Shera R. Sever: Igniting the Spark™

Building communities through social networking and social PR is the new marketing.  It’s no longer about WIFM, but rather, what’s in it for WE.

In addition to being a powerful social networking tool for B2B partnerships and even B2C, Linked In is rapidly becoming the recruiters tool of choice.  Now, you can search and follow companies, and apply for positions directly on LinkedIn using your profile in place of your CV/Resume.

Would you like to expand your sphere of influence by building genuine, sustainable relationships with your LinkedIn communities?

Here are some tips for optimizing your LinkedIn account with your professional communities:

1. Defining Your Brand with Your LinkedIn Profile

Who do you want to connect with? Why?  What’s your “title”. Choose  keywords for your title that will speak to companies and colleagues you want to connect with.  What are you offering? What problems do you solve?

Take some time thinking about these questions, and create a solid summary profile. Much like a  CV , the first third of your profile is what get’s read. Be sure to have a complete profile that includes your photo, website,  endorsements, blog posts, industry related reading, and possible slide shares. And be sure to include your contact information (phone, Skype, and e-mail).

Tip: You can see how many times your profile has come up in search and how many times it has been viewed daily.  This is a great barometer for determining if your LInked-In brand is attracting the intended audience.

2. Cultivate your network

Tony Robbins often says, “Your network is your net worth.” When looking for people to connect with start with your first degree of influence.  Who do you know? Who have you worked with?   Then reach out to others in your industry and to those  that compliment or even supplement what you do.

In my case, I find connecting with other Talent Management Leaders, Sales and Marketing Directors and start-up CEO’s  mutually beneficial.  I may have the solution to a initiative the company is launching, and conversely, they may have referrals to other companies seeking my areas of expertise.

If you are a job seeker, introduce yourself to recruiters in your industry and then stay in touch. If you are a consultant or a small business owner, look for other businesses that could serve as potential partners, where you both could benefit by offering more value to your clients if you were a team.  Using LinkedIn’s advanced search you can search by geographical area, group affiliations, job title, company, industries and even education (school’s attended).

Tip: When inviting people to join your network, avoid the generic default message:  I’d like to add you to my Linked In network. Rather personalize your message with a introduction and perhaps a statement like: How can I know if someone I’m connected with is a good prospect for you?

A word on Endorsements

I love when colleagues, employees, and clients I have worked with ask me for endorsements. If someone asks you, take the time and write a thoughtful endorsement that creates a visual in the reader’s mind.  Be honest and generous with your endorsements, and be sure to ask for them.

3. Giving Back

Linked In has hundreds of discussion groups that you can join or even create. (the current limit is 50). Join these groups and engage in intelligent dialogs, by proposing thought-provoking industry questions, as well as answering questions at least several times a week. 

Approach groups with the attitude of “What can I give”, rather than “What can I get”. Offer resources as often as you can, and connect others in your network when you see a good fit.  

Again, for job seekers, recruiters will often look at how active you are in groups to determine your level of expertise, your  collaborative competencies, and your communication style. Be sure to update your status a few times a week. Often times, I update my status by  sharing a  link to a recent article from an trade magazine journal, a new trend I recently came across, or simply a motivational message of my own.
Tip: Avoid selling your services to your groups, sending brief messages with a link to your website.  Again approach all your connections as relationships that you value and want to cultivate. “What can I do for you”, while sharing what you are looking for.

4. Create Trust with consistency and accountability

Live relationships , like social community networking, requires trust to flourish, and that means showing up 100%.

Keep fresh content on your profile via your status or project updates.  Check your Linked In messages frequently.  Stay in touch with members of your group- ideally once a week. 

Share your ideas, projects, a  resource, your blog post, ask how you can help them.  I have had many telephone conversations emerge, and relationships develop as a result of my Linked In Connections.

Does this seem like a lot of work?  It isn’t, once you get into the habit. By following the tips above, you will begin to build relationships of trust in  your social networking.

How alive is your LinkedIn network?

Do you have a potent summary profile, and accurate, catchy title  that describes what problems you solve?

How many groups are you active in?

How many viewers open your profile?

How many phone or in-person conversations have resulted from  Linked-In connection?

Does your Linked In profile needs a lift? I invite you to contact me today to discuss how I can help you!

It’s the new year and according to almost everybody, not just any new year ..

it’s 2012!- the long awaited for and anticipated year of great change, transformation and awakening ! 

There is so much information from various cultural/historical, and religious perspectives about what this year is going to be.  What I believe is going to most important this year is  RESILIENCE, i.e. the ability to adapt to  change quickly and with ease, the ability to be comfortable with not-knowing, while staying clearly focused on and in integrity with your intentions. Trust is a golden word for 2012.

Yes.  . .and what about GOALS?

From a neural programming standpoint, establishing a goal is different from achieving it.

To establish goals, you use the declarative, explicit part of your brain. Achieving goals, however, means changing your behavior, which involves an entirely separate brain region. Many psychologists, coaches, and facilitators familiar with NLP know that your brain becomes accustomed to certain patterns and if you don’t retrain your brain to release some of the patterns of thought (core beliefs)  that you have, you won’t be able to  release some of the behaviors that are responsible for your results. Instead,  all you’re going to do is gather more information supporting your current situation.

Fortunately, we can retrain the brain.

Here are 5 techniques that you can start TODAY to do just that:

TECHNIQUE 1:  Start by having a clear picture in your head of the biggest, boldest, most fulfilling life that you can imagine living. IMAGINE THIS:
YOU: A healthy, vibrant, joyful abundant being living in full integrity with your deepest desires, values, and soul purpose. Positively contributing to the well-being of your friends, family, communities, and our world!
What does this look like? How do you feel? Who are your co-creators, players, and collaborators? WHERE are you?

Now, write about who you are and what you’re doing in glorious detail, because you are there!

TECHINQUE 2:  Imagine it is December 31, 2012. Imagine you are looking back over the year 2012 and reflecting on all the wonderful, successful outcomes you had. See them. Touch them. Feel them. (It is through the power of emotion that we manifest our heart’s true desires.)

Now take pen (or computer) in hand and write yourself a letter describing everything that happened in 2012.

What do you have in your life on December 31, 2012, that you are grateful for?  Maybe a new job or career; your book published and on the best seller list,  you soul partner? Or  you may have a new home, a more stable financial situation, better health, a changed lifestyle where you spend are doing the things you really want to do. Whatever it is, write it down. Be specific. For instance, if it’s increased income say how much.

Now, take a look at each item and see decide what action steps you took during the year 2012 and when you took them that produced the wonderful outcomes you are enjoying. Write those actions in your 2012 calendar, indicating when they took place.  Examples: Final draft of book and publishing plan in hands of publisher August 1, 2012. Closed escrow on new home, April 30, 2012.

Now, put the letter away, and review it only when you feel you are off track, need to re-focus and be re-inspired.

TECHINQUE 3: Build Your Vision-Create a Vision Board
To force your brain to change, you’ve got to “create a bigger vision than you’ve got right now. ” You’ve got to BLOW it OUT! Setting goals is just one strategy in helping us focus. Intention and attention are the most powerful elements of manifestation

Having a daily visual reminder assists in reprogramming your brain.  Vision Boards keep you on track and on purpose with your dreams and declarations  by adding fuel to the flame of your deepest longings and desires.  I’ve been creating vision boards now for 7 years and leading Ignite Your Vision Board workshops in my community.  By utilizing Technique 1 or 2  above, you will have laid the groundwork for finding the visuals for your vision board (from magazines, old calendars, postcards, photos). There are many ways to lay out a Vision Board, all of which I teach in  my workshop.  Waking up every morning and looking at your Vision Board retrains the brain for what is possible! 

TECHNIQUE 4: Commit to your “inner-cise” every single day of every single week, no matter what by giving attention to  Self Care with daily meditation, yoga or  prayer.

Move your beautiful body with daily aeorbics, walks, marital arts, swimming, biking  ( the sky really is the limit).  And raise your own bar with  conscious nutrition. Keep your diet  akaline  and buy local, organic produce as much as possible. Start a community garden. Work to stop  GMO’s. Help others do the same.

Technique 5: To be happy, be with Happy People who Dare to Dream Together!

I believe we are all being called upon in  2012  to allow a new dream for ourselves and the world to emerge. It’s not enough to write out a short vision or list a particular goal. In order to step into the next greatest expression of your soul’s highest desires, we must dare to dream. We must allow a dream that already exists   deep in our souls to come to the front of your conscious awareness. So  ASK, LISTEN, and RECEIVE.

Happy New Era!

Anytime we go into a situation, no matter what our external equipment/resources, we must be clear about who we are and why we are here. You disconnect from the aspect of your power, when you don’t know your history. Information is power.

Evolution is life producing and life sustaining. A system that is maladapted for survival will either die or change. For an ethical human being, money is important, but it is not the bottom line. Being a being a person of integrity, character, and values is.

As Martin Luther King stated, “If you have not yet found a cause worth dying for, you have not yet found a life worth living.”

The Occupy Movement is bigger than ” I want my job. It is, “I want my country.”  Listen to Marianne Williamson speak on why the Occupy Movement emerged.

Start a conversation today! We are here to create a life worth living. We are stewards of American Democracy.

Enough IS Enough!

Reclaiming Conversation- The Next Frontier: Transforming A Culture of Distraction to A Culture of Engagement

The internet is still in the very early days. Not that long ago, we were trying to figure out how to keep computers busy.

Now, they keep us busy.  We are the computers’ “killer apps”  We text each other at family dinners, funerals,  and while jogging or driving. We sleep with our cell phones (and not just as an alarm clock).  When we are away from our phones, we become anxious.

Mobile connectivity allows us to bail out of the “physical real” at any time. It gives us the ability to hide from each other even as we are connected to each other.

Connectivity allows us the illusion of companionship without genuine connection. We would rather text than talk. Are we losing our ability to communicate? *

I share, therefore, I AM

One of the original intents of  social networking was to introduce a new economic model- “open source”. . and an option  to “start a movement”  by  sharing information, resources, thoughts, and feelings.

Studies now show, the more time we spend on-line, the more time we keep a lot of things to ourselves. We share what’s easiest to share- we share what makes us look good .. NOT the whole human. By not admitting failures, showing flaws and vulnerabilities, we cut off opportunity for conversation and dialog.  We cut ourselves off from our basic human needs and we truncate the needs of others.  Sadly, by NOT engaging in radically honest, compassionate communication, we are losing the skill of sharing our hearts.

So how do we change this trajectory?

1. Increase your UNCONNECTIVITY time with your phone or PC.
2. RESTART CONVERSATIONS: Replace e-mail and texting with increased  in-person and phone conversations.
3. ENGAGE in GROUPS  that meet in person: Women’s  & Men’s circles, Book Clubs, Toastmasters, NVC Groups , The World Cafe, Meet-Ups, and Personal Development Seminars (like Landmark) that encourage dialog and the sharing of our human vulnerabilities.
4. Encourage your company or organization to increase offerings in  Leadership Development & Communication Training that includes:

• Active/reflective/empathic listening
• Techniques for Giving and Receiving Feedback
• Creating a culture of Trust and Engagement

Reclaim conversation

The results will be deeper personal peace and fulfillment, more sustainable and meaningful connections leading to a culture of TRUST  in your community, organization, and workplace.

* Thank you Sherry Turkle for your influence

It’s Spring, and there is, most assuredly,  something NEW in the air!

Life as we know it,  has changed. Many concur that we are in possibly the greatest paradigm shift in the history of human kind.

With EarthDay, 2011 upon us, what commitment can you make (in your personal practices, with your business, and in your communities)  to redirect the trajectory we are on?  I’d like to invite you to start by sharing your vision and making a comittment along with thousands of others at FourYears. GO.

The Evolution is On. . . Are You?

It’s happening with consciousness shifts, on-line communities, new paradigms for learning and education,  and mobile technologies that are allowing more innovation, mobility, connection and knowledge sharing than ever before.

We have the tools to Ignite the Spark- where are you directing your flame?

In loving honor of Gaia

Read more about the “Evolution”  here

About 8 years ago, I was introduced to  NVC (Non-Violent Communication), the teachings of M arshall Rosenberg.  I immediately resonated with his work, the presence and honesty it requires, and the amazing results.

Since then, I’ve completed  several 8-week courses, including a  week-long intensive with Marshall. I have adapted many of the NVC principles into my own entrepreneurship workshops and leadership seminars.

Non-violent communication (or compassionate communication), is a holistic, daily practice, based on the realization that as human beings, we all have needs.

Lack of connection, disagreements, confrontation, and “violence” are a result of not having our needs met. NVC teaches us how to express empathy for the needs of others while tuning into our own needs. It is very language specific- using very carefully chosen words that reflect self-responsibility, rather than blame. The work has been translated into more than 60 languages.

NVC requires presence, (turning off the ego-judgment in your head) and exceptional empathic listening, so that you can truly connect with whomever you are speaking with. The results are astounding. True dialog begins, misunderstanding are cleared, relationships heal. Personal integrity soars.

I just joined the 64-day movement to carry the vision in creating more love and peace in my personal life, my community, our world.

Will you join me in carrying the Vision? There’s still time to jump in.

Why do some projects falls short, while others soar to great success?  Why are some business relationships tainted with conflict, while others are smooth, fun, easy, and profitable?

According to Stephen N.B. Covey- it’s all about TRUST.

In his most recent book, The Speed of Trust, Covey builds a strong case for TRUST as the number one leadership competency in today’s organizations and positions TRUST as a key economic driver in the new economy.

When you choose to do business with someone, what do you base your decision on? Most likely it’s that gut feeling- your intuition, that says YES.  I trust this person.

Trust is about (1) credibility (who you are), (2) character (your behavior). True character is doing the right thing when no one is looking, and (3) competence: skills, knowledge, ability to produce results.

Building high trust requires:

• Talking straight
• Showing respect
• Keeping Commitments- Do What you Say!  Walk Your Talk!
• Having an open, transparent agenda (not a personal (WIIFM) what’s in it for me, agenda),
• Clear communication that clarifies goals and expectations.
• Motive and intent of care and service- this builds loyal customers, repeat clients, referrals and a motivated team!

In high trust environments, communicate is clear, processes are smooth, flexible, and fast; change is natural, results are extraordinary.

Seems pretty simple and straightforward. So why is it so difficult for some to build trust and credibility? Normally, it’s because one is not clear on their values and what they stand for, and thus out of alignment with their personal integrity.

So, how credible are you?

Here is a short assessment that you  can take on line, to determine your trust score (how you see/trust yourself)  and credibility score (how others see/trust you)

What was my trust score you may wonder?  88%.

How do I evaluate this?  (1)  Space to improve and grow, (2) make wrongs, right with sincere apologies and changed behaviors. Next step is to send this out to others to see how they see me. I’ll be doing this in the  September issue of Leading Visions to Action. I’m excited and looking forward to the dialogs this will create!

Let’s all give it a try and create more TRUST in the world!!

For more information go to:

Speed of Trust and Who Trusts You

Success Principles start with taking 100% total responsibility for everything in your life. It’s mid-year, 2010.

Take a look at the goals you set for yourself, your family, community, your business, your employees and clients at the beginning of the year. Where are you in your achievement and level of fulfillment and satisfaction?

All success starts with 100% personal responsibility and accountability.

Here is a great little exercise, that when completed, is a powerful jump start for goal refinement, redefining your direction, taking new action.

This can  be used for personal assessment,  as well as in pair and small group discussions around community building, team building, employee engagement, and more.

I
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for my life, I would. . .(state action)
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for my happiness,  I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for my health and fitness, I would. . .
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for  the quality of my relationships, I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for the effectiveness of my business, I would. . .
If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for the development of my employees, I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for quality of life in my community, I would. . .

If I were to take just 10% more responsibility for the health of this planet, I would. . .

Just think if BP could honestly answer these questions.

Thanks to Jack Canfield for inspiring this exercise

In one of my past blog posts on business models,  I cited Seth Godin and his book: Tribes- We Need You to Lead Us!

Tribes are everywhere,and thanks to the internet, we can find who and what we want to connect with:

Work tribes, community tribes, spiritual tribes ,Ukranian dancers. . .

According to Seth Godin, assembling tribes (not money and factories) can change the world.  You don’t need everyone. What you need is 1000 dedicated fans, true believers, supporters, doers, etc.  The hypnosis of mass-marketing no longer works. Leading and connecting people and ideas does.

What do “tribe” leaders have in common?

• They challenge the status quo- who are you upsetting?
• They are curious and build a culture- who are you connecting?
  
• They commit to leading with unrelentless focus and passion

Get inspired- watch Seth Godin’s presentation from TED :

If you are feeling  a bit stuck or in transition, get our of your comfort zone, and do something! Just by taking the action (any action!) will unleash your potential, creativity, and attract others who want to get on board with you!

Find a  group or cause that is disconnected- organize and connect them. This is what you do for a living!

Start something that matters.

Start.

Do it.

We need it (and so do you!)

Not sure where to get started?  Contact me . . . 1, 2, 3,     GO!

The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come…We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~Joseph Campbell

Change is profoundly in the air this summer.  I have a had a number of past coaching clients contact me in the past few weeks,either seeking a tune-up or in a total melt down. It’s permeating everything and everybody,  and the next turn (personally and collectively) is,  at best, unknown.

Not-knowing is one of the more evolved practices of personal leadership.

Can you trust and allow?  Do you have the courage to simply say “ I don’t know.”

When dancing with change, what’s important is that you are willing to let go of everything that has felt comfortable, familiar- this includes all those habits and plans that your ego is clinging to for it’s own survival.

Yes, it is a death . . . it is transformation.

Breathe into and accept this.
Exhale the doubt, fear, and uncertainty.
Become naked in your own truth.
Imagine, feel, see, smell and hear the new life (business, career, home, etc) waiting for you.

Stay curious
Share your truth  compassionately, consciously and wisely.
Trust and be open to receive.

For the past almost 7 years, I have been going through what I call a ‘slow death” letting go of the family members and friends that have passed over, recovering from a serious auto-accident, leaving the spiritual community I was a member of for over 22 years, along with two beautiful homes,  and so much more.

As an entrepreneur, teacher, writer, coach, these experiences have deepened my ability to guide others through intense change (personally and professionally.  As I reflect upon what seemed insurmountable at the time, I am now grateful for the experiences that allow me to serve you even more fully with a complimentary coaching session through July 15.

For more information on the practice of Not-Knowing

http://traffic.libsyn.com/amberstar/Zencast102.mp3