There are ample data to suggest if we find common ground, we stand a chance to agree. The bigger question is do we need to agree? Every interaction we experience is more than the conversation we have at the time. My experience, perspective, biases, and view mix with yours.
In my career, I have overseen the creation of three brand new radio stations from concept to completion, helped a tech start-up build their strategic plan and brand roll out, and worked closely with a real estate firm to triple their revenue in two years. The common element has been aligning a framework to then get creative within it.
Your Way or My Way?
It’s not about telling you your ideas are wrong; it’s about getting to the core of what you are willing to do to achieve them. That’s where I know I get sidetracked. I’m a dreamer, a box crusher, and a ‘what if we tried that’ kind of guy.
We admire those who take chances and seemingly disregard conventional wisdom. But if we look closer, there is a framework within the freedom. The key to great companies, teams, and departments, is the ability to give space to all perspectives then tie them back to the goals.
Widen Your Scope
If you want more sales, telling your team to make more calls is not going to work. If you include them in the process, you allow all perspectives to be included into a much more robust solution. Some reps may prefer to build relationships over time while others might be rock stars at cold calling. This becomes even more complex over time as relationships grow. I’ve seen it far too many times to mention when a leader will be repeatedly frustrated by how an employee approaches their work.
Instead of trying to jam someone into your perspective, take time to examine theirs and you might discover a solution neither of you had ever thought about. I need cautious people around me to keep me grounded. You might require creative people whose ideas seem outrageous at first, around you.
One approach never fits all.
__________________________________________________________________
Showing posts with label Grow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grow. Show all posts
June 1, 2020
November 15, 2018
One Size Not For All
There are ample data to suggest if we find common ground, we stand a chance to agree. The bigger question is do we need to agree? Every interaction we experience is more than the conversation we have at the time. My experience, perspective, biases, and view mix with yours.
In my career, I have overseen the creation of three brand new radio stations from concept to completion, helped a tech start-up build their strategic plan and brand roll out, and worked closely with a real estate firm to triple their revenue in two years. The common element has been aligning a framework to then get creative within it.
Your Way or My Way?
It’s not about telling you your ideas are wrong; it’s about getting to the core of what you are willing to do to achieve them. That’s where I know I get sidetracked. I’m a dreamer, a box crusher, and a ‘what if we tried that’ kind of guy.
We admire those who take chances and seemingly disregard conventional wisdom. But if we look closer, there is a framework within the freedom. The key to great companies, teams, and departments, is the ability to give space to all perspectives then tie them back to the goals.
Widen Your Scope
If you want more sales, telling your team to make more calls is not going to work. If you include them in the process, you allow all perspectives to be included into a much more robust solution. Some reps may prefer to build relationships over time while others might be rock stars at cold calling. This becomes even more complex over time as relationships grow. I’ve seen it far too many times to mention when a leader will be repeatedly frustrated by how an employee approaches their work.
Instead of trying to jam someone into your box, take the time to examine theirs and you might discover a solution neither of you had ever thought about. I need cautious people around me to keep me grounded. You might require creative people whose ideas seem outrageous at first, around you.
One approach never fits all.
__________________________________________________________________
In my career, I have overseen the creation of three brand new radio stations from concept to completion, helped a tech start-up build their strategic plan and brand roll out, and worked closely with a real estate firm to triple their revenue in two years. The common element has been aligning a framework to then get creative within it.
Your Way or My Way?
It’s not about telling you your ideas are wrong; it’s about getting to the core of what you are willing to do to achieve them. That’s where I know I get sidetracked. I’m a dreamer, a box crusher, and a ‘what if we tried that’ kind of guy.
We admire those who take chances and seemingly disregard conventional wisdom. But if we look closer, there is a framework within the freedom. The key to great companies, teams, and departments, is the ability to give space to all perspectives then tie them back to the goals.
Widen Your Scope
If you want more sales, telling your team to make more calls is not going to work. If you include them in the process, you allow all perspectives to be included into a much more robust solution. Some reps may prefer to build relationships over time while others might be rock stars at cold calling. This becomes even more complex over time as relationships grow. I’ve seen it far too many times to mention when a leader will be repeatedly frustrated by how an employee approaches their work.
Instead of trying to jam someone into your box, take the time to examine theirs and you might discover a solution neither of you had ever thought about. I need cautious people around me to keep me grounded. You might require creative people whose ideas seem outrageous at first, around you.
One approach never fits all.
__________________________________________________________________
October 24, 2017
Sure We Can
We can learn. We can teach. We can hear. We can stop. We can know.
We can act. We can drive. We can grow. We can cry. We can do.
We can switch. We can help. We can call. We can bend. We can try.
We can play. We can like. We can think. We can stretch. We can live.
We can gift. We can swerve. We can go. We can dream. We can touch.
We can move. We can thank. We can shape. We can win. We can fall.
We can lend. We can run. We can draw. We can reach. We can love.
The key may not be whether we can but whether we will.
__________________________________________________________________
We can act. We can drive. We can grow. We can cry. We can do.
We can switch. We can help. We can call. We can bend. We can try.
We can play. We can like. We can think. We can stretch. We can live.
We can gift. We can swerve. We can go. We can dream. We can touch.
We can move. We can thank. We can shape. We can win. We can fall.
We can lend. We can run. We can draw. We can reach. We can love.
The key may not be whether we can but whether we will.
__________________________________________________________________
August 30, 2016
Will we?
We can learn. We can teach. We can hear. We can stop. We can know.
We can act. We can drive. We can grow. We can cry. We can do.
We can switch. We can help. We can call. We can bend. We can try.
We can play. We can like. We can think. We can stretch. We can live.
We can gift. We can swerve. We can go. We can dream. We can touch.
We can move. We can thank. We can shape. We can win. We can fall.
We can lend. We can run. We can draw. We can reach. We can love.
The key isn't whether we can but whether we will.
__________________________________________________________________
We can act. We can drive. We can grow. We can cry. We can do.
We can switch. We can help. We can call. We can bend. We can try.
We can play. We can like. We can think. We can stretch. We can live.
We can gift. We can swerve. We can go. We can dream. We can touch.
We can move. We can thank. We can shape. We can win. We can fall.
We can lend. We can run. We can draw. We can reach. We can love.
The key isn't whether we can but whether we will.
__________________________________________________________________
July 3, 2015
My Opinion is Not Your Perspective
There are ample data to suggest if we find common ground, we stand a chance to agree. The bigger question is do we need to agree? Every interaction we experience is more than the conversation we have at the time. My experience, perspective, biases, and view mix with yours. I am a free thinker but I have a deep need for focus and strategy.
In my career, I have overseen the creation of three brand new radio stations from concept to completion, helped a tech start-up build their strategic plan and brand roll out, and worked closely with a real estate firm to triple their revenue in two years. The common element has been aligning a framework to then get creative within it.
Crush the Boxes
I’m a Pisces Water Tiger and I don’t work well in a cubicle world. I appreciate norms and values deeply but enjoy creating an outlet for all involved to push things beyond what we’ve done in the past.
When I’m working with a client, the first thing I do is dig as deep as necessary to get to their real goals and needs. Everyone wants more revenue. Most say they want a collaborative culture. And many feel they are providing the environment for both.
Your Way or My Way?
It’s not about telling you your ideas are wrong; it’s about getting to the core of what you are willing to do to achieve them. That’s where I know I get sidetracked. I’m a dreamer, a box crusher, and a ‘what if we tried that’ kind of guy.
We admire those who take chances and seemingly disregard conventional wisdom. But if we look closer, there is a framework within the freedom. The key to great companies, teams, and departments, is the ability to give space to all perspectives then tie them back to the goals.
Widen Your Scope
If you want more sales, telling your team to make more calls is not going to work. If you include them in the process, you allow all perspectives to be included into a much more robust solution. Some reps may prefer to build relationships over time while others might be rock stars at cold calling. This becomes even more complex over time as relationships grow. I’ve seen it far too many times to mention when a leader will be repeatedly frustrated by how an employee approaches their work.
Instead of trying to jam someone into your box, take the time to examine theirs and you might discover a solution neither of you had ever thought about. I need cautious people around me to keep me grounded. You might require creative people whose ideas seem outrageous at first, around you.
One approach never fits all.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
In my career, I have overseen the creation of three brand new radio stations from concept to completion, helped a tech start-up build their strategic plan and brand roll out, and worked closely with a real estate firm to triple their revenue in two years. The common element has been aligning a framework to then get creative within it.
Crush the Boxes
I’m a Pisces Water Tiger and I don’t work well in a cubicle world. I appreciate norms and values deeply but enjoy creating an outlet for all involved to push things beyond what we’ve done in the past.
When I’m working with a client, the first thing I do is dig as deep as necessary to get to their real goals and needs. Everyone wants more revenue. Most say they want a collaborative culture. And many feel they are providing the environment for both.
Your Way or My Way?
It’s not about telling you your ideas are wrong; it’s about getting to the core of what you are willing to do to achieve them. That’s where I know I get sidetracked. I’m a dreamer, a box crusher, and a ‘what if we tried that’ kind of guy.
We admire those who take chances and seemingly disregard conventional wisdom. But if we look closer, there is a framework within the freedom. The key to great companies, teams, and departments, is the ability to give space to all perspectives then tie them back to the goals.
Widen Your Scope
If you want more sales, telling your team to make more calls is not going to work. If you include them in the process, you allow all perspectives to be included into a much more robust solution. Some reps may prefer to build relationships over time while others might be rock stars at cold calling. This becomes even more complex over time as relationships grow. I’ve seen it far too many times to mention when a leader will be repeatedly frustrated by how an employee approaches their work.
Instead of trying to jam someone into your box, take the time to examine theirs and you might discover a solution neither of you had ever thought about. I need cautious people around me to keep me grounded. You might require creative people whose ideas seem outrageous at first, around you.
One approach never fits all.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
September 27, 2014
We Can...
We can act. We can drive. We can grow. We can cry. We can do.
We can switch. We can help. We can call. We can bend. We can try.
We can play. We can like. We can think. We can stretch. We can live.
We can gift. We can swerve. We can go. We can dream. We can touch.
We can move. We can thank. We can shape. We can win. We can fall.
We can lend. We can run. We can draw. We can reach. We can love.
The key may not be whether we can but whether we will.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
playdoughtoplato
September 24, 2014
The Past Has Passed
What should have been? What could I have done?
It’s all irrelevant now, but for some reason we spend far too much of our consciousness on what happened and what may happen.
Individual Teamwork
You see this in organizations as well. It’s the way we do things around here, we can’t do that at this company, and all the while, we create memes that drive us or worse, stall us. We put up walls because of things in the past, false barriers to stop us from moving forward and progressing.
If you look at an organization, there is a chart mapping all departments and functions. Within those subsections, subject matter experts focus on their areas of proficiency. The sales department create new client relationships, the design team perfect the new line of products, the management team ensure the strategic plan is adhered, etc.
Learn and Move
But how much of our time is spent creating today through our beliefs from yesterday? How often do we break out of the comfort zone – which often doesn't feel very comfortable – and take a leap?
The past can teach us not make the same mistakes twice. But often if we focus on those mistakes, the very behavior we are trying to avoid repeats itself.
I'm often reminded by friends and colleagues that the past simply doesn't matter. The only thing that counts is what we do right now, this minute. Our next one is not guaranteed and our last one is gone.
If we lose the past we can begin to grow.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
david macdonald
April 29, 2014
The Leadership Project
May 30-31: Camp Harbor View – Boston
We are living in a time where 3-4 generations can be collaborating in a single group or company. Cultures are mixing, opinions are melding, and the results are quite remarkable. The span of ages and perspectives has never been so wide yet there is a way to converge and collaborate if we adopt an open-mind policy.
Let's Inspire Together
Westwood International is launching a pilot program on May 30-31 at Camp Harbor View in Boston called The Leadership Project. The purpose is to help young leaders work on their leadership journey through a discussion and a 90-day challenge. This will be their challenge focused on their plan which will include how to build something new, build stronger relationships, and become a better leader now.
Leadership is not a topic to be reserved for those in their 40's and 50's. It's imperative to give new graduates and young professionals in their 20's access to the skills and knowledge now. It's critical that business and young leaders learn from each other.
This will be will be a unique customized session where young leaders will work with experienced mentors while established business executives will learn from millennials.
The Leadership Project – May 30-31 in Boston
Join us as a participant. Join us as a sponsor. Join the conversation.
Keynote Speakers and Presenters
Betsy Myers – Founding Director of Women and Business at Bentley University
Jamil Mahuad – Harvard Law Professor and Former President of Ecuador
Lisa Fenn – Six-time Emmy winning feature producer for ESPN
Curt Cronin – Expert on Peak Performance and Former Navy SEAL
Greg Zlevor – CEO and President of Westwood International
Mentors, Facilitators, and Coaches
Christine Burych – President of StarlingBrook Leadership Corporation
Marlene Lepkoski – Regulatory Innovation Design Leader at Johnson and Johnson
Tim Kavanagh – Business Development Manager at Champlain College
Cara Gould – Executive Director of Camp Harbor View
Torli Krua – Founder of YOUNG-Africa
Shannon Griesser – Program Manager at Westwood International
Tyler Kellogg – Creative Mind at Tyler DoGood
Jay Ferraro – Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Mastery Technologies
Dina David – Senior Project Manager of StarlingBrook Leadership Corporation
Kneale Mann – Leadership Strategist at Westwood International
If you have questions, I'm here to help.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.
Westwood International
August 30, 2013
Sound Advice from Leaders
A while back I asked some well respected people in my life to give their best leadership advice. I was looking at the list again this week and thought I'd share it again and add in insights from some more household names. Maureen Turner Rasmussen Listen.
Richard Branson Do something bold.
Elizabeth Warren Try the Unexpected
Vivian Vasquez Definitely listen.
Maria Shriver Have the courage go beyond shoulda could woulda.
Maryse Senecal Lead by example, always.
Kevin Hamil No one has all the answers so don't think you need to
or worse think you already do.
Joel Peterson Don’t do anything that matters without first setting a goal.
Charrise McCrorey Be you.
Chris Young If you want to be a leader, make sure you're worth following.
Arianna Huffington Find your place of wisdom and peace and strength.
Andrew Hedges Be transparent.
Lydia Robertson Actually care.
Steve Gamlin Live as an GOOD example.
Catherine Jones First learn how to follow.
Joel Scott Good leaders are good listeners and don't ask someone to do something
you never would or won't. Lead by example.
Sheryl Sandberg Follow your dream. Lean In.
Glen Bryant Be fair. Be consistent. Be credible.
Barbara Nixon Listen.
Jeff Immelt The world awaits your leadership.
Kathy Hahn Become the example.
Helen Smith Be present. Learn where to help and when to get out of the way.
Jeff Schueler Engage everyone in the outcome.
Carol Roy Respect everyone for where they're at in life/career and always support
where they want to go. Be honest, at all costs.
Wendy White-Katsipodas Be honest.
Brendan Jones Be dishonest and you are a fool if you don't know they know.
Randi Zuckerberg Be careful what you get good at.
Scott Armstrong Listen.
Sarah Montague Listen and let other people lead.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.
istock
August 18, 2013
Finding the How
Have you ever dropped an idea because you don’t think you had the money, time, expertise, or network? I was working on a project with a colleague this week and remembered the story of Britta Riley. I posted her story last year but thought it was worth another look.
Riley solved the issue of growing food in her cramped New York apartment. The result is now a global organization called The Windowfarms Project which was built through leadership, teamwork, open source, community, social media, and determined people.
Don't discard that idea you're working on just yet.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.
TED | Britta Riley
Riley solved the issue of growing food in her cramped New York apartment. The result is now a global organization called The Windowfarms Project which was built through leadership, teamwork, open source, community, social media, and determined people.
Don't discard that idea you're working on just yet.
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.
TED | Britta Riley
December 8, 2012
When a Community Creates an Idea
How often do you drop an idea because you don’t think you have the money, time, expertise, business savvy, marketing acumen, or network?
Here’s how Britta Riley solved the issue of growing food in her cramped New York apartment. The result is a global organization called The Windowfarms Project which was built through teamwork, open source, social media, and determined people.
Kneale Mann
TED | Britta Riley
Here’s how Britta Riley solved the issue of growing food in her cramped New York apartment. The result is a global organization called The Windowfarms Project which was built through teamwork, open source, social media, and determined people.
Kneale Mann
TED | Britta Riley
September 30, 2012
Kid CEO
Unless you work in complete isolation without any human contact, you collaborate. One of my passions is helping people become better leaders and companies to become more collaborative but what does that mean? Well it depends on the situation and the organization but the threads are leadership, communication, and teamwork which begin at the individual level.
Leadership abilities are inside each of us. That doesn't mean we all have to run Fortune 500 enterprises or even be the manager of a team. It’s about the human side of leading ourselves and those around us. And we shouldn't wait until someone becomes a manager to recognize and amplify these talents. We can show leadership in many ways and that can begin at an early age.
Cameron Harold was a terrible student. He hated school and barely squeaked by with terrible grades. His business career began when he was 6 and he has become a wildly successful speaker and entrepreneur.
Cameron says the need for entrepreneurs is as essential as for doctors and lawyers. He outlines his journey and business ideas in his talk at TEDxEdmonton.
Kneale Mann
TED | Cameron Harold
Leadership abilities are inside each of us. That doesn't mean we all have to run Fortune 500 enterprises or even be the manager of a team. It’s about the human side of leading ourselves and those around us. And we shouldn't wait until someone becomes a manager to recognize and amplify these talents. We can show leadership in many ways and that can begin at an early age.
Cameron Harold was a terrible student. He hated school and barely squeaked by with terrible grades. His business career began when he was 6 and he has become a wildly successful speaker and entrepreneur.
Cameron says the need for entrepreneurs is as essential as for doctors and lawyers. He outlines his journey and business ideas in his talk at TEDxEdmonton.
Kneale Mann
TED | Cameron Harold
August 30, 2012
Political Lessons
Now think about your career or your business and imagine what it would be like to stand on your own record and your own ideas. If they work, take the credit. If they don’t, own the blame. That happens never in politics so let’s look at the real world for lessons.
Back to Reality
It’s easy to point to politicians and poke holes in their theories and fuzzy memories but how often does it happen in our everyday lives? Do you own it when you mess up? Do you avoid blaming others to take the focus away from you? Do you show compassion to those who make mistakes and collaborate with them for solutions?
How can we better work together and show leadership in solving issues, building companies, growing people and improving our world without blaming others for all the problems and taking credit for all the victories?
It's up to us to show our leadership through our actions.
Kneale Mann
chesspieces
June 30, 2012
Inspiration and Opinion
I was recently hanging out with three buddies I have known for a long time and perhaps it's an age thing but we remarked how we care less and less about others’ opinions. There’s a successful home renovator, a thriving real estate broker, a well established professor, and a leadership consultant. I met them when we were starting our careers and perhaps worried more about what others thought about us. But the realization that your own fulfilment is key can be a great motivator.
Each of us is responsible and does good work. But it’s more about how things change as you grow through your life. When you start out, you’re climbing ladders and establishing yourself, and perhaps the thoughts of others weigh heavier on you.
Why Do You Do That?
As you get more mileage under you, hopefully you realize your contribution is more critical than judgement. The challenge is how you get inspiration from others while keeping their opinions in perspective.
My professor friend asked me why I blog. He doesn’t get the point. His opinion is that it’s a waste of time. I told him that I began blogging simply to get my thoughts organized.
Learn and Share
If you enjoy the content, that’s fantastic! If you feel I can help your company, let’s chat. If you just want to drop by once in a while, that’s cool too. If something inspires you, that makes me happy. If you don't agree with my opinion, that's fine.
Through my work, I have the privilege of meeting business leaders who seek new learning and strategies to improve their leadership skills. Like my buddies, they have moved from relying on opinions to inspiring themselves and others.
That’s a pretty good work/life balance.
Kneale Mann
flickr
May 11, 2012
We Don't Always Know
Since we aren’t machines nor are our teammates, coworkers and fellow stakeholders, we need to keep a keen eye on human elements and interaction. So if we pause for moment and look at those times in our career where we felt hampered perhaps in a restricted environment, were those possible learning opportunities or obstacles?
Two-Way Leader
I remember early in my career, I was intimidated by leadership. I was the kid who swept the floor (sometimes literally) while others in more important positions made all the decisions. But as I grew through a career of hard work, setbacks and victories, with some hindsight it's clear my “bosses” didn’t have all the answers. In fact, the good ones were secure in that fact. They were learning too. They needed the team’s help to grow and we made mistakes together.
If you feel you need to be strong, even when you aren’t sure, then you may be setting yourself up for future problems. If you think you may appear weak if you need help, trouble may be imminent.
The enterprise can be an overwhelming place at times and there is little allowance to pause when the pressures of the day need our attention. But we need to keep trying to find think time to grow. And asking for help is a sign of strength.
Even the brightest among us don't have all the answers.
Kneale Mann
freeimages
April 13, 2012
What's Your Best Leadership Advice?
That is a question I posted as a recent Facebook status update. Leadership isn’t easy and it takes skill, patience, time and experience. Here are the insightful responses
Elizabeth Grattan Be sure there are people actually following you. ;)
Maureen Turner Rasmussen Listen.
Vivian Vasquez Definitely listen.
Maryse Senecal Lead by example, always.
Kevin Hamil No one has all the answers to don't think you need to
or worse think you already do.
Charrise McCrorey Be you.
Chris Young If you want to be a leader, make sure you're worth following.
Michelle Fortin Stay curious and access your compassion when you are feeling frustration. Oh yes, and read "Power and Love" by Adam Kahane :)
Andrew Hedges Be transparent.
Lydia Robertson Actually care.
Steve Gamlin Live as an GOOD example.
Catherine Jones First learn how to follow.
Joel Scott Good leaders are good listeners and don't ask someone to do something
you never would or won't. Lead by example.
Glen Bryant Be fair. Be consistent. Be credible.
Barbara Nixon Listen.
Kathy Hahn Become the example.
Chris Kennedy Integrity must be the #1 core value demonstrated win all actions and decisions – especially during crisis and when having to deliver bad news.
Helen Smith Be present. Learn where to help and when to get out of the way.
Jeff Schueler Engage everyone in the outcome.
Carol Roy Respect everyone for where they're at in life/career and always support
where they want to go. Be honest, at all costs.
Wendy White-Katsipodas Be honest. Something that used to be a man's word for the people he leads.
Brendan Jones Be dishonest and you are a fool if you don't know they know.
Scott Armstrong Listen.
Sarah Montague Listen and let other people lead.
Great advice from some strong leaders.
Clearly one word keeps coming up – listen!
image: forbes
Click here to book an initial complimentary 30-minute consultation
May 31, 2011
Is Your Company Socialized?
The Ever-Growing To-Do ListWe could probably theorize for the next five years about what channels work best, who knows more, what blog templates are most effective, how to maximize your search results and a long list of things we are all supposed to care about these days.
Last week, the internet connection went down in my office for three hours. I called my provider and in fact there was a problem in the area of my office. It got me thinking how reliant we are on technology. How reliant are we on each other?
Technology meets Human Collaboration
Next week, I have the privilege of writing a guest post for Mark Schaefer. His Grow Community is growing in leaps and I am honoured he asked me to help out. I decided to write about a passion of mine and that is building social business. I will make note of the guest post here as well.
This is a collective out of Copenhagen called Leader Lab which is doing fascinating work in the area of social business.
Kneale Mann
visual credit: leaderlab
