Ray’s Daily
July 10, 2020
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
Peter F. Drucker
I am overloaded today so here is another reprint.
Ray’s Daily first published on July 10, 2009
It has been more than thirty years since I had the honor of being selected to participate in the first Indianapolis Stanly K. Lacy (SKL) leadership series. The program has continued selecting some of our cities best and brightest through the years helping participants develop their leadership skills they then use to help make our city great. I am proud to have had the opportunity to associate with so many of our cities finest over these many years and while I take a much less active role these days I continue to sustain my membership in the Lacy Leadership Association (LLA).
In my mind few things are more important than the development of ethical dedicated leaders who rise above greed and partisanship and who go on to help us return to our traditional values. One of the benefits I get from LLA is the ability learn from the wisdom of others. The piece I want to share with you today is excerpted from the current issue of LLA Leadership Learned, one of the associations publications. In it Ann Murtlow President & CEO of the Indianapolis Power & Light Company offers her leadership philosophy which has been the cornerstone of her success.
Þ Don’t take yourself too seriously. If you do, there is a chance that you will take things too personally and drive too hard for success. Laugh at yourself once in a while.
Þ Treat people well. How you treat people, in good times and bad, is a reflection of your character.
Þ Work hard to be a worthwhile contributor to society but not so hard that it consumes you. Pull your weight, use your brain and do something that makes a difference and makes you happy.
Þ Slow down! The pace of life is so fast that the years can go by in a flash. Take time to enjoy your successes.
Þ Money is nice but it won’t ultimately make you happy. While not having sufficient financial security can limit your choices and put you at risk, having plenty of it will not make up for not having some of the more important things in life. Plan your time and attention accordingly.
Þ Develop, strengthen and rely on your faith. Those with a strong faith in God and in fellow human beings are capable of weathering tragedy and difficult times in a way that others cannot. Your faith also enables you to help bring peace to others who need you.
Þ Be accountable for your actions both good and bad. Admit your mistakes without reservation. Confession provides a great sense of freedom (how can you be afraid that people will find out something they already know). Most importantly, confession is the first step in learning from mistakes and helping others to do so as well.
Þ Have the strength to be who you are. Do the right thing, even when the cost is high.
Þ Get to know people – I mean really get to know them. You will find more similarities than differences. Knowing people deeply rather than superficially will help you establish long-term, meaningful relationships.
Þ Be courageous in pursuing your dreams. Don’t let self-doubt or fear of judgment keep you from stretching yourself.
Þ Provide great opportunities for your high performers even if it means losing them. If someone can’t reach their potential with you then encourage them to find it elsewhere. There is no greater joy as a leader than watching those you have influenced achieve bigger and better things.
Þ Stay out of the details. There is a big difference between a manager and a leader. External focus and strategic thinking is necessary if a team is to excel.
Remember that leadership is a journey and that ultimate success comes from exposure to new places — each of which should be appreciated for what it teaches us.
I personally think this is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever seen. It deserves to be read and reread as it holds the key not only to success but more importantly to a life well lived. I have savored each of her statements and could not agree more.
~~~
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams:
~~~
She said that now that they are retired, my mother and father are discussing all aspects of their future.
“What will you do if I die before you do?” Dad asked Mom.
After some thought, she said that she’d probably look for a house-sharing situation with three other single or widowed women who might be a little younger than herself, since she is so active for her age.
Then Mom asked Dad, “What will you do if I die first?”
He replied, “Probably the same thing.”
~~~
On a scale of 1 to 10, 4 is about 7.
~~~
Up at the head table in the cafeteria, one of the nuns had placed a big bowl of bright red, fresh, juicy apples. Beside the bowl, she placed a note which read, “Take only one. Remember, God is watching.”
At the other end of the table was a bowl full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven.
Beside the bowl, a little note scrawled in a child’s handwriting which read, “Take all you want. God’s watching the apples.”
~~~
BATHROOM: a room used by the entire family, believed by all (except Mom) to be self-cleaning.
~~~
“Thanks for the harmonica you gave me for Christmas,” little Joshua said to his uncle the first time he saw him after the holidays. “It’s the best Christmas present I ever got.”
“That’s great,” said his uncle. “Do you know how to play it?”
“Oh, I don’t play it,” the little fellow said. “My mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day and my dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night.”
~~~
“Hope for the best, expect the worst.
Life is a play. We’re unrehearsed.”
Mel Brooks
~~~
He said:
My tennis partner, Peter, is responsible for alumni relations at his high-school alma mater.
Last fall, a member of the Class of 1986 returned the standard alumni questionnaire with this response:
Marital Status – Not good
Wife’s Name – Plaintiff
~~~
“I’d like two pork chops,” said the patron to her butcher, “and make them lean.”
“Yes ma’am,” said the obliging butcher, standing them on end. “Which way?”
~~~
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only by night.
EDGAR ALLEN POE
~~~
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
Ray’s Daily has been sent for more than twenty years to people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@gmail.com. Back issues are posted at http://rays-daily,com/ currently there are more than 2000 readers from around the world.
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