How has your organization changed you?

Shirley has been a carhop at the Keller's Drive-In hamburger joint, in Dallas Texas, for 51 years. I asked Shirley what kept her carhopping at Keller's so long, and she replied, "nothing changes and that's just the way I like it." Looking around this favorite local eatery, I had to agree; it didn't look like much had changed in 50 years.

The dream is to work with organizations that encourage delivering your best work via your gifts and talents. Rarely is it a perfect match and compromises are made to fit into the existing team. 

I respect those who have a healthy self-awareness; knowing their strengths and weaknesses. This awareness supports the ability to discern how to respond when asked to change and bend to the organizational needs. 

If the requested change is a skill worth learning and added to the professional toolbox, then it is worth pursuing change. If the new direction is not in alignment with the true self, a decision is in order. Do you compromise on your strengths or reject the decree, and go in a new direction? Author, Derek Sivers wrote that we should enthusiastically say "Hell Yes," or "No" to any decision. Sober self-awareness is a helpful guide.

I am an optimist and find joy in all kinds of work. Primarily focusing on the silver lining and how it could work out vice conducting a sober assessment of the opportunity. I can be slow to listen to self-awareness due to fear of missing out on the next rung of the ladder and attempt to be something I am not. 

Embracing a challenge and pursuing growth is good. Bending is ok, but contorting and breaking is painful.

The self-aware are comfortable with the uncertainty of pursuing meaningful change. Adhering to self-imposed boundaries offers the freedom to say "hell yes" or "no" with confidence.

Shirley has decided to live the life of a carhop, proficient in a job that offers little change and doesn't challenge her boundaries. I am getting better at discerning when to evolve, bend or pass. What is your story?

How do you curate your reading list?

You're missing out on the good stuff if your reading list is based on the clearance table at the Dollar Store. Not judging, but just saying.

I have met people that consume books quicker than eating a tic-tac and have no concept how they hold the information in their brain. I enjoy reading two or three books at a time, and it takes time for me to dwell with the concepts before moving on to the next book. Therefore, I need to cull the list of titles that hit the major reading lists if I am going to make good use of my reading time.

Maria Popova, Al Mohler, Derek Sivers, and Ryan Holiday fall into the category of voracious readers. These kind folks are also willing to regularly share the love, and their perspectives, on the written word they have devoured.

These reading lists cut across time and genres to deliver a "best of" list that goes beyond the New York Times or Amazon rankings. I have stumbled across recommendations that are out of print and require rooting through dusty bookshops hoping beyond hope; I will be the guy to find a copy.

How have these public reading lists impacted your personal reading list? What close friends enjoy the printed word, and provide recommendations? How have these close relationships influenced your reading diet?

Book publishers spend a significant amount of money, time and effort to focus your attention on the latest offerings. Authors hit the book signing circuit and do a round of podcasts to spread the word. It becomes a media blitzkrieg. What books have you bought as a result of this marketing frenzy? My most memorable response was hearing Peter Thiel speak following the launch of Zero to One. I find myself pondering several of his points every week.

Going Further? What recommendations have you disagreed with and why? What have you found to be a trustworthy source of books? What was a favorite recommendation? How have you expressed your gratitude to these list makers?

How do you energize those you are passionate about?

You don't have to be loud to encourage the crowd, but it helps. The political pundits talk about using strategies to rally the base for their particular candidate. Whether it is advertisements, rallies or fundraisers, there is a process for getting people fired up about a cause.

What is your strategy for getting your supporters, co-workers or customers excited about the passions you share? The tribe looks to the leader for vision and direction to keep the momentum going. Your enthusiasm for the product and the people will have a contagious impact on those around you.

What insights do you have about the idiosyncrasies of your community that allow you to know them better than they know themselves? This understanding supports knowing when the masses will bob and weave and let you be the DJ. 

What do you respect the most about your community? Since you chose these people as your own, part of the deal is to work like crazy to ensure success is achieved. Your appreciation and respect for the group you serve can inspire action and devotion as you share your pursuit of the mission.

Where do you see the tribe waning in their passion? Derek Sivers (@sivers on Twitter) gave a TED Talk about "how to start a movement" and describes the transformation of one crazy guy into a dancing movement all within 3 minutes. Leading is hard and requires massive effort to maintain the momentum necessary to accomplish anything great. How can you reinvigorate the community?

This is our opportunity to drive change, create something bigger than ourselves and inspire those around us. You must pursue your passions, and they matter; the tribe is waiting.

YouTube Link: How do you energize those you are passionate about?