The Dove Hunt That Changed Everything! #Leadership #GoalSetting #WisdomWednesday #CornerstoneLearning

Only three years into my career as an account executive for FedEx, I had one of life’s simple but defining moments for me.  I had just moved into a new house with my wife and two kids under the age of 5.  I felt like I had everything under control and headed in the right direction.  And then came the dove hunt invite that changed everything.

While I am not a big hunter, I did appreciate the invite from guys in the new neighborhood just trying to get to know one another.  It was going to be a day trip about 2 hours away.  The cost was $12.00 to hunt on the lease and the cost of shotgun shells.  While preparing for the trip I let the family know I was going to be gone on that Saturday but back that night and then the question came..."Does it cost anything?"  I said, “Yes, but not much, just $12.00 and some ammunition.”  I was completely shocked by the response. “While I would love for you to go, unfortunately we don’t have $12.00 for you to go”!  I had just had a bombshell dropped on me that I was not prepared for and I had to reevaluate everything. 

I work hard, we didn’t spen extravagantly, and a small opportunity to enjoy life I couldn’t do.  I was always told and heard motivational speakers all the time say you have to have goals if you are truly going to gain things you want or need in life.  That very meaningless event, when you look at the scope and complexity of life, did have a profound impact on me.

Rather than going hunting, I sat down that Saturday and started to write down goals, both personally and professionally.  I started with a list of things I wanted to do and needed to do but that required clarity and a focus to achieve.  Things like, I wanted to become a District Sales Manager in 3 years.  It is simply amazing how the law of attraction and achievement starts to take over when you commit to certain goals. 

You know, it may have just been pure coincidence or luck but within 45 days after sitting down that Saturday I was chosen, after an extensive internal interview process, to move to Memphis, Tennessee, the corporate headquarters for FedEx and become 1 of 5 Sales Training Facilitators, a 24 month program used to develop the future sales managers in the organization.

Not only did I achieve my goal of becoming a District Sales Manager in 18 months, I also found a love and passion for training and developing others that led me to co-found, with my manager at the time, David Cottrell, Cornerstone Leadership. That was now over 20 years ago.

I challenge you, take 30 minutes today listing out what you what to accomplish. You just never know where this simple act might take you.  I can assure you of one thing; If you don’t ever set goals, you will never achieve them.  Next week I will give you a simple and easy framework to set your goals.

Have a great week!

- Ken

Leadership Development Without Getting Dressed Up! #MondayMorningLeadership #Leadership #WorkInYourPajamas #Learning

Cornerstone Leadership Online Training

Cost and time effective online training designed for especially for new leaders, existing leaders with limited leadership training, or for high potential development.

Our first leadership training course, Monday Morning Leadership Interactive, is based on the bestselling book Monday Morning Leadership.

Participants will:

·       Understand the differences and importance in Leading, Managing and Coaching.

·       Establish a clear “main thing” focus

·       Cultivate a culture in their organization of “no matter what” accountability

·       Develop coaching plans for each member of their team

·       Provide ongoing and meaningful motivation and recognition to their team

·       Create a leadership plan that will guide their personal development for the next year and beyond

Try Monday Morning Leadership Interactive training free by clicking here!

Leadership training 24/7 for the introductory price of $59.99.  This price won’t last much longer, so sign up today!

For more information contact us at customercare@cornerstonelearning.com.

Lead Where You Are #leadership #leadershipatalllevels #wisdomwednesday

Lead where you are.

If you think about the power of those four words combined, they can completely change a person and an organization. 

It is imperative in today’s highly competitive world that everyone, no matter what level you are, or what title you have, or if you have people reporting to you or not, the ability to exhibit the actions and behaviors of role model leadership can change you, your team and entire organizational cultures for the positive.  Leading up to the release of the Lead Where You Are online training program we will highlight areas and individuals that show the true power of change in Leading Where You Are.

To get started in that effort, we will discuss the setting of goals next week...I know everyone dreads that activity, but let me share a quick story of the power of focus.  As a new leader at one the top training organizations in the world, I had inherited an individual who had been the top sales person in the organization for over 16 years.  Same role, same geographic territory, and was extremely well respected and looked up to by all.  While she was very comfortable and successful by all measures, she was not challenged.  I saw tremendous leadership potential beyond just the sales expertise she exhibited.

We sat down for the first time in her career and set professional career goals beyond just the monthly sales targets.  That single one hour act of setting goals to move her from a comfort zone to stretching her talents into more formal leadership roles led this individual to not only take over my position as VP of Sales when I left to start our company, she is now the President of the largest management training organization in the world today with tremendous industry influence and respect beyond all comprehension 20 years ago.

She will be the first to tell you it all started with a one hour investment to set goals.

So what does your future look like?  Do you have goals to get you there?  If not, begin dreaming and next week we can offer tips to get you there.

A Legacy of Leadership - Peyton Manning #leadership #legacy #wisdomwednesday

No one really knows for sure if Peyton Manning played his last game winning Super Bowl 50.  What we do know is the tremendous legacy as a leader he has cultivated on and off the field.

So what can we learn from Peyton Manning?

He continually earned trust and the respect of those around him.  People respected him because he gave respect.  He respected the game, the owners and schools he played for, his coaches and assistant coaches and those that contributed at all levels of the organization.  He respected his teammates and the fans, knowing without them he had nothing. 

Because of the respect he showed, people trusted him.  If the game was within reach at the end, no matter how well or poorly he might have played prior, everyone from his owners, coaches, teammates and fans trusted Peyton would find a way to win.  While a win didn’t always happen, because of the earned trust, no one ever counted them out. 

Do your actions and behaviors constantly earn both trust and respect from those around you?

He has Command of his Craft.  Peyton is a consummate professional and student of the game.  With all his games played and years of experience he never stopped learning.  He is not the most physically gifted athlete in the sport, he doesn’t have the strongest arm or the mobility to beat a team with his legs, but he overcomes those because he has one of the greatest minds in the game.  His pregame preparation, in game adjustments by constantly studying formations and listening to teammates and coaches between offensive series' make him one of the most fierce, play to play competitors in the game. 

Where and how often do you invested in your craft?

Acute Situational Awareness.  If you could define Peyton by just one leadership trait it would be his tremendous situational awareness.  While in the game there is no question on either side of the ball who is the leader on the field.  Peyton would relay the play called from the sideline in the huddle, but as soon as that huddle broke he would be assessing the situation they faced at that moment, what defense is called and what player match ups are created. 

Because of his knowledge, experience  and gift for the game, Peyton always tries to put he and his teammates in the best position to succeed no matter what the original plan from the sideline called for (coaches trusted him to do this).  Coming to the line waving his hands, yelling audibles, and moving players from side to side just to give his team a “situational” competitive advantage.  Bottom line, he makes things happen and doesn’t wait for things to happen to them. 

Are you one to make things happen for you and your team?

Be Humble.  In victory or defeat, the game was never about Peyton.  He recognizes it is just a game and is blessed to be playing it.  He was never bigger than the game or the moment, he always gave credit and never took credit.  He is always the first to congratulate and support others when they needed it.  He made those around him better by being Peyton. His actions, attitudes and behaviors defined not only him but helped define those around him.

Would others say you lead with humility? And do your actions and behaviors define you as a leader in a way you want to be defined?

In closing, it is a story book ending to an amazing career if Peyton Manning decides to retire from playing football. He has left a mark on the game in so many ways.

He will tell you he is no Superman, but if this is his last season and you look at his accomplishments from high school to college to his professional career and measure him as a leader, his legacy, where it truly counts in life, may prove he just might be Superman!

Time, the Greatest Gift of All! #WisdomWednesday #Leadership

If you pay any attention to TV this time of year, you are acutely aware that this is the season of “giving”...or so we are told.  This car, jewelry or new electronic gadget is exactly what they want, so give it to them!

Great leadership is about giving ALL YEAR LONG! If you will give your people a clear vision and direction, give them the tools to be successful and most importantly, your time to connect with them, these will be gifts they will enjoy and benefit from all year long.  The funny thing is, they may not ask for these but they are gifts they truly desire.

Your time, the greatest leadership gift you can give!

Leaders Define Success, They Don't Dictate it. #WisdomWednesday #Leadership #Success

In our work with great leaders, one trait that transcends all of them is the ability to continually define success for their people and their organizations.  If a leader demands and constantly dictates success they might achieve that success but at a cost of resentment, resistance and reluctance.

However if you look to define the success you want, for example, it could be success for your organization in 2016, or even defining the outcomes you would like to achieve for the meeting you are about to lead, people are more likely to be committed and engaged in achieving that success than to be compliant to the demands of the day.

So, do your people know what success looks like?  If not, here is your opportunity to lead with clarity.