Archive for Leadership
March 28, 2009 at 12:29 pm ·
Yesterday I attended a lunch held by the Illawarra Women in Business in which I was excited to witness the presentation of the inaugural Illawarra Women In Business Awards, and be part of the launch of Illawarra Leaders, an initiative founded by Wendy Fogarty, from Important and Imperative Business Solutions, Noreen Hay, Member of Parliament, and myself. Working with Wendy and Noreen has been such an energising and inspiring experience, and launching this initiative for the women in the Illawarra community has enabled me to meet a number of talented businesswomen in the region.
Being able to contribute to the community in which I have made my home is a fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to working more with businesses in the Illawarra. Illawarra Leaders provides a unique opportunity for women in the Illawarra to share their resources and knowledge, and to provide role models and mentors for young women aspiring to be successful leaders in their businesses, as well as providing a place for women to share their achievements and seek inspiration.
The launch of such an initiative in the region is affirmation of the need to share and communicate with one another – after all, we cannot have ‘community’ if we do not ‘communicate’. The environments in which we live and work are integral to our own being, and the launch of Illawarra Leaders is an offering to women who seek to be in the right environment.
There is much of what I value in work and community evident in this initiative, yet without the hard work and vision of Wendy, who shared her idea with me, it may have easily been left aside as an ‘idea’, one of many I have not followed through. How many ideas, for ourselves, for our work, for our community, for others, do we ‘put off’ and forget about, or plan to launch ‘one day’? I’m most grateful to Wendy for her passion and drive - she’s a fabulous example of taking an idea from conception to actualisation!
Visit the site at www.illawarraleaders.com
Filed under Leadership, Values/p
November 21, 2008 at 10:55 am ·
In September and October, I’ve had the privilege of working with sixteen visionary leaders from South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, who met in the remote Gawler Ranges on Mt Ive Station for the first session of a nine month initiative, “Strengthening Eyre Peninsula”, and then in Whyalla for Session 2.
It is a collaborative project between the Eyre Regional Development Board (ERDB) and the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board (EPNRM Board), who have also identified leadership succession as a key priority and is supported by the State and Australian Governments.
There is increasing evidence to show that regions that perform best are those with strong, diverse and innovative local leadership. Such leadership is a key ingredient of effective community capacity development, which in turn has been shown to be an important foundation of economic development.
Building the capacity of the community to be involved in leadership roles is critical to the ongoing increase in the regions long term viability and sustainability.
Typically, in regional areas the volunteer workload on community leaders is high and the same individuals are often involved in multiple organisations and networks. Leadership “burnout” and succession amongst industry, business and community groups and networks are important issues and are serious impediments to the process of regional capacity building and therefore sustainable economic development. Hence, Strengthening Eyre Peninsula was conceived!
The enthusiasm, passion and resilience of the sixteen participants is inspirational, and each person has a project that they are responsible for introducing and implementing in their local regions. I invited one of the participants to write about his experiences, and he says:
“In early August 2008, I was successful in gaining a place in a leadership program on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. 16 participants attended at a remote sheep station in the Gawler Ranges. “Mount Ive,” is the station, and is close to the centre of the geological formation of the “Gawler Craton,” a relatively unexplored mass of land with immense mineral promise. No mobile phone reception, no news papers, no television.
It was an ideal choice of venue. The 16 participants, 2 project coordinators, 2 camp cooks and facilitator Karynne Courts were all captive together.
It was a fascinating 4 days.The participant’s background ranged from farming to fishing to government and to volunteers. All were people who wanted to help their own communities.
The quality of the program, together with vibrant presentation led to openness, to such an extent, that the musician in the group created our own song, “You’ve got to have passion.” How good is that? In addition to the amazing course content, we had the bonus of early morning kangaroos, magnificent colours as the sun set, the endless expanse of Lake Gairdner and the camp oven cooks having a smile at people clipping their own ears as they tried whip cracking.
Mt Ive Station will be remembered with great affection by those who willingly shared part of their lives with complete strangers.
Late in October 2008 a second session was held in an industrial town on Eyre Peninsula. The content was again brilliant, and the passion to lead was rekindled. The leadership program has been mentally stimulating and I will convince others to follow my lead.” - Jack Bourke, Wanilla, Eyre Peninsula
In times where prevailing conversations are about doom and gloom, it is refreshing and encouraging to know that there are passionate leaders who are getting on with building and expanding the capacities of their community, with optimism, humour and bucketloads of encouragement and collaboration. We’ll be posting more about this wonderful project in early 2009.
Filed under Leadership, Communication, Values/p
December 16, 2007 at 9:19 pm ·
I just love the way H B Gelatt thinks - and presents his ideas. He often puts into words just what I’m thinking, and he generously gave me permission to reproduce this thought-provoking article:
Beware of Your Dogma - by H B Gelatt
The truth is that we cannot avoid uncertainty. This not-knowing is part of the adventure. It is also what makes us afraid. Pema Chodron
Niels Bohr, one of the founding fathers of quantum physics, tells a story about a young student attending three lectures by a very famous rabbi. The student said the first lecture was very good — he understood everything. The second lecture was much better — the student didn’t understand it but the rabbi understood everything. The third lecture was the best of all — it was so good that even the rabbi didn’t understand it. Bohr tells this story because he says he never understood quantum physics, even though he helped create it.
I think this story illustrates that what we are learning about the world nowadays is “so good” that nobody really understands it all. This is the certainty of uncertainty. In fact here is the opinion of the “new sciences:” Reality may not be structured in any way the human mind objectively discern.
This article is part of my Process of Illumination, creating a collective worldview that is open and inclusive. The basic premise is that uncertainty is certain and the illumination strategy is: Beware of your dogma. I probably should say that I don’t really understand everything I am writing about in this article. But I will say that I am certainly uncertain.
Say Hello and Goodbye to Your Dogma
Absolute certainty is dogma. I believe dogma is a major deterrent to growth, development and learning … and to a collective worldview that is open and inclusive. However, as Swami Beyondananda puts it: Dogma is truly man’s best friend. This is because certainty feels so good … yet you can’t grow clinging to the status quo.
However, there seems to be an emerging collective worldview that acknowledges the uncertainty of our reality and the reality of uncertainty. This comes from Niels Bohr’s and Werner Heisenberg’s quantum physics, and from the cybernetics, and constructionist work of Gregory Bateson and Heinz von Foerster, among others. And from some of the “old” eastern philosophies. Yet some of us, at times, still reject the possibility of uncertainty.
If you are certain about the security of your current job or certain that your country will always protect your freedom, it might be dangerous because you may not pay attention to signs that your job is becoming obsolete or that your personal freedom is being restricted. Are there someareas of your personal life where you are so comfortable with knowing for sure that you might be unable to “see” beyond your sureness? The answer is probably yes. Recognizing it and its dangers is the beginning of illumination.
Years ago Emile Chartier warned us, Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when it is the only one you have. Today I would say that nothing is more dangerous that a dogmatic belief, no matter how many you have. Get acquainted with your dogma and then say goodbye. Mark Twain points out a problem with such sureness. It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble; it’s what you know for sure that ain’t so. How do you live without certainty? Here are two suggested illumination methods. Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under Leadership, Communication, Different Thinking, Guest contributors/p
September 26, 2007 at 4:15 pm ·
Do those around you share your passion?
Are your organisation’s values relevant to your employees?
How do those values and passion translate to your customers?
Are you committed to learning & growing?
I have just returned from South Africa, where I was invited to facilitate a values-based leadership workshop for Bidvest’s first Graduate Leadership Academy. The participants were General Managers and Senior Executives of various Bidvest companies who were previous participants of past Academies, and selected to be part of the graduate Academy. There were people of African, Afrikaans, Indian, English & Dutch origins – wonderfully diverse. Bidvest* is a true example of a Visionary Organisation, committed to growing visionary leaders. The leaders openly declare that people create profit, companies only report it. Employing more than 93,000 people across four continents, Bidvest is seriously successful. They are committed to developing leaders at all levels, and believe that building relationships, improving lives and empowering people is the key to their success.
As I got to know the leaders in the group, what struck me most was how well they modeled the key drivers of visionary leadership – courage and honesty, passion and enthusiasm, and great interpersonal skills**. Despite having reached the most senior positions in their respective divisions, where they could have rested smugly with their MBAs, their senior roles and their comfortable salaries, they were committed to continuous learning – not only technical skills, but also to building emotional capacity. They were open to feedback, and engaged in regular formal measurement processes to ensure they were on track.
So what does it take to transform organisations?
Organisational transformation requires visionary leadership. On my way home, I came through Singapore to meet up with my dear friend and mentor, Debashis Chatterjee. Debashis is the dean of Leadership at the S.P. Jain Business school in Singapore, and we had long conversations about our shared passion for values and leadership. He reminded me that organisational transformation happens through individual transformation. Consider what makes an individual grow? Invariably, individuals grow through learning. Make learning your highest organisational priority. Instead of asking: “What did I do today?” ask: “What did I learn to do differently today?” When every employee asks this question, an organisation will spontaneously transform itself. Transformational leadership is not about one leader among many but about many leaders who act toward one purpose. In a transformed organisation leaders do not lead followers, they lead leaders. Says the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “To lead people, walk behind them.”
What excites me about working with values is that regardless of race, education, gender, position or nationality, when we meet at a values level, we find unity. It is only in the language of values that conversations for change can be had, and organisations can truly transform.
Please join us for the next Visionary Leadership Program to refresh your visions, clarify your values, and ignite the spirit of leadership. This is scheduled for October 22/23, & November 13/14, and will be held at “Lilyvale” in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
To book your place, contact us today on +61 2 4268 5555.
**these are the key drivers of high performing companies according to the latest research of Quanta Consulting, a research consultancy whose ground-breaking work has increased the profitability of companies in Denmark, Greece, South Africa, New Zealand & Australia. Values Connection is the partner of Quanta for Asia/Pacific region.
Filed under Leadership, Values/p
July 26, 2007 at 11:49 am ·
We know the importance of taking time out to reflect, re-energise and connect with other like-hearted people, so put this date in your diary.
On 29th August, the Shoalhaven Women’s Conference will be held in Bomaderry. Inspirational speakers, exceptional value and fabulous food. Take the opportunity to have a day in the beautiful Shoalhaven and come along to share ideas and learn with businesswomen from diverse sectors. I promise you’ll have a fabulous day.
Filed under Leadership, Communication/p
March 30, 2007 at 7:12 pm ·
This week I stumbled upon a local artist who teaches - and before my self-doubt could get in the way, I booked into his Wednesday class. I had never painted with oils before, and it was with some trepidation and much excitement I opened the little wooden gate and entered his studio. All the places were set-up with paint on palettes, boards on easels, ready for his students to take their places. The love and care that had gone into the preparation was evident, and as the 6 other students arrived, I could hardly contain myself. I was the “newbie” - a little over dressed, and naively under prepared for how messy the process can be. A delightful lady was quick to give me a painting shirt, and I was all set.
Under the expert guidance of a master teacher, I watched in awe as 7 masterpieces unfolded. We were all painting a scene from Hinchinbrook Island and Peter patie
ntly and lovingly made every student feel like they were Rembrandt. Even when one person mixed far too much blue into the yellow, when another kept asking him questions he’d already answered, and yet another spilled their turps he stayed calm and positive. It was great to leave the lesson with a painting to be proud of, yet it was the energy and vitality that was residual for the rest of the day and into the next day that amazed me. I reflected on what it was that made it such an uplifting experience… it wasn’t the high from the smell of the oil paints, it wasn’t that the painting itself was pretty good, it wasn’t even the comraderie or conversation even though that was fabulous too. It was the energy that comes from positive acknowledgement, from being recognised as special, affection without affectation, and having someone hold the vision for me that success was possible whilst I struggled to imagine it for myself! Peter expected that everyone would do well. He sincerely believes in the genius in each of us.
In our leadership workshops, we state several key assumptions at the beginning of a program - one of which is “assume everyone is a genius”. This creates interesting reactions - from agreement to outright indignation and audible gasps of disbelief. Participants are so uncomfortable with this assumption, that we suggest they score the statement with a level from 1 - 10 (1 being totally disbelieving and 10 being in total agreement) on day 1. By Day 4, they usually adjust their score upwards and closer to 10!
How would your work and home life improve if you embrace this assumption? Try it for a week, and I promise you will be surprised and delighted.
Filed under Leadership, Communication, Values, Different Thinking/p
March 27, 2007 at 4:59 pm ·
The highlight of my week was my participation in the inaugural World Leadership Day, an inspiring, thought-provoking, intimate and confronting day of dialogue, presentation, reflection and connection with like-hearted people. This event came from the vision of an amazing woman, Elisabeth Gorstchacher, who dares us all to “step up and lead from our authentic place in the sun”.
Elisabeth, with fabulous support from Meg Campbell Dowling and Jean Woo, generously guided us through the discovery of our Spirit Archetypes – a taste of the impact and momentum that can be harnessed by knowing your “Personal Branding DNA”.
She is passionate that each of us take ownership of our unique offering to the world, and promises that when we connect with what we’re truly here to do, it changes our whole life.” Elisabeth is a wonderful example of her work in action, and knows that there is a leader in every person. If we want to know the most wonderful source of renewable energy, then it is us!
We also learned from a diverse range of leaders who shared their stories and gave us real examples of visionary leadership in action. Margaret Wright, artist, author and consultant, shared quotes from the leaders she has interviewed in her soon to be released book, “Mistakes Happen, Make the most of them” as well as her inspirational personal story. She suggests there are three things leaders must Surrender – Competition, Control, and the need to be the best.
Aaron Caldwell, of Good Deeds International, had us spellbound with his example of Leadership In Action – his quest to save Vietnamese Rosa, and all children who are victims of slavery and persecution. Tears unashamedly flowed as he shared his emotional journey that enabled us to answer a convincing “Yes!” to the title of his address, “Can one person truly influence global positive change?”
There was no after lunch drowsiness when Paul Gilding, CEO of Ecos Corporation Pty Ltd , co-CEO of Easy Being Green and activist for love, gave us a wonderfully warm, sincere, high energy presentation on what it takes to be an agent for change! He gave us a warts-and-all account of his lifelong passion for making a difference, delivered with such humility, compassion and acknowledgement that he wasn’t always “right” and made mistakes along the way. He has a company with a clear purpose, compelling vision, and warns potential employees that if they need security and certainty, then apply elsewhere. Paul’s key tips for leadership are:
1. Make the purpose real – talk about it, live it every day and
2. Love your people!
A panel discussion encouraged dialogue with all participants, and wonderful insights into what it takes to lead into the 21st Century. Elisabeth’s vision for World Leadership Day to be a recognised annual event is manifesting – it’s happening again on 20th March 2008. Mark the date in your diary, and I look forward to celebrating with you.
Filed under Leadership/p
February 27, 2007 at 7:50 pm ·
Key questions for courageous leaders
1. Who is your mentor and your protégé?
2. What is your next formal learning project?
3. When will you formally refresh your purpose – for your Self, and for your organisation and the people you lead?
4. What must you, as a leader, be willing to give up or let go of in order to be more flexible and responsive to change?
5. Reflect on three core principles which determine how your business currently operates. How are these helping or impeding the ability to achieve its Vision?
6. What barriers will have to be removed in order for you and your organisation to be stronger, more profitable and exist 5 years from now?
Filed under Leadership/p
February 13, 2007 at 6:54 pm ·
Don’t cut up a muddy road - ie stay home if it rains. If things are fragile, and need extra care, observe the environment, and adjust appropriately to suit.
Living in an area where the roads were unsealed (ie no bitumen) meant that they became slippery and boggy when wet. Although it rained rarely, when it did rain, it took very little rainfall to make the roads impassable. It was an unwritten rule in the bush that you don’t “cut up” the road, unless it was an emergency. (eg dying from snakebite).
If you ventured out onto the muddy road in your trusty 4WD, you’d be sure to make very deep tracks, which when the roads finally dried, would be a semi-permanent reminder of your insensivity. The ruts became a hazard at least until the council graders came to grade the road again – which happened every 18 months or so.
Sometimes in our organisations we unknowingly “cut up the road” – go blasting our way onto fragile ground without giving thought to the conditions of the day. How often are decisions made and policies created, rules put in place without consultation and consideration? How often do we charge ahead for our own gain without thinking of the long-term consequences for the good of the whole organisation? As leaders we sometimes behave like “4WD’s in the wet” – what tracks are we leaving, and how do we impact the people we’re supposedly leading?
As leaders, we could also see the ruts as “telling people the answers” rather than trusting them to discover things for themselves… when we set rigid pathways for others, there is no room for them to add their creativity and ideas – and they quickly learn to shut off their minds and hearts, and just operate on “auto-pilot” in the tracks we’ve laid down. Where are you currently keeping your team “stuck” and what could you smooth over / delegate to let them discover new pathways?
Filed under Outback Wisdom, Leadership, Mud Map for Aussie Leaders/p
