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The Surprising Truth About Leadership
Lisa Marie Platske • January 19, 2015
When I was in high school, I fell in love with leadership.
To me, leadership was fascinating.
How someone got to be a leader, why people followed, and the changing methodologies to step into being a great leader were a few of the principles that spoke to me.
With great leadership, I believed that anything was possible, especially powerful transformations.
And, I was convinced that everyone felt the same way, too.
So, when I left the government and was deciding what to do, I knew that opening a leadership training and development company would be perfect.
And, I was sure that lots of people would be knocking on my door to find more about the principles of leadership that I had studied and implemented.
A few years after I was trucking along in my business, I was out for lunch with a friend who said something startling to me.
She said, who really wants to be a leader? I mean it’s not like people stay up at night and think, “Gosh, I’m not a great leader so what can I do about this?”
I was speechless. Yes, me. Speechless.
From the look on her face, I could tell she didn’t define leadership the way I did – holding the keys to unlock the door to unlimited possibilities, influence, impact, and income let alone the transformational side of what leadership could do for you.
She had no interest in my programs and I realized that I had gotten so caught up in my definition of leadership, that I had stopped sharing all about the transformations I had witnessed and created when someone stepped into being the leader they were being called to be.
- Like making enough money to pay for the first year of their son’s college education without taking out a loan
- Like finally taking off enough time to go on vacation with their husband for 3 weeks – and not being impacted by it financially
- Like choosing to leave a toxic work environment and say “yes” to their health
You have a calling.
And, so do I.
And, if we don’t know how to lead, there is no way we can succeed.
Now, those are mighty big words but I’m speaking the truth here.
And, the most surprising truth is that no one really wants leadership.
Yep.
You and I are designed to want the destination, not the journey. The results and the outcomes but not the processes to get you there.
Leadership is many things to many people.
While everyone may speak about it differently, leadership is ultimately about influence. If you look behind you and there is no one following, you are not the leader.
Leadership is necessary if you want anything in life. And, the more you understand that, the more you’ll fall in love with the study of leadership like I did.
And, that’s really the reason why I went to coaching school and became a certified master coach.
I see how creating a world of leaders can make a mega-difference in the world and serve as a tipping point in certain areas.
No one wants the process but everyone wants to stay focused and get what they want.
ACTION ITEM: The Upside Challenge this week is to do 3 things that will move the needle on improving your leadership ability. Remember, this means you need to focus on your strengths.
You don’t become the thing you think about. You become the think you do something about.
Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely. Lead Upside.
Keep riding the Upside. It’s all Upside.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
February 10, 2025
Cleaning and De-cluttering. This seems to be the daily theme at the farm. Since moving into the property, I’ve been releasing many things from my life: ~ Clothing I hadn’t worn in years ~ New pillows, bedding, and household items that never seemed right ~ Old electronics, including two laptops that a friend was able to re-purpose ~ Papers, papers, and more papers! I’ve also been re-examining what still fits as I move into this new chapter. Getting really honest with why I hold on to things (and people) when they clearly no longer fit in my life. I even deleted hundreds—dare I say thousands—of names from my email list, making my list size the un-sexiest it’s ever been. In the coaching world, this is seen as a fatal mistake—the kiss of death—as your list size is what makes you “cool.” On this part of my journey, I’m much more discerning of the people, places, and situations that are part of my life. I’m examining the distractions that keep me from shining brightly. And, after years of being told not to take things personally, that’s all I’m interested in, because life is personal. You can’t be a leader worth following unless you can see and honor someone’s humanity: ~ What makes their heart hurt ~ What makes them laugh uncontrollably ~ What makes them wonderful and unique That’s the kind of leadership I’m interested in. The kind that’s personal. And that just may take a little de-cluttering and letting go of what and who doesn’t allow you to be the best version of who you’re called to be. Don’t let people, places, or things get in the way of you shining your light. Because the world needs you and your brilliance, now more than ever. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to reflect on what’s taking up space in your life? Take 30 minutes today to identify one physical item or relationship that no longer serves you. Whether it’s an old piece of clothing, a cluttered drawer, or an obligation you’ve outgrown, release it with gratitude for its role in your life.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
February 3, 2025
Are you in integrity with yourself? That’s what the world is really asking when they see if you measure up as a leader worth following. The deeper you are in relationship with yourself, the greater you’re able to serve others and make a positive difference on the planet. You can’t be in integrity with yourself unless you’re able to access your emotions, to experience emotional well-being. See, most people sidestep the things they don’t want to deal with in their life. They do it all day long. They have hidden places, in dark corners, where they’d rather not look. The actions can look like no big deal, like saying ‘yes’ to something when you really want to say ‘no’. I mean it’s just easier to go along to get along. Yet when you do this, you’re out of integrity with yourself. And over time, the consequences are costly. You can stack up all of the wins, and get external validation, yet the person in the mirror will still be staring back at you. You can’t really hide from yourself. I’ve got a pretty tough exterior, and I was an emotional stuffer for years. It’s taken me a lifetime to understand that your emotions reveal where you’re off-track. When you choose to listen amidst the noise of the world, you can see what just may be getting in the way. Only if you’re willing to. Looking deep into your soul. The world needs you and your brilliance. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to pause and check in with yourself the next time you feel uncomfortable, frustrated, or out of alignment. Ask yourself: What is this emotion trying to show me about where I’m off track? Is there a hidden “yes” or “no” I’ve been avoiding? Once you’ve identified it, take one intentional step to honor what you uncover. Maybe it’s setting a boundary, speaking your truth, or letting go of something that no longer serves you. Your emotions are a guide, trust them, and see where they lead.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
January 13, 2025
When you aren’t willing to fully examine… ~ what you believe, ~ the size of your comfort zone, ~ and the operational effectiveness of your processes and systems... … you stay stuck. There is a hard cost to choosing to stay stuck. ~ Physically ~ Emotionally ~ Intellectually ~ Spiritually ~ Financially ~ Relationally ~ And to the health of your career or business. Moving forward requires change. And, change is uncomfortable for most people, especially when it requires letting go of what was. It's not usually external waves that cause your boat to sink... ... rather it's the SMALL HOLE INSIDE your BOAT that YOU'VE BEEN IGNORING. A little reflection goes a long way, along with conversations with someone you trust. ~ What have you been ignoring or putting off? ~ What haven't you been willing to look at? Ignoring or delaying doesn't typically help because that small hole may be getting bigger... The longer you delay looking at things, the sense of overwhelm grows too-- much like the feeling that the boat is filling up with water. Pretty soon you may be swimming inside your proverbial boat. What is the process for getting unstuck? It starts with a commitment to make a clear-eyed assessment of where you are. This requires both courage and vulnerability. The costs to stay stuck are high. Be willing to see where you might be off course without judgment. Remember, judgment and discernment are different. One is constructive, the other is destructive. Next focus on what you want . What's your desired outcome? Use your imagination to build the bridge in the gap between where you are and also from the goal ("end"). ~ What do you need to do? ~ Who do you need to be? If you can create it in your mind, you can create it in the world. While it may look different as you build and take each step... you'll be moving forward... Find the courage to take the first step. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to LOOK at where you are stuck and have been ignoring or delaying. Examine the situation with a neutral eye from multiple angles. What is your desired and designed outcome? CHOOSE the first step ... which might just be reaching out to someone for coaching. Have the courage to take that ACTION step. If you need support or resources... reach out . The world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
January 6, 2025
When you move into 2025 without properly closing out 2024, it’s like trying to hit a bullseye on a dartboard with a blindfold on. You might hit your target, yet your chances are slim that you’ll pull off a real win. Why? Because without a close-out process, you unconsciously bring things that didn’t serve you in the past into the future . Most people want more out of life than they currently have: More health More happiness More success More meaning Yet they fool themselves into thinking they’re winning by setting their sights on the bullseye. However, they never realize they’ve still got the blindfold on. They rely on sheer effort, throwing enough darts in the air or working extra hours, believing that’s how they’ll get ahead. So they keep hustling and muscling through. Or they stack up a few random wins and foolishly build their foundation like a house of cards resting on unsteady ground, destined to crumble. I’ve seen it happen over and over again… Watching top performers in their industry rack up lucky wins—only to lose it all: Burning out Getting sick Bankrupting their life physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and financially No one thinks it will happen to them. There are four questions that can help you take the blindfold off and begin mapping out a real plan rather than relying on lucky shots. With these questions, you’ll: Get what you want with ease See clearly what you’re building and why Have the confidence to work smarter, not harder We dive into these four questions at the Upside Summit — and on our bonus call before you even set foot in the room. Sign up now at www.UpsideSummit.com While it’s still early in the year, take the time to ensure you aren’t caught with a blindfold on in 2025. ACTION: The Upside Challenge of the Week is to take time to close out 2024. ~ What do you want to leave behind? ~ What do you want to carry forward? ~ What do you want to create in 2025? If you want to take a deeper dive and learn about the 4 powerful questions that will help you map out a solid foundation, sign up for my last Upside Summit at www.UpsideSummit.com . Invest wisely by investing in yourself. The world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
February 10, 2025
Cleaning and De-cluttering. This seems to be the daily theme at the farm. Since moving into the property, I’ve been releasing many things from my life: ~ Clothing I hadn’t worn in years ~ New pillows, bedding, and household items that never seemed right ~ Old electronics, including two laptops that a friend was able to re-purpose ~ Papers, papers, and more papers! I’ve also been re-examining what still fits as I move into this new chapter. Getting really honest with why I hold on to things (and people) when they clearly no longer fit in my life. I even deleted hundreds—dare I say thousands—of names from my email list, making my list size the un-sexiest it’s ever been. In the coaching world, this is seen as a fatal mistake—the kiss of death—as your list size is what makes you “cool.” On this part of my journey, I’m much more discerning of the people, places, and situations that are part of my life. I’m examining the distractions that keep me from shining brightly. And, after years of being told not to take things personally, that’s all I’m interested in, because life is personal. You can’t be a leader worth following unless you can see and honor someone’s humanity: ~ What makes their heart hurt ~ What makes them laugh uncontrollably ~ What makes them wonderful and unique That’s the kind of leadership I’m interested in. The kind that’s personal. And that just may take a little de-cluttering and letting go of what and who doesn’t allow you to be the best version of who you’re called to be. Don’t let people, places, or things get in the way of you shining your light. Because the world needs you and your brilliance, now more than ever. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to reflect on what’s taking up space in your life? Take 30 minutes today to identify one physical item or relationship that no longer serves you. Whether it’s an old piece of clothing, a cluttered drawer, or an obligation you’ve outgrown, release it with gratitude for its role in your life.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
February 3, 2025
Are you in integrity with yourself? That’s what the world is really asking when they see if you measure up as a leader worth following. The deeper you are in relationship with yourself, the greater you’re able to serve others and make a positive difference on the planet. You can’t be in integrity with yourself unless you’re able to access your emotions, to experience emotional well-being. See, most people sidestep the things they don’t want to deal with in their life. They do it all day long. They have hidden places, in dark corners, where they’d rather not look. The actions can look like no big deal, like saying ‘yes’ to something when you really want to say ‘no’. I mean it’s just easier to go along to get along. Yet when you do this, you’re out of integrity with yourself. And over time, the consequences are costly. You can stack up all of the wins, and get external validation, yet the person in the mirror will still be staring back at you. You can’t really hide from yourself. I’ve got a pretty tough exterior, and I was an emotional stuffer for years. It’s taken me a lifetime to understand that your emotions reveal where you’re off-track. When you choose to listen amidst the noise of the world, you can see what just may be getting in the way. Only if you’re willing to. Looking deep into your soul. The world needs you and your brilliance. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to pause and check in with yourself the next time you feel uncomfortable, frustrated, or out of alignment. Ask yourself: What is this emotion trying to show me about where I’m off track? Is there a hidden “yes” or “no” I’ve been avoiding? Once you’ve identified it, take one intentional step to honor what you uncover. Maybe it’s setting a boundary, speaking your truth, or letting go of something that no longer serves you. Your emotions are a guide, trust them, and see where they lead.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
January 13, 2025
When you aren’t willing to fully examine… ~ what you believe, ~ the size of your comfort zone, ~ and the operational effectiveness of your processes and systems... … you stay stuck. There is a hard cost to choosing to stay stuck. ~ Physically ~ Emotionally ~ Intellectually ~ Spiritually ~ Financially ~ Relationally ~ And to the health of your career or business. Moving forward requires change. And, change is uncomfortable for most people, especially when it requires letting go of what was. It's not usually external waves that cause your boat to sink... ... rather it's the SMALL HOLE INSIDE your BOAT that YOU'VE BEEN IGNORING. A little reflection goes a long way, along with conversations with someone you trust. ~ What have you been ignoring or putting off? ~ What haven't you been willing to look at? Ignoring or delaying doesn't typically help because that small hole may be getting bigger... The longer you delay looking at things, the sense of overwhelm grows too-- much like the feeling that the boat is filling up with water. Pretty soon you may be swimming inside your proverbial boat. What is the process for getting unstuck? It starts with a commitment to make a clear-eyed assessment of where you are. This requires both courage and vulnerability. The costs to stay stuck are high. Be willing to see where you might be off course without judgment. Remember, judgment and discernment are different. One is constructive, the other is destructive. Next focus on what you want . What's your desired outcome? Use your imagination to build the bridge in the gap between where you are and also from the goal ("end"). ~ What do you need to do? ~ Who do you need to be? If you can create it in your mind, you can create it in the world. While it may look different as you build and take each step... you'll be moving forward... Find the courage to take the first step. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to LOOK at where you are stuck and have been ignoring or delaying. Examine the situation with a neutral eye from multiple angles. What is your desired and designed outcome? CHOOSE the first step ... which might just be reaching out to someone for coaching. Have the courage to take that ACTION step. If you need support or resources... reach out . The world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
January 6, 2025
When you move into 2025 without properly closing out 2024, it’s like trying to hit a bullseye on a dartboard with a blindfold on. You might hit your target, yet your chances are slim that you’ll pull off a real win. Why? Because without a close-out process, you unconsciously bring things that didn’t serve you in the past into the future . Most people want more out of life than they currently have: More health More happiness More success More meaning Yet they fool themselves into thinking they’re winning by setting their sights on the bullseye. However, they never realize they’ve still got the blindfold on. They rely on sheer effort, throwing enough darts in the air or working extra hours, believing that’s how they’ll get ahead. So they keep hustling and muscling through. Or they stack up a few random wins and foolishly build their foundation like a house of cards resting on unsteady ground, destined to crumble. I’ve seen it happen over and over again… Watching top performers in their industry rack up lucky wins—only to lose it all: Burning out Getting sick Bankrupting their life physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and financially No one thinks it will happen to them. There are four questions that can help you take the blindfold off and begin mapping out a real plan rather than relying on lucky shots. With these questions, you’ll: Get what you want with ease See clearly what you’re building and why Have the confidence to work smarter, not harder We dive into these four questions at the Upside Summit — and on our bonus call before you even set foot in the room. Sign up now at www.UpsideSummit.com While it’s still early in the year, take the time to ensure you aren’t caught with a blindfold on in 2025. ACTION: The Upside Challenge of the Week is to take time to close out 2024. ~ What do you want to leave behind? ~ What do you want to carry forward? ~ What do you want to create in 2025? If you want to take a deeper dive and learn about the 4 powerful questions that will help you map out a solid foundation, sign up for my last Upside Summit at www.UpsideSummit.com . Invest wisely by investing in yourself. The world needs you and your brilliance.
Upside Your Business & Your Life!
