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LRC Email – The Side of Caution

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alums for 12/16/13:

Are you paralyzed to error on the side of caution?  I know I am.  As we’ve rounded out this year thinking about the “gap” that exists between where we believe things need to be and what our realities are, one thing we don’t like to admit is how much we are driven by the path of least resistance, erring on the side of caution or never ever upsetting the apple cart.  The only problem with being paralyzed by this way of thinking is that it rubs against a core leadership principle: leadership is risky. 
On this day many years ago, our country’s founders decided to engage in an act of leadership and rebel against King George by dumping some tea in the harbor (the Boston Tea Party).  Undoubtedly, they were driven to do something out of norm.  We love stories like this.  We don’t typically celebrate the acts of leadership that never had any risk to them.  Now, I am saying that engaging in acts of leadership can be risky and not necessarily encouraging you to be reckless.  The risk for many of us is simply doing things a little differently than we typically have done them in the past or like we typically do them.  By experimenting in this small way, I believe we can make progress in the gap.
So, as this year moves toward an end, what acts of leadership—even daring, risky acts of leadership—do you need to engage in?  What kind of progress might you make in the “gap” if you did things just a tad differently?  That’s what “leadership is risky” is all about. 

With you in this risky adventure…

LRC Email – Your Purpose in the Gap

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Here’s the email I wrote to Leadership Reno County alums today, 12/9/13: So it’s been a couple of weeks and I thought I’d check back in. First off, I might remind you that I’ve been writing about how there is a huge gap between our current reality and our expectations. Part of my contention was that bridging the gap between those challenges we face and where we’d like them to be takes us acting different. It requires us to engage in an act of leadership, which will help move people to difficult work. We talked a bit about authority and how anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere; it’s not just the most gifted people at the table that can bridge the gaps you see in your reality. We also mentioned how these acts of leadership start with you and engage others. Too often, we’re sitting waiting for someone else to act not realizing that we have the capability to engage. Today, I want us to think about the gap and how a clear purpose helps our way of behaving in the gap. You might recognize that sometimes the gap is a scary place. People of all different political stripes and spectrums think that engaging in the gap requires this or that. In other words, progress may look different to different people. Moving from our current reality to make things better needs a clear purpose. This way, the focus isn’t on the change but on the purpose. This is hard to do. We want to focus in our results and effects. But, if we spent more time thinking purposefully about our engagement, I believe we’d make more progress. So, today, take this idea out for a spin by clearly articulating why you do what you do. And why is that true? And why do you that? And why is that so important? Press those why questions and see if you get at a purpose that isn’t so disagreeable as much as something that must be pursued at all costs. Seeking to be purposeful with you….

LRC Email – The Gap and Others

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I sent out my email to Leadership Reno County alumni on 11/20/13.  Here’s what I wrote this week:

About a month ago, I wrote about how there is a huge gap between our current reality and our expectations.  Part of my contention, as reflected in recent weeks was that bridging the gap between those challenges we face and where we’d like them to be takes us acting different.  It requires us to engage in an act of leadership, which will help move people to difficult work.  We talked a bit about authority and how anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere, it’s not just the most gifted people at the table that can bridge the gaps you see in your reality.
Today, one further point I want to hold up is how working to bridge this gap starts with you and must engage others.  There’s way too much (of the wrong kinds of) action in two extremes, methinks.  On the one hand, many of us sit around and make excuses as to why we can’t make progress.  Maybe we’re not the authority or the decision maker or how it may be costly and we don’t have time.  On the other hand, it’s easy to slip into “expert mode” and give a million reasons why those working for progress aren’t effective.  One is kind of a passive critique (I’d do it this way) and one is an active one (what could little ol’ me do).  And, our principle today is that making progress in these areas starts with you.  You.  Not the other person or someone who’s going after it “wrong” but you.  And, your engagement is with others.  It’s working in collaboration with others for the common good.

So, today, revisit that area that you’d give yourself for.  What progress would you like to see made?  What are you waiting for?  Acts of leadership start with you and must engage others.  Let’s move in, then, for the common good and progress of our community. 

LRC Email – Another Important PSA from Our Sponsors

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alumni, sent out on 11/12/13:

Good Morning.  I was asked to write another brief word from the Leadership Reno County Alumni Association (we’re also on Facebook: LRC Alumni).  As you know, many of you reading this weekly email at one point went through the Leadership Hutch or, as it was later (and currently) called, the Leadership Reno County program.  What is Leadership Reno County about?  Well, like I’ve said before, that would be an interesting discussion, but one theme that emerges for me is equipping leaders in Reno County to make progress on issues that we care about deeply.  Many of you are in the trenches, behind the scenes, working to make our community a better place.  Leadership Reno County exists to help you make progress in your difficult work. 
A new class for the winter and spring is in the process of filling up.  As is usually the case when we are preparing for a new class, we are facing immediate needs for scholarships for our program.   The Alumni Association would like to encourage you to join them by renewing your membership before the end of the year.  This will ensure membership through next year and it will help our community by enabling others to make progress in their work.  You, most of all, probably recognize the change factor that comes once you’ve gone through the LRC program and, therefore, you will want to be a part of this opportunity.  Therefore, would you please send a $25 membership renewal fee payable to “Leadership Reno County Alumni Association” to the following address: Debbie Cowl, Treasurer
Leadership Reno County Alumni Association
 % First National Bank of Hutchinson
P O Box 913
Hutchinson, KS  67504-0913

Thanks for taking time with this important request.    

LRC Email – Anyone, Anytime, In Any Gap, Anywhere

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County Alumni for 11/4/13:

Been racing through the KLC’s Leadership Principles the past few weeks offering a review/reminder of the important things that define our activities of leadership.  Specifically, we’ve spoken of the gap that exists between our reality and where we’d like to be and seen how it’s not so much authority (which can be helpful/necessary at times in providing protection, direction and order) but engaging in the activity of leadership that will help us make progress.  Today, is the simple reminder that anyone can lead anytime, anywhere. 
You see when it comes to the gaps of our current reality and where progress needs to be made, we tend to default, I think, in letting the experts handle things.  We like to offer up all kinds of solutions on Facebook, coffee meetings and a host of other venues, but rarely do we get our skin in the game.  And, yet, this is what is necessary for progress to be made in the gaps of your world.  Anyone.  Anytime.  Anywhere. 

Today, what steps can you take to make progress?  What conversations, diagnoses, interventions or considerations could you pursue to help make progress on the matters of life that you face?  You can engage in an act of leadership today where you are.  This is a core defining principle that we believe.  So, why not engage in something in someway at sometime and see if it doesn’t help us make progress in those areas we care about deeply. 

LRC Email – About the Gap (Another Take)

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My 10/28/13 email to Leadership Reno County alums:

For a couple of weeks now, I’ve been talking through how we go after our toughest challenges, suggesting that it takes a different kind of behavior.  You might be mindful of a current problem or reality facing us and see areas in which progress could be made.  We call this the gap.  And, this gap requires an act of leadership.  And, my bigger contention last time was that it’s not so much about the authorities we can get in place as much as people engaging in activity, after all leadership is an activity, not a position.
Here’s a different angle today and it’s relevant as we are gathering people for our 2014 Leadership Reno County Class.  Maybe you’ve been reading my Monday emails and wondered what in the world I’m talking about? While I talk a lot about competencies like Diagnosing the Situation, Managing Self, Intervening Skillfully, or Energizing Others, you may want more.  Even if you’re alumni of Leadership Hutch or Leadership Reno County, you might benefit from a refresher in this curriculum we’ve been using since the Fall 2009 class. 
If so, you are invited and encouraged to apply for Leadership Reno County…even if you previously participated in our program. The curriculum changed in 2009 reflecting a state-wide initiative of the Kansas Leadership Center to help us make better progress in the gap.

I can tell you as one who benefited from this curriculum that it’s helped me in all parts of life.  By continually seeking to apply these competencies and principles, I feel like I’ve been able to make progress on issues as I engage in acts of leadership.  If this is something you might be interested in, please contact Kris, Lynette or me, and we’d be happy to answer any questions.  Thanks for your consideration in this and we hope that by engaging in acts of leadership through better behavior, we can make progress on those issues we care about deeply.

LRC Email – Activity In the Gap

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Here’s my Monday AM email to Leadership Reno County on 10/21/13:

Last week, I wrote about the gap that exists and suggested that to bridge the gap (between our current reality and where we’d like to make progress) we would have to act differently; we would have to engage in different behaviors.  At its most basic level, then, what I’m proposing is that you, yes you, engage in an activity.  Really that’s what leadership is: an activity, not merely position.
Sure, position can be helpful and is definitely needed at times to give protection, direction and order.  But, position or authority may or may not be engaging in acts of leadership.  And, when we think about the gap that exists in our world today on some of our most pressing questions, we need activity, not simply more positions of authority. 

Today, my simple challenge is this: what can you do to make progress in the gap?  How can you engage?  What activities can you pursue?  Rather than slipping into expert mode and complaining about all the problems that exist in the gap, why not engage in an activity of leadership and see if progress isn’t made on those issues you care about deeply.

LRC Email – Feeling The Gap

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Here’s the email I sent to Leadership Reno County Alumni today, 10/14/13:

What are the big challenges facing us?  Not only do we have a federal government shutdown but even on the local level, today’s Hutch News reported that there’s a mediator working between USD308 and teachers.  They are still at odds when it comes to an agreeable salary negotiation.  All around us, then, we have areas that are challenging (undoubtedly, I’m guessing that you have a personal challenge or the organization you work in has a pressing challenge that it’s facing).
Opposite of these challenging situations, we have ideals.  We have areas that we’d like to see headway made. We have an end goal in mind.  And, as you can maybe feel reading this, there is a gap between our current reality and where we’d like to be.
So, what is going to bridge that gap?  Doing things the same old way?  Part of my contention is that no, that won’t work.  It will take a different kind of behavior.  It will require we engage these things in a different way.  And, this is what the leadership principles and competencies of the KLC speak to.  That to make progress on these deep issues, we have to engage in often risky acts of leadership and act differently: diagnosing the situation, managing self, intervening skillfully, and energizing others.  Today, take some time and review these on the KLC site (pp.9-17) and see if they don’t help you envision a small step you can take to see progress on the deep challenges you face. 

Feel the gap and join me in pursuing progress for the common good…

LRC Email – So Happy Together

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Here’s my email from 10/7/13 to Leadership Reno County alums:

With all that’s happening in our world today, I thought it would be good to reengage one of those helpful cards from the Kansas Leadership Center today.  This one, in particular, had a very relevant subject matter: Inspire A Collective Purpose.  Here’s a recap:
How do you inspire a collective purpose?
·         Make the goal attainable.  Your purpose may be lofty—the work of a lifetime, perhaps.  Keep people energized by breaking it into achievable chunks.
·         Build trust along the way.  Allow time and space for shareholders to share stories and ask questions.  Create space for people to be heard.
·         Engage others.  Look for people who share your purpose.  Ask how they want to be involved.
·         Ignite imaginations.  Build momentum by inviting everyone to dream, contribute and create a shared vision. 
·         Take action.  Nothing is less inspiring than a whole lot of talk and no action.  Harness the momentum by starting to experiment and make progress.
Why is it important to inspire a collective purpose?
One person can only do so much.  Together—with a shared purpose and through collective action—we can achieve so much more.  When we work together for the common good, we constantly exceed our expectations for strong, healthy, prosperous Kansas communities.
What does inspire a collective purpose look like?
·         Our purpose is broad enough to unite diverse factions.
·         The group is building a common language. 
·         We stay inspired by celebrating success, large or small.
·         We use everyone’s talents and assets to help make progress.
How many people does it take to inspire a collective purpose?
Leadership starts with you and must engage others.  Don’t wait until you’ve gathered a crowd to start talking about what you care about and looking for others who want to get involved.
What does inspiration have to do with leadership?
“Inspire” means “to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence.”  Something got you fired up.  Now you must motivate others through your words and your example.  If you hope to make progress on a daunting, adaptive challenge you cannot do it alone.
(Based on experiences shared by KLC Alumni in a February 6, 2013 “On the Balcony” conference call, hosted by KLC President and CEO Ed O’Malley.)

So, tying all this together, what one thing could you do to engage others this work and help inspire that collective purpose?  Let’s do that thing, then, so that we can be happy together, moving our community forward.  

LRC Email – Soup Weather

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Here’s my email to Leadership Reno County alums this AM, 9/23/13:

Hey All,
Yes, it hit.  Fall is here.  Soup weather is close (sure it’s in the 80’s this week, but when you’ve had a summer like we’ve had, 80’s feel cool).  Soup is a big illustration for helping us make progress on the issues we care about.  We served soup Friday night at home.  My boys were picking out the veggies and saying they didn’t like the way it tasted and we reminded them that the elements of the soup no longer have individual tastes, but taste differently in the soup. 
That’s what our community’s like.  On any given issue, there are lots of different viewpoints/individuals that see things a certain way.  The challenge in community life is coming together for progress.  In the KLC world, we define these viewpoints as different factions on an issue.  We’re:  “using the term ‘factions’ deliberately to uncover conflicts in the system.  Factions refer to groupings of people who assume differing, and often competing, viewpoints and perspectives on an adaptive issue.  More importantly, factions represent below-the-surface loyalties, values and potential losses…faction mapping can be useful in diagnosing the situation, especially in pushing against one’s own default interpretations and assessing the degree of disequilibrium existing in the system.”
In seeking to diagnose our situation and the factions that exist, we may ask questions like:
  • How does the adaptive challenge look to people in these factions?  What story are they telling themselves?
  • What are their loyalties (peoples, ideas, etc.), values, and potential losses?
  • What would success look like to people seeing an issue from a different viewpoint?

I say all this to say that our leadership in our community is like vegetable soup.  There are lots of competing flavors vying for attention.  They each have a value, loyalty, and want success to be found a certain way.  Our acts of leadership must engage these groups, consider them, and use this information in diagnosing the situation, so that our skillful interventions are most effective. 

Leadership isn’t easy, but when we’ve walked through diagnosing the situation effectively, we can indeed be used to move others to accomplish difficult work, and we just might walk away from our diagnosis smelling like that onion or flavor that we didn’t understand before.  Hope this helps you make progress this week…