Blog Competition

January 23, 2012 By

Those of you that follow this blog have noticed a lack of activity since last September. That is due to the fact that I took on teaching three undergraduate classes at Purdue University in West Lafayette, two sections of Introduction to Entrepreneurship and one section of Leading Change. In addition to my client work and coaching – life was full last fall.

Well – I am back – so look for some great posts in 2012. I am starting the year with selected posts written by students in my Leading Change course. So, over the next two weeks – enjoy insights on change and leadership from our leaders of the future.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The challenge Steve Jobs leaves us

October 7, 2011 By

I was a bit unprepared for how hard the death of Steve Jobs would hit me. After all, we’ve known he’s been terribly ill. And most of all, I don’t know the gentleman, just admire him greatly – for so many reasons.

Yet on Thursday, as I did my final preparation for my Introduction to Entrepreneurship class at Purdue, I realized that we had to mark the occasion of the death of the centuries preeminent entrepreneur, futurist and transformational leader.

I immediately found the perfect finale to class that day. I told the class we had a surprise guest speaker coming via video. I then played the commencement speech Steve gave at Stanford in 2005 entitled How to Live before you Die.  And as I set with the next generation of entrepreneurs learning from a great one – I cried.

I challenged them. I challenge myself. I challenge you. How can each of us bring our gifts to the world? What can each of us do to create something beautiful? Useful? Wonderful?

Here is an excerpt from Steve’s address:

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

And some final wisdom from him…

 “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” [The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

5 Tips for Virtual Teams

September 15, 2011 By

Two definitions of virtual from Wikipedia:

  1. 1. Almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition: “the virtual absence of border controls”.

2. Not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so: “virtual images”.

When on a virtual team, the first definition begins to take shape. The team is still a team – with human people working together to accomplish a real goal or deliverable. It’s the “not completely” that makes virtual teams such interesting territory.

Virtual teams are ’not completely’ in the same physical space. Often they are also “not completely” in the same frame of mind – be it country, culture or primary language. Sometimes there are more ways in which teams are “not completely” homogenous than way in which they are.

This is both the opportunity and the challenge of virtual teams.

Opportunities abound. Virtual teams allow for broad participation – no longer are we bound by only the people who are geographically proximate. With that broad participation – we can have teams that are talent rich. The diversity of global teams can be a big plus, resulting in broader thinking, multiple perspectives and viewpoints. And of course the obvious, there is less cost, hassle and wear and tear – as team members can work from where they are – rather than traveling to where “we” are.

Challenges also abound. Diversity can also be a hindrance if team members don’t appreciate, take the time to understand or utilize the wider perspectives. Anyone who has been on a virtual team knows the pain of inadequate technology (although it is improving) and the narrow window of time that accommodates meetings due to differing time zones.  Due to the virtual nature, it is easy to feel disconnected and to miss important visual cues that build rapport, understanding and also provide important visual signals as to state of mind.

Here are a few hints that can help bridge the “virtual” aspects of these teams:

  1. If possible, find a way to get people together face to face. Yes it is expensive and time consuming – but the rewards will come.
  2. Find ways to enable the team to know each other on a deeper level that just a voice on the conference call. Begin meetings with an informal question that allows members to share a bit of personal information. Of use common “virtual” space to allow folks to post pictures of friends, family and interests.
  3. Use tools that promote knowledge sharing and collaboration. There are many – including ones that allow for video conference calls, shared white boards, and real time chat.
  4. Encourage people to “name” their feelings in meeting discussions. If face to face, we could see that someone was surprised, delighted, confused, or frustrated.  This goes away with calls – so naming the feeling helps the entire team know how to best respond.
  5. Take some time at the end of each meeting to do a quick recap of the meeting. What worked well? What could we improve to have a better meeting the next time? This exercise takes no more than 5 minutes and yields great dividends over time.

Share what you’ve found that works with virtual teams! It’s a business skill we all need to master.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Who is a Transformational Leader?

August 11, 2011 By

A transformational leader takes you to someplace you’ve never been, without a pre-defined roadmap on how to get there. A transactional leader helps you implement a proven solution for a known situation. Martin Luther King transformed the way we looked at race and inclusion (transformational leadership). A CEO implements Six Sigma as a quality system to improve customer satisfaction and operating efficiency (transactional leadership).

Here is a short list of transformational leaders.

Martin Luther King

John Kennedy

Gandhi

Andrew Carnegie

Winston Churchill

Walt Disney

Benjamin Franklin

Steve Jobs

Eleanor Roosevelt

Margaret Thatcher

Abraham Lincoln

Florence Nightingale

Who would you add?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Not Communicating IS Communicating

July 25, 2011 By

The urge to “not say anything” is powerful. Especially when:

• We don’t know what to say
• The situation is messy or difficult
• We anticipate that people will be upset
• We don’t have a perfect answer

When leaders don’t communicate it says:
• “I’m afraid.”
• “I’m hiding from the hard reality.”
• “I don’t know.”
• “The reality it too difficult to talk about.”
• “I don’t trust your ability to handle difficult news.”’

Those are just the times in which leaders do need to say SOMETHING. Even if it is:
• “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
• “I know this is hard, but we need to talk about it.”
• “I don’t like the situation either, but it IS our current reality and we need to deal with it.”
• “I don’t have a solution, but trust that together, we can figure it out.

It is far better to have these discussions, that to choose NOT to say anything, because not communicating speaks volumes on its own.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

What is an Evergreen Leader?

June 9, 2011 By

A leader that has what it takes to succeed in today and tomorrow’s environment. Here is the short list:

  • Begins with Vision. Acts with intention toward a Purpose.
  • Creates new possibilities. Works forward rather than managing backward.
  • Is highly Self-Aware. Leverages strengths and mitigates challenge areas.
  • Has both external and internal Contextual Prowess. Carves unique niches in the external market and is agile in working within the internal culture.
  • Uses System Thinking and acts with the recognition of the interconnectedness of all things.
  • Understands Group Dynamics and unleashes the power of teamwork.
  • Plans well and Executes even better.
  • Relentlessly Develops Others, creating increasing levels of competence.
  • Is unfailingly Curious – a constant explorer and learner.

If you’d like to learn about our powerful Evergreen Leadership Development process, contact us at info@ktaylorandassoc.com .

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The New Capitalist Manifesto

June 7, 2011 By

 

Umair Hague has written a compelling book, The New Capitalist Manifesto: Building a Disruptively Better Business, for those of us interested in the future of business, leadership, and change in the 21st century. I read stacks of business books – but have read none more relevant for creating healthy, vibrant and successful organizations, which are sustainable by creating enduring, meaningful, sustainable advantages. And not just for them – but for society as a whole.

Umair is the first to admit that he does not have all the answers, and also that there is no one organization that exemplifies all five of his “cornerstones of prosperity” for the 21st century. Yet he provides a compelling starting point for exploration and uses many examples of existing companies that are creating what he calls “thick value.”

He highlights Nikes’ Considered Design in which the goal is that “anything and everything can be recycled into something just as desirable.” Clearly good for the environment but even better for Nike – as supply chain costs shrink to next to nothing.

Threadless, a phenomenal success story in retail clothing, uses consumer voting PRIOR to production and as a consequence only produces limited edition, highly desired products. Their mantra: “Better decisions faster,” – the result is amazingly high margins, no waste and extreme customer responsiveness.

Examples abound of Umair’s five cornerstones: Loss Advantage, Responsiveness, Resilience, Creativity, and Difference. Leaders of companies take note: this book is a must-read for leaders of organizations and entrepreneurs.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Consider a New Business Model

June 2, 2011 By

Business 101 teaches us that companies have life cycles that mirror what we observe in nature – founding (or birth), high growth (or adolescence), maturity (adulthood) and decline (death). It used to be that companies could enjoy many prosperous and stable years in the maturity phase – measured in decades. Now we see companies ascend and descend in the blink of an eye, with long-standing goods and services being rendered obsolete – at times before they have even reached maturity.

I’m proposing a new mental model, still taken from nature, but one that is much more adaptable to today’s environment. It is the Evergreen. Evergreens stay green and productive all year round, and avoid the cycle of dormancy and re-growth by a process of continual shedding. The loss is almost imperceptible, yet allows the plant to stay green and growing all year round. Think about the power of continually shedding what is not working or no longer needed over time, and replacing it with fresh growth, from a business perspective. No erratic P&L statements, no massive downsizings and closings, quicker response to the market, and greater adaptability to the current reality.

There are thousands of species of Evergreens, and they come in a wide variety of sizes, and even colors. Certain species thrive in rain forests, others in drought-stricken areas. In addition to our typical Christmas tree, palm trees and California redwoods are also Evergreens. What they share is a unique survival mechanism, that of working within the ecosystem rather than against it. What they shed nourishes the soil beneath them with the perfect mix of acidity, which allows them to survive virtually everywhere on the planet, even in the harshest conditions. What if your business could work within instead of against the ecosystem and thrive – no matter how hostile and challenging? What if what you shed nourished you rather than depleted you? What if your company was Evergreen and you were an Evergreen Leader? We’ll explore what that means in our upcoming posts.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Lessons in Transition from the Super Bowl Half Time Show

February 8, 2011 By

I admit it. I can be a geek sometimes. While millions of people across the globe watched the half time show for the performance (or perhaps to see if there would be another wardrobe malfunction), I experience a sense of awe and wonder at the spectacle and the amazing accomplishment of transforming a football field and stadium into the world’s largest live stage.

Think about it. In a mere 8 minutes the field must be transformed. And most of the work is done by volunteers. Oh, and by the way, volunteers who have not had much time to practice.

Just my short list of production elements that must be envisioned, coordinated, planned for and executed includes:

  • Stage
  • Lighting
  • Video
  • Sound
  • Musicians
  • Dancers
  • Pyrotechnics
  • Cameras
  • Special effects
  • Lasers
  • Costumes
  • Audience participation

 It struck me that, in many ways, it was like most transformations:

  • Long in the making
  • Requiring much planning and hard work
  • Best when done with creativity and vision
  • Can come together rather quickly in the end
  • Often appears rather effortless to those not involved

And no sooner have you basked in the glory of the transformation, another challenge calls you.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

4 Tips to Make Resolution Rituals Work

December 31, 2010 By

New Years: an annual time to reflect, plan, resolve and set goals for the upcoming year. It is the time we put the past behind us and begin anew.

Yet we all know that it doesn’t take many days (and in some cases hours) until we flub up. Harsh words are uttered. A cigarette is lit. We skip the gym. We are late (again). We put off that which we deemed very important just a few weeks ago. We spend more time with paperwork than with the people we work with.

Yet, in spite of year after year of failed resolutions, we continue this rite. So, how might we use some of the resolution rituals differently to get it “right” in 2011?

Tip 1: Use the Symbolism of a New Beginning

The reality is that January 1st is not all that different than Dec. 31st. However, in our minds we create a very big distinction. The symbolism of entering a new year, turning the calendar, and beginning anew offers a psychological marker that we attend to.

I’d suggest using that same symbolism to our advantage by looking at smaller and hence more frequent time increments. What if you think New Quarter or New Month or New Day in addition to New Year? This is the “practice makes perfect” principle. Make your birthday a time to reflect and course correct and you’ll have two opportunities per year. Make this a practice at the beginning of each season and you have quadrupled the effect. Make it a daily practice to reflect, adjust and set intentions and you will see a dramatic difference.

Tip 2: Think in Increments

 We have a tendency to think in “either /or” which sets us up for failure. We are either fat or thin, fit or a slob, successful or a failure. As such, we often make a dramatic change on January 1st (or 2nd) that is unrealistic and unsustainable. Anyone that has gone to the gym the first week in January knows what I mean.

The caterpillar does not turn into a butterfly over night. Use the image of metamorphoses as your guide. Set your direction and take repeated steps over time. Persistence will pay off; you will have transitioned in a manageable and lasting way. Take a small step, meet with some success and then raise the bar. Do this over and over again – and you truly experience a transformation.

Anais Nin puts it this way: “I made no resolutions for the New Year.  The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.”

Tip  3: Invite your Friends

New Years is a social time of gathering with others. It may be a few loved ones, it might be a small party or it might be with 999,999 other people in Times Square. No matter the size, the social element is a critical component.

Inviting others in on your resolutions or intentions is not only fun, but can greatly increase the chance of reaching the goals you set. I would never have done half marathons if my daughter and husband had not been by my side.  We worked out together, we shared what we learned, and we held each other accountable.

Tip  4: Celebrate

The overarching image of New Years is celebration. Sometimes we revel in the wonderful things that occurred in the past year. Other years we rejoice that the year is past and that we have survived all that has been thrown our way. Either way, we laugh, we dance, we relax and enjoy.

Bring that same sense of joy throughout the year. Take your team out for a celebration when they hit their goals. Build rewards into accomplishments. Plan for it in advance – to both avoid overlooking the need to do this and also as another motivator to maintain focus. For as Thomas Peters notes: “Celebrate what you want to see more of.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »