LEADERSHIP & GENDER: Are Women and Men Equal From the Neck Up?

“We need not just a new generation of leadership, but a new gender of leadership.” 

- Bill Clinton

For most of my life, I have been deeply reluctant to publicly bring up the subject of gender, mostly due to an ingrained fear of ridicule and being labeled incorrectly. I had found myself using buffer words and over-the-top diplomacy when discussing this vital topic, this proverbial white elephant in board rooms. I almost always added that I am a feminist, egalitarian, man-loving person, so that the listeners (or readers) will exhale with relief. Thank goodness I am not one of THOSE kinds of feminists, they secretly think. Heck, I don’t even like using the word feminist most of the time, as if the word itself diminishes my credibility as someone with something to contribute.

These thoughts and internal edits are death to an effective leader.

I will never forget the first time I conducted a Leadership for Women seminar. I had never before considered that the core skills of leadership would be any different for a man than for a woman. The words of my intense, egalitarian father stayed in my mind: “Men and women are equal from the neck up.” And I believed him. Even today, I struggle with seeing any difference due to the fact that my definition of a solid leader is inspired by the work of Tony Robbins. He shows leadership as engaging in three steps:

• First, see the situation for what it really it – not worse or better.
• Then, imagine the situation better than it is right now.
• Finally, take action and improve the situation.

I was not convinced that a man or a woman would understand these three steps any differently, and therefore had not separated the content of my leadership trainings regarding gender. And then one day… I noticed that the natural talent I have as a leader (I am genetically wired this way, ask anyone who has known me since birth) was not shared by many women I have worked with and known. I noticed the language, body posture, internal dialogues, apologetic approach, and tempo differences – among many other observations – that got in their way. So, I decided to offer specific leadership trainings for women.

I noticed cliches that we have all been fed rang true for many women leaders: fear of losing our femininity and ability to be vulnerable, fear of being labeled as a man-hater if we bring up issues that reek of gender discrimination, fear of confrontation with male bullies, fear of becoming a ‘bitch-leader’, fear of making mistakes and our gender being blamed for these failures, fear of having to work with and lead our least favorite demographic – arrogant white men over 50… all played a role in why many women have not yet taken their rightful place in leadership.

Most of my career has been spent with men, and I continue to sincerely love working with groups of men – engineers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, laborers, professionals, executives, writers, artists, financiers, IT geeks, and cooks. I love the atmosphere of manufacturing, of materials being produced, of cars, of machines, of operations, of numbers, and of ideas being put into solid action. The business world is dominated by men, the world of coaching and training is dominated by men, the media is dominated by men, the planet is dominated by men… so I decided very early on not to make my gender an issue. I ignored, rationalized, dismissed, and avoided this imbalance… until recently. Until I decided to offer leadership trainings specifically dealing with women’s unique issues and imbalances that prevent us from reaching our potentials.

The statistics are out: enterprises that are run by women, that have a balanced gender ratio, that are influenced by female leaders… are doing very well, in many cases better than the status quo. I am convinced that diversity in the workplace is a significant factor in successful companies and organizations – and among other categories such as race, age, social background, personality traits, and creed, mixed gender groups are indeed more successful. Ok, if these stats continue to become public knowledge, then why is gender still an issue regarding leadership? Does the planet need another 5000 years to get it? Will my best friend’s daughter grow up with the same cliches that I grew up with? Will the backlash discussed in Susan Faludi’s prize-winning book remain in place, further building up the glass ceiling most women face on a daily basis? She wrote: “Far from being ‘liberated,’ American women in the 1980s were victims of a powerful backlash against the handful of small, hard-won victories the feminist movement had achieved.” Here we are in 2011 and although the stats of female opportunities are slightly brighter, it is  shameful how much the gender issue is still a factor that prevents women towards leadership.

If men and women are equal from the neck up (metaphorically speaking), then why are women leaders still apologizing, buffer-wording, and putting up with all this nonsense? Even feeling compelled to write about this subject after almost 100 years of emancipation – since gaining the right to vote and the “women’s movement” of the 60’s and 70’s – feels, well, annoying. I imagine that people of color understand this and shake their heads in disbelief when the mainstream media continues to shred the first black US president with unapologetic bravado. Politics aside (I did not vote Republican or Democrat), there is a level of respect for the presidency that seems to have fallen through the cracks of our society. I was brought up to believe that anything is possible, that the US is a land of opportunity. My teachers and role-models forgot to include information about gender discrimination and its insidious nature. Race is being handled in a similar way it seems, but I digress.

When I spent many years in Japan, I experienced gender discrimination all the time. When I came back to the US, my expectations were that this nonsense would not be an issue. Here is what I discovered: it was more comfortable for me to see, feel, and hear the gender discrimination in Japan because it was not hidden. In the US where women supposedly have equal rights and opportunities, it has been much much worse because apparently we do have equal opportunity here… so what is MY problem? If you want to hear the stories, give me a call. For now, trust me when I say I have never experienced such deep-rooted gender discrimination than here in my own country. Perhaps this is because I am a leader, usually smarter than my clients (that’s why I get hired in the first place, right?!), and I don’t engage in an apologetic approach to leadership. I am diplomatic and appropriate, yes, AND I tell the truth and get results. That’s what a good coach does.

If I am wrong, so be it. Brain research is discovering neuro-scientific differences, hormonal variations, and other bio-chemical distinctions that show we are not actually equal from the neck up either. But as I said, this is a metaphor, and I have observed for almost three decades that leadership, for one thing, is a talent that both genders do terribly or successfully, depending on the leaders themselves and not on their gender (or race, creed, social background, education, etc).

Women I know, who are inclined towards leadership, are struggling. We share a common bond and silent understanding of the glass ceilings we face on a daily basis. And we are done. Perhaps for the first time in history, female leaders are starting to approach leadership WITHOUT an apology, and articles such as this one are going public, also without an apology (nor anger, blaming, or superiority). This is new, this is the gender revolution of the 21^st Century. Women such as global journalist Christianne Amanpour, online media mogul Ariana Huffington, and Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Hilary Clinton have made it easier for us.

Now, I and many others are expecting the moment when these extraordinary women do not get one single comment thrown at them regarding their clothes, bodies, husbands or hairstyles. Then, and only then, will we know that women leaders have taken their different but equal place at the dinner table of business, politics, and society. Until then, chin up. Don’t worry, there will be another moment of gender discrimination on your horizon when your leadership will be challenged because you wear a bra. These are priceless opportunities to continue on your paths and move forward, resolving to contribute as a solid leader, in spite of these obstacles. Keep on swimming… you are not alone.

PS: Emancipation is not a one-way street. To those of you who have engaged in gender discrimination or have been intimidated by extraordinary women leaders: you are missing out. We don’t want to take over, we are not engaging in superiority tactics… instead, we want to share our version of cooperation, inclusion, and diversity that are at the core of our unique leadership talents. Leadership is our right as human beings, too. Make an effort to let go of an imbalanced version of control and finally embrace that there are many ways to skin a cat. We need you, you need us, and we are in this leadership gig together.

BIOGRAPHIES: A Message to Speakers, Authors, and Business Owners on Shameless Self Promotion

“Boxing was the only career where I wouldn’t have to start out at the bottom.

I had a good resume.”  – Sugar Ray Leonard

Seems that I spend much of my career-business coaching hours on sales and marketing, bios and curriculum vitae. And it seems that almost every client I have ever worked with says the exact same thing, over and over again: “I’m good at promoting and bragging about others, just not about myself. It feels impossible… What do I say?!” Of course, this lack of skill (at least in our own minds) to express all our qualities, quirks, and qualifications in black and white terrifies most of us. Even for really arrogant and cocky people. My theory is simple: when we write it down and format it in an official way (Bio, Resume, CV, marketing materials, website content, etc), it all becomes glaringly real. We look at these documents, read over every word, and ask ourselves: Did I (or my company) really do all that… and is this really me (my company)?

Here is someone who answers: Yes, you did… and yes, it is.

Hiring Managers and Decision-Makers know that self promotion comes with a twist – they look for information between the lines, possible embellishments, and any trace of in-authenticity. If they are good, they will know if what they are reading is real or not, exaggerated to the slippery slope of falsehood or embellished in that “normal” kind of Bio/Resume/CV way. The key is making sure that what you have included, you can deliver. If you can do that, then shamelessly promote yourself to your heart’s content.

A simple example: I once had a client who was genuinely brilliant, and had begun to engage in public speaking for local professional organizations. Most of his gigs were pro bono, but the exposure and experience gained was worth the generous contribution of his time. He was also a pretty solid speaker, and was often asked to return. I heard this story, took notes, and created a position for him called Public Speaker and Meeting Presenter. I noted where he had spoken to date, and a little information about his topic focus. I also added this info to his bio. Well, when he saw this, two things happened: first he felt proud and deeply inspired, and then immediately after this feeling, he felt deeply uncomfortable. “Can I say that?” he asked. “Can you speak and present publicly and are you any good at it?” I returned. Without a hesitation, he said “Yes.”  He wasn’t lying to me or to himself – he is a solid speaker and presenter, and in that moment, he knew it down to his gut. Voila… an excellent example of how shameless self promotion can work. He got over it, and we added it to his CV and bio.

One more thing to consider: do not lie. Do not falsify information or embellish to the point of nonrecognition. This is not only unethical and creates bad career karma, it is illegal and might burn bridges for you. Ok, you have been warned. Good career coaches have a talent for understanding this fine line, this gray area of documentation. However, we also adhere to a code of integrity that prevents us from stepping over a certain professional line. Just saying…

Here are three points to consider and two examples of Bios I have done recently. One is for a client who has been getting more public speaking engagements for his work with leadership and working in global IT environments (name/details are changed to protect client’s privacy), and the other one is mine. I change it every so often to update the content and relevance, but the nuts and bolts of writing a good one is there. Before you get down to writing, first consider these points:

• PERSONALITY: yes we want to know all about your Harvard PhD’s and all those awesome clients you have worked with, but where is your character and personality? Beware of dry language and lists. Some lists are unavoidable, so pepper in some creative images. Use a thesaurus and take advantage of the 500K words in our rich English language.

• ONE MINUTE COMMERCIAL: this is similar to your one minute commercial in that you might want to include a few key pieces of information – name, location, durations, title/position/job, industries or environments, qualifications/education (if applicable), clients or company names, and results. You can add testimonials to this as well, but I place mine on the last page of my CV after references. A good bio is like an expanded one minute commercial.

• RELEVANT and UPDATED: I recommend keeping this updated because, as the saying goes… you never know. It is also a good idea to have a few versions, depending on the “slant” you need. Most careers are pretty complex in my experience, so make sure you keep the data relevant and updated to fit all the different things you do. I have focused on HR, leadership and operations for the past decade, and have a slightly different bio for each of these arenas. I also have two different CV styles, by the way, to match either conservative or more casual work environments.

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BIO EXAMPLE ONE:

PROFESSIONAL BIO – John Smith

John Smith is a 22-year professional of the IT, Systems Analysis, Business Analysis, Customer and Vendor Liaison, Strategic Planning, and Project Management arenas. His career began as a Technical Writer and grew into IT Consulting, Quality Assurance, Team Leadership, and Personnel Development, which has culminated into successfully managing numerous projects in various roles including Senior Program Manager. His expertise has been developed mainly in corporate environments at global firms including Lockheed Martin, DTE Energy, and Ford Motor Company.

John has a solid reputation for his exceptional leadership skills, and his natural talent for effectively navigating through complex projects, plans, and people. His ability to bring diverse teams together into a focused forward momentum is what makes him unique. As a dedicated leader and manager in IT, Program and Project Management, he  has created measurable results and proven success by analyzing business requirements, relying on his extensive technical knowledge, and designing and implementing creative and strategic solutions that improve productivity, communication, information flow, customer satisfaction, and employee performance. Working on budgets up to $5M, he is also known for bringing in projects on target and under budget.

Currently, John is a Senior Program Manager in the Global IT Application Division at Ford Motor Company. He has a BS in Information Technology from the University of Michigan, and is an MBA Candidate in Management from Walsh College. In addition, he regularly engages in professional development education, and has participated in countless seminars and workshops in the areas of Leadership, Project Management, Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing, and IT Applications. He is an active member of the Michigan Council of Technology Professionals as a Mentor in their Mentoring Program and a regular Public Speaker and Meeting Presenter at various foundations and professional organizations including Young Leadership Council, Professional Leaders and Entrepreneurs, and the Project Management Institute. For more information, please visit…

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BIO EXAMPLE TWO:

BIO – Michele Wilke

With 25+ years in the professional coaching and training industry, Michele Wilke brings an extensive background to HR, team building, operations, international business, systems development / documentation, and leadership. She began her career on the West Coast getting trained in coaching and studying applied behavioral psychology at the Kairos Foundation in San Jose, California. The core of this in-depth, often challenging training remains in her work today. Michele also comes from a long line of business owners, and grew up working in her family’s printing and advertising business. There, she began to develop and collect valuable hands-on, soft and hard skill business tools.

In 1988, she relocated to Kyoto, Japan and spent eight years working as an adjunct professor in the Japanese university system focusing on HR and communication courses, and also as a cross-cultural management trainer and coach at a variety of companies including IBM Japan, Mitsubishi, and Omron. Opportunity brought her to Regensburg, Germany for almost nine years, into the heart of BMW, Siemens, Bavarian engineering, and the German autobahn. There she trained and coached executives, business owners, and culturally varied teams in the areas of HR restructuring, team building, diversity and cross-cultural communication, leadership, operations, and strategic planning. Once again, she taught as an adjunct professor specializing in international HR, international management, international marketing, east-west studies, personality profiling and cross-cultural training.

Michele returned to the US in 2004, and has continued to coach and train around the country in various industries including manufacturing, financial services, culinary-hospitality, and health care. Corporate clients include Google, Live Nation, Home Depot, Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, and AxleTech International – A General Dynamics Company, as well as small to medium sized businesses, sole-proprietors, and municipalities.

Finally, she regularly educates and inspires groups with her insightful public speaking engagements and workshops. Topics include: Team Building, Recruiting, Communication, Leadership, Conflict Solutions, Global Business Alignment, Project Management, and Change Management. She offers high-performance and high-accountability tools and solutions that support clients, participants, teams and companies to go from good… to achieving the extraordinary. Michele Wilke has the tenacity of an Olympic athlete and the patience of a saint. For more information, please visit: www.velocitycoachingservices.com.    

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There are a thousand ways to do this.

First step is to dive in and start promoting your talents or services.

Get to work writing (on your own if you can write – or get professional help).

Shamelessly, of course.

GROWING PAINS: Be careful what you ask for!

“Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?”  – John Keats

I am working with an intelligent, ambitious, and highly qualified client – a gifted and trail-blazing doctor who wants to transition from being an employee to being an independent contractor. His journey into self-employment has been slow, as his knee-jerk reaction to change is to take risks at a snails pace, struggling with making a final decision. He is a “mediator type”, which means he will err on the side of “wait and see”. That’s all fine and good, except when engaging in a 180 degree life-changing transition. Bottom line, he needs to say YES or NO to this process. At that point, a coach/expert like me can work with him with success. Before that point, indecision creates too much of a murky and ambiguous environment to guide him forward.

Does this sound familiar? It has certainly sounded familiar to me…

Whether we are making personal or professional decisions, most of us get stuck. Getting stuck can resemble questions without answers, like an endless tape in our minds that won’t shut off. Some common questions are:

• What do I want to be when I “grow up” and how can I make that happen?
• Would my life be better off if I shift from X to Y… or would it be worse long-term?
• What levels of risk are acceptable and/or unacceptable?
• What are potential rewards and/or consequences of this transition?
• What am I willing to do to create that which I wish to create?
• What resources do I have (time, money, sweat equity, support, talents, skills)?
• Do I have what it takes to live with the uncomfortable growing pains during the process?
• Should I stay or should I go?

Once these questions are answered, people have a better chance of taking action and making something extraordinary happen. When these questions stay in the loop of the mind, we are like rats running on perpetual wheels, investing energy but living on the road to nowhere. My primary job as a coach is to help create positive forward momentum for my clients. What that looks like is as unique as each situation demands. However, the commonality I continue to witness in regards to getting stuck makes me groan out loud. Life is ALREADY filled with a lot of gray areas, so the choices that we DO have need to be taken, either way. This is the sign of a mature life fully lived; otherwise we are like walking, talking metaphors for checking out and settling for mediocrity. Have we forgotten that we are here on Earth for a reason? What is our special purpose?

At the center of this ambiguous reluctance to jump into the abyss of the unknown… is FEAR. Yep, good old-fashioned fear. Rarely do clients admit this openly, but it is quickly apparent from where I’m sitting. I offer my mantra (inspired by Susan Jeffers): Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway. That seems to help at first. Then when the transition process steps up to a new level, I notice clients getting VERY stuck, and I’ll sense something even heavier than fear. So I ask: what is REALLY holding us back?

And this is what I have discovered in about 90% of the people and companies I work with: human beings are NOT exactly willing to feel uncomfortable in order to shift something and get what they want. Period. Instead, we continue to engage in the definition of insanity and go about our business with our status quo mentalities, while expecting a different outcome. We really can be morons sometimes no matter how good our intentions are (lol!). In “coach speak”, what REALLY gets us stuck is that us human beings just can’t be bothered to put in the effort and walk the talk, to be uncomfortable, to live gracefully through the process of change. It’s just too darn hard. We give up, and we remain loyal (and addicted) to “reality is how we do things around here” because we are not willing to live with the growing pains. Somewhere in our cultures, we were taught that life should be easier or that we can avoid growing pains. Sure we know this is not true intellectually, but in practice, we seem to react like children when it comes to life’s demands on our efforts. We cry, we complain, we rationalize, we blame, we avoid, we pound our fists in the air, and we give up way way way too easily.

Personally, I could easily picture life sitting on a beach, boogie boarding, reading, swimming, watching bands play music, and cooking the days away… And yet, I get it that life is hard and demands great effort, too. Therefore, when life gets tough (I mean really tough), I fully feel the pain AND I move forward in spite of my trepidation. I act as if. This is key to many success stories – fully acknowledging that growth is painful, fully feeling the fear, fully doing it anyway, and fully acting as if. Either way, we need to make a choice to stay or go, to hang out in the muck of limbo or move forward with a smile on our lips.

Living a “100% Life” is not for everyone, however. It is the Road Less Traveled, indeed. An “80% Life” is pretty darn good actually, but for some people it is not enough. Our vision includes the desire to offer (extraordinary) contributions to the earth. And to those inspiring souls, I dedicate this article. Thank you for your efforts. To the rest, if you want something to improve and you are no longer willing to be stuck, then please learn to say YES to a little (or a lot of!) discomfort. You will be amazed by how quickly your lives can positively change. The world needs your energy, large and small – it’s time to make a difference and shine, however that looks like for you, your families, your teams, your companies, your communities, your planet.

By the way, my “mediator” doctor client made the final decision to become self-employed, gave up a very lucrative offer for an employee position, and is on his way towards professional independence. I couldn’t be prouder. He has chosen his version of a 100% Life. Ready to join him?

Just saying…

For more info: www.VeloCityCoachingServices.com

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS: Awareness of Personality Types Can Save Your Sanity

“Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.” – Carl Jung

Of course, there are days when I’d like to be blissfully unaware, moving about the world in a superficial daze. But actually, if I had been Neo in the Matrix, I would have taken the pill to wake up in the real world, too. Paying attention to personality types can make the difference between having a conflict with someone or not, or taking something personally or not.

Like wine, this knowledge is the “great equalizer”. When we can embrace ALL of us, the positive AND the negative of ALL characteristics, then we can get ourselves out of the boxes that we have been creating for our narrow lives. And more important, we can relate to others with more grace and understanding. Pretty cool stuff considering how easy it is to learn about the basics of personality analysis.

When learning about any personality model, is it vitally important to remember that the classification of personality types only shows ideas about reality, not about reality itself. If these ideas fit for you, you can use them to have more power and choice in your expression of being authentically who you are. If they don’t fit for now, say pass and move on.

It’s all about paying attention and choice. We can choose which Personality Characteristics we wish to wake up… and which ones we should probably send off on a holiday for a while, to regain some balance. There are several useful Personality Models to learn from, and the Enneagram is one that is easy to recognize. It is considered the oldest model around, originating in the Sufi Indian community. Learning this tool can be used for expanding one’s self-expression, leading teams more effectively, handling conflict and “difficult” people with more fairness and composure, and helping us realize that we are all so alike.

Helen Palmer, one of the leading experts on the Enneagram, has written about these nine types in a way that allows people to immediately APPLY this knowledge, personally and professionally. Her book and website are at the Resources page at the VeloCity website (link on the right margin). The following information has been adapted from her work. Enjoy!

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ONE: The Perfectionist
Negative aspects: critical of self and others, convinced there is one correct way, feels ethically superior, has fear of making mistakes, uses should and must a lot.

Positive aspects: aware, moral mentors, keeps control in times of crisis, good organizers.

TWO: The Giver
Negative aspects: demands affection and approval, seeks to be loved by neglecting their own needs and always being available to others, manipulative, shows different sides of personality to meet other people’s expectations, seductive.

Positive aspects: genuinely caring, supportive, loving, and kind.

THREE: The Performer

Negative aspects: seeks to be loved for achievement, competitive, obsessed with image as a winner, focused on status and status symbols, and confuses real self with job identity.

Positive aspects: effective leaders, good at marketing and promoting, captains of winning teams.

FOUR: The Tragic Romantic

Negative aspects: attracted to the unavailable and impossible, not living in the present moment, sad, overly-sensitive, focused on their loneliness, absence of someone or something and loss.

Positive aspects: creative lifestyles, artistic, ability to help others when they are down, committed to beauty and the passions of life.

FIVE: The Observer

Negative aspects: keeps emotional distance from others, too private and doesn’t get involved in life or relationships, doing without is a defense against involvement and possible failure, feels drained by other people’s needs.

Positive aspects: can be objective decision makers, intellectual, dedicated monks or spiritual leaders.

SIX: The Devil’s Advocate

Negative aspects: fearful, too concerned with obligations, procrastinates, not a risk taker for fear of attack or judgment from others, identifies with the under dog causes and teams, against authority and people in authority positions.

Positive aspects: loyal to a cause, politically active (especially left), great team players, and loyal friends… are people you can call at 4am, no matter what.

SEVEN: The Epicurean

Negative aspects: childish, superficial, has difficulty with commitment, wants to stay emotionally high, starts things but doesn’t finish them.

Positive aspects: adventurous, loves life, generally happy, stimulating to be around, humorous.

EIGHT: The Boss

Negative aspects: overly-protective, loves a fight, has to be in control, expresses anger easily, excessive way of life (too much, too late at night, too loud), only respects people who will stand up and defend themselves, cannot show vulnerability and weakness.

Positive aspects: can be excellent leaders, are powerful supporters of others, good at making decisions, doesn’t give up, tenacious.

NINE: The Mediator

Negative aspects: sees too many points of view, neglects personal goals and replaces them with unimportant activities, tendency towards drugs, TV, alcohol and over-eating, spaces out and not sure if they want to be in a situation or not, wishy-washy, anger comes out in indirect ways.

Positive aspects: agreeable, excellent peacemakers, counselors and negotiators, are successful when on track and focused, strong intuition.

Ask yourself the following:

• What are your tendencies, negative and positive – at work, at home?

• What kind of affect do you think these tendencies have on your environment – negatively and positively?

• What can you do today to apply this knowledge so that your communication and connections to people improve?

SOLVING PROBLEMS & MAKING DECISIONS: Six Sigma, Zen & the Art of Paying it Forward

“If you tell the truth, then you don’t have to remember anything.”  – Mark Twain

We begin with a contradiction: in order to be High-Caliber Project Managers, Leaders, Parents, Citizens… we must keep an eye on all the details around us, while at the same time maintain a distance, have an overview, see the big picture, be a visionary. Both skills are vital so that an effective, workable solution to a conflict or problem can be reached. As well, there are two main approaches to solving problems and making decisions: one is free in which ideas flow easily, whereas the other is concrete, in which systems are in place and outcomes are guided.

We all have our own methods, and we are sure to bring those tried and true approaches and guiding beliefs into our environments. However, it is even more important to have the choice, and then take on the situation with the most appropriate technique for finding a solution and then reaching a wise decision, in that particular situation, for those specific people and problems to solve.

It’s all about energy. That’s right, energy. It flows in action, reciprocation and contribution. It is about internal abundance, and is based on the idea that our gut instincts know what is so. Simple. When we don’t listen to our intuition, we betray ourselves, and then “bad things happen.” When we listen to our gut, we honor ourselves and then life starts to rock! Whoo hoo! Sound familiar?

Personal and Professional Toolboxes need development in order to create more choices, when the time comes, for handling difficult decision-making situations. Once again, being able to actively contribute to and participate in various approaches, behaviors, communication styles, etc. gives us more choices. When we are in the position of having to handle another roadblock, we can go forth and put out the fire with grace, awareness and speed. Even engage in preventing issues in the first place! Wow what an effective and efficient concept!

TEN EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS & MAKE DECISIONS… here are suggestions on how to begin the sometimes impossible tasks of solving problems and making the right decisions. Using only one method will certainly not work, especially with today’s more diversified work environments!

• Brainstorming Wheels – free flow of ideas
• Timed Writing Practice and Outlining – stream of consciousness information
• Conflict Speed Circles – task oriented free flow of ideas
• Pro and Con Lists – advantages and disadvantages, ratio of good vs bad
• Decision Trees – flow chart of possible choices connected to possible outcomes
• Prioritize Options – from one to ten, focus on the most important to the least
• Worst / Best Case Scenarios – risk management, forecasting, dealing with fears, roadblocks and what would happen IF situations / handling focused best practices
• Information Collection, Surveys, Interviewing and Analysis – deals with consensus and mediation, fact-finding and initiative implementation
• Autocratic and Hierarchical Decisions –top down decision-making through an organization, strictly adhering to the status quo
• JC Penny, NASA and Six Sigma (DMAIC): Definition phase – who, what, where, when, why, how much, how long… / Measurement phase – x and y factors, process and results, charts and graphs / Analysis phase – statistical tools, prioritize factors, redefine importance, redefine risks / Improvement phase – quality, quantity, ratios, timing and follow-up feedback / Control & Correct phase – change and reduce variations and influences

OF COURSE… If we REALLY want to deeply solve personal, professional, local and global problems and make the right decisions to make stuff happen, then probably the MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD is to help someone else get that which YOU wish for. For example: If I want to have a smooth and affordable relocation to New Orleans, I would then offer a free event called Relocation Strategies: Should I Stay or Should I Go? with the intention of helping others find smooth transitions for themselves. We help others first, and then we allow it to happen to us.

I am not a Buddhist but I have spent many many many hours meditating and studying the concepts and ideologies. They like to count things out. Eight Fold Path, Four Truths. And they truly believe that if we give to others first, that which we would like to create for ourselves, then it seems to work out back to us. Karma. Reciprocation. Physics. God. Science. Magnetism. Fate. Chance. Whatever it is, it does seem to work. In short: SOLVING PROBLEMS & MAKING DECISIONS is then mostly achievable in the easiest way via doing for others first. Simple.

Then we are able to help the situation along. Think about it. We create great things for others, and then guess what happens? Great things happen to us… So, WHO can you help today with an issue that you yourself have? If you want to lose weight, for example, find someone to help who wants to be healthier, or wants to learn how to cook healthier munchies – and then teach them how to cook the best darn healthiest veggie burgers ever, and go do laps at the local pool together! What have you got to lose? Try it and see what happens. You might just be amazed at how your own problems and decision-making skills change for the better… and with so little effort, while connecting to others who need support.

At the very least, your world around you will be a little kinder.

For more information: www.velocitycoachingservices.com

BON VOYAGE DETROIT: The Bayou and Drums Called

 

“I think that the power is the principle. The principle of moving forward, as though you have the confidence to move forward, eventually gives you confidence when you look back and see what you’ve done.”  – Robert Downey, Jr

 

It is probably no secret… that I had pondered on more than one occasion my future existence in Detroit. And it was time to say so long and head south to the fine City of New Orleans, which also needs a lot of help. I am a foodie and music junkie, so I kind of feel like I am going to my version of Mecca. At least, I won’t have to shovel snow.

So far so good: I love music, I love food, I love events here… and the coast is not far away. My sister tells me that Biloxi has nice beaches, a 2-hour drive east on the Gulf. I also miss urban life, as I am not really a suburban type. And although I have enjoyed my time here in the city of my birth, now it’s time to move on.

The one thing I do dread about the south are the cockroaches.

They are huge. They are reddish and can fly.

No, really.

I left in mid-March, and arrived just in time for St Patty’s Day. In New Orleans… very cool.

And so, to the people in New Orleans, here is an overview of my company, just in case you Sales Professionals might be curious and want to work with me… ?!

• Infrastructure for events and workshops
• High-tech website and newsletter
• Event and registration functions on website
• Blog RSS feed on website
• Blog on WordPress connection
• Intellectual property (extensive info in academia and business)
• Marketing materials and signage
• High visibility, credibility, and expertise
• Very positive word-of-mouth reputation in community
• This business has consistently grown, and has forward momentum
• You want to make lots of people smile and achieve their full potential
• You love paying it forward and have been looking to really LAUNCH

If you are interested… let me know and we can work out the details. You can also work with 4 other companies, as we can strategic partnerships in Detroit, Vancouver, Canada, and Rhode Island/Connecticut. Lots of possibilities.

I will carry on … with Leadership, Business, Transitions, and Personal Coaching and Training, via the internet, phone, and Skype, as well as continue doing this work in New Orleans. AND, my heart called me to New Orleans, where there is still a lot to do. Opportunity in the culinary, event, and music world abounds, and it’s simply the right place for me to be in the next chapter of life. I am excited. I want to produce stuff AND engage in intellectual capital. I want it all!

I thank the dozens of Angels… I met who are walking on the earth in a city called Detroit. They are tough, and soft, and caring, and they pay it forward, again and again and again. I miss you all, those who touched my heart and we somehow got enrolled in the Mutual Admiration Societies. Thank you. I was deeply amazed by watching you get up everyday, and do it again. Detroit and Michigan need you desperately so please stay in leadership and continue moving this place forward, even when you are having a hard day!

I will still be active on LinkedIn and will Blog… Finally, I don’t know anyone in New Orleans, so if you have any WARM INTRODUCTIONS in New Orleans to offer, that would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you, thank you. I am feeling rather grateful these days. The drums and the bayou called me. There are people to learn from and teach, people to connect to, people to help with their struggles, music to jam to, beignets to devour.

Stay in touch…

FEARLESS LEADERSHIP: Action in Motion, Starting Right Now

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.”  – Susan Jeffers

What might your life look like if you were the King or Queen of the Universe… and you could create a world in which you have embraced fearlessness as an integral part of a mature life? What might your life look like if you profoundly accepted that being uncomfortable is a choice that extraordinarily effective leaders make everyday?

Thomas Paine said, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” Fearless leaders are clear and succinct. They create forward momentum, and pay attention to what is so around them. They are willing to be uncomfortable most of the time. They are “situational”: they lead, follow, AND get out of the way.

• Sometimes they pick their battles and fight to the end.
• At other times they walk away with a neutral disengagement.
• Sometimes they remain patient when they know they need to wait and see.
• And at other times they delegate and defer to those around them who have more skill and knowledge.

Their egos are checked out at the door, and their ability to contribute to their personal and professional lives is not an intellectual process. They create positive forward momentum at home, at work, in their communities, and on the planet by being Action Heroes and having an Accountability Partner as a sidekick. They are architects of action in motion.

They feel the fear, and they do it anyway. It is my ultimate wish that the Warrior-Magicians in us all step up to the plate and swing away. We fail, we get back up. We strike out, we hit a home run. We nail it, no matter the outcome. After all, we are FEARLESS LEADERS, committed to contributing to our tiny and enormous spheres of influence and creating action in motion, every day, starting right now.

Think about specific, measurable, achievable, and tangible possibilities… for creating fearless leadership in your personal and professional life. Again, this is NOT an intellectual process. It is a process which requires a pen, a piece of paper, or a computer and a keyboard. Get the picture? Ready to write? Go for it!

Ten Steps for Creating Fearless Leadership

1. What does fearless leadership look like in your current life?
2. What issues are in your sphere of influence? What issues are not?
3. What people, plans, places, or projects would your leadership have a positive affect on?
4. How would you act if you knew that everyone around you listened to your every word and honored your leadership talents?
5. What would you say if you knew this? Who would you talk to? What would you create?
6. What can you feel, think, say, and do to make fearless leadership happen, starting right now (starting today, this week, this month, this year)?
7. Are you willing to choose being somewhat uncomfortable to get what you want, in order to be the ARCHITECT OF YOUR LIFE? What does this look like?
8. Are you willing to choose clarity over ambiguity? Are you willing to take an action plan and make something extraordinary happen with it, no matter how big or how small? What does this look like?
9. Who can be your Accountability Partner(s)? Who can you support by being their Accountability Partner?
10. What people, plans, places, or projects can you contribute your fearless leadership to…on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis? What positive changes do you agree to lead?

For more information, please visit:  www.VeloCityCoachingServices.com

NEW “RULES”: Resumes and Letters of Introduction

“The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.”

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

First, get it out of your heads that there are RULES… You can show ten people your resume: some will hire you, others will throw it in the garbage, others will have no opinion at all. This is a fact. You don’t know who will look at your documents or whose they saw before yours. No matter what you have learned before, unlearn it. Ok? Ok!

Of course, there are common sense items that need to be applied: no mistakes, no grammar errors, spell check is NOT enough. Using adjectives like hard-working or team player makes Hiring Managers yawn. Use a Thesaurus and get specific: diligent, fortuitous, tenacious, patient. If you say you are a Leader, what kind are you? Level-headed, no-nonsense, consensus-building, forward-thinking? The English language has 500,000 words in it, more than any other language on the planet. Use it! It is a beautiful thing. Show your personality; write at least one thing that really stands out!

Here are TEN SUGGESTIONS about some trends that you also might want to pay attention to.

• The first third or half of the document needs to have the most relevant information. You are trying to get people to “peek over the wall”. They have seen page after page after page of information, they are tired, they know how expensive it is to hire someone who is not a good fit, and they are, frankly, shocked at poorly written, murkily expressed resumes.

• Up to five bullet points per job. If you can’t express what you did in five bullet points, you might come across as either verbose or not succinct. And, the human brain generally shuts off after five bullet points, so keep that in mind, too. Include at least one really juicy specific measurable result per job (SMR).

• Be consistent. Absolutely, positively, one hundred percent consistent. All points, periods, dashes, italics, spacing, etc need to be the SAME at every line of the document. Perfection in writing is possible. This is a science. No, really.

• Eleven point is small enough. For the main document, use the eleven point size. For additional documents, you can get away with 10 point, depending on the font.

• One page, two pages, three pages, four pages? More? I have a six page CV Package: Bio, Introduction Letter, Two-Page Resume, Extra Page, and References- Testimonials Page… I sometimes add a one sheet or the 60-Second Commercial for my company. Sometimes I send only the Bio and Extra Page.

• Have different resumes and intro letters already done. TWEAK away! You need to spend the time to post your info. It is NOT a waste of time.

• Do NOT make the person reading the document look for information. If it is not clearly formatted, no matter how awesome you are, it will not fly.

• Uncle Joe may be a good writer, but can he write a good resume or intro letter for you? This is word-crafting at its best… and perhaps the most challenging.

• Try not to get lost in the jargon. Of course KEY WORDS are, well, key. Also, knowing the “right” combination of conventional, unconventional and guerilla approaches is vital. Where is your personality and approach to life, work, or leadership within your documents?

• READ the job description carefully – there are GEMS of information between the lines.

Here are examples of what the first paragraph of a resume can look like. Y0u can also use this information in an intro letter. Again, there are no RULES, but this might help inspire good writing and expressing not only the facts of you, but also the personality of you!

Overview: A 25-year veteran of the business development arena, Jane’s career began in Sales and Service and grew into Leadership, Training and Analysis for local and global outreach and development projects. Her ability to bring diverse Teams together into focused, effective forward momentum is what makes her unique. Passionate about driving the business community forward, innovation and the art of connecting, she brings a patient tenacity and a knack for high-performance management, accountability and positive outcomes to her work.

PROFILE: Industrial Technology Specialist, Senior Manufacturing Engineer and Project Manager with over 17 years of professional local and global experience in process and quality improvement, advanced supplier development engineering, reliability testing, and equipment assessment, procurement and maintenance. With a keen sense of detail, takes initiative to produce specific measurable results, while effectively managing diverse teams and handling day-to-day operations with tenacity, a hands-on management style and the unique ability to stay on target, on time and within budgets.

OVERVIEW: Program Manager driven to exceed customer expectations and organizational goals through high-caliber leadership and well-executed planning. Committed to reduce costs, eliminate process inefficiency and add value through effective resource utilization and continuous improvement. Joe has the ability to ‘see the dirt in the corner’, every time.

Team Leader / Creative Problem Solver / Follow Through to Completion / Proactive / Detailed / Highly Organized / Tenacious / On Time, On Target, Within Budget

Summary: Leader, Business Developer, Non-Profit Coordinator, Engineer and Program Manager with a record of successful leadership and project deployment in multiple industries including automotive, aerospace, software IT and non-profit. Accomplished and experienced in facilitating diverse teams for local and global development projects. Primary competencies in strong team building and motivation through mentoring, clear communication, and ability to establish relationships and communicate upwards, sideways and downwards throughout the organization. Jane has a solid reputation for handling new and complex arenas; while keeping a keen eye on the details, her approach remains clear and forward-thinking.

Summary: A 27-year veteran in the Enterprise Architecture, IT, Technology, Leadership, Project   Management and Business Analysis arena as Chief Technology Officer, Director of Global Web Architecture and IT Planning, Senior / Executive Program Manager, and IT and Technology Expert, Strategist, Implementer, and Author. Has extensive local and global background and expertise in Risk Management, Change Management, and Financials, as well as Resources Strategies, Investment, and Cost Reductions. High-caliber negotiator, influencer, leader, and manager of complexities among people, projects, programs, and planning.

And here is mine: notice the pop of personality at the last sentence!

Profile: A 26-year veteran of the Global Relations, Leadership, Business, Career and Life Coaching and Training arena, Adjunct Professor, and Small Business Entrepreneur with extensive academic and business experience in Asia, Europe and North America. Michele brings a knack for operations, management, problem-solutions, efficiency, leadership, communication, behavior change and a forward-momentum attitude to any personal and professional endeavor. And, she is an extraordinarily effective Entrepreneur, Coach, Trainer, Leader, Manager, Developer, and Public Speaker. She has the tenacity of an Olympic athlete, and the patience of a saint.

For more information: www.VeloCityCoachingServices.com

The “New Shingle Industry”: A Coach Comes Clean and Eats Her Own Words

“Some writing and production projects will be

a great way to spend my elderly rock years.”

Geddy Lee – from the rock group Rush

What do shoe factories, subway sandwiches, drum set manufacturers and organic tomato farmers have in common? They make stuff. They actually produce things, get them to places where people need them and then they are sold. Hopefully for enough profit to keep their business doors open.

Lately, I have noticed that the service sector in consulting, training and especially coaching has exploded. I call this The New Shingle Industry. You know, the people who are out of work, who are smart as a whip, enterprising, hard working and want to make a living at what they love by hanging out a shingle saying: Open For Business. The Career Coach in me wants to say go for it, live your dream, create some jobs… wahooo! However, the world now seems to be getting saturated with new shingle businesses and in my field, it seems to be so over saturated that I am seriously considering a new direction.

Just the other day, someone actually said to me: oh come on, not another coach. After I grinned and then gave my 12 second commercial – “I have been in the professional coaching and training business for 26 years, worked with over 10,000 people on three continents in the areas of business, career and life skills… yep, I am the real deal”, the listener said… oh, sorry about that, but you must know that we are getting bombarded with information overload. With so many experts out there, how can I know which ones to trust? And for those of you who know me, you know that my answer was: “trust your gut!”

Up until now, I have never had to say: I am the real deal… because this was not questioned. People heard me speak or offer up my soft-sales pitch and either it resonated for them or it didn’t; I got a new client or I didn’t. Pretty simple. Now, with life coaches and business trainers and process improvement consultants lining up outside each and every doorway, waiting to add expertise and lean ideas to everything that moves, well … seems like people are close to saying enough is enough. Don’t get me wrong, I am a BIG fan of all this stuff, but I think I am experiencing Quantity Overload myself!

In Germany, the number of “student spots” are controlled and reserved for each area of study. They learned the hard way decades ago that by not controlling what people study, the market can either get too saturated or too deserted. For example, there were too many biologists in Germany at one point, which created a glut of unemployed and very smart biologists. This seems to be true in the US, for example, regarding attorneys. With too many law schools offering law degrees, many lawyers are now out of work. Too many attorneys, coaches, service professionals. Not enough product-makers.

As I coach and train clients, help create breakthroughs for their lives and continue to have a rather profound impact on the people I work with, of course I feel a sense of belonging and peace of mind. Yep, after 26 years in the business, ok…  this is what I am supposed to be doing on this earth… and yet.

I am not PRODUCING anything. Sure, I am contributing to other people producing things, and helping them do it bigger, better, faster or stronger… Or more accurately, with more grace, honesty, integrity, intelligence and forward momentum. I am helping individuals find their truth. I support the difficult processes of couples communicating and businesses growing and ideas finding a place to land. But as much as this feels good, it can sometimes feel, well, non-PRODUCTIVE. When I worked in the culinary world, or in the event industry or even in rock and roll (back in the day), at least food, events and music were involved. The intellectual capital of the work was very challenging (logistics, customer service, production schedules, HR, artist hospitality, etc) but what I actually produced seemed even more awesome: a concert, a high-end meal, a kick-butt event for something worthwhile.

Even writing feels more like I am producing something; as intellectual and creative as this process is, I still have SOMETHING to show for the process. A piece of paper, a blog posting, a polished resume, an article, a business plan. Ok, perhaps all this kvetching out loud is just a momentary thought inspired by a long hard decade, a recent cold I caught or the noticeable onslaught of too many New Shingle Service Businesses all around us. But perhaps I am wondering if producing something besides intellectual capital is a new road worth considering. Seeing the decline of manufacturing here in Detroit, it makes me stop and ponder the possibilities.

I often end an essay or presentation with food for thought. This time, I seem to be eating my own words.

For more information, please visit: www.VeloCityCoachingServices.com

The Art of Authentic Public Speaking: Seven Points to Consider for Reaching the Zone

“Say not always what you know, but always know what you say.” – Claudius

We all have a mind, an imagination and words which are produced from combining language, syntax and grammar. This is mechanics. We put stories down on paper, offer metaphors for hitting a point home and in the process, we hope to get a moment of a totally silent audience. This is finesse. Embracing the art of authentic public speaking is a magical mixture of both.

Before I dive into this most fascinating topic, I wish to offer a disclaimer: my approach is unconventional. It will not work for those who enjoy their successful comfort zones – and more power to them. I am a fan of many things “guerrilla”, doing things differently and realize that often, I am speaking to an already rather SAVVY audience. I am always refining the message and offering new twists on conventional wisdom. I keep it fresh not only for the participants, but also to remain engaged myself. Otherwise, I would get bored with my own words. I call this Going Off Script.

And inner ennui will always show. This shows a lack of authenticity in its worst form.

VeloCity Coaching Services is the kind of company which pays attention to trends while creating new ones. I am the kind of entrepeneur who listens to my gut when it says: low tech, high impact, interactive and insightful presentations are filling seats, and eventually creating revenue for the bank account. This is not my bottom line – however, it is worth saying. Many business owners like me who happen to have a talent for public displays of insight, use this medium as free marketing. Yes, I love to speak and act and perform and make a difference. Pay it forward. All that. Also, the exposure created by getting the company brand out into the open air is invaluable. This creates positive forward momentum. For the readers who are in sales, you know how vital positive forward momentum truly is. Without it, we not only stop – we tend to go backwards.

Onwards. These points to consider are worth a few moments of your time and energy. Because as one LinkedIn user recently wrote, it’s all about energy: “The tone of somebody’s voice alone is enough to engage or not engage an audience.  If the energy is there, then you can get away with all sorts of other faults. If not, then no amount of content, relevance or story-telling can save you.” Ahhh, more unconventional wisdom. Does this resonate for you? It does for me, and helps calm my natural stage fright and creepy inner voice that says: no matter how awesome you are, they might not like you.

As public speakers, our backgrounds are diverse. Some of us started in theater arts, others in sales and Dale Carnegie methods, yet others in training or teaching. One thread, which I sense is of utmost importance, is: energy fueled by a commitment towards authenticity is key. This is as close to sharing a “secret” as I will ever come. The other “Secret” advertised on Oprah is actually old wisdom and is also worth adding here. It’s the idea that our thoughts, feelings, words and actions need to be in alignment. This is authenticity, too. Simple to understand. Complex to put into action.

Seven Points to Consider for Authentic Public Speaking

Here are some of my favorite myths and methods. Hopefully, this will resonate for you, your team, your company, so that you can use some of this information to make your next public speaking engagements extraordinary. Enjoy!

1) It’s All About Them… Another LinkedIn user wrote: “The best speakers I have ever heard seemed like they were telling the story for the first time, as if they were telling it just to me.” Our natural human egos and filters create separate satellites of meaning. Audience members are at the end of a speakers beam of light, as if sharing an inside joke with a stranger. Never underestimate the power of the human ego and identity. I accept this reality, and it shows in how I will first take a moment and read the room before I begin. This changes my entire approach sometimes and sometimes a part of the content as well.  Too many public speakers stick to their own scripts and forget to pay attention.

2) The Signs Are There… Pay attention. No matter what, pay attention. A group of high-caliber professionals in transition, dressed for success, polished, on time and ready to network their network were recently offered a free presentation by a local “career expert”. She was a recruiter for 20+ years and 4 years ago, jumped on the career coaching train. She had a polished power point presentation ready, a book at the back of the room to purchase and an impressive testimonial via the event organizer. One hundred sixty four people created a high decibel of noise before the presentation, and it took the organizers a good nine minutes to get everyone seated and ready to listen. And what did this expert do? She launched into a very remedial presentation with the first slide saying: Dress for Success. Sigh. She forgot to pay attention. She lost the audience (you could almost hear the light swish of eyes rolling). A notch on her credibility belt went down, and her book sales were less than impressive. Pay attention.

3) Stories… We all love stories, and we love to use them in the anecdotal part of our content. Pedagogical theory says that we will remember information when it can be applied to the present moment. What people will remember are not the stories, but the images and metaphors that connect to their present lives and experiences. This bleeds into the pay attention advice. And so, tell your stories, but keep in mind that your images will be valuable to the audience only when they can be applied to their own experiences. I recently saw the 2010 President of the National Speakers Association, Phillip Van Hooser, present here in Detroit. He nailed it. His story telling was not only vivid and unique, but he constantly connected his content to how we can apply it to our own personal and professional lives, starting right now. He has a strong training background and it showed. His approach is unconvenional – a wonderful sight to see.

Side note: watching others speak is valuable because it shows you vital statistics: what  works, what doesn’t, what resonates for the audience by how they respond to a certain point, approach, tempo. I recently spoke to a group of Business Analysts and Project Managers who tend to be analytical introverts. I changed my approach the first 12  minutes to get the “buy in”. Then, I continued at a SLOWER pace than usual. It worked.

4) Free Marketing Has a High ROI… I moved from San Francisco to Detroit during an ice storm in January 2009 to be near an elderly parent – and therefore I often refer to my company as a “geographical start up”. Recently, I was asked by a group of start up business owners how I have created such high visibility in a rather short period of time. Along with sweat equity and having been in business for 26 years across the globe, I simply said: Free Stuff. If you are invisible or emerging and not yet able to “set your price”, leave your own ego at the door and give it away for free. I have 11 public engagements in the next 6 weeks, one of which is paid. And I BLESS my lucky stars!

5) Bragging Rights… More about sales and positive forward momentum. Last month, I gave a four-hour workshop on Leadership for Women. I arranged a deal with the American Cancer Society to get the space for a small donation in exchange for them offering a 10-minute commercial to the attendees. By the way, I am a big fan of equitable service exchanges. Apparently, one of the staff members heard a section of the workshop while getting coffee in an adjacent room, and was impressed by what she heard. After the workshop, they asked about VeloCity’s services and approach, and after some negotiations, we are now strategic partners for 2010 – free space in exchange for professional leadership and customer service coaching and training. Not only do I get to offer workshops and events in a beautiful facility in an excellent location in Detroit… not only does the American Cancer Society get high-performance professional coaching and training… but the bragging rights to be able to say that the Great Lakes Region American Cancer Society is a client, are priceless. Talk about positive forward momentum. And… I get warm fuzzies by contributing to a worthy cause.

6) Writing Up a Storm… One very wise man once said: if you are working in the public eye and not writing up a storm, then you are missing opportunities staring at you in the face. Even if you are not a good writer, write. Or hire someone to do it for you. Writing and public expression go hand in hand. It hones your craft by getting your thoughts to flow in a creative and unique way. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg is the best book I have found to “free the writer within”. Write it, blog it, article it, pod cast it, link it in, face book it, twitter it and say it out loud. It all starts with the written word.

7) The Art of Authentic Public Speaking… Carl Jung analyzed common threads of behavior, and came up with Six Human Needs: security / variety / significance / love and connection / personal (and professional) growth / contribution. They are all-important and shape our world. As we grow and change, our human needs and priorities shift as well. I find it interesting that Contribution is at the pinnacle of the human experience. And not the conventional kind that says: it is blessed to give. I am talking about the Law of Reciprocation here. The giving AND getting that happens without effort. This is my version of contribution, since we seem to forget that contribution includes US, as well!

Getting up in front of perfect strangers, with all those internal egos and voices clouding up our minds… it is hard enough to be good. What does it take to be extraordinary? When our message hits home and becomes significant for the audience, they are silent. The resonance in the room is like a distant yet clear bell bouncing off their imaginations, and you can almost see their synaptic connectors having internal dialogues. This is the ZONE. The authentic moment in time when we have nailed it, no matter the outcome. This is peace of mind and freedom of expression unlike anything our forefathers and mothers ever dreamed possible. And at the core of this Zone are contribution, energy and authenticity. To take the risk to pay attention and leave our own filters at the door, even for a brief moment, is art. In its purest form, it is creative art at its best.

But a word of warning: this is “guerrilla” public speaking – without laptops, electricity or white boards. This is raw and simple and the most effective approach for my own, authentic public speaking contributions. It also happens to be the most difficult style to pull off.

But when it works, it is magic.

For more information: www.VeloCityCoachingServices.com

This is an article written for Kelle Sparta of Sparta Success Systems, and the basis of a podcast featuring Michele Wilke on the subject of Public Speaking. The podcast will be published sometime in March – so stay tuned. A Boston-based entrepreneur, Kelle found us on LinkedIn after we answered a question about advice for rookie public speakers. For more information: www.WorkshopLeadersResource.com