Transforming leaders tap existing and potential motives in followers. Are you intentionally looking to lift others up around you? It’s a new year; consider making one of your resolutions a commitment in taking the next step in that key relationship.

Every leader is like a boat, and boats leave a wake. Leaders must be willing to pause and look at the wake they are leaving behind. Be a leader who looks behind and sees the fruit of your labor. What’s in your wake?

This picture reminds me of how often we need people in our life who can see the beauty in us, even when we are broken, messy and sometimes, stinky. These are the parts of our lives we so desperately try to hold together and keep tucked in our Monica’s closets (a reference to the show Friends for those of you old enough to remember it). We are all a mess, in some form or another, and those of us who try hard to hide it probably have an even bigger mess buried deep, if we take the time to look.