Today I am writing about the 21 Laws of Leadership:  Law of Addition.

“If the world followed you, would you be please with where you took it?” (Neale Donald Walsch)

I recently used this quote in one of my lunch and learn sessions.  It started me thinking about the Law of Addition.  This law says there are only 2 things we are doing  - we are either adding value to or subtracting value from those around us.  Adding value doesn’t take huge acts.  We can add value through listening, actively reaching out, respecting others, helping or, serving others.

Are you making things better for those that follow you?

John Maxwell reminds us that “it is not about how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others that counts”.  He says by adding value to others, we become a better leader.

How can you add value to your significant other or loved one today?

How can you add value to a co-worker today?

How can you add value to a friend today?

How can you add value to a child today?

 I would love to hear how you add value to others so let me know.  With your permission, I will share your story in an upcoming blog.

Thanks for letting me add value to you.

In his book, John Maxwell talks about 2 explorers venturing to Antarctica.  The one was highly prepared and well studied for his journey from the clothing his team wore to the skills they possessed and the equipment they brought along, the worst that happened on his trip was that one member had to have a tooth extracted.  The other appeared prepared but didn’t invest in the right clothing, equipment or skills and their journey was wrought with disastrous stories.  

I am often reminded how this seemingly simple law can be very difficult to achieve.  Leadership isn’t about crossing the finish line first, it is about bringing others with you.  I wondered about how you help someone move from the law of process – where we take experience and reflect everyday and plan everyday ,to the law of navigation – where we chart the course.   It seems to me that sometimes, people get stuck in the process.  Without being able to navigate, or plan the way to the final goal, you end up wandering around in circles, and the team is deflated and as the leader you are worn out.  So, I asked one of my mentors (Scott Faye) who is really good at these law of leadership and here is what he told me:

On the law of process you need to reflect on 6 lists:

•  Start Doing
•  Stop Doing
•  To Do
•  Not to Do
•  Do More Of
•  Do Less of

As a story to this point, Scott spoke of  his friend in a prominent software company who always talks about bringing things to market at 80% completion because if you wait to bring it to market at 100%, it will never get there.  In technology, nothing is ever 100% and what you think is going to be a high priority item turns out to be very low.

On the law of navigation Scott said:

“all is well that begins well” where most would say all is well that ends well.

As a story to this point, Scott spoke of his two friends one casts vision but needs people around him to chart the course, the other maps the course with a plan a, b, c and delivers that vision.

I am curious…what do you think?

As we start 2012, what is your plan for growth?  How do you intend to grow those around you?  Have you placed your plan for growth in your calendar or daily agenda?  Having heard John speak on this law, he emphasizes that a daily agenda shows commitment to priorities, passions, abilities, relationships, attitude, personal discipline, vision & influence and states “if you don’t set your agenda, someone else will.”

As a mother, wife, business owner and professional, my daily agenda is often full with meeting the needs of others.  I really have to remind myself that my professional and personal growth is equally important and I need to set aside time for that growth. I have my plan for 2012 – not resolutions, a real plan for continued growth.  I would love to hear about your plan and how you are applying the law of process to 2012 – Leave me a comment and let me know.

Here are the high points I shared with the group, (I will spare you the low point because in comparison to death it seems minor):

- In February of this year I turned 40.  My wonderful husband pulled off a surprise party filling a room at the Sheraton Fallsview with many of my friends and family.  I was so surprised and so touched.

- I became a Certified John Maxwell Coach, Trainer and Speaker.  The learning journey was amazing with some of the best faculty.  I love learning but this topped many of my experiences.

I have other high points too but  further to the point of this blog post, the experience go me thinking about what a great tradition it is to pause and reflect.  We don’t stop often enough to realize we have so many gifts we can be grateful for.  As the year comes to a close, I would like to wish you a very happy and prosperous new year and I would encourage you to pause, reflect and realize how many gifts came to you in 2011.  With Gratitude, Kim…

When I meet with managers and supervisors they are often focused on processes not people.  Some seem perplexed as to why they cannot motivate their team to work with them, why there is so much dysfunction and why time is taken up with unproductive behaviour challenges.  I receive a lot of requests for more training.   In fact, I have had people ask me, “why would I care about a relationship with my staff or clients?”

The problem usually isn’t solved by more trianing, it is solved by being a leader. When managers are focussed on the processes, they miss the opportunity for valuable conversations with their staff.  As John Maxwell writes, “the only thing a title buys you is a little time”.  If the only time you speak to someone, there is a problem or they are in trouble, then who really wants to speak with you?  Ken Blanchard refers to this management style as “seagull managers”, they swoop in, crap on everyone, and fly off again. If your staff don’t want to speak with you, they don’t want to follow you either.  If you can’t influence people to follow you, you aren’t being a leader.

I would love to hear about how you specifically increase your influence.  As an example and to get your thinking started,  here is how I try to increase my influence using the key leadership factors mentioned in the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership:

Character:  I consciously operate from an authentic place within and care about the people around me

Relationships: I aim to find out about people, what their story is, who in their life is important to them, what is creating a passion for them at work and conversely what is not.  I try to include people by asking for their opinion, asking for their help and running ideas past them.  I make time to say hello and find out about their day.  It seems simple enough but you would be surprised how many times it is “all business” and the personal relationship is left out of the equation.

Knowledge:  I seek to understand my environment and who the players are.  I seek out information by constantly learning in many ways.  For example, when I established my learning plan for the coming year, I planned for some courses that would help me better understand the work environment of one of my clients.  I don’t need this but the knowledge will get me a lot further with the people I need to work with.  I also included books on topics that will broaden my expertise in leadership and human services.

Intuition:  I pay attention to what my “gut” tells me.  I ask myself – Why am I feeling that way?  What is it about this situation that is creating such a positive or negative energy?  What can I learn from this situation?

Experiences:  I keep my own list of my accomplishments and challenges.  I try to reflect on my experiences and how I can best use them to help others.

Past Success: I aim to gain a positive track record in everything I take on.  I try to take on work that will push my abilities and create wins for both my clients and for myself.  Success creates momentum.

Ability: I strive to deliver my very best.  The ability to deliver quality learning materials for example has ensured future work coming through my door.

I encourage you to look at your influence with others – how can you increase your influence with others and thus increase your ability to lead?  Look back at this past year – what can you do more of in the coming year and what might you do less of so that you can increase your influence.  Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on influence!

The first law is Law of the Lid.  John Maxwell says “leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness.  The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the  lower the lid on his/her potential.  The higher the individual’s ability to lead, the higher the lid on his potential.”  To me, this law encourages us all to keep growing and to find ways to raise our infinite potential.  Increasing our awareness, our competence and our knowledge.  In business this might mean that we find ways to expand our position, we find ways to expand our perspective, we take part in committee or working groups, we attend training opportunities or pursue formal learning, we job shadow, mentor or engage in community activities.   In life, this might mean we get out of our comfort zone, read a book, work with a coach or mentor or just try something new.  From a personal perspective, I am always looking for ways to expand my abilities and fulfill my potential.  I absolutely love learning and look for ways to be in a constant state of learning.  I remember graduating from college and thinking  ”I will never read another book or take another course as long as I live”.  While I worked in decent jobs related to my college diploma, I quickly realized that my graduating statement was keeping me from growing and keeping me on a pretty narrow path both professionally and personally.  With my new awareness, I embarked on a journey to obtain my undergrad degree at the local university.  Within a few months of attending school part time, I received two promotions at work and it seemed as though people really started to take notice.  The things I wanted in life were appearing.  For a brief second at graduation from my undergrad I again thought “I am done – don’t ever want to see another book”.   But the feeling of success I had experienced could not be suppressed and within months of graduation I was working on my Master’s Degree.  It is kind of contagious – when you start raising your lid – you want to keep on raising it.

What does Law of the Lid mean to you?

How do you raise your leadership lid?

• Know that it takes time and energy to lead effectively
• Don’t worry about being perfect
• Read and learn as much as you can from the experts/books/stories of others
• Remember to be excellent

Do the job as if you had the biggest title, the best office and the most substantial pay.  You don’t get to control much in this life but you can control your attitude.

Remember that people – your staff – are watching you.  When you strive to be excellent, it is contagious.  Eventually, your team will try to strive for excellence too because that is what you model as their leader and that is what you expect of yourself and others.

Put Your Dream to the Test:

Nov. 21-Dec. 19^th, 2011, 5 weeks, Mondays 8:30-10:00pm EST

Investment:  $176.11 + $22.89 HST = $199 total

This is a virtual group.  Phone number and passcode provided upon receipt of registration & tuition

Your dream has power. It can inspire you. It can empower you. But will it reward you? In this online course to reaching your dreams we use Dr. John C. Maxwell’s book and show you how to do the things needed to make your dream come true. Most people fail to realize their potential because their dream remains hypothetical. Put Your Dream to the Test takes your dream from ethereal to achievable.

Everyone Communicates Few Connect:

January 9-February 27, 2012 (no meeting Feb. 20^th because of family day)

7 weeks, Mondays 3:00-4:00pm EST

Investment: $176.11 + $22.89 HST = $199  and your own copy of the book Everyone Communicates Few Connect

This is an on-site group, Location St. Catharines, To Be Confirmed

If you can connect with others- one-on-one, in groups, and with an audience – your sense of community improves, your ability to create team work increases, and your influence skyrockets. People who connect with others have better relationships, experience less conflict, and get more things done than those who cannot connect. Leaders who have learned the art of connection are able to communicate their ideas persuasively, establishing buy-in and attracting followers.

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership:

 January 9-February 27, 2012 (no meeting Feb. 20^th because of family day)

On-site option:

7 weeks, Mondays 1:00-2:00pm EST On-site in St. Catharines actual location to be confirmed

Virtual option:

7 weeks, Mondays 830-930pm EST virtual

Investment for either option:

$176.11 + $22.89 HST = $199  and your own copy of the book 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

“Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership”. Whether you are a follower who is just beginning to discover the impact of leadership or a natural leader who already has followers, you can become a better leader.  Experience the power of a Mastermind Group. These are  7-week in-depth studies that will afford you the opportunity to join forces and mastermind with a unique group of like-minded individuals who are focused on taking results in every area of their lives to a new level. Having the support and ideas from other focused and driven people allows us to see things differently and to get a new perspective on goals and action plans.  Together, we will learn how to effectively raise our leadership lid by understanding and implementing the principles of the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership.

Many times, the reality of our leadership position doesn’t quite sink in and we are accustomed to waiting for someone to give us permission.  This can create substantial delays in decision making and can make it seem as though the leader is unable to make decisions or it can cause trust to erode.

It has been said that the difference between those who do and those who don’t is that those who do, simply do!  If you are in a leadership position, don’t wait for someone to give you permission.  Assume you have permission. Use the permission wisely through not necessarily sparingly.

 “If you don’t fill your calendar, someone else will” (Maxwell).

The one complaint I hear often is about time. There never seems to be enough to to get to things, complete things or get things off your plate.  To help the issue of time, make planning a daily process.

One of the best techniques comes from James Ray in his book Harmonic Wealth. James Ray refers to this as Critical 6.  Here is how it works:

• Think about the 6 most critical things that you need to have done today and that move you toward your goal/direction/purpose
• write down no more than 6 things in any order
• anything that is not accomplished today goes on tomorrow’s list but never more than 6 items on a daily list
• Do not add to your agenda unless you drop something else

I have personally had great success and been incredibly more effective when I practice critical 6.   It works in your personal and professional life. The 6 items may be specifically professional, specifically personal or a combination.  Give it a try!