Categories
Attitude Bible Proverbs

A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath

Background of a creek. Text is Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

It can be frustrating when things aren’t going your way. Someone isn’t meeting a deadline. That stupid supply chain is ruining your sales! Why can’t that kid do what I ask when I asked him? There are plenty of situations to get frustrated about.

Each time the frustration builds, we have an opportunity to make things better or worse. You can raise your voice and invoke fear to get things done, and it may work in the short-term. But what does that do in the long-term? Fear-based leadership is no leadership at all.

And what happens if it doesn’t make things happen, but the angry words just accelerate between you and the other party? Fear-based leadership become less effective when the other party is no longer afraid—even angrier than you. Then you end up with bigger problems.

There are plenty of reasons to get frustrated and lash out. But Proverbs 15:1 reminds me how we reply makes all the difference.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)

The last two years have been frustrating for everyone. There is no shortage of stories on people behaving badly because of frustrations. We don’t know what a person could be going through or what they’ve lost recently.

When tensions are high, we have an opportunity to make things better or worse by our reply. A soft answer could make all the difference in your day and mine!

Categories
Quotes

Leading With Integrity

Quote from Warren Buffett: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

We all admire someone who leads with integrity. We admire the whistleblower who risks their reputation to make the truth known. We like to believe we support a company with strong values that align with ours. We want to work with someone we know we can trust. Of course, that means we need to be that person too.

Leading with integrity is a practical trait in many circumstances. This article in Inc. Magazine reminds me of one of Warren Buffett’s famous quotes:

“Lose money for the firm, and I will be understanding.
Lose a shred of reputation for the firm, and I will be ruthless.”

Warren Buffett

A good reputation comes with living a life of integrity. It is humbling to think that a moment of dishonesty can ruin one’s reputation. Lead with integrity! Be on the guard for temptation that causes you to consider sacrificing it. That moment of indiscretion may do more to your ruin your life than you could ever imagine.

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

Warren Buffett
Categories
Attitude motivation

Courage and Mindset

Courage and Mindset: KevinSpear.com

Courage takes a positive mindset. Whoever said, “This is going to go badly. It inspires me to do more!” No, that kind of thinking inspires no one.

We get inspired by the story of the person who marches on against all odds. Is it because they’re the smartest or most talented? No, it’s because that person can envision a better outcome than everyone else. The odds may not be in their favor, but they move ahead with courage and faith.

Mindset matters! If you are certain the project will go badly, what’s the point? If you know there will be obstacles, but believe they can be overcome and there will be a payout, you are much more likely to do what is required to make that project a success.

Are you negative about something that must be done? Change your mindset! Look for ways that could make the project successful. Find a way through the obstacles. Look at the obstacles as challenges that can be overcome. You may be surprised to find the answer was there all along but a pessimistic mindset blinded you… until now!

Categories
Marketing

A Marketer Ponders Contentment

A Marketer Ponders Contentment

Content is one of these words in the English language that can mean two very different things, yet are spelled the same. It would be very good if we used accent marks in cases like the word, “content.”

If you are “contént,” with the accent on the second syllable, you are satisfied, pleased, peaceful. You are happy and pleased with where you are, what you have, or what you are doing.

If you have “cóntent,” with the accent on the first syllable, you have an amount of something. This word is related to “contain.” Content marketing is the art of creating materials that do not explicitly promote a product, brand, or service. Instead, the content is meant to be useful information that indirectly promotes a brand.

Marketing exists to generate discontentment, does it not? Its aim is to help a person realize they want something and encourage them to fulfill that want. Can one be content while consuming content marketing? Can one be content knowing their discipline generates discontentment?

It is something I am wrestling with. As someone who values love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), how does this mesh with marketing? There are no easy answers. But it’s worth pondering on this fine morning.

Categories
motivation Quotes

Courage is Contagious

Quote from Billy Graham: "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."

Today would have been Billy Graham’s 103rd birthday. There appear to be other people that have made this statement. Looks like my former governor wrote a book with this title. But I think Graham says it best.

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.”

Billy Graham

I see courage as less of an emotion and more of a virtue. You can be afraid, yet courageous. The odds may be stacked against you, and your anxiety is high, yet you can still be courageous. First responders and soldiers show courage every day thanks to their commitment and training.

The average man or woman can show it as well. It may be less because of training, but more of a commitment to virtue or a cause. When we know what we stand for, we are willing to stand up for it. That commitment to courage can inspire others to do the same.

When courage is combined with commitment and kindness, the world is a much better place. Billy Graham showed that kind of courage. May we show commitment, kindness, and courage on his birthday.