“One of the most frustrating aspects of human relationships rest in feeling like you have not been heard. No one enjoys the position of voicelessness. Leaders know that one of the wisest, if not the most humbling action they can take is taking the time to have a simple conversation with those they lead.” J Loren Norris

“Blind spots, obstacles and blinders may have similar effect, but in the life of a leader they are significantly different. Blinders help us to focus by directing attention and minimizing distractions. Blind spots ...” J Loren Norris

”Call it shading, facets, partial representation or any other name you like. Nuance is another word for conveying something other than the whole truth. Employees do it. Politicians do it. Toddlers do it. Attorneys do it. You have likely done it, I know I have. Good leaders understand the power and purpose of nuance all the while aware of its dangers. Be alert. Look closely, listen closer and always ask, what’s the whole, entire, complete truth.” J Loren Norris

“Study the genuine article and not the litany of fakes if you want to get past the deception and get closer to the truth. Leaders who live and thrive on the glitz and glamor of the spotlight and not the transformation of their people, those are the counterfeit. Leaders who do the right thing when no one is looking and nothing is to be gained, those are the genuine article, study them, follow them.” J Loren Norris

“Living what you say you believe versus living what you actually believe might appear to be a distinction without a difference. It is not. Most people live by deeply held beliefs which are not consistent with their spoken beliefs. They act in ways which defy their expressed values. Because their subconscious beliefs drive their actions, who they demonstrate they are is not who they say they are.” J Loren Norris

​“Good vs bad or good vs evil is hard enough to discern on a regular daily basis. When we add the art of deception or agendas hidden behind questionable intentions, it takes well honed skills of people reading to mete out the truth of good or bad. Leaders must pursue the ability to interpret, clarify and strategize the mine field of disguised intentions.” J Loren Norris

“We don’t always get to choose who we lead. Promotions, new hires, attrition all effect who is on the team. While we don’t always get to choose who we will lead, we do get to choose how. We also get to choose how committed we will be to the system, the process and the team which was there before vs the change and transformation we deem to be necessary.” J Loren Norris

“Many people have the false impression that leadership always looks like the best dressed, wealthiest, most popular person touting their success. It does not! Leadership looks like someone willing to get the work done. Leadership looks like a person of influence engaging in the work and world of the causes they claim to support.” J Loren Norris

“In my own speaking and coaching business the Phoebus Cartel strategies apply. If you don’t value my research, education, advice, insight and wisdom enough to invest more than a cup of coffee, then you will likely get valid information like swing set parts which won’t likely fit together and function well. If you want the decoder ring, or build instructions, you will have to become a paying client. Once you buy in, the transformation you experience will be legacy worthy for generations.” J Loren Norris

“Every team faces the threat of a natural predator. From political or industrial espionage, to the recruiting of top talent or the phishing for internal secrets, every tribe, flock, or family faces the real risk of attack. A keeper of sheep often employs a donkey who will bond with the sheep, acting as if they are family, warning of the imminent threat of predators and aggressively defending the team. Who is the “Jenny” on your team? Is it you?” J Loren Norris

“Leaders cannot create laws that are more powerful than laws of nature. Leaders often insist on behavior from those they lead which is counter to the very nature of those they lead. No policy can force someone to be nice to someone who insists on being a jerk. If you want to see harmony in your team, hire and inspire harmonious people. Become the person you want to deal with.” J Loren Norris

“I am in no way a fan of the ‘go along to get along’ theory when it requires an abandon of core values and priorities or compromise of foundational principles. But if you are not at a minimum pleasant enough to hang out with, you are not a going to be a leader through influence but through tyranny only. Knowing the difference is the measure of leadership maturity.” J Loren Norris

“The number of leaders who promote a new idea, innovation, invention, process, procedure, or policy who will never be expected to live under the conditions created by their idea is mind numbing. Often the results will not be measurable or obvious for decades, but the fame associated with the new idea is a really all certain people are concerned with. Don’t be that leader.” J Loren Norris

”The experiences of your life contain value for the quality of life for those who follow behind you. As a leader, your voice is both profound and impactful. The only way your story will not transform your circle of influence is if you remain silent. If you are uncomfortable telling your story, get a coach because the chances are you’re doing it wrong.” J Loren Norris

”As a leader begins to experience success: growth in influence, income and impact, there will be no shortage of people seeking to call themselves ‘friend.’ In fact, friends will come out of the woodwork on every side. People who have been in the shadows through all the pain, heartache and struggle will sidle up next to a leader who is fresh in the spotlight. Building an inner circle of friends who will tell you hard truth is emotionally grueling work. It is also one of the most important assignments a leader will ever tackle.” J Loren Norris

“Few things are as frustrating for a leader, a parent or anyone as defending yourself against false accusations. However, the cancel culture and other narrative based agendas leave a very similar sense of emotional dissonance when attacking, editing or altering history, or even current events with a narrative which does not resonate with the eyewitness accounts.” J Loren Norris

“Success is not a right or a gift it is a privileged opportunity that waits on the other side of tremendous effort and sacrifice. If you want it, pay the price.” J Loren Norris

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​“Leaders and communicators use stories to connect, to influence and to transform. But not every story has the same degree of power to reach so deep into the soul and inspire action. The best communicators select stories which resonate with the crowd they are sharing with.” J Loren Norris 

“In a world saturated with social media, social pressure and over socialized opinions, the notion of having a civil, respectful, compassionate conversation with an absolute stranger is a long lost art. If you desire to be a mentor, leader, teacher or genuine influence, the art of meaningful conversations must be revived.” J Loren Norris

“The thoughts we think can devastate our leadership effectiveness. Especially when the thoughts are based on past events, past mistakes, bad ideas and personal loss. Leaders need to take control of their thoughts to avoid unconscious biases.” J Loren Norris

Watch the #leadingleaderspodcast video 11-18-20

“The perks of leadership should not be the primary motivation for being a leader. In fact, if you are desiring leadership for the perks, over the people, you are leading four the wrong reason and without integrity.” J Loren Norris

Watch the video #leadingleaderspodcast 11-12-20 

“What you learn through listening could change your life and the life of people around you. What you say, speak or spout will be much more transformative IF YOU LISTEN FIRST!” J Loren Norris

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“Opportunities to lead are often hidden not behind the title, the job description, the pay raise, the invitation to take the stage, but in the casual daily relationships. Remember to lead when you a moment to make an influential impact in the life of someone near you.” J Loren Norris

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“Awareness and trust are the key difference between being helped and being had.”
​J Loren Norris

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