Kevin's Blog

Five Ways To Share Your Leadership Influence

2009-07-03T08:19:00.000-04:00

The young leader might not recognize it, and the veteran may no longer think about it, but neither situation obscures the truth: leaders influence all the time.

At one level this makes complete sense. After all, as leaders we are trying to take people towards a desired destination, and since we can't force anyone to do anything (at least not successfully for any extended length of time), we must rely on our ability to influence others to move them towards the goals.

This sort of planned or intentional influence is important, and seldom forgotten, yet it isn't the only influence that matters, nor is it the most common.

The more "everyday" influence is what may be forgotten or ignored because we don't realize the subtle forms influence can take and how pervasive it is.

The reality is that as a leader everything we do is noticed, analyzed, and has meaning placed on it.

Let's look at the five ways all leaders share their influence, intentionally . . . or not.

The Five Influencers

We influence in each of these five ways all the time. The more aware of this we are, the more successful we will be.

Our words. The things we say - and don't say - have a huge impact on the thoughts and behaviors of others. This can take the form of the carefully planned and rehearsed comments of a politician (or of you before a big planning meeting), or the seemingly mundane way we say good morning (or if we say it at all). Everything leaders say plays a part in how successfully their influence moves people in the desired directions.

Our actions. The cliché is that actions speak louder than words. For a leader, this is more than cliché; it is truth. What do you do when someone shares a new idea? How do you we react to the news about a new Customer or a problem? Your team takes cues about the things you place a priority on simply by watching what you focus the most energy/time/attention on.

Our body language. Do you nod your head eagerly or roll your eyes? Do you smile broadly or are you continually wearing a frown? Do you sit alertly in meetings, or lean back in comfort? Those around you are picking up on these cues all day long. The biggest challenge here is that our body language may be misinterpreted - so we must be vigilant and aware of this risk.

Our attitude. Most everyone knows and believes that enthusiasm is contagious, unfortunately, the opposite is also so true. Our attitude is contagious regardless of what it is, especially as a leader. A participant in a workshop once told me, "I can tell if it is going to be a good day based on the supervisor's attitude when he walks in the door." Enough said.

Our decisions. Of course many of our decisions influence people's thoughts and behaviors, but I'm not taking about the overt decisions about actions and directions that we might share in a staff meeting. Rather, I'm talking about the subtle decisions we make that have a direct impact on the other four ways we share our influence.

If I had asked you to come up with the list after reading the title of this article, you likely would have come up with the first four ways. While they are all important, it is the fifth way - influencing through our decisions - that might be overlooked, but arguably is most important because our decisions and choices directly impact the other four influencers.

As a leader we influence, whether we like it not.

The best leaders make decisions to influence positively and constructively and realize that those decisions are the critical first step to making it happen.

Potential Pointer: Leaders are influencing others all the time, whether we are aware of it or not. Remarkable leaders are aware of the subtle ways they influence others and make conscious decisions to make sure they are sharing the influence they want, and need, to be most successful.

Getting Your Money's Worth From Training and Development by Andrew McK. Jefferson, Roy V.H. Pollock, Calhoun W. Wick

2009-07-03T08:16:00.002-04:00

This isn't a page-turning, read-on-the-beach book. That isn't an indictment, just a fact. This is a workbook designed to help you do exactly what the title promises: get more for your training and development dollars.

Actually, this isn't one book, it's two.

One cover is subtitled "A Guide to Breakthrough Learning for Managers." Flip the book over and the other cover is subtitled: "A Guide to Breakthrough Learning for Participants."

When you read the book from the perspective you are most interested in, you will find a surprise in the middle. It ends. And, the next page is upside down (which is the end of the book starting from the other cover)!

This unique and functional approach to creating the book is a telling sign of the usefulness of the content itself. As a workbook it contains specific tools, techniques and templates that you are encouraged to use. Sporting good learning approaches, solid and easy to follow examples are included to make both the concepts and the suggested tasks easy to follow and apply.

If you are a training professional, you will love this book. If you are a passionate learner who gets frustrated by your inability to apply what you learn in workshops, this book will help you. If you are a corporate leader who wants to know how to create a better return on your training investment, this book will give you practical clues as well (but be prepared to get involved and not just hand it off to someone else).

Beach reading? No.

Valuable and practical reading? Absolutely.

If you fit any of the descriptions shared above, this book deserves a spot on your desk - not just your bookshelf.

Learn More and Purchase from Amazon

Best Leadership Blog of 2009

2009-07-01T10:00:00.002-04:00

Here is your chance to vote for the Best Leadership Blog of 2009.

On the voting page you will see all ten nominated blogs, with links so you can check them out before you place your vote.

The Remote Control of Your Life

2009-06-27T19:02:00.000-04:00

Walk into most any house and you will see at least one (usually several).

They are as helpful as they are ubiquitous.

You use them without even thinking about them and even though you don't know how they work (or how to program them) you probably use them every single day.

What am I talking about?

Your television remote control.

These little objects come with more and more pieces of electronic equipment from video cameras to fans; but we are most familiar with them and I am going to speak about them in relationship to our television.

How often do you use your television without the remote control?

Even if you know how to change the channels and turn the set on and off without the remote, I'm guessing you look for and use that comfortable remote to do not only the things that only it can do, but also to control the basics functions that you could just walk up to the TV and operate.

Without a doubt the remote control has become so much a part of our lives that we use it without thinking.

Remote controls allow us to do a job easier, faster and with less effort. And, as they have gotten more sophisticated, we can now program these magical remote control devices to do even more functions, to make our lives even easier.

As remarkable as these remote controls are, they aren't nearly as remarkable as the remote control device that we use in our lives every day.

Our remote control is habit.

Our habits are even more ubiquitous and taken for granted than our remote control. And like a remote control they can make our lives easier; help us get things done faster and with less effort.

Like the more modern remote controls which can be programmed to do a wide range of features, we have complete control of the ability to program our habits.

And while most people don't know how to program their remote controls (and therefore aren't able to tap into the vast potential power that they offer), most of us don't think about or know how to program our habits to be the most useful and powerful either.

While it is certainly a waste of capability for the 27-function programmable remote to be used only for changing channels or turning the TV on and off, it is a much larger travesty when we don't take the time to learn how to, and then consciously, program our far-more-potentially-powerful habits.

Your Quick-Start Habit Programming Guide

Like any manual for a consumer appliance, there is the long detailed manual and the quick start guide.

Consider what follows as the ultra-quick, let's-get-started-today manual to programming your habits to aid you in creating the life experience and success you want.

Read it recognizing there is MUCH more to learn. But also read it knowing these steps can be incredibly powerful in your life - right now - when you choose to implement them.

Determine a new habit you would like to have in your life. Perhaps it is reading more, eating healthier, exercising more, or any of 100 personal or professional situations. Notice that these habit examples are actually goals that will be reached when you programming a new habit.
Determine what habit you are going to let go of to make room for your new habit. For example, if you want to exercise more, and you have determined the morning is the best time for you; you likely will realize your day already seems full. Unless you make an adjustment in your current routine, you will not be successful at programming that new habit. So, to make room for the new habit, you must eliminate another one. (In this case perhaps it is giving up watching David Letterman, so you can go to bed earlier and get up early enough to exercise, maybe you could even record Letterman and watch it while exercising).
Allow the program to settle in. Most research says creating a new habit requires at least 21 sequential days. These 21 days of conscious effort are actually programming your subconscious to take the task and hardwire it in to your personal remote control.

That's it - your quick start guide to programming the most powerful remote control on earth. It will help you select the channels of your dreams, adjust the color to its most vibrant setting, crank up the volume, and even allow for slow motion replay if that is what your life requires.

One last thing, for most of us, one of the best ways to program our life remote with the habits we need for greater success is to pick up that other remote control a little less often.

Potential Pointer: Our habits are some of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal to create the personal and professional futures we desire. Consider your habits as your own personal remote control. When you program that remote you'll be able to guide your life easier and quicker than would ever be possible with just your conscious thoughts and actions.

Creating Compelling Communication

2009-06-27T18:54:00.000-04:00

How many presentations did you give yesterday? last week? last month?

Even if you're not giving "formal", organization-wide speeches, as a leader you are constantly giving presentations in boardrooms, on conference calls, in meetings and more.

As a leader you also know powerful presentations can either create momentum in your organization to follow the message or challenge from the presentation or they can create nothing where people do not understand or worse understand but don't implement the message that was presented.

How would you like to always present powerfully?

How would you like to create a community of understanding within your organization because of your ability to be a compelling communicator?

If either of those sounds interested to you, Creating Compelling Communication will help put you on the path toward presenting powerfully and creating a community of understanding.

This 5 CD set includes:

Remarkable Leaders Present Powerfully with Kevin Eikenberry - an interactive, live recording with 10 ways EVERY presentation can be more powerful, 5 components of powerful presentations and much more.
Expert Conversation with Ellen Dunnigan - an interactive conversation between Kevin and voice and communication's coach Ellen Dunnigan who will help you use your voice to captivate, persuade and command attention. Learn tools to improve your ability to inspire action and how to create lasting impressions.
Remarkable Leaders Communicate with Stories with Kevin Eikenberry - an interactive, live recording that will show you how to construct sparkling stories that help you successfully plant ideas and messages into the hearts and minds of others.
Expert Conversation with Kat Koppet - an interactive conversation with Kevin and improv and story-telling expert Kat Koppett who will help you understand why stories work in almost every business setting and how story visioning will work for you.
Plus a 5th CD with 2 custom handouts to help you through Kevin's two learning seminars AND a complete series of 13 articles written by Kevin focusing on specific topics such as "7 Ways to Avoid Death by Powerpoint."

By implementing the practical tools and tips these CD's provide you will be transformed into a more captivating communicator.

You will be communicating your ideas in less time with greater meaning.

Creating Compelling Communication includes 4 60-minute recordings, 2 custom handouts and 13 articles all valued at more than $395.

Plus: this self-guided learning system does not impact your travel budget nor does it require you to leave the office for two days of training and development. (Think about the relief of not having to come back to a mountain of messages after being out of the office for two days!)

Your investment for this package is just $179.

Buy Now

Plus, you have our no-hassle, no-questions-asked, guarantee . . . if you are not satisfied with Creating Compelling Communication simply return it and we will refund your investment - no questions, no hassles, no problems. (You can even keep any of the free goodies we include in your package!)

Five Great Benefits to Leadership or Executive Coaching

2009-06-19T15:30:00.001-04:00

Tiger Woods.

Lance Armstrong.

Kobe Bryant.

These men are just three examples of people acknowledged to be among the very best in the world at their craft. They all have something in common though that might not immediately spring to mind.

They all have coaches.

While I picked athletes in this example, I could have just as easily listed people at the top of other professions - musicians, politicians, authors are just three that come to mind. However, name the field or expertise, and you will consistently find that the very best have coaches.

You maybe aren't a world-class athlete, author or musician, but as a leader, the skills required and the challenges you face daily are every bit as complex and difficult as those faced by these others. In fact you could make a compelling case that your role is much more complex than many of these.

So doesn't it make sense that if the top professionals in so many fields have coaches, that we as leaders should have them too?

Only if you want to be the best you can be.

Some Specific Benefits

Now that I hopefully have your attention, let me share five huge benefits that having a leadership or executive coach can bring to you. Any one of these could be reason enough to seek out a coach, but when taken as a whole the argument is hard to overlook.

A challenger. It is often lonely at the top. Even if you aren't at the pinnacle of your organization, sometimes as a leader you have no one who will really challenge your thoughts, ideas and actions. A coach will ask you the tough questions. A coach will challenge your assumptions. A coach will ask you why.

A sounding board. Along with needing someone to challenge, leaders also need someone to listen to us; someone who will really hear us, someone who understands the context of our situation, someone who can offer an un-biased external view and perspective. A coach can provide all of those things for you.

An ongoing process. Most leadership development looks like an event. Attend this workshop. Read this book. Participate in this webinar or retreat. With a coach you have access to improvement resources all the time. While the specifics may vary with your specific relationship and agreement, the reality is that with a coach you will have an ongoing, consistent method for improving your skills.

Speed. Because a coach provides you with an ongoing process for learning and development, you will develop your skills more rapidly and have a resource available to help you when you need it. Who wouldn't want to improve faster? Who wouldn't want access to assistance and perspectives when they need them?

Accountability. I saved this for last because it is perhaps the most important of all. As a leader you are busy. You have competing priorities and a huge to do list. Whenever that is the case, it is so easy put off the hard tasks and/or ignore the "important" to work on the "urgent". A coach can hold you accountable for your commitments and keep you on path to working on the things you have identified as the most important (and perhaps help you figure out how to lessen the length of the overall list). You still must make the effort and do the work, but a coach's assistance with accountability can improve your chances of success quickly and significantly.

There are more benefits, and perhaps ones that would apply to your specific situation. Rather than list them here I will close with a challenge:

If you want to be a more successful leader, you can benefit from at least one, if not all of the items listed above. If you are serious about your results, and using your leadership skills to make a difference in your organization and world, find a coach to help you get there faster.

Potential Pointer: Top performers in any field, skill or profession use coaches to help them achieve greater success and continually improve their skills and results. If you want to be a remarkable leader, follow their lead and utilize a coach.

The Top Sales Experts VIP Zone

2009-06-19T15:26:00.001-04:00

TopSalesExperts.com is building THE most significant worldwide sales community on the internet . . . and we (they) just added a very exclusive area.

As a matter of disclosure, I am a member of Top Sales Experts, and serve on the Board. Even if I weren't, I would recommend the tools below if you are a sales person, lead sales people or are thinking about a career in sales. (I hope you'll forward to those you know in sales - so they can benefit as well).

TSE is offering two packages to benefit sales professionals, one for fr.ee and one for a very modest investment.

First, register for FREE and receive immediate access to:

The Article Vault (2200 articles total - including many of mine)
How to Guides
Podcasts
Best Sales Blogs in the World
Newsletter
Jobs Board
The TSE Shop (opening in July)

And, in the VIP Zone, you'll receive access to all those free resources, plus you will also receive:

FREE Masterclass Registrations
FREE Roundtable Registrations
FREE TSE Quarterly eBooks
FREE TSE Assessment Tools
FREE Access to "Ask the Experts"
FREE Downloads of Daily "Sales Hardtalk" Interviews

And a 10% Discount on all purchases from the new TSE Shop, which debuts in July.

You'll get all that for just $25 per YEAR (normally $49.50, but as a TSE member I negotiated you this nearly 50% discount).

And… you receive a 30-day, no quibble, money back guarantee.

Plus, with every monthly TSE Newsletter, you will receive a $100.00 gift.

Check it out and register today.

Take the VIP Tour

Five Reasons Creativity Matters to Leaders

2009-06-12T09:07:00.000-04:00

Two of the most popular topics of workshops and business books are creativity and leadership.

Both are popular because at some deep intuitive level most everyone knows they are both are worthwhile skills to have and to develop. However, while both are important and valued, they aren't always talked about in tandem.

Does creativity require leadership? Not necessarily.

Does leadership require creativity? Only if you want to be truly successful.

Why is that? Why do the best leaders exhibit and use creativity to create great results?

I can think of at least five reasons why the very best leaders are highly creative; any one of which should be reason enough for all leaders to focus on valuing and using creativity more often.

Five Reasons Creativity Matters

Creativity is inherent in the leadership role. I often say and write that the status quo requires no leadership. This is a profound truth. Everything about your role as a leader is about creating new and better results and moving in a direction towards a desired future. Without creativity it will be difficult to identify that future destination, and impossible to reach it. While you may not have thought about it in these terms, you can't successfully lead others to any place new without the use of creativity.

Creativity creates new ideas. Duh. But the obvious can't be overlooked! Perhaps another way to say this is that creativity allows us to take advantage of opportunities. If you are leading people towards new product development, new markets, new anything, then leading with creativity is required! You can't achieve new things without new ideas, and as a leader you must be at the front of thinking creatively about these opportunities.

Creativity creates energy and momentum. Have you ever gotten excited about a new idea? Have you ever felt the adrenaline rush and subsequent productivity that comes with it? If you have, then you know exactly what I mean. When we are personally exercising our creativity, we get those short and long term bursts of energy. More importantly, when we work with our teams in creative endeavors, the energy is shared and expanded across the group, and that shared energy can create powerful forward momentum.

Creativity provides solutions. Have a problem? (What business or organization doesn't?) Creativity is required to determine the root cause of the problem and to identify solutions. You can't solve a problem with the same thinking that caused it. We need to bring our creativity to the table whenever we are solving a problem.

And One More

These first four reasons have talked about the leadership value of creativity, but they've been largely focused on personal creativity. The last reason why creativity matters to leaders isn't about you but is about those you lead.

Creativity engages everyone and creates ownership. In the end your creativity isn't enough. A great leader uses his/her creativity in private, but in public focuses first on engaging, encouraging and stimulating the creativity of others. Our job isn't to come up with the great idea on our own, but rather to create an environment where great ideas and creativity is nurtured and the ideas flow from the team.

Potential Pointer: Leaders are constantly moving towards and searching for better results and new opportunities. To achieve those things requires personal creativity and the ability to draw out the creativity of others.

Four New Teleseminars to Help You Reach Your Goals

2009-06-12T09:01:00.001-04:00

Over the next two weeks I am leading three new teleseminars and hosting/facilitating a fourth.

For some of you, all four will be valuable. For all of you at least one will be.

Take a look at each of the brief descriptions below, and click on the links to learn all of the details and most importantly, invest some time in yourself and your development by registering for at least one*.

You'll be glad you did!

The Great Leadership Performance Enhancer
June 16, 2 pm ET.

Back by popular demand, this teleseminar will help you realize the value of and learn how to maximize the results from a 360 assessment. Whether you have done one before, are considering one in the future or are scared to death of the thought of this assessment process, you will want to be on this call.

Creating Your Leadership Pipeline
June 18, 2 pm ET.

If you have any role or interest in creating other successful leaders within your organization, if you want to help design or improve your leadership development process, or if you want to apply those ideas to your own personal development, this call is for you! Invite others in your organization who are interested in developing your future leaders to register as well.

Lessons From the Best Business Books of All Time
June 22, 1 pm ET.

I will be hosting and facilitating this interactive interview with Todd Sattersten, co-author of the bestseller The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. Todd's also the President of 800-CEO-READ , the nation's preeminent business book reseller. Registering for this call also gives you the very first available access to Todd's brand new ebook - How to Read a Business Book. If you love business books or if you want to decide what to read first (or next), this teleseminar is a must attend!

Creating The Business You Desire
June 26 - 2 pm ET.

This call is designed for coaches, trainers or consultants who want to improve their business results and lifestyle, or someone considering a starting a business in one of these areas. Prompted by the calls and questions I get regularly, I have created this teleseminar to share valuable tools and ideas to help you grow your business successfully. This call isn't for everyone, but if you're a coach, trainer or consultant - or would like to be - please join us!

Here's what one of our regular teleseminar attendees says:

"Kevin's teleseminars have had an impact on me personally, had a positive impact on my management style and, obviously, that has had an impact on my career and the people who are around me." ~Chuck Stickney, Toyota & Lexus Financial

*Even if you have a calendar conflict, you can still register for Performance Enhancer, Leadership Pipeline or Creating the Business You Desire and have access to a replay line for several days after the call. So register today!

Will You Graduate or Commence? It's More Than an Event; It's a Decision

2009-06-05T08:53:00.001-04:00

Across the country each spring thousands of graduation events are held. They are celebrations of accomplishments, the reaching of goals and more.

Interestingly, these events traditionally are called two different names as if they were synonyms: Commencement and Graduation.

As will be pointed out by countless speakers at these events, graduates need to think of this as a time of "commencement" - of a beginning - rather than an ending, culmination or graduation. Each of these speakers will be correct, of course, but I believe this wisdom falls short of being truly helpful or instructive.

The reason it falls short is because the speakers typically are talking about the moment or the event. While the difference in insight matters at the event, the real significance comes for the honorees after the event, based on the choices they make.

Graduates have made choices, consciously or not. And because of those choices...

Graduates have completed.

Graduates have succeeded.

Graduates have reached their goal.

Graduates have expertise.

Graduates have "climbed the mountain", "reached the summit" and "grabbed the brass ring".

Graduates are done.

Commencers have made choices too, but they are almost assuredly conscious. And because of those choices...

Commencers are beginning.

Commencers see a bright future.

Commencers have bigger goals in front of them.

Commencers are learners.

Commencers know that based on past experience they can continue to learn, grow and achieve more.

Commencers are just getting started.

The decisions made by these people are decisions that we all can make everyday - even if we haven't put on a cap and gown in 40+ years (or if we never did).

When we decide consciously to be a commencer, we immediately change our results and the trajectory of our lives.

Here are five decisions that will change you from a graduate to a commencer, and the questions you can ask yourself to help you consciously make the decision:

Decide to be a beginner. Ask yourself: "Do I think I have the answers or am I a curious question asker?"

Decide to dream bigger. Ask yourself: "What do I really want to achieve, and what can I do today to move towards that accomplishment?"

Decide to be a leader. Ask yourself: "How can I make a difference in the world around me?"

Decide to be a learner. Ask yourself: "What can I learn today?"

Decide to enjoy the journey. Ask yourself: "What did I love about today, and what's next?"

Regardless of your stage in life and regardless of your past choices, I urge you to consider these choices. Choosing the path of a commencer will change your life and your world for the better, forever.

Potential Pointer: Our everyday decisions lead us on a path of beginning or commencing, or of succeeding or graduating. The happiest, healthiest, most successful people focus on the journey – and on living the choice of commencement rather than graduation.

Training Camp - A Fable about Excellence by Jon Gordon

2009-06-05T08:49:00.003-04:00

I've gotten to know Jon Gordon over the last few years and have recommended highly his last two books, The Energy Bus and The No Complaining Rule . And now am officially, as you read this, recommending his latest fable, Training Camp.

Written as a story about an undrafted rookie free agent trying to make a professional football team, Training Camp takes the reader on a fun story that shares the 11 traits of being the best of the best.

The traits are excellent, and the story is a great way to reinforce each of the traits and make them easier to remember. Beyond that though, the thing I love about Jon's stories is there is always an emotional and spiritual depth to them that makes them not only more memorable, but more meaningful.

As I said, the book does use football as the context and background, which will be great for those who love football (and a great way to get the football fans in your life to read a good book), but even if you can't spell football (or don't care to), you will enjoy and get value from this book.

If you enjoyed either of Jon's other fables, like the genre in general or want to stay on path towards personal excellence, this is a book you will want to read.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.com.

Becoming Well Connected: 11 Ways to Maximize Networking at Your Next Conference

2009-05-29T10:13:00.003-04:00

You look at the conference brochure and survey the list of keynote speakers, the various topic tracks, look at the schedule of other events and learning opportunities, and decide to invest your money or budgeted dollars on attending the event.

All of these criteria are valuable and good reasons to decide on which conferences to attend. Yet, when it's all over, a conference, convention or other gathering of like-minded professionals is more than a place to soak up content - it's also a great place (maybe an even better place) to network.

If you wonder if that is true you've either not attended many conferences or haven't had a networking plan.

A networking plan is important because often the greatest learning and most interesting opportunities happen outside the scheduled sessions!

When you define an event solely by its workshop schedule you are missing a large opportunity that comes from the gathering people, experiences, knowledge and more. Along with all of the good personal and professional development reasons, when you have a better networking plan, you also will have more fun at the conference than you would have otherwise!

Here, then, are 11 ways you can network more effectively and easily at any conference or convention.

Decide to connect. Networking begins with a decision. Decide before you attend the event that you want to meet, learn from and serve new people. Make this a part of your objective for the event. In addition, decide how many new people you want to meet.

Be friendly. A good place to start, don't you think? Whether you are more extroverted or introverted matters less than your decision and your initial behavior - which is to be friendly!

Get to sessions early. One of the best times to meet new people is at the start of a session. Besides, often the people who arrive early are also focused on having a great experience and are therefore good people to meet! You also immediately share something in common since you both picked the same session to attend.

Say hello first. It may be a part of being friendly, but I separate it because it's a very important tactic. Be the one to say hello! Go first, initiate the conversation. Often others won't do it, but are glad you did. Put your foot and hand forward first. Say hello!

Ask questions. Spend your time getting to know the other person. Don't make it a barrage of questions, but ask them why they chose this session, where they work, what their goals are for the conference or something else that helps you actually get to know him/her. Asking these sorts of questions will get them talking and put both of you at ease. Besides, by asking questions you are giving yourself the best chance to learn from them!

Meet the speakers. You've picked the sessions to attend, why not build at least an initial relationship with the experts? And, when you go early (see above), it's much easier to connect with a great speaker than after the session when everyone else wants to meet her/him too.

Ask for, and give, business cards. Business cards are the currency of the initial relationship, so have plenty and have them with you. Remember too that getting their card is actually more important than giving yours. Why? Because if you have their card, you can always initiate the next (or subsequent) contact.

Always eat with at least one other person. Eat with speakers, eat with people you meet in a session or strike up conversation with someone new. Meals are a great time to create relationships and extend conversation.

Find out how you can help the other person. As in any networking situation, get the focus off of you and onto the other person. Ask the kinds of questions that helps you understand what their needs are (hint - they're almost always open-ended questions).

Be engaged and engaging. This is a bit of a summary idea, but it's more than a repeat of what has been said. Don't just make small talk; try to serve and to learn what their issues and challenges are. Ask great questions and listen to the answers and they will know you care.

Network with new people (don't just hang out with who you came with). What is the point of spending all of your time at a conference with the people you already know? Split up; consciously choose different sessions. Everyone in your group can do what this article prescribes, and each of you invite people to an even larger dinner gathering!

I know there is no rocket science on this list. Yet, as a speaker at and participant in many conferences, I see far too few people doing these things. When you start by deciding to network and then apply the other ten items on this list, you will maximize not only your learning from any event you attend, but the amount of fun you have will go through the roof as well!

Potential Pointer: The best learning at a conference or convention usually comes from the people around you, rather than the sessions you attend. Make a plan - and make the time - to connect with people at your next conference, and see your results, satisfaction and enjoyment skyrocket!

Dan Kennedy

2009-05-29T10:11:00.000-04:00

This week's resource isn't a book, article or a website.

It is a person!

Dan Kennedy is a speaker, author, consultant, copywriter and marketing expert. He also is famously opinionated, the self-proclaimed "professor of harsh realities", and he's sometimes controversial.

All of this is true, and while some people won't resonate with his approach or style, it is hard to argue with his results.

If you have interest in marketing or sales you will have the most connection or interest in his writing, as the short list of book titles I recommend below will attest. That said, his no-nonsense approach will be of interest to others as well.

Some of Dan's books that I recommend:

Any serious student of business should have least a cursory knowledge of this prolific, smart and successful guy's work.

The Five Best Birthday Gifts

2009-05-22T09:23:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but I can pretty easily make a top five list of gifts I've received for my birthday or Christmas. Some things stand out for their usefulness, some for the thought that was behind them and some just because they were cool.

And while I have enjoyed all the gifts on my top five or top ten (or even top 100) list immensely, there is an entirely different list that exceeds them all. And that's the list I want to share with you now.

Being listened to. It happens so rarely, really. Yes, I am blessed with wonderful people in all parts of my life, and many are great listeners. It isn't that they never listen; it's that when they stop everything and focus on just me and my ideas, I feel more confident, stronger and smarter. It seems like such a simple act, and yet we all forget too frequently, which makes this gift all the more powerful.

Being trusted. When people trust me, I feel great! And while they don't usually announce it in a card, with a voice mail or in a personal conversation that "You, know, I really trust you"; I can tell when they do. And when I sense their trust at higher levels it urges me to do everything I can to continue to earn it - which has the side benefit of creating a sense of accomplishment when it is achieved.

Being supported. This is a multifaceted gift because it can come in so many wrappings (including the other gifts mentioned here). I want to know that someone has my back - that they believe in me. That they want me to succeed, that they have my best interests at heart, and that they will recognize my successes. This doesn't mean that I am absolving myself of responsibilities; it's just that when I have the support (in all these many forms) of others it makes my life easier and more enjoyable.

Being included. I want to belong (we all do). I want to be asked to join (so do you). Whether it's the game of tag on the playground, or to join the group for lunch out of the office, we all like to feel wanted, and we all need to be a part of a community. I won't always say yes to every offer, but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the gift of being asked, of being included.

Being loved. In some contexts, like at work, you might not use the word love - but you hopefully do use the word care or respect or like. These are wonderful gifts, and they're all in the same family as love. But love is the bottom line - and the greatest gift of all.

These gifts are deeper, more meaningful and longer lasting than even the biggest or most expensive material gift. They are gifts given with action rather than with other resources. These are gifts cherished by everyone on earth, regardless of age, race, religion or job function.

While I'm talking about gifts, these thoughts aren't confined to birthdays, and isn't really about receiving either.

The cliche is true.

It is better to give than receive.

Now, read about these gifts again and think about how often you give them to those around you. Is it as often as it could be? Is your answer the same at work as it is in your personal life?

How could giving these gifts positively impact the people you lead as well as their performance?

Give yourself the gift of reflecting and acting on these questions today.

Potential Pointer: The gifts we most value receiving deeply are the same gifts we can choose to give more freely. When you give these gifts more freely with sincerity you will improve your relationships, your attitude, your results and your life.

Pop! Create the Perfect Pitch, Title and Tagline for Anything By Sam Horn

2009-05-22T09:16:00.000-04:00

I picked this book up recently in an airport bookstore because, well, the cover POPped right out at me. Since I recognize the author and the title seemed pertinent to our work, I put it in my briefcase (after buying it of course).

Fast forward a few weeks and this book moved to the top of my very long reading stack. Why? Because I am searching for some new product titles and thought the book would help.

I was right!

The big idea? That your pitches, taglines and titles should POP, or be Purposeful, Original and Pithy.

Part marketing, part creativity primer and part collection of great quotations puts this book right up my alley from the start.

Sam does a great job of using stories and examples to make her points. In each chapter, and with each technique, she does more than provide examples - she gives you a specific process to follow to help you employ that approach.

The last section is more about presentations and keeping people's attention once you have it. This section is good, and may be a more important section for you, but for it wasn't the best or most useful part of the book from my perspective.

The first three sections though were outstanding and the exercises will be very useful for me. One sign that I find a book useful is how much is written in the margins. By that measure, this book has done its job - and more.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.

Five Ways to Serve Others as a Leader

2009-05-15T09:16:00.000-04:00

Recently someone asked what I thought about "servant leadership."

My short answer was that using the word servant is redundant.

Don't misunderstand, I believe in the concept of servant leadership, and what you read or learn about leadership from that prism is extremely valuable.

It's just that I believe being of service is an underlying component of leadership.

Leaders, by definition, are trying to move towards a desired future - and hopefully a future that is desirable to those you are leading, Customers, and the community at large.

Taking actions to do those things is an act of service in itself - using your skills, knowledge, intellect and insights to create something greater than yourself.

As you read the suggestions below - consider how often you do, and how often you could, incorporate them into your leadership approach and style. Recognize too that they aren't merely tactics to be deployed to reach a destination.

If you apply these ideas without a clear and genuine intention to be of service, you will be disappointed in your results and will have, in fact, reduced your leadership effectiveness and damaged your reputation.

With this background and these caveats, read the following suggestions, consider my questions carefully and, most importantly, take action.

Listen. So few of us really feel listened to on any given day - in every part of our life, not just at work. When we really listen to people we are: serving an important internal need, building our relationship with them, adding to the levels of trust, and learning information, perspective and ideas that can move us towards the goals we are trying to achieve.

How completely did you listen yesterday and how will you improve on that today?

Respond. People want us to listen because they want to be heard. As a leader we are asked questions about processes and procedures, about ideas, about challenges, about resources and so much more. For others to feel heard, we must respond. Perhaps our answer may not always be the one they hoped for, but from a perspective of serving those we lead we must respond to their questions and requests.

Are you answering all questions and emails in a timely (as defined by the asker/sender) manner?

Engage. Engaging could be considered adding listening and responding together, but I mean something much more than simple mathematics. This idea isn't about the important (but trendy) idea of engaging others. This is about looking in the mirror. Are you really engaging with those you lead? Do you share with them, have conversations with them and in general engage with them beyond the normal discourse of your work.

Are you proactively engaging with those you lead every day?

Ask. Do you really want to know how people are feeling? Do you really want their ideas? Do you believe they have ways to influence greater results? If you do, when did you last ask? If you don't, rethink your answer. Still not convinced? How do you feel when someone asks you a question?

Who (and what) will you ask right now?

Care. When you think of people serving others, wouldn't you say that underneath all of the behaviors and actions is a sense of caring? When we care about those we lead, we are serving them. When we care about who they are, their goals and aspirations, their values and their concerns, we are serving them. This sort of caring doesn't mean we need to (or should) become everyone's best friend. It means that we care about them; person to person real caring. Done from the heart, acts of caring and kindness may make more of a difference in your overall results and productivity than any process map, Gantt chart or scoping document.

Do you care, and can others tell it from your actions?

While these may feel like "soft" or "touchy-feely" suggestions, that couldn't be further from the truth. When included as an authentic part of your leadership approach, these will make a huge difference in the lives of those you lead and any of the overall results you achieve.

Start serving today.

Potential Pointer: Once you recognize that leadership is an act of service to others you are better positioned for success. Everything you do as a leader may not be popular or agreed with, but when you remember your role of serving others in pursuit of worthy goals, you will lead with greater focus, compassion and results.

Rypple.com

2009-05-15T09:14:00.001-04:00

Rypple.com is a free web application that's currently in beta testing. It's an online tool designed to help you get feedback from others on your performance.

I would say it's a great cross between online survey tools like SurveyMonkey.com and a structured, designed and tested 360 Assessment like our Remarkable Leadership 360 Assessment.

Rypple seems most focused in its development for personal feedback. But, it could also be used to do peer reviews, gain customer feedback, help with decision making or planning, and even possibly for quick employee surveying.

Feedback is all provided anonymously online, and the site touts security of its data.

The process is pretty simple - select your questions, determine who to ask, and send the survey (either by having the system send an email for you or by giving you a link that you can send, post on a website, etc.).

The tool allows you to ask any question you would like, but also comes with a group of nearly 150 suggested questions, all submitted by users, making it easier to get started. Questions can be tagged with an attribute (popular ones include communication, organization, leadership and more) as well to help you categorize your feedback.

As feedback comes in you can log in to see your results; that are shown in a variety of ways. Your results are also held in the system allowing you to track results and/or review past feedback.

The tool is free for personal or team use (up to 20 people), and comes with a fee at the Enterprise level (starting at $2/user/month).

Will this tool replace formal, well-designed employee surveys or 360 tools? No.

But as a tool that has been designed specifically for feedback applications, it is helpful in its structure and in giving you a framework to ask questions. It's a fine tool for getting quick feedback from a group - especially if they are geographically dispersed.

If this review intrigues you, I encourage you to check it out at Rypple.com.

The Best Things to Plant in Your Life

2009-05-08T08:45:00.000-04:00

Spring is the time of the year I miss my kidhood the most. Growing up on a farm the spring brought many activities and tasks, but my favorite was preparing the soil and planting a crop.

There are two truths of planting that all farmers know. First, you must plant the seeds that you want to harvest. You can't plant pumpkin seeds and expect corn to grow!

Second, you don't plant one kernel of corn to harvest just one kernel in the fall. You plant expecting - knowing, really - that you will harvest much more than you plant.

You may not have spent hours in the tractor seat, but you have planted something in your life and I know you understand what I am saying.

This article really isn't a lesson about planting a crop - at least not a crop of plants. This article is about planting other things in life - planting the things that we want to grow in our lives and organizations.

Every winter Dad would study and decide which varieties would be best in the fields, and Mom would study the seed catalog to decide what to plant in the garden.

Now I'm suggesting you do that sort of planning too. Consider what follows to be your seed catalog.

Things to Consider Planting in Your Life

As I've already said, we should only plant the things that we really want to grow, blossom and flourish in our lives. Consider this as a starter list . . .

Plant ideas. Ideas can grow and provide new opportunities, improvements and greater success.

Plant belief. Belief in your future, belief in the potential of others, belief in success. The more belief you plant, the more will be in your life.

Plant confidence. Confidence in others and confidence in yourself.

Plant people. Want those around you to grow? Give them opportunities and a chance to do exactly that! Put people in situations and opportunities to grow towards their potential.

Plant positive attitude. Would you rather live and work in a positive environment or a negative one? Someone must plant the seeds of positivity - why not you?

Plant a goal. Start by writing it down, then go to work to help it come to a full harvest. Think bumper crop!

Once gardeners plant seeds, they know they can't just ignore the plants. Your seeds will need to be nurtured and cared for. Just like the farmer or gardener, we must nurture and fertilize what's been planted.

In these cases, the best fertilizer will come in the form of time, attention, resources, focus and encouragement. When you nurture the seeds, you will create much, much more from the single seeds you've planted.

You may have more than one crop planted in your garden - which is absolutely OK - just make sure you plant only the things you want more of in your life. Remember that if you don't plant, something will still grow (also known as weeds).

Remember too that planting the things you want requires time, effort and thought - but without time, effort and thought you will surely have a harvest of weeds.

The things we are talking about can be planted anytime, but there is no time like the present - spring or not - to get started.

Potential Pointer: Every farmer knows you must plant the seeds that you want to harvest. The same is true in the rest of our lives. Make the decision to plant the things in your life that you want to grow and see blossom. You are the gardener and the choice is up to you!

Did Lincoln Own Slaves? And Other Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham Lincoln by Gerald J. Prokopowicz

2009-05-08T08:41:00.000-04:00

Interest in Abraham Lincoln is high right now - thanks in part to references made by now President Obama during the campaign and since 2009 is the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth.

Lincoln is the fourth most written about person in history behind Jesus Christ, Shakespeare and the Virgin Mary, and there are a flood of new books about all facets of his life.

I've read several books on Lincoln over the years (including Team of Rivals which I recommended some time back), but this one is the broadest in coverage and most fascinating in approach. (The fact above about his popularity with authors comes from the book.)

As the title suggests, the book is written in Q & A format and many of the questions have been specifically asked of the author, a noted Lincoln historian. The book covers every part of Lincoln's life: his childhood, early life, as a politician, as President, as Commander-in-Chief, as a Man, his legacy and much more.

More than just a collection of answers, since this is written by a historian everything is well documented and offers opportunities to learn more about any point he makes if you so choose.

I enjoyed it as an accessible, easy-to-read book about everything that made Lincoln who he was. It helps put his leadership skills and shortcomings in a fresh and understandable perspective.

On top of that, it's fun to read - the author, more than knowledgeable, is insightful and funny.

If you want a way to learn more about the man consistently considered the Greatest American President (details on this point on page 232), this may not be the only thing to read, but it's a fun and enjoyable piece of that study.

I found this book at Costco by serendipity (if you are a Costco member you may know the experience), and I'm glad I did. While I have read it cover to cover, I didn't do it all at once. It has sat by my bed, and I've read it in small pieces over several weeks. If you read like that, or like to have something else around to be reading, this book fits that bill too.

If you are a student of history, Lincoln, leadership or all three, or are just curious about any of these, I highly recommend this book.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.

The Unexpected Perils of Balance

2009-05-01T09:58:00.001-04:00

Balance.

For many balance represents the Holy Grail. You might aspire to:

Work/Life Balance.

A balanced approach to your business strategy.

A desire to please all Customers.

And yet, often, you don't really think about what that means in terms of your decision making; what you stand for, what you believe in and the results you achieve.

In other words, striving for balance is fraught with risks.

I know, you might be shocked at this point, especially considering the first one on my list - work/life balance - but, please read on with an open mind.

First, let's talk about the reverse of the idea of balance. The reverse of balance is a clear and driving preference; a priority or a choice.

Work and the rest of your life are important, but which do you choose first? And how can you integrate both, given your overriding preference?
How strategic is it when you attempt to cater to every group, trend and buzzword with the goal of being inclusive and balanced? How does this "balanced" strategy" inform your future?
Are all Customers created equally? Can you really want to please everyone? Would focusing on a perfect Customer positively change your actions and results?

I believe that your answers to these questions may lead you to wonder, if only a little bit, about the wisdom of striving for balance.

The mental picture I get of "balance" is of the old fashioned scales, where items are placed on opposing golden trays to be weighed; one against the other. When this is done, seldom does the scale come to a dead balance without some amount of on-going teetering and movement.

Or consider another example of balance - two kids on a teeter-totter. Try as the kids might, it is very difficult to have it balance exactly.

With all of this as context, let me be more specific on the perils of making balance your goal.

Balance is bland. The old line says "you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything" can be modified to help me make this point. "If you try to balance everything, no one will ever be happy." How successful are advertisements, products or projects (to name just three examples) that try to please everyone? I mean, hardly anyone hates vanilla ice cream, but if given 30 choices, is vanilla what you would pick? With balance as your primary goal beware of creating bland, lifeless results that engender no passion.

Balance provides no clear direction or focus. If you state everything from profitability to reliability to safety to environmental consciousness (I could go on) in your strategic plan or vision, what do you really stand for? If you exclude the word safety, does it mean you don't want safety? If safety is a defining factor or differentiator (think Volvo), great. If not, including it as one of your key items to make sure you have balance keeps you from focusing on the things that will make you special - and provide direction for decisions. 100% balance means no one (including you) knows what matters most.

Balance is a moving target. Like the scales, achieving balance is an ever moving and adjusting target. Take work/life balance. Does it mean you never, ever work after five pm? Does it mean that you never leave in the middle of the day for something important to a family member? Chances are neither of these are true. You make decisions - one at a time - trying to adjust the scales or teeter-totter to find the formula that works best for you. Growing up on a farm, for a variety of reasons (including having a family life), we generally didn't work on Sundays. But if a storm was coming and there was a task that needed to be done before the rain or snow, we might very well work part of the day on Sunday.

Balance is the wrong goal. Creating balance in a business process or between work and family or between standardization and creativity isn't the right goal. It may be a path that moves you toward your goals, but perhaps the biggest peril is that the effort required to find the elusive balance may be keeping you from actually achieving the goal (or ultimately achieving what you most want)!

Of course there is nothing wrong with striving for balances in priorities, situations, methods or any number of things in life. Your challenge should be to keep these efforts in alignment with your ultimate goals allowing the benefits of balancing without the perils of achieving absolute balance.

Potential Pointer: You must be careful what you strive for because often you will achieve it. Such is the case with balance, which for all of its value and allure, doesn't always provide what you hope for once it is achieved, if it even can be achieved. Consider your goals related to balance carefully to make sure that, if gained, it achieves what you most hope for.

Being Strategic: Plan for Success; Out-think Your Competitors; Stay Ahead of Change by Erika Andersen

2009-05-01T09:46:00.006-04:00

Many books are written about strategic planning, strategic thinking and the like.

Most are written in a quasi- or fully academic approach (and therefore are full of lengthy and impressive cases studies that too often leave you wondering exactly what to do in your situation).

I've read many of them, and I have participated in and facilitated strategic planning processes in the past. And occasionally I find them lacking in enthusiasm for the process and too often the end result.

If you have similar experiences, or if you just want to really understand a strategic planning process that will work, this book is for you.

This book will help you understand what it means to be strategic, encapsulated in this definition:

Being strategic means consistently making those core directional choices that will best move you towards your hoped-for future.

The book is laid out in two major sections: Being Strategic Everyday and Being Strategic With a Group. The first lays out Erika's understandable process and helps you begin to apply it individually. The second, as you may have already guessed, will help you use this process and ideas with a group.

While I love both sections, the first section to me is most powerful and universal. Certainly the quality of the content in the second section is also high, but it might leave you wanting more. The best news about that is that with this new understanding of this strategic process, there are many other resources that can help you take your facilitation and leadership skills to an even higher level.

Note: I'm working from an advanced reading copy of the book in part because, I am pleased to say, I know Erika Andersen (the author). One of the best things I think you can say about a book is that after reading it you feel like you know the author, if only in some way. I feel like I know Erika better now, and I respect her talents more than ever.

This book is available on May 26th. Ordering your copy now would be good strategic thinking if you want to proactively move towards your hoped-for future.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.

Five Ways to Lead More Effectively in Tough Times

2009-04-23T23:03:00.001-04:00

As I write this in April 2009, many would say we are living in tough, uncertain economic times.

Watching, listening to or reading the news you will "know" that new layoffs are announced every day, a shaky stock market is followed more closely than ever, and uncertainties seem to be everywhere.

This article is written to address this current situation, but the lessons apply to any challenging time you and your organization may be facing - whether global, local or company specific.

Whenever and for whatever reason times might be tough, consider these five specific things you can do to create better results for yourself, those you lead and your organization as a whole.

Focus on what's in your control. The news media feeds us what they know we really want to hear - DRAMA. What is better drama than talking about the real life situations of the larger economy and how people are being impacted? Consider these three factors, simply as examples:

National unemployment is rising.
Banks are in upheaval.
Venerable American car companies are in big trouble.

Now, two questions.

Is there an immediate and direct impact of any of these things on you and your business? (Likely not unless you are in the automotive or banking businesses or perhaps sell to those industries.)

Whatever the impact, what can you actually do with that information? In most cases not much, so the best thing to do is STOP THINKING ABOUT IT. But you can also think proactively, think creatively and think accountably. Ask yourself and your team, OK, what can we do about this situation? How can we influence or control the results these things will have on us?

As a leader it's your role to help people focus on what is in the person's or team's control. When you do, you become more proactive and less focused on what is going on "out there."

Engage top talent. If times are tough, you may not have much attrition; your people may not be looking to move somewhere else. If that's true, it can be easy to take people for granted or rest on your laurels. Don't do it. The economic conditions will change, and when they do it is your top talent that will be most desirable and most open to making a change. Use the current situation as a chance to develop and engage your organization - in projects, problem solving and development of all kinds. When people are fully engaged they are less likely to leave. Keep your focus on engaging your organization - especially your top talent - in tough times.

Communicate goals and vision. When things seem uncertain or challenging it's especially important to focus people on the big picture. Does your team see the vision for the future? Do your people know the most important and meaningful organizational goals? As a leader it's your responsibility to make sure the answer to those questions is YES. Spend more time communicating, sharing and engaging people in your picture of the future and their place in it. Not only will it help people see past today, but it will focus them on something positive and helpful.

Expect good results. Refuse to allow people to become victims of the environment. Your industry will be off by 20% you say? That doesn't mean your sales have to be off that much. Challenge people to do more, and to do things differently. While you shouldn't deny the current environment, you shouldn't accept it as fact either. Expect the best of your people, provide them the support and encouragement they need, and help them succeed. It starts with your expectations.

Model the right attitude. The attitude and mindset you bring to work is incredibly important, but never more so than in tough or challenging times. Fill your mind with ideas and thoughts that help you maintain an upbeat attitude and a positive mood and frame of reference. Do whatever it takes to maintain that attitude for yourself, knowing that your attitude is contagious.

All of these things are great leadership activities anytime - even when things are great - but they become particularly important in tougher times. The underlying point here is that as a leader you must focus on the results you want, regardless of the situation you find yourself in.

It's your responsibility to provide that focus - first for yourself, and then for those you lead.

Potential Pointer: As a leader you want people to follow you in a manner, and direction, that produces great results; especially in tough times. To do that you must recognize your role in helping people focus on what they can control to get the results you desire.

Upbeat: Cultivating the Right Attitude to Thrive in Tough Times by Rajesh Setty

2009-04-23T22:55:00.000-04:00

I met Rajesh Setty about 18 months ago. I found him to be interesting, smart and, most definitely, upbeat. I share that as a preamble for two reasons: to let you know this book is written by someone who practices what he preaches, and to let you know I picked up this book expecting it to be good.

I wasn't disappointed.

While packaged in book form, this sized-to-put-in-your-back-pocket, 96-page book could almost be called a pamphlet. It proves that while brevity may be the soul of wit, it also can be a precursor to wisdom.

This book helps anyone struggling with tough times see practical reasons to be upbeat. It will also, as importantly, give you specific ways to be more upbeat.

While clearly written with the current economic situation in mind, it applies universally. Not only does it work in any time, but it works for anyone.

Read it as a leader; read it as a parent; read it as an investor; read it as a student.

The writing style is easy to follow and enjoyable to read. You can read it in brief moments standing in line or read the whole thing before going to bed (as I did).

Buy a copy for yourself, and perhaps everyone on your team (bulk order information is available inside the book itself).

It will help you do what the subtitle promises - cultivate an attitude to thrive in tough times.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.

Five Ways to Do Some Spring Cleaning to Your Life

2009-04-17T08:51:00.000-04:00

I don't know how spring cleaning became a tradition, and I know that phrase means different things to different people. And while some of that cleaning could take place at any time of the year (and often does), there's just something about the spring to help you think about airing things out and fluffing things up for the coming months of growth.

While this makes sense for homes, it makes at least as much sense for lives. Your year is starting to heat up and there are many opportunities, you also may feel like you're coming out of a long winter mentally . . . so it's time.

It's time for some personal spring cleaning.

Here are five things you can do to prepare yourself for better results the rest of the year!

Straighten up your working area. For the same reason you clean your garage and scrub up the areas in your home that you haven't done in awhile, it's important to do the same for you work area. Does your desk currently help or hinder your efforts to do your best work and have your best focus? Do you have books or other items that aren't where they could or should be? Are you behind on your filing, or is it time to go through your filing system? This is purposefully the least metaphorical on the list - since it really is cleaning! I challenge you (and myself) to take the time to do it - if not today, at least this week - not because it's the right thing to do or even for aesthetic reasons, but because it will dramatically improve your creativity and productivity.

Fertilize your relationships. You fertilize your lawn in the spring to encourage growth and nurture the development of strong grass plants. Now is the time to reinvigorate your relationships in the same way. Take a look at the important relationships in your life. Determine what you can do to nurture and help them grow in the coming weeks. And remember it isn't enough just to buy the fertilizer - it won't help your grass sitting in the bag! In the same way, you must make the call, schedule the meal, invite people over or do whatever you need to to nurture your relationships.

Dust off your reading list. Spring cleaning almost always includes some sort of attention to those corners and nooks that haven't seen much activity - and frankly need some dusting! How's your bookshelf looking these days? If you have the books you want to read, dust off your stack, pick one up and get started! If you don't, dust off your Amazon account, find your library card or get yourself to your favorite book seller and get at it!

Freshen up your goals and objectives. In the spring you probably open the windows and let the air blow through the house to freshen up the curtains, sheets and clear the air. You need to do the same thing with your goals. Open your eyes and look at your goals in a new way! This is more than just reviewing your goals (you're already doing that regularly, right?); this is looking at them with the perspective of the year so far. How are you doing? Do you want/need to adjust things based on your current reality? Have new priorities popped up that you didn't predict at the beginning of the year? These are the types of questions that will help you refresh and reinvigorate your goals - and your outcomes for the year.

Clean up your habits. Most spring cleaning includes closets. At some point you look at your clothes, decide which ones to keep, which ones to get rid of. You pull out your summer clothes and make sure everything fits and you have everything you want in your closet for the coming months. If you're like me, the rest of the year you don't really think too much about your closet. You look in and pull out clothes, without thinking much about the closet. It's the same with your habits. Since they are subconscious, it makes sense to purposefully look at your habits occasionally to decide which ones are working for you, which are serving your needs, and which ones you may have outgrown. You won't find new habits at the mall, but you can change your habit “wardrobe” in a conscious way too.

Of course these suggestions can be done at any time of the year - in fact you may want to do them more than once a year. After all, you likely survey your closet more than once a year - and isn't your personal productivity and happiness at least as important as a clean closet?

I know all of these things have been and will be a part of my spring cleaning regimen, and I know when I do them it makes a difference.

Perhaps spring is a good time for this type of cleaning, but it doesn't matter if it's spring or not. The best time is really right now - whenever you may be reading this. These steps will help you clean out the cobwebs in your mind and set your course for greater growth.

Potential Pointer: Most people make time to do spring cleaning in their homes, garages and lawns. For the same reasons, you need to spruce up, polish up and clean up the rest of your life. The calendar doesn't need to dictate when you do this cleaning, but when you do it, your results and enjoyment will improve!

Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

2009-04-17T08:48:00.000-04:00

I like Michael J. Fox.

It started with Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, it continued with the Back to the Future movies, and continues today.

Now, as a public figure with Parkinson's Disease (arguably the most well known after Mohammed Ali) and as an advocate for others, I like him more.

His new book may be interesting to you simply because of who Michael is - many, including me, will pick up the book for that reason. However, this book is so much more than an autobiographical group of stories.

He opens the book with this:

The last ten years, which is really the stuff of this book, began with such a loss: my retirement from SpinCity. I found myself struggling with a strange new dynamic: the shifting of public and private personas. I had been Mike the actor, then Mike the actor with PD. Now was I just Mike with PD? Parkinson's had consumed my career and, in a sense, had become my career. But where did all of this leave Me? I had to build a new life when I was already pretty happy with the old one.

He explores the last ten years from the prisms of work, politics, faith and family. As a professional, the first section alone is worth the read.

How many of us can claim hardships or challenges to our working life that rival Parkinson's Disease? I was challenged by this question throughout the book, and inspired by his example.

The book's subtitle proclaims Michael as an Incurable Optimist. When you read this book I'm sure you'll agree that he is. You will also be reminded that being an incurable optimist is a choice.

You will find enjoyment, inspiration, education and challenge in this easy read. Buy a copy and read it for enjoyment, knowing that there is much more there for you - if you want it.

Learn more and purchase at Amazon.com