XLR8 The Passionate Leader: (G + L + F = JOY!!!)

Happy New Year to all! As I mentioned in my last post, I will be changing the format and focus for the second year of “XLR8 The Passionate Leader” blog. For the month of January, I will focus on more fully living my passions by coming up with new markers for 2010. Similar to last year, there will be weekly inspiration, this year in the form of an affirmation from Louise Hay and others. The final segment will be an excerpt from the book I am compelled to write: XLR8 The Passion Leader: The New Formula for Business: G + L + F = JOY!!! So let’s get on with it.

This is a great time to look at your top passions and update your markers for the coming year. Since it is the beginning of a new decade, what is your BHAG! (Big Harry Audacious Goal? – open the blog and make a comment for all to see). I realize there are many new subscribers who may need additional information on passions and markers. Please e-mail me at tbrady@thexlr8team.com and I’ll bring you up to speed.

During the month of January, I will take the lead and list mine. Make a comment on the blog and share yours – then others can steal shamelessly, just give credit where credit is due.

• # 1 Passion: Bring peace and happiness to myself and those I love:
• Improve my spiritual disciplines: happiness list; meditation; affirmations - see angel below
• My 2010 Angel card – Abundance – “create an attitude of generosity and act as though there is plenty for you and everyone.” Give freely and generously. (pick yours @ Pick an angel/mentor - click here)
• Take fitness to the next level: Weight below 170; Join Gold’s Gym - go five times/week
• Work with Steve D’Annunzio & Richard Schultz as my coaches
• Finish writing: XLR8 The Passionate Leader – my BHAG!!!

Weekly Inspiration: You Can Do It! Affirmation by Louise Hay from her 2010 calendar

• This can be a year of great joy. Affirmations are created to support us as we live from day to day. What we think is what we get. Life will support whatever you choose, so choose only the best and highest good for yourself.
• “Positive change is in the air. I bless and prosper everyone in my life, and everyone in my life blesses and prospers me.” What comes to mind related to this thought? For me, it’s the belief that you cannot get what you want in life by wishing that others won’t get what they want.

XLR8 The Passion Leader: The New Formula for Business: G + L + F = JOY!!!; Introduction

Questions that come to mind are why write a book and who would read it anyway? As the title “XLR8 The Passionate Leader” implies, this is deeply connected to my passions. For that reason, I not only have to write it, but I don’t believe I will fully realize my passions if I don’t write it.

Several people have been kind enough to suggest, given the impact we have had on their lives, that we should capture these experiences in a book. I have discounted this for some time because I haven’t had too many original ideas in my work. Indeed, I have read and studied widely and taken what has worked for me and my coaching clients in designing my leadership development approach. There a many coaches like me doing good work, but not as many who have focused on the heart and soul of leadership. Well, then maybe I should.

But I’m at the end of my career, nearly sixty-three now. How much longer will I work? Would I get a return on my investment of time and energy? I can write, but it takes me a long time to get psyched! Then again, many very successful people didn’t hit their stride until later in life. Louise Hay, who is 84 and looking great, was on Oprah a couple of years ago, talking about a movie she just released based on her breakthrough book: You Can Heal Your Life, which she wrote when she was about my age. Not only was it the culmination of her life’s work, she appeared on Oprah almost twenty years ago to the day, and she has never been the same . . . nor has the world! If she can, and countless others have, then maybe I should. Is it a coincidence that I am using Louise’s 2010 calendar while finishing my book?

What brought me to the edge was when I read: The Passion Test on an airplane to Aruba in late 2006. When I wrote down my top five passions and the subsequent “markers” for each, writing a book crossed over all five. I started talking to people I knew who had written books and got a lot of ideas and encouragement. I spoke at a professional conference which forced me to capture my latest thinking and had it taped, so I could use the transcript to help me, since I am a talker not a writer! I knew I could do it and it would be of value to the world.

Be part of the book. Each chapter will feature a real life story or two pertaining to the content of the chapter. While I have some folks in mind, I’d love to hear from you! I wouldn’t be writing this book in the first place if you had not come into my life. Don’t be shy – yours may be THE story that inspires someone.

Week 52 - Wake Up The Passionate Leader

Well, well . . . we did it - a whole year of weekly blogs. What we anticipated being a chore was indeed a pleasure. Maybe I can write that book after all! As a matter of fact, this blog will look different next year. Each month, I’ll be focusing on a chapter of the soon-to-be-released: Wake-Up The Passionate Leader – The New Formula for Business: G + L + F = Joy!!!

I am grateful to all of our subscribers who have made comments either on the blog or to us directly. You inspired us! Please take the time to watch this three-minute video: May You Be Blessed (click), our final message for 2009.

Are you ready for 2010? How are we going to make it the beginning of your best decade ever? Together!!!

Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days a Year

• My favorite quote for the week of December 27^th – January 2^nd: Courage is the decision to place your dreams above your fears.” Anonymous
• When participants of XLR8YOU!!! “Leadership Excellence” arrive at Bristol Harbour for the kick-off week, a copy of an excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech is at their seat. The first line reads: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” We are born with such power and most of us have lost some of it. In order to be the best leader we can be, we need to get clarity and focus around our passions! That is what G + L + F = Joy is all about.

The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit (Thank, Debbie, for a great year!)

• Week Fifty-One: Please Yourself
• I didn’t get a gift certificate for a massage this year, so I went out and bought everybody one - including myself. Now there is a win-win!
• Week Fifty-Two: Love Your Body
• Nothing can rob us of self-love and worthiness than letting our bodies go. Which part of your body needs attention? Is it high time for a massage, dental visit, or something physical? I bet most of us could stand a little more exercise. Select a self-loving ritual to give yourself daily.

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 have been thinking a lot lately about slowing down. We have now put a timetable together so that three years from now we will retire from the majority of the work we are currently doing. We will still be doing something to serve others, but not so intensely.
• Our exit strategy begins with our book which will chronicle the last 20 years of leadership development study and our coaching practice. During that time, we will be looking for someone who wants to continue this work and make it their own. This is already in the works with our anchor client, Wegmans Food Markets, who we have had the pleasure of serving since 2001. By the time we pass the torch at the end of 2012, we will have worked with nearly 200 leaders in all parts of their company. What a great start to make this the best decade ever!!!

Week 51 - Wake Up The Passionate Leader

We celebrated Christmas with my children yesterday. Every Dad’s dream is to spend a whole day opening gifts, eating great food, and playing family games. Now if you are my kids, you get one self improvement gift every year, since one of my passions to help my family lead a passionate life. This year it was Simple Truths Books/DVDs (click) . Here’s the breakdown:

• Oldest – Laura, 30 – Every Monday Matters – Her passions are being a Mom and a teacher. I had hoped there were ideas to share with her 9^th grade classes on how they could serve others. She will be a teacher that many students remember all their lives.
• Middle – Molly, 27 – The Essence of Leadership – She is still looking for her leadership voice. This book speaks of how successful leaders found their voice and what is important to consider.
• Youngest – Andrew 21 – The Right to Lead – He has attracted leadership roles throughout his young life. Once there, you must earn the right to lead. It is a must read for anyone in a leadership role looking to sharpen their skills.

Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days a Year

• My favorite quote for the week of December 20^th – 26^th: “Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.” Samuel T. Coleridge
• This speaks to the essence of coaching. Advice, or more often options, is considered with a trusted, objective source. This allows the mind to hear and see alternatives which might not be considered otherwise. We don’t make decisions for our clients, we help them discovery what’s best for themselves.

The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit

• Week Fifty: Go Back to Basics
• I look forward to the New Year’s break, a time I reflect upon the previous year and take a look at my passions and how I want to approach living them more fully in 2010.
• Week Fifty-One: Please Yourself
• Can you find the time or energy to nurture yourself during this busy time of year? Ask for gifts that would allow that to happen. It could be babysitting of your kids for a long weekend. A gift certificate for a massage or night out might be possible. Don’t be afraid to ask!!!

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.

• Last call for a free DNA Talent report. This might be a great way to choose a development opportunity for 2010, based on how well you are performing, in your own opinion, on various mission critical competencies for your current role. Send me an e-mail and complete the report by Dec. 31^st. My final self-help holiday gift for all of you!!!

Week 50 - Wake Up The Passionate Leader

A colleague of mine, Suzie Price, of Priceless Professional Development (click) has a great tag line: “Wake Up Eager”. I endorsed a Small Business Survey software program she introduced me to. She asked me some questions to go on her website. My favorite question was: “what things do you personally do to stay energized, focused and interested in your work?” First and foremost, I have a daily happiness list I review which keeps me connected to my passions and markers (what I want to bring more fully into my life). Physical activity and spiritual practices are also daily habits.

How would you answer that question? What do you do to Wake Up Eager?!!!

Zig Ziglar’s Inspiration: 365 Days a Year

• My favorite quote for the week of December 13^th – 19^th: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you already mastered, you will never grow.” Ronald E. Osborn
• About a dozen people contacted me for their link to take the FREE DNA self-assessment. They get an A+!!! Contact me this week for yours! Here’s what they are learning:
• The DNA Talent Report measures your perception of how you are actually doing in 23 work-related competencies. When these are cross-referenced to a particular job strengths profile, you will have a picture of how you think you are performing in the most important competencies for the job. For those you have “Mastered” (M), that’s great. Is there a benefit of continuing to focus your efforts to further developing it? For those you have “Somewhat Mastered” (SWM), which one would be most useful to try to improve right now? If you have competencies in the “Not Yet Mastered” (NYM), then I’d get right on it. We’ll provide you with some development materials to support your efforts.

The Best Year of Your Life: Get Debbie Ford's Kit

• Week Forty-Nine: Intercepting Self-Sabotage
• What I discovered with this exercise is that lately I have been focusing on what is not happening. Let’s suppose that it is not happening because it isn’t truly where my passions are leading me. Rather, it is my ego with its “self interest” nature, keeping me from discovering how my “G” (God, Genius, Greatness, Goodness) can best serve the world.
• Week Fifty: Go Back to Basics
• Without mastering the basics, you can never move on to the more advanced techniques. How do you create the best year of your life? Take time to go within. What brings you joy (makes you happy) based on the formula G + L + F = Joy. Take time each day to go within.
• For me, the answer is in my passions, an element of “G”. I added a marker to one of them recently, and within a month, two people showed up. Coincidentally, my massage therapist had a vision as she cupped her hand over my face (wings of an angel). She saw a bull, which she interpreted as a Taurus who would help me along my path. I put a bull on my vision board on Facebook. It just so happens one of the previously-mentioned people is a Taurus. So what would you do? PAY ATTENTION!

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.

• One of the most rewarding experiences of being leadership development coaches is delivering credible 360 data to those we serve. As we wind down 2009, there are many of you who have been and/or will be the recipient of such “gifts”. Please treat them as such! As you “unwrap these gifts”, unwrap them fully and with an open mind and heart. Your boss, direct reports and co-workers are trying to support you in taking your leadership development from where it is today to where you aspire to be in the future. Who could ask for a better gift than that?
• We’ve had the pleasure of delivering several 360’s over the past few weeks. To see each participant embrace their data … “celebrating” improvements and acknowledging “opportunities” … further reassures us that as they graduate, the motivation to reach even greater levels of success is within them. Let your Learning Action Plans guide you into the New Year as you continue to learn and grow. Happy Holidays one and all!