The Future Was Yesterday

One of the most exciting endings to a football game happened last night. The Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints with an improbable outcome to an expected play. Rather than recount the game, I suggest you "Google-it" or just watch the news. I suspect it will be played over and over throughout the next two weeks. I recommend listening to Stefon Diggs’ comments after the game. It is instructive to all in leadership positions particularly CEO’s.

Stefon spoke of all the work that he put into practice in preparation for that moment that stunned every sports fan fortunate enough to see the end of the game. He saw the future clearly and prepared for that future months and years before the opportunity presented itself.

No one could have predicted the ending of that game. In society and business, no one can predict what will happen on the way to the future. You can identify trends. The trend for teams that are in situations such as the Vikings found themselves is for the pass catcher to make the catch and step out of bounds. As a result of preparation, Diggs had the situational awareness to glance upfield. Seeing the field open, he ran for the goal and scored. Take particular note, the coaches practiced this specific situation and play daily at the end of each practice.

Similar situations happen in business. The coach is you CEO, Senior Executive, Executive Vice Presidents. What are the trends in your industry and market? How are you developing your team to take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves? Opportunities always present themselves. Will your team have the situational awareness to take advantage of the trend or will you do what everyone else does—step out of bounds?

Following the safe route, stepping out of bounds may have caused the outcome of the game to be completely different. We will never know. We witnessed a future that happened before the game was played.

There is a methodology for seeing trends. It is too long to go into for this writing. At the very least, make a list of the trends affecting your industry and market. Ask yourself—are you prepared to take advantage of the opportunities? If not, get busy and focus your development efforts. And of course, I recommend all organizations have a clear and concise vision statement. Without one, you will have lost the game before you started. I would offer you lost your future yesterday.

Courage Over Comfort!

Ladies women standing up for themselves over this past year of 2017 and this new year of 2018 is not what some men believe as a passing fad or just in the mercurial nature of women. Rather, it is women who have chosen to be courageous.

No one wants to make accusations that will bring attention to themselves over issues that are sensitive and can cast doubt on motives. It is easier to be comfortable and let someone else take up the charge. As Dr. Brenè Brown once said, "Everyone wants to be brave, but no one wants to be vulnerable."

Making society, and the workplace what it should be requires courage. This year, 2018 is going to be the year of the Courageous Woman. Don't sit back being comfortable—be courageous!

Men, those of you who are leaders and those who want to be leaders, it is time for you to show some courage too.

New Year, New You

I am often asked for leadership advice based on my Marine Corps experience for use in business. This section is providing short leadership tips you can use to become an Exceptional Leader. Being good on any given day is easy. Being exceptional requires daily effort. Enjoy the read.

Are you committed to yourself? Are you committed to your organization? Do you do what is right or what is easy? Yes, sometimes doing the right thing is the easiest thing to do.

We are early in 2018, have you taken account of yourself and who you are and what you intend to accomplish this year? If not, you are behind.

Why are you still reading? Get going the year is wasting!

Current Happenings

My new book "Developing Business Leadership Skills—The Practical Guide to Effectively Being In-Charge" is available on Amazon, Kindle, and iBooks. Check it out and leave a review!

My book "Leading With Fortitude: The Essentials" is still free, go to my website to download it.

The "21st Century Community Policing and Cultural Competency Online Course" is open for enrollment.

Although the course is intended for Law Enforcement Professionals, anyone in a leadership position will benefit from the course. Particularly the third module "Cultural Competency." That module goes into the significance of cultures and how to effectively work across culture, race and gender.

The feedback has been superb. We have had over a hundred comments and over 95% of the comments have indicated the course is "spot-on" and "timely."

Special pricing and considerations are offered for Department-wide course enrollment.

January

Fortitude Consulting, teaming with BAF Security Solutions will be standing up a Law Enforcement Leadership Academy. Stay tuned.

February

We, Col Byron Freeman U.S. Army (Ret.) President of BAF Security Solutions and I have been invited back for a third year to give the 21st Century Community Policing and Cultural Competency Course at Delta College in Michigan.

Enroll now on the website.