Fearless, Fearsome, or just Afraid
"Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear; but around in awareness." ~James Thurber
I have become aware--oh so painfully aware--that many of us are leading our organizations and our lives from a basis of fear. This is frightening (no pun intended) because leadership based in fear is too much like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz--without heart. Or at least without your whole heart. Whole-hearted leadership means being brave enough to go into the forest of our organizations and face the "lions, tigers, and bears--oh my!" Okay, so I sometimes get carried away with metaphor; but the message is important: become brave enough to face your fears and lead from your strengths, with confidence. No wizard needed. So, where do you start? How do you become your organization's "fearless leader?" Try these steps when you find yourself making decisions out of fear: Name your fear. You can't overcome what you don't know. Sit down and name what you are afraid of out loud. Check reality. Often our fears come from flawed thinking. So, once you've named your fears check reality with a trusted confidant.(note: sometimes once you name your fear, this step become irrelevant) Recognize what you're losing by letting fear control your actions. (example: if you're keeping a poor employee, you're losing the possibility of a great employee) Visualize what you will/may gain if you face your fear Stop letting the fear control you and start controlling the strength and confidence that is in you
These steps will begin to make you a fear-less leader. It takes practice and repetition of the steps, but eventually you'll be on your way to a more confident you. Okay, now close your eyes; and click your heels together three times.
Vacation... Right or Responsibility?
"No one needs a vacation as bad as someone who has just had one." ~Elbert Hubbard
This summer I scheduled a week-long vacation to coincide with my presentations at the American Library Association. Three presentations at a national conference and then seven days to tour D.C. and visit a wonderful spa in Williamsburg. What could be more wonderful? While I had a marvelous time--I hardly vacationed. Vacation means "to vacate, surrender, leave behind;" based on that definition, I failed miserably. I checked email and voicemail almost daily; I checked-in with my family daily; I thought about work--paid and unpaid--at almost every break in my day. Vacation--bah humbug! Please know that in my work--as in most of yours--there are few (if any) emergencies. Training emergencies just don't happen. Even being fully aware of that--I still couldn't surrender to the moment. So, I am sitting here thinking about vacations...longing for another chance. Not for myself--although I won't deny that would be wonderful--but also for the people I work with, live with, and hang around with. You see, vacations aren't just a right--I believe they are a responsibility we have. | 
True to Yourself: Leading a Values Based-Business Mark Albion From the beginning pages, this book will have you thinking about your commitment to honesty. Albion's measure of honesty in the workplace, is transparency. "Transparency is about being open, honest, and imperfect," he says. In other words, let people see and experience the real you. With cousins like "integrity, authenticity, and credibility" it's difficult to understand why business people would shun this value. After all, Albion tell us, "It's power comes from the source: truth." The idea of transparency isn't rocket science and it isn't new...and it's probably easier than what most people leading organizations today are trying to do. Don't get me wrong, Albion talks about compassion and communicating with care as not to leave the untactful and hurtful people feeling vindicated somehow. But this whole idea of truth-telling; of being transparent...well, it just makes me go, "hmmm." Take a read for yourself. Be sure to check out Albion's Social Venture Network, too. Turn your values into value.
October 17, 24, & November 1 Public Seminar--Customer Service Series (Chicago) March 25-29, 2008 Public Library Association Bi-Annual Conference (Minneapolis)
June 2008 American Library Assn. (Anaheim, CA) CONNECT & GROW is an interactive newsletter for business professionals who value commitment and passion in their professional and personal lives. If you found something of interest in this newsletter, please forward it (in its entirety, please) to a friend or colleague. The focus of CONNECT & GROW is to provide brief insights into the world of interpersonal business communication. It is edited by Gail Johnson, founder of Face to Face Communications and Training. For more information, a complementary consultation, or initial training assessment email Gail or visit our website
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