2010 Questions

It seems everyone’s heads are in 2011 already. That end of year feeling! I have picked up on various conversations about next year and the expectations that people have for it. Part of setting up a great 2011 is about finishing 2010 well. Do we simply kiss it goodbye and relax now until the next years starts?

I am a firm believer in the power of the right questions.  Many of us look for answers, but few sit down and think about the right questions to ask. Questions have the uncanny knack to open up possibilities, to get us thinking out the box and perhaps break down the limitations we put on ourselves.

Perhaps a great way to end this year would be to ask yourselves some good questions. At least commit some time to jot down some thoughts about 2010 which could really support a strong transition into 2011.

Use these as a guide:

What energised me the most during 2010?
Which relationships have been my most effective this year? Why?
Which relationships put my under the most pressure? Why?
What strengths did I see in myself during 2010?
Under which conditions in my professional capacity did I see myself thrive?
What were some of my barriers to success this year?
What did I avoid doing that I know I most needed to do?
What did I do that surprised me?
What ideas or concepts that I thought about really resonated with me?
Who inspired me this past year?
What can I do to finish off this year well?

All the best with finishing this year well!
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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Whose page is it anyway?

Whilst engaged in some team building a team leader approached me with this question:

“Do you think that I will ever be able to get everyone on the same page?”

I was intrigued by his question so asked him what he meant by the same page. He described a scenario whereby ideally he wanted all of those in his team to ‘get what he gets!’. As he continued to speak I realised the error in this leader’s way of thinking. Ultimately what he desires is for everyone to do what he wants them to do. The page he is speaking about is in fact, HIS page. He is asking why is everyone not on MY page.

Now there needs to be a page, that’s for sure. But it certainly can’t be yours alone. The page represents a place whereby whatever it is you do together is working to its optimum potential. The optimum potential of a team is equal to the sum of all of the potential of the individuals in the team. Leaders then need to move away from ‘telling’ their teams about a page but rather involve them in becoming part of the page.

As we spoke I encouraged him to get used to the fact that diversity creates tension. Tension can go two ways. Toward conflict or toward innovation. He gets to choose which path he wants to take and then act accordingly.

The answer to the first question then is yes. Yes, you will be able to get everyone on the same page. It all depends on your method.

Step 1: Let go of what you think the page should look like

Step 2: Involve others in creating the page sharing your perspective and inviting the perspectives of others.

Step 3: Allow moments of tension and choose to see the potential amidst the tension

Step 4: Act

Step 5: Continuously dialogue as you go.

Then step back and enjoy a page that doesn’t just look and feel like you, but is a result of what is around you. Perhaps this new page will be even more awesome than the page you so eagerly fought for on your own?

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Automatically Stupid vs Very Clever

In moments of pressure we often become automatically stupid. We say what we didn’t mean to say. We do what we didn’t mean to do. We freeze. It seems that outside of the pressure zone we’re very clever. We have clarity of thought, can find the right words, feel calm & seem to be able to see the bigger picture. Much like preparing for a speech versus giving a speech. Perhaps one could look at rugby as a bunch of very clever people shouting the odds at the automatically stupid referee!

I have huge amounts of respect for people who are able to remain very clever in moments of pressure. Their minds seem to be in a state of ‘rest’ or ‘relaxed alertness’ seemingly being able to read the situation, make the right call and be successful.

What if we could get ourselves to a place of doing what we most need to do (very clever) whilst under pressure?

Sportsmen understand the importance of remaining very clever under pressure. There are consequences for ‘dropping the ball’. It may mean their position or their pay cheque. Hence the ratio of time they spend training versus performing.

So what about us? We have positions. We perform as spouses, friends, colleagues, citizens, employees, leaders, managers, individuals...

What is the consequence of our lack of performance under pressure?

How much time do you commit to training versus performing?

The following Acronym is aptly named REST. It breaks building toward the state of relaxed alertness into 4 training methods.

R - References

This is the acquiring of knowledge & principles which we can call on under pressure. Imagine you have a book shelf in your head. As you engage in learning you fill that shelf with books. You store sentences, paragraphs & insights which you can call on in moments of pressure in any given context. Commit time to learning.

E - Energised

Remaining energised is essential to avoiding being automatically stupid. Engage in spiritual, mental, emotional and physical activities that you know work to keep you energised.

S - Self Talk

Negative self talk is a powerful way of putting pressure on yourself. Often we take our own ‘limiting beliefs’ into situations. “I can’t do this!” or “I am going to fail!” These limiting beliefs rob you of the positive foundation that you need to be very clever under pressure. Speak positively over yourself.

T - Triggers

Triggers are those things around you which always put pressure on you and cause you to be automatically stupid? Triggers could be words people say, or particular individuals, situations or simply the taxi drivers. Being aware of them allows you to consciously approach them differently slowly breaking the power they have over you.

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Two hands

I believe our main task as leaders is to make a difference in the lives of those people around us – in every aspect of life!

I also believe that it is as a result of great leaders that we can effect change, and maybe even change the world.

Ben Harper reminded me of this recently while listening to one of his songs called “Own Two Hands”. Harper sings:

“I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
Oh- with my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
And I can clean up the earth
Oh- with my own two hands
And I can reach out to you
Oh- with my own two hands
I'm gonna make it a brighter place
I'm gonna make it a safer place
I'm gonna help the human race
With my own two hands

Now I can hold you
With my own two hands
And I can comfort you
With my own two hands…
But you got to use
Use your own two hands”

It is a powerful idea! We can change the world with our own two hands… BUT we have got to USE them! As leaders we have been given incredible talents, but these are not only for our benefit.

Have you ever noticed how some leaders live only for themselves? They have the title, the car, the cash, the status, but yet they are lonely, bitter and twisted people. There may be many reasons for this but I believe it is because they have used their talents to serve themselves only, no matter what effect it had on anyone else. They have been living for the big “ME!” and as a result they isolate themselves.

I believe as humans we were never created to live in isolation. Community is God’s plan and design – we see it in the Trinity, in marriage, in the church and in life. Synergy is God’s plan to change the world, and synergy means you and me using our talents to make a difference in the lives of those we lead and influence – a positive difference.

Jesus, who used His two hands to change the world, explained to a follower of his that if he loved Him, he should feed His sheep. In essence, Jesus is saying we show our love for Him and extend His kingdom by meeting the needs of those around us. He also taught us through what is called the parable of the talents that we need to use what we have been given to make an exponential effect on others. When we use our talents this way, we move from living for the big “ME” and start living for the big “US”.

What talents do your hands carry? And are you going to use them to change your world or The World?
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Leave your mark

I heard a great leader, Bill Hybels, once say that he is amazed at how God orchestrates the crossing of paths. I have found that God has sent certain people across my path who have turned out to be mentors in my life. I was recently having a few conversations around leadership with such a mentor and had a few epiphanies that are now forming the content for this article. (Dean Davey, thanks for your inspiration!)

Have you ever noticed how many leadership articles/books/programs/seminars focus their content on leadership attributes? While attributes and principals are good, they are only half of the ingredients required to be an effective leader – and is the easy part. As a result, we so often chase after the next book or seminar and end up as fat, lazy and self indulgent leaders. To be effective leaders, we need to take the attributes we have learned and actually work them out in accordance to our purpose – we need to add intention, focus and a no excuse approach to using the attributes to leading others – making a difference. We need to apply what we know to our own story!

I’ve discovered that there is a great starting point to application of attributes: purpose and passion. The discovery of what you are passionate about and what you feel your purpose is results in us living with passion and purpose. It often causes the attributes we know to shine in what we do. Do you know your purpose? Do you know what you are passionate about? If you don’t have this clarity, you will run from book to seminar to try find it. Get with God, spend time reflecting and make sure you can clarify what it is.

Once we know our purpose and passion in life, we need to spend time constantly refining and assessing it. We must take the attributes we learn and mould them to our unique style, to cause us to be effective in how we lead. Too often we try copy someone else with a totally different purpose or personality. Unless we constantly refine and assess our purpose and passion, and the attributes we learn, we will never effectively act and lead in a way that is authentic.

It is essential that we also reflect and energise around our purpose. Sometimes we get caught up in the business of leadership and all the new theories, that we lose sight of where we actually want and need to be! When you constantly reflect on your purpose and passion, you find your energy tank gets a healthy top up! If we want to be effective, we need to be energised!

I have also learned that I need to ensure that each week my list of daily priorities reflect my purpose and passions. If not, I end up being extremely busy but not very fruitful.

How are you doing with the attributes you have learned? Are you constantly chasing more? Or are you applying and moulding them to maximise on your purpose and passion – Ultimately causing you to make a difference with your life. Let’s make our lives leave a mark!
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.

Assumptions must die

I have all of a sudden realised the severity of hearing someone say “I assume...” Honestly, does that not really mean “I don’t know, so I am just going to make up a fact and call it the truth...” To assume means you have weighed some options in your head, thought about how legitimate they could be and then made a call.

I hear it a lot. How often do you say it?

Lately my work has been working with assumptions which are, in fact, incorrect. The deal is we will act on what we believe. What we assume we believe. What I see is years of actions based on assumption upon assumption that has done a great deal to create scenario’s which simply did not need to happen. This can be damaging. Damaging to relationships where either parties assume. Damaging to organisations where colleagues assume. Damaging to you.

So why do we do it?

In my humble opinion it seems to be that we need information to work with. That makes sense as you can’t work with nothing. But information gathering is, at times, hard work. It may involve research. It may involve asking questions. It may involve having a conversation, all of which take time and energy.

What stops us?

Time in a fast paced environment.
Fear when you feel threatened.
Resentment when you have been hurt.
Low energy when you have been going hard.
Disengagement when you are not enjoying your work.

So what do we do?

Kill assumptions. No matter what, commit to end the game of assuming. Confront whatever it is you need to confront and hunt for information that is correct. Avoid spending time in your head with fictitious stories. If you are feeling something, verify it. Have the conversations. Commit the time. Do what you know you most need to do.

I don’t know about you but I have had many moments of relief when I have found out what is really going on. I have also felt embarrassed when I acted on an assumption and was totally off the mark.

• Right now - what are you assuming?
• Right now - who do you need to speak to or what do you need to do to find out the facts?
• What was the difference between the two?
• What will you choose to do now?

Goodbye assumptions!

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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Obstacles to living intentionally

I recently wrote an article entitled “Intentional about Being Intentional.” When we live and lead intentionally, we do so with purpose, clarity and passion. It helps us steward our leadership gift faithfully, using it to truly make a difference in the lives of those we lead.

As I’ve thought more about the subject of being intentional I’ve become aware, in my own life, of things that are potential obstacles to being intentional. These things can so often rob us from being truly intentional in our leadership.

An article by Mark Driscoll helped raise my awareness of potential obstacles to being intentional. The following are some of the more common obstacles I, and I’m sure many others, face:

• People – This may sound strange because it is people that we have a heart to impact. But as leaders it is often people that cause us to move into a reactionary space rather than an intentional one. Have you ever experienced someone who is pushy, needy, demanding, high-drama, inconsiderate or unrealistic? If you are a leader, I’m sure your answer is YES! These types of people often scream very loudly for us to meet their demands and expectations, and if we are not careful can often steal our life, joy, health, and time. We may see it as ministry, but often time is just people pleasing. We need to be intentional about how to effectively lead people and manage ourselves, instead of just responding to the loudest voice.

• Technology – I’ve discovered that a huge part of being intentional is using my time wisely, and one of the hugest time wasters in my life is technology. That said, I know that technology does energise and fascinate me, so I do need to be intentional about devoting some time to it. But it too often controls me. I know I can’t be an effective leader if I’m are always surfing the net, reading and updating Twitter and facebook, playing around on my cell phone or iPad, reading emails, smsing, chatting on instant messenger and watching TV. Even though I have and enjoy technology, I’m learning I need to manage it effectively (ie: turn it off at times).

• Lack of planning – Without proper planning and prioritizing, we will very quickly slip from the intentional space into the reactionary realm, often giving our attention and efforts to the most urgent perceived need, rather than the most important one. Leaders never grow to a point where they don’t need to prioritise.

• Trading busyness for fruitfulness – Again I found Driscoll very helpful here. He states that some people say they are too busy to worship, pray, Sabbath, journal, and so forth, but they have tragically traded being busy for being Godly, obedient, and wise fruitful stewards. He goes on to ask if our busyness is truly fruitful or would some plans to organise our world, home, diet, budget, schedule, and life be helpful? I know my answer to that question is often yes.

I have found the more aware I am of these obstacles, the more effective I’m becoming in avoiding them.
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Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.