http://brilliancewithin.comen-usCopyright 2012, Brilliance Within Coaching.http://www.brilliancewithincoaching.com/meetjeff/jeffharmon.jpg,2http://brilliancewithin.com97125http://www.brilliancewithincoaching.com/jeffsblog/canaweaknessbeastr/...I had my annual check-up at my doctor's last week. All went well but the one thing that always comes back into focus when I go to the doctor is my AMN. AMN (Adrenomyelonueropathy) is a neurological condition that I was diagnosed with about six years ago. Given the fact that my AMN has caused me to have difficulty walking and horrible balance, it seems funny to say that I don't think much about it until I go the doctor, but that is the truth. Actually, I don't really talk about it at all. When some asks about my limp, I usually tell them it's an old basketball injury.Usually a few days after my physical, AMN recedes again into the background of my life. This year has been different though, as I've been spending the last few weeks wondering why God allowed AMN to come into my life. Not a bitter, frustrated "why God?" but a real curiosity and desire to understand for what purpose I'm carrying this. The real question I've been asking Him is "How can this weakness be a blessing?" In other words, can my AMN be a strength?I really don't want to hang a flag outside my door saying "Look at me, I'm living with debilitating condition," but at the same time how can I bless others with this? I'm not sure of the answer, but I decided to start here and share it with you. I imagine most, if not all, of you didn't know this about me. I certainly welcome your prayers, but please save the pity for those far less fortunate than me. My only request of you in this email is to look at your own lives, notice the weaknesses and limitations you have and ask, "How can this weakness be a strength?" Then look for ways to bless others through it.I'd love to hear what you discover about yourself through this. Post a comment here.http://www.brilliancewithincoaching.com/jeffsblog/theleadereveryoned/...As I considered your feedback from my last blog post, a profile emerged of a leader everyone dreams of working for. The profile's seven elements correspond with key parts of the human body.Heart - The dream leader is humble and doesn't take himself or herself too seriously. The English word "humble," comes from the Latin word "humus" which means "of the ground or earth." The humble leader celebrates victories with and for the team, not in spite of them. For the leader, the victory is about the success of the team and building them up for the next battle. Soul - The dream leader is a person of character who does what he or she says, is consistent no matter who is around and even when no one is watching, and is comfortable in his or her own skin.Eyes - Dream leaders see and inspire a shared vision. They see a little farther ahead than the rest, chart the course accordingly, and help us understand why we're headed that way.Ears - The dream leader is a deep listener who abides by St. Francis of Assisi's famous words, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." I never feel judged or wrong when a leader leans in to really hear and understand what I'm saying.Mouth - The dream leader is a consistent and skilled communicator who is adept at sharing both good and bad news and can have difficult conversations with grace and dignity. It is how the leader communicates that makes the most difference, not what is communicated. When his or her team faces a challenge, the leader can quickly re-establish a calm environment and reassure them that the sky is not falling, so that everyone can focus on digesting the issues and generating solid solutions. Hands - The dream leader makes it a top priority to invest in his or her people through coaching and mentoring, helping develop them for success. People are inherently motivated by the opportunity to become masterful in something. By freeing them to develop themselves you energize them and they in turn energize your business.Mind - The dream leader thinks about his or her leadership role at three levels:Operational/administrative - responsible for effectively managing challengesEmpowerment/development - concerned, caring and empathetic towards others, value-orientedVisionary - Detached from the constraints of today to develop a broader long-term perspective for what is possibleThere are observable and measurable benefits for the whole organization when their leader has acquired each of these parts. Employees will be more engaged, motivated and effective in the work they deliver. It's a triple win. Win for the leader, win for the employee and win for the organization. http://www.brilliancewithincoaching.com/jeffsblog/newentry2/...The evidence of the power of stories is all around us. Consider the Chicken Soup for the Soul series by Jack Canfield. By 2009, over 100 million copies had been sold with stories of mothers, prisoners, teenagers and veterans, among others. It's no wonder that great leaders embrace the power of stories and use them to influence in their work.Stories have the uncanny ability to move people regardless of race, age, gender, culture or whatever else might divide people. Stories have a universal appeal and the ability to explain concepts, ideas and values without being preachy or directive.Though the art of storytelling has long been and continues to be a powerful tool in all cultures, unfortunately it has become somewhat of a forgotten art. The good news is that you already have two stories that you can readily call upon your own story and the story of your organization.The most important story you tell may be your own. You might be saying, "I don't have any good stories" or "I can't tell a story." The fact is that you do have a story. We all do. Consider the following three sources for your own story:What is a pivotal point in your life when you overcame a fear or altered your course?When was there a moment of synchronicity that changed you or your life?Who or what helped shape you into the person you are today?These are phenomenal sources for stories. As Boyd and Crossland wrote in The Leader's Voice, the key is to "make sure the words are yours. Push them from the very bottom of your soul. The performance will take care of itself." Speak from the heart with passion and emotion. Just like you have been drawn into other people's stories, people will be drawn into your story.You also have powerful stories to tell about your organization every organization has them. They typically involve people who begin with a dream, encounter challenges and crises, and then learn from them. Stories become a part of the glue that unifies a community, helping followers remain true to their vision and values as well as celebrate their development.Take two minutes to recall a story that inspires you to work in your particular organization. For example, I used to work at Western Union, whose primary business is allowing people to transfer money throughout the world. Stories were a constant source of inspiration for our work. When our team leaders told us about how a man was supporting his family back in Central America or how a family was sending money to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina so their relatives could rebuild, we were inspired and rallied together to meet a tough challenge or short timeline. There's an old anthropological saying that goes, "whoever tells the stories, defines the culture." Culture is composed of a group's tone, values, vision, mission, style and priorities. And those all are things that great leaders can influence. Find stories and learn to tell them and you'll find your leadership voice. Not only that, but when you turn around you'll see that you've also found your followers. http://www.brilliancewithincoaching.com/jeffsblog/aleadereveryonedre/...I'm working on new coaching material for a launch later this summer and I have been unpacking the phrase, "Be the type of leader everyone dreams of working for." There's lots of elements that comprise this type of leader. The latest edition of my newsletter contains no less than eight characteristics. What is your definition of "a leader everyone dreams of working for?" http://www.brilliancewithincoaching.com/jeffsblog/findingyourleaders/...Recently, a colleague approached me to speak to her professional association of marketers. I have a few presentations on leadership always ready to go, but as with every request, I like to get the pulse of the audience I'll be speaking to and modify my presentation to hit the mark and speak to their issues and needs. My colleague proceeded to share with me that many of her peers, who are marketers for professional service providers (CPAs, medical practices, law firms), face a frustrating challenge to find their leadership voice in their organization, given the highly credentialed individuals they are surrounded by. Even when in a leadership position, it can be a struggle to be a person of influence whose voice is heard.As I considered the audience and the leadership practices of foresight and authenticity that I've written and spoken about recently, a leadership formula for these professionals emerged:Authenticity + Foresight + Storytelling = Your Leadership VoiceThis formula applies to not only the marketers I'll be speaking to in May, but to everyone who seeks to establish their voice in an organization and step forward as a leader.As I've shared, authenticity stems from self-awareness and courage. Foresight is about seeing a little farther ahead than most others and making a better than average guess about the market and the direction things are heading.Storytelling is the last variable in this leadership formula, and is truly a performance art. Next week we're going to explore the power of stories to help you grow in your ability to lead others, and how you can expand your leadership capacity by learning and telling great stories.In the meantime, consider the influence stories have already had in your work and life.Can you think of a time when you heard a story that:Bonded you to another person because their story was like yours?Made you laugh because you found yourself empathizing or seeing your own frailties in it?Helped you trust someone more?Taught you a lesson?What changed for you in the telling of that story?