To Be Accepted or Respected

Early in my military career, I was advised to lean toward earning respect and acceptance would come.

That doesn’t mean it was easy! As a commander, I took flack for some unpopular stances that reflected my core values…one in particular stands out because it had to do with another leader. In this instance, the leader had not completed the required actions to be eligible for higher-level endorsement on a performance evaluation.

I believe someone who raises their hand to lead has to do it from the front, not bring up the rear with excuses as to why he or she is not up front. I believed if I didn’t hold THIS leader to the standard, I couldn’t in good conscience hold ANYONE to the standard.

So despite some pressure from outside my organization, I stuck to what I knew was right and fair…and earned some (grudging) respect, even from the leader whose feet I held to the fire.

Doing the right thing entailed holding this leader accountable.

Inhale Courage, Exhale Timidity…
Inhale Resolution, Exhale Indecision…
Inhale Respect, Exhale Doubt…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
#Courage

Calculated Risk

A lot has been made of the risk taken by Alabama Coach Nick Saban when he put in freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after halftime during the 2018 National Championship game. But Saban’s ability to accurately adjust his game plan is well documented as is the young quarterback’s talent, confidence and composure.

I would characterize the choice to insert Tagovailoa, which injected energy and hope into a team that was flailing, as an informed decision by a discerning leader.

”I think all year long we had lots of confidence in Tua, and we played him so that, if this situation occurred, that he would be ready to play.” ~ Coach Nick Saban

Inhale Calculated Risk, Exhale Confusion…
Inhale Incisive Choice, Exhale Waver…
Inhale Informed Decision, Exhale Indecision…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe

Relationship Fail #2

When the person you are with consistently behaves in a way that indicates he/she really doesn’t want to be in your life, maybe you should allow them to leave.

The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

Inhale Actuality, Exhale Fantasy…
Inhale Clarity, Exhale Ambiguity…
Inhale Discernment, Exhale Indecision…
Just Breathe

#JustBreathe
Reflections With Renita

Prodigy

Every now and then our innate and obvious passions and talents are nurtured and developed from the beginning of our lives…we call those people prodigies. Pablo Picasso’s passion and talent for drawing were evident, explored and encouraged from an early age and expanded as a result of his art instructor father’s guidance.

How many budding Picassos are waiting for encouragement to discover their passion?

Inhale Passion, Exhale Putting Off…
Inhale Compulsion, Exhale Indecision…
Inhale Nurturing, Exhale Ignoring…
Just Breathe…

#JustBreathe