Becky Robinson's Blog, page 66

Featured on Friday: The Out of Office Edition

It’s a long weekend for many of us at Weaving Influence, which means “Out of Office” auto-responses are going up and we’re dusting off our grills and gearing up for fireworks and family time. Or if you’re an introvert, like me, perhaps you’re looking forward to a quiet weekend with your books!

Whatever your plans for the weekend, I hope you’ll make time to click through some of these great book launch links and register for some of the exciting events we have coming up.

FREE Summer Education

Monday, July 13 at 12 pm (ET), join us for Resolving the Heart of Conflict with Jim Ferrell of The Arbinger Institute – Register Now
Tuesday, July 21 at 12 pm (ET), an exclusive one-hour webinar with Disrupt Yourself™ author Whitney Johnson – Register Now

Book Launch News

We’ve just completed the launch of two great books, The Disciplined Leader by John Manning, and Wired for Authenticity by Henna Inam, but nothing is slowing down around here!

This month we’re gearing up for the launch of The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute (July 13), and next month we’re planning for Unseen Tears by Beau Sides (join his team), and The Genius of Opposites by Jennifer Kahnweiler (join her team).

Just because the launches are over (or haven’t happened yet) doesn’t stop the buzz – which we love! Take a minute to click through these links for The Disciplined Leader and Wired for Authenticity, and check out the buzz that is already building for The Genius of Opposites!

Dan Forbes hosted Henna and her post: “Why I Wrote a Book About Authenticity“
Chantal Bechervaise shared her interview with John Manning
Julie Winkle Giulioni, co-author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go, hosted “Who Are You BEING as a Leader?” for Henna
Bonnie Marcus, author of The Politics of Promotion, interviewed Jennifer Kahnweiler on Forbes
And Jennifer shared her take on it, as well as Bonnie’s book, on her blog (we love cross-promotion!)
Joseph Iliff shared his thoughts about The Disciplined Leader in this LinkedIn post (NOTE: that’s a great way to help promote an author!)
Working Woman Entrepreneur hosted Henna on their podcast – Listen Now

Just In Case You Missed It

You know Becky has her own website now, right? She’s posting there on a regular basis, and I’d encourage you to add it to your list of favorite spots on the internet. Here are links to her three most recent posts, just to get you started…

Letting Go and Showing Up
If I Could Work My Business Like A Puzzle (Florida Edition)
How Moms Manage Kids and Work in Summer

You Tell Me! What are YOU doing on this holiday weekend (or, if you’re not in the U.S. – what are you doing this weekend)?

Why You MUST Stop Creating New Content

Whenever I consult with clients, I share a lot of helpful, wise advice that I would do well to listen to and implement myself.

Top on the list is the importance of repurposing content. The clients we work with have decades of experience; most have been writing articles and blog posts for years.

Yet, because most are also busy building businesses or working traditional (and BIG) jobs, they struggle to find time to write new content.

For some context, I’ve been writing online for about 6 years and have published nearly 1000 blog posts. I imagine the authors we support likely have far more content, individually and collectively, that they written over the years, both online and offline.

And yet — we all feel the pressure to produce new content, while the content we’ve previously produced contains great value and insight, but remains unseen, like treasure hidden beneath the dirt.

This morning, for example, I sat down to write this post and mentally checked off a list of possible (new) topics, while a quick search of my blog archives unearthed two helpful posts on the topic of repurposing content that are likely both under-read and under-shared. This post talks about the wealth you have in previously created content and how to leverage it effectively while this post speaks specifically to creating a system for cataloging your legacy content.

Why do we feel the pressure to write new content when we have already penned hundreds of thousands of words? Partly, I believe, because we haven’t taken the time to properly evaluate the content we’ve previously created; we haven’t organized it to make it accessible; we don’t have a plan or vision for how we can repurpose and redistribute it.

If you, like me, have already created a wealth of content that you’re not adequately leveraging, consider a break from creating new content. Instead, invest your time in creating a library of the content that you’ve already written, then work out a plan to repurpose and share your past work.

This also frees you to engage others in sharing your message with the world, because though it’s difficult to outsource thinking creatively, it’s far easier to enlist an assistant or editor in re-packaging content that already exists. Or, if you repurpose your own content, you will invest far less time than if you write something by starting from a blank page each time.

The content you’ve created in the past has tremendous value.

When you bring the best of what you know to the world, you are rich — and you enrich others.

Featured on Friday: #AnatomyOfPeace Author @Arbinger

Summer is officially here, and my stack of books to read is quickly growing, with no relaxing beach chair in sight! However, before I began collecting leisure books, I had the opportunity to read through the revised and updated edition of The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute team.

Although a departure from the kind of books we normally promote, the past few weeks have (sadly) proved why the timing of this book’s release is perfect. In a world where anger and hate are acted upon and clear heads do not always prevail, the message of The Anatomy of Peace could not be more timely – or more needed.

If you’re interested in gaining a resource that could help you make a difference in your community or your section of the world, then keep reading!

Discover The Arbinger Institute

Founded in 1979, The Arbinger Institute has worked with thousands of individuals and organizations to transform performance. Arbinger’s public profile was dramatically increased by the global success of its first book, Leadership & Self Deception. The book quickly became a word-of-mouth bestseller.

Arbinger’s second international bestseller, The Anatomy Of Peace, demonstrates the power of Arbinger’s work in resolving conflict. Arbinger publications are now available in over 30 languages and have sold over 2 million copies.

Arbinger is recognized as a world-leader in improving organizational culture and conflict resolution. Arbinger’s clients range from individuals who are seeking help in their lives to many of the largest companies and governmental institutions in the world.

Connect with The Arbinger Institute Online

Find Arbinger on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Learn more about the work of The Arbinger Institute by visiting their website.

Don’t Just Read… WATCH!

I took 4.5 minutes to watch this video, and I’m so glad that I did. It’s totally worth it… grab your lunch and click “play”!

Support the Launch of The Anatomy of Peace – July 13-17!

Coming up next month, we’re participating in the official launch of this important book, The Anatomy of Peace (now available for pre-order on Amazon). Get involved by telling your online communities about it using the resources found HERE.

Every single day we encounter conflict. Whether you’re a participant or observer, whether it’s among family, friends, or colleagues, conflict surrounds us. While we can’t avoid conflict, we can certainly choose how we respond to it. 

On July 13 at 12 pm (ET)/9 am (PT), make plans to join Becky and Jim Farrell, a Managing and Founding Partner of The Arbinger Institute (and co-author of The Anatomy of Peace). During this FREE, 1-hour webinar, you can discover tools that will help you create lasting solutions for the conflicts you face. Register today, and invite a friend!

Don’t forget to check out book’s NEW website, and start spreading the word as we get ready for the launch. Are you a leader who wants to find resolutions, or a parent looking for peace in your home? Start by pre-ordering The Anatomy of Peace and then join us for an exciting launch next month!

Truths From The Wrong Trail

My town, Tallahassee, is trail-rich for runners. On a recent evening, a group of us planned to preview a trail that would be used for an upcoming race. We met at a specified gate, which was closed behind us, and ran about a mile to the entrance of the trail. From that point, the trail was supposed to take about 2.5 miles, after which we would run back to the gate.

I knew I would be at the back of the group (I am always at the back of a group of runners), but I felt relatively familiar with these trails because I had run portions of them before. I also had previously run with this group and seen how careful they were to make sure everyone was accounted for, even when their directional signs had been removed by the county the previous week (the county thought their event was over).

What’s the worst that could happen?

On this particular evening, the coordinator had planned to put out directional flags for the upcoming race on Saturday, but they had been forgotten, which didn’t seem like that big a deal. Someone actually said, “What’s the worst that could happen?”

We gathered for the initial review of the course, standing at a course map. What I heard was “You’ll be starting at this entrance, then follow the orange blazes on the trees for the whole course.” Clearly I missed the part where he said “and follow the ‘Oak Hammock Trail’ signs.” This was an important part of the instructions!

After we ran the mile to the trail entrance, the coordinator said to me, “Okay, you are going to come back out here at this multipurpose road, then you will turn right and go to our cars. He also said he would catch up with me on the trail.

Losing My Way

I continued on, enjoying the beautiful night and the pleasure of running in the midst of nature. I came to one “decision point” about 3/4 of the mile in to the trail portion, and retraced my steps several times until I found more orange blazes, then I kept going.

And going.

And going.

I came to a multi-use trail a few tenths of a mile before I expected to be hitting the road I needed. For some reason I had “Trail W” in my head, so I kept going since I was at “X” and had just passed “Y.”  The road also had a different feel than the one we had started on … too much wet clay.

When I got to the “W” marker, it was evident that wasn’t right either — there was a marker but no road.

That was when my mind started whirling. Although the trail isn’t that far from a road and civilization, I was definitely turned around. It all looked familiar from previous race events but this was not an event (in the “race” sense of the word) so there were no directional flags and no volunteers. I stopped running and started walking, because I needed to stay calm and think. Even though I am a slow runner, choosing to run instead of walk was putting more distance between me and a solution.

Here’s where technology comes in! I Facebook-messaged the coordinator with a message that said “still on trail” and gave my phone number. Although I knew the gate wasn’t locked and he had shown us how to open it, I still was rapidly beating myself up with the idea that I was keeping my fellow runners from being able to move on with their night — someone would have to make sure I made it out of the woods!

Ultimately a fellow runner, looked me up on the map (I was able to provide some visuals) and found a service road he could use to pick me up. I was so happy when Walter and his dog, Magnus, pulled up!

What does any of this have to do with business and life? Let’s discuss four “truths from the trail”:

Instructions Matter

At the beginning of our outing, I was preoccupied with taking a picture of the group to share later on our Facebook page, and failed to listen attentively to the instructions. There are times in life when it is okay to let your attention wander. When you are about to be in the middle of the woods where many trails are marked with orange blazes (not just the one you need), however, missing one phrase in the verbal instructions can be a problem.

Making a concerted effort to stay fully focused on instructions can be the difference between success and failure.

You Won’t Always Get as Much Guidance as You Expect

In the previous week’s run, all of us overcame the issue of the “missing signs” easily. The course was more compact, and the group leaders were able to keep up with everyone (even us slow runners) by stationing themselves at critical intersections. In this case, the combination of the forgotten directional flags, vague trail signage, and my poor listening was a recipe for a deviation from the plan.

Backup plans should always ask “how will I fill in the blanks if I need more help than I originally anticipated?”

Staying Calm = Power

If I tried to write out the thoughts in my head as I tried to solve my problem, there would be a lot of run-on sentences, a general lack of organized thought, and abundant exclamation marks. Something like “Ohmygoshtheymustbesoworried WhereonearthamI Whatifmycargetslockedin? Iamsostupid! Itisgettingdarkfast WhatwasIthinking Ohmygosh Isthatarootorasnake Ohmygosh.”

As Hilary Oliver states in this post, “if we remain calm, we retain our power.”

Accepting Offers of Assistance ≠ Weakness

I would rather solve problems myself (which has led to more than a few pieces of feedback over the years about my need to delegate) and don’t want to inconvenience people. As this incident pointed out, there are times when we are not enough without other people.

We are strongest when we humble ourselves to ask for help.

 

Notes from the #witour: Work-Life Fit

We drove over 1400 miles through 8 states, over 5 days, for a combined total of over 26 hours of road time to meet 10 team members and 3 clients. The #witour.

Along the way, we fit in a visit with an old friend I hadn’t seen in 15 years, a scenic hike, a tour of two iconic Atlanta spots, and several hours of pool time for the girls.

We enjoyed several amazing meals, including one prepared by team member Megan Constantino and two drive-in meals.

I asked one of my girls, “Does this feel more like work, or more like vacation?”

“Vacation!” she said.

Since I love work, I didn’t really mind that it felt like work to me: all the best parts of work. Here’s why:

Beautiful Places – The #witour took us through the mountains of WV, TN, and NC; I worked poolside plenty and never once sat at a desk. Portable, take-anywhere work frees me to work where-ever I go.

We met with the WV team at Athena Farm & Vineyard, a lovely wedding venue, and enjoyed a tour of the property via golf cart. This picturesque place is a perfect wedding destination, secluded and peaceful.

Beautiful Food – While I don’t know that I’d call the drive-in food we ate beautiful, we savored several really wonderful meals, including the Mexican feast sponsored by our client Bill Treasurer. Bill not only picked up the tab for the largest meal of the tour (5 team members, one spouse, 5 kids), he also ignited some rich conversation among the team about work and leadership. (Thank you, Bill). My kids proclaimed Early Girl Eatery their favorite #witour meal. This Asheville spot is not to be missed!

Beautiful Accommodations – Chip Bell donated a night at the Atlanta Hilton, which provided a very convenient and comfortable center for our Atlanta site-seeing. Jennifer Kahnweiler welcomed us to her neighborhood pool, the favorite swimming spot of the trip.

Beautiful People – There is nothing like being with people face to face. I loved every moment of meeting in person with our team members and clients. It was especially fun for several team members to meet one another for the first time, including Carrie Koens and Christy Kirk, who have worked together for a couple of years and had not met in person.

Beautiful Memories – Several meaningful moments comprised the #witour. I loved seeing my kids interact with team members’ kids, especially the youngest ones. My girls loved holding Max’s daughter and Megan’s son. I loved talking with Whitney Heins over coffee, wondering together about the new world of work and how circumstances and connections brought her to our team.

Teneya Fouts took the girls on an exculsive tour of Chick-Fil-A’s headquarters while I met with Mark Miller. Beau Sides gifted us with an abundant snack basket to refresh us on our journey, complete with Krispy Kreme Donuts (we can’t get those at home!)

In leading a virtual team, there can be some lonely and disconnected moments. This tour reinforced my belief that bringing people together is one of the most important investments I can make in my business.

We followed up the #witour with my annual working vacation, spending time with my parents in Florida. Quick shout out to entrepreneurs Jack and Allison Braton with congratulations for their thriving new restaurant. If you are in the Leesburg, Florida area or travel to central Florida, be sure to stop at Turners! Don’t miss the Fried Green Tomato Caprese salad and Jack’s bacon jam!

Featured on Friday: Wired for Authenticity Author @hennainam

This has been a week of in-person gatherings for several members of our virtual team. While more and more of the Weaving Influence crew are now based in the Northern Ohio/Southern Michigan region, there are still a number of us who are scattered across the United States (with one working regularly from China, and another based out of Columbia, South America).

Pulling the team together in person is one way to keep things authentic, but so are secret Facebook groups where we share jokes, and Google hangouts where we have the opportunity to see facial expressions and check in on more than just work. Growing and supporting a virtual team isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth the effort, as this week has confirmed.

We’ve had a few weeks of “down time” (it’s never truly slow around here!) since our last book launch, but we’re getting back into gear as we get ready to promote The Disciplined Leader next week, and then the new book from today’s author, Wired for Authenticity.

Meet Henna Inam

Henna Inam is a sought after speaker, successful author, and CEO of Transformational Leadership Inc. Her unique workshops, tools, and online community help managers create innovative, engaged teams that drive measurable results.

Henna and her global partner team work with Fortune 500 companies to deliver executive coaching, leadership development, and team workshops. Clients include Coca-Cola, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, CNN, and Bank of America. Prior to starting her company, Henna worked for 20 years at Procter & Gamble and Novartis. She has lived or worked across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Join thousands of subscribers and get actionable leadership advice from the Transformational Leadership Blog.

Connect with Henna Online

Find Henna on: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Learn more about Transformational Leadership by visiting her website.

Support the Launch of Wired for Authenticity – June 22-26!

Coming up in a little over a week, we’re participating in the official launch of Henna’s first book, Wired for Authenticity: Seven Practices to Inspire, Adapt, & Lead (now available on Amazon). Get involved by telling your online communities about it using the resources found HERE.

Think of the biggest leadership challenge you’re facing right now. What if you could be coached on a powerful tool that would help you resolve this challenge? On June 16 at 12 pm (ET)/9 am (PT), you’ll want to block off your calendar and join Henna and Becky for a webinar on the ideas found in Wired for Authenticity, because that’s what Henna wants to share with you! Register today, and invite a friend!

Don’t forget to check out book’s NEW website, and start spreading the word as we get ready for the launch. Are you a leader who wants authenticity and adaptability? Start by reading Wired for Authenticity and then join us for an exciting launch later this month!

Why I’m Taking This Show On the Road

I’m headed out this morning on what I’m calling the #witour, The Weaving Influence Summer Tour, along with my three daughters and one of their best friends. We’ll cover more than 1200 miles during an estimated 20 hours of driving, over 5 days, eventually landing at my parents’ home, where we’ll relax and enjoy for nearly a week before flying home.

I’m excited about this trip for several reasons, but the most important one is people.

I get to be with my favorite girls for 10 days.

We get to meet and spend time with 10 members of my team, a few of whom I’ve never met in person.

We’ll see at least two long-term clients.

The reason I do what I do is to create opportunities for others, and this trip represents the creation of opportunities on so many levels, for the most important people in my life.

If you follow the #witour through the pictures and stories I share along the way, here’s what I hope you’ll see:

I love my team. The idea for this trip has been percolating for quite some time and the execution of the trip is long overdue. Although I’ve met Megan, who joined Weaving Influence in 2013 and started our digital publicity service, we have not seen each other during the time we’ve worked together. I’ve talked with Max, who is our community manager, on video calls many times, but we’ve never met. Of the ten team members I’m seeing this week, four will be first-time meetings. Though we collaborate closely and talk regularly, in-person connection is powerful and important.

I love our clients, and I’ll use any means to get their messages out. We have a few amazing sponsors who have provided hotel rooms and are hosting meals on our journey. Though I could and am investing in this trip myself, it’s fun to highlight and appreciate the great work our clients are doing. I’m also grateful for a chance to connect face to face on this journey with two of our clients.

Work is best when it fits into life. For several years, I’ve worked at home. My girls see what work looks like because they are often with me (or nearby) when I’m working. This tour will immerse them even more in my work world. I’m excited for them to meet more of the tremendous people who comprise our team, meet clients, and to see that work can add joy and fun to life. Work is no longer 9 -5, in a central location but can mold to fit the lives we choose. Work is in my home office; work is in my newly-leased traditional office space; work is on the road or around a restaurant table. Work is with me wherever I am, and I can choose when and how to dive in and give work my attention, as I choose time away and unplugged.

Relationships are everything. I could not do what I do without the team of people who work with me, nor could I work without the clients who hire us. My extrovert-self is fueled by connecting in person, and these moments on the tour will create connections and memories of inestimable worth. (More from me on relationships and the tour here.)

Tell me something! How do you share your life and work with your family? What fuels your joy for work?

Featured on Friday: TBB Member @dadofdivas

I could say it 50 or 100 times a week, and it would always be true: without Team Buzz Builder, our book launches would not be as successful. As the Book Launch Director, knowing there are “go to” individuals who will host guest posts, accept books to review, and use their social media accounts to promote our authors gives me peace going into each and every launch.

I’ve written about several of them in the past, and each time I ask the questions, I’m always interested to see what kind of responses I’ll receive. Most of them list things like “community” and “meaningful interactions” as reasons they like being a part of our team. Getting to be a part of some of those interactions, hearing that kind of feedback always makes me grateful.

Today we’re focusing on a man who you might know better as the “Dad of Divas”, the man who reviews everything from Wind In Your Sails to Brazilian hats!

Meet Christopher Lewis!
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer a few questions for me, Chris! First one: Why do you like being a part of TBB?

I love the opportunity to interact with brands and other bloggers in a meaningful way and Team Buzz Builder offers this!

What benefit do you think you receive from being a part of Team Buzz Builder?

A close-nit community that supports each other and offers some great opportunities to work with brands too.

So, if someone asked you why they should join, what would you tell them?

For both the community learning and brand opportunities that it offers!

Let’s get personal… tell me about your work/family/life/hobbies!

I work full time as a college administrator. I have two daughters ages 10.5 and 7.5, I live a very busy life. I write at dadofdivas.com and dadspotlight.com. I podcast for the Dad Spotlight Podcast. I am an elected school board member and President of my Neighborhood Association.

Want to learn more about Christopher? There are lots of ways to connect with him online, and I suggest using them all!

Find him on Twitter (@dadofdivas, @dadspotlight, and @drclewis), Instagram, Facebook (Dad of Divas and Dad Spotlight), Pinterest, YouTube, and tumblr.

Are you a Team Buzz Builder Member who would like to be featured in one of our Friday posts? Email me for more details!

The #WITeam Says: Happy Birthday @beckyrbnsn!

Three years ago I’d been working with Becky for one month. We were in the process of launching of Dare, Dream, Do by Whitney Johnson, and Becky was ready to step out in faith to start working full-time for her own company – pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams while helping others reach their goals.

Whether she’s encouraging a first-time author, offering social media advice to a client, or helping an ever-growing team of contractors (and now, employees) see their dreams become realities, Becky has always been the driving force of Weaving Influence.

As a company, we are successful, but it’s due in large part to Becky’s belief in her vision, her team, and her clients. Many of us “behind the scenes” folks have long dreamed about working from home or working for ourselves, but we lacked the courage to sell our skill sets. Becky was able to see beyond our inability to promote ourselves and offered us an environment to learn, grow, and produce in the most flexible way possible.

When I started working with Becky, I had very little confidence in my own abilities, and wasn’t sure I had anything to offer. Three years later, as the Book Launch Director and senior member of the contractor team, I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned while working alongside Becky, in addition to the new skills and techniques that I have picked up along the way.

On behalf of the #WITeam, thank you, Becky, for opening doors of opportunity. Your generosity, support, and willingness to try new things are why we have seen amazing success and growth in the last three years, and it’s been an honor to work alongside of you during that time.

Would you join with the Weaving Influence team in wishing Becky a very happy birthday?
Send a Tweet!

 

Are You A Thought Leader?

A popular term in today’s digital world of content creation, “thought leadership” is not really a new concept at all. In fact, The Oxford English Dictionary gives its first citation for the phrase in 1887 by describing Henry Ward Beecher as “one of the great thought-leaders in America.” It was revived or reinvented by marketers in the 1980s, and in 1990 was used in a Wall Street Journal marketing article by Patrick Reilly.

When defined, a thought leader is an individual or firm that is recognized as an authority in a specialized field and whose expertise is sought and often rewarded. But in a world where people find desired information in thousands of locations – their favorite online publications, blogs, social platforms or served up in email newsletters and podcasts – becoming a thought leader is a much more common thing.  Therefore, competition is plentiful.

During my first month at Weaving Influence, I’ve been fortunate to work with a number of amazingly talented thought leaders and authors. I’m learning more about them and their contributions to our world through their books and the original content they create. Working smarter, being more fulfilled in life, becoming the leader you aspire to become – it’s much like attending an insightful, personal development seminar every day! These individuals are truly talented thought leaders who are sharing their insights into our world to benefit those who are willing to open their minds and become a better person.

Are you a thought leader? Being known as one seems like a fairly hefty mantle to wear. But the truth is, many of us are thought leaders on a smaller scale, we just don’t realize it.

You may be a thought leader among your peers and circle of friends, regularly offering insight to your area of expertise: Where should we have dinner for our anniversary? When visiting Chicago, what should we plan to see? Do you know how to plant a raised vegetable garden? That’s how thought leadership begins, with expertise that blossoms into widely-respected knowledge in your specialized field of expertise.

What will you do with your knowledge? How will you nurture it and grow it to become larger than life?

You can learn how by emulating the leaders that you aspire to be like, and using your own knowledge to help your peers, the next generation and potentially generations to come.

To become recognized as a thought leader takes diligence and hard work while you are gaining experience in your craft, and while spreading your insights. But it’s never too late to start. Large or small scale, the world becomes a better place when we share insights and lessons learned from each other.

Be a coach, a student mentor, or an admired leader. Create thought leadership in your own world and nurture it. Don’t be overwhelmed by the concept, just feed it. Watch it grow and many will reap the benefits.

 

Tell me something! How do you nurture your own sense of leadership?