What can we learn from our messes?

A quote from Robin Roberts yesterday at the Women’s Conference in LA.  She said that is what her mother told her as a child and that is the reason that she went public with her whole breast cancer story. Her honest sharing during the struggle endeared us and helped so many people heal along with her. This is a great reminder that sometimes sharing our messes and frailties is so much more authentic than having things all buttoned up.  I’m going to reflect today on the messes that I have created, the lessons that I have learned and enjoy the freedom of the truth.  How about you?

A business culture where:

1. Listening is at the source of customer and associate interactions. More listening and less talking!

2. People are played to their strengths, rather than working on their weaknesses.

3. The mission and vision of the company genuinely inspires the team.

4. Everyone from the executive suites to the janitor Walk the Talk. There is not a separate set of rules for executives!

5. Social and environmental responsibility are the point of entry, not the latest program.

6. Investing in and developing people never gets cut from the budget.

7. Associates are involved in decisions that effect their work.

8. Innovation and creativity are encouraged from all levels of the organization.

9. Transparency: There are no internal corporate secrets.

10. Loyalty is earned by how people are treated at all levels of the organization.

From a lifetime of learning in the field of organizational culture, management and leadership.

Live Bright Now is certified to utilize the following tools
and certifications in creating lasting cultural shifts in organizations:

Denison Culture Model is a set of diagnostic surveys, rooted in research linking organizational culture and leadership to performance outcomes.  The assessments measure the traits of Mission, Consistency, Involvement, and Adaptability.  The Denison model and diagnostic surveys help organizations align culture and leadership to accelerate the achievement of goals. Accurately diagnosing specific areas of strengths and weaknesses is the first step in the change process and directs the individual, group or organization towards specific targets of action. The Denison approach helps build accountability into the change process by enabling you to track and monitor your progress towards desired improvement goals over times. Certified Facilitator.

Leading The Speed of Trust, written and developed by Stephen M.R. Covey.  A comprehensive program to improve trust in all levels of an organization, leveraging the key leadership competency of the new global economy. Certified Facilitator.

Martha Beck Certified Life Coach. Certified by one of the world’s leading life coaches and authors! At the heart of Martha Beck’s coaching philosophy is the idea that clients have the keys to their right lives and our job as coaches  is to help. As Martha says, “If you’ve spent more than ten minutes talking to a client and you haven’t changed that client’s life for the better, you’re not a Martha Beck coach.”

Is the question that I had to ask myself upon moving to a new city.  I found myself hesitating, holding back and generally wishing that I had a network of people to call on.  As I was contemplating and hemming and hawing about picking up the phone to call some very important contact,  I reminded myself of what my 9 year old Girl Scout cookie selling self would do.  I’d just pick up the phone and tell this very important person that I AM HERE!  “How else will they find out?”.  So my advice when feeling shy and a little hesitant.  Ask yourself. What would you do if you were not afraid?  If you just let the real you show through?  What would you do if you were your best you?

Photo from SwellWomen, Maui

From Outrigger Canoe Paddling

1) Focus. Keep your head in your own boat.

2) Blend. No matter what the stroke, the timing, the technique, a master paddler can “blend” and contribute.

3) Alignment. Apply the power at the same time, in the same direction (an organization, a team, a family).

4) Details. Everything matters, training, technique, and nutrition, what we say to each other, before, during and after.

5) Attitude. If you have an issue or problem, keep it to yourself, otherwise it spreads to the other paddlers and the whole boat loses their mojo.

6) Reflect. First look in the mirror. Mind your own technique, attitude, and  business before you offer your input or opinions to the team. Or as my brothers said to me when I was a kid, “when you are perfect, you can criticize others”.

7) Lokahi. Unity.  Amazing results are effortless and fun!  Some call it flow.

The word lōkahi in general means balance.  However, the Hawaiian concept of lōkahi encompasses much more.  It explains that the body (ke kino), the mind (ka mana‘o), the spirit (ka uhane) and the world (ka honua) are all interconnected and affect each other.  Without any one of these four elements, balance is impossible.   It is the essence of Hawaiian group consciousness, the belief that harmony within the group will insure the cohesiveness and survival of the group and that group members are interdependent.http://www.healthhi.hawaii.edu/

I was lucky enough to help the amazing team at Ingram Barge to ignite their teams at four Leadership Retreats early this year.   I’ve never met a company who did more to walk their talk. They have values, integrity, heart and true family values.  I shared a climbing story which they used as an analogy for achieving their own objectives.  They launched Sustainability Summits for 2009 and are  looking honestly at their business and reducing their environmental impact.  They are exploring what it means to be green in the transportation business.   Who knew that the quiet giant in Nashville, Tennessee would be so darn serious about doing the right thing.  The best companies take the time to step away from their business and establish big summits for the team to achieve.  But companies like Ingram Barge take the time, effort and money to involve the hearts and minds of their teams and to show them what it means to everyone on the team.  Involvement and true commitment….yes even in these times.  Now , more than ever.  Kudos to Ingram Marine Group and to the entire leadership team.  They are a company to watch.  www.ingrambarge.com.

Littleton Hospital Conference at the Mount Washington Resort. Over 300 women gathered to learn, be inspired and connect with other great women. Ages 20-90….. I was so excited that so many attended my workshop on Using your Strengths to Create An Extraordinary Life. We had such a great day. After a great lunch in the ballroom with the perfect view of Mount Washington we were treated to a keynote concert by Jana Stanfield, www.janastanfield.com. Jana had the whole room laughing and crying and coming together. What a great way to spend Mother’s Day. You should check out the new conference center and spa at the Mount Wash… the decor alone will take your breath away.

Identifying your Strengths.... What energizes and excites you?

10 Things You Should Know About My Dreams…

Was written on my old fashion chalkboard in my office as the guests arrived for an open house. You can’t believe the conversations that ensued.

I want to …

• Live on the Water
• Create a sustainability Bazaar out of our building
• Work for World Peace
• Climb Kilimanjaro
• Live to retirement age, said my eldest guests.
• Travel to New Zealand

Chalkboard at Live Bright Now

What a way to get people charged up talking about their dreams. So much better subject matter than the weather or the Superbowl or politics…..

A great conversation starter. It seems we don’t really give our dreams enough air time.

.... this room would be me!

Live Bright Now, office in Littleton, New Hampshire

“A workshop” for the spirit is my name for my office.

Everyone needs a workshop.  A place to work and dream and create.  Mine is in an old tannery building that houses an antique store, a massage therapist, a sustainable interiors company and other small businesses.  Our rustic wood and brick building is perched above the Ammonoosuc, (pronounced Amon-new-suck) river in Littleton,  New Hampshire.

Who knew a spirit could soar here?

I discovered this hideaway while looking at flooring samples from Interiors Green. The small office  had nasty carpeting, built in desks and an old school house chalkboard, when I decided to rent.  I requested that  when I moved it, that the landlord strip it down to unfinished space so that I could create exactly what I wanted.

I found it therapeutic to paint and put together my vision.  It all started with an old piece of furniture that I spied as I was passing by the antique store downstairs.  An honest to god fainting couch, covered in the most horrific fabric, but with beautiful curvaceous lines and great legs.   It seems every woman that happens by wishes that she had this couch. What is it about a chaise that piques every woman’s fancy?  Something so feminine and luxurious.  Then came the fabric from  Mod Green Pod.   Check out their “room creator” function on their website.  Decorating fun with their fabulous organic cotton designs.  The rest of the look took shape.

My husband Matt says he’s never seen someone so excited to go to the office.  My workshop is the incubator for my spirit and for all things creative.   My perch on the river brings a smile every time I enter.  My best work is done here, my clients feel comfortable, energized and inspired… one might say “ignited” and I can work for hours without even noticing that time is passing.

Live Bright Now, office in Littleton, New Hampshire

If you can – just once in your life – design a space that is YOU!