Lead Don't Boss

Allow others to inspire. Find the how. Get out of their way. Be present even during challenging times. Have clear expectations. Don't expect to ever have all the answers.

Helping others is a privilege. Back your people up. Be bold. Never stop learning. Open door policies are for those who mean it. Don’t hide behind busy. It’s their career too.

Be inquisitive. Invest at least half of your time helping people. Hire passion. A team is more than celebrating victories. Don’t be a boss. Listen.

Don’t hide when your people need you. Grow their strengths. Let them shine. Be fair. Get to know what motivates everyone on your team. Seek guidance from those who are committed to helping you grow.

Customer service begins with you. Never settle. Understand that it will be the most rewarding work you’ll ever have the privilege to do.

And it won't be listed on your business card.
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What is Inspiration?

You can find it in books, in music, in films, on TV and websites. It's uttered from the greatest minds of human history. If you look long enough, you can find it virtually everywhere. But what does inspiration mean to you? Does it inspire you to read about a rags-to-riches story or about someone overcoming physical challenges? Will it make you move into your truth if you view a movie where the heroine conquers all?

We know what inspiration is, but that isn't enough. We need to find a way to apply it to our lives, our situations, our challenges, or it's just a bunch of words. Inspiration is not likes on your Instagram post or followers on Vero.

words vs actions

One definition is; the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. Another is; the drawing in of breath; inhalation.

So is inspiration simply taking a deep breath? I don't think that's enough. And I don't think it's enough to know the definition. I've often said –  and often forgotten –  that inspiration doesn't appear with balloons and streamers. It happens in small increments. It could be one word or a gesture or an image that pushes us forward.

I recently posted about motivation and maybe that's an important ingredient to inspiration. If we know what we want and know how to get it but don't move, what's the point? I can post inspiring words or we could go for coffee and I could offer some advice, but will that inspire us? Inspiration is a big word but it doesn't have to be zero-sum. It doesn't take the climbing of a mountain or landing that million dollar deal for us to be inspired. Often it's the small things that matter most.

rinse repeat

We look to heroes who have done great things which inspire us but in my view the application to our own lives is the critical element. I'm going through something right now I've been through before and the same fears have crept into my consciousness.

I'm not yet through it, but I've had to remind myself the steps I took the last time, take that deep breath, and move.

we are human

In 2014, Fortune posted a list of their 50 Greatest Leaders and though there are inspirational people here, they aren't without flaws or mistakes. So perhaps the key piece of finding inspiration is within ourselves and to discover it isn't a perfect path or one single action?

So let's keep listening to that music and reading those books and watching those movies because life is a series of mistakes and actions and inspiring moments we create. Let's inspire each other with those small things so we can get to those big things.

And let's celebrate those moments when they happen.
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A Couple of Dozen Thoughts for Leaders

Allow others to inspire. Find the how. Get out of their way. Be present even during challenging times. Have clear expectations. Don't expect to ever have all the answers.

Helping others is a privilege. Back your people up. Be bold. Never stop learning. Open door policies are for those who mean it. Don’t hide behind busy. It’s their career too.

Be inquisitive. Invest at least half of your time helping people. Hire passion. A team is more than celebrating victories. Don’t be a boss. Listen.

Don’t hide when your people need you. Grow their strengths. Let them shine. Be fair. Get to know what motivates your people. Seek guidance from those who are committed to helping you grow.

Customer service begins with you. Never settle. Understand that it will be the most rewarding work you’ll ever have the privilege to do.

And it won't be listed on your business card.
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Never a Good Time

There’s never a good time to spill your dinner on your nice shirt. There’s never a good time to start that business. There’s never a good time to have another child. There’s never a good time to move. There's never a good time to act on that idea. There’s never a good time to make any decision in our lives.

We can use that as an excuse, a reason not to move forward, or face things head on. I can’t speak for you, but there are countless times in my life I haven’t had the bravery to make the call. And whatever happened was what I safely accepted as what was supposed to happen.

I was reviewing a post I wrote here on January 1st of this year. It was a simple list. It was a brave list. It was easy to write it because it was just a list. Ten months in, I wonder if the list meant anything.

• Complain less. Do more.
• Worry less. Inspire more.
• Look back less. Self-trust more.
• Compare less. Share more.
• Doubt less. Create more.
• Stop less. Listen more.
• Discuss going for it less.
• Actually go for it more.

There's never a good time to stop participating in our own lives.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

geldrop

Ready Set Go!

I've gone through some significant changes in my life this year and I was talking about them with a colleague recently which got us going deep on what stops us from moving where we want to go. For some reason, we often become our biggest hurdle. It also appears most people I know find it difficult to ask for help.

It reminded me of Manuel de los Santos.


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Manuel de los Santos

The Leadership Project

May 30-31: Camp Harbor View – Boston

We are living in a time where 3-4 generations can be collaborating in a single group or company. Cultures are mixing, opinions are melding, and the results are quite remarkable. The span of ages and perspectives has never been so wide yet there is a way to converge and collaborate if we adopt an open-mind policy.

Let's Inspire Together

Westwood International is launching a pilot program on May 30-31 at Camp Harbor View in Boston called The Leadership Project.  The purpose is to help young leaders work on their leadership journey through a discussion and a 90-day challenge. This will be their challenge focused on their plan which will include how to build something new, build stronger relationships, and become a better leader now.

Leadership is not a topic to be reserved for those in their 40's and 50's. It's imperative to give new graduates and young professionals in their 20's access to the skills and knowledge now. It's critical that business and young leaders learn from each other.

This will be will be a unique customized session where young leaders will work with experienced mentors while established business executives will learn from millennials.

The Leadership Project – May 30-31 in Boston
Join us as a participant. Join us as a sponsor. Join the conversation.

Keynote Speakers and Presenters

Betsy Myers – Founding Director of Women and Business at Bentley University
Jamil Mahuad – Harvard Law Professor and Former President of Ecuador
Lisa Fenn – Six-time Emmy winning feature producer for ESPN
Curt Cronin – Expert on Peak Performance and Former Navy SEAL
Greg Zlevor – CEO and President of Westwood International

Mentors, Facilitators, and Coaches

Christine Burych – President of StarlingBrook Leadership Corporation
Marlene Lepkoski – Regulatory Innovation Design Leader at Johnson and Johnson
Tim Kavanagh – Business Development Manager at Champlain College
Cara Gould – Executive Director of Camp Harbor View
Torli Krua – Founder of YOUNG-Africa
Shannon Griesser – Program Manager at Westwood International
Tyler Kellogg – Creative Mind at Tyler DoGood
Jay Ferraro – Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Mastery Technologies
Dina David – Senior Project Manager of StarlingBrook Leadership Corporation
Kneale Mann – Leadership Strategist at Westwood International

If you have questions, I'm here to help. 
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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

Westwood International

14 Ideas for 2014 : More or Less

Today is just another day on the calendar, right? But its placement gives it prominence and symbolism. It is the beginning of the month that we often say we’re going to get to that revised plan, the new idea, and those undone items.

Welcome to the magical month we lob all things procrastinated from last year to be mysteriously swept up by the get it all done goblins all neat and tidy in a pretty bow. Of course I'm kidding, but we often push things until the New Year. Well, here we are.

Here are some suggestions for 2014, more or less;

• Complain less. Do more.
• Worry less. Inspire more.
• Look back less. Self trust more.
• Compare less. Share more.
• Doubt less. Create more.
• Stop less. Listen more.
• Discuss going for it less.
• Actually go for it more.

Let’s make 2014 a great one!
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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

wallpaperswide

Wows and White Elephants

If you ask most company managers, executives, or owners, they will undoubtedly be able to tell you what their company stands for in a nice tight mission statement. You may hear words like integrity, leading, best, or pick your platitude. After all, what organization would proudly claim they are the worst or provide bad service?

Jay Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Firespring. He and his team have stringent measures to ensure they have the best people join the organization.

He has been through a lot since launching the company but remains focused on one prime element of his business which comes before products and profit.


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Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture Strategist, Writer, Speaker, Executive Coach engaging leaders to build successful talent and profitable business.

TED | Jay Wilkinson

Growing Ideas

It’s easy to say we care. It’s simple to make a wish list of things we could do. It takes courage and commitment to get to work. We all have stuff we want to improve, people we want to help, and ideas we want to execute. Ron Finley is not living in wishes and someday, he’s getting it done today.

Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Ron showed an early passion and talent for fashion, and started his own clothing company, The Dropdead Collexion, in his family garage. His hard work took him from the streets of LA to the shelves of Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue but he has never forgotten his home.

Ron has created LA Green Grounds to help bring health and pride back to South Central and explains in his TEDTalk how he took a simple idea and wrapped his arms around his community. Ron Finley welcomes all to dig in and help.

Perhaps we can also get to that wish list while we’re at it.


Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture Strategist, Writer, Speaker, Executive Coach helping leaders create dynamic culture and improved results.

Ron Finley

Twenty-Three Leadership Ideas

It's been said repeatedly that leadership is not a job title and doesn’t materialize on a company’s org chart. It comes from communication and compassion about helping people grow. It thrives through action.

You don't acquire leadership with a pay raise or VP stripes. It requires daily focus and comes from inside you. Leadership is necessary from all stakeholders. You probably do most of these but here are some suggestions as you navigate your day.

Allow others to inspire. Find the how. Be present even during challenging times Have clear expectations. Don’t expect to ever have all the answers. Helping others is a privilege. Back your people up.Be bold. Never stop learning. Open door policies are for those who mean it. Don’t hide behind busy.

It’s their career too. Invest a minimum of 50% of your time helping people.
Be inquisitive. A team is more than celebrating victories. Lead don't boss.

Listen. Don’t hide when your people need you. Seek guidance from those who are committed to helping you grow. Customer service begins with you. Help grow their strengths. Be fair. Get to know what motivates your people.

Leadership may be the most rewarding work we will ever do. But we won't find it on our business card.

Kneale Mann

2012 Top 10 - March 2012 | freefoto

Inspirational People | Simon Sinek

We recently started a feature on this site. It began with the desire to find out who inspires readers, friends, and colleagues. If someone comes to mind, send me an email

The Three Rules: Is the information valuable to my work or life? Is the author doing actual work to back it up? Do they challenge me, make me think, and/or make me move to do something?

Simon Sinek | Re:Focus

For my entire career, I subscribed to a business mantra I thought was bolted to concrete. You devise the strategy then add tactics to accomplish your ideas. Build the plan then execute what you need to do to get it done. But Simon Sinek changed it with a box of markers and an easel.

Without knowing why we do something, all the strategy in the world won't help us. Simon also challenges the concept of leadership and reminds us in order to be a leader we need to find those who believe what we believe.

Laptop Begone

While many of us pour over PowerPoint slide decks for speaking engagements, Sinek utilizes simple tools to get us to think clearer and make things better. One man, one hour, one easel, three markers, and one captivated audience.

Simon Sinek uses clear thoughts on his site, with clients, and on stage to simplify concepts which may appear complex. And he will definitely create a reaction.

What matters most is what we do about it.

Kneale Mann

Simon Sinek

What’s Stopping You?

Manuel de los Santos is a baseball player turned golfer. He is an engaging and inspiring guy whose story just may remove those excuses that are in your way.


Kneale Mann

image: manuel de los santos

23 Leadership Ideas

It's been said repeatedly that leadership is not a job title and doesn’t materialize on a company’s organizational chart. It comes from communication and compassion about helping people grow. It thrives through action.

You don't acquire leadership with a pay raise or VP stripes. It requires daily focus and comes from inside you. Leadership is necessary from all stakeholders. You probably do most of these but here are some suggestions as you navigate your day.

• Allow others to inspire
• Find the how
• Be present even during challenging times
• Have clear expectations
• Don't expect to ever have all the answers
• Helping others is a privilege
• Back your people up
• Be bold
• Never stop learning
• Open door policies are for those who mean it
• Don’t hide behind busy
• It’s their career too
• Invest a minimum of 50% of your time helping people
• Be inquisitive
• A team is more than celebrating victories
• Don’t be a boss
• Listen
• Don’t hide when your people need you
• Seek guidance from those who are committed to helping you grow
• Customer service begins with you
• Grow their strengths
• Be fair
• Get to know what motivates your people

Leadership may be the most rewarding work we will ever do. But we won't find it on our business card.

Kneale Mann

image: waap

Finding Inspiration

It was the end of a long day. Anyone who owns their own business knows the feeling. You’re being torn in a hundred different directions and half of them are created by you. So I was looking for some inspiration.

I found some.

Brad Koepenick is an actor, director and producer. He along with a group of very special people created Kids with Cameras which came out a few years ago. The work continues. Find a few minutes and watch this video.

Then go inspire someone.



Kneale Mann

video credit: Kids with Cameras

Rights and Privileges

We All Remember Where We Were When

That is a phrase that is only uttered a handful of times during a lifetime. Depending on your age, that is a reference to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the death of Kurt Cobain, September 11th or last night when the world tried to digest the news that one of the most sought after criminals had been killed.

At the height of the frenzy, there were over 4,000 tweets a second and every news agency on television, radio, print and online were scrambling for information. We were the news cycle. We were instantly brought back to 2001.

Your Vote Counts

Today is a national election in my country. Canadians were cynical that the government had passed a non-confidence vote in our house of commons to force the minority leading Conservative party to call an election. It’s expensive and no business or country or individual can afford to spend unwisely these days. According to the polls, this will be an historic day. Time, as they say, will tell.

We live in an instant news world. About two billion of us are online which is still only a third of the world's population, but the power for each of us to publish information has caused exponentially more content. Some is correct, some is reactionary, some is for good and some is not.

The Social Web has Changed the World

Through years of building online relationships, it is an honour to be able to send a message to people I have connected with from all over the world. There are kind emails and texts from caring people from places I’ve never been. They are people, not job titles. Last night, we shared something profound and most of us were alone or with a couple of other people. Billions were getting the news one-on-one.

Digital channels have given us the ability to share information quickly. Last night, major news agencies were quoting the social web as much as their own sources. Twitter, Facebook and the Blogosphere is a constant hum of information and opinion. As the saying goes, we must remember so we don't forget. And millions of us have the ability to share our voice.

Some call that a right, some call it a privilege but it certainly should not be taken for granted.

Kneale Mann

image credit: istock

Do You Know Why?

How and What Come Next.

On any given day, like you, my mind is filled with ideas. Each is fighting for prominence in my consciousness. Sound familiar? But after attending The Art of Management this week, those ideas seem a bit more organized.

Malcolm Gladwell, Simon Sinek, Mitch Joel, Nilofer Merchant and Michael Eisner all presented brilliantly. Unfortunately I had to leave before Mr. Gladwell but I have seen him speak and present before and do so
if you ever get the chance.

And I can't forget the entertaining host Ron Tite who kept it all together and shared several excellent presenations throughout the day.

You can read the Twitter stream here - #TAOM

Michael told engaging stories about his years at Paramount and Disney and dovetailed them into all the projects he’s working on now. As always, Mitch shared many examples of how the adoption of digital and social media continue to enhance our experience, our commerce and our lives. He also shared a shaving trick, ask him about it if you get the chance. Nilofer discussed that the future will not be created, it will be co-created with true collaboration.

The presenter I knew the least about before the event was Simon Sinek.

They tell us that we need to do better PowerPoint presentations. Don’t put a lot of words on the screen, don’t bore people with charts and graphs and tell stories. Agreed! Well, Simon did an hour with three markers and an easel. Try that at your next meeting.

Sinek's message is clear – find the why and you will change your focus, your business and your life.

We aren't too bad at finding the how (objective or strategy). We are even better at finding the what (tactics and execution). We prefer to make stuff over planning how to make stuff. But few of us can aptly articulate the why which is our purpose.

If we can find why we are doing it, what and how become much clearer.

Simon talked about leadership in a simple yet powerful way.

There are only two ways to lead – by force or by inspiration. Strong leaders know why they do what they do and inspire people who believe what they believe.

Do you know your why?

knealemann | email



Join me for Movember.
image credit: simon sinek - the golden circle

Inspiration Moves Mountains

Think about someone you have met who left such a positive impression you had to tell someone else about them. Why was that? What made them remarkable?

Do you enjoy meeting inspiring people? Does it help you grow to be around people who share their positive energy? Do you strive to do the same with others?


Do you think if you surround yourself with inspirational people who want to help each other, tell the truth and work in the same direction, you have the makings of a successful venture?

Hmmm, I wonder why more people don't do that?

Your thoughts are always welcome!

@knealemann
knealemann at gmail dot com

Helping you better utilize all media.
How to make it, use it and profit from it.




photo credit: intercivil.net

Oprah Jobs and Other Personal Brands

Steve Jobs announced yesterday that he is stepping down for a few months from his chief big guy spot at Apple. Speculation is that he won’t be back. However with a mindful eye on business and a publicly traded company with a very public boss, there is concern of a stock tumble if this becomes a permanent situation.

We Are All Just People

Pardon the human comment but let’s first have some compassion for a guy named Steve who is in the prime of his life. He isn’t well, despite speculation few know exactly how serious but let’s remember he’s not a robot. Best wishes to him and his family and hope that he is back stronger than ever in June.

Go With Your Gut

It's not easy to trust your gut. It's not simple to keep moving forward when self-doubt or naysayers are all around.

Oprah Winfrey made a decision years ago that she was not going to take her talk show in the downward direction her contemporaries were taking theirs. Instead, she felt it was important to go with her gut and her heart and build an empire of talk shows, a magazine, a radio network, publishing company, a worldwide charity – The Angel Network, The Academy For Girls in South Africa, and soon the OWN television network. And do it all on her terms in spirit of goodness.

Oprah makes a lot of money. Oprah employs hundreds of people. Oprah gives back. Oprah is Harpo Productions. But unlike Jobs, she is building a roster of contributors who are household names because there will be a day when she won’t be able to be out in front as much as she is now.

Any Flat Surface

Anyone who thinks they can “re-brand” a “product” is fooling themselves. That is the job of the audience and customer. We can attempt to create a space where people will want to spend time and money, but that’s it.

Slick marketing campaigns, social network channels, nimble promotional concepts all help get the word out - but until a human connection occurs, it's just another product or idea.

Steve Jobs rejuvenated the company he co-founded into an environment featuring a suite of products that are cutting edge, work well, solve problems, are fun to use and are cool. Oh and while away he co-founded this little company you may have heard of called Pixar.

He has a large talented team but he is the visionary and as many have cited one of the best pitch men ever. That was never more evident than the wave that was caused when he cancelled his appearance at Macworld this year.

Connect. Engage. Inspire.

There is a connection to Jobs' foreword thinking spirit and desire to take chances that resonates with millions of people.

Winfrey is a sharp business owner but never forgets that top priority is the connection to her audience and customers.

"I Love You, Oprah!" "I Love Apple!"

These are phrases uttered all over the world.

It is no secret that Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey are billionaires. Jobs is #154 on the Forbes List with an estimated personal wealth of $5.4B while Winfrey is #462 with about $2.6B.

We admire people who take chances. We look to people who are brave and step out. We connect with people who build strong companies and environments where others can thrive.

And no amount of money will allow us to escape what is truly human. Steve Jobs is dealing with that right now.

Questions we all can ask ourselves:

How can I help others?
How can I be braver and take more chances?
How am I building my personal brand?
How can I connect and engage and inspire?

km