I know. Terrible headline. But bear with me for a sec.

I came across a video short recently that I want to lean on as a launch to this week’s Monday Morning Stretch.

Here’s the setup question:

“What hurts a human being in their brain, in their mood, and in their energy the most?”

That’s a bit of a foreboding question, is it not?

Even so, in the spirit of my heartfelt focus on holistic health (in Business, in Life, & in Faith), inquiring minds want to know!

Bear with me for a moment while I briefly outline a personal goal before I unpack what I believe is a relatable business owner/ executive leader application.

Though it has been lurking in the background for years, a financial goal recently clarified in, of all places, the shower (you know how that goes!).

Financial Goal: I want my wife and I to be able to more easily afford health care for the remainder of our lives.

100% of the time. Every day. In every way.

As an individual.

As an organization.

As a society.

There is one inevitable truth we would all do well to embrace.

You and I, as individuals, organizations, and communities, are in the midst of a powerful, ongoing process – the process of BECOMING the future version of ourselves.

And only through a growing awareness of how it works do we have any hope of steering this process in a hopeful direction.

Chances are high that you have seen a natural geyser – be it Old Faithful, Steamboat, Mammoth Hot Springs, or one of the many others dotted across our western landscape.

If not, you can at least picture it, eh?

In the oil industry they call it a “gusher”. Same idea.

The earth, out of its bounty, spews forth its valuable resources to our great benefit (be it scenic or productive).

And we did/do virtually nothing to generate or replenish the supply. Nor could we if we wanted to.

It is a gift generously given, out of abundance, with no expectation or pathway for reciprocity.

Make no mistake.

You can ‘take it to the bank.’

If you are brave enough to take the helm of leadership, you WILL be persecuted.

There is an ancient story that I believe gives us tremendous insight into business leadership.

It’s about a farmer scattering his seed.

(Tis an old, old story, so we have to think way back to a time before the industrial revolution. There are no tractors involved.)

It was driven into my head during my stint in Children’s Ministry (in a good way 😉).

“Make the wise choice!”

Intellectually, we understand.

If our emotional intelligence is developed at all, we (hopefully) appreciate the fact that well-meaning sojourners may have different belief systems that support choices that are not aligned with one another’s.

Got it.

Beware.

Originally two words: ‘be ware’ – be wary; be cautious.

‘Ware’ comes from an Old English word meaning ‘prudent’ or ‘aware.’

Beware. Be prudent. Be aware…

In my humble opinion, to be aware – or ‘awareness’ – is a superpower consistently found in the lives of great leaders.

It is what separates them from the pack of the gifted.

One can be extremely talented. Intelligent beyond measure. Confident. In a position of influence.

But if there is not an awareness about them – on multiple levels – they cannot lead well.

As purpose driven leaders, you and I likely understand ‘stewardship’ – a critical concept we seek to master in our efforts to navigate with wisdom in a finite world.

Good stewardship refers to the responsible management and well-discerned dispersal of resources that are limited and often unique to an individual.

Three come to mind rather quickly: Time, Talent, and Treasure. But there are three lesser-known resources I would like The H3 Leader (that’s you and me!) to consider…

Whether it’s a project, a road trip, a difficult conversation, or a catastrophic emergency, this is a question we face every single day and often need to resolve quickly. 

As leaders, we frequently address the question subconsciously. Our routines, patterns of behavior, and experience kick in. 

Before we realize what’s happening, we are four or five steps into the process and probably don’t even appreciate that we have not addressed this most basic of questions directly.