What type of leader are you?

Have you ever heard the saying “People don’t leave their job, they leave their manager”?

It is occurring too frequently, even in the new economy. It is because of the new economy that you hear about it more often. Up to 90% of organizations are disengaged according to studies  at Gallup Poll. That is a loss of 90% potential, performance, profits and productivity.

I believe everyone is a leader. Treat them like a leader and they will show up as one. But what type of leader DOES make a difference. Watch the attached video for some hints on what works. Then hit reply and let me know what your thoughts are. As it is the Leaders Who Care that are making the difference and are part of the solution for today’s challenges.

So, what does that elusive financial freedom really look like to you? We all know what not having it can feel like. Days full of busy-ness, stress, chaos and putting out bush fires. Weeks wondering how the bills will be paid. Now enough of the negative money vibes. What do you do to shift your money mindset to align with your visions and goals? It’s one thing to have a goal, but it is another thing entirely to take action towards it even when it doesn’t seem to be anywhere nearby.

 My husband and I visited Myrtle Beach recently for our 25th anniversary of having met. During one of our beach walks, he mentioned his plan of retiring early. Part of his vision included the ability to live a few months south near a golf course and for my business to be flexible and mobile enough for me to join him. Now, I do like golfing, but for those of you who know me, it is the sunshine and water that makes it for me. Here we were in Myrtle Beach, a mecca of both of our desired elements for such a place. We shifted our money mindset and contacted a realtor to “explore what was possible”. It doesn’t cost anything to take these types of forwards actions. What’s one action you can take today that would move you forward on your financial freedom vision that won’t cost you a thing?

Financial Freedom is one of the most empowering freedoms we can experience. I love working with leaders and entrepreneurs who care. Part of what they need most is to be able to make a bigger difference, this goal requires they make more money! Now who would think making more money could be an issue?! But it is one of our biggest obstacles to success. That is why we have designed this May’s Business Boost Camp to help teach you how to make that money mindset shift so you can move forwards on your Financial Freedom action plan.

Click here if you are curious. Of course, Sign up if you are serious!

As a conclusion to the story: My husband and I did end up purchasing a spa/beach/golf villa in North Myrtle Beach. This is part of the 2.5 acres of oceanfront amenities we have access to (It has 5 hot tubs, a lazy river, waterfalls, infinity pools and direct access to miles and miles of beach, plus 4 major golf courses right across the street, a high end spa and more). You guessed it, we are excited to announce we have added a retreat space to the business and we plan to live there at least three months of the year when my husband retires. In the meantime, stay tuned for the April 2013 Business Boost Camp to be held in Myrtle Beach. PLUS, we are setting up a section of our website and will announce as soon as it is ready for you, our loyal  ProActive readers, special rental access for your own retreats and get-aways.

Having come from teaching high school, it is natural for me to want to incorporate interactive, experiential learning activities to keep students engaged. This is even more relevant for adult learners.

Here is Annie & Mario, one of our 4 Star clients, investing in their team. They have proven time and again that investing in their people helps grow their business. It was a very inspiring day considering their team retreat was hosted at the very cottage retreat resort they built for me!

Their day was customized and planned around their current needs and future goals. The activities were selected to incorporate laughter. Research demonstrates you learn more when you are laughing and actually enjoying yourself. The day was filled with games with purpose. Each game was followed with a debrief where the team could transfer the learning to their day-to-day lives.  One of the biggest take-aways from the team was how valued they felt because their bosses had invested in them.

So often, I hear, “We can’t afford a day out of office.”

Really?

Did you know organizations are 90% disengaged today?

That’s a loss of 90% potential, performance, productivity and profits. Just imagine what one day could do to inspire and re-engage you and your people?

When was the last time you looked at the big picture or laughed with your people?

Employees who laugh together stay together.

The challenge of being so busy is we don’t always slow down long enough to ask what others want. We simply decide, implement solutions and hope everyone else is on board. For those who have heard me speak before, you know I have three questions I ask no matter what the situation. Whether it is planning a workshop, working with a client, hiring a new employee, planning a team retreat or a family vacation, these three questions serve to guarantee 100% buy-in. This is one of the promises I am able to deliver on. What percentage of buy-in did you have to your last project, vision, goal or similar? Try these three questions and see what a difference it makes.

Ask all participants, in relation to the topic at hand (such as a team retreat for example):
1. What do you want?

2. What do you not want?

3. What would be bonus or unexpected?

The answers will surprise you and actually save you.

Mario, picture here, has an employee who has a newborn baby at home. When asked these questions, his answer to #3 was “A massage”. As part of the planning, I was able to bring in Laurent from EarthMagic, who brought his massage chair to the retreat venue. The whole team enjoyed turns having a relaxing chair massage to remove the stress and support them collectively in being more present when they returned to work the following week.

The costs could be planned in to the budget and the time was planned appropriately while others were dining and connecting, waiting their turn.

As the planner of this event, I could have guessed what would make a difference and 100 guesses might not have been what the participants really wanted. What do you think these employees are thinking as they head to work? That their bosses listen to them, value them and truly care about their employees. The employees were able to fully participate before, during and after the chair massage because they felt the event was designed around and for them. That is buy-in. It prevents “seat warmers”: people who show up physically, but not mentally, emotionally or responsibly.

In business, we refer to it as nicheing, branding or focus.

So many business people are afraid to narrow their focus or they might miss business. I have come to learn that you must focus or you will be lost in mediocrity.

For awhile, I was promoting myself as just a business coach. I found I had to explain how I was different then sales trainers or retired CEOs who coached and they still didn’t necessarily know what the heck it was I could do for them. Now, I know it is WHO I work best with that differentiates me.  As I really care about people who care about their people. I work best with heart-centered service-based business leaders who are easygoing, non-judgemental and can have a tough time saying “no” as they want everyone to be happy. You know what, this is me!

I refer to myself as a “recovering people pleaser, overachiever and conflict avoider!” Instead of being a weakness, this is actually what is helping grow my business.

I am not alone.

Many business leaders fall into this category and they are hungry for someone who “Gets them”.

Who do you really get? What do you stand for?

A hint: check the books on your night stand or the magazines in your reading rack. They give you a bit of a clue of where your heart is. You can see the common themes in my magazine rack: chocolate, outdoors, cottages and retreats. Once you have your clarity, line up your words, actions and thoughts and stand for you. There are others out there who need you and they don’t know you exist. Stop being a secret. When you do this, you won’t have competition.

There is only ONE you who offers the service you do.

I often get asked about when and how much to invest in the team for celebrations or parties.

I am even asked “How do I cancel an event they just don’t seem to appreciate anymore?”.

Have you considered aligning your team event with a cause? Something that supports something your company, team and yourself can align with?

We have all been affected by some cause or other and many organizations have some very fun events. The organization does the planning and you can simply purchase the tickets, invite your team and then have fun.

Whether it is an active event like a 5km run to support CHEO or a dressy event like the Heart of Glass that the Leaders at Heart group put on to support the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, you will be connecting with your team on a whole new level.

The added bonus is you will get to know them more than you might in the day to day of work.

The recent Heart of Glass event gave my team the opportunity to introduce their significant others to us in a fun environment where we could ALL enjoy ourselves. And it gave us girls the opportunity to dress up and wear fancy attire.

How do you plan to get to know your team more and celebrate with them?

Five years ago, my knee was injured in volleyball and required surgery. Having met my husband on a ski trip and grown up near the B.C. mountains, this was one sport that was tough to give up.

We took a few ski trips over the past years, but I found I was in too much pain to enjoy myself and would head to the spa instead. When I passed the age my dad had lived to, I decided to ask my kids what “memory trip” would they like to go on with mom. My son asked for a ski trip where I actually skiied the whole week.

Well, never say never.

This year has been an amazing health year for me, so when the opportunity to take advantage of a vacation club exchange to Les Arcs in the French Alps, I signed us up. Here I am during 5 back to back days of amazing family memories. And not a single moment of pain. WOW! This makes me wonder what else I can get back in to.

How often do we limit ourselves in business too?

We experience a painful situation, relationship, problem and do our best to avoid it at all costs in future.

What if one of your best opportunities was actually waiting for you within something that looks like the previous pain?

Now, I am not saying go out and do the equivalent of cause the need for knee surgery. What I am saying, is when something slows you down, look for ways to fully enjoy it next time!

Adopt an “ALL About me!” philosophy.

This is not so you are selfish. It is so you are self-first — so you have something to share with others.

Where are you not taking care of yourself?

What extreme measures can you take to take care of it for good?

Now do it for 21 days so it becomes a habit!

What do you do to grow your people?

The principles are the same whether it is leading, coaching sports teams, parenting, communicating or simply being a friend. No matter the age, we all need to feel heard, belong, have choice, be valued and feel our contributions make a difference.

Be careful of creating a new stereotype by segmenting employees into generational corners and thinking you understand them.

The best way to truly understand them (and to be understood in turn), is to connect.

My children often provide me opportunities to exercise the “Grow Your People™” muscle. The lessons learned are so important, I have been able to create a resource to support you in doing just that with all the important people in your work and life.

And, I want to gift you that resource, no catch, because my mission is to create unconditional acceptance in all connections. Quite the mission, I know. Will you help me accomplish that?

You can start by getting your gift copy of the “Grow Your People!™ playbook”.  At a minimum value of $1 a coaching tip, that’s  $25 gift I want you to have. I truly care about people who care about their people. I thought this resource would support you in taking your connections up a notch.

Click here to download your copy now

And if you are ready to be really relationship rich, check out the CONNECT workshop on taking your relationships to the next level. www.RelationshipRich.com

We would love to have more caring leaders like you join us.

Which work environment would you rather work in?

One where others care or one where they don’t?

Caring makes a huge difference.

In a recent coaching session, the client was stuck on focusing on sales, sales, sales. Nothing wrong with sales. But when they realized they were best at taking people to coffee or lunch and showing them they care, they realized that is how the sales come about. Sales are an outcome. Focus on the action that creates the sales and I don’t mean phone calls. It is the connection, personal touch, the sincerity.

What’s one action you can take to show others you care today?

While you are at it, check out this Act of Kindness video clip. It will have a big impact. www.lifevestinside.com