2011 closes the first year of my blog. It’s been a year of learning – the biggest of which was learning how to condense what I want to say into a readable chunk. I still find the shorter the post, the longer it takes me to write.
I’ve had the good fortune to connect with and learn from some of the great leadership bloggers. Early on Bret Simmons advised me that “content is king.” His excellent advice helped me focus. Wally Bock has generously offered feedback in finding my voice. I am also grateful to have connected with Becky Robinson, Mary Jo Asmus, Tanveer Naseer, Art Petty, Dan Rockwell, Lolly Daskal, Chris Edmonds, Whitney Johnson and Gwyn Teatro. I have benefited from their advice as well as by reading their excellent blogs.
Awareness and readership of my blog has grown geometrically. But because it is new, many people are not aware of some of my earlier posts which contain some of my most important content.
In reflection, I thought it might be helpful to list my top five most-read posts and three of my personal favorites. I would also like to invite you to look through some of my other earlier posts, especially those in March and April.
Warm wishes for a wonderful new year!
My Top Posts of 2011
6 Guidelines to Create a Vision For the Life You Really Want: You are more likely to get what you want if you know what it is. This post explains how to discover what matters most to you.
5 Tips to Ensure Your Values Unify Your Team This post explains how to use shared values to resolve conflict and make sure your values really work.
Be a Better Leader, Remove Your Self-Imposed Limitations Your team can only be as great as you believe it can be. This post highlights some unconscious beliefs that can limit your success.
6 Tips to Set Goals That Will Get You Where You Want to Go This post explains how to set the right goals and make sure they work.
5 Easy Ways To Tell If An Organization Is REALLY Values-Driven What do Zappos, Ben and Jerry’s, and Southwest Airlines have in common? They are all financially successful, values-driven companies. A lot of companies claim to be values-driven. But it does not necessarily mean their values guide decision-making and behaviors company-wide on a day-by-day basis.
Three Personal Favorites:
Manage the Mid-Space or Your Vision Will Fail Many companies suffer from a huge disconnect between the high level view of vision and strategy and their day-to-day execution. I call the space in-between the “mid-space.” This post offers seven things leaders can do to connect the mid-space.
6 Questions to Uncover the Purpose of Your Work People who believe their work provides a worthwhile service, experience their work as easier and more fulfilling. This post explains how to find that deeper purpose.
Diagnose & Cure Team Drift (published in The Harvard Business Review) This post tackles an important, little-talked about issue for teams – “team drift.” While major changes alert us that we might be off course, “team drift” occurs as a result of a series of small things, each insignificant on its own, the total of which has a cumulative impact. Teams usually just slowly continue to drift off course, not even aware of what’s happening. This post lists 7 warning signs of “team drift” and the 4 steps to address it.
Jesse, congratulations on your first year in blogging! I selfishly hope there are many, many more. You have a unique and truly inspirational/educational voice that we all benefit from via your posts. Best wishes in the new year! -Art
Congratulations!!!! You blog like you’ve been doing it for a long time. Your presence in the online community help enrich other people’s life.
Good Luck on a great 2012.
Best regards,
Will Lukang
Congratulations on your first year, Jesse. Thanks for a year of insightful, thought-stimulating posts.
Hi Art, Will and Wally,
Thanks so much for your kind comment and your good wishes. I really appreciate your taking the time to leave a message.
Great advice Jesse. My life has changed because of you.
Thank, Jack. It’s always a pleasure to see you here.
Dearest Jesse,
One of the very profound gifts I got this year was my friendship with you.
You are someone who inspires me daily.
Who I learn from hourly and who I admire constantly.
Your generous heart and your soulful heart has made a huge impact on my life.
I look forward to 2012 in growing, learning, supporting, and stretching.
Thanks Jesse!
Lolly
Thank you, Lolly. I am honored and touched.
Congratulations Jesse on completing your first year of blogging. It’s been a privilege to learn from your writings and getting to know more about you both offline and on.
The sage advice and warmth of your words and ideas shared here on your blog are a glimmer of what you share in person with those you connect with. Grateful to have the opportunity to be one of those lucky ones and to echo Art’s sentiment, I’m looking forward to many more years of getting to know you, both here on your blog and hopefully one day in person as well.
Congratulations again, Jesse, on your blogging milestone. I’ll be sure to bring balloons to the festivities when you reach the 200th. 🙂
Thank you, Tanveer. I look forward to celebrating #200 with balloons!
Dear Jesse,
I am warmed by your words and humbled by the company in which you have placed me. Thank you.
I actually think inspiration is a shared thing. In the year that you have been blogging, I have also learned from you about the power of vision, not only in corporations but also in families. Thank you for that too.
I look forward to another year of learning together.
Happy New Year! 🙂
Jesse!
You amazed me when you said that this was your first year in blogging!
Congratulations Jesse from the bottom from my heart!
I was planning to read a book today but I could’t resist myself from reading all of your posts above 🙂
They were wonderful.
Thanks a lot for your VISION resulting into such unique way of writing
Keep it up Jesse 🙂 we want more of the same in 2012 🙂
Regards,
Khalid
Hi Khalid,
I’m delighted you spent your time reading my posts and that you enjoyed them.
I’ve spent the last 30 years “in the trenches” working with leaders in all kinds of organizations. Over the years I’ve focused mostly on working directly with leaders, although I have written a couple of books. Blogging is quite different than writing a book because it’s ongoing. When you finish a book, you’re done. And as I mentioned in my post, it requires a different style of writing.
Because I am at a point in my life where I want to share more of what I’ve learned over the years, I wanted to see if blogging would be a good vehicle. Getting feedback from readers that my posts are helpful is what makes it worthwhile. So thank you for taking the time to let me know.
Jesse,
I feel very fortunate to have recently found your blog. Thanks so much for the recap of 2011. This is all such outstanding insight on leading a purpose driven, values based life and organization. You are truly a blessing to all of us. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and guidance. I wish you all the best in 2012.
Mark
Thank you so much, Mark, for letting me know I’m making a difference. It makes blogging worthwhile.
You are doing a GREAT job with this, Jesse! Love it when good people do great things and get spectacular results. Very glad to have met you, Jesse!
Jesse, I’m so glad we’ve connected this year. Congratulations on a great year of great articles that teach me something every time I read them.
Jesse –
Congratulations on a successful first year of blogging! I’m glad you’re a regular contributor to our Leadership Development Carnival and look forward to more great posts.
Thanks so much, Dan. I’m honored to be included in your Leadership Development Carnival.
Hi Jesse, I’ve only just discovered your blog and read a few posts – but really like them, well done and keep it up for another year. You’re right, I find less words is much harder to write too! Have a great 2012 blogging
Thanks Jon, I look forward to future connecting!
I really enjoyed reading through your posts this year, Aunt Lyn! You are a great blogger and an inspiration to me.
Thanks so much, Margy. You are the really talented writer in the family. Hoping you start blogging again soon!