doug smith training

There are so many parts of my past that I would love to fix. Thinking about them doesn't help and won't fix them. The best I can do is to reflect on the lessons learned and do better next time. How about you? If we could fix the last we'd break it in brand new ways.  The price of being imperfect is a glorious one: constant learning. That's not so bad after all. -- doug smith  

That extra tough problem might need multiple solutions -- in fact, its probably does. -- doug smith  

Working together is not over-rated. Even the sharpest of minds miss some important details. Even the strongest of leaders needs a team to lead.  Truly collaborating means accepting that sometimes your point of view is flawed, and is almost always incomplete. Staying open to the ideas of others, while working in the same direction on a unified mission, creates a path for success.  The art of leadership benefits from collaboration. -- doug smith

Have you ever felt like a prisoner to your own emotions? The feelings can be so strong that they flood your being with an almost paralysis. I have found myself wandering away from a situation because my emotions were pushing so hard, even though a better choice would have been to stay, get those emotions under control, breathe, and choose. Once a bad emotion has sent you its warning, it's best to send it on its way. Emotions can drive us, but don't need to. Feel it, pause, and step away. Keep all of your choices open. -- doug smith

Problems need not prevent positive outcomes. It's what we do with them that matters. -- doug smith  

  The art of leadership includes a palette of patience, passion, and persistence. That will likely take practice, too. -- doug smith

  Listen to your team and count how many times they say "we" compared to "me". Develop and promote those who say "we" and coach those who get stuck on "me" to focus more on "we". -- doug smith

Broken teams lead to broken teams. Tend to your team because there's much at stake. -- doug smith

What's the best way for a leader to make their job easier? Make sure your team is well trained. Leaders can't possibly manage all the dynamics on a team -- which is why they should train their team members to manage them. And while you're at it, why not train your team to manage everything? Then, once you have, you can truly lead. -- doug smith  

  It's frustrating to be misunderstood. It is well worth working on our communication skills in order to minimize misunderstandings because they lead to hardships and hard feelings.  But, do you know some one who just seems to always misunderstand your message, or your intention? It's almost as if they are missing the point on purpose. They probably are not -- there's just some filter in the way. Some people will misunderstand you no matter how clearly you speak. Reframe, rephrase, re-try...it's not worth letting the misunderstanding stand. -- doug smith

Goals have the power to change us, to form us, to set us up for success -- or less. But, they should serve more than your own intentions. Great goals also serve others. Make sure that your goals are noble because they will direct your behavior. And, you do want to be considered noble, don't you? -- doug smith  

Big goals need little goals to build momentum. If you get stuck, find a piece to work on. Break those big goals down. Keep moving. There's always something to be done on any goal that matters. -- doug smith