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Holiday Memories
Leadership Challenge
Success Story
Featured Service & Call to Action
Suggested Reading
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Issue: # 5 December 2010

 

This newsletter is dedicated to leaders, mentors and coaches who hold a light so that others can see, learn and grow.

 

Holiday Memories 

At Christmastime, my parents decorated the house in lights. One of my favorite memories was returning home in the dark at the end of a December day and seeing the house lit up with colored lights that shone on the surface of the glistening snow. It reminded me of all that is right with the world. It helped me feel safe enough to continue to seek adventure and to learn from whatever came my way.

Every one of us has an opportunity to provide light for others and to help others see their own light. In this season in which the human race worldwide celebrates light in the darkness (examples: Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Christmas, Diwali), may we each shine and may we encourage and appreciate the light in one another.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." 

-Albert Schweitzer

Leadership Challenge
   
Every day, and with no additional cost, leaders have an opportunity to shed light and promote learning and positive change for others. How does one do that?

Highly successful leaders inspire insight, creating moments with others when the light bulb switches on. When explaining the neuroscience of change, leadership expert David Rock writes "insight is the secret sauce". When the light bulb goes on, people understand that something new and better is possible and become intrinsically motivated to make it happen.
 
Four Fundamentals That Promote Insight
  1. Build a safe environment
  2. Listen completely
  3. Challenge meaningfully
  4. Spotlight successes and capabilities 

1. Build a safe environment
Your checklist
  • Do I consistently treat others with respect and kindness?
  • Do I treat failures with curiosity and as opportunities to coach?

  • Do I create a clear vision, goals and priorities with others?

  • Do I make meeting spaces (virtual or in-person) conducive to good interaction? (Virtual: technology in good working order, clear instructions - In person: Eye contact for all, physical comfort)

  • Do I make room for others to think and connect with one another?

  • Do I manage my own anger, fear and frustration well?

  • Do I demonstrate openness to ideas other than my own?
  • 
2. Listen completely
Your checklist
  • Do I make eye contact when meeting in person? Specific verbal acknowledgement when meeting virtually?
  • Do I focus fully on the person/people and content in front of me? (No interruption for phone calls, email, etc.)

  • Do I check for understanding ("This is what I'm hearing. . . Am I getting it?") and adjust as I get additional information?

  • Do I listen for non-verbal messages (tone of voice, pacing, energy level, body language if in person) and check them out to make sure I understand?

  • Do others leave encounters with me knowing they have been fully heard? If I'm not sure, do I ask?
  • 
3. Challenge meaningfully
Your checklist
  • Do I understand the other's motivation and capabilities enough to provide challenges that motivate, stretch and inspire?
  • Do I clarify rewards that matter to the other if the challenge is met successfully? (Examples of rewards that are meaningful to one person and not necessarily to another: work schedule flexibility, opportunity to learn, career advancement, money, recognition, contribution to the team or organization)

  • Do I have regular conversations about how the challenge is going and offer encouragement and mentoring along the way?
  • 
4. Spotlight successes and capabilities
Your checklist
  • Do I help others see their own past successes and current capabilities and how those relate to the current challenge?
  • Do I point out examples of others' success in similar situations and help others extrapolate to their own challenge?

 

 

 

 

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."  

-Edith Wharton

Insight to Action: Success Story

When I first met with Tim, he was the President of his company and on a path to become the next CEO. His boss, the current CEO and Chairman of the Board, had concerns about Tim's presentations and presence with the Board of Directors. He became self-conscious and lacked confidence when in Board settings. Since the Board had to approve Tim's promotion to CEO, Tim's boss asked Tim and I to find ways for Tim to be a more effective communicator with the Board. Tim looked forward to becoming the CEO and, though frustrated, was motivated to address this stumbling block.
 
I visited Tim in his welcoming office and sat across his conference table (vs. across his desk) from him. I had (and have) very high regard for Tim. He is an extraordinary leader and I was happy to partner with him to address this very meaningful challenge and I told him so. I then asked him to describe the challenge as he saw it and I listened. He explained that he became uncommonly nervous when with the Board and did not come across as "himself". I saw the frustration in his face and heard it in his voice. I asked him to tell me about situations in which he was "himself" even when under pressure to perform while addressing important groups. He had many examples. We explored his successes and extrapolated the keys to his success in those settings. He explained that he knew he had something of value to bring to those situations.
 
This coaching session was an "aha moment" for him when he realized that he had much of value to bring to the Board and already had what it took to succeed with the them. We prepared for the next Board meeting, using Tim's insights. We focused on his self-talk - what he said to himself about the value he brought to the Board.

In time, with continuous practice and instructive feedback, Tim successfully changed his demeanor and communication approach with the Board. He is currently a very successful CEO and the Chairman of the Board.

 

"I am not bound to win, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have"

 

-Abraham Lincoln

Featured Service & Call to Action
Insight to Action

As you close out this calendar year and look to 2011, I hope you and your team will
  • Shine a light on your successes in 2010 and
  • Use the insights to build your path to success in 2011

I welcome an opportunity to partner with you in this very high leverage approach to change.

 

Happy Holidays and New Year! Pat

Suggested Reading

Quiet Leadership by David Rock 
-In this excellent resource for leaders who wish to become highly effective coaches of others, Rock describes the science behind brain functioning and related behavior change. He then outlines six steps for transforming performance at work.  
 

The Truth About Leadership by James Kouzes and Barry Posner
-Based on 30 years of leadership research, this book outlines specific actions leaders can take to bring out the best in their people and organizations. It is an inspiring read that is chock full of wisdom.
 
 
Please let me know if I can answer any questions you may have. I welcome feedback on my newsletter. 
 
Sincerely

Pat
Path Onepat newmann

"Your partner in change"

Phone: 415-924-8112
 
 
Website:http://www.partnerinchange.com 
 
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/patnewmann