Look Before You Lead

What separates great leaders from average leaders? Is it years of experience, a degree from a top-notch university, or an impressive title?

It’s none of these things.

Lead from Within

The difference between average and great leaders begins long before they assume the mantle of leadership. In fact, you can be a great leader even if you do not have a leadership title or position.

How is that possible? Because great leadership begins from within. It begins with who you are. Who you are when no one else is looking. Your core values and how you act on those values will distinguish you as a leader—every single time.

How do you know if you have what it takes to be a great leader? Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• What do you value most about yourself?
• Do you go along with the crowd—even when you know in your heart that you should choose differently?
• Do you consistently look out for the best interests of others?

Great leaders have these things in common: self-awareness, core values that guide their choices and actions, and giving to others what they have received. Great leaders are also intentional. They look within first and are focused on living with purpose and passion.

So, ask yourself: What one thing can I do today to be more intentional?

May you enjoy the blessings of increasing your awareness each day… and reaching out to help someone else do the same—just a sampling of the many blessings of leadership.

I’d love to hear from you. Tell me about leaders you admire—in your family, in your community, or at work. Use the comment section below or let’s start a conversation on Twitter! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook to continue the conversation! Twitter: https://twitter.com/gloriaburgess Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgloriaburgessPhD. And feel free to learn more about me and Jazz, Inc. by checking out my website: http://gloriaburgess.com/index.html. Have a fantastic week!

Pass It On!

Read Full Post »

Feel Good Tuesday ~ One Encounter Can Change Your Life

The power of one encounter can change your life. You never know when that moment will happen.

It’s not your business to know. Your business is to simply live your life with intention, gratitude, and an attitude of service… to be a blessing to others along the way. In this video I share one woman’s remarkable story, an encounter that changed not just one life but many lives.

Pass It On!

Read Full Post »

Feel Good Tuesday ~ Be the Difference

If you’re like me… & most other folks, you want to make a difference… you want to leave the world better off than the way you found it. In short, you want to make your life to count for something. But how? Especially when you’re up to your ears with the many demands of life–your job or trying to find one, raising children, tending to key relationships, caring for aging parents, & on & on. Not only are you exhausted at the end of the day, but you wonder, “what can I possibly do to make a difference?” First, take a deep breath & know you don’t have to find a solution for world peace. All you have to do is express yourself in a way that works for you. Here are a simple things you can do… ask yourself:

– Who has supported me this month or this year?

– Have I called or written a note of gratitude to him or her?

– Who has said “I believe in you” to encourage you?

– Have I passed this blessing of faith on to someone else–to a child, a peer, or an elder?

– What did I do to support the environment today?

– Have I forgiven someone today who has hurt me?

– Did I pray for someone else’s spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or physical wellbeing?

– Did I dare to say Yes to myself today… to be fully me… to wear my soul on the outside?

If you said Yes to any of these small acts of compassion & kindness, you made a difference today. And by reading this post, you also made a difference… in yourself. And that’s always the best place to begin.

Learn more. Join me for my free teleclass—Legacy Living: Make Your Life Count: Tuesday, November 10, 6pm PST (Pacific Standard Time).

During this hour of power, I’ll show you how to shift your focus from “me” to “we” I’ll also discuss practical steps you can apply today to make a difference one step at a time, one person at a time, one day at a time. If you’re ready to transform your ordinary life into an extraordinary one, join me. To register, just click this link: http://www.globalteleclass.com.

Share this special opportunity with others… tell a friend!

Be one of the first five participants to call or log in to my teleclass, & I’ll send you a complimentary copy of my best-selling book-Legacy Living: The Six Covenants for Personal & Professional Excellence. You’ll also need to send me your contact information, so you can receive your free book.

Gloria’s web site: www.gloriaburgess.com

Pass It On!

Read Full Post »

Feel Good Tuesday ~ Gratitude Rules!

A picture is worth 1000 words. An exquisite picture simply defies words. So many of you enjoyed this picture, so here it is again.

We all know that saying thank you is more than good manners… expressing thanks is a way of being, a lifestyle. Does that mean no more random acts of kindness? Well, yes… if your acts are really random.

An attitude of gratitude can change your life. Here are just a few of the many arms of gratitude:

–  Being receptive to and acknowledging others. Give somebody a high-5 today. They’ll glow & so will you.

–  Seeing the inherent good in others. Expect the best & you’ll get that & more.

–  Respecting your kinship with the natural world. Treat all of nature as you expect to be treated.

–  Learning from all experiences. When you hit a snag, try this: raise your eyebrows, instead of the roof.

–  Living your life with an attitude of gratitude. Don’t worry, be happy… it will change your hormones, which will change your life.

–  Slowing down to recognize & honor what’s important in your life. When you stop, look, listen, & enjoy, you usher in grace, courtesy, & intention–qualities that are often missing in our lives.

–  Giving thanks for the blessings all around & within. When you count your blessings, you provide food for your soul.

The truly wealthy are those who give until it feels good.

Pass It On!

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gloriaburgess.

Read Full Post »

YES You Can! Heart and Soul

What is legacy?

The heart of legacy is captured in a wonderful African Wisdom Saying that says, “The world was not given to us by our parents. It was loaned to us by our children.” Think about it.

When someone else’s future becomes more important than your own, you make different daily choices. That what it means to live a life of service, to live you legacy–now.

Follow Me on Twitter

Read Full Post »

YES You Can! You’ve Got the Power

I’ve often wanted to answer my phone with these very words–Yes, You CAN!! You’ve Got the Power. Life is short. And so very precious. What will you do with the rest of your life? If you have a dream, go for it! Ask yourself–what one step can you take today toward that dream? If not you, who? If not now, when?

Creative action is all of the baby steps and giant steps you take to reach and realize your goals, your hopes. your dreams. What one step will you take today? And what will you do to help someone else do the same?

Follow Me on Twitter

Read Full Post »

Our ultimate destination…

Our ultimate destination is not perfection, but wholeness, to become fully human and at home in our skin.

Integrity simply means embracing and honoring all of your diverse facets—acknowledging your beauty and brilliance as well as those areas where have blind spots. Integrity says, “I claim all aspects of my nature–the good, the bad, and the ugly. Integrity also say, it’s OK to be me… and to keep on putting one foot in front of the other as I work to improve myself and be of service to others.

Follow Me on Twitter

Read Full Post »

YES You Can! The Sacred Promise of Vision

At this moment, I am blessed to be on the paradise island of Molokai, leading a retreat, Legacy of the Heart. In this intimate gathering, we celebrate life… the one we’re living and the one that is waiting–just for us.

For those unable to be here on Molokai with me this summer, I invite you on a virtual vision quest. Choose a time when you will have several hours free from distractions. Review the questions below, then go to a place that feeds your soul, a place of sanctuary, where you will take a long, solo walk. Carry your journal to make notes as you reflect on the questions. When you get home, put on your favorite relaxing music, put your feet up, and write or draw your responses.

• What is the presence, or rhythm, of vision in my life?
• What is my # 1 goal at this time-for me, for my family?
• What have I said “no” to that I’m now ready to say “yes” to?
• What must I do to get started? When will I begin?
• Who will I ask for support and encouragement?
• What image captures the essence of your vision?

Draw it or look in an old magazine for an image to include in your journal. Put your vision board in a place where you can easily see it. Look at it at least once a day. Soon you will begin to notice small and big changes in your life.

Be faithful to yourself and to your vision.

Read Full Post »

YES You Can! The Power of Faith

You were created to act on faith. Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. This Sacred Promise of Faith allows you to say to yourself and others, “I trust myself. I can do it.” Faith is the sound of your own voice saying to yourself “I believe in you.”

Follow Me on Twitter

Read Full Post »

Dealing with Evolutionary Stress

You Were Born for Such a Time As This! was an evening to remember… and build on. Sarah van Gelder, a phenomenal voice for transformation and Executive Editor of YES! Magazine, skillfully and graciously hosted a culturally diverse panel of transformational leaders who spoke about how to transcend our old ways and embrace change consciously, passionately, and sustainably. Sarah began by asking audience members how they were feeling. Here’s a sampler of what we heard: excited, scared, confused, grateful, hopeful.

Read Full Post »