Tag Archive for "leader" - Red Bike Leader

Posts Tagged ‘leader’

Launch Recap

by Ryan Russell | May 5th, 2010 | Posted in entrepreneur, leadership

I had every intention of blogging each day of Launch501c3… so much for intentions.
Craig Gross (XXXChurch), Jake Larson and myself were joined by Jamie Tworkowski (TWLOHA) and Chris Dumas (DonorTools) for this small gathering of non-profit founders and launch leaders. Our hope is that each person left invigorated and better equipped for the challenges that lay ahead of them in the start-up phases of their new non-profit organizations.

Having been friends for a long time, it is always great to see Craig in his energized and creative modes. He shared lessons learned by tracking back through the years of daring ideas, provocative approaches to ministry and sharing about the personal risks he took for the vision that he has. I can’t imagine that there was a person who walked away not inspired to try some new things in their endeavors. To this day I still believe that I have not yet encountered another person who has the same amount of marketing genius and creative social entrepreneurial insights as Craig.

Not ever having met Jamie in person, I was impressed by his humility and his authenticity to bring hope and healing to those who are ready to give up on life. But beyond his incredible message and his well documented victories, it was great for each person here to be able to learn as he relayed accounts of his personal sacrifices, struggles and obstacles he has had to overcome to hold onto his initial vision.

Chris gave some insightful pointers about fund-raising. He and his partner have effectively and insightfully created an donor management tool that really takes a lot of the pain and headache out of the admin. process related receiving donations. In fact, I would say that their tools energize us more to more actively engage with each of our donors. Beyond this tool though, I was extremely impressed by Chris’ deep knowledge and experience with nonprofit start-ups & donor development.

We are already developing new ideas and content for next year’s Lacunh501c3 group.
Thanks to all of you who participated. We are looking forward to seeing you change your part of the world.

Wrestle with It

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

“If your organization wanted to replace you with someone far better at your job than you, what would they look for?” -Seth Godin, Linchpin

This quote has been pinging around in my head for the better part of a month. Seth’s book is great… this concept is at it’s core.

If you are worried about being replaced is it already too late?

Are you indispensable?

Am I?

Mayor at 19

by Ryan Russell | April 12th, 2010 | Posted in entrepreneur, leadership

Romaine Quin – File the name because he is now a mayor at 19 years old!
(Rice Lake, Wisconsin – est. Pop. 8,000 – map)
Something tells me this guy is not reached his leadership peak yet. While I can’t imagine we are going to get a lot of news out of this small town’s new agencies about his leadership, I hope people around him pay close attention, give him some good coaching and also give him some latitude to take the city in new directions.

Glamour Boss

by Ryan Russell | April 7th, 2010 | Posted in basics, leadership

Young leaders can be guilty of spending more than a fair amount of time critiquing the boss. In the process, each of us have taken the things we like least about our current or past employers and created a fictional ‘glamour boss’ in our minds. This new boss, who now qualifies to grace the the covers of GQ, Fast Company, Psychology Today and Philanthropy.com all in the same month, is not human. She is made of the stuff that can only be concocted by drinking from the wrong workplace water cooler. Reset your expectations for this world.

Research Character – Before you work for or under anyone, take the time to ascertain fundamental nature and character of your new guide. Know which are the essential qualities of a leader that matter most to you. A job interview is a two-way street so do your own reference checking. Have confidence in the character of the individual that you are going to allow to lead you.

Concentrate on Core - Every leader has their core strengths. When you focus on their gifts, you have the opportunity to see their best and most remarkable qualities and contributions. Seek to learn from a leader’s area of expertise. Fault finding is a pastime that too many have become experts at.

Expect Less – Sounds weird I know. Do a personal inventory. In your frustration, write down every single thing that you expect from your boss. I mean it… write it all down. Now, if your list of reasonable expectations for your leader has grown beyond 2-3 major items (example = clearly defined path of what success looks like in your environment) I want to let you know that you are needy and your expectations are probably unreasonable.

Yitta 2000

by Ryan Russell | March 4th, 2010 | Posted in motivation

When Yitta Schwartz died last month at 93, she left behind 15 children, more than 200 grandchildren and so many great- and great-great-grandchildren that, by her family’s count, she could claim perhaps 2,000 living descendants. – NY Times – Feb. 18, 2010 – read more

Holy Crap! Yitta was focused. Focused on life. Focused on her goals. Focused on her family. Focused on her legacy. Focused on her beliefs. Focused on her purpose.

Yitta Schwartz survived the holocaust.

She also endured the agony of having 18 natural births and then went on the ENJOY the challenge of raising 15 kids (read the story to make the math work) and nurturing the clan. Yitta went strong into her 90’s. There is so much to marvel at in connection with this woman. I am filled with so many questions from such a short story. Bottom line is that this woman is inspiration for every time I feel like giving up.

‘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.

Death to the cynic

by Landon Anderson | February 1st, 2010 | Posted in leadership, motivation

“To all the people watching, I can never thank you enough for your kindness to me and I’ll think about it for the rest of my life. All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism – it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.” – Conan O’Brien

I will miss the Conan O’Brien version of the Tonight Show. Personally I think he is a lot funnier than Leno or Letterman. His final show last week Friday was awesome and finished well. I have been stuck on his words of encouragement before joining Will Ferrell for a hilarious version of Free Bird to end the show.

I do not understand why I tend to be so cynical. There are obvious factors such as my relatively young age, being an American, and growing up having a lot of things. But why I choose at times to take a bitter, pessimistic outlook on situations, people, and things must mainly come because I choose to be a cynic. That choice, like the choice for many people, comes from not getting everything I think I should get. This is more then just stuff. It includes opportunities, experiences, and “good luck.” For whatever reason, when denied anything I feel like I am deserved it leads to adding more bitterness to my life.

From one young leader to all you others out there, I see the opportunity lead from a place of hope and out of a desire to make positive change. The challenge I must overcome is my bent towards cynicism. I strive to lead like Conan with optimism, humor and direction.

Yes, Sir.

by Ryan Russell | May 16th, 2009 | Posted in basics

“Yes, Sir.”

For the sake of personal growth, go on and say it out loud.

Does it feel awkward?

Often these are the two hardest words for us to say as young leaders and old alike.

We have devolved leadership to an ‘art’ only on many . Something to aspire to but not something to follow respectfully. I fear that all leaders are required to have conversation now at every turn with every level of employee on just about every subject and decision. In fact, going one step further, most young people don’t want to consider themselves employees at all but rather see themselves as co-equal partners whose insights, thoughts and ‘fresh’ perspectives ought to be weighed and balanced equally with those who have sacrificed much, accomplished far more and learned many more lessons in through the fires of experience. Here is a tried method worth the practice:

“Earn the right to be heard”.

Hold on to your visions. Dream about your future. Work to create the culture you desire to have provided for you by first living it out in arenas that are within your leadership. Prove your concepts out through production and accomplishment. Be a follower that is invested so much, accomplished so much and is so respected by others in your environment that when you are given opportunities to speak, you will be heard. Above all else, get your job and responsibilities done………. really, really well.

pinched by management

by Ryan Russell | March 5th, 2009 | Posted in leadership

managers scrutinize work hours

leaders define goals

managers analyze what has happened

leaders look to what could happen

managers pinch pennies

leaders invest dollars

managers are suspicious of employees

leaders trust co-laborers

managers regulate processes

leaders reward innovation

managers want it done by the book

leaders just want it done — with excellence!

51%

by Ryan Russell | November 18th, 2008 | Posted in Uncategorized

EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO BE RESPONSIBLE —-

by our very nature as humans it seems we would like to receive all of the glory and none of the responsibility. if your job goes well, then certainly you will stake claim to the accolades that follow. however, if your job isn’t getting done then it was definitively someone else’s fault. if your project is on track, ahead of schedule, exceeding expectations and gaining the glowing attention of superiors, then you were certainly the catalyst behind netted results. BUT on the other hand if the budget is over-run, the anticipated or expected results are not being achieved or there is a total melt down happening where nothing is going right, well… then in those cases, circumstances are always beyond your control.

EVERY boss, sr. leader, employer, spouse and friend is looking for a partner who will take some responsibility. they are looking for an individual who approaches EVERY situation with a spirit and attitude of ownership. we are ALL tired of people who won’t take control of their own lives, realities and projects.

So… try this simple adjustment.

See EVERY item in your life as though you are at least 51% responsible for the outcome (minimum).

For those of you who are challenged mathematically, this means you are more than a half owner in the results of your job, project, marriage, finances, relationships and outcomes… i could go on and on but i think you get the picture.

take stock. where are you sloughing off on your share of ownership? leadership is ownership. leadership is walking into every situation in your life and grabbing the bull by the horns and working as though you know the outcome can be positive. so get started and own stuff!

Red Bike Leader