Category Archives: Leadership

Grateful for an Honor Code?

I would usually not comment on a controversial current event however in this case I could not resist. I know you have heard about it –  the BYU basketball player who has been suspended due to breaking the BYU honor code.

Now here is an epic idea….an honor code.

Don’t we all have one? What do you stand for? Do you say what you mean? These may sound like trivial and vague questions however the they are truly at the heart of who we are. 
In this case you have a reputable school with an honor code which embodies many attributes of behavior and gives instruction on what is and is not permissable.  By signing it you are agreeing to obey this code.
For an incoming student, this is a noble move – making a commitment to behave in a certain way in order to reflect positively on the University and encouraging a level of personal accountability.  Recently a star athlete admitted to breaking this code and has now been suspended from the team.
While many think this is a tragedy or fodder for a late-night comedy rant – it is an appropriate response based on their honor code.

In an age when athletes are given “passes” for many reasons it is refreshing to watch an institution and a team deal with a tough situation with honesty and integrity.

I am grateful for the wisdom of integrity and would submit there are many lessons to be learned from this situation.
I may even have to become a cougar fan?

Checking in on 30 Days

I am still going through my 30 day exercise and so far so good.  I must admit I will probably have to stretch 30 days out to a minimum of 60 but the results will be worth it.  The one thing that I am finding a constant is a “shift of mind.” 

When I am thinking of others first my days and moments go much better.  I have an exercise for you to try…the next time you are in a REALLY rotten mood I want you to think about who is at the center of your thought processes.  I have a feeling you may be surprised.  For me – the negative mood is radiating from a selfish streak where I seem consumed in a thought pattern solely focused on me.  You know the ones….

oh I hate how this feels

I hate my hair today

I can’t believe they did that to me,

The list goes on and on…..these are by far the worst of times for many of us.

Try changing direction with your thoughts….what is there happening around you that is good?  Isn’t it great to see another day.  Are you glad to have hair albeit – wild?  When someone strikes out at you, do you turn the other cheek and refuse to let the situation bring you down?  In retrospect when someone approaches you negatively have you ever noticed it usually isn’t about you at all? 

Back to my 30 days….let’s try a little retrospection – think of others and your surroundings…how would they appear if this were your final 30 days?

Here I come sunshine :) !

Planting the Seeds of Spring

The seasons have changed and summer is right around the corner.  As most people are planning for their vacations, I have an idea for you….how about reviewing your 2010 plan?  Do you have one?  Did you make resolutions to start this year?  Summer is traditionally a time when things slow down and unwind a bit. 

This makes it an optimum time to make BIG gains on the business front.  As others downshift you can trailblaze with innovative ideas and goals.  This could start a tidal wave of new business and more.

The first thing to take a look at, review the next 12 months, what are the major results you want to deliver at work?  Make sure to look at this question from the vantage point of the following groups:

  • Customers
  • Investors
  • Employees
  • The organization

The ability to grow business is endless.  Dust off or establish your goals and add measurable points in the next 12 months to check on progress.  Another part of this evolution will be a regenerated leadership.  As you develop your goals and 12 month plan, make sure to optimize areas for leadership and personal growth. Goal attainment is important however how you get there is also significant. 

Spring is a time of birth and renewal.  Take this time of year and energize your work, your business.

Thank you – Good Morning

Do you have a morning ritual?

Do you do the same things morning after morning?  I hope the answer to this question is YES!  We are creatures of habit.  When you follow a routine, your day starts in the “flow.”  It is comfortable.

I have a couple of ideas that may help energize and start your day with a lift.

1.  When you wake up – greet the day – stretch your arms upward and cheer the arrival of a new day. 

2.  Set your intention for the day. Whether it’s summing up one or two big tasks you want to accomplish and focus on, or selecting an overarching theme for the day (such as “calmness” or “contentment”), I’m letting the universe know here I am and this is what I intend to attract.

3.  Develop a list of 3 things you are grateful for.  The list doesn’t have to be complex.  The items can be simple and short what it important is that they are written down.  If you will do this for 21 days in a row a couple of things will happen.  First, you will be amazed at the list you have compiled and second, you will be surprised by the energy this list holds.

4.  Use the right fuel.  As you power up for your day.  What is in your breakfast?  Do you eat breakfast.  If you plug-in to your day, energy is a necessity.  Pick something healthy and nutritious.  I like yogurt and oatmeal coupled with fruit.  It sticks with me and warms my stomach.  Power Up!

5.  In closing, your entire morning will start out better with a little planning the night before.  Do you lay out your clothes, your to-do list as well as any extra items?  Make sure it is easy to find your keys, briefcase, purse, etc….  This keeps the morning on track and stress free.

Try a few new morning traditions and see how it changes the course of your day.

Grace & Gratitude!

Gratitude Moment

Gratitude at Work: The more you assist others or “pay it forward”, the more you help yourself. The more you lift up, celebrate and acknowledge the success of those around you, the more you will be celebrated.
Be grateful for what you have as well as what others share with you. Notice how you are showered with more abundance. Whatever it is that is holding you back from success, help someone else obtain or achieve that very same thing whether it is money, customers, experience, motivation, or a multitude of other resources.

It will return to you in ways beyond your imagination.

Thank you.

Working In Gratitude!

This past week I have had the honor of meeting some new people.  I travelled and that usually presents new opportunities and new acquaintances.  This trip was no exception.  What was different was that I was able to learn a lot of new stuff about areas outside of my usual work.  I found this invigorating.  It allowed me to look for new ways to contribute to situations.  I have been in my work role for a while and it is a challenge to stay on the cutting edge of things, continually innovate and rise to the next level.  My experiences of the last week help me to look at this area.  This was a blessing on so many fronts.  I am feeling renewed, inspired and ready to change the world…at least my small piece of it. 

I also cultivated gratitude for the opportunity that my work affords me.  I cannot think of another company that would bring so much life and energy to my role.  I am indeed blessed on many levels.  I know that my travels will lead me to a new place – not just in terms of geography.  I am thankful for my renewed sense of determination and I can’t wait to see what the next few months bring.  I hope the world is ready.

My challenge to you would be; what opportunities are you ignoring?  Are there things you could be doing better?  What may appear obvious may change if you look at it with a different focus.  Think outside of yourself.  Who else are you impacting?  What matters to them?  These answers may surprise you and I am hopeful they might also change your course.

Anatomy of a Winner

Does anyone ever remember who came in second? 

Who lost the last Super Bowl?  Who won the silver medal?  Do we pay attention to these competitors?  Perhaps reading this frustrates you?  The focus of our attention is usually on the winner.  The entity that completes their mission of victory.

Recently, I watched a team of over 80 students come in second.  You read that right, 80 students, one team.  Actually in this case they are all part of the cast of the One Act Play “Anatomy of Gray.”  This was performed by Gretna High School with a cast and crew of over 80 students.  Gretna High School has a tradition spanning the last 15 years for either being in the top running for One Act Competitions.  This year’s production was especially good and the setting was midwest Indiana in the 1800′s.  The play deals with death, sickness and ultimately hope.

Beyond the storyline of the play, imagine how challenging it was to get 80+ high school students to collaborate to pull together an amazing production such as this.  In a word= AMAZING.  However coming in second at the State Competition still stings.  Many of the parents, friends and fans made the 2 hour trek to watch the State performance.  The awards were announced 2 hours after the final performance and the Gretna crowd sat in shock.  This was their finest performance and to come in second just wasn’t satisfying.

So, this is where the gratitude lesson begins.  Reframing and changing the focus of the situation is necessary to FULLY CELEBRATE the reality of the situation.  I began to touch on this earlier in this blog.  What can we celebrate?  In a day and age when the press is quick to publish headlines about the latest teenage shooting, robbery or drunk driving incident, we have a group of over 80 students woven together to create a magical moment.  What an accomplishment.  These students were focused and dedicated to something much bigger than themselves.  Collectively they created a believable and amazing story.  They took us on an adventure and reminded us of the power of the human spirit.

We can ALL be grateful for this experience.

This production is a WINNER.  It is a Champion of Spirit, Hope, Teamwork and more.

It is with Gratitude that we close out the 2009 One Act Season.

Thank you Gretna High School One Act.  There is a silver lining to all things GRAY.

Beyond the Gobble?

Has your kitchen recovered from the Thanksgiving festivities?

I had a wonderful season of thanks and am challenging everyone I know to keep the spirit going all year-long.  I was honored to speak on the topic of gratitude during a community service on Thanksgiving Eve.  I was humbled with the opportunity and the setting.  I have always considered it an awesome job to share a vision with others.  When you are in a place of influence it is an awesome responsibility.  It reminds me of parenting.  There is no greater influence – than the parent – child influence.  This holds true even in religion and the relationship between God and Jesus.  Isn’t this the cornerstone of the bible?

When we think about gratitude and the impact available to us, gratitude can be the most powerful tool in your leadership toolbox.  Gratitude can turn around the most dire of situations and attitudes.  It can take doubt and turn it in to optimism, it can take a downtrodden heart and reveal sunlight and hope.  

Gratitude is more than an annual ritual performed before diving into the Thanksgiving meal. It’s more than a holiday decorations, more than a clever saying that rhymes with “attitude.” Of all the human emotions, gratitude is the most powerful. So powerful is gratitude, it can obliterate fear, hopelessness and doubt. Gratitude can heal a broken heart, slow the aging process and restore broken relationships. Gratitude creates hope and hope brings joy. It is in joy, not fear, that we find strength.

If I could bottle this and put it on a shelf, can you imagine the elixir I would create?  It would make a fortune.

I am grateful for the time, energy and ability to share my passion for gratitude. 

Lastly, I am grateful for my family.  My parents came to my home for turkey and it was so much fun to have them in the house.  They were a huge help and I realized just how very much I have missed them.  I felt a great circle of love between my parents, my husband and children.  I can’t leave out my puppy too.  I am hopeful that we will all march in to each day and be a blessing to everyone we meet.

Go in Gratitude!

Personal Brand Salute

I had the awesome opportunity to speak to the AFCEA Alamo Chapter about the value of networking and cultivating your own brand.  In the audience there were civilians as well as enlisted personnel. 

I was humbled at the thought of being able to help our American hero’s in their next adventure.  I hoped their next chapters would be much safer and fulfilling.  Everyone has valuable skill sets and aspirations.

The audience was enthusiastic and engaged.  We had such a good time together that we ran way over our allotted time and the questions just kept flowing. 

At the very end of the presentation came the biggest surprise of all.  My host stood up to thank me for presenting and he told the audience that in the military it is customary when someone goes above and beyond the call of duty to present the individual with a coin.  He then reached in to his pocket and presented me with my own unique coin. 

I was rendered speechless and I could feel the tears swelling in my eyes as he handed me the coin.  In that one moment I felt the value of the coin was greater than any other form of money on the planet.  I was honored and humbled by the gesture. 

I share this story with you to highlight the value of life experiences and the relationships along the way.  Here I was among men and women who had risked their lives for our country and they were thanking me for a discussion geared towards building a new future, a unique and personal brand. 

I held the coin tightly and guarded it as I returned home.

I proudly share my coin with everyone I see and am looking for a unique way to display it.  It is a great motivator for me to continue sharing the story of networking and cultivating your dream occupation.  It is possible and the tools to do so are improving daily.  I am honored to share this message with others.

God bless our country and protect all of our enlisted men and women.  Thank you for being defenders of freedom.