The world has become very noisy. Life and work have become very busy. Distractions continue to multiply, and information grows exponentially. Almost everywhere the External wants in; either to sell, influence or otherwise impact us. As things are changing so rapidly we, as a species, are operating on the fly. There is very little perceived space and time available to make sense of it all, let alone manage these changes wisely. This cultural/technological/informational/environmental sea change has proved prolific in many ways. And, as is the case with titanic change, there is collateral impact: notably, the loss of quiet, reflective time. By this I mean time dedicated to deeper thought, contemplation and internal guidance. Wisdom, I believe, requires this. The term ‘let me sleep on it’ points to this. The complexities of this world can neither be understood nor properly addressed via our propensity towards the immediate and the knee jerk. In business, a lack of good sound consideration and thought can be hazardous to long term success and growth. Immediacy usually reacts from the level of symptom. It doesn’t have time to pull back and look from a whole system vantage point. That takes time, and time feels scarce. Largely due to the distractions, the busyness, the watershed of information. Therein lies the cycle. We each have an enormous supply of internal wisdom and guidance. Our cultural conditioning generally leads us to look outward. At times that makes good sense. Leaders who tap into the stores of experience, insight and talent held within their people can benefit greatly. That said, taking time to thoughtfully examine an issue before rushing to action is a discipline. While some events may necessitate a prompt, immediate response, much of business is strengthened by deeper consideration. Not simply a search for an answer without, but for the wisdom held within. Take that time. Elevate your game…react less, influence more. We can help.  Sign up for a strategy session and change the game....

There is something strangely challenging about the idea of needing help. For me, the whole concept of ‘needing’ something from someone else can feel uncomfortable. Which is really strange, because I couldn’t get through one day without the help and contribution of others. I live in a house built by other people, drive a car assembled by other people and drive that car on roads laid down and maintained by yet others. On and on it goes. In every moment, I am literally surrounded by and reliant upon other people’s work and contribution. In my own business, however, I can be lured into thinking that I need to do it all. Yes, I have people who work with me and for me, but this niggling feeling persists. When examined, it feels like a curious blend of pride, control and almost a rogue independence. Loosening the grip on this limiting behavior is important, not simply for my own development, but for the growth of my business. Being overly self-reliant in the realm of business leadership is a recipe for stagnation and eventual obsolescence. I teach this; I know this; there is power in the collective. People working collaboratively, helping and supporting each other is potent. More gets done. And, here is the other big piece…it can be more fun, more energizing and oftentimes more fulfilling. That’s not to say there is no place for the focused solitary pursuits. There is. Rather, that becoming open to both giving and receiving help is essential to work and life. Being aware of our relationship to ‘receiving’ and building that muscle is both constructive and, well…helpful. Feel like you could use some one on one support? Ready when you are. Learn more...

As I consider the myriad of things that can act as resistance to the flow of life and work, there is one that really sticks out, and that is ‘trust.’ Or, more specifically, the lack of trust. That particular quality when compromised could possibly be the biggest single crippler of people and performance there is. Trust is that big of a deal. We live in a time where trust feels very tenuous. In government, institutions, corporations, industries and religion, many of the large societal powerhouses have sustained numerous hits regarding their trustworthiness. For many of us, there is and has been a mounting skepticism regarding our belief in the aims and intentions these large institutions hold and whether we as the larger community actually fit into any of their objectives at all. While there are great complexities within each of these societal entities, there does appear to be something in common with all; that the generation of revenue in most cases seems to grossly outstrip the needs of human beings and the common good. While revenue generation is good and necessary, when it becomes the myopic objective above all else, trust is the payment it incurs. We humans want strong companies, we want strong governments and institutions, but not at the cost of our humanity. That’s a con man’s deal. Revenue is the blood of my company. It is critical, desired, worked for and appreciated. However, making blood is not the purpose, mission or deeper meaning of the work that I do. The purpose of my work is in service to something greater than my company and myself. It’s in service to my clients and their missions. When I focus on them and do my work well, my blood supply or revenue is made greater and so is that of my clients. No one is sacrificed or forsaken. In fact, all are benefitted. The shift lies in the domain of purpose and/or mission and its relationship to revenue. My deeper mission is not focused in on revenue generation. Generating income, however, is my primary business goal. The way I do my work, the integrity I bring to my work all combine to become that which delivers my primary business revenue goal. Mission feeds revenue generation. My heart, head and spirit get to come to work everyday and make things happen. Revenue is generated as the natural outcome of joyful, committed, service-oriented, greater good action…otherwise known as optimal performance. Are you clear on your vision and mission? Are you connected to the fuel of that energy? If not, it’s time to fuel up. Schedule a strategy session with us and reconnect to the juice. Schedule here!...

I heard recently that a human’s ability to adapt is both a blessing and a curse. Adaptability is a blessing because we can cope and make things work. It’s a curse because we can cope and make things work. It’s instinctive for us to adapt. Our innate talent for dealing with current realities can habituate us to accept present circumstances while obscuring our awareness to other, better options. This faculty has served humankind well. It has been a critical player in getting our human species to ‘Now.’ The trick is to recognize when we have adapted to a situation or circumstance that we don’t really want. Because our adaptability muscle tends to be genetically strong, it can unconsciously strong-arm us into compliance. Things like cultural, business and family norms are all present and powerful adaptations; it’s easy to get pulled into their current and move along with them regardless of suitability. The counterbalancing skill to this adaptability is Awareness. We become more aware by honestly asking ourselves important questions: Is this (situation, modus operandi) really working? Am I thriving? Am I happy? If the answer is, “No,” or “Not really,” then settling is not in your best interest. It’s here that the adaptability habit needs to be challenged. Seeking other options and breaking free of the default is where the skill of Awareness comes in. In essence, Awareness and conscious action are the mechanisms for moving beyond the status quo. Adaptation is a great skill to possess. A greater skill is the cultivation of Awareness—to recognize if and when our adapting behavior has become a blessing . . . or a curse. Time to break away from the status quo? Schedule a strategy session and do it....

There are two forms of leadership that work well in tandem, and the development of one is a prerequisite to the development and effectiveness of the other. The first form of leadership provides a strong foundation for the second. Without this foundation, the second type of leadership is likely to falter and fail. So, what are the two forms of leadership? The first is Personal Leadership or Self Leadership. This is the basis upon which the second form of leadership is built: Leadership of Others. Our culture places great emphasis on career, wealth, status and popularity, but less on Self or Personal Leadership. Integrity, healthy emotional behavior, clean communication, curiosity, humility, understanding, consideration of other, persistence, patience: this is the stuff of great Self Leadership. These are the key foundational qualities that set the stage for effectively leading others. Why? Because followers are not simply taking direction; they are watching a Self-Leader model how to be and how to operate on a higher level in this world. People who embody strong personal leadership are more likely to garner trust, generate influence and supply vision. In business, that’s a tremendous asset and advantage. Command and control then become unnecessary. Effectively leading others is simply the natural extension of effectively leading oneself. Be the leader you wish to see in the world. Learn more...