Leadership

We've talked about this "gratitude" thing before in this post... Get More Gratitude . This year, instead of awkward silence, when it comes around to you to say what you're thankful for you'll be ready! If you're like us and are feeling bad about not being able to be together with everyone you'd like, here are some ways to let you friends & family know you're thinking about them. Embrace some technology to share your gratitude for the special people in your life. Share a memory from your...

Starting any new venture can be scary. Deciding to tap into our creative entrepreneurial spirit can take a lot of courage, patience & a bit of ignoring our insecurities. "Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is!" -Mark Twain Recently heard Tim Ferriss Podcast interview with Sir Richard Branson. One of the stories Branson told was of how he got into the airline business. He was trying to get home after a 3-week business trip when his flight was cancelled. He really wanted to...

Sir Richard Branson has started around 256 different companies. After that many, who's counting anymore!? How can someone be curious enough about that many things to start something in each of them? "Creativity is characterized by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, find hidden patterns, make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena and generate solutions." -Steve Jobs Branson does this by practicing his ABCD's: Always Be Connecting the Dots. "Be on the lookout for what...

During my short college coaching time, had the pleasure of attending a clinic where some successful coaches shared their X’s & O’s & overall philosophies. Knowing why, how & what gets these guys out of bed in the morning is powerful knowledge. One of the speakers was Marty Schottenheimer; his passion for coaching resonated with all of us. An awesome opportunity to hear from a great NFL coach & man. Here are some of his thoughts... He is perhaps most famous for his pre-game...

Whether you're in a "leadership" position or are leading from another spot in the organization, everyone has responsibilities. Responsibilities to understand the requirements of leading that help everyone with expectation setting. If part of your duties include caring for others, the following likely show up in your everyday collaborations! THE "WHAT" Primary Leadership Tasks Vision – Set the general tone, direction Management – Set goals and focus resources Empowerment – Select and develop...

THINKING If you think you are beaten, you are If you think you dare not, you don't, If you like to win, but you think you can't It is almost certain you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost For out of the world we find, Success begins with a fellow's will It's all in the state of mind. If you think you are outclassed, you are You've got to think high to rise, You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster...

We all have things in common, especially loss. Those who have gone before us have shown us the way. No one is truly gone who is not forgotten. Personally, Colin Powell helped me make sense of our nation's place in the world. Here's an excerpt from his book "It Worked for Me" In a lifetime of studying leadership, this is still one of my absolute favorite pieces on the topic: The Essence of Leadership Cooperative Extension professionals are drawn to the work to serve. They selflessly serve...

Studies by the CDC and others have found upwards of 50 Million Americans live with some type of chronic pain. Advances in treatments are happening. While these vary greatly in availability and cost, here's one helpful connection we can all do for free! Our core values help define the direction we want our lives to move towards. They drive our decisions and actions. We are never "finished" moving toward our values. Being a loving partner or a helpful colleague are both values because you have...

Found this in some of my Dad's stuff he wanted me to have... The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts, it is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every...

The entire culture of our organizations can be summed up in this statement; what is rewarded is repeated . For your consideration (during MLB playoff time!)...here's a list of some heavy hitters to encourage & support with your leadership behavior! 1. Earn people's trust ; provide evidence every day of how you are trustworthy 2. Understand everyone has a life; work & life aren't separate, work is a part of a meaningful life 3. Listen , then act; diverse viewpoints are healthier, more...

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." -Maya Angelou Did You Know: The U.S. is the only country that has dual identity in its mythological heroes. Superman & Clark Kent; Batman & Bruce Wayne; Wonder Woman & Diana Prince; Spiderman & Peter Parker... These powerful stories (and yours) turn "tacit" information into "explicit" information making it accessible for others. Stories pass down knowledge, inspire us to act & connect with the essence of...

Look for us at the Annual Impact Collaborative Project & Program Summit! Dates: October 5th, 6th, & 7th, 2021 The SEED Technical Assistance Team will be serving as expert Key Informants on strategies and tools for effective stakeholder engagement program and project planning, development, and implementation during the this year's Impact Collaborative Project & Program Summit. The Impact Collaborative Summit connects Extension teams including their community partners with skills,...