I facilitate so many forums where I ask people to take a seat and they stand and lean against the wall OR where I ask them to take a seat (and there are seats available) and they wave back at me and say it’s OK I’m fine here thanks! At that moment my heart always sinks as more often than not, their presence (or lack of) is showing up as self doubt, not confident and feeling like they don’t deserve a place like everyone else in the room. Whether the person knows that or not when they wave back at me, but that’s the perception people will have of them. In fact, their presence in the room will not be seen, felt or heard as by sitting apart from or standing around the wall of the room, you actually make yourself invisible to the discussion / meeting.

So many books have been written about this, a key one being Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg who was then the CEO of Facebook.

I’m not suggesting you go off and read this book, what I am suggesting is that you value yourself enough to confidently take your seat at the table. Afterall, you have been invited (because of your knowledge, skills and competence) to the meeting to participate and not just stand around or sit on the outer.

“It’s kind of laughable that people will go to the extent of getting themselves to a meeting and then disqualify themselves from the discussion based on where they stand or sit – but they do.” – Jo Eady

So please, the next time you are in this situation, choose to sit at the table with everyone else.

Here are some practical tips to help you and to show up with leadership presence.

1. Sit at the Table – Sit with everyone else, this is your meeting too. Own your space by getting comfortable and introduce yourself to those sitting around you. Offer a hand shake.

2. Make your Body Language Work for You – This is all about sitting forward, no crossed arms, watching as people speak and making eye contact with them if you wish to show support.

3. Speak up – Now, you’ve shown up and are sitting at the table, it’s time for you to speak up. Ask a question, offer support by saying yes or offer up your opinion about the topic that’s being discussed.

4. Offer Warmth – We size each other up very quickly – in a matter of seconds. If you come across as warm and willing to connect, then people will think you are confident and competent. This is how we want to show up, so get to it.

5. Imposter Be Gone! – Imposter Syndrome isn’t a disease but it is something that may pop up each time you take something on or are challenged outside your comfort zone. Normalise it. And accept, it’s another leadership tool. Something to use and not something to fear or run away from especially when invited to meetings / forums.

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any inspire you to show up more purposefully the next time you step into a meeting or forum?

The post Show Up Sit Down and Smile appeared first on Ruralscope.

My challenge, as trusted coach, is to make the time in our coaching sessions useful and most of all transformative. To act as a resource and introduce just in time information, constructs, stories, questions and of course some theory too to generate enough interest to support you to “do” leadership and to act, implement, try, stumble and put in place a change – no matter how small – to grow and enhance your leadership. No amount of leadership theory on its own is going to get you to this point but some carefully crafted questions that generate an understanding of leadership and how it plays out in your everyday life and work will. I can say this with confidence as it’s played out to be true time and time again in the leadership and coaching programs I and many of my colleagues facilitate.

Making leadership relevant to the everyday is the focus of these newsies. This issue is all about how to lead with heart. And here are some ways to do just that. No Uni degree needed, no 3 day workshop, no 40 page workbook, just some things that you can consciously do with commitment that  are certain to make a change. You’ll know as people will relate to you in a different way. Watch out for it. Would love to know which of these make sense for you right now (if any) too.

Be 100% present – show up with focus on others.

Bring 100% focus to conversations – listen, listen, listen and then talk.

Listen deeply – listen first to understand and only then to be understood. 

Speak with integrity – say what you mean and be clear about it. Luv the quote from Brene Brown. “Clear is kind, unclear is unkind.”

Work ‘with’ people – talk and work ‘with’ people rather than doing things ‘to’ or ‘for’ people. This one is about respect and shared power.

Be a role model – walk the talk.

Ask of yourself what you ask of others – this gives we are in this together vibe.

Be kind – acts of kindness are easily noticed. It can be as simple as saying “you did a great job today” as you walk past a team member.

Tell the truth – say no more – there is no room for lies in leadership.

Show empathy – this is about connecting with emotions. A great place to start is to show you recognise the emotions of others.

Over to You

Do any of these resonate for you? Could any be helpful in your work / relationships today?

The post Lead With Heart Everyday appeared first on Ruralscope.

During this time, I played with a beautiful wood Martina racquet (tucked a few tournament and Saturday championships in my pocket) And when I wasn’t playing tennis, I raced around our concrete tennis court, over the cracks and under the net like I was speed skating at the Olympics on my trusty bright yellow skateboard. As I look back, and my family will attest, I’m lucky there were no emergency trips to the hospital with all my skateboarding antics. A couple of skinned knees and elbows for sure.

There were lessons I learned then that I’m sure have contributed to my leadership. Here’s a round up.

1. Persistence – Keep your eye on the target. I spent hours hitting balls (volleys) against the 10th board of our weatherboard house. And weeks perfecting a fast corner turn on my skateboard.

2. Go for Better and Best – Erase expectations from your thinking. Improvement comes from striving to do better, not expecting or going for the win, but doing your best. The wins follow.

3. Technique Matters – Being coached is the way to go. We went to a tennis coaching clinic for country kids in the Summer holidays. I learned a technique for a slice backhand – awkward to start but pretty fast and effective once I got my eye in. Be open to change.

4. Capability – Know you’re enough just the way you are. Know what you’re capable of. How hard can you push yourself, how close to the line can you serve that ball and how close to the corner can you skate before having to turn it hit the grass.

5. Conditions – Know when the conditions are favourable and know when they aren’t. Have patience, your turn will come again. Sometimes you get one chance to make that shot – make it, even if it spins in off the edge of the racket.

Over to You

Do any of these lessons resonate for you and your job, business, leadership role today? Have you leadership lessons from when you were younger? How do they play out in your work and life today?

The post Leadership Lessons from When I was 10 appeared first on Ruralscope.

I’m prompted to share this with you today because it’s the beginning of the year and I want to encourage you to reflect on who you are and how you’re going to lead this year. Take a minute to stop and ask yourself these three questions about your leadership;

1. What are you going to continue doing?
2. What are you going to stop doing? and most importantly
3. What are you going to start doing?

Go on, stop reading and answer these questions, just one thing for each is enough for now! This will help you sit with your leadership more comfortably for yourself and those you lead. You know when you’re in the presence of a leader – you feel comfortable, at ease, respected, connected and valued. This is what I want for you. Leadership is an everyday thing for all of us, so it makes sense to become as consciously aware of yourself as you can. And everyone benefits.

More to come in a future blog post, but here’s a heads up for you. Two books have got my hear t racing in recent times. The first is Ben Crowe’s new release, Where the light gets in and the other is Neale Daniher’s The power of choice. I hear from others they are both life changers so check them out if this resonates.

Here are 5 ways we know work for those of you wanting to lead yourself better.

1. Become more self aware. Identify what your strengths are – what are you really good at? What are your strengths? And with this comes the opposite, what are you not so good at? Start reflecting on who you are, what your default style is and how you show up.

2. Deepen connection. This is with yourself and with others. Take time to really connect and get to know yourself and others. Connect with others via heart and then head – feeling and then thinking.

3. Be kind. Speak as kindly to yourself as you do to others. Go with strengths and positives first every time.

4. Know your values. Really get to know your values and lean into and live them. They are your guideposts for life and will help you stay on track to being your best self.

5. Take note of others. Other people give insights into who we are and how we lead everyday. Watch how they connect (or don’t) with you. Listen to what they share and say to you (or don’t). As leaders, how we think of ourselves matters and so does how others see and think of us.

Over to You

Take some time to think about what you’re going to do in the next couple of weeks and get cracking. Ohhh and if you haven’t, scroll back up and answer the three questions above!

The post Lead Yourself First appeared first on Ruralscope.

I love this Leadership for Advocacy topic, and it appears many of you and others do too. I have received a lot of feedback about how practical the session was and this got me to thinking, that it’s time to strip back the academics of advocacy and allow it to show up in our everyday conversations. Real people, sharing real thoughts, stories and most importantly experience led opinions. It’s time to keep it simple and take the opportunity to be proactive and share our thoughts and ideas when, where and with who we can (and always with purpose).

There’s a ping on my phone – I’ve just received a message from a webinar attendee who used a tool I shared and said “WOW it really works, I feel great and I’m going to use this again and again now”. I’m going to share a few observations about Leadership for Advocacy with you here now.

1. Having a tool to form and share your opinion is critical. Very few of us are short of words, it’s how we use them that matters. We need to share our point and offer up some data / story to go with it. One without the other is likely to leave people confused and the impact of your conversation / meeting / presentation lost.

2. Clarity is good for us. It brings purpose to what we are doing, who we engage with and what we say. As a believer that advocacy is for everyone and occurs one conversation at a time, being clear about what you stand for, what you have an opinion about why you want to share this is super important. Stay too general and it will all become a little mellow and impact will be limited.

3. Mindset is key. We did a quick exercise on the Webinar that gave people the opportunity to assess their advocacy mindset. People marked themselves on a continuum between two capabilities like Reactive ……………. Proactive etc. It took no time at all for people to get a measure on what capabilities to put focus on to build their advocacy mindset further. Ahh the joy of slowing down and taking time to be honest with ourselves. This is where all good growth and change start.

4. Offering opinions with emotion can provide a positive charge. So can tone of voice and the speed you speak at. Did you know that if you are face to face, body language accounts for about 48% of your overall communication, 38% for vocal tone and only 7% for the words you choose. And repeating words or sentences to make a point or even saying one word louder than the others can create a ‘hearing it in bold’ type experience for the listener. Mmmm that’s food for thought right there.

5. I know from experience that the clearer my purpose and the more planned I am, the clearer the messages I share are. And I also know that having a tool to align or hang my opinions / words on really matters. Being able to speak under water is no strength if you can’t make the words count! Hence, my top hints for today are to speak for impact when it matters and develop a few tools to help out along the way.

Over to You

Take some time to think about adding advocacy to your string of leadership capabilities – one conversation at a time.

Until next time!

The post Advocacy is Everyone’s Business appeared first on Ruralscope.

Before we start, I want to share what I mean by a stand out leader. To me you are a stand out leader if you know yourself well – you need to know yourself from the inside out – from the top of your head right down to your toes. You need to know what makes you tick, what your values and .drivers are. You are a stand-out leader if you can create a vision, empower others and effectively lead long lasting change. So let’s get to my 7 steps.

Step 1 – So, the first stand out step is that you don’t profess to know everything. You show up as you are and don’t profess to be better or know more because you now have the role or label as Chair or President, Manager or Minister! Instead you are a learner first and foremost and you contribute to change by taking risks. It’s important you remain open to new ideas and what people have to say and share with you.

Step 2 – The next step is that you model and encourage healthy striving – you want everyone to do better and to show empathy as well as self compassion always. This is super important as it drawers’ people to you because they see and feel that you care. And in turn this makes them step up.

Step 3 – The next standout step is that you set boundaries – you can say no when you mean no and help others to do the same. And when you communicate you are clear and kind so that everyone understands that what you say is what you mean.

Step 4 – Another step is that you take time to offer gratitude and celebrate steps and achievements along the way – both for yourself and for others. You understand the value of a simple thank you. And others will respect you for it.

Step 5 – From what I’ve seen, a big step for the stand out leader is that you can create vision and then cultivate commitment from others and have them come on board with a shared vision and purpose. When people can see the big picture because it’s painted for them – And it makes sense – they’ll want to be a part of the activity and come on board. I have worked on projects where I’ve been told certain people won’t come on board because they always boo hoo new ideas. Without too much fuss, I have watched as they have bought into the vision of a standout leader and in many cases have taken on new activities in support of the vision and encouraged others to do the same.

Step 6 – And as a standout leader you lead from the heart, you create a sense of belonging where everyone is welcome, and you value all contributions and encourage others to do the same. You use your personal power “with rather than over” others and this gives people the confidence to speak up and act. Instead of hearing the voice of one person, you will hear the voices of many. 

Step 7 – The final step, as a stand out leader is that you know how to let go of your ego and be vulnerable. This means you ask for help when you need it and are happy to say when you don’t know the answer. Without getting too mushy here, your biggest asset as a leader is your heart and to live into your values and build trust with others. It really all starts and stops with this one.  It’s a biggie.

I know that Stand out leaders are daring leaders. And as Brene Brown, one of the worlds greatest thought leaders of all time says, “who we are is how we lead”. So, I encourage you to go the next step. To lead from your heart and become a stand out leader. Your team and the world needs more stand out leaders. I hope you’ll accept my challenge. Please get in touch here if you’d like to work with us, we’d love to hear from you.

The post Become a Stand-Out Leader Today appeared first on Ruralscope.

Tip ONE  

First impressions matter online these days just as much as they do in person. Take a look at your image on line. What do you think?  Does it reflect the true and positive you? If so, great. If not then it is likely to be time to do something about it. Many people will ‘check you out’ online and this will determine is they follow up to meet you in person.

Tip TWO 

People scan you to agree or disagree with the impression you give. This means you can be very articulate but if your appearance is ‘sloppy’ then the person will look to confirm this impression (regardless of what you say!) by finding sloppiness in your work, communication, projects etc. Yes, first impressions matter – make yours real and consistent.

Tip THREE  

Deliver ahead of schedule. Under promise and over deliver. 

Tip FOUR  

Take interest and understand the business and people you are meeting / dealing with. Find out what you can about them – their vision, goals, projects, networks etc and use these to advantage. It shows you care and people respond to this positively.

Tip FIVE  

Yes, it’s time.  We all make mistakes. The important thing about this is to be real, own up, tell the truth and apologise. And overall, take steps to correct the mistake – it is a great measure of accepting and taking responsibility – much better than hoping it’s not noticed!

Tip SIX  

Things don’t always go to plan. In fact, you can find yourself in a crisis at work! If this happens, what’s important is how you present and manage yourself. And those who step up and take action are always well regarded. 

Tip SEVEN  

Make adjustments when necessary. Take time to get to know and show empathy towards others. Look at how people like to communicate and adjust your style to suit to make it easy for them to understand. You will be seen as flexible and always willing to help others out.

Tip EIGHT  

Always be open to learning. No-one knows everything! Keep up with the latest trends and help others to understand these too.

Tip NINE  

Run your own race! Keep focussed on the job at hand. Leave the egos and the show offs to find another audience. Be polite and don’t invest in their needs. Always invest in your own and work to show yourself for who you are.

Tip TEN  

Remember to always say THANK YOU.

I hope you’ve found these tips helpful and you put some of them into practice. My favourite is Tip 7, all about empathy, it’s a skill that can be developed and nurtured to build more effective workplace relationships. Good luck and have fun with what tips you choose to action.

I hope to hear from you soon.

The post Do you think First Impressions Count?    appeared first on Ruralscope.

1. Prepare for Multiple Possible Futures – Due to uncertainty the future is not a single target on a timeline anymore . It’s a range of options that all fall into what’s acceptable.    
2. Take into Account Roadblock and SetBacks –  If you head for one target and miss it then it can be right back to the beginning you go! Brainstorm roadblocks and setbacks and when they appear you will be in a better position to go around them.    
3. Be Optimistic About Your Future – . Optimism + Pragmatism + Envisioning Potential Outcomes = Future Minded Leaders.
4. See the Big Picture – Always keep your mind on the big picture. This way, complexities along the way, won’t seem so large. And they won’t stop you in your tracks.
5. Do it for Your Wellbeing – Future focussed mindsets create positive shifts in anxiety and depression for leaders, managers and their staff.

Coming out of or through times of change can see us facing uncertainty. Your mindset is an incredibly powerful asset. Work with it and ensure it serves you and others well.  

Questions for you

1. Do you plan for one or multiple possible futures?
2. How do you plan for roadblocks and setbacks? Do you think you will be more prepared for them if you spend time thinking through what they ,might be? Do you think this could be useful for your team?
3. How important do you see optimism when envisioning a future different from today?
4. How valuable is it to paint the big picture and help others to see it and understand it in the change process?
5. How can you support the wellbeing of your staff / team members by supporting them to develop a future focussed mindset?

We include short, practical and helpful articles just like this one in our fortnightly E-News 5 Ways to Lead with Heart. Click here to subscribe to this Newsletter.

I hope to hear from you soon.

The post 5 Ways to Nurture A Future Mindset appeared first on Ruralscope.

1. Quota Driven. Diversity and inclusivity are not about quotas or a check-a-box concept. Diversity and inclusivity help up-level your business. It makes sense to engage a diverse workforce.  
2. Diversity and inclusivity are the same thing. It’s fair to say they are interconnected, but they are not the same. Together they can change your business and your culture.   
3. About gender and race. It’s about a lot more than just gender and race. It includes age, religion, life experiences, beliefs, education, personalities, and a lot more.  
4. It’s about them. There’s no us and them in diversity and inclusivity. It’s about everyone and this includes “us”. 
5. It’s all feel good with little impact. Loads of case studies exist that illustrate the impact that diversity and inclusivity have on strengthening brand image, business, and the bottom line.  

So now more than ever before, it’s time to build diverse and inclusive workplaces with supportive and productive cultures. Leaders need to act and although it’s not likely to be easy, it’ll be worthwhile. The ability to lead a diverse, and inclusive team while ensuring equity is key.

Questions for you;

2. What do you think this means for you?

1. Do you think you have a role to play in building a diverse and inclusive team?
2. What do you think this means for your team?
3. What action/s can you take now to get the ball rolling or develop what you have already put in place?
4. It’s important to remember that strong leadership increases the value of a company by 16%. We think this is worth going for and makes sense when it also puts your team and their needs front and centre.

We include short, practical and helpful articles just like this one in our fortnightly E-News called 5 Ways to Lead with Heart. Click here to subscribe to this Newsletter.

I hope to hear from you soon.

The post 5 Ways You Can Bring Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity Alive appeared first on Ruralscope.

We have a free downloadable Values resource here for you. It will take you through a supportive process to uncover your values and your top two values that drive your decisions or behaviours. If you haven’t done values work before, I really encourage you to download this resource and give it a go. Please reach out and make contact here if you have any questions at all.

I hope to hear from you soon.

The post 6 Ways for Leaders to Set Boundaries and Stick to Them appeared first on Ruralscope.