November 9, 2009  

Leadership Tools
Hugh Ballou

LEADERSHIP TOOLS...

...Is divided into four sections:

1. Foundations
2. Relationships
3. Systems
4. Balance

In my leadership work, I have group skills and strategies into the four areas above. First, Foundations give the leader the clarity to know how to lead the team because the final result in clear; second, build and maintain effective Relationships to assist in getting to the vision; next, develop effective Systems allowing each team member to excel and to work together efficiently; and finally, create Balance in work, in life, and between work in life.

This month’s contributors bring experiences and skills from diverse backgrounds and perspectives:

1. Kevin Asbjörnson writes about leadership as a performance art.
   
2. Bonnie Ross-Parker writes for network marketing - you'll be amazed how relevant the skills are to ministry.
3. Roger Anthony shares the power of collaboration.
   
4. My article on balance, gives feedback on the importance or Sabbath.
   

Enjoy!

Hugh Ballou

FOUNDATIONS

Leadership is a Performing Art
Part 1

By Kevin Asbjörnson

The audience is seated in multiple, concentric circles on the performance stage with an acoustic grand piano and pianist in the center.  A wistful melody fills the air as the audience members sit silently, listening intently.  Some have their eyes closed as if in rapture; others stare blankly ahead as if conjuring images and memories only they can see.  When the last notes of the piece fade, the audience remains still, contemplating and reflecting on the emotions, thoughts and feelings evoked by the music.  After several seconds, the pianist gently initiates a discussion about the experience and the emotions, thoughts, and sensations it evoked.  What does it mean to have been invited, rather than told, to participate in this journey of discovery and self-awareness?  In what ways does engaging in art – specifically a musical performance – lead participants to reframe, rethink, and recalibrate their conception of themselves, their colleagues, and their role as a global citizen?

A different audience is seated at round tables in a large conference room.  A video conferencing screen and surround sound system project the person and voice of their CEO, who has just finished reviewing his company’s quarterly earnings report with multiple sites around the world.  As the audience members discuss the videoconference at their respective tables, they remark on how the CEO has encouraged, rather than demanded, them to consider innovative ways the company can save money without compromising quality or customer service.  Instead of being told the “solution” by their CEO, they have been challenged to tap their innate creativity and explore bold and unconventional ideas and possibilities.  The room quickly fills with an energy and enthusiasm rarely seen in the conference rooms of corporate America.

At first glance, it is difficult to fathom how the artist and the CEO are similar.  One produces music, the other leads an organization.  A more thoughtful examination, however, reveals more in common than might first meet the eye.  Both recognize and tap into the talent and experience of their respective audiences.  Both engage in what we call “intentional listening” – listening purposefully and perceptively – rather than making assumptions or jumping to conclusions.  Both focus on asking the right questions and coaxing meaningful answers rather than dictating pre-formed solutions.  Both balance action and reflection, recognizing that neither is sufficient to solve problems alone.  Perhaps most importantly, both share a key objective: to inspire their audience.  We can all agree that the ability to inspire others is one of the most crucial competencies of the successful artist. What may be less obvious is that the ability to inspire others is also one of the most crucial competencies of the successful 21st century leader. Much of our work with leaders centers around helping them recognize this reality and consequently modify their behavior.

Motivation or Inspiration?

It is important to make a distinction between inspiring and motivating others.  Dictionary.com provides the following synonyms for “motivate”: incite, impel, induce, provoke, and incite.  These synonyms are telling.  They suggest a dynamic in which one party imposes an external inducement or incentive upon another in order to achieve an objective.  These could be positive (promotions, bonuses, pizza parties, etc.) or negative (threat of firing, demotion, transfer, etc.)  In our experience, this approach appears to be the most common way to sustain performance in the workplace and it clearly works – at least in the short term.  Research suggests, however, that such forms of extrinsic motivation alone often fail to solicit employees’ best efforts over time.  Why?  When we operate strictly from a mindset of soliciting performance through the awarding of pleasure or the withholding of pain, we fail to consider what researchers refer to as an individual’s intrinsic motivators: the desire to engage in an activity because it is enjoyable, meaningful and/or personally satisfying.  Common intrinsic motivators include a sense of belonging, feeling that one is making a significant contribution toward a worthy goal, and wanting to make a “difference.”  It is these motivators, the research suggests, that lead to sustained high performance. 

Inspiring leaders, such as the CEO discussed above, understand the drawbacks of operating from a pleasure/pain mindset.  They recognize that all but the most incorrigible people harbor numerous intrinsic motivators that, if properly tapped, can unleash torrents of creativity and innovation.  Most importantly, they know how to tap those motivators so that people want – rather than feel compelled or obligated – to give their best every day.  They take to heart what John Quincy Adams meant when he wrote: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”  Let’s take a look at how they accomplish this.

‘Tuning’ and ‘Toning’

As professional musicians, business consultants and motivational speakers who incorporate the performing arts into our workshops and programs around the world, we believe that music is the international language of emotion.  It is that which, according to Plato, “gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”  Through the power of music, it is our intention to help our audiences emerge from our time together with fresh new perspectives and bold new ideas. 

We believe inspiring leadership is the analogue of music within an organizational context.  Of course, it is through powerful words and deeds, rather than notes and instruments, that inspiring leaders give “flight to the imagination” of their employees.  But the results are the same: people begin to think the unthinkable and do the undoable.  Yet it is not possible to truly inspire others if we give off mixed signals to our constituents.  Kevin, a pianist since childhood, puts it this way:

Tuning the voice of an acoustic grand piano is the process of ensuring that the pitch of each key on the keyboard creates the intended note, such as A, B flat or C sharp.  Toning the voice of an acoustic grand piano is the process of adjusting, through softening or hardening, the striking action of the hammers against the strings in order to fully utilize the dynamic range of the entire keyboard.  As a pianist, I know that if the tuning and toning of my piano are misaligned, the results are unpleasing to the ear.  This obviously impairs my ability to connect with and engage my audience.

Just as pianists must both tune and tone their instruments, inspiring leaders know they must continually “tune” their message (what they say) and “tone” their voices (how they say it).  When a leader’s tune and tone are out of alignment, it impacts their ability to connect effectively with and engage their audience.  In our experience, employees can immediately recognize when a leader’s tune and tone are out of sync.  The results are typically a lowering of morale, cynicism, resentment, distrust, and the questioning of leadership competence and authenticity.  Some of the “warning signs” of misaligned tune and tone sound like this:

• “Do you get the feeling he’s making us do this because it will make him look good?”
• “She says she considers our points of view but I don’t believe it for a second.”
• “I always hear when I mess up but never when I do well.”
• “It’s so hypocritical that she leaves every day at 5:00 while expecting us to put in 12-hour days.”
• “Why are we always in such a hurry to make decisions only to see nothing change?”
• “My manager says he trusts me but then micromanages everything I do.”

If you are hearing these or similar statements from your employees, it’s time to check your tuning and toning with the help of a self-assessment, executive coach and/or leadership development program.

Leadership is a Performing Art, Part 2 in December "Leadership Tools" continues with ‘Practice, Practice, Practice’, ‘Listening With Intent’, and Final Notes'.






Kevin Asbjörnson, MIM, is Founder & Principal Performing Artist of Inspire! Imagine! Innovate! — an international consortium of leadership and performing arts professionals whose unique musical keynote events, performing arts-based training programs and interactive workshops inspire leaders, unleash the imagination and promote organizational innovation.  Kevin is recognized by the 2009 Marquis Who’s Who in the World of Global Citizens for his creativity with the integration of music, performing arts-based learning and 21st Century Leadership. His original music can be heard on Apple iTunes, www.CDBaby.com  www.Pandora.com  and www.InspireImagineInnovate.com.

Mike Y. Brenner, M.Ed., is Senior Editor of Key Inspirations, an online publication of Inspire! Imagine! Innovate!  He is a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, in adult and organizational leadership and a Philadelphia-based university instructor and corporate trainer. 

Kevin Asbjörnson, Founder & Principal Performing Artist
Inspire! Imagine! Innovate!
http://www.inspireimagineinnovate.com

===========================================

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RELATIONSHIPS

Is Leadership a Gift or An Acquired Skill?

by Bonnie Ross-Parker

Make a decision. If you aspire to be a company leader, believe in yourself.
You've all heard the expression, "He or she was a born leader." I wonder if that's true.

It seems to me with insight and determination, anyone can learn the skills necessary to be a leader.

Volumes have been written on leadership. Lectures have been delivered on leadership. There are thousands of quotes on leadership. So, what then is leadership? What characteristics are indicative of a leader?

I set out to enlist some of the greatest minds and the most impactful ideas on leadership to share with you.

Network marketers build their organizations by being and creating leaders.

It's the leaders that get rewarded with big checks, bonus trips and recognition. Leaders look for individuals that can be groomed to be leaders because they are the representatives who are motivated to build large down lines, get selected for training and help shape a company's direction.

Joe Tye, Founder of Never Fear Never Quit, defines leadership as a state of mind. He believes anyone can be a leader who is willing to seek opportunities to add value, to make a contribution and to make a difference -- and then to take action to make something happen. He says if one does that, people will follow. (Great network marketers understand this.)

In his book, Leadership, James MacGregor Burns describes transactional leadership and transforming leadership. The former is the essence of business management and implies some form of exchange: money for goods, paychecks for work. By contrast, transforming leadership occurs when there is a relationship between leader and followers in which both are raised to high levels of performance expectations and moral values. It is thus transforming and elevating. (Another network marketing skill!)

In the Nov/Dec '06 issue of Success Magazine, Colin Powell offered leadership lessons which included: "Never be afraid to make people mad." Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group. "Never neglect the details." When everyone's mind is distracted, the leader must be doubly vigilant. "Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds."

In the same magazine, Mar/Apr '07, Larry Bird, NBA Hall of Famer, also offered a few of his leadership lessons.

"Surround yourself with good people and good things always happen."

"Hide your weaknesses; play to your strengths." Recognize your assets and employ them to the best of your ability. "Make choices based on what's best for the team." "It's all about preparation." "Your staff is depending on you." Those individuals in your organization expect you to act with integrity on their behalf and is imperative to good leadership. It insures respect.

Zig Ziglar says it this way: "Businesses are a reflection of its leader. Companies don't succeed or fail from the bottom. Leadership is top driven and permeates the organization from the top down. The leader must define the reality of the tasks and goals that are established." Your organization looks to you for guidance, reassurance and sustainability.

Some more thoughts on leadership:

Leadership is a verb, not a noun. You don't become a leader; you serve as a leader and grow as a leader.

While all organizations need leaders, this is especially true in network marketing. To be a more effective leader, concentrate on pursuing your strengths and passions rather than money and status. In his book, Love and Profit, James A. Autry, a leadership expert based in Des Moines, distinguishes between loving the job and loving the work. You're more likely to develop as a leader if you love your work for the sake of the work itself. Leaders in network marketing love the challenge, the pursuit and the unknown. They thrive on who they will enroll with the potential to be their next leader!
Make a decision. If you aspire to be a company leader, believe in yourself.
You've all heard the expression, "He or she was a born leader." I wonder if that's true.

It seems to me with insight and determination, anyone can learn the skills necessary to be a leader.

Volumes have been written on leadership. Lectures have been delivered on leadership. There are thousands of quotes on leadership. So, what then is leadership? What characteristics are indicative of a leader?

I set out to enlist some of the greatest minds and the most impactful ideas on leadership to share with you.

Network marketers build their organizations by being and creating leaders.

It's the leaders that get rewarded with big checks, bonus trips and recognition. Leaders look for individuals that can be groomed to be leaders because they are the representatives who are motivated to build large down lines, get selected for training and help shape a company's direction.

Joe Tye, Founder of Never Fear Never Quit, defines leadership as a state of mind. He believes anyone can be a leader who is willing to seek opportunities to add value, to make a contribution and to make a difference -- and then to take action to make something happen. He says if one does that, people will follow. (Great network marketers understand this.)

In his book, Leadership, James MacGregor Burns describes transactional leadership and transforming leadership. The former is the essence of business management and implies some form of exchange: money for goods, paychecks for work. By contrast, transforming leadership occurs when there is a relationship between leader and followers in which both are raised to high levels of performance expectations and moral values. It is thus transforming and elevating. (Another network marketing skill!)

In the Nov/Dec '06 issue of Success Magazine, Colin Powell offered leadership lessons which included: "Never be afraid to make people mad." Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group. "Never neglect the details." When everyone's mind is distracted, the leader must be doubly vigilant. "Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds."

In the same magazine, Mar/Apr '07, Larry Bird, NBA Hall of Famer, also offered a few of his leadership lessons.

"Surround yourself with good people and good things always happen."

"Hide your weaknesses; play to your strengths." Recognize your assets and employ them to the best of your ability. "Make choices based on what's best for the team." "It's all about preparation." "Your staff is depending on you." Those individuals in your organization expect you to act with integrity on their behalf and is imperative to good leadership. It insures respect.

Zig Ziglar says it this way: "Businesses are a reflection of its leader. Companies don't succeed or fail from the bottom. Leadership is top driven and permeates the organization from the top down. The leader must define the reality of the tasks and goals that are established." Your organization looks to you for guidance, reassurance and sustainability.

Some more thoughts on leadership:

Leadership is a verb, not a noun. You don't become a leader; you serve as a leader and grow as a leader.

While all organizations need leaders, this is especially true in network marketing. To be a more effective leader, concentrate on pursuing your strengths and passions rather than money and status. In his book, Love and Profit, James A. Autry, a leadership expert based in Des Moines, distinguishes between loving the job and loving the work. You're more likely to develop as a leader if you love your work for the sake of the work itself. Leaders in network marketing love the challenge, the pursuit and the unknown. They thrive on who they will enroll with the potential to be their next leader!

It takes courage to be a leader and requires developing mental toughness. It's knowing how to face difficult situations without loss of mental clarity. Leaders are big thinkers; they tackle big challenges with big plans. Leaders understand that the bigger the dream, the greater the challenge. Every great accomplishment was once the 'impossible dream' of a dreamer who simply refused to quit when the going got tough.

Leadership is a sales job and effective leaders work hard to master the art of persuasion. The job of leadership is selling people on the values, the beliefs and the dreams that will create a desired future. (Miscellaneous ideas from Joe Tye's "Spark Plug" Newsletter Dec '04)

Years ago I came across a document called, Leadership in Action Creed. The author is unknown; the principles are priceless. It states the following:

1. I believe in Leadership in Action, in the people I am working with and in my ability to get results.

2. I believe that honest service can be sold to honest people by honest methods.

3. I believe in working, not waiting, in laughing, not weeping, in boosting, not knocking, and in the pleasure of selling service.

4. I believe that a person gets what he goes after and that no person is down and out until he has lost faith in himself.

5. I believe in today and the work I am doing. I believe in tomorrow and the work I hope to do and the sure reward which the future holds. I believe in courtesy, in kindness, in generosity, in good cheer, in friendship and honest competition.

6. I believe the best way to help myself is by helping the other person first.

So, here I am reviewing and reflecting on leadership - what it means and identifying the characteristics of a leader. Recognizing you are a subscriber of The Network Marketing Magazine and on your own journey of personal and professional development, it is likely you are already a leader in your organization. If not, you can certainly implement ideas and strategies to become one. It simply comes down to this: make a decision. If you aspire to be a company leader, believe in yourself.
It takes courage to be a leader and requires developing mental toughness. It's knowing how to face difficult situations without loss of mental clarity. Leaders are big thinkers; they tackle big challenges with big plans. Leaders understand that the bigger the dream, the greater the challenge. Every great accomplishment was once the 'impossible dream' of a dreamer who simply refused to quit when the going got tough.

Leadership is a sales job and effective leaders work hard to master the art of persuasion. The job of leadership is selling people on the values, the beliefs and the dreams that will create a desired future. (Miscellaneous ideas from Joe Tye's "Spark Plug" Newsletter Dec '04)

Years ago I came across a document called, Leadership in Action Creed. The author is unknown; the principles are priceless. It states the following:

1. I believe in Leadership in Action, in the people I am working with and in my ability to get results.

2. I believe that honest service can be sold to honest people by honest methods.

3. I believe in working, not waiting, in laughing, not weeping, in boosting, not knocking, and in the pleasure of selling service.

4. I believe that a person gets what he goes after and that no person is down and out until he has lost faith in himself.

5. I believe in today and the work I am doing. I believe in tomorrow and the work I hope to do and the sure reward which the future holds. I believe in courtesy, in kindness, in generosity, in good cheer, in friendship and honest competition.

6. I believe the best way to help myself is by helping the other person first.

So, here I am reviewing and reflecting on leadership - what it means and identifying the characteristics of a leader. Recognizing you are a subscriber of The Network Marketing Magazine and on your own journey of personal and professional development, it is likely you are already a leader in your organization. If not, you can certainly implement ideas and strategies to become one. It simply comes down to this: make a decision. If you aspire to be a company leader, believe in yourself.
~ Albert Einstein

Bonnie Ross-Parker, a.k.a. "America's Connection Diva", is a multi-dimensional businesswoman/entrepreneur with a background in education, franchise development, publishing, mentorship, network marketing, and community development. She combines vision with a unique set of skills. Formerly the Associate Publisher of The Gazette Newspaper/Atlanta, she focuses her energies on supporting women. Bonnie is a graduate of George Washington University, & earned a Certification in Network Marketing at the University of Illinois. Several of her articles on owning one's own business and entrepreneurship have appeared in publications including: Wealth Building, Home Business Magazine, Business to Business and Entrepreneur's Business Start-Ups.


Bonnie Ross-Parker, CEO/Founder
The Joy of Connecting
http://www.TheJoyofConnecting.com

Check out the new stuff on The Singer Link - An Online Choral Community

Early Music Scholars' Competition
http://www.thesingerlink.com/events/early-music-scholars

Stolen Voices: 17th Annual Remembrance Day concert 
http://www.thesingerlink.com/events/stolen-voices-17th-annual-1

Restore Arts Funding Now
http://www.thesingerlink.com/video/restore-arts-funding-now

Venues for the American International Choral Festival - St. Louis 
http://www.thesingerlink.com/profiles/blogs/venues-for-the-american

And MORE

Enjoy connecting today - it Free!

Share your stories with singers around the world. Learn about events that are designed for singers. Ask questions about musical issues related to singing. Help design the first online community just for singers. Sign up for FREE and help build this community site for singers and choral conductors at The Singer Link

SYSTEMS

Collaborative Leadership
Part 1

by Roger Anthony

One might hear a parent say, “How did you go in your football game today son?”
“We slaughtered them!” Came the proud reply.

In watching a soccer or football game it would not be uncommon to witness parents running up and down the sidelines rooting for their child and yelling abuse at the referee and sometimes at other parents.
 
This phenomenon is a strange state of affairs considering we as humans are born with a desire to support and encourage others… to work in collaboration and cooperation with each other for the common good of the whole.
 
This innate desire beckons us to reach out beyond ourselves to serve others.
Yet, from our earliest years, through parental influences, the educational system and society itself, we are taught to compete and win… to beat the opposition to squash them, to kick their butts!

We have become so conditioned to beating the “opposition,” that this desire to reach out and serve, to collaborate and cooperate in caring communities, is buried deep within the crust of negative conditioning yearning to be set free for the benefit of the individual and all of mankind.

As a result of this conditioning, individuals and thus, organizations selfishly look only to their own success without thought of collaborating and cooperating with others to ensure that everyone wins.
 
The irony of it all is, that true success is realized only when we selflessly help others achieve it!

Collaboration rather than Competition is the key to building successful communities and organizations of the now and the future.

For us to more fully understand the Collaborative Success Model, we must first understand success.
When I refer to Success, it’s not how the world generally defines it.
I have conducted literally hundreds of Crocodiles not Waterlilies Self Leadership Courses over the years, and from the very beginning I have asked the participants to work together in teams and answer this question; “What is success and how would you define it?”
They start off with great enthusiasm and confidence, but as they work through the process they struggle to come up with a simple, easy to explain answer. However, in almost every case their answers are accurate but lack the most important element of success.

When I explain what I have found to be the most important element, there has never been a person who has challenged it. Without exception, everyone agrees!

The answer is ……

“No matter what you achieve in life, no matter how wealthy you are, or what academic accomplishments you have achieved, or what a great Mother, Father, Business Man, Student, Doctor, Caregiver, Teacher, Garbage Collector, etc you are, for a person to be successful, truly successful, whatever they achieve must result/culminate in Peace Happiness and Joy equating to Inner Contentment!” (PHJ/IC)
 
You see, how can anyone say they are successful if they are not living in PHJ/IC most of their lives.

We all know wealthy people who can do just about anything they want, but they are unhappy and sometime downright miserable. Can you say they are successful? According to over 50,000 people that have responded to this workshop question, all have agreed without exception that PHJ/IC is the only sign of true success.

Working in collaboration in the teams that make up our lives is essential to success and thus to PHJ/IC.

Collaborative Leadership, Part 2 in December "Leadership Tools"  continues with 'Internal Team', 'Family Team', 'Corporate Team', and 'External Team'.

Roger Anthony is an entrepreneur, CEO coach, motivational speaker, athlete, author and family man. He has created numerous intellectual properties in the arena of personal and organizational mastery, leadership, relationships, youth and family, as well as fitness.   These include the brands:  Crocodiles Not Waterlilies™,  Crocpond™, Dehoodwink™, Rhythm of Success™, Pathway to Mastery™, The Walk from Within™, LOVES™ Relationship, Crocoball™ and co-founder of Accelerated Decisions™.  He has authored and co-authored several books:  Now I Understand, Tall Poppyship, 7-Steps to Mastery, and RINDIN the Puffer.  His signature Crocoball™ (speedbag) demonstration which is part of his keynotes and motivational speaking engagements is dynamic and receives standing ovations.  It illustrates the fluidity with which one can exist – in total mastery no matter what circumstances may prevail.  Roger’s body of work has helped changed the course of many organizations and the lives of many from all walks of life and of all ages. 

Hugh Ballou
The Transformational Leadership Strategist
http://www.transformationalstrategist.com

Conclusion

Arrive at your place of comfort utilizing the best of what you can learn from others. Build your foundation, maintain your relationships, utilize effective systems and keep a healthy balance in your life. Begin today. There's not an arrival point. It's simple a journey.

Grace and Peace to you in your duty and delight as a Christian leader.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Hugh Ballou

 © 2009 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved

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