Angie Morgan's Blog, page 27
January 20, 2020
One Million Things Can Go Wrong … Yet …
My New Year’s celebration was pretty epic. After traveling the Pacific Coast Highway, I found myself in Napa. Now, I love wine. So much so that you’d think I would’ve visited the Valley before. Yet, this was my first visit … and I know it won’t be my last.
Early one morning I found myself touring Cakebread Cellars with a true wine expert – and someone who’s passionate about their craft. I was overwhelmed by the wine making process and all the intricate details that it involved, as well as the level of organization and specialized skills that it required. It was pretty clear to me that through the journey from vine to grape to bottle, one million things can go wrong… In fact, I asked my guide about all the mistakes that happen. He smiled, sharing that the potential for mistakes is so great that they inevitably happen. He then expressed that’s the beauty of it all – that something so wonderful can come from imperfection.
His statement reminded me of the Japanese art form of Kintsugi. Are you familiar? It’s the process in which broken pottery is restored by mending the pieces together with lacquer that’s mixed with powdered gold, silver, or any other fine element. Again, another beautiful art form that’s created through imperfection.
So, why am I telling you about wine and broken pottery? Simply, I think both are grand metaphors for us leaders who are starting the New Year off with great, perfect goals. We have plans, we have ideas, we have images for success… yet, so much can go wrong. We encounter surprises, we receive unfortunate news, change happens, goals are readjusted… the list is endless. In these moments, our emotions – such as worry, fear, and insecurity – can shade our perspective on the situation, when often what’s needed most is a healthy reminder that we’re experiencing life… and this is what happens in life.
I know it’s trite to say it’s the journey, not the destination. But it’s true. So, here’s some guidance I have so that you make your plans, but grow from the imperfections that you’ll inevitably encounter:
Cultivate a Happiness Routine. Anger, fear, frustration are easy emotions to latch onto when bad things happen. What’s worse, when you grab onto these emotions, your perspective narrows and you fail to see opportunities. Begin to build the disciplines associated with happiness – like practicing gratitude, catching frequent breaths of fresh air, or even meditating. The earlier you start, the better!
Reflect When Mistakes Happen. If you can’t take the time to pause and reflect when mistakes happen, then you’re missing out on an opportunity to learn from them. True growth happens when learning can be applied going forward.
Keep the Greater Goal in Mind. Just because you encounter obstacles doesn’t mean you should abandon goals. I mean, if you’re walking through a forest and a tree is in your path, you don’t turn around and head back. You find a way to walk around it. Same goes with your goals. Sometimes you need a new path … sometimes you need to adjust your timeline. But stick with it and bring all the grit you have to bear.
Find an Accountability Partner. We need people. Our goals are more likely to be achieved with the right people involved. Get a coach, a trusted colleague, or someone to hold your feet to the fire so you don’t give up or lose sight of what’s important to you. Find a way to involve others so you feel more invested in your success.
I’d love to hear from you – what is one of your goals this year? Email me at amorgan@leadstar.us. If there’s a way I can hold you accountable to it, I’m in! (Simple idea: if you let me know your goal, I’ll put a note in my calendar to follow up with you in a few months to inquire about your progress … again, it’s a small thing, but if it helps you, I’m all for it!)
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December 16, 2019
Was 2019 Rough? Here’s How to Make 2020 Better …
I can’t begin to tell you how many people I’ve talked with this past year who are throwing their hands up as a sign of surrender and proclaiming they’re ready to start over. They can’t wait for 2020.
It seems the collective sentiment is that 2019 was a rough year. In fact, Dictionary.com claimed the word of the year was “existential.” They shared that this word kept coming up in searches and their interpretation is that people are grappling with their existence/the point of it all.
Doesn’t that sound depressing?
It’s hard to lead yourself, let alone lead others, when gloom and doom abounds. It’s by far easier to give into the negativity and hopelessness of it all when the dark clouds seem to follow you everywhere.
Now, I’m a perpetual optimist. Yet, I’ll be the first to admit that 2019 was challenging. I experienced many personal trials, to include finalizing a divorce, which made this year one that I’d like to close the books on. With that said, 2019 was also full of so many amazing experiences that I don’t want to forget or ignore it.
So, here’s the deal: Being a leader takes a tremendous amount of discipline. Negativity, despair, blame placing, frustration … all those unhappy emotions are the low-hanging fruit of life. They’re easy to grab and go with. Sometimes they even feel good in the moment. But, for a leader, they’re cancerous. And they also don’t just affect you; they affect everyone around you.
Generating optimism, contentment, accountability, and action … that’s the work of leaders. These emotions and behaviors aren’t always easy to come by, either. They will not be readily available to you in your time of need. So, as leaders, we need a process for cultivating them.
For me, I’ve found the following actions are useful:
Feed Your Mind. Honestly, what are you listening to during your commute? What’s fueling your mind? Music, and the right podcast with the right tone, can change your attitude in an instant. So can the right podcast or app, like Headspace.
Pay Attention to Your Talk Track. Tune inward and listen to the words you’re telling yourself. If you don’t like them, rewrite your script.
Take the Long View. If you’re not happy with a situation, think about how you’ll feel about it 3 months, 6 months, or a year from now. Perspective can help you adjust the level of negative energy and attention you’re giving a frustrating situation.
Go Outside. Even if it’s 20 degrees outside, fresh air has a powerful, re-invigorating effect.
Breathe. I’ve shared before that while I love the idea of meditating, I don’t enjoy the process … . I’ve found, though, that 2-3 minutes of breathing is exactly what I need to get a more positive, productive mindset.
Get connected. Humans are social creatures. We need people. Join an organization, volunteer in your community, or start a book club. Your tribe can have a powerful, positive influence over you.
The activities above are disciplines. While it’s okay to experience less-than-best emotions, I mean we’re human after all, acknowledge them for what they are and do the work to get yourself to a better place. Remember – leaders influence and inspire. When you bring your best self forward, you’re in a stronger position to be a spark for others.
PS What do you do to adjust your mood? I’d love to hear. Email me at amorgan@leadstar.us.
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November 25, 2019
My Gratitude Goes to the Introverts
– Henry David Thoreau, Walden
I’m an introvert who spends a great deal of time passing as an extrovert. While I love meeting people, hearing their stories, and engaging with them, I recharge by spending time alone … with my thoughts … in the woods, or even staring out the window.
I’ve met others like me. Those who thrive in professional, collaborative environments, but need quiet space alone, with their own minds, to regain the energy necessary to re-engage.
It’s funny how many people I’ve talked to lately who are self-proclaimed introverts. You wouldn’t guess it by these individuals’ ability work a room, captivate a small group, and their overall gregarious manner. But I hear their stories. I know what they want to do on evenings and weekends – they just want to be left alone.
Thanksgiving is often known as a time of great gatherings. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked with recently who confess all they want to do over the holidays is read a book, spend some quiet time with family, and then checkout for a few days. They know that December will be a grind. They want to rest, relax, and rejuvenate so they’ll be ready.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and some of the engagement demands placed on introverts, I’ve got a few pointers:
Yes, you have to connect. Your family and friends have traveled far to see you (or you’ve traveled far to see them). Be a positive presence in their lives. These moments matter! Relationships matter! Connection is a critical part of being a human.
If you’re going to disengage, do it privately. You don’t need to be “on” 100% of the time. But, also, don’t be the person at the gathering sitting by yourself in a corner – it’ll look like you’re sulking. If you have the luxury, tell your host you’re going to catch a breath of fresh air outside … and then do so!
Set expectations. If you’re close to burnout, let someone know (your spouse, a family member, a friend). Share with them that you need some time so they can recognize why you’re acting less like your normal self. Ask for their support and help in finding the time to claim that time.
Don’t use your phone as an excuse. There’s nothing more annoying than being with someone at an event who’s tethered to their mobile device. Beyond being rude, it doesn’t give you solitude. If anything, it generates greater anxiety. So, don’t hide behind your phone – it’s an efficiency tool, not a disengagement tool.
If you can’t escape people, focus on 1:1s. Many introverts find the idea of a large group pretty overwhelming. I’ve found that I prefer talking to an individual at gatherings versus large groups. This type of relationship development isn’t as overwhelming for me and makes me feel I’m avoiding surface conversations – something that seems exhausting to me. I like to get to know people … 1:1’s seem more effective.
Do you have tips on how to thrive as an introvert during the holidays? Or, are you an extrovert who has tips for us introverts? Send me an email – amorgan@leadstar.us – I’d love to hear them and post on LinkedIn.
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November 4, 2019
The Five-Hour Workday … Reality or Mirage?
Two weeks ago, The Wall Street Journal’s Eric Morath wrote an article titled “The Five Hour Workday Gets Put to the Test.” I couldn’t resist sharing on LinkedIn because I knew my network would have a reaction to the subject line alone. What I didn’t expect, however, was their level of engagement and insight:
174+ comments
1300+ likes
More than 240,000 views
Now, I’d love to say my brilliant commentary sparked this level of activity. However, the article – and its ideas – were really the draw.
Let’s face it, we exist in an over-worked culture and it’s not just at our place of employment. Being hyper-active during down time is also a thing. (I recently posted a piece on how you need a “functional alibi” to tell you it’s okay to relax from time to time – a mind trick to stop seeking gold stars when you really should be checking out.)
I believe we’ve fallen into a habit where we operate at one speed … and it’s pretty fast. It extends to many areas of our life because it has to in order for us to achieve everything we want to do. The unintended consequence of this pace, though, is that we’re missing out on enjoyment. Hence, the five-hour workday and its appeal. What if we eliminated all the unnecessary “stuff” from our place of employment in order to enjoy our lives both inside and outside of work more? Tempting, isn’t it?
Now, I can’t walk into any of your businesses and change your work policies to implement less time on site. But, here’s what I can do – give you ideas on how to streamline your day so you’re more productive. If, perhaps, you begin to implement any of these, then maybe you can help shift your culture to more of a performance-based than optics-based organization, where the quality of work is more valuable than the quantity of hours it takes to do it. Here goes:
Organize your calendar with intention. Look at the next month and plan ahead. Block out periods of white space so you can use that time to think strategically and/or work proactively.
Complete each day creating a realistic “to-do” list for the next day. At the end of each day, you have greater clarity of what needs to be done the next day in order for you to progress. This saves you time in the morning so you don’t have to show up wondering where to begin.
When you start work, complete the “worst first” – i.e. do the thing you want to do least first so you don’t have to give it mental energy throughout the day.
Never lead a meeting without an agenda … never. An agenda-less meeting is a huge time waster for everyone involved.
Re-imagine meeting times. Sometimes meetings are 7 minutes – don’t let your Outlook calendar meeting blocker convince you otherwise. When you’re done, be done.
Here’s my challenge to you this week: Strive for Five. Try to eliminate one-hour of unnecessary activity each day to reclaim five hours of your time each week. I’d love to hear from you on what you intend to eliminate right away. (I’d also love to hear what you’d like to do during any time you reclaim for yourself). Email me: amorgan@leadstar.us.
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October 21, 2019
Your Status Quo is Really Bothering Me
Do you ever find that you’re frustrated with others and their unwillingness to change?
I certainly have been in that position before. In fact, I was talking with a group of colleagues last week and we concluded that while we’re all completely satisfied with our own status quo, we get frustrated when others are satisfied with theirs.
Why is that? Well, part is that other people’s problems are easy to solve. It’s easy to look at someone and begin a sentence, If only you could just …
Finish something you started
Stop being so set in your ways
Be more open minded to new opportunities
Communicate more
Get over your ego
It’s hard, though, to apply the same scrutiny to our own lives. We have egos. We tend to not see our flaws. However, the truth is that if we so desperately wish others could change, they likely wish the same of us, too.
A useful exercise is imagining that you are one of the stakeholders in your life – a trusted colleague, an important client, a spouse or partner, best friend or sibling. Then, complete this sentence from their point of view: “If only you could just …”
It might be surprising to realize how frustrating we can be to other people. This knowledge can be incredibly useful as we seek to grow, develop and improve relationships.
And any action that we can take on this guidance will help us shake up our status quo a bit, too!
PS For extra credit this week, go ask one of your stakeholders, “What’s the one thing I do that drives you crazy??!!” Then, listen without getting defensive. Say “thank you,” instead. They just gave you a great gift!
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October 14, 2019
Get in the Water
“Mom, if you just jump in, it’ll get warmer.”
That was direct coaching from my youngest son, Gardner, who was urging me into the pool last weekend at the local Y. He thought I was taking my time because I didn’t like the cold. While true, there was another reason – I was stalling because I was intimidated by the process of swimming in public.
You see, I’ve never swam laps before. I’ve never had formal training, I don’t really know the rules of the pool, and I knew – going in – that my lap debut wasn’t going to be elegant.
So why was I even there to begin with? My community hosted its first half Ironman triathlon last summer. On race day, I was able to watch parts of the event and I felt a pull to be in the competition, so much so that I thought, “Why am I not doing this?”
I then realized two key things: I don’t swim and I don’t bike. When registration day opened, though, I decided that I can learn to swim and ride (beyond the rudimentary swimming and biking skills that I have). Knowing that I had 10 months to prepare, I went for it.
Making the decision to enter the race was easy. I just had to complete an online form and shell out some cash. Learning a new skill, however, isn’t. Plus, there are all sorts of insecurities that come along with being new at anything – I don’t want to look stupid … Look, an 8 year old is better than me … I should’ve learned this a while ago … I don’t even think I’m wearing the right gear … .
This sounds silly, right? Yet, I know I’m not the only one who feels apprehensive and self-conscious when attempting something for the very first time.
Now, I recognize that not everyone reading this will have the desire to race a triathlon. But there’s no doubt that you want to try something new. Here are some thoughts that continue to encourage me not just in this triathlon endeavor, but whenever I journey into the unknown.
It’s easy to make a decision. It’s hard to follow that decision with action. Action, though, is where the real growth happens.
Nerves, insecurities, self-doubt … all these things are real whenever you put yourself out there. Combat them with positive self-talk and remind yourself of why you started on the path to begin with.
When things get hard, when you feel like quitting, that’s when you need to dig in and be gritty. That’s how you build resilience, self-reliance, and self-assurance.
Your journey towards goal accomplishment won’t be paved smoothly. Expect bumps, setbacks. But don’t lose sight of your greater goal.
I have zero doubt that I’ll keep you posted on this training journey. (For my friends who hear me grumble, please remind me that I chose to do this.) On that note, I bet you’ve got some great goals lined up – what are they? I’d love to hear! Feel free to shoot me an email and tell me what’s big, exciting, and new for you.
PS Hey, women leaders – have you had a chance to check out the Lead Star Network? If you have career goals you’d like support for, schedule a call with Courtney to discuss how coaching and the Network can support you. Click here to get access to Courtney’s calendar.
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September 30, 2019
How to Lose Your Leaders
“Hey, how did your company take your resignation? I’m sure there was a shock wave that went through the system?”
I raised this question recently to a friend who told me that after a lengthy, successful career with her company, she was leaving for a new opportunity.
Now, my friend is amazing. It’s no surprise she was being pursued by other organizations. What surprised me, though, was that she’d leave. She was idolized at her former company.
After she shared that the business was taken aback by her announcement, I had to ask a follow-on question.
“As you reflect upon the past few years, what missed opportunities did they have to retain you?
An interesting dialogue ensued, which inspired this Leadership Moment titled How to Lose Your Leaders – a tongue-in-cheek list of poor assumptions and bad ideas when it comes to talent retention.
So, here goes: You’ll lose your leaders if you …
Believe a paycheck is a retention tool. A paycheck, alone, won’t make someone stay.
Act like retention is only HR’s job. People don’t quit their company, they quit their managers and colleagues. Retention is everyone’s job.
Think you know what’s best for your employee’s career. Employees, too, should have a say in how their career develops.
Ignore the importance of culture. If organizational values only exist on a fancy wall poster, culture isn’t being minded.
Not offer professional development. Learning doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It just needs to happen.
Fail to develop career paths. Career growth doesn’t mean climbing the corporate ladder. It means helping people feel like they’re progressing in their profession.
Don’t tell people they matter. Employees need to feel like they count. Small things add up.
Ignore the little things. Every employer knows your birthday, start date, and other odds and ends about you. If they don’t use this personal information to make you feel valued, they’re missing out on easy opportunities to engage you.
Fail to keep pace with workforce trends. If software is outdated, the dress code doesn’t make sense, and there’s not a lot of focus on the workplace experience, then your business needs to catch up with the rest of the world and develop modern workforce practices.
Treat your top talent like everyone else. If you’ve got superstars, they deserve superstar treatment. (Not diva treatment, they just need special attention so they’re developed for future opportunities.)
At Lead Star, we know that work is a relationship between an employer and an employee. For any relationship to work, both have to be committed and put their best foot forward.
Do you have additional ideas of how employers can lose their leaders? Email me by clicking here.
My best, Angie
PS This list is relevant if you’re a manager, but also great insight if you’re an individual contributor and feel like the fit at your current role isn’t ideal.
PSS Last week I asked for your Monday-morning, get up and get-going songs. I published some of your selections on my LinkedIn page – check it out!
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September 23, 2019
Who’s in Your Ear?
I created an iTunes playlist this summer that changed my life. Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. But, honestly, it’s a series of songs that inspire me, motivate me, and push me to do my best. This playlist creation was intentional and comprised of old and new songs, some with personal meaning and others that are as deep as a puddle … but so much fun. (I’m talking about you, Pitbull.)
I play my list when I go on long runs, when I’m driving, or even when I’m cooking in the kitchen. What I’ve found is that this song collection keeps me in a pretty steady state of optimism and will always, without fail, pick me up.
I’ve found, too, that positive people can have the same effect.
Just as one great song can change the trajectory of your day, one positive leader can help you:
Build your confidence by helping you shape your internal dialogue
Develop your grit by offering words of encouragement
Alter your mood in one brief, small exchange
We all know the people in our worlds who lift us up. I have a dear friend who is so energetic that her sentences seem to end in exclamation points. She generates so much enthusiasm in simple conversations and her spirit is so contagious. I have other friends, too, that whenever I see their names on caller id, I smile in anticipation of the exchange.
The point to all of this – music, relationships – is that an important part of leadership is self-management. We’re better able to influence and inspire when we make the effort to put forth our best attitude, which can be altered simply by what and who we’re listening to.
So, simple question: What and who is in your ear? The more intentional about what and who influences you, the more focused you can be on your leadership development.
Hey, I’m creating a Lead Star playlist!! Email me your favorite pick-me-up song – amorgan@leadstar.us!! I’ll share a few selections on LinkedIn.
(We’re connected on LinkedIn, right? If not, here’s a link to my page.)
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September 9, 2019
Have to Have High, High Hopes for a Living …
Regarding the subject line and image … you’re welcome! Who doesn’t need a little Panic! At the Disco earworm to kick off their Monday morning?
So, right now I’m putting together the finishing touches on our How to Develop Grit Webinar on September 19th. (Not registered yet? Hey, click here!)
Were you aware that one way to develop grit is to have hope? As I was writing on the concept of hope, I thought of some of the negative (or not so favorable) statements about it:
Hope is not a strategy
Harsh reality is better than false hope
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
But not all hope is bad.
Let’s start by talking about what hope is. It’s a mindset that helps us envision success and satisfaction in our life. It’s a concept that helps us believe that good things can happen.
We actually need hope to start anything new. Hope for different or better can get us in the arena for new opportunities and exciting changes. Hope alone, though, won’t ensure our success. We also need effort and perseverance. (This is where grit comes into play.)
Our hopes are typically attached to a specific object or outcome:
I hope I get the promotion
I hope my child gets accepted to their school of choice
I hope the client selects my proposal
I hope I finish the half marathon
I like to think that the best kind of hope is productive.
Productive hope is often grounded in reality by acknowledging there are several outcomes to our scenario, some more favorable than others. Productive hope let’s us ensure that we’re living in reality, not some sort of make believe world where we choose to ignore the reality that we may not succeed. Productive hope is also followed by action and timelines.
So, I’m curious … what are you hopeful for? Take some time today and write down several things that you hope. Challenge yourself, too, to think of the outcomes that could happen, which will let you balance your hopes with reality. Also think of what actions you can take to ensure that what you are hoping for actually comes to fruition.
As for me, I’ve got a few high, high hopes on my mind …! And since I know that thoughts become beliefs that become behaviors, I’m working hard each day to make sure my hopes have action plans that I can keep working on.
I HOPE you have a great week ahead!!
Keep Leading from the Front,
Angie
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September 3, 2019
What Can One Leader Do?
Meet Merissa Green. #violetfierce
Merissa is a journalist by training. If you’ve met a journalist before, you know one thing for certain: they’re curious. After reading SPARK, she wondered if she could start a leadership revolution in her own community, Polk County, in Florida. She believed that if more individuals aspired to lead, many of the challenges in her community would be addressed.
Last week, Merissa distributed 20+ copies of SPARK to colleagues. Prior to giving them a free copy, she challenged them with these five activities:
– Donate to a charity/nonprofit
– Offer peer mentorship
– SPARK a movement
– Read and interact with the book
– SPARK it forward
For the next two months, these leaders in Polk County are going to be reading a chapter of SPARK, staying in close contact, and pushing each other to think and act differently as a result of their leadership development journey. Want to follow them on social media? Follow the group on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – @sparkinpolk
We’re inspired by Merissa – a leader who recognizes that she can SPARK a movement by sharing the right ideas with the right people who are committed to taking the right actions.
Do you want to start a leadership revolution in your organization or community?? We’re offering the first (15) individuals who respond to this email (20) copies of SPARK. To take advantage of this offer, email Angie by clicking here. Share with her:
A little bit about you (who you are, what you do)
Why you want copies of SPARK
How you intend to SPARK a leadership revolution
We can’t wait to help you build better leaders.
– The Lead Star Team
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