Small Shift Tip: Focus on the things that are fully in your control

This starts with defining the things that are no longer acceptable.

What have you allowed to exist that violates your core values and the mission of the company?  

Where do you need to say "no"?  

Are you clear about your priorities and about what needs to get done each day/week/month? 

Take a deep breath before you act impulsively.  Much of what we experience is based on what we do, not what "others" do to us!  

Make the Small Shift and put more of the things that are in your control on your "to do" list.

Passing A Business From Generation to Generation: A Parents Perspective

This post is written on behalf of all the Parents we have worked with in transitioning their companies to the next generation...

Dear Son/Daughter;

I know that you would like me out of the business so you can run it your way.  You have really put the business back on track.  With your skill to sell and your ability to use the new technologies to advance our brand we are making more money than I could ever have dreamt of.

I appreciate your hard work.  It makes me proud to think that the business will continue on to the next generation.  Not many businesses make it to the second (or third) generation!

So, why is it so hard for me to leave?  What scares me sitting here thinking about my future?

1) My identity is wrapped up in this business and has been for the last 40 or so years.  I am not sure who I am without the business as my focus.  It is a place for me to feel a sense of value and engagement.  There is a limit to how much golf I can play.  My retired friends have little to talk about.

2) I still need the income to live on given the economic uncertainty in the world.  Stepping away from seeing the financials daily frightens me.  Even with the significant dollars in the bank, I don't feel like I can control its value.  Will it be enough to live the life I deserve and worked so hard for?

3) While you have done so much good for the company, I am not sure you've experienced enough of the difficult times to react quickly to changing conditions.  Remember, the last time you pushed back on me when I had a feeling that we needed to do something quickly?

4) The hunt of the deal still energizes me.  Yes, I am tired and can't work the long hours that I use to, but I know that I can still sell and the customers trust me.  Please don't forget about the importance of great customer service.  

5)  I am afraid that you (and your brother/sister) will let the business come between you if I am not here to mediate.  Remember to separate your business conversations from your personal conversations as much as possible.  Leave it out of family functions!  Respect your individual contributions and leverage your strengths.  If necessary bring in outside assistance to keep your dialogues healthy and focused.

I want you to build your own identity and not live in my shadow all the while keeping alive the legacy that I started 40 years ago, it is important to me!

With some luck and a bit of old-school elbow grease, I know that you will make this company even greater than where we stand today and I hope that you're fortunate enough to have a child of your own to take over in another 20 years.

Sincerely,

Soon-to-be Former CEO

How Emotionally Aware Are You?

One of the things I enjoy most in my work as a leadership coach is the start of a new relationship. I initially ask probing questions to uncover such things as strengths, values, passions, uncertainties, points of resistance and blind spots.  The goal is to help the individual reflect upon how they see the world, how they see themselves and what future they want to create.  Often times the "objectives" that I am retained to achieve cannot be reached until the above are uncovered.  This all takes place in the work of guiding an individual to become more self-aware.

According to Daniel Goleman an internationally known psychologist and author, the most effective leaders are "alike in one crucial way; they all have a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI)."  In his work he speaks to the six core competencies of EI, the first two focusing on self-awareness:

EMOTIONAL AWARENESS: recognizing ones emotions and their effects. People with this competence: 

• Know which emotions they are feeling and why
• Recognize how their feelings affect their performance
• Have a guiding awareness of their values and goals 

ACCURATE SELF-ASSESSMENT: knowing ones strengths and limits. People with this competence are: 

• Aware of their strengths and weaknesses
• Reflective, learning from experiences
• Open to candid feedback, new perspectives, continuous learning and self-development
• Able to show a sense of humor and perspective about themselves 

A high level of self-awareness is critical to the success of any leader; hence the "peeling away" at the beginning of a coaching relationship; the place of discovery.

How self-aware are you? Do you ask for and accept feedback? Do you listen and watch for verbal and on-verbal cues? Do you recognize what might set you off and shut you down? Are you willing to look in the mirror?

I feel lucky to be a guide in the process of seeking self-awareness with my clients. I challenge you to honestly reflect upon Daniel Goleman's points above...becoming a superior leader depends upon it!

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. Tao Te Ching

MCW's Youth Leadership Retreat

Richard and I had the very exciting opportunity to attend and be speakers at a youth leadership retreat held by Miracle Corners of the World (http://www.miraclecorners.org).  We found ourselves in front a vibrant group of 40 young leaders with the entrepreneurial passion to change the world, very much in line with MCW's core vision of "Local Change through Global Exchange."

Thanks to MCW for inviting us and to the participants for their attentive participation in our discussion and 1x1 sessions.  With this group and their peers as our budding leaders, our future looks bright!


For more on the 14th Annual Youth Leadership Retreat held at Champlain College in Burlington, VT: MCW to Hold 14th Youth Leadership Retreat Press Release

The 3 Pieces of the Leadership Puzzle

What makes great leadership is a topic that has been dissected, debated and deconstructed in a myriad of ways.  Here at SoundBoard, we look at it from three perspectives: the Mind, the Body and the Soul.

When we speak of the Mind, we are looking at leadership skills related to motivating, listening, collaborating, communicating, delegating, acknowledging, developing and holding people accountable.  We uncover where strengths lie and areas where attention may be required.  We work to develop these skills as they are extremely important in obtaining peak performance from a team.

The Body, probably one of the most important pieces of being an effective leader, is often the most overlooked.  Think about how you "show up" as a leader; are you healthy both physically and mentally? We stress the importance of being present.  And, in order to be present, you must be focused and calm, project confidence and a positive attitude, maintain a high energy level and manage triggers.  All very difficult to accomplish when you're run down physically or not living in alignment with your values.

The Soul of an individual encompasses the character traits that excel a good leader to a great one, to name a few: honesty, integrity, patience, courage, confidence, passion and enthusiasm.  The soul is the core of the individual, where the values and passions lie.  Unearthing the soul is no easy task because it's rare that we, as individuals in a 24/7 environment, take the time to think through our personal and professional values.

Much of our work begins with this in-depth reflection to uncover the true Soul and to find the intersections of the Mind-Body-Soul dynamic - and, more importantly, where they don't intersect.  This often leads to the first "Aha!" moment, bringing awareness to where burden, struggle and discomfort lie: misalignment in the Mind-Body-Soul.  Shortly after is a second "Aha!" in realizing how small shifts in behavior and thought can bring about the alignment necessary, leading to great positive impact.

How often do you reflect on your Mind-Body-Soul alignment?  What are the small shifts you've made to become an even better leader?