Articles

10 CORE DISCIPLINES OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER Discipline 3: The Transformational Leader makes conscious choices. The effective leader knows that the more overall energy he has, the more present and sharp he is and the quicker and better he is able to make the best choices. He practices discernment and non-judgment and simultaneously uses logic,…

10 CORE DISCIPLINES OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER Discipline 2: The Transformational Leader accepts what is. The effective leader does not beat herself up. She accepts all aspects, traits, quirks, etc., of herself and others. She doesn’t take things personally, and doesn’t look at anything that happens as more than it actually is. Instead she accepts…

10 CORE DISCIPLINES OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER Discipline 1: The Transformational Leader is aware. The effective leader constantly observes and assesses himself/herself and everything around him/her. He/she understands what is true for him/her is not necessarily Truth. At any given moment, he/she is aware of who he/she is, why he/she is, and how he/she is…

It is Your Responsibility While we use the strong declaration – it is your fault to get your attention, it is not about blame. It is however about personal responsibility and empowerment. When we buy-in that we have attracted most everything that shows up, either consciously or unconsciously, we feel empowered to change things that…

It is the space between the notes that makes the music possible. It is the space in and around the vase that defines it’s shape. And it is the space that we create in our lives and our leadership that gives rise to insights, inspiration, and innovation. Unfortunately many of us have grown so accustomed…

I’m working on strengthening my adaptability.  While I like to think of myself as a pretty go-with-the-flow kind of person, there are certain times in particular when I am pushed to my flexible limits – and my limit was tested last week.  My husband and I were in Aruba and planned to fly home last Wednesday (you…

What makes a leader? If you find yourself pondering this question from time to time, you are not alone. Leaders evolve, and as such, are continuously trying to figure this one out. It’s not the definition of a leader that stumps us, as much as defining who we want to be as a leader and…

My son and I were on our way to karate class when the instrument panel of my car flashed, Cruise Control Inoperative. Without hesitation I immediately went into problem solving mode, instructing my son to retrieve the owner’s manual from the glove compartment, to look up the problem. And then in a moment, that I…

Last week, the guest speaker of SheForward shared one of her favorite quotes: “To thine own self be true…”, William Shakespeare. This in follow-up to the question: What advice would you give a young manager beginning to develop their leadership style? Her response, be yourself, be genuine, be authentic. I have to admit, it’s easy to veer…

While watching both of my children diligently perform their homework one evening, I couldn’t help but conclude that homework provides each of us with our initial leadership practices. Practice is defined as repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency. And as students of life, just as students in school we need to…

Think about a time when you felt most free.When was it? What were your life circumstances? For me it was during my college days. Although I didn’t own much then, in fact everything I did own fit comfortably into the 1968 Chevelle that I inherited from my grandfather. But this was a time when I was free…

I’m done with feeling guilty! I’ve discovered that feeling guilty is really about a limiting belief I’m holding about myself, others, a situation or an event. It’s a fictitious expectation – a bar I’ve set that’s unsubstantiated. Here’s a new twist: guilt is a reminder that something has temporarily clouded the vision of who I…

Perhaps my interest in meditation started with my own need to slow down and sit still and to just develop more patience for what is. Or maybe it is rooted in my need to be a peaceful being. But in the end my intention is to assist myself and others to gain perspective. Sometimes in my search…

I was observing some casual conversation recently where everyone is doing great. The business is great, the family is doing well, just returned from a wonderful vacation, blah, blah, blah….. While I am confident that some of what people were exchanging was true, each of the interactions seemed to lack some level of authenticity. It is almost…

Lately, I have been intrigued by a concept that a coach on our team used during a recent strategic planning session.  “The answer to how is Yes!” I have been noticing with myself how often I begin thinking of all the answers to the “how” questions. When a new idea or concept comes into play…

I was having a conversation with a client recently regarding the topic of initiative. We were wondering about the ways in which we could create conditions by which people would take initiative. We kicked around a lot of ideas when it occurred to me that what I am looking for in people is for them…

“Gifted leadership occurs where heart and head – feeling and thought – meet.  These are the two wings that allow a leader to soar.” – quote from Primal Leadership, Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence”, Daniel Goleman. I believe there’s a natural tendency in all of us to lean more into the thought of leadership,…

Inspired action is action that is derived from the “why.” It is strongly linked and influenced by our purpose and passions or reasons for being. It does not have to be a BIG step, but it does have to be a step forward, a baby step if you will. Think of it as something that is…