My Week in Costa Rica

Lose yourself in generous service and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day! – William Arthur Ward

Our team at one of the local schools.

I had the joy and privilege of spending the past week in Costa Rica. I led a team of some of the most amazing people to work with the Give A Book Foundation that my brother, Carl, has operated there for nearly 20 years.

Our team, though small in number by design, was comprised of people from all walks of life including some special friends from Canada.

We had the opportunity to go into six schools to distribute books, love on the children, and see the world through their eyes. And what a beautiful world it is.

Playing with the children at one of the schools.

The children are so excited to get their new books!

What more needs to be said?

Team members reading and interacting with the children.

The children, teachers, and workers in the schools were so appreciative of the books and welcomed us like heroes. Give a Book has also formed great partnerships with Peace Corp volunteers to assist in the efforts in the local schools. The Rotary Club has long been a supporter of the foundation’s literacy initiatives.

It was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who said, “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” And that is the driving force behind the work of the Give a Book Foundation. Instilling a love of reading and literacy over the past twenty years has enlarged the lives of countless children and has helped hundreds of schools.

Team members working in the warehouse of the Give a Book Foundation

The experience with Give a Book is quite unique. Each trip is customized to not only meet the objective of the organization but to place you in a specific region of the country where you’d like work. That can be in the Central Valley region, along the coast, or out in more remote locations including the Rain Forest.

In addition to being involved in the schools there is the special opportunity to be immersed in the local culture that most people never see.

Then of course there is the opportunity to take in the most spectacular sights and scenery you can feast your eyes upon. From the Poas volcano, Doka Coffe Estate, the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, etc. this beautiful country will capture your heart.

Poas Volcano

At the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens

My week in Costa Rica was amazing. It was not my first trip there and it won’t be my last. I am planning more.

If you are as passionate about books and literacy as I am and would be interested in being on a team with me in the future let me know. I’d love to take you. Of course, you can work directly with Carl as well.

For now, let me encourage you to visit the websites of the Give a Book Foundation and the incredible work they do.

Visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GiveABookToChildren/

On the web at: http://www.give-a-book.net/

If you’d be interested in joining me on a trip email me at: managementmoment@gmail.com

To reach out to Carl about a trip email him at: Carldickerson55@gmail.com

With my brother, Carl (left). His heart for the children of Costa Rica and literacy is truly inspiring.

On Becoming a Relevant Leader

There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way. - Nelson Mandela

When Irving S. Olds was chairman of the U.S. Steel Corporation, he arrived for a stockholders' meeting and was confronted by a woman who asked, "Exactly who are you and what do you do?" Without batting an eye, Olds replied, "I am your chairman. Of course, you know the duties of a chairman--that's someone who is roughly the equivalent of parsley on a platter of fish."

The pretense in Irving S. Olds answer may have satisfied the inquisitive woman, but it is a relevant question for leaders today. Understandably, the people you lead need to know who you are and what you do. If not, they will not follow you. But beyond that, it’s imperative that you know the answer.

The fact is, every leader wants to be relevant. I’ve yet to meet a leader who did not want to be at his or her best and make an impact. The issue of relevance however is not about satisfying your ego or building yourself up at the expense of knocking someone else down.

The measure of your relevance as a leader may be open to subjective interpretation by some people. That being said, the measure of your relevance is not about how others see you but how you answer these four questions. It’s not an exhaustive set of questions by which to gauge your relevance as a leader but it’s a good place to start.

Do I know my “why?”

Simon Sinek popularized the idea in his book, Start With Why, and it has revolutionized the lives of many with the discovery. So the question is, “Why do I do what I do?” Put another way, “What drives and inspires you?” It’s a question every leader must answer.

Until you know the answer it will be hard to lead and consequently it will be hard to be relevant. Unless you know the “why” of your life in leadership it will be difficult for others to know why they should follow you. Being relevant in the lives of the people you lead begins by being honest with yourself. Know your “why”.

Are my values clear?

Having a clear set of values is what keeps you grounded as a leader. When your values are clear then decision-making becomes much easier. Values-based decisions are made not by what is expedient or popular but by a governing set of principles.

Unfortunately, some leaders fall into the trap of confusing being popular for being relevant. The two could not be more different. If you want to be relevant as a leader in the 21^st century then be a leader with a clear set of values and stick to them. If your values are not clear then your leadership will be uncertain. Relevance begins with clearly defined values.

Am I building relationships?

Leaders are busy people. I get it. But the day you become too busy to connect and build relationships with your people is the day you become irrelevant in their eyes. Building relationships is time consuming and is hard work. But consider the consequences if you don’t.

Your relevance as a leader is tied to your ability and desire to build relationships with the people you lead. The greater the desire and effort the greater relevance and impact you will have. It’s not complicated. I realize you will not have deep personal relationships with everyone on your team, but as a leader you should always remember that people are your most appreciable asset. How you connect and build relationships will make a world of difference. If you want to be relevant to your people get connected to them. There are no shortcuts.

Am I still growing?

Your ability to connect and be relevant with your people hinges on your growth and development as a leader. How are you growing the leader within you? The simple truth is this: you can’t give what you don’t have. If you are not growing as a leader your relevance as a leader will suffer

Be proactive and intentional in your growth as a leader. Make reading good leadership books a priority, find good leadership podcast to listen to, and subscribe to good magazines to read such as Success. Your growth and development as a leader will set you apart as a leader. Your relevance as a leader depends on it.

© 2015 Doug Dickerson

New Book Announcement

One leadership principle I have learned over the years is quite simple: leaders are readers! In my new book, It Only Takes a Minute: Daily Inspiration for Leaders on the Move, I take you on a 365 day leadership journey.

Each day begins with a quote from a current or past leadership thinker, sports figure, actor, minister, political figure, etc. followed by an inspirational leadership thought by me.

Leaders are busy people – I get it. In this daily reader you will be challenged in your leadership thinking and prodded to grow each day. As the title suggests, It Only Takes a Minute!

Click on the on the link on the left hand side of the page to place your order!

Leadership By The Numbers

Leadership By The Numbers is my new book release exclusively with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing!

In Leadership By The Numbers you will learn ten powerful leadership lessons to help you grow as a more effective leader. Do you know how to handle your critics? What are the some of the most important habits of kind leaders? How do you map your future as a leader? In this new release I share my insights and answer these questions and more!

In Leadership By The Numbers it all adds up to one thing – adding value and helping you grow as a leader.

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