This post is the third in a series that shares the The 10 Powers of Leadership delivered by Jill Geisler in the commencement address to the 2012 graduates of Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement.

4. The Power of Optimism:

Emotions, as you know, are contagious. When you are a person of influence, people look to you for cues and clues. We all know people who make the workplace better and brighter just by showing up. They combine realism and pragmatism with hope and a relentlessly positive outlook. And we want to be a part of that person’s team.

Questions

  • Do you have a positive outlook? If not, would you be interested in knowing what you can do to ‘shift’ your outlook?
  • What cues and clues do you give yourself?

5. The Power of Resilience:

Strong and sturdy bridgeResilience is the space and time between disappointment and recommitment, between sorrow and healing, between offense and forgiveness, between setback and, “So what? I’ll try another way.”

May your space and time be a short and sturdy bridge that takes you and those you lead from darkness into light.

Questions

  • Are you willing to try another way when you encounter obstacles?
  • Are you easily thrown off course?
  • What can you do to shorten the time spent in darkness?

6. The Power of Laughter:

Woman LaughingI write in my book that my guiding values of leadership are humanity, integrity and levity. Levity, not cruel or crude jokes, just humor that brings genuine laughter and happiness into teams and relationships. May you have the power to bring smiles to the faces of others and to laugh at yourself.

Questions

  • What have you done today that made you laugh?
  • Do you hear yourself saying “lighten up!”?
  • How can you create laughter in your life every day?

7. The Power of Collaboration:

CollaborationHere’s my secret. It’s not all that complicated. Find out what makes a great day at work for someone who does a job you don’t do. Learn what their bosses expect from them, who people in their field mention when they talk about the all-time greats, find out what obstacles get in the way of their success, discover their personal hopes and dreams – and you’ll become a powerful collaborator. You’ll be known for inclusion, always listening for untold stories and unheard voices. You’ll span boundaries and break barriers.

Questions

  • Who are your collaborators for your personal goals?
  • Are you willing to ask for help?
  • What is one thing you could delegate today, right now, that would free up time for you to do something you enjoy??

 

“Bridge” image courtesy of anankkml / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
“Woman laughing” image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
“Puzzle people” image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net