“Connecting is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.” John Maxwell

When I had my first leadership position, I definitely didn’t understand this principle! I thought it was my job to get results and if an employee was trying to talk to me about something that didn’t apply to what I was working on, I considered in an interruption.

The more I’ve worked with hundreds of new and inexperienced leaders, the more I understand that I wasn’t alone in this! And maybe that’s you, too. The reality is, if we put people first and increase our connecting abilities, we will get more of the results we are looking for!

How do we do this? Well, first of all, that question can’t be answered in totality with a blog post! I’ve created several courses and classes that speak to this topic. As a matter of fact, our Empowered Leaders Membership Group focuses on this principle every month in a shared learning environment. But, I can give you a ...

“Great teams have great depth.” John C. Maxwell

How’s your bench doing? If you’re developing a sports team, you know bench players are crucial to your success. The same is true for any team. There are 5 truths you need to know about bench players:

• They are tomorrow’s stars- if they’re trained well now, you have more success later
• They multiply the starter’s performance- use them as much as possible in practice situations and the team will win
• There are more people on the bench than there are starters/leaders- not all bench players will turn into starters; you need to know how to identify and develop the right bench players
• A well-placed bench player is more effective than a great starter- a bench player with only one or two great skills can add huge value to your team, especially in clutch situations
• A strong bench equals more options- you can develop plans with greater flexibility, especially in times of challenge or struggle

What’s your plan to develop your team? If you’d ...

“Great teams have great depth.” John C. Maxwell

Leaders tend to focus on their top performers, their starter players. And for good reason! It’s important to focus 80% of your time on the top 20% of performers to maximize your team’s results.

You see this often in larger companies and businesses. They conduct training on increasing performance and larger leadership ideas with their top people and their leadership team, while the bench players of the team get training on compliance issues.

But what if one of your top performers leaves the team? Do you have a plan to replace them?

If you don’t focus on your bench players and develop them, you could find yourself hurting.

Here are a few thoughts to consider…

• Who steps up in times of need and fills in during short term projects?
• Who stays after and goes over and above their job duties?
• Who seems the most curious about what happens in and with the team?
• Who volunteers to do extra work and/or learn something new to help the team?
...

"We don’t learn from our experience- we learn from reflecting on our experience." John Dewey

As a preschool teacher, I learned quickly that going on that field trip to the farm wasn’t the learning opportunity I thought it was. The trip was the experience, but not the learning. The real learning came when we got together as a group and discussed what we saw, heard, felt, smelt, and tasted. The debrief.

I took that new knowledge into my new role as a professional development trainer and speaker and learned how to do many kinds of debriefs. I realized the teaching/speaking part wasn’t as necessary as the debrief after!

"Reflective thinking turns experience into insight." John C. Maxwell

As I moved along in my career and became a coach/consultant for leaders, I had the pleasure and honor of attending and influencing many meetings, the good, the bad, and the ugly. One thing I learned was that not all meetings are created equal.

The teams who consistently used debriefs had better meetin...

"Predictability, dependability, and consistency: these three qualities ensure that our leadership is reliable and motivates people to place their confidence in us. Our effectiveness as leaders is built on trust." Gayle Beebe

Consistency isn’t a fun thing to do or talk about- it isn’t sexy like transformation and leadership! However, when you truly understand the power behind consistency, especially compounding consistency, then you can begin to enact real change in the world.

• How are you consistent as an employee? Does your boss see you doing your tasks on a consistent basis? Can she/he count on your predictability? Or do you bring drama wherever you go?
• How consistent are you as an employer? Do your people see you as dependable? Do you do what you say you’re going to do? When do you not do what you promise and why?
• Are you consistent as a volunteer? Do your team leaders feel that you are steady and trusted or that you’re going to ‘flake out’ on them at any time?

Your answers ...

“Leaders add value by serving others.” John C. Maxwell

In order to really add value to other people, though, you need to do three things.

• Value Yourself: know, like, and trust yourself first; whenever there’s an issue examine yourself first before you try to ‘fix’ another person
• Value People: to you value people in general? What’s the evidence that you do?
• Value ‘Them’: do things that serve the people in your immediate spheres- home, work, clubs, community, etc.

First-time leaders are generally all about getting results. I was no different! And many times I did things at the expense of my people. I didn’t value them as much as I could have. If I had it to do all over again, I would definitely do things differently!

• I would have more conversations with my staff about their strengths, passions, and goals in life and help empower them to be the best versions of themselves possible.
• I would ask more questions, listen more intently, and paraphrase more with my customers to real
...

Last chance to sign up for the Self-Image Mastery course! We open today and you’ll never hear me talk about it again.

“When there is no choice, there’s no fear.” Byron Katie

I read this statement this morning and, honestly, it had me doing some mental gymnastics…

At first, I thought when I have no choice, I don’t like it! Some people, when they have no choice, tend to turn into a victim/hostage, some people will fight to the death like a wounded animal, and others will accept it and move on. And, out of all of those options, you still have a choice. So, what to do with this statement?

As I thought about it more, I realized there are many times when I don’t have a choice about something and I move forward. For example:

• When there’s a pandemic that forces you to stay at home
• When your son, a week into a pandemic, chops his knee while cutting firewood and you can’t stay at the hospital with him
• When you lost 3 friends in 6 hours to COVID
• When your community experiences a 500-yea
...

Recently, I had the joy of going on vacation with family, friends, and colleagues. It was a ton of fun!

As I had fun and engaged with others I realized a few things about myself. I acted a bit differently than I have in the past. Others noticed, which turned my attention towards it as well.

In the past, on these trips, I would sleep in, party, spend lots of money, drink too much, eat bad food, stay up late, and talk about other people. Now, some of you might say, “I don’t know, Michelle, that sounds pretty good to me.” And for a time, it was.

But this trip was different…

This time, I got up early each day and enjoyed the quiet while everyone else was sleeping. I did a few hours of work that I loved and got to serve my clients. I spent the rest of the day with the other party-goers. I set up systems before the trip so I could still make money while resting, swimming, and reading. I ate nutritious food (for the most part!) and took regular walks- I loved my body. I went to bed earlie...

“A person’s heart is more clearly seen by what they’re willing to embrace without offense, then by their expression of faith only in what they already understand.” Bill Johnson

“Only a secure leader gives his power away.” John Maxell

You might be saying, “How in the world do these two quotes relate, Michelle?” Well, I’ve noticed several leaders in my life showing how insecure they are by not being at least a bit willing to consider a new idea.

Many leaders seem to think they need to stand on their own understanding, beliefs, and rationale and that makes them a good leader.

In reality, that makes you an inflexible leader.

Your people need someone who can consider new ideas and make a decision about whether those ideas help or hinder your forward progress. If you are not doing that, if you’re just standing on what you’ve always thought in the past, it might be time to pass the torch!

Join us for the Self-Image Mastery course! 

Are you stuck in analysis paralysis? Unsure what to do because you don’t know HOW to do something?

Emerson said, “You must not wait until you have proof- you must act as if it is there and it will come through. DO THE THING and you will have the power.” (emphasis added)

Whether you’re trying to grow a speaking business, get that new job, teach an online course, or a baby learning to walk, the same principles apply. You have to start, fail, continue, and learn the HOW as you go. There’s no other way.

Just ask yourself, “What’s the next best step?” Start doing that and you’ll be amazed at your progress!

You know what to do – trust yourself!

Join us for the Self-Image Mastery course!