Bill Powell’s Post

Ever wonder why some people always get a call back? It's not about fancy tactics – it's about character. Becoming someone people want to call back is the real secret. Developing good character is challenging, but it's what truly counts. How do you do it? By consistently stepping outside your comfort zone, taking risks, and experimenting in pursuit of your goals. This isn't the sexy stuff of "Top 5 Tips" or "Three Strategies." It's about perseverance, authenticity, and resilience. When you push yourself to do uncomfortable things and take genuine risks, you not only discover the right tactics and strategies, but you also become a person others respect and trust. People call back those they believe in. So, how can you start building this kind of character? Begin by setting small, uncomfortable goals that push your boundaries. Whether it's reaching out to a mentor, speaking up in meetings, or tackling a project outside your expertise, these actions build resilience and confidence. Next, embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Every risk you take won't always result in success, but each one will teach you valuable lessons and sharpen your instincts. Reflect on these experiences, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward. Finally, prioritize authenticity in all your interactions. Be genuine, be transparent, and show empathy. People are drawn to those who are real and relatable. By focusing on these principles, you'll not only develop a strong character but also foster lasting, meaningful connections. Character building isn't a quick fix; it's a continuous journey. Commit to it, and watch as the callbacks, opportunities, and respect naturally follow.

"Don't judge me by my bad ideas, judge me by my good ideas". Matt Damon on what Ben Affleck said to him while writing "Good Will Hunting". Pure genius, there is an openness and innocence to that comment. For those with kids, can't you hear your kids sort of saying something like that as they go through life? I've seen more people pump up their chest to tell everyone how smart they are while in fact they are afraid to be seen as anthing else but smart - because they just might not be. Not curious Not willing to take a risk Afraid to say "I don't know" Needs to be the solution person And this can cause others to back away from actually being creative because they might be wrong, it might be a bad idea and bad ideas are not smart. The thing with a collaborative, safe and open culture to anyone having an idea to help move forward is that bad ideas lead to creative conversations that bring us closer to the good and great ideas. I would tell my teams that I don't care who comes up with the right answer or where it came from but we need to figure it out....so let's start spit balling and fix this damn problem. Be creative, don't stop trying, looking around corners and if you are in a company or company of others that restricts your ability to "try". Get out and go grow somewhere that appreciates the effort and crazy ideas that lead to the solution. It takes a team to win, and it takes a supportive, open and creative team to crush it. Hang Tough

“I think we need to go in a different direction and I don’t think there is anything you can do to change my mind!!” OK, not too many people say out loud “There isn’t anything you can do to change my mind” but in reality, most of us are firm in our belief and don’t want to compromise. I feel you on the clashing opinions thing. I've been there myself more times than I can count! But here's what I've learned - those moments are ripe for growth if you approach them openly. When disagreement strikes, I try to shift gears in my head. It's like, "Okay, let's see where you're coming from." I make it a point to really listen. I ask questions and dig a little deeper to figure out why they think the way they do. It is vital that they feel heard and understood. It's all about finding that common thread and acknowledging how we feel about it. Reframe the conversation into a problem-solving session, a meeting of the minds where both of you can find new solutions. Come at it as a team, using "we" instead of butting heads with "you" and "me." Tackle the issue together rather than throwing grenades at each other. Keeping an open mind about different views can turn clashes into opportunities. Curiosity and listening can unlock awesome new possibilities. The end goal is important but how you get there is just as important. 

Reflecting on this powerful message today. Embrace criticism as a sign of progress, seek growth from feedback, surround yourself with honesty, stay true to your values, and respond to negativity with kindness. Let's recommit to spreading positivity in the world. #Leadership #Positivity #GrowthMindset #learning #strongertogether #gratitude

I just wanted to post a reminder that everyone makes mistakes (I certainly do), you never know what is going on in a person’s life (or mind) when they make a mistake, and that—no matter how frustrating (or even infuriating) their mistake may be for you personally—a kind and forgiving approach to handling mistakes can go a long way in supporting your fellow humans, especially during these increasingly tough times. I find when I am responding to a mistake that someone has made which directly affects me, it is helpful to think about the mistakes I have made over my career and the good (and bad) ways others have responded to them. It helps reframe the situation as an opportunity for empathy, support, and relationship building. And generally reminds me that most of us are just trying to do the best we can at any given moment and sometimes we may fall short of that goal. Ultimately, we’re all in this together, even when it seems we’re alone. And our power comes from a collective, collaborative, compassionate mindset.

Having no fear in the mind can lead to: 1. Bold decision-making: Fearlessness encourages taking risks and seizing opportunities without hesitation. 2. Enhanced creativity: Without fear holding you back, you're more likely to explore new ideas and think outside the box. 3. Resilience: Fearlessness helps in bouncing back from setbacks and facing challenges with determination. 4. Greater confidence: When fear is absent, confidence naturally emerges, enabling you to tackle tasks with assurance. 5. Improved relationships: Fearlessness fosters authenticity and openness, leading to stronger connections with others.

At some point in your career, you’ll become aware of people that don’t have a nice thing to say about you. It’ll trickle back to you through some backchannel or maybe they’ll just tell you to your face. In those moments, your instinct might be to lash out. To try and call those people and correct the narrative. To get even. But here are some other options for you: 1. You can’t build anything meaningful and not incur some haters. Haters are a feature not a bug of success and are proportional to your success. Celebrate the haters. That means you’re on to something. 2. Try to figure out if there’s signal in the feedback. Don’t let it impact your overall sense of self, but don’t be so oblivious about your actions you assume every piece of feedback is complete BS. See if there’s something you can learn from the experience on the road to becoming a better version of yourself. 3. Build a network that gives you radical candor. You can’t let other people impact how you feel about yourself but you do need feedback. Nurture relationships with people that are willing to tell you the honest truth about something. I have so many of these in my life and they are priceless. 4. Double down on your values. All you can do is your best. Make sure you’re grounded and have a good sense of yourself and what you stand for. 5. Find someone to help. Perhaps the most important option - flip the negative energy, let it pass through you, and then immediately find someone to help. It confuses the toxic energy and jams it up. Bottom line: Do your best. Be a good person. When you get a piece of negative feedback, recommit yourself to putting positivity into the world. Let the chips fall where they may after that.

👇How I respond when someone initiates silly workplace competition 👇 It's not that I'm a pushover, I've simply got a bigger objective I'm working on. When it comes down to it, I'm fiercely competitive with only one person. M Y S E L F Sorry, not sorry. I get that some view the world as a competitive arena. Be it your: 💡 Ideas 🎁 Products 🛠 Service Offering 🤹♂️ Positional Authority 💰 Bank Account 🏡 House 🚗 Car I've never felt the need to prove myself to anyone, but I understand why the this mindset exists. Perhaps I'm simply privileged. Or accept that I'm a below average human that's risen higher than the level of others opinions. If you're on the other end of the spectrum (and many people are) I don't reject you or your philosophy. It's just not me. I'm not opposed to healthy competition either, but if it turns south... I'll find another way to get to my objective. Have a good weekend, whatever your fancy. ⛰ Remember the rocks. ⛰ ❤️ Be Kind. ()*/+-()*/+-()*/+-()*/+-()*/+-()*/+-()*/+-()*/+- Hi, I’m Mike. I’m a practitioner of kindness through open, honest communication. I write daily about leadership, soft skills, sustainability, mental fitness, and my story. I am an energy professional, engineer, Veteran, dad, husband, and aspiring dog whisperer. I've won and lost many battles, too. ⚔

Showing up as your best self isn't just about appearances; it's a mindset that empowers you to give your all, no matter the circumstances. When you consistently show up as your best self, you're not only showcasing your talents and abilities, but you're also demonstrating your commitment to growth and improvement. You're showing the world that you value your own potential and are dedicated to making a positive impact. Imagine the ripple effect of this mindset – not only does it inspire and motivate those around you, but it also fosters an environment of positivity and excellence. By setting this example, you're teaching your children the importance of integrity, hard work, and the pursuit of personal greatness.