TheLeadershipNotebook

Your "Cool Runnings"

 

“Derice, a gold medal is a wonderful thing.

But if you’re not enough without one, you’ll never be enough with one.”

 

~Irving Blitzer (played by John Candy) from the movie, COOL RUNNINGS

 

One of my all time favorite movies is Disney’s Cool Runnings. It’s based on a true story about the training and competition of the first Jamaican bobsled team to compete in the winter Olympics in 1988. The movie is hilarious at times, but its overriding themes of perseverance, dedication and overcoming obstacles are woven throughout this inspirational story.

The term “Cool Runnings” actually means “Peace Be The Journey.” The peace comes from knowing that you’ve given your best; finishing strong, even when obstacles get in your way.

This week, and for the last several months leading up, there is much anticipation about the start of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Who will win gold in swimming, track, soccer and tennis? Will Michael Phelps succeed in his quest to be the most decorated Olympian?  

For all the hype about the medal victors in each of these sports, there are scores of other athletes who are determined to compete and give their very best effort. To have their own “cool runnings.” Their effort, determination and perseverance are part of their journey.

Applying this concept closer to home, my daughter Emily, a May graduate of Case Western Reserve Law School, took the Pennsylvania Bar Exam. Since graduation, she has spent all day, every day, in pursuit of her goal. Attacking the prep like an Olympian, she was focused, committed and worked hard hoping to achieve her own gold medal (passing!) in October. When she left home to take the exam, I asked her how she was feeling. “I did everything I could, Mom. I have no regrets. If for some reason, I don’t pass, I know I left it all on the table.”

It was Emily who reminded me about the movie, Cool Runnings.  She watched it again the night before the first day of her exam. She watched it partly for some comic relief and partly to remind herself of her effort, determination and perseverance. In the end, while incredibly difficult, the Bar Exam was part of her own “Cool Runnings.”

As Sanka from the movie said, “I’m feeling very Olympic today, how about you?” How are you making the most of your journey?

To your success,

Mary

The Avengers and The Critical Role of Followers

 

“It is the men behind who make the man ahead."

~Merle Crowell

My daughter Emily, soon to be a law school graduate, is an extra in The Avengers movie that premieres today. That’s her, in the back left. I can pick her out.

 

 

Her experience as a cast member in the movie was certainly a memorable one. But it involved long, grueling nights last summer (midnight to 7 am) to shoot the same scenes over and over and over again. And many of her hours were devoted to scenes that will never see the light of day.

But without Emily and scores of other followers like camera people, costume designers and technical crafts people, superheroes like The Avengers would never get to shine so bright. These followers are cooperative team players, persistent and determined, committed to the excellence of their project.

Building and developing leadership skills is the focus of books, coaching sessions and even many of these Leadership Notebook blog posts. But we must remember the wise words of the great philosopher Aristotle: “He who’s never learned to obey can’t be a good commander."

What do you think? What is the value of a good follower in your organization?

To your success,

Mary

Doing the Work, Part 2

 

“Four young men sit by the bedside of their dying father. The old man, with his last breath, tells them of a treasure buried in the family fields. The sons crowd around him, crying and asking, “Where, Where?” but it’s too late…

The day after the funeral and for many days to come, the young men go out into the fields with their picks and shovels and turn the soil, digging deeply into the ground from one end of each field to the other. They find nothing and, bitterly disappointed, abandon the search.

The next season, the farm has its best harvest ever.”

~ Story as told by Ben and Rosamund Zander in their book, The Art of Possibility

 

Exactly one year ago this week, I wrote a blog post titled “Doing the Work,” reminding all of us that the fruits of our labors will come, but we have to “till the soil.” We have to do the often hard and sometimes painful work that it takes to achieve our goals.

Last evening, like clockwork, I heard the farmer on the working farm next door, go to work on getting his soil ready for spring planting. Ironically, I had just had a “crucial conversation” with one of my coaching clients regarding her resistance and inactivity in doing her own work. She wondered why she wasn’t seeing her desired results.

Blame and excuses were sprinkled all around but she refused to take responsibility for her own poor results.

As I said last year, it’s hard to “do the work.” It takes effort, commitment, and an openness to change. But there is support and encouragement along the way. And remember that it’s also true that the “harvest” can be so rich.

So again, I challenge you to think about what you want to be different in your life.  And then ask yourself: What effort am I willing to commit to “doing the work?” What digging do I need to do that will help me succeed at the goals and results that I long to achieve?

It’ spring. Time to prepare the soil. Time to do the work. The rewards are waiting for you.

To your success,

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finishing Strong: Seven Key Behaviors of a Leader Who Gets Results

 

“All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile,

shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil.

The fight to the finish spirit is the one characteristic we must possess

if we are to face the future as finishers.”

~Henry David Thoreau

 

My CPA friends and clients have gone “radio silent” for the last month. They are firmly entrenched in their “busy season” and looking forward to that magical April 15 deadline. SIX MORE WEEKS.

I remember those days vividly, digging down deep in the cold winter months to finish my engagement responsibilities, lead my team to finish strong and make sure our clients were happy and well served.

Whether you’re a CPA in busy season or a corporate leader charged with delivering results, leading projects to successful completion is one of the hallmarks of an effective leader. Zenger and Folkman in their book, The Extraordinary Leader, identified 7 key behaviors in a leader who gets results.

Do these describe you?

High performers:

1. Do everything possible to meet goals and deadlines and pursue the project until completion
2. Maintain high standards of performance
3. Set measurable standards of excellence for themselves and others in their work group
4. Promote a spirit of continuous improvement
5. Take personal responsibility for outcomes
6. Can be counted on to follow through
7. Go above and beyond what needs to be done without being told

 

Or do you find yourself…

1. Missing project goals, deadlines and agreed upon deliverables
2. Failing to build high commitment among the team to stated goals and objectives
3. Blaming others for failures
4. Not following through to your project’s completion

 

Successfully driving for results goes hand in hand with possessing excellent interpersonal skills. The two are a powerful combination that is essential to inspiring and motivating your team and collaborating to make a difference for your clients.

 

With six more weeks to go and lots to get done, take a moment to step back and assess your current state.

• What steps are needed now to finish on time with a satisfied set of clients and an inspired and motivated team?
• What obstacles do you face in achieving your goals? How can you effectively overcome them?
• What would your team say about what it needs to come together and finish strong?

 

Six more weeks and counting. I’d love to hear from you and learn how you plan to go the distance.

To your success,

Mary

 

 

YOUR Career: Own It!

 

 “I know what a difference the organization can make

because Deloitte was really a trailblazer with our women's initiative.”

But… “No matter what your organization may do to help promote your career,

at the end of the day, it won’t matter unless you perform and

watch out for your own career.”

 ~Sharon Allen 

Former Chairman of the Board of Deloitte, LLP

 

“…it won’t matter unless you perform and watch out for your own career.” Well said, Sharon Allen.

 

For most of my early years as a practicing CPA, I was one of just a few females in a male dominated profession. Over the last 15 years, many more women have entered the profession.

 

But as I’ve mentioned in a prior post on the topic, women have yet to “crack the code” where a representative number of women find themselves in Partner roles in CPA firms. As a leadership coach (and mother of three daughters), I continue to look for (and work towards) progress in this area.

 

So although she’s not a CPA, when IBM announced that Virginia Rometty would become the first female CEO in IBM’s 100-year history, I was thrilled. I was especially excited for one of my daughters, a newly minted Notre Dame MBA who started in a marketing role at IBM just four months ago. What a fabulous role model for Sarah.

 

When I read about Rometty’s promotion, I especially noted the comments made by her soon-to- be predecessor, CEO Sam Palmisano. “Ginni got it because she deserved it,” Mr. Palmisano said. “It’s got zero to do with progressive social policies,” Mr. Palmisano added.

 

While I believe that there are many positives about the role of women’s initiatives at many progressive companies, at the end of the day, I share Ms. Allen’s views as she was quoted above. What matters most in your career, regardless of gender, is the proactive approach you take in making your own success, however you define it. 

 

I’m not saying you have to go it alone. Actually, leaders like Ms. Allen and Carolyn Buck-Luce of Ernst and Young suggest that you must ask for help and seek sponsors and supporters who will help you develop and provide the all-important feedback you need to excel.

 

But taking charge of your career and the legacy you want to leave has been a mantra that I can relate to. I can admit that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for me. I’ve experienced lots of success as well as disappointments along the way. But what I’ve learned is that at the end of the day, we play the primary role in creating our own career destiny.

 

As an executive coach and mom of three daughters, I will continue to encourage my clients, and my daughters, to seek personal and professional development opportunities, ask for ongoing feedback, look for sponsorship as they progress in their careers and be active communicators, promoting themselves to those who have input into their career progression.  

 

The word promotion comes from the Latin word, promovere, meaning “to push onwards,” certainly not a dirty word, especially to many of our male counterparts.

 

So I ask you, both men AND women: What are you doing to take charge of your career? How are you promoting your accomplishments or seeking sponsorship for your progression? I’d love to hear some of the best practices that have worked for you.

To your success,

 

Mary

 

Objects in the Rear View Mirror May be LARGER Than They Appear…

 

“In order to plan your future wisely,

it’s necessary to understand and appreciate your past.”

~Jo Coudert

 

This is a guest post by my daughter, Lisa Werner, a first year MBA student at University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

 

“Have you prepared the Finance Case? Are you ready for your mock interview? What is the next race you’re training for? Where are we going out on Thursday night?”

 

The Future.  It’s something we are always looking forward to, dreading, or maybe in some situations, just bracing ourselves for.

 

As a first year student at Virginia’s Darden School of Business, so much of our time is spent preparing, getting ready, and in the case of a random “cold call” in Accounting,  just bracing ourselves for the inevitable. Believe me, I’m a full proponent of planning and looking ahead. 

 

In high school I studied hard and involved myself in athletics and activities to prepare myself for college. While at college at Villanova, I forged my way through a Liberal Arts education, new activities, and lasting friendships to arm myself with the tools I thought I would need for the real world.

 

That “real world” of a corporate job (Capital IQ) and big cities (NY and Chicago) proved to be no different. Always pushing ahead with my eye on the next big client, bonus, (or in some cases vacation was great fuel), I saw many successes and yes, plenty of failures. 

 

The future can be a powerful thing. It can motivate you to reach new destinations, challenges, and opportunities. Seeing the possibility of a new career track is what led me to apply to business school and eventually to Darden, and for that I will forever be grateful. 

 

Sometimes, however, I think a little peak into our past can be just as powerful. It can remind us of how far we’ve come, and yes, a sense of appreciation and pride in how much we’ve learned.

 

As I sit here writing this post, my table is covered with notes, binders, and one, oh wait, two Diet Cokes. Deep into what is lovingly called “Black November” here at Darden, we are swamped with school work, recruiting events, student activities, and yes plenty of social events (don’t let any MBA students tell you otherwise).

 

Having been deemed the “constant planner” by friends and family, I am now surrounded by 319 other “constant planners” who have incredible goals and aspirations.  But what’s even more incredible are some of the things we have already accomplished.  

 

Each day we push through another case, another class, another cold call, and sometimes we succeed; many times we fail, but every time we learn. We learn about new concepts, new frameworks and new perspectives. With the pace we move it’s often impossible to see the changes each day, but I know they are there.

 

They’re in the DCF model I was able to build from scratch in Finance Class (but never could imagine doing as an undergrad English major); in the Aggregate Supply and Demand curve I drew last week, and in amazing friendships I’ve built in a short amount of time.

 

The future is important, but sometimes appreciating and being proud of how you got there is just as important.

 

It’s November 17^th and finals and interviews loom in the near future. But as I try to stay grounded and sane over the next few weeks I hope I can remember how far I’ve come, how hard I’ve worked, and I can be proud.  At least while I wait for that next Darden “cold call”….

 

Thanks, Lisa, for that great reminder to all of us.

 

What about you? What have you learned? What are you most proud of? How often do you step back and reflect, appreciating that “objects in your rear view mirror may be LARGER that they seem?”

 

To your success,

 

Mary

 

 

Executing Strategy: We Want the "Pitbulls"

 

 

“If you want “management pygmies,” restrict your people to “small conversations.” On the other hand, if you want them to do extraordinary things – and if you want to raise your organization’s “strategic IQ,” invite them into the “big conversations.”

They’ll grow faster than you imagine – and they’ll contribute more than you expect!”

~Tony Manning

 

In last week’s blog post, I mentioned that I was facilitating a CPA Firm’s upcoming strategic planning Summit. During the Summit, members will be crafting the goals, priorities and activities that the Firm should focus on over the next 3 years to achieve their shared vision.

 

In preparation for the Summit, I’ve been gathering data, reviewing employee survey results and learning key insights from members of the Firm’s management team. The firm has many strengths. And it also faces some real tough challenges.

 

Crafting a solid strategy to capitalize on Firm strengths and opportunities and address Firm weaknesses and threats will be our priority. Focusing on putting action steps, timelines and accountability in place to execute the strategy will also be key.

 

But do the members of the Firm have “the winning spirit,” a critical element of strategy execution that Tony Manning describes in his great book, Making Sense of Strategy?

 

Great Strategy + Winning Spirit = Pitbulls

In fact, Manning sets up a wonderful visual description for the results that can occur when great strategy and a winning spirit combine or when one or both are missing. As you read these descriptions, imagine where your firm members fall:

 

No-Hopers: They either have no strategy or it’s not a great one and their spirit is weak.

Nerds: They apply their minds to creating a precise and detailed strategy but they don’t have the spirit to drive it. The lack of spirit shows up in a plan that fails to be executed.

Partygoers: They have lots of spirit but lack the solid strategy. They’re very busy but directionless, flapping around, going nowhere.

Pitbulls: They’re working with a solid strategy. They’re clear about where they’re headed and ferocious about getting there. They fix on the target identified in the strategy and go for it!

 

Manning states: “Competitiveness demands both a clear strategy and a winning spirit. You should naturally strive for a strategy that’s superior to anything your competitors may dream up. But even the best strategy in the world will have a short shelf life if it’s not driven by extraordinary human spirit. If your people aren’t passionate about your corporate quest, you’re unlikely to either get ahead or stay there.”

 

In short, we want a firm full of lots of "Pitbulls!"

 

Leadership is Key

The real measure of the Firm’s leadership will be in executing the solid strategy with a winning spirit. Firm leadership must harness the “Pitbulls” to relentlessly focus on the desired strategic objectives. Involving team members in developing the strategy is the first step.

 

In addition, Firm leaders must inspire and motivate members to stretch when they need to and to bounce back when they have a setback. They must share information, responsibility, power and accountability. Successful execution will come when members embrace the strategy and are totally committed to achieving the results.

 

What about your firm? When it comes to strategy execution, who dominates the attitude and culture of your firm? What do you do to unleash that “winning spirit” in your firm?

 

To your success,

 

Mary

 

The Dirty Dozen

“Mind right. Game right.”

Thad Matta, Ohio State University Men’s Basketball Coach

 

I happened to see an interview with Thad Matta last Saturday before OSU’s big game with Wisconsin. Matta explained his mantra for the team: “Mind right. Game right.” Meaning that if you focus your thoughts and beliefs on things you can control versus all the “stuff” on the periphery that are beyond your control, you put yourself in a position to make a difference in your performance.

I thought about this concept on Tuesday as I was in a coaching conversation with a client who was laser focused on a laundry list of worries and concerns. Guess what? None of them were under his control. This unproductive thought process took his “head out of the game” and negatively impacted his performance at work.

How often do we get caught up in a thinking process or series of beliefs that set us up for some unproductive habits or behaviors?

I ran across the list below a while ago and it has been useful in my work coaching individuals and teams on emotional intelligence best practices. The list comes from a resource titled Quick Emotional Intelligence Activities for Busy Managers by Adele B. Lynn.

See if you can identify any of these irrational thought patterns or beliefs that may be holding you back from outstanding performance:

The Dirty Dozen:

1. Needing Approval: “Everyone I work with must approve of me at all times.”
2. Making Mistakes: “I must prove thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving at all times.”
3. Changing Others: “I have an obligation to change others who act unfairly or obnoxiously.”
4. Catastrophize: “When I get very frustrated, treated unfairly or rejected, I have to view things as awful, terrible, horrible and catastrophic.”
5. Others Cause Misery: “My emotional misery comes from external pressures that I have little ability to change.”
6. Worry, Fret, and Fear: “If something seems dangerous or fearsome, I must preoccupy myself with it and make myself anxious about it.”
7. Avoidance: “It’s easier to avoid facing difficulties and self-responsibilities than to do something about them.”
8. The Past: “My past remains all–important, and because something once strongly influenced my life, it has to keep determining my feelings and behavior today.”
9. Unrealistic Expectations: “People and things should turn out better than they do, and I must fix them.”
10. Competition: “My worth can be measured by competitive situations.”
11. Source of Problems: “The people and conditions in my life are the source of my problems.”
12. Negativity: “Basically occurrences or events are negative by nature.”

I know we could come up with many more irrational thought processes and beliefs but you get the picture. “Mind right. Game right.” OSU fell just short of victory in their big game on Saturday. You can bet that the coach and the kids are analyzing what went wrong but with a focus on all the things that they COULD control.

So when you find yourself going down the path of one of The Dirty Dozen, exercise your self- awareness muscle. Tune into the thoughts and beliefs that are taking you down this dead end road. And then make a U-turn.

To your success,

Mary

 

 

A Bend in The Road.....

 

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn."

 ~ Unknown

 

This week, one of my clients had a very tough week at work. I spoke to her today and was amazed by her attitude and commitment to persevere. Perseverance is a powerful and valuable skill to possess. And having the energy and focus to keep going in the face of resistance and setbacks is a critical leadership competency.

Sometimes getting back on your feet and making the turn can make all the difference.

 To your success,

Mary

Defying Gravity

 

…“I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so.
Some things I cannot change
but till I try, I'll never know!”…

…Defying Gravity sung by Elphaba, in the Broadway musical Wicked

 

A familiar theme on this blog is my ongoing challenge to you to stretch your limits. Set goals that inspire you and focus on achieving your wildest aspirations. Well, I try to “walk my talk” and Sunday, stretching my limits and achieving my wildest aspiration came together for me as I completed the 13. 1 mile Chicago Half Marathon.

When I began the year, I wanted to focus on improving my overall fitness and so set a goal to run my first 8k in March. I successfully hit that goal and wrote about it in my post entitled Houston, We have Liftoff! I felt so proud of my accomplishment and was encouraged by my running daughter, Lisa, to keep going.

“What about a “half,” Mom?” She said. I replied with complete conviction, “You have GOT to be kidding!” When I finished the 8k in March, I could not comprehend running for more than 5 miles at a time, let alone 13. And then I thought; could I do it?  Could I commit to consistent training that a half marathon required?  It would definitely be a stretch but a goal that I would be thrilled to complete. I decided to go for it and committed the time and effort that training for the run required.

And as I crossed (well, maybe shuffled) across the finished line on Sunday, I felt the same sense of accomplishment that I felt last March. That feeling was so worth the time, effort and focus on training and it encourages me to keep setting the bar high whatever the goal.

This quote continues to have special meaning for me....

“Your biggest challenge isn’t someone else.

It’s the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs.

And the voice inside you that yells, “CAN’T.”

 

“But you don’t listen. You just push harder.

And then you hear the voice whisper, “CAN,” and

you discover that the person you thought you were

is no match for the person you really are.”

 

So think about your aspirations. What do you hope to accomplish for yourself, your family or your team? What new challenges do you want to take on that would require you to stretch beyond your comfort zone?

For me, I’ve got my next running challenge all lined up. Chicago 2011 Half Marathon, sign me up!

 To your success,

Mary