Never Forget [repost from 9/11/2009] http://ping.fm/CcQ8R

8 ways to know if you are setting an example

Application of sound leadership principles and tools isn't haphazard according to James Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of best seller, The Leadership Challenge. While serendipity may play a role, true leaders are continually seeking ways to learn and to establish themselves as credible leaders. They consciously establish the practice of modeling to ensure they are setting an example that others can follow(232).

What is key about setting the example is to behave in ways that are consistent with shared values. The very values that the organization, team or partnership defined collaboratively. The same values that every new employee is being orientated to when they come on the job. A common pitfall for leaders is that they operate under at Do as I Say, not as I do motive. This can be a dangerous road to plow and can often divert the leader into unwanted territory.

In what I consider to be one of the greatest books on leadership that every manager or aspiring leader should read, The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner, define 8 elements to behaving in ways consistent with your values. These may be obvious to some and to others there may be a new learning opportunity. All in all, check your own leadership style against this list and give yourself a grade.

1. Take a look in the mirror. Become more self-aware of your personal values. Not until you truly know yourself, strengths and weaknesses, know what you want to do, why you want to do it, you cannot succeed but in the most superficial sense of the word. And there is no way we can truly know ourselves if we don't take quiet time for reflection.


2. Write your leadership credo. It's time to define and clarify the principles by which you'll guide others to places they've never been before by translating your personal values and believe into a one-page leadership credo(233). After you have your credo to a place you wish to share it, first ask for feedback with those around you. Be open to receiving it and ensure that what you have written is clear so that others can support it.
   


3. Write a personal tribute and a tribute to your organization. This is all about writing down what the ideal image of yourself or of your team/organization. How do you want others to see you. What words or phrases do you most want others to say about you? How would you like to be remembered? The greater the clarity of, belief in, and passion for our personal standards of excellence, the greater the probability we'll act in concert with them.
   


4. Open a dialogue about personal and shared values. We know that shared values make a difference and that leaders represent groups. Leaders do do what we say we will do. So it's essential that you have a dialogue about your beliefs and those of your team. Model for the team that they too write their own credo so that collectively everyone can learn from the other what they value and stand for. Celebrate the similarities and the differences. It is a bonding experience that unites your team, they feel heard and acknowledged and that has power(235). This moves people from what we say we do to what we do!
   


5. Audit your actions. Practice what you preach and check your day-to-day activities against the published shared values. Ask, how do they align? And seek feedback periodically from others on how they see you doing with modeling your shared values. Remember, when we ask for feedback, we must remain open minded to receiving it or don't bother asking at all(236).
   


6. Trade places. Some of the greatest leaders have swapped places for a day or afternoon with another on their team. It is perhaps the best way to get to know the view from their chair. The corresponding benefit, others get to know the view from your chair too. Another way for management to show the trust they hold for their employees, at your next management retreat, don't leave the token manager behind, walk away and leave the operation in control of frontline staff. It makes a public statement that we trust you and builds confidence up and down in the org chart.
   


7. Be dramatic. It pays to consciously stage dramatic events to make a point or to hit home a fundamental value(238). And during times of change, this is of particular importance. This may be a high ropes course to build trust and teach teams about taking risks with one another. What ever you choose, design them to draw attention to critical values and priorities, even if you have to go out of your way to get the point across.


8. Tell Stories about teachable moments. Be constantly on the lookout for for teachable moments - those precious time when people's consciousness can be elevated(239). Often these occur at the peaks and valleys of the organizational experience. They are those moments to illustrate an important virtue can be old over and over again.

Coaching Questions:
* What three tips of the 8 will I implement immediately?
* Have I defined my core values?
* How will "auditing my actions" support my growth and that of my team?

Kouzes, James and Posner, Barry. "The Leadership Challenge." (San Francisco: Josey-Bass - 2nd ed.)

5 Ways to NOT Get 'UnFriended' Fast in Social Media!

We have all seen the posts, the ones that cause us to pause and scratch our head. Those posts online from people that clearly didn't edit their content before hitting the Share/Send button. You know the ones. Those that leave you in a state of shock and awe, or just plain flabbergasted. Or leave you asking, "why!?"

Today I had that experience with an online post from someone who is connected to one of my networks. Though this post wasn't as much a head scratcher as it was rude and down right angry, it was shocking just the same. Perhaps this person was having a bad day, or they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter because the impression they left not only on me, but those in our network, had catastrophic affects.

They left an indelible mark on our minds, not of the excellent services they may or may not provide, but that they are not friendly, rather disrespectful of others publicly and down simply...angry. All that from one comment on a post.

Something to always remember when posting online, in a network, on Facebook or Twitter, what you put out there for even a few to see, can go viral and take you down quickly or raise you to new heights.

To ensure that you always put the best post forward, and refrain from getting 'unfriended' abruptly, consider these tips for posting success.

1.) Never respond or post in haste. It is key to check your attitude at the proverbial door before you comment or post anything. If you are feeling edgy or angry as you type. delete. delete. delete.

2.) Put your best face forward. Always remember that when you post online in the various networks that you play in, your image as well as your words go forward for all to see. The reader may or may not remember your name, but they are highly likely to remember your face. And if the words associated with your face are negative, the impression lasts a life time.

3.) Consider the PAUSE button. If you engage in a reply or post that is rather harsh in nature, pause and step away from the screen. Those quick posts can have long lasting effects that can be insurmountable or cause you to lose those hard earned followers. Your words are an extension of you online, pick them wisely.

4.) Transparency is good and can be bad. We hear it all the time, 'be transparent' online. This is a good rule to follow however, it can also come back to bite you in the you know what. Being transparent online and showing your flaws can engage people positively or negatively. It is all in how you handle it that counts. If you post something that didn't translate well, then state that and correct the action. If you post something that contradicts what you 'say' you represent, and don't quickly correct it, that loses credibility. Speak the truth and make corrections as needed is key.

5.) Keep Friends and Business in different containers. When posting online, it is important to show all networks your friendly side, that you care to engage, to connect, and to collaborate. To show you are not just there for shameless promotion. However, when posting the events (with details and pictures) of your weekend escapade on the same profile that you post ways prospects can engage you for business services, can get dicey. It is important to keep friends and all the activities you enjoy with them in the 'friend zone' and keep business in the online board room. Mixing the two can work against you at the most inopportune times.

There are other ways to keep you free and clear from the 'UnFriend' zone and it may be good to explore them. The key is to use the various platforms wisely and consider this, if you have children (or a grandmother), would you be proud to have them read or see what you post?


Coaching Questions:

* What is your social media strategy to connect, collaborate and grow?

* How might having a business persona and personal in the same network work for or against me?

* What do I value about being transparent online and how can it work to promote my persona?

* When faced with a negative encounter online, how will I handle it that supports my values?

6 Ways to Awaken Vision & Activate Potential

Vision awakens your purpose. Vision activates your potential.

Heard a good word today that confirmed what I know to be true about vision, purpose and action. There are frequent conversations in the world, on the many social networking sites that we are all apart of around vision and the importance of having one. And, I would offer that there is no point in having one if you are not prepared to be in A.C.T.I.O.N toward your potential.

The word action is key in awakening the vision within each of us. It requires the following six elements and when you apply them, you WILL awaken your vision and activate your potential.

Achievement focus - In other words, keep your eye on the prize. If you build your dream on unstable ground, it will crumble. To have stability, you need clarity and to speak what you want from your heart. Focus on achieving that heart's desire, write it down and keep it in front of you.

Curiosity - It seems as we age we lose (or set aside) that bold curiosity that motivated us as children. That curiosity kept our dream alive as we explored and asked questions. Try adding that back into your daily life. Be curious about the things you have always wanted to achieve, accomplish, attain or attract. Even if it is a little uncomfortable, get curious again!

Take responsibility - Perhaps the most difficult for some to acknowledge and the most important to our success and clarity of vision. When we play the victim or blame game for the current status of our life, we shut ourselves off from possibility. To be open to knowing and owning your full potential, take a look at the places you have offed responsibility for life onto someone or something else. Own it, forgive it, let it go.

Inspire - Think for a moment how many people have left an impression on you. Got the picture? Now ask yourself, what would my life be like if I lead that kind of legacy now? When we work to inspire others, we become more focused on our purpose vs. the benefits. It is a new creative element to action that I am happy to inspire in you today. Seek to inspire to receive overflow.

Overcomer Mindset - Consider looking at the box in your path as opportunity to propel you forward vs. something to stop you. To do that means to continually be looking at what is possible. Being an overcomer in action means staying activated for what's next.

Never accept second best- This is the 'who are you giving sanction to' piece. In life we give up our authority to others rather instantaneously, or quickly. It gives the authority of our potential to someone else's control. By not accepting second best, and affirming what "is to be," moves you toward the vision and/or the goal. It means that you are enough and that you have what it takes to get what you want. It means you are in the fullness of YOUR personal power.

Try some action this week. There are great resources all around to support you finding your vision and purpose. And it is important to get activated toward identifying what you really want as you define your vision and activate your potential.

Coaching Questions:
* What one Action Step will you apply this week?
* Who can you pull in for support in honoring your self in action?
* How do you use Bold Curiosity currently?
* Who have you given sanction to in life that may have detoured you from your potential?

11 Reasons why Gold is a Good Thing

I hope you were able to join Ali Brown for her call "Your 11 Best
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She's so generous with her proven methods, and it makes me just
want to soak it all in like a sponge.

During the call, Ali touched on her Millionaire Protege Club
coaching that she offers and shared that she's launching a new
level--the brand new Gold Tier. For those of you who can't
participate at the 5- and 6-figures level of coaching, the Gold
tier is the low-cost solution for solo-preneurs who want to learn
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Here's a sampling of what the Gold tier covers:

1. Social Media - How to Maximize These Free Marketing Tools
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