Finding A Way

All things considered, life is pretty easy, don't you think?

Of course it isn't. Sometimes it's hard as hell.

Pressure
I don't know about you, but I feel a tremendous amount of pressure in my life. Some is self-inflicted, some is based on the nature of the work I do, and some is just unnecessary. 

But it's there. Every day.

Am I doing a good enough job at my firm? Am I maintaining important clients? Am I bringing in enough new ones to take care of our team and hire new employees as we grow? Have I addressed every single issue that has been thrown my way?

Sometimes it feels like a bit too much. Often times it feels like...well...a bit too much.

Pain
Then there's that other emotion...the one that surpasses pressure, whether it's in our professional lives or our personal ones. You know this one too...it's the disappointment when we stumble. It's the hurt when we make a mistake that is often huge in our minds, but isn't quite that big in reality. It's letting someone down when we really never intended to do so.

Resilience
Amongst all of these swirling feelings, we find something. It's hard to describe and nearly impossible to quantify. Yet, it's there. We can feel this one too. It's our ability to pull from somewhere deep inside and marshal onward. Often times with unexpected confidence.

Where did that come from? Why didn't it make an appearance at the beginning of this journey instead of at the perceived low point?

How About You
How do you 'handle' it all? Is it easy; or, do you find yourself in a dark place that does not have a clear path out.

Until it does.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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My Secret Ingredients to Interviewing

Over the years I've interviewed for a variety of jobs. In the early part of my career I was...well...not even close to qualified for some of them. But that didn't stop me from getting hired.

What was the secret combination of magical spells I put on the hiring managers to give me a shot?

Three Secrets
1. Preparation

This first step may sound obvious, but sadly, I've seen this noticeably absent over and over again. Candidates come to interviews (even at middle and senior management levels) ill-prepared to grill me and my colleagues about the opportunity.

Conversely, I have always wanted to be the most prepared person in the interview process...particularly when I was the candidate. That's right...I wanted to be far more prepared than those interviewing me.

Exhaustive reviews of company websites, Linkedin profiles, google searches of leaders, and detailed questions based on each person who would be interviewing me were mandatory. 

2. Confidence

Being timid is lame. Being soft is lame. Being meek inspires absolutely zero confidence. Sound hokey? I don't care. 

It's true. I'm never going to hire someone to join my company if they are not confident in their initial presentation to me. 

After all, I'm only asking them to talk about them self. If they can not do that, how are they going to thrive in any corporate culture? 

3. Energy

How does one exude confidence? With lots of energy, that's how. Work is more demanding than ever. The ability to keep up with the crazy pace we're all expected to maintain requires lots of energy. If that doesn't show in the interview, how in the world will a hiring leader have any confidence that it will mysteriously show up once you start the job?

How About You
What are your secrets to successful interviews? What would you add to my list? 

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.


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Should Have Known Better

"That time I pushed for what I thought was best, without really listening to what my colleagues were telling me."

I should have known better.

"When I didn't take the time to fully understand all of the politics involved."

I should have known better.

"The new policy I thought would be so good for the bottom line, but didn't realize how ill-prepared I was with the communication plan."

I should have known better.

"I wish the others could have seen how important that was...what's wrong with them?"

I should have known better.

"I wasn't threatened by them...I just needed to have things go my way...and be really popular."

I should have known better.

How About You
Who on your team needs a healthy dose of "should have known better?" Go tell them. Be firm. Stop treating them like they will break in two, or that chaos will follow. They need your coaching wisdom, and bold leadership.

Tell them today.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Judgment Day

"If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that sometimes our assumptions and preconceived notions are wrong, and therefore, our interpretation of events is incorrect. This causes us to overreact, to take tings personally, or to judge people unfairly." 
- Elizabeth Thornton

Persistent "Problems"
I work with people approximately...100% of the time. Whether it's in meetings, on site with clients, at my company's home office, interacting on the phone , or using any of the many digital or social media tools I use to stay connected. I am constantly working with people.

And, well...sometimes that makes things complicated.

One of those complicated issues appears in the form of "ongoing problems:"
- the difficult leader
- the hiring manager who is never satisfied
- the blame game that seems to take on a life of its own
- and the endless litany of excuses that are nothing more than an attempt to deflect the "leader's" inability to address complex issues

Unfortunately those excuses often become the corporate world's alternate facts, and in turn drive a wedge between business partners that should otherwise simply sit down and talk through the various problems that need to be resolved.

Do It Yourself
Our assumptions, and faux reality of the dynamics are often complicated further as we try to be so sensitive to every one's feelings that we don't step in and take charge.

I'm not talking about bullying...I'm talking about understanding that the team around you has tried their best, but they simply are not far enough along in their development to actually understand what to do next.

That is when savvy HR leaders step up.
That is when savvy HR leaders take control.
That is when savvy HR leaders do not allow the noise to interfere with achieving results.

How About You
Do you have issues in your organization that don't seem to be going away? Have you heard the same tired excuses as to why "this person" or "that department" are so difficult? If you're worried that others "won't like you anymore" if you jump in, you have missed the point.

It's time to tell your team to step aside. 

Now.

You are the leader...remember?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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X-Ray Visions

There is a thin line...and I mean a really, really thin line...between confidence and arrogance. 

Consider the leadership team in your organization. Presumably they are bright, experienced, and know that they have a clear vision for how the organization should be managed going forward. (you are part of this group by the way)

Unless they're wrong.

Unless they've overlooked something.

Unless they've closed themselves off and haven't asked the team for their input.

Unless.

Psychic Warfare Is Real

I've discovered...through many face plants...that I should never underestimate the impact of my influence on the workplace. 

Have I inadvertently moved my employees in a direction that was not the best for my organization?  

Has my high energy around a certain topic led us down the wrong path from time to time?

Have I waged some form of psychic warfare unknowingly?

I Know What You're Thinking

I worry that we've fallen into our own leadership trap. Is it all so clear to us at the top, that we have convinced ourselves we can actually read the minds of our teams? (That typically means we know they're wrong...because we're right.)

How did we miss that line between confidence and arrogance?

The positive impact we can have is so powerful. It can mean the difference between maintaining or growing our organization to new levels of success. 

I want to make the right choice.

How About You

How do you balance that line between winning big and falling hard? I'm afraid I've stumbled back and forth too many times over the years.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Arm Yourself

...with a positive approach to your work

...with a smile on your face

...with the courage to stand up for the person who is struggling

...with the common sense to see through the politics

...with the courtesy to greet everyone you encounter

...with the guts to speak out against bigotry

...with the confidence to make a positive impact

...with the compassion to care for others

...with the insight to see beyond the troubles of the moment

...with a healthy dose of humility

...with the stamina to fight through the storm

...with the motivation to keep pushing

...and the willingness to stand alone to do what's right when the other "leaders" run and hide.


I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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To Reign Again

There is something special about being on top of your game. The world of work is so complicated these days that this feeling is more elusive than ever before. But when you know things are working...when the team is jelling...and your colleagues are actually behaving like, well, colleagues...life is good.

Get It Back

Consider where you are today relative to being on top. Are you making bold decisions and being supported as you take yourself, your team, and your organization to a new level? Maybe you find yourself having to justify every move you make because the old-school leaders in your company are literally too old (in their thinking) to understand that we live in a spread out, digital world?

Regardless of the reason, if you don't have that special feeling about your work then it's time to do something about it. 

Reign of Fire

Let's focus on three key areas that will move you from frazzled to fantastic as you develop your leadership presence and impact in your organization.

1. Know Your Stuff

This may sound obvious but sadly it is not. The world has changed so dramatically that it is imperative that you are current both in your discipline and industry.

2. Educate Your Colleagues

Do not expect your team, or the other executives in your organization to be as current as you. Modern leaders are few and far between. Most are afraid to move out of their comfort zones and simply rely on the company's brand to "take care of things like it always has." Yes, leaders actually still say these things.

3. Execute Confidently

There is nothing more powerful than a leader that knows what they are talking about, and isn't afraid to make decisions to keep things moving forward. Most leaders today are simply trying to protect their own backside, and are unwilling to actually make bold decisions.

How About You

It's time for you to reign again! You deserve to have that special feeling when you are at the top of your game. Don't hold back simply because the other leaders are afraid to lead. Their weakness is not your responsibility. Keep pushing and believe you can make a difference.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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I Don't Feel...Anything

Something is different. You're not quite sure what it is, but things aren't what they used to be when you sit down at your desk. You just don't feel anything...the drive, the passion, the 'I'm-all-fired-up-to-make-a-difference' energy that was once part of your style. It seems like you're following the same patterns, connect with the same people, and tackle the same issues as if they were the seasons of the year circling back again.

Wait a minute...

Same routine...again?

Routines Are Good

I have to admit I rely heavily on my routines. It's as if I put myself on autopilot, particularly when I'm getting ready for work, flowing through my day, or even doing my workouts. I know what to do, which helps me avoid making mistakes, forgetting things, or doing anything that will disrupt my life.

Routines often bring confidence, play to our strengths, and keep us securely in our comfort zones. For the most part, that is a pretty good way to think about routines. 

Routines Are Brutal

Here's the problem...routines are lethal.  Not in a sniper-like attack sort of way; but rather, a slow insidious erosion sort of way. We become complacent in our "normal flow." 

We allow complacency to replace our drive to be the best. (Being the best takes extra effort, right?) The negative talk that creeps into our conversations is a product of routine and complacency. 

Yes, routines can be brutal.

New Routines Are Glorious

So how do we transition out of the rut of "bad" routines and get ourselves and our career back on track? Simple...

Commit to changing.

It will take hard work to change your routine. So what? 

It will force you to do new things that you're not ready for. So what?

It will make you nervous and you'll make a mistake or two. So what?

You don't really want to be the long-term cynical employee that everyone smirks about behind your back, do you?

How About You

What's it going to be? Are you going to force yourself, as painful as that sounds, to modify part of your safe routine to be a real leader? Or, is just easier to be the source of the water cooler jokes from the ones who will be leading the way for your company in the future?

 

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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My Britches Don't Fit

When was the last time you received meaningful, constructive feedback? Are you in a leadership role so you've grown accustomed to giving instead of receiving? Me too. I get paid to provide feedback on all sorts of things from projects to performance.

It's good for us to get feedback too..

Confidence

I'm a firm believer that it is impossible to be an effective leader if you are lacking in self-confidence. Eventually those insecurities will surface and your credibility is sure to fade. Think of the leaders you know who have the confidence necessary to take risks, try new approaches, and aren't afraid to admit when something didn't work. They usually inspire others, don't they? They usually attract high performers, right? Confidence has to be a good thing!

Unless self-confidence morphs into a trip to the all-you-can-eat-I'm-An-Awesome-Leader-buffet.

Too Much of a Good Thing

I'm told there is a "line" that shouldn't be crossed when it comes to balancing confidence and arrogance. I'm not sure I've ever seen this line, which means I should probably take a look over my shoulder to see if it is already behind me.

Effective feedback is the antidote to the confidence binge that many leaders succumb to over time. Done well, constructive feedback not only demonstrates support, but it allows for a greater awareness about complicated issues and gets everything back in to the proper context.

It's good for us to get feedback too..

How About You

Is your head buried deep in the leadership trough? If so, it may be time for you to pick your head up, take a look around, and create an environment where others know you are open to feedback. 

The worst thing that can happen is your ego is bruised for five minutes, and then that regular confidence will kick back in figuring out a way for you to be even more effective. Plus, it's no fun when we get so full of ourselves that we end up too big for our britches.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Work, I'm Gonna Leave You

How do you feel about your job? Does it make you want to get up in the morning and make an impact; or, does it make you want to hit that snooze button so hard it breaks off your alarm? What concerns me the most about these two ends of the spectrum are those employees, particularly in leadership, who are caught in between.

They're working...but they've checked out.

Expectations Matter

One of the lessons I've learned as I get, ahem, more mature in my years on the job, is that I'm not going to have fun doing everything at work. There are parts of my job that I really dislike. There are other parts that get me absolutely fired up. What has helped me get through the challenging parts is the way I set my own expectations about work.

If I expect every day to be filled with energy, creative new strategies and great results then I'm going to be bitterly disappointed. However, when I build into my expectations that I will have to power through some boring, mundane, and sometimes difficult work but I know it won't last forever, I'm much more satisfied.

Don't Leave
When expectations and the reality of our jobs are not aligned, nothing good happens. We become less interested and committed. Typically work product suffers and relationships that might have been strong at one point now become fodder for office gossip. Worst of all, the impact on our teams is obvious and immediate.

"When we lose the confidence of our team, we have nothing as leaders."

How About You
Have you already checked out? Have you noticed a colleague that has become disengaged or seems to be somewhat distant? It's time to step in and be a resource. Being a resource is still part of Human Resources, right?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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I'm Out of Control

So this weekend I'm going through a unique experience.  I'm not the one in control. I'm not the one making the decisions, or allocating resources, or directing the action.  And I don't like it.  I'm supposed to be the calm one who others look to during stormy times and keeps the team together.  I'm the one who takes the point and clears the way.


Who Has the Power
But not this weekend.  I have to simply take what is handed out.  And that's just what most of our employees have to do every day at work.  Think about that...every single day.  


Having to wait for bits of information...keeping a close eye on everything in the hopes of gaining a better understanding of the"rules," and simply wondering in general are all taking a toll.  And I'm only on Day 2 of this process.

I have been fortunate to serve others in a leadership role for many years now.  I've grown accustomed to having a certain level of authority.  But I'm just like everyone else here this weekend.  For the record, feeling helpless does not sit well with me.  I wonder how it feels to those who work for us?  I wonder if I provide enough timely information to my team?  Do I show my confidence in them so they can break away from a sense of helplessness and unleash their talents?  What culture have I created?


How About You
What are you doing to make sure your employees do not feel helpless?  Is hoarding information a strength for you?  Do you trust your team?  Do you have confidence in them?  I'm guessing that if you don't feel good about them, they probably don't feel good about you either.  Are you in "control?"


I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.






pic courtesy of Life Skills Authorities