Shera R. Sever: Awakening Leaders™

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

Anything that is of value in life only multiplies when it is given”- Deepak Chopra

Earlier this spring, I accepted an invitation to attend PJ Van Hulle’s Prosperity Summit. It was just what I needed- an investment in myself and learning alongside 300+ motivated and committed entrepreneurs.

One of the many treasures from the summit that I left with was a deeper understanding of the concept and practice of offering VALUE. Another was focusing on asking “How can I help YOU?” in conversations with other business owners and leaders.

It’s true that most people and companies prefer to do business with people they know and have a trusted relationship with. But relationship-driven business is NOT enough. Your business needs to be “value driven”. Having clients clearly perceive the value they’re getting from working with you is imperative.

So how DO YOU communicate VALUE to your clients?

1. Make your clients’ needs more important than yours. How often have you encountered someone who is SELLING you the features or services of their business without taking a moment to ask:

Who are you? What do you need? How can I help? If you weave these three beginning “value-driven” questions, into your conversations, you will surely create a connection and evoke curiosity with an invitation to  “tell me more.”

2. Put your attention on your client’s satisfaction and fulfillment. Go beyond what you promised by exceeding expectations. Business Coach, Venture Capitalist, Bill Walsh says “Provide your client with 10 times the value of the product or service that she/he has paid for.” This IS value, and the result will most assuredly be repeat business and referrals.

3. Creating value, creates capital. What will your time, experience and resources bring to your client? This is the beginning of developing your VALUE statement. What is the value you put on your time, experience and resources?

4. Remember: Selling is Service- Take the time to find out what your clients’ needs are rather than forcing your agenda upon them. Selling comes from honesty, integrity, compassion, confidence, and the sincere desire to serve. Make the experience of doing business with you a privilege and pleasurable experience. And make it easy for your clients to refer you to others.

5. Be an expert and coach to your clients. In my many years as a presenter, trainer, and facilitator, I learned that one of best ways to provide value is through “consultative sales”- educating, coaching and consulting clients. Becoming your clients’ trusted expert and possibly even mentor, will ensure a sustainable relationship built on trust, service and value!

For myself and many that I have spoken to, 2010 got off to a slow or, perhaps, a false start?  Projects didn’t quite get off the ground- some were completely tabled;  goals, strategies had to be revised. The Health Care Reform Bill that was finally passed on the first day of Spring , March 21, is a perfect example that indeed it is time to Spring into Action!

Aristotle said it best:  Excellence is a habit. As a leader or entrepreneur, you know that Action is the most important Habit.  So now that spring is finally here, it’s time to put your 2010 plan in action.

7 Success Strategies to keep the momentum going, making you Unstoppable.

1. Commit to 3 disciplined actions (habits) that you will engage in each day-My daily disciplined actions include: some form of exercise (swimming, bicycling, or at least a brisk walk) ,meditation listening to one motivational CD, webinar, or teleseminar,  and journaling my progress/ success and gratitude at the end of each day.

2. Expand your circle of influence-We’ve heard it many times- take a look at the five people you spend most of your time with-and that will show you where you are at in your life.

Your circle of influence is a direct reflection of  your values, self-worth, and most likely your level of success/abundance. What are they doing? How do they enrich the lives of others?  What are their habits? Just think about it- we become “rich”, by enriching the lives of others. If you want to have more success, wealth, and abundance in your life, hang out with people in the winner’s circle.

3. Create a Vision Board. At least once a year, I facilitate a Vision Workshop, where participants are guided through a focused goal-setting process- we then find images that  match where we want to be in our lives and create affirmations that support the vision.  I find that reciting the affirmations out loud several times a day as if the experience already exists to be one of the most powerful tools for manifestation.

4. Own your shadow by identifying your limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging patterns and behaviors. Commit to doing the work it takes to release/transform these beliefs once and for all. I was amazed (shocked?!) to recently uncover some deeply held subconscious beliefs,  that even after several decades of committed work, I am still being affected by. It’s deep work and takes daily efforts. Find methods, help, support with this. This could be mastermind group, a women or men’s circle, workshops, a counselor, somatic therapist, shaman, or simply a small group of supportive friends.  Just remember, you are not your past.

5. Invest in your personal/professional development. The best investment you can make towards your success is in YOU. Find a seminar or coach that resonates with your goals, enroll, and go for it! As I look at the last year (2009),  this was one area of my life, where I didn’t put as much attention on as I normally would  ( I chose to spend an extensive time on several islands instead- which indeed was revitalizing). I say  a better strategy is to combine your travel with a seminar, or clear goals- i.e. finish the book you are writing!  Several weeks ago, I was invited to participate in PJ’s VanHulle’s Prosperity Summit, which I highly recommend.  My, did the light bulbs shine!

6. Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Get out of your comfort zone and do at least one thing this year that scares you. That’s right! Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., made millions helping others “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway ! Acting /taking calculated risks in spite of fear is very empowering and freeing. What will your scary action be? Traveling alone, investing in a  joint venture, committing to a relationship, sharing your vulnerability and “failures” , letting go of a habit or limiting belief?

7. Give Back by Volunteering, Becoming a Mentor, serving on Boards of Directors. Share your knowledge, skills, and resources with organizations and causes that you are passionate about. I’ve been volunteering with organizations for over 30 years, many of which I stepped into a leadership role by training volunteers and volunteer coordinators and directing communications systems.  There are thousands of opportunities within your communities, park services, and, of course, internationally. Become an unstoppable role model by mentoring and giving back.

Providing value, creating more equitable resources for all, while being sincerely committed to helping others grow and succeed is the business model for the new economy. I guarantee that if you follow these 7 Success Strategies, you are well on the path to unstoppable action this Spring!

Are you curious about how I can help you jump start your Unstoppable Success this spring?  I am offering complimentary coaching sessions to the first five that respond to this blog post by March 31.

I’m sure many of you have seen Julie & Julia, the film with master actress, Meryl Streep, starring in  possibly one of her very best roles as Julia Child. Streep so rightly earned the Golden Globe Awards for best actress a few nights ago.

And we saw the character of Julie Powell (Amy Adams), offering us an inspiringly candid reminder of self-mastery qualities: Vision, Passion, Focus, Practice, Set-Backs, Failures, Commitment, Discipline, Courage. Julie Powell set a very specific and ambitious 365-day goal, and achieved it- actually superceded it.  She became a master, by self-mastery.

As we enter a new decade, we are all crafting  our vision maps for what we would like to master this year and beyond.

What would you what would you like to master this year? A new leadership role, a published book, a new business, a long forgotten passion, a new sport or language, buying or selling your home,  reducing your footprint, living more simply, or possibly just having more compassion for self and others?

The time of the lone wolf is over- none of us can do it alone. If you need a jump start on your master plan, I invite you to contact me by Feb. 1 to a schedule a complimentary call. Let’s discover how we can best work together this year.

The future is now! What do you want to create?

Where do your gifts, passions, and purpose intersect?

Dave Pollard calls this the “Sweet Spot” of Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship need not be stressful, risky, expensive, lonely, exhausting or require great skills, ideas or self-confidence.  Right now, when the economy is falling apart, is the best possible time to start your own enterprise, and doing so could propel you into work that’s more responsible, sustainable and joyful than what you’re doing now.  Dave Pollard calls those who recognize this “Natural Entrepreneurs”.  I call them “Awakened Entrepreneurs.” It’s the same.

Read what these entrepreneurs do differently to thrive regardless of  economic swings.

What’s your big dream?  Now is the time to put it into action. Contact me.  I’d love to help you build your own inner economy.

Earlier this year, I declared that I was not participating in this recession, particularly since I had experienced my own 5- year “karmic cleanse” starting in  2003 ( post 9-11). It’s a much longer story to be shared, so let’s BE HERE NOW.

There’s a lot I love about this recession.

In many ways, I see it bringing us all closer as we begin to recognize our interconnectedness (and how similar) we all are when it comes to  needs, purpose, wanting to make a difference and be happy!  There’s a collective global consciousness that continues to emerge as a result of the recession. We are learning to use our own “human technologies” and adapt to the changes.

1. FEAR only has as much power as we allow it.  In other words, it’s simply an illusion.  One of my beloved buddhist teachers from Spirit Rock Meditation Center, during a 10-day Vipassana Retreat, told us a story about  how he helped  his 3- year old “embrace” his fear of the dark.  He simply instructed his son to say “Hello” to the Fear, every evening when it arose. Within a week of applying this seemingly very simple advice, his son was able to recognize (name), befriend, and then move beyond the fear. This 3-year old began greeting the fear of darkness peacefully.

2. Living with uncertainty- births creativity, improvisation, flexibility, innovation- all essential qualities of a great leader and awakened entrepreneur.

3. Doing more with less- we are all adopting”green”  practices- or more accurately put-learning to live sustainably (living in a way that meets the needs of future generations)

4. Social entrepreneurship has become mainstream. See March, 2009 Ode Magazine.

5. Transparent Communication- Social Media has changed the way we do marketing. Now more than ever- authenticity , not hype , is what people are needing and seeking  The underlying message is to Be  Yourself- Everyone Else is Taken.

6. Real Dialogs- Van Jones calls this the need for human technologies- There’s an unprecedented grass roots global movement taking place- a caravan of world citizens.  Paul Hawkin, founder of Wiser Earth, first cited this movement in a keynote he gave at  Bioneers several years ago.  People are returning to their need to connect, gathering together to dialog:  in circles, in community gatherings, in living rooms, around fires, and town hall meetings-to share concerns, solutions, compassion, and their human connection- actually an anthisesis to all the wonderful social media marketing tools that keep us tied to a mobile gadget or computer.

7. Letting Go-We are learning to let go of STUFF , consumption (become citizens, rather than consumers), an illusory future, and simply be with the miracle of each moment.

I think Alan Watts says it best: “No use clinging to the rocks that are falling.”

What opportunities are you creating and what are you learning

as a result of the recession?

An article this past weekend in the NY Times referred to a new phenomena in todays’ economy, what Mark V. Cannice, Executive Director of the entrepreneurship program at the University of San Francisco calls “Forced Entrepreneurship.”

According to the article, the motivation for these new “forced” entrepreneurs (mostly laid off GenY job seekers)  is to produce quick revenue streams, rather than millions of dollars over the long term.  Jerome S. Engel, Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Berkeley Haas School of Business, most of these “forced entrepreneurs” are focusing on serving immediate needs for individuals and businesses.

“Forced Entrepreneurship” . . . maybe, or . . ?

What if this whole economic shift is yet another opportunity for us (personally and collectively) to awaken to our purpose?  What would that look that?  How would it FEEL to be living in purpose with our work while making the contributions and leaving the legacy that we so desire to offer to our communities and the world.

Is the “job” obsolete?

Imagine starting a business, not with “forced” entrepreneurship, but with deliberate intention- a choice that is in alignment with our values, priorities, gifts, and passions. What if we declared “the job is obsolete?” Plenty of other laid-off workers across the country are doing just that- burned out by a merciless job market- they are building business plans instead of sending out résumés. For these people, recession has become the mother of innovation and reinvention.

Reinvent Yourself!

Whether you are looking for a  personal career branding plan (including social media marketing tools)   or ready to lay the foundation for that long-held dream  enterprise (even part-time),

NOW IS THE TIME!

Contact me for a complimentary consultation (through April 10).

Stay tuned for my NEW!

” INNOVATION & REINVENTION“

6-week coaching program starting in April.

THE FUTURE IS NOW!

I think this recession is a phenomena much more exciting than an economic downturn-

It feels more like a planetary upswing, and right now we are on quite a ride!

It’s a collective transformation and a huge opportunity for all of us to not only live more authentically and in purpose, but to live more simply with less consumerism, less waste, and much more attention to the health and wellness of each other and the planet.

Compassion in Action. Intentional Acts of Kindness.

There is an increasing shared consciousness  that we really are all in this together.

By letting go of the cultural influences of “entitlement” and the illusions of what “security” is,

we ‘re growing up!

Would love to hear your comments- include your website.