Red Bike Leader

take the training wheels off your leadership abilities

Archive for the ‘leadership’ Category

The Water Cooler Challenge

by Jessica | March 10th, 2010 | Posted in leadership, women in leadership

When the water cooler gathering occur much of the talk has personal agendas, unproductive results, and leaves wide open doors for misunderstandings and hurt feelings.  Welcome back to Junior High, except this time having a big mouth could cost you a lot more, possibly your job.

Reason why you can’t shut up and what to do about it:

- You’re Offended: Talk only to the person that hurt you and move on, seriously no one else needs to be informed.

- You lack Confidence and struggle with Your Identity: You’ll never be a leader if this is the case.  Approach close friends/family, ask their thoughts, and be prepared for some hard answers. Personal reflection to follow.

- You have Control Issues:  This will come off desperate and have the opposite effect you wanted. Learn to not care about what others think of you as much.

- You lack Listening Skills: When people talk to much it can be because they don’t think the other person is hearing them, listen to their response to you.

- You’re Bored: You’re at work not a talk show; do your work.  It is disrespectful and inappropriate to waste company time on personal things.

- You’re Inarticulate: Thinking before you speak is key to sharing a thought, opinion, and/or feeling.  Take time and say it right the first time.

Water Cooler Women

by Jessica | March 9th, 2010 | Posted in communication, leadership

If there could be a sign over every water cooler or for that matter every “lunch meeting” that says “Shut Up No One Cares”  I think we would get a lot more done.  Sounds rude even hurtful but if you give me a chance I think I’m making a more than valuable point.

Talking, what a gift women have!  According to many studies women on average speak three times more words a day than men and we all know those words, more often than not, are full of punch!  As a woman, I understand and often find myself joining the water cooler crowd for the latest.  It’s like this crazy magnetic force that screams at me that my opinion, my feelings, my thoughts are so important and valuable that everyone needs to hear them and not just once, but multiply times.  This God given gift of communication to the females is at its core a beautiful thing, but when used in excess turns ugly fast.

In the spirit of leadership in the work place choosing words carefully is one of the best things you can do.  Imagine a woman in the work place that speaks when necessary and gets to the point, and whenever she deviates it’s purposeful, clear, and possibly even witty!  This woman would stand out not just from the women but the men as well and become the leading lady in the office.  People respect and think highly of others that have a guard on their tongue.    We tend to subconsciously label people that speak well and with thoughtfulness as wise and deep, all wonderful leadership traits.  People will follow, respect, and even have a healthy fear of a leader that demonstrates these attributes on consistent biases.

Leadership is Polarizing

by Landon Anderson | March 5th, 2010 | Posted in historical leadership, leadership

“No American politician in the Progressive Era had more loyal friends or more dedicated enemies. But it would have been difficult for Bryan to retain the former if he had found a way to mollify the latter.” – Michael Kazin, A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan p. 297

William Jennings Bryan, The Great Commoner, was the leader for the Democratic Party from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. He ran and lost the race for the Presidency 3 times on the Democratic ticket. He was one of the most popular orators of all time, rising to fame speaking out for a sense of liberalism that would cause the government to help out the people. Ever the evangelist, he stuck to his personal beliefs in the face of opposition and blatant disregard.

Although he is perhaps best known for his failure to gain the Presidency and his weakened attempt to keep evolution out of the public school system, Bryan is a classic case of polarization. His many admirers considered him to be a prophet-type, the one man able to lead the United States to its rightful position. His opponents considered him to be out of touch with reality and shallow in his political thought. Truth be told, he is most likely to be considered somewhere in between.

The truth we find in a leader like Bryan, is that leadership is polarizing. It is impossible to please everybody, and certainly not worth our time trying to do so. Strong leaders must recognize a vision and work hard towards accomplishing it. The goal is not to please people but to lead people. Clinging to your vision and making independent decisions will always develop dedicated enemies. But in the end, leadership is making the right choice not the popular one.

‘I am Sorry’

by Justin Humphreys | March 2nd, 2010 | Posted in communication, leadership

Leaders have evidently learned how to apologize. The last few weeks we have seen some prominent people apologize for their actions. As of late Mark McGwire, Tiger Woods, and Toyota executives have all had to make public apologies for their actions and decisions.

Unfortunately, the public has not received any of these statements with acceptance. They were said to be vague, insincere, or just too late. People are rarely satisfied with an apology from a leader. They always want more information, emotion, or dirt. The most important action people want to see from an apologetic leader is this: RESULTS.

A leader who says, “I am sorry,” needs to produce some results. Apologizing does not mean anything unless it is followed by a change in actions. Everyone is watching to see what happens next for companies like Toyota because words are only backed up by results.

People do look to their leaders to own their mistakes. More importantly, they are looking for their leaders to change their actions.

I Got Sold

by Ryan Russell | February 25th, 2010 | Posted in leadership, motivation

It doesn’t happen often that I get sold by an ad on TV. I am not ashamed to say that I find both of these commercials inspirational & motivational.

Leadership Sex

by Ryan Russell | February 23rd, 2010 | Posted in leadership

“Sex Scandal involving _________ Leader.”
Prominent leaders are in the news on a recurring basis not for their leadership but rather because they got caught with their pants down.

Incase you missed them, here are a few names & links:

Bill Clinton / Tiger Woods / John Edwards / Ted Haggard / David Letterman / more! / even more!!

Beyond the details, here valuable observations for aspiring leaders:

Observation #1 - These leaders will be forever remembered for their sex life decisions before they will be remembered for the positive changes brought about by their leadership and abilities.

Observation #2 - The pain these leaders experienced and caused to others is greater the the fun that they had while they were screwing around.

Observation #3 – Everyone wrestles with something, even high capacity leaders. Everyone has a personal demon to slay daily or temptation to overcome. Too often we place leaders on pedestals. And too often leaders place themselves there.

Observation #4 – Position, power, money and influence will naturally lead towards entitlement. It is only through personal discipline, humility AND allowance for authentic accountability that a leader will avoid great falls such as these.

Bonus Observation: If you ever find that you have made a bad decision in this arena, follow the “come fully clean the first time” strategy.
For the record:
* I am a big fan & advocate of forgiveness for those who are truly seek it – I am VERY fallible myself.
* I am not taking a political side or voicing my opinion about the individual leaders and their other characteristics.

Grad School Rant

by Ryan Russell | February 17th, 2010 | Posted in leadership, motivation

So here it is… my graduate school rant. I know some of you have been waiting for me to post my feelings in public so others can get a taste of the pain you have had to go through as my friend.

What good is graduate school when you are uncertain about your future and the exact details of your next job?

Jack-shit.

OK, I said that for effect. (Sorry mom.)

It’s possible it’s just the individuals I meet, but I can’t figure out what is going on out there. Why do so many people run back to get more schooling as a primary next step career option? It is most concerning when they aren’t even sure how it will move them forward in their careers. DON’T GO GET YOUR GRADUATE DEGREE UNLESS you can not get into the job you really want without it. Plus, BE SURE you already possess the prerequisite experience & education for that job. Don’t give me the “it will just make me better” crap excuse… You can be better without it AND stay out of debt AND have more time to actually pursue your goals.

Next Post = My alternatives to graduate school for those who are thinking about going BUT have no idea about how it will get you forward towards actual life goals.

BONUS = The basic math …. I really hope you have a very nice job upgrade waiting for you on the other side. FYI – Grad school does NOT pay for itself if you want to teach, do social work or be an upgraded pastor. You have to be in those careers because your heart is in them.

Loan Balance:$60,000.00

Loan Interest Rate:6.80%

Loan Term:10 years

Monthly Loan Payment:$690.48

Number of Payments:120

Cumulative Payments:$82,857.94

Total Interest Paid:$22,857.94

Want to be mentored? -part 3

by Ryan Russell | February 15th, 2010 | Posted in basics, leadership

In search of self improvement or a desire to move forward professionally, young people land on the idea that they need a mentor. However, wanting a mentor or teacher is a whole lot easier than the process of being mentored. Here are a few quick things to consider on the subject:

[part 3]
Practice the advice that they give – Now, here is the rub. – Nothing up to this point matters if you don’t TRY THE PRACTICAL ADVICE that this person gives you. You might as well go talk to a therapist if you just need someone to talk to and are interested in hearing back some reflections. In fact, I will go so far as to say that you don’t need to meet a second time until you have practiced and tried some of the practical advice from your first meeting with them. Here is a  test of whether you have found a good mentor = they will give you some pratical things that you can implement into your life. Nice people are great, but far too many people operate in the land of ideas. You want someone who will practically help shape your life in the most important areas. When you find this person and the challenge you to do something, for goodness sake and the sake of their sanity, DO IT!

Invite feedback - You can practice this without mentors + this is a sure fire way to get what you really need to hear. Don’t just simple ask, “how am I doing?” but ask more detailed questions about specific performance related areas of your life. Let trusted people know that you want to grow, how your trying to grow, that their critique is welcome, and then don’t get defensive when it comes. For your mentor, invite them to ask follow up questions about the advice that they have given you (hopefully you have earnestly put it into action). Ask them follow up questions that get you more specific data on the areas where you know you need to grow. But, DON’T, DON’T, DON’T get defensive! You don’t need to win a mentor over because they are already on your side. So, when the feedback comes, listen, take notes, and then go at it again.

Pay for lunch, but nothing else - Professional coaches are helpful, but they’re also motivated by the money that you are sending their way. You know you have found your mentor (we will look at “qualities of a mentor” at some other time) when they are motivated by helping you grow – period. However, practice the old axiom, who ever has the agenda for the meeting ought to be the one buying the breakfast, coffee or lunch – so in this case, that means YOU!

Big Girl Panties

by Ryan Russell | February 11th, 2010 | Posted in leadership

“Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!”
I saw this on a t-shirt my friend was wearing… it is the motto of HER leadership group.
I liked it so much they printed me my own t-shirt.
Don’t you wish more people lived and lead with this mindset?
Don’t you wish more people were candid, fearless, and bold?
I do.

I also secretly wish I could just keep panties on hand to throw at people who don’t have the courage to lead with this mindset but are in leadership positions.

Want to be mentored? -part 2

by Ryan Russell | February 8th, 2010 | Posted in basics, leadership

In search of self improvement or a desire to move forward professionally, young people land on the idea that they need a mentor. However, wanting a mentor or teacher is a whole lot easier than the process of being mentored. Here are a few quick things to consider on the subject:

[part 2]
Don’t play games with reality - You aren’t ready to be mentored if you aren’t ready to be honest; about yourself, your situation, your work ethic, your morals, your finances, your family, your priorities, your ambitions —- ALL of it. There is no bigger waste of time on this earth than to trying to mentor a person who is blowing smoke about who they really are. Don’ bother meeting if you can’t be truthful about your reality. Mentors aren’t afraid of your reality, in fact they embrace it. Helping you move forward is why they are there.

Be ready for some pain - Once you have been honest, brace yourself for to hear things that no one else is telling you. Your gut reaction will be that “this guy is wrong and/or mean”. Not so. What is going to take place when you have found a good mentor are a series of questions, reality checks, performance penatrating observations and soul searches. After that, they will also tell you the truth in a way that likely no one has before. You want them to do this… trust me. If they didn’t do this you wouldn’t need them. If others were doing this, you wouldn’t need a mentor. Don’t shy away from what they need you to hear. Don’t flinch. Don’t whine about it to others. Take it. Think on it. Watch to see if what they tell you isn’t truer than you first thought.