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“There is a difference between being damaged and being broken. Being damaged means a flaw remains underlying that does not allow for normal functionality, whereas being broken means the designed function has ceased. With time, effort, and care, one who is broken can be fully restored. That which is damaged will attempt to hide the flaws and not accept restoration. Only the truly broken will be restored!”

Kintsugi. Some define this as the art of precious scars. It is the Japanese art of taking something that has been broken and restoring it to beauty by using gold or occasionally silver lacquer to bind the broken pieces together again. Often times, the restored piece is more beautiful, precious, and sought after than the original vessel before it was broken.

As leaders, we will often find that we are placed in charge of individuals would are similar to these broken vessels. They were once ambitious, full of drive, and even molded for greatness; however, somewhere along their journey their hopes and plans were dropped or even crushed by others, by circumstances, or by time. You may now find that they are merely a shell of their former selves and lack the motivation, they once had, to be the star employee.

If you are wise and have a keen eye, you may be able to see the true potential still locked away in the broken pieces of these individuals. With a little time, effort, and care on your part, you may be able to restore them to their former potential or even discover that hidden inner value just waiting to be pieced together. Invest in your people and they become something greater than the sum of their parts!

 

“Good attitudes are like fine China.  They are nice to have, but pointless unless used.”

Ahh… The finer things in life.  Whether because we are drawn to nicer things or because of the theories defined by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we all desire to build and add to our lives.  It isn’t wrong to want better for our own situations.

Do you remember those place-settings your mother or grandmother had that were always on display but rarely, if ever, used for their purpose – eating off of?  Like Fine China, our attitudes are often reserved and placed on display.  Some of us have learned how and when to use them; others have not.

As a leader, your attitude often affects the attitudes of those who work for you.  If you are having an off day, your employees will not only see this but likely model it as well – less productive, decreased safety, minimal effectiveness.  However, if you work to not only display your good attitudes but use them openly with your employees, it can be just as infectious  – more productive, increased awareness and safety, maximized effectiveness.

Employees often model what is displayed and given to them.  What are you providing, today, to your employees?  As a leader, your attitude can better the situations of those who work for you.  If you are merely putting your good attitudes on the shelf waiting for the opportune moment to take it out, you have already missed the occasion!

“You can never go back and start over; you can only make new decisions.”

How many times in life have you wished you could take back a decision, a word spoken in anger, or an opportunity missed?  No matter how hard we wish, you and I both know that we can never get that moment back.  Starting over really isn’t an option in this linear life.

Today, I want to encourage you to consider your decisions.  Consider how each one will impact, guide, and direct your path away from where you find yourself now to a new place of challenge and decision.  If you do find yourself in that place of hopeful wishing, take a moment, take a breath, and regain your focus – now make a new decision!  This is the only way forward and the only way you can move past the trap of wishing and regret!

The chance of not winning is not an excuse for a failure to start; however, the failure to start is the reason you will never win!

Individuals and leaders must be willing to take a chance if they ever hope to be successful in their roles. Too often, I find that many grow to a certain level or position, then freeze in their efforts and growth. Is it because they are afraid to take a chance; are they fearful of failure? Without risk, there is no reward. Without motion, there is stagnation. You must start if you want to succeed – You must take a chance if you want to continue to win!