In line with my value of sharing knowledge creating power in others, I have been busy working on ways offer more leadership resources to you.  Over the last year I have been writing and writing about all my lessons learned, the tips and resources I want to share with you. The path to effective and powerful leadership develops over time and I have over 20 years of managerial and leadership experience to reflect on.

I am planning a Conversations with Leaders teleclass series where I invite respected and trusted leaders to speak with me in an interview on leadership. You will get to listen it and ask questions. I need your input and invite you to participate in a 10 question survey. This survey allows me to hear from you on the topics you would love to hear Leaders speak on.  Upon completion of the survey, you will find a gift waiting for you. Please take a moment and let me know your thoughts –

Click Here to take survey

The problem with being a leader, and a good one, is that people always expect you to lead. You forget sometimes that being a follower can be just as powerful. I was humbly reminded of this just recently as I made another life decision. I have chosen to accept an offer that came unexpectedly to be a follower. Well, sort of. . .

I am a member of the leadership team – Human Resources Director. What I love about this role are many things and two stand out:

1) the organization is not for profit with a commitment to serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community;

2) I still get to do what I love – coaching others, assisting others grow and putting systems in place to streamline processes; and,

Yes, I have the best of both worlds – I get to lead and to follow. My life will be simpler, less stressful, yet still rewarding with the opportunity to continue to make a difference in the life of others.

I am happy, not to say I was unhappy, how about I am happier!

This is also good news for you as now I will have more time to share more, speak out more and keep this blog rolling along. I hope you will join me in this conversation about “empowering passionate leadership” which I so dearly love. I want to inspire you to lead or to follow… in the way that has meaning for you.

Fearlessness and confidence are not just personality traits of passionate leaders – they are a way of life.  They approach all decisions with a swagger borne from past successes.  And each new personal or professional venture, even if it is a failure, is embraced like a lost child, and always welcomed home.

Passionate leaders are risk takers, and as such, invite the possibility – even the likelihood – of failure.  These leaders see a failure as nothing more than an inconvenience rather than a catastrophe.  It is but a learning tool, or a fork in the road.  Recovery for a passionate leader is swift, and direct, and focused.  Passionate leaders typically have several professional “eggs” in their basket so if one egg breaks, there are several more ready to hatch.  Perhaps the most remarkable facet of these leaders and their personal disappointments is how they quickly acknowledge the disappointment, mourn it briefly, and move on to the next grand opportunity. 

The passionate leader’s fearlessness is the catalyst for their success.  Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest professional basketball player to ever play the game, says “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career.  I’ve lost almost 300 games.  26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.  I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed.”  An innate competitive fire coupled with remarkable competence inspire the passionate leader to “play through” the difficult times.

Passionate leaders derive great satisfaction not only from successful ventures, but also from giving every ounce of energy to the pursuit of a dream.  Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Airlines echoes those sentiments.  “We’ve got an engaging, edgy, vibrant, fun product.  It may or may not work, but we’re going to give it our best shot.”  The “Virgin” brand is known and respected globally, but Branson, like Jordan, can count many notable failures among all those successes.  Those failures were nothing more than speed bumps to an action adventure guy like Branson.  Passionate leaders overcome failure by never losing their momentum.  Failure may make them pause, but it never stops their forward progress.

You can read more about Richard Branson here

Passionate leaders who advocate or espouse working without a net are championing teambuilding and togetherness in the workplace.  The circus high wire performer who has no safety net is dependent on his coworkers and teammates to have all equipment in top working order.  This interdependency inspires each professional contributor to understand the value of their individual effort and its impact on the final outcome.  Likewise, today’s leaders understand that even though they may walk the corporate tightrope alone, their success depends on countless other lesser-known performers whose contributions are vital and essential.

Fearlessness and confidence are as contagious as any virus, and just as potent too.  The passionate leader who lives life this way, imparts these characteristics to coworkers and direct reports.  In the final analysis, these visionary “go to” players always want to take the final shot but always needs someone to pass the ball to them.  Their nose for career success and their competitive fire keep them on the cutting edge.  Their desire to share their next great adventure drives them to build and maintain great support teams.

Are you an organic professional?

Paper or Plastic? Bottled Water or Tap Water?

We are all facing the “inconvenient truth” of diminishing natural resources on our planet. To that end, we must answer endless questions on a daily basis that impact the quality of our world and the quality of our lives. But the savvy and passionate leader should also look inward to see if there is a professional and personal conservation program in place. Are you renewing your own internal natural resources? Are your pursuits “organic” – i.e. naturally by, for, and about you?

By definition, organic means relating to, derived from, or occurring gradually and naturally without being forced or contrived. Think back to all those classmates who went to law school almost by default rather than by design. How many of them are practicing law now? If they are still in the legal profession, how many of them have achieved personal and professional satisfaction? Are they out in front leading the pack, or limping along bringing up the rear?

Some of our most courageous and passionate leaders are those who didn’t follow the map, but charted a singularly separate course, followed their heart, and blazed a trail that others only dreamed of. Author and former UPI White House Correspondent Helen Thomas is one of those whose life/career choices seem to be all home grown. After regaling a crowd at the Orange County Public Library in Orlando Florida recently with stories hewn from covering every sitting president since JFK, Helen Thomas closed her lecture with this: “Make your life worthwhile”. Her choices always have been straight from the heart and her successful career is the living legacy of her organic decisions.

Read more about Helen Thomas …
And what about you? Did you follow your natural inclinations or did you do what was expected? Did you allow yourself to grow and develop naturally or did you succumb to the corporate feed trough and devour everything placed in front of you regardless of whether you benefited in the long run. Passionate leaders understand the importance of nurturing values and skills. They respect that importance in themselves and those they mentor.

If we had all let our career seeds mature and grow naturally, perhaps we would all be successful, thriving passionate leaders. But just as with other living, breathing entities, sometimes nature throws us a curveball. If you have been with the same company for a number of years and in the same position, it is safe to say you might be experiencing a professional “drought”. Maybe a professional thunderstorm is in order! Just as a the floods from a monsoon often follows the path of least resistance, perhaps you have been missing out on some opportunities by not ever actually seeking a path at all! A passionate leader, just like a single blade of grass growing in the concrete sidewalk crack, will reach up as far and as high as present conditions allow. The passionate leader seizes the opportunity, large or small, and makes it memorable.

Passionate leaders also recognize the need to constantly replenish that which makes them thrive. Whether it is time off, a good book, a new project, or acquiring a new skill, most successful leaders would agree that ensuring the longevity of their own renewable resources is a key to their success. Tend to yourself just like a farmer tends to his crop.

Modern passionate leaders value success in the workplace, but also determine that value by its truth. Those who are true to themselves, whose personal and professional choices are organic, seem to have the courage of conviction to stay the course. The decisions you make from your heart are often the simplest to follow. Just like the tomato harvested from your own vine, is always the sweetest to eat!

Make sure all your intentions are organic – of, by, and for You!

Remember, it’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature!

Oprah gave the commencement speech at Stanford University two weeks ago. Here is are the highlights of her speech. She references “If you ask the right question…”, then mistakes, failings, difficult times can be viewed much differently and more positively. Take a moment to watch this video… as leaders we can use frequent reminders that troubled times come for a reason and we need to slow down enough to acknowledge their purpose. Let me know what you think.

[youtube][/youtube]

As a leader, we are under more scrutiny than we realize. Others are observing how we handle ourselves, what we say, what we do. Do you know what messages you are giving with your body movements? I remember when one of my managers mentioned my “checkmark eyebrows.” He shared with me that my eyebrows would lift looking like checkmarks when I would get irritated. Great – I bet they were attractive too… Wow, I had no idea that my face movements were so revealing. I was very glad that he shared this with me. Take a look at this video that shares some of the most revealing non-verbal cues. Share with me which ones you can relate too.

Non Verbal Cues

Passionate Leaders Seize the Moment: 

Passionate leaders see an opening, exploit a break, and take a chance when others don’t even recognize the prospect.

If we look back on our own professional paths, we may be able to identify those leaders that inspired us to work harder, contribute more, and strive for greatness.  Achieving success is certainly predicated on hard work and sound direction, but it is also a result of fearlessly seizing opportunities.  Passionate leaders have such confidence in their ability that they are not afraid of making a mistake.  Rather, they see a mistake as an altogether new opportunity.  Passionate leaders embrace the unknown with creatively analytical solutions borne from childlike curiosity.  This childlike quality may be one of the most significant character traits that passionate leaders share. 

Jenny Ming, past president of Old Navy and GAP Inc., credits one of her greatest design ideas to seeing the world through the eyes of her child.  She was dropping off her young daughter at school on the notorious “pajama” day, when all students were allowed to come to school in PJ’s.   Nearly all the kids were wearing their dad’s pin-striped pajama pants matched with a top from their own wardrobe.  Jenny capitalized on that idea by breaking up what had always been a traditional fashion tandem – pajama bottom sold with pajama top.  Old Navy began selling all sorts of pajama bottoms as a separate with plenty of tank tops of all colors available for customers to create their own mix and match style.  This revolutionary and radical approach to selling a traditional fashion item increased sales and demonstrated how a childlike vision can reap huge benefits.  Jenny Ming passionately embraced her daughter’s point of view and crafted a marketing campaign that was the envy of her competitors.

Read more about Jenny Ming…

Today my son, James, turned 18. Hard to believe my baby boy is now a handsome young man. Where did the time go? 18 years and I wonder what has he learned from me. Some days, I think he has learned nothing from me, I am not even sure he is mine. The temper shows in loud disagreements, the language is unbelieveable and the logic – well, it just went out the window! Then there are other days, I am so proud and feel so blessed to have a son like him. The courtesy shown to others, the amazing ideas and the commitment and discipline to goals is just outstanding!

As a parent, you do your parenting, guiding, coaching and leading day by day. You hope you are building a solid foundation for your child to grow from. Yet in these teenage years the results do not show up consistently – so I do not know about you  – but that’s were my faith in my leadership experience in business, volunteer organizations and coaching others helps to pull me through.

So today, as I think on my contribution as a Mom to my son’s life, I can tell you this:

I know I have done my best even with the mistakes

I know I have learned and will continue to learn from him and have told him so

I know my faith and my patience will still be tested

I know he has already demonstrated leadership strength and will continue to build on the foundation I provided

I love him dearly – Happy Birthday, James!

There are certain behaviors and skills that I believe an effective leader must demonstrate. Here are the top Ten Characteristics of a True Leader built on my twenty years of  Passionate Leadership experience:

1.  Humble
 Knows strengths as well as weaknesses; Allows for team members to compliment her weaknesses by utilizing their strengths

2.  Honest
 Direct in communication and does not lie; provides enough information for listener to understand communication

3.  People-oriented
 Earns respect and gives genuine respect to others; understands there are different points of view

4.  Decision maker
 Takes risk; Is willing to be courageous in what she stands for and makes decisions based on her values

5.  Communicates well
 Speaks clearly and ensures others heard the communication recognizing that others may agree or disagree with the content of the communication; listens for understanding and clarity

6.  Follows and Leads
 Is willing and able to cooperate and contribute as a team member giving up the lead; Is willing and able to step into Leadership when the opportunity presents itself

7.  Embraces Leadership
 Accepts responsibility, accountability, authority

8.  Visionary
 Creates and promotes a higher cause vision; Demonstrates persistence, tenacity and staying in action to support the vision

9. Problem solvers
 Generates and utilizes ideas; very resourceful in seeking out solutions

10.  Optimistic
Has an attitude of success expectancy; enjoys and engages a sense of humor and lightheartedness

 I share them here in this audio.  [display_podcast]

Today, my oldest son Mark turns 21! Hard to believe my baby is a legal adult with all the responsibilities that come with this milestone age. As I sit here in beautiful Playa del Carmen on our family vacation, I have alot of time to reflect on how he has grown into a wonderful young man. Yes, I am biased of course but I see many young people and not all of them have the drive, determination and clarity of focus that Mark demonstrates.

Mark knew as a freshman in High School that he wanted to be an Engineer. He set goals and took actions that supported his goals. Here he is graduating a few years back from the General Motors Technical Academy as a senior in High School. He decided on taking this course where you actually learn from GM Engineers, work on GM projects, present to GM staff and must be project deadlines. It was a tremendous experience for him and set the stage for him to attend Kettering University where he is now a Junior in the Mechanical Engineering program.

Mark works for General Motors as a Co-op Student. It is great fun to have him come home from a day’s work and talk about his experiences – a new boss, a long drawn out meeting with no focus, learning new systems, meeting new co-workers and many others. He has a great attitiude and looks for opportunities to contribute.

I am happy to be his Mom – Happy Birthday, Mark!