Welcome to the first edition of Sage Notes

Clients and friends of Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC are receiving this issue as a courtesy – but we know how crowded inboxes can be, so please opt in to receive future issues (4-8 times a year). 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.

Sage is all about supporting your leadership capability/potential 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.

A Sage Newbie?

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

Susan’s Sage Sense

Strategies for These Times: Back to Nature & Consistent Daily Practices
Summer is in full swing here in Bethel, CT (just outside NYC). Two weeks ago we celebrated our country’s independence with fireworks and picnics – and France celebrates theirs today on July 14 (Bastille Day). In addition to celebrations, summer is a time to gather with friends, slow down a bit, take a vacation and reflect on the first half of the year – to assess what’s working, what’s not and where to redirect your focus. You may have suffered a layoff, been saddled with a slashed or frozen budget or are perhaps having the best year ever, despite the current economy.

During this season of lengthy sunlit days, growth is natural and abundant. People are more energized, and nature provides many metaphors for life. Continue to cultivate thriving projects and prune back/cut excess interference. If business is slow, plan for the fall harvest (clean your house, organize files, brush up on your networking, etc.). Be there for your customers and contacts. Show them support, inquiry and understanding as they navigate these tough times - demonstrate your relationship is stronger than the fluctuations of the economy.

If you find yourself a “survivor” and part of a new, leaner staff:
• Understand that we are not in normal times, and there is stress associated with that.
• You will be asked to do more with less, again and again.
• Be diligent about aligning tactics to your strategy and developing creative synergies.

If you’ve received a pink slip:
• Consider starting your own business as a free agent – even when the economy bounces back, there will be fewer jobs for several years to come.
• Don’t wallow – energy builds energy, so make yours productive.
• Seek the advice of others – you don’t have to go it alone.

Regardless of your situation, find an anchor in the sea of chaos. This can be as simple as creating a consistent routine of exercise and focusing on a daily to-do list. Both mental and physical activities are important to your health, as is a consistent spiritual practice. This does not have to be religious (though of course it can be), but something that provides you with a sense of renewal, energy and inspiration – like Yoga or meditation.

Connecting with the seasons – and working with them, not against them – can help you compare and contrast the context of your work/life balance. And serve as powerful awareness for your organization, department, work team and family.

News from Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC

Resiliency Workshop
This spring we created a workshop on resiliency utilizing yoga techniques to strengthen and fortify your foundation. We can offer this in a 1-2 or 4 hour format – in person or via webinar. We also can incorporate this orientation and tools into our coaching engagements. Contact us for more details.

Web Site and Blog
In honor of our third anniversary, our web site has been updated. Visit us at: www.sagelead.com. The Sage Blog is on a new platform, and Susan is posting more frequent entries. Please request topics!

TV Interviews with Business Leaders
Susan hosts a number of cable shows each quarter and puts most of them on www.sagelead.com. In an interview format, she reveals the passions of leaders and entrepreneurs with a focus on the “story behind the story” - lessons learned about business, leadership and life.

Recent interviews:
Mark Dean - IBM executive, instrumental in architecting the personal computer. Hear about how he developed as a leader of technical talent.
Shawn Sweeney - Program Coordinator for the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots
and Shoots Program talks about the power of youth.
Kevin Kelleher - President of Cartus, relocation company supporting Fortune 100 companies globally. Hear how this athlete from a small town worked his way up to leading the company.
Jeff Zimmerman - Music prodigy who became a doctor of oriental medicine. Hear how Jeff works with energy to help others heal and achieve peak performance.
Scott Wolfman - Serial entrepreneur who started three successful businesses – he books speakers on college campuses, runs a diversity educational platform and owns his own coffee house.

Client Connection

• Many of the companies we work with are using down time to fortify their talent development strategies. Some are utilizing Sage Leadership’s executive coaching services and 360-degree assessment programs.
• We also continue to work with entrepreneurs and individuals on career or life transitions. The shifting economy is the impetus for many to rethink goals or strategies about life and/or work, or how they fit together – or don’t – for the life you want or need.
• Sage recently piloted workshops on resiliency, utilizing yoga and breath work to help with the strength, clarity and peace of mind during these challenging economic times. These sessions are available as webinars or workshops or lunch-and-learns on site.

The clients we serve are typically Corporate Leaders in mid-size to large organizations (C-suite, VPs, directors, etc.), Entrepreneurs in startup mode, 1-5 years into their businesses and Individual Professionals who are working through major transitions or just want more clarity in their personal or professional lives.

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.