Life is Out Ahead

August 30th, 2011

As we packed the cars and loaded up most of my son Justin’s personal belongings to head back to college, I reflected on how I really appreciate that there are seasons to life. For Justin and College Life it was about tuition, books, detergent and reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.

It wasn’t quite as sad this time (the second) as it was his first year. But, it was sad in another way. I realized Justin continues to move into adulthood and his own life creation that he will autograph with his unique signature. I wouldn’t have it any other way! We have spent his whole life giving him roots to grow and wings to fly. He has taken flight and is soaring with grace and ease. During this journey, I have loved every pencil, pen, package of notebook paper, and even those expensive Texas instrument ‘things’ I have bought him.

Sadly, there are fewer and fewer times where I will buy him ‘stuff’ for his school year. But with that sadness came a thought Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, succession planning
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Persistence not Perfection

August 12th, 2011

I think we all need to get over ourselves and the desire, need, and pursuit of perfection. It’s really just a cop-out and a reason to not move or an excuse for not ‘getting it right’. If we leave no room for spontaneity, creativity, and fluidity in our lives, we can lead pretty boring lives. The pursuit of perfection often leaves us feeling depleted and deflated. It’s just a never ending cycle of ‘raising the bar’.

Many people never start their own business, go for that promotion, write that book, or accomplish whatever their dream is because of their fear of failure or ridicule. So what if you don’t get it right the first time? Most successful CEOs and famous business people failed numerous times before they tasted success. I once heard Ted Turner had 17 failed Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, Brilliant Leadership, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, leadership development, leadership development training, leadership skills, transformational leadership
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Three Lessons Learned from the Summer Job Search Blues

July 27th, 2011

Our son, Justin, is home for the summer from College. It was a Mom “directive/requirement/command” that he would work this summer and earn his spending money. What a learning experience for all of us!

First, he started looking way too late. We learned he should have started looking for positions in January, not April. Second, the world of on-line application is interesting to say the least. It is easy to get lost in the crowd as you are one of hundreds and sometimes thousands of applicants! Third, many don’t want Summer help…and the list goes on and on.

I found myself learning a lot about the process from observing and helping Justin try to land a job. I am very out of touch with having to find a job myself since I have owned my own business for 10 years. I must find and be hired by my clients – but that is a very different process than being hired by a retail store or company.

Below are some of the insights I have gleaned from helping Justin find a summer job that apply universally: Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, leadership skills, succession planning
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Lost in Success

July 20th, 2011

Each day, more and more of us report an insatiable and inconsolable restlessness. Finding ourselves wrapped in the trappings of success and radiating an air of inexhaustible competence, we are unable to escape the hollow feeling that our lives have no real meaning or a purpose that feeds us from the inside.

You would think with all our knowledge, resources, access to world class expertise and affluence we would be the happiest and healthiest people in the world. But the reality is that in the United States, 87% of our rapidly expanding health issues are stress related! With all of Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, motivation
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How to Live, Think, and Lead with Brilliance! (Part II)

June 28th, 2011

There are multiple facets to Executive Brilliance that allow transformational leaders to Live, Think and Lead with brilliance. The following “to do” list (the second half of two lists about living, thinking and leading with brilliance) will help you achieve that goal. Work on these activities each day and watch how your inner brilliance can positively influence those around you:

Silence the static noise around you and go within: Develop a daily practice of quieting your mind. Develop inner resources that help you deal with outer circumstances. Take a walk, read a book, take a nap, practice meditation. Do something that is NOT work related. The time away from the hustle and bustle of work will make you even more effective when you return.
Learn to say “No” and practice saying “No” to time-eater tasks you could delegate: Listen to your inner feelings. Do you say yes when you really want to say no? Go ahead! It’s healthy to say no! Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, consulting, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, leadership development, motivation, transformational leadership, transitional leadership
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How to Live, Think, and Lead with Brilliance! (Part I)

June 27th, 2011

There are multiple facets to Executive Brilliance that allow transformational leaders to Live, Think and Lead with brilliance. The following “to do” list (the first half of two lists) will help you achieve that goal. Work on these activities each day and watch how your inner brilliance can positively influence those around you:

Lead by example by continuing and improving your own skills and knowledge: Lifelong learning is a natural and essential part of the brilliance process. Winston Churchill said, “The sad thing about experience is it can be wasted on a person.” Learn, grow, shine brighter! Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, leadership skills, motivation, transformational leadership
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Are you Reflecting Light or Casting a Shadow?

June 16th, 2011

The giant presence of a lighthouse, topped with a powerful beacon, conjures images of safe guidance and the warning of imminent danger for those travelling by sea. Historically, lighthouses have been used to mark points of hazardous coastline as well as to indicate the entrance to a secure harbor. It is unfortunate that the number of operational lighthouses continues to decline as their purpose is replaced by advanced geo-location technology. Still, the lighthouse itself remains an iconic symbol for a safe journey home and for an illuminated path during difficult times.

Like the lighthouse, a leader is also in a position to provide guidance and to cast a concentrated light on the unseen perils facing people and an organization. Through their personal light do they light the way for others, and from the brilliance at the core of their being are they meant to shine out! Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, business coach, business coaching, executive brilliance, executive coaching, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, leadership development, leadership skills, motivation, small business coaching, transformational leadership, transitional leadership
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Go Take a Walk in the Park!

June 15th, 2011

I am fortunate to have a lovely park near our home. As a matter of fact, we have three parks within a five mile radius of our home! This is gift that is not missed on me and I am truly grateful. My favorite park has a large body of water or pond in the middle of it. There is something about water that calms and soothes my mind and soul. As I walked at this park this morning all of my senses were acute and I noticed the myriad faces of Spring — from the gentle breeze, the delightful aroma of honeysuckle and more activity with people running, walking and fishing.

Some people walked slowly, some more briskly. The same was true of the joggers – some were running ‘full out’ and others a more leisurely pace. Some people wore earplugs and listened to music, while others sang out loud. There were men playing soccer and laughing as much as they ran. There were parties at two pavilions preparing for a cook-out. They had the charcoal grills going, tablecloths on the picnic tables full of hamburger buns, chips and drinks. The people who were fishing seemed so peaceful and relaxed. Read more »

Tags: assertiveness, executive brilliance, interpersonal skills, jennifer whitaker, leadership development, leadership skills, motivation, transformational leadership
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Reasons Why Poor Employee Performance May be YOUR Fault (Part II)

May 31st, 2011

Last week I discussed one reason why poor employee performance may be the leaders fault. The following are two additional reasons that employee performance may suffer and what you can do about it.

Expectations are Not Clearly Defined

Our experience has shown that across different industries people are hired but the results that are expected from these new employees are not clearly defined. In most companies the on-boarding process is weak and inconsistent. Employees are hired and expected to navigate this process on their own. The results are many times disastrous and expensive.

Consider these examples of expectation misalignment. Many of the companies we work with have expectations of Business Development but fail to explain the parameters or the numbers they are expected to achieve. Read more »

Is There Grace in Your Race?

May 20th, 2011

My husband and I recently went to Vegas for our 25th anniversary. Talk about sensory overload! I’m still decompressing! The lights, the glitter, the shows, and the hookers. Hundreds of slot machines in every hotel, delectable food, street shows. It was ALL there ALL the time – 24/7.

We enjoyed our trip very much but were thrilled to return to our nice, quiet neighborhood and our routine.

As I saw all the fast paced, frenetic, non-stop activity it reminded me that this is how many of us lead our lives. We measure success by how full our calendar is or the number of speaking engagements we have. We feel good about ourselves when we see the number of commas in our check book or we think about the size and number of our homes. The only problem is that these are faulty metrics when it comes to measuring a fulfilled and satisfying life. Read more »