Compassion. Community. Care.

Sitting here today, I find that I am counting my blessings, literally one by one.  I imagine that I am not alone.  I would guess that there are many family and friends in the deep south doing the exact same thing and then I imagine that there are others who are suffering significantly at the loss of loved ones, their homes and more. 

The last several days, my own beloved hometown has been under severe weather and unfortunately, we did not go unscathed.   It's not unfamiliar territory for us, as we have faced frightening storms before and each time, the fear, uncertainty and stress take their toll.   As a community, yesterday,  we experienced several tornadoes that left many without homes and destruction around us.   Its difficult not to be saddened and affected deeply whether you knew someone directly or indirectly.   As I try and compose my thoughts, my heart is wrenching for not only those in my own area, but for those in Alabama where the devestation is far greater and worse than my own neighborhood or community.   Alabama was the hardest hit in a series of storms that spanned six Southern states. 

For myself, yesterday was truly terrifying.   Storms have always scared me, but it seems that in recent years, my fear has become greater.  I am not a storm tracker.   I don't have a storm shelter, but after yesterday, I know that I will be looking into getting one.  I spent most of yesterday in my office, under my desk with a webcast of the local news on, praying that I didn't lose internet connection.   It was my lifeline.  I felt the need to communicate with others who were just as terrified, so not only did I have the weather on, I was logged into facebook.  Our local newspaper was very diligent about posting news as well as friends and family.  As for the weather,  I don't always understand all the diagrams they show you on the newscast, but I am so grateful that they pre-empt all regular programming to do nothing but broadcast the radar.  After a very exhausting morning, more panic came late yesterday, when the latest storm cell showed the path of a tornado tracking over my house and neighborhood.   Immediately, I began to dial all my family members making sure they were accounted for and telling them to take cover.    I am blessed that they are all safe.  Stuff can be replaced.  Trees replanted.  Yes, today...I am counting my blessings.  

Compassion.  Community.  Care.  Those 3 simple words describe the outpouring of support that I witnessed  as people pulled together to help their fellow neighbors and even complete strangers.  From cutting down trees, to picking up debris, to bringing water and food to those working diligently to help those affected.  As a community, I am grateful for our county power crews, sheriff's department and others who are putting in countless of hours to help get power back and clear the roads.  The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have set up shelters and mobile food trucks across the southern region affected by these tragic storms. To find out how to donate, just go to the websites, www.redcross.org or www.salvationarmyusa.org.   You can click on the donate now button or click on your local group and find information on how to help those affected.

Today, the sun was shining brightly after the darkness we all felt yesterday.  It gave new hope that another day was dawning and that even though we don't always understand why something happens, our faith gives us the strength and comfort to know that God never fails us, even in times of turmoil and crisis.

May God Bless and Comfort Each of those families affected. 

Leaders are PEOPLE too!

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Lead and they will follow.... hmmmmm...

I don't know about you, but when my family or friends get together, there's tons of good conversation going on about a gamut of topics.  Its not uncommon to have a casual conversation turn into a debate or a really passionate exchange.  This past week-end was no exception which led to deep thought and eventually this posting.   Every now and then, I do love these hearty discussions because they challenge me to expand my own opinions or views.  Sometimes I walk away thinking how wrong I was about something or to the other end of the spectrum, how dead on in my thought process I was to the others.   Well, the latest exchange happened when we were discussing various leaders - both on a local, regional and national level.  The conversation was somewhat eye-opening because I had never really thought about how people might differ on what they see in a person as a leader.  Honestly, I was shocked at some of the individuals that others thought were good leaders.  Inside, I was thinking - no way!  Oh my!   As the conversation became more passionate, I began to think that maybe I had the wrong idea.  It led me to some agonizing questions about my own abilities and eventually to the questions of  what is a leader anyway?  What makes a good leader?

Now... after all these questions, my brain hurt.  I decided to look up the definition to see if the dictionary agreed with me and my thinking.

A leader is a person who has a vision, a drive and a commitment to achieve
 that vision, and the skills to make it happen. 

Well, that's pretty close to my own definition.   I believe that a leader is a person who has a vision and also a plan or strategy on how to achieve it.  I believe that a leader has to be able to problem-solve if the implementation process doesn't go exactly as planned and be able to make decisions to get back on track.  I believe that a leader has to be fair and open.    Most of all I think a leader has to have the drive and passion to stay focused and see the vision through to the end.  A leader has to believe so that all of the followers will as well.   In my personal opinion, these are traits that set a true leader apart from others.  Passion.  I've blogged about it before and I continue to stand behind it 100%.  Passion definitely makes a difference in how others see you and react to you.   Leaders have to be strong and stay the course regardless of the obstacles that happen along the way.  

One of the things that I have found that has helped me in my own journey as a leader is the fact that I love people.   I love the exchange of ideas, thoughts and just good ole' general conversation between people.  I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to get to know people,  build relationships and nurture them.  Leadership is also about motivation.  If you're a people person and have a genuine interest in others, you learn what their strengths and weaknesses are and what helps them to succeed.   You learn the right approach to help them get excited to want to excel.  You learn what challenges them to do their best.   I've met people who absolutely brought out the very best in me.   They challenged me to be better than  I was the day before.  They helped ignite the passion and the creative energy that leaders need to thrive and succeed.  For those individuals, I am extremely grateful.  

Lastly, I also feel that a leader has to be positive and effectively communicate with others.   Its not always easy, but leaders have to be able to adapt to any situation and have a positive attitude and provide positive feedback.   Its what allows them to help others in their tasks.   All of my blog posts revolve around my own experiences whether in my personal or professional life.   I've made tons of mistakes as a leader if you've read any of my posts prior to this one.   I've not always been a good leader as I look back and maybe its because at the time, I didn't really know how to be one.   I had a great mentor at the very beginning of my first career and I've written about him often.  I respect him and truly like him as a person.  I value his advice to this day. He would be the first to tell you how much I've grown since the beginning of my career and how much I've changed and adapted.  I'd like to think that all of my flaws as a leader in the past were not necessarily failures but opportunities that provided me with valuable learning tool that has helped me become the person I am today.

Nowadays,  I try to surround myself with positive people and trust me... that is not an easy task in itself.   I try very hard to look at the glass half full, not half empty.  I try my best not to react, but to think and listen.  I still falter and I still have to "regroup", but with every day that passes, I keep getting more and more consistent.

Some people are gifted and naturally born as great leaders.   Most of us, it takes effort to learn good skills and practice those on a daily basis. A leader dreams and finds a way to follow those dreams to reality.  My best success stories are ideas or thoughts that mattered and with all my heart, soul and passion came to fruition.    Whenever we slip or fall as leaders, we get back up and continue to move forward because afterall, isn't that what a good leader does - perseveres and moves forward.   

WORDS HAVE POWER!

It's official!  We are off and running with a brand new concept in the hospitality industry.   It's exciting and rewarding to be back in an arena that I feel quite at home.... and have loved for a long time.  This time... a good bit smaller and with a different format.
 

Last week, the press release went out to announce a brand new program for the hospitality industry called Hospitality Executive Exchange.   My office has been a flurry of activity with so many of our friends and colleagues calling or emailing to find out more information.    Our initial efforts to get the event on everyone's radar has been embraced with such a positive hug thus far.  The basis of the event is one-on-one guaranteed meetings between buyers and suppliers plus networking opportunities during breaks, lunches, receptions and dinner.   We're excited to bring this fresh new approach to the industry and feel that the fit will be perfect with today's economic situation.

I have been overwhelmed with all of the positive comments we have received to date.  I was humbled by  the time and effort that colleagues and friends took to send them.   Words with encouragement, congratulations and interest.  Words that created a renewed sense of energy and commitment to an industry that I am already very passionate.   Words that motivated and challenged me.  Words that were genuine.   Words that reminded me that relationships are our most valuable asset. 

Words truly have power!   We should all be mindful and appreciative of positive words and remember that negative ones are weapons that have no place in the business arena.
 

As I thought about this, that's when it struck me that everyday we all have the ability and opportunity to change someone's day or attitude by choosing the right words.   Words have the ultimate power to inspire!  

I hope to see all my friends and colleagues on November 6-9, 2011 in North Miami.  Mark your calendars!   Please visit our website, www.hospitalitybusinessexchange.com for complete details and information.   I look forward to visiting and seeing everyone over the next few weeks and months. 

As I end my blog for this posting... I leave you with this thought....

“If someone were to pay you 10 cents for every kind word you ever spoke and collect from you 5 cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor?”