Keith E. Webb's Blog, page 12

Embrace Ambiguity to Master Change

These days, “normal” doesn’t stay that way very long. Some leaders have the ability to effectively adapt in the midst of nearly constant change. These leaders have developed a high tolerance for ambiguity – they are okay with not knowing.

When I lived in Japan I watched foreignersstruggle to adapt to the culture and function withJapanese language, as I too struggled. The thing about Japan is even if you aregood at the language, you only ever know about 60% of what’s going on around you!

I dis...

5 Questions to Focus On The Strength of Gratitude

What difference does it make if we see the glass as half empty instead of half full? A lot!The most powerful leadership strength you have isyour mindset.Here are 5 questions to transform your results by focusing on the strength of gratitude.

When we think of strengths we usually think of abilities and skills. The more I help people to make significant shifts in their lives, the more I see the importance of mindset.Yourperspective (mindset) determines not only what you see buthow youuse your a...

Why Your Ideas Are In The Way Of Your Success

Contrary to popular belief, the key to success arenot great ideas. Far from it. Ideas actually might be in the way of your success. Here’s why and how to remove them.

A few years ago, I met with ourteam of instructors to talk about increasing participants inour professional coaching program. This meant marketing: how we offer it, where we hold it, and how we communicate about it. What I heard were ideas – not about implementation but about new training exercises and programs.

Some had ideas f...

The Easy Way To Make Coaching Relevant

Coaching is recommendedas an essential set of skills for managers, leaders, and of course, professional coaches (smile) because it provides personalized learning. However, even with artful listening and powerful questions our conversations can be irrelevant to the person we coach. There’s an easy way to make coaching relevant. I’ll show you how.

Not long ago, I was thinking ofpurchasinga car for my teenagers. When I mentioned itto a friend, he coached me around how to get my kids to pay for i...

5 Traits Every Young Leader Needs to Be Successful

The key to success foryoung leaders is not to focus, but to say “yes.” Yes to diverse opportunities, roles, and tasks. Research demonstrates that younger leaders need broad experience in order to develop their strengths, judgment, character, and identify their calling. That’s just one of five ways young leaders need to develop.

I knowa 24-year-old leader who was frustrated and ready to quit his job because his companywouldn’t put him in a role where he could use his strengths and focus on wh...

The More Successful You Are, The More Character Matters

Character isn’t talked about much anymore, yet it is the foundation uponwhich our lives are built. Our business, marriage, and friendships are all resting on the strength of our character. Weak character often isn’t revealeduntil it’s too late. Here are 5waysto strengthen your character.

What is character?

Character is who you are when no one is watching. External oversight keeps most of us in line. When wefeel freedom to do as we wish, ourcharacter comes out. Leaders are often inpositions be...

How to Serve Your Customers By Increasing Value, And Fees

The mirage ofmarketing is “lowest price.” It feels easier to sell, butthis short-term, short-cut thinking undermines the value of what you offer. Lower fees isoften nota service to your customers. Here is how to better serve your customers by increasing your fees and the value of what you offer.

Chances are you are not charging enough for your coaching or services. By “enough” I don’t mean “as much as you can get,” but enough that:

People will hire you. We do relate price with value. If your...

How To Make A Useful Vision Statement

Let’s face it, most vision statements are not compelling. They are too vague, too wordy, and try to include too much to be useful. A great vision statement will inspire, both your employees and your audience. Here’s how to make a usefulvision statement with only a few words.

When I entered the workforce in the 1990s, vision statements were all the rage as the new strategic management tool. Creating vision, mission, and values statement was the prescription for ailing organizations and teams.(...

How To Turn Your Good Ideas Into Great Questions

Despite the popularity of brainstorming in meetings, sharing ideas doesn’t often lead to a creative discussion. Asking questions does. Here’s a technique to turn your good ideas into great questions.

Leaders, coaches, mentors, parents, and consultants allliketheir own ideas. “If people wouldlisten to me and dowhat Isaid,” we think, “things would get a lot better around here.” The trouble is, everyone else is thinking similar thoughts regardingtheir own ideas.

Ideas have their place. As a lead...

You Wear Only One Leadership Hat

Some people talk about leadership hats. Each hat has alabel: supervisor, consultant, coach, mentor, parent, friend, etc. Working with people they switch hats, moving fluently from one to another. Changing hats may make sense to you, but it confuses the relationship you have with people. There’s a better way.

I observed a team meeting aCEO led. “I’m going to take my CEO hat off,” he said motioning with his hand, “and put on my employee hat. As a fellow employee, what would you like to say to...