Sage Notes

Building and Sustaining Performance Amidst Chaos and Uncertainty

The NY stock market "Blip" dip by 1000 points in one hour - somebody "hit a wrong button?!!" Cleaning up the oil spill in the Gulf. Bailing out Greece. Keeping faith in the Euro. … A small sample of what has made the news in the last week.

It's no wonder many of us are on overdrive - trying to survive and thrive in a world that is in crisis. To use an analogy, this is the pond water that we are all swimming in - so it's natural that fear and uncertainty can invade our minds, resulting in a stressed-out body - even for the most resilient of us. So, how do you stay focused on achieving your goals while being mindful, in tune and compassionate with what is happening around you?

Halfway through the second quarter, I am hearing different things - some of you say you've done better in the first five months than you did all last year - whether it is generating revenue for your business or job leads for your career transition. And some of you say it is hard to stay focused and wonder if your results are really sustainable.

In response, we have a new, targeted 4 week coaching program to give you some immediate relief and enable you to fortify or reset your longer-term approach, focusing on what is within your control. We have potent tools to help jumpstart or restart your focus and results. We are offering this to individuals at a reduced rate for the month of May.

New Offering

New Coaching Program - Limited-time 4-4-5 Special!

4-4-5 - You have 4 weeks to take advantage of this 4 week program for only $500. Incredible value!

Strategies for Sustained Performance
This coaching program will give you practical leading-edge tools, information and resources to help you:

• Achieve focused clarity and sustain peak performance
• Open blocks to creativity and think outside the box
• Listen and communicate more effectively
• Get out of your own way: Manage your mind and energy more effectively

What's included: 30 minute initial consultation, four 1 one hour sessions, in-depth resource workbook, paperback book. Optional: demonstration of technology available for additional purchase.

Your part: doing some reading and exercises inbetween our meetings and applying the tools and insights. Offer expires June 10th. We can only offer this program at this rate for one month and after this, it will go up. Sessions may be in-person or over the phone. Call today for an appointment at 203-730-2103 or email at info@sagelead.com.

Sage Sense

Recent musings to help facilitate insight, which can lead to different action or a more balanced, sustainable way of being

The Sage Leader Questions What You HAVE To Do

“You do what you have to do… ” I heard it again this morning. Says who? Who says you HAVE to do something? What DO you Have to do? Who decides? I find that this is a pervasive paradigm that I hear multiple times a day from: An executive who is working globally taking calls at 5 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm AND managing meetings and emails inbetween. A working Mom who says she doesn’t have more quality time with her kids. A mid-career professional who “can’t get a job” in their field and takes something way below skill level to “get by.”
Read more…

When Selecting a Leader, What is One Essential Ingredient?

I recently participated in a discussion on all the attributes one should consider when selecting a leader. My colleagues had a lot valuable insights and ideas. We created a hug, unwieldy list. Through it all, I suggest ensuring one essential attribute - an effective leader in this day and age is someone who can quiet his/her mind, to listen internally to be a clear conduit for her own ideas and inspirations - and then ready to listen intently to her constituents before speaking. This shows up by her ability to cut through all the noise and chaos and carve and communicate a clear path that enlivens and focuses people.
Read more…

The Sage Leader Mines Their Mind

I don’t think we can give enough weight to how our beliefs shape what we manifest in our day-day lives. The Sage Leader is one who understands the power of his or her mind and the power of the words he or she uses. We become what we think about and what we talk about. The problem is, we are not always aware of what our mind is thinking below the surface. “The devil is in the details!” Below the surface is what we have absorbed or what has been conditioned into us. It is amazing how, a phrase or look someone gave us 10, 20, or 30 years ago can have such a profound effect on how we perceive ourselves and how we navigate through our lives and our work.
Read more…

Client Connection - Implemented new simulation and new workshop

Recent happenings and accomplishments:

• Implemented first-run of business simulation focused on fostering strategic capability and cultural adaptability. Client received rave reviews from internal constituents. "I just witnessed the first learning module that effectively enables demonstration of growth in Emotional Intelligence (a requirement for cultural adaptability). So kudos and thanks to you both, last week was a fantastic experience for everyone involved. I look forward to the opportunity to work with each of you in the future."

• Evaluated 360 Survey tool for government organization to better enable meaningful feedback.

• Our Whispering Pines Division, which is geared toward personal development, is growing. This is due to individuals asking for different tools and resources to help them navigate the stress and uncertainty of their work lives:

• Led first time offering of Manifestation Workshop - focused on Manifesting Goals and Dreams. Integrated non-traditional tools and approaches (Naam yoga). Resulted in participants having greater clarity, focus, commitment, reduced anxiety and energy shifts. Resulted in our doing follow-on individual coaching.

• Worked with individuals on creating more balance, lowering their stress levels, refocusing their careers, dreaming and planning for the "second chapter" - post-retirement.

Do any of the above sound like challenges you are encountering or solutions you need? Give us a call and let's talk.

Get More and Pass it On
If you found value in Sage Notes, forward it to your colleagues. Also, send requests for articles or blog entries to info@sagelead.com.

Want more Sage in your life? Friend us on Facebook, connect on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter. Better yet, just pick up the phone (you know, that old-fashioned thingy on your desk where you actually hear a voice on the other end) and call us at 203.730.2103

A Sage Newbie?

Sage is all about supporting your leadership capability as you navigate your organization, career and life - by focusing on practical strategies that lead to success. We do this holistically: accomplishing your goals in ways that give you enriched meaning, increased satisfaction and happiness. By integrating the best of the self help/human potential movement with solid business and life strategies, the best of both worlds come together - like the intersection of Harvard Business Review and YouTube.

Click here to read more about our Philosophy of Leadership and Resiliency.

If you are receiving this notice for the first time and want to continue receiving, you may opt in to receive future issues. If the link doesn't work please go to sagelead.com. and click on the link in the lower left for "Sign up for our Newsletter." Trust that your contact information will not be shared.

©Copyright 2010 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC All rights reserved.

May 2010

In this Issue

• Building and Sustaining Performance Amidst Chaos and Uncertainty
• New Offering
• Sage Sense -
  Musings and Insights
• Client Connection - Implemented Simulation Led Manifestation Workshop