Ken Diller, Author at Canyon Bridge Consulting

More “Self-Centered” Leadership, Please!

If your leadership responsibilities include managing employees or being a parent, chances are you’re especially vulnerable to stress. Your responsibilities, to-do-lists, and what’s at stake are often overwhelming. Ask most about their priorities, and they will likely say, “I always put my family first”. After all, it’s a virtue to put family, the company, and just about everyone else ahead of ourselves, right?

But, is a recipe for long-term success and purpose-filled leadership putting others first and sacrificing your own well-being in the process? Nope. And, it often results in failure.

While it may come as a shock to consider the idea of putting ourselves first to elevate our leadership results, hear me out…

Think of a time when you were faced with an impending deadline or a critical meeting? How did that affect you?

For most of us, the answer is pretty predictable. We scramble to find more time, our thoughts racing quickly, perhaps we unknowingly clench our jaw or our fists, have tightness in our chest, and our sleep is likely impacted as our adrenaline kicks in.

Reflecting back, what impact did it have on your leadership?

Having trouble focusing and feeling more stressed is a typical outcome. Others become more reactive and get angry, isolate more, are triggered much more easily, and have less access to creative problem solving. Any of this sounds familiar?

The fact is, taking care of ourselves first is not an idea born of conceit – it’s a leadership imperative. Just like we are instructed prior to a takeoff, we need to put our oxygen mask on first before helping others in an emergency. Apparently, we’re much more valuable to others when we’re breathing.

Seems like a basic concept; however, how many of us forget to put on our oxygen masks first?

Think of consciously created self-care as necessary leadership maintenance. Without it, we burn out, get run down, experience heightened stress levels, and become much more prone to myopic thinking and reactive behavior. Clearly, our company and co-workers don’t get the “best” version of ourselves.

Deep down, we instinctively know that when we take time for ourselves to pursue our passions, do the things we enjoy, and create a clear distinction between our work and home lives – we end up feeling happier and healthier. “Me” time is not a “me being selfish” time – it allows us to de-stress, renew, and create reserves of energy and calmness.

When my clients share all the reasons why they don’t put themselves first and plan more “me” time in their schedules, there are three arguments that commonly come up: “I will feel guilty”, “I will be too selfish”, or, the most popular, “I don’t have enough time”. And, the more giving and caring you are, the more these judgments become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

With healthy priorities and emphasis on self-care, you’ll not only have greater capacity to handle all of the daily challenges with more focus and gusto, you will have more patience, perspective, and the ability to live in a space of gratitude.

So, I invite you to identify what areas of your self-maintenance you may be neglecting, and what the consequences are for you and the people in your life.

Tune in with us next week for some concrete ideas to elevate your leadership by setting healthy priorities and practicing “self-centered” time!

To see what’s possible by partnering with an expert leadership coach, contact Canyon Bridge Consulting right here: info@canyonbridgeconsulting.com

Three Leadership Lessons That Frank Martin And The Gamecocks Taught Us

As an alumnus of South Carolina, I took a special interest in the run to the Final Four achieved by Frank Martin and the Gamecocks. Of course, there were a number of great underdog story-lines that captured hearts across the US – a program so steeped in mediocrity that it hasn’t won a tournament game in over 40 years; a coach who is a self-made leader, working his way up from high school JV basketball coach to NCAA Coach of the Year candidate; a 7^th seed who barely made the tournament with a dismal 3-6 record in their last nine games, to ultimately, making a historic run to the Final Four.

As a leadership coach, I’m also naturally fascinated by what led to his team’s success. How is it that a program that showed no signs of life heading into March Madness created such amazing results?

Here are some lessons we can learn about leadership and effective team results from Coach Martin and the Gamecocks:

Vision + Plan = Success

From the beginning, Coach Martin asked his players to trust him. He felt strongly that, given the talent and experience assembled, they could create a successful team. Coach Martin integrated a plan featuring a stifling defense, which isn’t nearly as sexy as a “run and gun” style, and the players bought in. The players adopted the vision and executed the plan, forgoing individual heroics for the betterment of the team. During the NCAA’s, coach Martin said the following, “We got to have guys that believe in our mission, that are going to believe in what we want to do. Once they believe, then we can teach them the technique. It all starts with our mindset. We have got guys that are completely bought into what we do.”

In organizations, leaders who communicate a clear vision and pathway to reach goals are much more likely to get “buy-in” and commitment from their employees. Of course, working hard is an important ingredient. And, leaders who share a bigger vision, even with lower level employees, foster a greater sense of purpose, develop a greater sense of unity, and are more effective at creating team cohesiveness.

Connection Through Vulnerability and Transparency

Frank Martin is a self-described open book. He is not afraid to share his struggles from his past and his shortcomings. By sharing his journey, he becomes more accessible and human to his players, and he becomes a trusted confidant. While Frank Martin’s “tough love” approach may not be a great fit in many organizations, his willingness to practice transparency with his players makes it safe for others to make, and learn from, their mistakes.

Leaders that operate in transparency and authenticity are more respected, generate more meaningful conversation and open dialog, and create more employee loyalty. Perhaps most importantly, when leaders operate authentically and with transparency, it opens up their team to take more responsible risks and creative problem solving.

Celebrate the Wins

If you followed March Madness, no doubt you’ve seen video of Frank Martin (and other coaches) getting doused with water in a Gamecock dance huddle after each win. Coach Martin wasn’t afraid of getting his expensive suit wet; rather, he shared in the expression of sheer joy with his team, building team connection and camaraderie along the way.

While we may not be winning nationally televised games, how many of us truly celebrate the accomplishments of our teams and ourselves?

Nothing is more deflating than acknowledging milestones or achievements with a “business as usual” mindset. Bring in a cake, take your team for a celebration lunch, acknowledge the successful effort as a group, and most importantly, integrate fun. Employee engagement, effort, and retention are often determined, as a base level, from how enjoyable employees find their work experience.

Connect with Canyon Bridge Consulting to see what possibilities await you and your team through the power of executive coaching! Contact me directly at ken@canyonbridgeconsulting.com

Leadership Lessons from Cosmo

I met him while volunteering at the county animal shelter back in 2008.

The shelter staff had named him Sioux, which is one of those rugged, masculine names that is much cooler written than spoken. While there were many dogs I would walk those days I volunteered, he made a big impression on me.

He had already been there a couple of weeks, and his prospects for adoption weren’t great. He wasn’t one of those dogs that greet you at the front of the kennel with a waggy tail and a smiling face, and his behavior made it clear that he had been abused. He was very fearful, skittish, and shut down.

And yet, there was something special about him. The time I spent with him, it seemed that his unique soul whispered to me, “I’m a diamond in the rough”.

So, it wasn’t long before he found his forever home, and a new name – Cosmo.

As the years rolled by, and as we both matured past many of the things that used to scare us, I realize just how much I’ve learned from him.

Here are some of the lessons that Cosmo has taught me about leadership and life:

Create Connection

When Cosmo joined us, he was filled with fear. It was clear that a stern approach wouldn’t work with him. Like many employees, he lacked confidence and didn’t respond well to top down, authoritarian styles.

What worked much better for Cosmo, as for most people, was a partnered approach. When connection is emphasized, a leader will yield more effective results by allowing others the space to thrive.

Access Transformation Through Trust

Cosmo was scared of getting in the car; going up the stairs; people approaching him – pretty much anything that wasn’t food-related. And, he was capable of overcoming it. It took playful creativity, consistency, and trusting support from his furry and human family to bring out his best self, proving that transformation is possible with the right leadership.

Effective leaders create a safe space for us to go beyond our fears to become more of who we are, and operate up to our potential.

Live in the Present

Cosmo is forgiveness in action. If I mistakenly step on his foot, it takes a nanosecond for him to get back to being happy for a walk, or a treat, and he doesn’t interpret it as “daddy doesn’t care”. He also doesn’t get angry when I don’t have time to play; or when I deny a table scrap feeding.

And, Cosmo teaches me that little, or not so little, day-to-day annoyances like chewed-up tchotchkes, don’t really matter. What matters is the larger bond, the bigger picture, the lessons learned. No dwelling, no ruminating about something in the past; no getting caught up in what someone said, did, or didn’t do.

Mistakes happen, feelings can get hurt, but our furry friends remind us that staying present and ditching our “interpretations” will allow us to return to joy and productivity much more quickly.

Operate With Authenticity

Cosmo lets me know exactly how he feels, at any moment. He doesn’t drop hints, and doesn’t sulk and shut me out if I don’t pick up on what he wants right away. No inauthentic, incongruent behaviors, or misleading communication.

Research identifies “authenticity” as one of the most important leadership qualities, and it is closely aligned with a leader’s integrity. Imagine if we walked our talk and we all communicated as openly, clearly and authentically as our four-legged friends do!

Practice Openness & Detachment

Most of us get stuck in our own opinion and ideas of how something should be done, should look like, or should be said. We cease being engaged listeners, severing communication and creative problem solving along the way because we’re convinced that our way is the best way.

Cosmo is the opposite; a picture of openness. Whether we go for long hikes or short walks, he’s not focusing on where we’re going, how long it will last, how does it look, and what will happen later. He is a master of “detachment”.

When we’re stuck on a specific strategy or attached to the outcome, we set ourselves up for disappointment if things don’t turn out “according to plan”. When we’re attached, we become rigid and myopic, shutting down the possibility of joyful creating and effective problem solving in the process.

Cosmo reminds us to stay open to see all the possibilities available. By staying open, we have access to more options and greater creativity in leadership.

6. Integrate Gratitude & Acknowledgment

Our four-legged friends have lots to teach us about gratitude and acknowledgment, without ever saying a word. A soulful look into each other’s eyes, a joyful greeting, or simply laying next to me in silence during a rough day, Cosmo shows his gratitude daily.

As leaders, one of the most powerful communication tools we possess is to express our gratitude and acknowledgement of others. While praise is great for dogs, we can go further to make an impact on our co-workers. If you’ve ever expressed gratitude for contributions by a teammate, you have likely experienced the power it produces.

When leaders go further and acknowledge the contributions of their teammates, co-workers feel both empowered and honored for what they bring to the team or project that generates success.

I’m grateful to Cosmo for his companionship over the years, and, reflecting on the lessons from our four-legged buddies always provides a wonderful narrative in which to elevate our leadership. Dog will always be my co-pilot!

The Bridge of my Reinvention

It was my 19th year of corporate life. Almost two decades filled with new challenges, opportunities, and successes. Then, in the Spring of 2008, I was “invited” to leave my VP position due to a corporate restructure. Devastated? Not exactly…

The truth is – what a conflicting experience this was!

Part of me, the ego, was upset at how this came without any warning. My ego had lots of “evidence” how I was “wronged”.

And yet, I was also very excited. It’s one thing to dream about the possibility of being flung out of my comfort zone – quite another to go through the experience of it. The undercurrent of my feelings was coming to surface – that for some time I had known that there was another way I was meant to contribute to this planet, and, when you’re in the “golden handcuffs” and work for a company that had treated you well for so many years, it’s damn hard to walk away.

Thank you Universe for giving me a shove out the door at that moment!

With a generous exit package, I had the luxury of carefully deciding what was next. I knew I wanted an adventure, something to take me out of my normal routine, and a place to clear my head to determine next steps. I decided to embark on a “soul journey”, and the place that was perfect for me to do that was Sedona, with its incredible red rocks.

The intent was to be in solitude in nature, and get clear on what my next contribution could be.

While hiking the beauty of the red rock canyons, I actually got clear fairly quickly – I wanted to coach leaders. I loved leading others in my corporate job, and felt that there was value that I could offer. And, I didn’t have a clue how any of that was going to happen!

Devil’s Bridge, Sedona, AZ

Towards the end of the week, I hiked a trail called “Devil’s Bridge”.
I was awed by the beauty, and by the unique rock formation that created a natural bridge between sets of rocks. While sitting in silence, appreciating the scenery, the metaphor hit me; I wanted to be a bridge for leaders to be the best they can be.

Intuitively, this felt right, and very exciting. And, I still didn’t have any idea how that was going to happen…

Upon coming home, I researched how to move my vision forward, but one question kept de-railing me, “How do I do I pay for all this?” (while starting a new business in a new industry). That question begat other “how” questions, which only served to keep me stuck, and further separate me from what I said I wanted.

After roughly a year of pumping the proverbial gas and brake at the same time, and predictably not going anywhere – I finally had my “aha” moment.

The “how” questions were simply my fear talking, and they weren’t leading me any closer to my vision.

So, I committed to change the question to, “What did I really, really want?”

Ahh, focusing on the thing I wanted versus the things I didn’t want (like scarcity) felt much better. And, the minute I changed the question, and put all my energy towards my desire, things shifted radically.

Within a week, people in the coaching industry “randomly” started entering my life. I revisited my research approach and targeted it to find the best coach training program in the industry.

Within two months, I was signed up for an intense, year-long, ICF accredited coach training program and hired my own coach. The velocity of my vision was finally in gear!

That was eight years ago. And that constituted my “mid-life” career crises, which pushed me to reinvent myself. Every day, I’m grateful that I did!

With a full practice and an excellent team of coaches supporting leaders in organizations for my company, the vision created way back hiking those red rocks has been realized and expanded upon. It’s been a journey of fulfillment and living my purpose.

And, I’m often reminded of a simple truth; when getting clear on a vision, focusing on “what” you want, and taking steps toward it, is infinitely more powerful than staying stuck in the worry of “how” it’s all going to work out.

To all whom resonate with my story – Happy Reinventing!