Leadership – Page 8 – Walk Into the Future

Mentors provide valuable lessons for us to share

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“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can”.

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

We all need someone to mentor and guide us on our journey. I have had some great people step into my life and provide guidance needed for successful outcomes. I reach out and thank them as much as possible because their lessons walk with me every day.

I purposefully relay those same messages to my tree branches when needed. So, the tree started with my mentors, and my goal is to keep it growing with new branches who will grow additional branches.

Had an interesting conversation with one of my closest branches. She mentioned she met with former students at their request and realized these students were branches from her tree. I hope to continue to hear about additional tree branches sprouting in other areas. How many branches have you added to the tree?

Greatest lesson learned

The greatest lesson I learned from my mentor is patience with others. The pace of the world continues to accelerate but patient leaders provide direct reports the space to learn, make mistakes and grow. Leaders who display patience in the work environment provide a space for reflection and active coaching when needed. The exact lesson my mentor gifted me I call: 3 check-ins. Sounds like a weird game for the work environment but I’ve seen it work and leverage it to this day.

So, how does 3 check-ins work? Great question!

Example:

You assign a work project to one of your direct reports with a specific due date. Instructions are provided but you allow the direct report freedom to get the project completed prior to the due date. The assigned project will have 3 check-in points built in where the leader comes back to the direct report to:

Make sure the assignment was understood (reflection)
Answer outstanding questions (learn)
Offer support/guidance if needed (coaching)
Adjust goals (as needed)

The 3 check-ins are spaced out to allow for adjustments to the project if needed but keeps the direct report focused on positive outcomes. Creating organized check points for the project shows the leader is a willing partner and seeks growth for team members. This also eliminates the direct report from feeling like they are alone on the project. We want them to take initiative but not feel they have no support.

The 3 check-ins approach is not designed as a fancy way to micromanage a team. It provides a support system to enhance professional growth and ensure successful outcomes for the entire team. Also, the approach allows the leader to serve their team and maximize individual talents.

How do you provide support when assigning projects to your team? How can the 3 check-in approach enhance your operation? (Please respond in the comments section below—thanks!)

“The best teachers are those who tell you where to look—but don’t tell you what to see”.

(Alexander K. Trenfor)

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“Play chess not checkers in the work environment.”

(Calvin Williams)

Thanks for walking with me!

Superhero work is tough but worth every minute!

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“There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape”.

(Superman)

Who knew saving the world would be so tough? Note: I’m enjoying every minute of it!

My current Walk into the Future allows me maximum flexibility on projects I decide to tackle. Leveraging my why daily provides a foundation to ensure I’m getting things done the right way.

Got a request to help a local high school student find renewed focus and create a schedule to enhance academic success. I never ventured towards this demographic since my work with college students and experienced professionals fits my areas of interest. I didn’t accept the request initially because I didn’t see how I could help. My excuses were:

Not familiar with high school curriculum
Two parent home provides enough guidance
- Why would a high school student listen to me and not parents?
My personal bias towards education
Not invested in this process

Well, once I got out of my own way and viewed this as another opportunity to help someone succeed regardless of grade level, the obvious choice was to put on my cape and shiny boots and get down to what true superheroes do—save the world! 😊

Decided to leverage the MBTI with my new tree branch and parents to determine a communication pattern in the household. The MBTIs were extremely close, and this gave me additional information to begin our meeting. Discussed the implications of the MBTI results and how we could leverage this information to create an action plan for success.

Next, we discussed ways to bring a more organized approach to studying and getting assignments completed. I thought this would have been an area that would create a level of resistance but was pleasantly surprised with the overall buy-in. I didn’t create the organizational approach but suggested some things I thought would work; consistent study times, area, length and scheduled breaks. I let the family discuss and recorded highlights so we could follow-up; wanted to ensure the family took responsibility for the learning outcomes with me serving as their resident superhero (guide).

We were able to create a study schedule with predetermined breaks and a stated commitment from everyone to abide by this schedule. Adjustments can be made as needed, but we need a consistent team effort to make this work for everyone. Again, they agreed to the parameters and we moved forward as a unified group.

The commitment was further verified when they ask me when they should follow-up with me for a progress report. I wasn’t going to push this aspect but believe this shows a new level of progress and willingness to put the work in for success. We agreed to have follow-up sessions in two-week increments based on assignment due dates. The follow-up sessions allow us to adjust as needed or provide an opportunity to praise progress.

“Life doesn’t give us purpose. We give life purpose”.

(The Flash)

Happy to report this process allowed me to stay true to my why: to impact people in a positive way to leave them better than when I found them.

Doesn’t really matter if it’s a high school student, experienced professional or a random person on the street. Superheroes save the world regardless of how hard it may seem.

“You don’t need to be strong like a superhero, you just need to be better than yesterday”.

(Spiderman)

Okay, enough superhero talk—need to take this cape off and my boots are hurting me feet! Tomorrow’s another day! 😊

Who can you be a superhero to today? What would stop you from helping?

“Wakanda Forever.”

(Black Panther)

Strong tree branches keep me moving forward

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“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.

(African Proverb)

My collective tree branches continue to amaze me daily!

I enjoy watching the great things they are doing in their respective areas of higher education, mentoring, volunteering, speaking, podcasting, recruiting, leadership development and fitness to name a ‘few’ areas these outstanding folks are making a difference.

The one area that stands out to me today as I write this is the teamwork they constantly display. My Walk into the Future has led me away from a physical office space—as noted, I primarily work out of coffee shops with Lucky Goat being first choice. My previous work life allowed me to be surrounded by direct reports and colleagues every day. There was always someone available to me whenever I had a question, concern or marketing idea I needed to hash out.

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself”.

(Henry Ford)

My current walk provides me unlimited freedoms to decide what I work on and when. The one limiting factor is I don’t have ‘my’ team right down the hallway to bounce things off.

A great aspect of having so many tree branches is they are only a text message, email or phone call away when I need help. Today was a perfect example of how great my tree branches are. Needed some help generating a Presentation Value Proposition for a conference proposal I was working on.

I had no trouble describing my proposed presentation, highlighting learning outcomes and generating an overall summary. Couldn’t generate the Value Proposition for the presentation for some odd reason—just couldn’t make it pop or even sound interesting.

Reached out to two of my most creative tree branches and described my dilemma. Provided them with what I needed to do and my attempt to generate the Value Proposition. They both jumped into teammate mode and sent me back appealing options for the Value Proposition that made the presentation sound exciting. The point being is even without us being in the same cities, my team still has my back and we make each other better daily.

The ability to stress the importance of teamwork is something I’m proud to bring to every organization I’ve worked with. It’s great to see my tree branches continue to embrace team concepts and help others grow. Well done tree branches—keep up the great things you do daily! Very proud of your efforts!

Thanks to my tree branches who return my texts, emails, phone calls and LinkedIn shout outs! You’re fueling this journey one step at a time—Irie!

What are the most important team concepts you display daily? How can you enhance the team experience in your work environment? Thanks!

Respect Melissa and V’Rhaniku!

ER 2016

(2016 team bowling outing)

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else”.

(Booker T. Washington)

Quotable Leadership philosophy!

FAU Leadership quote August 2019

“A leader is a dealer of hope”.

(Napoleon Bonaparte)

Always wonder if my leadership and mentor quotes travel well.

Received the image above a couple weeks ago from a Career Center friend in South Florida. The Career Center had Graduate Assistants (GAs) present to leadership how they would incorporate National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies into daily interactions with students and alumni.

One of their GAs researched the NACE site and found an Authentic Leadership article done with me and leveraged my words to make her point on how a leader truly inspires an organization. I was happy to see my words helping the next generation of college students and future leaders.

You can find the full NACE article here: https://www.naceweb.org/career-development/organizational-structure/authentic-leadership-hinges-on-listening/

So, yes, proud to say people are listening and putting these words into action! 😊

I continue to promote Authentic Leadership as a platform to enhance organizational success. The four variables are easy to understand and apply in daily interactions within the work environment. True leaders need to be visible and available to engage direct reports to ensure everyone has input in how the organization operates. Top down leadership may be needed in isolated situations, but your people want to be engaged. The only way to accomplish this is to engage them—simple concept.

Leverage Napoleon’s words above and become a dealer of hope.

What’s your favorite leadership quote? How does the quote impact your daily interactions? I welcome your thoughts, thanks!

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others”.

(Bill Gates)

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Take the meeting—unlimited opportunities are waiting for you

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“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade”.

(Tom Peters)

My current Walk into the Future allows me to constantly look for opportunities to impact others and make a difference in this world. My why was identified in June 2018 — to impact people in a positive way to leave them better than when I found them. To stay consistent with my why I make a point to take meetings from everyone who requests a sit down with me. Taking meetings is a form of reaching back to help someone else and it helps me continue to build tree branches.

Received a request via LinkedIn last week from someone I knew from my former role at FSU–we sat in several meetings together but never engaged much after the meetings were done. Fast forward a year and a mutual friend suggested we get together because we both are making a difference in the world (different focus areas) and he thought it would be good for two like minded people to sit down. Opportunities are all around us!

I happily accepted the meeting and let my new tree branch select the date, time and location. We were able to quickly identify this meeting should have taken place a long time ago. Sometimes career ambitions AND life get in the way of two people sitting down to talk about life, plans and focus. Discovered quickly we have similar passions to help others in their walk into the future. Shared my why with him and several of the projects (blog included) I like to work on and how my why guides my daily interactions.

I was able to listen with intent during our time together. What I heard from him was a need to generate/identify a why to create the foundational model for his work. Leveraged how creating my why gave me a renewed focus and helps drive my efforts.

The why concept was well received during our time together and resonated with my new tree branch. It wasn’t rocket science, but I was able to listen to him and help strategize a way to gain the focus needed to take his operation to the next level.

My takeaways from our meeting:

Opportunity to help someone expand their message / focus
Opportunity to add another branch to my growing tree
Opportunity to share my why and leverage it in real time (application not just a theory)
Opportunity for future networking / interactions with a new tree branch
Opportunity to watch a branch grow and move towards goals
Opportunity for me to learn from someone doing great things in the world
Opportunity for me to continue to grow

So, when presented with an opportunity to take a meeting, go ahead and meet. You may be able to help someone find exactly what they need for success. You may also make a new friend which is awesome on its own. Stay available to opportunities around you, they may provide the compass needed for your Walk into the Future!

Note: I have taken 3 additional meetings since I originally wrote this article. They have all been beneficial and I’ve added more branches to my tree. Always looking for continued growth.

How open are you to accepting a meeting request from someone? What benefits would taking this meeting have on your growth? Curious, thanks!

“Keep your mind open to opportunities. They are closer than you think”.

(PictureQuotes.com)

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Making a Difference (Daily)

Make a Difference May 2019

I start each day with the purpose of making a difference. Changing the entire world continues to prove to be beyond my ‘super powers’ so I focus on the small victories in life.

The picture above hangs next to my front door, so I must pass it on my way out into the world. It is a simple reminder to ensure my focus remains on the small victories in life that can make a difference to someone.

My psychology educational background was selected because of a desire to understand others better. My thought process has always been to understand what makes people do or think what they do. Psychology provided me with the foundation to understand the importance of helping others. Please note, helping someone can be as simple as asking them how their day is going. Doesn’t have to get super deep to impact someone you cross paths with regularly.

I’ve written about the benefits of volunteering in the local community. This small step can be a huge difference maker for your local community and especially someone who benefits from the organization you volunteer with. Volunteer multiple times with an organization and you will begin to put smiles on the faces of people within the organization.

Mentoring others has always been a huge part of my daily routine. My current Walk into the Future allows me additional time to reach out to my tree branches and put focus on topics they want to explore. We always did this but now my availability enhances how often we get to check in. I enjoy catching up with my tree branches and hearing the great things ‘they’ are doing in the world. Following their progress and seeing how they make a difference is a highlight for me.

I’m able to expand my reach beyond my current tree branches because of my availability. Students and organizations I was not engaged with prior are reaching out for me to help them move forward. Some of the students knew me at FSU in passing or had a friend work with me and recommended they reach out. I find this ‘underground referral’ process a bit flattering and it shows I’ve made enough of a difference for someone to put their friend in touch with me. I never turn down these requests—the students have shown a tremendous amount of ambition by reaching out and requesting assistance. Selfishly, I view this whole process as growing my tree—these new branches know they must help someone else move forward.

Working with organizations is an area I would like to expand in 2019. I currently do some professional development/leadership consulting with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. We have several workshops planned and looking to add more to help them grow as a group. Coordinating with a few local groups to highlight the Authentic Leadership principles for them to incorporate within their leadership development programs. This process would expand my reach and provide a larger group to ensure I’m making a difference.

So, until I gain additional ‘super powers’, making a difference daily is how I plan to conquer the world! 😊

What can you do to make a difference today? Who would benefit from hearing from you? Don’t make them wait—reach out and make a difference!

Make a Difference 2 May 2019

Always reach back and help others: Networking grows tree branches

‘You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.’

(Zig Ziglar)

A lot of times we discuss networking in terms of attending an event and meeting people face to face. That is a version of networking and requires skills to be able to introduce yourself and discuss mutual interest items. Students use networking events (opportunities) to make their elevator speeches for potential career options. More experienced folks may attend networking events to secure future business, opportunities or leverage to make career changes. There is an art to networking within this type environment and successful outcomes are available to all.

The quote above was intriguing to me as it covers networking from a more basic level. Networking is available to us all but how many go out of their way to ensure we are helping others?

I pose this question because I view my current Walk into the Future as my ultimate way to get what I want out of life because I am willing to help others. The Walk into the Future blog is designed to capture my thoughts, feelings and adventures—sometimes all done within the same article. Topics are also designed to help others—they are based on real world interactions (good and bad) with intent to provide talking points to help readers process my words and put them into play as needed.

An interesting aspect of my current Walk into the Future is I have availability to speak with others (students, potential clients, consultants, etc.) to help them move forward in life. Most of these people reach out to me based on a recommendation which is another form of networking. Meetings are scheduled based on their current schedule to make sure we have enough time to discuss their needs. This form of networking is exciting for me as it helps me generate additional ‘tree branches’ and keeps me energized because I’m making a difference. Networking does not have to be a stuffy process and opportunities are available to us all.

Always remember someone helped us all get where we are today. How available are you when someone reaches out? How can you enhance a networking opportunity to ensure your ‘tree branches’ continue to grow?

I came back to networking as a topic because I believe it opens doors and provides a framework to make a difference. I got agitated (for 2 minutes only) when I reached out to someone for information on a specific organization this person worked for previously. Thought this was a simple request but they automatically referred me to someone else. I never got the two questions I had answered because the person I reached out to wouldn’t help me get what I wanted/needed. Don’t be this person, help people as much as possible and watch how the positive vibes will come back to you MULTIPLIED!

Networking April 2019

How engaging are you when someone reaches out? What opportunities are available for you to help someone else move forward?

Please Feed the Unicorns

Unicorns: something unusual, rare or unique. (Merriam-Webster)

The term or concept of the mythical unicorn comes up in my conversations from time to time. The unicorn can symbolize different things for people; from the image of a horse like creature with a single horn, to a magical being or someone who is unique.

I’ve been called a unicorn in multiple settings. I wear this designation as a badge of pride because being a unicorn means I have a uniqueness about me.

My life and career pivots have taken me from a computer analyst, classroom instructor, conference planner (US Air Force), career specialist (Macon State College), guidance counselor (Government contractor), adjunct psychology professor (multiple schools), employee development consultant (Goodwill), employer relations (UCF & FSU) and now a blogger/consultant/speaker. The ability to adapt and believe I can pivot into different settings/outcomes generates the unicorn concept some associate with me.

I have a lot of great mentors and friends who provide advice and support to ensure I’m prepared for the next pivot. The efforts from my mentors/friends/tree branches provide me with a platform to stretch my professional boundaries to ensure I’m continually growing.

How do they do that? They feed the unicorn:

Display a desire to partner
Willing to share knowledge
Expert listeners
Words and actions match (Consistency)
Regular check-ins
Positive affirmations
Tough love when needed

The list above can be used by YOU to feed the unicorns you meet in your daily lives. You can add more ‘feeding’ variables based on the unique situations encountered but my list is a starting point to engage others daily. I’m sure there’s someone you work with who would benefit from being treated as a unicorn. They may not realize their uniqueness or potential until you start to feed the unicorn. You may be surprised by the number of unicorns around you once you start the feeding process.

FYI—I consider everyone who follows and/or reads the Walk Into the Future blog, unicorns. My words, thoughts, and adventures are designed to help you forge your own unique path on your personal walk.

Thanks for inspiring and feeding me as well!

Unicorn

Leaders Build People

encouragement 3

How often do you make the time to encourage others? What benefits can a kind word from you have on the daily outcomes for someone you know? How do leaders build direct reports into valuable team members and future leaders?

Encourage them and watch them grow!

I look for ways to reach out and help my tree continue to grow daily. Some days it’s just a simple text to say hello and other days jumping on a phone call may be a better option to be a people builder.

A simple ‘check-in’ can be the catalyst to help someone experiencing a difficult challenge in their day. This approval process can be what they have been craving but didn’t know they needed.

Leaders can bring this concept into the work environment by having a complete understanding of their staff members. Knowledge of strengths and weaknesses can enhance this process. Look for ways to emphasize and cultivate the strengths of your team to unlock hidden potential. Also look for opportunities to encourage team members to stretch their skills for additional growth. Leaders who encourage their people to test their limits and provide a foundation for growth are ‘people builders’.

I make it a point to tell direct reports, “I don’t care if you make a mistake, just don’t make the same mistake twice”. This statement is my way to let people know they are encouraged and should explore additional ways to get things accomplished in the work environment. We constantly hear about work place diversity but at times hinder the process of diverse thoughts, ideas and concepts.

‘Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it’. (Colin Powell)

Everyone wants to be valued—plant the seeds today and watch the people around you grow. Show an authentic belief in them and their overall success. This concept can be utilized in the work environment and with daily interaction with family, friends and others you cross paths with. Take the time to showcase the ‘positive’ when communicating throughout the day. Go ahead and give that vote of confidence to someone who is considering making a big change in their professional or personal life. Your encouragement may be the thing they need to move forward.

You become a ‘people builder’ when you provide the nudge, advice or encouragement needed to help them Walk into The Future.

Who can you build up today?

The Humble Leader

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The concept of the humble leader sounds contradictory to what most people envision in the workplace. The traditional leadership view (real or perceived) cast leaders as hard charging, take no prisoner and only out for themselves.

Humility: the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one’s importance, rank, etc. (Dictionary.com)

A true leader understands you lead people and manage programs. Not the other way around.

A humble leader displays a level of self-awareness within the workplace to ensure growth for everyone. A humble leader does not seek or need the spotlight to highlight the great work of the team. The humble leader can inspire better team cohesion, eagerness to learn and a better performance outcome for their teams.

The process of leading by example and a leader with a humble approach when working with individuals and teams is an excellent example of this concept. This consistent approach provides a template for others to follow and allows the team to perform knowing the true nature of their leader.

Humble leaders:

Build relationships
Listen
Enable trust in the workplace
Show appreciation
Reflect
Display authenticity

A humble leader puts the needs of others before themselves. This could be a simple process of ensuring direct reports have the tools needed to perform their duties. Sounds simple but how many times are work assignments delegated with deadlines, but instructions/tools needed to perform are not provided. The humble leader looks to provide tools needed to ensure overall team success. They are also not afraid to ask questions to ensure the assignment is fully understood. Asking follow-up questions does not show weakness but shows the leader cares and wants to optimize time spent on a specific project.

Being a humble leader does not imply weakness. Humble leaders are always looking to improve themselves and focus on larger, organizational goals—not just their individual goals.

A leader is best when people hardly know that they exist. (Lao Tzu)

What impact does humility have within your current work environment? How would this concept enhance overall productivity in the work environment?

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