An Important Insight for YOU! – Two Minute Video
ByHello everyone,
I woke up this morning with a powerful insight I think is important for you to hear!
Watch the two-minute video and share your thoughts below.
following is an approximate transcript of the video
Hi. It’s Ed Oakley. I woke up this morning with an insight that I’m excited to share with you.
You see there is some good news about this dynamically changing environment that we find ourselves in. Now good news you say, give me a break! You’re probably thinking, with all the changes, all the challenges whether they be budget cuts or lay offs or whatever they are, it doesn’t seem like it’s very exciting to me.Well, there is one opportunity that comes with all of this change. It is your opportunity to really develop, to take your leadership ability to a whole quantum leap, to a whole step function of more effective leadership. See, the only time you can do that is during these changing times. If things are just running along nicely and smoothly, perhaps a steady growth, you’re not going to have a lot of opportunities to develop your leadership.The real opportunity is when there is major change going on around you. So I invite you take the opportunity that is being presented to you right now to take yourself to a level of leadership that, you know what, when things are smooth again, if they ever are, it’ll be easy for you because you are a different whole different level of leadership. Now, I don’t care how you do it but just realize there is this huge opportunity waiting for you right now.One of the ways is to take advantage of the Leading Change in Difficult Times webinar series that we’re going to be introducing in the next couple of days but that’s not the only way to do it. Read books, go find other webinars, teleconferences, go to a class, but see this as a tremendous opportunity for you, and at the backside of all this change, there’ll be a new and better you for the effort and energy and investment of time and energy you put in to it now.Do it for you! I look forward to talking with you again soon.
(end of transcript)
Does that make sense to you? How do you relate?
Are you able to see clearly enough to see the opportunity?
Please share your Comments below!
Focusing Forward!
Ed Oakley
12 Comments
March 25th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I agree that this time provides an opportunity to show leadership and to grow as a leader. I was thinking more of applying what we’ve learned through the leadership academy to take take charge and push forward, rather than acquiring more learning.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more about your situatio, Susanne!
Thanks,
Ed
March 25th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Many folks these days don’t wake up with insights, they wake up with the prospect/problem of how to get a job, bring home enough money to provide for their families. Simply, how to put a roof over their heads and put food on the table.
Bills and creditors are a constant worry and very soon dispair and depression sets in. There is no one out there who wants to hear their cry for help and many are too proud to ask for assistance until it is too late.
We should all make ourselves available to be there to offer what assistance we can. Morally it is the right thing to do and secondly we surely will feel much better in ourselves if we share a problem with a friend or a colleague.
Leadership comes from all directions and the simplist way of demonstrating that we have that talent is by thinking and taking action on helping others in these troubled times. It amazing how satisfying you feel and how much you will learn about yourself.
Great leaders in troubling times just don’t think of themselves they think of others.
Keep up the good work
March 25th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Great message, Ed. This is the time to really take the lead, whether it’s in marketing, branding or organizationally. Now is the time for making change and our people are more open to the hope that good leadership brings and they will react better than during the good times.
Ken Banks
March 25th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Brian, thanks for the very thoughtful and important comment!
One of the things I have learned over the years to be true for me is that when I’m a little(or a lot
) down, a surefire way to turn around my attitude/mindset is to SERVE someone else.
It feels so good that my attitude cannot help but change!
Ed
March 25th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I guess it’s time to “invest” in a number of ways, Ken. Thanks for your excellent input.
Ed
March 25th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Hi Ed.
One of the most important tools from the world of positive psychology is the ability to reframe seemingly negative or impossible situations into a positive perspective. While it is important to savour the times when everything is running smoothly, we experience our greatest growth when we find and help others find solutions to the really difficult challenges that come our way.
Thanks so much for sharing the insight.
Henry Kahn
March 25th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Well said, Henry. Thanks for the contribution. It’s not always EASY to shift our mindset, and it certainly behooves all of us to learn to do it for ourselves.
Ed
March 26th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Dear Ed,
Thank you for this inspiring insight! I had just been feeling the discouragement of seeing a loved one invest their trust in the psychiatric medical model for a solution to a “learning disability.” This video encourages me to continue choosing change, exploring, and learning for myself.
Many Blessings,
Susan
March 26th, 2009 at 9:05 am
You’re welcome, Susan, and YOU’RE the inspiring one!
One thought: our Framework for Leadership has been helpful in MANY similar situations – not suggesting to replace what your loved one is doing, but something you could use to help support them in your own way.
Blessings right back to you and yours,
Ed
March 27th, 2009 at 3:50 am
Yes, yes, your absolutely right!!
I’ve viewed more web seminars, read more books and become more involved in the leadership of my working group.
The first think that improved for me was the management of my time. Wow, I’ve even found the time to volunteer in my community and it’s definitely making me a better leader.
The Leading Change video are great. Thanks for all you inspiring words and ideas.
Sharon
April 4th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Thanks for your kind words, Sharon, and congratulations on your leadership in multiple venues!
Ed