Weeks 41- XLR8 The Passionate Leader

Elaine and I are back from vacation relaxed and rejuvenated. I completed four chapters of my book while looking at and listening to the ocean. Our friends at Innerlinks sent the “Angel of the Month” for October – Trust. “Move from a place of knowing within you rather than as a result of adaptation to outer experiences. Let go of your assumptions and need to control life’s creative process.” It really sums up the point I’m trying to make in the book. Trust your inner guidance system (passions, unique ability, personal mission & values) to bring you joy and happiness in life. Since you have chosen to be a leader, lead from that inner strength. Stay true to what’s important to you first which is based on how you will serve others.

• Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days A Year
• My favorite quotes for the two weeks of October 11^th – 17th: “I bring you the gift of these four words: I believe in you.” Blaine Pascal
• We are beginning the pre-work preparation for the next XLR8 YOU!!! “Leadership Excellence” retreat. During our initial “getting to know each other interview”, we are curious to know which people gave them the “I believe in you” gift.
• Through our ongoing coaching, we want to know who they in turn are working with that needs the “I believe in you” gift. We then provide the necessary tools and coaching support. What an honor to part of their “success” story.

• The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit
• Week Thirty-Nine / Forty: Silence
• I always use vacations to reconnect with my passions and update my markers - that way, I come back home fired up!
• Week Forty-One: Indulge
• What are some ways to really indulge? Pretend your best friend in the whole world who you haven’t seen in years is visiting you soon. What three indulgent activities would like to do with him / her? Choose at least one and do it anyway!!!

• 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.
• The Official Notice went out tonight - Attention all XLR8 YOU!!! / Wegmans Leadership University “Leadership Excellence” Participants and Graduates – announcing the 1^st “Family First Weekend Retreat” at Bristol Harbour on Saturday / Sunday, November 14^th & 15^th.
• You have been asking for this, so we finally scheduled it. The weekend will consist of completing and sharing DISC information; watching The Shift, by Wayne Dyer; and completing the Passion Test. You will also be able to access The Family First website for free family relationship DISC reports for your children, extended family members, etc. Please respond to us quickly as Bristol Harbor has only 30 rooms!

To date, we have 248 subscribers. Our goal is 1,000 by year end. We need your help!!! Invite a friend, colleague or sign up your team this week.

Weeks 39/40- XLR8 The Passionate Leader

Elaine and I were awed last Sunday at the Canandaigua Triathlon. Wegmans Food Markets had a huge contingent of participants, so we saw many current and former coaching clients. Not only did they exemplify the “Eat Well, Live Well” lifestyle, but for many this was the accomplishment of an important goal. Some completed the “sprint” triathlon for the first time. Some did that last year and completed the full triathlon this year. Others brought their children so they could participate in the children’s race. Others do several events like this over the year.

Whatever their circumstances were, this goal gave them all a reason to put their sneakers on. That’s the beauty of making goals and telling people about it. It gives you the extra incentive to do what you said you will do (personal integrity) on those days you would just as soon take a nap! Again, congratulations to all! So what’s your next goal (or maybe your first goal) to “Eat Well, Live Well?”

• Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days A Year
• My favorite quotes for the two weeks of September 28^th – October 10^th: “I have never met an unhappy giver.” George Adams. “There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen.” Hugh Prather
• This second quote fits the last set of questions asked at the beginning of our coaching relationship of: “Are you ready, willing and able to be coached?”:

• Coaching is the appropriate discipline for the changes I want to make (rather than therapy or a twelve-step program).
• I have the patience to take consistent action toward my goals regardless of how immediate the results are.
• I have the support I need to make significant changes with ease (i.e., family or company buy-in).
• The last bullet is so important - particularly company support. We work very diligently to involve the boss. The more involved - the greater value received by all.

• The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit
• Week Thirty-Eight: Have Some Fun!
• Elaine and I are off for the next two weeks, so we made a list of 10 activities we will do to have fun. That will be a slam dunk!
• Week Thirty-Nine / Forty: Silence
• Amid the clamor of our busy lives, it’s easy to lose touch with our own inner voice and get distracted from the desires of our hearts (our Passions).
• For those who have completed The Passion Test, look at them and spend some silent time relaxing or meditating. Which one(s) are you feeling good about? How do you attract more of it into your life right now?
• If you haven’t completed the Passion Test – e-mail us and we’ll help get you started.

• 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.
• Attention all XLR8 YOU!!! / Wegmans Leadership University “Leadership Excellence” Participants and Graduates – announcing the 1^st “Family First Weekend Retreat” at Bristol Harbour on Saturday / Sunday, November 14^th & 15^th.
• You have been asking for this, so we finally scheduled it. The weekend will consist of completing and sharing DISC information; watching The Shift, by Wayne Dyer; and completing the Passion Test. You will also be able to access The Family First website for free family relationship DISC reports for your children, extended family members, etc. You will be receiving an invitation shortly. Please respond quickly as Bristol Harbor has only 30 rooms!

To date, we have 243 subscribers. Our goal is 1,000 by year end. We need your help!!! Invite a friend, colleague or sign up your team this week.

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 21^st – September 27^th: “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.

Week 37 - XLR8 The Passionate Leader

As I mentioned last week, my daughter Laura discovered her passion and love for teaching during the June 2002 XLR8 YOU!!! Leadership Excellence kick-off week. When she got clear and focused on her “Soul Purpose”, as my colleague Steve D’Annunzio calls it (Soul Purpose Institute), then the law of creation kicked in. Laura created favorable conditions for reality, in this case a teaching opportunity, to actualize since that is what she really…really…really…really wanted!!!

Although she graduated from Geneseo, she wasn’t in the teaching school, so she had no certifications. She decided she would substitute teach while putting her plan for certification together. She was called in on the second day of school the following September because the regular teacher never showed up. Laura made a real connection with these students. Long story short, Laura taught all her classes for the entire year and she was off and running!

• Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days A Year
• My favorite quote for the week of September 14^th – September 20^th: “Progress involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.” Frederick B. Wilcox
• When we first engage with a new client, we ask them to complete a simple checklist entitled: “Are you ready, willing and able to be coached?.” Here are the three questions in the “ready” section.

1. I have the time to invest in myself.
2. I can make and keep appointments with myself to work on this material.
3. There is a gap between where I am now and where I want to be.
• When people cancel appointments repeatedly because they haven’t completed assignments, or we have to chase someone down to make an appointment, we ask them to recommit to these questions. If they can’t, then they are not ready!!! It’s okay ~ when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

• The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit
• Week Thirty-Six: Choose Powerful Interpretations
• If you found an interpretation that builds self-love this week, add it to your Happiness List. (those statements you repeat to yourself daily.).
• Week Thirty-Seven: Walk in Another’s Shoes
• When we aren’t being treated with the love, respect or tenderness we desire, we have two basic choices. We can defend our position and try to prove that we’re right, or we can look at ourselves through their eyes.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine that this person is sitting in front of you. Allow yourself to feel what life is like to be in their shoes ~ trying to be in a relationship with you. Does this allow you to be more compassionate or connected with this person?

• 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 a great conversation this week with someone who is about to begin their “graduation” process. We have been working together for 18 months and throughout this time, this individual was always upbeat and happy. That isn’t to say he didn’t have professional and personal challenges. He did, however, say to me that our formula for happiness (G + L + F = JOY) has inspired him to help others understand it, too. He stated that it will stay at the top of his development plan ~ to live it and to teach it.

To date, we have 232 subscribers. Our goal is 1,000 by year end. We need your help!!! Invite a friend, colleague or sign up your team this week.

Week 36 - XLR8 The Passionate Leader

It’s back to school. Thank you to the teachers who love what they do for our kids. My oldest daughter, Laura, is one of them. She found her passion and love for teaching during our kick-off leadership week in June, 2002. She just graduated from college and didn’t know what she wanted to do in her career. Her mom was a teacher in our community’s urban school district and got burned out by the system. She did not encourage Laura, due to her experience, which is understandable. Laura, however, discovered she was born to teach and each year leaves her mark on the children of the world.

• Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days A Year
• My favorite quote for the week of September 7^th – September 13^th: “Character is the total of thousands of small daily strivings to live up to the best that is in us.” Lt. Gen. Arthur Trudeau
• As coaches, we are also teachers. In my opinion, the best coach of all time is John Wooden. He defined success as the peace of mind attained only by self satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable. He never talked to his players about winning - just doing their best.
• Take a look at John Wooden's Video on True Success – it’s 17 minutes long – but I’ll guarantee you’ll learn a lot in those 17 minutes. Open it and save it for later.

• The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit
• Week Thirty-Five: Forgive Yourself
• If that thought returns – say to yourself – “I have forgiven myself for that.” Don’t waste any more energy on it.
• Week Thirty-Six: Choose Powerful Interpretations
• You can make that above-mentioned forgiveness more powerful by choosing the lesson you learned from it. When you think of that situation or circumstance from your past, think of the lessons it taught you.
• This interpretation either adds to the quality of our life or takes away from it. This week, choose the one that builds self-love.

• 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.
• We love it when people send us things to include in this blog. Here is a quote someone would like to share with you. It is particularly pertinent since he recently achieved a very important goal. Congratulations!!!
• “We are at our best, and happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy, on the journey towards the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile”. – Earl Nightingale
• As I’ve said on this blog in the past, Earl Nightingale was my audio Dad. He was best known for a book entitled: The Strangest Secret. It was one of the first audio programs I listened to. It is also a Simple Truths book and DVD. Watch the 3 minute video

To date, we have 230 subscribers. Our goal is 1,000 by year end. We need your help!!! Invite a friend, colleague or sign up your team this week.