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– Unknown
What have you decided to let go that has helped you move forward?
Archives for July 2013
MONDAY INSPIRATION
July 29, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
How to Have Great Conversations
July 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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Warren Buffet says that the number one key to success is communication skills and having conversations that show your curiousity, ambition, and expertise.
Communication skills increase your capital value by 50% in four areas: generosity, initiative, forward momentum, and transparency. Here are 4 ways to have great conversations:
1) Master the Hello and Goodbye: First, ask someone if they have a moment to speak. If they can't, thank them and create forward momentum. Instead of simply saying "Great speaking with you" or "I'll keep you posted on additional opportunities," establish yourself as professional and courteous and ask them "How can I follow up with you?"
2) Ask for Help (and sound smart while you do it): Be enthusiastic and ask for specific resources and guidance that will help you do your job better. When facing a challenge, ask, "do you have a template I should follow or people I should speak with?"
3) Get Feedback: Don't wait for the 6 month review to get feedback–ask your manager how he or she is feeling about your progress and what could be done differently. For a good script on asking for feedback, download my free Leadership Library below, with scripts, tools, and guidebooks.
4) Answer a Question (even if you aren't sure of the answer): There are plenty of ways to answer a question without lying or overtalking. Use your knowledge and experiences to add to the conversation. Someone else may build on your answer, giving you a chance to learn from another perspective.
What are other practices you use to have great conversations?
MONDAY INSPIRATION – Neale Donald Walsch
July 22, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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– Neale Donald Walsch
Which side of the "comfort zone" are you standing?
5 Greatest Missed Opportunities of Leadership
July 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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1) Not understanding what "expertise" really means": One of the greatest chellenges is that people think they need to be considered an 'expert' before they speak or write about a topic. The reality is: having a engagement with a "question" is itself an expertise. Being able to show why something matters to you is its own sense of developing an expertise. Start now.
2) Getting stuck in groupthink: Too much "agreement" can stifle an group by destroying its responsiveness and capacity for change. Be willing to be controversial and take a stand.
3) Expecting the oldest, most senior person to have the best ideas: Oftentimes, the "oldest" person in the room is the "most stuck" in the past. What can the wisdom and generativity of fresh eyes bring to a problem? Don't miss any opportunities to use this to your benefit!
4) Rechecking your assumptions: Why is it that our assumptions are actually the core tools holding us back? Sometimes simply reversing our assumptions could lead us to better solutions [ex. encyclopedia can’t be open source, instead meet: Wikipedia]
5) Never scheduling time for play and exploration: One of the best creative leaders once told me to schedule 1 hour a month by myself for "white space" to play and explore on new ideas. I've found this to be one of the most important times to explore and generate new ideas.
What are other missed opportunities of leadership in your life? Share with us (so we don't miss them too!) and how you are overcoming them in the comments below.
MONDAY INSPIRATION: JOHN C. MAXWELL
July 15, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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5 Life Changing Decisions You Can Take Now
July 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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1) Choose a life of impact over a social life. It's harder but you won't regret it. It’s a choice. They aren’t mutually exclusive of course, but sometimes we need to make a choice between the "important, long-term" mission and the "short, fun" event or initiative.
2) Take responsibility, not authority. There is a big difference between authority and responsibility. Authority is a form of control, responsibility is a form of influence.
3) Don't stop engaging in the arts. What brings us laughter, song, dance and joy are what brings us vitality, happiness and innovation. What is the next artistic challenge you will take on? Mine is Haitian Dance!
4) Create the optimal filters. Sometimes advice is the exact opposite of what you need to transform. Questions from a select few may do the trick.
5) Practice self-love. Be your own best friend. When we stop being hard on ourselves and trust our intentions, we create space for more love and gratitude around us.
MONDAY INSPIRATION: Ralph Waldo Emerson
July 8, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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Do you agree most people know what they want to be? If so, do they just need a little push to march on the right path?
MONDAY INSPIRATION:Ralph Waldo Emerson
July 1, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
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What trail are you leaving?