The Gravity of Command

 Shortly before I became a Superintendent, my Navy brother had a long talk with me about the ‘Gravity of Command’. In short, he talked about the rising expectations of being in command…and the weight of leadership.

 

Fast forward- about a week ago, I came across an article where the Commander of the USS Truman, an aircraft carrier, was relieved of his duties while deployed to the Middle East. The carrier had an accident with a merchant ship, resulting in damages to the carrier. 

 

As I read this, I was quickly reminded of my brother’s message: The Gravity of Command. 

 

Captain Dave Snowden, the commander of the Truman, was certainly not the one driving the ship. Yet, as leaders, we are responsible for all that happens under our watch. 

 

This message is certainly not to overwhelm you. Rather, we always need those gentle reminders of the charge we have been given. 

 

You are called to lead where you are. Leadership is not for the faint of heart. We have a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to lead our people as we raise up this next generation. 

 

Lead well. You have what it takes. Always be mindful of all that has been entrusted to you. To us. 

 

I am always in your corner. Win the Day. 

 

Take care – pja

 

54.45 Seconds to Read. 

Who Owns Morale?

 I came across this quote recently…and really appreciated it on many levels. 

 

A long held frustration of mine is when I hear…’morale is really bad.’ Morale is comprised of all of us. 

Yet, as leaders- it is our duty to lead the charge on morale. 

 

How can we? 

 

“Gentlemen, enlisted men may be entitled to morale problems, but officers are not… I expect all officers in this department to take care of their own morale. No one is taking care of my morale.” ~General George C. Marshall

 

What are you doing to lead yourself for remaining positive- and upbeat?

 

Intentionality wins the day. 

 

If you are struggling with ideas to feed your own morale…this idea has resonated with me. 

 

As I have shared before, I am a big Jon Gordon fan. As JG was on his ‘positivity’ journey, he incorporated ten minute ‘Gratitude Walks’ into his daily routine. 

 

Perhaps you have other ideas on how you lead yourself in generating positive – infectious morale. If so, I would love to hear them. 

 

If you are struggling with any ideas…start with the Gratitude Walk. (And while you are at it…begin to chart/ measure your progress. 😊 ) 

 

I am always in your corner. Win the Day. I am here if you need anything. Take care – pja

 

*46.34 Seconds to Read.

Bringing it back...

 As you may recall, I had a practice of putting out my Monday Morning Minute of Motivation. It went into hibernation. I am waking it up…albeit it’s not Monday Morning. 

 

You will get this the first Monday of the month. It will take less than a minute to read. And, for those who prefer books on tape, call me- I will read it to you. 😊

 

One of the most important things I do (I believe) is to uplift and encourage you. This would be part and parcel of those efforts…

 

Prior to the new year…I had encouraged/challenged you all to come up with one word to be your focus/guide/ encouragement/ north star as you step into 2025. 

 

For me, I wrestled with selecting one. (I had already used ‘Focus’ 6 out of the past 10 years…figured I couldn’t use it again😊 ). 

 

The word ‘Intentional’ kept coming to mind. But I still had not decided definitively…

 

January 1 came and went. I woke up January 2^nd- my watch gives me a daily briefing. It always ends with some type of encouragement or motivation. 

 

On the 2^nd, it read, Make Today Count. As I sat down for my morning quiet time, my verse of the day centered on being intentional with our time. 

 

It was settled. I had received enough confirmation for my word. Intentional. 

 

3 take aways…

1. You still have time to decide on your 1 Word. 
2. Look for those opportunities in your life for affirmation for what may be on your heart. 
3. Decide. Share with others for accountability. Then get after it. 

 

I hope you have a great week ahead. I am always in your corner. 

 

Win the Day – pja

 

(59.3 Seconds to Read)

The First 2 Rows

 I was listening to a podcast the other day. The guest proposed this challenge:

Imagine you are at your funeral. You see the first 2 rows. The first 2 rows are typically reserved for family and those closest to the deceased. 

Now, examine your life as it stands now. Are you giving more attention and effort to those seated beyond the two rows...or is your focus on the most important people in your life. 

For me, it really struck a chord. So often, when I get home, I am distracted. Tired. Spent. I give my family fumes...when they should be getting so much more from me. 

Take an audit of your life. What can you do differently to be more intentional? How can your family get the 'best' of you versus the leftovers? What will you commit to today? 

How do you invest in the 'first two rows'?

Have a great week of getting after it. Have a great week of being present with those around you. I'm always in your corner- Win the Day- pja

“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

43 seconds to read. 

Leaders are Readers

 25% of the year is complete…how are you feeling? What is going well? What is not? I always find these check points to be beneficial…if you take the time to reflect- game plan- and take action. 

 I was having a conversation with one of our Leadership Team Members recently.  We were discussing the reading of Atomic Habits. The comment was made…that when I put out the email for our reading schedule, I should say, “You will read this because I said to read it.”

 

We had a subsequent conversation about my leadership philosophy. A challenge I have always posed to myself: Strip the title/ chain of command away- would people still listen and follow you? 

 

Plain and simple, Leadership is influence. Regardless of title or rank. As you take account of your own leadership prowess and journey, are you being an influencer?

 

One of my all-time favorite leadership quotes. “If you think you’re leading, but no one is following, then you’re only taking a walk.” (John Maxwell)

 

And, to follow up on the ‘command’ to read…I want our team to be so hungry to learn and grow…a direct order is not needed. Never forget, not all readers are leaders. Yet, all leaders are readers. 

 

Be a reader. 😊

 

Have a great week of getting after it. I am in your corner. Win the Day – pja

 

*44.14 Seconds to Read

Mindset

 As you know, I am a beleaguered Pirates Fan. We have had our share of ups and downs over the years. More down but a few ‘ups’ sprinkled in there. 

 One those ‘ups’ was a stretch from 2012-2015. In 2012, the Pirates signed long time New York Yankees pitcher AJ Burnett. It was a bit of a surprise signing…the Pirates usually don’t sign big name free agents. And, AJ Burnett, known for his competitive drive, was always on a winning team. 

 

Yet, when he came to the Pirates. The entire mindset of the organization shifted. Simply put, AJ Burnett would not accept losing. And, he would not accept a losing mentality. At least for a short time, he transformed the organization. 

 

Fast forward to more recently, Deon ‘ Prime Time’ Sanders was hired at Colorado. Colorado was perhaps the worst football team/program in the country last year. 

 

This year, they are 3-0. Nationally ranked. The stadium is packed. And they are relevant in the college football world. 

 

How do you transform a program in essence over night? 

 

Mindset. Coach Prime brought an attitude. A swagger. He is bold. He is brash. He is a winner. He is a leader. 

 

As you go about your day- your week – your year. What mindset are you bringing? Excellence, hard work, and winning is a quest. Is your mindset aligned with these proclivities? 

 

I’m always in your corner. Go Win the Day – pja

 

53.8 Seconds to Read. 

Worn Shoes

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes tour of Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster. From a systems and structures standpoint, it was a fascinating look at all the coordinated efforts that go into the production of the show. 

 

As the group debriefed afterwards, one comment in particular has resonated with me. The general manager was the one who led the tour. One of the people in the group commented to me, ‘Did you see how worn his (the GM) shoes were?’

 

One of my favorite leadership books of all time, Lincoln on Leadership, spends a chapter on this:

Leadership by Walking Around. 

 

As we approach another school year, there is much to be gained by being on the move- being seen- being visible.

 

Get yourself a pair of comfortable shoes – and get after it. 😊

 

I’m here to lend support in any way I can. I’m always in your corner- take care- pja

 

*36 Seconds to Read.