Use Your Cape, We All Have One!

January 16, 2015 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

It’s not easy to fulfill all the roles and responsibilities we have in our lives . . . in our families, in our careers, in our communities. There are times when you can’t be everywhere and you can’t do everything, so how do you navigate through it?

Use Your Cape, We All Have One! The Power Cape (TM)

Here’s How . . .

Step Out Of Stress – Stress can paralyze your rational thinking – and make the obvious elusive. Step back and rise up (do this exercise in your mind). Re-establish your power.
Listen To Your Voice – what are you saying about yourself and the circumstances? Are you using your faith – are you hopeful and believing for the best, no matter what it looks like?
Let Your Principles Simplify Priorities – what do you value, what is irreplaceable, what is at the center of your heart? What’s first, second, and third in your life? Are your priorities consistent with your principles?
Consider All The Options – “I have to be there” or “I have to do it” is a self-imposed requirement. Can someone else do it? Can it be done at another time? Is there a different way to accomplish the same thing? What would happen (really?) if you didn’t do it at all?
Shift The Momentum – A plan gives order to chaos & confusion. Break down the situation into specific tasks and decisions – write it down! 15 minutes of planning can make all the difference.

Now Consider . . .

Did you say “yes” when you should have said “no”?
Are you moving through life so fast that you’re not paying attention and things creep up on you?
Are you managing your life to live up to the world’s expectations and not holding fast to your own values?
Are you comparing yourself to others and their “superpowers?”

Use Your Cape – not just when you have a crisis – but in the decision making that determines the quality of your life on a daily basis.

©Bloom in Every Garden 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

What I Learned Today

Every “One” Matters

November 26, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

It had been a very busy week – and I had worked up until the last second. I was walking very purposely from my office to my car. It was a path I had taken thousands of times. About a half block away, there was a man talking to himself and pulling something behind him. I was mindful of his presence as he approached.

As I waited to cross the street – he passed behind me, said hello and gave me a compliment. I said thank you and told him to have a good weekend. He went on his way, then he suddenly stopped and turned around. He said “Thank you for not acting like I don’t exist, God bless you.” That is when I noticed he was pulling a suitcase, with a small duffel bag on top, with a tote bag in his other hand.

I’m certain he was homeless and everything he owned was in those bags. I am equally certain that he is often ignored as if he’s invisible.

Many times we believe we are justified to ignore a homeless person – and it’s rooted in fear. Fear for our safety, fear that they will pan-handle and ask us for money, fear that we will get into a conversation we can’t get out of – etc. etc. The truth is – kindness and common courtesy does not put you at risk.

He is someone’s father, grandfather, uncle, or son. He is important to someone in this world – and for a moment, he can be important to us. Just acknowledging him with a kind word is where we can start.

©Bloom in Every Garden 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

What I Learned Today

A Deep Gratitude for the Freedom We Enjoy

November 12, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

As we honor our veterans, I was reminded of the true cost of the freedom we enjoy.

I recently listened to an interview with two veterans of the Iraq war – one was a member of a explosives disposal unit (bomb unit) whose wife served with him and was killed in an incident he deployed her on. He talked about how husbands of fallen soldiers are often forgotten. He was encouraged to talk to another soldier, who was also a bomb technician who had been injured in Iraq.

The solider was dispatched to pick up an IUD (improvised explosive device) and when she put in her truck, it started rolling around. When she tried to grab it, it exploded. She said “I heard a woman screaming and screaming, and then I realized it was me.” In spite of losing both arms, most of her hearing, and the severe scarring on her face, she said it’s led her to amazing opportunities and she’s been able to helped a lot of people.

It painted a picture of sacrifice that I won’t forget. What struck me – and what I keep playing over and over in my mind is when she said she heard someone screaming and screaming . . . and realized it was her.

I don’t think we truly comprehend what the men and women in our armed forces have done and the sacrifices their families have made, for every American to have all the freedoms we enjoy in every aspect of our lives on a daily basis.

Listen to the interview:

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/07/362010372/bomb-techs-work-through-dark-spots-to-brighter-lives’

What I Learned Today

The Role of Spirituality in Politics and Healing the Soul of America

November 2, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

Many times we tune out the topic of politics – for a lot of reasons – simple issues are way too complex, it is emotionally charged without objectivity, and the environment lacks trust and integrity (to name a few).

Oprah’s conversation with Author, Spiritual Thought Leader, and Recent Congressional Candidate Marianne Williamson reminded me of what we’ve accomplished as a country and gave me hope that we can fundamentally change the nature of politics by . . .

Recognizing that spiritual movements are the basis for the most significant social and political change (Gandhi & ML King, Jr.).

Acknowledging the breach between who we say we are as a nation (our founding principles) and what we have practiced – and how we’ve “self-corrected” (abolishing slavery, women’s rights, civil rights) to align with our founding principles. Focusing on the conscious of our country, beyond the economics.

Identifying the parallels between personal transformation and transforming our country – the role of love, atonement, and responsibility.

Shifting the power – “Hate with conviction is terrorism.” Hatred has been turned into a political force. Hate is the minority, love is so much greater. We need more people to “Love with conviction and turn love into a political force.”

Knowing we don’t need a majority to spark change – small groups that stand on an ideal ignited the changes that have transformed our country.

Click Here to Watch the Interview!

Your Career

Pursuing An Internal Career Opportunity – The Strategy

October 24, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

There is more to applying for a job internally (within your company) than just posting for it – here’s what you can do to give yourself an advantage:

Assess Your Skills and Qualification for the Position – be objective and realistic. Identify gaps and determine if there are transferrable skills that apply. Transferable skills are core competencies that can apply across functions/industries.

Update Your LinkedIn profile – Hiring Managers are checking out your profile – even for internal positions. Also be mindful of what’s posted on your personal social media accounts – although most hiring policies prohibit using this information – present yourself in the most positive light.

Talk with the Hiring Manager & Recruiter (before you apply) – it’s an opportunity to find out details that are not in the job posting, gives you insight into the style and personality of the manager, puts your name top of mind when he/she is screening applicants.

What to Ask – is this a new role or a backfill, describe your ideal candidate, what are the most important qualifications and those least important? Take detailed notes.
What to Share – after listening carefully to the Hiring Manager’s answers – highlight very briefly the skills and experience you have that match the critical qualifications and ideal candidate attributes.
Plan for a 15 minute conversation – send a calendar invite for 30 minutes; include your desire to discuss the position and the conversation should only take 15-30 minutes. Hiring Managers are many times overloaded and getting their attention can be challenging. It’s important that this is a conversation not an email exchange.

Include a Resume and Cover Letter – submitting a job posting is not enough – even for an internal job. Your resume gives a complete picture of your experience. Use the cover letter to speak directly to your interest and qualifications for the position (use insights from your conversation with the hiring manager, include examples that connect the dots on transferrable skills).

Do Your Research – reach out to contacts in your network and use other tools/resources (business & industry websites, LinkedIn).

Develop a profile of the organization (business overview, business performance & goals, organizational culture, challenges they are facing)
Gain insights about the Hiring Manager (prior roles, leadership style, etc.)

Fill in the Gaps – if you are missing direct experience or knowledge – learn more about it to prepare for the interview. For example if the position requires specific systems knowledge (e.g. SAP, etc) – get an overview/training from a knowledgeable resource in your network or via a referral.

Applying and interviewing for internal jobs is becoming standard practice, management directed transfers are less common. Be prepared to invest the same amount of effort for an internal job – as you would if you applied externally – it will be well worth the investment.

Leadership, Your Career

Leadership Under Pressure – Maintaining Your Focus

October 12, 2014 bloomineverygarden 1 Comment

How do you maintain your focus, composure, and momentum as a leader when you’re under pressure?

Be clear about your purpose which will define your priorities – be mindful of your motivations and intentions
Be respectful and honorable even when you are not treated that way; remember you are responsible for your behavior and everyone else is responsible for theirs
Acknowledge the pressure and give yourself permission to take a pause for a “personal huddle” – remind yourself of your gifts & talents and the experiences that have prepared you to succeed
Establish a filter and decide what justifies an investment of your time and attention; everything that happens does not require a reaction or a response – recognize and dismiss the distractions
Organize yourself and take the time to develop a plan – compile all the mental reminder, lists, post-its notes, and notepad entries in one place
Seek wise and trusted counsel – you don’t have to solve everything on your own
Communicate clearly and often – it reduces repeat questions, it minimizes confusion caused by the absence of information, and makes you more productive
Be solution oriented when issues surface – spend about 60 seconds on what happened or didn’t happen; shift your attention quickly to “how do we resolve this?” and be open to the possibilities

Your Career

Innovation Starts On The Inside!

September 5, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

Innovation is the driving force for every organization focused on growth and competitive advantage.

Where Does Innovation Start?

Innovation Starts on The Inside. When you are exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences, and to new ideas and concepts, it changes what we think is possible (or impossible!). It’s the foundation of creativity and innovation.

A Strategy for Personal Innovation . . .

Develop a World View

National Public Radio offers an amazing collection of original programs and content from member stations and bureaus across the US and the world with a mission to start conversations, increase understanding, enrich lives and enliven minds. www.npr.org

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. https://www.ted.com/#

Increase Your “Innovation IQ”

News Sources – beyond reporting the news – they develop and publish robust online content with insights and trends on a wide range of topics in business, politics, social issues, health, technology, science, arts & entertainment – The Washington Post, CNN, Forbes, and The Huffington Post (to name a few).

Stay Abreast of Trends/Best Practices in Your Field

Leading Colleges and Universities are a great resource for innovation and best practices. One Example: Harvard Business Review aims to provide professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to help lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact. http://hbr.org/

Professional Organizations and Member Organizations offer a wealth of information and access to their member communities. Corporate Executive Board is a great source with practices and leadership councils in areas including Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing & Communications. http://www.executiveboard.com

Identify and Follow Thought Leaders

Identify and follow a diverse group of leaders. Many times an innovative idea in one industry can either directly apply to another or spark a new idea. View a list of the most innovative companies – also organized by rank, industry and country: http://www.fastcompany.com/section/most-innovative-companies-2014

Utilize social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) to “follow” leaders and their companies/organizations.

Innovation Starts on The Inside!

What I Learned Today

Well-Being Incorporated into Architecture & Design?

August 19, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

I discovered Delos, the pioneer of Wellness Real Estate™ and founder of the WELL Building Standard®, a proprietary protocol that incorporates human wellness into building architecture and design. It’s a concept of “human sustainability” that targets the intersection between individual health & well-being and environmentally sustainable design.

Learn more . .http://delosliving.com/

On a related topic, LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a “green” building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

Learn more . . http://www.usgbc.org/leed

Your Family

Teamwork During a Family Crisis

August 3, 2014 bloomineverygarden 1 Comment

The sudden health crisis or the death of a parent is one of the most difficult times of your life. In addition to the emotional toll it takes – interacting with our family members can be equally challenging. There are long standing family dynamics that can surface. There will be situations that you cannot predict or perspectives that cannot be reconciled.

Even with those challenges, families can work together using the same principles that we know make a team successful:

Focus on the ultimate goal and purpose, be willing to relinquish your personal position for the greater good.

Value & respect the role of a Facilitator – they understand everything that needs to get done, serves as a central point of contact to coordinate all the details, and seeks the help and support of others as needed . . and makes decisions when a decision needs to be made – and agreement and alignment is not possible.

Recognize how to utilize everyone’s gifts and experience. Everyone cannot do every role, but there is a role for everyone. One person may have strong administrative experience, one has a gift as a care giver, another is computer savvy and loves to do research, and another has the gift of gab with strong family relationships who can distribute information quickly.

Communicate often, directly (to the individual), and be mindful of making assumptions. The absence of information can create anxiety or speculation, communicating indirectly can create conflict, and not asking for clarity can create misunderstanding.

Respect that everyone has other priorities and commitments – so their availability & capacity to contribute may be different. One person may not be working, another may be a single with children, and another may have a job that requires frequent travel. Their availability will impact how and when they can be engaged and involved.

Encourage one another and acknowledge everyone’s efforts. It’s easy to be consumed by what we’re going through and not remember that the entire family is affected and experience it in their own way. Take the time to inquire about how someone else is doing and offer words of encouragement. Remember to say thank you and “I appreciate what you’ve done” – even for the small things.

Practicing these principles can serve our families well and minimize confusion and stress. Even more important, it helps us maintain our relationships through the experience and into the future.

©Bloom in Every Garden 2014. Unauthorized use and/or
duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Leadership, Your Career

The Emergence of Compassionate, Authentic and Servant Leadership

July 16, 2014 bloomineverygarden Leave a comment

Leaders can be consumed by delivering results. In business –
it’s driven by increasing dividends to shareholders, in education –
it’s the pressure of rigorous student testing requirements and
performance measurements, in the non-profit arena – it’s constant fundraising and meeting donor expectations.

I am so excited about the evolution underway in leadership
validated by science and emerging research. Leaders be authentic, compassionate, care about the well-being of those around them and their community – and deliver superior results!!

This leadership concept has been clouded by assumptions that these qualities demonstrates weakness, avoids resolving difficult issues and having hard conversations, and does not drive a high
performance culture.

Thought leaders from both the academic and business community are weighing-in and the data tells a different story. These models of leadership drive a higher level of customer focus and innovation,
quality, profitability, productivity, efficiency and build results
focused teams.

Companies who practice these models of leadership are clearly leaders in their industry and are among the Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For. The reality is that data correlated to results is the proof that opens business minds to consider a different approaches to leadership.

How Are Those Leadership Models Defined:

Compassionate Leaders understand and use power responsibly. Compassionate Leaders understand people’s motivators, hopes, and difficulties to create the right support mechanism to allow people to be a good as they can be. They take responsibility for the growth and development of others.

Authentic Leaders are genuine in their intentions and understand the purpose of their leadership is serving their customers, employees, investors and not their self- interest. Authentic leaders have high levels of emotional intelligence (EQ), a deep sense of oneself and one’s impact on others. They lead with their hearts, as well as their heads.

Servant Leaders focus primarily on the growth and well-being of the people and the communities to which they belong. They share
power, put the needs of others first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. Servant Leaders follow these
principles: service first, community building, persuasion
not coercion, followers willingly follow, and leadership is a journey.

I would also suggest that spirituality and faith is an important
guiding force for these leaders, and a desire to build something much more important than results – long lasting relationships and legacy.

References

Christina Boedker, The Rise of the Compassionate Leaders: Should You Be Cruel to Be Kind? https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/Pages/The-Rise-of-the-Compassionate-Leader–Should-You-Be-Cruel-to-Be-Kind.aspx

Emma Seppala, Ph.D, The Unexpected Benefits of Compassion for Business. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/feeling-it/201304/the-unexpected-benefits-compassion-business

Bill George, Peter Sims, Andrew N. McLean, and Diana Mayer; Discovering Your Authentic Leadership. http://hbr.org/2007/02/discovering-your-authentic-leadership/ar/

Bill George, Mindful Leadership: Compassion, contemplation, and meditation develop effective leaders. http://www.billgeorge.org/page/mindful-leadership-compassion-contemplation-and-meditation-develop-effective-leaders

Megan Schmidt, At Your Service, Servant leadership culture builds efficient and results-focused teams. https://greenleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ASQ-Quality-Progress.pdf

Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. What is Servant Leadership? https://greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

Additional Resources:

Daniel Goldman, Author, Emotional Intelligence. http://www.danielgoleman.info/

Modern Servant Leader, Fortune’s Best Companies to Work for With Servant Leadership. http://modernservantleader.com/servant-leadership/fortunes-best-companies-to-work-for-with-servant-leadership/

The Greater Good, The Science of a Meaningful Life. Compassionate Leaders are Effective Leaders. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/compassionate_leaders_are_effective_leaders

©Bloom in Every Garden 2014. Unauthorized use and/or
duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Bloom in Every Garden, Season, and Circumstance of Your Life