Events drive thoughts and actions. In the United States, Thanksgiving sparks a spurt of gratitude. Like a note on a calendar, we express thanks, cross it off as done, and move on. Leading with a gratitude mindset should be so much more. Gratitude is living in a state of amazement while amazing others in what we give.
Be Amazed, Gratefully
We don’t even have to walk out the door to be amazed. Just think of our bodies. How they work, survive, thrive, think, and act is completely amazing. All these parts come together in some sort of cohesive, functioning package seems impossible, yet they do.
As we leave the comforts of our homes, we see amazing sites and moments of perfect beauty and connection. Colorful petals bound together on a flower or arms wrapped around another show how amazing tight connections lift the spirits of all who notice.
MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) is amazing. A rocket blasts off for a journey to Mars, and what a journey it is. MAVEN will reach its destination in September, 10 months later. Discovery takes patience, just as growth does. In time, we explore, learn, understand, apply, and do things in more amazing ways than ever before.
Take the time. Be amazed. Express gratitude in what you see.
Amaze Others by Giving
Amazing things happen when we give. Everyone has something to give.
- Perspective
- Knowledge
- A hand
- Thoughts
- Words
- Compassion
Whatever our gifts and talents, our responsibility is to give. Amazing things are triggered often when we give.
- Giving isn’t dominating. Giving is supporting.
- Giving isn’t reciprocal. Giving is abundance.
- Giving isn’t self-centered. Giving is community-centered.
When we give, we see smiles of acceptance, growth, appreciation, and innovation. Giving mindsets amaze others and sets an example to carry forward.
Take the time. Amaze others. Give your gifts and talents so others will do likewise.
Leading Amazed | Amazing Leadership
Here is a sad, preventable statistic:
“Each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,060 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Distracted Driving)
Human life is taken by being distracted. Although statistics are not gathered, distractions are damaging our organizations in higher numbers every day.
Leading Amazed. In our workplaces, human spirit is lost by distractions. What I mean is, too often, we don’t notice the amazing things happening around us. People doing great work do so in obscurity all too frequently. As leaders, we get distracted and become insulated or unaware. We need to develop our leadership skills to lead amazed by recognizing what others are doing and creating a culture of gratitude. The results will be more spirited engagement and soulful work along with an exponential number of amazing things being done by a group of amazing people.
Leading amazed is avoiding the distractions and side-stepping event-driven only gratitude. Leading amazed is being aware, mindful, and active in expressing gratitude when and where it happens.
Amazing Leadership. Another key element in this approach is Amazing Leadership, meaning we give to others openly and freely. Amazing leadership is not lectures and strict directions. Amazing leadership is passing on lessons, insights, and considerations to empower others in their growth and contributions. Can you imagine a culture of amazing leadership? I can. They are likely the most innovative organizations.
Krista Kotrla highlighted this fact in our recent Authentic Leadership Dallas meeting. This reflection seemed so obvious as she spoke the words. What a culture of gratitude delivers is an open, innovative one. Amazing leadership inspires this spirit of giving and creating.
How do you lead by being amazed by what is around you and in amazing others in what you give?
Jon, great post and great reminder not to take anything for granted. We go through so much of every day asleep and unconscious of all the amazement around us and within us. Like everything else, amazement–in what we notice and what we give–is a choice. Thank you for choosing to amaze and to remind us to amaze and be amazed. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Alice! We do need to notice things, as it brightens our moments and helps us lead and create better life stories. Appreciate it! Jon
Hi Jon,
What a wonderful post! Your post reminded me of what one of my previous managers told me he would do. When sitting in a meeting with fellow colleagues, if the team was stuck, he would look around at them and see all the amazing people around him, and the great things they can do. He would encourage his team to do the same.
Indeed, amazing is around all of us. When we seek amazing in nature, people and the world around us, we will certainly find it.
Happy Thanksgiving, Jon! 🙂
HIten, Thank you and hope your season of thanks is wonderful. Your story illustrates how to create a community in which ideas and resolutions can be found. By recognizing the talent present, we create a better culture to solve problems and innovate. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights! Jon
I LOVE THIS ARTICLE.
I work with leaders in the Netherlands and I would always use the word AMAZING in my coaching and workshops.
I was corrected and told that I sounded to AMERICAN and using the word AMAZING was to over the top.
I was told the word FINE would do the trick.
A FINE leader instead of an AMAZING LEADER
A FINE workshop instead of an AMAZING workshop.
…..and so I have adjusted to the culture and I now use the word FINE and they all light up.
Jon – YOU ARE AMAZING and YOU AMAZE me by writing such an AMAZINGLY FINE POST.
Lolly
What a great story, Lolly! Adapting to the audience to get them more engaged is an important, amazing thing to do. In understanding them, they become more engaged. This is what amazing leadership is all about, and you always exemplify it in what you do. Always grateful for your work, insights, empathy, and leadership! Jon
Cultivating a mindset of being amazed truly helps leaders realign their thinking about others to look for their amazing attributes.
When I work with emerging leaders I am always amazed at how eager they are to learn to be better communicators and how passionate they are to grow in their journey.
Thanks Jon and Happy Thanksgiving! Terri
Having that attidude of learning is amazing, something I hope people never lose. Thank you for the great work you do, Terri, in inspiring amazing work. Happy Thanksgiving! Jon
As leaders, being amazed includes looking for the good that is happening all around and celebrating progress and success… Not just moving quickly to why still needs to be done. It’s okay to be impressed
Good point, Karin. It is okay to be impressed and soak it in. Celebrating the amazing things people do facilitates an environment of innovation and great commitment to what needs to be done. Thank you! Jon
You are right; it is okay to be impressed. We need to stop, notice, soak it in, and celebrate the moments of amazing work being done by talented people. Thank you, Karin!
Being amazed is the key to being a good teacher. Whenever I stand in front of my psychology students at Bates College, I make a concerted effort to find amazement in whatever we are discussing (including the topics that are, well, rather dull to me!) so that they learn to cultivate amazement themselves. I believe the ability to be amazed is key to leadership and I love how you put it in this post. Well done, Jon!
Thanks so much, Rebecca. I agree in that being amazed is essential to be a good teacher as it is a leader. By being amazed, we create wonderment and possibility in others. Your students are lucky to have a teacher with your mindset! Thank you. Jon
Leading amazed is a precursor to amazing leadership! This post is joyful and truthful and makes me feel the abundance for things big and small.
Today, my son notified me that he was sick and could not go to school. I had a big day planned for work and tons of errands to get done but instead, I started my day with a sick child on my couch. I could either be annoyed and frustrated or blessed and grateful to have that time with him. As we cuddled after lunch I cherished the moment with him and felt intense gratitude for his loving heart and his presence. I was not angry he was a faker with his illness because I allowed myself to be amazed by all he had to share, all he’s learning and the joy he brings. Yes, he will be in school tomorrow but today, he let me fill to the brim with gratitude. Amazing.
A wonderful story, Alli, of being engaged in the moment and grabbing it to make the most of it. These moments can pass us by all too often. The sharing and perspective you gained was an amazing experience of time used well. I hope he feels better.
Thank you, Alli, for all the great work you do. Continue to embrace each day! Jon
Jon, I’m grateful for your amazing post. When I go deeply into my own amazement I can practically stun myself and it feels, well, fabulous. I love sharing that energy with clients, in my poetry and haiku, and in every day interactions. Thanks for reminding me to seek, appreciate, and share the abundance of amazing potential all around us.
Thank you, Christy! I love the idea to “go deeply into my own amazement….” This notion conjures up how we need to tap into our amazing capabilities and release our ideas, creativity, and more. Within each of us, there is amazing talents and gifts to use and it sounds like you are! Appreciate it, Christy. Jon