The account of David and Goliath has life lessons that apply to impactful thought leadership. Thus, the relationship between thought leadership and giant killing.
A Terrible Dancer!
The reason I don’t dance is because I never learned how. I’m a terrible dancer!
So what?
Failing at one thing doesn’t make me a failure.
It means there are other things that I do well.
My self-image doesn’t have to be overly negative to be a drag on my professional growth if I simply understate my true value to the organization. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: I’m a failure when I:
1). Stop trying
2). Am unwilling to learn
3). Blame everyone else for life outcomes.
The Precept: In Proverbs 9.6 Godly wisdom calls, asking us to give up simple-mindedness. Then, replace that simple-mindedness with sense making.
The Question: What helps you recognize your strengths and your weaknesses?
Dreams Inspire Us!
Dreams inspire us when we “see” them calling us.
We visualize the “burning bush” of dreams as we are pursuing our life purpose.
Here’s the beneficial cycle:
1). Pursue My Life Purpose
2). Clarify Vision/Dreams
3). Identify Priorities
4). Set Goals
5). Take Deliberate Action
When you pursue your purpose IN life your passion FOR that life purpose with follow! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: My vision of my future self converts to growth goals for realizing my dreams.
The Precept: Proverbs 29.18 equates having no vision, hence no dreams, to failing in life.
The Question: A life transition is the outcome of pursuing a dream. When have you made a dream-driven change in your life?
Thought Leadership and Giant Killing!
David-Goliath applies to impactful thought leadership.
1). David didn’t engage in hand-to-hand combat with a bigger, more heavily armed opponent. He used a sling and stone – a focused strategy.
Have a narrowly targeted audience for your thought leadership.
2). He picked up five stones – he was giving himself multiple chances to succeed.
Recognize the value of repetition when sharing your thought leadership.
3). David drew from past experience fighting a lion and a bear.
Thought leadership is a cumulative process of refining key messages over a span of years.
Our life outcomes actually start with desires deep within us. We combine that inner desire with intense focus to produce measurable action. Hence, “as you think in your soul, so are you.” proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: Ideas need time before they are fully formed and highly impactful.
The Precept: In 1 Samuel 17.48 we read that David ran toward the giant. It’s a great picture not simply facing a problem, but charging it head-on!
The Question: What processes help you to refine the thought leadership you share with others?
Our Point of Impact
We’re most impactful being our true self.
True self implies we’re not all things to all people.
We’re most impactful adding value to others.
We add value doing what we’re exceptional at.
Our most impactful contribution flows out of our authentic self. So, Begin with WHO by first knowing yourself and deeply valuing that self. Then, care for yourself so you have overflow from which to influence others. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: We must recognize our strengths, hence our influence points. Then, find ways to share those unique abilities.
The Precept: Proverbs 22.21 instructs us to know the truth, then share that truth with others. One element of our truth is knowing where we most add value to others.
The Question: What helps you know your true self? How comfortable are you with that true self?
Introvert Tip: Being Social – Ugh!
You can be social at social events – as an introvert.
But only when you see the importance of those events.
That doesn’t mean every social event is of strategic value to your organization, or to you as a leader.
So, be selective.
Relationship building is a slow process. The deeper the relationship, the greater the investment required. proverbsforprofessionals.net
The Question: What metrics do you use to determine how you respond to invitations?
There’s a Bird in the House!
A bird flew into our daughter’s house.
Nothing could get it out!
She called her husband, who was miles away in an important meeting.
You can guess his response! And hers!!
A cluttered life produces cluttered thinking! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: Sometimes a crisis for me isn’t a crisis for someone else!
The Solution: In this case, trap the bird in a room, then knock out the screen. Eventually, it flew out the window.
The Question: What helps you think clearly when you’re on your own with a problem?
There’s Only One Correct Response
Ever comment on a post and get back a snippy or condescending answer from the author?
They’re telling you there’s only one correct response to their post!
Their opinion is the only one that counts!
I stop pursuing my life purpose by allowing my self-worth to erode through comparison with, or unwarranted criticism from, others who don’t share my vision for life. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: Don’t invite reader responses to your posts then tell them why your view is the only correct one!
The Precept: How I treat others is evidence of who I really am. Specifically, abusive behavior is rooted in a lack of character, according to Proverbs 11.12.
The Question: How do you respond to arrogant or aggressive comments back to you on social media?
