People-Whispering Tip: Learn to Be Bold and Make a Dent in the Universe
DiSC Assessment Application: Videos for You on the Website re the Work of Leaders Profile (DiSC and Leadership), Emotional Intelligence, and your Primary Leadership Dimension, FREE Strategy Sessions, Free Everything DiSC Comparison Reports, The Work of Leaders Book
Transformational Coaching Tip: How to be Bold
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People-Whispering Tip:
In many organizations, people are sometimes hesitant to speak their minds and to express bold thoughts and ideas. We’ve been taught that we need to be innovative while still being on time and within budget! We’ve been taught (consciously or not) that being too “out there” could be potentially career-limiting.
But consider this quote from the late Management Guru Peter Drucker:
“People who don’t take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.”
So why then are we often reluctant to craft bold visions and/or to make bold moves? Most of us realize more than ever before how rapidly the world is changing. We get that we need to adapt to the changing world around us.
After all, if we don’t advocate for bold visions in our work (and in our personal lives for that matter), we run the risk of becoming about as relevant as a buggy whip manufacturer. We must “grow or die” as George Land said. On some level we all know that to be true.
We know it intellectually, but anytime you are stretching personal or organizational boundaries there will be resistance. I came across an interesting blog post from Michael Hyatt recently regarding Steven Pressfield’s book The War of Art. Pressfield writes eloquently about the roadblocks that keep us from fulfilling our creative potential and was recently featured on Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday” show.
He outlines 11 areas in which human beings resist change. All 11 areas require some form of boldness and inspired action. He also sums it up by saying that “any act that rejects immediate gratification in favor of long-term growth, health, or integrity…will elicit resistance.”
Sound familiar? It has certainly been my experience personally as well as in my work as an Executive Leadership Coach and Speaker/Trainer as I work with clients to assist them in becoming better leaders and in creating healthier corporate cultures where people and profits thrive.
Let’s face it. Boldness is uncomfortable. It can open you up to failure, blame, and criticism. But if you are going to make mistakes anyway, you might as well fail forward. Who knows?
You just might succeed.
QUESTION: What keeps you from making bold moves or from creating bold visions as a leader? Leave your comments below.
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DiSC® Assessment Application(s)
1) Video Clips describing The Work of Leaders research and more
Want a big picture overview of what this Work of Leaders profile outlining the best practices for leaders to craft a vision, build alignment, and to champion execution is all about? Laura has created a short video clip from a recent talk on DiSC and Leadership based using the Work of Leaders Vision-Alignment-Execution model.
Laura Davis Presents: DiSC and Leadership from Laura Davis on Vimeo.
There are two other short video clips on the topics of Emotional Intelligence and Leadership and your Primary Leadership Dimension. Please provide us with feedback on whether these were helpful for you and what other video topics we might provide you with in the future.
For more information on how these training and coaching tools can support your business, please call us at 404-327-6330 or email me at Laura@lauraadavis.com.
2) Complimentary DiSC Strategy Sessions
Interested in a Test Run?
Schedule a complimentary DiSC strategy session with me with no obligation. During this 30 minute discussion, we’ll discuss your business objectives and challenges, talk about your organization’s leadership capabilities and see if Everything DiSC Solutions are a fit for your organization. Email me at Laura@lauraadavis.com to schedule a time.
3) Everything DiSC Comparison Reports
Enhance your internal leadership, sales, and interpersonal skills training programs with Everything DiSC Comparison reports for FREE!
One of the biggest benefits of having your team take any of the Everything DiSC profiles is the ability to run Comparison Reports on any two individuals at no charge. This is excellent information for coaching for performance or for conflict resolution just to name a few application examples.
If you or anyone on your training staff is interested in learning how to use this free resource, please contact us by calling 404-327-6330 or by emailing Laura@lauraadavis.com.
Start on the path toward even more effective talent management today!
4) The Work Leaders: How Vision, Alignment and Execution Will Change the Way You Lead by Julie Straw, Mark Scullard, Susie Kukkonen, and Barry Davis
Recall this book from my friends and colleagues at Inscape/Wiley introduces the Vision-Alignment-Execution model which synthesizes the 3 fundamental responsibilities all leaders have. Leaders must craft a vision, build alignment, and champion execution. Of course, there is a lot of skill required in each of these areas which is what the book is all about. First a few definitions are in order:
- Crafting a Vision: Imagining an improved future state that the group will make a reality through its work.
- Building Alignment: Getting to the point where everyone in the group understands and is committed to the direction of the organization.
- Championing Execution: Ensuring that the conditions are present for the imagined future to be turned into a reality.
Stay tuned for future webinars and training’s which will delve into the VAE model so you will know how you can begin to apply it to your leadership challenges.
For more on how to increase your organization’s effectiveness using the Work of Leaders profile and/or training materials, please call us at 404-327-6330 or email me at Laura@lauraadavis.com.
The Work of Leaders book recently released by Wiley
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Transformational Coaching Tip:
Since I am highlighting the Work of Leaders book in this ezine, I thought it might be helpful to take each driver for each aspect of the VAE model in turn and offer some tips for how to implement it in the real world. Stay tuned for future editions of this ezine to learn about the other drivers to master in your leadership journey.
Recall the second driver of Vision is Boldness.
Here are some tips modified from p. 41 of the book for you to try:
1. Make a list of the pros and cons of making a bold move and focus on the benefits of the “pros.” As Drucker says, you are going to make mistakes (learning experiences) regardless.
2. Show your confidence in your team or in your peers by challenging them with a bold idea. Steve Jobs was famous for this by encouraging his colleagues to “make a dent in the universe.”
3. Share responsibility for the bold vision with others around you. You don’t have to be the lone ranger!
4. Gain confidence by first proposing your ideas to people with whom you feel comfortable. Avoid trying out your idea with your “toughest case.” There is a time and place for testing assumptions which we will address later.
5. Have a plan in case you find yourself intimidated by negative reactions.
6. Assume you will have to deal with resistance. I don’t get any royalties but you might want to look at The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It has some excellent suggestions for how to deal with resistance effectively.
For assistance in applying any of these best practices into your workplace for more powerful, effective results, feel free to call us at 404-327-6330 or email me at Laura@lauraadavis.com.