As a basketball player, there is no better individual feeling than being “in the zone”. Shooting the ball into the hoop is no longer a challenge. Getting open is easy, the defense seems to moves slower than normal, and most importantly, there is an extremely high level of focus and confidence that is a part of being in the zone.
My question is, as leaders, can we be “in the zone”? I believe we can. Here are 5 tips for putting yourself ”in the zone” as a leader: (more…)
One of the disciplines I have struggled with over the years is taking the time to do intentional ‘Thinking’. Specifically, I have not invested the time to intentionally review my personal vision (Life Plan) and Business Plan on a regular basis.
During BCE2010, many of the coaches and participants talked about the need to take time for thinking. I heard things like:
- Top performers have a discipline of Thinking
- The Life Plan is only 10% writing it and 90% living it – JUST READ IT!!
- Read it, Carry it, Share it, Update it
I wanted to get better at this discipline of thinking and I looked for blocks of time that I could use to be more intentional. Currently, I travel via air 2 to 3 times per month. I had ‘captivated’ time on an airplane where the distractions are significantly reduced (unless I am sitting next to someone who snores!). So, I decided to use my air time to review the life plan. My new discipline includes:
1) Carrying the life plan with me (had to change from the BCE2010 issued binder to a flexible binder)
2) Read the life plan
3) After reading, do a check-in on how I am doing. Working with Coach Raymond, I chose the K, S, S. What are the things I need to Keep, Start, and Stop doing?
This new discipline has worked really well for me. There have been specific improvements as a result of this discipline conducted while traveling. So, whether you travel via air or not, I highly suggest blocking time off in your calendar to review your personal and business plans AND use a process like K,S,S to improve those plans.
So, when are you doing your intentional Thinking time? What are the things that keep you from doing that on a regular basis?
I have often marveled at the ability and patience my 13-year old son Brendan has to put together a perfect sandwich. He layers it perfectly and the order of ‘construction’ is very important.
Today, I will share with you my son’s ability and some great advice from my coach, Raymond Gleason, to show you how to “Build the perfect presentation (sandwich) in 6 steps:
1) Tell them a story.
2) Tell them what you are going to tell them
3) Tell them
4) Tell them what you told them
5) Call them to action
6) Bonus!
1) Tell them a story is like the first piece of bread. You need to set up the next step with a relevant experience or story. If you are not a comedian, be careful not to try to be too funny and risk losing your audience, but a little humor to wake them up is nice.
2) Tell them what you are going to tell them is the first condiment like lettuce or a slice of cheese. Let them know the points you are going to review
3) Tell them – now that you have told them what you are going to tell them, put the main ingredient (the meat!) on the sandwich. Summarize after a few points.
4) Tell them what you told them – Time to add the dressing. Summarize at the end the main points. It will help them to remember what you just presented
5) Call them to action – Last slice of bread on top. Holds it all together and makes it worthwhile. If you are in a large group, challenge them to go out and make something happen. If in a smaller group, actually work with them to write down what they are doing, but don’t let them leave without making a commitment to what they heard.
6) Bonus – This is the olive on the toothpick that decorates the sandwich (and yes, Brendan even adds this most of the time!). If you have time, a Q&A session to clarify even further your points can be a great addition.
What presentation have you been stumped on how to get started? Write down these 6 steps as an outline and fill in the blanks next to them. It will help.
This week, I was reminded of a verse in Hebrews 11:3 that says: “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”
Not sure why, but it brought a visual to my mind of an armoire in my home office. The armoire has many drawers. Each of these drawers has a piece of my current life inside:
1) Business files
2) Office supplies
3) Electronics equipment (digital camera, cords, ipod, etc.)
4) CD’s, etc.
The picture reminded me of a leader and our character. You see, inside of the armoire are just the nuts and bolts (‘stuff’) of our life, but the furniture piece that is visible (our character) can be a beautiful piece. Our lives tend to be compartmentalized, but our character is what people see and hear on the outside.
Character, to me, can be defined as what you do when others are not around. In any event, it is visible (like the outside of the armoire) and we can’t compartmentalize our lives.
You see, as leaders:
1) Our lives are made up of many ‘drawers’
2) Not everyone gets to see what is inside those drawers…but they usually know.
3) BUT, folks always see the outside…our behaviors…our attitude…our consistency. We can’t hide that inside a drawer. It is a piece of furniture that is visible to everyone.
So, what can people see of your character (armoire)? Do you have a little ‘polishing’ to do on the outside? Do you have any drawers in your life that need cleaned out?
