Would You Enter a Toxic Atmosphere Unprotected?

The two firefighters in the picture above are participating in a drill simulating a leak in a one-ton chlorine container. We used white theatrical smoke for the exercise, but a real chlorine leak produces a yellowish green, pungent, choking cloud. Choking cloud of chlorine Chlorine is immediately dangerous to life and health at 10 parts…

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Who Are YOU Mentoring?

Last week’s blog was the conclusion of a seven-part series titled Dual Footprints, Becoming a World Class Mentor. In that series, I covered six areas of commitment: If you missed any of the blogs, I encourage you to go back and read them. Look at the following questions and take the time to answer them:…

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Dual Footprints, Part 7 – Commitment to Accountability

Accountability The final commitment to becoming a world class mentor is accountability, which is defined as, “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.”1 This stems from the inner character of the individual and their integrity. People with integrity demonstrate responsibility, they are accountable for their actions, and they are…

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Dual Footprints, Part 6 – Commitment to Grow & Develop

Mentoring and Commitment At this point in the series on mentoring, it would be well to review the definition of commitment, which is “a pledge or promise; obligation.”1 Common sense dictates that a person who desires mentoring would be committed to the process, but that is not always the case. The mentee may faithfully commit…

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Dual Footprints, Part 5 – A Commitment to Listen

Mentoring Over the past four weeks I covered the following: This week’s topic is listening. Listening is Flattery Dr. Joyce Brothers said, “Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.”1 Communication involves the sender, the receiver, and the message. However, if the receiver is not listening then the message is either lost or…

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Dual Footprints, Part 4 – Kill the Ego

Dual Footprints is a multi-part blog on becoming a worldclass mentor and this week’s topic is either kill or be killed…by your ego. A fine line There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and the line is our ego. One definition of ego is “self-esteem or self-image,” and another definition is “egotism; conceit;…

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Dual Footprints, Part 3 – A Commitment to Transparency

This is the third article in a series about becoming a world class mentor. Part 2 addressed the commitment of time and in this article, we will look at the importance of being transparent during the process. The ability to see through the glass This past March, I flew from Denver to Sacramento, California. As…

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Dual Footprints, Part 2 – A Commitment of Time

This series of articles addresses coming alongside someone else and mentoring them, hence the dual footprints. Today’s topic discusses the time commitment involving both the mentor and mentee. Also, I am approaching the subject from the standpoint that both parties have already established the fact that they mesh and are a good fit for each…

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Dual Footprints -Becoming a World Class Mentor, Part 1

I shot the above photo when my daughter and I took an evening walk along the beach in North Carolina. The footprints are a visual representation of walking alongside another person and being a mentor to them. Commitment Coming alongside someone else and being a mentor requires a commitment on the part of both parties:…

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Starting 2024 with a Leadership Journal

Many of you began 2024 with goals and New Year’s resolutions (resolutions that are quickly broken). To help you develop into a better leader, create a leadership journal using your computer, phone, or yes, even paper. Pour a cup of coffee and ask yourself the following questions: Moving forward from this point, it is important…

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