We all have some regimen. It could be good or it could be bad. I have an exercise regimen. I workout 5 days a week -two days are cardio, three days are strength training.

But since life happens, I don’t always go 5 days in a row. It could be two days, a break, then three days. Also, I might not always alternate my cardio and strength training days. I might do two days in a row of cardio or two days in row of strength training.

Because life does happen, I have learned to be adaptable, but still achieve my goal of working out 5 days a week, even if the pattern is not the same week in and week out.

It’s very important for leaders to have regimen but be adaptable for several reasons.

1. It creates good decisions making abilities – when we restrict the way we think we can also inadvertently restrict our decision making. Being adaptable allows you to be open to other ideas that you, or others, might have, but are quick to dismiss when you are set in your ways.

2. Creates opportunities – being adaptable creates other opportunities that might not have been possible or plain to see when we stick with our first thought, idea, or decision. As leaders we are supposed to allow for other opportunities to come our way and be open to those opportunities where it may seem reasonable.

3. Able to tap into other resources – leaders are always looking for ways to use current resources at their disposal. But visionary leaders can tap into other resources that might not necessarily be within our own control. Being adaptable can open up relationships with others and the resources that they have under their control, which you might need as a leader.

Are the other benefits, or reasons, you can think you of, why it’s a good idea to be adaptable?

There are no secrets to creating healthy relationships. Actually, there are no secrets to anything in life that is worth building- you just have to work hard it.

Below are my 5 keys on building healthy, and strong, relationships.

1. Give an attentive ear – Every day my daughters comes home from school they’ll tell me about their day. I do about 95% of listening and ask questions as needed. I’ve noticed throughout the years that they just really need an attentive ear. Anyone that you are seeking to create a relationship with, will need your ear. Therefore, be slow to speak and quick to listen.

2. Don’t be critical – as you listen don’t criticize. People within your sphere of influence need guidance and affirmation. It’s best to give advice on what to do, as opposed to what not to do. Yes, there will be times in extreme situations where you will need to be very direct about not doing something, i.e. don’t do drugs. But we need to understand that people trust us to give them advice and counsel, not to have a critical spirit and mindset.

3. It’s not about you its about the other person – relationships are not about you, but about the other person. When building relationships we have to make sure we avoid making conversations, spending time together about what we want. We need to put the needs of others first.

4. Spend time doing whatever the other person wants – as in 3 above, this is where we need to get outside of ourselves, stop being selfish and focus on the other person. Our natural tendency is to want what we want and others must just come along for the ride. But that’s not how it should be in a healthy relationship. It’s OK to ask your wife, “what would you like to do this weekend?”.

5. Ask what you can do to help – I always start and end my employee conversations with “what can I do for you?” It’s such an important question to ask as a leader because traditionally you are telling people what to do during the course of the day. So as a leader when you invest time with your employees always ask that very important question. Asking that questions will set you apart as a servant-leader.

Any other keys to building relationships?

Persistent Sacrifice - by TJ Trent

5 Keys To Building A Loyal Blog Following - by Joseph Lalonde

Change Your Life By Creating Mental Triggers - by Joseph Lalonde

The Empathic Leader - by Dan Black (Gues Post by Dan Erickson

Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life - by Dan Black

Renovation - by Larry Hehn

What other posts impacted you last week? Please share.

As leaders we should set the tone at home and work and we should start by being joyful despite the challenges with face every day.

One of the stumbling blocks to joy is trying to be in control of everything that happens around us. That is nearly impossible and as they saying goes, a recipe for disaster.

Here are three things to give up and be joyful:

1. Give up control – no one knows how to do the job of your employees better than the employees themselves. Don’t micro-manage or try to control, it will only cause you frustrations. Once you give up control of the day to day operations, you’ll have more time for setting vision which is one of your primary jobs as a leader.

2. Give up being right – if you want to know how things get done correctly, ask your employees, and even your children. As a leader you are not meant to be right all the time. More often than not your employees know first hand how work gets done, how customers perceive your products and services, among many other things.

3. Give up trying to make people like you – as a leader, generally speaking, I don’t care about the means, as long as they are ethical, I care more about the outcome. As a leader that’s why I make every effort to involve my employee to do things their way, that makes the most sense, and is most efficient and effective to get work done.

Then after you have given up. Here are some things you can do keep your joy:

1. Have a hobby you enjoy – Having a hobby can be a good way to learn something new. Leaders should learn often and keep the mind sharp. A gloomy mind is a joyless life.

2. Read good books – Leaders are readers might be a cliche, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Sharpen your mind with a good book that is full of wisdom and insight. You’ll be happy to discover from good books that others face many of the same challenges you do and it will encourage you that you are not alone.

3. Listen to encouraging music – I love good music. Nothing gets mind and body excited like some good encouraging music with a positive message.

What are other things you can give up, and what else can help you maintain your joy?

Building Strong Relationships with Dan Black - by Jared Latigo (Interview Guest is Dan Black)

Four steps to better decision making - by Deb Lee

5 Reasons Your Leadership Is Ineffective - by Joseph Lalonde

Don’t Arrive At The Top By Yourself - by Joseph Lalonde

4 Leadership Lessons from my Marriage - by Dan Black

Kimanzi Constable: Leadership Style Interview - by Charles Sprecht

12 Ways to Improve Your Performance at Work - by Julie Rains

3 Life Hacks To Increase Your Productivity - by TJ Trent (Guest post by James Lalonde)

Accountability vs. Responsibility? - by Dan Black (Guest post Gordon Tredgold)

How the Conservative Party of Canada Lost My Vote - by Larry Hehn

The Importance of a Leader’s Heart – by Michael Hyatt

What were some of your favorite posts from the week of 4/15, please share?

What makes this list different from others you ask? My response, “me.”

I am sure as a leader you have your own list, and I can’t wait to read it. But for the meantime below are my top 5 habits.

1. Highly effective leaders are accountable – I live by this word. If you want to be effective, you must stop making excuses, and be accountable, and responsible for your sphere of influence. Will there be roadblocks? Yes. Will there be distractions? Yes. Will there people who are not for you? I think you know the answer to that one.

2. Highly effective leaders get results – Along with accountability, results, is the second word I live by. In the end it doesn’t matter how much you know, it’s what can you do with what you know, and can you innovate and get results. Can you imagine if Bill Gates, or Steve Jobs, or better yet, Jesus Christ our Lord and savior knew what had to be done, but didn’t do it? There would be no results. So focus on results and producing you have a lot people depending on you.

3. Highly effective leaders encourage -Everyday I wake up with the Psalm, this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad it in it. Why? Because it encourages me. As a leader one of your primary jobs is to encourage yourself and encourage others, so that you get the best out of yourself and those you lead.

4. Highly effective leaders mentor -As a leader it is your duty to mentor. If you want to leave a legacy, than teach others what you know. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to leave a legacy because you have shared of your knowledge, expertise and skills.

5. Highly effective leaders delegate -Then after you mentor, and have developed well rounded followers, with the potential to become leaders, you need to delegate. Share responsibility so that your followers can exhibit their skills, know-how, and competence. It will also lighten your work-load so that you can focus on visionary work.

What other habits can you add to my list? 

Holy Spirit Attraction - by Ken(TheBarba) Hagerman

That Awkward Moment When You Realize You’re a Pharisee - by Larry Hehn

9 Signs You’re A Leader - by Joseph Lalonde

The Value of the Intentional Life - by danonleadership (Guest post, Chris Peek)

Whatever You Do, Don’t Quit - by TJ Trent

The Six Deadly Sins of Leadership – by Jack and Suzy Welch

Many leaders fail at leadership, not because of lack of skill, intelligence, or some other ability, but because of lack of building true relationships.

Here are four lies that leaders tell themselves about their relationships with team members, colleagues, and other close to them, and why they fail in their leadership journey.

1. We say we have relationship, but we walk alone in our leadership journey. When we fall we have no one to help us up. We should heed Proverbs 27:17.

2. We say we have done nothing wrong to others, but wonder why some people don’t get along with us, trust us, nor feel comfortable discussing problems with us. 

3. We say we know others, but probably don’t even know the names of the spouses of some of  our team members.

4. We say we care for our employees, but our actions say otherwise. We don’t approve that last minute personal time off request from a team member to attend a child’s school function.

What are other lies that leaders tell themselves?

Sorry: Office of Compassion Closed - by  Connecting to Impact

How Bad Habits Enter Into Your Life - Joseph Lalonde

Create An Environment Of Growth - Joseph Lalonde

5 Things I Learned from Growing a Beard for 40 Days -Larry Hehn

Why I Enjoyed My Trip to the Dentist (Even Though It Hurt) - Larry Hehn

My Journey from Burnout!! - TJ Trent

Become an Attractive Leader - Dan Black

What other great posts did you read? 

We are all pressed for time on our daily jobs to have to wade through a sea of emails with information that add no value to our work.

Receiving information should add not take away value from our work.

Below are three things I do, or don’t, when communicating information through email:

1. I don’t copy multiple people just because, or “FYI”. We all get copied on those “FYI” emails, where you scratch your head wondering why you were copied. Yes, it was probably nice to know, but not necessarily important for you to know.

2. I keep communications for appropriate times – Although I work in a 24/7 environment, it doesn’t mean that I indiscriminately send emails at all times of the day and night. I keep all email communications Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, unless it’s absolutely urgent.

Because we are creatures of habit in this mobile world, when you hear, or feel your mobile device vibrate you just want to look at your email, so I avoid sending emails outside of regular business hours.

3. If it’s going to take more than 3 emails, call the person instead- I’ve been guilty of the dozen back and forth emails. If it’s going to take more than three emails call the person.

Also, If the person is emailing you back pretty much instantaneously just get on the phone. It will prevent any misunderstanding that can happen so easily through email communication, and you’ll most likely be able to communicate more effectively and efficiently if you just pick up the phone and call.

What are some other email etiquette that you practice?