Plant a Seed of Hope...Today!

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more
and become more, you are a leader." 
- John Quincy Adams

Sometimes it only takes a moment, to share a thought, a truth, extend a hand that may change the life of a child, an employee, the homeless, a refugee.   
 
I sometimes forget this, so busy in my daily doings of work, family, travel and fun. I forget that it doesn’t take a lot to pause and do something good for someone else. Our parents used the phrase, “do a good deed." If ever there was a time to touch someone outside of our own circles, with kindness and compassion, it is now.
 
So here is a reminder to myself and others  to make that phone call to a local nonprofit to see how you can help.  Donate coats and blankets to the homeless. Give blood. Read to a child. Mentor a young adult. And SMILE with welcome and warmth to all who are vulnerable who may not feel safe. 
 
Stepping outside our comfort zone to inspire hope only takes a moment. We owe it to the world.

Snow Moon + Tears of Hope for Refugees

Last night I joined other Portlanders at the airport on the eve of a Snow Moon. It is the full moon named for its brightness and clarity during the cold, snowy months of February.  We were there to welcome a family of refugees with signs, flowers, small gift sand candy – with open and outstretchedarms.. 

We waited patiently…and then they appeared amid shouts of joy and excitement from all of us.

We greeted a timid, petite family from Bhutan. The tired mother accompanied her two children smiling - her eyes shining bright. Brown eyes sparkling through her tears, joyful in expectation of a better life.

And then I started to cry and grabbed the hands of strangers around me. Tears in my eyes for their journey, their struggle and of their opportunity in America.  Tears for all those before them including our parents and grandparents. They stood safe for the moment within the kindness of those who welcomed them.

And then we clapped and shouted "welcome!"  We embraced them in a cloud of warmth.  And in her broken English she whispered,  "thank you."

Driving home I looked up at the Snow Moon.  Full of expectation.  And I hoped that our kindness at the airport would be the mantra for all of us as we welcome outsiders with kindness, respect and humility.  They traveled far for the promise of America.  Let us show them our compassion and deliver and extend hope through kindness and a better tomorrow. 

______________________________________________________

Snow Moon

I look up…

A February full moon. The Snow Moon.

Bright. Crystal clarity.

And just for a moment, my breath stops.

Moon beams warm my heart,

with truth…of hope and innocence.

Let's Get Real: It's Time To Be Authentic!

"I know of nothing more valuable, when it comes to the all-important virtue of authenticity, 
than simply being who you are."
- Charles R. Swindoll

Authenticity: A Critical Value for the New Leadership Paradigm

Authenticity is the path to trust. And today people, particularly Millennials, make choices about employment, what organizations to support, and where to buy things, based on whether they trust the organization or company.

Being authentic means there is no space between what you say, and what you do.  People may not agree with what you state, but they know where you are coming from, and your words reflect what you believe.  Authentic people don’t say things just to make a customer or client happy. Instead, they are candid, honest and real. 

It's not about spin, hype or packaging a message to be liked or to make the sale. It’s about delivering on your promises and sharing who you are without a wearing a mask.

"Authenticity is alignment of head, mouth, heart --thinking, saying, feeling and doing the same thing – consistently.  This builds trust… and followers love leaders they can trust."
 - Lance Secretan

The Powerful Secret To Effectively Communicating with Others

Every leader needs to communicate effectively. Whether it's with employees, clients, partners or donors, you want to make sure you get your audience's attention.

But as one of my favorite ad gurus David Ogilvy is known to have said, "You can't save souls in an empty church."

How do you really make sure that does not happen?

Is there a single action you can take to all but guarantee you have open ears and eyes ready for your message?

Yes.

Become empathetic!

Plain and simple, empathy is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence, a powerful trait of the conscientious communicator. All of which starts with the ability to really put yourself into someone else's shoes.

You feel their aches and pains...

...their stresses...

...their hopes and their desires.

Fact is, research tells us that business success comes with higher levels of emotional intelligence and not just analytic intelligence.

Yet, according to recent studies, it seems to be getting harder and harder to find leaders who exhibit empathy.

According to author Roman Krznaric in his recent book "Empathy: Why It Matters and How To Get It", empathy in the world is rapidly declining.

From the online world to college campuses, the executive suite to wealthy neighborhoods in America, research points to the declining ability to empathetic. 

When interviewed by Time magazine in 2014, Krznaric cited the following stats:

• Over 70% of adults experienced online harassment and trolling
• Studies show a long-term decline in empathy levels among college students of nearly 50% in the past three decades
• The wealthier you are the less empathetic you are likely to be and
• Senior executives are four times more likely to resemble psychopaths who are devoid of empathy than the average worker

But any conscientious communicator worth her salt knows the starting point to being empathetic. And that, quite simply, is to get inside those flats or sneakers of the audience. Then walk a mile in them.

Easier said than done, you say?

Okay, here are three ways you can do just that:

1. Listen Up: Ask your key stakeholders what is there biggest worry? Focus Groups are great ways to help you uncover what keeps them up at night watching Jimmy Fallon as opposed to dreaming those high REM-dreams. Not sure a structured focus group is where to start. Use social media ( see number 3) or even an email to ask and then LISTEN! Perhaps offer them a simple "kicker" for their participation. Maybe a contribution to their favorite charity...a Starbucks gift card...or just a heart-felt thanks.
2. Take a Trip: Another way to get inside their hearts and minds is to ask them in person about what their thoughts are. Maybe it's at a conference, workshop or trade show. Or local business event. Nothing will get lost in the translation when you're doing a face-to-face.
3. Dig Deep: If both options 1 and 2 aren't so easy for you (say you don't have a list or don’t have an opportunity to connect face to face)think a bit strategically and go online. Visit blogs or join social media groups (think LinkedIn or Facebook) where your peeps hang out. In several of the LinkedIn groups I belong to, I see these kind of questions posed on a regular basis. Remember: people want to help people. Just be honest and straight with them.

It's been our experience that once you've completed any of these simple yet practical information gathering methods, you'll be walking away with deep insight about what makes your audience tick.

You'll understand why they feel the way they feel.

Which will go a long way in helping you engage with those souls in your church.

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

How an Organization Trumpets Its Uniqueness to the World

You know your organization stands for something special in the world.

But do your constituents? Your partners, customers and clients?

Do they understand your plan to make a difference...to help create an equitable world? Can they feel the passion that fuels your fire, serving others and making the planet a greener, healthier place to live?

If you're uncertain about that, I have one word for you: manifesto.

A brand manifesto differs from your mission statement. Their intentions may be the same. But their language is not. While the mission statement is very left-brain and logical, the manifesto is right-brain and emotional. Well-crafted manifestos can last for decades if not centuries.

Think Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" masterpiece, the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Ten Commandments. A manifesto is your bold plan for a better world, for healthier communities. It's a moral compass that will guide and define your brand to both external and internal audiences.

Is a manifesto right for your organization? Consider the following criteria we believe must be a part of one:

1. Communicate Your Deep Emotional Principles. What is your organization's reason for existence?
2. State Your Core Values. What is it your organization stands for? Justice? Compassion? Health?
3. Speak the Truth. Are you authentic? Does your language and ideas reflect that?
4. Relate to Your Audience. Are you using emotion to touch your audience's core?
5. Differentiate. How does your organization differ from others appealing to your audience?

The manifestos we admire and that resonated with us all share things in common. These elements include:

1. Speaking in the Collective Voice.
2. Speaking in the Active Voice.
3. Looking to Change the Status Quo.
4. Serving as a Compass for Future Decisions.

For contemporary examples of well-crafted manifestos, we happen to be particularly fond of  Albertina Kerr's "Army of Angels" here in our hometown of Portland, OR. And if we may toot our own horn, we also like our own HCollaborative manifesto.

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

BEWARE: Don't Take Consensus Too Far!

Can it be true... can striving to reach consensus not achieve what we are looking for?  

People say my middle name is “Collaboration.” I love to work with teams aiming toward common goals. We are richer from diversity of thought, and indeed the sum is greater than any part. 

Yet, after receiving input from many and listening with respect, I sometimes get paralyzed – striving to reach consensus before making decisions. The reality is that after everyone weighs in, there will still be differences of opinions. I may even get a hung jury.

But you ask, isn’t that our goal…to consider everyone’s point-of-view and then together work towards a solution everyone agrees with? That can take a long, long time or may never occur. That is when consensus management doesn’t work. It eats away at morale and uses up valuable time. That is why we need leaders that include and consider everyone’s viewpoint, the collective wisdom, and then make the call or final decision, as “enlightened leaders”.  

I’ve noticed this reluctance to make the hard decisions, after listening to everyone’s thoughts, is more common with nonprofits. By their very nature, Executive Directors, so often characterized as being empathetic, “stall out” trying to be conciliatory and liked by all stakeholders.

But this can be dangerous. Social mission organizations need to make hard business decisions, and leaders in this role must strive to see the bigger picture or vision and advocate and do what is best for the organization, regardless of what employees or others say. 

The key is always being ENLIGHTENED!

Decisions made in a vacuum are rarely the right ones. Remain humble and open to ideas, suggestions and strategies. Encourage discussion and ponder and assimilate the best thinking. THEN… please make the brave call. It may not be the preferred direction, but consensus really means that everyone can leave the room and live with the decision and support the direction.

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

Where to Find Leadership Lessons: The Power of Metaphors

Those of you who have been reading my blogs, know that I often use nature or experiences as metaphors for business behaviors. I thought I would tell you a little about myself, so you understand the context for my musings.  To start off, I’ve been a corporate gal for far too many years, but my roots were in public health and the non-profit world. I’m passionate about equity and social justice.  

So perhaps like some of you, I get tired of reading all the professional academic business publications, with their charts, diagrams and process flows.  I want to make it real by talking about feelings, impressions and stories that happen in our world outside of the workplace but have relevance at work.  

This is where metaphors can make things simple. And let me tell you the workplace is ripe for analogies and metaphors, particularly from nature. Think about a few animal behaviors, and  I’m sure you can notice a few similar ones at your place of work!

I also dabble in poetry, where metaphors reign as  queen, and a concept can be conveyed in a few words.  Think Haiku.   But the beauty of nature is where I gravitate, because it's’ all there.  Pecking orders, and survival… camouflage and diversity of behaviors… as well as beauty and nurturing.   

We study animal and plant cycles of life and behavior,  and if we are observant we can learn many lessons that apply in our professions.   It’s a profound and deep source of ideas that may help us navigate our complex business world.

Of course I know I’m certainly not the first or last to teach through nature, or communicate a concept by relating a story.  All great women and men have used parables and fables to convey values – both positive and negative.  And you’ve probably picked up on my recurrent theme that you can’t count on analytics, metrics and data to do it all.   

So here’s an exercise for you.  Take a walk in the woods, or even in a park.  Watch and observe the  squirrels teasing dogs, children begging for another swing ride from Dad, bare trees waiting for the spring.  Can you find an analogy that fits within the workplace?  Send me one.  I’d love to hear about what leadership lesson you have learned from quiet contemplation in our great outdoors.

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

When the Muse Calls, Listen...Creativity Needed!

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." 
-  Albert Einstein

 Right-Brain Creativity Needed:
Organizations love data, metrics, analytical thinking… and so do we.  It helps organize thinking and facilitates decision making.  BUT,  by itself without the input of right-brain thinking, including intuition and imagination, problem-solving may fall flat.  Seems we need to honor and respect the value of creativity, that creates out -of-the-box solutions, that may not be uncovered purely through left-brain analytical thinking.  Even MBA programs are beginning to seek applicants with Art and Humanity degrees that may emphasize more creativity. 

That’s why we love workforce teams that include both analytical and creative folks.  There is a muse in all of us, so next time you get together to problem- solve, take out your colored pencils and markers and try to draw an image of the solution. You may be surprised how this inspires new thinking.

Liberating the "Spirit" of Business: Benefit Companies

There is a game-changing movement underway. It is one that has been building over the past 20 years, and it’s moving forward with energy, excitement and mass adoption.

It is the force of “Benefit Companies."

Put simply, they promise a more authentic, honest and transparent business culture.  One that delivers profits, health, sustainability, and empowered communities.  A model that speaks to kindness, equity and humility.

This movement has been gaining visibility through a small but growing group of evangelists – advocates for a different way of doing business. And its mission is uncompromising: to bring the soul back into the corporate world.

And now we are at a tipping point.

Millennials along with an emerging critical mass of people disillusioned with old business practices without ethics, fully embrace this model – a legal business structurenow available in 31 states. This model facilitates the positive power of business leaders to do good.   Benefit Companies exemplify the spirit of “Conscientious Organizations and Leadership” … the new mantra for the business world.

It used to be that nonprofits stood alone  in their dedication to serving others and creating healthy communities.  Although it may sound like heresy, we believe the lines are blurring between nonprofits and cause driven organizations like Benefit Companies.

The philosophy behind Benefit Companies is based on having a purpose to “improve the world,” to “save the planet.”   It becomes a part of the work culture and reflects the DNA of the business.  In short, profit is generated NOT to further the pockets of shareholders, CEOs, or owners, but to support the programs and services of the causes embraced by the business.

But, this is not to discount the role of profit. 

Profit can inspire leaders to take risks, to innovate, to change, to reward and survive. American businesses need profit for research and development, for investments in technology, for training.  And we believe the world grows in a healthy manner when aligned with a simple profit motive to pay self, employ others and grow.  The key is how much profit is needed before it turns into greed. And what is the purpose of the profit, if not to support families and communities.

This is where Benefit Companies come in.  It’s a new paradigm that checks this greed, by focusing on people, planet and purpose.  

It is a new course for American businesses.  One that will create growth, satisfaction and hope. It’s a win- win for all.

HColloborative, itself a Benefit Company, focuses on supportingbusinesses that are considering becoming Benefit companies -- helping them actualize the principles and requirements of the 4Ps: People, Planet, Purpose and Profit. To learn more, email maryanne@hcollaborative.com

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.

Let's Get Real About Work Culture: Lessons from the Bird Feeder

It’s been cold. Icy. Snowing.

And the winter birds that flock to our birdfeeders know it’s been a hard winter here in the Northwest. I’ve had to fill the three feeders every week. It’s been a cold one, and it’s not over yet.

I watch them from my office window as they dance, cavort, and “muscle in” for the suet and seed.  And then the squirrel bounds into the scene wanting to get in on the action.

At times, I’m mesmerized and forget about the emails and texts flashing.

Nature teaches and as I view their antics around the feeder I’m reminded of our own work culture-- the hierarchy, the pushing, the showing, and the collaborating  and trust that can occur.

Here is what I’ve observed about the “pecking order” and hierarchy of this avian ecosystem. Perhaps you will see the similarities in your own  workplace.  Here are some lessons that fly with me:

1.  The bigger birds, like the jays, with power and dominance scatter all the other birds and begrudgingly allow a few birds to share the seed.  They don’t come often, but when they do, the other birds fly away… in deference, in fear.

2. Many of the mid and smaller-size birdswill often flock to the nearby bushes and wait.  When one ventures to the feeder, then the others follow… as if it is “now safe.”

3. Often one species of bird, be it Rufus, Chicadee, Junko or Fitch  fly in as a group and take over the feeders. They feel safe among their kind.

4. The smaller birds, particularly the Chickadees, as if understanding the power of the “team,” always seem to huddle together with  12 or more sharing  one feeder, causing it to swing with their collective weight.

5. The squirrels can’t reach the feeder, but know there is scattered seed on the porch below the feeders.  When all is quiet, they swoop in and grab a cheek full of shells with a few nuggets and stay in charge until the dog comes out!

6. Over time, many of the birds learn to overcome their fear and remain at the feeders, when I quietly step out to observe them as they begin to trust the outsider.

Six observations, call them Mother Nature’s lessons, that remind me of our work culture, and who doesn’t love a bit of anthropomorphism to shed light on behavior.  

Anthropomorphism: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics (Merriam/Webster)

What is important, is not the facts or realities of my observations of winter birds at a feeder, but rather that their presence caused me to think.  It provoked a stream of conscientious … to ponder the porch bird feeder, as a metaphor for the real culture in our workplaces.  

Lessons for Conscientious Leaders abound in Nature, if we open our eyes, ears and hearts.

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

Do Unto Others...

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness."
-  Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Kindness in the Workplace:
As many of us come back from the holiday break, we “drag “ourselves back to our offices.  It’s not that work isn’t fulfilling, but the holidays represent a time of love and connection that we may find lacking in our workplace.  So, in 2017 let’s fight for the return of kindness and goodness within our cubicles. This means to treat others with the same kindness as you hope they will treat you. To assume good intent.  To give others the benefit of the doubt. 

Oxford defines kindness:  The quality of being generous and considerate

This means as we face challenges in the coming year and even are confronted, we have two paths to take, one toward kindness and forgiveness, and the other toward anger and frustration.  The study of Neuroscience informs us that our brains release “feel good” hormones when we are giving and kind to others, and produces ‘fight or flight’ anxiety producing hormones when we are angry.  We have a choice.

Let’s bring back kindness to places of work, as one of our prime operating principles. Let’s reinvent work culture…reflecting a more compassionate, “good,” generous and compassionate environment. It’s worth it.

"There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."
- J.R.R. Tolkien

The Most Important Thing to Know About Employees: What Ocean Waves Teach

Many of us do a bit of soul searching over the holidays. Time to reflect and think of the past year and the future.

It can also be a time to get away and pause ---away from the routine of work and home responsibilities. For me that means a trip to the Oregon Coast.

A place of respite to relax, and walk the beach.

And I love watching the ocean waves, particularly during a winter storm. The power, the force of each wave as they land is remarkable. But what got me thinking was how different each wave was. There are observable differences between waves, some reaching higher up the sand, while others not attaining the distance. Some stronger, some weaker. And it seems each one breaks at a different place on the horizon.

I spent significant time watching the ocean, and on this recent visit, I wasn’t able to catalog and describe the “typical wave”. They all seemed quite unique, with subtle and not so subtle variances. Yes, there were some common characteristics, but each one was delivered to the shore in a different way, or so it seemed to me.

Ever curious, I wanted to learn more about the uniqueness of waves:

From “Smithsonian’s’ Ocean Portal” website:

“Waves located on the ocean’s surface are commonly caused by wind transferring its energy to the water. A wave's size depends on wind speed, wind duration, and the area over which the wind is blowing (the fetch). This variability leads to waves of all shapes and sizes. “

Hmmm…This got me thinking. Sounds just like our staff, who come in all shapes and sizes.

Perhaps we treat employees as if they all should fit a certain designated mold with the same attributes….with the same consistency in behaviors. And subsequently, we may apply the same management techniques.

How vanilla, boring this may be.

Perhaps some leaders find it easier to treat all employees the same, under the same standards, using identical tools and processes to manage.

Yet, maybe it is wiser to observe and watch for the differences, as I did with the waves, and honor and respect that each person is different. This is particularly important as we become a more diverse workforce. The same expectations and approaches may not be appropriate. Employees may not all fit into the mold, but rater be a round peg in a square hole. This may actually be a good thing… reflecting more creativity.

And we may even find it fulfilling and magical to get to know the unique characteristics of each employee and create an approach that honors the differences.

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

Leaders: Have You Taken Your Daily Dose of Silence?

A few weeks ago it snowed here, and then iced over. For a few days the streets and neighborhoods were quiet.

Still…no movement.

I took the dog for a walk in the morning, and the snow dampened all sound and created soft moments…without noise.

Calm.

Things slowed down inside my frantic head, and the noisiness, the loudness of my thoughts, my checklists of what I had to do - diminished.  Amazing what a little quiet will do.  This dose of silence was just what the doctor ordered.

And I thought about the busy work lives of leaders today.  Even the best conscientious leaders, committed to people, planet, purpose and profit, those infamous 4 Ps, need a little down time of complete silence to reestablish calm and equilibrium. 

With so many distractions, it is hard to take the time to quite literally, DO NOTHING, even for just a few moments and enjoy the beauty of silence.  I maintain this makes us better managers and problem solvers, and  probably a little more creative.

And silence reduces stress and is good for the body.  A 2006 study published in the medical journal, “Heart “ found two minutes of silence to be more relaxing than listening to music, based on changes in blood pressure and blood circulation in the brain.

This theme of silence was highlighted when PBS recently created a wonderful documentary on the quietest place on earth on the island of Maui, Haleakalai I wasn’t in Hawaii, but recently I found my quiet place, on an early snowy morning – when all was still.

With that said, here are 3 ideas to encourage quiet time in your workplace.

1.       Consider creating a quiet room at work.  A comfortable place, perhaps with posters of nature , where managers and leaders can take a moment of quiet

2.       Come to work earlybefore others arrive, and before turning on the computer, sit quietly for 5 minutes, and DO NOTHING.

3.       Speak less, listen and observe more.  

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

Resolution for 2017: Is It Drive or Passion?

I used to think "drive" and "passion" in business meant the same.

But my current reading of the book "Simply Brilliant" by William Taylor changed that.

Forever.

In this book about how great organizations do ordinary things in extraordinary ways, the author and co-founder of Fast Company magazine references CEOs and venture capitalists in making his argument.

One is Randy Komisar, a partner of Kleiner Perkins, who discusses how these two words differ. "Drive pushes you toward something you feel compelled or obligated to do. Passion pulls you toward something you can't resist."

Which got me thinking about this little agency my partner and I launched one year ago.

And that "passion," plain and simple, is what is motivating us.

While we both could still be working in our former worlds, it is the idea of serving benefit companies and nonprofits that grabbed us by the heartstrings.

We are unabashed in wearing those feelings on our sleeves.

And with the rise of the 3 P's (people, planet, profit), our passion for working with such cause driven organizations has only intensified.

We simply cannot resist the calling.

We feel it in the relationships we develop.

The strategic visioning workshops we put on.

And the manifestos we write.

So while many make resolutions at this time of year, ours is already dictated for us.

Just follow the passion.

Because it's something we cannot resist.

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

Lesson from the Holidays: The Fallacy of Perfection

It's like decorating the holiday tree.

You've got the lights, the tinsel, the favorite ornaments. They all work in harmony.

Everything's almost, well, perfect.

Except one thing.

That one exquisite decoration that would make the most magical of statements on the tree. It's gotta be here somewhere.

But alas, no.

It was broken last season and no replacement could be found anywhere.

That perfection is not to be.

So do you tear everything down and forget about it?

The aforementioned sequence parallels a recent assignment I worked on for an awesome client of ours.

I received deep and rich input from the client team. As a result, I wrote a powerful, emotional document. In my eyes, it was close to flawless.

I fussed over it for several days before sending it off to the client. I wanted this to be a "portfolio piece" for our growing Conscientious marketing agency. You know, the kind of work certain to attract the types of organizations we truly want to collaborate and partner with.

Much to my surprise, the client asked for some changes to my "Picasso."

But I wasn't ready to just roll over.

I explained the "why's" of my choices for words, phrases and ideas in the document. How inspiring it was. How impactful it would be.

However the client team requested a minor addition relevant to their constituencies.

I called my partner.

After listening to me sputter and freak out with a couple of well chosen words for a few minutes, she paused. Then she said, "Tom, this is excellent work. You've taken them from basically sea level to base camp. Look at the progress. And our client loves the end result!"

In fact, it was presented at this organization's holiday party as we sat in the audience as guests. Our client, indeed, was very proud of the organization's new work as he read it aloud to all of his executive team and team members in attendance.

As a bonus, a board member even complemented us on our work.

In retrospect, I totally agreed with the change as it was a critical part of "who" the organization is. That's not to mention that we pride ourselves as being true collaborators, even if my ego short-circuits every once in awhile.

The next day I ran across this quote:

"Strive for progress, not perfection."

- Unknown

And it hit me right upside the head.

Perfection is not of this world. It's a concept that really has no place in our thinking as Conscientious leaders and marketers.

Yes we want to do outstanding work.

Yes we want to make a difference.

But more than anything our true measuring stick is something that is both real and attainable.

Whether it's a holiday tree or a client document, it's progress that we should want to see.

Not perfection.

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

Home is Where the Heart Is: Families Reinvented

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, 
but of respect and joy in each other's life." 
- Richard Bach

 Families – Reinvented
Ah, the holiday season…a time to reconnect, catch up and celebrate holiday cheer. It’s also about getting together and sharing food, drink and good talk with family.  But the definition of family has evolved and represents more than just the traditional nuclear family or blood relatives. Today, families come in all shapes and sizes. Family can mean shared love and kindness with folks that have common values, beliefs, and experiences, not just DNA.  And hopefully unconditional non-judgmental support too! 

These “brothers and sisters” may range from colleagues at work, veterans who served together, buddies who find themselves away during the holidays, friends who share their stories at book clubs,  to homeless people gathered at a certain point of time in a shelter. Family is about reaching out and touching the hearts of people close to you by connecting emotionally. Family is about caring and being there for one another. It’s showing vulnerability and taking risks knowing it is safe. And it’s about tears and laughter, debate and play. Family is about creating a space called home. And as stated in one of my favorite sayings…

“Home is wherever my bunch of crazies are.”  
- Anonymous

The "Power Tool" of Branding

OK, the jury is in. Community outreach has now been deemed one of the most powerful ways to brand and promote your program and your services. Developing relationships with organizations in your community will not only help create customer affinity but gets people to start promoting your business for you!

But the secret is not that you do outreach, but HOW you do it.

I’ve learned many lessons over the years in my marketing career, but one of the fundamental truths I’ve experienced is that you need to do outreach with the community on their terms.

Whoa, this is different you say. Why not just invite community leaders to your place, send out a nicely designed invite, and do a show-and-tell. Give them a tour, invite your executives to present and…Voila…Community outreach accomplished.

NOT! This is outreach strictly on your company’s terms. Here is a better approach:

Step 1: Create your list of organizations or communities you want to target

Step 2: Set up a personal one-on-one meeting with a leader in these organizations or communities

Step 3: Listen and ASK THEM, “what is the preferred way to connect with their members and customers, as they  serve as the entry point to reach these individuals and families.

Step 4: Be prepared for a very different approach. This may include:

• Being a part of one of their forums, by utilizing their local meeting venues and forums. Don’t expect people to come to you.
• Using community leaders as facilitators–or let them make the introductions. Their endorsement is critical.
• Ensuring presentations are made by staff who are members of the community or with ties to it. Not necessarily your leadership team.
• Practicing cultural competency. Understand the values of the community and honor them. For example, with Latino communities, don’t be Anglo time driven, rather serve food first, allow people to socialize and when there is a lull, begin the meeting.
• Being showcased not in a forum, but via a word-of-mouth referral by leaders.
• Creating mini-articles for their community publications, and then being open to placing an ad, usually at a nominal amount.
• Following up with leaders one-on-one throughout the year. Don’t forget them after you do your initial outreach engagement. Otherwise you won’t be considered sincere.
• Supporting their local causes and fundraising events. Your presence and participation shows you are committed–not just throwing money at them.
• Including your own family in community activities. This humanizes the company and puts a face on it.

Outreach is all about branding and extending your own community to others, who may look and act differently with contrasting values and styles. These  organizations and individuals can be powerful advocates and evangelists  and create word of mouth goodwill….if you show respect and meet them where they are, on their terms.

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.

Patience: A Lost Virtue?

"Our patience will achieve more than our force."  
- Edmund Burke

I’m not the most patient person. I have strong beliefs and I’m passionate about certain things. I want colleagues, friends, family members to understand my perspective quickly and just “get on the bus!" Sadly, I believe if I can just convince people, with more facts or use my best persuasion skills, they will acquiesce and see my point. (Hmmm, sounds like my ego talking.)  

What I forget is that moving people forward , even if it is the right path, sometimes takes many baby steps. And that requires patience…that means meeting people where they are and not where I want them to be. And it also means acknowledging progress and showing pride in what has been accomplished, even it isn’t the “homerun” or endpoint you were looking for.

During the holidays when families, friends, and colleagues get to together let's practice patience with all, giving people the benefit of the doubt and valuing them for where they are in this journey of life.