It’s astonishing to me when I consider that we modern-ish human beings have been around for about 45,000 years. Even more astonishing, when I consider that the Industrial Age came into being only 165 years ago. A hundred and sixty-five years is not a long time to get the hang of something…in evolutionary terms. As such, we are still relative neophytes when it comes to organizing and compelling joint action from groups of people not considered slaves or enlisted personnel. Let’s face it, commanding and controlling other folks, being commanded and controlled ourselves is the longer legacy. Though the imprint of that consciousness remains alive either in memory or in reality, we are now in the process of moving beyond it to something different and more evolved. Unlike some extraordinary bacteria, able to change and mutate instantly with newer circumstantial information, we humans take awhile. The great news is that what we may lack in evolutionary speed we can make up for with awareness, creativity, intention, and will. These more advanced minds of ours are extraordinary for witnessing a current reality, assessing it’s value, exploring possibilities and taking action in ways that can move us forward more intentionally. Our ability to create better outcomes is both singular and a profound responsibility. We now find ourselves in a very interesting time and place from an evolutionary standpoint. There is a crossroads feel about it. On one side lies the trajectory we have been on, on the other side, the invitation to step up to a new level of being human. This is not the first such crossroad and, hopefully, not the last. In the arena of business, this is a powerful opportunity. Most companies only access and receive a very small part of the potential of those that work for them. Not because they don’t desire the fuller potential, but because they don’t know how to call it forward. That’s the more evolved work. To do so, requires an acknowledgment of what exists and an exploration of what’s possible in its stead. The great up-leveling opportunity and invitation is upon us…in life, at home, at work. We can keep our focus distracted and small or we can become aware of the immenseness of this time. Business environments can become one of the great benefactors of this remarkable moment as can all areas of life. As with other extraordinary moments, it begins with a conscious choice at a crossroad. Lead your people and your business forward. Check out “8 Ways” to get things moving! 8 Powerful Ways to Energize Your...

  There are two phenomena which both vex and fascinate me. The first has to do with perception—how our perceptions of both ourselves and others can vary so dramatically depending on environment. The second dovetails off the first, but concerns the myopic focus that many companies place on revenue generation and profitability above all else…including people. Beginning with phenomenon one: All of us move from environment to environment through the course of our day. Depending where we are, we likely view ourselves and others differently. If we are at a coffee shop, our perception may be one way. If we are at a community function or at the grocery store, it may be another. So it continues in our home, with friends, with family, at the gym or in a place of worship. Depending on the environment, our perception of ourselves and those around us will vary to some degree. As you consider the varied environments you inhabit…home, community, nature, church, a friend or family members home…pay attention to your perception of yourself and the other people in those places. How do you feel when you are there? How do you feel about others when you are there? Next, turn to your workplace. What kinds of perceptions of yourself and others are happening at work? And, how do these perceptions affect you and your behavior? For many of us, the workplace evokes a singular quality. Our perceptions at work can be quite different from the perception we experience in the other environments in our lives. We tend to behave and view the world differently at work. With that our perception of self and others is also affected. Likely, this is a big part of the distinction that we convey through language when we refer to “work and life.” The two worlds simply feel different. I believe that this difference or schism is primarily due to the level of value associated with human beings and their contribution in the workplace. We have not yet deeply integrated human value into much of our work world. And, one of the primary reasons for this is the accepted ritual of honoring the value of money and money generation over that of human value. It’s upside down and most of us know it. Money and money generation is vital and commendable. However, it is the result of something. That something, more often than not, is the work force and their action. To honor the result and not that which has created it, is both shortsighted and un-evolved. The fact that this distortion continues baffles me. I’m reminded of the Wizard of Oz and the simple act of drawing back a curtain to see the...

  Information was once akin to gold in perceived human value. Carved in stone or hand written on papyrus, it was vigilantly protected and viewed only by those at the highest levels of society. These days, information has shrugged off its ermine robes and lies closer in rank to corn. No longer an elite treasure, it’s more a commonplace commodity. Available easily, endlessly, any time of day or night. It seems that when one thing transitions out of treasure status, something new is sure to take its place. I’ve thought a lot about what the ‘new’ replacement may be and have narrowed in on two strong possibilities. The first is attention. Now, attention may seem like a funny choice—with all the social media and communication channels out there, attention would seem to be prolific. Chatter is prolific, immediacy is prolific, scanning is prolific, but focused attention, not so prolific. We are rapidly becoming the one to three second surveyors. Never mind the one-minute manager…who has that kind of time on their hands? Our ability to quickly skim and move on is taking a toll on our ability to focus our attention. Skimming requires a wide, top-level orientation, attention requires a tighter, deeper focus. While it may serve us to scan information at times, we may also be bringing that well-honed behavior into other parts of our life including our human relationships. In that particular realm, scanning and skimming don’t work as well. The second possible treasure is in response to the commodity aspect or abundance of information. This newer treasure is that of curated information. Essentially, sifting through large volumes of data germane to a particular area and identifying patterns, trends, potentialities or crucial elements. In a world inundated with information and short on time, this endeavor becomes increasingly valuable. In the information age, information is no longer king. Dethroned through easy and ready access, newer monarchs are now emerging. Attention gets my vote as the most prominent newly crowned head. People, young and old, are hungry for a deeper and more sincere form of attention. Not the fast, sugary kind found in much of today’s most habitually utilized communication, but something more significant. The kind that takes time, focus and intention. When you think about it, it makes sense. The ever quickening pace of time along with the information overload would naturally create a need for a counterweight. Attention and the process of discerning the ‘essence of things’ are that which we have come to need and desire. Both provide something we may feel light on—a healthy sense of balance. Everyone needs and desires focused attention. Our leader clients are no exception. The opportunity to speak candidly with...

  As business leaders discuss and strategize economies and markets, process improvements, cost reduction, new technology and system efficiencies, one area seems largely unrecognized. That area is the vast energetic untapped potential that shows up every morning—the company employees. First of all, the word employees can retire. It’s an old word for an old time. Laborers, workers, employees—all have had their day and that day is gone. No matter how far away we think we are from the grim industrial age of old, it’s legacy is sticky and can find its way into the present if we are not vigilant. If you listen closely, you can hear the call of the canary in the coal mine. And, I encourage leaders to pay heed. Most of us feel the undulating movement of change below the very ground we work upon. Make no mistake, it is coming. With it, change that will feel very much imposed if not recognized sooner rather than later. The dot com experience may have been the first dot on the emerging horizon. Twenty year olds flush with capital, creating organizations more closely resembling a playground than IBM. These new CEO’s hadn’t learned how to “traditionally” construct a business and so constructed something that felt good. Now, you may not agree with basketball courts and smoothie vendors on site, but something profoundly changed. Hmmm…work, enjoyable? Companies burdened with strife, struggle and uber-structure were now being placed side by side with Google, Zappos, Whole Foods and Trader Joes. People began to see options. The traditional linear, nose-to-the-grindstone mentality was being challenged by this innovative, authentic, more aligned, passionate younger upstart. Regardless of the zany aspects these new environments may possess, their most important triumph is that they are nurturing and unleashing human potential, day in, day out. They are learning to tap into and revel in people power. It has always been there, showing up each day, but until quite recently—dormant. Here’s the upshot, companies do not need to load themselves up with jungle gyms and Frisbee golf courses, but they would do well to learn how to generate and tap into the energy we all possess. Helping their people to wake up, engage and experience fulfillment through the work they do. Ultimately, it requires inviting “human-ness” into the office and letting go of any idea of people as machines. What would energize your team members? What are the first steps to putting this in...

For me, one of the things I liked best about being a corporate field salesperson was that it gave me the opportunity to run a business, without many of the issues associated with being a business owner. I adopted a business owner’s mindset–I was resourceful, took intelligent action, invested wisely, generated opportunities and secured sales. But unlike an actual business owner, I wasn’t bogged down with the million and one other things that have to be considered. I only had to run my part of the business. There was great freedom and opportunity in that proposition for me. It allowed me to be creative and innovative while still enjoying the benefits of sophisticated support systems. Systems out of reach for most independent business owners. Additionally, I was able to approach new prospects with something substantial and recognizable. Again, running my own business with the credibility of size and substance on my side. Perfect. When it came to business planning, I owned it. This was my baby and I had big plans for its growth. That mindset helped me energetically invest in my work in a powerful way. Intellectually, I wasn’t delusional. I knew that I was an employee in a sales department. But, I didn’t go to business with that thinking in place. Instead, I organized my intention around owning the plan, the work and the outcome. Today, I am a business owner and have the million and one other things to consider. The experience I gleaned from my years working for other companies has served me well. The opportunity to observe the good, the bad and the ugly has provided me insight and wisdom I handily use today—both within my own company and those I serve. Like with my earlier employment days, the concept of “owning it” is even more critical. Because, financially, I do. But, “owning it” is more than a financial reality, it’s an energy and mindset. Owning what I do, how I show up, the choices I make, the obstacles that get in my way, my successes, my failures…that’s the bigger ownership. Interestingly enough, that’s the real inner growth and ownership that makes the other possible....