A Life Well – Lived

Over the weekend, I attended the funeral of a long-time church member. When I say long-term, I mean long -term. Miss Burn’s was born in 1916, confirmed in 1930 and passed away at the age of 107.  Sharp until the end, she planned her own funeral service when she was ninety, emphasizing her military career (she was a WAC during WW II), business career, volunteer work, and her faith. Mostly, she wanted everyone to know that she lived her life with joy and positivity and a love for others. She believed you earned respect by giving respect.

I think some people are just born with a little more sunshine than others, and that may have been the case with Miss Burns, but I also think she made a deliberate decision to focus on the best in life. Like everyone, she had struggles including losing her parents before she was six, living through the Depression, early poverty, wars, and unfair treatment in the labor market, yet she believed the only way forward was forward.

The Case for Positive Leadership

It's easy to focus on the could haves, should haves, and might haves, but where does that get you? I think sometimes we underestimate the importance of being positive in the workplace. If you are leading a team, positivity creates an atmosphere where everyone can thrive.  I read the other day that a positive leader is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. How true is that?  Over my career, I have seen that when a leader exudes positivity, it creates a ripple effect throughout the organization. Team members feel motivated and enthusiastic, which in turn leads to increased productivity and better performance.

Being a positive leader is not just a feel-good philosophy; it's a strategic advantage that can significantly impact your team's performance and your organization's success. It’s not always easy. Leaders have bad days, too. But instead of going down the stinkin’ thinkin’ rabbit hole, find some strategies that help you see the brighter side.  Sometimes that is just a fake it until you make it attitude.

Moving Forward

Miss Burns served as my daughter’s confirmation mentor when she was 94 years old. How incredible is that?  She always seemed years younger, but while she talked about the past, she didn’t live there. Instead, she saw each day as a new opportunity.  I’m working to always have that attitude and to remind me moving forward I’ve hung a picture of Miss Burns on my filing cabinet.  Emulating positivity and joy can never be a bad thing. That’s the way I see it from where I sit this week.