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

Letter to My Daughter: Day in the Life Sunday

You are a teenager now. Wow, where did the time go? It seems like yesterday when dad and I were in the hospital gazing in wonder and joy at our new baby girl. Those feelings were definitely a first for us and our new family.

From then on, our days were filled with firsts. First words, first steps, first bingo dobber painting, first day of school. First friend, first hurt feeling, first tooth, first dance recital, first cartwheel and first ride without training wheels.

You were little, you were growing and you were brave. You inspired me. And now, you are not so little anymore. You've outgrown your car seat and you read on your own. You wear deodorant, are looking at prom dresses and shave your legs, for God's sake.

When you were an infant, I counted your age by days, weeks and months. Today, I am not counting by days, weeks or months or measuring your progress by firsts. It's more recent events I remember: you putting your nervousness aside and stepping up to the block at a swim meet; wrestling with the neighbor boys who absolutely adore you; walking confidently into the middle school each day, recognizing yet not being ruled by lunchroom and girl drama; your self-challenge to  be fearless; and the friendships you are developing.

I know there are times when I drive you crazy or push when all you want is space. You didn't come with a guidebook and hey, that's what mothers do. Through it all, never doubt my love for you. I am your biggest cheerleader.

Continue to trust yourself and your choices. Keep wondering, creating and always know that you are important. You are strong and capable.

I am so proud of you and love that you are my daughter.

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There's more but the rest is between me and my girl. I've learned so much from her and from the day to day joy of being her mom. Do you have a daughter? What do you want to be sure she knows as she grows up?

By Lisa Rosendahl