Leaders Are Readers

"Leaders are Readers" I don’t remember where or when I heard that statement. But I was very impressed and I believe it is mostly true. I say mostly because it does depend on what you read. I don’t think it was intended to mean leaders are people who read celebrity gossip. You know what I mean.

Today, while waiting for my office appointment I picked up a magazine to read. It was a financial magazine, of course. The magazine featured some of the best Financial Advisors in the Los Angeles area. These are professional people who are very successful and who do well for the clients. Each advisor was asked a few questions including what is the minimum investment amount required for new clients. I was immediately disqualified by their answers. Maybe you can qualify.

Nevertheless, I was intrigued with one other question asked of these advisors. The question was – What book are you now reading? That was it and I was fascinated to read their responses. Unfortunately I can’t recall all the names of the books they are reading. What I can tell you is they are reading books that were written to inspire and educate. Can you imagine? These are already successful people and they are feeding their minds with new ideas and helpful information. So there you have it. Leaders are indeed readers.

Here’s my question to you (Rhetorically). What book are you now reading? Let me suggest a couple for you. Both are very easy to read. "Go-Givers" and "Go-Givers Sell More"

Is It Urgent or Important?

I am someone who shouldn't be, but I am often surprised when people I know respond slowly or not at all to emails I send them. I am still trying to figure it out. I mean they don't even read them. What's up here?

In an earlier entry I talked about the lack of response to phone calls. Yes, it seems some of us are too busy to return phone calls. But these are not telemarketing calls. I am talking about calls from friends and associates.

I now accept the theory regarding this lack or no response. And, that is our communication technology and the constant flow of messages have prompted us to guard ourselves from information overload. So we don't respond until we feel good and ready.

But wait! Good and ready for what and who? Think of it, if you get a message marked urgent do you read it? I guess it depends on who sent it and what it is about. I am the same as you. But, the question I ask myself is who says it's urgent or important and do I agree. Is this coming from someone I am familiar with, and I know and trust?

I hope you follow me here. If you don't you maybe lost longer than you need to be.

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I suggest that you not ignore or put it off. Learn about it, and ask yourself:
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Then if you decide it provides the type service and value you want, take action. Below is a weblink to begin.

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A Walk Can Get You Thinking

Last night I did something I hope to do on a regular basis. I went for a good walk. That's right. I have a goal to exercise and get leaner, better looking! You know what I mean. I walked for about an hour. Boy was that an hour.

I processed so many things on this walk. First, I thought a lot about the reason I was walking. Then I thought about the things I used to enjoy doing but have little time for these days. Things like golf and going to the gym. I reminded myself these are things I have to make time for. So, I will work on it and let you know.

I think during most of the walk, I thought about being a business owner and the freedom and personal satisfaction that goes with being your own boss. I also thought about the challenges that go with it as well. But one thought consumed me. What can I do to enjoy more success? Have you ever had the same thought? I am sure you have.

For some reason, the answer to my question came to the light. I was hearing the words of Zig Ziglar. Yep, Mr. Ziglar. He always says "you can have what ever you want by helping enough people get what they want." Until my walk, his words appeared lost to me. But now, I was seriously entertaining the meaning of these words.

After much thought about what I want, I asked another question of myself. What do other people want? Obviously, the answer has a broad scope. So, I began to think about in it relative terms. I modified the question a little and asked myself what do I have or what can I offer that people want? Boy, that loaded me up. I am now on a mission to figure that out. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, here is a little suggestion for you. Take a walk. And while you are at it, ponder these questions yourself.

Initial Meaning

How many initials come after your name? This week while meeting with a group of people the discussion turned to the subject of initials. It may sound strange, but is it?

I think of it as a type of branding or classifying system. For education you have the basic AA, BA or BS, MA or MS, and Ph.D, MD, JD etc. Then there are the specialties AIA, CPC, CMEC, DDS, CPA and the list goes on. What does it all mean?

I am sure it depends on who you ask. But for sure in a crowded field it seems we all need to be able to acknowledge our achievements or set ourselves apart from others. There is no doubt we are all individual and unique. Does it really matter what initials follow your name?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all be okay using the only initials we were given at birth. Who are you anyway and what is the initial meaning?

For me, I am MOJ. IMAGINE THAT

An Investment In Future of Business

Late last month, I volunteered a few hours of my time to be with a few thousand Human Resource Management Professionals attending the SHRM Conference in San Diego, California. Actually about 12,000 people attended the conference from all across the nation. Plus, a few celebrities showed up with inspiring messages including Steve Forbes, Marcus Buckingham, Al Gore and Angelia Herrin. There was also entertainment from “Hall and Oates.” Anyone know who they are? Smile!

The conference theme this year was “A New Time for Growth – A New Focus on HR.” I agree with the theme and think it was on point. We all need to keep growing and be better focused to produce the results we want. For HR Professionals, it means learning ways to be of greater value to the organizations which employ them.

Here’s my take. I was pleased to see so many committed professional people in one place (beautiful San Diego :). I was however a little surprised how many of them came, considering the belt tightening we have all experienced recently. Thankfully, it seems many business organizations recognize that the continuing education of their HR professional is an important investment in the future for their businesses. I applaud them. It is all about looking forward. Their actions should be seen as an exercise of confidence in their businesses, their people (employees), our economy and our nation’s future.

It is always wonderful to be around women and men of vision. Imagine that.

No Standing Still

Spring is here! If you have been paying attention then you and your business are ready to bloom. It does not happen by accident. Of course, this you already know. It will happen because you were steadfast in your effort to create the results you want. Congratulations!

What next?

Stay tuned in. Review your goals and the actions you have taken up to this point. Be sure to tweak where needed. This is not time to rest. You are hopefully in momentum. That means you gave enough of a push to get your rocket off the launching pad. Keep an eye on your instrument panel. It will help you steer beyond the unexpected and any dangers. After all, you are now exploring a new world -- a world that is full of the unknown.

Strangely enough, the biggest unknown for most people is themselves. We typically look outside ourselves to determine what we should do next. My early reference to the instrument panel is about eyeing what’s inside of you. I am sure you understand. We must continue to develop ourselves. I heard it said that “we are either growing or we are dying.” There is no standing still. Which direction are you going?

Distractions Never Quit - Arm Yourself

Here is something worth remembering as you prepare to embark on the journey to achieve your goals in 2010. You will have a few distractions.

Hopefully they will be the type to go away quickly. But if they are not, you’ll need to find a way to stay on track. How can you do that? It is not easy, but it may help to have a blueprint of where you intend to go or what you intend to achieve.

That sounds a lot like having written goals doesn’t? Okay, you win! That is what I am promoting here. Take the time to write down your goals for 2010.

I know you have heard it before, people who have written goals are more likely to achieve success. There are many reasons why this is true. I can think of one, can you? Imagine yourself going shopping at your grocery store. There are more than a few things you need to pick up. You may have a good memory but having a list just might save you some aggravation.

Consider what might happen if you don’t have a list and you run into an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. The chances are you are going to forget something you wanted to get. You don’t have a bad memory but you did experience a distraction – pleasant as it may be.

So, the list is analogous to writing down your goals. I know.., I know it is a bit of a stretch but hopefully you get the idea. Don’t let distractions push you off the track. If they try, you can simply pull out the goals you have written down and keep shopping for what you want. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Use the Change Grid

Sometimes a leader has to be a manager. This is true when it comes to evaluating the performance of people in your organization. Don’t you just love it? I am sure your people love it – NOT. So, why is there so much anxiety when it comes to appraising the performance of others? I think it has to do with the role of being a judge or being the one judged. It is a big, big issue when it concerns promotion and money.

Many organizations are now giving employees the opportunity to evaluate themselves. It is a step in the right direction but still does not get to the heart of the real issues relating to performance or change development. The real issue is tension and tension management.

Tension management can only be addressed effectively by using the Change Grid. The Change Grid is a tool that reveals the level of productive tension a team member is experiencing at a given moment in time. The tension I refer to relates to the activities involved in the work they do. The Change Grid provides a more subjective examination and it is a non-judgmental process. Think about it the next time you want to address performance for your employees or team members.

You’re The Leader…. Or Are You?

Okay, you have a team or a group of people who work with or for you. Seems to me you either have an opportunity and/or a responsibility to be the leader. You decide which is more important to you. Personally I see it as an opportunity. But what’s really important is how you show up - If you show up at all. My point is you cannot lead if you are absent – perceived or real.

You may have a committed group of people who are very good at what they do, but they still depend on your presence. Think about it. What happens to a group that has no true leader?

The answer: A leader will emerge or the group members will seek new directions or new alliances. The result can be a fractured organization or team. That can have a negative effect on your organization’s overall productivity and profitability.

When I talk about presence, I am not necessarily talking about being physically present. That is not always possible. But what I am talking about is being in touch, consistent, reliable and forward thinking. If you are not doing these things at the very least, are you really a leader?

People are only followers if there is someone who leads. Imagine That!!

Our Human Capital

Times are tough. Everyone around you feels it. As the leader of a team or organization you need to be aware how these tough times affect your employees. This is especially true when it comes to their ability to perform on the job. You don’t want to ignore the concerns of your human capital. Now is not a time for guessing. There is much at stake - namely, the future of your business.

So, how can you learn what’s going on with your employees? The obvious answer is to ask. But you need to be prepared to offer a meaningful response. The message you deliver needs to be clear, relevant and truthful. You may not have all the answers but you are among other human beings. It is the common thread. The message you give needs to say “we are in this together.” These times will not last forever. Nothing ever does.

After setting the table, you will be better able to address areas for performance improvement. Here you can introduce the idea of subjective performance development assessments. This means you can help your employees to assess themselves to discover what and where support will be most helpful on the job. Remember “we are in this together.” Keep that intention in mind. You’ll be able to receive more cooperation and collaboration. And, the bottom line…, well let’s say it will be impacted. Imagine that!!

Are You A New Creative Leader?

Below is a list of 5 traits of the new creative leader. They are found in the article "Why Are Creative Leaders So Rare," by Navi Radjou. The subject was a tip from Harvard Business Publishing's Management Tip of The Day.

So, Where Do You Stand?

Yesterday's leadership skills will not work in today's fast-moving and evolving world. Only creative leaders who are visionary and empathetic will succeed. Here are five things you can do to succeed as a creative leader:

1. Instead of commanding, coach your team and organization toward success.

2. Don't manage people, empower them. The know-how, experience, and solutions are often out there; it's a matter of helping people discover them.

3. Cultivate respect by giving it, instead of demanding it.

4. Know how to manage both success and failure.

5. Show graciousness in your management rather than greediness. Be humble about your successes and whenever possible, give someone else the opportunity to shine.

Being in the Dark

I am going to go out on a limb and make a guess that you enjoy the work you do. I certainly hope this is true. But I imagine there are times when you feel a little challenged doing all the things you must do to achieve a desired outcome. You are not alone.

Some of our days are better than others. You have a task and you get it down. But what about the other days…what could be going on? That is a question you may ask yourself. If fact, it is one of many questions you ask yourself each day and every time you do work. They are the same type of questions the people you work with ask themselves. If you are the boss, you may even be asking questions about your people. A question like – How can I get my people to be more productive?

The answer to many of your questions can be revealed with the Change Works System. Trust me, I know ignorance may be bliss, but it can also be costly. Can you afford it? Can your organization afford it?

Return The Call

Today I talked with a leader who told me that he is truly surprised how many people seem too busy to return a phone call. He said it seems to happen more and more these days. So, the question is why is it happening? The truth is I don’t know why – exactly. However, I do have my ideas about it.

* People are too worried about themselves
* They are afraid to commit
* Their life and work is out of control
* Your call is not important to them
* Maybe they just don’t care

I am certain there must be other reasons. But, I believe returning phone calls is a matter of courtesy. And it reflects a respect for humanity. Imagine That.

Working The Plan

Growing your business means following your plan. That is assuming you have one. If you don’t have one then you may grow, but by accident. The operative word is “accident.” I have tried to do things without a plan but keep coming back to the idea. Fortunately for me I do have a plan. Each time I refer to it, I feel reassured that I am doing the things I need to do.

Also, it gives me a better understanding of my effort and results. You know – “the cause and effect.” The results will come and I expect it. Doesn’t that make sense?

I am sure you have heard a lot about plans. Here are a few items that are important for you to keep actively in focus - your concept, market strategy, image and environment. Make sure your plan and activity includes these items. They are often overlooked in growing a business. What I mean by that is they are often forgotten. The reality is they need constant attention. There it is! Continue to work on, and follow your plan.

Goals Time

It is time to review and update your goals. If that seems like a surprise it shouldn’t be. Many people seem to think the right time to work on goals is the start of a new year. But, I say why wait? And who said that we should do our goals once a year.

There is no doubt that every new year will bring something new -- I get that. But the new year is not the time start your life or to start realizing business success. We all know tomorrow is not promised, so why wait. The things you act on today will bring you closer to where you want to be tomorrow or in the new year.

So, here we are. We have 3 months left of 2009. Are you planning to cruise the rest of the year? What a waste. By the way, some people have the opinion that no one wants to start anything new at the end of the year. Don’t buy it. If you do, I suggest you stay home. Now is the time to push yourself, your associates and your team. Set your goals and get into action.