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.

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.

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. Assess Where You’re At – Visualise fixed mindset on the left of a continuum and growth mindset on the right. Mark where you’re at now. Now mark where you want to be. This helps with intention and motivation. Move the needle to the right towards an open and growth mindset.
2. Become Friends with Failure – Start viewing failure as a normal part of the leaning and growth process. No one starts at perfect, and I don’t think any of us get through to success without set backs, start overs and moments of Oh No!
3. Watch Your Language and Actions – do you find yourself saying, “I could never do that”, “I could never be as good as her?” If you do, then switch out to “I can’t do this yet, but with time and practise I will” and “I will be the best I  can be and this is enough”.
4. See Challenges as Opportunities – Curveballs are part of your life. When they come embrace them as opportunities. The more difficult the curveball the greater the opportunity for learning and growth. Go for it with open arms and heart. You’ll do things you never thought possible.
5. Do it for Yourself – Stop seeking approval from others. Go for improvement and growth and not for recognition, status or so you’ll look good to others. These things are OK, but shouldn’t be your primary motivator.

Questions for you

1. How would you describe your current mindset – fixed or open?
2. Where would you like your mindset to sit on a continuum from fixed to growth?
3. Can you relate to the progress over perfection saying? If so, how?
4. Are you conscious about the language of change you currently use? What language could you use to express your intentions better?
5. How do you support others to see curveballs as opportunities?

Here’s to open and growth mindsets the whole way. Hope these 5 ways help. 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 to Create an Open / Growth Mindset appeared first on Ruralscope.

So, given, I facilitated Future Cotton Leaders for 15 and have a forum of 150+ in two weeks, today, I’m sharing my 5 Ways to get back into the Face to Face game with confidence. Hope these help you as you do the same.

1. First Impressions Count. In this fast-paced techie world, I understand people make their mind up about whether they want to talk to you or move on in 3 seconds flat!  Ouch. Open body language like a smile, arms not crossed and a forward posture are more important than ever.
2. Get to Know Yourself Again. Take a quick stocktake of your personality traits and how these serve you well (or could serve you much better) in face to face situations. Our one-on-one start anytime and join from anywhere Myers Briggs program might help. More info here. 
3. Dust off Your Intro Script. No time to tangle your words. I recommend you dust off your Intro Script, or create one, if this is a new idea for you. 30 seconds and you’ll be off and running with confidence and ease and everyone will want to chat with you.
4. Nerves – I’m not nervous! Who are you kidding we all get nervous it’s natural and tells us something is happening that we need extra energy for. See your nerves as excitement and embrace them as you walk into that room or onto that stage. This way they will help not hinder.
5. Have Fun. We are wired for connection. Being with others should be a fun experience that fills you up. Work to engage and then connect with others on something that you are both passionate about. This will make you both memorable for all the right reasons.

Questions for you

1. How impactful is your current intro for when you meet people for the very first time? Could it be improved?
2. How do you think people see you when they first meet you? Write down 3 words that describe how you want to be seen by others when you first meet.
3. When was the last time you reviewed your intro script? Are you still happy with it? Does it need any changes to make positive impact and for you to be seen how you wish to be?
4. Take a nerves stock take. Do you see them as energising?
5. What can you do to reframe nerves into something positive as you head to a networking function?

Hope these help as you step into a room or onto a stage (in person) for the first time in ages! And one last thing – this is all about believing you are in the right place, at the right time with the right people. Think about it like this and you have so much to look forward to. See you there.

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 Get Back into the Face to Face Game 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.

1. Rethink what Empathy is. Take on board that Empathy is a leadership skill that can be learned. Read articles, seek out training and genuinely put ‘learning’ empathy on your leadership development plan for this year.
2. Lead by Listening. Listen deeply and amplify shared understanding and people will instantly feel connected Ask others to share more about what’s going on and then share some more. Don’t jump in to ‘fix’.
3. Tune in to the Emotions of Others. Check-in with people. Ask them how they are going, if they need anything or if there’s anything you can do to support them. Ensure you follow up as it’s the care that cements connection.
4. Ask – Don’t Assume. Learn new ways of asking questions – verbal and non-verbal. Try this. A staff member comes to you and has a conversation about a looming deadline. Ask a question like, “what do you need right now?” And see how it works. Not sold on this one? Well, it’s better than not asking! Ensure you take action, even if it’s the first step and is very small after the conversation.
5. Show Up. Given the lack of connection due to the pandemic, it’s so so so important for you to show up for your staff and teams right now. It’s important that people feel that you care and have their back. Their productivity will skyrocket.
6. Sit with Discomfort. Yep, we’re going more than 5 today. Leading others is not always comfortable!

Questions for you

1. How’s your understanding of empathy? How do you practise this with those around you?
2. How do you know if people are listening to you? How do you check in that people have understood what you’ve asked?
3. Do you think it’s important to monitor people’s emotions in the workplace? If so, how do you do this?
4. Use the question “what do you need right now?” and see how it opens up the conversation.
5. How do you currently show up for your staff / team? What other ways could you show up for them?

Over to you. Give one of these a go over the next fortnight and feel the benefit for yourself and those you work with. People often leave workplaces and managers citing a toxic culture. Let’s do more by creating a culture of connection so that staff never want to leave and introduce others to your workplace because it’s a great place to work.

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 6 Ways to Increase Your Leadership Care and Connection appeared first on Ruralscope.