Have you ever felt yourself shut down and think no solution seemed plausible? There never seems to be enough time, money, resources, people, sunlight, matching socks, peace and quiet, food, good shows on TV, shelter, budget, gas in the tank. Though new socks every morning would be sweet!
At times, we put ourselves into a corner and begin to read the new reality as our only choice. "We have no budget for that" replaces "is this a good idea?"
Maybe it's time to replace no’s with some how’s.
__________________________________________________________________
Showing posts with label direction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label direction. Show all posts
April 3, 2019
June 2, 2018
Mentors Wanted
I've been fortunate to have had a couple of excellent mentors in my career and been even more fortunate to be a mentor. It's a special relationship that can't be mandated by any company initiative. It just happens over time and in many important patient steps and it's vastly different than training or taking a course.
Teacher
There must be trust. Your mentor has to care about you and your success not simply put their theories and goals on you. My most influential mentor was my boss Stewart. In just five years, I learned more about leadership and myself than I could have in twenty. He was a student of human behavior and not only understood we were different but accepted and embraced it.
He said leadership was 10% about the work and 90% about life, relationships, and people. It's important to do good work but without human connection, company culture won't be strong and your business will struggle. Stewart knew this and created it in our organization. And he's still doing it today.
Student
Stew understood human systems, team dynamics, and the importance of pushing people to be their best. His biggest gift as my mentor was to find those moments to explain how he did what he did and allow me space to find my own style and process. Oh, and if you know him, don't tell him I wrote this, he isn't the look-at-me type.
I connected with his ability to set the course but also explain how he arrived at the plan and how I could find my own way to lead my team, and years later, even bigger teams. He gave me another view of how to find my own way. I didn't realize at the time, but he gave me the foundation for my work today.
Graduate
Mentors are priceless yet the relationship is often not evident at first. You don't see "mentor" on an org chart or job board. It happens when it happens and can't be forced. But as the mentor relationship develops, it will garner immeasurable results.
If you've been fortunate to be a mentor, are one now, or become one in the future, cherish the opportunity to help someone find their way.
Enjoy the relationship.
__________________________________________________________________
Teacher
There must be trust. Your mentor has to care about you and your success not simply put their theories and goals on you. My most influential mentor was my boss Stewart. In just five years, I learned more about leadership and myself than I could have in twenty. He was a student of human behavior and not only understood we were different but accepted and embraced it.
He said leadership was 10% about the work and 90% about life, relationships, and people. It's important to do good work but without human connection, company culture won't be strong and your business will struggle. Stewart knew this and created it in our organization. And he's still doing it today.
Student
Stew understood human systems, team dynamics, and the importance of pushing people to be their best. His biggest gift as my mentor was to find those moments to explain how he did what he did and allow me space to find my own style and process. Oh, and if you know him, don't tell him I wrote this, he isn't the look-at-me type.
I connected with his ability to set the course but also explain how he arrived at the plan and how I could find my own way to lead my team, and years later, even bigger teams. He gave me another view of how to find my own way. I didn't realize at the time, but he gave me the foundation for my work today.
Graduate
Mentors are priceless yet the relationship is often not evident at first. You don't see "mentor" on an org chart or job board. It happens when it happens and can't be forced. But as the mentor relationship develops, it will garner immeasurable results.
If you've been fortunate to be a mentor, are one now, or become one in the future, cherish the opportunity to help someone find their way.
Enjoy the relationship.
__________________________________________________________________
February 18, 2017
Do You Have a Mentor?
I've been fortunate to have had a couple of excellent mentors in my career and been even more fortunate to be a mentor. It's a special relationship that can't be mandated by any company initiative. It just happens over time and in many important patient steps and it's vastly different than training or taking a course.
Teacher
There must be trust. Your mentor has to care about you and your success not simply put their theories and goals on you. My most influential mentor was my boss Stewart. In just five years, I learned more about leadership and myself than I could have in twenty. He was a student of human behavior and not only understood we were different but accepted and embraced it.
He said leadership was 10% about the work and 90% about life, relationships, and people. It's important to do good work but without human connection, company culture won't be strong and your business will struggle. Stewart knew this and created it in our organization. And he's still doing it today.
Student
Stew understood human systems, team dynamics, and the importance of pushing people to be their best. His biggest gift as my mentor was to find those moments to explain how he did what he did and allow me space to find my own style and process. Oh, and if you know him, don't tell him I wrote this, he isn't the look-at-me type.
I connected with his ability to set the course but also explain how he arrived at the plan and how I could find my own way to lead my team, and years later, even bigger teams. He gave me another view of how to find my own way. I didn't realize at the time, but he gave me the foundation for my work today.
Graduate
Mentors are priceless yet the relationship is often not evident at first. You don't see "mentor" on an org chart or job board. It happens when it happens and can't be forced. But as the mentor relationship develops, it will garner immeasurable results.
If you've been fortunate to be a mentor, are one now, or become one in the future, cherish the opportunity to help someone find their way.
Enjoy the journey!
__________________________________________________________________
Teacher
There must be trust. Your mentor has to care about you and your success not simply put their theories and goals on you. My most influential mentor was my boss Stewart. In just five years, I learned more about leadership and myself than I could have in twenty. He was a student of human behavior and not only understood we were different but accepted and embraced it.
He said leadership was 10% about the work and 90% about life, relationships, and people. It's important to do good work but without human connection, company culture won't be strong and your business will struggle. Stewart knew this and created it in our organization. And he's still doing it today.
Student
Stew understood human systems, team dynamics, and the importance of pushing people to be their best. His biggest gift as my mentor was to find those moments to explain how he did what he did and allow me space to find my own style and process. Oh, and if you know him, don't tell him I wrote this, he isn't the look-at-me type.
I connected with his ability to set the course but also explain how he arrived at the plan and how I could find my own way to lead my team, and years later, even bigger teams. He gave me another view of how to find my own way. I didn't realize at the time, but he gave me the foundation for my work today.
Graduate
Mentors are priceless yet the relationship is often not evident at first. You don't see "mentor" on an org chart or job board. It happens when it happens and can't be forced. But as the mentor relationship develops, it will garner immeasurable results.
If you've been fortunate to be a mentor, are one now, or become one in the future, cherish the opportunity to help someone find their way.
Enjoy the journey!
__________________________________________________________________
April 17, 2013
The Importance of Mentors
I was chatting with a friend recently and we got on the topic of mentors. I have been extremely fortunate to have had several outstanding ones in my career. She lamented she couldn't name one in her life. Then she asked why these people had so profoundly helped me which got me thinking about the attributes of a great mentor.Teacher
There must be trust. Your mentor has to care about you and your success not simply put their theories and goals on you. My most influential mentor was my boss Stewart. In just five years, I learned more about leadership and myself than I could have in twenty. He was a student of human behavior and not only understood we were different but accepted and embraced it.
He said leadership was 10% about the work and 90% about life, relationships, and people. It's important to do good work but without human connection, company culture won't be strong and your business will struggle. Stewart knew this and created it in our organization. And he's still doing it today.
Student
Stew understood human systems, team dynamics, and the importance of pushing people to be their best. His biggest gift as my mentor was to find those moments to explain how he did what he did and allow me space to find my own style and process. Oh, and if you know him, don't tell him I wrote this, he isn't the look-at-me type.
I connected with his ability to set the course but also explain how he arrived at the plan and how I could find my own way to lead my team, and years later, even bigger teams. He gave me another view of how to find my own way. I didn't realize at the time, but he gave me the foundation for my work today.
Graduate
Mentors are priceless yet the relationship is often not evident at first. You don't see "mentor" on an org chart or job board. It happens when it happens and can't be forced. But as the mentor relationship develops, it will garner immeasurable results.
If you've been fortunate to be a mentor, are one now, or become one in the future, cherish the opportunity to help someone find their way.
That’s leadership!
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture Strategist, Writer, Speaker, Executive Coach engaging leaders to build successful talent and profitable business.
kidsknowcanada
March 13, 2013
13 Lucky Thoughts
I believe leadership is 10% about the work and 90% about the people and those times when we appear to have been lucky quite often are the culmination of a lot of help from others. Some don’t believe in luck at all.
In keeping with the spirit of today, here are 13 inspirational ideas.
If you want more luck, take more chances, be more active, show up more often.
Brian Tracy
The deepest thing in any one is the conviction of the bad luck that follows boasting.
Gertrude Stein
The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.
Tony Robbins
Good luck is a residue of preparation.
Jack Youngblood
If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.
Maya Angelou
I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
Stephen Leacock
The amount of good luck coming your way depends on your willingness to act.
Barbara Sher
Luck is believing you 're lucky.
Tennessee Williams
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
When it comes to luck, you make your own.
Bruce Springsteen
Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction.
Melinda Gates
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
Benjamin Franklin
Good luck!
Kneale Mann
photodictionary
March 8, 2013
The Economy of Your Culture
The industrial revolution brought progress and advancements but created the unbalance of power and wealth we have today. There is shift however that might be a bit radical and won't be endorsed by everyone right away but see what you think.The idea is to pay people fairly and give them guidance in a co-creative atmosphere where strengths are highlighted while a collaborative culture becomes the norm. And before anyone screams socialism, this is not to suggest we don't embrace success through hard work but we can also include more of the team in the process.
Let's Flip the Model
We've tried the top down approach for a couple of centuries and it will take some time to make the shift but in parts of the world where choice is both cherished and honored, changes are coming. Great culture and strong leadership will absolutely positively improve your business performance.
An example is some of our work with supply chain organizations. Leaders are discovering they can, should, and want to create more collaborative places whether they are developing mobile apps or making plastic bottles. People want to want to come to work no matter the industry no matter the job description.
Far too many for far too long have viewed work as simply a means to an end. Let's fix that.
Kneale Mann
relevancy22
April 20, 2012
It's Never Enough
She began to think she simply didn't have enough time or money. Looking at how to solve the issue was replaced by a flat out no. Any option – free or otherwise – was dismissed in place of her current constraints. In her mind, a solution was unattainable.
Life Imitates Life
Have you ever felt yourself shut down and think no solution seemed plausible? There never seems to be enough time, money, resources, people, sunlight, matching socks, peace and quiet, food, good shows on TV, shelter, budget, gas in the tank. Though new socks every morning would be sweet!
At times, we put ourselves into a corner and begin to read the new reality as our only choice. "We have no budget for that" replaces "is this a good idea?"
Walk away. Ask for help. Give yourself some time to replace those no’s with some how’s. Try a new route for a change.
Kneale Mann
image: getty images
Click here to book an initial complimentary 30-minute consultation
June 16, 2009
Wanna Make More Money?
You are running a business. But you want to increase the bottom line, have a larger market share and get more out of your people. What Should You Do? What Shouldn't You Do?
Here are some steps you can take to gain a competitive advantage no matter what industry you are in during any economic climate.
◦ Have a plan and be flexible.
◦ Fix every broken window as fast as possible.
◦ Avoid short cuts at all costs.
◦ Be clear in your direction and offer constant coaching.
◦ Manage your expectations.
◦ Tell the truth.
◦ Ban cubicles immediately.
◦ Encourage and nurture a co-creative atmosphere
◦ Demanding respect is an exercise in futility.
◦ Make your company a fun place spend 1,949 hours a year.
◦ Answer customer complaints promptly.
◦ Don’t just say it – do it.
◦ Allow your people to be rock stars.
◦ Your bottom line is directly affected by their bottom line.
◦ Understand everyone is motivated differently.
◦ Compensate fairly - not according to some industry average.
◦ Raise everyone’s standards - most importantly, yours.
◦ If you need to remind them you’re the boss, you’re in trouble.
If you do everything on this list, you will be 50% of the way there. And if you offer adequate products or services your team will win. But if you offer superior products or services your team will dominate.
And Remember...
Accountability only happens when everyone in the building is accountable to everyone in the building. Yes, that means you too.
What will you do today to improve your workspace?
@knealemann
knealemann at gmail dot com
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