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October 2009 Welcome to the
October issue of "The Edge"!
In this issue we share some insights into "shared leadership and interdependence!" At the pinnacle of long term team success is the principle of shared leadership. Scroll down to read more .
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In the second article "Opt for Optimism" you will find practical suggestions for staying optimistic, -even in difficult times.
For a change of pace in learning, join me for a teleseminar focused on "Innovation and Strategic Thinking."
"Put on Your Thinking Hat: Become a Leader of Change"
Have you ever thought, "How can we grow?", "How can we be different?", "How can
we solve this problem?"
If you have, then this 30 minute teleseminar is for you!
On October 30, I, Peter Neufeldt, will be a guest on the teleseminar hosted by
Myrna Park of Max-U.com Inc. Myrna has built a strong reputation in the B.C. interior for being the driving force that has helped hundreds of businesses to find solutions to their challenges.
I have worked with organizations of all sizes and types to help their leaders
develop critical business thinking skills. During the teleseminar we will explore and explain how leaders can make better decisions by learning to think beyond habitual ways and points-of-view!
Guaranteed to be thought-provoking! You will gain insights into ways of thinking that are innovative, resilient and result in operational success!
Join us October 30, at 10:00 AM MDT (9:00 AM PDT.)
To register for this upcoming teleseminar, visit www.askmyrna.com.
I look forward to you joining our call.
Enjoy!
Peter Neufeldt
Shared Leadership
If you look at the most successful teams in any sport, you will find a common bond within the team. Sometimes, it is called chemistry - as if just the right mix of chemicals has created a special new
formula. Other times, it is postulated that there was strong leadership provided by key players and everyone else responded favorably to their lead or "charisma".
I believe there is merit to the leadership issue - with one notable exception. If a team begins to heavily rely upon their selected or anointed leader - they become dependent upon the leader for their
overall performance. While great leaders are necessary and very helpful to raising performance standards - true leadership for high performance teams is shared leadership.
Let me explain...when a team has "a" leader, the team becomes dependent upon the leader for their confidence and most importantly - their "will" to win!
This is fine as long as the leader is focused, injury-free and having a good game. However, if the leader is unprepared, loses self-confidence or is just having a bad day - the team usually suffers and can
lose - even when they have more talent.
This is the point of shared leadership - interdependence! At the pinnacle of long term team success is the principle of shared leadership. Every member of the team is taking ownership and responsibility
for the overall performance of the group. No one panics or becomes negative at the first sign of adversity. In fact, teams with shared leadership strengthen their resolve and focus at the first sign of
adversity and unite as one. They support each other and take care of their own responsibilities to insure the success of the team. Excellent teams know that each person has an assigned duty or role for
each play. Personal pride can override fear and indecision, while moving each individual within the team to carry out the assigned duty.
Good teams rely upon individual leadership while great teams share the leadership. Everyone takes individual responsibility for their actions and results. This explains why some teams have started the
season playing as champions behind their leaders - only to fall back into the pack after a key injury to their designated leader. Great championship teams unify together, sharing the leadership role, the
responsibilities, and the accountabilities for high performance standards.
The real question for you - Does your team share the leadership role or depend upon one or two individuals to provide the energy, passion and discipline for the winner's edge?
~ Written by Voss W. Graham of InnerActiveConsulting Group in Cordova, TN
To grow your leadership skills or the leadership skills of your staff call 790-4570 to register for
the next High Performance Leadership program beginning on December 1, 2009
Opt for Optimism
While many of you may be scratching your heads as to the merit of this salutation amidst the current economic climate, the often overlooked mind-set of
optimism can have a very real effect on how we view others and situations and most notably - how others perceive us. And this perception more often than not translates into both happiness and success in
your personal relationships and professional careers. Optimism is not only a philosophy - but a lifestyle. Those who see the best in situations and in people are those who tend to receive the best out of
every situation and the most out of their relationships with others.
Living optimistically can melt away worry and open new doors of
opportunity as well as provide personal and professional satisfaction. By committing to a positive frame of mind, others will soon take notice and perceive you as successful and secure. These are key
attributes of those who are ready to take on the next level of advancement. The following are just a few considerations to keep you on the proactive side of positive thinking:
Renew your Outlook.
Optimism is not only a thought process - but a way of life. You can either choose to believe you are hopeful and living in abundance or you can live with compounded worry and hopelessness. It is very easy
to fall into the fear trap, but it is far more satisfying to see the joy in the beautiful things that surround you in everyday life.
Start a Gratitude List. For
every new day, write down something that went well for you that day. Keep it simple and see your day-to-day successes!
Unplug. As
the many media outlets serve to inform and entertain us, these days everything seems to be doom and gloom. Let's face it, just watching the news can be downright depressing.
Wipe out Worry.
Worry serves to do little more than drain your energy. In addition, this thought process most often snowballs and creates even more dread and fear. Try this strategy; for every element of anxiety, replace
it with a completely opposite scenario and dwell on that thought until you can imagine yourself in that situation. Before long, you will be in that situation!
Spin a Positive Web.
Viewing situations from a positive vantage point will equate to even more success. By overlooking the negative and praising the positive you will be further on your way toward an optimistic mind-set. Not
only will you attract more positive people in your life, but the people around you will soon take notice.
Reach Out to Others. By
sharing your optimistic attitude with others, you serve to boost your own positive energy as well as those around you. Just imagine the satisfaction you can feel by mentoring another or offering advice and
encouragement. An optimistic outlook is not only contagious - but it can get you noticed.
When you really think about it, chances are you have much more that you
ever thought possible five or ten years ago. Be grateful and giving and more of the same will continue to come your way!
~ Reprint permission granted By Alison Sfreddo - The Training
Connection, Inc.
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