Making It In Your Twenties

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Ryan Russell

On Jan 12, 2012, at 12:42 PM – a friend wrote:

As if my life didn’t already have enough changes… wanted to ask you to pray about some more new stuff.

It happened, my boss was reassigned and I have a new boss. My scope of responsibility has broadened to encompass (quite of number of things than it didn’t before). I have a (new employee who is significantly older than me and who has a much different work style). My new boss is a hard driver, old thinker, who doesn’t read books like Linchpin or 4-Hour Workweek. It will be a great challenge. I have concerns that that he has burned out other people who have followed his lead. I’m stoked to have someone who get results working with me, but it’s not gonna be easy. Working for my old boss was unchallenging if I didn’t challenge myself. This will be a whole different vibe.

All that to say, I would appreciate your prayers and feel free to drop wisdom on me as you feel it’s necessary. Normally I’d be excited for the new challenge but at this point with ironman training, a new baby, my wife’s new business and an additional committee role I took before this new development… More or less, I’m just getting exhausted!

Enough of that shit. Time to swim. Later.

—

January 13, 2012 at 2:51:53 PM - ryan russell wrote:

Sorry man for delay, I’ve been swamp with work and tired at night.

I will be praying for you.

Your late 20′s is a time to ‘make hay‘. It’s when you really grow, but it’s also a period of time where you put in the hours. Unfortunately, (the timing kinda stinks because) it also usually ends up being the time when wives want to have kids and other (life) things (intersect).

I wish I had been more patient when I was your age. Able to see what I was doing and slow down to enjoy my small kids more… especially as I just kept having them.

Hone your crafts of leadership and artist now. It is out of this period of time that you will make a professional name for yourself and it is out of the period of time where you will lay a solid foundation for yourself where you can make bigger (impact and) bank for your time in the future.

Leaders Need Washboard Abs

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Ryan Russell

I supposed it has a real name, but I call it the finishing work. It is the work at the end of a project that takes it from being pretty good to being very exceptional. In most cases it is the final 10-15% of the work that could be done, but doesn’t necessarily have to be done. Few people tend to like do finishing work, so it becomes the natural separator in almost every experience that you have. You will find it is the difference between restaurants, websites, athletes, leaders and relationships.

I want washboard abs. Although I workout 6-7 days a week and have completed several marathons, triathlons and an ironman, I still do not have them. Why? Because I hate sit-ups and being a conscientious, healthy eater. These two items are finishing work. So, even though I workout really hard, I am still short of one of my goals. So, someday soon I will have to discipline myself to drink no beer and take the extra 15 minutes at the end of each work out to put in some sit-ups.
* And, no, these are not a requirement for leadership, but it got you to read the article.

How about you? Do you cheat excellence in areas of your leadership, home, work or personal life because of finishing work? It’s tough, but it is what it takes to move areas in your life from ‘good’ to ‘awesome’.

A Cozy Bed and A Big TV

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Ryan Russell

These are the enemies of today’s would-be leaders. Add in Facebook and you may just well have the trifecta. Entertainment, relaxation, and gossip news often spoil what could be industrious days. I am not talking about the weekend or even the 80 hour weeks. Just a typical day. Time and opportunity lost, spoiled away. Invention, entrepreneurship, social change and mercy-aid forgone because you can’t get out of bed early or into it at a decent hour.

Do you have big ideas and find yourself impotent when it comes to execution?

Unplug the TV.
Read, dream and plan a bit more.
Go to bed before midnight.
Awake fresh.
Exercise.
Capture the best part of your mornings for work!

Here’s to you! Enjoy your coffee & your accomplishments.

Google and Lazy Students

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Ryan Russell

The Lost Arts of Problem Solving and Asking Questions.

How does it begin and where does it end? If I can not find the solution on the first page of google, it must not exist. If my teacher isn’t readily available to do it for me, then “I can’t do it”.

Problem Solving
It is a learnable skill, and for some it is an art. You must begin with determination and then add in some perseverance. It requires a willingness to research… beyond the first five links on google. For challenging problems, you might not even find your answer online. Problem solving can sometimes lead to what used to be referred to as ”head scratching”. Something can be gained by staring at an actual piece of paper where you have scribbled notes and you PAUSE TO THINK. Be willing to follow leads, come to dead ends, and then start down new paths. Some creative brainstorming with other smart people may even be required.

Asking Questions
Don’t be afraid or to proud to ask sharp people for a bit of intellectual assistance. This is different than asking someone to do your job for you. This is actual learning and it doesn’t have to be limited to a classroom at school. Seek out people who know a thing or two or three. Exchange value with them. Get a push in the right direction. Most leaders are willing to donate a few quick minutes to share their skill with young, hungry, up-and-coming leaders. But your do have to ask.

Shouting May Be Required

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Ryan Russell

Colin Cowherd. While we continue to wait on the leadership book, here is another great synopsis of leadership inside of sports.

The definition of leadership:
Authentic
Yelling
Get to the point
Win the game
Take the hit afterward

Take the time to listen to his whole rant.

Incase you missed it, here is sideline incident from Sunday’s game following Tom Brady’s interception and the subsequent interaction with Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien.

Why You Hate Tim Tebow

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Ryan Russell

It is easy to hate optimism. It is even easier to hate a cheerful winner. Add in to the mix, “well, he’s not even that good”, and then you really need to hate Tim Tebow.

Sunday’s game was awesome! And yes, Tebow needs to be thankful that Marion Barber lost the game for the Bears. But as good as the game was, if you watched the post-game interview with Tim Tebow, you enjoyed the whole thing even more. Tebow’s smile was contagious. His appreciation for his entire team was authentic. His belief is unflappable (at least while he is winning). Why wouldn’t you want to have this guy as your teammate?

Bottom line: Tim Tebow provides great drama and controversy AND he does it all from a positive perspective. His team rallies behind his leadership AND he wins. This is excellent leadership no matter your religious perspective.

* The hokey sort of Christians will make too much out ‘the message’ that they believe God wants to tell the world through Tim. Settle down. I am pretty sure God already sent the Messiah. #Christmas

Read the whole post game interview.
Consider Frank Bruni’s thoughts on Tebow’s optimism.

No Hiding From The Inevitable

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Ryan Russell

It is ludicrous to think or believe that you can run for president in this modern era and try to hide huge secrets in your closet(s). Even before newspapers and reporters, people all over the world have enjoyed the juicy, scandalous details of the failures of people in power. It has only intensified with media and money. You can not hide.

You can own your failures, grow through the hard times that come with confronting them, and avoid repeating your failure. People will let you march on.

But if you try to hide your personal scandals, keep indulging in them, pretend that they aren’t real, or avoid them all together… you will get buried. Reveling in your shortcomings might play popular with the media (for a season), but we won’t trust you in high office or position.

Occupy this you silly people

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Ryan Russell

Try as I might, I can’t figure out the main point of “Occupy Wall Stree t“. It just so happened that I was there on the day the riots started and nearly 200 people were arrested.

In all my research these two videos best highlight what I think of the situation as an observer who actually is trying to understand this collective of odd individuals. (exhibit #1 – exhibit #2)

Beyond the politics, the point and the methods, I can’t help having a strong opinion about the individuals who make up the majority of those spending day after day at the park. At best, a majority of the people in this crowd are aimless. They possess no obvious signs of the drive, ambition and the true grit that will be essential in bringing about the ‘change’ that they claim to so desperately want. Collectively they are excellent at looking so silly as to garner national and world wide media coverage. Most days there are more media people covering the story then there are actual people who make of the ‘movement’.

Change has to come from more than words and media hype. Actual change comes from sacrifice, hard work, strategic relationships being formed, intellectual genius being applied. My hope is that this rag tag band of park occupiers will stop occupying the TV with their silliness and start occupying jobs, dreams, ambitions, hard work and a shower. Then they can occupy real leadership and then they can make some real change.

Who lost the big picture?

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Ryan Russell

I did. You have. We all do once in a while.

The BIG picture is when we cross the finish line, accomplish our goals, or follow through on our commitments. The BIG picture is about becoming our best and then sharing it with others and with the world. The BIG picture is living our lives with purpose.

Human nature is to zoom in, grab the microscope and to over analyze the details. Do that with any picture and you will certainly find flaws and imperfections to focus on. Zoom in on people and the results are also the same. No boss or employee is perfect, and neither is any spouse or friend.

So focus on an individual’s BIG picture.
What does the ‘zoomed-out’ view tell you about them?
And what does your personal BIG picture say about you to others?
What is our nature as leaders, do we zoom-in or zoom-out while evaluating those around us?

The Value of Grit

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Ryan Russell

A highlight from a full day in NYC yesterday included hearing Dave Levin (co-founder KIPP schools) speak about the transformation of education and the need to develop character along with knowledge in our children. If you haven’t heard the story of of KIPP schools, take 5-10 minutes to be inspired and elevate your expectations of education.

KIPP schools teach 9 character traits. “Grit” is included in their fundamental belief structure, and surprisingly, it isn’t even buried last on the list like a complimentary throw in. The model that they teach from is inspiring and it’s truly refreshing to know that there are troops of educators willing to teach about hard work, perseverance, determination.

Kids must know how to ‘get up’ after life knocks them down. Because, quoting Dave’s simple observation,

“Life will knock you down’”.

So, do you have grit? Where is it demonstrated?

Red Bike Leader

Developing yourself and your leadership

Category Archives: leadership