Leadership and Life Coaching – Time to Get Serious

/736 Comments/in , , , , /by

I am so excited to start providing better content for your needs.

It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get serious about what is important.  The fundamentals that are important to you and valuable to your immediate world – and finally that in turn will become a benefit to our larger world; a human world where we find our path.  A world where we listen to the needs of others and become more effective at helping others and as a selfish benefit, we become more fulfilled in the process.

Are you ready?

I am.  I will be making mistakes along the way but with your input and feedback, we can make changes that improve lives – one step and one person at a time.

So, how do we do this?

First, we realize that we need a vision.  A goal.  There is no sense pursuing a path without understanding the objective.  The Why?

If we want to change in meaningful ways, then our vision must be clear.

How can we articulate our vision?  Many of us know that we want to be better.  We ‘feel’ that in our bones.  Yet we can’t express it with clarity.

In the next blog, we will start with ‘Clarity in Expressing Your Vision’.  Funny play on words but pertinent as we cannot guide ourselves or others until we have that objective completed.  Martin Luther King Jr. was able to express his vision.  As did John F. Kennedy, Steven Jobs, Richard Branson, Ghandi and the list goes on.

 

Enjoy life and see you soon. We are in for an afterburner ride to success and fulfillment.

Exciting Radio Interview

/566 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

Wow, the wonders of our internet age. I joined Twitter; gathered a following and followed others; made some connections and within no time, I have an interview invite from someone more than 3,000 miles away.

Domonick Domasky is an author and host of an Inspirational Talk show.  His friendly approachable character made the opportunity to share some stories a pleasure.  If you have time to sit with a cup of your favourite beverage, I invite you to listen in.

Just click on the Title below.

Taking Flight to Your Dreams.

Your Life – Painter’s Canvas or an Office InBox.

/5,134 Comments/in , , , /by

Many of us seem to live our life as a never empty inBox.  Tasks stack up and we work through them.  Just when the pile is getting lowered, another pile of duties and problems roll in and we are forced to handle yet another crisis or mundane task.  This is hardly an appealing way to look at our lives and for many the option of breaking free from this drudgery seems hopeless.

But what if we kept these tasks. Continued to handle them and yet felt freedom and creative energy of a brilliant artist?

What?

I propose that we chose our state of mind

You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you. ~ Brian Tracy

So how do we make this subtle but critical twist?

In aviation, we often complete repetitive tasks that require attention and precision but can become at times boring or laborious.  One of the joys of flying is that every trip or mission is different and even though many of the tasks may seem the same we have an opportunity to perfect them. Just as a musician makes a better example of her work each time she plays a piece, a pilot can see the results of his efforts at the conclusion of his flight.  A debrief will illuminate what went well and what could have been improved.

The best way I know to stay focused and motivated on each and every flight is to conduct it like I was given a blank artist’s canvas.  Each check, radio call, communication with the crew or timely switch selection is recorded like a painter’s brush stroke.  Some perfectly placed and others –  well ‘smudged’ at best.  The satisfaction is stepping back and looking at your completed piece at the end of the flight. What went well and what could have been improved.

So how can you turn your tasks from a dreary mundane inBox into a creative Canvas.

Remember, there are no shortages of canvases. Tomorrow, you will have more tasks and problems that challenge your creative gifts to solve.  Try to imagine them as a chance for you to paint a canvas that is a fine piece of art.  Attempt to execute the routine and the mundane in creative motivating ways that solve problems more elegantly and with less effort.  Perhaps benefiting more of those around you.

This perspective can change your outlook to your working world, whether at home, office or away.

Good luck on your new painting!

6 Steps to Better Decisions

/1,079 Comments/in , , , /by

Where do we start with our decision making?  Have we thought about it?  Do we have time to think about it?  After all a decision is demanded of us  – and soon.

Identify the problem. Is there a problem? What are the threats. What is the timeline? Who and what will be impacted? In military terms we gather intelligence, identify the threats, determine axis of attack, assess environmental factors, determine the optimum ingress and egress routes and develop contingency plans.  This planning process involves information gathering.  Sometimes the problem is very simple – or it can be dreadfully complex.

Here is an example of 6 steps.

  1. Identify the objective
  2. Evaluate the threats
  3. Analyze the options
  4. Chose the best course of action
  5. Execute the decision
  6. Record, evaluate, debrief

These may seem like a  military style list for decision-making, yet we can easily use it in our own lives and the principles still apply.

  1. First you need to understand what it is that the decision pertains to, i.e. your understanding of the problem and the need to make a decision.  Look ahead and attempt to predict what impact will occur if no action is taken.  This provides the motivation to move to the next steps.
  2.  Intelligence gathering is the method that Militaries analyze and evaluate the threats.  As we have now analysed the problem and decided that some action may be necessary, we need to gain as much ‘intel’ as possible in the context of making the best choice in our decision.  Threats are not only enemy defences but can include environmental conditions, equipment and training limitations of our personnel, communication limitations or anything that can have an impact on the outcome of our actions. Time becomes an element that limits your research. However, overlooking this step is the biggest cause of failure and regret down the road.  How often have we seen the consequences of poor decisions where the subject uses the feeble excuse of ‘I didn’t realize that?’
  3. Analysis – aah, death by analysis.  It can be paralysing.  In our example, we simply weigh the value of each factor.  Environment, resources, risks and benefits all play into our judgement.  This third step has 3 subsets.
        • a. Weigh the relevant factors. This assures that we are giving appropriate priority to the elements that impact each choice.
        • b. Next you need to consider how the factors that impact your decision. This includes even the lower priority factors in (a.)
        • c. Finally, evaluate the benefits and risks of each choice available.
  1. Choose. This is often the most difficult for many.  Choosing. Did you analyze correctly? Are you missing key information? Did you consult and collaborate? If you have doubts on these questions then it will be an anxious choice indeed.  The less time available, the more you need to leverage your research by enlisting the help of others. We often think and behave with the philosophy that we can’t afford the time to ask others.  Be careful. Is that true or are you simply afraid they may not agree with your prognosis.
  2. Action. It’s time to ‘shoot the puck’.  You will never know whether your choice is correct until it turns into action. This will lead to a best option and finally the act of taking action on your decision. If you are still hesitant at this crucial time, I suggest that you ‘trust your gut’.  I have used this many times when I have dilemmas and the analysis doesn’t provide the convincing argument.  I simply lie back on a bed, with hands at my side and eyes closed.  I imagine or visualize either option, and try not to argue the benefits or risks. I simply ‘feel’ the effects of each scenario.  It often becomes crystal clear in a matter of seconds.  (Disclaimer – It has worked for me.  I make no claim you will have the same results or your decision was best with this method).  That said, it is an amazing feeling to have that clarity when it happens.
  3. Debrief. Many people fail to take this opportunity. Post game analysis is essential to making better choices in the future. It warrants your time and effort. If you were successful, the serotonin kick your body provides you and your team is worthy of celebration. You should also capture all of the factors that helped you in that choice.  If it was the wrong decision, you have just created a fabulous learning opportunity.  Great leaders, inventors and creators have all failed and often.  Don’t cheat yourself.

It’s OK to make a wrong choice. Guess what? We’re human! Let’s just make sure it wasn’t as a result of poor effort. The secret is to practice making decisions. That sounds strange but the impact of making deliberate decisions following these steps will make you better and better at ‘knocking them out of the park’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where do we start with our decision making?  Have we thought about it?  Do we have time to think about it?  After all a decision is demanded of us  – and soon.

Identify the problem. Is there a problem? What are the threats?  What is the timeline?  Who and what will be impacted? In military terms we may gather intelligence, identify the threats, determine axis of attack, assess environmental factors, determine the optimum ingress and egress routes and develop contingency plans. This planning process involves information gathering. Sometimes the problem is very simple – or it can be dreadfully complex.

Here is an example of 6 steps.

                  1. Identify the objective
                  2. Evaluate the threats
                  3. Analyze the options
                  4. Chose the best course of action
                  5. Execute the decision
                  6. Record, evaluate, debrief

These may seem like a military style list for decision-making, yet we can easily use it in our own lives and the principles still apply.

                  1. Identify. First you need to understand what it is that the decision pertains to, i.e. your understanding of the problem and the need to make a decision. Look ahead and attempt to predict what impact will occur if no action is taken. This provides the motivation to move to the next steps.
                  1. Evaluate. Intelligence gathering is the method that Militaries analyze and evaluate the threats. As we have now analysed the problem and decided that some action may be necessary, we need to gain as much ‘intel’ as possible in the context of making the best choice in our decision. Threats are not only enemy defences but can include environmental conditions, equipment and training limitations of our personnel, communication limitations or anything that can have an impact on the outcome of our actions. Time becomes an element that limits your research. However, overlooking this step is the biggest cause of failure and regret down the road. How often have we seen the consequences of poor decisions where the subject uses the feeble excuse of ‘I didn’t realize that?’
                  1. Analysis – aah, death by analysis. It can be paralysing. In our example, we simply weigh the value of each factor. Environment, resources, risks and benefits all play into our judgement. This third step has 3 subsets.
                  • a. Weigh the relevant factors. This assures that we are giving appropriate priority to the elements that impact each choice.
                  • b. Next you need to consider how the factors that impact your decision. This includes even the lower priority factors in (a.)
                  • c. Finally, evaluate the benefits and risks of each choice available..

 

                  1. Choose. This is often the most difficult for many. Choosing. Did you analyze correctly? Are you missing key information? Did you consult and collaborate? If you have doubts on these       questions then it will be an anxious choice indeed. The less time available, the more you need to leverage your research by enlisting the help of others. We often think and behave with the philosophy that we can’t afford the time to ask others. Be careful. Is that true or are you simply afraid they may not agree with your prognosis.

 

          1. Action. It’s time to ‘shoot the puck’. You will never know whether your choice is correct until it turns into action. This will lead to a best option and finally the act of taking action on your decision. If you are still hesitant at this crucial time, I suggest that you ‘trust your gut’. I have used this many times when I have dilemmas and the analysis doesn’t provide the convincing argument. I simply lie back on a bed, with hands at my side and eyes closed. I imagine or visualize either option, and try not to argue the benefits or risks. I simply ‘feel’ the effects of each scenario. It often becomes crystal clear in a matter of seconds. (Disclaimer – It has worked for me. I make no claim you will have the same results or your decision was best with this method).
                1. That said, it is an amazing feeling to have that clarity when it happens.6.             Debrief. Many people fail to take this opportunity. Post game analysis is essential to making better choices in the future. It warrants your time and effort. If you were successful, the serotonin kick your body provides you and your team is worthy of celebration. You should also capture all of the factors that helped you in that choice. If it was the wrong decision, you have just created a fabulous learning opportunity. Great leaders, inventors and creators have all failed and often. Don’t cheat yourself.It’s OK to make a wrong choice. Guess what? We’re human! Let’s just make sure it wasn’t as a result of poor effort. The secret is to practice making decisions. That sounds strange but the impact of making deliberate decisions following these steps will make you better and better at ‘knocking them out of the park’.

Leadership – the Civilized Animal

/1,448 Comments/in , , , , /by

Why is it that we deny our animal instincts?  Is it that we feel superior to the beasts in this wonderful world?

What natural behaviours can we observe in animals that help us reflect on our own desires – and ultimately our behaviour?

For leadership, I suggest we look at a variety of  ‘social animals’.  It is in this context that we may discover why we feel and react as we do when it comes to leadership.

Some speakers such as Simon Sinek articulate this point with great clarity.  His TED talk resonates with my own values on leadership.  Perhaps it is because I have been cut from the ‘Fighter Aviation’ cloth where leadership is valued and cultivated throughout our professional lives.

But it is the animal world where we can observe how the pack instincts behave for the benefit of the many.  Whether this is in our community, family, business, or educational institution, we have a natural behavioural instinct and thus organize our structures to support leaders and followers.

When we stray from these natural behaviours and patterns, we quickly discover that we are falling ‘off purpose’.  Our performance suffers and our harmony stumbles and ceases to resonate with the safety and success of our collective wellbeing.

What leadership behaviours do you find in your organisation that emulate a wolf pack?

 

 

Turning Adversity into Adventure

/2,948 Comments/in , , , /by

In the last post, we discussed the ‘Circle of Concern’, made smaller by the ‘Circle of Influence’1.  I will likely discuss this further in a later post, but for now I promised to reflect on what I coin ‘Turning Adversity into Adventure’.  This simple slogan helped my wife and me to change our paradigm and ease the stress of a pending layoff.  It worked so well, I have used it several times when faced with problems that seemed to be moving outside my circle of influence, but was clearly well planted in my growing circle of concerns.

 

Air Canada was going through a pilot downsizing and after 7 years of service, my seniority had withered so that I was no longer on the active pilot list.  Initially there was job sharing, but my days were numbered.  A layoff seemed imminent and we needed to make some plans.

 

I drew out a worst-case scenario. It foretold of a forced move to Toronto and then possibly losing the position anyway in further downsizing.   So, I proposed an alternative approach to my family.  I suggested that if furloughed, we sell the house, cars, toys, etc. – and home school our two boys – aged 10 and 7 – on a sailboat we would live aboard in the Caribbean.  Crazy?  Perhaps.  Doable?

 

We were going to find out.

 

We started to research and spoke with friends who had chosen this lifestyle and we made a startling discovery.

 

The ongoing dream building not only inspired us, but also relieved our stress about the lesser alternatives.  It was this dreaming and planning that made the situation no longer unbearable but truly exciting and wondrous.  Whether we went for it or not, didn’t matter.  (Spoiler alert!) In fact we never did go.    Aw!   It didn’t matter.  The exercise of daring to dream, to take control of our own destiny, to never allow the bad cards sent our way ruin our dreams, enabled us to find new paths of joy and fulfillment.  It was my Grandfather that instilled this fantasy-like imagination in my Mom, which I suppose was then passed on to me.  I firmly believe that fantasy should be taken very seriously and can often be translated into a reality beyond any normal expectation.

 

That adventure came close.  Others did materialize and these transformed our world in ways that could have only been possible by taking the courage to dream big.  In later stories, I will share some incredible adventures that occurred precisely as a result of this philosophy and practice.

 

What adversity have you experienced and how did you cope?

 

Note: I appreciate that some life events are so horrific and debilitating that the motivation required to turn them around is beyond most expectations. For those my heart goes out and perhaps this is not the strategy we would choose.  But when you can find an alternative to external circumstances that seem to oppress or direct your life in the wrong path, then perhaps the thought – and practice – of taking the helm and steering for adventure is just what you need.

 

I welcome your comments below.

 

1.   Stephen Covey – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

What Circle are you focused on?

/1,416 Comments/in , , /by

In the previous post, I mentioned a puzzle – the C. of C. made smaller by the C. of I.?

You have seen the image so you certainly know the answer – the Circle of Concern1 made smaller by your Circle of Influence1.  The diagram shows that as we build the inside circle of influence, it begins to expand and reduces our outer circle of concern.  Examples may be distant wars or the economy causing concern and a feeling of helplessness.  However, perhaps our action as a fundraiser, or an advocate for the poor gives us the power to act and make a difference. Starting small and close to our personal areas of influence enables us to raise our influence so that we may affect greater change over time.  I have used this concept often in my life and minimize my circle of concern by working on the former.  This concept has become quite popular (simply Google search to view this model) and I had forgotten that the amazing Stephen Covey in his 7 Habits series described the original concept.

Increasing your circle of influence involves living in the moment all right, but more importantly it embraces the concept of ‘can’.  I can be more caring  – or – I can be more active. I can make small changes (or large changes) in my community/family/self.

A dear friend was becoming increasingly anxious as she felt she was losing control over her adult child.  This all too common scenario plays out, as the ‘child’ is now independent and is making choices that their parents may not agree with.  This helpless feeling can be overwhelming and all consuming as it was in this case.

A gentle reminder of her power within the circle of influence helped her to refocus on what she could do.  In her case she knew that she could be effective by just being supportive and kind.  She would also seek to be a good example and to pray for guidance.  By focusing her energy on the small things that she could do, it shrunk her outer circle of concern (and worry).

Have you wasted energy and time in the anxiety-pumping region of concern?  What tools have you used to build up your level of influence?  Did you start with small steps?  Kindly, let me know your comments below.

I can’t wait to share the next topic and a great strategy I developed for my family – especially in moments of great concern.    Clue –Turning (____)  into (_____).

 

1. Stephen Covey – 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

 

Living in the Moment

/814 Comments/in , , , /by

Living in the Moment – Breaking down problems into bite size pieces.   We have all heard that the action of ‘living in the moment’ works well at relieving stress and anxiety.  But can it help us obtain our goals as well?   I invite you to live in the moment for just a few minutes while I tell a funny story.

Big tasks can seem overwhelming and building a personal airplane would certainly qualify as a big task.  So how does one achieve this without the worries or concerns that would either result in failure; or worse, a collateral mental breakdown requiring therapy.

A dear friend was planning to build an aircraft that he saw flying overhead and was mystified by it. It was a 1928 designed open cockpit craft called the Pietenpol.  Trevor lived on a small ranch and his barn was the ideal workspace to welcome his new project.  One cold autumn morning, his first piece arrived. It was the cleanest specimen of the finest Spruce you could find.  A simple beam of wood measuring about 15’ long, 12’” high, and 6” wide.  Excited at his first tangible component of the grand project, Trevor ran to show his wife. When Monica arrived she looked at the beam of wood, paused, then shrugged and said, “Hmmm, some assembly required?”

I got such a kick out of her comment but as Trevor later explained; building an airplane isn’t a big job, it is just many, many small jobs.

How does breaking down large tasks help you and your organization relieve stress?   Is it not a form of ‘living in the moment’?   Let me know your thoughts in the comment selection below.  I look forward to sharing my next posts and hope you will bookmark this page and join in the conversation of Life Skills through Adventure.

You can look forward to hearing tales of dreams and adventure.  We will be revealing emotional health strategies, like this puzzle.  Which  ‘Circle’ do you rest your mind in?

Until Next time, this is Dale inviting you break down your large tasks and live well – in the moment.