[font=verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif]An amazing leader texted me this picture of the orchid that finally bloomed on her desk. In admiring the flower’s beauty it got me thinking about the power of a leader learning to look a little closer at the beauty around and within them that may be going overlooked or undervalued. The truth is in our hurried lives we often lose sight of details right in front of us that can take us from being an ordinary leader into an extraordinary leader. For example, let’s do a quick awareness test. Take a look at the picture of the orchid. Do you just see a flower or do you see a flower lady sitting there arms widespread to the sky saying “I am so grateful and joyful to be out of that bud!” I know… once you see the flower lady it is hard to see it as just an ordinary flower. Running leadership deep dives, my unique gift is finding deep strengths that have often been overlooked or undervalued. As the clients I work with fully open and discover these strengths in themselves, they make quantum leaps in both their inner and outer wealth. A few gardening tips: ~ People will not blossom without the right care and nurturing. As you take the leadership time to dig into your own dirt, learn all the ways to remove the weeds and varmints in your garden and how to best nurture your inner potential; you are also learning how to do the same for your team. ~ Not every flower is the same. Learning the power to identify the different species of inner strengths and where to plant them is an absolute necessity for a thriving garden. ~ Be patient. This orchid took over six months to blossom. Leadership growth and development is an ongoing process of opening to your full potential. When you feel frustrated or stuck, seek out an experienced gardener. They can make all the difference in turning a little growth into a full harvest. ~ It is vulnerable to be fully open in a harsh world, but that is where the beauty is found. Take time to share your gratitude with the leaders in your life that have had the courage to open up to the world and share the unique beauty they have brought into your life. I can almost guarantee they don’t realize the difference their efforts have made in you. They are also your best connection to finding others who are fiercely vulnerable enough to open up to their full potential. As Anais Nin once said, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Are you ready to take the risk? Contact emotional intelligence expert Jenny R Craig, LCSW, BCD at jcraig@liveyourpower.com[/font]
[font=verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif]Want to train your brain with a grateful ring? Join the grateful ring movement http://www.gratefulring.com[/font]
[font=verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif]Jenny R. Craig, LCSW, BCD is a transformation specialist, utilizing her expertise in assisting leaders in creating authentic, profound, long-lasting impact in their organizations and personal lives. She is a confidential advisor and sounding board to top senior and emerging executives and leaders, CEOs, nonprofit leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs, artists and visionaries, giving tools to unleash their potential and take quantum leaps to success. A dynamic and riveting speaker, Jenny has taught her life-changing training all over the world. She is a powerful influence in her field in psychology, having trained psychologists and coaches in 48 states on her techniques, has spoken at the United Nations, published three books and been part of two best sellers. As an innovator in brain-training tools, Jenny is the creator of the “ I am grateful for™” ring, numerous train-the-trainer programs and a six-week self-guided curriculum on emotional intelligence. Jenny is known for her unique ability to help leaders look within and move past self sabotage with practical tools leading people to quantum leaps in personal and professional success. Jenny is also the creator and force behind the Grateful Ring world wide peace movement. As a top change agent, Jenny has appeared on WINK, CBS, FOX, PBS and the Lifetime Network, been named WE magazine’s 2014 Who’s Who Among Women, 2012 American Business Woman Association Neapolitan Woman of the Year, Gulfshore Business’s 40 under 40, the guru of interest in Gulfshore Life, Sapphire Award Inscape Publishing, IMPACT Leadership 21’s United Nations Academy, distinguished speaker on Emotional Intelligence at Hodges University and taught for an independent course at Columbia University School of International Public Affairs on EQ. Find out more about leadership training at http://www.leadershipdeepdive.com, http://www.gratefulring.com and http://www.liveyourpower.com[/font]
