Archives For Vision

Leaders must have a compelling vision and energize people to rally around it in creative ways.

How Do You Inspire Passion in Others?

March 5, 2013 — 2 Comments

skiptowork 300x300 How Do You Inspire Passion in Others?
What if you’re “skipping to work?,”  but are having trouble igniting passion on your team?  That’s more difficult, and a vital part of leadership.

Why Passion Matters

Jeremy Kingsley, author of the new book, Inspired People Produce Results shares 7 reasons passion is so important in the workplace.

Passion…

1. intensifies our focus
2. enables innovation and creativity
3. provides the drive to persevere, to avoid cutting corners and to pursue excellence
4. creates energy among colleagues that allows work to be completed more quickly
5. helps people deal with fear
6. makes employees want to stay in their jobs and contribute even when they’re not feeling at their best

When I spoke with Jeremy, we talked about why passion is sometimes hard to come by. Continue Reading…

In Culture, motivation, Vision , , , , , ,
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5 Secrets to a Kick-Butt Kickoff (how to host a motivational meeting)

February 25, 2013 — 1 Comment

kickoff1 300x200 5 Secrets to a Kick Butt Kickoff (how to host a motivational meeting)Are you looking to host a kickoff meeting to inspire and motivate your team?  When’s the last time you got the whole crowd together to rally around the vision, celebrate progress and have a little fun?

What if you got this note in your email today (I did)?

“I was approached by one of my employees this morning. He wanted to share with me what the Kickoff meant to him. He stated that he was so inspired by the enthusiasm and the things he heard, that he wanted to work harder than he ever has before. He said that he woke up 3 times in the middle of the night, thinking about what he had learned. He kept thinking about what he had to do to make sure that he made it up on stage next year as a top performer.   He came into work today with a great attitude and a desire to create a WOW experience with every person he spoke to today.   I also observed him in the break room today encouraging another representatives from his team to do the same.”

And then a follow-up message from one of the leaders on my team:

“and, that’s why we do what we do.”  My response was one word.  ”Amen.”

The secret is not a great venue, fancy AV, or a high-priced motivational speaker.  I’ve seen successful kickoffs in parking lots and warehouses.  It’s something else…  Continue Reading…

In Creativity, Culture, Recognition, Storytelling, Vision , , , , ,
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Best of 2012: Top 10 Posts From Let’s Grow Leaders

December 31, 2012 — 3 Comments
karinblog 224x300 Best of 2012: Top 10 Posts From Lets Grow Leaders

Finishing up a post in the Southwest boarding line on the way to summer vacation.

As the year draws to a close,  one reader suggested I share my thoughts on “best of 2012,” particularly for those readers who may have joined recently.

And so, with deep gratitude for all of your support, I share a few of my favorites in case you missed them.

Best of 2012:  3 Most Popular

Most Viewed, Recognition Power Words:  The Phases That Mean the Most

This one was also a lot of fun, because it sparked such an interesting conversation (and debate) on LinkedIn as well.  I began with a question to the online community, “What words make the biggest impact when providing recognition?”   Recognition is so important to us all, and there are so many important viewpoints on how to approach it.

Runners Up, Humility Matters: 9 Ways Confident Leaders Remain Humble and A Strategic Story About Strategic Storytelling.

Early Favorites

These posts were not official contenders for the best of 2012 because they were written early in the game, mostly to a very small audience.  A little rough, but heartfelt.

Felons, Leopards, Spots and Feedback:  A Short Story of Missed Opportunity

Stupid Feedback, When Stupid Smarts and What to Do About It

5 Ways Leaders Bust Confidence

I’m Going to Sit Write Down and Write Myself a Letter

Guest Posts and Interviews

Grateful for the Connection and Support from Dan Rockwell, The Most Powerful Thing Experienced Leaders Do (interview with Dan Rockwell on his site, Leadership Freak)

Favorite Guest Post on another site, Leader Athletes:  Training Long for the Long Run (Guest Post on Lead Change Group)

Youngest Guest Post on Let’s Grow Leaders, Leadership from a Kid’s Point of View:  Lucky or Skillful (Sebastian Hurt, Age 7)

What was your favorite post of 2012?  

What topics would you like to see in 2013?

In Callings, Questions, Vision , ,
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Discard and Replenish: What Will You Stop Doing in 2013?

December 27, 2012 — 3 Comments

You had a great year… you worked hard, you achieved results, and learned along the way.  Great… now what can you discard?

givepermissiontodiscard3 300x300 Discard and Replenish: What Will You Stop Doing in 2013?

2013 will bring new challenges, exciting initiatives and inspiring ideas.  With that will come more work, new project plans, and of course new metrics and reporting.     The new initiatives will come on fast and furious, likely with sizzle and inspiration.

Your days were already full… no matter how refreshed you feel, you cannot add more stuff, without discarding what has become clutter.   Your team can’t either.

How can you empower them to discard? Continue Reading…

In Listening, Performance, Planning, Questions, Vision , , , ,
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How To Build a Strong Team Vision

December 11, 2012 — 7 Comments

iStock 000017763891 ExtraSmall 300x199 How To Build a Strong Team VisionWhenever I take over a channel or team, one of the first questions I ask is “what is the vision?”  Most of the time, this is tough to answer.  There is usually strong alignment and attachment to the greater organization’s vision and values, which is vital.

However, what I find frequently missing is a sense of team vision.  What is this team really about?

Sure there are goals.  There may even be big important goals (see How to Pick the Right Big Goal).  To build results that last, people want a connection to something bigger.  The more localized you can make the vision, the more likely that it will stick.

In her post, “A Big Goal is Not the Same as a Vision, “Jesse Lynn Stoner shares:

One way to distinguish between a vision and a goal is to ask, “What’s next?” A vision provides clear ongoing direction—it is clear what you should do next. As you take each step, the next one becomes clear. A vision continues to act as a beacon, guiding you in setting new goals once current ones have been achieved.” Continue Reading…

In Culture, Empowerment, Meetings, Questions, Results, Vision , , ,
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Lead Me Please: Developing Leadership Standby Skills

December 4, 2012 — 11 Comments

iStock 000017038215XSmall 300x199 Lead Me Please: Developing Leadership Standby Skills

“One day you will want to say, this is actually the right thing to do.  And when you turn around, they are following you… I just want you ready for every single moment of leadership that comes your way.”

-Charlotte Beers

This weekend, I attended the TEDxWomen’s conference in Washington, DC. The theme was “The Space Between.”   Women and men sharing amazing stories about the magic that can happen in the convergence of extremes.

As I sat fascinated by the courageous stories of powerful women, I kept thinking, “huh, that sure wasn’t on their life map.”  For most of these speakers, they weren’t out looking for opportunities to lead.  They didn’t have a five-year plan to get onto TED. They found themselves in situations that ignited their passion…wars, accidents, loss, violation of human rights. Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Callings, grow your career, Help People to Grow, Mentoring, Vision , , , , , , ,
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Plan Your Epitaph Day: Living and Leaving a Legacy

November 2, 2012 — 6 Comments

iStock 000000863815XSmall 225x300 Plan Your Epitaph Day: Living and Leaving a LegacyApparently today is “Plan Your Epitaph” Day.

So, although I don’t usually post on Fridays, I couldn’t resist a short one. We move so fast, working through the urgent.  It’s a nice reminder to consider the legacy we are working to leave.

In her meditation “Set in Stone”, in Walking Towards Morning Meditations, Victoria Stafford urges us to consider what our epitaph “will read” and “does read.”

“She attended well and faithfully to a few important things”

“He got all the dishes washed and dried before playing with his children in the evening”

“She answered all her calls, all her e-mail, all her voicemail, but along the way she forgot to answer the call to service and compassion, and forgiveness, first and foremost of herself”

“She could not, or would not, hear the calling of her heart” Continue Reading…

In Authenticity, Culture, Vision , , , , ,
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How To Differentiate Your Strategy Through Competence and Talent

November 1, 2012 — Leave a comment

iStock 000018901633XSmall 300x238 How To Differentiate Your Strategy Through Competence and TalentWhy would a customer choose you over a competitor?  Many companies have trouble articulating that answer, says Steve Van Remortel, author of the new book Stop Selling Vanilla Ice Cream:  The Scoop on Differentiating Your Company Through Strategy and Talent.  After helping hundreds of companies build successful strategies, Steve asserts:

“There is no difficulty any viable enterprise cannot overcome confront by improving its strategy and optimizing its talent.”

In talking with Steve last week, his passion for strategy was palpable:

 ”The number one reason companies don’t have a strong strategic plan is that they don’t exactly know how to do it.  This book eliminates that obstacle.”

What struck me most about the approach was the team-based planning.  He provides a step-by-step process for building a talent team from across the organization.  Although the executives are at the helm, much of the creative work is left to the team.  Team members engage in an in-depth internal analysis to identify their differentiable core competence and tangible value. Continue Reading…

In Planning, Vision , , , , , ,
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