A few posts ago, I wrote about Rupert. He is bitter and struggles in relationships because he constantly compares himself to others. He never embraced the value of gratitude or practiced the art of thanksgiving. Because of that, he and everyone around him suffers.
As a follower of Jesus, I believe two markers should identify my life.
A sense of contentment now
Confidence in the future
I have found that these two markers also identify great business leaders.
Great business leaders embrace and cultivate a sense of contentment now. Contentment is not a natural response to life. It is a value that must be embraced and nurtured.
These two markers are absent in Rupert's life.
Practicing is a big deal. Athletes that don't practice cannot make the big leagues. Public speakers that don't practice cannot make the big leagues. Musicians that don't practice cannot make the big leagues.
Practice makes permanent. When you have practiced a lack of thankfulness for years, it can feel impossible to change. If you have practiced wrong, you will perform wrong.
Gratitude has to be practiced.
Contentment has to be practiced.
Thankfulness has to be practiced.
Great leaders practice enjoying the journey toward the destination. The destination is not the goal; enjoying energy and joy in the journey is.
Lesson: Great business leaders practice and enjoy contentment now.
The second marker that exposes great business leaders is living with confidence in the future. Trust in the future flows from successfully practicing daily contentment and gratitude.
Challenging situations expose the best and worst parts of our leadership style and values. Successfully navigating trying situations and learning all we can from them gives us confidence that we can face them again successfully in the future. It also helps us to clarify our ultimate purpose.
You are not compromising on excellence to be happy with how things are in the present. Just because a leader is content today with where his company and team are, doesn't mean they don't expect it to do better in the future. It is precisely this contentment that motivates their team to strive for more excellence in the future.
Contentment allows team members to feel appreciated and valued for their current contributions. It also allows the leader to prod the team toward more excellence in the future.
May this advent season bring you a great sense of anticipation for further knowing your purpose, growing your contentment, and cultivating your confidence in the future.
Harry T. Jones
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