Monday, September 21, 2009

Week 38 - XLR8 The Passionate Leader

I’m sure many of you are not US Open Tennis followers, but last weekend Serena Williams, who I usually root for, completely lost it at the end of her semi-final match with Kim Clijsters. She berated a lines person badly over a foot fault and was penalized a point – match point. Her press conference was an embarrassment – no awareness that she made a complete fool of herself, something I can identify with, having lost my temper and saying awful things. She issued a statement on Sunday night, which was obviously written by her legal council and publicist. While saying she’s only human, it came up way short for me.

Come on Serena or anybody else who loses it. Own up to your bad behavior. It doesn’t matter if the call was right or wrong, or whatever other “outer” excuse (blame) you have (other players do it all the time – right John McEnroe?). YOU chose to behave badly. Apologize and ask for forgiveness. Promise your fans that you will act more respectfully in the future. Then it gives us a chance to be human as well – compassionate!

For more on how you might recover from a bad outburst, check out Ron McMillan’s (Crucial Conversations co-author) latest newsletter. Recovering From an Outburst Perfect timing, Ron!

  • Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days A Year
      • My favorite quote for the week of September 21st – September 27th: “Learning is not compulsory, neither is survival.” W. Edwards Deming For those of you that don’t know, W. Edwards Deming was known as the “father” of quality and continuous improvement.
        • The second set of questions asked at the beginning of our coaching relationship of “Are you ready, willing and able to be coached” are:
          1. I am fully willing to do the work required to get me where I want to go.
          2. I am willing to stop or change the self-defeating behaviors that limit my success.
          3. I am willing to try new things even if I am not 100% convinced they will work.
        • While a coach can help keep a person on task, the individual must be willing to take direction and follow through - even though skeptical of the reasons or results.

  • The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit
    • Week Thirty-Seven: Walk in Another’s Shoes
      • Did walking in another’s shoes allow you to feel more compassionate or connected to this person?
    • Week Thirty-Eight: Have Some Fun!
      • Believe it or not, most adults need to be reminded to take time out for fun. Trained as we are to get things done, we often devalue or neglect this most important aspect of life.
      • Make a list of 10 activities that you’d do on a regular basis if your life were dedicated to having fun. Schedule at least one of these activities.

  • Creating a Culture of Leadership Development – A Drop for Your Bucket!!! Send an electronic drop or comment by going to the blog (click on this blog’s heading – Wake Up the Passionate Leader above) and click on the “comment” icon at the end of this week’s posting.
    • I had an interesting conversation this week with a colleague about the use of God in our work. The first person I heard use the “G” word was Ken Blanchard. He was not imposing his interpretation of God on anyone. He simply challenges us all to make up our own mind about a power greater than ourselves.
    • Some marketers were concerned that his use of God would limit his market. It’s bad advice. I know very few people who are not attempting to figure out the “G” word in their lives. We both are admirers of Wayne Dyer who states that it doesn’t matter how you pronounce the “Ah” in your God… Buddha, Allah, Krishna to describe the infinite intelligence of the universe.

To date, we have 234 subscribers. Our goal is 1,000 by year end. We need your help!!! Invite a friend, colleague or sign up your team this week.

No comments:

Post a Comment