As Mike Dooley says in his new book Infinite Possibilities, life is about fun and growth. If there is something we are doing and it is not for fun or growth, we may want to take a deeper look at it.  Are we trying to feel powerful or important…are we trying to prove something…are we trying to get happiness from something outside of us?  We cannot “buy” or “get” happiness because happiness is what we naturally are when we have inner peace.  When we try to “get” happy from something outside of us, we soon find it does not last.  Happiness and inner peace are inside jobs.

Life is an opportunity to have fun, be creative and expand our consciousness.
We take to the grave, clutched to our hands…only what we have given away. 

1. WANT – rather then state what you DON’T want, focus on what you DO WANT.
2. WORKS – rather then pointing out what is not working, notice what IS WORKING (go as far as making a list)
3. CREATE – rather then affirming confusion, start thinking about what you would like to CREATE (think in terms of experience, types of people, schedule, daily activities etc.)…details are important here!

Although being realistic is important for gathering key facts for solid decision-making, once that “phase” is complete, move on to affirmative self-talk and speech TOWARD what you want.

You are the boss and notice your highly-skilled leadership team is slacking and impacting the rest of the team!

The Terrain…

Your relationship with the leadership team may be a tad more sensitive then usual (boss/friend dynamics can (not always) make communications a hair awkward. Usually such relationships require the highest of integrity on the part of the “employee” as to never communicate (verbally/non-verbally thru behavior) to the “boss” that their “being friendly and cool” will undermine their (boss’s) authority.

Solution Suggestions:

Option 1:

Awkward Scale: 5
Effectiveness: 4-5 (character-dependent)
The “heart to heart” conversation with leadership.
This one totally depends on your comfort level with direct confrontation.
Example: Call it a leadership meeting (you should have these)…..” Hi guys, I wanted to pull you aside as we close the year to address something I noticed may be impacting the team’s productivity. Although I feel you have excellent skills, and I understand this leadership role is new (if it is)…it is important as leaders now to set the right tone for the team. We continue to grow and expand…and although (insert company name) prides itself on its casual/creative (or insert your company’s values) atmosphere, its important as leaders that we continue to develop the right skills that will support its expansion. This team watches everything you do (that is leadership 101) and your choices send messages to the team. Although not an everyday occurrence, it is still important that if a job is pending beyond the day’s time, we show tenacity. Being committed to a project’s completion sends the right message to the team. We can keep an open dialogue should you notice an operational issue but I really need you to show the others the importance of commitment and follow through on projects (or insert specific issue).  All projects need to be completed within (insert time frame or other expectation).”

Option 2:

Awkward Scale (1-5): 2
Effectiveness: 3-5
Productivity Tracking
Track anything that would make “the conversation” easier. That way its not personal but about the work itself (which you have every right to expect the best, and present that to them.

Focus on anything that can be tracked and present/communicate a desire to improve that in 2010. Communicate your desire to prevent their overtime thru improvement which inadvertently also communicates that the expectation is that job/s need to be finished or whatever your specific expectation may be.
Tool: A short/quick end of year customer survey may give you the needed data to support work-improvement conversation.

Option 3:

Leadership Tip Sheet
Awkward Scale: 0
Effectiveness: 1- 4 (personal accountability dependent)
I would be happy to create a one-sheet of customized Leadership Behaviors that you can include/attach to job reviews… I would recommend this sheet be linked with a watered-down version of the Option 2 talk…explaining the vision/goals for next year and behaviors expected of leadership… or simply create your own according to your organizations’  vision, mission and values..  FranklinCovey also has excellent resources for ideal leadership behaviors.

Embrace the new year with on-task leadership team.   The leadership team drives the entire tone of your organization.  Whether you have 2 people or 200, top down influence is real.  Don’t ignore its impact or it could get very expensive.

Florida Children’s Sevices Council NEWS UPDATE!

Click for your free copy:

I AM Worthy of Greatness by Kristin Mackey and Scott Baker

Written for transitioning youth that have aged out of the foster care system…because regardless of where you are in life or where you want to go…. you cannot achieve your own definition of GREATNESS unless you believe you can.

My passion for the potential of the human spirit (and human mind) inspired me to post about this wonderful non-profit organization and the wonderful work they do for parents and children alike.  Please visit One Little Step and learn more about their mission, movement techniques, talented teachers and network of friends! Or simply learn how you can support their vision and the hope it brings many children and their families.

ONE LITTLE STEP LINK

Kristen Mackey, a longtime trainer for the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, has released I AM Worthy of Greatness, available as a free download (link below). Authored with Scott Baker, the book was written especially for young adults aging out of foster care at SOS Children’s Villages – Florida in Coconut Creek. It is applicable, however, to transitioning youth everywhere and has already received positive feedback from readers. It even inspired one to launch a creative project.

The short book is about healing, clarifying and creating a life aligned with one’s passion and vision. It also includes practical advice and useful links in the toolbox at the end.

“I feel the book was a huge inspirational support for young adults who have aged out of foster care,” said LaShonda Cross, Aftercare Coordinator at SOS Children’s Villages. “ It can be used to assist each individual to identify with their inner emotions. The title of the book not only speaks esteem to the young adults but it allows each of them to reflect on the fact that they are worth greatness.”

Please see the free resource below:

http://www.kristinmackey.com/shop/i-am-worthy-of-greatness-by-kristin-mackey-scott-baker/

Evan J. Goldman, Esq.

Manager of Public Affairs & Organizational Development

Children’s Services Council of Broward County

“Our Focus is Our Children”

6600 W. Commercial Blvd.

Lauderhill, FL 33319

t: (954) 377-1667

f: (954) 377-1683

Email: egoldman@cscbroward.org

CSC Website: www.cscbroward.org

Advocacy Corner: http://advocacy.cscbroward.org

Training Website: http://training.cscbroward.org

http://www.paperstreet.com

… for these reasons:

1. They are extremely creative and progressive with their concepts

2. The team’s professionalism is unmatched

3. They take the time to find solutions and take pride in being the best

4. They deliver

So if you are looking to partner with a creative team that demonstrates excellent concept and execution skills, check out the folks at Paperstreet.

I always say that a sloppy apology reveals a sloppy character…at least in the moment.  I notice Steven Covey also expands on this same idea in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People pointing out the significance of maintaining a balanced emotional bank account with key relationships – make deposits, avoid withdrawals.

So why do we make so many withdrawals with people we care about?…What inspires us to act in ways against what we really want out of an exchange?  I found my morsel of wisdom in what is revealed in simple apologies…

Have you ever observed an individual do and say everything but sincerely take accountability in the right way? I have. And what I observed is the evidence of a complete character imbalance. When the ego is larger then the heart, it will always move toward the position of power and of least vulnerability.   One way the ego reveals its lack of power is in behaviors of refusal.  When one feels low power they refuse to understand, listen or be truly receptive to another view point or truth.  As the ego saves “its face”, it can betray the heart.  To the ego, understanding, listening and being receptive is death – because it is perceived as losing individuality through the openness of actually receiving another viewpoint in sincerity.

With a heart-centered consciousness, one has full power.  You see, the ego is meant for definition and individuality.  Its purpose is for the identification of “you” within the world of “Us”.  To master the dance between the fun of enjoying our own unique expression (personality) while exchanging energy with different facets of the same diamond (other people), we must appreciate the ego for its assistance on our evolutionary journey thus far, but now let it go.   The new energy that many are buzzing about in the dawn of 2012 is simply global evolution.  And the “new humanity” trying to emerge has a new basic operating system.  Just as we upgrade our personal software, the world is upgrading its operating system.  To operate successfully in this “new world”, one must be mindful to recognize that ego-centered consciousness is not an effective path anymore for what we want to create.  There is plenty of evidence as we watch older societal structures dismantle  – evolution does not play around.

So here are two powerful things you can do right now:

1. upgrade your software by consciously allowing your heart to be the driver in all your interactions (let it guide you)

2. begin to think in terms of one humanity while acting locally toward that unified vision

1. Everyone should have care…we are one human family. Period.

2. Our society perpetuates poor diets, toxic food and solid bottom lines off the sick… ok, huh? Soooooo, sick people are good money making “customers”? wow.

3. Prevention should be a powerful priority backed by funds regardless of who is losing money…raise your hand if you want to get a check every time someone vomits?…our system supports and perpetuates this mentality.

4. Everyone is so overwhelmed with healthcare’s “broken pieces” and trying to glue them together that the most obvious and most powerful solutions are overlooked.

Perhaps a radical approach is in order?

1. Like all folks should be FREE, all folks should have support when they suffer. If the system does not move fast enough…then move faster then the system…calling all caregivers – give. give. give! Don’t wait for a slow moving system to support what you know you can do now.

2. Take care of your body and change the business model from making money off the sick to making money off the healthy. Can you imagine the paradigm shift if being healthy, well and happy were this huge economic driver? Then when anyone is sick they would have access to top quality care that’s easily funded.  What a concept.

3.  Create HEALING CENTER/HOSPITAL HYBRIDS …they should be beautiful, loving, warm and homey….the focus should be “we trust the body’s ability to heal, we simply support its return to balance”…and a true partnership between modern medical science and the cutting edge discoveries on energy medicine/color therapy/meditation etc. would dance in harmony  toward a wellness VISION that is about creating and sustaining health, balancing the body and intervening only when necessary.

I heard Steven Covey once say that true leadership comes from saying.. “I’ll go first”…