It’ll Rain a Sunny Day

Most of us in the Northeast  are awaiting the revival of sunshine and warmth, along with all of us in the U.S. awaiting econmic revival. I figure I’ll start my part by revviving my Blog. I left it in the dust while I took a different course than I had expected. I went to work for a small start-up. One that has done surprisingly well despite the tough economy. But, sooner or later most new adventures lose their luster, and it’s time for renewal and redirection.

What better tune than the old song, “Have You ever Seen The Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival “Someone told me long ago, there’s a calm before the storm. I know it’s been comin’ for some time. When it’s over, so they say, it’ll rain a sunny day.” to herald that.

So, here I am with the weather, the economy, and me – in line for a revival. Now, the weather forecast promises sunshine and hot weather by the end of the week. Not a long wait at all, unless you look back in the calendar at how many rainy days we’ve already endured. Some economists are predicting the economy will start to turn around any day now. According to Boston.com the Bay State (MA) gained 5,000 jobs in May, the biggest monthly rise since Jan. of 2008. Based on research and analysis many expect the recession to end in the next several months, although they caution it will be a slow recovery. 

Who am I not to go along with these good omens and believe that very soon, I too will experience the joy of  it raining sunshine? But, to help my chances I’ll be making regular posts, upping my LinkedIn use, sharing info on Twitter and just plain working on a new-fangled, old-fashioned revival!

The Dragonfly Leader

What can we learn from a dragonfly (aka darningneedle, mosquito hawk) ? One thing is that it takes a loooo…ng time for the larva to mature into that delicate iridescent beauty it becomes as an adult. Some stay in the larval state for up to four years. Then, after instinctively knowing when the time is right to emerge, it’s all but over. The adult dragonfly flies free for just a few months.

Dragonflies have some pretty  sophisticated engineering in their flight patterns. They can hover, accelerate quickly, fly in tandem or even go in reverse. They do this while effectively completing their mission in life of eating mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

A few leadership parallels:
Like the dragonfly nymph, leaders must pay their dues, but know when the time is right to step-up. Patience, Preparation and Commitment

Like the mature dragonfly, an effective leader can change course, shift gears, and not hover for too long. Action, Quick-thinking and Direction 

Like the dying dragonfly, a leader knows when the mission is accomplished and quietly moves on. Goals, Success and Humility

Another take on this is one of transformation. The dragonfly is a symbol of many different things in art and culture  - light,  adaption, and achieving balance.  All good leadership traits.

 Can you think of some other Dragonfly Leader traits?

Will She Ever Return, Will She Ever Return …

Okay, those of you who have been around the Boston area may remember Charlie and The MTA . He’s the man who never returned. As the song goes, “Will he ever return? No, he never returned. His fate is still unlearned.”  Nope, Charlie never returns. He’s consigned, “to ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston. The man who never returned.”

Unlike Charlie, I can return. Although it’s been a few months since I’ve posted, I have, in fact never really left the blogshphere. On my occasional visits to my languishing blog, I was always surprised to see that people were still visiting regularly. Some following links from other blogs where I was still counted among the live. Some, who were evidently researching Julius Caesar and Veni Vidi Vici. (one of my most popular posts, but I think it might have more to do with Julius than me. ) And, some actual loyal followers who sent me emails asking when/if I would return. They missed me! Even, a few real live people approached me and asked when I would return.

In another way, my story parallells the mythic Charlie and the MTA. While anyone who wanted to find him had only to ride the subway; anyone who wants to find me has only to ride the electronic highway. Blogs can be taken down. But, more often than not we aren’t in control of our electronic presence. If one has left comments on other blogs, joined social networking sites like Facebook, or had work published electronically, among other things there’s a trail to follow. Then there’s all the other new stuff (to me anyway, being a lapsed blogger) like Twitter, StumbleUpon, Plurking??  and who knows what else.

Charlie’s fame lives on by way of the Charlie Card  which carries value for rides on the MBTA. If you want your fame to live on with added value, be careful in leaving an electronic trail. This memo from Leadership Development offers a brief summary of how to do that safely, explaining “everything you do on the Internet can be made public, and the world is watching” .  

Which leads me to close with this -Watching YouLove this song by Rodney Atkins! There’s a good lesson there for anyone who is ever in a leadership position – electronic or otherwise.

What’s Your Brand?

Most of us know exactly what our favorite brand is when it comes to Pepsi or Coke (Pepsi for me, but gave it up a few years ago). If asked what brand sneakers, jeans, electronics, cars etc. they prefer most people can rattle off any number of well-known brands and even defend their preferences. 

These brand recognitions and loyalties don’t just happen. They are built on a series of experiences we have with a product or an organization.  A logo does not make a brand. The mission statement is not the brand. A new product or new personnel should not change the brand. This quote from a Fast Company on-line article describes in part what makes a brand, “… the sum of what an organization, person, or product does. How you behave, communicate, and respond to the unexpected are part of your brand. “ 

But, when it comes to naming and, perhaps going a step further to define or defend one’s own brand many of us are at a loss. Some may wonder if and why they would even need a personal brand. We all have a brand, like it or not.  If you’re interested, at all in learning more about branding, and especially in more clearly defining or perfecting your own brand; I suggest you register for A Brand You World: Global Summit. It’s a free teleconference on Thursday, Nov. 8 featuring some of the best marketing experts and relationship builders around.
 

Jason Alba of Jibber Jobber fame is one of the speakers. Check out his post where he shares some valuable insight about the international panel of professionals with whom he will be rubbing phone lines or maybe I should say sharing wireless connections.  I’ve watched Jason build his brand over the course of the last year, and I’m impressed.  Looking forward to some good inspiration and gaining expertise in honing my own personal brand.

Where Does Your Road Lead? (part II)

Okay, I’m back! Veered off MY Road for a few, as described in previous post of Where does your road lead. Been taking some side roads, detours and even got on a main thorouhgfare for a few. That’s important to do sometimes to gain perspective or seek out new ways. But, it can also lead to dead-ends and abandonded paths.

Below, in italics, I’ve copied the original exercise for this post from Liz Strauss’ Successful Blog. One thing that very much surprised me in the responses to her post was that most people, when confronted with the wall at the end chose to veer off the road, stop or even turn around and go back. I’m guessing it shows that some either a) don’t read with comprehension or b) aren’t used to taking ownership of their own direction in life.

• You’re walking on a road. It’s your road. Tell me about it.
• As you walk, you pass a body of water, describe it.
• Directly in your path is an empty bottle. What’s your response to it?
• You continue until you find yourself facing a wall that crosses your road perpendicularly. What do you do?

That’s why I emphasized, My Road! Someone is clearly stating it’s my road to travel and do with what I may. There are many limitatiions placed on all of us in life. It’s surprising to me that many, even in a psychological exercise, so often expect and accept those restrictions. When I travel on others’ roads (be they real or virtual) I must adhere to those restrictions; but on my road I am free!

Another lesson I gained from doing this exercise is realizing that any road requires maintenance and attention to new developments that  arise. That might also require hiring a crew, and posting regulations. Like now, in Northern New England we’re going into what looks to be one heck of a mud season. Larger vehicles will be restricted and/or fined from traveling certain roads. Garages and auto body shops will see a surge in activity as people traveling on roads rife with frost heaves and potholes unintentionally damage their vehicles.

I see it the same for any of us as we travel our own metaphoric roads in life. Sometimes the way is smooth and easy; sometimes rough and impassable. There will always be detours and distractions. There are as many kinds of roads as there are people and places. Some may finish one road to their satisfaction, and branch off into a new direction. Others might turn their one road into a major highway with multiple lanes, exits and entrances. 

My road, especially through the blogosphere is still new and exciting; but fairly free from restriction. I don’t want to deal with traffic lights or busy intersections, and I know I will take a side road or a trail through the woods sometimes. But, I’ll always find my way back to My Road. Hope all of you are having fun constructing your own roads and taking occasional side trips on mine!

Where Does Your Road Lead? (part I)

Here’s a little creative exercise that all of you right-brainers will probably love, and you left-brainers may attempt to either over-analyze it or dismiss its importance.

Lisa Gates of Design Your Writing Life posted it as a Writing Exercise and urged me to create my rendition. Lisa writes a story about her road, and leaves it for you to interpret as you wish (right-brain, creative) She borrowed the idea from Liz Strauss of Successful Blog, who had originally posted it as a Psychological Survey of Attitudes.  Liz lists her answers and gives some explanation to the interpretation (left-brain, analytical). Ah, I can already see where my story is headed.
Come on and join me as I take a walk down my road…

• You’re walking on a road. It’s your road. Tell me about it.
• As you walk, you pass a body of water, describe it.
• Directly in your path is an empty bottle. What’s your response to it?
• You continue until you find yourself facing a wall that crosses your road perpendicularly. What do you do?

My road is a dirt road in the country. But, it’s not at all desolate. There are people who come and go on it every day. I wave as they pass by in their car or stop and talk if they are on foot. The road itself is well-worn and smooth, not filled with ruts and not overgrown or unkempt on the bankings by the edge.

As I walk, I pass by a rushing brook that cascades over rocks and churns the water like a faucet turned on full force. Eventually it becomes a steady stream calmly washing over a shallow bed of stones. I thrill with the sounds of  its strongset currents, then as I continue my walk I pause to reflect at its quiet flow. Some days I wonder, how can that same amount of water have such a different amount of energy and effect depending where it is along the road. Then I answer myself, realizing, that just like me its reactions vary according to what it encounters on the journey downstream.  

Finding an empty bottle directly in my path is not a good thing. To me it means that someone was careless and disrespectful of a road that means a lot to me. I also see it as potential danger to other travelers who may trip on it, get cut, or might make the wrong choice and  pick it up and toss it to the side. So, I do the responsible thing and pick it up to discard with the recyclables. Or if it’s a blue cobalt one like Lisa found on her walk, I’ll take it home to use as a vase for wildflowers.

Finally, continuing down the road,  I am told I will encounter a wall that crosses it perpendicularly. My reaction to that is at first surprise. How did it get there? Who put it there? And then, action. I will take it down piece by piece. I’ll do it in a neat and orderly fashion if it’s deconstructable (like rails or rocks), or I’ll do it with some form of explosiveness and help from my fellow travelers if it’s a solid wall. My road may have some distractions and obstacle along the way, but it is always an open road. No blockades, no detours, no walls! It is, after all My Road.

To be continued…

Leading References

Jason Alba, the soon-to-be famous JibberJobber guy wrote an excellent post on Reference Letters. He gives some great advice on collecting them ahead of time and how to store them. Don’t wait until you’re in a massive job hunt or running a major referral program to gather them.

A lot of career advisers now suggest that all employees need to document their accomplishments whenever possible. And, ask for written acknowledgement of successes (big and small). Don’t just wait for a performance review and hope that someone remembers or might have taken note of your extreme employee feat four months prior. Document, document, document. 

Keep your own accomplishment or kudos folder. Get your peers and subordinates to contribute, too.  Their feedback gives valuable insight. It’s not all about your boss’s viewpoint or your last client’s recommendation anymore. Potential employers or new clients are interested in a history of past outcomes. They also want to know how you arrived at them. Having the specific highlights of any successful project written down, testimonies captured and pictures of the finished product ( if applicable) are important in supporting the proof of your success.  References need to be non-linear, timeless and multi-dimensional to be effective.

On the flip-side, it is more acceptable now and perhaps even expected that you, as a potential employee or contractor will have checked out the boss/client’s references. Yes, you the worker, the new kid-on-the-block, the eager networker – you deserve to know if you’re signing up with an above-board, stand-up kind of leader.  Gone or at least slowly fading (thankfully) are the days when signing up for a new gig meant that you were the only one who had to prove yourself. It’s okay, even smart to check out their references, too.

A Rear View Mirror

is a must for every leader!

We all know how mothers trick us when we’re kids into thinking they have eyes in the back of their head. Who hasn’t been caught reaching across the back seat in the car on a long ride to bother a sibling in one way or another when your mother, from up front tells you stop whatever it was you were about to do? You hadn’t even done it yet, and you know your mother never turned her head. How did she even know? The secret, of course was the rear view mirror. 

While moving forward, focusing on the road ahead, that handy gadget enables us to keep track of what’s going on behind us. That’s vital for leaders. Often leaders tend to be visionaries, seeing the shape of things to come long before many of the rest of us. That’s fine. That’s how progress is made. If a leader gets too far ahead, though, they take the risk of losing sight of what’s happening in the metaphoric back seat.

Sometimes economic forecasters, even with sophisticated means of analysis forget to look in their rear view mirror. The U.S. economy’s growth grew more slowly than expected this last quarter (4th). Surprise! surprise! The housing market has been slipping. “The fresh look at the housing market was sobering. New-home sales plummeted by 16.6 percent in January from the previous month. That was the largest decline since January 1994, when sales slid by 23.8 percent.”
Well, ask the homeowners and realtors, and they could have told you that was happening. But, the economists were looking too far down the road.

If you’re interested, this AP article by Jeanine Aversa ofers a good view into the economic rear view mirror. Forecasters - weather or economic can only do so much. Leaders are smart to listen to the advice, as long as they remember to take a glance in the rear view mirror now and then. And, then adjust their journey to the stiuation accordingly – as in the case of the economy.

Can You Spare An Employee?

For the past couple of years I’ve read various reports forecasting there will be a shortage of workers in the American marketplace as the Baby Boomers start retiring en masse. Yet, in the workplace in general, I see and hear very little acknowledgement, at least so far of this possibility.

Roberta Chinsky Matuson cites the Bureau of Labor Statistics in her report  titled It’s the year 2010…do you know where your workers are?
“Here’s the reality. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs is projected to increase by more than 22 million by 2010. The civilian labor force, however, is only projected to increase by 17 million. This suggests we will be approximately 5 million workers short of keeping up with job growth over the next 10 years.”

Those are jarring statistics. Matuson uses the analogy of a Perfect Storm in her article and gives some good suggestions for keeping the workplace of the future afloat. Employee appreciation and lessened workloads are stressed.

There are others who say that this forecast is somewhat exaggerated. This is based mostly on the premise (and some valid surveys from groups like AARP) that a lot of workers will choose to retire later, rather than sooner. And, that others will look to return to work, at least on a part-time basis after their initial retirement.  

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I think it emphasizes the value of employees – no matter what their age. Companies need to be willing to make adjustments to make the workplace safe and hospitable for the senior set. The  senior set, in turn needs to recognize that younger workers can move up and assume leadership at a faster pace; that responsibilities can be shared with their underlings along with knowledge. It may be the only way to spare all employees from future workplace chaos.

Teamwork

When a leader does a good job, the team works – works in a way that gets the job done and in a way that moves everyone forward. What happens when a good team doesn’t have a good or well-prepared leader?

This article by Maureen Moriarity from Seattlepi.com, Apprentice 101: Teamwork can offset ineffective leadership illustrates two such cases. Both Project Managers of the two competing teams proved to pretty ineffective as leaders on this week’s mission. Despite this, one team rallied and directed themselves to victory in the SueBee Honey challenge.

They did it through teamwork, and perhaps because a few of them were leaders in their own right. So, they were able to be informal leaders who compensated for the project manager’s weakness and indecision. Unfortunately this happens too often in business settings. One would like to believe that the ineffectual leader would be found out soon enough. That may be the case in The Apprentice as soon as the next challenge. Is that a reflection of how it works in real life? Or can it take longer, all the while dragging the team down?

In the end, Teamwork always wins out. A smart leader pays attention and participates; if not it could mean their time is up!