You Deplete Me!
Leadership and authenticity are inextricably linked. If you are imperfect and yet authentic while also exhibiting the leadership characteristics of integrity, honesty, character and self respect, you will still have followers. As humans, we are imperfect. Followers know that. But, with authenticity, at least on a bad day, your followers will bring you something soothing with a "she's having a bad day" and forgiveness, while they ensure that the processes run smoothly and the tactical plan is executed.
We all remember the scene in Jerry McGuire when the words "you complete me" were uttered. It silenced protagonists and seized us in its emotional grip. But what about when we meet an inauthentic jerk, do you experience a moment when you wanted to say "you deplete me!"
Emotional vampires are all around us. They are easy to identify. Note when you interact with someone and as they walk away energized, you feel drained. In that moment, realize that your energy and motivation have been sapped, and you now need to find your own personal energy source and replenish yourself.
Envision your corporation. Mentally take a walk around. What do you see? Are people energized, excited and motivated? Do they excitedly communicate about the company's vision and your dreams for the corporation's future? Or are they in a dreamlike state just going through the motions. If your company is an emotional desert or filled with people just going through the motions, then this should be a wake up call to your leadership. In today's market you cannot afford a leadership void. Get everyone on the bus and moving in the right direction.
Here are three things you can do right now if you have a "You deplete me" style of management in the organization:
- Root out the source of this management style and employ a "you deplete you pay" compensation plan.
- Provide a reporting mechanism for those who are being drained of motivation and forced to shut down while keeping their ideas buried.
- Reward managers who encourage collaborative management styles while utilizing all the brains in the room. You're paying for those brains, experience, and ideas, so utilize them to the best of your capability. Innovation needs room to breathe so it can come to life.
30 UNDER 30 WOMEN OF COLOR IN CONSULTING
Start thinking about the brightest and the best Women of Color in Consulting under 30 and nominate them for our Inagural 30 under 30 women of color in Consulting. The winners will be recognized in January of 2009. More information will be in future newsletters.
I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you!
Here's to living life with integrity and self-respect.
Yvonne F. Brown
I am Committed to Your Success
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ASK YVONNE...
"I just got promoted and some days I feel like a complete fraud and wonder when they will figure out I don't know what I'm doing and invite me to leave. What do you recommend?"
Answer:
First of all thanks for the question. What you are experiencing is the second level of Conscious Competence. There is a transition period in everything you do in your career. At the first level, unconscious incompetence, you don't know what you don't know. Bliss for you, hell for everyone else. Then you reach the second level where you have an awakening and you have what is called conscious incompetence. You realize what you don't know. This is where you are currently. So find a coach, or a mentor, or sign up for sessions that will teach you what you need to know in order to be successful. At the third level, you have conscious competence. You know it, and you know that you know it. However, you find yourself checking all the steps to ensure that you are covering all your bases. Finally, you reach the optimum level of stage four, unconscious competence. This is where you know it, and you know that you know it. You can execute seamlessly without checking the steps and do what is required in your new position efficiently and competently.
I must warn you though that there is danger at this level. You must be vigilant. This is where it is easy to slip into a stage called arrogance. If this happens, you will automatically move back to unconscious incompetence and lose what you have worked so hard to gain. So quell your concerns and move through the four stages and rest assured you will soon reach the optimum level four in your new position.
Send your questions for "Ask Yvonne" to yvonne@yvonnefbrown.com and I will answer in our next newsletter
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JAD SEMINAR
Assertive Interpersonal Strategies for Women
September 18th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Register 5 people from your company and receive the discount price of $99 per person.
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Leave the seminar with tools to increase your ability to stand up for yourself in a professional and personable manner.
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WOMEN OF COLOR - NING Network
We've added a new interview with Keith Wyche, President of Pitney Bowes titled "Authentic Leadership - Your Legacy" visit the network, download and listen to this inspiring and exceptional interview of moving from success to significance. Learn what it takes to transition from employee to leader and attract sponsors who will ensure you receive the high potential work assignments you deserve.
www.womenofcolor.ning.com
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If you always think what you've always thought,
You will always do what you've always done.
If you always do what you've always done,
You will always get what you've always got.
If you always get what you've always got,
You will always think what you've always thought
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