Archive for the ‘leadership’ Category

Turn strangers into friends…
Turn friends into customers…
and then do the important job…
Turn customers into salespeople.

- Seth Godin, Small is the new Big (2006)

Create hospitality not service, extend how you treat your employees first and then your customers. Create a hospitable workplace and your customers will benefit and keep coming back.

Create simple elegance with everything you do, be frictionless. Read my new book, Frictionless to learn more.

Is it a…
Specific,
Measureable,
Attainable,
Realistic,
Tangible
goal?

Rank yourself 1-10 on the following attributes. Focus on improving your scores in these areas and your performance will improve.

Defined Goal or Main Cause: All leaders have a definitive goal or cause, which they support and which is supported by them. They see this goal or cause as greater than themselves and to its fulfillment they commit their lives.

Self control: Self control refers to the ability to keep emotions, physical desires and intellectual thoughts directed towards a given end.

Self Confidence: A high self confidence indicates a strong trust in ones own powers and abilities.

Self Esteem: To esteem yourself is to love yourself unconditionally.

Enthusiasm: Attitude or feeling about life. People who display stong, positive, and excited feelings.

Persistence: Ability to continue ones course despite difficulties, oppositions, and failures.

Creative and Imagination: Refers to unique and fresh approaches to overcoming barriers and problem solving.

Clear Thinking: The ability to organize thought, identify the main parts and keep emotionally laden facts in perspective.

Achiever: An achiever gets results.

Communicator: Ability to communicate ideas simply and by doing so influence others to their way of thinking.

Taking the Initiative: Instigate of change.

Personal Commitment: Personal lives enhance and support the cause or goal for which one works. All resources are stacked towards the achievment of the goal.

Ability to Create Unity: Technique of keeping things in balance and maintaining harmony.

Willingness to do more than paid for: Leaders reach out and do what needs to be done regardless of the amount they are paid.

Courage to make decisions: Leaders do and must make decisions that affect only their own lives but also those of the people around them.

This information is in Deepak Chopra’s ‘Seven Laws for Spiritual Success’

A law is the process by process by which unmanifest becomes the manifest, and the process by which the dreamer manifests his dreams.

Success could be defined as the

‘Continual Expansion of Happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals’, therefore

Success can be seen as the ‘ability to fulfill desires with effortless ease’

‘The ultimate true success would be the miraculous’

Law of Karma

Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind…what we sow is what we reap. And when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.

Witness Choices in each moment – best to be fully conscious / aware in the moment
Evaluate Consequences of your choices – will choice bring happiness to those around me
Listen with your Heart -ask your heart for guidance – be guided – look for feeling of comfort / discomfort

Law of least effort

Nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease…with carefreeness, harmony, and love. And when we harness the forces of harmony, joy, and love, we create success and good fortune with effortless ease.

Practise Acceptance – accept people as are – know that this moment is as it is supposed to be
Take Responsibility for actions, not blaming others/ thinhgs
Have your awareness in Defenselessness – no need to persuade others – don’t be attached rigidly to one point of view

Law of Giving and Receiving

The universe operates through dynamic exchange…giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe. And in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives.

Give something to everyone you meet eg. not necessarily money, can be gift, compliment, or silent blessing or prayer.
Be open to receive from others. Gratefully Receive gifts, nature, sunlight, snow etc.
Make commitment to Circulate, caring, appreciating and loving

Pure Potentiality

The source of all creation is pure consciousness…pure potentiality seeking expression from the unmanifest to the manifest. And when we realize that our true Self is one of pure potentiality, we align with the power that manifests everything in the universe.

Practise Silent Meditation – 15 minutes in morning & night, ideally 30mins dawn & dusk
Commune With Nature – appreciate the beauty
Practise Non-Judgement – say to yourself Today I shall Judge Nothing

Law of Intention and desire

Inherent in every intention and desire is the mechanics for its fulfillment…intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality have infinite organizing power. And when we introduce an intention in the fertile ground of pure potentiality, we put this infinite organizing power to work for us.

Present Moment Awareness – slip into silence
List Desires – keep them to yourself
Release your desires to the Universe – relinquishing attachment and outcome

Law of detachment

In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty…in the wisdom of uncertainty lies the freedom from our past, from the known, which is the prison of past conditioning. And in our willingness to step into the unknown, the field of all possibilities, we surrender ourselves to the creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe.

Commit self to Detached Involvement – no rigid or forced solutions
Wisdom of Uncertainty leads to freedom -
Open to Infinite Possibilities of choices and outcomes

Law of Dharma

Everyone has a purpose in life…a unique or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.

Discover the Higher Self – beyond and above ego – spend time in silence
List Your Unique Talents – that lead to state of bliss
Serve Others – ask yourself how can I help? Rather tham what’s in it for me – share more, treat people like your brother’s and sister’s

Michael Michalko’s creative thinking techniques give you the extraordinary ability to focus on information in a different way and different ways to interpret what you are focusing on.

To the right is a picture of irregular black and white shapes.

Concentrate on the four small dots in the vertical row in the middle of the picture for at least 30 seconds.

Then close your eyes and tilt your head back. Keep them closed. Eventually, you will see a circle of light.

Continue looking at the circle. What do you see? Amazing isn’t it?

By focusing your attention in a different way (focusing on the dots and closing your eyes), you changed your perception of the pattern thereby allowing yourself to see something that you could not otherwise see. Similarly, the creative thinking techniques in Michael’s books will change the way you think by focusing your attention in different ways and giving you different ways to interpret what you focus on. The techniques will enable you to look at the same information as everyone else and see something different.

Dr. Clare W. Graves’s Emergent, Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory Applied:
COLORS of Thinking in Spiral Dynamics®

The Spiral Dynamics model is derived from the original thinking of Dr. Clare W. Graves. Here is a brief introduction to the Gravesian point of view as it has evolved thus far:

Human nature emerges along a developmental path from one equilibrium state to the next. These can be viewed as stages wherein each layer adds new elements to all that came before; in turn, each stands in preparation for a next phase which may or may not come. Every “level of human existence” offers a particular viewing point for the real world as defined by its unique set of perceptual filters. These diverse reality views lead to very different decision-making approaches, organizing principles for business, economic and governance models, and ideas of what appropriate, effective living means.

Through decades of research, Dr. Graves built “the emergent, cyclical, double-helix model of adult biopsychosocial systems development.” (When asked about the ponderous title once during a conference, he responded with, “Well, dammit, that’s what it is” and a wink.) He used pairs of letters to designate the interaction of conditions-without and latent systems-within. His labels for the eight core vMemes take the form of A-N, B-O, C-P, D-Q, E-R, F-S, A’-N’, B’-O’, etc. (They are noted below.) But there are also two transition states between each pair. For example, the transition stages between smug Yuppie and communitarian chic are E-R/f-s and e-r/F-S. Between raw idinal power drives and purposeful orderliness are C-P/d-q (the realm of many violent zealots) and D-Q/c-p (self-righteous absolutism). It’s very powerful, but also pretty complicated until you become used to the letter language. There is also a clear sequence to the alphabetical labels that can erroneously be taken as a “better-than”/”worse-than” stacking. (The levels are not qualitative markers of human worth, but quantitative markers of expansiveness of conceptual space.)

Though Graves used the term, “double-helix,” a Spiral is also a useful way to visualize this process of emerging systems. (Many of his original graphics infer that form, but Graves’ draftsman could not execute the drawings.) As a Spiral builds, each whorl represents the flow from one reality to the next. Individuals, organizations, and entire societies move along this spiral trajectory, shifting their priorities, values, and essences as they go toward their various futures. Since the future may be almost anywhere along the Spiral, the question is: What is next for this person or group, sensing the world in this way, changing from this way of being to the one that is next. Likewise, rather than asking, “what kind of person is this?” the Gravesian approach is to ask, “How is this person thinking about this thing in these circumstances, and why?” Thus, the model is not a typology but a flowing process of emerging, nested systems.

Another tributary of Spiral Dynamics is the burgeoning science of memetics which describes the notion of memes — idea/information packets that transfer virus-like from mind to mind, community to community. (See the book reviews section and search the Web for “meme” or “memetics”.) Spiral Dynamics connects memetics with yet deeper forces in human nature — the core intelligences of the human spiral which are the attractors (and repellers) of memes. These are the VMemes (rhymes with vee-themes) which determine why and how people process ideas as they do. (Other non-memetic language includes “value systems” and “levels of psychological existence.” The memetic connection arose with the 1996 book, Spiral Dynamics, and was not a part of Dr. Graves’ original work which stands quite well without it.)

Movement and stasis along the developmental Spiral – either up or down – are reflections of the interaction between Life Conditions (the conditions-without which combine the historic times, physical place, psycho-social existence problems, and socio-economic circumstances) and the VMemes accessible in the individual or collective mind (the systems-within). Generally, the evolution is toward more elaborated, more complex and inclusive ways of being – “higher” levels. However, life is without guarantees and there can also be regressions to previous, less complex, “lower” level structures. In either case, the active VMemes are the containers for ideas and the essence of value systems, weltanschauuns, and the many “real” worlds that exist in parallel – sometimes in conflict, sometimes in confluence – on earth today.

So, for simplicity, we introduced a color-code system back in the late 1970′s to label the Gravesian levels ( vMemes) in their peak conditions. The color choices were based on convenience for making title slides and training aids – there is no deep significance intended. However, these metaphors may help in remembering the sequence:

Beige – savannah grasslands and survival
Purple – color of royalty and the first common dye
Red – blood and hot emotional energy
Blue – sky and heavens
Orange – steel taking form at the furnace
Green – plants and ecology
Yellow – solar energy and life force (correlates to Beige as survival in complexity)
Turquoise – earth’s color viewed as a whole from afar (correlates with Purple as a global village)
Coral – life beneath the seas’ surface (correlates with Red – a new collective energy core)
Teal – spirit and life connecting (correlates with Blue)
etc.

Although Dr. Graves never used colors himself — he used his letter-pairs and sometimes even numbers for the levels — he expressed no objection to this simplified set of labels except that it mixes the two double-helix forces into one term, just as numbers do, thus suggesting a simplicity which is not there. For those unfamiliar with the model, here’s a quick summary of the landmark zones along the Spiral. Remember that these are ways of thinking about a thing, not types of people, so several can coexist in admixtures and clusters. There are shadings, mixtures, and blends within individuals and ranges in organizations and communities.

Eight Value Systems / vMemes that have emerged to date and
still exist side-by-side on earth . . .

1 BEIGE (A-N) based on biological urges/drives; physical senses dictate the state of being

2 PURPLE (B-O) threatening and full of mysterious powers, spirit beings which must be placated and appeased

3 RED (C-P) l like a jungle where the tough and strong prevail while the weak serve; nature is an adversary

4 BLUE (D-Q) controlled by a Higher Power that punishes evil and eventually rewards good works and Right living

5 ORANGE (E-R) full of resources to develop and opportunities to make things better and bring prosperity

6 GREEN (F-S) the habitat wherein humanity can find love and purposes through affiliation and sharing

7 YELLOW (A’-N’ or G-T) a chaotic organism where change is the norm and uncertainty a usual state of being

8 TURQUOISE (B’-O’ or H-U) a delicately balanced system of interlocking forces in jeopardy in human hands

9 CORAL (C’-P’ or I-V) should tend to be I-oriented, controlling, consolidating – if the pattern to date holds

What people in each world seek out in life . . .
(Goals of “Successful” Living)

1 BEIGE (A-N) survival; biogenic needs satisfaction; reproduction

2 PURPLE (B-O) safety/security; protection from harm; family bonds

3 RED (C-P) power/action; asserting self to dominate others; control

4 BLUE (D-Q) stability/order; obedience to earn later reward; meaning

5 ORANGE (E-R) opportunity/success; competing to achieve results; influence

6 GREEN (F-S) harmony/love; joining together for mutual growth; awareness

7 YELLOW (A’-N’ or G-T) independence/self-worth; fitting a living system; knowing

8

TURQUOISE (B’-O’ or H-U) global community/life force; survival of Earth; consciousness

How “rational” people might deal with such a world . . .
(Coping Systems)

1 BEIGE (A-N) as natural instincts and reflexes direct; automatic existence

2 PURPLE (B-O) according to tradition and ritual ways of group; tribal; animistic

3 RED (C-P) asserting self for dominance, conquest, and power; exploitive; egocentric

4 BLUE (D-Q) obediently as higher authority and rules direct; absolutist; conforming

5 ORANGE (E-R) pragmatically to achieve results and get ahead; multiplistic; achievist

6 GREEN (F-S) responds to human needs; affiliative; relativistic; situational

7 YELLOW (A’-N’ or G-T) build functional niche to do what one chooses; existential; systemic

8 TURQUOISE (B’-O’ or H-U) experiential to join with other like thinkers; holistic; transpersonal

Dr. Graves’ model is open-ended, so new letters, numbers, or colors will need to be added as new levels of psychological existence are identified in human nature. His use of primes (A’-N’ as an alternative to G-T, for example) suggests the notion that the process may be one of six-on-six systems rather than a simple series. Thus, the seventh is an echo of the first, the eighth an echo of the second, etc. This is where the “First Tier” and “Second Tier” notion presented in Spiral Dynamics comes from. There could theoretically be a third, fourth, and more Tiers as and if human nature continues to emerge. For more on Dr. Graves’ original thinking, go to our http://www.clarewgraves.com site.

Spiral Dynamics® Colors and Transitions between Dr. Graves’ Nodal States
from the
Emergent, Cyclical Double-Helix Model of Adult BioPsychoSocial Systems Development

(Reproduced from a handout prepared by Chris Cowan)

AN BEIGE (World1)…………..Survival/meeting biological needs/instinctive drives & urges

BEIGE / PURPLE Awakening of a sense of dependent self in a mysterious and frightening world where being with others means
safety

BO PURPLE (World2)…………Safety/tribal needs/adherence to ritual/obeying chief(s)/harmony/reciprocity

PURPLE / RED Awakening of an egocentric self determined to break the shackles of the family or tribe and become a powerful
individual

CP RED (World3)……………….Power/action/excitement/proving individual prowess/shame/cunning dominance

RED / BLUE Awakening of a purposeful self with guilt in search of meaning in a purposeful existence and reasons why we live
and die

DQ BLUE (World4)……..………Purpose/obedience to authority/stability/rules/meaning/guilt/duty

BLUE / ORANGE Awakening of a pragmatic, independence-seeking self who challenges higher authority and scientifically tests
possibilities

ER ORANGE (World5)………..Competition/success/making things better/autonomy/adroit control/growth

ORANGE / GREEN Awakening of a sociocentric self who strives for belonging and acceptance and needs to discover spirit,
inner harmony, peace

FS GREEN (World6)………..….Affiliation/sustainability/collaboration/consciousness/fulfillment/sharing/connections

GREEN / YELLOW Awakening of an inquiring, interdependent self who no longer needs approval yet can collaborate when
appropriate with diminishing compulsions or fears

Shift from First Tier SUBSISTENCE SYSTEMS to Second TIER BEING levels (see FAQ for comments)

A’N'* YELLOW (World7)……….Being/functionality/discovery/integralism/responsibilities of living/connections

YELLOW / TURQUOISE Awakening of experiential self who seeks ways of being that use knowledge to restore natural harmony
and balance

B’O'* TURQUOISE (World8 )…Experience of holism/accept existential realities/integration of life energies

TURQUOISE / CORAL . . . the open-ended Graves theory continues as new thinking systems awaken and coping with life’s
existential dichotomies activates new neuronal systems

You remember approximately 10 percent of what you read.
You remember approximately 20 percent of what you hear.
You remember approximately 30 percent of what you see.
You remember approximately 50 percent of what you hear and see together.
You remember approximately 70 percent of what you say (if you think as you are saying it).
You remember approximately 90 percent of what you do.
You remember roughly 100 percent of what you experience (an experience incorporates all your senses (i.e. read, hear, see, say, touch, smell, taste and is memorable)).

Hmmm, Career Tours is an experience. And we wonder why Job Postings do not work, well I guess they do 10% of the time.

This will have breakthrough implications for Career Tours and how the world searches for employment. More to come soon.