Paul Velonis > Paul's Quotes

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” Martin Luther King, Jr.”
― Patty Beach, The Art of Alignment: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Leadership

“The bottom line is this: if you really want to lead, you just have to get good at aligning people.”
― Patty Beach, The Art of Alignment: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Leadership

“When we come together in a group to get aligned, it may appear that we are all here to solve the problem at hand. While that is true, under that truth is a more profound one: we are all here to become well-regarded members of the group. However, unless all the members of the group also want that for each other, the environment is not safe for interpersonal risk-taking and playing full out.”
― Patty Beach, The Art of Alignment: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Leadership

“Propose A simple proposal is presented as an informal draft to the group for deliberation. Probe The group gathers feedback using 4 of the 5 Cs (Clarifications, Compliments, Concerns, and Changes) to improve upon the proposal. Re-Propose After taking a break to integrate the feedback collected so far into a second version of the proposal, the second version is presented to the group. The group is then tested for the 5th C—Commitment—using polling. Suggestions for changes are made until the desired level of agreement is achieved. Close The leader finalizes the agreement verbally or in writing and sends documentation to all key stakeholders.”
― Patty Beach, The Art of Alignment: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Leadership

“BE CREATIVE. Your post-fifty years should be your most creative time. You have wisdom of experience and freedom to apply it where you want. Avoid metaphors such as you are on the “back nine.” This denigrates the impact you can have. DON’T BE A DILETTANTE. Don’t just do a portfolio of things. Whatever you get involved with, have accountability and consequence. Drive it. FIND PEOPLE WHO HAVE VITALITY. Surround yourself with them; engage with them. Often they will be younger. APPLY YOUR GIFTS. Figure out what you are uniquely good at, what sets you apart. And understand the things inside you that give you a sense of purpose. Then apply them. DON’T WASTE TIME WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE. Allow serendipity to play a role. Most of the turning points in life cannot be predicted or controlled.”
― Eric Schmidt, Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell