Welcome to Fall! A beautiful time in North Carolina and a busy time for me. In August I spoke to the North Carolina  Association of Fund Raising Professionals in Greensboro, NC. My topic was "From Surviving to Thriving in Fund Raising." I purposely focused the presentation on the fund raisers themselves, not on their board members, bosses, or clients. As is my norm, it was more of a facilitated talk than a presentation and the comments from the attendees afterward were very positive. "It was so nice to think about me for a change", one person told me. At the conference I attended a couple of excellent sessions, "Make Your Content Werk" by Dawn Crawford and "SCRUM for Fundraisers" by Kelly Phoenix and Anna Marie Carr. I learned several new things. In one session I learned what SCRUM is and in another session I learned about Disruptive Marketing. Although both sessions were excellent - the session that explained Disruptive Marketing "lit my fire." I immediately researched Disruptive Leadership and VOILA, it described my leadership style. The following article shares some of my learning with you. Do you have any topics that you would like for me to write about? Please let me know.
Stay awesome.
~ E L "Betsy" Smith, PhD.
    
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All my career I was cognizant of my unique leadership style, I just didn't know there was a name for it!
Why Disruptive Leadership Works
The C-word is the dirtiest word in business jargon. No not Cancer - Complacency. It can show itself in disengaged employees, tired product launches and unmotivated customer service.
Disruptive Leadership is the front line defense against complacency. Disruptive Leadership is not about being militant or making change merely for the sake of change. It's about challenging the current way the things are done and finding a solution with a fresh approach. Characteristics of a Disruptive Leader
Leaders today are expected to cut a new path in the marketplace; to disrupt business as usual. They are expected to have a bold vision and have the personality to engage others to carry out that vision. Disruptive leaders are bold enough to break the rules, redefine the playing field and disrupt the status quo. They are effective in engaging their team and driving results - from the everyday to the extraordinary.
Clayton Christensen, in his book, "The Innovator," has five personal leadership competencies for success in today's environment.
1. A Leapfrogging Mindset - creating or doing something radically new or different that produces a leap forward.
2. Boundary Pushing - pushing personal boundaries by surrounding themselves with diverse team members. Strategically, they push the limits of their teams, organizations and partners
3. Adaptive planning - action leads to results, we learn from them and modify assumptions and approaches accordingly.
4. Data- Intuition Integration- in times of disruption, robust data rarely exists. Leaders must Use whatever information they have - then trust their gut for the rest.
5. Savoring Surprise - Disruption is a process laden with surprise. Disruptive leaders are able to use surprise as a strategic tool.
Steps you can take toward Disruptive Leadership
> Look at problems and your organization in new ways.
> Look for problems that others have labeled unsolvable.
> Focus on direct and simple solutions.
> Be patient for organizational change but impatient for meaningful impact. Impact is merely an effect - it is external. Change is internal and comes with shifts in values beliefs and attitudes.
Have you created any "waves" lately? Try out being a Disruptive Leader. ("Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.")
Here is a link to an article about Disruptive Leadership http://www.hvacrbusiness.com/why-disruptive-leadership-works
Please join the conversation with other leaders about Disruptive Leadership. Join me for a call on Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 PM to learn more about Disruptive Leadership and to share your stories. Click Here to Register!
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Fueling Personal Growth -Igniting Team Vision
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As a Consultant, Betsy puts her profound knowledge of leadership to work.
As a Coach, Betsy's
fast-paced, purpose-driven style will help you achieve personal and/or professional goals.
As a Speaker & Seminar Leader, Betsy will engage and inform you and/or your audience(s) on a range of topics.
As an Author, her compelling writing style will help readers enjoy learning.
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"Humans are ambitious and rational and proud. And we don't fall in line with people who don't respect us and who we don't believe have our best interests at heart. We are willing to follow leaders, but only to the extent that we believe they call on our best, not our worst." ~Rachel Maddow
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Betsy's One Sheet
to download a printable form About Betsy & her most Requested Speaking Topics!
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Am I making a difference?
Does my life matter?
What do I want to do with the rest of my life?
As women, we start asking ourselves these questions with increasing urgency once we turn 50. We want to live fulfilling, meaningful lives, but often feel marginalized in a society that values youth and physical beauty. It becomes more of a challenge for us to retain a sense of value, so we must be proactive in making our life choices.
This is a wonderful time for woman over fifty. Yes, you're growing older, but why not also grow bolder? Why not make this time of your life the time of your life? Get ready for your own Second Blooming.
For more information
CLICK HERE!
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 Elizabeth L. "Betsy Smith, PhD is a "Leadership Development Expert"
who works with leaders & their teams to move from average to extraordinary with strategic boldness. Other services include Strategic Planning, Group Facilitation, Team Building, & Succession Planning. Betsy has worked with large & small business, non-profits & governmental agencies.
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