People often fear rebels and r'evolutionaries. They fear change and rebels are agents of change. However its important to differentiate between a rebel and a trouble maker.
Trouble makers are people who have their own agenda and impose that agenda onto others regardless of other peoples needs and wants. They are essentially selfish.
Rebels have agendas too but they are based on the need for change to improve a situation that we find ourselves in, to move things on and to continue the evolutionary process of perfecting.
Showing posts with label Revolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revolution. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Monday, 9 February 2009
Trust
I hear the media talk about the lack of trust being the cause of the global economic downturn.
I've no doubt that this is true. In any relationship trust is the defining factor that opens up communication, connection and co-operation and if the world needs anything now it is co-operation. Only by working together can we get ourselves out of the mess that has been caused by the self-interest of the few.
However trust is not something that comes easily. For someone to trust another there must first be acceptance. Acceptance is determined by the level of similarity that we can see in the other person and the degree of openess that the other person shows to us.
The challenge of business and government in restoring trust to the world is not one of just numbers and financial figures. It is one of an emotional dynamic - a matter of EQ - it is one of proof of integrity. When consumer and the markets see that honesty and transparency has returned to the market place then and only then can we re-build the trust that is the corner stone of global economic and market success.
I've no doubt that this is true. In any relationship trust is the defining factor that opens up communication, connection and co-operation and if the world needs anything now it is co-operation. Only by working together can we get ourselves out of the mess that has been caused by the self-interest of the few.
However trust is not something that comes easily. For someone to trust another there must first be acceptance. Acceptance is determined by the level of similarity that we can see in the other person and the degree of openess that the other person shows to us.
The challenge of business and government in restoring trust to the world is not one of just numbers and financial figures. It is one of an emotional dynamic - a matter of EQ - it is one of proof of integrity. When consumer and the markets see that honesty and transparency has returned to the market place then and only then can we re-build the trust that is the corner stone of global economic and market success.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
I wanted to be an American...
I watched Obama make his speech in a well-known hostelry in Dublin city yesterday with Scottish rebel Allan Mackintosh. The silence while he spoke was palpable. They hung on his every motivating word. A voice of hope (we hope).
Just for a while I wanted to be an American- to share at their level the hope and excitement being stimulated by this man. I wanted to be a part of the future that they will have now - with all their resources, their re-building of friends and alliances around the world again, the emergence from a time of fear and ignorance, the reclaiming of what America once stood for - E pluribus Unum - From the Many, One. It's like a bright sun ray on a dark day that catches you in the eye.
Obama uses the language of a r'evolutionary. Inclusive, engaging, connecting and pluralist. Let us hope that he will be radical enough and charismatic enough to carry us on his shoulders into a better world for us all. Let us hope that the enemies of personal freedom do not take it all away.
Just for a while I wanted to be an American- to share at their level the hope and excitement being stimulated by this man. I wanted to be a part of the future that they will have now - with all their resources, their re-building of friends and alliances around the world again, the emergence from a time of fear and ignorance, the reclaiming of what America once stood for - E pluribus Unum - From the Many, One. It's like a bright sun ray on a dark day that catches you in the eye.
Obama uses the language of a r'evolutionary. Inclusive, engaging, connecting and pluralist. Let us hope that he will be radical enough and charismatic enough to carry us on his shoulders into a better world for us all. Let us hope that the enemies of personal freedom do not take it all away.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Hope
Today Obama gets sworn in. In a sea of gloom this is one bright hope (however forcefully marketed). Hope is a powerful thing. It raises the vision one has of the road ahead. It lifts our spirits for those extra steps along the road. It fires the belly with determination to see the race through.
Hope is required in this revolutionary time. In a time when we may feel that the world is out of control, spiraling down and lost then hope gives us the chance to look upwards at what can be, what we can create if we just lift our sights. Hope is always about better futures. It sustains us in the darkest of hours. All is lost when hope is lost.
So today let the light of hope shine. Let this one world event prove to us that in the midst of it all, things can and do change. It requires patience and above all persistence. Never stop moving forward and let hope lead your way.
Hope is required in this revolutionary time. In a time when we may feel that the world is out of control, spiraling down and lost then hope gives us the chance to look upwards at what can be, what we can create if we just lift our sights. Hope is always about better futures. It sustains us in the darkest of hours. All is lost when hope is lost.
So today let the light of hope shine. Let this one world event prove to us that in the midst of it all, things can and do change. It requires patience and above all persistence. Never stop moving forward and let hope lead your way.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
New Year New Rules
Welcome to 09 - a brand new year, a new world and new rules. The first rule is focused activity. Change either happens to us or we make it happen ourselves. Personally, I prefer the latter - that way I don't allow other people's rules or expectations to dictate my outcomes.
Rebels make their own rules and I've started my focused action by recording and editing a demo DVD (see the video clips on the site by the end of the week) and new promo audio CD for sales directors and entrepreneurs called 'Zero to Hero - Questions that Change'. Should have that up as an audio file as well in the coming weeks. I'll use both to start driving more business for the practice within the week.
I've also written and recorded another new audio/workbook programme called 'Rebel in a Business Suit® - Transformational Questions' which takes you on a journey through 9 levels of development: Meaning & Purpose, Vision, Control & Influence, Work/Life Balance, Performance, Communicating & Influencing, Sales/Business Development and Delegation. Finally, I've just finished the edits to a new DVD/Workbook programme called 'Rebel in a Business Suit® - Rebel Secrets™ for Entrepreneurs'.
So a great start to New Year with new energy. If it hasn't been quite as busy for you - change the rules and take more action. Life should be exciting this year.
Rebels make their own rules and I've started my focused action by recording and editing a demo DVD (see the video clips on the site by the end of the week) and new promo audio CD for sales directors and entrepreneurs called 'Zero to Hero - Questions that Change'. Should have that up as an audio file as well in the coming weeks. I'll use both to start driving more business for the practice within the week.
I've also written and recorded another new audio/workbook programme called 'Rebel in a Business Suit® - Transformational Questions' which takes you on a journey through 9 levels of development: Meaning & Purpose, Vision, Control & Influence, Work/Life Balance, Performance, Communicating & Influencing, Sales/Business Development and Delegation. Finally, I've just finished the edits to a new DVD/Workbook programme called 'Rebel in a Business Suit® - Rebel Secrets™ for Entrepreneurs'.
So a great start to New Year with new energy. If it hasn't been quite as busy for you - change the rules and take more action. Life should be exciting this year.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Inaction to Action
The world is waiting for leadership to move us on from this financial disaster that we are wallowing in at present. Leadership that can inspire confidence and encourage those who cannot lead themselves to take the kind of action that effects change.
When are we going to get the fact that leadership starts with us - that leadership is no longer vested in one man or one woman? I am amazed at the fear and the paralysis that infects the corporate world at present. It's as if people are delighted to have the opportunity to defer, delay and dismiss - 'nothing to do 'til Xmas and we'll fix it in the New Year'. What's required now is clarity and action and that should start at the individual level.
Yes, there is a change happening in the world, the revolution is here. This is a time when values are changing and those that are willing to take action to accelerate change, who can adapt and innovate are the ones that can thrive now. Fear leads to inaction and there may be reasons to fear but only courage can change things. I once heard courage described 'as the ability to act despite the presence of fear'. We need to chose to act despite the presence of fear.
We need to have the courage to take the time now to reflect and gain clarity of purpose, decide on the actions that are required, build alliances and look at innovative ways to create the world as we would have it and not allow ourselves to be driven down someone else's path.
In my own case business has gotten quieter as people live with their fear but I am making plans. I am networking, attending lunches, giving lunches meeting people who can and will make decisions, creating a product portfolio and re-positioning the business to adapt and thrive in the new market and defining key niches that will be the players in the new world order of business.
To do nothing is not an option. Action creates dynamics. It is the way of change. We can fear change or we can lead it. It is a personal choice, your choice. So let us begin the transformation to a new world of business.
When are we going to get the fact that leadership starts with us - that leadership is no longer vested in one man or one woman? I am amazed at the fear and the paralysis that infects the corporate world at present. It's as if people are delighted to have the opportunity to defer, delay and dismiss - 'nothing to do 'til Xmas and we'll fix it in the New Year'. What's required now is clarity and action and that should start at the individual level.
Yes, there is a change happening in the world, the revolution is here. This is a time when values are changing and those that are willing to take action to accelerate change, who can adapt and innovate are the ones that can thrive now. Fear leads to inaction and there may be reasons to fear but only courage can change things. I once heard courage described 'as the ability to act despite the presence of fear'. We need to chose to act despite the presence of fear.
We need to have the courage to take the time now to reflect and gain clarity of purpose, decide on the actions that are required, build alliances and look at innovative ways to create the world as we would have it and not allow ourselves to be driven down someone else's path.
In my own case business has gotten quieter as people live with their fear but I am making plans. I am networking, attending lunches, giving lunches meeting people who can and will make decisions, creating a product portfolio and re-positioning the business to adapt and thrive in the new market and defining key niches that will be the players in the new world order of business.
To do nothing is not an option. Action creates dynamics. It is the way of change. We can fear change or we can lead it. It is a personal choice, your choice. So let us begin the transformation to a new world of business.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Authority - or Power?
A classic example of the 'old' age of business is the need to get a 'senior role' - to be recognised as a 'senior' person. To get a 'position of authority'. By getting a 'position of authority' it is assumed that one will also have power. Not so.
Power today is not about position but about connection. It's about your networks, how you manage them and how you provide services and connection to others - thereby building a 'reciprocity reserve'.
A 'reciprocity reserve' is the creation of 'positive' indebtedness in others. Where you have willingly done something for someone else without fear or favour and as a result they have become a person who would willingly and happily return that favour once asked. This is power. In the new age of business this kind of power alows us to leverage and change things that just having a position does not.
By using position to apply power, you are likely to be faced with rebellion. By using connections to apply power through leverage you are more likely to get compliance.
Networks are becoming more important in business - especially in more challenging times. My father once said that there are no 'little people' in business. Everyone counts.
Power today is not about position but about connection. It's about your networks, how you manage them and how you provide services and connection to others - thereby building a 'reciprocity reserve'.
A 'reciprocity reserve' is the creation of 'positive' indebtedness in others. Where you have willingly done something for someone else without fear or favour and as a result they have become a person who would willingly and happily return that favour once asked. This is power. In the new age of business this kind of power alows us to leverage and change things that just having a position does not.
By using position to apply power, you are likely to be faced with rebellion. By using connections to apply power through leverage you are more likely to get compliance.
Networks are becoming more important in business - especially in more challenging times. My father once said that there are no 'little people' in business. Everyone counts.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Learning is not an option
I've just come back and catching up on my work since being at the Professional Speakers Association conference in the UK recently where I presented my keynote 'Rebel in a Business Suit - Secrets of the R'evolutionaries'.
I totally recommend that, even in these more challenging times, one commits oneself to continuing the journey of continual professional development. For any professional to stop learning simply because things are getting a little tougher in the market place is tantamount to professional and competitive suicide. Learning is not an option it is a requirement.
Preparing yourself, readying your competitive edge and going out into the economic battlefield requires education, knowledge and not a little wisdom. Such things come from a committment to on-going learning and conferences or seminars are ideal locations for this. Connecting with colleagues and competitors, feeling the pulse of the market, being in a place that educates or inspires reflective and creative thought - it can be amazing what can come from this.
For me one piece of insight which occurred on my way home was remarkable. People often ask me to sum up the idea of being a 'Rebel in a Business Suit'.
For me, it's about transformation through balance.
The Rebel in the Suit is the Yin in the Yang, the Light in the Dark, the Active in the Reflective - for me the insight that came was that being a 'Rebel in a Business Suit' is all about is that being the 'rebel' is about having the courage to decide to take r'evolutionary or transformational actions and ideas and what being the 'suit' is about is being able to create or find the system, the process or the method that provides the means for making those actions work. Spirit into Matter - Dreams into Reality
Transformation is about balance - the rebel that decides and the suit that provides.
I totally recommend that, even in these more challenging times, one commits oneself to continuing the journey of continual professional development. For any professional to stop learning simply because things are getting a little tougher in the market place is tantamount to professional and competitive suicide. Learning is not an option it is a requirement.
Preparing yourself, readying your competitive edge and going out into the economic battlefield requires education, knowledge and not a little wisdom. Such things come from a committment to on-going learning and conferences or seminars are ideal locations for this. Connecting with colleagues and competitors, feeling the pulse of the market, being in a place that educates or inspires reflective and creative thought - it can be amazing what can come from this.
For me one piece of insight which occurred on my way home was remarkable. People often ask me to sum up the idea of being a 'Rebel in a Business Suit'.
For me, it's about transformation through balance.
The Rebel in the Suit is the Yin in the Yang, the Light in the Dark, the Active in the Reflective - for me the insight that came was that being a 'Rebel in a Business Suit' is all about is that being the 'rebel' is about having the courage to decide to take r'evolutionary or transformational actions and ideas and what being the 'suit' is about is being able to create or find the system, the process or the method that provides the means for making those actions work. Spirit into Matter - Dreams into Reality
Transformation is about balance - the rebel that decides and the suit that provides.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Connections
Its been a week of connections and connecting.
Firstly presenting key points on the skills and strategies of professional networking in the current market place at the Ulster Reform Club in Belfast, for a group of directors and business owners from the Institute of Directors.
Secondly, connecting with my old friend and NSA buddy Terry Brock in a new Skype project to capture some of the stuff we both do and putting it on the Net for people. Terry is a technology reporter, commentator and speaker and has a great coaching programme on business relationships. Given the synergies between some of what we do, we decided to Skype a call and record the event. Needs work - especially on the camera quality and broadband speed (bit like a dubbed Chinese martial arts movie!) but its a start!
Firstly presenting key points on the skills and strategies of professional networking in the current market place at the Ulster Reform Club in Belfast, for a group of directors and business owners from the Institute of Directors.
Secondly, connecting with my old friend and NSA buddy Terry Brock in a new Skype project to capture some of the stuff we both do and putting it on the Net for people. Terry is a technology reporter, commentator and speaker and has a great coaching programme on business relationships. Given the synergies between some of what we do, we decided to Skype a call and record the event. Needs work - especially on the camera quality and broadband speed (bit like a dubbed Chinese martial arts movie!) but its a start!
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Fire Tempers Steel
Anyone else finding it tough out there recently? I'm finding it challenging getting people to make decisions around coaching and seminars. It seems like we are in the middle of a huge upheaval in business at the moment - a time of momentous change for all of us and nothing will quite be the same again. R'evolutionary.
A time of fear, nervousness and uncertainty. But also a time when ingenuity, flexbility and innovativeness will be rewarded.
When the news struck last week I was working with a group of bankers on the 7th floor of a hotel. Needless to say I made sure that the doors and windows were immediately locked! These guys did not want to be in my room learning how to coach their teams. My co-facilitator turned to me and said 'so how do we make this r'evolutionary Seán?'. Good questions..wished I'd thought of it.
So we turned the day into a practical exercise on how they were going to coach their reports on how to handle the crisis situation. By role playing they internalised the learnings - and learned from each other. Then we role played using their coaching skills to coach clients on remaining calm - I couldn't have asked for a better example of coaching the 'reluctant client'.
A friend once said to me that 'fire tempers steel' - we are being forged in the fires of chaos now. But the steel will shine through in the end. Innovate, adapt and triumph.
A time of fear, nervousness and uncertainty. But also a time when ingenuity, flexbility and innovativeness will be rewarded.
When the news struck last week I was working with a group of bankers on the 7th floor of a hotel. Needless to say I made sure that the doors and windows were immediately locked! These guys did not want to be in my room learning how to coach their teams. My co-facilitator turned to me and said 'so how do we make this r'evolutionary Seán?'. Good questions..wished I'd thought of it.
So we turned the day into a practical exercise on how they were going to coach their reports on how to handle the crisis situation. By role playing they internalised the learnings - and learned from each other. Then we role played using their coaching skills to coach clients on remaining calm - I couldn't have asked for a better example of coaching the 'reluctant client'.
A friend once said to me that 'fire tempers steel' - we are being forged in the fires of chaos now. But the steel will shine through in the end. Innovate, adapt and triumph.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Rebel in a Business Suit
I spoke in Scotland recently at a conference entitled The Re-Birth of Leadership which examined some of the changes required of today's leaders to engage more effectively with the new world of work.
One of the great advantages of such conferences is the chance to engage with one's own peers in the speaking field and get some insights into other professionals' views of your message. Some of those insights have caused me to look yet again at the unfolding message in the ideas of Rebel in a Business Suit and R'evolution.
I guess the idea of the r'evolution that I'm talking about is the capacity to come to understand oneself - both the light and the dark side of oneself. To learn to be courageous in discovering who we truly are so that in doing so we bring a very authentic self into the new world of work - and when one is authentic one is powerful. When this happens the Rebel in the Business Suit becomes an idea of self-integration - the passion being the rebel and the purpose being the suit.
You might say it becomes the idea of the entrpreneur in the heart of the accountant or the artist at the heart of the engineer - the Ying and the Yang and the Heart and Head. An integration of opposites that creates a powerful being. Imagine that unique person as an asset as a leader or rainmaker.
One of the great advantages of such conferences is the chance to engage with one's own peers in the speaking field and get some insights into other professionals' views of your message. Some of those insights have caused me to look yet again at the unfolding message in the ideas of Rebel in a Business Suit and R'evolution.
I guess the idea of the r'evolution that I'm talking about is the capacity to come to understand oneself - both the light and the dark side of oneself. To learn to be courageous in discovering who we truly are so that in doing so we bring a very authentic self into the new world of work - and when one is authentic one is powerful. When this happens the Rebel in the Business Suit becomes an idea of self-integration - the passion being the rebel and the purpose being the suit.
You might say it becomes the idea of the entrpreneur in the heart of the accountant or the artist at the heart of the engineer - the Ying and the Yang and the Heart and Head. An integration of opposites that creates a powerful being. Imagine that unique person as an asset as a leader or rainmaker.
Monday, 12 May 2008
Step 5: Sell Internally Not Just Externally
In selling we have two sets of customers - those that are external, that buy our products and services and those who are internal, who help us to serve the customer to our best ability. Selling is a team game and your internal customer - the people who support the efforts that you bring to the market place - are as deserving of your attention as the external customer.
Take time to nurture the internal relationships that can determine the speed and quality of response that you provide to your customers. Not everyone is commercially aware of the importance of meeting customer needs and its the relationship built on a 'thank you' or a lunch spent with some of your support people in marketing, telesales, customer service, distribution, finance and so forth that can often be the critical lever when you just have to meet a particular client's needs and deadline.
Also these team members can provide valuable information on the client that you may not always get when you are customer -facing all the time. How good are they at paying, what comments are passed when they are dealing with them - information that can be vital to customer management.
So remember to sell internally as well as externally and if you are a business owner, we also need to remember that selling internally also improves the likelihood of improving retention and morale of good quality workers in the new digital age. Welcome to the r'evolution.
Take time to nurture the internal relationships that can determine the speed and quality of response that you provide to your customers. Not everyone is commercially aware of the importance of meeting customer needs and its the relationship built on a 'thank you' or a lunch spent with some of your support people in marketing, telesales, customer service, distribution, finance and so forth that can often be the critical lever when you just have to meet a particular client's needs and deadline.
Also these team members can provide valuable information on the client that you may not always get when you are customer -facing all the time. How good are they at paying, what comments are passed when they are dealing with them - information that can be vital to customer management.
So remember to sell internally as well as externally and if you are a business owner, we also need to remember that selling internally also improves the likelihood of improving retention and morale of good quality workers in the new digital age. Welcome to the r'evolution.
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