Byron's Babbles

This morning I got a cool notification that today, March 18th, was my 16th anniversary of blogging. And as of this morning I had written 1,753 posts. So on this anniversary day I am writing my 1,754th post. I am writing it about blogging. I have to admit I was reluctant to become a blogger at first. Also, I must give credit where credit is due. Back in 2010 my good friend and great leadership guru, Kevin Eikenberry, The Kevin Eikenberry Group, suggested I needed to start blogging. Of course, I resisted. But, Jenny Pratt who was on Kevin’s team at the time, took it upon herself to build my blog site even to the point of naming it Byron’s Babbles. Who does that? Jenny! She told me, “now you can change the name and the way I have formatted it for you later.” Now 1,754 posts and 16 years later the only thing that has changed is my writing has improved (I hope). Byron’s Babbles is still the appropriate name today – it’s authentic. 

I realize that podcasts, vlogs, and other modalities have replaced Blogs for many. For me, however, my blog is personal and has become my own form of journaling. The cool part about that is that I can go back and reflect on topics I have dug in on in my posts. I go to my blog archives and pull material often. I work really hard to blend practical advice with genuine passion to help motivate readers to reflect and take action in their own leadership journeys. The great thing is I have a lot of followers and am told often that the posts have helped others. I loved this comment from a person reading my posts recently, “…there’s real substance in what you share — the kind that usually turns into something people reference, not just skim.” It is exciting that in my 16th year of blogging I can still do that.

I strive for my posts to stand out because of the authentic voice, insightful content, and engaging storytelling. Sharing personal experiences and lessons learned, resonate with readers and create a sense of connection. Additionally, using a clear and thoughtful writing style makes complex leadership concepts accessible and inspiring to others.

Beyond the personal reasons I have for blogging, I believe great leaders should blog for several compelling reasons:

1. To Share Vision and Values: Blogging allows us to communicate our vision, principles, and goals directly to our audiences, fostering transparency and trust.
2. To Build Personal Brand and Authority: Regularly sharing insights and experiences helps establish credibility and positions for us as a thought leader in our fields.
3. To Engage and Inspire Others: Through blogging, we can motivate those we serve, stakeholders, and the wider community, encouraging engagement and alignment with shared objectives.
4. To Facilitate Open Communication: Blogs provide a platform for us to listen to feedback, address concerns, and create a two-way dialogue with our audiences.
5. To Drive Change and Innovation: Sharing ideas and success stories can inspire innovation and help drive cultural or organizational change.
6. To Expand Reach and Influence: Blogs extend the our influence beyond our immediate sphere, reaching a broader audience globally.
7. To Reflect and Grow Personally: Writing regularly encourages self-reflection, continuous learning, and personal development. For me, this might be the most important reason of all.

I use blogging as a strategic tool that enables me to reflect and grow personally and connect authentically, inspire action, and shape my legacy.