Leapsolutions | July 7, 2023
Leadership
By Scott Ormerod & Chuck McPherson
A couple of years ago, Alice was identified as a potential leader as part of the nonprofit succession plan. Alice was a program coordinator for the agency serving families. Besides knowing the job very well, Alice always volunteered for additional projects such as the strategic planning committee, the parent committee, or the development of a new program funded by the State. She demonstrated enthusiasm, was a learner, and was driven to serve the organization. When the Program Director, Linda, spoke with Alice about her personal development plan, she discovered that Alice had a lot of ambition and a desire to grow into a leadership role within the agency. What Linda discovered was that the organization had not developed or implemented a leadership development program. Succession planning was even new to the organization. They called Leap Solutions and asked for our help to identify the best practice options for a leadership development program.
As a business management consulting firm, we engage with clients about leadership, what it is, how it shows up within an organization’s culture, and how it is developed. Simply put, leadership is the action of leading a group of people or an organization. Leadership can also be defined by the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence and guide followers or members of an organization, society, or team. Leadership is an attribute tied to a person’s title, seniority, or ranking in a hierarchy (either perceived or real). But do these descriptors really identify what it really is? Absolutely not. How does one even get to be called a leader? Perhaps the perception is that he/she is “a natural born leader” or they develop into becoming a leader, one with high potential. Either way, leadership development is ongoing. Let’s explore these two concepts.
A natural-born leader emerges by seizing opportunities to develop and strengthen their leadership capabilities through challenges, experience, and learning as they engage, explore, and develop their leadership traits. They naturally have leadership capabilities, which they strengthen along their continuous journey. A high-potential, emerging leader builds their capabilities by seizing opportunities focused on self-learning, mentoring, coaching, and experiential leadership tools. While not naturally showing leadership capabilities, their journey continuously builds skills through knowledge, experience, and a willingness to make and learn from their mistakes.
If you desire to build and grow natural-born and high-potential leaders, what is available for this journey? First, identify the desired leadership skills and competencies within the organization and match the needs with identified natural or high-potential emerging leaders. Leadership growth can be achieved formally through training and specific development tools or informally through experiences such as project assignments that stretch their skills.
One of our clients engaged with us to create and implement a leadership development program. Together, we created a multi-year leadership program with an annual cohort of new leaders to participate in a program of coaching and leadership development. Their strategy is developing a deep field of both natural and high-potential emerging leaders. Participants benefit from past program participants while the whole organization benefits from a succession of leadership learners applying their skills. Essentially, the participants are earning their MBA in Leadership internally. The program results impact not only leadership but the bottom line through stronger client relationships, new business opportunities, and a growing network of potential clients. In reality, a small investment is yielding significant results.
To create a strong leadership program, participants benefit from formal and informal training and development activities achieved through various tools and experiences such as:
Mentorship – Internal mentors are critical for all team members as well as creating a leadership development environment. This allows for a multi-level approach to identify mentors at all levels of the organization. The mentor/mentee relationship can be formalized to ensure a meaningful and transformational experience. It supports learning from one another by understanding needed skills, core attributes, and experiences for planned growth. When focused on leadership development, the relationship can evolve around the type of leader the mentee aspires to emulate and what attributes they possess that makes them a leader to admire and understand.
Coaching – Formalizing the development process into a coaching relationship moves the experience from learning from others through relationships and observation to learning of one’s self and identifying development goals. Working with a coach to understand themselves, leads to real-life experiences and learning with a strong balance of introspection. Digging deep allows the coachee to grow and gain leadership skills. The key is setting development goals and holding the coachee accountable for reaching their goals.
Planning and Executing – Being conscious of development opportunities through planning creates the platform for executing. You have to know where you want to head in order to create a plan to get there. Making a conscious effort to plan, set goals, hold yourself accountable, and achieve plan execution sets the path for leadership development and success. A planning leader is able to clearly state the direction he/she is heading and bring others along to achieve the plan.
Leadership Assessments – The world is full of leadership assessments that identify behavioral traits (the foundation of leadership skill identification and utilization), profile strengths (and opportunities), and leadership potential. Pick one or a few to paint the leadership picture. The assessments are valuable as a foundation of what exists and point out the potential and opportunities for leadership development. The more a leader understands themselves, the stronger they will understand others. If you can explore what it might be like to walk in another leader’s shoes, the greater opportunity to understand their profile and what you might want to incorporate or develop within your skill set.
Values and Attributes – Leadership values are anchors or foundations of what makes a leader tick. They create the platform that keeps the leader on point for what is important to them. Along with their key leadership attributes, team members actively understand how they show up, what they can count on, and how they will respond when problems need solutions. Their words and actions are in harmony, and the walk is the talk. Alignment provides consistency of leadership and the ability for others to follow.
Education – The formal aspect of learning has many paths for the developing leader. Masters programs in leadership, certification programs, seminars, and leadership development programs are all potential learning paths.
Informal leadership development happens each day in a growing, learning organization that fosters active participation in skills development through individual experience and experimental learning. A culture that supports informal leadership development encourages taking risks, learning from mistakes, and taking the initiative to grow. In other words, the culture embraces initiative and provides opportunities to match enthusiasm with potential.
We once had a team member who thanked us for allowing them to earn their MBA on the job. We created an environment of formal and informal leadership development that allowed the team member to identify their potential and attain their goal of strengthening their knowledge and actively applying it while serving our clients. It was a win-win strategy of leadership development.
The world is changing, but it still needs great leadership to survive and thrive. Each organization has its own inherent opportunities and can set the culture it desires to develop its leaders. If you are wondering if you have a culture of leadership development, reach out to us and let’s have a conversation.
Are You Ready to Leap?
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Leap Solutions is a diverse group of highly skilled management, organizational development, and human resources, and executive search and recruitment professionals who have spent decades doing what we feel passionate about helping you feel passionate about what you do. Our HR specialists can help you get a handle on the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines, programs, and legislation that may impact you and your employees. We are available to work with you to develop practical solutions and smart planning decisions for your organization’s immediate, near, and long-term needs.
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Leapsolutions | February 2, 2023
By Jonna Dye
“A coach is someone that sees beyond your limits and guides you to greatness” – Michael Jordan
This is a core question for any coaching relationship: Who “owns” accountability in the coach/coachee relationship? Perhaps you have watched the Michael Jordan documentary from 2020, “The Last Dance” and the answer is very clear to you. “The Last Dance” chronicles the rise of superstar Michael Jordan and the 1990’s Chicago Bulls. There are two clear messages: everyone needs a coach, even a world-class superstar like Michael Jordan, and the coachee owns accountability in the coaching relationship.
When we observe the coaching experience, we can see and understand that the coach sets the stage and provides guidance and perspective, and it is up to the coachee to be accountable to their plan to achieve their goals.
Why is the coachee accountable? When the coachee sets their own accountability structures, they are committing to follow through and successfully complete their plan. The coach on the other hand plays a supporting role through facilitation to provide a structure to focus, recognize, and challenge the coachee. When watching Michael Jordan in “The Last Dance”, this relationship of leading and supporting roles is well illustrated.
How does the coachee best explore their role and goal achievement? Below are questions to support the coachee to focus, recognize, and challenge in the creation of a path for engagement and accountability.
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Focus:
- What goals do you want to achieve? How will you know when you’ve achieved them?
- What might get or be getting in the way? How have you tried to overcome these obstacles before?
- What strengths do you leverage? What other resources can you leverage?
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Recognize:
- What did you successfully accomplish in the last few weeks? Why were you successful?
- What stimulates you to do your best work?
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Challenge:
- What can you start doing or do differently right now?
- What are you willing to shift or change?
- What conversations do you need to have?
- What resources do you need?
- To get what you want, what are your commitments?
- As your coach, what do you need from me?
- How do you want to be held accountable for your goals?
- How do you want me to approach you if you don’t follow through with the commitments you make? What would be a good conversation starter for us?
During each coaching session, the coach can follow up on the accountability agreements. Together, a celebration and acknowledgment of what worked, and examining what did not work is an important part of the process. Check-ins ensure the goals originally set, are still in alignment as coaching progresses. A set of alignment questions can power the conversation to determine if the goals are still relevant; if they are in alignment with the organization/sponsor’s goals; and if there is commitment to the stated goals. If the coachee hasn’t done what they say they will, the coach’s role is to be curious and ask: What do you need to do to move forward? If you could start over, what would be different? What would the new plan look like?
Coaches should also ask themselves throughout the process: Am I meeting the coachee’s/sponsor’s needs? Am I holding up my end of the bargain? What’s working and what needs to shift? The coach needs to acknowledge if they made a mistake, and then own it, adjust, and move forward!
Although the role of a manager and the role of a coach differ, the above coaching information can still be leveraged simply by:
- Communicating expectations in advance of the assignment
- Connecting at regular intervals to discuss progress and provide feedback
- Giving praise, support, or feedback once the work is complete
Finally, when you consider that the successful coaching model is founded in accountability, the outcomes create a high level of satisfaction from the coachee as it is their commitment, their achievement, and their results supported by their coach that helps them realize that self-investment has an extremely high rate of return. The input drives the outcome and accountability ensures focus and achieving what might have once only been a dream.
“I set another goal, a reasonable, manageable goal that I could realistically achieve if I worked hard enough. I approached everything step by step.” – Michael Jordan
Are You Ready to Leap?
***
Leap Solutions is a diverse group of highly skilled management, organizational development, and human resources, and executive search and recruitment professionals who have spent decades doing what we feel passionate about helping you feel passionate about what you do. Our HR specialists can help you get a handle on the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines, programs, and legislation that may impact you and your employees. We are available to work with you to develop practical solutions and smart planning decisions for your organization’s immediate, near, and long-term needs.
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Leapsolutions | December 20, 2019
We always love the promise of a new year, but 2020 isn’t just any new year—it’s a Leap Year! And we at Leap Solutions want you to make it count.
Here, from our staff to you, we offer reflections, inspiration and hopes for making 2020 your year of opportunity and fulfillment.
Planning Supports Change
Chuck McPherson, Partner
In every facet of our lives, we must deal with changes, and we each experience and cope with them in unique ways.
Many lives changed during the 2017 Tubbs fire. We were woken up and had to flee from our homes without time to think. My wife was in Spain at the time, so I fended for myself (and our dogs) and managed the evacuation, eventual return, and cleaning and putting back together of our home alone. For the next two years, my wife and I had periodic discussions about planning and packing for the possibility of another similar disaster. An eternal optimist, I assured her there wouldn’t be one.
Along came 2019 and the Kincaid fire. We still had no plan. Panic set in, and the “I told you so’s” flew. Things got tense, however, this time there were at least hours to gather what we needed and leave. We did, and after evacuating twice from two different locations, we were safe.
When I think about the difference between the experiences, two things hit me: one, there was more time to react during the 2019 event, and two, I wasn’t alone in dealing with it. There was another brain, another perspective, another person to listen to and negotiate with about what to take, when to leave and where to go.
After the fact, we appreciate that two heads, while challenging and frustrating at times, allowed for more strategic and thoughtful decisions. We’re also now committed to better planning to potentially alleviate stress of possible future change. Further, we are thankful for the enormous efforts of our first responders and the planning of our cities and county to evacuate people well ahead of schedule so they could focus on putting out fires. Now, our hope is that PG&E follows suit!
Don’t Worry—Be Happy!
Teri Lohrmann, Office Manager
Have you ever noticed that people who seem truly happy, and those who exemplify the most gratitude, are those who rarely worry? Do you ever lie in bed in the middle of the night, unable to rest peacefully because you’re worried about something? I tell ya, when it happens to me, I’m not so happy the next day having lost precious sleep to worry! I’m working to intentionally exchange “worry” for “think,” so instead of allowing worry to subconsciously, passively compound my stress and anxiety, I’m actively using thought to stay positive and productive.
Often, we worry about what someone might think of us. However, as self-help author and motivational speaker Wayne Dyer famously said, “What other people think of me is none of my business.” While it’s advantageous to be likeable, we can’t please everyone or make everyone like us. Plus, if someone doesn’t like you, there’s a good chance they don’t like themselves. The best thing you can do is be the person your dog thinks you are, or your kids, or your mama! Be grateful, be honest, be humble, be true, be selfless and be considerate.
In the words of Bob Marley, “In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double, don’t worry, be happy!”
Evaluation Matters
Susana M. Morales, Organizational Development Consultant and Coach
We are all evaluators. We evaluate whether we want espresso or tea in the morning. We consider the fact that espresso might be too strong and could make us jittery; perhaps caffeine-free tea might be the better option. We systematically analyze and assess everyday and larger decisions. We weigh the pros and cons, we consider what we already know and what we could learn, and we aim to make things better. This vital process is evaluation.
Evaluation can be used to improve the decision-making process, leverage data, gain new knowledge, build capacity and develop stronger organizations. At Leap Solutions, our evaluation work supports organizations locally, nationally and internationally. All of our current evaluation projects are community-focused, culturally specific and bilingual.
Evaluations can also lead to stronger and healthier communities. For example Humanidad Therapy and Education Services is part of a statewide project to reduce mental health disparities in historically unserved, underserved and inappropriately served communities. As we work with them, our evaluation question explores whether a culturally known and valued practice can be adopted as a prevention and early intervention treatment approach for the Latinx community in Sonoma County. We’ll release our preliminary findings in early 2020.
Showing Up
Cassie Forman, Office Assistant
Finding a job can be an overwhelming task. These days, most employers insist that prospective employees submit a resume online, which takes away the chance to effectively and memorably introduce yourself as a candidate—to express your personality and represent yourself positively. That’s why job fairs can be such great opportunities. You can dress your best, show off your confidence, and speak to face-to-face with potential employers. If you get lucky, as I did, you may just make a lasting impression that could land you an interview and even a job!
A Culture That Thrives
Tracy Emmerich, SPHR, Human Resources Consultant
The past year has brought lots of change to my life—weddings, first grandbaby, a move to a new town after living in Santa Rosa for 47 years, and a new job. Well, maybe not such a “new” job…after a seven-year hiatus, I returned to Leap Solutions! My #1 reason (besides the fact that Chuck and Scott are the best bosses!) is flexibility.
With unemployment at a 50-year low, attracting and retaining employees has become one of the most challenging issues for employers of all sizes. You need to know your industry and offer a relevant, competitive wage and benefits. You also need to know that salary is not always the biggest motivator.
A thriving company culture should be one of your top priorities. Does your culture encourage a healthy work-life balance? Are employees happy when they come to work? Have you clearly communicated your expectations and then given employees the freedom to excel? Are you having those tough conversations and holding employees accountable when they miss the mark? Are you letting them know in a meaningful way when they genuinely did a good job? Open, honest communication is a sign of a positive company culture.
The employees you want to hire and retain are the ones who do great work because they love coming to work, and they want the company to thrive because it makes everyone, including themselves, successful!
Serving on a Board
Bianca Rose, Recruiting/Human Resources Coordinator
About a year ago, I joined not one but two nonprofit boards of directors (thanks, Leap Solutions, for the flexible work schedule!). Despite the time commitment and challenges that have come with these incredible responsibilities, I’ve had the opportunity to grow significantly as a young professional. Here are the top benefits of joining a nonprofit board:
- Contribute to a cause you’re passionate about. Whatever your passion—animals, children, the environment, you name it—you can find a place to serve in a way that is truly meaningful to you.
- Be a key player in the decision-making of an organization. From overseeing legal and/or financial decisions to championing the organization’s mission and vision to organizing philanthropic efforts, you get to influence the current and future state of an organization.
- Expand your network. On a board, you will be working alongside and ultimately forming relationships with professionals across different stages and walks of life as well as diverse industries. Additionally, you’ll enjoy networking opportunities as you attend community events and activities.
- Develop your business acumen. Whether it’s operations, fiscal oversight, board governance, marketing, fundraising, event planning or outreach, you’ll gain insight, understanding and firsthand experience in what it takes to run a successful organization.
- Strengthen your communication and leadership skills. Since you’re collaborating with people from many different backgrounds, there will be plenty of times when you and your fellow directors will disagree on important issues. This valuable experience will develop your interpersonal communication, public speaking and diplomacy skills.
- Gain valuable mentors. You’ll be exposed to inspiring and insightful mentors who generously share their knowledge and wisdom, coach you and teach you invaluable personal and professional lessons.
Serving on a nonprofit board is a win-win situation: nonprofits make a positive difference in our communities, and your service enriches your personal and professional life.
Why I “Leaped”
Judy Coffey, RN, MBA, Senior Consultant, Leadership Coach and Mentor
On Thanksgiving Day in Chicago, many years ago, my eight siblings and I had the opportunity to join a service organization in feeding about 600 family members/individuals who came very hungry and cold. We not only fed them, we gave each one who needed it a coat donated by community members. I felt firsthand the pride in a community coming together to help those less fortunate, and I saw in action what it means to give to one’s community and be of service.
When my own family relocated to California, I knew the way to meet new people was to involve myself in community work. My career in nursing gave me further opportunity to share, care, show compassion and offer support for patients and their families. The philosophy of Kaiser Permanente matched my passion and values and gave me a deep understanding of the importance of internal community. Today I serve on numerous community and national boards, including the one that endears me the most, the American Heart Association (AHA).
As an executive of Kaiser Permanente for 15 years within the Marin and Sonoma area, I had the opportunity to engage with Leap Solutions. I saw that their goals and values were similar to mine: they have a spirit of service, and they continually give back. As a new member of the Leap Solutions Group, I am proud to hear, see and contribute to the many ways Leap Solutions commits time, talent and treasure to our wonderful community.
Accountability: 2020 Challenge
Scott Ormerod, Partner
2019 is nearly history, and 2020 is full of opportunity, hope and imagination. One of my favorite holdovers from 2019 will be my discovery of author, consultant and change guru Cy Wakeman. A client shared her book No Ego with me, and I became a Cy fan. Why? It’s about accountability. I have embraced her equation:
Engagement – Accountability = Entitlement
In our organizations, we talk about accountability, but we don’t often recognize how entitlement can hold us back from accountability. For instance, say one of your colleagues is a solid team member, but you find her repeatedly driving her shiny red convertible BMW—Bellyaching, Moaning and Whining—into your “open door” environment. You want to help and support her, but you don’t want to be a passenger in that BMW of hers. Instead of allowing her entitlement to drive her relationship with you, keep her in the accountability zone as a solid, engaged team member. Let her know your expectations, and make sure they are clearly defined, incorporated into performance and tied to her outcomes. Turn that conversation from BMW to “what could make this great right now?”
Cy also talks about team “buy-in” to company vision, goals and outcomes. She recommends “working with the willing.” While the bought-in are still looking for their entitlement (gift with purchase!), the willing move the company forward by being actively engaged and holding themselves accountable. Seek the willing in 2020, and let the non-willing go in peace.
If you want 2020 inspiration, join fellow Cy devotees and move to the accountability state. Cy Wakeman: www.realitybasedleadership.com
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Positivity, adaptability to change, spirit of service…these are some of the values we find ourselves returning to as we reflect on our blessings and celebrate and support the continuing health, vitality and strength of our clients and community into 2020 and beyond.
Happy Holidays, and Happy Leap Year!
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