Dream and Act Big: Leadership Caffeine for the Week of April 5, 2009

April 5, 2009 By 1 Comment

This week’s jolt of energy is taken from a great interview with Jim Collins in the April, 2009 issue of Inc. Magazine.

Collins connected with Inc. editor, Bo Burlingham to share views on the state of our world, building great businesses and entrepreneurship.  The entrepreneurial focus is relevant for many that have either been pushed into this world through downsizing or are considering it as they grow weary of the uncertainties of corporate life. 

The result is a feast of insightful, refreshing and invigorating quotes.  Oh, and I’m taking my motivation from Collins with a cup of the always bold and invigorating  Sumatra Mandehling Gayo Mountain from my favorite local roaster, Conscious Cup.  

Just a few selected quotes and observations from Collins:

-On what the leading entrepreneurs of the past three decades have in common:

“They defined success on a very big scale.”

-Recalling a quote from Steve Jobs in the late 1980’s that captured the noble vision of entrepreneurship:

“We aren’t creating computers, we are creating bicycles for the minds.” 

-On the choice that people face on working for others or working for themselves:

“I see entrepreneurship as more of a life concept.  We all make choices about how we live our lives.  You can take a paint-by-numbers approach, or you can start with a blank canvas.  Starting with a blank canvas is the only way to get a masterpiece, but you could also blow up.”

-On the emerging environment:

“We’re heading into a world characterized by big events, big forces, massive storms.  We’re going to be vulnerable little specks high on the mountain when the storm hits out of nowhere.  And if we’re not prepared, we’re going to die up there.”

-On why he’s not pessimistic in spite of the emerging environment:

“It is only in times like this that you get a chance to show your strength.”

“In the end, I think we need to have absolute faith in our ability to deal with whatever is thrown at us.  And we need to have a complete, realistic paranoia that a lot can be thrown at us.”

-On the source of his optimism:

“A  lot of it has to do with the young generation.”  Quoting a general at West Point, “This is the most inspired and inspiring generation to come through West Point since 1945.”

“I’m hopeful precisely because of this generation of kids.  I really think we ought to give them the keys as soon as we can.”

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Art’s comments:

First, bookmark the interview and read it from start to end.  The selected quotes above barely do justice to the wisdom and inspiration that Collins has to offer in this article.

Second, consider how his guidance and observations can help you deal with your situation, whether you plan on being an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur. 

Great things tend to flow from tough times and when people focus on defining success not necessarily in monetary terms but on a grand scale. 

My own real world example in process: I’m working with a group to change the shape of volunteer management and volunteerism in our local community. Our emerging goal is nothing less than to transform Volunteer management practices in this country.  Lofty yes, but doable?  Absolutely. 

The same lofty ambitions can drive for-profit organizations, but it requires thinking beyond success and focusing on significance.

And last and not least, I love his perspective on the younger generation. While the media focuses on what they describe as a: texting-obsessed, trophy-laden, what’s in it for me generation, I am with Collins in seeing the reality to be very different.  (See my article: In Hopeful Praise of the Millennials.) 

As you have occasion to work with, lead and support the development of this younger generation, perhaps it is time to think deeply about the challenges we have saddled them with and offer our support and hope instead of our criticism.

The Bottom-Line for the New Week:

OK, grab that second cup and go forth into the new week motivated to do something great.  The longest journey starts of course with the first step, and the greatest monuments start with the first stone.  Take that first step or lay down that cornerstone and dream big!

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New Leaders, Twitter and the Volunteer Management Conundrum

April 2, 2009 By 2 Comments

A collection of sound bites and developmental suggestions for busy professionals: 

The Challenges of New Leaders: Feedback on Practical Lessons In Leadership:

Thanks to Dan McCarthy at Great Leadership for featuring my book with Rich Petro, Practical Lessons in Leadership, on his blog today.  Dan features material from the book focusing on: The Top Ten Challenges of the New Leader.  Please click over to Dan’s site to remind yourself of these challenges and importantly, check out his consistently outstanding blog content.

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Networking, Collaborating & My Twitter Experience

What started out as a bit of marketing curiosity has turned into a great and productive networking experience for me on Twitter.  I continue to meet new and talented professionals on a daily basis and to share ideas and even identify opportunities to collaborate.  Share a good idea or thought and watch it spread like wildfire.  Have something new to offer in your business, as long as you are genuine and credible, watch the community jump on your idea and spread the news.

I know a number of marketers that I really respect that don’t have a seat at the Twitter Table yet.  Fair warning, that this is a potent tool for professional networking, research and brand building.  It’s time to pull up a chair and join the discussion.

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Managing Volunteers: A Non Profit Management Conundrum

One of the more rewarding activities that I am involved with, includes working with a great group of professionals to help change the shape of volunteering in our community. 

Volunteerism is certainly popular in our culture thanks to the encouragement of our leaders in Washington and in response to the many societal challenges that we face.  The fact that more people have time on their hands due to a sudden outbreak of unemployment is a factor as well.

A paradox that I find fascinating is the fact that so many nonprofits truly need the help of volunteers in pursuit of their mission, yet it is fairly common for volunteers to report having had a poor experience.  It seems that many non profit organizations struggle to create the processes and infrastructure that allow for effective selection, on-boarding and management of volunteers. 

In a Fast Company article titled: Why Volunteers Don’t Come Back, the author highlights research suggesting that as many as one-third of the volunteers from a prior year don’t return—a loss of labor worth an equivalent of $40 billion.  The biggest competitor to volunteering?  According to the author, studies indicate that watching television is the number one alternative use of time.  

At a high level, it seems like there are two issues.  As part of our local community efforts, we need to help our community nonprofits develop efficient and effective systems for managing the volunteer process and improving the overall experience and outcome for all parties. This is an eminently solvable management task!

The second issue is a fundamental reality check on how we prioritize our time.  The advent of low cost DVRs makes it pretty hard to explain why people need to sit at home at night glued to the tv screen.  It’s time to get out into the community and help solve some problems.  

The Bottom-Line for Now:

I’ve offered three suggestions here for you to help make a difference. No charge!  

1. Pay attention to the developmental needs of new leaders

2. Get started on Twitter and figure out what it can mean to you and your organization

3. Become part of the solution in your community and volunteer. 

In particular on the last point, let’s put our heads together and help our non profits do a better job managing their talented and enthusiastic volunteer resources, before they lose them to the latest episode of Lost.

 

 

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