Saturday, February 12, 2011

Fire in the Belly



A great leadership movie that communicates innovation from a leader on frontline was Working Girl (1988). Today’s new leaders need to act on the fire in their belly to do remarkable things as Tess McGill in the movie.



Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) was working hard to find a path into a leadership position. She was willing to go to school at night and work during the day to achieve her dream. Her talents and skills were not on the radar of anyone on the talent management team. This story of an ambitious and talented frontline employee, entering through the wrong door is not a new one. This was my career story too. After losing a management position, I needed a job any job to paid bills. So much like many of the new job seekers today who just need a job. I accepted an hourly warehouse position. I learned the business and performed well at each new challenge faced. I would have been stuck there if not for a miracle. My saving grace was several managers that saw my talent and were good judges of talent. They gave me an opportunity to pitch my ideas to improve performance and quality in the picking process. Therefore, here is a shout-out to Jay Booher and Charles Metsker two exemplary leaders in my life.




Tess and I had a chance to present our ideas that were out of the box. One secret of successful transition to remarkable leadership is when titled leaders know how to teach informal leaders to take risk. A risk taker is willing to walk into chaos to discover valuable solutions or products and act on them. One skill of a leader is that of a risk taker the one who champions growth and innovation.



On Tuesday 2/15/2011, Kevin Eikenberry and Guy Harris launch their new book From Bud to Boss – Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership designed to assist the employee who is new to risk taking in within the role of leadership. Order a copy and give to an employee or friend transitioning to a leadership role. Kevin is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. His passion is for developing leaders at all levels with a heart for new leaders. Congratulation Kevin and Guy on this need book and community to help build mastery for those new to role as a titled leader. While there check out THE Remarkable Leadership Learning System for leaders that value their personal learning.






“Everything of significance a leader accomplishes happens not just because of his or her efforts, but through the efforts of others” Mark Sanborn



Questions: Can you list three non-titled leaders that would benefits from reading the book From Bud to Boss? Be that remarkable leader that rewards hard work and ambition within your leadership pipeline.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

America's heart needs CPR


Quote: A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. - Mohandas Gandhi

Question: Are we as Americans having a heart attack?

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords (D-AZ) was shot in the head outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event Saturday morning. Before the words had completely registered, I started praying for her, the others injured and killed.
I am in a state of sorrow for my country’s heart and soul as a nine-year-old little girl died one of our future leaders by a sick individual. My hope is that this event has us applying a new version of CPR (Compassionate Prayerful Reflection) to our national heart that revives personal responsibility in how we treat each other.

Gabrielle is the French feminine form of Gabriel, which meant, "hero of god" or "God is my might" in Hebrew (From Wikipedia). Today, might not her name, her life and lives of all touched by this tragedy give us hope.

Action: Exercise and offer grace to others not condemnation.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Alignment of heart – intentions - words


Quote: “One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.” James Earl Jones

Question: Are the words in utter by candidates running for office this year making the world a better place?

In the final days of the 2010 election, the negative ads and political rhetoric have heated up. Either side seems to have a positive discourse to present their vision for our future other than demising their opponent. When asked why they are going negative their coined response is that they are exposing the facts.

What are we modeling to our children? What legacy are we leaving on civil discourse? When will the point come in our discourse that listening to others becomes popular again. The negative rhetoric of your leaders must die out. We need leaders that can listen and dialogue with each other, more importantly with us. When will we stop allowing them to treat us this way.

Action: Check to see if your candidate's words and intentions align with your heart for a better world

Friday, October 29, 2010

”Can you be gratefully unemployed?”


Quote: Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Unknown

Question: ”Can you be gratefully unemployed?”

Several days ago in blog I read this question was asked,”Can you be gratefully unemployed?” I was touched by the question and decided to response. Today I felt the need to post my answer for you to read also.
The answer is Yes. I love the way you phased the question”Can you be gratefully unemployed?” Being gratefully, thankful, appreciative for the friends, co-worked, skills learned while employed. More so, for the opportunity I had to honor my creator in the dignity that I preformed my work.

On February 2, 2010 at 10:30 am, I was asked to follow a director into an office where I was told that my services were being terminated. That day 35 co-workers received the same message. So like in the ground hog day movie the drama was being played out in the lives of my friends and their families. Fourteen years I had a place to go and a place to leave that I loved and others loved me. Now it was over.

Why me? The business no longer could justify my position. Our organization business model and needs had changed. Intellectually I had the business acumen to understand this. However, emotionally I needed to make a choice to be grateful so that I could continue to honor my creator. As a leader, I was responsible for others that followed and watched me as I walked into my new life of “Being in between my successes”.

I can be grateful because I was successful in my last position. I would be successful in a new one again. I am learning new skills to help me find that new and greater opportunity. I give thanks to the job seeker clubs for providing this education. Here’s a list of several in Northeast Ohio:
• Diane Miller - Community Job Club
• Jim Grant – Chagrin Valley Job Seekers
• Joyce Rodek – North Canton Executive Networking Group

I will choose to be gratefully unemployed. It is perfect practice for preparing me for when I again become gratefully employed.

Actions: Act today as if you are living tomorrow having the blessing from yesterday

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Of what service can I be?

Quote: How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be? - Vincent Van Gogh

Question: How can I be useful, of what service can I be?

Today, I attended a great word press class, which was the final session of three classes. The falicator was a young man who is celebrating his first year in business. He decided to share his talents, expertise and knowledge of social media at no cost to small group willing to learn. His gift of service was more than technical and hands-on training. Out of his service he nurtured five women who with make a difference in the lives of others using their talent and gifts in service. I am learning to take the thoughts in my head and moving them to paper or cyberspace. How can I be useful? My gifts are ones of faith in others and encouragement. What service can I be? Being one, those who help others see the path to their calling. This is my service in honoring my creator.

Actions: Become aware of the many opportunities to serve one other

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Path of Life


Quote: “Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence” - Henry David Thoreau

Question: Is the path of life which you are traveling filled with joy? Are you sharing this joy with others?

Be blessed and rejoiced in your ability to seize this day and move in the direction of your choice. Each step you take moves you onto your path to be able to pursue your dreams. The condition of this path may not be perfect or paved with concrete, but it is yours. Sing a song along the way and before you know it, others will be crossing your path to greet you.

Actions: Look Forward and Move

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Learn to unwind with our DNA

Quote: “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are”. Unknown- Chinese proverb

Question: Are you driven by your strengths or by your weaknesses?


I can tell when I am working from my strengths, because my energy level is higher and recovery time is less. Often, others can tell this too. Friends and
co-worker comment about the ease and confidence in which I accomplish tasks using my strengths. Whether referred to as strengths, talents, genius, gifts or aptitude we all have one or two. Do you know yours?

My talent is not writing words, my talent is speaking words. I am most relaxed when asked to speak. Stressed and out of my zone when asked to write down words. What I want is to improve my weaknesses in writing. I want to become better and less stress when having to write. Also not to have my weaknesses affect my strengths. I love the story “Don't Send Your Ducks to Eagle School.” Know your strengths, live out your strengths, and do not let your weaknesses define you. Find peace in knowing our weaknesses.


Actions: Discover your strengths today.