Speaking from the vantage point of a grant writer, one of the keys to securing any grant is proof of sustainability. Investors and grant funders want to make sure that what they are giving to is a viable and long term option.
I was recently considering how in the past 40 year the practices of business have changed. My grandfather retired from JC Penny's and he spent most of his career in this store's chains. He was given a retirement pension with the company, and its really almost sinful to shop anywhere other than Penny's in the family due to their loyalty to the store.
Today, the average job stay is just over 2 years. Something has changed.
This dynamic is cultural and multi faceted, so to determine it's roots are all entangled with only one cause would be short sighted. However, through the lens of my Leadership of Others class, I'm starting to see this shift under a different tint.
Leadership sustainability.
Company leadership has certainly shifted its focus over the last 4 decades, and it seems to me there is so much focus on the quantitative data produced from these companies that this becomes the driving factor. The bottom line shifts from service focus to expansion, product roll out, and growth... boy does everyone want growth! But to what cost? They say that the retraining of a staffer is 2/3rds the cost of their annual salary. In The First 90 Days, Executives shared that it was generally 6 months until a new hire reached the tipping point to where the company began receiving the value of their investment back out of the new hire. However, when you consider the average career stay to be just over 2 years, this means that just shy of a quarter of the time the company is losing profits. This has got to affect the quantitative data these companies seem to strive for.
My concern is more with the qualitative side of the company. Why won't people commit to their employers? What stops a career from being rooted and established in one company?
I'm really blessed, because I often see with the perspective of a Gen Y, but work mostly with individuals who are about twice my age. I love that most of them have worked in my office for 20 years or so, and in some cases, those who have been around for ONLY 9 years or so, still seem "new to the block". There is an established culture here that you cannot pay for. My work surroundings give me a greater perspective and eye for the feel of an established group. The culture and character of those I work with are strong, so I strongly believe in the work produced by these individuals. I credit the stability of our culture and climate with sustainable leadership.
While there are times that I may personally be running in front of this organization, wondering what Mountain it will take to move in order to create change, I am so very proud of the direction and history of this great group. You don't get to be 61 years old by burning the midnight oil at every quarter. I sometimes think of this type of leadership like a great glacier, and just in the case of the tortoise and the hair, the slow and methodical movement chisels a path and leaves transformative change... and at the finish line, as the fable goes, you know who will be there first, right?
We may not be in a start up or launch phase, but I think there are keys to our success that can be implemented in those stages. I believe sustainable leadership provides the opportunity to begin dialogue with colleagues about tenure and their investment into their organization. I believe sustainable leadership begins to plug the holes of rapid attrition. I believe sustainable leadership builds the group, their purpose and thus the foundation that will be needed to move business to the future.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Self-Acceptance and Potential... Fueling the fire to lead
The following excerpt is taken from the text "Extraordinary Groups".
Acceptance is about my strengths and weaknesses and my ability to observe myself. At a deeper level, this is about my identity, knowing who I am and embracing myself as I am. This need continues throughout my life and is regularly challenged by new circumstances. When I am more accepting of who I am, I move my center with more confidence to the future. Paired with the need for Acceptance is the need to experience Potential. My Potential is the "me" I long to become and my willingness to reshape myself toward that vision. The need to do so stems from my internal knowledge that I could be different, I could be more. But how? This growing of myself requires internal searching, risking, and acting to test my learning self out in the world.
I think it was just a post ago that I shared some of my vulnerabilities, and made mention that it seems that we come to a crisis of self just before God steps in with a hand of revelation. Tonight, as I read for next week's class in Leadership of Others I came across this paragraph. I don't know how the English language is capable, but in a paragraph a snapshot of my current paradigm has been taken.
There seems to be a theme I am discovering about the climate of the workplace I am currently in and the type of person I am. The result is that my actions and driven nature move faster than pace. Sometimes the toes I step on are due to moving outside of some presumed structure or the way things are... sometimes I'm young and I get ahead of myself. I was once told oss of how I am driven, and they like that, but to temper it. So there are times I get to yearning to action, and before I know it, there I go causing waves.
For most of my life, I built who I am based on what I did and the results of what that was. Often times that included the opinions of people around me... well largely it continues to. I'm a consensus builder, and often times I let that consensus build me.
The past year or so, I've become discouraged with my "unintentional waves" within the company. Sometimes you want to feel like you are just free and able to be in an environment that moves as you do. I often come back to my love for the people I work with, and the community we have together, which is one that is hard to beat. I realize at times too that this is an excellent place for this young professional to become a bit more polished, and learn to work within certain constraints.
But tonight its starting to sink in again. That creating waves happen when you are different than the flow that surrounds you. And these waves are things I can certainly learn from, but at the same time- I also have to not let them dishearten me, because waves aren't necessarily bad.
I sense myself so deeply within the workings of this paragraph. Struggling to fully grasp self acceptance- even when perhaps there are those with dissenting opinions. Learning to stand taller from my pitfalls. If I can just come to this place...where I know who I am and what I bring, strengths and limitations. If I can express this to myself and others while accepting myself fully for who I am right now (not when I'm 20 years further down the road and all polished)... all I can say is that once this truly happens... (slow smile)... I have no doubts about the potential.
Acceptance is about my strengths and weaknesses and my ability to observe myself. At a deeper level, this is about my identity, knowing who I am and embracing myself as I am. This need continues throughout my life and is regularly challenged by new circumstances. When I am more accepting of who I am, I move my center with more confidence to the future. Paired with the need for Acceptance is the need to experience Potential. My Potential is the "me" I long to become and my willingness to reshape myself toward that vision. The need to do so stems from my internal knowledge that I could be different, I could be more. But how? This growing of myself requires internal searching, risking, and acting to test my learning self out in the world.
I think it was just a post ago that I shared some of my vulnerabilities, and made mention that it seems that we come to a crisis of self just before God steps in with a hand of revelation. Tonight, as I read for next week's class in Leadership of Others I came across this paragraph. I don't know how the English language is capable, but in a paragraph a snapshot of my current paradigm has been taken.
There seems to be a theme I am discovering about the climate of the workplace I am currently in and the type of person I am. The result is that my actions and driven nature move faster than pace. Sometimes the toes I step on are due to moving outside of some presumed structure or the way things are... sometimes I'm young and I get ahead of myself. I was once told oss of how I am driven, and they like that, but to temper it. So there are times I get to yearning to action, and before I know it, there I go causing waves.
For most of my life, I built who I am based on what I did and the results of what that was. Often times that included the opinions of people around me... well largely it continues to. I'm a consensus builder, and often times I let that consensus build me.
The past year or so, I've become discouraged with my "unintentional waves" within the company. Sometimes you want to feel like you are just free and able to be in an environment that moves as you do. I often come back to my love for the people I work with, and the community we have together, which is one that is hard to beat. I realize at times too that this is an excellent place for this young professional to become a bit more polished, and learn to work within certain constraints.
But tonight its starting to sink in again. That creating waves happen when you are different than the flow that surrounds you. And these waves are things I can certainly learn from, but at the same time- I also have to not let them dishearten me, because waves aren't necessarily bad.
I sense myself so deeply within the workings of this paragraph. Struggling to fully grasp self acceptance- even when perhaps there are those with dissenting opinions. Learning to stand taller from my pitfalls. If I can just come to this place...where I know who I am and what I bring, strengths and limitations. If I can express this to myself and others while accepting myself fully for who I am right now (not when I'm 20 years further down the road and all polished)... all I can say is that once this truly happens... (slow smile)... I have no doubts about the potential.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
To go along with my last post.
I'm sitting here listening to Brandon Heath, and this song came on- perfect for my last posting. Its called Wait and See and its off the What if We album.
My struggle to find myself as a leader. The vulnerable post.
Sometimes, the more you know- the more you come to understand what you don't know. The point is to learn how to stand with confidence, when you understand what it is you don't know and your weaknesses and strengths as an individual.
I had the honor of having coffee with a new executive in town not too long ago. She's the President of a new university, and she's accomplished this even before hitting her mid 30s. I was so inspired by her and the time we had. We seemed to connect on so many levels, and even in our first coffee I had the opportunity to be vulnerable with what I perceive are some of my weaknesses as a young leader. She continued to stress the importance of confidence and humility.
A couple months ago, I really struggled with some gossip that was said about me. I was told that someone thought I was the most self-promoting person they knew. I should have been able to see the comment for what it was, but it really got to me that I could even be perceived that way. I had a very strong reaction to this, even taking home from my office any award or recognition I had received, feeling it was no longer something I could even take pride in. It's hard for me to be this vulnerable or even express that something like this has really shaken my confidence and my comfort within my current position.
I had coffee yesterday with Dr. Linda Ford. She's the former MBA Director, and is transitioning out and back into her own practice. I esteem her and her opinion. Words she spoke months ago, I can recall verbatim. Yesterday, she challenged me and said that she recognized my leadership potential, even if I didn't. She issued a challenge for me to focus on the times I am standing up to lead, rather than to focus on my missteps or people's incorrect assumptions about my motives.
Going back to my new executive friend, and the conversations we had- I asked her how she got to where she is. She talked about the value of working her way up, and that the most value came from when she did something that wasn't quite right. She emphasized the value in the learning opportunity that comes from mistakes.
For me mistakes are hard to eat. Most everything I do is very reasoned and with intention and purpose. When I do make a mistake- I take it personally... and probably too personally. It shakes my confidence, and makes me question my own capacity.
Tonight is our first night in our second leadership class. Its called Leadership of Others, so I don't think its any coincidence that this is the particular area I am struggling with. As a Christian, I see this as the struggle that often ensues before we receive the promise God has for us. So I will take Dr. Ford's and my new friend's words to heart, and trust that God really does have something for me in these next 5 weeks of class. Its time to release my insecurities with subjects I don't come to easily (such as Finance and Accounting) and get back into the stream God has called me from. Its time to let go of hurtful words and not let them cause me to doubt myself. Its time for me to remember who God has called me to be, flawed and mistaken and all, and embrace it. The total leader makes mistakes... its in this process- the aftermath, that the true character of leadership is cultivated and revealed.
I had the honor of having coffee with a new executive in town not too long ago. She's the President of a new university, and she's accomplished this even before hitting her mid 30s. I was so inspired by her and the time we had. We seemed to connect on so many levels, and even in our first coffee I had the opportunity to be vulnerable with what I perceive are some of my weaknesses as a young leader. She continued to stress the importance of confidence and humility.
A couple months ago, I really struggled with some gossip that was said about me. I was told that someone thought I was the most self-promoting person they knew. I should have been able to see the comment for what it was, but it really got to me that I could even be perceived that way. I had a very strong reaction to this, even taking home from my office any award or recognition I had received, feeling it was no longer something I could even take pride in. It's hard for me to be this vulnerable or even express that something like this has really shaken my confidence and my comfort within my current position.
I had coffee yesterday with Dr. Linda Ford. She's the former MBA Director, and is transitioning out and back into her own practice. I esteem her and her opinion. Words she spoke months ago, I can recall verbatim. Yesterday, she challenged me and said that she recognized my leadership potential, even if I didn't. She issued a challenge for me to focus on the times I am standing up to lead, rather than to focus on my missteps or people's incorrect assumptions about my motives.
Going back to my new executive friend, and the conversations we had- I asked her how she got to where she is. She talked about the value of working her way up, and that the most value came from when she did something that wasn't quite right. She emphasized the value in the learning opportunity that comes from mistakes.
For me mistakes are hard to eat. Most everything I do is very reasoned and with intention and purpose. When I do make a mistake- I take it personally... and probably too personally. It shakes my confidence, and makes me question my own capacity.
Tonight is our first night in our second leadership class. Its called Leadership of Others, so I don't think its any coincidence that this is the particular area I am struggling with. As a Christian, I see this as the struggle that often ensues before we receive the promise God has for us. So I will take Dr. Ford's and my new friend's words to heart, and trust that God really does have something for me in these next 5 weeks of class. Its time to release my insecurities with subjects I don't come to easily (such as Finance and Accounting) and get back into the stream God has called me from. Its time to let go of hurtful words and not let them cause me to doubt myself. Its time for me to remember who God has called me to be, flawed and mistaken and all, and embrace it. The total leader makes mistakes... its in this process- the aftermath, that the true character of leadership is cultivated and revealed.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Inspiration Strikes... and its looking like a Capstone Opportunity
This week we completed Ethics and knocked out week 10 of Finance. For Ethics we had 20 individual ethical situations that we had to respond to using 1-3 paragraphs. It was thankfully a take home, or I never would have finished in class. The final product- 17 pages, double spaced. Must be one of the longest papers I've ever written in a weekend.
In Finance we talked about the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital). I still don't have it down yet, but I am amazed at how this class is the only one from the whole program that ends up in my dreams. Even last night I remember waking up and thinking... "DON'T forget to take out the tax on debt!!! Hmmm.. that was weird."
We were given a 10 minute break in Finance, so I got to talking with my friend about how she is going to be working on a specific project, and I was really excited for her, because something similar to what she's doing is on my bucket list. She then shared how she had already had some success working on similar projects. I'm not sure how it all happened, but I shared with her my desire to take business principles and make them applicable to nonprofits, to enable nonprofits the ability to increase efficiencies and systems so they can serve more with less. I can clearly see how limited financial resources are going to have to make nonprofits streamline, but I understand the need to maintain the feeling and identity that come with not for profit work. And it struck, a bolt of inspiration flashed, and the idea was born to marry this idea through this particular type of project.
Of course, now comes the part where we have to determine what is feasible, or even allowed for the capstone, since it is still in shades of grey. We're going to work on solidifying the project's definatives, so that way we have something to intelligently talk about when getting together with Dr. Christian and Dr. Brazier.
Sorry for the ambivalence in sharing what exactly we are thinking about. We just gotta get this a little further down the tracks before any announcements are made.
In Finance we talked about the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital). I still don't have it down yet, but I am amazed at how this class is the only one from the whole program that ends up in my dreams. Even last night I remember waking up and thinking... "DON'T forget to take out the tax on debt!!! Hmmm.. that was weird."
We were given a 10 minute break in Finance, so I got to talking with my friend about how she is going to be working on a specific project, and I was really excited for her, because something similar to what she's doing is on my bucket list. She then shared how she had already had some success working on similar projects. I'm not sure how it all happened, but I shared with her my desire to take business principles and make them applicable to nonprofits, to enable nonprofits the ability to increase efficiencies and systems so they can serve more with less. I can clearly see how limited financial resources are going to have to make nonprofits streamline, but I understand the need to maintain the feeling and identity that come with not for profit work. And it struck, a bolt of inspiration flashed, and the idea was born to marry this idea through this particular type of project.
Of course, now comes the part where we have to determine what is feasible, or even allowed for the capstone, since it is still in shades of grey. We're going to work on solidifying the project's definatives, so that way we have something to intelligently talk about when getting together with Dr. Christian and Dr. Brazier.
Sorry for the ambivalence in sharing what exactly we are thinking about. We just gotta get this a little further down the tracks before any announcements are made.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I'd like to add a course to that...
For those of you in Philanthropy, you may be familiar with Indiana University's School of Fund Raising. A big thanks to AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) and Austin Community Foundation we were able to have a week's long classes brought down to Austin. We held class at The Long Center, so the whole experience was a bit breath taking- including the private tour of The Long Center!
We had class from 8-5, and Tuesday was a bit especially long because I'm not so used to being stuck in a chair the whole day (my fellow fundraisers feel me). It was a great brush up on many foundational principals in Philanthropy. You know- sometimes its just nice for someone to say that you're doing the right thing and confirm best practices. One thing I particularly loved was the wealth of experience in the classmates that surrounded me. What amazing people who had a great feel on the pulse of philanthropy right here in the Austin metro. That was so encouraging and engaging!
I got an email today mentioning IU would be coming back to the area for the next certificate of the program, and we were asked if we would prefer it to be summer or fall of 2012. 2012 is monumental for me! Not only will my husband graduate from his 3 years in graduate school, but I'll complete my MBA with Concordia that summer. When you think a program is two years, its just close enough to induce hope, and far enough away to think - I've got plenty of time. Now that I see 2012 and it relates to my real world- its just exciting. Course my answer was Fall 2012... not only will Capstone be in full force next summer, but I might, just might, suffer education withdrawals. Rather than run to start a PhD, I'd prefer to fill my addition with another week with IU!
We had class from 8-5, and Tuesday was a bit especially long because I'm not so used to being stuck in a chair the whole day (my fellow fundraisers feel me). It was a great brush up on many foundational principals in Philanthropy. You know- sometimes its just nice for someone to say that you're doing the right thing and confirm best practices. One thing I particularly loved was the wealth of experience in the classmates that surrounded me. What amazing people who had a great feel on the pulse of philanthropy right here in the Austin metro. That was so encouraging and engaging!
I got an email today mentioning IU would be coming back to the area for the next certificate of the program, and we were asked if we would prefer it to be summer or fall of 2012. 2012 is monumental for me! Not only will my husband graduate from his 3 years in graduate school, but I'll complete my MBA with Concordia that summer. When you think a program is two years, its just close enough to induce hope, and far enough away to think - I've got plenty of time. Now that I see 2012 and it relates to my real world- its just exciting. Course my answer was Fall 2012... not only will Capstone be in full force next summer, but I might, just might, suffer education withdrawals. Rather than run to start a PhD, I'd prefer to fill my addition with another week with IU!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The manufacturing of endurance.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
James is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Though separated by a couple thousand years, I really appreciate the author's sense of candor, and his words currently strike a chord.
I mentioned several posts ago that my husband and I would be taking our annual hiking trip. This year's National Park was Yosemite. I have a hard time trying to put into words the grandeur that is this park. Matt and I flew in Thursday, and were pleasantly surprised after 100+ degree temps to find California coastal weather. After a brief 3 hour drive from Sacramento, we arrived, and quickly found the importance of layering... We stayed in Curry Village (also known as Camp Curry), and for our first night in canvas tents, the temps dropped to 29 degrees. I slept with 2 sleeping bags, two wool blankets, a sheet, a fleece, and then a scarf, beanie, gloves and my Tajik socks. The next day warmed to upper 50s, and we took the Misty Trail to Vernal Falls and on up to the Nevada Falls and down the John Muir Trail. The Misty Trail had quite a few steps, but the scenery was incredible. It was about 2,000 ft change in elevation. Here are some pictures from that first day.
I liken this first day's hike to semesters I and II. Were there challenges? You bet! It had been since September that we were in Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons, and our muscles weren't used to being used in this way. So is it with going back to school after any extended period of time. But just when you think I can't do one more stair/ group project... you find yourself at a point of accomplishment!
James is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Though separated by a couple thousand years, I really appreciate the author's sense of candor, and his words currently strike a chord.
I mentioned several posts ago that my husband and I would be taking our annual hiking trip. This year's National Park was Yosemite. I have a hard time trying to put into words the grandeur that is this park. Matt and I flew in Thursday, and were pleasantly surprised after 100+ degree temps to find California coastal weather. After a brief 3 hour drive from Sacramento, we arrived, and quickly found the importance of layering... We stayed in Curry Village (also known as Camp Curry), and for our first night in canvas tents, the temps dropped to 29 degrees. I slept with 2 sleeping bags, two wool blankets, a sheet, a fleece, and then a scarf, beanie, gloves and my Tajik socks. The next day warmed to upper 50s, and we took the Misty Trail to Vernal Falls and on up to the Nevada Falls and down the John Muir Trail. The Misty Trail had quite a few steps, but the scenery was incredible. It was about 2,000 ft change in elevation. Here are some pictures from that first day.
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| Here we are starting from our tents- Notice the use of layering! |
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Here I'm just starting out... I now recognize that when you get moving, and blue polar jacket is not necessary, even if the temp is 40 degrees. |
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| Did I mention stairs? This is where we just saw Vernal Falls and decided to continue on to Nevada Falls. |
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| This is Nevada Falls. We're hiking to the top of that! |
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| We made it to the top! Day 1- Accomplished... now, just got to make it back down! |
I liken this first day's hike to semesters I and II. Were there challenges? You bet! It had been since September that we were in Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons, and our muscles weren't used to being used in this way. So is it with going back to school after any extended period of time. But just when you think I can't do one more stair/ group project... you find yourself at a point of accomplishment!
Day Two is what I call second phase. My team and I really pushed ourselves on day one, and the soreness starts to set in. But for all of us, that wasn't going to keep us from seeing, experiencing and doing. Day two we headed to the Upper and Lower Falls of Yosemite. These falls are the second largest in our nation, and again another 2,000 ft change in elevation. This, I knew would be our more strenuous hike, and I knew I had the shortest legs out of the bunch, so already it would be a bit more of a challenge for me. However, I did not know what type of challenge I would be in for. I lost track of the number of switch backs, but remember there being some exorbitant number, and that this hike is reportedly 14 miles round trip. Much of the hike was stepping/leaping from granite rock to granite rock, and trying not to twist an ankle or fall. I lost track of how many times I almost did both, had it not been for my handy dandy hiking poles.
Here's a picture of what we were attempting:
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| Notice the trail- this was when the trail was easier... |
It took so long to get to the top, and half way up in began to rain. (Did I mention highs this day were like 42 degrees?) By the time I got to the top, I had lost feeling in my fingers, and I loved what we could see of the view through the clouds, but knowing the trail I had to get back down, I couldn't help but feel a bit of dread. My crew was so wonderful to allow me to take the lead down, and I led the entire 7 miles down. You would think downhill should be easier, but now with granite rock covered in sand and mist and the force of gravity making you move pretty quick can take a toll on your knees, and every part of me began to give in to the thoughts "You know, these other hikers would already be at the bottom, if it weren't for you" or "Why am I so klutzy on these dumb rocks? There are people even trail running this!" About half way down I almost gave into my own little pity party... not even the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, mastered me, but this one day hike was trying to master me. Just in time, We hit the sandy switchbacks, and I was back to sure footing and almost jogging down the trail. The elevation flew, and it was really before I knew it that we were back down to the trail head. I had a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I was wet, cold, and achy, but I looked up at those falls, and knew, it was I that mastered them!
I feel that Semester 3 is much like this second phase. Maybe being that it's summer, I have felt disconnected from program leadership... there's been some changes in the Program Director, and balls have dropped in the mid course survey, and Ethics hasn't met my expectations, but all this is part of being part of this inaugural class. The trail isn't always smooth, and not only does Finance provide a challenge, having never taken a finance class before, but there's summer, and reaching a point where we've been pushing so hard, that you just aren't sure what's left to give.... and then it comes... the moment, when you determine... who will be mastered, and that just as this trail provided opportunities for trials and tests, we've garnered the endurance and perseverance that my friend James alludes to leading to steadfastness. So hang tight! You can do it, knowing that the test provides the opportunity for character endurance, and this will prove to be a greater challenge and reward than any Ethics or Finance class could ever provide.
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