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A few weeks ago, I listened to Pulitzer Prize winner, Doris Kearns Goodwin, talk about her new book Team of Rivals - The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. She was fascinating. The book is a bit intimidating (more than 600 pages) but so far, worth the read! The book is centered on Lincoln's mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation's history. If you are looking for a summer reading project, I would strongly recommend this book.
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Greetings!
Last week, I attended and spoke at the National Speakers Association Annual Conference in NYC. I left exhausted, motivated, and a little bit down in the dumps! When I left, I realized how little I really know and how much I need to know to grow my business. My thinking was stretched, my capacity for learning a lot of stuff in a short period of time was stretched, and my ability to be "on" was stretched. By being "on", I mean being personable, caring, helpful, pleasant and approachable 24/7. Now the hard part begins, taking what I learned and applying it to my business! My plan is to start with Search Engine Optimization, who knew - I thought I was doing OK just by having a website! |
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Feedback Hurts! When was the last time that you received some really good, really honest, constructive feedback? A month ago, a year ago? Last night when your wife told you that your obsessive baseball chit chat is annoying? Good feedback is hard to find. Sometimes we have to ask for it. Find a colleague, who will tell you the truth, and ask for specific feedback. Before deciding WHO to ask, make sure that he/she is objective, articulate, appropriate, and respected. Once you decide WHAT kind of feedback you want and who you want it from, decide WHERE and WHEN you want to hear the feedback. A private place, free of interruptions works best. A conference room, an offsite lunch, or a closed office are all good places. Feedback is best when it's fresh and shared in a timely manner. When receiving feedback, be a good listener, be non-defensive and appreciative. Ask for clarification if you need to but don't disagree with the person providing the feedback. After all, you asked for it! One of my favorite job aids (which I have used in Leadership Training) is something called the Feedback Wheel, which can be purchased from Career Systems International, 800-577-6916. |
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The Seven C's of Leadership A few years ago, I developed a keynote program called The Seven C's of Leadership. It has become one of my most requested programs. As a matter of fact, I will be delivering the program to a group of Retail Executives in August, a group of Nursing Leaders in September and a group of Pharmaceutical Scientists in November. I guess you could say that the program has mass appeal! So what are the Seven C's you ask? Here we go.... great leaders know how to make connections with their customers, their co-workers, their teams and their colleagues. They are strategic networkers! Great leaders are highly competent, courageous, and have a great deal of character, which means that they do the right thing! Great leaders also have tremendous communication skills which implies that they know how to speak to all kinds of audiences but more importantly they listen to thier constituents. Today's business leaders must be Champions of Change, they must know how to influence others to move forward towards a vision and they have to have a high level of commitment. When I deliver The Seven C's of Leadership, I always customize the program with stories and examples for that audience. |
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All I Really Need to Know, I Learned from My Audiences
Years ago Robert Fulghum wrote an essay titled All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It was a clever and creative essay but there were a few things that were missing. These are the important things that I have learned from my audiences:
o Laughter is powerful. Research has proved that laughter reduces stress. When I make my audiences laugh, I book more speaking engagements. When was the last time that you made someone laugh?
o Be flexible and have a contingency plan. Sometimes things don't go as scheduled; it's really not a big deal as long as you have a back up plan.
o Diversity is good. Diverse people and diverse thinking leads to better ideas.
o Always look professional and appropriate, if you don't people won't take you seriously.
o Start and end on time. Everyone appreciates it.
o Food is important. You can be the best speaker in the world but the meeting will not be a success unless the food is delicious, the coffee is hot and the wait staff is polite.
o Be prepared. You can't fake competence.
o Have fun. If you enjoy what you do, everyone will enjoy working with you and being part of your team.
o When you ask the right questions you get good information.
o Don't sweat the small stuff. Not everyone will like your style and that's OK as long as you are sincere.
o Develop long term relationships. Each booking can lead to other bookings as long as I stay in touch.
o Remember people's names. It means a lot.
o Always give 100%, even when you don't feel like it.
o Become an outstanding host or hostess! A few months ago, a woman from my audience thanked me for delivering an inspiring keynote but she was much more impressed with me because I hung up her coat and helped her find a seat.
o Give away free stuff. Everyone likes presents.
o Become a life long learner and know what is going on in the world. My programs are always more interesting when I can talk about current events, world leaders, sports figures, business mergers and other interesting stuff.
o Interact. If my audience isn't engaged, they are bored.
o Storytelling is a gift. Kids love stories and adults love stories. My audience might not remember my name, but they will remember my stories.
o It's not about me, it's about them!
And as Robert Fulgham wrote, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. And when you step up to the microphone, remember that it is not about you, it is always about pleasing the audience! |
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Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Sincerely,
Regina Clark
Left Brain Leverage |
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