Mom often used this old adage… “Encouragement sweetens labor”. My Pastor says, “Lovers are not like workers, they don’t burn out!”. With that being said, it is always wise to uplift your team. It will increase morale, and confidence in their roles as well as enhance productivity.
This is not flattery or vain words to boost an ego. Sincere recognition of one’s potential and acknowledgment of one’s efforts will go a long way. Real leaders recognize future leaders and do their best to develop and guide them. When someone is in an environment that is encouraging, their potential is being watered. The grounds of their abilities are limitless. They begin to perceive the vision and mission in new ways. They love what they do and enjoy being a part of the team.
These motivated individuals are most likely to go above and beyond what’s required and often take initiative. Oftentimes, people who feel overlooked and have no sense of belonging quit, fall back, experience a decline in work ethic, have poor attitudes and the list continues. They are not bad people; every plant needs water to survive. Leadership is responsible to create, maintain and enhance the work environment. It needs to be one that is conducive to growth, and overall health with a goal to yield maximum and desired results.
Oh, we’re familiar with the term “there are no wrong answers” but that’s just a cliche.
In actuality there are wrong answers, and it shouldn’t be a crime to state that fact. However, it should be considered a teachable moment and a chance to enlighten someone.
As a former instructor, I noticed something in the classroom. My students were reviewing their vocabulary words and responded well when I used certain verbiage. If they raised their hand to participate, it meant that they were bold or courageous enough to have the spotlight on them.it means they actively wanted to take part. I honored their boldness but if an answer was given contrary to what was correct, I would simply say “that’s incorrect but try again” or not quite but I see where you were going with that”. It’s imperative not to demean or shame anyone while they are yet trying.
“There are no wrong answers” is a cliche. It is a statement used by instructors, speakers and teachers to encourage participation by all. An indirect push to be vulnerable amongst their peers. The ultimate goal is to create a safe space and learning environment that was conducive to accommodate mistakes. I firmly believe in correcting them.
If someone were to write a thesis on apples when clear instructions were given to discuss oranges. It’s an indication that someone received the information poorly, failed to thoroughly process or just blatantly did what they wanted. This a great opportunity to see where their head, locate their perspective sat and offer some redirection. This warrants an explanation of the instructions and taking the time out to provide clarity. Maybe there is a proficiency in learning. My goal is to understand what they understand. Does this pupil have difficulty or is it them being stubborn? Definitely something to take note of.
What am I trying to say? It’s definitely not a debate on whether the statement should be used but rather a moment to declare that words matter. How you say things has equal importance. An Instructor, Leader or Teacher or even parent literally has the power and influence to affect a student’s life and learning experience. They either inspire, cause you to dig deeper and think more critically, reassess and evaluate or your approach can hinder and destroy the joy of learning. These are far beyond little moments in class. The way the foundations of a “wrong” is handled is critical to personal development and can be carried through life. They can make someone feel empowered, humiliated or spark a desire to challenge authority because they feel a need to be defensive.
These foundations of education have lasting effects. Later in life, when challenged they can easily fold or have a growth mindset. A mindset that doesn’t limit progress. It’s okay to mess up but learn from the mistake and fail forward. Others will walk around defeated and inspired. Yet, there will be the ones with delusions of grandeur, the coddled one who is kept in a state of ignorance based upon the confirmation in their wrong. The do no wrong crew.
Balance in life is necessary for development. It teaches you resilience, acceptance, grit and determination, gratitude and less stressful life full of anxiety. They say it takes a village to raise one child and I agree. One droplet doesn’t create a wave; movement occurs when we are united in the same direction!
Just picture this. You go to a river and desire to work the land to create streams. You are blessed enough to have tools and helping hands. Although it may be some work, we know with some persistence it is completely doable.
But now picture dry land with no apparent water. You do not have any helping hands. You have spent long-time testing and trying out areas where you could tap into water. You’ll dig most times without avail. Some are quite fortunate; they may get exactly what you are looking for which is water. You have just gotten something out of nothing. Moisture trapped under dry land. What a feat and accomplishment but we’re advised to work smarter not harder?
That visual in your mind is that of entrepreneurship today! Miracles are produced with the endeavors of grandeur. Determination to tap into a market with constant flow. What we don’t like to do is tap into a river that’s consistent already to make work easier. When you create a “start-up” or Brick-and-Mortar business, it’s extremely challenging and sometimes tedious to establish.
Oh, to live the American dream and how astonishing to do so with nothing. Yes, it has been done but quality supplies and equipment all have a price. Sometimes, we may have to do what we dislike until we can fully embrace what we love.
Millennials and people of today no longer desire to work on anyone’s plantation only to be used, abused, discarded, underappreciated, and unaccomplished. Those days and that era are somewhat behind us. We look at entrepreneurship as the future. Trust me it is a new day; times have changed but we must ensure we make wise decisions that will benefit us in the long run. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone and not for the faint of heart.
Sometimes, getting ahead in this dispensation includes biting a bullet or two on a “9 to 5”. Many are lazy, stubborn, inconsistent, or rebellious and cannot submit to an overseer. Others have been hurt, disappointed, and frustrated from past experiences. Then, there is a small group; a peculiar set of passionate individuals who just have a fire, desire, and longing for something more. This group has big dreams and cannot afford to be limited. This group is ambitious and typically desires to make a difference. Their creativity and hunger for innovation can sometimes get stiffed and viewed as intimidating. This group knows their “why” and just needs some help getting started.
My advice, let the job fund your dream until your dream becomes your dream job. Don’t despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). Don’t be embarrassed about your process, instead trust it.
Take it one day and one step at a time. It may become a part of your speech, sermon, or oration. Begin with the end in mind (Steven Covey). Consider the outcome and create a plan highlighting the benchmarks, tactics, strategies, and set goals. Let your “why” strengthen you for your “who” and motivate you for your “what”. We all must start somewhere. My mentor Dr. Courney M. Bradley always says that “God is not a liar and he won’t give you a preview to then disappoint you with a nightmare”. He wouldn’t allow you to dream big or put a passion inside of you if you were never destined to achieve it. Above everything else he wants us to prosper in every facet of our lives and live our best lives. He is rooting for us all! In 3 John 2 (MSG), it states…”How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul”. Let that sink in. He desires for us to accomplish and live well. As Christian Entrepreneurs, we know we don’t have it any easier. We don’t just pray and everything becomes peachy. God is not a genie and miracles are not magic. We must put our faith to work and do something about the inspiration downloaded in us. Then you will witness a flow. He will instruct us on which land, which field, which team, and which tools to achieve success. Flow is when you submit to THE Someone to help you create something out of nothing.
They say that “experience is the best teacher”, that’s speculative but I agree in some sense. In life, sometimes you gotta lose enough times to build a strategy from the ground up, gain insight, or see things from a different perspective. These are the defining moments in our lives where we get “gritty” and hungry enough to get the mindset to succeed. We gain strength, a backbone, agility, and tenacity to win. Losing isn’t fun but it’s a part of life. Now one we should embrace and get comfortable with but know it’s a temporary place of disappointment and use it as a stepping stone for forwarding movement and learning. Dr. Courtney M. Bradley says “you can have a situation but the situation doesn’t have to have you!”.
Losing teaches you about what you have within you. Nothing is more revelatory than the times of distress or trouble when we discover who we are and what we possess within. I encourage you not to give up. Oftentimes, our eyes (vision) can get adjusted to the darkness that sudden light will shock and be hurtful. However, if you keep some light on (hope) you will be able to handle the light in its fullness and adjust smoother. You must remain hopeful and remain prepared for when that light opportunity comes bursting through. Sometimes we lose so much that when a win happens, we don’t know how to recognize, receive or rejoice in it. It’s like that now but it would not always be like this forever. Try again, dry your eyes again, stand again, create again, believe again, and dream again but bigger. SUCCESS IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF DISAPPOINTMENT!. YOU CANNOT GIVE UP NOW, YOU MUST SEE AND WITNESS THE SUN-RISE AT THE HORIZON.
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