May 31, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
“Connectors … They’re an open door that’s never closed to possibilities. This makes them totally receptive to the abundance that’s always ceaselessly flowing.” -Dr. Wayne Dyer in The Power of Intention
You are the message.
A compelling personal purpose/brand is about being clear and conscious of who you are. This gives you a level of confidence to set yourself aside and focus on others – confidently giving your voice in what you do. Your voice is the resonance of purpose. You must understand you as the message in order to effectively market your purpose.
Like Maggie in the skill of Messaging, your first order of purpose is to be yourself consistently; to engage and leverage who you are and make choices in the light of authenticity. You encounter challenge with confidence – you are engaged in something larger. Intently processing what it means to be part of something larger will guide you to the message that says; I am part of something, and I have an important role in the larger story. This level of awareness is prerequisite to market you in an honest, congruent fashion.
There lies the rub. If the thought of marketing yourself is a turnoff, then I challenge you to open your thinking. Many of us are turned off by the self-promotion of a braggart; as well as we should be. Boasting is not marketing. Boasting focuses solely on the one boasting. In the light of networking in the 21st Century, marketing your purpose and brand is about those you serve; it is about connection.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Networking | Tagged Brand, Connector, Purpose, Story | 1 Comment »
May 25, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Networking is 21st Century marketing for the leader. An intentionally constructed and caringly maintained network is a rich, interactive storehouse of knowledge, information, and resources. The larger encounter is intended for sharing.
As an aware, focused, and loving leader, you create career connections that are founded on mutual meaning. A career connection is someone who has become a member in your network based on what you do. This member is a recipient of your creativity delivered through your calling – the confidence of your purpose.
As a solo-preneur, my network is my market. Networking for me is marketing. In the transitional years of the 21st Century, it has become clear that this situation is the same for the individual leader. In order to market you, it is important to know your market.
In the 21st Century, a leader’s market is no longer only those in the employ of the company. Your reach is now through all levels of the organization, across the industry, and into other industries. The justification of this reach is not title or position; it is your purpose.
With the incredible 21st Century tools, we have broad reach. An individual career is less likely to span one organization as was the story in the recent 20th Century. In this reality, it is important to commit to the act of networking.
Networking is not something we “get to” when we have time – when our mind is not preoccupied by busyness. Networking is real work. Networking is a serious operation – a practice rich with creativity and giving.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Networking | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Awareness, Connection, Focus, Love | Leave a Comment »
May 17, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Message is about engagement.
What is engagement? Engagement is a mission; a calling. You call others into a positive future. A positive visualization of our story together assures creative and sustainable present action. We learn how to stay focused on collective desire in the reality of the day-to-day. Joint possession of the future is essential to present participation.
Engagement is where one’s authentic self encounters challenge with confidence. Confidently freeing authenticity is a pledge to the impact of one’s leadership.
Leading others to participate in seeing a bright, collective future, you empower them with understanding of what it looks like to be in the moment with that future. Seeing themselves in the unfolding story, the story is given life as their present energy is freed.
Story visualization is not a ‘nice-to-have.’ It is an absolute necessity to collective success. A believable, engaging story touches the substance of desire. Knowing the story we desire to tell guides us in discovering present measures to assure the story is indeed unfolding as desired.
Engagement is about what ought to be done; not the noisy, misleading ‘shoulds’ of the busy, distracted world around us. In the light of your unique message – spoken in your purpose – engagement becomes an obligation that is grasped willingly by those under the influence of your service.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Messaging | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Impact, Story | 8 Comments »
May 14, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Confidence that is only about assertiveness and control is the old confidence. The old confidence cannot feel the pull of desire or hear the voice of a larger purpose. An old confidence too easily attached to regret from the past and fear of the future.
The voice of a larger purpose speaks to you through your core where your deepest values reside. Conscious of these purpose-giving values, you hear the call to a new confidence. It is in this new confidence where desire and intent join and create the power of presence for your leadership.
Desire & Intent acknowledged is a commitment of clarity to those you lead, influence, and serve. Leading from clarity means you have a level of self-understanding that no longer produces limiting judgment of self or others. You lead with a new confidence. You are not limited, and through this freedom others find their confidence. In the presence of your leadership – in the clarity of your Desire & Intent – we envision a better future.
You unfold your unique impact in the 21st Century as you are guided into action by Desire & Intent. Your desire is good. As you honor desire, you validate intent into the charge of others’ individual confidence. You build your credibility as you set apart specific action as it relates to specific intent.
Your purpose is your message. Your unique message sets the rhythm for each communication; making it harmonize with Desire & Intent.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Messaging | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Impact, Judgment, Leadership, New Confidence | Leave a Comment »
May 11, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Maggie walked up to me at the professional association meeting and said, “Ask me what I do.” She had worked through my book, Focus-The Power of Personal Brand. I wrote this book for individuals to do in a self-study one of the things I do for clients in my coaching programs; create a personal purpose/brand statement.
This statement is the answer to that illusive dinner-party question, “Hello, what do you do?” As Maggie is on the path of discovering, it is much more than that. It is a statement of her own belief in what she does. It is a statement that invites others into her story. It is an expression of who she is in what she does. Her answer to this question is compelling to others because it was first compelling to Maggie. She is confidently speaking of her core passion; her purpose.
Maggie’s first order of purpose is to be herself consistently – embracing and leveraging who she really is and making choices in light of her authentic self. As she models this new confidence, Maggie becomes a presence that is both selfless and powerful. Focusing her leadership in the present, the 21st Century leader ensures that we put our attention to the right priorities; thus building fulfillment in our present work and assuring the rewards of tomorrow. This is focus in the 21st Century.
Maggie’s purpose provides direction. Her answer to the question is her purpose presently applied in a new confidence. She finds personal direction through the understanding of her purpose. Through that personal understanding she also provides direction to those she leads, influences, and serves. She keeps us focused.
Living in a new confidence, Maggie enters into each experience conscious of her purpose while respecting the potential and power of self and others. Setting desire free, Maggie has stepped into the flow focused, present, and open to experience.
Maggie is the message.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Messaging | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, New Confidence, Purpose, Understanding | 1 Comment »
May 7, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
More times than I care to admit, I’ve been a part of revamping a performance management process. The most impressive system or process is wasteful without dialogue. On occasion I have been asked about the most effective process of performance management from my twenty-six years prior to starting my coaching practice. My answer shocks most of those questioning; “It’s when there was no process.”
It was my first job after graduating from the university where I worked for an agricultural cooperative. Our corporate offices were on the city block we had purchased and our offices were in various houses that were on this property. My boss, Gene, and I had offices next to each other that had basically been connecting bedrooms. While we could not see each other sitting at our respective desks, we could easily talk due to the doorway that linked us; and that we did.
We talked often and we talked about anything we needed to and everything we wanted to talk about. It was a normal scene to observe Gene in the doorway talking to me at my desk or me in the doorway talking to Gene at his desk. Gene was patient as a trainer and clear with the guidance I needed. I learned quickly and followed-through well. We enjoyed working together. It seems I never wondered where I stood or how I was doing. Our consistent interaction was organic – it occurred as needed, and desired, and it coursed a natural flow. This was our system and process of performance management. There was no formal, written process.
One consultant friend, upon hearing this story, responded, “That is real performance management, a conversation.” Of course I agreed with him. The problem is that this ongoing dialogue is rarely what occurs in performance management as managers focus on documents and deadlines. In the judgment of a timelined process, we can too easily miss the point of real performance management – the development journey.
In your own development journey as a leader, your unique Desire & Intent is a trusted guide. I have learned that intent cannot flourish without attachment to honored desire. I have also learned that intent gives our desire a structure in which to deploy – to be used in the world.
When your personal and professional goals are shaped in light of value and authenticity, Desire & Intent will serve you as you create action strategies to move closer to achieving those goals. Look deep into the flow of your Desire & Intent and find at least three ways to summarize the meaning found there. Then create an action strategy for each category. The test comes when you look into how each action strategy moves you closer to your goals. Allowing Desire & Intent to be a guide assures that you will indeed tell the story you desire to tell on your development journey.
Desire speaks only truth. You must trust it as it opens you to what is unfolding. In the brightness of desire, a present moment consciousness yields awareness as experience is transformed into meaning.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Communication and Connection | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Performance Management, Story | Leave a Comment »
May 5, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
Your Desire & Intent is a commitment rooted deeply in the core of who you are. Desire & Intent is a promise of goodness to those you lead, influence, and serve; an instrument allowing your values to flow out to others with orderly purpose. Values, void of limiting fear, emerge confidently in a flow that is safe for others to enter, and find great benefit.
Keith was telling me about Fred; a coworker with whom Keith worked on major projects and deliverables. Keith proceeded to tell me about their poor relationship and how the lack of same was getting in the way of mutual success. As I listened, I learned that Keith was not very open to confrontation, but he definitely desired to do something about this relationship.
Our conversation had begun when Keith said, “Fred doesn’t like me very much.” Of course, I asked why. He told me that he believed Fred resented his position as an internal consultant. Keith then said, “I respect what Fred brings to the table. Even though I’ve been here longer, I know of his fifteen years before coming here.”
Once I felt Keith’s desire to act, I let him know he already had the main ingredient to do what he wanted to do. Keith went to Fred and said, “Fred, I respect what you bring to the table. What I don’t want is for our lack of communication and respect to get in the way of our work together. What I do want is for us to work together in a way that allows us to be successful for the client and deliver good work where we both look good.” Now of course I was not there, but this is what Keith and I scripted for his crucial conversation.
The “don’t-do” approach taught by the authors of Crucial Conversations was combined with Keith’s astute assessment to create a safe confrontation. How would any reasonable human being respond? Upon checking in with Keith post conversation, it turns out Fred’s response was basically, “Okay.”
Transparency is a word being extravagantly used in the 21st Century – and I am sick of this abuse. From a lack of confidence – or more accurately, from the old confidence – transparency is being tendered as the need to know everything about anything; “I want to know everything.” No you don’t!
You and I most likely share a desire; to not be lied to and to once again be able to trust. This is transparency in the 21st Century. The real meaning of transparency is one we trust because we understand it. Transparency for the 21st Century leader means to transmit light. It is about your flow as an individual; a flow that is as clear as a mountain stream.
For authentic leadership to be sustainable in the 21st Century, we must individually commit to this organic form of transparency; confident openness that flows from an authentic core.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 21st Century Skills, 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Communication and Connection | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Confrontation, Transparency | Leave a Comment »
April 30, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
The Desire & Intent of an individual leader, when stated, is a commitment from the core of that person. The leader’s Desire & Intent is an authentic energy capable of strengthening the connection between leader and those being led, influenced, and served.
Desire affects your language and your expectations. When conscious of desire, you become committed to the specifics represented by your desire. Your commitment directs your language choices and narrows your focus and that of others. A narrow focus, guided by desire, broadens the impact.
Intent acknowledged is voice unleashed. Your statement of Desire & Intent is your voice amplified. With this authentic energy, you embrace the accountability to leverage this amplification represented in your Desire & Intent.
Effective communication depends on so much more than well-chosen words. Eloquence of speech may be pretty in the ear, but only authenticity is sweet to the heart. Make a meaningful connection between your authenticity as a leader, your message, and your audience; and you have credibility.
There is a simple fact about connection that continually amazes me: Standing before a group of people makes you – in their eyes – the expert. What you do after that determines whether you get to keep the honor.
Hal’s presentation was moving along swimmingly and it was obvious he had prepared well. Right at the apex of his talk – with audience of over forty in full climb with him – he said, “I’m really not the expert here.” This was one of those times when I just cannot seem to contain my thoughts as I said, “Hey, you’re the one standing before us; so, you’re the expert.”
The 21st Century is a time for the expert. The portal of expertise is waiting for you to travel its passage. An expert is focused. A focused leader has a method. She has worked hard to develop, through trial and error, her unique methodology. She knows by what mode her authenticity best channels to those she leads, influences, and serves. Her dedication to this authentic method makes her a respected expert. She has built an inventory of effectiveness to back up the title.
In the 21st Century, there are many portals you must pass through to nurture your authentic flow and continue to unfold your Desire & Intent. Step through the narrow portal of expertise and discover your own bounty in the counterintuitive promise of your broad impact through focus.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Communication and Connection | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Desire, Focus, Impact, Intent | Leave a Comment »
April 27, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
A Coaching Client sent me his resume to view; and to pass along should I find a proper party to review it. He is looking to test the external waters as to his value as a leader. This is an intelligent strategy for the 21st Century Leader.
I thought I would share my response to reviewing his resume:
My only suggestion for the resume – and what you will do with it – is to ‘tell’ that story of what you do. Don’t just depend on the facts (bullets under each position) to do that. Prospective employers are conditioned to see the typical resume. What would happen if they saw a resume that used the ‘typical’ to tell a succession of stories – one story per position leading to the ultimate desire of the prospective employee being told by the document?
Remember – that while you are seeking to estimate your value in the marketplace – you are ultimately interviewing the prospective company as much as they are interviewing you. So make it very plain ‘who you are’ and ‘what you bring.’ That way you can engage ‘all’ in the right conversation. Again, while you are seeking to estimate how others perceive your value, you are also making a definitive statement of value. Do that confidently.
Thanks for trusting me with your resume; your story. It is a privilege to be your coach; and partner in your growth and development.
Jeff
Posted in 21st Century Skills, The Storytelling Leader | Tagged Personal Brand, Resume, Story, Storytelling | Leave a Comment »
April 27, 2010 by Jeff Brunson
David often allowed me the privilege of being his coach. David is a learner. He was one of my few role models in my career. David would apply himself to learn each and every process that was performed by the people who were supported by his team. By the time I reported to David directly, he had become accountable for an even more broad representation of financial processes. It was not possible to now know “everything.” That didn’t stop David from trying.
David’s effort to learn it all began to create significant stress for him. Part of my coaching effort was to assist him in seeing how his learning accountability had moved upward with his position accountability. David had always taken care of people the best he could through being involved with the processes they performed. Now he had to question his approach and determine if he must now serve the processes through the people he now led.
Like David, there comes a time for every leader when one must face what it means to un-learn. The call to un-learn some process, approach, or way of thinking can be a source of significant stress for the individual leader. The ever-evolving 21st Century information landscape requires the leader to become skilled at deconstructing certain learning in order to see knowledge in a new light. Individual accountability then expands to include the task of reconstructing knowledge to move forward those being led, influenced, and served.
“Pick your own measures that have meaning, and recognize that results may not be the point of it all. The integrity and whole-heartedness of your actions may be the final measure. What we call ‘results’ may simply be moving outcomes that pass in front of us.” -Peter Block
Society’s opinion toward results and outcomes is evolving in the 21st Century to an approach that calls on a balance of the internal and the external – a call to use all the creativity at one’s disposal based on who we are as an individual.
As a present, 21st Century leader, you allow transformation in your belief system. With present engagement, the power of your attention is focused on the real target and what is most important in reaching that target. The impact of your leadership is evidence of who you are. Your work has taken on an artistic flow as you have allowed your work to become a sustainable expression of self.
Leaders anticipate impact. Imagine standing with your feet firmly planted shoulder-width apart as you stretch your arms out on each side, fingers extended as far as you can reach. This is your impact illustrated from the internal to the external.
This is the story of your impact, your reach as intent flows up from your core through your extended limbs fueled by commitment.
For more like this and the developing series around the 7 skills, see: 21st Century Leadership Skills
Posted in 7 Skills for 21st Century Leadership - Discussed, Personal/Professional Growth Management | Tagged 21st Century Leadership Skills, Accountability, Authenticity, Impact, Presence | Leave a Comment »
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