
Beachy Beach October Love Note
(Originally published October 26, 2016)
Not sure where my love affair with Leadership began but whether I want to be or not, I tend to find always myself in a leadership role. I know that I LOVE to inspire people and convince them of their greatness. I know that I get so excited when I watch people be the best version of themselves. I know that it excites me when people anywhere and everywhere make the world a better place. But I also know I like the sweet leaders and not the bossy ones. I also know that Leaders need love too.
John Maxwell is one of my leadership guru's, and he tells me that Leaders just can not help it... We have to do it. There is something that burns in us, and we just want to catch others on fire with the enthusiasm of it. In my mind, a Leader loves and adores her people, but in doing so, you pour out much of yourself that you sometimes forget that you need filling up too.
Joel Osteen at times talks about when he preaches a sermon he can have 100 people say how wonderful it is and how much they are moved. Then just one person will be critical, and what do we focus on? I know that I have been guilty of that. I am so fortunate that 99.9% of the people I lead are encouraging and loving and are thankful for the love that I have for them. The human part of me tends to gravitate to the one or two that are critical and not uplifting. If you are in a position to praise anyone, whether they are in leadership or not, please do so. Thankfully, I know that when you are trying to be a charge agent you will always meet opposition, but what we pay attention to will be the thing that drives us.
When you praise another person or express gratitude, it is like gasoline to their engine. They want to go faster and further for you. It is in gratitude and praise for one another that becomes our way of affirming what is good with all of us. It is so easy to find what is wrong. Anyone can do that. Why not be different and focus on what is right?
There is something about showing appreciation to anyone that sets an energy in motion that has the ability to create great ideas and vital energy to an organization. I am so thankful that our company is filled with people like this. I get so happy when I witness agents helping each other for no reason other than to be of service. I am filled with abundant energy when customers and people in the community brag about the people that make up our company.
I know that without each of you there would be NO Beachy Beach. You are the reason that we have been able to make an impact in our community and hopefully with each other. I did not want to miss a moment that I could be thankful to all of you. I know that you could choose to be anywhere and you choose to be here with us.
Walt Whitman said: "I have perceived that to be with those I like is enough." Well I am in great shape because I love being with all of you. You make my life lovely.
Grateful,Karen