Everything I Need to Know About Leadership and Business, I Learned in the Strawberry Patch

Well, maybe not EVERYTHING – but a lot!

I belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm share. This means I take on some of the farmer’s risk. I pay for the promise of so many fruits and vegetables for the season. Sometimes it’s a bumper crop and sometimes bust. If s/he is a good farmer (leader/manager) with consistent methods (tools and processes), the unpredictable part of the equation is the weather (environment). There are different ways to address non-ideal weather conditions to minimize the impact on the crops. And sometimes there is only so much you can do.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in Connecticut so I took off early and went to pick up the first share of the season. Some of the crops are in bins and some we have to go out in the field to pick. Yesterday I went out in the strawberry field to pick two luscious quarts.

Here is what I noticed… There was an abundance of just ripe strawberries bursting with juice and color. There were very few that had turned past their prime. And there were a lot that were still white or early in the growing season.

Here are my learnings that translate to business and leadership:

1. When crops get what they need by way of support and resources (rich soil, water, sun, right temperatures, and weeded early and often), they thrive.

Some people thrive in certain environments and fail in others. Most people thrive when they do what they love and are good at it, and they have the right kind of coaching, support and recognition.

2. Get in early to harvest the good stuff.

There is no need to focus on what is not ripe (lack) when there is so much abundant all around if we just look. Sometimes we don’t need to look too far but pay attention to what is right under our nose. I was able to fill up two quarts only by reaching within an arm’s radius. Like life, it’s too easy to focus on what needs fixing versus leveraging what is a strength or working. Nothing and nobody is perfect.

3. Next to mature, ready crop you can have crop just at the beginning of development.

This is like people – they can be uneven in their skillset. It’s best to focus on their strengths and take time to nurture their development.

4. Be grateful for such a wonderful crop, despite all the crazy weather.

People can be unpredictable as can the business environment. Recognize what is within your control to effect and what isn’t. When the economy is strong, get in early and boldly with new products, services and ideas. Be grateful for the breaks you have as there is also some grace (or luck) involved.

5. Enjoy the process of picking and eating the harvest! Celebrate!

It’s so important to celebrate wins large and small as that energy and mindset builds on itself. I have found in my career that this is not practiced enough – pausing long enough to really enjoy the hard work and accomplishments. Enjoy the juicy, yummy parts too!

© Copyright 2016 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC. All rights Reserved.

Follow up Friday: With Strategy, The Key Word is We

This week’s reflection question was: It’s great to have a strategy but the bigger question is, now what? How do we make it come to life? (Please note, this was written on Friday but published today:) ).

I noticed I framed this questions differently than previous weeks. Instead of asking “you," I asked “we.” When setting and executing on strategy, this is a key word. No one has all the information on what is going on in the market, with your customers or how to get people to get stuff done. You need coordinated activities that deliver value in the places you want to.

This all seems obvious, but the smarter, more insightful and more ambitious you are, the more at a disadvantage you may be if you think you have all the answers! Especially today, with so much change and disruption in business, you really need everyone in sync with each other and staying focused on the right goals.

I was struck this week, in dialogue with clients, how often they believe that everyone has the same understanding they do –on what it is the organization is trying to achieve and how their job contributes. Lack of clarity is both, one of the biggest reasons why organizations fail to effectively execute on their strategy, and also one of the biggest levers you can use to get people more aligned.

This requires work. It requires engaging in an ongoing dialogue with your leaders and employees. Notice I say dialogue, not communication. Too often leaders say something – they speak it – and believe it is done or that people have understood. The notion of dialogue is that it is ongoing and entails a back and forth and testing of understanding. It’s a commitment and requires deep listening and presence.

This leads to making sure people buy-in to what they need to be doing and why. All of this is a process – day-to-day – that is required to not only get people on board, but keep them there. Strategy is never a “one and done” situation. It’s a more of, “here we are again – what does this mean, and how do we move forward knowing what we now know?”

© Copyright 2016 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights Reserved.

Follow up Friday: Reaching Out is Key

This week’s reflection question: Where are you less than confident? What supports do you have to help you get clear and think things through?

As an entrepreneur, here is what I noticed about myself this week – I get less than confident when I am too scattered, trying to do it all. I can lose sight of my core competency as a Coach and Consultant. I can get in overwhelm mode.

When I am clear on what I should be working on at any given point in time – and where I should delegate – then I am more confident in how I am leading my business so I can be more present with my clients. The key is reaching out to those I trust to get perspective. I have colleagues I can call on, and I belong to a Mastermind group. I have found this group invaluable in terms of working with other entrepreneurs who understand my unique challenges.

Here is what I noticed with my clients – the more successful they are – sometimes the harder it can be to ask for help. They may be confident about things that they really should be asking for help on – we call these blindspots. And sometimes they are less than confident on things that they really have nailed, but don’t realize it because it’s new and out of their comfort zone.

The key is discernment. It comes down to knowing who you can trust to help you sort things out – and being willing to take advice or feedback. It starts with picking up the phone and having the conversation.

© Copyright 2016 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights Reserved.

Follow up Friday: Breakfast for Dinner?

Follow up Friday on Sunday? What?
It’s like – have you ever had breakfast food for dinner? Why do you do this? Well, I do this when:

1. I’m too tired to cook – a bowl of cereal is fine for everyone.
2. I didn’t have a chance to grocery shop and that’s all the food left in the house.
3. I have a fussy child who wouldn’t eat anything else that night. Let it go. They’ll live.
4. I’m craving those particular foods.
5. Or…just for fun!

So why am I following up on my Monday post on Sunday and Friday, like I promised? I can say:

1. I was testing you to make sure you were paying attention.
2. I was overwhelmed and didn’t get to it.
3. I forgot.
4. I reprioritized amidst the changing landscape and it just didn’t rise to the top of my list.
5.  Or… just for fun!

What do you think it is? Well, if I am honest, it’s both 3 and 4. The difference between the two reasons is: one suggests I am not in control of my action and fell asleep at the wheel. The other suggests that I made a conscious decision to act on this priority at a different time. Here is how it played out: I was two days late in getting home because of the snowstorm. I had to finish a major report for a client who needed it for a meeting we were having on Friday. I worked very long hours to get the report done Thursday night. I was exhausted and needed rest before Friday, so I called it a night. Friday was an all-day meeting - insightful and productive. I left there on a high.

As I was driving home in the late afternoon, I composed the blog post in my head. I said to myself I would squeeze in writing my blog post in between grocery shopping, going to the bank and paying my taxes, before cooking and my dinner guest arriving at my house. Well, I had no food in the house and picked up more food than I anticipated. When I got home, with my eye on the clock, I went right to making dinner. The next thing I knew I was wrapping up a late evening with my friend and suddenly remembered my blog post. I could have hopped on the computer at midnight and got it done, meeting my commitment.

The old me, would have done that – I have to meet my commitment no matter what. In the last ten years, I have worked hard on exercising mindfulness for a more balanced way of life. Instead, I decided to embrace the unexpected – which was my reflection question on Monday. The follow up question was – where can you appreciate the gifts?

Here is where I landed: Even though I was surprised at myself for not staying focused on getting the blog post done. I wasn’t going to stress myself over it. After a busy week of travel, deadlines and intense meetings, I was tired. I thought spending time recharging and relaxing in good conversation is where I needed to be. I would come back to writing when I was centered and rested and messaging from that place.

I also went back to my objective of writing on Fridays in the first place – it is several fold: first, to stay in touch with my clients and potential clients and share insights, tools and lessons learned to further their development; second, I find it an enjoyable and rewarding vehicle for my own development and self expression; third, I write twice a week for consistency and follow up. The focus of my life and work is to enable myself and others to be their best selves to have a greater impact on the world.

90% of life is showing up and following up. The intent is to follow up by the end of the week. Well, although, this week I have stretched the definition of the end of the week – I did get it done and met my objective.

The gift for me is acknowledging how far I have come in not beating myself up or unduly stressing myself when I don’t need to – keep it in perspective. It may seem like a small thing regarding this post, but this shows up in other areas. It’s about how we hold the space for ourselves in how we walk through the world – even if most of it is in our own head. Its’s about noticing the constant messages we send ourselves – doing great or more to do; having fun or need to push ourselves to do that burdensome chore. If we can exercise the positive muscle for small things, it gives us the confidence and muscle to do it when the stakes are higher.

Sometimes, amidst the busyness of life, you have to breakfast for dinner – even if it’s just for fun!
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy.

© Copyright 2016 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights Reserved.

Follow Up Friday: Blizzard Travel

The reflection question Monday was – what do you appreciate about what’s working?

Wednesday I flew from New York to Tuscon to attend a business retreat for my mastermind group. I made it to the airport in record time, no wait in security, and my connecting flight a breeze. I was cognizant of my reflection question and so appreciative of how easy it all felt.

Well, as I write this there is a blizzard underway in the Northeast. My flight home is scheduled for Sunday. I am wondering if I will make it home – at all or without delays. I flew out on United and assumed my flight back was with United as well. I called the airline to see if my flight cancelled yet. I held on the phone for 35 minutes to talk to an agent – only to discover I did not read my ticket closely – it was with American! So I called American and got an agent in 4 minutes.

While the snow pours down at 1 inch an hour, they said they can’t say yet if it will be cancelled. I have to go with the flow. At least for tomorrow I can enjoy the sunshine and temperate weather in Tuscon.

Regardless  of how this travel unfolds, I am committed to managing my stress – holding the space for adventure versus hassle. Perhaps we are making up for a record breaking seventy degrees on Christmas.

© Copyright 2016 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights Reserved.

Follow up Friday: Turn on the Light Within

This week’s question was – Where do you notice yourself getting distracted or looking outside for answers only you can provide yourself? What are some of your most challenging relationships and experiences teaching you?

Here is what I noticed in myself and others – we distract ourselves and look for answers from others when we are afraid. Our egos are wired for security and certainty. You might be afraid of what others think, of doing a presentation, of not having enough money, of not knowing how to do something, etc.

When I am afraid it upsets my focus and ability to get things done. My head gets in an anxious spin. It’s a dark and constricting energy. I have a number of triggers for this. It’s important that I understand these triggers so I can better manage them – so I am driving fear out, it’s not driving me.

Fear is the opposite of love and passion and driven by the instinct of survival. Something is threatening our well being. This threat is real or perceived – it doesn’t matter which, as our brain receives all as real. My solution is to notice and let it go. Sometimes this works and sometimes I need the support of another person – a spouse, boss, colleague, friend – to help me get perspective and/or remind me of what I know is actually true.

Another person can provide you the space to think it through – to talk and be heard. Other times, they provide you with insight. Insight is bringing light to a subject. In either case, you are able to be more expansive and release fear.

We all have our triggers. No one is immune to fear. The key is to recognize it and use it for a signal to turn on the light within – channel the fear into passion, energy, expansion and movement forward. When you are struggling, reach out for reassurance or to get clear about the way forward.

The key is recognizing when you are in this spin of fear and do something about it. Don’t allow it to grow.

© Copyright 2016 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights Reserved.

Follow up Friday: Being Liked Or Respected – Can You Be Both?

This week’s question: What conditioning supports or impedes you in accomplishing what you want?

Here’s is what I noticed with one of my clients who is struggling with her leadership team. She really wants to be like, and for people to love working for her. She feels her leadership team is holding her back by not being proactive and not doing what they say they will do. So, this week we explored the difference between being nurturing and holding people accountable.

She said she didn’t have any female role models who could do both – women are either too nurturing and pushovers or too firm and called b—hes for being assertive. What does this story have to do with conditioning? Everything! We have a cultural, collective conditioning around gender stereotypes.

Why is it not okay for a woman leader to be both nurturing and assertive in holding people accountable? How can women do this? Of course this applies to men also – stereotypically men are more comfortable in holding people accountable than being nurturing.

Keeping either men or women stuck in one of these ways of being is not helpful. We need both men and women leaders to exercise both characteristics – nurture and develop their people – but also be firm and hold them accountable when they haven’t done something that they need to do or the way in which they need to do it.

Another way to explore these two polarities is to wrestle with the question how can you be liked and also be respected for making tough decisions?

In the case of my client, She is making progress on her pattern of not acting on what she knows she needs to do. Do you have a pattern of behaving that is getting in the way of your success? Do you need help replacing it with a more effective pattern? If so, I’d love to hear from you and see how I can help.

© Copyright 2015 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights Reserved.