What's Toxicity Got to Do With Leadership?

I had the honor of being a guest on Greg Balanko-Dickson's and Phil Gerbyshak's No Bullshit Leadership podcast on Sunday night - what a blast!

Phil wasn't able to host on Sunday as he was just returning from the International Book Expo in Washington, DC (check out his reports from the convention here). Greg and I spent almost an hour discussing leadership, education, coaching, business relationships, mentoring, and blogging, among other things. I've always had this secret desire to be a talk-show host, so this was a really fun venture for me!

Both Greg and I shared quotes that you might find interesting. Here's mine:

“When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or our family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and argument. That is my experience. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change.” -Thich Nhat Hahn

And here's Greg's:

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself on a worthy cause; who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Let me know what you thought of the podcast - or contact Greg with your comments. Watch for some exciting news from Greg in the near future about his ideas for making a difference in the world.

He's a very inspiring guy - and when he and Phil are together ... LOOK OUT! You can't help but have a GREAT day!!