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The Leadership Advisor
"Helping Leaders Develop Leaders"
September 2009 - Volume 4 Edition 8
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Fall Leaves 2

"Room for improvement is the largest room in the world." ~ unknown

"The humble man makes room for progress. The proud man believes he is already there." ~ Fulton J. Sheen

"If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall." ~ unknown

"The challenges we face are not economic, environmental, social, or legal; they are challenges of character and leadership." ~ Phil Eastman

"Smiling is contagious. . .Start an epidemic!" ~ Seen on Mr. Anderson's classroom wall

Talking
As the Leader, my presence is not required; lending my name will be sufficient.

By Phil Eastman

Several years ago in preparation for a presentation, I looked up the word "lead" in the dictionary. Although we have a working definition of leadership we share with our clients, it had been some time since I had gone to Webster's to be refreshed. There are several definitions of the word lead. Among them were:
  • To guide on a way especially by going in advance
  • To direct on a course or in a direction
  • To serve as a channel for
  • To direct the operations, activity, or performance of

    • What piqued my interest was the active nature of these definitions. They conjure a picture of the leader working alongside the team in ways that contribute to the overall accomplishments of the team, without anyone losing sight that the leader is still the leader. This is a very powerful model of leadership.

    Counter to this view is the myth that as the leader, my presence is not required; lending my name will be sufficient for my team. Leaders who believe this myth labor under the misconception that they can provide direction without being engaged. Leadership is people- based work and as such requires that leaders be active in the work of the team.

    One challenge with this view of leadership comes as organizations grow. Growth provides opportunity and challenge and perpetuates the myth that leadership is done from a distance. To be sure, as growth occurs and leaders are required to see an ever-broadening view of their responsibilities, their time for engagement is impacted. The answer to this challenge is for leaders to grow other leaders at every level of the organization, leaders who can and will carry leadership to the people.

    I often hear from leaders that there is not enough time for them to connect with their people. They are trapped in time-consuming and important tasks that keep them from engaging. I certainly experienced this as a banker. My calendar would fill every week with the demands of clients and colleagues. Periodically on my calendar would appear an entry, "Phil wanders the 4th floor." My administrative assistant Charly, after listening to people say that they had not seen me recently, would schedule me to wander the halls and chat. The first time this happened, I thought it was a waste of time. After engaging in this wandering leadership, I found people were much more willing to share what was really happening, that they did appreciate my effort to connect with them in their own work environment, and that my presence, as a channel for their challenges, was very valuable to them, to me, and to the bank.

    If you find yourself caught in the myth that leadership does not require your presence, here are two things you can do:
    1. Develop leaders throughout your organization. Leadership is not just for the top people.
    2. Go wander around the organization and engage with people where they are.

    The reality is that as a leader can you cannot lead in name only; your presence is required. Engage with your people today!

    As the Leader, my presence is not required; lending my name will be sufficient, is #7 in a series of leadership myths, Phil is having fun exploring.

    Phil Eastman combines more than 25 years of leadership experience with his passion developing leaders, building teams, and enhancing performance.

    As an advisor, consultant, teacher and coach Phil works with a growing and diverse group of clients in a variety of industries and countries. His leadership experience and expertise have made him a sought after speaker and advisor to organizations in the United States, Canada, Asia and Australia.

    Phil earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management and Organization from Idaho State University and holds a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary. He is a graduate of and instructor for the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Phil is also a Master Instructor for Prosci's Change Management Learning Center.
    Mrs. Congeniality
    By Lorene Rasmussen

    In April, when my girlfriend Annie could not help as a volunteer for the Mrs. Idaho America pageant, my very kind husband agreed to take her place. Just like the past, we took tickets and sold pageant programs at the door, not thinking this year would be any different.

    Once the pageant started, we had the privilege of joining the audience. In the quiet of the auditorium, I was minding my own business, enjoying the beautiful women on stage in their evening gowns, swimming suits, and costumes they proudly modeled, when my husband leaned over and asked, "So tell me, why aren't you up there?" I smiled, and then smirked in his direction, "Because I'm sitting here with you." That one question changed the course of our spring as I was gently encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and challenged to compete in the Mrs. Idaho International pageant.

    After going through an application and interview process, I was selected for the local titleholder of Mrs. Western Idaho International 2010. All summer I spent my free time working with a pageant coach (did you know there was such a thing?), shopping for the perfect evening gown, learning how to walk like a model while smiling like a politician, and promoting my platform of Family Justice Centers.

    Last Saturday night, September 26, at the Nampa Civic Center, ten women competed for Mrs. Idaho International. We each were judged in three categories:
  • Interview (mostly questions about our platform)
  • Fitness and apparel (no swimsuits)
  • Evening Gown (poise and elegance)

    • Over the course of the weekend, the leaders, coaches, and assistants reminded us, "different day; different judge." We all took the mantra to heart, as we continued practicing our opening number and choreographed the other portions of the competition. When the pageant was nearly over and the top five contestants were named, I found myself exiting the stage with four other women who worked equally as hard as the five we left. We stood backstage listening to the top five recite their 30-second platform speech and final interview question.

    Once the final scores were tallied, and we were invited back onto the stage, our sister contestant Brandi Townsend from Inkim, Idaho was named Mrs. Idaho International 2010. She will be going to Chicago next July to compete for Mrs. International.

    Following the pageant, partygoers were dismissed into a banquet hall, where the remaining awards were handed out. I sat with my family as different names were called for most photogenic, best interview, prettiest evening gown, etc. At the very end, our Executive Director, Autumn Short, said, "and last but not least, we want to award Mrs. Congeniality to Lorene Rasmussen." I was shocked, amazed, and blessed since this award is the only one voted on by my sister contestants, and in many pageants considered the favorite one.

    Whether I do this ever again is yet to be determined, but I will tell you, the whole experience stretched me, allowing me to shed some of my preconceived notions about pageants. This is what I know for sure: I still hold the local title of Mrs. Western Idaho for a few more months, and there is a lot of work left to do with FACES of Boise and the Nampa Family Justice Center, and I am going to make the best of my remaining months.

    Lorene Rasmussen is the Partner for Business Operations which guides and supports the daily and strategic operations of Leadership Advisors Group. She combines a unique sense of fun and organization to ensure operations run smoothly and that clients receive the highest quality service possible.

    Lorene earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing from Boise State University and is a certified Life Coach through Genesis Enterprises in Seattle, Washington.
    The Book Cover
    By Phil Eastman

    I am excited and nervous at the same time. On September 1st we released our first publication project. The Character of Leadership: An Ancient Model for a Quantum Age is out in the marketplace and we are receiving great support. Thank you.

    I am excited because of the possibilities of this book for the direction of leadership development. The book is an argument for the role of character in leadership and makes the case that for leadership to be great, character must be great as well. We have had countless affirmations of this timeless reality.

    I am nervous because publishing a book is a concrete act that opens my ideas up to challenge, disagreement

    There are many ways for you to connect with this project:
    1) We have a dedicated website, www.characterofleadership.com that has information about the character of leadership model and a free assessment. I invite you to visit the site and complete the assessment.
    2) You can find our blog by clicking www. characterofleadership.blogspot.com
    3) You can follow me on Twitter @phileastman
    4) Connect on LinkedIn
    5) Connect on Facebook

    If you are interested in the reading The Character of Leadership: An Ancient Model for a Quantum Age, you will find it at www.characterofleadership.com or on www.amazon.com. I look forward to hearing from you with your comments and feedback.
    Leadership Advisors Group helps clients achieve success through:
    • Competency based and character driven leadership development.
    • Comprehensive, flexible, and focused strategic plans.
    • Results oriented change management.

    You are receiving this email from Leadership Advisors Group because you are a valued client, have requested information regarding our services, or you are part of a highly respected organization. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, please add phil@leadershipadvisors.com to your address book.

    Phil Eastman & Lorene Rasmussen
    Leadership Advisors Group

    phone: (208) 344-0471
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