Be Inspiring

I have a few boards on Pinterest. As I scan and search for items to pin, I always come across an inspirational quote or two . . . or one hundred. What I do when I see a quote depends on my mood that day and whether or not it calls to me.

If I don't pass them by, I may observe a moment of clarity, laugh at the absurdity of human nature, sigh with recognition or comment, "Now, why didn't I think of that?" I pin the ones I like, share one every now and then on Facebook (not because I am stingy that way but to keep my status updates quote-free) or I tuck them away in Evernote for future use.

These quotes are fun in passing and can bring a point home in a slide deck but not one has ever resulted in a change of my behavior. I am not inspired by infographics or intentions.

I am inspired by action.

I am inspired by:

• A superintendent passionate about unlocking potential in every student in her school. When she speaks about her favorite parts of her day (lunch with students and inspirational TED-Ed clubs), I look closer at the leadership choices I've made.
• A teenage daughter who, despite her fears, continually tries new things. When I see her fearlessly spreading her wings, I quiet the reticence in my voice.
• A 5 am CrossFit group who push physical and mental limits each and every day. "Can't" is not in their vocabulary and I've made a mental note-to-self to remove it from mine.

I am inspired by veterans and their families, Boston Marathon runners and people who, against all odds, put themselves out there because they believe. I am inspired by empowering students and TitleIX.

Keeping posting your inspirational quotes and I'll keeping pinning and sharing the ones I like but when you really want to be make a difference, stop trying to inspire.

Instead, be inspiring.

Be Inspiring, by Lisa Rosendahl, first appeared on lisarosendahl.com

A Leadership Idea: Grow Up and Lead

What started as a leadership rant for me is developing into an transforming idea: it's easy to lead when things are going well and a leader is on top but it’s what leaders choose to do when they are at the bottom that defines them.

People are unique. Leadership experiences are too. You are responsible for yours.

Photo credit: iStockphoto

With this as my premise, I developed a manifesto. About this time last year, you voted my manifesto into the ranks of ChangeThis. The dedicated team at ChangeThis has been working away since then preparing over 190 manifestos for publication and now, it's my turn.

My manifesto, Grow Up and Lead, is live!

It's a work in progress. Even now, I can see how my thoughts have evolved since this first writing. It was difficult to not to take pen to paper and rewrite the whole thing but I wanted to remember where and how it all started.

Ideas come, ideas go and every now and then, I'll see an idea that stops me in my tracks. When it does, it's the perspective or the way the idea is nuanced that resonates with me. If an idea helps me re-frame an assumption or recognize a hidden belief, I am hooked. At the very least, presented well, an idea can be very entertaining.

Take a look at my manifesto and tell me what you think. What resonated with you and what fell flat? Where can I develop it further and where did I get off track? What did I miss? What would you add?

Ideas can define or destroy you.  I vote for define.

By Lisa Rosendahl