What is Your Purpose?

This week's post was written by Scott Peterson.

This week is the kick-off to Excellence In Leadership 1 -- It is one of my favorite events. As I was preparing for it, I reflected on all the different topics and activities included. Participants have the opportunity to do leadership challenges, give and receive feedback, and learn about leadership. These are all impactful and really cool activities (at least for a leadership geek like me). However, one of the longest-lasting and most impactful elements for participants is taking time to reflect about their personal values and beginning to write a personal mission statement (purpose). 

The first time I tried to write mine was in 1996. It took me about a year to finish. I wrote a short version, a long version and a bullet point version. It was a frustrating process for me until I got some advice:

• A personal mission statement is written by you and for you. Express your purpose and don't try to impress people.  It can be long. It can be short. It can be anything you want. 
• Your mission statement should give you direction for your life and help you stay focused on your passion and values. 
• Once you have it, lean on it. Lean on it during tough times and when you're faced with big or small decisions. Lean on it in good times to help you stay focused on what's important to you. 

During this next week, I will be reflecting on my personal mission statement. I will double check that it still holds true. I will be thinking about the times during the past year that it has helped me. I will also be thinking about the times I forgot about it and missed the opportunity to lean on it. The best thing I am hoping for is that it inspires me as much now as it did when I first wrote it (when it "clicked"). And if I need to make any changes to it - I will do that, too. 

Here is my challenge to you: reflect on your mission statement and let it inspire you. Live your mission statement and use all of your gifts, talents, and resources to work toward the direction that you set, and then see what kinds of extraordinary things can happen. 

Have a great week and continue leading the Interstates Way!

Scott Peterson

P.S. If you've never written a personal mission statement (or you wrote one but you don't remember it) - there is no time like the present! If you need resources to get started, please let me know.

Leading With Questions or With Leading Questions?

This week's post comes from Jack Woelber.

Leading with questions or with leading questions? 

I’ve had a couple of conversations recently with some folks near and dear to my heart…my kids. Both of my kids are in the process of making some major life choices. One of them was asking for my input while, admittedly, I was offering the other my thoughts and advice even if they weren’t specifically seeking it. Both of them are college aged and the world would consider them adults even though, to me, they will always be “my kids.”

Wanting to respect their independence, I’m at a point in my relationship with both of them where I must limit my desire to tell them what to do. I want them to think more deeply on their own and have a healthy thought process for decision making. During our recent phone conversations I’ve asked questions in an effort to hopefully help them think more deeply about their decisions and the impact those decisions may have on their lives. 

Shortly after the second conversation, I was reflecting on the questions I had asked and was wondering if I had added any value to the thought process. As I thought back, I wondered whether the questions I had offered were really leading my kids to discover the best options and alternatives for their given situations or if these questions were simply my opinions stated in the form of questions. 

There are several books written about leading conversations with great questions. I think the challenge for myself and other leaders is to make sure we are truly “leading with questions” and not asking “leading questions.” The first allows people opportunities to grow and become better decision makers. The latter can potentially stifle deeper thinking and create “group think” or drive behavior that, while our preference, may not be the preference of our team members.  As you lead, think about how your questions are perceived. 

Continue Leading the Interstates Way!

Jack Woelber