would end up looking like a scarf.  My husband even chuckled when he left the house saying, “Good luck with that scarf!”  But I really wanted to learn this new skill.  I reread the directions and tried again, several times over.  After a few tries I got the hang of it and continued until I had a finished scarf.  When Jon came back home he laughed and asked, “Do you have a new scarf?”  I proudly wrapped it around my neck. 

My new scarf!

Of course when I finished the scarf, there are things I learned that I want to improve on when I make my next one. I would like to make it longer, try different materials, and different colors.  I have learned this new skill, but now I want to master it. 

Leadership development is much like learning a new craft.  Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Sure, some people are born with natural leadership talent, and with practice, drive, enthusiasm, and experience a true leader can be developed.

Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. It takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor you choose.  Reading this blog is not enough to improve your leadership skills.  What will make you a better leader is your response to each post.  I am still learning about leadership, too.  Everyday, I look at situations and try to learn from them.  I continue to learn and grow, and I hope to keep learning and growing until I die.  Most leadership skills you already know and may just need to be reminded of them. In this blog, I try to capture my ideas and share them in little “aha moments” for everyone. 

Leadership is defined as power to lead others; to guide them towards a vision.  Development means to acquire more.  So by definition Pilot International’s Leadership Development Division’s primary goal is to acquire more leaders within its membership ranks.  Motivated and enthusiastic volunteers are essential to successful clubs and districts. Knowing how to inspire club members will help encourage participation in projects and programs.

One of the responsibilities of leadership is to seek out and develop the talent of those members who have never had a good opportunity to demonstrate their abilities as a leader. A leadership development program will enhance Pilots’ personal growth and further develop their leadership skills, allowing them to better serve and benefit their communities, their families, and their business endeavors.

If you are a Leadership Development Coordinator in your District or Club, your duty is more than encouraging people to step up to take on a Leadership position. 

The club-level leadership development program was created to increase effectiveness in clubs by cultivating members’ leadership skills. This program may particularly benefit club members who don’t have the opportunity to regularly supervise others or attend employee training programs. Although the position is optional within Districts and Clubs, I encourage your yearly training program to focus on Leadership Skills. 

As Pilots we bridge the gap between today’s skills and tomorrow needs by developing leaders not only in our organization, but also in our communities.  Your training should include: communication skills, leadership styles, leading and motivating volunteers, mentoring, time management, goal setting and accountability, strategic planning, ethics, building consensus, and teamwork.

Not everyone can be a leader; some people just don’t have it, and don’t want it.  Skills and traits have been studied by sociologists and others for many years. Can most people acquire these skills?  Yes, but it takes more than just reading an expert opinion or two.  If you do not have the natural raw leadership talent (it has been written that only 3-5% are born with this talent), then you need to learn and practice traits of Leadership if you are so inclined. A Great Leader may be hiding within you. 

Sherri Lynn Dunik
Plan with Attitude. Prepare with Aptitude. Participate with Servitude. Receive with Gratitude. And that should be enough to Separate you from the Multitudes.
Pilot International Leadership Development Coordinator

http://facebook.com/sldunik

Twitter @sherrilynndunik

Resilience

Ten years ago, life as we knew it changed forever in America.  Six months ago, life changed for the people of Japan.  September 11 marks the six month anniversary of the tsunami, as well as the infamous anniversary of U.S. World Trade Center horror. As we are reminded this weekend with anniversary memorials of the attacks on America, let us not forget the devastation that occurred in Japan only six months ago.  We can learn much from our Japanese Pilots by the example they have set in the past six months. 

I am reminded of the Japanese proverb: Fall down seven times, get up eight. 

Japanese culture cannot adequately be addressed in a short space, but this proverb reflects an important and shared ideal: "Nana korobi ya oki" (There are four Chinese characters: From the left: seven, fall (followed by one Japanese letter び ), eight, rise (followed by one Japanese letter き) total of 6 letters. 七転び八起き) means “Fall down seven times and get up eight.” This speaks to the Japanese concept of resilience; no matter how many times you are knocked down, you get up again. You can see this ethic reinforced in all facets of Japanese culture including education, business, sports, the martial arts the Zen arts, etc. It is especially important to remember the sentiment expressed in this proverb when times are dark. There are no quick fixes in life, and anything of real worth will take struggle and perseverance. Success does not often come—what’s more important is doing one’s best and being persistent. 

A concept related to the saying "Nana korobi ya oki" is the spirit of gambaru (頑張る), deeply rooted in the Japanese culture and approach to life. The literal meaning of gambaru is the idea of sticking with a task with tenacity until it is completed—of making a persistent effort until success is achieved. Generally speaking, “gambette,” is used often in daily language to encourage others to “do your best” in work, to “fight on!” and “never give up!” during a sporting event or studying for an exam. You do not always have to win, but you must never give up. While others may encourage you to "gambatte kudasai!,” the real spirit of gambaru comes from within.

The best kind of motivation is intrinsic motivation. For the benefit of oneself — and for the benefit of others as well — one must bear down and do their best. Even in good times, being uncooperative and rude is frowned upon. In a crisis, the idea of complaining or acting selfishly to the detriment of those around you is the worst thing a person can do.

Lessons for us all?

On September 11, 2001 ordinary people did extraordinary things.   In a crisis, people show their true character. Anyone can be cooperative, patient, and understanding when things are going well and life is good, but it is the noble man or woman who behaves with grace, compassion and even kindness when times are very, very bad.  

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little "extra".  As leaders, we need to be extraordinary at all times; mediocrity is not an option.  Yes, we fail at times, but when we fall, we must stand up, brush ourselves off, and begin again. 

このブログ作成に協力してくれた久保菊子さん、ありがとう

Kono blog sakusei ni kyoryoku shite kureta Kubo Kikuko san, arigato.

Thank you Kikuku Kubo for assisting with this blog.

Some of the Japan Delegates and myself at the 

Pilot International Leadership Conference and Annual Convention 

in Dallas this past July.  

So get ready. I mean, get ready. Are you ready for some football?!

As another season of football kicks off we are reminded - Leaders don't fail from lack of talent but lack of commitment.

How do you measure up?  Do you and your club have the same vision?  Do you role-play success scenarios in your mind?  What is your commitment?  Are you a Pilot 100% of the time?  Or are you only a Pilot during your monthly meeting?  Are you focused or are you in too many positions in Pilot and out of Pilot  to be focused on just one.  Do you work on team building in your club?  Do you have enough trust in others to know they will lead the next project successfully?  How do you plan for emergencies?  Can you solve problems?  What happens when someone can not attend, are you prepared or do you cancel everything?  Are you afraid to allow someone to develop for fear they will do better than you?  Do you hide information for fear that they will know more than you?  Do you listen?  Do you listen to you club, your advisors and community?  Do you have a positive attitude?  Do you write daily affirmations?  Do you believe with your heart and soul in Pilot?  Do you encourage and praise others?  Are you building a legacy?  What kind of environment have you created?  Is it positive or is it a hostile environment?  Not just in Pilot but in your own home?  Do you have Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve members?  How do you help them become members of the team or do you keep them on the sidelines critiquing?

I believe there is a lot we can learn from the game of football.  Listen to my podcast and work together as a team to become a Pilot Champion in your community.  http://sldunik.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-04T08_56_04-07_00

Sherri Lynn Dunik

Plan with Attitude. Prepare with Aptitude. Participate with Servitude, Receive with Gratitude. And that should be enough to Separate you from the Multitudes.

Pilot International Leadership Coordinator

http://facebook.com/sldunik

Twitter @sherrilynndunik