For many of us, our tendency is to minimize our daily interruptions so we can get more done. On today’s show, my guest Douglas Conant helps us all recognize why these moments are critical in our work as leaders and how we can best utilize them. Guest: Douglas Conant Founder, Conant Leadership (Facebook) (Twitter) Former CEO, Campbell Soup and President of Nabisco Author with Mette Norgaard of the New York Time Bestseller TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments* “The More I Learn About the Outside World, The More Effective I Am With The Inside World.” -Doug Conant Doug's TouchPoint framework Ask first, “How can I help?” 1. Listen intently to what’s said and not said 2. Frame the issue so you understand the context in which the person is looking for your help 3. Help them advance the agenda Ask at the end, “How did it go?” Doug mentioned the book Talent is Overrarted by Geoff Colvin* Check out these two articles from Doug Turn Your Next Interruption Into An Opportunity What Losing My Job Taught Me About Leading Doug's book is TouchPoints:Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments* Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

This week, we dedicate the entire show to community questions about training. Guest: Bonni Stachowiak (@bonni208) Question from Jordan I am a young manager (mid-20’s). My job requires training large amounts of staff on software and technology. Many of the staff are twice my age, and tend to ignore me when giving trainings. I’m, not sure if this is because of my age, or because I have only been with the organization for 5 years, and many of  them have been here for 20+. Or perhaps it is because of the subject matter of the trainings? Do you have any suggestions on how to get through to them? Is it content or credibility? Seven Principles for Leading People Older Than You [episode #59] Seek out people who are giving you objections and find out how to best serve them. Dave mentioned How To Win Friends And Influence People* Lynda.com* is a good solution for learning popular software online at your pace Adobe Captivate is a good option for creating your own simulations Screenflow for the Mac is great for screencasting Camtasia is another option 2nd Question from Jordan Do you have any suggestions on conferences one can go to, to expand skills on leadership and coaching? Bonni says a conference is a place to build a network, generate new ideas, and learn about new products Dale Carnegie Training provides a great resource for changing behavior, which is a great way to get better and leadership and coaching Question from Kris I am a manager in a large company and managing a global transformation programme. I am at a cross roads and my development plan includes getting more training on the following: (a) Leadership of global teams (physical and virtual) and (b) Strategic planning and organizational development (how does one define and develop a global organization, roles, numbers of people, strategy, governance, teams, processes, etc) to implement a global transformation programme. Do you have recommendations on books, education or coaches for my further development? Good to Great* by Jim Collins Execution* by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan The Fifth Discipline* by Peter Senge Coaches: Bill Bliss, Tom Henschel, Pam Fox Rollin but find someone who’s done what you’ve done and what they’re reading Question from Suzie Audio comment If you are a nurse or know one, check out OneLoveforNurses.com Jane Hart publishes the Top 100 Tools for Learning Poll Everywhere is used by Bonni in her classroom Question from Andres In a world of free online courses and MOOCS (Massive Open Online Course); what type of course would you be willing to pay for? What type of content/delivery would definitely be worth spending your (not your employer’s) money on? Bonni mentioned attending a class from Linda Krall on creativity Dave spoke about Michael Hyatt’s class of 5 Days To Your Best Year Ever Question from Elmer How do you make training accessible to the newest employee while bringing something to the table for the most experienced manager? I usually try to leave the conversation open for the subject matter experts in the room to share their knowledge (within reason and on topic) so there is a feeling of collaboration and not speaking down to them in those situations. Creating a course that is comprehensive is difficult. Dave suggests segmenting the training, if possible. How can you get the subject matter experts engaged in a leadership capacity in the classroom? Use a problem-based or case study approach. This engages the more knowledgable people in the room. 2nd Question from Elmer One of our bosses/stake holders wants us to make our classes archiveable or semi-future proofed so we do not have to constantly go back and re-teach the classes one on one. What are some of the best ways to do that? “If the recording of the class was the equivalent to being there, then why are you holding the class in the first place?” -Bonni

While many things contribute to happiness, one key attitude shift in how we talk and think about our activities will help us be much happier. “Happiness isn’t doing what you like, it’s liking what you do.” -Quote on my dad's desk Vance Caesar was one of my professors in graduate school. He wrote The High Achiever’s Guide To Happiness* Vance said, “Create more 'gets to's' than 'got to's" Do you have more “get to’s” than “got to's?” Do you have to give someone feedback today, or do you get to? Do you have to give a presentation today, or do you get to? Do you have to resolve a conflict today, or do you get to? Do you have to go to work today, or do you get to? The secret to happiness is having more “gets to's” than “got to's” What will you do this week to turn a “got to” into a “get to?” Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

We all know what corporate brands are, but do you have clarity on your own, personal brand? Today, we examine the five elements of an effective personal brand with executive coach Heather Backstrom. Guest: Heather Backstrom HeatherBackstrom.com Executive Coach What is a personal brand? Personal brand is who a person is from the inside out. It’s not about external looks - that is personal image (also important, but different). 1. Values Knowing our values can provide clarity on the kind of work and work environment we choose. To help get clarity on your values, you may wish to utilize Dave’s values exercise at this link. Consider experiences in your life that really brought you joy - what values show up? For more on values, check out Coaching for Leaders episode 20. 2. Vision It’s about where you are now and where you wish to go. Create a target for yourself by defining it visually or in writing. “You can’t hit a target you don’t even have.” -Zig Ziglar For a journaling app, check out Day One. For more on vision, check out Coaching for Leaders episode 22. 3. Purpose Vision is where your head is and purpose is how you get there. Vision is the future and purpose is what’s happening in the present. Dave spoke about being a “curator of wisdom about people.” Without purpose, we tend to get caught up in other people’s lives and lose our own way. 4. Authenticity Personal brand is about bringing out the best of who you are. Borrow wisdom from others, but make it your own. 5. Perception We define our world and other people by our perceptions. The language we use can change how people perceive us. Heather and Dave both mentioned that they struggled most with this element. What action will you take enhance one of these five elements of your personal brand? Feedback On this topic: http://coachingforleaders.com/133 Comments, questions, or feedback: http://coachingforleaders.com/feedback A reminder that episode #135 coming up in two weeks is completely focused on training. Submit your question for consideration at this link. Thank you to Maria White, Gail Williams, Linda Eller, Valarie Hogan, Kathleen Wheeler, Sarah Blaise, Coop Cooper, Lisa Stockwell, René Hernandez, Lena Staafgard, Brenda Mundy, Jessie Chen, Dee Maher, Felipe Souza, Vicky Nicolas, Luke Robinson, Cindy Paris, David Rivera, Heath Mullikin, Zulma Monsalve, and Dan Cooke for subscribing to my weekly update this past week. A special than you to Linda for the very kind iTunes review! If this show has been valuable to you as well, please leave a written review on iTunes or Stitcher by visiting http://coachingforleaders.com/itunes or http://coachingforleaders.com/stitcher

Being connected is great, right until it’s not. How to improve the quality of your connectedness with an expert from the Center for Creative Leadership. Guest: Jennifer Deal, Ph.D Center for Creative Leadership Author, Always On, Never Done: Don't Blame The Smartphone Center for Creative Leadership works to help improve leadership. Many people said that staying so connected really started when they received their smartphone. On average, people in the survey were connected to the workplace 72 hours a week, or 13.5 hours a day. Personal tasks done during the workday were accounted for in the research (even people that don’t work these kind of hours still do personal tasks at work) One of the biggest complaints was the number of meetings required in organizations. A major issue is being invited to meetings and then people realizing that they weren’t really needed. Setting clear agendas is key. Be explicit why each person is needed. Another major complaint was too many people making decisions. Be explicit about who has decision-making authority and who needs to be checked with. The intentional use of ambiguity as a management tool is also a challenge. Sometimes people don’t make a decision so they don’t have responsibility for it, so they leave it in ambiguity. Clear agendas and outcomes help prevent this. This leads to crisis mode later on. What Jennifer does differently because of this research She still answers emails early in the morning and late at night. Setting better boundaries about having done enough work today. Being very specific on agendas for meetings. She turns down a lot of meetings that aren’t as high value as the other things she needs to be doing. Check out the Center for Creative Leadership for more resources Also see episode #128, Four Practices For Leading An Effective Meeting What have you seen a leader do to encourage quality connections to the workplace? Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Bonni and I respond to community questions on taking the next step in difficult situations. First question from Khrist and a few suggestions from us: Recognize your hot buttons or trigger point Avoid handling things in the midst of anger and emotion, if you can avoid them (for example, don't send emails when angry) Instead, write out your thoughts just for yourself Get input from others who are not as close to the situation Start with questions and not accusations/assumptions Sometimes a bit of expressed anger or frustration is OK, assuming it is genuine Consider what you are really able to do or not do Give yourself grace too - none of us are perfect at handling these situations In fact, we discover the most from imperfect situations Book recommendation: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown* Book recommendation: Difficult Conversations* Video recommendation: Brene Brown's first and second TED talks Past podcast recommendation: How to Lead When Someone is Driving You Nuts [episode #48] Second question from Huzefa and a few suggestions from us: What is it you want about being an entrepreneur and could you achieve it without the risk? Three elements you'd need to be successful: Skill in the field Passion for the work Market of customers who will pay what you are worth Could you do a test-run or two on a small client project that would prove your model and lessen risk? Book recommendation: Empowered manager by Peter Block* Book recommendation: Business Model Generation* Book recommendation: Business Plan In A Day by Rhonda Abrams* Feedback On this topic: http://coachingforleaders.com/131 General comments, questions, or feedback: http://coachingforleaders.com/feedback The next question and answer show is episode #135 and the topic for questions is training. Record your questions at this link. Here are a few common questions we've heard to get you thinking: How can I maximize the training I'm doing for others? What's the best way to train someone? How do I benefit most from the training program I'm going through right now? What can my organization do to measure training results? How do I design a training program? And many more - anything related to training is fair game! Apologies that some of the graphics aren’t working perfectly on the weekly update emails and podcast apps - I’m looking into it and it will get resolved soon! Thank you to Andy Crick, Dan Dwyer, Robert Lee, Dave Wargo, Phoung Nguyen, Roger Sowada, Joe Huenecke, Jackie Gilbrook, Kevin Sun, Petr Skacilik, Sarma Malladi, Yvon Lachapelle, Natalie Alten, Claire Tozer, Gina Wiener, Moniva Thielking, and Eric Rogers. A special thank you to Huzefa this week for the kind written review on iTunes. If this show has been valuable to you as well, please leave a written review on iTunes or Stitcher by visiting http://coachingforleaders.com/itunes or http://coachingforleaders.com/stitcher

What do you do when you're the target of criticism? Here are the two kinds of critics that show up at work in the workplace and also how to address them. It all comes back to Mathnet Two kinds of critics The bully The champion Why you need your critics Hawthorne studies (Harvard article) (Economist article) Benefits You Get From A Recognition Program (episode #79) with Michelle Smith of O.C. Tanner “Our chief want in life is someone who will make us do what we can.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Actions you can take Listen and be calm (useful for both the bully and the champion) Our urge is to become defensive It may put up barriers to hearing something of value If the criticism is unwarranted, you’re the one keeping your cool (unless the other party is factually wrong in a public forum) If the other party is factually wrong in public, make your case confidently and professionally Set aside the tone or personal attack (useful for both the bully and the champion) Is there value in what the person is saying, beyond the tone? Ask a more independent party to analyze it for you. Ask for feedback and criticism (useful with the champion) “Be your own toughest critic. Demand excellent performance from yourself and your leadership will thrive in the face of adversity.” -Doug Conant This worked for me in my first full-time job Take advice of Tom Henschel for episode #107 Ask often Say thank you or can you help me understand Do something with it or don’t Embrace the criticism and make change (useful for both the bully and the champion) Realize that a lot of people use criticism as a primary tool for development Take one suggestion this week to actually put into action Love your enemy (useful with the bully, and sometimes the champion) Find something about them you can love Feel sorry for them Be glad you're not married to them What if your boss is the bully? Try one or more things above that you think might help Are you getting more than you're giving? If not, work towards another opportunity Don't throw them under the bus on the way out the door To Those Who Want Great Careers: Don’t Do What This Guy Did Other episodes that might help Benefits You Get From A Recognition Program (episode #79) Ten Ways To Pick Yourself Up When You’re Beaten Down (episode #85) Three Steps To Soliciting Feedback (episode #107) Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." -William Shakespeare Feedback On this topic: http://coachingforleaders.com/130 Comments, questions, or feedback for the show: http://coachingforleaders.com/feedback or (949) 38-LEARN Thank you to Jackson Tye, Aja Wood, Luis Barberis, Mimi Francisco, Brendan Chestnutt, Stephen Arters, Diana Igel, John Bellingham, Cathie McCoy, Mireia Subirana, Bob Wallner, and Athena Leung. A special thank you this week to Alex Azor, for the very kind written review you left on iTunes. If this show has been valuable to you as well, please leave a written review on iTunes or Stitcher by visiting http://coachingforleaders.com/itunes or http://coachingforleaders.com/stitcher What advice would you give for handling a critic?

Bonni Stachowiak, an expert in knowledge management and curation, discusses effective strategies for creating a personal knowledge management system. She explores different methods of capturing information, such as using social media and subscriptions, and highlights the importance of curating and organizing this information. The podcast also covers tools for reading and managing RSS feed subscriptions. The episode concludes with resources for staying connected with the community and accessing additional leadership resources.

Learn how to lead effective meetings by following four practices: evaluating the necessity of the meeting, establishing guidelines for communication and decision-making, setting an agenda in advance, and ensuring clear action items. Discover the importance of time management and avoiding unproductive meetings.

Have you considered telling the people you lead about the mistakes you’ve made? On this show, why you lead better when you share your mistakes. “Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.” -Dale Carnegie Here are the benefits to talking about your mistakes with others: You get people’s attention. You open the door for people to be more willing to accept coaching. You give people a realistic path of what it looks like to learn how to lead. It reminds you what it was like to learn that skill in the first place. It keeps you humble. Two words of caution: Make sure you share real mistakes you’ve made. Sadly, not every organization values this kind of transparency. Be smart about the politics where you are. Community Feedback CoachingforLeaders.com/feedback USA: (949) 38-LEARN Thank you to Laz Allen, Elaine Vega, Jay Austin, Miguel Oliveira, Francisco Lopez, Laurie Marshall, Sudhakar Vundavalli, Colin McAllisterm Shari Silverman, Helena Engblom, Oliver Lamborelle, Darren Campbell, Billy Baker, Eva Hurt, Shawn Axsom, Josee Pelletier, Sam Fischer, Andres Benavides, Elie Saade, Josephine Ramirez, Pedro Sifontes, Tricia Whiteley, Alisa Farmer, Jennifer Flower, beth Schill, Daniel Morales, and Mabo Steinert who’ve subscribed to my weekly update this past week. What’s a past mistake you could talk about that would be helpful to those you lead?