About two years ago, I wrote an article about how the theory of periodization can transform the work of leaders.

In short, periodization is a philosophy used for physical training in exercise physiology. It is in the backbone of research for how muscles grow and how we develop physical strength over time. The process of periodization goes like this:

1. Isolate the muscle you want to grow

2. Stress the muscle - (put it under weight)

3. Rest and recover

4. Repeat - (adding a little more weight each time)

As you read this email every week, you are a part of a community of leaders in a variety of industries who fully understand STRESS.

We talked on our latest podcast episode about leadership being a skill that can be developed. So much of the language around leadership is flawed.

“They’re such a natural leader.”

“She’s a born leader.”

“He’s just leads so effortlessly.”

All of those comments can be so well intentioned but they fall so short of reality. Sure, there may be environments where a leader can rely on their natural or born instincts. It may be effortless in some cases. But, we know there will always come a time when our default abilities will be maxed out and we will have to level-up our skills.

At some point we all must get serious about what it is we want in life. We’re not talking in terms of status, compensation, benefits, corner office, reserved parking spaces. If you’ve been a part of the STC Newsletter for any time at all you’ve picked up on our view of those types of wants. They’re transactional, and they’re not what we’re about. They have their place. But we know they don’t really satisfy the deeper thirst inside of us.

“What do you want?”

There is no excuse. Every system is perfectly designed to get the results that it gets. You are who you are, by design. You’ve done what you’ve done, by design.

It’s easy to paint yourself in a corner regarding your abilities, circumstances, or nature. We say things like:

“This is just how I am.”

“This is just how it is.”

We want so badly for that to actually be true, but deep down we know better.

A few weeks ago, we talked about how essential it is for you to dream. When was the last time you dreamt? For some, that may have been a great nudge to start dreaming and exploring all that is possible in God.

For others, that prompt may have been a stinging reminder that the dreams you’ve been dreaming are unfulfilled. We recognize, some don’t need help dreaming. Maybe you’ve been dreaming for years. The truth is, some don’t have a hard time coming up with dreams, they have a hard time reconciling why a dream from years ago is still incomplete.

You’re always going to have a choice. That choice may not always be apparent. That choice may not always be easy. That choice may not always be wanted, but it will always be yours to make.

We don’t even know you, but we know you have options. In fact, you likely have much more options than you think you do.

God’s work is the actualization of our potential. Declare what is in your heart, and what your purpose is. Let God begin his work!

When was the last time you dreamt? I’m talking about a full-fledged child-like fantasy regarding all the things you could, and possibly should be doing?

We have a decision to make! Is this going to be about us or Him? Specifically we need to draw distinction between the transformational leadership process and the qualities and actions of a transformational leader.

Last year we introduced this concept of transformational leadership by highlighting some of the consistent, recurring behaviors and qualities of leaders we’ve come to admire. We did this intentionally because we wanted to help you easily recognize how similar these leaders are to you and us. To appreciate how accessible these traits are to us all.

As a society we’ve lost confidence in ourselves. Sure there are still confident individuals out there, but collectively we’re losing hope.

This hasn’t been an abrupt change, but instead a subtle process.

Transformational leadership theory is not dead! This was one of two conclusions from an academic research journal I read recently.

Transformational leadership theory has been around for 40 years and has been one of the most actively researched leadership paradigms, but now the theory has found itself at a crossroads with modern critics pointing out serious flaws in the theory.