Reflections on Leadership

The quote book, “Write Advice; Inspirations, tips and thoughts for leaders and artists” has inspired a new online store.  The name might fool you, but it’s not only for writers. You will find gifts that are perfect for any writer, leader or artist in your life who’s ready to make a difference!

Today is opening day for the store (which you can find here) and I’m excited to see some of the top requested quotes and thoughts come to life on the amazing Tee-Shirts and other products.

Below are a few items you’ll find.

A Confident writer is a sexy writer

Never Be Without a Great Goal

Forgiveness Journal

Come by and browse around, I know you’ll find something for yourself or someone you care about!

The Write Advice Online Store

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The Joneses are getting a bad rap. They’re just doing their thing.  Little by little they are accomplishing their great goals. A little everyday; a lot over time. Meanwhile, you’re sitting out on the stoop taking your last drag of an expensively taxed cigarette that you know you shouldn’t be smoking because you can’t afford them now and you probably won’t be able to afford the medical costs later.

Or maybe it’s the end of a long day and you’re pulling into the driveway in your jalopy that you curse every morning and bless every night because it got you where you wanted to go without breaking down.

No matter, some people manage to always blame the Joneses.  It’s not their fault.  They’re working hard on the things that are important to them. All you’re seeing is the results of their efforts.

Look closer. Get to know them. It’s been said we’re the average of the five people we spend the majority of our time with.  Maybe you need to up the average. Spend a little less time with the people who are agreeing with you that yes the economy is bad, and government is bad, and the weather is bad and things aren’t like they used to be.  Maybe you should spend some time with the people who may or may not agree with the current conditions but are working within the constraints of them; and instead are focused on the possibilities of life.

When you play a game, be it sports, or chess or hot dog eating with someone who isn’t as good as you it’s great for your ego because you win and you get to brag and rub their face in it. But honestly that gets old, and if you aren’t challenging yourself you’re getting old too, and faster than you think. Conversely, if you play against people who are better than you, you’ll probably lose. If you reflect and “study the films” you’ll learn something. And if you keep playing against those type of people you will continually learn and progressively improve. Eventually you will beat them and that will be better, because that win is based on effort, growth and skill, not by picking on the little guy. Not by bullying.

Back to the Joneses. We all have them, that person, family, or group we equally admire and despise. It’s not fair that we despise them. We just do because their success reminds us of our failure. There’s a cure for that. Stop acting like a failure. Get off your rump and start working on your great goals. As you start achieving them you’ll notice people coming to you for advice on how you did it and can you help them. You can and you will, because that thrill is a helluva lot more satisfying then repeatedly beating some pimp squeak.

Soon, you and the Joneses will be helping each other get better. Some people look at it as friendly competition. If that helps you for now, go for it. Unfortunately that’s still a win-lose mentality. Real success comes when you realize you’re bettering not only each other, but those around you. That’s acting with a sense of responsibility and stewardship. Learning not only for the benefit of your own goals but also, eventually even more so, for the benefit of others.

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Have you ever noticed that the people who come to you with bad news often say, “Don’t blame me, I’m just the messenger” or “don’t shoot the messenger”? Creating an environment where people feel safe to share opinions, ideas or air disagreements is crucial for any leader. It’s seldom we ever move forward without some debate on important issues. That’s partly how we know they’re important in the first place.

When someone immediately slips into defensive mode of “don’t blame me” one of two things are happening.

One, you may have a reputation of ruling with an iron fist and that receiving bad news is not welcome. This is not a long term winning strategy by they way.

Or more often, the person sharing the “news” is being a busy body or worse, completely abdicating their responsibility.

Don’t let them get away with it.  No one is assigning blame.  Be professional.  This isn’t a whoever smelt it dealt it scenario. It can be enormously frustrating to work with these non-leaders, but as a leader yourself this becomes a teachable moment.

Don’t let them slink away without asking them for their ideas, suggestions or feelings on the matter. In the event they just are a busy body this with trap them in the realization that they are guilty of having no original thought which will cause them to fluster and quickly and leave.  Good riddance.

If they are merely shy or lack confidence, your prompts will provide a safe environment for them to potentially reveal some useful information that you didn’t previously have access too.  Thank them for their contributions and move on.

When you have the chance to lead, lead.

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Today is a somber day for me and my family, but with your help I’d like to change that.

A year ago on this date I unexpectedly and shockingly lost my sister to a heart attack. It’s inevitable that the day will be seared in my memory, however I believe a positive remembrance revolved around the way Kathi endeavored to live her life would be more appropriate. She would routinely practice acts of random kindness. I’d like your help honoring her memory by practicing acts of random kindness today.  Here’s some ideas:

Smile today. Offer your seat or place in line to another. Feed a parking meter that isn’t yours. Buy a meal or an ice cream for someone. Call or write to a relative and tell them you’ve just been thinking about them.

Spend time outside and appreciate the grand and the sublime. Smell a flower, hold a rock in your hand. Feel the waves wash over you or the sand between your toes.

Get into a new adventure you can tell stories about. Laugh often and embarrassingly loud. Confront a fear or help someone else to do the same.  Celebrate life and all the wonder around it. Frolic with a dog or challenge a cat to a staring contest. Listen, really listen to the song of a nearby bird.

A life well lived is filled with triumph and tragedy; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.  Today, randomly and often, publicly or privately help bring triumph and joy to others.

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Is it half over or half started? Either way it’s July 1, 2010 and half of this year is in the history books and the next half has yet to be played out. How is your year going? Have you revisited the New Year’s resolutions you wrote with such enthusiasm 181 days ago? Are you halfway to your goals for the year?

This is the time to take stock of your progress and make half time adjustments. If you’re in great shape, this is not the time to get cocky or sloppy. If you’re at your plan or behind, it’s time to step it up. All is not yet lost. Most games are won or lost in the second half of play. It’s that time that most athletes train hardest on. If you’re on track, or behind but determined, you’ll soon bring an intensity of focus. You’ll need that if you plan to achieve all that you wish to achieve.

I’m a firm believer that many things (actually, most things) are possible. Which is why perseverance is an important characteristic to pursue. Half time is a good place to take a timeout, and assess your performance. Take a pragmatic look at your success and decide if you still want the things that you wanted six months ago. It could be that you don’t.  Give yourself permission to make a mid course correction. If what you want has changed, change your goals. It doesn’t make sense to continue pursuing what you don’t want. The calendar doesn’t care. Six months from today, you’ll be celebrating New Year’s.

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How to Finally Get Your Writing Project Written

I wanted to make sure readers of the Reflections on Leadership blog were among the first to know about a new offering I’m adding to my consultancy.

The program is titled; The Write Goal; How to Finally Get Your Writing Project Written.

I’ve come across so many people filled with desire to start their writing project. Nearly everyone I come across has a book in them but few can get it out.

With The Write Goal you’ll explore the why of your project. You’ll be able to discern what’s keeping you from your writing goal and what will pull you closer to it.

Using similar goal getting principles that have helped executive leaders get things done and high performing teams stay focused on their goal, The Write Goal replaces the disappointment you’ve been enduring with productive insights you can put to work immediately.

Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry or Prose, nearly everyone has a book in them, but very few can get it out.  This self study course helps you get it done at your own pace. Click here to learn More about The Write Goal.

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I admit it, I can be as politically correct in my language as the some of the most ardent liberals. To me it can show sensitivity or at least tolerance if not compassion in an increasingly intolerant country.  As a writer, words matter. That’s why I believe we shouldn’t sugarcoat the things that we face as a nation and by extension as individuals.  Let’s not waste time calling things “formidable challenges” when they’re “big problems.  America used to be able to solve big problems.  As a nation we routinely lived our values.

It’s easy to be a bit romantic and forget about how horrible this nation used to be for women before suffrage or African Americans before civil rights.  How poorly we treated our elderly, the mentally ill, and non-land owners. History’s canvas is sometimes painted with a lighter touch. Recall that hangings were common in my beloved city of Boston, the carcasses of criminals left out to publicly rot.  The Son’s of Liberty tarred and feathered other human beings. A blind eye was cast in the slave trade.

We forget we were founded as a violent nation.  We picked off British Regulars while hiding in the woods.  At the time we were thought of as savages. We took pride in it as patriotic and character building. Yet when used against us in quagmires like Iraq and Afghanistan we consider it barbaric.

The American spirit will always be divided between those who look at us being here as a matter of Divine Providence and those who consider it the melting pot.  That our greatest strength is taking the best ideas from everyone.

Winston Churchill once said, “Americans will always do the right thing, after they have exhausted all the alternatives.” It’s in that vein of faith I remain hopeful for America, but today a large portion of our population is apathetic.  They might be angry, but they’re also lazy.  Or they’re active without a sense of purpose.  I’m not so sure Americans are trying everything with the spirit we are expected to.  It can be taxing, but civil debate and disagreement coupled with pragmatism and searching for common ground is what has served this nation well in the past.  The problem today is, our tries seem to be halfhearted, or we save the passion for the detestability of our opponents; political or imagined.

We are not trying hard enough.  We are thinking less, worrying more and outsourcing our leadership to other nations, or corporations. As individuals we are all responsible for the eroding spirt and grit because we are complacently letting it happen.  We celebrate the First Amendment by giving the microphones to crackpots then undermine the gesture by reporting the fear and hate they spout as fact rather than opinion. We are focused on symptoms and finding ways to coat, soothe, and relieve them rather than solving the problems that are making us ill.  We moan and complain.  We spend a lot of energy doing very little and here’s some of our results so far:

• 30% of Americans are obese
• 1 Million American High School students drop out each year
• We carry a $13.5 Trillion Debt
• We are #1 in Oil Consumption, #2 in Coal Consumption and #1 in Cocaine Consumption
• 2.3 Million of our citizens are incarcerated, giving us the largest prison population on the planet

We can do better. We must do better.  We can begin by teaching our children and each other how to dream big, think profoundly, decide pragmatically and lead courageously.

There are no shortages of serious problems yearning to be solved. Pick one.

Below is a system designed to help you begin solving the problems that are in your purview to solve.  If it looks like too much work, have someone help you.  Being defeated from within helps no one. Find a problem that’s within your power to solve and begin solving it.  Here’s how.

1. Write down the problem or challenge that you need to solve.
2. Describe the Desired State that could exist without the problem.
3. Describe WHY it’s desired.
4. Create a S.M.A.R.T. Goal to make your intention specific and real.
5. Set the Criteria on how to find solutions to the problem.
6. Generate a brainstorm list of alternative solutions.
7. Narrow the list and pick the “best few” options.
8. Assess each option’s feasibility and potential risks versus gains.
9. Reach a tentative agreement with stakeholders of the problem.
10. Put some resources on a “fall back” plan.
11. Firm up the final decision and announce it to those affected.
12. Develop an Action Plan to go forward.
13. Implement the Action Plan with confidence and passion.
14. Review, assess and celebrate progress.

Problems are often very complex. Their solutions seldom have to be.

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The One Year Anniversary continues with another FREE eBook for you.

Toasts should be offered during times of celebration. The words spoken can be solemn, sentimental, humorous, bawdy or insulting.  Blessings and proverbs help show gratitude for the guest of honor, and the company, companions or country you keep. They also give others insight your personality. A few simple words sincerely offered can hold great wisdom, humor or both. Most importantly, making a toast illustrates the respect you have for another.

This short compendium will ensure you’re not left speechless.

Click here to receive your FREE “Toasts, Blessings and Proverbs to Help Celebrate” eBook

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Here’s a FREE ebook for people who have been caught whining lately.  Read it and you can stop whining and start winning (in 21 days or less if you’re an overachiever).

Click Here to Stop Whining and Start Winning

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“If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

My friends, one year ago I cited the words above from Henry David Thoreau to proudly announce the founding of my independent consultancy, Karl Bimshas Consulting.  Can you think of a better time to start a new firm than in the midst of one of the most difficult economies since the great depression?  Recessions are easier to weather when you consciously choose not to participate in them.  One year later, 25% of the businesses that started at the same time have failed.  Not this one!  Karl Bimshas Consulting is celebrating the inspiring results my inaugural clients achieved in year one.  A sample of what they’ve accomplished:

Businesses

• Set and maintained internal and external email marketing campaigns.
• Engaged latent clients through relevant communication campaigns.
• Developed simplified Performance Dashboards.
• Improved Sales process, correspondence and simplified proposal writing.
• Received Executive Level Overviews of Social Media Trends, Project Management, Time Management, and Change Management.
• Improved internal and external corporate communication with employee and client satisfaction surveys and Response Management Improvements.

Individuals

• Started new businesses.
• Received sought after job promotions.
• Gained clarity on career direction.
• Earned sought after degrees and certifications.
• Improved relationships with supervisors and direct reports.
• Achieved targeted work/life balance.
• Pursued meaningful charitable contributions.

As long as people have the capacity to think beyond the status quo, there will be problems aching to be solved.  By providing accountability, a fresh perspective and confidence, Karl Bimshas Consulting’s clients are guaranteed to find the a-ha within.

I’m grateful to be among the elite group of first year survivors and I’m going to share my gratitude with you throughout the month of May.  Be on the lookout for free gifts of appreciation, opportunities to save on consulting services, and the announcement of new programs designed to help leaders and artists find, set and get their goals.

On a personal note, if you would like to keep abreast of my creative pursuits, checkout Twitter and Facebook, where I often share my goals and progress on my first novel, poetry and other creative writings as well as opinionated political commentary that may pique your interest or ire, depending on your point of view.

It’s going to be a great month, brimming with celebrations made possible by your ongoing support, thoughtful feedback and continual referrals to other leaders and artists who want to achieve more.

Thank you!

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