One of the real gratifying things about my work is the wide variety of people and organizations I get to interact with. Although there are many universal realities about all people, it is the uniquenesses that really intrigue me.
Think about this – there are 6.8 billion people in the world, and that number is growing by 77 million people per year. Although there are almost 7 billion of us on this planet, there is only one YOU. The greatest gift you have to give to the world, to your family, to your business, to your employees, etc. etc. is the gift of yourself. Because of this, our greatest opportunity is to discover and deploy that uniqueness. You see, just as your DNA is totally unique, no one in this entire world has an identical background, or the exact same experiences, or completely matching life influences. You are one of a kind. You have been uniquely designed and developed. In the words of Dr. Seuss (Dr. Seuss books were my favorties to read to my children and grandchildren) - “Today you are you, this is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than you”
Not only are you unique, but your opportunities are dinstinctive and singular. You wake up each morning to a world inviting the power and potential of your uniqueness. Think about it this way … You can do it, because no one else can. You must do it, because no one else has your uniqueness or this particular opportunity. In the words of the wise doctor – “Today is your day, your mountain is waiting. So … get on your way”
I frequently talk to leaders about the difference betwen leadership and management. It is my conviction that you manage stuff, ie. materials and projects and processes and schedules etc; but you lead people. People are unique, so much more complex and multi-dimensional, and thus require another dimension of oneself. I often see leaders riverting to a management mode when only leadership will do. I believe we do so, out of fear. Getting into the whole human dymamic is oh so frightening. The thought I want to instill in you today is this … there is power and potential for leading in YOU, in your uniqueness. You, because of who you are, because of what you have experienced in life and in business, can influence, impact and inspire your people, and no one else can do it but you. Or as Dr. Seuss put it, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not”
