Leadership Solutions

Leadership Solutions: Small Meetings Matter, Too

Every business conversation is also a meeting.

And so, approach each with the same consideration that you would bring to a larger project.

For example,

1) Know the goal. Spend a moment to write out the result that you want to have at the end of the conversation.

2) Check with the other person. Agree on logistics and (if appropriate) exchange each other's goals for the conversation.

3) Plan an agenda. This will most likely be a list of the issues that you want to discuss. Then support this plan with questions that direct the conversation toward the results that you want.

4) Bring paper to take notes. This lets you record the results of the conversation.

5) Issue minutes. In some cases, it may be appropriate to send the other person a note summarizing the decisions and agreements made during the conversation.

Of course, the amount of detail will depend upon the nature of the conversation. Some will be more informal than others.

Key Point: Even small events can benefit from basic planning principles.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: True Business Story

Once upon a time there was a engineer who had a problem.

He was responsible for a production line in a large manufacturing plant. And the products that came off of his line kept failing quality tests.

So, he proposed a novel idea.

He asked the lab to change their test procedure so that his products would pass.

Fortunately for the company's customers, his boss stopped the idea.

Now, silly as this seems, the tactic of changing the way we measure quality is fairly common. One especially damaging version happens in the area of communication.

For example:

1) People stop the carriers of "bad news" so that no one receives it. ("Bad news," by the way, is any news that someone doesn't want to hear.)

2) People make themselves unapproachable so that no one dares bring them bad news. (I knew a fellow who would hiss when people told him about a problem.)

3) People ignore critical information. That is, they continue as if they had never received the information.

4) People distort information so that bad ideas appear plausible.

5) People discredit the source of the information so that decision makers end up being confused about what to believe.

None of these tactics have ever proved useful over long time. Eventually, truth prevails. And in the meantime, the organization wastes resources and time on bad ideas.

It makes you wish that there was a diligent boss in every organization.

Key Point: Effective leaders are champions of truth because it leads to durable results.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Compassion 101

First, here's an easy question:

Do you enjoy suffering?

In this case, I'm referring to YOUR suffering.

If you're like everyone I know, you'll respond by saying (emphatically), "Of course not!"

At this point people will tell me about how much they dislike headaches, angry people, robot phone systems, and so on, because these involve suffering -- or at least some form of inconvenience.

Okay, good

Then I have a hard question:

Do you enjoy watching others suffer?

In this case, I'm referring to the suffering on TV, video games, and movies.

Everyone pauses here.

Then they tell me, "But that's different."

Okay, I'll agree that this is different. The people on TV (or the movies and video games) aren't coping with something like a paper cut; they're being shot. Or burned. Or worse. All of these hurt more than we could imagine.

That brings us to a very difficult question.

How can anyone watch people undergo the most horrific imaginable suffering as entertainment? Really, tell me.

And that leads us to the real question.

What effect has this violent entertainment had on our society?

I think it has eroded our compassion. It has reduced our sensitivity for others. And in turn it has disconnected us from each other as members of human society.

On an individual level, this has also caused damage. It has put vivid fears into people's minds. The result is difficulty falling asleep, chronic anger, and loneliness.

Watching violence is perhaps the most toxic threat that there is to our mental and social health.

So what do we do?

Turn off violent TV.

Trash violent video games.

Avoid violent movies.

Note: I am absolutely appalled by the current crop of horror movies, crime shows, and war video games. While people have a right to make this stuff, the public has the responsibility to reject it.

Key Point: Serenity begins at home.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Emotional Time Bomb

No one likes ridicule.

Perhaps, you've been in meetings where one person made fun of someone else. I'm sure that you felt uncomfortable watching someone suffer such public humiliation. After all, you could be the next target.

Admittedly, ridicule is rare in today's business environment.

Yet, when it occurs, it's mean. Destructive. Stupid.

The first two reasons should be obvious. And the third one may be a surprise.

So, let's expand upon it.

You see, the offender is expecting that the target will be more decent, more mature, and more controlled. That is, the offender is betting that the target won't react with some form of counter attack (beyond being unhappy).

And sometimes, the offender loses the bet. Then you read about it in the news.

So, here is a friendly nudge to make sure that ridicule does not exist in your organization.

Key Point: Ridicule builds resentment that can explode.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: New Slide Show

Here is a "new" slide show on how to prepare an effective agenda.

Well, actually, this is version three.

I posted the first one to check out the system. Then I made changes and posted version two. And from this I learned that the pretty transitions that I had used were converted to new slides.

So, I made version three which you can view at:

http://www.slideshare.net/SteveKaye/agenda-1542886

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Something to Think About

I'm wondering about obstacles that challenge everyone.

So I made a list.

Of course, some of these may touch you more than others. But that's okay. As with any banquet, sample what nourishes you.

1) Courage. Having the courage to do what it right.

2) Discipline. Having the discipline to act (or stop) as needed.

3) Humility. Having the humility to ask for help.

4) Strength. Having the strength to persist.

5) Compassion. Having the compassion to care about others.

6) Gratitude. Having the gratitude to thank others.

Well, okay, maybe these aren't really obstacles.

Actually, they're characteristics of effective leaders.

I suppose I thought they might be obstacles because sometimes they seem so rare.

What do you think?

Key Point: Is a commendable quality an obstacle if people are challenged to apply it?

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Expert Information

What if you could gain valuable ideas just by asking for them?

Well, you can.

All you have to do is conduct information interviews. This, by the way, is the process of asking experts to share what they know.

I did this extensively when I started my business in 1992. I phoned people, took people to lunch, and visited people in their offices. Some of these information interviews lasted ten minutes; others lasted a couple of hours.

As a result, I gained a wealth of excellent ideas on how to set up and run a business. I also gained books, written by the experts, because they wanted to share them. And I gained friends.

At this point, maybe you're thinking that this is too good to be true. Or, you maybe you're wondering if experts are too busy to help.

Actually, it's the opposite. Most experts feel honored that someone would ask for their advice.

So, you can use information interviews to help build a career or start a business.

Before you begin, here are some simple guidelines.

1) Be appropriate. After all, you're asking for the gift of their time. You'll have to fit into their schedules.

2) Be wise. Accept what they tell you as the steps that they found useful for their success. Thus, ask polite questions to understand. And avoid telling them that you disagree or don't need an idea.

3) Be grateful. This demonstrates that you're worthy of being helped. So, take notes. Listen carefully. And then send a handwritten thank you note. (Yes, take the time to write a note.)

Next: Your assignment for today is to make a list of everyone who might be able to help you. Then start calling them.

Key Point: There's information out there waiting for you to ask for it.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Is This You?

Suppose you were a flower.

And you looked like this.

- - -

- - -

What would you do?

Would you hide? Would you make excuses? Would you complain about shapes, colors, and justice?

Admittedly this isn't one of those movie star flowers like a rose or a camellia that appear on magazine covers.

But this is still a flower. And as such it is a vital part of the garden.

So this flower is out there, standing tall, working hard to be the best possible flower that it can be. And in that regard it succeeds very well.

So, how about you?

Did you show up today? And I mean really show up prepared to make today as magnificent as possible? Are you doing the best that you can with what you have? Are you living proud?

Because if you are, then you too are succeeding very well.

You see, a good garden needs everyone.

Key Point: Just showing up is the first part of being a success.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

PS > I just revised this article to improve the idea that I wanted to convey. And that's part of how things work. Sometimes an attempt leads to a better idea.

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Invitation

If you're reading this blog, you know that Web 2.0 has changed business connections.

For example, I just checked my contacts on Linkedin. As of today, they include people from Australia, Canada, China, Kenya, Netherlands, Russia, United Kingdom, and the all over the United States.

I think this is remarkable because I've been actively building connections on Linkedin since the beginning of this year.

Then, this week I posted two questions in the discussions on Linkedin, and received replies from Canada, India, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States.

Add to this my newsletters and blogs, which are read by people all over the world.

The point is: Web 2.0 has brought people together in a worldwide network of connections. The potential for this to advance business is extraordinary.

So, I want to thank all of you for being there.

You are the reason why I'm writing, speaking, and participating in all of these connections.

Now, I invite you to write.

Let me know what's happening in your business. What challenges are around you? What are you trying to accomplish?

What vision are you working toward? And how are you going there?

You see, having a network is just the beginning. Next we need to have a dialogue.

Key Point: Now that the world is talking to one another, are you part of the dialogue?

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Which Way Are You Going?

Are you running away or running toward?

That is, are you trying to avoid something or are you trying to gain something?

The difference matters.

You see, if you are running away from something, there is NO escaping. Whatever is chasing you will always be there.

The reason is that we run from fear. And all fears exist within our minds.

So, regardless how hard you run, that fear is still there inside you.

There is only one solution. And it's quite easy.

Stop running away.

Then look at the fear. And tell it to go away.

Of course, be polite. Admit that you have been good friends. Thank the fear for the lessons that it has taught. And then send the fear away.

Or do something that I did.

I gave my biggest fear a new job. I gave it the job of courage.

At first this fear told me that I was nuts. (Recognize that most fears have poor manners.) But after we talked for a while, the fear recognized that it was better to stay than to slink off into the past.

So now we're still running together. But instead of chasing me, courage is running along beside me as a partner.

Key Point: Run toward hope. It's more rewarding.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Linkedin