To Be So Young…To Be So Wise

I have a hidden desire…to be Simon Cowell.

You see, I am someone who can spot leadership talent (I am wondering as I write if I could get paid to do this.) Hmmm…American Leader? Nah…too corny.

So, I am here today to declare that Ryan Paugh is going to be a huge leader. I have only talked to him one time, but I read his blog posts, and he is the real thing. He sees life for what it is and then names it. He steps up to the plate with a great deal of hutzpah and honesty. He has others following him, quoting him and admiring him. And, from talking with him one time and exchanging e-mails a few times, he is so humble about it all (unlike a few folks who think they’re the s—.)

I am just now catching up on my reading (I was away last week,) and I just read Ryan’s post Forget About Generation Y: We’re All to Blame for Workplace Woes. His post is thoughtful and really has me thinking about my own expectations of others and my whining. And, as I was reading it, I was on the phone with someone who was whining and making excuses (another lesson…don’t hang around huge whiners, but if you are, then it’s your fault that they are hanging around…so, it’s my fault that I invited this whiner into my life.)

I read a great deal (mostly to see what’s out there and what I need to do to keep up), and I need a 12-step program for Amazon, and I usually don’t have something hit me like this post. It takes a lot of leadership to have this perspective and to write so honestly and to make me laugh in the process. Leadership is about perspective, speaking and writing candidly and using humor in a way that strikes resonance with others (Ryan does that!)

So, just keep following Ryan Paugh. I’ll say it again…he’s the real deal and is going to be a top biz leader.