Leadership on Speed

what an Undercover Boss can teach us

Admittedly, I'm not much for reality TV but if you missed last night's premier episode of Undercover Boss following the Super Bowl, you missed some great 'undercover' leadership lessons from the Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O.) of a $13 billion company.  The opportunity to watch a senior executive at such a large company was really too cool to miss.

If you didn't have a chance to watch, Lawrence (Larry) O'Donnell, III, President and C.O.O. of Waste Management goes underground to experience his company from the ground up.  Over the course of the show, he took on such glamorous tasks as cleaning port-a-johns, picking up trash during wind gusts, and sorting recyclables while a conveyor belt whizzed by at who-knows-how-many miles per hour.  During his adventures, Larry got to meet the folks who truly make the company run and see first hand the impact of corporate policies on the lay-workers.

CBS did a GREAT job on the debut.  First of all, they picked a guy that clearly GOT IT (well before CBS ever came up with the concept) - definitely a Level 5 Leader and clearly highly functioning on the EI scale... Secondly, he was just a really likable guy and it was clear that he wasn't there to play "gotcha" but rather to really examine corporate policies and their impact.  Along the way, he had a number of eye-opening experiences and came away with a new appreciation of and connection to the work and the workers of Waste Management.

Powerful stuff.

At the end of the day, there were any number of take-aways that I wanted to share but these are my top 10 (plus one ;-)) in no particular order:

1. Listen objectively to feedback.
2. Reward hard work.
3. Invite good talent to create effective programs for other associates.
4. Know what motivates. Rewards are not always measured in dollars and cents.
5. Invite your associates to hold you accountable.
6. If you make a promise, keep it. 
7. Take immediate action.
8. Remember - the leaders and managers are rarely the face of your company, THE ASSOCIATES ARE.  Does this fact make you comfortable or uncomfortable? 
9. When employees authentically get that leaders care, performance and morale can soar!
10. Your associates are human beings with families, goals, desires and challenges.  Do you know who they REALLY are?
11. Don't be afraid to admit when you've made a mistake and be willing to change or revamp policies that simply don't work or that create different results than you intended.

Continue to be great!

the fragility of life

The fear of death follows from the fear of life.  A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.  ~Mark Twain

Like many of us, I am deeply shocked and saddened at the death of Natasha Richardson.  I am sure there was a time in my life in which I would hear such news distantly and without affect but no more.  As a wife and mother, I think about the suddenness of the families loss and the callousness of a term such as "talk and die".  To be in the midst of your life one minute and gone the next - it is (or should be) a reminder to us all of the fragility of life....

At times like these, we tend to take stock of our own existence...of our own mortality and our legacy. I can only hope that I have made a difference with my life and my work and yet, I am reminded that I have much left to do and that tomorrow is not promised.  

Why Natasha? Why now?

To that I can only tell you of my own personal story with my brother whom I lost to lung cancer in 2004.  As he deteriorated and we came to be sure that his transition was imminent, I "happened" to be reading Neal Walsch's Conversations With God (as if I don't believe that everything has a divine purpose).  My brother was only 49 and the father of two beautiful children.  As I questioned my brothers fate and the timing of his premature death, I came upon this notion which shifted my thinking and brought me immense peace -

No person moves on until their work is done.

It is difficult to accept the end of a life before it's time but I know, just as I discovered with my brother, that Natasha's work was done and God has called her home. 

What about you?  What do you hope to accomplish in the time that you have left? Are you having fun? Do you have balance? What will your legacy be? 

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

the dream is alive: what's next?

This week, so many have commented on the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther Kings birthday and the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States.

Dr. King stood, fought and died advancing a vision of possibility for African Americans and unity for all people. He died advancing a dream.

President Obama epitomizes the realization of that very dream...

As we celebrate this week, I cannot help but turn my thoughts to my two year old daughter.  I think about the impact of this week on her life. On her future. I think about black children and children of color all over this world who now have one more piece of evidence that they truly can become anything they choose.

But I have another revelation for you....

This week is not just about the possibility that resides in my child..in our children...

It is about the possibility that resides in each one of us.

YOU can also do anything you choose.

BE anything you want to be.

Dreams are not relegated to the young.

Only the courageous...

Have you ever wanted to start a company?

Yes, you can!

Have you ever wanted to go back to school and change careers?

Yes, you can!

Have you ever imagined yourself as a Vice-President or CEO in the corporate world?

Yes, you can!

The great thing is that President Obama is, at the end of the day, just a man.  If you walk away with anything, it is the understanding that you and I are no different than he is.  President Obama was very clear that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and he had the courage to follow that path and step up when he felt compelled to do so.

Here I stand. I can do no other.

To make big things happen, sometimes you have to step out onto the skinny branches.  It takes courage, strategy and commitment but you can't beat the view!

What are you clear about?  What are you committed to?  What difference can only you make?

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

underdogs 1, naysayers 0

I love it!  Arizona Cardinals - 32, Philadelphia Eagles - 25.  Underdogs - 1. Naysayers - 0.

Just another example of defying the odds with a fan club of 1.

The one would be the Cardinals themselves...

In other words, Arizona who????

And now, they are on their way to the Superbowl!!

I love it when I see underdog victories.

Why?

Because EVERYDAY, there are always folks who tell you what you CAN'T do.  They're so willing to give you a thousand reasons why your dream will fail. 

For every person who tells you can, there are 50 who tell you you can't.

Apparently, no one told the Arizona Cardinals.

Or better yet, good thing they didn't listen!

Sometimes, the only person in the world who believes in your dream is you.

Sometimes, the only person who knows you can accomplish something is the guy/gal you see in the mirror everyday.

I love it when the underdog gets to "put it" in everyones face.

Here's one thing I know with absolute certainty...

You definitely can't win if you don't play.

If you're working on your dream right now and nay-sayers surround you, have faith.  Be encouraged by the Arizona Cardinals and every other underdog out there who chose not to listen.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

the manifestation of possibility

Perhaps one of the best aspects of the work that I do is getting to be a "possibility beacon" for my clients.  My clients come to me with a variety of hopes, dreams and aspirations and I get to be the voice of hope and the strategy to achieve. 

I get to be the one that says, "You can create anything you choose". 

Sometimes...they actually believe me.

But not often enough.

Inwardly they say, "I'll believe it when I see it."

I say, "See it and then believe it."

Better yet, "See it then create it."

As I awoke this morning to all of the excitement and commentary on this presidential race and the historical fact that the United States of America will now have her first President of African-American descent, it is my hope that not only does this get to be a banner day in politics but this gets to be an example and reminder to us all of what is possible.

What do you aspire to that you haven't believed you could do (until now)?  The journey may be long.  The journey may be bumpy.  Along the way, many may tell you that you can't do it. 

Don't believe the hype.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

inspired by a lifetime movie or just inspired?

Ninety-five percent of the time my husband and I agree on our television viewing.  We are both avid sports fans so when we do have an opportunity to watch television that is usually what you'll find (other than our daughters cartoons) but occasionally, I get a yen for a good Lifetime movie and they are definitely not on my husbands "desired viewing" list....(Guys, hang in there with me..)

I like them for the reason Lifetime produces them...they are "girl" movies for the most part about everyday women who have done some extraordinary things - sometimes by inspiration and often by desperation.

The other weekend I was watching a movie - Jenifer, about a young woman's (Jenifer Estess) diagnosis and fight against ALS (also called Lou Gehrig's disease).  It was not an easy movie to watch and I was often brought to tears (yes, I admit it) but there was a particular scene that inspires this post.

In reconciling with her diagnosis, Jenifer and her sisters begin Project ALS (www.projectals.org) in order to raise awareness and funding for, to put it mildly, an incredibly cruel disease.  As they begin their effort, there comes a point in which Jenifer is asked to speak to an audience. 

Her response? "I'm going to be sick to my stomach.  I hate speaking.  I can't speak to those people."  Of course her family and friends give her support and courage and of course, she delivers an amazing and inspirational speech. 

Yes, I realize it's a movie.

Yes, I realize that script writers wrote the speech for impact.

But here's my point...

The scene was believable.  It was believable because this young woman's life was being cut short by a disease that has no cure and, at the time of her diagnosis, science was not even close.  It was not inconceivable to believe that her passion for wanting to not only live but to ensure that others would not have the same fate would create the space for the right words to come at the right time. 

Have you ever had that experience?  When you are so clear about your point or so passionate about your belief that the words just flow effortlessly?

Often, great speeches are born of authenticity and passion.

I began to think about each and every one of us.  Every person on this planet has a voice.  Most of us have something that we want other people to "get".  Most of us are passionate about something. 

And all too often,  we allow fear to get in the way of sharing that passion. 

The Lifetime movies remind me that many of us never use that voice until we experience a cataclysmic life event and that event is so powerful we can no longer keep quiet..

Now I understand that sometimes we don't find our voice until something happens but why is it necessary for someone to have cancer in order to live life to the fullest?  Why does it take a life altering event for us to get off our butt and make a difference for someone else?

Instead of letting your life be inspired by a Lifetime movie, why not just be inspired and inspiring?

You have a voice.

Find it.

Use it.

Be the difference that only you can be.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

ingredients for greatness

I love the Olympics.  The best athletes in the world competing to be the best athlete in the world....  You've gotta love that.  It's not just about the competition. It's about the stories.  Oldest Olympians.  Youngest Olympians.  Mothers. Fathers. Sons and daughters.  All fulfilling a dream.  For some, their first Olympics.  For others, their last.  For all, an amazing life experience.

During the Olympics, we see examples fo greatness over and over and over again.

How does that happen?  What makes one great in their sport? In their field?

I think it boils down to 3 things:

1.  Giftedness or affinity 

2.  Opportunity

3.  Hard work

One must first honor a natural talent.  A natural gift or skill.  I don't know what comes first - the chicken or the egg but I do know it seems that for most, it is the gift that authentically calls them forth.  That thing which they would do for free simply because they love it.  It's fun. It's energizing.  In fact, on some level it is the thing which we cannot not do. 

Opportunity follows.  Most great people can point to a time in which the tide began to turn.  Someone noticed their gift.  Perhaps it was someone noticing a Michael Phelps in the pool when he was seven.  Perhaps it was someone noticing a high schoolers aptitude for math or gift at writing or painting pictures.  They were noticed.  They were encouraged and that seemingly small (or perhaps huge) gesture moved them in the direction of their gift.  They may not have even known where they would land but simply that they were honoring an authentic gift and having fun exploring the possibilities.  For you, it may be the thing which you could do easily as a kid.  Maybe the thing you wanted to be when you grew up. 

You know...before LIFE happened...

As they work their craft, paths begin to reveal themselves and as time passes, the greatness begins to reveal itself.  They stayed true to a vision.  They stayed true to a dream and it seems as if - one day - they just show up to the rest of the world in their greatness.

Michael Phelps is undeniably a great swimmer.  Perhaps the greatest swimmer in Olympic history - the next few weeks will tell the tale but one cannot deny that he would not be where he is without 1. an affinity (or gift) for swimming 2. an opportunity to train and develop his craft and 3. all of the work he puts in every single day.

Natural ability can make you good.  Honing your craft...studying your craft...continuing to grow and learn your craft...can make you great.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you are an athlete or a teacher.  A butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker.  Have you found that "thing" that draws you forth to greatness?

What other ingredients would you add to the list?

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

he was going to retire...

Yesterday I posted some of my initial thoughts on the passing of comedian Bernie Mac.  I have now had an opportunity to see several reports surrounding his untimely passing.  Of all of the information I have heard in review of Bernie Mac's life, one thing resonates with me...

He was going to retire.

Every newscast showed interview footage of Bernie Mac stating that he was going to retire soon.  He was going to slow down. Well, guess what?

It's too late.

He was only 50 and I'm sure he thought he would have plenty of time.  Heck, I'm NOT 50 and some days I'm SURE I do!

It's the fallacy of life and the fallacy of youth.

It seems like it took me a lifetime to "get it."  To get that tomorrow isn't promised.  To get that this day..this hour..this moment...is all I have.  Is all we have.

And still, there are days I forget...

I have no idea what Bernie Mac's intention were for his retirement but I wonder what life would be like if we all decided to balance our goals in retirement with the work we do everyday.  So many of us toil and sacrifice for more money so that we can have comfortable retirements.  When we retire, we can take that dream vacation we've always wanted. When we retire, we can travel. When we retire, we can visit family. When we retire, we will have more time for our kids and/or grandkids.  When we retire, we will have more time to give back to our communities.

What if retirement never came?  What if retirement comes and it doesn't look like we thought it would?

Bernie Mac's life stands as an example of what's possible; his death  but a reminder that the clock continues to tick for each one of us.  70 years, 80 years, 90 years is not promised.  

Regardless of how much time you think you have, here is what I know for sure...

Life is too short to spend a career in a job you hate.

Life is too short to "wait" for....ANYTHING.  Find work that makes your spirit sing.  Go back to school. Take your vacations. Spend time with loved ones. Give back to your community.  Take up that hobby you've been telling yourself you don't have time for.  Take a risk.  Live the joy.

It is never too late to make the difference, to be the difference only you can be.  To live the life you think is only for someone else.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can.

holy ----, what a ride!

I'm stunned.

Comedian Bernie Mac has died at 50.

The funny thing is, I don't watch a lot of news.  My senses get a bit overwhelmed by all the bad stuff but I try to keep up with reading (hence I can pick and choose my level of torment).

I also rarely read any "celebrity" news...

but yesterday I saw a headline that read, "Bernie Mac recovering".  It caught my attention.  Bernie Mac recovering from what?

It turns out he had pneumonia but, according to the article, the worst was over and he was heading back to good health.

Today, he's dead.

WOW.

As I think about Bernie Mac however, I cannot help but think about the amazing legacy he has left behind because of both his comedic and dramatic work.  I haven't always been a fan of Bernie Mac's but I admire the drive and tenacity it took for a poor kid to break out and through to celebrity stardom.

Poor kid done good.

Gone at 50.

But holy ----, what a ride!!!!

Can you say the same?

It stands as yet another reminder to me of the limited time we have to do what we want to do.  To make the difference we want to make.

You were born to be great.

YES, you can!

thoughts on the oscars

I love a good movie but admittedly I don't have much patience for award shows.  That being said however, I'm also a sucker for a good success story and the Academy Awards is full of them.  Somehow, some way - every one of these folks made their way to "Hollywood".  To acting.  To a profession where the odds of success relative to the number of folks dreaming of being actors is slim to none and yet, here they were. 

I wonder how many times their friends and/or family said:

• You'll never make it.
• Get a real job.
• Make sure you have something to fall back on.

I wonder how many casting calls they went on where:

• They DIDN'T get the job.
• Someone told them they would "never make it in this business"

I wonder:

• How many Ramen noodles they had to eat
• How many times they didn't get the job they really wanted
• If they ever froze on stage
• How many times they flubbed their lines
• If they ever "lost" a gig
• How many times they almost quit

I don't know the answers to a lot of these questions and I never will but I do know that all these people had three things in common:

1. They had persevered in their career
2. They had achieved some measure of success (whether they won or not)
3. They had a lot of choices to make on their journey

Are you getting it?

You were born to be GREAT.

YES, you can!