LILI Principles Lead to a New Normal

By Paul Dougherty, LUTCF, FSS, HIA

“IT IS ALWAYS SUNNY ABOVE THE CLOUDS.”

This very simple statement by a pilot friend was made recently with a grin, but I paused and thought that it was far more profound than a mere weather observation. It’s a philosophy that can change…everything.

We have been inundated with storms lately, some devastating in nature’s scope and power, others wrapped in headlines and news feeds. These conditions can obscure where we are going with clouds of anxiety, distrust, confusion and desperation. But have we learned how to see through these challenges to what is ahead? What if we could have the vision needed to not even see the clouds?

Successful leadership is grounded in having a vision for where I and my organization want to go, no matter how big or small, or what we build or sell or service. Not sharing that vision can stop any progress before it begins.

Not long ago, I participated in the initial planning of an organization that had at its heart a very important and honorable objective, but I admit to feeling that I had missed a meeting before the meeting. During the initial discussion, folks were offering solutions and action plans and I had to raise my hand and ask a simple question that took things sideways: Why? What are we doing that isn’t being done already by many others? Do we even know that our considerable efforts would be welcome? It became evident that I was not alone in my concern. Reminded of John Maxwell’s Law of Navigation, I am happy to say that the group coalesced behind a different strategy than what had started in that meeting and the adjustments would lead to eventual success.

The Lili Difference

I have discovered, through as many failures as successes, that leadership

LILI 7 Offers Leadership Motivation

“Be the spark plug. You can’t be the battery.” The 17th annual LILI 7 Workshop provided this and numerous similar insights focused on the importance of motivating others to follow and react.

starts within oneself. Having participated in the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), I recognize that my ability to be successful is limited only by my capacity to see where I want to go. I will still crack the books behind my desk for a daily taste of wisdom and was reminded as Kouzes and Posner write in Credibility : “We need internal guidance to navigate the permanent white waters of today’s environment.”

While the last 18 months of global white water have pulled us in various riptides, I have refocused how I lead my team and myself. With my coach driving me and me driving my team, we are guiding even more clients into calmer waters. What began with keeping a daily focus on the numbers and the “why” behind what we do, we have built momentum that has carried our production to its highest level in my 24 years of agency. As the team has gained confidence and we have made an even greater impact with our clients, it has flowed into our personal lives as well. A daily focus on exercise and diet has me 30 pounds lighter and back to high school size. I would never mention this but for the fact that the internal vision is getting sharper, and the confidence around the office and around the track are tied together. This is what LILI would call a win-win, but I will call our new normal.

Presenter Rob Ferre was introduced by incoming LILI Subcommittee Chair Rebecca Gonzalez. Again, this year, LILI 7 was presented online to a large group that included NAIFA President Larry Holzberg and former LILI Subcommittee Chairs Karen Easterling, Lisa Skinner and Deb Coulter. LILI 7 was held during NAIFA’s Performance + Purpose.

Rob drew on the lessons he has learned from being an interactive DJ while building his business, Life of the Party. Three core principles lead people to create movements and serve as leaders in their business, community and associations: Initiative, guidance and ownership.