What is the importance of caring within successful organizations? - part #2

Given all that is happening in the world at this time period, we need to continually create and maintain the bonds that hold us together. After visiting so many organizations over the last two years, I have come to the conclusion that the successful ones are in part successful because they understand something very important. Successful organizations recognize that health is restored in broken systems and broken relationships by creating new connections and strengthening existing ones. As Angela Blanchard wrote, “you can not build on broken.”

As part of the process of creating and maintaining the bonds that hold us together, more people need to move from relationships based on hierarchy to relationships based on connections and a sense of community. The first step in this journey is to build new connections through shared understanding and new experiences. One way to do this is to get people together in small groups and to discuss the following four questions:

- Why did you join this organization

- Why do you stay here?

- Why does that matter?

- What do you hope to achieve during the next 6-9 months?

Furthermore, I believe in celebrating planned organizational short term wins at the group level and personal milestones at the individual level. According to Dan Cohen in his book, The Heart of Change Field Guide: Tools and Tactics for Leading change in Your Organization (Harvard Business School Press, 2005) the characteristics of an effective short-term win are the following: measurable, visible, timely, relevant to all stakeholders, relevant to objectives, relevant to the situation, and relevant to the people who need to carry the change forward. Personal milestones, on the other hand, are significant points in one’s personal development.

This week, sit down with your team and discuss what have been and will be the planned short term wins for the rest of 2018. Then, enter into a discussion about what have been and what will be your own personal milestones in this process.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Leading with Executive Presence - part #2

One of the hardest lessons to learn about when leading with executive presence is that every day there are things that will make you as a leader upset, irritated or feeling off balance. Big or small, these triggers are not always controllable or within your circle of influence. They just are. And you as a leader have to deal with them whether you like it or not. 

First, in situations of this nature, recognize that you are more visible with every level you move up in the organization. All of your actions are constantly sending a message. Therefore, be more present when you are with people and quit multi-tasking. Instead, spend more time shaping the values and standards.

Second, there is a difference between creating connections and relationships vs. connectivity. The later is about e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc. It helps, but it is not a relationship. The former takes time, energy and commitment.

Third, as a leader, you need to be doing more of the thinking, not always more of the doing. And when you are thinking, always bring the problem you are struggling with back to the mission and operating principles of your organization. Next, support those who role model the mission. And as a leader, always stay focused on the mission.

Fourth, when leading with executive presence, you will need to learn to deal with disjointed incrementalism, i.e. knowing where you want to go, but not always how to get there. In situations of this nature, convey strategic intent and make the objectives clear, but avoid micromanaging those who will execute on them

This week, remember that we all have difficult days in the world of leadership. You can choose how you deal with them, but always remember to stay focused on the mission.

FYI: I am taking off the next two Mondays for some personal thinking and reflection time. I have to practice what I write about here in this blog. I will be back with more Monday Thoughts on 6/29/15. 

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Rediscover Individual and Shared Purpose

Right now many people act as if they are a community of one. This me-oriented society is digitally connected to thousands and yet at times feels completely isolated. These individuals do not understand the difference between personal connections and connectivity. The former is the foundation for the later.

As an executive coach, I listen to a fair number of people who worry about their companies, their future and their ability to make a difference as a leader. My challenge to you today is to ask yourself the following questions when you are worried: 

- What gets you up in the morning? 

- What is your passion? 

- What kind of day do you want to have so you can go to bed with thanksgiving and wake up the next morning with gratitude?

When visiting with people who are living their passion as leaders, I notice one unique observation. They make family time a priority. They do this by creating new and celebrating old family traditions. It seems that these traditions ground them, and remind them of the purpose of their life. I believe these positive traditions create a shared sense of purpose which renews them at a deeper level.

This holiday season, I encourage you to make family time a priority. Create new traditions and celebrate old ones. It will bring a sense of purpose back into your life journey.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257