What's Your Why?

This isn't a book review or a paid post; this is simply something I wanted to share which may help you as well. I do quite a bit of reading and I usually gravitate to books that end up being more like life manuals. 

For that reason, I often read them more than once and get the audiobook for the car. I've read the book twice and I'm now on my second round with the audiobook of Find Your Why by Simon Sinek. Earlier this year, I listened to one of his previous works; Start With Why for the third time.

Clearly Stated

I was in a client meeting last week and we discussed this phenomena. This is a team who clearly knows why their company exists and why they chose to work there which was refreshing. In my experience, leaders can often clearly articulate what their company does, makes, or provides, but struggle with the deeper meaning behind it all.  

We don't need to give any credence to those barking online how their opinions are all-knowing and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong. I want to know why I do, act, and think certain ways. I want to gain more insight into why I may make decisions that don't serve me. You might feel the same way.  

Discovering Why

Find Your Why is an excellent companion to the earlier work because it dives into our true purpose and what ignites our passion. It's a thought-provoking book that takes you on a journey of self-discovery. Sinek presents insights and advice that can help all of us uncover our personal and professional why. 

One of the highlights for me is when he discusses the power of purpose-driven living. This is when we are able to align our actions with our core values and beliefs.

Emotional Roadmap

If we can understand our why, we can get closer to what will bring us fulfillment and make a meaningful impact in our personal and professional life. I review this book often to keep myself focused but it also helps you help others find their why. 

The benefit of that is in professional and personal relationships. How better will the relationship with your partner be if you can gain more understanding of why they like certain things, gravitate to certain activities, and choose particular career paths? How valuable will it be for you to be able share yours with them?

It might be worth consideration.

_________________________________________________________________

Watch out for 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.


__________________________________________________________________

Purpose Derives Courage

Life is a challenging experience and none of us is immune. Nick Vujicic was born without arms and legs and he runs faster and farther than most of us. Nick shares his feelings about fear and purpose. 

No excuses! Watch this!


__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Two Birthdays and a Month of Ideas

It began a couple of years ago with a saying here, a quote there, a thought thrown in for good measure. Now it’s something I do daily on Twitter.

Here are some highlights from July 2013

Happy 146th Canada! Happy 237th USA!

Can you clearly articulate your values? Diligence is the mother of good luck. Now is what matters. Don't wait to make that decision.

Success will go to those with the best questions, not those with the cleverest answers. Tom Asacker

Share your ideas, that’s where they grow. Shortcuts are often figments of our imagination. Feed the passion, starve the fear.

Courage is an acquired taste, like caviar. Erica Jong

The key to successful business is to celebrate diversity of thought. The most powerful force ever known is human cooperation. Jonathan Haidt

Where will you make a difference today? Leadership doesn't appear on a business card. The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. Tony Robbins

That idea you keep putting on hold is ready to ship. Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. Jim Rohn

We're all allowed to our opinion but it's just our opinion. Now is all we got.

Are you ready?

We can't change the past. Let's learn and move forward. It begins with an idea.
What we do with it is key.

Don’t let anyone tell you it can't be done. Successful innovation is a team sport, it’s a relay race. Quyen Nguyen

The right people who belong in your life will come to you, and stay. Wu Tang

Be you and do your own thing. 

Our perception can often get in our way. The game is a lot more enjoyable when you're trying to do more than just make money. Tony Hsieh

The best way to start is to start.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.

caratechnology

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.


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

TED | Jay Wilkinson

Must We Follow all the Rules?

If you know the story of Lord of the Flies, you remember how the kids are deserted on the island without parents or rules. At first, it’s nirvana. They can do whatever they want. But soon enough, anarchy ensues. Smaller sanctions are formed. Leadership is sought. The weaker kids are oppressed. The stronger ones become bullies. The good turns to bad in the blink of an eye.

We like rules, we need rules, and we operate more efficiently with rules. But can rules hamper us more than help us? I've worked with leaders on governance models and strategic plans. It makes them comfortable that direction and focus are clear.

But does it account for the human work?

I recently hosted a workshop on the elements of great leaders and teams. Part of our discussion was on aligning values. Do you know your values? Do you know what you stand for and what is non-negotiable? Do you know what your team and company stands for and how it is aligned with your values? Are strengths and employee’s abilities to inject opinions and ideas celebrated?

Barry Schwartz, a philosopher, writer, speaker, consultant, and professor, opines the importance of operating outside the constraints of rules while celebrating our wisdom.


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

TED | Barry Schwartz

Aligning Goals with Actions

Do you keep an active to-do list handy at all times? These are items you need to do today, this week, this quarter, this fiscal, and beyond. It may feature work stuff, family items, financial objectives, longer term entries. If it’s not an actual list on your desktop, it’s somewhere even if it resides in your mind. Some say writing them down makes them real but without our action, the location is irrelevant.

This is the list of things we want, wish for, and need to accomplish but why don’t we just get to them and cross them off the list? Well, sometimes it’s time. Other times, it’s money. And often we're in our way. Guilty as charged! In order to be great leaders, we need to find people who believe in what we believe. But we need to define it first through action and determination. If we're not committed to our list, it will be tough to find others who will align with us.

Let's Get Stuff Done

So have a look at your list and I’ll do the same. Let’s pick those things we want to get accomplished and set an action plan for each. Without steps, we may as well buy more lottery tickets. Scientists say the human mind is capable of ten times more than what we know so if we are really honest with ourselves, we’ll be much more careful to put items on the list we want and will get done.

Leadership is about action and helping people grow. So if you’re not sure if your list reflects your goals, reassess. Then do the same with your team, your division, and your company. We are all guilty of far too much talk when action is required. Far too often a team or company is operating with competing priorities.

Let’s get to work!
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture Strategist, Writer, Speaker, Executive Coach helping leaders create dynamic culture and improved results.

sauder

Are We Lions or Lambs?

Every day on Twitter I like to share a quote, quip, or question to perhaps create interest or inspiration. Here are some highlights from March 2013.

When nickels meet dimes, true colors often emerge.
All we have is today, what are we going to do with it?

One of the most powerful words is how. What is your why?
Their time is valuable, spend it wisely.

It's not the conditions that shape your destiny, it's the decisions.
Tony Robbins

How will you inspire you today? Respect does not come with a job title.
No one who has ever made it has given up the moment they hit a bump in the road.

Anytime after now. Where there's desire, there's effort. Be fair. Be authentic. Be open.
What will you stop doing so you can do more of what you should be doing?

Learn the rules of the game then play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun. Katharine Hepburn

Context is king. Leadership and culture are as critical as electricity and water.
What will you improve today?

Tactics won't work if people aren't willing to go down the road. Seth Godin
 All we have is right now. Find think time.

If you want others to make room for your beliefs, reciprocate.
Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. Frank Zappa

If culture eats strategy for breakfast ensure greed doesn't steal all the food.
If you're unsure what they mean, don't let assumptions replace explanation.

Never underestimate the power of friendship
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture Strategist, Writer, Speaker, Executive Coach helping leaders create dynamic culture and improved results.

shutterstock