www-shandelgroup-com-d8b2d2ua9-v1

Breaking the Cycle of Misery: A Leadership Journey

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 21:04:12 GMT

Introduction

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of stress, frustration, and burnout? As leaders, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of what truly matters. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of the "cycle of misery" and how to break free from it.

Understanding the Cycle of Misery

The cycle of misery is a common trap that many leaders fall into. It's characterized by a negative mindset, a focus on problems, and a tendency to blame others. When we're in this cycle, we become our own worst enemies, constantly worrying and stressing over things that are outside of our control.

Key Signs of the Cycle of Misery:

Fear and Insecurity: Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future.
Anger and Frustration: Blaming others for problems and taking things personally.
Lack of Confidence: Doubting your abilities and questioning your decisions.
Isolation: Withdrawing from others and avoiding social interaction.
Negativity: Focusing on the negative aspects of situations and people.

Breaking Free from the Cycle

To break free from the cycle of misery, we must focus on the following:

Self-Awareness: Recognize the signs of the cycle and be honest with yourself about your current state.
Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and reduce stress.
Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations.
Seek Support: Talk to a mentor, coach, or therapist to gain perspective and guidance.
Prioritize Self-Care: Make time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax.
Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, focus on finding solutions.
Connect with Others: Build strong relationships with colleagues, friends, and family.

The Healthy Cycle of Growth

In contrast to the cycle of misery, the healthy cycle of growth is characterized by positivity, resilience, and a focus on solutions. By cultivating a growth mindset and practicing self-care, we can break free from the cycle of misery and achieve our full potential.

Conclusion

Remember, it's okay to experience challenges and setbacks. The key is to recognize when we're slipping into the cycle of misery and take proactive steps to break free. By focusing on our values, practicing self-care, and connecting with others, we can create a more fulfilling and rewarding life.

Lead with Authenticity

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:02:01 GMT

Embarking on a Journey to Authentic Leadership

In a world where effective leadership is crucial, this article takes you on the transformative journey of a CEO embracing authentic leadership. Here's what you'll gain:

Join us and explore how you can transform into an authentic leader, creating lasting, meaningful impacts within your organization.

Unleashing Your Leadership Potential: A Journey Towards Authenticity

In today's fast-paced world, where leadership is more important than ever, the concept of authenticity in leadership is gaining traction. This article will explore the journey of a CEO embarking on a path to authentic leadership. Drawing from a detailed discussion, the focus is on personal growth, self-awareness, and the essential role of accountability in developing a unique leadership style, providing insights that can guide you toward your own leadership potential.

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

Leadership begins with the courage to step out of your comfort zone into the growth zone. Authentic leadership isn't about staying within familiar boundaries; it's about embracing challenges that foster personal and professional development. By moving beyond what feels safe, leaders can unlock new potentials within themselves, allowing their teams and organizations to benefit from their growth.

Embracing Challenges

Embracing challenges is an integral part of this journey. Resilience and adaptability are key components that help leaders navigate the inevitable obstacles they will encounter. Accepting these challenges with a positive outlook can lead to tremendous personal growth, reinforcing the foundational strength of your leadership capabilities.

Accountability: A Building Block of Leadership

Accountability is a vital aspect of effective leadership. By being accountable, leaders can enhance their effectiveness and build trust within their teams. Accountability ensures that leaders remain aligned with their values and goals, providing a benchmark for progress and development.

Authenticity Matters

Being authentic is one of the most critical traits a leader can possess. Authenticity involves being true to oneself, which includes aligning leadership practices with personal values. It enhances trust and fosters a positive work environment where team members feel valued and understood. The CEO's journey to authenticity underscores its power as a cornerstone of effective leadership.

Aligning Values for Stronger Relationships

Strong relationships are built on shared values. By aligning values with leadership practices, leaders can create an environment where team members feel connected and engaged. This alignment is crucial for fostering not only effective team dynamics but also a sense of mutual respect and understanding.

Tools for Success

Successful leadership requires a deep understanding of oneself, clear goal-setting, and the ability to reflect and adjust as necessary. These tools are essential in the journey towards becoming an authentic leader, enabling leaders to chart their course and consistently strive toward improvement.

The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth

Personal growth has a ripple effect throughout an organization. As leaders grow personally, they inspire others to do the same, leading to a more dynamic and proactive organizational culture. This process of growth contributes to the overall well-being and success of the organization, creating a robust and dynamic environment.

Charting Your Own Course

Every leader's journey is unique. Encouraged by insights and experiences, leaders can carve out their paths, innovating and adapting to new challenges with a steadfast commitment to authenticity and growth.

Reflection and Engagement

Throughout the journey of leadership, engaging in self-reflection and personal development activities strengthens leadership skills. Asking questions like "What are my core values?" and "Where do I need to grow?" can provide valuable insights. This reflection can facilitate a deeper understanding of one's leadership style and areas for improvement.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Authentic Leadership

Authentic leadership is an ongoing journey, characterized by continuous self-awareness, accountability, and alignment of personal values with professional practices. By embracing these principles, leaders can cultivate their unique styles and contribute positively to their organizations.

This journey is not just about reaching a particular destination but about ongoing growth and evolution. Through honest self-assessment and a commitment to authenticity, leaders can inspire those around them and achieve meaningful, lasting success.

This narrative of leadership, based on real experiences, highlights how courage, resilience, and authenticity can transform the leadership landscape. By stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing growth, you can lead with authenticity, creating a positive impact on your organization and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions About Authentic Leadership

Here are some answers to common questions about authentic leadership:

What does it mean for a leader to be authentic?

Authenticity in leadership is about being genuine and true to yourself. This means aligning your leadership practices with your personal values and beliefs. When you are an authentic leader, you create a work environment where team members feel valued and understood because they know where you stand and what you represent.

Why is accountability important for leadership?

Accountability is crucial for effective leadership as it builds trust within teams and enhances a leader's effectiveness. When leaders hold themselves accountable, they demonstrate a commitment to their goals and values, creating a benchmark for progress and development. This transparent approach fosters a culture of responsibility and encourages team members to follow suit.

How does personal growth impact leadership?

Personal growth has a ripple effect throughout an organization. As leaders invest in their personal development, they become more self-aware, resilient, and adaptable. These qualities inspire others to do the same, fostering a more dynamic and proactive organizational culture. Ultimately, this dedication to growth contributes to the overall well-being and success of both the leader and the organization.

Unlock Your Leadership Potential: Lessons from a CEO's Journey to Authenticity

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 23:58:23 GMT

From Comfort Zone to Growth Zone: A CEO's Journey to Authentic Leadership

Have you ever felt stuck in your leadership role, unsure of how to take that next big step? You're not alone. Many CEOs and business leaders find themselves at a crossroads, seeking ways to elevate their skills and drive their companies forward. But what if the key to unlocking your potential lies not in pushing harder, but in embracing vulnerability and authenticity?

In a recent "Lead for Clarity" podcast episode, Scott Sutherland shared his transformative experience through a 12-week coaching program. His journey offers valuable insights for leaders looking to break free from their comfort zones and achieve meaningful growth. Let's dive into Scott's story and explore how his lessons can help you become a more effective and fulfilled leader.

Embracing the Challenge: From Resistance to Growth

Scott's journey began like many of ours – with a reluctance to change. "I think I just tried to find the path of least resistance most of the time," he admitted. This mindset is common among leaders who have achieved a certain level of success. We get comfortable, and change feels risky.

But Scott's perspective shifted dramatically. "Now I find myself oftentimes enjoying swimming against the current," he shared. This transformation didn't happen overnight. It required a willingness to confront fears and embrace challenges.

Key Takeaway: Growth often lies just outside your comfort zone. By actively seeking out challenges rather than avoiding them, you open yourself up to new possibilities and experiences.

The Power of Accountability in Leadership Development

One of the cornerstones of Scott's transformation was accountability. The coaching program provided a structure that kept him on track and pushed him to achieve his goals. Melanie Montgomery, one of the program facilitators, noted, "I was so impressed by Scott... he had more examples than we even had time for."

This level of engagement and accountability led to tangible results. Scott found himself not only meeting but exceeding his own expectations. He discovered strengths he didn't know he had and areas where he could improve.

Action Step: Consider finding an accountability partner or joining a peer group of fellow CEOs. Regular check-ins and shared goals can provide the structure and motivation needed to drive significant personal and professional growth.

Authenticity: The Foundation of Effective Leadership

Perhaps the most profound shift in Scott's journey was his embrace of authenticity. "I think what I really thought was that I was an object... now that I'm not allowing people to treat me that way," he reflected. This realization led to a fundamental change in how he approached leadership and relationships.

Melanie Montgomery echoed the importance of authenticity, stating, "Being authentic to me was how do I show up and ask for what I need and be open with people?" This vulnerability might seem counterintuitive to traditional notions of strong leadership, but it actually fosters deeper connections and more effective communication.

Reflection Question: How often do you allow yourself to be truly vulnerable with your team? What might change if you approached leadership with more openness and authenticity?

Aligning Values for Stronger Relationships

As Scott delved deeper into his personal growth, he discovered the importance of value alignment in both personal and professional relationships. "When you share the same values, you can have that kind of conflict," he noted. This insight highlights how shared values create a foundation for constructive disagreement and growth.

Moreover, Scott found that understanding his own values helped him make better decisions about where to invest his time and energy. "It's a really good filter. You know, who do you want to invest in?" he shared.

Exercise: Take some time to identify and articulate your core values. How do these align with your company's values? Where might there be friction, and how can you address it?

Tools for Success: Self-Understanding and Goal-Setting

Throughout his journey, Scott found immense value in specific tools and practices. He highlighted the Clarity Report as particularly helpful, stating, "Understanding and knowing yourself... the Clarity Report has really helped me."

Additionally, Scott emphasized the importance of writing out goals and having an accountability partner. These practices helped him stay focused and motivated throughout the program and beyond.

Action Step: Invest in tools and assessments that can provide deeper insights into your personality, strengths, and areas for growth. Consider the Enneagram or other leadership assessments to gain a clearer picture of your leadership style.

The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth

As Scott experienced personal transformation, he noticed its impact on his leadership and the overall company culture. By confronting his fears and embracing authenticity, he was able to foster a more open and growth-oriented environment for his team.

This ripple effect demonstrates how personal development for leaders can have far-reaching consequences for entire organizations. When leaders grow, their teams and companies grow with them.

Reflection Question: How might your personal growth impact your team and organization? What areas of development could have the most significant positive effect?

Charting Your Own Course to Authentic Leadership

Scott's journey from seeking the path of least resistance to embracing challenges and authenticity is inspiring. It shows that with the right mindset, tools, and support, transformative growth is possible for any leader.

As you reflect on your own leadership journey, consider these key takeaways:

Remember, the journey to authentic leadership is ongoing. Each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to your growth as a leader and the success of your organization.

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Explore how coaching and leadership development programs can help you achieve your goals and drive meaningful change in your organization. Learn more about our transformative coaching programs .

Lead For Clarity Podcast, S5 E21, Why Don't We Delegate? Navigating Trust Issues and Pride

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 22:19:58 GMT

Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Art of Effective Delegation

Have you ever found yourself drowning in a sea of tasks, desperately wishing you could clone yourself to get everything done? We've all been there. As leaders, the weight of responsibility can be overwhelming, and the idea of delegating tasks might seem like a distant dream. But what if I told you that mastering the art of delegation could not only lighten your load but also empower your team and skyrocket your organization's success?

Let's dive into the world of delegation and uncover why it's such a crucial skill for leaders to master.

The Delegation Dilemma: Why Leaders Struggle

It's no secret that many leaders find delegation challenging. But why is that? Let's break it down:

• Fear of Losing Control: "What if they mess it up?"

• Trust Issues: "Can I really rely on someone else to do this?"

• Time Constraints: "It's faster if I just do it myself."

• Perfectionism: "Nobody can do it quite like I can."

Sound familiar? You're not alone. As leadership expert Shandel Sutherland aptly puts it, "I don't think they have the trust—and you know what? I think a little bit is we don't trust ourselves as leaders."

The Hidden Benefits of Delegation

Now, let's flip the script and look at the incredible impact effective delegation can have:

Empowered Teams: When you trust your team with meaningful tasks, they feel valued and motivated.
Professional Growth: Delegation provides opportunities for skill development and career advancement.
Increased Productivity: With tasks distributed efficiently, more gets accomplished in less time.
Stress Reduction: Sharing the workload means less overwhelm for you as a leader.

The 5 Stages of Effective Delegation

Ready to become a delegation pro? Follow these five stages for smooth task transitions:

"Watch Me": Demonstrate the task while your team member observes.
"Help Me": Involve them in the process while you maintain control.
"Let Me Help You": Switch roles, allowing them to take the lead with your support.
"You've Got This": Hand over full responsibility with clear instructions.
"Teach Others": Encourage them to pass on their knowledge to other team members.

Common Delegation Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Even with the best intentions, leaders can stumble when it comes to delegation. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

• Expecting Instant Perfection: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is expertise in a new task.

• Inadequate Explanation: Rushing through instructions can lead to confusion and errors.

• Micromanaging: Hovering over your team's shoulder won't build trust or confidence.

To avoid these pitfalls, remember this golden nugget from Melanie Montgomery: "Delegation isn't just handing someone something once—it's an ongoing process."

Building a Culture of Trust and Empowerment

Creating an environment where delegation thrives requires intentional effort. Here are some strategies to foster trust and empowerment:

Develop Clear SOPs: Standard Operating Procedures provide a roadmap for consistent task execution.
Understand Communication Styles: Use tools like Clarity Reports to gain insights into your team's communication preferences.
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule brief, supportive meetings to address questions and provide feedback.
Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge and appreciate your team's efforts and achievements.

Embracing Your Leadership Superpowers (And Admitting Your Kryptonite)

Remember, effective delegation isn't about offloading all your work—it's about leveraging your team's strengths while acknowledging your own limitations. As Shandel humorously shared, "I was so ineffective at Excel spreadsheets compared to Melanie's expertise." Recognizing and embracing these differences can lead to a more balanced and effective team dynamic.

The Road to Delegation Mastery

Becoming a delegation expert takes time and practice, but the rewards are well worth the effort. As you embark on this journey, keep these final thoughts in mind:

• Patience is key: Both you and your team are learning and growing together.

• Communicate openly: Encourage questions and provide constructive feedback.

• Stay committed: The long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term challenges.

Remember, when we delegate power and responsibility, we empower others to reach their full potential. So, are you ready to take the leap and become a master delegator? Your team (and your stress levels) will thank you for it!

Ready to dive deeper into effective leadership strategies? Check out our "Science of Self" course to better understand communication styles and motivations within your team.

Together, let's unlock the power of delegation and watch our teams soar to new heights!

Lead For Clarity Podcast: S5 E22, Balancing Leadership: Time and Energy for Maximum Impact

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 18:54:11 GMT

Unlock the secrets of balanced leadership and maximize your impact with tactical strategies for time and energy management.

Stop Asking "Why" and Start Asking "What": Mastering Personal Accountability with the QBQ Method

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 02:03:49 GMT

Note: I love John Miller. I reference his book and work when I use the phrase QBQ. If you have any interest in his book or other work, check it out his website here!

In the hustle and bustle of professional life, personal accountability often serves as the cornerstone of success. Whether you're an entrepreneur navigating uncertain waters or a professional aiming to climb the corporate ladder, mastering the art of proactive questioning can be a game-changer.

The Power of Proactive Questions

Your Internal Dialogue Matters

"Your brain is constantly asking and answering questions inside of itself." This ongoing internal dialogue shapes how you perceive challenges and react to them. When faced with a stumbling block, your brain intuitively seeks answers. The kind of questions you ask—whether reactive or proactive—determines the outcomes you'll chase.

Question for reflection: How often do you find yourself asking why things have gone wrong versus what you can do to make them right?

The QBQ Method

Shifting from Victim to Victor

The "Question Behind the Question" (QBQ) method is more than just a tool; it’s a mindset revolution. Instead of asking victim questions that lead to blame and helplessness, the QBQ method encourages asking proactive questions that emphasize personal responsibility and solutions.

For example:

Instead of asking, "Why does this always happen to me?" try "What can I do to change this situation?"
Rather than, "Who is responsible for this mistake?" ask "How can I prevent this from happening again?"

Insightful quote: "When you're under stress, all right, so this is only when you're stressed out and frustrated, okay? Everyone got me? Say only when I'm frustrated. Only frustrated."

Identifying Victim Questions

Recognize and Redirect

Victim questions often start with "why," "who," and "when." They undermine personal accountability and foster a negative, passive attitude, contributing to a cycle of blame and helplessness. Here are some common examples:

"Why can't my team be more efficient?"
"Who messed this up?"
"When will someone fix this problem?"

Self-awareness prompt: "Do you realize how much you do it yourself? This is the thing we call hypocritical thinking, all right?"

Embracing "What" and "How" Questions

The Power of Action-Oriented Thinking

On the flip side, "what" and "how" questions pivot your mindset to action and solutions. They dismantle the victim mentality and foster a sense of ownership. Consider how these proactive questions can refocus your approach:

"What can I do to clearly communicate so I am only heard one time?"
"How can I support my team to improve efficiency?"

Motivational thought: "The most powerful proactive question that you can ask is what can I do."

Practical Tips for Shifting to a Proactive Mindset

Simple Steps to Start Today

Self-awareness: Take a moment to reflect on your internal dialogue. Identify when you fall into victim thinking and note it down.
Challenge Your Questions: Actively replace "why," "who," and "when" questions with "what" and "how."
Practice Consistently: Make it a daily habit to ask at least one proactive question.
Reflect and Adjust: At the end of each day, ponder which proactive questions were most effective in helping you overcome challenges.

Encouraging anecdote: Consider a situation where a team lead constantly faced project delays. By shifting their focus from "Who is causing these delays?" to "What can I do to streamline our process?" they were able to identify bottlenecks and improve the workflow significantly.

Conclusion

Mastering personal accountability through proactive questions like those emphasized in the QBQ method can transform not only your professional journey but also your personal life. By moving away from victim thinking and embracing a solution-focused mindset, you pave the way for growth, efficiency, and unparalleled success.

Final thought: Today, make a conscious effort to ask "What can I do?" and witness how this simple shift in perspective can unlock new opportunities and solutions. Start now, and transform your challenges into stepping stones for success.

Mastering Your Emotional Intelligence: Understanding Your "Emotional Temperature"

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:56:01 GMT

In today's fast-paced world, understanding our emotions and how they influence our decisions is paramount. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is not just a buzzword; it’s an essential life skill that aids in navigating the complexities of our emotions and interactions. Here, we will explore the concept of emotional intelligence, introduce the "Emotional Temperature" spectrum, and address the impact of adrenaline on decision-making.

Emotional Intelligence: The Foundation of Self-Awareness

Emotional intelligence revolves around the ability to understand and manage your own emotions effectively. This self-awareness is crucial for making better decisions and handling challenging situations with grace. Many people overlook the importance of EI, thinking it’s an innate trait rather than a skill that can be developed. However, through practice and heightened awareness, anyone can improve their emotional intelligence.

"Emotional intelligence is really understanding where you're at."

By regularly checking in with yourself and acknowledging your emotional state, you gain invaluable insights that lead to more informed decisions.

Emotional intelligence helps you stay grounded, ensuring your decisions are not swayed by transient feelings.

Understanding the "Emotional Temperature" Spectrum

To visualize our emotional state, consider the Emotional Temperature Spectrum—a handy metaphor that categorizes emotions into three distinct states: Clear, Cloudy, and Red.

Clear : This state signifies emotional calmness and clarity. When you're "clear," you experience focus and can think logically, making well-reasoned decisions.
Example : Think about a time when you felt in control and composed, perhaps after a good night's sleep or a satisfying workout. That’s the clear state.

"Clear. Everyone know what clear is? Anyone been clear ever? Ok Now clear."

Cloudy : Here, mild emotional disturbances begin to cloud your judgment. You're neither completely calm nor overwhelmed, but your ability to think clearly is somewhat impaired.
Example : Imagine a day when minor irritations build up, like being stuck in traffic or dealing with a missed deadline. Your decision-making may be somewhat compromised.
Red : This is a state of intense emotional arousal, often linked to feelings of anger, stress, or fear. In the red state, logical thinking is significantly compromised, and quick decisions—often poor in quality—are made.
Example : Picture yourself in a high-stress situation, like an important meeting going awry or a heated argument. This high emotional overload puts you in the red zone.

The Adrenaline Effect on Decision-Making

Stressful situations trigger the release of adrenaline, pushing us into "fight-or-flight" mode. While this response is crucial for immediate physical threats, it hampers our logical thinking for up to four hours after the stress event.

"It takes 4 hours a minimum of 4 hours for [adrenaline] to leave your body."

Adrenaline suppresses our higher-order reasoning, leaving us to make decisions without our full cognitive abilities.

"You check your logical brain at the door for 4 hours and you continue to live without logic without judgment and without all these wonderful skills."

In such moments, people often make snap decisions that feel effective but may neglect long-term implications.

"They make quick decisions...and they think they're a rockstar because the bear's not eating them. But what kind of good decision-making are they leaving behind because they're making fast decisions?"

Practical Tips for Managing Your "Emotional Temperature"

Daily Check-Ins : Spend a few minutes each day assessing your emotional state. Journaling can be a helpful tool.
Mindfulness and Meditation : Practicing mindfulness or meditation helps in maintaining a "clear" state of mind.
Physical Activity : Regular exercise aids in reducing stress and its physiological impacts.
Resilience Building : Engage in activities that build emotional resilience, such as deep breathing exercises or connecting with supportive people.
Delay Decision-Making : Avoid making significant decisions when you know you are in a "red" or "cloudy" state. Give yourself time for adrenaline to subside.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing your emotional state through emotional intelligence and the "Emotional Temperature" spectrum are essential for making sound decisions and leading a balanced life. By becoming more aware of how stress and adrenaline affect your judgment, you can avoid hasty decisions and instead approach challenges with clarity and calm.

Take the first step towards mastering your emotional intelligence today—your future self will thank you.

Call to Action

Start your journey by practicing a daily emotional check-in. How "clear" is your emotional temperature right now? Share your experiences and tips on managing emotions in the comments below.

Next Level DISCovery - Part 2

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:43:42 GMT

In today's fast-paced working environment, understanding how different personality types handle situations can significantly improve team dynamics and productivity. This blog post is part of our series on DISC profiles, focusing on the high D (Dominance) and high I (Influence) traits from the DISC assessment, as covered in our recent workshop.

The Importance of Writing Things Down

First and foremost, it’s crucial to jot down notes and key points during discussions and workshops. Research suggests that we forget 85 percent of what we hear by the next day. This is particularly important as we dive into understanding personality profiles. Writing it down helps retain the valuable insights that can transform your team’s interactions.

Dominance (D): Addressing Problems and Challenges

High D Traits:

Urgent and forthright approach to problems.
Quick to take action, sometimes without gathering all information.
Strong need for control and timely action.
Quick to anger but also quick to recover.

Low D Traits:

Methodical and careful approach.
Gathers all information before proceeding.
Less urgency, focuses on detailed steps.

Analogy for Understanding High D and Low D

Consider a scenario in a house with two windows and a child screaming, "Help me!" If there’s smoke, everyone grabs the child immediately. Without smoke, questions arise—like whether it’s a real emergency. High Ds always see smoke and act urgently, whereas Low Ds take a more measured approach.

Emotional and Behavioral Insights

High Ds:

Feel alive solving problems but need to recognize that not everything is an emergency.
Their quick-to-anger nature means they can blurt out things in the heat of the moment.
They fear being taken advantage of and losing control over their time.
Need clear and concise communication—preferably time-bound—to avoid stress.

Low Ds:

Take longer to get angry and may hold onto issues for a long time, resulting in rare but intense outbursts.
Value time as an asset to be invested wisely.
Approach situations methodically and are less concerned with immediate action.

Influence (I): Handling People and Information

High I Traits:

Use feelings and personal charm to influence others.
Natural optimists, seeing opportunities before problems.
Highly value social acceptance and fear social rejection.
Thrive on being liked and accepted, which drives their interactions.

Low I Traits:

Prefer facts and data.
Realists—often seen as pessimists—who focus on potential problems first.
Don’t require social acceptance as intensely as high Is and can see social rejection as a break.

Emotional and Behavioral Insights

High Is:

Are effervescent, engaging, and thrive on social interactions.
Need to feel accepted to operate comfortably.
Use optimistic outlooks to fuel creativity and problem-solving.

Low Is:

Prefer clear, data-driven communication.
Approach discussions with skepticism but adapt once all questions are answered.
Value logical analysis over emotional appeal.

How to Collaborate Effectively with High Ds and Is

For High Ds:

Offer concise and clear communication.
Respect their need for control over time; specify the time required for discussions.
Recognize their problem-solving nature and channel it constructively.

For High Is:

Separate ideas from the individual's self-identity when providing feedback.
Use optimism and emphasize social acceptance.
Encourage their creative input and collaborative efforts.

Conclusion

Understanding DISC profiles and how different personality traits operate within your team can drastically improve workplace efficiency and morale. High Ds and High Is bring valuable skills and perspectives, but they require specific communication styles and interactions to operate at their best. By leveraging these insights, you can navigate through workplace challenges effectively and foster a harmonious and productive environment.

Keep an eye out for the next parts of our series where we’ll dive into the S (Steadiness) and C (Conscientiousness) traits, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of all DISC personality types.

Next Level DISCovery Part 1: Understanding Motivations and Behaviors with Shandel Sutherland

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:43:39 GMT

Watch the video or read the post below.

In a recent insightful talk, Shandel Sutherland, founder of Shandel Group , explored the intricacies of DISC, a powerful behavioral assessment tool, and explained how understanding motivations and behaviors can lead to personal and professional growth. Shandel emphasized that while motivations drive us to act, our behaviors determine how we achieve our goals. Here’s a deep dive into her talk and the key takeaways on how DISC can transform the way we understand ourselves and others.

Motivation: The Driving Force Behind Action

In the first part of her talk, Shandel explored the concept of driving forces and motivations. These intrinsic motivators propel us into action and shape the way we pursue our goals. She highlighted that it's crucial to understand what motivates each of us, as this significantly influences our behavior.

For instance, Shandel illustrated how different motivations can trigger different responses. She shared a personal example: while she might hesitate to help save the rainforest, she would passionately leap into action to combat sex trafficking. This difference in response showcases how our motivations can vary greatly depending on what resonates with us personally.

DISC: A Four-Quadrant Behavioral Model

Shandel introduced the DISC model as a tool to understand how we behave once we are motivated. DISC is a four-quadrant theory that categorizes behavior into four distinct styles: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each style has its unique way of processing information and interacting with the world.

Dominance (D): High D individuals are often driven, results-oriented, and assertive. They value efficiency and are motivated by challenges.
Influence (I): High I individuals are enthusiastic, outgoing, and social. They thrive in environments where they can inspire and interact with others.
Steadiness (S): High S individuals are calm, dependable, and cooperative. They prefer stable environments and value harmony and support.
Conscientiousness (C): High C individuals are analytical, detail-oriented, and systematic. They value accuracy and enjoy environments where they can work independently on complex tasks.

The Power of Understanding DISC

One of the key messages from Shandel’s talk was that understanding DISC can foster better communication and collaboration within teams and organizations. By recognizing and appreciating different behavioral styles, we can create environments where people feel respected and valued for their unique contributions.

For example, Shandel shared how a high Dominance (D) individual might be perceived as abrasive or aggressive. However, understanding that this behavior stems from their drive for results can help others see their actions in a different light. Rather than viewing them as difficult, team members can appreciate their focus and determination.

Non-Verbal Communication and its Impact

Shandel also touched upon the significance of non-verbal communication in conveying messages. She pointed out that a staggering 93% of communication is non-verbal, comprising body language and tone of voice. This means that our intentions often get lost if our non-verbal cues do not align with our words.

Through a simple exercise, Shandel demonstrated how emphasizing different words in the sentence "I didn't say you weren't beautiful" can completely change its meaning. This highlights the importance of being mindful of how we convey messages, both verbally and non-verbally.

Personal Insights and Growth

In a heartfelt segment, Shandel shared a personal story about her relationship with her father, illustrating how different communication styles can lead to misunderstandings. Her father, a high Steadiness (S) individual, expressed pride in his own reserved way, which Shandel initially misinterpreted as indifference. This experience underscored the importance of understanding others’ communication styles and motivations.

Practical Applications of DISC

Shandel encouraged attendees to explore their own DISC profiles, paying attention to their natural and adapted styles. Graph 1 of the DISC assessment reveals how we adapt to our environment, while Graph 2 shows our natural style, which reflects our true selves when we are at our best and most relaxed.

By understanding these graphs, individuals can identify areas where they may need to adapt their behavior to reduce stress and enhance communication. Shandel emphasized that adapting to others’ styles, rather than expecting them to adapt to ours, leads to more effective interactions.

Final Thoughts

Shandel Sutherland’s talk on DISC motivations and behaviors offered valuable insights into understanding ourselves and others better. By recognizing our own motivations and behavioral styles, we can improve our interactions and foster more harmonious relationships, both personally and professionally.

Embracing the DISC model not only helps us communicate more effectively but also empowers us to create environments where everyone’s strengths are recognized and appreciated. As Shandel aptly put it, "People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do." Understanding and leveraging DISC can be the key to bridging the gap between intention and behavior.

The Power of Understanding Your Story: How It Impacts Your Reactions and Decisions

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 22:46:35 GMT

Understanding your story is essential for leadership success. Your personal narrative shapes your reactions, decisions, and interactions, and becoming aware of it is pivotal for any leader. Cultivate self-awareness, seek diverse perspectives, and reflect regularly to leverage your story's power in leading wisely and empathetically.

The Importance of Trust: Building and Maintaining Strong Relationships

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:14:55 GMT

Welcome to Lead for Clarity, where we help you, your team, and your organization get to the next level by focusing on what matters most. My name is Shandel Sutherland, and today I want to share something that's been on my mind and the minds of my clients: Trust.

Trust is either growing or eroding; there's no in-between. In this blog post, we'll explore the dynamics of trust, how it grows, and how erosion can sneak up on us. More importantly, we'll discuss how to build and maintain trust in both personal and professional relationships.

The Growth of Trust

When trust isgrowing, it's because we are actively working on it. We're putting in the effort, taking vulnerable chances, and sharing both our weaknesses and strengths. Sometimes, revealing our strengths can be more challenging than exposing our weaknesses. Growing trust involves being humble, kind, and looking for these qualities in others as well.

The Erosion of Trust

Erosion of trust happens quietly and often goes unnoticed. It's like living by a river, enjoying the beautiful shoreline daily, only to realize years later that it's eroded. This analogy reflects many relationships; if we are not actively investing in them, trust can begin to erode. The erosion can be slight or significant, but either way, it impacts the strength of our connections.

Avoiding Erosion: Guarding Against Busyness

One of the biggest culprits of trust erosion is being too busy. Busyness can lead good-hearted people to neglect their relationships, causing trust to diminish. This is true in personal and professional settings. In organizations, trust can erode when promises aren't kept, deadlines are missed, ownership isn't taken, and vulnerability is lacking.

The Foundation of Trust in High-Functioning Teams

Patrick Lencioni's book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, emphasizes that trust is the foundation of a functional team. Even before establishing trust, effective communication is crucial. Miscommunications can erode trust. For example, when I ask my husband to get milk, I mean immediately, while he might interpret it as "next time you're at the store."

At Shandel Group, we always start with the Clarity Report to address communication styles, behavior, and motivations. Understanding these aspects helps us build a foundation of trust.

The CIA of Trust: Character, Integrity, Ability

To simplify the elements of trust, we use the acronym CIA:

Character : Trusting someone's character means believing that they will do what they say and live with integrity.
Integrity : This goes hand-in-hand with character. It's about following through on promises and consistently aligning words, thoughts, and actions.
Ability : Can they perform their responsibilities? Do they have the necessary competencies and capacity?

We need to understand which elements are essential for building trust in various relationships. Some people might be trustworthy in one context (e.g., work) but not in another (e.g., babysitting your kids).

The Benefits of Trust

One major benefit of trust in teams is the ability to engage in healthy conflict. As leaders, we must encourage and contain feedback from our team. Trust enables team members to have tough conversations and know that their feedback will be handled constructively. This engagement in healthy debate and conflict helps bring diverse perspectives to the table, fostering innovation and better decision-making.

Encouraging Healthy Conflict

As a leader, it's your job to encourage healthy conflict on your team. This means creating an environment where members feel safe to express their thoughts and opinions without fear of retribution. The more your team engages in open and honest debate, the more trust will be built among them. Trust, once established, will enhance team cohesion and productivity.

The Cycle of Trust and Leadership

One crucial point to consider is that trust is a continuous cycle of growth and reinforcement. According to the principle "Follow the basics of leadership and you will never be a basic leader," always ensure you build a robust foundation based on trust. Leadership fundamentally boils down to your heart for people, your communication style, and your dedication to trust-building.

Trust in Personal Relationships

It's essential not to take any relationship for granted, particularly those with people you live with, such as spouses, partners, and children. These relationships need constant nurturing and care. Use the five love languages to communicate effectively and frequently to build and strengthen trust.

Conclusion

In every interaction and relationship, trust is either growing or eroding. To foster and maintain trust, be mindful of your actions, communicate clearly, and invest time and effort. Remember that the strongest relationships are those continually built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect.

Thank you for joining me in this quick edition of Lead for Clarity. Remember, building trust is an ongoing process. Make it a priority today and every day, because it's fundamental

Transforming Your Inner Narrative for Success

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:00:50 GMT

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TAKE THE TIME TO INVEST IN YOURSELF BY INVESTING IN OTHERS

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:57:05 GMT

3-MINUTE READ

As a leader, what are you missing that would help you achieve “the next level'? Chances are it is a person. Even more likely it is a person who is in the next room or down the hall from you at this very moment! Yet, we sit stressed and maxed out as they sit underutilized and bored. They desire meaning, mentoring and challenge, while we desire initiative and productivity. Still, both parties sit in their comfortable and familiar rut. This is a very poor utilization of assets and leaves huge profits on the table.

THE ART OF INVESTING

Think of your time as you would your money. A wise person thinks in a long-term manner about their money and how to spend and/or invest it for the greatest ROI (return on investment.) Consider the focus, time, and energy you devote to making, saving, and investing money for a specifically defined purpose. Now, that is exactly how you need to approach the time you invest in the people in your sphere of influence; and it is an art. A skill that must be learned and then uniquely applied according to each individual who can share in accomplishing the goal.

STEPS ON INVESTING IN OTHERS

1. You must have clarity about what you are trying to accomplish. What outcomes you want to focus on and why does it matter? Is the vision compelling enough to get others involved and want to share in the ownership?

2. Focus on the few things only you and you alone can do. What are the unique strengths that you bring to the vision that no one else possesses on the team? What are the other things or tasks you are currently doing (and yes, we know you can do them well) but others could do just as good if not better? Make a list and identify the ones that steal the most time.

3. Find people that have the strengths and abilities to do the tasks you have identified. Before you approach them, work through all the fears you have about delegating, letting go, and giving up control. You may need your coach for this portion.

4. Connect with the person you would like to delegate your tasks to and make sure you have plenty of time to talk it out and get buy-in. Share your vision and your goal of investing in the person's professional and personal growth by passing on these specific tasks. Press for push back, find all the holes together, make sure you have healthy conflict to vet out all their fears and share your concerns as well.

5. Train the person on how you currently do the task.

A: Show/tell them how to do it.

B: Do it with them.

C: Observe them as they do it for you.

D: Coach them as they do it without you.

E: Trust them as they do it alone.

F: Check in often and create space for continuous improvement.

You have just invested in one of your people and they are feeling empowered and trusted. Equally as important, you have just opened up a huge amount of time to operate in your strength and talent which you alone do best. It is now time to do it again and again until you are only operating in your strengths!

What do you think about investing in yourself by investing in others?

Your Coach,

Shandel Sutherland

HOW'S YOUR TEAMWORK?

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:54:11 GMT

3-MINUTE READ

Teamwork is a method that aligns employee mindsets in a cooperative and usually selfless manner towards a specific business purpose. Today there is no business or organization that doesn’t talk about the need for and value of teamwork in the workplace. Some things cannot be accomplished by people working individually. Larger, more ambitious goals usually require that people work together with others. Because of this, teamwork is a desired goal of many businesses and organizations today.

People who have well developed teamwork skills easily form relationships with mutual respect among diverse types of people. They understand the strengths and weaknesses of others and place a high priority on the success of their department and/or organization. People with strong skills in teamwork support team decisions and share responsibility with team members for successes and failures.

How do you develop your own skills in Teamwork?

• Show respect for all other people and display sincere interest in them as individuals.

• Work on improving or enhancing your communication skills.

• Give positive feedback as often as possible.

• If you have a difficult relationship with someone, work to improve it through self-awareness and respect for differences.

• Be enthusiastic about your ideas but don’t be overbearing or domineering when you express them. Try not to interrupt other people and listen to their ideas carefully before you disagree.

• Discuss your ideas with your teammates until you agree.

• Be willing to step back from a disagreement and cooperate.

• Teach yourself not to be defensive. Think of negative feedback as opportunities for improvement, not personal affronts.

• Be tolerant of others. Recognize that others’ viewpoints are as important to them as yours are to you!

Self-observation

Ask someone you trust to help you identify times when you come across as overbearing, domineering or intolerant of others. Keep a log of your behavior over the next month or so. Then, try to answer the following questions as you look at your notes:

• Are there patterns to your actions? What are they?

• Do you interrupt often in meetings or conversations? Do you interrupt certain people more often than others?

• Are you particularly sensitive or domineering on certain topics or with certain people?

• How does your behavior make those people feel and/or react?

If you discover you would like to build your teamwork skills or the skills of your team, we would be glad to be part of the process.

Your Coach,

Shandel

LIVING THE ONLY DAY YOU HAVE

Jake@jakehinton.ai (Jake Hinton) — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:52:10 GMT

3-MINUTE READ

Meaning, purpose, and intentionality. You probably know the logical reason why you do the things you do. But you may not know the purpose behind what you are logically doing day after day.

It is an important distinction. As leaders we have established plans, goals, and action steps that fit into our strategies. But we haven’t taken time to figure out why what we do really matters.

Do you know deep in your heart that what you do, and who you are, really matters? To whom? For what? And really – why?

Think about it: If you only had one day to live, what would you do? What matters most? Well, today is the only day you know you have.

Relationships are the key. The truth is, what you do for others is the only thing that truly matters in the end. Think about the times when life hit you hard and you were exposed financially or in another area where you required help. Suddenly you can’t medicate the relationship pain/gap with money, busy living, and success. Look at your life. What do you find? The holes you try desperately to keep hidden are revealed in the spotlight.

So now is the time to exercise your choice. You can feel the emptiness, address the source, and discover your purpose. Or you can find a new way to numb yourself with more self-medicating than ever before. Medicating the gap is a protection we all use to some degree. If only we can come clean and admit it, we can be free to live our purpose.

Where are you getting your purpose, your joy, and your fulfillment? What is the name of the well you are drinking from right now? Every day you drop your bucket into a well – and up comes what? Remember, what you are drinking, you are becoming. Is your well toxic? Is it intoxicating? Is it refreshing? Is it stagnant? Is it full of you? What is in your well?

After you examine what well you are drinking from, then drink deeply – if it is the life-giving sustenance you are living for. If not, then let’s dig a new well! Let’s dig deep for what matters. Now is the time.

Your Coach,

Shandel

SILENCE: GOLDEN OR DESTRUCTIVE?

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:46:03 GMT

3-MINUTE READ

You may not realize it, but the problems you are facing right now at work or at home may very well be traced to silence. YES! Silence is deadly. In Week 34 of my book Clarity we discuss the potential results of silence and how it affects relationships and work environments. For those who have not yet read the book Clarity: Focusing on What Matters here is the entire weekly read for you to preview and enjoy.

SILENCE ISN’T GOLDEN, IT IS DESTRUCTIVE

We may live in an era of email and smartphones and wireless networks. Yet in virtually every employee survey, communication tops the “needs improvement” list.

Problems in communication can mean inaccurate information or insensitive comments. But a huge chunk of it fits in the negative category of not communicating information. The lack of communication.

We have a client whose vice president has gone silent. The man is taking days to reply to e-mail messages and voicemails, is forgetting to include subject-matter experts in strategic meetings, and is not making crucial decisions.

Our client hesitates to directly ask the VP, who in the past has shot down such questions. So the client finds himself filling in the blanks. He’s questioning his own worth. Am I the problem? Should I start looking for another VP? And he’s not the only one affected. The whole team’s efficiency has halted, deadlines are being missed, morale is plummeting, rumors are flying — all because we have a VP who is unresponsive and “too busy” to deal with the team.

WHEN SILENT, PEOPLE FILL IN THE BLANKS

People don’t like “dead air.” You’ve seen it in conversation: people inevitably fill a too-long silence with a comment or question. It’s the same in work and personal relationships, only on a larger scale. People can’t help “filling in the blanks” caused by a lack of communication and leadership. They speculate as to why the silence in so deafening. And soon the damage is done.

The truth is, trying not to cause problems by not doing any harm is not being a good leader. It’s abdication. Not saying anything in fear you’ll of saying the wrong thing is not only good communication. It’s cowardice. If you’re not leading, you are following. There are no extra credit points for not doing anything wrong, especially if you haven’t done anything at all.

So take note: You need to use your words! Communicate or pay the price. To the listener, silence communicates a lack of care, concern, and value. To the one being silent, you can’t hide, you must face your fear of doing something wrong — and do something right.

Your Coach,

Shandel

THE FUTURE IS INEVITABLE

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:23:38 GMT

3-MINUTE READ

FUTURE CONTEXT

We are living in unprecedented times. I’ll share a handful of sobering facts with you.

This is the first time in history when there are 4 Generations working concurrently. (I.E. Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z)
Unemployment is low, has been low, and appears to be remaining low.
3.6 million High School graduates in 2017-2018. That number of people is expected to hold steady with 3.6 million High School graduates in 2027-2028.
Turnover is trending to be the new normal.

These are just a handful of realities for our day and age.

So what is the antidote to attracting, keeping, and developing your work force?

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

More than ever before, senior leaders must be calling for regular Training with their teams. And we must have a keen eye out for those that need or want Development. Keep in mind that Training and Development are two distinct disciplines.

The companies that focus on Training up its people and Developing the right would-be leaders will give us a good chance to beat the odds of as frequent turnover and retain top talent.

WHERE TO BEGIN

Too many times, we don’t know where to begin. Here are a few recommendations that will help you accelerate your efficacy across the organization.

Start with a Talent Insights Assessment . In other words, keep your employees informed on their Strengths and potential Blind Spots.
Eliminate guesswork in role expectations
Be very clear about how each person can add more in value to the company they will receive in return.
Have clear lines between training (which should be mandatory across the entire organization) and development (taking high potentials to the next level)!

If this seems like a daunting task, keep in mind that it is.

Leadership is more about responsibility than rewards at times.

One way to increase your own success in leading others is to have a cohort of fellow leaders. If you are in need of great peers that know what you’re going through, check out the Future Ready Summit and see if it would benefit your life and leadership.

I know it will!

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

Communication Tips & Tools for Healthy Conflict

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:20:05 GMT

A lot of stress comes from poor conflict management and not being able to have hard conversations in effective and respectful way. Shandel and Melanie answer a listener's question about how to better engage in difficult conversations and turn them into positive experiences. Listen for lots of tools and tips to help you lean into conflict!

Shandel and Melanie covered A LOT of different things. Let us know if you'd like us to go more in depth into any of these.

Hard conversations can be scary, so a good place to start is shifting your mindset about conflict to see it as beneficial and necessary. Having the conversation the right way in the right mindset is the best gift you can give someone.

Quoting Scott's Porch Talk Doctor episode, you need to remember 3 things when having hard conversations. Be Kind. Keep the Relationship more important than the Issue. And Be Direct.

A few of the other topics covered include: STORY, giving the benefit of the doubt, using disarming phrases, focusing on behavior versus intentions, digging into dialogue versus discussion, clarifying roles and responsibilities, understanding personalities and communication styles, developing emotional intelligence, and being aware of power dynamics.

Resolving conflict always leads to more trust and intimacy in relationships.

Thanks for joining us - don't forget to subscribe, rate (or like), comment & share!

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We LOVE y our feedback & questions - click HERE to share your questions/feedback or email us at podcast@shandelgroup.com

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POST CRISIS LEADERSHIP

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:20:02 GMT

3-Minute Read

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

If I’m being completely candid, I dislike the use of the word “crisis” to describe what is going on with the C-19 virus. And the truth is there is A LOT going on.

HERE ARE A FEW QUICK STATS:

Globally ~2.8 billion people are in some kind of lockdown
There are 864,799 known cases of the virus across the world and counting (at the time of this writing)
39,520 people have lost their lives to C-19

In light of these facts, you might be wondering, “Why do you dislike the term crisis? This certainly feels like a crisis.”

If you are thinking along these lines, I get it. I am certainly not diminishing the painful reality of what we are in the midst of as a society. Anytime the loss of life is at stake, we should take a sober account. Not to mention countless layoffs, closures, and the list goes on.

PERSPECTIVE

With that said, this is not the first crisis nor will it be the last. And so, we would be wise to pause and ask ourselves,

“What do I want my life and leadership to look like post crisis?”

To be clear, I am encouraging us to pause for just a few moments. Let’s envision what we want our reality to look like in 6, 9, 12 months from now. It is with that vision in mind that you will increase the likelihood that you lead well today and therefore are able to survive in uncertain times.

Thinking about the long-game helps you practice the two imperatives that leaders at all levels should be practicing, namely…

PATIENCE
PERSEVERANCE

REMAIN FOCUSED

Please do not hear my say that on the one hand, I think this is not a crisis, which by definition is “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger”. Nor on the other hand, am I suggesting that you “check out” and just focus on the future (which we have to survive long enough to make it there).

You might be wondering, “Okay, then, what do I need to do then?”

POST CRISIS LEADERSHIP

Assuming you are practicing Patience and Perseverance. Let’s take cues from Winston Churchill as we wrap up. When he was Prime Minister, a reporter asked him what England’s greatest weapon against Hitler and the Nazi’s was. Without hesitation, Churchill responded, “It was what England’s greatest weapon has always been - hope.” And hope is a byproduct of vision

Hope for what “can be” will drive you when it seems like we can’t go any further. No matter how bad things feel, be sure you are looking forward so that your daily steps are able to head in the trajectory you want to end up. Hope can help you get there!

“It has been said that a person can live forty days without food, four days without water, four minutes without air, but only four seconds without hope.”

John Maxwell sums that up nicely for us. Let US be the one that brings hope and paints a vision for what can be for everyone in your sphere of relationships!

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

THE CRO: LEADING AMIDST UNCERTAINTY

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:20:01 GMT

3-Minute Read

YOU ARE THE C.R.O.

The truth is that you are a leader. The reality may be that you’re only leading yourself! And whether you’re leading 1000+ people or just yourself, you are the Chief Remembering Officer of your life and leadership.

Therefore, in light of this truth and the current events of the C-19 threat, we sent this following note out to a handful of our CEO’s. The response was so encouraging that we’ve decided to share these encouragements here. These encouragements are more of reminders really...

REMINDERS

REVISIT YOUR CORE VALUES (KEEPING YOUR CORE VALUES TOP OF MIND WILL HELP YOU ASSERT AGENCY OVER WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN'T CONTROL EVERYTHING)
REVIEW YOUR NUMBERS (WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF CASH ON HAND IN THIS CURRENT CLIMATE)
REDUCE ANY COSTS POSSIBLE (IT’S ALL ABOUT CASH FLOW, LIVE LEAN AND MEAN, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE)
REMIND YOURSELF "THIS TOO SHALL PASS" (THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM, WISDOM REMINDS US TO HOLD STEADY AMIDST THE STORM)

IF you need or want to touch base, we're more than happy to jump on a 10-15 minute zoom video or conference call. Obviously this would be pro bono and our firm simply wants to support our community.

REALITY CHECK

This week we've worked with a handful of firms that have had to make the hard call to lay people off or close their doors for a time period, HOPEFULLY not for good.

In those consultations, we've pulled together a handful of really helpful resources for communicating the reality of what we're working through here.

RESOURCES

REAL-TIME DATA OF THE C-19 VIRUS (A FASCINATING LOOK AT THE SUM TOTAL OF IMPACTED FOLKS)
UNDERSTANDING THE VIRUS (PICTORIAL GRAPHICS)
DECIDING YOUR DISTANCE (FREE NYT ACCESS FOR C-19 ARTICLES)

OR, MAYBE YOU JUST NEED A QUICK BREATHER TO ENJOY SOMETHING FUN. I WAS PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH THIS BAND'S PRODUCTION AND YOU MIGHT LIKE IT TOO (IF YOU CAN WAIT 51 SECONDS)!

Pulling for you!

Alan Andersen

PROACTIVE PRODUCTIVITY VS. REACTIVE PRODUCTIVITY

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:19:41 GMT

3-MINUTE READ

THE COMMON DENOMINATOR

If I asked you, “How many hours are there in a week?” Would you be able to tell me the correct answer? Moreover, if I asked the most junior team member at your organization, would they be able to share the right number?

Chances are unlikely. In fact, one of my favorite questions to ask leaders is if they know how many hours they are working with in a given week. Too many times, people don’t have an accurate understanding of this fundamental reality.

Regardless of your role, responsibility or expectations, we are each granted 168 hours in the week.

PROACTIVE PRODUCTIVITY

What if we paused for a moment and really thought about the sobering fact that the Queen of England, the President of the United States, Bill and Melinda Gates, Barak Obama, and a whole host of other giants in this world are dealing with the same amount of finite time?

What might that stir up inside of us?

For me, it is an encouragement to begin mapping out what is a priority and what is not a priority. That reality helps me to begin thinking about how I can practice Proactive Productivity versus Reactive Productivity. In other words, I map out an ideal week, highlighting key objectives, mile markers, and other imperative actions.

This is compared to how I used to do tackle my day. Or should I say, get tackled by my day? A typical day would be using my email inbox as a to-do list. Then reacting to text, phone calls, and other fires. This, my friends, is the epitome of Reactive Productivity.

Am I producing? Yes. Am I in control? Hardly.

PRIORITIES

If you have a genuine desire to go from good to great, you should have very clear priorities. Priorities, both personally and professionally, are a byproduct of a clear understanding of your purpose, values, vision, and subsequent mission.

Too many times leaders at every level do not pause long enough to clarify their own purpose, values, vision, and mission for life, much less that of their work. Once you have clarity around those core realities, then life actually becomes much more simple.

Life literally becomes about “remembering” and “executing”. These are topics for another day. However, I’m trusting that this simple idea is an encouragement for you to understand the value of Proactive Productivity versus falling into the trap of Reactive Productivity.

After all, there is a big difference between Proactive Productivity and Reactive Productivity, but most people don’t know the difference.

Knowing and practicing the difference between these opposing forces can mean the difference between being good and becoming great.

IF you feel like you need help jumpstarting your Proactive Productivity practice, reply below or ping me directly. We’re waiting ready to help you accelerate your healthy growth process.

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

ARE VALUES GUIDING YOUR TEAM TO GREATER HEIGHTS?

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:08:33 GMT

Your real values are reflected by your behavior, and if your espoused values are not consistent with your behavior, you will lose credibility and trust. In this article, Jesse Lyn Stoner reminds us the importance of team values, and takes us through seven steps to get us on the path to our teams creating shared values.

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

HOW TO CREATE SHARED VALUES THAT GUIDE YOUR TEAM TO GREATER HEIGHTS

Values are beliefs about what is fundamentally important. They affect your decision-making and your behaviors, whether you are conscious of them or not. Your real values are reflected by your behavior, and if your espoused values are not consistent with your behavior, you will lose credibility and trust.

The same is true for teams. When a team identifies and commits to living shared values, there is a deeper level of trust, better problem-solving and increased collaboration.

Team values are more than just a collection of the values of individual team members. Team values are reflected by the general pattern of behaviors of team members. They might not be explicitly stated, but it is possible to observe the general norms of behaviors to tell what the values are. Are people respectful toward each other? Do they push boundaries or are they conventional? Do they avoid conflict or is conflict surfaced and addressed?

Team Values and Purpose

To be most effective, team values should be consistent with the personal values of the team members and also the purpose of the team. For example, if you are an accounting department and see your team purpose as collecting and organizing financial information, partnering or collaborating with others won’t be as important as being accurate and dependable. On the other hand, if you see your team purpose as “providing information and advice to guide leaders in wise financial decision making,” then partnering and collaborating with business leaders will be essential for your team’s success.

Team Values and Company Values

It’s important to consider how your team values support the purpose or mission of your company. For example, if your company operates a cruise line, safety and entertainment are likely to be core values. The accounting department will need to consider how these values translate to their own department. Safety might translate to fiscal responsibility. Some values like entertainment might not translate to a core team value, which is fine. However, even if it is not a driving value for your team, it must still be respected or conflict will arise.

If your company hasn’t articulated values, don’t wait.

Consider your sphere of influence, and within that sphere, work with your team to identify your team’s values. As your team consistently lives its shared values, those who are impacted will notice, and interest and energy will spread. At the very least, you will have strengthened your own team. And you might be pleasantly surprised to discover that others will begin to change as well, because change does not have to begin at the top of an organization.

7 Guidelines to Create Shared Values

1. Don’t assume that any values are simply “understood.” If you think something is already understood, it needs to be named as an important core value. If some form of integrity or ethical behavior is not identified as a core value, you will eventually find yourself in a downward spiral.

2. Involve your team in identifying the values. You can’t impose values on others. When you surface the values that your team cares deeply about, they will commit to living them.

3. Don’t make a laundry list. Focus on the shared values that are the key drivers to fulfill your team’s purpose. There are usually only three to five core team values. You don’t need to include each individual’s personal values, as long as there are no values conflicts.

4. Translate the values into observable behaviors. Providing behavioral examples helps your team understand what the values look like when they are being lived.

5. As a leader, model the values consistently. People watch what you do more closely than they listen to what you say.

6. Integrate your stated values into your daily processes and practices. Refer to your values when it’s time to make important decision. Talk frequently about how they are reflected in your daily work. They will not be effective if they are seen as something extra or “soft.”

7. Don’t ignore a values breach. If a core value has been violated, address it immediately. No one is exempt. Too often bad behavior of “high performers” is ignored, which in the long run undermines your entire team.

Originally posted by Jesse Lyn Stoner

THE SECRET THAT TURNS FRAILTY TO OPPORTUNITY

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 21:55:05 GMT

The facade of competence destroys leaders. Disruption, adversity, and crisis remind you of frailty. How you respond to frailty sets the course of your future.

FRAILTY STRENGTHENS YOU TO RELEASE:

Self-absorption.
Self-infatuation.
Self-glorification.
Self-protection.

We need reminders that we aren’t ALL THAT.

THE SECRET:

Everyone who faces adversity with arrogance is made worse.

Humility turns frailty into opportunity.

#1. Take on new roles and responsibilities:

Those who refuse to adapt during crisis become irrelevant.

Crisis and adversity are opportunity to do things you’ve never done. Or you grab your toys and run home.

Crisis reveals arrogance. The old mantra, “I’ve got to be me,” sounds shallow when there’s a need you can fill, but don’t.

Humble leaders take their turn on the disinfecting crew, like one VP I know.

#2. Open your mind:

Turbulence turns established practice on its head.

Humility learns. Arrogance knows.

Humility has many teachers. Arrogance has none.

#3. Care deeply:

Arrogance cares for itself. Humility cares for others.

No personal exemptions.
Perks don’t matter when the house is on fire.
Others’ wants and needs take priority.

Humility gives birth to empathy. Arrogance is apathetic to the needs of others.

#4. Receive help:

Self-sufficiency turns adversity into tragedy.

You go further when you give help AND when others help you.

Humility acknowledges its need of others.

I write a lot about humility because I need it, not because I have it.

What opportunities do you see in crisis?

What prevents leaders from growing through adversity?

Originally posted on the Leadership Freak Blog, follow Dan Rockwell you won’t regret it!

THE CORNERSTONE OF GREATNESS: HUMILITY

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 21:53:25 GMT

3-Minute Read

At Shandel Group, we have a team that strives to be the leadership team for leadership teams. That means that our firm needs to lead from a growth mindset that is focused on better and best practices. As well as, we need to have equal fervor to be led by others who share the same attention to care and efficacy.

While there are a number of authors and firms that we appreciate, it would be an understatement to say that we’ve learned a lot from Dan Rockwell at Leadership Freak . He is altogether unique, not to mention a fun leader.

His recent post is so fitting for this current C-19 pandemic, that we believe you will benefit immensely from this quick but TIMELY read.

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

THE SECRET THAT TURNS FRAILTY TO OPPORTUNITY

The facade of competence destroys leaders. Disruption, adversity, and crisis remind you of frailty. How you respond to frailty sets the course of your future.

FRAILTY STRENGTHENS YOU TO RELEASE:

Self-absorption.
Self-infatuation.
Self-glorification.
Self-protection.

We need reminders that we aren’t ALL THAT.

THE SECRET:

Everyone who faces adversity with arrogance is made worse.

Humility turns frailty into opportunity.

#1. Take on new roles and responsibilities:

Those who refuse to adapt during crisis become irrelevant.

Crisis and adversity are opportunity to do things you’ve never done. Or you grab your toys and run home.

Crisis reveals arrogance. The old mantra, “I’ve got to be me,” sounds shallow when there’s a need you can fill, but don’t.

Humble leaders take their turn on the disinfecting crew, like one VP I know.

#2. Open your mind:

Turbulence turns established practice on its head.

Humility learns. Arrogance knows.

Humility has many teachers. Arrogance has none.

#3. Care deeply:

Arrogance cares for itself. Humility cares for others.

No personal exemptions.
Perks don’t matter when the house is on fire.
Others’ wants and needs take priority.

Humility gives birth to empathy. Arrogance is apathetic to the needs of others.

#4. Receive help:

Self-sufficiency turns adversity into tragedy.

You go further when you give help AND when others help you.

Humility acknowledges its need of others.

I write a lot about humility because I need it, not because I have it.

What opportunities do you see in crisis?

What prevents leaders from growing through adversity?

Originally posted on the Leadership Freak Blog, follow Dan Rockwell you won’t regret it!

OPTIMIZING VIRTUAL COMMUNICATION

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:16:35 GMT

CONTROL OR AGENCY

We all know that there is much that we cannot control, yet we don’t necessarily live like we believe this reality. And while this may sound like some old school notion or that I have never heard of “The 4-Hour Workweek”, “Designing Your Life”, or “The Achievement Habit” (all of which I have read and learned much from). I am talking about something even bigger.

For instance…

You did not choose to be born (not to mention when or where nor who’s family system you’re apart of)
You do not control the innate strengths and blind spots you have
You do not control what people think, feel, or say, for that matter
You do not control how people look at the world (whether through a fixed or growth mindset)
You do not control the weather
You do not control time

And while I could go on and on, by the very fact that you were born, regardless of when or where or to whom, or who you are, you have a great deal of agency.

a·gen·cy /ˈājənsē/ noun: 1. a person or thing through which power is exerted or an end is achieved 2. action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect

Agency to have a good attitude. Agency to practice personal accountability. Agency to play the hand you’re dealt, versus complaining about the cards in your hand.

You may not control everything, but you can live intentionally and impact the majority of your experiences.

EFFICACY

Since you don’t have control of everything, you certainly must still understand that you have a great deal of power to lead, and or to learn to lead well! Essentially, there are three stages to leading yourself and others well. They are very simple and effective.

In everything that you do, plan to:

ORGANIZE
PRIORITIZE
EXECUTE

I will write more on these stages in the near future and why they are tried and true (as in actually battle-tested), but for today’s purposes, I want to take a figurative "hard-right" to share this leadership framework specifically overlaying or integrating it into our "new normal" of virtual leadership and communication. This is now specifically aimed at those of you leading or facilitating virtual meetings.

OPTIMIZING VIRTUAL MEETINGS

We have partnered with Shelby Burford of Marketplace Storytelling to make this as practically applicable for you and your team as possible. Below is a downloadable One-Pager that encapsulates these steps. (Please feel free to pass along to your team, friends, or colleagues.)

You will be well served to note each of the step-by-step sub-points to the 9 steps for optimizing virtual meetings . However, I’ll share the areas that you have agency over right now:

Creating eye contact actually means looking directly into the camera when speaking
Lighting is key (Remember, it was “lights, camera, action”)
Your camera should be eye-level
Clarify ALL details ahead of time
Establish the best structure for your meeting
Prepare to follow through on your plan
Roll out, in other words, GO
We’re all human and must keep that top of mind so we can adapt and give grace
Follow up, a virtual meeting should not be the last word

DOWNLOADABLE ONE PAGER

At Shandel Group, our aim is simple. We want to help you gain the clarity needed to increase the likelihood that you can go out and win. Winning looks different for all of us, so however you intend to add value and serve others excellently, we want to support you in that process.

There will be more resources like this to come, just remember, lean into your agency.

And, if you or someone on your team needs a quick reminder as to the results of not intentionally planning your virtual meetings, check this 45-second clip out (of which the last 5 seconds are priceless).

YOU’LL BE HIGHLY DISCIPLINED TO:

ORGANIZE.

PRIORITIZE.

AND EXECUTE.

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

IMPRESS OR IMPROVE?

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:26:57 GMT

DRESS TO IMPRESS

How many times have you heard, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” Or now that you’re a grown-up, “Make sure you dress to impress!” While these simple little sayings are common in our everyday vernacular, they likely hold little merit in a person’s top-of-mind decision-making process.

If most of us are being honest, it is not hard to revert back to making assumptions about someone or something based on how they look or act. However, instead of looking at someone, determining how you want to interact with them, and then acting accordingly. What if you were more focused on being helpful?

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

What if, as a society or work culture, we were more focused on improving each other!? To be clear, I am NOT highlighting that one should go around as if they were the doctor with a prescription pad prescribing how everyone should think or act. But I am very much suggesting that people move away from attempting to impress and instead repurpose their energy into improving them.

Let’s refresh ourselves on what exactly “improvement” is…

im·prove·ment| imˈpro͞ovmənt | noun

• an example or instance of improving or being improved.

• the action of improving or being improved.

• a thing that makes something better or is better than something else.

In short, focusing on improving others, whether personally or professionally, comes down to leaving something or someone better than when you first got to the scene. And to use a personal example, sometimes my best form of “continuous improvement” whether with my business partner, my spouse, my kids, friends, neighbors, etc. is me simply LISTENING. A novel idea isn’t it!?

Many times listening is the most helpful way that I can improve people. Counterintuitive, I know, but the more you think about it, the more that notion rings true.

Think about improving our respective workplaces (especially since many of us are in our homes), communities, and relationships and how life would be more enjoyable and fun if we begin focusing more on this adaptation to continuous improvement. Let’s stop trying to impress one another and instead improve one another.

IN SUM

Now is where I will practice what I preach. If you do not have a proven method for getting things done, below is a game changer of a tool, if you use it that is! This tool will help you improve your daily satisfaction and productivity.

This tool is called the “Fourteen-Forty Framework.” You might be thinking, “Fourteen-Forty Framework!? That seems odd and a random title for a tool." Yes, except, how much time do you have on any given day? You have exactly 1,440 minutes.

This framework is a lot like bowling with bumpers. It ensures that you keep the big picture in mind while you work through your daily roles and responsibilities.

HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF THE EXERCISE

Please feel free to share with friends and family while you create new muscle memory focused on improving others lives, which will surely make you impressive.

Pulling for you!

Alan Andersen

A PROCESS FOR WISDOM

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:15:07 GMT

FOREST OR A TREE

How do you look at life? This may seem like a silly question or even too broad of a question, but it is one that I ask often. I’ll put it this way, how often do you find yourself focusing on a tree when you have the opportunity to see the forest?

To be clear, I am not intending to come across as obscure or even ask a number of esoteric questions. BUT I do desire that whoever reads this will pause for just a moment to consider the question and gain full awareness of how they are looking at life.

My “why” for this is simple and can be immensely helpful for redefining success or fulfillment for oneself.

Research from Dr. Rowan Bayne suggests that only about 25% of people actually think about the Big Picture. Or in the context of this discussion, know how to look at the whole forest versus just zeroing in on a tree.

In other words, with nearly 8 billion people on this planet, that means that only 6 billion actually consider the big picture! Focusing more on the immediate moment than the big picture seems futile, from my perspective.

CLARIFYING QUESTION

What would happen if you only made decisions that impact you today, tomorrow, or even just this month?

If I am being overly transparent, I would do three things, almost immediately.

I would go grab a glass and pour myself a double of my favorite whiskey this month (neat of course, I’m not a Neanderthal).
I would click this link to order a dozen doughnuts on Postmates .
I would begin smoking a CAO Gold Perfecto (inside, mind you).

I would likely be able to all of this inside of 5 minutes flat. (If you were living for just today or tomorrow, what would you immediately go do?)

Maybe you’re thinking, “Alan, this sounds rediculous but it’s a free country, why don’t you then?”

Well, first and foremost, I value my health. Second, I am working to play the long-game by keeping the big picture in mind. And if I can fast-forward to what my overall well-being will likely be when I turn 60 years old, during which I know I’ll want another 20-40 years of quality life left at that point.

Therefore, it helps me “reverse engineer” what I need to do today in order to cultivate the health needed to increase the likelihood that I accomplish my goal for the “60-year old version of myself”. In other words, looking at the big picture helps me brush off immediate gratification and learn to embrace delayed gratification.

In light of the value in looking at the big picture versus having a short-term mindset, permit me to take a figurative “hard-right” and drill into a very practical application of this principle as it relates to social media.

We’ve already discovered how many people there are on this planet (nearly 8b), only 6 billion of which likely think about the big picture. Recently, Hootsuite uncovered that nearly 4 billion people are using social media !

THEREFORE, MORE THAN EVER IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THERE BE A PROCESS FOR OPTIMIZING ONE’S IMPACT FOR GOOD ONLINE AND ESPECIALLY SOCIAL MEDIA.

SOCIAL MEDIA & LEADERSHIP

When social media began to really gain traction in the business world, I was in middle management. Nearly all of the early 00’s I was running youth and community programs. In 2007 or 2008, during a weekly staff meeting, I was actually reprimanded in front of my co-workers for, get this, NOT being on social media enough. What the what?!

I definitely learned my lesson as I began to “engage” more. While I phased out myspace, I did begin using twitter and Facebook more often. I said some things I should not have, posted certain things that were unhelpful and thus we get to a tool that I have been developing over the years and is more relevant today than ever.

In the spirit of transparency, I don’t remember where I got the “3 by 10” portion of this tool, but nonetheless it will help you immensely.

“FIVE10 BY 3” EXERCISE

I call it the “FIVE10 by 3” exercise, mainly so that it was catchy enough to remember to follow the process. The name is the actual exercise broken into two phases. It begins with a 5-minute practice.

Phase 1, think about what you’re going to say or share online, then wait 5 minutes.

Phase 2, after the 5 minutes have passed and you still want to speak your piece, get ready to share online and consider how you will feel 10 minutes AFTER you have shared, then 10 months after you have shared, and finally 10 years after you have shared.

Once you’ve thought through things like…

Does your post add value? Does it align with the vision you have for your life? This social media exercise is a lot like bowling with bumpers. It ensures that you keep the big picture in mind while you contribute to the relevant conversations at the immediate moment.

HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF THE EXERCISE

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

In closing, my aim and prayers are that we can remember the value of having people disagree with us. As Socrates thoughtfully stated…

“Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.”

This process will help you be true to yourself AND equally thoughtful in how you impact others. It is important to remember that the way algorithms work is to share or auto-populate information that you appear to be interested in. Therefore, without realizing it, we can create echo chambers for ourselves, instead of a diverse group of people that are sounding boards.

Furthermore, if we can begin utilizing the “FIVE10 by 3” practice, it will help us keep the big picture in mind. We increase the likelihood of considering the future and then being able to “reverse engineer” the things that are good for us. Practices that cause us health, vibrancy and even create friction but in order to learn and think more deeply.

Learning and thinking more deeply tends to generate more empathy and love for one another. We all need more of that.

The outcome here is that we become MORE human. This will help to pursue justice and healing! We need that more than ever.

I’D ENCOURAGE YOU TO DOWNLOAD THIS EXERCISE AND PRINT OFF A NUMBER OF COPIES THAT YOU CAN KEEP WAITING READY FOR YOU. OR MAYBE YOU NEED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR TEAM SO THAT WE CAN ALL HAVE A VOICE THAT WILL IMPACT OTHERS FOR GOOD, EVEN OR ESPECIALLY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. ALL WHILE COUNTERBALANCING THE BIG PICTURE AND IMMEDIATE MOMENT.

Pulling for you!

Alan Andersen

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS WITH SHANDEL GROUP

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:08:38 GMT

7-MINUTE READ

THE CONTEXT

I am thrilled to pass on a note that my partner, and the founder of Shandel Group, shared with a number of colleagues and clients that we have partnered with over the years on Monday, August 17th, 2020.

Before you read through a brief pulse on Shandel Group, I want to lay some context for us to bear in mind. At the time of writing, Q3 2020, the U.S. is wrestling through a number of uncertainties.

ENTERING THE 1920S

We were still fighting The Spanish Flu. The virus that infected 500 million people worldwide & killed an estimated 20 to 50 Million victims—that's more than all of the soldiers and civilians killed during World War I combined.

ENTERING THE 1930S

We were feeling the impact of The Great Depression. Known as the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939.

ENTERING THE 1940S

We were gearing up to help fight against Hitler’s conquest of the Balkans and extermination of the Jews from throughout German-occupied Europe.

ENTERING THE 1960S

While we were already in the fight for Civil Rights and ongoing protests, traction began to increase. In fact, we were on the precipice of more than a quarter-million people participating in the March on Washington where King would give his “I have a dream” speech.

ENTERING THE 2000S AND 2010S

We were experiencing the early 2000’s recession with a decline in economic activity which mainly occurred in developed countries. The economic decline was perpetuated in 2008 with the beginning of The Great Recession.

THE 2020S

Pause for just one moment here, look at that timeline! These dates go back to just over one hundred years ago. And yet, here were are in Q3 of 2020. Within the last seven months or so, we have experienced nearly all of those monumental moments! There has been and still is a viral pandemic, a self-induced economic downturn, hundreds of prolonged protests, and to boot, a heated presidential election is just months away. Thank goodness there is a Middle East Peace Treaty instead of preparations for war!

Yet, amidst all of this uncertainty, there is one thing I know. In fact, it is actually one woman I know that stands waiting ready. Ready to help, support, and even just be a sounding board if you need it. Her name, as I imagine you can guess, is indeed Shandel Sutherland. She is one of the most patient, kind, helpful, generous, self-sacrificing, and faithful people I know. Were it not for Shandel and her tenacity and wisdom, this organization would not be here, helping people and teams in a time that lacks clarity!

While this update might take four-minutes longer than usual to read, I encourage you to read through until the end. Why? Because there is good news and evidence of real leaders, doing real work, with real risk, all while striving to serve others really well.

Cheers to you, Shandel! I know that we did not discuss this nor did you know that I would share all of this publicly. You may not pursue the spotlight (though when put on the spot you do shine :) I simply want you to know that I represent 1000’s, if not 100,000 other people, who have grown into a better version of themselves because of you!

I love you, my friend and mentor!

Alan Andersen

ENJOY SHANDEL’S NOTE…

20 YEARS OLD TODAY!

August 17, 2000 right in the heart of Time Square in NYC, I discovered coaching at a CEO conference. I knew I found my calling!

Twenty years later, I am as passionate as ever. We are thriving and serving our clients with vigor, wisdom, and tools via this boutique coaching firm called Shandel Group (formerly True Life Coaching) and loving it more each day.

A FEW SHANDEL GROUP 2020 HIGHLIGHTS:

Alan Andersen got certified in The Prioritized Leader in March and is crushing it with our Leadership Labs (90-day training for up and coming leaders.)

My husband, John “Scott” Sutherland, has launched a division for Dental Practices. He has been a dentist for 2 decades and in less than 3 years we doubled his practice with the Shandel Group tools. He loves it so much, that he puts down the drill a few days a month to invest in other dentists to grow their people and their profits.

Shandel just finished the two-week intensive training to be Enneagram certified – so awesome to offer this to our clients.

Our book, Clarity: Focusing on What Matters, is going to be revised and published for 2021. Timeless principles for these crazy times!

NON-PROFIT LAUNCHED CALLED J FACTOR KIDS.

TODAY we launched J Factor Kids Academy where a single mom with 5 kids can continue to work her full-time job while we assist 4 of the kids with their distant learning. This is part of a bigger mission to encourage, exhort, and equip single parents and kids from hard places to be next-generation leaders. Scott and I are beyond thrilled with the results we experience as we pour our time and resources out for this vision. We want to invite like-minded investors along in our journey to both serve and sponsor more kids to be coached and mentored. We have our 501 (c) (3) with the IRS but waiting still on official papers from California. Watch us grow here.

LEADERSHIP CONTENT FOR FREE!

With no more foster kiddos in the house, Shandel is back in the saddle and focused to deliver leadership content like the good ole days. The “Silver Lining of COVID” has enabled me to live my dream. My skill set in facilitation and coaching teams has shined forth via Zoom Meetings. It is awesome to be impactful and not leave my house!" Our newsletter is coming back. Our blog and daily quote are being refreshed. We see the need for leadership training more than ever with all the changes and stress. We are compelled to help educate with skills, tools, and knowledge. We plan to join the podcast / You Tube scene later this season.

I hope you will join us on Satchel, we will send another one later this week via that platform with a special treat.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US ALL! It all of you who have contributed to making us successful for 20 years!

HERE’S TO THE NEXT 20!

Your Shandel Group Team

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES TO AVOID BURNOUT

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:12:37 GMT

Shandel and Melanie answer a listener's question about sustainable practices to prevent burnout. The team digs into this question from a business standpoint, personal growth and leadership tools. It's important to build strong relationships so you can recognize when someone is struggling as well as taking ownership of the things that we can control, such as sleep and eating healthy.

We need to think about how to build sustainable growth within our organizations, our teams and ourselves. Shandel and Melanie discuss their own experiences and how they have invested in things that help them avoid burnout.

Thanks for joining us - don't forget to subscribe, rate (or like), comment & share!

Visit our website and follow us on social media - Facebook , Instagram & LinkedIn

We LOVE your feedback & questions - click HERE to share your questions/feedback or email us at podcast@shandelgroup.com

Subscribe for our free 66 Seconds with Shandel Group at shandel.com

Setting & Communicating Healthy Boundaries, Part 2

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 05:16:41 GMT

Shandel and Melanie dig deeper into communicating boundaries in Part 2 of this segment. The team talks through tips and advice of how to say no to someone as well as how to share that you don't appreciate someone's behavior.

Learning how to effectively manage up helps keep a reasonable workload while also saying yes as much as possible and maintaining positive relationships. One way to do this is by asking your boss what to prioritize when they ask you to add something new to your plate and communicating timelines for getting things accomplished. It's also important to be realistic about how long something is going to take and give yourself time to check your calendar before automatically saying yes to things. Living with integrity and being a person of your word requires that you take care of your priorities first before taking on more things than you can handle.

Communicating boundaries that have to do with other people's behavior can be hard - here are some tips to do this well! Understand the standards you have for yourself first and then the boundaries you set for others - this helps us train people how to interact with you and treat you. Dig into the specific behavior that you don't want from others - what is causing your discomfort? Don't expect others to know your boundary and communicate it very clearly, when you are not emotionally charged. Offer consequences of not following your boundaries, a reminder and grace period, and then follow through on the consequences.

Click HERE to listen to the podcast with Cody Coles that digs into the mindset shift from being the doing to being the leader.

Thanks for joining us - don't forget to subscribe, rate (or like), comment & share!

Visit our website and follow us on social media - Facebook , Instagram & LinkedIn

We LOV E your feedback & questions - click HERE to share your questions/feedback or email us at podcast@shandelgroup.com

Subscribe for our free 66 Seconds with Shandel Group at shandel.com

Setting & Communicating Healthy Boundaries, Part 1

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:18:43 GMT

Shandel & Melanie tackle another listener question about setting and communicating healthy boundaries in the workplace. Boundaries and values go hand-in-hand, so understanding your needs and the values you are protecting is key. The team shares their own experiences with setting boundaries and different approaches in communicating them to others. More to come, there will be a Part 2 as Shandel and Melanie dig deeper into this important topic!

Thanks for joining us - don't forget to subscribe, rate (or like), comment & share!

Visit our website and follow us on social media - Facebook , Instagram & LinkedIn

W e LOVE your feedback & questions - click HERE to share your questions/feedback or email us at podcast@shandelgroup.com

Subscribe for our free 66 Seconds with Shandel Group at shandel.com

ARE YOUR WORDS WORKING FOR YOU?

Wed, 11 May 2022 21:37:35 GMT

CREATE A MORE PRODUCTIVE HOME OFFICE

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 22:51:20 GMT

5-Minute Read

At Shandel Group, we are thrilled to have partnered with Redfin to wrap up 2020. So many organizations and individuals have moved to remote work that Redfin wanted to create a comprehensive list of the tools and tactics for optimal productivity AND mental health.

Enjoy this enlightening read. And a big “Thank You” to Redfin for including us with this wonderful group of colleagues.

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

EXPERTS REVEAL HOW TO CREATE A MORE PRODUCTIVE HOME OFFICE SETUP THIS WINTER

As many of us continue to work from home this winter, you may be looking for creative ways to stay productive during the colder months. Before, we were able to take advantage of the warmer weather, go on a quick walk outside, and had plenty of sunlight pouring into our home office setup. But as the sun begins to set earlier and the cold temperatures are here to stay, staying motivated may become more of a challenge.

The good news is, there are plenty of ways to combat the winter gloom and boost your productivity as you work from home. To help, we reached out to top productivity experts for their best tips and tricks to make your home office setup a more productive work environment. So whether you’re living in snowy Detroit or rainy Seattle, these expert tips are guaranteed to help make your home office a place of inspiration and motivation.

CREATE A DESIGNATED WORKSPACE

Find an area of your home to transform into your home office. It’s easier to focus on work when you have a designated workspace with no distractions around you. Whether it’s a room-turned-office or simply a desk-and-chair set up, a dedicated workspace tells you (and others) that this area is solely for working and other activities will have to wait. – Productive and Free

Make the best use of your available space. Having a designated spot in your home where you “go to work” can result in less distraction and deeper focus. If you have an actual office in your home, that’s ideal, but since every home is different, you’ll have to make the best use of your available space. Places that can work nicely are a kitchen counter (sit in the same spot each time), the dining room table, or a hallway desk. – Wes Pinkston

Set up your workspace for productivity rather than leisure. You can set yourself up for a successful workday at home by working in a designated space with minimal distractions. Having a consistent workspace will help you mentally associate that space with productivity versus leisure. For that reason, it’s better to work from a space with an upright chair and table or desk rather than from your couch or bed. – Lyra Health

Don’t forget your home office essentials. Create a workspace that has everything you need to be productive. Purchase your favorite pens, notepads, and other work accessories that add a little pizazz to the work experience. Put up posters or pictures around you that bring you joy and put you in a good mind space to get to work. – Cityscape Counseling

Create a place where things go. Purchase organizational tools for papers, pens, and all the other items that live on your desk or in your home office setup. Then, at the beginning or end of each work session, make sure your items go back to their “home”. This daily habit of decluttering will help you feel mentally ready to tackle the tough tasks that may come your way. – Be Inspired Counseling & Consulting

SPRUCE UP YOUR DESIGN FOR A MORE ENJOYABLE HOME OFFICE SETUP

Design your dream office. Sitting in an ugly, cramped office is the easiest way to decrease motivation and increase procrastination. You deserve to have a beautiful home office and it’s important to spend time and energy making it a reflection of who you want to be so that it inspires and empowers. – Tierra Wilson & Co

Decorate with items that spark inspiration and positivity. Although that ‘Mondays Suck’ poster with the disheveled cat on it may be cute, it’s important to be mindful of the messages with which we surround ourselves each day. The things we see day in and day out have a way of embedding themselves into our subconscious. Why not keep things in front of us each day that inspires us to keep moving ahead in a positive way. – Say Life! Personal Coaching

Make your home office a place you enjoy spending time. Hang art on the wall, get a comfortable and supportive chair, and as the darker days set in, make sure you have additional lighting if necessary. Lastly, add some greenery to freshen up your space. My personal favorite is a snake plant – it’s low maintenance, looks great, and has air purifying qualities that help reduce anxiety. – Kristy Vail Studio

Ambiance matters. Add plants or hang pictures that you like, listen to music you enjoy, allow yourself breaks for coffee or tea, try to keep your work materials organized, use a blanket or even a space heater to keep you cozy during the chilly months. Ambiance matters, and creating a workspace that is pleasing to our senses can help make the days more enjoyable. – Thrive Therapy & Counseling

Create a self-soothing work environment. Jump ahead of the negative emotions that may come with work by creating your very own self-soothing work environment. Hit all your five senses by adding nice lighting for your sight, adding a massager to your office chair for touch, jam out to your favorite tunes to satisfy those sounds, freshen the air with those scents that make your smile, and always have a nice cup of coffee, tea, or maybe a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ for the end of your workday. – Brittney Tatum, Lifeologie Counseling Therapist

ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY DISTRACTIONS

Distraction is the mortal enemy of productivity. Remove as many distractions from your home office setup as you can in order to make the most of that time. Deactivate Google Sync and run your browser in incognito mode so that you are less tempted to distract yourself with social media and other sites that require login credentials. – Blunt Therapy

Ditch the video calls. Go old school and do your meetings on a regular, old-fashioned phone call. No video means you can get up, move around, and even get outside. Remember, motion creates emotion and sitting around slumped over your desk in your house creates some pretty weak emotions. – Andrew Warner Life Coaching

Turning off most phone notifications or using do not disturb mode can go a long way toward your productivity. The Zeirgarnik effect is the tendency to remember an uncompleted task rather than a completed one. On average, it takes people 20 minutes to get back to what they were working on when a distraction occurs – so a few distractions can lead to hours of lost work. Stay conscious of when you get distracted by an incoming notification or some other task on your to-do list and then work to reduce those distractions from occurring again. – Finta

Use active desk setups appropriately so they don’t become a distraction. Perhaps you’ve already invested in a treadmill desk, bike desk, or other fitness-based workstation. These devices can do wonders for our productivity, but they can also have the opposite effect. If you’re spending too much energy on walking or pedaling, it can distract you from the brainpower you need to do your best work. Instead, use a lower setting so you’re still moving, but you can stay safely focused on your work. – The Non-Clinical PT

LIGHTING IS CRUCIAL WHEN CREATING A PRODUCTIVE HOME OFFICE SETUP

Create comfortable lighting in your home office setup. Some people choose to have white holiday lights on in their office throughout the fall and winter because they find that type of lighting soothing or energizing, while others turn on more lamps and other lights to achieve more and improve their moods. If you are looking to manage the winter slog of working from home, investing in good lighting can really brighten a work day and your mood! – Progress Wellness

Set up your desk to face a window. Have you ever put a plant near a window and notice it leaning that way after a few days? Well, humans can be like plants in this way – we need light to feel good. So, be like a plant and try facing your workspace towards a window so you see natural light and sunshine during those 9-5 work hours. – IntraSpectrum Counseling

Great lighting can improve your attitude and productivity. As winter sets in, the days get shorter, which means more time at your desk when it’s dark outside. Having pleasant lighting, sufficient lighting, and lighting the right place in your home office setup helps keep you motivated, energized, and productive. – MWTherapy

Consider investing in a UV-free lightbox or lamp that mimics natural light. “Light therapy” is used to treat seasonal affective disorder and can help regulate brain chemicals associated with sleep and mood. Sprucing up your space even a little bit with a higher intensity light can help you feel brighter and more energized during the shorter and darker winter days. – Therapy Group of NYC

WORK-LIFE BALANCE ISN’T JUST IMPORTANT, IT’S ESSENTIAL

Intentionally create space between your work and home life. When you can’t physically separate the workplace from your home, you have to be intentional about separating the two in order to effectively manage work stress, give your brain a rest, and fully give yourself permission to unwind. Set intentional work hours and create separation by going for a walk or implementing a routine that officially signifies the beginning and end of your workday. – Sarah Whitney – The Productive Musician

Have firm boundaries with your work hours. Just as creating a dedicated workspace is important, so is maintaining consistent work hours. End your workday at your scheduled time off and resume the following workday when you are feeling refreshed. Self-care includes having firm boundaries between your work and home life. – Find A Multicultural Therapist

Allow yourself to embrace the flexibility that comes with working from home. Whether you are enjoying having a more open schedule while working from home, struggling to commit to regular work hours, or finding freedom in a more personalized workday schedule, embrace the aspects of working from home that work for you. – Therapists of New York

Create a few small rituals to begin and end each day. Creating a productive home work environment is oftentimes more about what you do than what you have. For example, when I sit down with my laptop to work, I bring a pitcher of water with me and I light a candle. These two things are my signal that it’s time to get focused. At the end of the day, I block off the last 30 minutes to get myself organized. I clean out my inbox, think about tomorrow’s priorities, and tidy up. – Mother Nurture

Resist the urge to log back on. Avoid burnout by creating a clear end-of-day work shutdown ritual and then resist the temptation to log in later. Make a repeatable checklist including all the steps you’ll complete at the end of each day to set tomorrow up for success. Intentionally choose the feeling you want to have as you transition from work into your personal life. Calm? Present? And, finally, decide in advance how you’ll resist the urge to go back to work later in the evening. – Melisa Liberman

CREATE GOOD HABITS TO IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND STAY MOTIVATED

Define what productivity means to you. Pause for a moment and consider what “productivity” actually is. Ultimately, productivity is a byproduct of clarity and competence. In order to get clear, order your entire day through these three phases: organize, prioritize, and execute. – Shandel Group

Try out functional imagery to get your day started. While sipping your morning coffee/tea, close your eyes and picture your day as you want it to play out and proactively plan for potential obstacles. We call this functional imagery and it works. – Grover Watson Coaching, LLC

Reimagine support at home. As leaders accustomed to working in a traditional office, we may have overlooked all of the built-in support that helps us stay productive at the office. To stay productive and happy from home, get creative with support for your home office. Spend time to connect with friends, go for walks, upgrade your coffee setup, and refresh your home office set up so it’s inspiring and warm. – Rodney Mueller

Develop “threshold rituals” that help you mentally transition from work time to family time and back again. Giving your brain a clear signal that you’re switching roles – like lighting a candle when you start a work block and blowing it out when you wrap up – can help you be all in for the moments that matter. – Brilliant Balance

Don’t forget to let yourself rest. Sleep between 6-8 hours every night. Sleep is not only a resting phase – while we sleep, we detoxify, repair, and regenerate our cells, and we consolidate our memory. The next day you will be ready for a productive day in your life and at work. – Sabrina Cadini

Take small breaks to get some movement in. Taking time to intentionally stretch and move during your workday gives your body and mind a nice refresh. A movement break boosts your ability to maintain focus while amping up your energy for greater productivity. – Nancy Stevens Coaching

Posted on Redfin by Mekaila Oaks

ARE YOU A WONDERFUL FREAK? I AM...

Wed, 20 May 2020 22:31:25 GMT

3-Minute Read

LOVE OR FEAR

There is evidence that the root of your emotion springs from love or fear. If I’m honest, I believe that there are very few scenarios where a binary choice is helpful. The idea that you have to choose between black or white, this or that, and even either-or choices are actually few and far between. Yet, the more I observe my own thoughts and actions, the more the notion that all my emotion is tied to the wellspring of either “love or fear”.

I first learned of this idea more than a decade ago, but I recently read this article by Nancy Colier in Psychology Today magazine. She is a psychotherapist in NYC amongst other things and puts this concept this way,

Many believe that there are only two primal emotions in the human being, love and fear, and that we cannot feel both at once. And, that in the same way that light removes darkness, love can remove fear.

FEAR-LESS FREAK

Now you may be wondering, how in the world does the title even remotely correspond to “Love and Fear”? That is a worthy question. And while I rarely share about some of the unique opportunities I experience or name drop people that I get the privilege of interacting with, I am going to break that rule in this instance.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a true freak. In fact, we might say “King Freak”! In what was supposed to be a twenty-minute call with Dr. Dave Rendall turned out to be nearly an hour. In this discussion, I got to learn from a person who grew up being told to conform to the norm yet never quite “fit in” and not just because he quite literally outgrew all of his hand-me-downs before even receiving them!

Dr. Rendall, who stands at six foot six (or six foot nine in heels) as he put it in the first of at least three or four different TED talks, gave a TREMENDOUSLY helpful reframe in how to view yourself, the unique elements that comprise who you are, and even how you add value. The idea here is not to necessarily be fearless but rather learning to fear less and act more!

A LOVING FREAK

The top takeaway that I am hopeful you will walk away with is this. When we believe that every single human is equal in dignity, value, and worth, and is simply different in form and function we then can begin a process of living from a place of love. Admittedly, viewing everyone with equity and equality can be tough but it is not impossible.

As you begin to exercise this muscle, we must be keenly aware of two factors.

OBSERVE YOUR MOTIVES AND BEGIN TO NOTE WHAT YOU DO OUT OF FEAR VERSUS LOVE.
STOP REGRETTING OR FIXING YOUR UNIQUE QUIRKS, LEAN INTO THEM!

Let us embrace who we are and begin to influence the people within our sphere of relationship to do the same.

You can be the model for health, living out of love not acting out of fear. IF you don’t know where to begin, here are 3 different starting points for you.

WATCH THE TEDX LISTED ABOVE, AND THEN THIS ONE AND FINALLY THIS ONE .
ORDER FREAK FACTOR AND READ IT IF THAT IS YOUR STRENGTH .
OR, REACH OUT TO US. IN FACT, JUST EMAIL ME DIRECTLY ALAN@SHANDELGROUP.COM , BECAUSE WE EXIST TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR PURPOSE!

Pulling for you,

Alan Andersen

www-shandelgroup-com-d8b2d2ua9-v1

Breaking the Cycle of Misery: A Leadership Journey

Introduction

Understanding the Cycle of Misery

Key Signs of the Cycle of Misery:

Breaking Free from the Cycle

The Healthy Cycle of Growth

Conclusion

Lead with Authenticity

Embarking on a Journey to Authentic Leadership

Unleashing Your Leadership Potential: A Journey Towards Authenticity

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

Embracing Challenges

Accountability: A Building Block of Leadership

Authenticity Matters

Aligning Values for Stronger Relationships

Tools for Success

The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth

Charting Your Own Course

Reflection and Engagement

Conclusion: The Ongoing Journey of Authentic Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions About Authentic Leadership

What does it mean for a leader to be authentic?

Why is accountability important for leadership?

How does personal growth impact leadership?

Unlock Your Leadership Potential: Lessons from a CEO's Journey to Authenticity

From Comfort Zone to Growth Zone: A CEO's Journey to Authentic Leadership

Embracing the Challenge: From Resistance to Growth

The Power of Accountability in Leadership Development

Authenticity: The Foundation of Effective Leadership

Aligning Values for Stronger Relationships

Tools for Success: Self-Understanding and Goal-Setting

The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth

Charting Your Own Course to Authentic Leadership

Table of Contents

Lead For Clarity Podcast, S5 E21, Why Don't We Delegate? Navigating Trust Issues and Pride

Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Art of Effective Delegation

The Delegation Dilemma: Why Leaders Struggle

The Hidden Benefits of Delegation

The 5 Stages of Effective Delegation

Common Delegation Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Building a Culture of Trust and Empowerment

Embracing Your Leadership Superpowers (And Admitting Your Kryptonite)

The Road to Delegation Mastery

Lead For Clarity Podcast: S5 E22, Balancing Leadership: Time and Energy for Maximum Impact

Stop Asking "Why" and Start Asking "What": Mastering Personal Accountability with the QBQ Method

The Power of Proactive Questions

Your Internal Dialogue Matters

The QBQ Method

Shifting from Victim to Victor

Identifying Victim Questions

Recognize and Redirect

Embracing "What" and "How" Questions

The Power of Action-Oriented Thinking

Practical Tips for Shifting to a Proactive Mindset

Simple Steps to Start Today

Conclusion

Mastering Your Emotional Intelligence: Understanding Your "Emotional Temperature"

Emotional Intelligence: The Foundation of Self-Awareness

Understanding the "Emotional Temperature" Spectrum

The Adrenaline Effect on Decision-Making

Practical Tips for Managing Your "Emotional Temperature"

Conclusion

Call to Action

Next Level DISCovery - Part 2

The Importance of Writing Things Down

Dominance (D): Addressing Problems and Challenges

Analogy for Understanding High D and Low D

Emotional and Behavioral Insights

Influence (I): Handling People and Information

Emotional and Behavioral Insights

How to Collaborate Effectively with High Ds and Is

Conclusion

Next Level DISCovery Part 1: Understanding Motivations and Behaviors with Shandel Sutherland

Motivation: The Driving Force Behind Action

DISC: A Four-Quadrant Behavioral Model

The Power of Understanding DISC

Non-Verbal Communication and its Impact

Personal Insights and Growth

Practical Applications of DISC