by Deborah Leverett | Aug 31, 2017 | Uncategorized
This Sunday, September 3rd at 4 p.m. at Saint John’s United Methodist Church (2140 Allandale Road, 78756), the Miró Quartet, singers from Conspirare, Austin Chamber Music Center’s Michelle Schumann, and Matt Hinesly from Austin Classical Guitar will be giving an informal concert. This all-ages event will also include volunteer education opportunities as well as a drop-off station for donated goods. The concert is free, but whether you plan to attend or not, please consider making a donation. We will give 100% of the money we raise to the Austin Disaster Relief Network in support of their ongoing efforts in Texas. At Sunday’s concert we will hear a field update and learn about ways to stay involved directly from ADRN’s director, Daniel Geraci. Click here to RSVP or donate: Hope after Harvey ...
by Deborah Leverett | Jul 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
A society whose citizens have run amuck of civility & personal restraints produce people with a sense of entitlement and whose agenda is self-centered. Whether you are building a team in a corporate setting or launching your own vision you need relationships with people who are in alignment with your values. Healthy relationships will enhance and accelerate your goals whereas unhealthy and misaligned relationships will do the opposite. Webster’s dictionary defines presumption as overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy) or taking liberties. Your job as leader is to draw boundaries and set clear priorities. When presumptuous people try to assert their will, their agenda, you have to act with immediacy and boldness to say no. Refuse to be controlled. With healthy boundaries and clear direction, you can avoid costly damage to your Behaviors of a presumptuous person: They want a ‘genuine’ relationship without the commitment or effort that it takes to build a real relationship Assume they have access to your time, knowledge and network when it has not been given. They will ask for favors, assume they are top priority and become petulant when they don’t get their way. Have no respect for your time, your culture or your standards of order. Consider their agenda as top priority above the team’ or the organization’s priorities. Will use guilt to get as a method to get their goals achieved. Bringing on the right people is a vital component of building a team to achieve a vision. The right alignment is energizing, innovative and fulfilling. Be willing to say no to the wrong ones. ...
by Deborah Leverett | Jun 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
The ability to make real and lasting change begins with the right mindsets, attitudes, critical thinking and emotional fitness. Most of our clients are looking to transform, excel or compete at a higher level. Before we even consider a new client looking to transform, we enter into intense conversations— where we do the majority of listening. We look for leaders who demonstrate self-regulation, self -awareness, humility. We want to know from what values are they working because we know that poor and immature leadership is powerless to affect a change that leads to transformation. An agile mindset – one that is open, trustworthy and courageous – will automatically promote collaboration and innovation. Humility is also critical because one cannot work with nor learn from others if not willing to admit you don’t know everything. This is not a prescription for peace on earth, because a culture in transformation always has conflicts. But, the one thing that keeps people connected or disconnected are the values of the organization: positive values will transform; negative values will prevent the learning necessary to change. Here are some tips on how you can develop (i.e. practice) the right mindsets and attitudes: Every day, take time to reflect on what is going on around you. Get clear about your values. Edit the input you are receiving in order to give you more space to live out of your values. Work on yourself to be your best observer and practice self-awareness Be aware of your fears: fear-based decision making is just not productive. Re-frame your situation to gain perspective. Stop trying to be right! Instead,...
by Deborah Leverett | Jun 2, 2017 | Uncategorized
Though the Golden Rule is a principle in my personal and business life, I don’t think it selfish to ask WIIFM when considering with whom to partner in a business endeavor. On the contrary, this prudent and profitable strategy has the potential to produce a multiplying effect in terms of creativity and problem-solving. However, many of the people who ask to partner with me don’t really want to partner – they confuse ‘partnership’ with the word ‘sponsorship’. They say they want to partner, but what they really want is someone to provide benefits without sharing the risk. When vetting a potential partner the question for you, the business owner, is ‘What’s in it for me? What do you bring to the table? Money? Connections? Increased visibility? Opportunities in new arenas?’ There are those people with whom I have partnered that have grown into friendships, mentors and advocates. And, there are those remarkable clients who have demonstrated terrific partnership qualities. Not only was I able to add value to them, but they opened doors for me that I could have never done for myself; whether that be referrals, introductions, connecting me to a non-profit that needed help, or simply building a long-term relationship. When assessing a potential partner, there are many legal and business aspects to consider. WIIFM is a good starting place....
by Deborah Leverett | May 26, 2017 | Uncategorized
With so many leadership tips, books, BHAGs, and other tired slogans, the idea of genuine leadership is often obscured. The leadership that shapes families, communities, companies and nations isn’t built from a list of traits. But it is the kind that courageously understands that actions have consequences and the best leadership takes responsibility for consequences. The best leadership is seen in those individuals who are willing to go first, eat last and endure more than those they lead. An leader’s act of courage is seen when the leader is the model and can model and multiply his/her efforts. This is why a leader’s ability to coach is so vital. Often when a myriad of solutions have been tried and have failed, the courageous act of the leader faces problems and failure by inspiring others (i.e. to put life into.) through the leader’s character and habits of resilience, agility and innovation. The essence of leadership is character which is acquired in a courageous act of self-examination and a willingness to pursue personal clarity, coherence and meaning. This is a leader others will...
by Deborah Leverett | May 18, 2017 | Uncategorized
In the March-April 2017 issue of Harvard Business Review, Hal Gregersen writes about the bubble in which many leaders find themselves. Power is often a place that insulates leaders from the ideas and critical information needed to move forward successfully. Gregersen offers these questions to see if you’re in an insulation capsule: How many barriers do people have to cross to talk directly with you? How much of your typical workweek is spent outside your office or headquarters? When was the last time you were dead wrong about something at work? How quickly did you uncover your last mistake? How fast did you change course? How often do people ask you uncomfortable questions at work? How often do you talk with people who make you uncomfortable? How much time do you spend in places that cause you to feel uncomfortable? How many questions do you ask versus statements do you make in typical conversations? How often do you wait silently (three seconds or more) for others to answer your questions? How many times this week have you said “I don’t know’ in response to a question? When was the last time your provocative questions gave rise to a catalytic story — one that radically transformed some part of your organization for the better? Discovering the answers to these questions will raise the bar of your impact and increase your...
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