Helene Lerner's Blog, page 205

How To Be Even More Successful

Who doesn't want to be successful? We all do, but aren't some people more successful than others? Why is that? 

"Successful" people have many things in common; here are a few: They believe in themselves, they have good people skills, they are passionate, they have a good work ethic, they know what they want and make things happen. And how do they make things happen?

Simply put, they take action now, not later. It's almost as if "tomorrow" is not in their vocabulary and it's as if "I'll get on this as soon as I get a little more information" doesn't cross their mind. Successful people get going sooner than less successful people and that's often why they cross the finish line before the rest of the crowd.

They get an idea in their head and before you know it, they are on it. They've done something about it. Not everything, but something.

How many people say they want to write a book? A lot, trust me. When I would ask my seminar participants how many of them wanted to write a book, you wouldn't believe the number of hands that went up, or maybe you would. But how many people today who say they want to write a book are actually writing? I can guarantee you the number is small.

If you want to be more successful, in any area of your life, it's not enough to know what you want and to believe in yourself. 

You have to do something and you have to do it now, not tomorrow. The faster you get started, the sooner you will make something happen.

As far as I know, books don't write themselves. They wait on you to write them. Now, you might not want to write a book, but I know you want something you don't yet have. The question, is have you even started? What is your "book?" What do you want?

And what are you waiting for?

In my next blog post, I will tell you what most people are waiting for. And what you can do about it.

Alan Allard, Leadership Coach, Consultant, Speaker

www.alanallard.com

Own Your Career: Think Like The CEO

[image error]I met earlier today with an executive of a large global company to discuss some consulting needs they had. We had met at a conference a few weeks back where a colleague I had a booth related to our services. We paid for that in time, energy and money.

In our discussion, she said her company doesn't usually send people below her title and  position to conferences, but this year they sent 45 people. She said, "In the past, if you wanted to go to a conference and weren't high up enough in the company, you had to pay your own way." I wondered how many from her company actually did that, so I asked her. She didn't know of a single person who had the mentality of owning their career to do something like that.

I've been self-employed for quite a while now and it is natural for me to think like the CEO of my company because there is no one else to do it for me.

But I remember working for Motorola many years ago and the fact is that I had the mentality then of owning my career. I invested in my personal-development and my professional development. I bought books, audio programs and went to seminars and conferences. It never ocurred to me to do otherwise because as a teenager, I read that that's what you do to get ahead.

What about you? In the past five years, in the past year, what have you done to invest in your career and in your personal development? 

If your company pays for some of that, great! Do more on your own dime. If you company doesn't pay for your development and doesn't provide it in-house, (most don't excel with this) do it yourself.

Yes, times are hard economically for many. But you can buy a book once a month and read it. You can listen to audiobooks on your way to work or on your way home. You can find great resources at your library. If you are not investing on some level to further your career, to build new skills, to upgrade the ones you have, you don't have financial problems, you have a problem with priorities. It's just not that important to you.

The CEO of your company is there because he or she planned to be there at some point and did what it takes to get there. You might not want to be a CEO, but owning your career and thinking like the CEO is the way to get wherever you want to get in your company or life.

Think bigger, think like a leader, think like a CEO and own your career. After all, your career doesn't belong to your company, it belongs to you.

Alan Allard, Leadership Coach, Speaker

http://www.alanallard.com

 

 

 

Own Your Career: Think Like The C.E.O.

[image error]I met earlier today with an executive of a large global company to discuss some consulting needs they had. We had met at a conference a few weeks back where a colleague I had a booth related to our services. We paid for that in time, energy and money.

In our discussion, she said her company doesn't usually send people below her title and  position to conferences, but this year they sent 45 people. She said, "In the past, if you wanted to go to a conference and weren't high up enough in the company, you had to pay your own way." I wondered how many from her company actually did that, so I asked her. She didn't know of a single person who had the mentality of owning their career to do something like that.

I've been self-employed for quite a while now and it is natural for me to think like the C.E.O. of my company because there is no one else to do it for me.

But I remember working for Motorola many years ago and the fact is that I had the mentality then of owning my career. I invested in my personal-development and my professional development. I bought books, audio programs and went to seminars and conferences. It never ocurred to me to do otherwise because as a teenager, I read that that's what you do to get ahead.

What about you. In the past five years, in the past year, what have you done to invest in your career and in your personal development? 

If your company pays for some of that, great! Do more on your own dime. If you company doesn't pay for your development and doesn't provide it in-house, (most don't excel with this) do it yourself.

Yes, times are hard economically for many. But you can buy a book once a month and read it. You can listen to audio digests of books on your way to work or on your way home. You can find great resources at your library. If you are not investing on some level to further your career, to build new skills, to upgrade the ones you have, you don't have financial problems, you have a problem with priorities. It's just not that important to you.

The C.E.O. of your company is there because he or she planned to be there at some point and did what it takes to get there. You might not want to be a C.E.O., but owning your career and thinking like the C.E.O. is the way to get wherever you want to get in your company or life.

Think bigger, think like a leader, think like a C.E.O. and own your career. After all, your career doesn't belong to your company, it belongs to you.

Alan Allard, Leadership Coach, Speaker

http://www.alanallard.com

 

 

 

No Excuses: Why the "Little" Things Matter

[image error]

 

Three "professionals" told me on Monday they would call me back related to their business offers. They are all "successful" and have been in business for years.

Not one of them has called yet, and they have had since Monday. Call me grumpy or out-of-date if you like, but all three of these "professionals" have marred their reputation with me. They now have a hurdle to overcome in doing business with me.

Wondering what this has to do with you?

Oftentimes, it's not the big things that separates those who stand out at work (or elsewhere) from those who don't. It's the little things. And it's the little things that we might be dropping the ball on without noticing it. After all, they are not big things. But they matter.

We might not notice it, but I guarantee others do. Yet, they probably won't speak up; they will just file a mental note and keep quiet.

You build your reputation by doing what you say you will do and by doing what you are expected to do. I'm not talking about being obsessive, I'm talking about be consistent. I'm talking about being trusted when it comes to the "little" things that make you stand out:

Do you consistently show up for meetings on time? (Coming in at the last second looking frazzeled isn't "on time.)
Are your reports done on time?
As a team member, do others have to wonder if you will be a little late on getting your work in?
Do you call someone back when you say you will or is it hours or a day later? (And please never tell someone you meant to call earlier but you were swamped. That only tells them how low on your priorities they are.)

Alan Weiss is a consultant that is at the top of the consulting field. His past clients are companies that are household names. He is a thought leader, international speaker and author of more than 25 books. He lets it be known that he returns all calls within 90 minutes. Guess what? He does. Even if you are a sales person and he has no interest in what you offer, you will hear back from him within his promised time frame. Dr. Weiss often says that consulting is a relationship business, but he doesn't just say it, he proves he means it by his behavior.

I have a client who has not has a performance review in almost two years. His company tells new hires they will get a mini-review in six months and a full performance review every year so they will know where they stand. The company is doing well in this economy, so I guess they think their failure to honor their commitment is on of those "little" things that just don't matter. After all, they're doing pretty well in a challenging economy and nobody's perfect, right?

When it comes to the little things, I blow it occasionally. I also pay attention to those times and make great effort to remind myself that little things are really big things; they really matter.

Maybe it's time we all subscribed to the "No Excuses" philosophy when it comes to the "little" things. And I'm not talking about beating yourself up when you blow it; that only makes things worse. I'm talking about self-awareness, self-honesty and self-accountability...guided by empathy and compassion. 

Now I have to go or I'll be late returning a phone call. 

Alan Allard, Leadership Coach, Consultant, Speaker

http://www.alanallard.com

 

Procter & Gamble Women and Authentic Power Event

Yesterday I was privileged to be with several hundred women from P&G. I moderated a panel of women leaders: Linda Clementholmes, Bonnie Curtis and Shelly McNamara (pictured below). They were amazing and courageous, sharing stories for the benefit of the women in attendance. People walked away feeling inspired.

Linda (left), Bonnie and Shelly

I also did a book signing of my book In Her Power and several women said they looked forward to doing the exercises and following the reflections in it.

Photos courtesy P&G

Perform Better and Stand Out: Four Strategies

When it comes to business, performance matters. You are not paid to work 40 hours or 60 hours, you are paid to produce certain results. The better you perform, the more you are respected, valued and sought after in your company and in the marketplace.

But performance isn't important just at work, it's important in all areas of life. The way we treat our family and friends has everything to do with how well the relationship goes. 

Performance is about "attitude" and behaviors and of course, behavior is directly linked to attitude. If you like yourself and others (attitude) it will show up in what you do and how you do it at work, at home and everywhere.

Have you noticed that the ones who perform at higher levels (attitude and behavior) connect better with others and have more opportunities? I'm talking about those with a "positive" mindset about life and work, those who have honed their skills and those who have a great work ethic. 

Here is how to perform better and stand out:

Increase your self-esteem; love yourself
Increase your self-confidence; believe in yourself
Increase your vision; think bigger 
Increase your people skills; see the best in others

Is that all there is to improving your performance at work and beyond? No, there is not one  "secret" (and there's not four secrets either) to a better life or career or to improving your performance. You have to have skill in your area, but that piece is directly affected by the first three things above. And even four things doesn't do the subject justice.

Still, it's a place to start.

Look at these four things, pick one and get started. When you see solid progress, add another thing.

I can assure you that as you grow in your self-esteem, your self-confidence, your vision and in your people skills, you will perform better and others will take more notice.

You will stand out on a whole new level. 

Even if you are at the top of the pyramid in your company, I bet you can stand some improvement in one of these four areas. And guess what the best leaders do? They get out in front and lead.

If you are not at the top of your company, stretching yourself and growing in these four areas will get you there sooner, or to wherever it is you want to go at work and in life.

Alan Allard, Leadership Coach, Consultant, Speaker

http://www.alanallard.com

Put Yourself on Top of Your List

With work and personal responsibilities, sometimes we forget about self-care. What are you doing today that's just for you? This and more inspiration in our tweets, found here in video form. Keep looking for them every day on Twitter!

Animation: Marie Hankinson

To Strong, Smart and Bold Young Women!

Today, I went to the National Girls, Inc. Luncheon to Celebrate Women of Achievement. There were some amazing leaders there and several terrific Girl's Inc. Scholars.  I also spoke with the host of the event, Soledad O'brien, who is a wonderful mother, anchor and leader.

I love this organization and its mission. TO THE GIRLS!

Video Editor: Sarah Tobol

How Are You Changing the World?

I interviewed an amazing leader, Shari Arison, who not only is smart in business but cares deeply about making the world a better place to live in. Here are some of her insights:

This is a powerful time for women, isn't it?

It's definitely a time now for women to lead the way. But more than that, I think it's about the need for feminine energy. We all have masculine and feminine energy, but the feminine energy focuses on love and compassion and we need to bring that into the world. Both men and women can do that.

If you have a challenging decision to make in business, how do you connect with what's best to do in a situation?

I'm logical, practical, a down-to-earth kind of person. But I'm also spiritual, connected to my heart and to my emotions. If I'm looking at a business decision, I'm looking at profitability, but I'm also looking at the value to the community, to people, to society, or the planet — they need to be addressed equally.

In any field, you can add value. If I am looking at a bank, for example, a bank has financial knowledge — so why not give that knowledge and those tools to people to empower them to make the right decisions? Because when you empower people, you empower society.

How did you decide to start Miya [a global company focusing to maximize water efficiency in urban water systems]?

Miya was a company that came out of my heart and soul. It resonated with me; I connected with the idea that there's abundance in the world, and we're just not treating our resources correctly. If we learn to manage our resources efficiently and not recklessly, we can bring everyone a lot more water. For example, when we finish our work in Manila, three million more people will have pure drinking water.

You describe yourself as introverted, yet you are out there, making a difference in the world.  What suggestions would you give women who aren't feeling confident, but have a contribution to make?

I'm still a very shy, quiet person. I just really believe in what I'm doing and I feel that I have a role to play in making a difference in the world, just as everybody has their part to play.

Often we're looking at what we don't have, what we haven't accomplished, or what we are lacking. We need to focus on what we want, where we want to get to, and acquire the knowledge and tools to get there.

Don't let anyone put you down along the way. Tell yourself, "Okay, but I'm still going forward with what I want and believe"

You and several other leaders seem to have a unique mission to fulfill. However, there are women who are not in touch with their own, and can be blocked by the limiting beliefs they have about themselves. How do we turn this around?

The first step is for women to recognize what makes them tick, what makes them passionate, what makes them joyful. That's the first sign that they're connected to whatever mission they have. Because each person has a different role to play in this world. If someone's passionate about cooking, they should cook, and if someone's passionate about growing flowers, they should grow flowers. If someone 's passionate about teaching, they should teach.

I think it's all about one's passion: being aware of it, being connected to it, and then, like you said, being aware of what our thoughts are and what our actions are. Once we're aware, we can get rid of all those old patterns that don't serve us anymore, and change it to a new pattern that's going to contribute to where we want to get to.

How did Good Deeds Day start? What was your inspiration for that?

It's funny, because it was so easy. I was doing my morning walk on the beach —I exercise every morning — and all of a sudden it just came to me…good deeds are simple.

I tell people that even smiling at someone is a good deed. Because if you smile at someone, you brighten their day and change their energy: that's a good deed.

I think people have forgotten our basic human values. Fewer people help an old lady across the street, or ask someone older than them if they would care to sit down. But just being a good listener, or giving someone a hug, can make a huge difference. It doesn't cost any money, anyone can do it.

We've been doing Good Deeds Day for six years now, getting as many people out there to do a good deed. But it's not just one day — one day is an example. If people get excited and understand the meaning behind that one day, I believe we can create a critical mass of people who do good in the world.

We also have a new project called, goodnet.org It's a social network. And the idea is that it's really a gateway to doing good. It's connecting everyone who's doing good. Any organization, any person, any idea in basically any field. We need more people who think good, speak good, and do good.

How Bold Are You?

[image error]I was talking earlier today to a colleague of mine, Steve Waterhouse and we were talking about why some people are more successful in their careers than others.

Steve is a consultant and speaker and he has spoken all over the world. He is an author and is admired by his peers. Many years ago he was working with a public seminar company, enjoyed what he did and was paid well because he was really good at what he did.

However, at one point, Steve decided to go out on his own and he has never looked back. He catapualted his career, is having the time of his life  (you can tell when you talk with him) and he has done very well for himself on all fronts.

Why do some people move ahead and reach higher pinnacles of success (however they define success) than others. Here's what Steve said, almost in passing, when we were talking:

"I'm a pretty big risk taker."

You probably have heard the saying "Fortune favors the bold!"

How bold are you? Not how bold do you think you are, but how bold are you really? 

Here is an aspect of being bold you might not have thought about: some people think of doing something. Then they think some more. They pore over the information they have and consider all the details. Then they think some more. They go back over what they have thought to see if they have missed anything. Then they think some more.

In the process, they lose momentum and pretty soon they lose their boldness.

When you get an idea at work or in some area of your life, how quickly do you take some kind of action to move yourself closer to making the idea a reality? 

Or do you talk yourself out of your idea because you are not ready yet, the timing isn't right or the stars are not aligned yet?

To get ahead at work or in any area of life takes action. Sure, it takes thought as well. No argument there. But thinking too much is over-thinking. That's like pouring water on your fire.

Even bold people can put out their fire if they overthink things. But what bold people do is they get a goal in mind, get adequate information, and then they make a move. 

How do you need to be more bold? Do you need to speak up in meetings more often? Do you need to ask for a raise or for a promotion? Do you need to sell your project to a reluctant manager? Do you need to go back to your manager because he or she hasn't made a decision on your project yet and he or she has had ample time to make that decision.

Being bold is relative. I'm not asking you to be as bold as Steve and do what Steve did in starting his own consulting firm. That was Steve, you are you. What is bold for you? What can you do to be a little more bold than you have been.

Fortune favors the bold. 

People love to talk about why they aren't getting ahead. It's the economy, it's politics at work, it's not being in the right place at the right time. It's thier boss or their team members. It's that they don't have the right degree. It's anything but this: "I'm not bold enough. I play it safe."

I've never had anyone tell me that.

Be bold. Whatever that means for you, be that. You can't single handedly change the economy and you can't escape politics at work. But you can be bolder. 

You don't have to be foolish and you don't have to act with thinking; but to get ahead requires some amount of boldness. Go ahead, you have it in you. You really do.

Alan Allard, Consultant, Leadership Coach, Speaker

http://www.alanallard.com