Leadership Solutions

Leadership Solutions: Contrary Thinking

Most people spend time to save money.

For example, they'll spend their time driving around town to save money on bargains. Or they'll spend their time on miserable tasks to save the cost of having someone else do the work.

But a few weeks ago, I did something different: I spent money to buy time.

In this case, I rode the train from my home to Santa Barbara, CA.

So, instead of buying a round trip train ticket, I bought eight hours of life.

And I used that time to relax, read, and write. When I arrived, I felt refreshed (instead of fatigued after hours in LA traffic). And I had accomplished something useful (instead of nothing -- i.e., holding a steering wheel).

So, here is a friendly challenge to seek out ways to buy time. Because your time is your life. And your life is worth a fortune.

Key Point: We earn money so that we can buy time.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: The Real Key to Success

No one wants to talk about this.

Because it's one of those topics that makes people feel uncomfortable.

But it's the real key to success: it's discipline.

Discipline is the quality of doing what must be done. It's starting when you need to start, continuing when you need to continue, and stopping when you need to stop.

Period.

And so, it's the opposite of being lazy. It's the alternative to procrastination. It's the inverse of quitting.

Notice how discipline cuts off these easy, convenient reasons for doing nothing? 

And yes, discipline is difficult. In fact, the harder the task, the greater the discipline required to complete it.

Discipline requires strength and courage. It requires internal honesty. It requires sacrifice, tenacity, and persistence.

As a small example, right now it's past 11:00 PM, and I'm working on this blog, giving it one more edit before posting it. I'll admit that I'm tired because this has been a long day filled with many challenging activities. But I'm still here, staying with this task until I finish it.

All of you encounter times like this. And I wish you the best as you make discipline your partner in achieving success.

Key Point: Discipline is the real key to success.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Linkedin

Leadership Solutions: Presentation Slides

Before you give your next presentation, answer these questions.

1) Can they read it?

Look at the slides on your computer from a distance of ten feet. Then eliminate every word that you are unable to read.

Why?

If you can't read it, no one can. And any information that people can't read is useless.

2) Does it matter?

Most people put too many words on their slides. In fact, some people put the entire text of their presentation on their slides. In that case, they can stay home and let the audience read the slides.

Eliminate all extra words. Your slides should contain a maximum of six lines with a maximum of seven words per line.

3) Is it correct?

Take care of the obvious.

Run a spell check on the text. Then show your slides to a colleague (or two). Ask them to proof read for typos, clarity, and consistency.

4) Will it fit?

First, recognize that people spend an average of three minutes talking about each slide. Of course, this depends upon the intent of the slide. Some title slides spend only seconds on the screen.

Then rehearse your presentation with a clock. Plan a time budget, if necessary, with milestones that you can use to check your progress.

5) Does it work?

Conduct a dry run in the meeting room with the equipment that is in the room. Make sure that your slides, computer, software, cables, . . . everything works.

6) Will they like it?

Invite your boss and a few colleagues to attend the dry run in #5. Then ask for their comments after you finish.

All of these tips will help you design slides that create a positive impression (which some people find useful).

Key Point: Make sure your slides support your presentation.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: Basketball

You might think that basketball is a game of skill.

Or effort.

Or strategy.

After all, the score measures the number of times that the ball went through the hoop. And strategy plus effort often leads to victory.

But, it's not.

Actually, basketball is a game of heart.

That is, it's a test of which team will continue to believe in itself the most, the longest, and the hardest. Then they manifest that belief in their skill, their strategy, and their effort.

This explains why every team has a chance to win. They just have to show more heart.

You must know that life works the same way.

While skill, strategy, and effort matter, we have to believe in ourselves to overcome the obstacles that arise.

Key Point: Success begins within your heart. Believe in yourself. Then the rest follows.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: May 25 - Memorial Day

I'll back tomorrow with an article.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: Another Photo Story

I take hundreds of photos each week (and sometimes more).

After all of this, I may end up with one or two that I like.

Here is one of them.

Now, this photo was a surprise. Here's why.

1) Wrong Time.

It was late in the day and the Arboretum was going to close in about fifteen minutes. So, I was walking toward the exit. Then I noticed this flower, which was backlit by the late afternoon sun. Often in business, some notable opportunities appear at the end of our day (or project, effort, tenure). Staying alert helps us notice them.

2) Wrong Conditions.

This flower was in shade and there was a breeze. So, the flower is moving with the wind. And low light means a slow shutter speed. Result: a blurred (and useless) photo. Yet, there was a magical moment when a ray of light shone through the leaves above and the wind paused. Click, I had the photo. Sometimes, we can obtain great results when everything seems to foretell the opposite.

3) Wrong Flower.

I've tried to photograph flowers on this tree for years. And each time the photo just didn't look right. The image seemed cluttered. The flower looked ordinary. The background overwhelmed the flower. But, you know, each time is a new opportunity. We need to stay receptive to possibilities, even when there have been none in the past.

Key Point: Leaders create success even when none appears possible.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: Lessons from a Bug

I don't like bugs.

So, I don't try to photograph them. Most of them are ugly. And the rest refuse to cooperate. They won't come when called, follow instructions, or pose.

And then, there was this praying mantis.

So, what's the point?

1) Assumptions.

Some assumptions keep us out of opportunities. Thus, they limit us to a smaller world than we would have with a more open view. Use this as a friendly nudge to examine your assumptions. How are they serving you? Are they confining you or helping you?

2) Opportunity.

Opportunities are everywhere. We just have to be open to finding them. The bush with this flower is over ten feet high, and it's covered with hundreds of orange flowers. So, that part of this photo was easy to find. While studying the blooms, I found this bug. One key skill is the skill of observation, which comes from paying attention to everything. Because opportunities are everywhere.

3) Effort.

The photo above is the twelfth photo that I took. You see, this bug is about half an inch long. And it was busy moving about on the flowers. So, I had to experiment and adjust before capturing this photo. The same applies to any activity. We must be willing to experiment our way toward results.

4) Patience.

Many situations follow their agenda, not yours. And so we have to be patient, waiting for an alignment of goals. This small bug, for example, was the controlling element in taking this photo.

5) Action.

Very simply, we have to show up. I was able to take this photo because I went to the Fullerton Arboretum. And I went there because that's where the flowers are. We have to do the same thing. We have to go to where we will find the opportunities that drive our business forward.

Key Point: Leaders find results everywhere.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: Important Differences

For info, here are the differences between Speakers, Trainers, Facilitators, Consultants, and Coaches.

Speakers give short (typically less than an hour) presentations. These contain thought-provoking content, artful humor, compelling stories, or lifting inspiration.

Where: Use speakers for general sessions at conferences. Often, a celebrity speaker will give the keynote because this attracts a large attendance.

Trainers teach. The training can span everything from routine job skills to advanced leadership skills. Trainers will conduct either seminars )where everyone listens) or workshops (where the participants practice skills).

Where: Educational sessions at conferences and in-house training programs.

Facilitators help groups of people obtain their best results. These results can be plans, decisions, solutions, agreements, or a uniform understanding of a concept such as values, principles, or mission.

Where: Any meeting where a) the results are important and b) you want to participate (instead of conduct the meeting).

Consultants perform specific tasks that require specialized skills. These can relate to any business activity, such as setting up a computer network, operating an accounting department, recommending a new strategy, and so on.

Where: Any time that it is more cost-effective to hire a part-time expert than a full-tine employee -- or when such expertise is available only from a consultant.

Coaches help individuals improve their performance. This can vary from teaching skills (i.e., personalized training) to changing habits. In the latter case, some coaches can work almost like a therapist.

Where: Anytime an individual wants to improve. Note: Learning new skills is easy. Working on one's inner self requires courage and discipline.

Key Point: Each type of service serves a different need.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: Inside Out Planning

Many plans are a straightforward sequence of steps.

Such plans begin with Step #1 and proceed until the final step. They're easy to prepare. And yet, sometimes they end up in trouble because they encounter obstacles.

Here is another way to prepare a plan that minimizes the likelihood of getting stuck.

1) Write the goal for the project.

2) Write a list of all the obstacles between where you are and the completion of the project.

3) Identify ways to overcome the obstacles.

4) Fit these actions into a realistic schedule.

5) Add checkpoints and measurements to monitor progress.

6) Start.

Note: Obstacles can be anything that hinders completion of the project.

Note: Often the work of overcoming obstacles is the real plan that must be followed to achieve a goal.

Key Point: Some plans are built from the inside out.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

Leadership Solutions: Absolute Gray

Every success comes from blending extremes.

The key is how you blend the mix.

For example:

1) Communication: Talking versus listening

We need to talk so that we can ask for what we want, teach what we know, and show what we have.

And communication begins with listening.

Listening shows that we care, gathers essential information, and wins trust. Effective communication is based on respectful listening.

The Point: Leaders listen more.

2) Meetings: Control versus freedom

Every successful meeting begins with control in the form of a clear, achievable goal supported by complete agenda. Without these, the meeting will waste everyone's time.

And results require freedom.

People must be allowed to explore odd ideas. They must feel safe enough to speak with candor. They must be free to make decisions through a team effort.

The Point: Leaders enable freedom.

3) Leadership: Success versus significance

Success is the common score card. Everyone rates achievement in terms of money, things, and power.

And significance matters more.

Significance, unlike success, lasts. It becomes a legacy that endures. And it's measured in terms of the amount of good that has been created.

The Point: Leaders build significance.

Key Point: Leadership is the art of building results that last.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site