Why?

If you have kids, you have experienced the why game. A four year old won't just accept "because" or "it just is" or "just do it, I'm your mother" and let it go. But we slowly let that inquisitive process slip away as we get older.

Then we may stop asking why. 

Change is not easy but status quo can appear safe. Our inner four year old needs to show up more often so we can discover why do we do what we do.

Tony Robbins shares his thoughts.


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Yeah, But Why?

If you have kids, you have experienced the why game. A four year old won't just accept "because" or "it just is" or "just do it, I'm your mother" and let it go. But we slowly let that inquisitive process slip away as we get older.

Then we may stop asking why. 

Change is not easy but status quo can appear safe. Our inner four year old needs to show up more often so we can discover why do we do what we do.

Tony Robbins shares his thoughts.


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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

TED | Tony Robbins

Simple Can be Complicated

A couple of years ago, I started something on Twitter. It began with a thought or quote, an idea or something funny, and now it's something I post every morning.

Here are the highlights from September 2013

Don't let tomorrow wreck today. Randy Pausch
Sometimes you need to cut the line and find a new lake.
What will get your focus today? Take time for think time.

The secret of success is getting started. Mark Twain

Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness.
Never underestimate the power of helping someone.

Someday is today. Focus is a choice. Lend a hand today.

Leadership is to create an alignment of strengths,
making our weaknesses irrelevant. Peter Drucker

There is a distinction between meaningful work and busy work.
Trust yourself, you've earned it.

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
Albert Einstein

No is easy. How requires effort. Be persistent.
Say thank-you to those you appreciate today.

Anything is possible when everybody buys in. Ray Lewis

Be who you are. Say what you feel.
Those who mind don't matter.
Those who matter don't mind.
Theodor Seuss Geisel (03-04-1904 - 09-24-1991)

Obstacles, hurdles, and challenges are where we grow.
The occasional digital day off can do wonders.
Surround yourself with people who will help refine your strengths.

Innovation is saying no to a thousand things.
Steve Jobs (02.24.55 - 10.05.11)

You are capable of so much more.
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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

asianscientist

No Leap Required

Every morning, I like to share a quote or saying or thought on Twitter. These are meant to make you think, move, or perhaps just smile.

Here’s the list from February 2013

Never underestimate the power of your ability. Make time for think time every day.
If you don't give it a shot, how will you know? What will you do today that will positively affect your life? Someday will never arrive.

Potential without action is talking. The best place to start is now.
How will you inspire today? Don't wait for others to endorse your passion and goals.

Two words that mean a lot - you're welcome.

Managers can lead but great leaders don't over manage. Make time for them time. Don't let others dictate your goals.

Do you have a team or just a group of people who happen to work together?
What got us here may not get us there.

Embrace your strengths then share them. Embrace their strengths then share them.
Make time for play time. Never underestimate your ability to affect positive change.

Culture Matters

Kneale Mann

istock

Actions and Behavior

It began sometime last year and has become a daily item each morning on Twitter.
I post a thought, an idea, a quote, a timely event, or wisdom from somewhere.

Here are some from November 2012

Leadership is a choice. Push yourself; you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment. Look at your list, pick something, do it today.

They're entitled to their opinion and you're not required to endorse it. Leadership is about people not parties. The past has passed, enjoy right now. Never underestimate the power of you. If you're going to have ideas, why not have big ideas?

Let's not waste any more time on shoulda woulda couldas. Three questions of clarity: What do you stand for? What will you not do? Why do you do what you do? Thank them. Let's celebrate The International Day of Tolerance.

It's not how we fall; it is how we get back up again. It is no negative thoughts allowed day. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

If your people are your biggest asset, prove it through your actions.

Let's not take it all so seriously. The best indicator of future behavior can be past behavior, how can you improve that?

Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better. Connect and help. Pick five people you connect with online and book a call. Never underestimate the power of saying no. The high road has less traffic.

The idea you've been holding on to is ready to be shared.

Kneale Mann

freemethod

The Magic of Collaboration

Each morning on Twitter, I post something insightful or funny or silly or inspiring. These are from websites I've visited, pieces I've written, historical inspiration that might help, leaders who give us perspective, and ideas in my head. October began with five quotes from the late Steve Jobs on the first anniversary of his death.

"One home run is much better than two doubles. Design is not what it looks like, design is how it works. Remembering you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Stay hungry, stay foolish."

Here’s the rest of the list from October 2012

Focus on what went well this week. The past has passed unless we let it drag us down or we build on it.To my fellow Canadian friends - Happy Thanksgiving. To my American pals - Happy Columbus Day.

Leadership begins with you. Hindsight is a terrible business associate. We do our best work when it doesn't seem like work.

Never underestimate the power of questions. The perfect time will never arrive. Where we stretch, we learn and grow. Leadership is about guiding and helping then getting out of the way.

No one said it would be easy. Keep going. If you feel held back, loosen your reins. Belief in you begins with you.

Provide the guidance for them to lead themselves. Who can you call at 3am if you need them? Who has you on their list?

When did you last take an entire day just for you? Leadership begins with you. Ask them how they're doing and wait for their response. Have a look at your to-do list for this year, how are you doing so far?

Never underestimate the power of collaboration. Don't ask for praise, give it. Yes we can do better. Let's get on that today. If you're looking for inspiration, offer your help to someone who needs it. Share your mind, most can't read it. Say thank-you, often.

Step out of your comfort zone where you can grow.

Kneale Mann

apple

Your Body Speaks

We think our words carry us but it’s so much more. Body language, avatars, phrases, and tone, all contribute to our nonverbal behavior which others will measure. Often those behaviors dictate our emotions.

Dr. Amy Cuddy is a Harvard professor who endured a traumatic experience which profoundly changed her life. Since then, she has studied human behavior and body language with remarkable results.

Leadership requires confidence but at times we feel over our heads. Amy suggests we fake it ‘til we become it. Watch and see how much you can learn about yourself.


Kneale Mann

TED | Amy Cuddy

Five Rings and a Month of Suggestions

It can be fun, serious, funny, or thought provoking, but daily on Twitter I post something that may brighten your day, cause you to pause, make you think, or give you a smile.

Since the London Olympics began on July 27th, you'll notice some silliness may have ensued in the last few days of the month and may continue through August 12th.

Here’s the list for July 2012

• Happy Birthday, Canada
• Two out of ten play mostly to their strengths. What about you?
• Context is king
• Happy 236, USA
• Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions. Bo Bennett
• Martin Streek - Three years and still doesn't seem real.
• At the end of the day, when all is said and done, we may need fewer clichés
• Never underestimate the power of quite time
• Build relationships not customers
• Leadership doesn't appear on a business card
• Nose to the grindstone, best foot forward, shoulder to the wheel, drink plenty of fluids
• Stay curious
• Drop out of the Ain’t it Awful Club. Jack Canfield
• Take a break from the internet. It will be here when you get back
• Make the choice or something else will make it for you
• Let others have the spotlight today
• Take the victory
• Leadership starts from within
• How often do you listen to your gut?
• Never. Stop. Learning.
• Thank those who help you
• Independence needs a hand. Accept it with grace
• Meet five new people this week
• Growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership
• Stress can be a self-inflicted injury
• Leadership is about helping others
• Are you giving your best?
• Remains the frontrunner in marathon napping
• Scored gold for sharp retorts
• Won silver in coverage viewing
• Stuck the couch dismount

If we give up, we may never know.

Kneale Mann

getty images

Push Beyond Your Limits

There have been moments in your life when you felt you didn’t have the answer. Conversely, there have been times when you allowed yourself to dream, if only for a moment, about what you wanted in your life, your career, your family or your lifestyle. And perhaps you paused. Then went back to what you thought was reality.

Caroline Casey was a global management consultant and changed it all to create her not-for-profit organization Kanchi. She discusses leadership, disabilities, elephants and how we must push beyond our limits and accomplish more.


Kneale Mann

caroline casey | TED

Why We Do What We Do

We have all tried and failed. We have all found sufficient excuses not to get it done. We have all blamed seemingly endless reasons why it didn’t go our way.

Tony Robbins has been helping people for more than three decades. If you need that kick in the butt, watch this. If you’re one of the over 3 million who have seen it since 2005, watch it again.

Then what will you do?


Kneale Mann

visual credit: TED