Self Reliant Leadership has moved

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Thank you!

Jan Rutherford

Passion and Stamina

I had the opportunity today to ride with some of cycling’s greats, and I was impressed that after nearly thirty years, they still have a deep passion for the sport. They love talking about racing tactics, and mostly, their kid’s accomplishments. They have all become leaders beyond the sport in business and charities, and their passion and pursuit of excellence must be one of the things that have allowed them to exert leadership for such a prolonged period of time. It is a good reminder that passion is the key, and the dedication and sacrifice are the other parts that do not go unnoticed by followers.

Cultural Values

I met a pleasant shopkeeper in Nice, France, and she asked a lot of questions about Americans.  She expressed a desire to see the "real" America someday, but then said her choice destination would be New York!  She admires the American work ethic as the French only work 35 hours per week, and take 5 weeks of Holiday per year.  With her praise, she also said that she perceives that many Americans are very closed-minded.  She was aware of her bias, and at the same time, believed her perceptions were accurate.

With the topic of leadership, there is always a discussion of values, but the concept is often abstract.  When captured in a brief conversation, the differences in values become quite apparent whether cultural or individual.  The conversation with the French woman made me think of my own perceptions and biases.  How do your values define you; and do they determine how you define others?  Are you open-minded when and where you need to be?