Clarity vs. Transparency? Why Choose?

I was recently reading a blog by John Maeda "Leaders Should Strive For Clarity, Not Transparency" and shared it with a colleague as this is a topic that always comes up in conversation, especially in times of organizational crisis. My colleague asked me a great question, "Why do we have to choose? Why does it have to be an either or?"

Great question. Why does it have to be either or? Why do we often feel we have to choose one over another when more often than not, we can choose both?

The article talks about transparency in times of recession where in his opinion a leader is better off being less transparent as difficult decisions have to be made. How about making them in such a way that embraces transparency and gives staff truth?

What a concept.

Where clarity comes in is in articulating that decision so that everyone can wrap their heads around the why it was made.

The clearer the simpler. And I'm all for simplicity.

You?

Best
Donna Karlin

There Can Be Order From Chaos

The reality right across the board is that my clients are overwhelmed with work, and their offices look like a tornado went through with stuff everywhere. They can't find anything, find time for anything and find enough time to do anything well and then have to find time to do it over 'cause it just isn't good enough the first time around (another whole conversation).

If this is you, you KNOW you're not going to be taking a whole day off any time soon to clean up the clutter. So start in small increments. Start processing, storing, filing, and delegating today's stuff and add a couple more things from yesterday's pile. You keep this up and before you know it, you'll have some order out of the chaos.

It works. THEN we'll have the space to work with the behavioural drivers that create the chaotic environment in the first place.

There is a method to my madness. Clear the clutter for some breathing space and then we have room to dive in.

Best!
Donna Karlin

Is Your Comfort Zone Shrinking?

I recently had a conversation with a client about our comfort zone, what it is and how you purposefully have to expand it or, without you realizing it, it begins to shrink, especially as we grow older.

To use a simple example, when you were a teenager and your friend bought a pair of jeans that you loved and you found out the only place you could get them was clear across the city, you'd get on a bus and travel an hour or more to get them. Sometimes you'd call a group of friends and make an outing out of it but you did go and get those jeans no matter what it took.

As you got older, perhaps without realizing it, even with a car, first you'd get on the phone calling other stores closer to work or where you lived to see if they might carry them. And then the rationalizing would start as to whether or not you really needed them because you do have two pairs of jeans and so what if these were great looking 'cause it was clear across town.

As you get even older often people say "No, I don't feel like going so far. I'll buy a pair that's similar or won't even bother". They'd start going to stores nearby rather than venture out of the neighbourhood 'without even recognizing you're doing that.

And so it goes. Your comfort zone or world begins to shrink unless you purposefully stretch it and go beyond your immediate boundaries. That goes for trying a new food, listening to new music, expanding your horizons in your area of expertise, especially if you tell yourself you're too close to retirement or "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". Who's boundaries are those exactly? Who said you have to stop learning or stretching into new territory?

"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself." - Alan Alda

Even though we grow older, we have a whole world out there to discover, starting with who we are and our place within it. People do things out of habit rather than conscious choice until they start paying attention. Are you paying attention to your choices?

Best!
Donna Karlin

Succeeding in a Challenging Economy

How do you succeed in a challenged economy?

You stop thinking about the challenged economy.

H. Jackson Brown Jr. once wrote, “Your mind can only hold one thought at a time, so make it a positive and constructive one.”

That goes for the economy, someone you’re having difficulty with…even a toothache.

OK, I know that might sound like a ridiculous example but think for a moment to the last time you had a toothache . Your tongue continually goes there to press on it so you make the pain lessen. Are you thinking about anything else at the moment? Or when you get a mosquito bite and it’s itching like crazy, is your mind able to completely focus on anything else?

Same goes for the economic environment. I have been listening to clients in the corporate world talk incessantly about the economy to the exclusion of everything else…leaders in government who only talk about cutbacks and what they can’t do because of them and coaches, creative and other solopreneurs talk about how people are cutting back.

Let’s face it. We always have parameters within which we have to do our work. Change how you do it. Build something great in spite of it. Figure out what’s amazing with what you have right now. Make it be great! Make your thoughts be great and share them.

Best!
Donna Karlin

Always Room For...

OK, I love Seth Godin's way of thinking. Today's blog is priceless. "There's always room for jello" How many times have we heard that?

Seth writes "Think about your schedule... is there room for an emergency, an SEC investigation, a server crash? If you took a day off because of the flu, is your business going to go bankrupt? Probably not." Click here to read on..

Wishing Canadians and Canada a Happy Canada Day for tomorrow. And you know what? Your working world will still be there on the 2nd so enjoy the day and whichever way you decide to celebrate

Best!
Donna Karlin

For The Record....About Coaching...

There are many misconceptions about what Coaches do, not Coaches in the sports world but in the executive, organizational, government / political, and business worlds. So I'd like to set the record straight, at least as it applies to my world...

My clients are not damaged people who need to be fixed, they are very healthy people who want to fly and partner with someone who can help them do just that.

My clients are amazing people who want to learn what they don't know and see what they don't see. They're not ones who think they're experts and the best at what they do. Even if they are deemed best, they realize they will be really smart when they recognize they don't know everything there is to know.

Shadow Coaches are not Coaches who only follow people around. They are dynamic Master Coaches who observe, look at behavioural drivers, Coach laser for clarity and focus, know when to speak and when not to speak (we are not mimes), and help our clients look at their darker side or shadows and accept that they're there, seeing the world through a multi-faceted lens. We help our clients bridge the gaps between where they are and where they want to be.

Those I accept into the Shadow Coaching training are already master level Coaches, dynamic, powerful and insightful. Shadow Coaches are NOT beginners in our field.

So taking this all into account, for those political leaders who work with a Coach, I say BRAVO! They are open to changing, being more powerful, seeing their impact and learning how to truly connect with those they lead so if anyone from the media is reading this, applaud those political and government leaders who are working with a Coach, 'cause remember, these people don't have to be fixed....they want to evolve into their levels of excellence.

My three cents....
Donna Karlin

Click here for How to choose a coach that's right for you

The Yin and Yang of Language

These past weeks I heard colleagues and friends say the most amazing things that inspired thoughts in so many directions in me and many who I shared with...

One went something like "The language I use creates my reality". There are so many ways to expand on that. We mirror and make decisions and respond based on what we receive. For those in a relationship with a bully when attacked, hide within themselves. For some, silence begets silence until a chasm is so deep it's almost impossible to cross as we lose sight and respect for what that relationship meant. Attitude and language are contagious. Humour sparks humor. Romantic overtures invite them back.

Many lose sight of how powerful language is. It creates images so strong in someone's mind they become indelible. Pay attention to the words you use. How does the saying go? Your words should be soft and sweet 'cause you'll never know when you'll have to eat them". You can't take them back.

Another dear friend use the term "The juicy part of life..." and there are so many ways to complete that sentence. The juicy parts of life happen when we least expect them...when we pay attention to what's in front of us...when we create something on purpose or just because of our ways of being.

A great deal of that has to be on purpose. If we don't pay attention what's juicy, life just continues, however we are separated from the joys of life and settle into routine until that's all there is....same old same old.

This week I asked a client to pay attention to what he learns every day even in a fast paced, chaotic environment. We need to feel we're growing, making a difference, and bring some meaning to someone's life in some way or mean something in someone's life to truly feel alive.

We get what we give.

Someone once mentioned to me they never got hugged. My response was "If you give one you'll get one back. " Life's like that. If we just take, the well runs dry all too soon. That applies to people, relationships, money, time...all of it. When we give, we replenish and the return can be immeasurable. That takes a risk but hey, if you don't jump in, you won't realize the magic that can be waiting for you with open arms.

On the 22nd of June, many of us are sharing our experience and expertise with all who want to listen and learn with no financial reward whatsoever. We'll help you grow your businesses, learn what you don't know, see what you haven't paid attention to and in return, because of your engagement and participation, many amazing non-profit coaching organizations will be able to do what they do best, make a difference in the world. That kind of reward one can't put a dollar figure to.

You don't have to get out there and speak to the world to make that difference. All you have to do is reach out and touch someone's heart and make them see they mean something special to you. The response and ripple effect just might blow you away.

Best, always
Donna Karlin