Today, France celebrates it’s independence with fireworks, as we in the U.S. did, just 10 days ago.

The storming of the Bastille is the symbol of the victory of the French people against the Monarchy. What started as a revolt became a Revolution that changed the face of France’s policy forever.

France put in place a Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, defining a set of individual and collective rights for all the people, regardless of their estate. This is very similar to what happened in the United States, however the U.S. was being ruled at a distance by the King of England. Interesting that our declarations occured just 13 years apart from each other in the 18th century.

Both stories are inspirational in that they show, it is possible, even when your head thinks you are “out numbered,” to fight for what you believe in – and win, against all odds. And the energy and committment of small numbers of people can be more powerful than weapons and large numbers.

We need to remember this as we continue to hold the flame for enforcing basic human rights around the world. Many other countries are not as fortunate as France and the U.S. And, we all still need to stay vigilant with how our elected officials govern, particularly in these turbulent times.

Anything is possible.

Copyright 2010 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC   All rights reserved.   www.sagelead.com

It’s easy to lead in good times. Sometimes all it takes to be perceived as a strong leader is to just be in the right place at the right time and take advantage of the opportunity at your feet.

But true leadership is demonstrated when someone makes tough choices, tradeoffs, or takes a courageous stand when times are tough and uncertain.

We are seeing a number of our clients doing this now. They may not have regained their complete stride back but have felt enough of an uptick in their businesses that the time is right to bolster investment in their talent – especially after the previous 18 months were many leaders were asked to cut back and do much more with significantly fewer resources.

We have had a number of our clients make significant investments in development opportunities for their senior leaders this quarter, which is giving them a renewed perspective and energy jolt. Many are revamping or creating for the first time, development programs aimed at fostering strategic thinking and navigating the whitewater environment of today.

We partner with our clients to create or facilitate these kind of high impact experiences that are embedded in the context of solving significant business challenges. We continue to “receive rave reviews” with sustainable results.

Please don’t hesitate to call for a consultation today. 203-730-2103.

Copyright 2010 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC   All rights reserved.   www.sagelead.com

The article in The Huffington Post today by Robert Lanza is interesting, not just because of his provocative message – scientist are now starting to work on experiments that explore the thought that perhaps we are more than purely physical – maybe even spiritual. (We know we have consciousness in a way that no other creature on earth does) – but also because of the  heartwarming story he tells about the day he just hopped the trolley and went to Harvard because he wanted to meet a Harvard doctor who could help him with his experiment. It sounds like a scene from a movie.

Dr. Lanza implies that this encounter was a seed for reinforcement of his lifelong quest to understand more about life through scientific inquiry.

When Stephen Kuffler, the “world-famous” neurobiologist engages Robert, the boy, he doesn’t “shush” him away but instead he listens to him and invites him inside the building where he does indeed introduce him to one of his colleagues. It’s a very human moment that we come to understand had a profound impact on Dr. Lanza. One wonders if this scene happened today, would the individual be too busy answering emails or trying to secure grants to give an aspiring next generation scientist’s brave inquiry and venture any attention – let alone invite a stranger into the building?

What can you do today to listen to, or inspire a tween or teen to pursue their questions or dreams? Just think, if Bill Gates or Steve Jobs didn’t pursue their curiosity and drive while coming of age, what would we all be typing on?

Copyright 2010 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC   All rights reserved.   www.sagelead.com

“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.”

The language is limiting, not-strategic, and defeatist and energy-draining. It negates the notion of choice and control. I haven’t been living in a cave the last couple of years – I am aware of the economic downturn, the global political climate, the environmental crisis – should I go on?

The key question that a sage leader asks is – what do I REALLY NEED to do to achieve my goals? Where do I have choices? What are the choices? What kind of focus and discipline do I need to stick to my choices?

The sage leader stays in the space of proactivity versus reactitivity – especially in times of uncertainty and crisis. Often a shift really comes down to going back to basics: delegate, being willing to let go and not trying to do everything – and all at once. What is the one thing that will reset your view – What DO you WANT to do?

Why? What will it get you?

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

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.

Maybe someone said you were brillliant – and you believed it – rightly or wrongly – in “absolute” terms. Maybe someone said you were not too bright – and you believed them.

The Sage Leader is one who excavates and mines her mind - she explores and looks at her underlying beliefs. Which beliefs serve you to be as great as you can be? Which ones serve you to help others be their best selves? Which ones don’t serve you?

How committed are you REALLY to maximizing your life and your contribution as a leader? How CONVICTED are you? Catch yourself – just for today – doing or saying something that is empowering and expansive.

Let the rest fall away.

© Copyright Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC    All Rights Reserved.

Happy 2010 and happy new decade! You have probably set your goals and plans for the year. Now is the time to strike the balance between keeping your vision clear and … Read more in our  January Newsletter

Copyright 2010 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC           www.sagelead.com

When I was in 6th grade we watched some of the Watergate Hearings at school. I remember seeing the President breakdown, resign and say he was sorry on TV. I tried to understand why it was necessary to “cheat” – violate the law, ethics and integrity as a leader – to make sure he won. I was in 7th grade when Ford pardoned Nixon 35 years ago this week. I wondered why Nixon wasn’t held more accountable for his actions. Was this fair and just?

Why was there mixed support for our current president, Obama, to address school students this week? My daughter is starting 7th grade and I feel much better about Obama’s messages than Nixon’s.

Forget about political agendas. How powerful is it for a child to receive a message from someone who embodies what they are asking you to do? Blessed with exceptional oratory skills, Obama has a way of sharing his personal story in “kid currency” with examples of Harry Potter, Twitter, Facebook, and Celebrity status to inspire and deliver a balanced message. Here are the cliff notes:

[The story of America is people who don't quit when things get hard...Do not allow the circumstances of your life to be an excuse for not trying your best...your destiny is in your hands...being successful is hard work...you must be disciplined...ask for help, and learn from failures. I'm doing my part in trying to get you what you need for a good education but you must do your part.]

What parents doesn’t want their child to get this message? As we lag behind other developing nations in high school graduations, our children need good roles models who actively demonstrate this kind of encouragement.

We are a world struggling to unite amidst crisis – If not for yourself, then be hopeful and resilient for our next generation of leaders. How do you actively cultivate children – your own or others – to develop their talents and gifts?

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC            www.sagelead.com

Regardless of what you think about Ted Kennedy’s politics or how he managed his personal life, you have to admire his oratory and negotiation skills and how resilient he was.

He held to his causes up to the end of his life. The lion’s last roar was a plea to the governor for immediate replacement of his position so there could be the needed vote to push through his lifelong cause for national healthcare.

Let’s face it, with half the deck of cards he was dealt, many of us would have folded let alone stand up against opposition to our causes every day.

Kennedy had to deal with the unimaginable traumas of witnessing two brothers murdered, carry the family pressure of holding the Kennedy torch in the political arena, amidst other family turmoil and tragedies, burying nephews and sisters along the way. He did embody his family’s moral code - to much that is given, much is expected – spending his whole life lobbying for making the lives of those less fortunate better.

Beyond “working for a fair and just America,” what is truly remarkable is that, he won the respect of his staunchest opponents. Their sentiments are he is, “inspirational… irreplaceable…” As Joe Biden says, he “helped his foes be better people by looking at themselves and each other differently.”

The skill of staying in the game and staying in dialogue with those who see the world very different than you, is one that we need now more than ever. With all the turmoil in the world, it is too easy to shut down and build walls. Our future depends on us all keeping the collective dialogue going.

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC       www.sagelead.com

How can you aspire to be a transformational leader if you spend your day in back/back meetings and every free moment trying to “stay connected” via the social media frenzy?

There is no way for you to change dramatically or be a leader that facilitates transformational change with those around you or in your business, if you do not take time for quiet and reflection. Remember, you can be by yourself – in the car, in the restroom, in the shower – and still have the loudest noises going on in your head.

Deep, sustained change requires time and space to hear beyond the noise to listen to what really needs to be heard.  Rumi, a 13th century poet said it so well: “Let the waters settle   you will see stars and moon mirrored in your Being.”

To be a transformational leader, you need to create a discipline of quietude that invites the strength, insight and wisdom required for our times. There is no guarantee it will come but if there is no fertile ground, it certainly will not come.

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC       www.sagelead.com

You can’t have organizational resiliency if you aren’t a resilient leader yourself – to model the way and hold the space for others. 

I define leadership resiliency as the embodiment of strength, intelligent optimism, flexibility and resourcefulness that gives you the fortitude and buoyancy to bounce back from setbacks or significant challenges while attempting to realize your goals and dreams. Intelligent optimism is not just reciting pie in the sky affirmations but being hopeful and having faith BECAUSE of what you know to be true and DESPITE the facts. It means staying in the space of possibility. This is resilient leadership. 

This is how all great innovations were spawned. Thomas Edison tried to create an incandescent light bulb anywhere from 1,000-10,000 times depending upon the source. (It’s amazing how much (mis)information we can find on the internet)!
Edison allegedly said, “I did not fail 1,000 times. I have successfully discovered 1,000 ways to NOT make a light bulb.” Whatever the actual number of tries, you get the point.

Persistence. 

Where would we be if he gave up after 89 or 889 times? Yes, these are challenging times but if you can’t lead the way holding the space for the seemingly impossible, how can you expect your people to? 

How do you hold the space for organizational resiliency – to change employee perspectives or morale, or to work with your team to reposition your value proposition as you look to maintain or grow while the economy tries to jumpstart itself? How do you continue to inspire your customers when their faith is waivering? How do you become the alchemist and transform a negatively charged situation today to hold the space for the possible tomorrow?  

Copyright 2009 Sage Leadership Strategies, LLC, www.sagelead.com.