Lesson in Leadership: Is Business Today a Blood Sport?

Ruthless.

If you watched nothing but “Billions” and “House of Lies” on cable, you would believe the business world can only be described that way.

Win the day at any cost just makes up the DNA of these colorful casts. Do what it takes to knock the other guy out. Leave nothing for them. Conquer and divide.

But I’m here to tell you that in the real world, I see a different picture.

Let me explain…

Last weekend my business partner and I attended the Oregon Small Business Fair at Warner Pacific College as one of over 50 exhibitors. We met all kinds of entrepreneurs, from web design firms to nutritionists, Six Sigma consultants to machine works engineers, and just about everything in between.

Not only did we find these small business folks friendly to us, but we witnessed them being respectful to each other. Even when a pair working the same niche would cross paths.

In our soon-to-be-released book about the rise of Benefit Corporations, we discuss the Triple ‘P’ Bottom Line. Where business is no longer just about profit, but also focused on people and planet.

At least that’s the way enlightened leaders of such companies as Nossa Familia Coffee in Portland, Soapbox in Virginia and New Seasons Market in Oregon see it.

Doing good with people means respecting all stakeholders in a business. From employees to customers, vendors to, drum roll please, competitors.

No longer do these small progressive companies see their niche peers as “the hated enemy.”

This is all a far cry from my early days in the ad agency business when the battle cry for new accounts went along the lines of “get tough or die.” When all that mattered was winning the piece of business, period. If the ‘enemy’s blood’ needed to be spilled, so be it.

And so it went.

Today, I see a different way business is approached. Sure, it’s still competitive. Sure, we want to win that account. But I will say that at least as small business goes, we wholeheartedly respect the peers in our niche. We applaud their efforts when they earn a win and we didn’t.

And from what I witnessed on Saturday, I’m convinced we are not the only ones who view business that way. Who says competitors can’t respect and even admire each other for brilliant efforts and outstanding work?

So to all who cast a wary eye on the business world, we humbly suggest there is room for a lot of optimism. Because as B Corps, Benefit Corporations and Benefit Companies become more common, a new standard is being set for companies in the 21st century.

And it’s a standard I saw up close and personal on a small college campus last Saturday.

~hcollaborative.com~

Lesson in Leadership: Is Honesty the Best Policy?

Nike just announced it will eliminate 745 jobs at its Oregon headquarters.

And it got me thinking about honesty in business. (No, I have no issue with my favorite shoemaker.) More specifically, honesty in leadership.

For years, I spent time in the ad agency world. Layoffs were part and parcel of that business. Lose an account and lose some employees. Lose another account and lose more employees. And so it went with the bad times of every economic cycle.

Now if you were an employee in one of those agencies, you were always thinking one thing during these times:

Am I next?

Which brings me back to this honesty thing. You see, during those two decades (read: several boom and bust cycles), I never heard directly from the president or creative director of any agency where I worked that "layoffs were coming."

Everything was left up in the air.

As a result, cruel and unnecessary angst permeated the work environment sometimes for hours, sometimes for days. That is, until that ax finally fell.

My thinking was and is now that all that negative fog could have been avoided simply by being honest. Simply by being direct.

In other words, the leader of the agency could have immediately gathered all staff, looked everyone in the eye and said, "we've lost a big chunk of business and we will need to lay some people off."

Think about how much stress and anxiety that would have eliminated. Think about the positive feeling an employee might have had toward the leaders of that agency for "telling it like it is."

No doubt, there will be a grieving process for employees whether it involves a layoff or a restructure. Feelings of denial, anger, depression and acceptance are certain to surface. And from my own personal experience and observation, it takes awhile to get through that. So give employees the time it takes to go through these very human experience. If anything, now is the time to overcommunicate.

Just one caution.  By telling folks up front, they will naturally be stressed and productivity may go down. Great leaders understand and allow this by sharing their employees’ pain and helping them position themselves for their next chapter. 

Many of you know that my business partner and I are getting our new book about the benefit corporation movement ready for publication. In it, we interview 11 enlightened leaders who live by the 3 P's of People, Planet and Profit.

They know about and practice transparency and honesty every day. It's the commitment they've made to their employees, customers and vendors.

And here’s the thing: their stakeholders always know where they are coming from in good times and bad.

Can you imagine how much trust they garner by simply being honest? By speaking the truth in a fake news world? By having respect and compassion for another soul who travels on the same planet you do?

As Frank Sonnenberg says on his most excellent leadership blog, "Honesty means that you respect others enough to tell them the truth and that you value your opinion of yourself enough to never live a lie."

Never live a lie. How refreshing is that.

So here’s to the rise of the benefit corporation. And to the honest communication it fosters.

Without a doubt, it is the best policy.

~hcollaborative.com~

Lesson of Life: Finding Your Way with a Boomerang

Have you ever found yourself wondering how you got to where you are? Where you really took a deep dive and started turning over rocks and getting introspective?

Here's my story...

Some really good things have been going on in my personal and professional lives. And I finally took the time to try and find out why that was the case.

During the past 5 years, I've felt in constant battle mode with my mind. Initially, the battle was all about the "bad" things that have happened to me.

Dumb decisions I made.

Idiotic projects I chose to work on.

Dysfunctional relationships I entered into.

But then...

... things started "going my way."

My work got better.

My relationships improved.

I started working on a deep, meaningful project changing me and possibly my mark on the world. (Hint: The 3 P's)

Was it just dumb luck or something else? I really wanted to know.

So I went through a process of asking important questions to myself. Then I would let things "marinade" for a bit. I continued this for a couple of weeks. And then I came across this quote:

"Life is a boomerang. What you give, you get."

- Author Unknown

I paused.

It got me thinking about how I've pooh-poohed this concept a good majority of my life. After all, the universe could not be that predictable could it? Too many life mysteries abound and it couldn't be the case where something that seems so black and white could possibly be true?

I know awhile back I made a concerted effort to shift my mindset where gratitude and kindness became operating principles almost out of default. Because the plain and simple reason was that being angry and judgmental did not serve me well.

But outside of that, I was stumped.

So I started dissecting the last few years of my life.    

I realized how much I have been putting myself out there to help others. Things like feeding the houseless, helping friends, doing public service work, lending my ear, being a mentor, pushing myself to be a better human being.

To my family.

To my friends.

To my community.

Which I'd unconsiously been doing since that change in mindset.

And then it hit me...

...just like a boomerang in the back of my head.

This getting what you're giving thing has a whole lot of credence to it. In fact, I am living proof.

Which is why I suggest you do that if you find yourself lost on your life's journey. 

Try giving a bit more of yourself by putting your heart and soul into things. Don't do it expecting anything in return. Just be grateful for the experience. For the opportunity to be helpful. To be kind.

My bet is you'll end up not only feeling things are turning your way but you've actually found yourself. And using a GPS has nothing to do with it.

A boomerang works just fine.

To get our book "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

Take the Leap

"There are many talented people who haven't fulfilled their dreams because they over thought it, or they were too cautious, and were unwilling to make the leap of faith." 
- James Cameron

Ah…we do love our comfort zone!  After all, it brings a sense of security, knowing what to expect. But it may lull us into maintaining the status quo when a change is “just what the doctor ordered." Stepping into the unknown, whether it is changing jobs or employers, taking a class you know nothing about,  trying a new sport, reaching out to new friends, or making a move, takes courage. But it is through embracing change and stepping outside our comfort zone where we grow and develop.

However, we often prefer to over-analyze, reviewing the pluses and minuses debating with ourselves around making any change. The real test is whether we are willing to “take that leap of faith” and TRUST!  There may be challenges. It may be scary.  Yet, change can be exciting as we see our next chapter, our next adventure. Listen to your intuition. It will give you that nudge and then “go for it!”

"Be willing to step outside your comfort zone once in a while; take the risks in life that seem worth taking. The ride might not be as predictable if you'd just planted your feet and stayed put, but it will be a heck of a lot more interesting." 
- Edward Whitacre, Jr.

Why Be Kind in a Cruel World

If you've lived in the business world for any period of time, you have seen it.

Rudeness.

Bitterness.

Downright meanness.

In fact in the ad agency world I once lived in, it was thought of as being part and parcel of the job. Whether the venom came from clients, superiors or peers, I used to hear the old phrase "you need thicker skin, son. Now let me buy you a drink."

Well in case you haven't heard, there's a new world out there in this age of technology. Cruelty in any form has been shown the door.

And it's not just the old self-help gurus touting a kinder, gentler way for the work world.

In the recently published book "Simply Brilliant" by William C. Taylor, the author devotes half his book to detailing the merits of kindness and great organizations. Here's what he writes:

"It's just as important to be kind as to be clever. Organizations that perform at a high level for a long time don't just think differently from everyone else, they care more than everyone else. In an era of big ideas and disruptive technology, simple acts of connection and compassion take on outsized importance."

His proof points come in the form of several organizations including a nonprofit healthcare foundation in Alaska known as Southcentral Foundation. There's an anecdotal story about Panera Bread! Another one about Russian airline Aeroflot. And even a bit of narrative about Jeff Bezos of Amazon who recently addressed Princeton's graduating class ending up his sermon with the simple call to those graduates asking, "Will you be clever at the expense of others, or will you be kind?"

Besides reading the book, here are 4 other ideas to bring kindness into your organization:

1.       Lead by Example: Lead with your heart. You will inspire those around you. Nothing builds co-worker and customer loyalty quicker than a person who reflects kindness and compassion in all they do.

2.       Be Authentic: Make sure you stay true to yourself. Let your co-workers see that even leaders have ebbs and flow of emotions in their day-to-day activities. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness.

3.       Know Your Team: Take the time to learn about your co-workers and what they care about. Greet them personally and tell them how much you value their collaboration in your organization.

4.       Practice Conscientious Communication: Encourage co-workers to speak openly. Teach them how to communicate with empathy yet still deliver their message. And lead by example demonstrating the powerful skill of listening.

Let's not forget that we are all human. As Taylor reminds us, "In a world being reshaped by technology, what so many of us crave are small gestures of kindness that remind us of what it means to be human."

To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

2 Words about Creating Killer Content

Get emotional.

Or throw your content out the window.

You can’t move people to action if they have not bought in emotionally.

The corporate world knows this (think Nike, Apple and John Hancock). And so do forward-thinking nonprofits (think “One”, Charity: Water and Make-A-Wish campaigns).

“People ‘buy in’ with emotion.

They justify their decision to buy with logic.”

Let’s face it. We humans are emotional creatures. We feel fear, anger, sadness and joy. And that emotion is the most critical part of connecting with any person let alone your base.

The plain and simple fact is that if you don’t connect emotionally, you don’t connect at all. Your efforts are completely wasted.

No matter how brilliant your strategy is.

No matter how clever your headline is.

No matter how attention-getting your design is.

All of which means emotion needs to be the heartbeat of every piece of communication your organization produces — from emails to web content, flyers to videos.

The first step in building that deep connection with your audience is to put yourself in their shoes. Get a deep understanding of them. Survey them. Talk with them. Eavesdrop on their online conversations. What are their concerns? What gets their blood boiling? How do they define joy?

When you understand their heart, you become a better communicator.

Every piece of content needs to start with that empathy. It needs to be part of the title or headline of your posts or mailers. And it needs to be in your opening sentence and paragraph.

Every. Single. Time.

Without that emotion, you’ll not engage. And they will hit the ‘delete’ button or move to another site in a blink of an eye. Remember: the average consumer is exposed to 362 ad exposures and over 5,000 brand exposures daily, according to respected research giant Yankelovich in a 2014 study.

Needless to say, it’s crowded in the content cosmos. You greatly enhance the odds of your organization's message resonating with your audience by getting emotional with them.

To get our book, “25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization” FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

Lesson from the Cactus: How to Become More Resilient

Growing up in the Northwest, it’s easy to love the outdoors. Hiking, snowshoeing, camping…drop me off in the ‘woods’ and the trees, the green of the forest gifts me with calm. It’s my favorite “zen” place where I can shut off my busy mind.

Then I visited the deserts of Baja.

The stark and quiet beauty created an awe that defined “mindfulness.” A potent experience of stillness and balance between the mountains and sea. 

And the regal cactus reigns over all.  With lessons about survival and resilience.

There are many legends and stories about the cactus plant–often revered within the desert ecosystem. It is a tree that survives with little water in a dry and hot environment, providing sustenance and shelter to many desert animals and insects.  

Like many of Nature's wonders, which teach us about balance and inter-connected-ness, cacti have adapted and thrived over time. Here are a few fun facts from Science and Kids:

• Cactus thorns are highly modified plant leaves. The sharp spines and the thick tough skin of the stem protect the cactus from animals who would otherwise have easy access to the liquid inside.

• The cactus collects water using a large root system. Small thin roots grow near the surface of the soil and collect rainwater as quickly as possible during the few times it rains. A taproot, which grows much deeper, reaches underground water supplies when the top soil is dry.

• Cacti can gather and hold water in their stems. The water is not pure, clear water but viscous. The fluid is drinkable however, and has saved people’s lives in the desert.

The bottom line: the Cactus is Resilient!

“The ability to recover from or adjust easily to change, misfortune, adversity  or stress.” Merriam/Webster .

Here are a few tips to help us become more resilient as Conscientious Leaders:

-          Don’t take things so personally. It’s not always about “me.” That is the ego.

-          Develop a “thicker skin” like the cactus. Throw off negative challenges with positive energy and action.

-          When challenged by major change, think of the long term bigger picture, not just the short-term impact.

-          Find ways to make lemonade out of lemons.

-          Use your energy to be proactive vs spending time being defensive, trying to maintain the status quo.

-          Find an internal space of strength – that you can tap into with confidence and remember that feeling when confronted – a “bank” of positive feelings and successes that you can draw from when faced with negativity.

-          Create an ecosystem of support among your peers and colleagues that creates a buffer against adversity.

-          Counter stress by giving and kindness—an antidote to anxiety- that ultimately makes you stronger.

-          Take accountability and ownership for the situation and mistakes, and then move on with action.

Little things to remember, to build resilience and opportunities to thrive.

Just like my friend, the cactus.

 To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

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3 Ways To Measure Your Organization's Soul

As the world moves at warp speed and things change in mere seconds, how do you plan for success?

How do you really know if your organization will survive in the 21st century?

Are there clues?

Metrics?

Trends?

Well as any enlightened leader or marketer will tell you, you start by going to the source. Meaning, of course, looking at your customers and prospects.

Because if you understand their values and motivation, you have your road map.

In our leadership and marketing workshops, clients hear our sermon about how things are clearly changing in the marketplace.  Consumers want and expect more from organizations other than just an excellent product or service.

The good news is that many businesses not only have recognized this but have made critical decisions to keep their organizations alive and well for decades to come.

You see, they've become what is called a  Benefit Company, a new and growing business structure allowed now in more than two-thirds of states. They focus their mission on what consumers are not only seeking but demanding to see in a business today.

It's called the "3 P's."

People: The First "P"

Companies with souls have always invested in their people, but today the faces within our workforce look very different and think and act different. They no longer reflect the “traditional” American values of “mom, God and apple pie." These companies believe in a much more inclusive workplace, allowing for more freedom and choice and busting stereotypes.  This is something to celebrate as it means we are developing a more creative society.  Yet, this means investing in people with a whole new understanding, sensitivity and empathy --- different cultures, different generations, different lifestyles and abilities.

Planet: The Second "P"

Another way to measure a company's soul is its impact on the planet. Future generations depend on the ability of businesses to practice sustainability and put into place policies that save our natural resources.  The planet must not be sacrificed solely for profit. Conscientious organizations incorporate this philosophy into their mission, vision and operating principles. And then practice them diligently.

Profit:  The Third "P"

Finally, profit is the last way to measure your organization's soul as we believe that if you follow the first two P’s, profit will be a natural result.

So does your company have a soul? If so, congratulations. If not, do not despair. Our new book coming out in the summer of 2017 goes deeper into the how's of making your company anything but endangered in the 21st century.

 To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

Stay the Course and Persevere

As long as you think you're green, you'll grow.
 As soon as you think you're ripe, you'll rot. 
- Scott Horton

If you are anything like me, I often worry about whether I am doing enough. Was I sensitive, respectful? Did I listen and check my biases, my privilege? Did I demonstrate kindness and humility?  And often when I feel I am lacking, I promise myself I’ll do better, but I berate myself anyway -- feeling like Sisyphus pushing my ignorance up the mountain. Seeking knowledge and insight, only to fall back.

I will make mistakes, say the wrong things, perhaps alienating colleagues, friends and family…but I commit to listen and to LEARN. It’s important to persevere, committed to the journey and not the destination.  In fact, if I think I am there, at the end of the trail, I am probably operating from Ego.

So, during this busy holiday season, I’m going to try to be a little kinder to self, without seeking perfection…admitting my mistakes, as showing vulnerability is honesty, acknowledging imperfections and flaws is humility.  I think I’m still very green, but I’m growing.

The Curse of Immobilization: How Leaders Break Free

No leader worth her salt likes it.

It renders one feeling frustrated, angry and completely stuck.

As in first gear. As in glued to the ground. As in no movement forward.

I'm talking about being "immobilized."

The problem is that it occurs with a great deal of regularity in all organizations, no matter how good the service, how creative the strategy, how powerful the team.

Funding declines. Employees leave. Negative PR spreads.

Whatever the case, feeling stuck and helpless is in my honest opinion the worst feeling of all. After all, I'm a doer not a dreamer.

And for me there is only one tried-and-true way to get out of that quicksand.

Take action.

Sounds so simple doesn't it?

But it's anything but easy as Amazon attests to. Currently, you will find 2,313 books with "take action" in their title or sub-title. That is a lot of writing about moving past stuck-ness. A lot of advice about battling lack of movement.

I realize though that wasting time feeling that way does not do me or my work any good.

Even as that empty Word page and blinking cursor stare back at me.

Which brings me to some simple advice a kindred spirit offered some time ago:

"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible

and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

- St. Francis of Assisi

So that's what I do.

In my own case, I force myself to write anything even if it stinks. I make the necessary phone call. I meet with the client as soon as possible.

As soon as I do it, I feel an immediate sense of relief, as I ask myself "why did I wait so long?"

I get a surge in confidence.

I become more of value to both my team and my clients.

And I continue to move in the direction every Conscientious Leader loves.

Onward.

 To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

How to Be Empathetic: Walk a Mile in My Shoes

 

"Try seeing life through my eyes...try walking a mile in my shoes... Unless you’ve done that, you have NO idea." 
 - Anonymous

Listening to Others with Empathy
I often find myself, all wound up in my own thoughts – MY feelings,  MY opinions, MY beliefs.  Although I try to be giving, to share, to love others with respect, as a talker, I hear myself speaking loudly, trying to influence others, pushing my perspective.  And sometimes it works.  And I pat myself on the back. But the question is -  did I really connect?

I’m beginning to realize that it is through fewer words, listening with an open heart that we truly hear the other person and connect…on an emotional level.  This is where understanding can begin…as we feel and experience what it is like to walk in another’s shoes. This is where empathy begins.  Time to zip the lips and open our eyes and ears. 

"To see the world with new eyes - open eyes - loving eyes.
To choose compassion and understanding …
for our community, for the whole world."
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
 

How To Obliterate Fear: My Personal Mantra

It's a nasty four-letter word I detest.

But one I've learned not only to confront but actually move past. Although getting here was anything but easy.

While I always considered myself a confident person, I found myself freezing up in epic fashion at various stages in my life. Big presentations...personal relationship challenges...parenting challenges all come to mind.

So it's been both the personal and professional sides of my life.

And then one day, I came across this quote from the Dalai Lama:

"The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be."

A light bulb went on.

And I asked myself these questions: Do I not love this client organization and all it stands for?

Do I not love my partner in life?

Do I not love my children?

Suddenly this fear thing all made sense to me.

And that the only way to deal with it was to bring my heart into the equation.

Which I now do on a regular basis. (In fact, for a presentation I'm giving to about 50 people in 7 hours.)

So next time you find yourself paralyzed by fear, or rattled by anxiety, look at what you're facing and see if you can't be motivated a bit by love.

Love of the situation.

Love of the individual.

Love of life.

Because as His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, you will discover the more fearless and free your action will be.

And that fear thing will just go "poof" and be gone with the wind.

To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.

Dangers of Isolation: Lesson from a Habitat Build Day

If you've ever doubted the idea of one being a lonely number, you most likely have never worked on a Habitat for Humanity build site.

Last week, I spent my Saturday with a dozen other volunteers finishing up two new and affordable homes in Portland's Cully district. In fact, the house I helped paint was to be occupied by its new owner and family three days later.

Everywhere you looked on the site, the Habitat staff teamed up with the volunteers to see to it that the necessary tasks were performed with excellence. No one-man-bands in sight. Just the teams of painters, sawers,  and cleaners as they went about their business being accompanied by Brazilian music on one boom-box and old Steve Miller tunes on another.

Yes, there was the occasional volunteer doing a little rumba step thanks to the music tickling his backbone.

From time to time, one of the Habitat leaders would remind us of the need for hydration. "Take a break...get some water in you," we would hear on occasion. After all, these passionate folks were out on this site known as "Helensview" 5 days a week, week-after-week.  

Clearly the work completed during those six hours could not have been done without that strong esprit de corps.

What I mean by that is that isolationist thinking serves no one. No community, no organization and no country. Certainly, not in this day and age.

Practicing teamwork builds more than houses. It builds satisfaction and esteem.

And it truly is how things will always get better as every Conscientious Leader knows.

Which means, of course, better product, better marketing and better(happier) employees or team members.

It's clearly what Millard Fuller saw when he and his wife started Habitat for Humanity in 1976. And I think it embodies what Helen Keller wrote when she penned the words, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

To get our book, "25 Building Blocks To Create a Conscientious Organization" FREE, go to HCollaborative.com for an instant download.