Category Archives: Personal Effectiveness

Mountain Top Time

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If we are to effectively contemplate the issues before us, the things heaviest on our hearts and minds, then we need slow down and claim a space for this sacred work. We claim space when we create calm and nourishing environments from which to experience our contemplations. Our cell phones and email programs are always turned off. We work and explore uninterrupted for a designated period of time, which can range from an hour to several days.

There are many kinds of Mountain Top Time and thus many kinds of spaces that can prove useful. A local coffeehouse or a favorite lunch spot that you can sink into might work well for shorter-term sessions. A cozy chair with great food at home for half a day or a weekend at a low-key spa that is designed to facilitate longer work, can be game changers. The key is to create worlds that you can disappear into on a consistent basis for effective and meaningful contemplation.

 

 The Journey Begins: A Template For Executive Contemplation

What do I need to let go of? Although leadership ideals continue to mature, strong cultural influences remain that evangelize the idea that true leaders should be lone wolves, heroes and saviors. And so we hold onto any number of issues, personality conflicts, bad feelings, events and other things largely out of our control. The Wise Minded Leader knows how to let go and does so frequently.

What am I missing? Often the very best solutions to a problem are simple, to the point and right in front of us, if we could just slow down long enough to see the light of day. But instead we dig in; we draw hard lines and eliminate options. Truly opening up to new perspectives is essential to effective leadership. Thinking outside the box needs to be more then just a cool cliché; it needs to be something that you live every day.

Where are the solutions? In adopting a steadfast commitment to being a solutions driven leader, you do yourself and those around you a great service, for in being solutions driven you all but remove personality from the equation. The focus is not on the drama or all the myriad of things that you cannot control. Rather then get sucked into all of that, your obsession is crafting well thought out, intelligent solutions that show imagination and generate results that benefit all concerned.

How can I have impact? Cherished and revered are those leaders who not only get results but do so in a way that builds strong, lasting relationships. People skills, emotional intelligence, these are the hot commodities of exceptional leadership. Auditing your solutions and strategies to insure they are people centric helps to insure sustainable buy-in.

Food For Thought-
Bob Olmstead

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Ground Hog Day

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The alarm clock shatters the dark silence. Bewildered, Joe falls out of bed. The heavenly smells of dark roast call to him, pulling him ever closer to the coffee pot. Fast forward; he see’s his daughter off to school. Fast forward; a text arrives from his wife, “dont forget Suzy has soccer practice tonight”. Sigh. The phone rings violating the silence of his overwhelm. Three fires to put out at work, an hour to make it all happen. As the owner and Chief Executive, the buck stops with him. Fast forward; his company has a record breaking year. It’s a good thing. No, really, it is. Another extended moment of silence… time stops… a blank stare out the window, “how did this all get so complicated?” He snaps out of it and the cycle repeats. Its Ground Hog Day, the movie version.

“All that you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. just literally twenty seconds embarrassing bravery and I promise you, something great will come of it.” 
Benjamin Mee (played by Matt Damon) from the movie, “We Bought A Zoo”.

Going Rogue is about refusing the play the game by everyone else’s rules. Thinking outside-the-box; seeking solutions that elevate the standard; spitting in the face of convention while it attempts to strangle the life out of your soul; demanding more then the status quo; a moment of insane courage to take the path less travelled; these are the things that mold and shape a life well lived, a business well built, leadership that transforms. Life happens, how you live it is a choice.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” 
The Road Not Taken, a poem by Robert Frost

Are you ready to Go Rogue?™

Food For Thought-
Bob Olmstead

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Profound Moments of Realization

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As the sun slowly rises dancing off the waves of an early Kauai morning, everything in life seems absolutely perfect. I am at peace. Life makes sense. The caffeine, more satisfying to the soul. The sweet, rich tastes of the fruit, more vibrant and life enhancing. The perfect Zen morning. I have total clarity of mind.

Years later.

A client and dear friend of many years joins me in a small but utterly engaging meeting space, where I co-work (http://www.linkcoworking.com). We surrender to our surroundings, relaxed and at ease, our defenses eventually melt. We talk shop.  Many topics are covered, all meaningful and important. But one particular theme reappears, an issue close to his heart that has challenged him for years. He could just walk; problem solved. But his character will not allow such an option. As he is an avid runner, I advise him to take a photo of a nasty, old sneaker that he has laying around- to remind him of the emotional marathon he has willingly chosen to run. It’s a powerful metaphor that helps him to begin his journey of empowered acceptance.

Years before.

As a gladiator of economic development he walked into the pit endless demands time and time again. Exhausted, spent, almost every ounce of life blood sacrificed, day after day he hoisted the bat looking for the home run. He delivered such home runs regularly. And then one day, battle torn and fed up, he simply stopped. No more. He reclaimed his marriage, got back in shape and redefined success; living life on his terms. Humbled and stunned by his courage and grace, I quietly smiled, so very proud of this client who had become a friend.

I get paid well for what I do. But it’s in those moments wherein I see the light “go on”, life changing realization sweeping over a client’s face, demonstrations of courage that lead to meaningful change, that’s the paycheck I most enjoy cashing; that’s what matters most to me in my professional life.

What matters most to you?

Food for thought-
Bob Olmstead