Balancing Act

Great leaders understand that one reality in business is paradox. They leverage the inherent creative tension between quality and cost, Wall Street and employee well-being, service and innovation. They find ways to generate revenue by building strong relationships. They know that between the past and future is the present (where the best solutions arise). They lead from heart but honor head and gut. They don't strive for work/life balance but alignment with what is (regardless of where they are). They resist the pull of fight or flight and unfold. It's is the ultimate balancing act!

Check out the videos of artist Michael Grab at work on www.gravityglue.com and ponder what needs more alignment in your leadership and where the sticking points are. If rocks can do it so can we.

Thanks Bill for the resource.

Trust Consciousness

Trust is foundational to leadership and team performance. If you have "it" you can have more fun and get the job done. If you don't, you start over each time in every interaction. The first consideration in building trust is to understand your own trust consciousness. To what degree do you trust?

Is trust earned, given or never possible? Who do you trust and why? Who don't you trust and why not? What are your underlying beliefs, experiences, mindsets and assumptions about trust?

Next, consider if you are trustworthy by exploring two kinds of trust - Competence and Character.

1. Competence is about capability and results. Do you have the ability to do your job, deliver desired outcomes, address real issues, clarify expectations and take responsibility for mistakes?
2. Character is about integrity and intent. Do you do walk the talk, follow-through, talk straight, exhibit no hidden agendas, care, right wrongs and share credit for accomplishments?

Experiment with smart trust (vs. blind trust) where you listen to understand, keep commitments and extend trust and notice what difference it makes.

For more check out www.speedoftrust.com.

What's Your Job?

Most people respond to the question, “What is your job?” with a title or position description. According to Fred Kofman author of Conscious Business, “Your job isn’t what you do but the goal you pursue.” It's the difference between:

• Teaching or helping students learn
• Leading a team or bringing humanity back to the workplace
• Programming computers or enabling clients to get work done faster and better
• Driving a taxi or assisting people to get where they want to go
• Playing quarterback or helping a football team win
• Managing projects or improving patient care
• Delivering flowers or bringing a smile to others
• Running a company or making the world a better place

If your response gets to the essence of your real work it enlivens! Click here for more from Mr. Kofman.

Thanks Lyndee for resource.

Tune In

Some people argue with the idea that 80% of communication is non-verbal. I wonder if it's because we define body language as what we can observe like rolling eyes, crossed arms, a smile or the disconnect between what someone says and does. What if it includes what we think too?

Our thought bubbles broadcast information. Like a key that beams an invisible code to unlock a car door, how we think is a signal that influences relationships and outcomes.

For example, if I think you are stupid and give you a compliment you will most likely receive a message of incompetence and wonder why you don't feel empowered in my presence. If I believe I am better than you my arrogance will probably diminish your willingness to collaborate and innovate. If however, I assume positive intent and respect you'll more likely tell me what's really going on (vs. what you think I want to hear). If I know you are creative and resourceful, you'll express your best and resolve problems more quickly.

Energy follows thought, so it behooves us to be more aware of what our minds are transmitting and the degree to which our thoughts are aligned with desired results.

Start by tuning into your own beliefs, assumptions, expectations, interpretations and stories and notice how they influence the results you are getting. Then consider the degree to which your thinking is aligned with what you really want.

What's your Center?

The Rise of the Guardians is an animated delight filled with inspiration. St. Nick, the Easter Bunny, the Sandman, Jack Frost and the Tooth Fairy make a strong team because each has a role to play and contribution to make in service of the common good.

Part of leadership is knowing who you are and how you best add value. For example, at his core St. Nick is full of wonder. This wonder is central to his work.

Check out this 2 minute scene which invites you to ponder who you are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ms4O6Ytc8

What were you born with? What is special inside of you? What do you put into the world? What is your center?

Spring Forward

It's spring! If you want to refresh your leadership, explore the following blogs by David Kerpen author of Likeable Business.

25 Quotes to Inspire You to Be a Better Leader

11 Simple Concepts to Become a Better Leader

Tips for Moving Up

If you are wondering why you haven't been promoted or are proactively seeking a bigger leadership role, The Leadership Pipeline provides some common transition traps to anticipate and mitigate. Here are a few to get you started:

Manager of Managers

• Don't exhibit uncertainty or delay decisions. Learn to make choices that are directionally correct.
• Expand alliances outside comfort zone. Rely less on previous team members and friends. 
• Seek differing opinions and views. Value diversity.
• Hold direct reports accountable for leading and developing others. Inspire and feedback.
• Embrace new ideas. Explore new ways to achieve results.

Functional Leader

• Align function with enterprise. Move beyond tactical focus.
• Don't rely too much on expertise.  Develop broader knowledge and experience to drive innovation. 
• Build positive climate within the team. Focus on employee engagement.
• Trust others to do the work. Coach and mentor.
• Don't allow a few trusted colleagues to influence views and decisions. Expand your network and promote your "wins".
• Develop strong cross-functional working relationships. Invest time here.

Business Leader

• Balance and align regional/business leadership with enterprise. Focus on longer-term strategy.
• Understand all aspects of the business. Focus on how growth and profit will be achieved.
• Trust others. Make your thinking transparent and encourage others to do the same.
• Invest in people. Accurately assess and manage talent.