Most of my week involved coaching leaders to set fresh, bold goals for 2017 and how to address some of the obstacles that may arise along the way. My 3 To Thrive picks this week will help you do the same! Be sure to connect on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more resources throughout the week, too.

1. Goals. If you struggle to maintain motivation toward your goals, it might be that you’re setting “SMART” goals but not the right ones. In this insightful post, Jesse Lyn Stoner of the Seapoint Center for Collaborative Leadership shares 3 steps for creating the right goals, 4 tips to increase your chance of achievement, and solid strategies for motivating yourself into purposeful action.

2. Failure. Try as we might, we cannot avoid failure…nor is trying to necessarily in our best interest. In this thought-provoking HBR article, Strategies For Learning From Failure, Professor Amy Edmondson shares how failure benefits us, how we can use it to create a learning culture, and how not all failures are created equal.

3. Make A Difference. In 2008, J.K. Rowling gave a powerful, heartfelt commencement address to graduates at Harvard. Humorous, poignant, and filled with solid and applicable suggestions, I found this 20 minutes very well spent. “We do not need magic to transform our world,” shares the bestselling author and philanthropist. “We carry all the power we need inside us already.”

Wishing you a week filled with meaningful work and purposeful living!

What does compassion look like to you? To me, it’s more listening and less judging. It’s more sharing and less withholding. It’s more kindness, awareness, and openness, and less of what shuts us off from each other.

I agree with Thich Nhat Hanh: Compassion is a verb – as well as a paramount leadership quality. It lets people feel heard, connects us at a deeper level, and allows us to live, work, and lead with greater purpose.

Most everyone is navigating a challenge, working through an issue, or dealing with a difficulty that we know nothing about. Even if we feel we know everything about them.

So today, focus on compassion. Share it freely with others – AND yourself. Look for examples of compassionate leadership and make note of what you learn. Compassion is a strength, and you just never know – your simple act of compassion could literally change, or even save, a life.

Work with meaning. Live with purpose. Show compassion always.

“Inspiring leadership speaks to our need to have meaning and purpose in our lives.”

“Credibility is the foundation of leadership.”

“Titles are granted, but it’s your behavior that wins you respect.”

I could quote from The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner all day long. This inspiring, practical resource has stood the test of time and, originally published in 1987, remains one of the top leadership books on the shelves today.

I first discovered The Leadership Challenge in the early 2000’s and, while completing my coach training at the College of Executive Coaching a few years later, was reintroduced to it through the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), its associated assessment. I’ve pulled it off my shelf at least once a quarter ever since for a refresher or an insight.

The authors, both well-established in leadership and business, present five practices for leaders:

1. Model The Way

 2. Inspire A Shared Vision

 3. Challenge The Process

 4. Enable Others To Act

 5. Encourage The Heart

Each is important, and the goal, of course, is to incorporate all five practices into your leadership. If I had to choose one on which to focus, however, #2: Inspire A Shared Vision returns to the forefront again and again. It’s difficult to lead people toward a greater tomorrow if that tomorrow hasn’t been clearly defined or if they don’t share the same vision.

Within this principle come several key concepts; without them, in my experience, leaders will falter. For example, you need to know your constituents and speak their language. You must understand their dreams, hopes, and values. People need to believe in you and also trust that you have their best interests at heart. Then, and only then, will they fully come on board to support the vision.

So, how do you actually inspire a shared vision? For starters:

* Clarify your vision. A vague vision leads to vague results. When were you/your organization at your best? If you had no limits, what could be? I like to bring Appreciative Inquiry into this process when working with coaching clients on personal or organizational vision statements.

* Get to know your constituents. What matters most to them? What ideas, dreams, and frustrations do you commonly hear from them? What do they value? Constituents might include your team, coworkers, vendors, family members, voters, or any number of people impacted by your leadership.

* Listen. In his book It’s Your Ship by Michael Abrashoff, I love the chapter titled “Listen Aggressively.” What if we did that on a regular basis? How might that shape your vision?

* Read biographies of visionary leaders. Gain ideas and inspiration from their examples.

* Write your “Fifty In Fifty Award” article. Imagine that in 10 years, you’re being highlighted as one of 50 people who have made a positive difference in the last 50 years. Write the magazine article that would accompany this award, particularly highlighting the difference you’ve made for your organization, family, constituents, or community.

What is your vision for the future? Do others share that vision? Is it inspiring, positive, and moving toward a greater tomorrow? Do you allow room for dissent and discussion, not surrounding yourself with “yes-men” but instead with people who can help you truly make a difference?

Ask yourself these questions, and do the work to generate the answers. As you do, keep this statement from Kouzes and Posner in mind:

“Leadership begins with something that grabs hold of you and won’t let go. This is where leaders must go to find their voice.”

Find your voice. Make it a positive one. Accept the leadership challenge and make an inspired and visionary difference in the world!

Frustrated with an issue in your organization? Dissatisfied with the political climate? Overwhelmed by challenges that seem so large and wondering what you, one person, can do about them? “How wonderful that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world,” Anne Frank reminded us, and I agree completely.

If you haven’t already, start by clarifying your values. Every decision you make and action you take is steeped in your values, so begin by knowing what matters most to you. Think of it this way: If you made monetary donations to causes you believe in, you could give $10 to 100 different organizations or $1,000 to a single organization. Which do you feel would make a bigger impact and send a stronger message? The same focusing principle applies to our time, energy, and action.

Since every decision you make and action you take is steeped in your values, become crystal clear on what those are (if you need help, contact me about a Kickstart Coaching session). Once you know and can focus on what matters most – what mountain you’re willing to stand on – consider these 10 actions you can take today to begin making a positive, purposeful difference.

1. Connect with like-minded people. We are stronger together. Come together with other purposeful people to dialogue, design strategy, and take meaningful action.

2. Connect with unlike-minded people. Engage in respectful conversation with those who think differently. When we open ourselves up to perspectives, three things happen: a) we learn that we have more similarities than differences, b) we can come together on our common ground, and c) we become more empathetic.

3. Write a thoughtful, fact-based article. Tell your meaningful stories, embrace your passion, and support your ideas with legitimate research. Share your article with publications you admire, via your blog, on social media, or any of the endless ways we now have to publish. Provide sound action steps for readers, too.

4. Help the person next to you. Whether shoveling someone’s sidewalk, sending an anonymous pre-paid gas card to an unemployed friend, or helping someone safely cross the street, you’d be surprised what a wide reach your kindness will have. (Thank you, ripple effect!)

5. Model strength, courage, and positivity. Refuse to be drawn into the negativity or groupthink. Be the ray of sunshine that offers hope and brings light to the darkness. This requires intention and consistently “filling your bucket.”

6. Give among the three T’s: Time, Talent, Treasure. You don’t have to be a millionaire to prompt change, support growth, or start a movement. And like wise-beyond-her-years Anne Frank also wrote, “No one ever became poor by giving.”

7. Be an inspired leader. Throw your hat in the ring to lead groups, committees, organizations, cities, countries. Regardless of your title, embrace the power of collaborative leadership.

8. Be an inspiring follower. When not in a formal leadership role, be the best follower for those leaders you admire. Actively participate, volunteer to take on tasks, visibly and verbally show your support.

9. Ask how you can help. Found a cause or issue you want to support? Ask what they need. See someone who looks like she’s struggling? Ask how you can help. Be curious instead of assumptive.

10. Show up. Whatever that means in the moment: Show up at events, show up in conversations, show up fully for the people around you – and for yourself. Don’t be a bystander in work, leadership, life, or any place you see potential for growth and betterment. Show up, stand up, speak up.

Willa Cather said, “Where there is great love, there are always miracles.” Work, lead, and live with great love, and you will experience – and contribute to – the miracles.

What would you add to the list? Comment below or share your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram.