Build a great company on a powerful foundation!
DO YOU WANT PRODUCTIVITY?
Here’s the simple truth of the matter. You can’t beat people into being productive, at least not for long.
People put their passion and energy into what they care about, not what their boss cares about.
Sounds hopeless? Well, there’s a solution.
NELIA HARPER IS A LOCAL ARTIST with some considerable talent. We’ve known each other for several years, so I was interested to explore what’s happening in her journey of discovery and building her new business.
It’s common to think that artists are inherently flaky or ungrounded. But I find this not to be true.
For myself, I think that artistry is just another aspect of a wonderful life. For me, it’s music.
THE CENTER FOR VALUES-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP has just opened up for applications for the next cohort of their PhD/DBA program.
You might remember that I talked about this program earlier this year when I had a chance to meet the leaders. It’s exciting because it’s customized specifically for senior executives who are designing their companies around solid, powerful values.
So check out the executive doctoral program in values-driven leadership and apply by November 1 2016.
WE GENERALLY STINK at making commitments. OK, maybe you’re fantastic, but I know that I stumble with this all the time.
And I’m not talking about flaking out on your New Year’s Resolutions. I’m referring to how we rely on others around us to create a successful business.
I’ve been in a class this week called The Foundations of Generative Leadership. Don’t be thrown off if the phrase sounds a little weird or even New-Agey. This stuff is incredibly practical.
So let me unpack this concept of “commitment” in the business context.
YOUR PURPOSE AND VALUES drive everything you do. Fantastic!
But what drives it over time? What keeps you from getting distracted by the pressures of the day and communication difficulties?
What often happens is that only one person is truly accountable to the vision: The founder. But is that person involved in every decision and discussion? Not if you’ve grown to any size.
BANKING MIGHT NOT BE THE FIRST INDUSTRY you think of improving the world. We’ve become quite jaded with all the banking issues in the last thirty years.
That means there’s room for someone who’s taking a different approach.
New Resource Bank was founded in San Francisco in 2006 with a mission to support businesses and non-profits which improve the world in four key areas:
YOU CAN TRY TO FIND GREAT PEOPLE for your jobs, or you can attract those who will really be energized to work in your business.
I’ve talked about this before.
The problem is that our standard approach to finding employees is to describe the technical skills that are needed, the great benefits package, and … that’s about it. Potential employees really don’t know much about you and how you’re out to change the world.
You need to shift your thinking and change the messaging.
LEGACY CAN BE A SCARY WORD. It conjures up images of millionaires who want their ego to last beyond their death.
And nobody wants to think about death.
So I confess that I bring up the concept with just a little trepidation.
But let’s look at it this way in regards to your business: Do you want your company to have an impact which lasts beyond your own involvement? Read the rest of this entry »
MANY YEARS AGO I started using the concept of “Just-In-Time Worrying.” The basic idea is that there’s an appropriate time to worry about something, but often people make it into a protracted period of unfocused anxiety.
And, with perspective, you might even discover that something isn’t worth worrying about at all.
For me, it’s often a spiritual journey. Read the rest of this entry »
STARTING UP A BUSINESS can be a real challenge.
Let me revise that.
For most people, we struggle with what it takes. But I met a guy this week who’s started up so many ventures that it boggles the mind. And many, if not most, were quite successful.
He’s that “serial entrepreneur” that we tend to laud and admire.
The Values-Based Business 