This is the final question in a series of 13 designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

What else do I want to reflect on?

As I have worked through the first twelve questions I have found myself continuing to reflect on things related to my father's life and death. These events will be a defining part of my 2007, and I continue to learn lessons from these events.

While the other 12 questions I have shared with you are all valuable, I don't profess that they are complete or perfect. That is the purpose of this question. Your mind and heart have likely told you what else you need to be thinking about and learning from. That has been the focus of all 13 questions - to provide you questions to aid, advance, and accelerate your learning.

Tomorrow we begin to look forward as I initiate a series on the 13 projection questions - the questions that when consiered along with the 13 reflection questions - will help you create the best possible 2008. (So I hope to see you here tomorrow - and the following 12 days.)

In the meantime, have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: learning, questions, reflection

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This is the twelfth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

What am I most grateful for?

I love this question. I believe we are better people when we ask ourselves this question. So while I am suggesting that you ask yourself this question today, you can ask (and would benefit from asking) this question anytime.

The things I am most grateful for are my faith, family, and my health (and the health of all of those that I love and care for).

When you ask this question you may start with the biggest things for you, like those items I just shared, but you will also want to think about what you are grateful for in other areas of your life. Since this is a blog about learning, personal and professional development, some of the things in that area that I am thankful for include:

- those I work with
- our Customers
- those who read my writing
- our new office
- books

Ask yourself this question and begin to make a list. Keep thinking and keep writing for as long as you can. Come back to the list and re-read it in a couple of hours and add to it.

As we move into the second half of our questions in this series your answers to this (and the other questions) will be valuable to you.


Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: gratefulness, learning, questions, reflection

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This is the eleventh in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

How am I different now than at the start of the year?

I recently heard one of the presidential candidates asked about why their view had changed on an issue. Their response was something like: "I don't think we want a President who never changes his mind, who doesn't listen to new arguments, who isn't open to change."

This is an incredibly valuable question, because while you have surely grown and changed in many ways over the past year, it is sometimes hard to see or notice. Asking this question is like taking a fresh look at the plant in your living room, or seeing a niece of nephew after several months and thinking - "My how they've grown!"

Just like we don't notice the changes in the plant, and yet notice changes in children when we haven't seen them in awhile, we might not take notice of the changes and growth because we live with ourselves everyday.

When I ask myself this question I notice growth in a variety of ways. I have learned much about the publishing process over the past year, I have learned more about real estate and a variety of other legal matters. These lessons make me different and more versatile in conversation and in my thinking.

On a professional level I have become more disciplined in some areas, and while there are many ways I hope to continue to improve in this area, I am pleased with my progress. Personally, I believe I am less selfish than I was this time last year (a trend I hope continues far into the future).

This question provides you a new snapshot of yourself. Remember how much you enjoyed the family photos that came in your Christmas cards this month? Taking this personal picture will be far more valuable to you in the coming months.

Take that snapshot now - as yourself - How am I different now than I was at the start of the year?

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: learning, personal growth, questions, relfection

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The Web has become the home for so many activities. It increasingly is becoming a source for shopping, it is where many people get their news, and it is a major source of entertainment. And while the online world certainly can provide all of those things, it can also be a source for something potentially much more valuable.

Consider the World Wide Web as your personal "goal and learning accelerator."

Because the Web can help in so many other parts of their lives, many have missed this fact. Some people even complain that the Web is a distraction from achieving their goals; calling it a time waster.

Because it is so vast, the Web can be virtually anything you want it to be! This article is meant to help you use the Web in new ways; to help you learn more, and learn it faster; therefore moving you towards your goals more rapidly than ever.

One more thing before I get to these tools. This article isn't a technical treatise on how these tools work or even how to get the maximum value from them. Rather, it is meant to give you an introduction and some ideas for how you can use them to reach your goals. As you find one or more of these tools that you believe can especially help you I encourage to follow some of the links, try them out and learn as you go!

If you have some goals set, pull them out or think about them now. Then, as you read on, think about how you could use one or more of these tools in service of your goals.

1. Blogs

What They Are:

If you haven't yet become a blog reader, now is the time. There are blogs written on almost every conceivable topic. Some blogs are written by so called "experts" (authors for example), while others are written by anyone who might be passionate about the topic. Yes, there are thousands of blogs written detailing people's daily lives or ranting about a particular political issue; however, there are likely many valuable resources in areas relating to your goals.

Ideas for Reaching Your Goals:

The simplest way that blogs can help you is as a source of research and knowledge related to your goal. While this is valuable, it just scratches the surface of what blogs can do. Bloggers (people who write blogs) love feedback and most all blogs allow you to post comments. This allows you to ask questions, share your opinion and be engaged with the knowledge. Beyond this, as you begin to comment you may find yourself building a relationship with that blogger – and that blogger could become a mentor, coach or in some other way help you reach your goals. Maybe most important, you may want to begin blogging yourself! Just as capturing your insights and progress in a journal can help you, blogging some of those lessons will help you, and possibly others as well!

Links:

Getting started
The Google Reader
Start writing a blog

2. Social Networks

What They Are:

You've probably heard of Facebook and/or MySpace, and thought it was something for your kids (or possibly your grandkids). However, both are growing up and may be valuable for you too - regardless of your age. They are just two of a wide variety of social networks or communities that are available online. Facebook and MySpace are the largest and most general, but there are also online communities for most any group or interest that you might have.

Ideas for Reaching Your Goals:

The big idea in social networking and goal achievement is the community that can support you in reaching your goals. Depending on the community you become a part of you might meet people who have achieved what you want to achieve or who can help you in some other way. All of us need to feel connected, and while you may have a wide circle of friends and colleagues, they may not be the people who can help you move towards your goals most rapidly.

Links:

Here are several online communities. Click on these links or do a search to learn more:

Facebook
MySpace / My MySpace page
LinkedIn / My LinkedIn page
Shelfari (a community of book readers) / My Shelfari page

3. Wikis

What They Are:

Wikis are websites where people can add content without any special tools or software. The best known is Wikipedia, a publicly created version of an encyclopedia. There are wikis for all sorts of specialty areas, including perhaps an area related to your goals.

Ideas for Reaching Your Goals:

You can certainly use wikis for research, but let's be more creative than that. Let's say you have a goal to run a marathon. You might find an existing wiki to assist you with all that you need to do for training and preparation, but perhaps you are a part of a group with the same goal. You may way to start your own wiki that everyone can contribute to - helping all of you reach your goals more rapidly!

Links:

A Directory of Wikis
Create Your own wiki for free

4. The Audio/Visual Web

What It Is:

The Web is now far more than words! There is more audio and video on the web than there has ever been. Perhaps you are an auditory or visual learner - if so, you are in luck. The web can provide you with tutorials and lessons and all sorts of audio and video resources.

Ideas for Reaching Your Goals:

This is a broad category, so let me get you started with a treasury of content and knowledge in one word - podcasts. Podcasts are like online radio shows, but instead of general interest topics like standard commercial radio, there are podcasts on virtually any topic - much like blogs. (In fact some bloggers also create podcasts.) Along with citizen podcasts, there are podcasts of radio shows, television news and so much more. Think about your goals and what you need to learn, and then search for podcasts with content relevant to your needs. You can listen to them on your computer, on your MP3 player, or even burn them to a CD. You don't even have to be on the web to take advantage of it as a learning tool!

Links:

YouTube - search on what you want to learn, you'll be surprised at what valuable information you find.
iTunes - one place to look for and download podcasts and audio books.
Podcast Directory
Audible.com - one place to buy downloadable audiobooks.

5. Google Alerts

What It Is:

A free tool that alerts you via email whenever something is added to the web on any topic you select.

Ideas for Reaching Your Goals:

Want to stay on top of the latest information on anything? Create a Google Alert and have the information show up in your email inbox at whatever frequency you choose! Could there possibly be a better way to stay on top of a topic or skill? Since these are free you can set up as many as, and be as specific as, you like. Google does offer a fee-based service that provides additional benefits, but likely the free service will be all you need.

Links:

Google Alerts

These are just five tools that you can use to make the web your personal goal accelerator. Invest some time to investigate the ones you think will help you the most - or perhaps the ones you know the least about! That effort will reward you with new insights and, if applied intelligently, goals reached more rapidly!

Potential Pointer: The World Wide Web is a vast and amazing place that you can make your own personal learning space if you take the time to learn some of the tools available to you. Invest a little time to transform the web from your news, entertainment and/or shopping hub into your personal goal accelerator.

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Sit down and invest a little time to read these five posts (maybe 10-15 minutes), and then reflect and take action on the one (or more) that you will help you reach your goals fastest in the New Year.

1. What is the ROI of What you are Doing? on Slacker Manager

Phil Gerbyshak outlines an interesting prioritization and time management process.

2. Conscious Incompetence: Your best friend when it comes to learning on Slow Leadership

This post delivers what the title says, and links to other articles in a series.

3. Love Your Work or Don't Work at All on StevePavina.com

This is likely a perspective you've heard before, but this post is well written and contains ideas worth thinking about for all of us.

4. 5 steps to train yourself to visualize - on The M.A.P. Maker

Curt Rosengren talks briefly about the importance and challenges of visualization, and then links to an amazing set of visualization exercises.

5. 14 Tips For Resolutions That Stick in the New Year - on Lifehack.org

This is a nice companion to the Make Your 2008 Great tool that I've offered you. (You have downloaded your copy, haven't you?)

These are all posts I found in my feed aggregator from blogs that I read. Consider them food for thought (and action) as the New Year dawns!

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This is the tenth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

How have those people changed my life?

Taken by itself, this is a big question! Put in the context of yesterday's question - it is a bit more manageable.

When I think of all the interesting people I've met in the past year, I can think of a variety of ways they've impacted or changed my life. This series of emails is one example.

Though I have been blogging for a long time, I learned some things in the the last month or so from some of my new friends this year. It convinced me to re-invigorate (at least in my mind) my efforts as a blogger. Several events have taken place and more are to come all designed to help this blog become a more valuable place for readers to come, read, learn and participate.

I believe this renewed focus will have a very positive impact on my business and my life, and for the advice and example of several people I am very thankful.

This is just one example of how the people I have met this year have made a difference for me. There are many other examples - and I'm sure you have many examples too. I urge you to ask yourself this question, then think about your answers. Lastly, make the time to thank those people who have made a difference for you.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: learning, questions, reflection

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This is the ninth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

Who are the most interesting people I met?

I've been looking forward to this question! I have met LOTS of interesting people this year. Among the first that come to my mind are three people that I actually haven't met; we've only converse on the phone and through email.

• These three people are all incredibly smart and nice, Jonathan Farrington, Jon Gordon, and Mike Robbins (They are great writers too!)

I also met:

• A ton of great people at the 800-CEO-Read author Pow-Wow that I could put on this list. (You can read posts about that event and the folks I met here and here.)
• One of my favorite bloggers, Lisa Haneberg in June at ASTD.
• The team at Jossey-Bass that helped me with Remarkable Leadership.
• Denis Waitley, one of my favorite authors, briefly, as well.
  

I could go on here, but you don't want to read that long...

Beyond all of these wonderfully talented and interesting people I also met hundreds of workshop participants, folks in organizations we consult with, and people in audiences at my keynotes.

I'm surely blessed.

One of the reasons I propose this question to you is for exactly that insight - I believe that most of us will look back on a year and identify many interesting people that we have met. Of course, the greater value to you (and them) comes as you build a relationship and go beyond just meeting someone. I could say much more about this point, but I don't want to give away too much about tomorrow's question.

Come back tomorrow for my thoughts on Question 10 - and again if you haven't yet downloaded the full tool with 26 questions to make your 2008 great, you can do that right here.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: learning, questions, reflection

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This is the eighth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

What obstacles did I overcome?

And a followup:

And, how did I do it?

In a way it is a good thing I skipped a day before posting this one. Why? Because this question(s) has been the hardest for me to answer so far. For some of these posts I have thought a lot about what I would include here in the blog, but there were many answers in my mind or in my journal to choose from.

The same has not been true here. I can't really identify/remember a significant obstacle in the past year (other than the one I mentioned in the post for question #7). As far as overcoming that one, that is a work in progress.

One could conclude that if a person didn't have an answer for this question that their year has been perfect - no obstacles might sound pretty good. I'm not sure that is the case, though I have certainly been blessed throughout the year. For me it is more about perspective. I don't typically think about obstacles. I try to see opportunities. I try not to look for events or situations to blame, but rather try to look at myself.

While I am not trying to hold myself up as a perfect example, I believe there is a message here. When we focus on what is our control, when we think about what we can do (notice today's followup question), we have shifted focus away from the obstacles. As we become more fully functioning as professionals, leaders and humans, we are better able to work from this perspective.

None of this negates the value in identifying obstacles that we did overcome and identifying the approaches we used. There is rich learning for us in these questions when we do encounter obstacles that must be surmounted or removed.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: challenges, learning, obstacles, questions, reflection

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This is the seventh in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

What were my biggest challenges or obstacles?

The answer for me is clear - I need to get better at execution and implementation. At The Kevin Eikenberry Group we are excellent at surfacing ideas and opportunities, and while we do get a lot done, we don't do as well in this area as we could. Let me rephrase that and put the focus where it belongs. I as a leader am an obstacle in this area.

If you have been reading this series of posts you will know that this issue was the core of my answer to question #4 - Knowing What I know Now, What Would I Do Differently?

I think it is completely natural that your answers to these two questions might be related, in fact in some cases after thinking about this question, you might have other, or more complete answers to #4.

Perhaps you are thinking of an external obstacle or challenge - the loss of a job, a Customer, or perhaps a change in the economy. While these things may well be obstacles, I encourage you to think about your challenges with a personal focus. Consider what role you played in creating or sustaining this obstacle. Equally important consider what you did (or can do now) to overcome that obstacle or challenge.

That last sentence is a bit of a preview to Wednesday's question, but for now, ask yourself about your obstacles and challenges, and enjoy a very Merry Christmas!


Note - Tomorrow is Christmas Day and I won't be posting in this series. I'll be back on the 26th with the 8th question. (If you don't have the tool to help you Make 2008 Great, click here.)

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: challenges, learning, questions, reflection

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This is the sixth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

Here's today's question:

In what ways did I contribute?

My goal with this post isn't to brag or boast about the ways that I contributed in the past year. Though you won't likely be answering this question in a public forum like I am (but if you are a blogger reading this, I'd love for you to join this series in some way!), your goal isn't to be boastful or self absorbed either.

We all can contribute in many ways - we can give of our time, talents, thoughts, and treasures - any and all of these gifts can contribute to the lives of others in meaningful ways. I encourage you to think about this question from the different areas of your life, remembering the contributions large and small that you have made over the past year.

One way that I, my family and The Kevin Eikenberry Group contributed this year was to provide 2700 "I am Remarkable!" wristbands to elementary and middle school kids in Indianapolis public schools this fall. These were distributed in backpacks for these kids by the great folks at Jireh Sports during their Back to School Blast.

It is our hope that these bands serve as a reminder, and perhaps, for some a realization, that they truly are remarkable.

Asking yourself today's question is critical to giving yourself a more balanced view of your efforts and results in the past year. Perhaps this question will be easy for you to answer, or perhaps it is among the harder ones I have posed to you so far - either way, your list is impoortnat, and the relative ease in answering might give you a sense of your focus in the past.

If you found this hard to answer, consider how to be of service in new and different ways in the coming year (or even yet today).

Today along with the core question of your contribution, consider the following corollary:

"What was the impact of my contribution?"

Your answers to these questions will help you get out of yourself and into a perspective of service. This perspective will serve you as a leader, member of any community, or in any part of your life.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: contribution, learning, questions, reflection

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This is the fifth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year more successfully, check out this post.

What will be my greatest lasting memories of this year?

My most lasting memories of this year will be of my Dad. He passed away on May 11. He was my first teacher, the first leader I observed and experienced and my mentor. Of course he was my dad. He was also my friend.














I've already posted some of the lessons from this event, which is why I can consider this one of my greatest lasting memories of 2007.

I don't want the value of this question to be lost in my particular answer. Most everyone treasures their memories more than material things. Why else would people rush back into burning homes to get their photo albums? (I've never seen a news story with video of people risking life and limb to save their plasma TV).

The value of this question is that we should be consciously capturing and holding on to our most valuable memories. While pictures are nice, having the memories locked into our lives is more important. These can become a source of strength, confidence, learning and satisfaction throughout our lives.

Doesn't it make sense then to think about this question, to make sure that those memories are locked tight into our hearts and minds? I encourage you to ask yourself this question and think about (and write down) your answers.

You will be glad you did.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: learning, memories, questions, reflection

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If you read the above title from a leadership perspective you may be thinking:

"I'm really interested in that, but I don't know if it is possible to accelerate change - with as much change as is already occurring."

And, if you read it as an employee, you may be thinking:

"We have plenty of change already - accelerating it isn't necessarily what I had in mind!"

Regardless of your perspective, this article will help you think about change in new ways and allow you to lead or accept positive change more readily; literally accelerating change and accelerating your success.

The four change accelerators are:

• Have an Elastic Mind
• Take Two Steps at Once
• Ecuadorians Want Ice More Than Eskimos
• Small Leads to Big
  

Let's look at each in more detail to help you speed your way to greater success.

Have an Elastic Mind

People are motivated by a clear "why" - the reason a change will make a difference to them and their lives. This requires leaders to communicate a desirable vision of the future. People need to see and focus on this desired big picture; however, if you only "live" in that future, you make no progress. Progress is further hampered when people love the picture of the future but don't know how to get there. Here is where our minds must become elastic.

We must think about the future while thinking about the steps we must take today. Often change, even change people really want, is slowed because there is no focus on what can be done today. Think big picture future and "what will I do today" at the same time. As you develop an elastic mind that can think about both now and the future, you will accelerate your speed of change.

Take Two Steps at Once

Too often leaders focus attention on communicating the change (even when they don't do it very well) as the first step. While communication is critical, we accelerate change when we don’t consider communication as the first step by itself. Rather, greater success will occur when you communicate as you carry out actions that lead to the change.

This is a corollary to having an elastic mind. Communicate and carry out actions concurrently, rather than in an ordered, step-by-step (and perhaps slower) approach.

Ecuadorians Want Ice More Than Eskimos

This seems logical. The folks in Ecuador are warmer, and ice might be a bit harder to come by. Eskimos, on the other hand, will likely find ice (or a suitable replacement) right outside their door.

Who are your Ecuadorians? Who is predisposed to your ideas for change? Who has, in the past, been most adaptable to new change? Who are those who always seem to be the first ones that jump on board with a change?

These are your Ecuadorians, and it makes much more sense to do what you can to get them engaged in your change efforts first.

Do Eskimos buy ice? Most of them do, but they aren't the most likely to be interested first. The message is clear: don't give up on those who typically are slower to adopt a change, but don't obsess when they don't come on board right away.

Small Leads to Big

Even if the change you are leading or wanting to implement is huge, small steps are required. Break the change down into smaller projects and change elements.

Of course you need to keep the big picture in mind so all of the individual pieces will be contributing to the ultimate goal, but by creating smaller pieces you can create a positive momentum and give people a chance to see success and build confidence.

The momentum and confidence that emanates from the small pieces can accelerate progress and engagement towards the overall change goal.

While there can be magic in each of these four ideas, action and communication are key components of each of them. If you want to accelerate your progress towards change, consider these four tactics and always remember communication and action.

Potential Pointer: Too often we think change should come slowly or that resistance will be easier to deal with if we slow the pace. The reality is that accelerating change intelligently can actually increase the rate of adoption and lessen the resistance. Result? If change can be good; faster change can be better!

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This is a book about speed: what we think and feel about it, how we can use it, and the increasing importance it plays in our lives. The book is a quick, 215-page read (one would hope that a book on speed would read quickly).

It shares many interesting and thought provoking ideas about speed and its implications for us as a society, in our organizations and for us personally. Most of these insights come through short stories and examples. This is a tried and true approach, and it works well here.

One of the most interesting sections of the book concerns the myths of multi-tasking and how to deal with that challenge. While just a short section of the book, I found it useful as I continue to struggle with these demands personally.

Overall this was a readable and enjoyable book. While I wish it delivered a bit more directly on the promise of the subtitle that I would "learn to thrive", I still recommend the book for what it is - a valuable treatise on speed and how it is increasingly impacting our lives.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.com.

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This is the fourth in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year successfully, check out this post.

Knowing what I know now, what would I have done differently this year?

From a business perspective this one is pretty easy. I would have focused more on execution. My team and I are pretty good at coming up with new ideas and figuring out how to use and leverage those ideas. We aren't quite so good at execution.

An outsider might say that we do get a lot accomplished (and I am very proud of the progress we have made), but I know that we are leaving ideas on the table unimplemented for too long.

For any leader there is a balance required here. Any of us can execute everything on our list if we are never expanding our list of ideas, tools and techniques. At the other end of the spectrum we can all get better at prioritizing - taking the number of ideas and opportunities and prioritizing them to help us focus.

Squarely in the middle of this continuum - between small list and awesome prioritization is EXECUTE the list! I wish that I had done a better job of executing.

Notice too that I am not saying I wished I had worked more hours! My challenge, and I believe the challenge for many of us is to follow-through more effectively, and do that more productively.

As I write this, I sense that I may have more to say about it. If/when I do, I promise to let you know.

So, my question to you is, Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently last year?

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: execution, learning, questions, reflection

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This is the third in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year successfully, check out this post.

What accomplishment am I proudest of?

I am proudest of the fact that Remarkable Leadership is being read and used by people to help them improve their lives and results. I wrote the book to have an impact on the world, and to read and hear from people about how it is having that impact is extremely gratifying.

As a side note, you can see how today's question connects to yesterday's question - which was about accomplishments in general. By asking ourselves which of these accomplishments we are proudest of, it helps us look at our values and refocuses us in gratitude for the things that have happened to us in the past year.

So what about you - what accomplishment are you proudest of? (feel free to share your answers in the comments!)


Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: accomplishments, learning, questions, reflection

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An article I wrote earlier this year was named article of the week, and article of the month at Top10SalesArticles.com. Due to that fact,that same article, named The Power of Symbols is now in the running for Article of the Year.

Do yourself a favor and click on the graphic above or here to read 9 great articles that have been nominated. Then vote for the one that is most valuable to you. While I hope you vote for me, you will be the real winner if you take the time to read these great articles.

Labels: articles, influence, sales, selling

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This is the second in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year successfully, check out this post.


What did I accomplish this year?

As I will do with each of these questions during this journey, I won't bare my soul with my complete answer, but I will share items that are true for me and perhaps hold a message for all of us.

The immediate accomplishment that comes to my mind is the publishing, and so-far successful marketing of Remarkable Leadership: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential One Skill at a Time. This was a goal and a book that had been on my list for some time and I am proud to see it serving others on their path towards remarkable.

There is an important nugget in the paragraph you just read. That nugget is "on my list". A part of my process for thinking about accomplishments is to look back at my goal list and see which of them have been achieved. I am pleased to be able to check several as completed and that brings me a sense of accomplishment and pride. If you don't have a list, don't lament, but you may definitely consider working on one moving forward. (We'll talk more about that later in this series of posts.) When we feel pride and accomplishment it creates a momentum - a positive energy that can drive us forward to more and bigger future successes.

Another accomplishment for has been my growth in balancing the various parts of my life. While for a variety of reasons my overall life is fuller and "busier" than it has ever been, I feel good about my personal progress in balancing these things and prioritizing the most important to me more effectively.

While most people would value balance (however they would define it) I encourage you to answer this question by thinking about accomplishments in all areas of your life - from social, to business, to health, financial, spiritual and more. By thinking about your accomplishments in each of these areas you will be reminded of more of them and feel the gratitude that comes with that recognition.

The purpose of asking and answering this question is to foster a sense of gratefulness as well as the positive momentum that comes with confidence and accomplishment.

So, what have you accomplished this year?


Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: accomplishments, learning, questions, reflection

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This is the first in a series of 13 questions designed to help you capture the best from the past year. To learn more about this project and to download a tool to help you with your process for completing this year and starting next year successfully, check out this post.

What did I learn this year?


I learned tons this year! I don't have time to write everything here (nor would you want to read it all)!

Two things come to my mind that apply to me and might be useful to you as well.

1. Don't judge an event too quickly. One of the most traumatic events of my life happened May 11th. My father, age 64, died of a sudden and unexpected heart attack. I had a close relationship with my Dad and so this was a very challenging time. While I think of him everyday, and miss him still, in retrospect, the overall balance of results from that event are far more positive than I would have ever imagined.

For example:

- I learned stories of things my Dad did for others that I will treasure always.
- I learned of the model he was for many - more than I ever expected.
- I learned about the power of service.
- I rekindled friendships with people I had lost connections with - and it won't happen again.
- I learned (or perhaps was powerfully reminded) of what it means to really be a neighbor.

So while the event isn't something I wished had happened, in retrospect the balance of the event is far more positive than I could have imagined. I believe this is a lesson we can apply to any "negative" event. The message isn't so much "look for the silver lining" as it is expect that valuable lessons will come.

2. The power of intention. I find myself talking to myself and nearly every group I speak to about the power of intention. I believe that when we are truly clear on our intention, that we will create more desirable results. Again, a couple of examples:

- if we really want to help someone, the techniques of how we give feedback will become less important if we let our intention show through.
- if we are passionate about a change because of how it will serve others (when our intention is clear from their perspective), we will communicate it and lead that change much more successfully.

Perhaps the power I am speaking of is that when our intentions are pure, our need for techniques is reduced. When we are real and genuine we are more powerful, persuasive (and yes remarkable) people and leaders.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning and Training.

Labels: accelerated learning, questions, reflection

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There are many ways to develop our leadership skills. We can read a book, be a part of a development program, find a mentor, and a hundred other things. One of the best ways is to have work experiences that provide us opportunities to learn. Dan McCarthy shared a list of over 80 ideas on his blog last week. It is a list worth taking a look at.

Consider this a great list (or way to start your own brainstorming) if you are trying to develop other leaders, or building your own development plan.

Also posted in Leadership, Learning, and Training.

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I recently read this somewhere:

Being right is less important than being successful.

This isn't the first time I've heard this idea, but when I read it this time it hit me as profound.

Consider:

- A leader who takes ownership of an idea of a team member, frustrating the team member and damaging trust.
- An argument with a customer that becomes counter productive because being right becomes the primary concern.


I could list other examples, but I'm sure you have thought of your own.

We all have the opportunity to make a choice in these situations. This quotation reminds me of the importance of this choice.

When you feel yourself focused on being correct, ask yourself if that focus is serving your biggest goals.

Also posted in Customer Service, Leadership, Learning, and Teamwork.

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Last week I attended the 2007 Author Pow Wow sponsored by 800-CEO-Read. At the end of the two day event the participants were asked to share a single word that encapsulated their feelings and thoughts about our time together.

Words included: fun, invogorating, energy, relationships, genersoity, memorable, learning, and fattening (that was right on Ben). I chose the word Remarkable. The group chuckled at my choice, but it truly is the best word I could have chosen.

Consider this - a highly creative and fun environment thanks to The Catalyst Ranch in Chicago, over 20 business authors working to hone their craft and learn about the publishing and marketing of books, along with experts and gurus from across the expanse of publishing, as well as the 800-CEO-READ team. This group included:

The Authors

Erika Andersen - Growing Great Employees

Greg Alexander - Topgrading for Sales

Jose Castillo - an incredibily smart and creative guy.

Phil Gerbyshak - 10 Ways to Make it Great

Joanne Gordon - Be Happy at Work

Jackie Huba Creating Customer Evangelists

Joe Heuer - check out several of his books, including Business Daffynitions

Mike Kanazawa - Big Ideas to Big Results

Alexander Kjerulf - Happy Hour is 9 to 5

Steve Little - The Milkshake Moment

Ben McConnell - Citizen Marketers

Pamela Miles and Jack Mitchell - Hug Your Customers, and soon, Hug Your People

Robert Mintz - The World According To You

Susan Quandt - Sudden Impact on the Job

David Meerman Scott - The New Rules of Marketing and PR

Michael Stallard - Fired Up or Burned Out

Dan Roam - The Back of the Napkin

John Rosen and AnnaMaria Turano - Stopwatch Marketing

Rajesh Setty - Life Beyond Code

Bill Welter - The Prepared Mind of a Leader

Steve Yastrow - We - The Ideal Customer Relationship

The Gurus

Ray Bard - Bard Press

Mark Bloomfield - Harvard Business School Press

Shelley Dolley - Leap7

Barbara Cave Henricks and Dennis Welch - Cave Henricks Communications

Mark Fortier - Fortier Public Relations

Nick Morgan - Public Words

Gerry Sindell - ThoughtLeaders INTL

Les Tuerk - BrightSight Group

Susan Williams - Jossey-Bass (my inital editor for Remarkable Leadership)

The 800-CEO-READ Team

Jack Covert
Melinda Cross - Concepts Content Copy
Sally Haldorson
Jon Mueller
Kate Mytty
Joy Panos Stauber - Stauber Design Studio
Todd Sattersten
Aaron Schleicher
Dylan Schleicher
Rebecca Schlei

I want to thank everyone involved - the efforts of everyone form the staff at the Ranch, the the 800-CEO-READ team, to the speakers and gurus, to my fellow authors. Each one helped to create this amazing learning experience. All of my expectations for the event were met and surpassed thanks to everyone else.

The lesson here for everyone?

When you have a chance to hang out with and learn from other cool and smart people, make sure you do whatever you have to do to make it happen - it the experience will expand your thoughts, infuse you with energy and change your life if you let it.

Also posted on Creativity, Customer Service, Leadership, Learning, Teamwork and Training.

Labels: books, creativity

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I am fortunate to have a number of clients in the oil and petrochemical businesses. One of the things that always strikes me about their cultures is the extreme focus on safety. While many other businesses (including some of our other Clients) have a major focus on safety, in a petrochemical plant that deals with high pressures, temperatures, hazardous materials and more, it is ultra important.

Which leads me to the sign I saw at the ChevronPhillips Chemical plant in Pasadena Texas last week. A sticker was posted to the bottom of the restroom mirrors. It read:

This is the person responsible for safety today.

This powerful reminder is true, of course.

And as important as safety is - there and anywhere else - the sign could be altered to be even more true, and even more powerful. Consider a sign on our mirror that reads:

This is the person who is responsible.


All of us are responsible.

The more clearly we recognize this, the more effective leader we will be.
The more clearly we recognize this the more effective team member we will be.

And parent, and teacher, and trainer, and salesperson, and .

The more clearly we understand that we are responsible (not the government, the home office, the markets, the economy, global warming, ), the more effective, and happy, we will be as human beings.

Be responsible today.

Also posted in Leadership and Teamwork.

Labels: accountability

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