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....

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....

Last Wednesday it was my great good fortune to attend a truly enjoyable networking event. As you may have read in an earlier blog, I have harbored a distaste for what I would call starchy or shark-tank-esque networking experiences. Yes, I’ve held unseemly judgment there and I’m not proud of that. This recent event, however, reframed the whole networking experience for me and pointed to a potential I hadn’t ever imagined—networking that’s fun, friendly, sincere, thought-provoking, collaborative and also, geared for business building and revenue generation. Who knew?! While there, I had a refreshing conversation with the event’s organizer and we got to talking about the word ‘success.’ As we both live and breathe the world of transformational leadership and business, success is a word we hear a lot. A lot. And, yes, it’s the big ‘go to’ word for companies and their leadership. Success this, success that. Or, in the case of individuals ’I want to be successful.’ But, here’s the thing about that word, it’s really more of a desire holder than an actual desire. It’s the suitcase that holds the clothes you want to wear. It wouldn’t make any sense to wear the suitcase. So, I say we demystify the word. Snap open the suitcase and look at the amazing contents inside. Your DESIRES. I’m not talking about the old programmed ‘go to’ crap. I’m talking about the gems that lie in our heart, in our inner dreamer’s dreams. All the stuff we’ve jammed in the suitcase throughout our life and then stoically, pragmatically, rationally shoved up in the attic to gather dust. That’s where the juice lies. If you want ‘success,’ grab the suitcase, pry open the lock and look inside. That is where you will learn what success actually means…to you. Success is an outcome. Before success comes action. The best and easiest action is fueled by desire. Desire greases wheels, generates flow, adds energy. Draft off of desire. Discover more...

  The simultaneous and ongoing initiatives, projects and objectives within any company are ever-growing. Add to that, the vast amounts of data that is produced and consumed during this inexhaustible information age. Information is useful, but the proliferation of information can quickly become massive and weighty. In addition, many of the tools designed to lighten loads and provide aid can end up becoming another level of heft and frustration. There is little doubt that our keen human brain, intent on mental toys to play with, is a key player in this mounting complexity. Add to that, the deeply held hope that somewhere out there lies the quick fix, the magic pill, the miracle elixir. This primal combination has the power to be a remarkable chaos creator. The quiet yet persistent call of “next,” “new” or “must have” can be captivating, but as often, adds to the complexity heap. In business as in life, we are in deep need of an about face. We need: more trust and less worry more simplicity and less complexity more clarity and less clutter more focus and less distraction more conscious action and less unconscious reaction more meaningful connection and less alienation While the current tide may feel like it’s pulling us out to sea, we have the ability to place a stake in the ground. To be discerning about what is truly in service to ourselves, our business, our people and what is not. To side with the kid in “The Emperor’s New Clothes” tale and not be lulled by the incessant cultural lullaby. To instead get clear on what’s really needed to make our companies flourish. Which leads me to believe, perhaps one of the greatest feats of our time, is not being a product of our time. In business, how easy is it for you to separate the core from the chaff? Discover more...

  I talk a lot about leadership’s role in influencing and shaping strong and vital work communities. Most of us recognize that leaders play a critical role in the health and prosperity of their organization. However, there is another type of leadership that is of even greater significance—that of self-leadership. Whether or not we lead others, we are pre-ordained to be leaders of ourselves. We may not want the job, but like it or not, it’s ours…for a lifetime. For many of us, the self-leadership course can feel somewhat vague or even non-existent. Culturally, we are conditioned to look to others for cues, lessons, information and approval, rarely turning the lens inward. Of course, this makes sense when we are young and maturing, but at some point self-leadership requires, well, the self. Taking the time to uncover who we are, the gifts we possess, what brings us joy and happiness, the inner areas we choose to cultivate, the work we are called to do, the life we are compelled to live…all of these are fundamental inquiries to a more elevated form of self-leadership. As with any above-average leader, there is profound value in knowing who you are leading. The same holds true for above-average self-leadership. Who is this person you are leading throughout the course of your life? Penetrating beyond the pat, conditioned answers is crucial. It’s crucial to true happiness, fulfillment, growth, and evolving as a human being. The best leaders recognize that inspiring and lifting others to greater heights is the hallmark of the truest kind of leadership. And, so it is for self-leadership. Others can and will affect the process—as social beings we are informed by models, community and acquired wisdom. Self-leadership does not occur in a vacuum. The vigilance required, however, is in keeping an eye inward, learning to recognize the knowledge and guidance emanating from that place. It’s up to each of us, as to the kind of self-leader we are and will become. In many ways, it’s the most important leadership role on Earth. We each have extraordinary potential and gifts yet unknown. When we elevate our own self-leadership, we take a step forward in realizing that potential and leading the way to a life more fully realized—the leadership job of a lifetime. The best way to become an able leader of others is to first be an able leader of yourself. Interested in becoming a better leader? We can help. Discover how...