“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.” Joel Barker

As we get into the New Year, how are you feeling about your direction? Are you using negative self-talk to undermine yourself or are you recognizing your strengths, appreciating them and growing?

Tony Schwartz has a few really good points in this article that we can all use.

“Consistently sacrificing yourself to serve others is ultimately no better than focusing solely on yourself at the expense of others.

Selfishness is about making your own gratification paramount. Self-care is about making sure you’re addressing your own most basic needs, so you’re freed and fueled to also add value to others.”

via Six Ingredients of a Good Life – Tony Schwartz – Harvard Business Review.

We control what is done, what is intended and how we get there.

With coaching help you can create a plan, identify the action steps and find yourself where you want to be.

Join me at The Woodlands in Summerville at 4 p.m. on January 5th  for a Mastermind Discussion “Beyond Resolutions.”

Please let me know you are attending.

Here is the first in the series that examines all the ways our culture is being changed and effected by our pop culture. This one aired on November 1, 2010.

Here is the video from the Today Show episode on November 2, 2010. This video discusses how technology provides opportunity for us to be rude.

On this video, the question of “what has happened to please and Thank You?” is discussed. Here is the video  from November 3, 2010.

The Dynamics of Creating Value:

Join me at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 29, at Oscar’s, 207 West 5th North St., Summerville, SC 29483-6511, where I’ll host a Mastermind event.

This gathering is part of the series of Mastermind discussions led by me to help you improve your business balance. Please RSVP by clicking the button below.

We’re talking about how to create superior customer value:

We’re discussing how to be creative in the marketplace, how to be truly present for your customers, and what distinguishes you in the marketplace.

We’re establishing the Value Paradigm:

• Creating the core concepts of the customer experience that exceed expectation.

• Embracing customer-driven, value-creating methods to gain the competitive edge.

• Creating and retaining loyal customers by delivery of service, dedication, quality and value.

Photo credit: Flickr user Office Now

Leadership….a human activity

“Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration—of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.

More than anything else today, followers believe they are part of a system, a process that lacks heart. If there is one thing a leader can do to connect with followers at a human, or better still a spiritual level, it is to become engaged with them fully, to share experiences and emotions, and to set aside the processes of leadership we have learned by rote.” ~Lance Secretan, Industry Week, 10/12/98

Begin your journey to true leadership

Your journey to great leadership begins with an inward quest to understand your true goals and visions. As a coach, I assist you in the seeking and examination that can put you on the path of true leadership.

Set up a time to talk to me about where you can go by embracing the journey.

*Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons user purplbutrfly

As a follow up, here’s a video from the respected Jeffrey Gitomer. His simple, easy to follow advice is very valuable.

Please join the MasterMind group for our discussion this Wednesday, July 28th, 2010.  These lively and free discussions are proving to be much in demand. I hope you’ll join me as we learn to remain positive and stay motivated.

To respond, please click through to the MasterMind invitation.

In a Forbes blog post today, Susan Gunelius reviews some interesting ways to use insight gained from an advisory board comprised of your customers.

It’s very important to understand what your customers want. As a matter of fact, knowing what clients need keeps your business successful. Establishing an ongoing dialog with customers allows you to understand the stresses in their lives which ultimately translate into opportunities for you to meet those needs through your products and services.

Her suggestions are exactly the fresh look at tactics that work well for small companies.

Photo credit: Courtesy of flickr creative commons user C. P. Storm