Would you argue with me if I said that we have become a culture of whiners ?  Leaders -- and of course I use that word not to refer to a position, but to a frame of mind and action -- leaders don't whine.  And our world needs us to lead.

Whining connotes powerlessness.  And unfortunately it also sucks the energy out of others.  Leading does not mean turning a blind eye to difficulties.  Indeed, good leaders are brutally honest about the facts.  But then, consciously or otherwise, when they see difficulties they choose one of two paths: acceptance , if the problems lie outside their influence, or action to stimulate change.

So, you might monitor your inner whiner this week!  When some difficulty - a jerk, the weather, the copier, your Achilles tendon, your teenager - is stimulating you whine, take a breath, one deep breath, and ask yourself: will I lead?  If you want to lead, then ask yourself:  Act or accept? 

So:  Observe the whiner.  Choose to lead.  And ask yourself: Should I accept it or act ?

To lead with your best self,

Dan