OUR Leadership BLOG

Dr. Paul Metler | 1/28/2016

“A healthy soul, therefore, must do two things for us. First, it must put some fire in our veins, keep us energized, vibrant, living with zest, and full of hope as we sense that life is, ultimately beautiful and worth living. Second, a healthy soul has to keep us fixed together. It has to continually give us a sense of who we are, where we came from, where we are going, and what sense there is in all of this.”
 
Ronald Rolheiser, The Holy Longing

Dr. Paul Metler | 1/19/2016

Imagine you are sitting in the back of a large room. You are listening to an energetic presentation. All of the sudden, the speaker pops a visual up on the screen. Your heartbeat speeds up. This is a critical revelation that will help your team overcome a significant obstacle. Without thinking, you begin to squint. You lean forward. You are interested in the content, but you cannot make out the words. Focus is a challenge.
 
It’s a helpless feeling when you cannot see what you need to see.

Dr. Paul Metler | 12/31/2015

“Choosing to remain on The Shore of Status Quo consistently yields a life of quiet misery. It represents those areas you find unsatisfying, unfulfilling, and yet you’ve chosen to settle there. In the shadow of the trees near the shore lies a private cemetery—a place dreams are buried and hope is laid to rest. You don’t want to visit it often, but you know it’s there.”
 
The Reality of Change by Fred Johnson and Paul Metler

Dr. Paul Metler | 12/11/2015

There is a predictable, observable pattern that accompanies the undertaking of any significant change.
 
–The Reality of Change by Fred Johnson & Paul Metler
 
A few years ago we made a change in our home. We exchanged our carpet for hardwood. For us, it was a positive change. Our response to the change was very pleasant. We loved the change.

Dr. Paul Metler | 11/24/2015

You have talked about change.
 
You have acknowledged the need for change.
 
You feel sure you are ready for change.
 
You haven’t made the change.
 
You are not alone.

Dr. Paul Metler | 11/17/2015

Stand on a beach. Walk along the shore. Whether you gaze out at the magnificence of an ocean or the beauty of a lake, you experience an unavoidable attraction. It’s nearly impossible to stand on the shore and avoid shifting your focus to the deep. For some, a simple glance toward the horizon is inspiring. For others, the shoreline can be a miserable place.
 
Simply stated, the shore is where you are right now. The shore is a metaphor for your present reality. When you look beyond today, is your vision of the future infused with hope and optimism or a sense of dread? Today can be the beginning of change or the continuation of the status quo.
 
Embrace creative tension.

Dr. Paul Metler | 11/6/2015

Change will come, there’s no escaping it. Remaining stuck in status quo mode, fearing and avoiding change like the plague, only ensures you won’t be ready for the inevitable. Mastering positive change, however, is key to extraordinary leadership and optimal business outcomes. So what can you do to harness the power of change as both an individual and a leader of a high-performing team?

Dr. Paul Metler | 10/28/2015

Rosabeth Moss Kanter describes leadership integrity with compelling imagery. Leaders are “the laureates of the true and beautiful.”
 
My mental picture of a laureate takes me back to the image of a victorious competitor being crowned with a laurel wreath. The recipient of the laurel wreath is recognized after training, competing and winning. So, in my mind, the wreath is a testament of significant investments before and during the race. It is evidence of preparation, self-control and successful execution in accordance with the rules of the game.

Dr. Paul Metler | 10/22/2015

Maybe you grew up in an environment where it wasn’t polite to ask “Why?” I’ll bet you heard the infamous answer from a parent, a teacher or a coach, “Because I said so!” Take a deep breath, overcome your bad memories and dust off the question. There is a time to ask the big question. There is a time when “Why?” is the most important question to ask. That time is now. Rather than ask your parents, coaches or teachers, look in the mirror today and ask yourself, “Why?”

Dr. Paul Metler | 10/14/2015

Clayton Christensen poses a serious question: “How will you measure your life?” Business leaders are accustomed to certain measures that translate into bottom line results. Such metrics can offer a concise financial snapshot. It’s an executive summary of how things are going and a quick answer to big questions. But, quick answers seldom supply an adequate picture.