Post from Leadership Turn Image credit:  soldiersmediacenter    CC license

Whatever you think of the war—I happen to be vehemently against it—has nothing to do with our troops. The war is about politicians and politics—the troops are about the men and women who serve and all too often die.

I wonder what our government spends $700 million dollars a day on, but apparently it’s not for necessities such as sox, boots, feminine products, razors, body wash, etc., let alone “luxuries” like Ramen noodles that our troops need.

I just learned about a website called Any Soldier and it’s a way you can help for very little money.

Not generic help, but very personal help. Read through the requests, choose based on what you can do and do it.

Finally, remember that there are a lot of troops there who get no mail and would appreciate receiving letters all year, not just at the holidays when it’s a major topic. Monthly letters from a class is a great school project—heck, it might even teach the kids here to communicate instead of text.

So step up, DO something yourself and DO what you can to get the word spread. Any Soldier needs all of us all and they need us now.

Your comments—priceless

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Post from Leadership Turn

As long-term readers know, I’ve changed both the tagline and design of Leadership Turn since I took it over last year—unfortunately, I couldn’t change the name. I say that because neither I, nor anyone I’ve discussed it with, can figure out what it’s supposed to mean. But that’s OK, the world of blog names runs the gamut and mine happens to lean to the esoteric side of the scale.

Currently, the tagline is “Leaders DO—and it’s your turn.” I came up with that when I moved the blog away from classic leadership content and more to a discussion of leadership in action—or out of it as the case may be—but I still think it’s a dumb tagline.

Being a strong believer in the “ask/hire people smarter than yourself” school of thought I asked Eric Eggertson of CommonSensePR; here are his suggestions,

• Keys to earning trust and building relationships
• Earning trust, building relationships
• Making things happen
• The road to achievement
• From inspiration to results
• Being a catalyst
• Harnessing team potential
• Seize the future
• Inspire and achieve
• Managing attitude and effort

I came up with

• Seize the initiative

Now I’m asking for your help. Please click ‘comments‘ and vote for your favorite OR offer up something else.

(Argh, I’m going to be really embarrassed if no one votes!)

Your comments—priceless

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Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: Arieanna Schweber

For the first time in 33 years Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is June 20 instead of June 21—not an event to let pass without recognition.

And what better way to recognize it than with a charity event involving bloggers and—what else—blogging.

And what better charity than 45 year old ACCION International, the microfinance organization with a four star ratting (it’s highest) from Charity Navigator for low administrative expenses to donations ratio and many other awards.

Participating Biz and Entertainment Channel bloggers will be posting hourly for all twenty-four hours June 20, from 2400 to 2400. Unfortunately, I can’t participate myself, but you can bet that I’ll be an active supporter. How? By donating, commenting, digging, stumbling and sharing any way I can.

It’s a great cause and one I hope that you’ll support, too.

Here’s a list of the intrepid Biz Bloggers participating…
Business and Blogging
Accounting Solver
taxgirl
Doing Biz Abroad
One Vote Matters
Interview Chatter
Biz Chicks Rule
Buzz Networker
Digital Money World
Franchise Pick
Yielding Wealth
Small Business Boomers
My Organized Biz
Viva El Negocio
Home Biz Notes
Entertainment Channel participants

For more information go here, to donate click here.

Your comments—priceless

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Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: TouTouke

It’s May and lots of strange and risky weather is in the air. It’s risk time here at the Business Channel and 13 of us met our editor’s challenge to do something different, because taking calculated risks is the foundation of most success—in or out of business.

For those of you who missed what’s new, here’s a list of risks by us and tips for you from around the channel.

1. At taxgirl, Kelly offers her best tax advice – to make decisions regardless of the tax consequences.
2. Mary Emma offers a peek into what it’s like to make the leap into entrepreneurship by developing your home business at Home Biz Notes, while Yvonne offers tips for taking chances in your home business.
3. Are you willing to take candy from strangers? Our newest blogger, Jennifer at Everyday Networker, thinks that it’s okay despite the risk. Find out under what circumstances it makes sense.
4. At Brandcurve, Susan explores the challenges and rewards involved in taking chances with your brand. Are you game?
5. Personal investment is all about taking risks. Should you avoid investing in a shaky market? Miranda has the answer at Yielding Wealth.
6. Politicians take risks every day – whether it’s Hillary downing a shot with a beer chaser (really!) or Obama trying out his bowling chops, it’s about getting noticed. At One Vote Matters, Thursday reminds us what’s really at risk during election season.
7. Leadership Turn invites you to be part of a new leadership reality show on the web. Miki is looking for help producing So you think you can lead… lots of fun opportunities for involvement and good stuff for the volunteers. Why not take a chance yourself?
8. Speaking of, what’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? What about being the standout in your niche because everyone else says it can’t be done? At Doing Biz Abroad, Chris discusses why choosing to practice law in Philadelphia was outside of the norm.
9. Kristen at Biz Chicks Rule also discusses taking career risks. Do you like what you do? Shouldn’t you?
10. Rachel discusses taking chances in another niche – digital marketing – at Behind the Buzz – have you tried Penguin yet?
11. At Talk Stock Trading, Tisa ventures out of stocks to commodities to find out who is to blame for the “Gas Face” – you can cast your vote here.
12. At Digital Money World, Moneypenny wonders what to do when your choices are limited by circumstances that feel out of your control.
13. And not just a post – but an overhaul – Buzz Networker has a new writer, a new feel and a completely different look. Colleen is anxious to know if the risk pays off.

Join the fun and tell us what risks you’ll take this Spring.

Your comments—priceless

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Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: AlbySpace

Kelly, our editor, is always dreaming stuff up to keep things interesting here at the Biz Channel. She runs lots of contests and challenges for us and this month’s is a doozy.

Kelly said, “I want you to do take a chance on your blog, risk doing something different. For example, Colleen Coplick has changed the header on BuzzNetworker for a completely different feel. (It’s fabulous! Check it out.) What are you doing to think out of the box?“

Since I earn my living helping managers think outside the box it should be a snap for me to take Leadership Turn out of its box. Right?

Well, sort of. I knew what I wanted to do, in fact, shortly after I took over Leadership Turn I wrote Stop abusing the L word and at the end suggested a reality game called So you think you can lead…

I knew it would be popular and the technology to produce it on the web is easily available, but organizing it, let alone using that technology, scares me silly. (I’m a Luddite wannabe.)

But fear shouldn’t stop you, there’s always a way around it. My solution is to recruit a volunteer staff to produce a web TV reality show. I’m going to be actively recruiting, but would love volunteers from my readership.

Here’s what you do.

Read the description in my earlier post and send your thoughts and/or what role(s) can you play in the production company. Here are the areas I think are needed, but I’m sure the list is incomplete, so don’t hesitate to add to it.

• Tech wizards who know how to do the web thing.
• Talking heads to emcee the show.
• Promotional gurus.
• Project managers to keep us organized (You don’t want me in that role!)
• Additional leadership gurus for various reasons.
• Anybody who thinks it sounds like fun!

As for me, I’m producer, recruiter and monitor-washer:)

I’m also gathering prizes for the contest and thank you gifts for the volunteers—leadership books, t-shirts, etc.—so if you have stuff you’d like to contribute please get in touch.

Email me at miki@RampUpSolutions.com, Subject: leadership reality show.

If you’d like to talk about it you can always call me at 866.265.7267.
If you reach my voice mail be sure to speak distinctly,
especially your phone number, because my hearing isn’t great.

Your comments—priceless

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Have you been trying to read our blogs?
Have you found the traffic clogged?
Did the error messages confuse you?
Are you so mad that we might lose you?

Please don’t be mad, don’t spit nails
The servers glitched and everything bailed
Out Ninja techs worked so hard
Their keyboards melted and are charred

As for us, bloggers all
We have no recourse except to bawl
We can write but we can’t post
And server errors do not engross

We beg of you to cut us slack
Until our Ninja’s bring us back
We guarantee it’ll be worth your while
Because our words they do beguile.

No, it’s not a joke and yes, it is 24 sessions that I’m giving away. This is in response to the phone call I just received asking if I was really serious about the offer I posted earlier today. My caller explained in detail why I couldn’t mean it and asked what the catch was. I think she finally gets it, but just in case anyone else is wondering—no typo, no catch, no joke.

Ever wanted help putting together a quick, practical plan of attack or evaluating something that you’ve already done? Maybe you just wanted to discuss whether/how leadership skills might be of direct use to you at work or in other areas of your life or how to handle someone whose leadership style made you uncomfortable.

Now’s your chance. In honor of b5Media’s 24-blog Sports Channel launch I’m giving away 24 mini-coaching sessions (by phone) that usually last 20-60 minutes depending on the subject. The offer is open to any person, at any level, who is out there DOING.

Coaches for both teams and individuals are common in all aspects of sports, but other kinds of coaching have really moved into the mainstream in the last few years. You can find coaches for all of your life or a small, specialized piece of it, such as health, fitness and finances. There are executive coaches and functional (sales, marketing, PR, etc.) coaches; I even ran into a gardening coach recently!

Who benefits most from coaching? Anybody with an open, flexible, curious MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy)^TM who wants to grow.

When it comes to business, who should pay for coaching? Many people believe that if it’s for work the company should pay, but that’s not always the wisest guideline. Sure, it’s always nice when your manager sees the value of additional training, but is he doesn’t, that shouldn’t hold you back.

Moreover, the learning opportunity needs to be relevant. Whether you’re in management or not and no matter who’s paying the question you need to answer when thinking about coaching is, “What’s in it for me?” This is definitely a decision that involves good old VSI (vested self-interest). Seems obvious, but you’d be surprised. For example, if you’re in customer service and are offered training/coaching in product support to pave the way for a promotion, but you want to move your career into marketing, how valuable is it, even though the company is paying?

You must be interested in the subject to realize the full value of coaching, or any kind of training. Even when the company pays the cost and it’s done on company time you still need to commit the physical and psychic energy to learn. Who wants to spend that energy on a subject that’s of no interest either now or in the future? When you get right down to it, coaching is about you, so you also want a coach who knows her stuff, is sensitive to your needs and learning style, and with whom you’re comfortable.

Coaching is similar to any other learning tool that enhances your career, opens more opportunities or helps you solve short-term, tactical problems and do a better job. If it pays off for you then it’s worth paying for-and don’t forget that business coaching is tax deductible.

So, if you want to be one of the lucky 24 call me at 866.265.7267 or write miki.saxon@b5media.com. Be sure to include b5media leadership offer in the subject line to avoid my spam filters (the phone number doesn’t have filters:)

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

I’ve been writing a lot about leaders in the instance and that as leaders you need to DO, rather than studying, talking and thinking for years, and that you’ll be termed a leader after the fact by whatever public is involved—or not.

Based on these and other comments I’ve gotten I think that I’d better clarify what I’m trying to do here at Leadership Turn.

First, I don’t believe that the goal of people studying and reading about leadership is to become the next King Jr., Ghandi, Jesus, or Hitler.

I do believe that

• the majority of people spending time and spend energy (very valuable commodities and not ones to spend lightly) on learning/improving leadership skills do so for their professional well-being and to improve career opportunities—many either are, or want to become, managers and I want to focus on their needs. Of the thousands of managers I’ve known over the years, only a few really believed they had it down pat, while the vast majority wanted to improve their management/leadership skills as well as add to them.
• there’s an enormous amount of strategic leadership information available online, in books, through academia and corporate training (in-house or outsourced) and I don’t feel the need to compete with that.
• there’s a need for quality information on DOING—what to do, a certain amount of how to do it and a lot of discussion regarding the role MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy)™ plays.
• the information needs to be presented in a clear, compact form that fits with busy schedules. I prefer to give my readers the benefit of the doubt that they will ask questions, or for additional information if they require it, so I try to keep my posts short, break the material up for easier digestion, and, one would hope, more cogitation.
• it’s up to each individual to find the right information, at the right time and, most importantly, in a format that works for the way they learn.

I don’t say any of this to downplay other blogs, papers, training, etc., but to explain where I’m coming from.

I’d like subject suggestions from readers who are DOING and to hear about your successes, those things that didn’t work (at least not to your satisfaction) and those that you consider failures.

My goal for Leadership Turn is to become highly interactive—more of an active coaching function that you can turn to in real time—while serving up plenty of food for thought and examples of what other people have done.

I keep saying that leadership is something one does and is recognized later. I was reading Leadership DNA: Myths, Your Brain, and a Real-Life Leader and loved the comment from the interviewee, “I realized early on that I didn’t learn anything about leading until I tried to lead something. Only after I examined what had just happened and my part in it did I learn anything. Books and workshops gave me a way to frame what I had learned as well as some language to go with it. But none of that had any meaning at all without being tied to an activity.” Definitely a guy after my own heart.

Interviewer Steve Roesler adds, “He was quite adamant about building people through experiences and letting them–and the organization–determine their capabilities as a result.”

Reminds me of the Nike tag line Just do it, that kind of says it all.

That’s what it’s all about, folks, doing it. I’m not belittling what you can learn from books and classes, but it’s still learning, not doing. And everyone who’s ever taken their learning into the field knows that it changes in the doing.

Further, what works for one person won’t work exactly the same for another—as the saying goes, different strokes for different folks.

Doing is a function of your MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy)™, which doesn’t match anyone else’s, just as no two snowflakes match. So anything you learn needs to be tweaked to fit your MAP and the circumstances even though the language used to describe what you do will be the same as that used by someone totally different in a totally different situation.

So go do, remembering that while it’s you who does, it’s the people/organization involved who deem you a leader, so quit worrying about it—just do your best.

One more note, but be sure to check out the links to Robyn McMaster’s Brain Myths Shape Your Choices. (Thanks, Steve:)

Looking for a few good leaders!

I’d like to invite my readers to suggest leaders in the instance who might be interested in writing a guest post about their experience. Self-nominations are welcome.

Nominees must actually be in the trenches doing it. I’m looking for managers, executives, volunteers, supervisors, parents, team members, etc. who may not even see themselves as leaders, but others do.

The only caveat is that they don’t formally teach, write or give talks about leadership.

You may nominate them publicly using “comments,” send them to me, or call me at 866.265.7267