From Ship to BIG

The Year of B.I.G.

Gotta love it when you read.  And learn stuff...and then figure out how to add it to your life - this would be called Application.

2016 is going to be the Year of BIG.  Those of you who know me, know that I select a word for the year.  This year, complements of Brene Brown, I have discovered that what I need to is to focus on B.I.G.

Boundaries -  what's okay and what's not okay

Integrity - doing what's right and sometimes difficult, instead of what's fun & easy - living my values

Generosity - work from the space that everyone is doing their best

I will share much more about this in the coming posts.  I know that in the last few months I have shared this concept, in its simplest form, with clients, family and colleagues, to which all have said 'ah-ha' or 'hmmmmm'.  There is something here for everyone.  And putting the all together creates a new lens through which to view my world.

Last year - good ol' 2015 - was the Year of Ship.  For the most part I did ship - I also learned new ways in which to Ship, and how Shipping can be different for everyone.  My unanticipated & welcomed change (that became a shipping obstacle for a while) came in the form of a discussion and actions I had taken all year long.  So I guess, sometimes, by living your work and loving your work & art, you are unknowingly shipping.  Lesson learned.

I take time with my clients to ask them about their word for the New Year - they have worked with me on my word, now its my turn to share that with you too.  

My clients have offered words such as 'shine', 'reconnect', 'reach', 'be' and 'focus'.

What will be your 1 word for 2016?

The Z's of Leadership

And our last installment on the alphabet of leadership.  I hope that you use these words as references for reports, presentations or conversations.  Don't forget to comment and add yours!

Zest-for life, for leadership


Zigzag-agile, can move around the issues

Zealous-a fighter

Zip-vigorous, energetic

Zenith-like a light, a beacon

Zero in on-focused

The Y's of Leadership

Yearn - wants more for themselves and others

Yesterday - looks back and applies learning forward


You- a huge priority for every leader

Yet-not settling down

Yes-said to encourage and develop

Yours-ready to go to battle for you

The X's of Leadership

Hard to find X words so I made up my own

Xtreme - maxed, focused

Xtra-goes further for everything

The W's of Leadership

Wonder-has a sense of exploration


Will-tries, helps

Work-ready, willing and able

Why-asks all the time, wants to discover underlying issues or opportunities

Which-gives options, never settles

Walk-the talk

The T's of Leadership

Trustworthy-can keep confidences locked up, holds the keys


Touching- thoughtful

Track record-proven

Teamwork- insists on it, lives it, breathes it

Tact-diplomatic

Talk-can do it well, also listens

Target-has numbers to meet and executes to do so

Teach-works with others to help them learn

Tenacious-hangs on when needed, does not give up

Thank you-shows gratitude often

Think-uses their brain, engaged with their heart

Thoughtful-thinks of others, takes time to reflect, contemplate

Thrive-is happy and excited to work

Time-spends it as efficiently as possible, makes space in their day for others

Total-commitment level

Tough-gets through things, makes the hard decisions, has the difficult conversations

Treasure-is one

Transparent-same person in every role

Truth-lives and breathes it

Inspiration from Young Leaders

Look around and see who is in your neighborhood.  It is amazing the leadership you will find in your own backyard or on the ball diamond or nearby soccer pitch.  Leadership is in action all around us. 

As adults, we sometimes overlook that one of the main features of leadership is caring.  The ability to look out for others, eliminate perceptions and work towards a common goal.

One particular inspiration is an aspiring athlete.  Though he has been told numerous times that his height may keep him from getting very far, he is out playing his sport every day.  He has built a regime for fitness, cardiovascular improvement, sport-specific skills and found teams to play with that make a difference to his skill level.  He will not allow what others have said to negatively affect his performance.  He actually has set out to prove them wrong.

At the same time as he is out there working, he teaches others to play, takes his time with thier skill-level and approaches each day and each shot as the gift that it truly is to him.  His passion will lead him to his future.  The skills he is acquiring now will make his future a success.

I Tried Twitter....and I LIKE It!

I have recently become at Twitter junkie....I was worried that when I got my account started I would become addicted and never put down my Blackberry or get off the laptop.  Luckily a colleague helped me sort this out and I actually plan time each day to get onto Twitter and look at the tweets, find new people to follow, send some and reply to some, even retweet.  I have met an interesting array of people, and can now follow all that interest me.

But a junkie - I am now getting into the habit of showing others how effective it can be.  For me Twitter is a learning tool, a way to get myself into new networks and attract potential clients.  Twitter is all about business...I keep my personal life out of it.  After all, who needs to know what I am doing this weekend unless I would like you to attend a business-related event with me!

The lesson here is TRY IT.  Try something new to get out into the world.  I have learned a lot already from others and hope that by people following me, they can also learn and develop.  The world is getting smaller so why not try to meet as many people as possible?


Leadership Solstice