This blog is a draft from my new book on self-leadership with Dr. Ana Kazan.
“Why should we not calmly and patiently review our own thoughts, and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us really are?”- Plato
Self-leadership begins with self-observation, which means noticing our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Self-observation is like checking the instruments of an airplane to ensure it is flying level and on course. By checking in on ourselves we can make adjustments which allow us to be more purposeful and effective. Continue Reading »
One good idea well implemented could change your business, your relationships or your life. So why not invest 1-day for you and your team to be inspired, motivated and exposed to some of the best ideas to increase productivity, communication, sales, impact and effectiveness in 2011?
In Singapore, on Feburary 24, 2011 myself and eight of Asia’s top professional speakers will showcase cutting edge ideas and techniques to Raise your Game in 2011. You and hear; Tim Wade on ‘Productivity Mindset’, Tina Altieri on ‘Presenting to Win’, Santhanaram Jayaram on ‘Resistance to Irrisitable’, Tremaine Du Preez on ”Conquering Critical Challenges’, Sharon Connelly on ‘Dressing Like a Leader’, Kenneth Kwan on ‘Master Your Inner Self’ and Bob Mittelsdorf on ‘Managing Global Teams’. I will be sharing my latest research and practical applicatons of self-leadership and the whole action-packed day will be MC’d by the effervescent Shirley Taylor.
As the investment is minimal and a portion of profits go to Project Smile, can you afford to miss out on this unique event?
Online University has voted this blog a Top Leadership Blog for 2010. Whilst this does not rank in the same league as an endorsement from Harvard Business Review I am pleased that our posts are contributing to leadership, management and coaching practice.
If this is your first time visiting Self Leadership Coaching blog then I suggest you use the search button and look for topics of interest to you. You will find many posts on; leadership, management, coaching, presentation skills, communication and influence.
We welcome your comments and will post them even if they disagree with the post, so feel free to start a discussion. Most of the information posted has come from my experience as a leadership consultant and executive coach, working in Australia, Singapore and across SE Asia and as a life-long learner I am always looking for new ideas and best practice.
I don’t normally refer to myself as a motivational speaker as I prefer the term ‘Inspirational’ but most people don’t make the distinction. For me, motivation can often be external whereas inpiration is alway internal. As I research, write and speak about Self-leadership I know how important it is to know how to influence yourself before you can influence others.
In April 2010, I was asked to speak at the Singapore Leadership Conference on Leadership and Influence.
After my presentation I was interviewed by Dee Allen of Red Mars. You can see a few minutes of the interview and speech in this YouTube video.
As a leadership consultant and executive coach living in Singapore and working across Asia, I am often asked; “is there is a difference between Western and Asian Leaders?”
The answer is “yes” and “no”. Leaders worldwide need to ask the same questions:
Where are we going?
What is our strategy? (how do we get there?)
How do we execute?
Is our team ready? (learning and development)
Do we have enough bench strength for growth and sustainability (succession planning)
In addition leaders must be able to engender trust and effectively communicate their messages. Continue Reading »
In this episode of my video series on presentation skills, we explore how your body language impacts your message.
There are four presentation styles that every speaker should and can easily master. Watch the video and read the descriptions below.
Director Style
This is the presentation body language that commands attention while maintaining dignity and rapport. It offers no immediate opportunity for resistance.You will use it to give clear mobilizing directions.
Instructions: Stand straight, square the shoulders, and maintain eye contact. During instruction, stay as still as possible. After the instruction, freeze for a couple of breaths while slowly scanning room. Use a strong voice. Use visual words and physiology.
Discovery Style
This is the presentation body language used when ‘on stage’ or teaching.You can use it to elicit curiosity, wonder, excitement and discovery. To explore what is possible to know or learn; to build closeness and partnership with the audience.
Intsructions: Stand light on feet, move laterally across stage, Use lots of gestures congruent with content, voices and expressions, and maintain an air of playfulness. Use “Let’s”, “Us”, “We” and phrases such as “Here’s an idea. What do you think or feel about it?” “This is true for me, how about for you?” Move in and out of the audience.
Leadership Style
This is the presentation body language style that inspires and calls people to action. You can use it to unify a group, and get them to move toward commitment and action.
Instructions: Stand straight, breathe fully, and maintain eye contact. Keep one foot in front of the other; slightly turn body to one side of the audience at a time. If in center of audience, slowly rotate and speak to different sections.
Authenticity
This is the presentation body language used for establishing openness and authenticity. You can use it to own up to a mistake or deliver bad news.
Instructions: Use a calm voice. Sit down, open your palms upwards be emotionally vulnerable.
Practice these styles in front of a mirror and incorporate them in your next presentation or contact us for presentation skills coaching
This weekend I watched a magician enthral an audience with his art. As he performed his sleight of hand and misdirection I wondered at the thousands of hours he must have invested to achieve mastery.
Mastery involves focus, concentration, passion, intention, commitment, and discipline. We can’t achieve mastery in everything in fact most people are unlikely to achieve mastery in anything as they dabble in this and hack about at that. Continue Reading »
I recently conducted ‘Critical Skills for Leaders and Senior Managers’ in Singapore and Malaysia; during these programs I surveyed the participants for their desired take-aways – 80% of the attendees wanted to know how to influence their boss.
Research has shown that the inability to build a successful relationship with the boss is a significant reason for managers failing or not reaching their full potential.
When I approach this topic I encounter a number of mindsets that lead to an inability to effectively influence, these include:
A common fear of public speaking is forgetting your words and yet we all grapple to find the right word from time to time. In this short YouTube video I talk about some of the strategies I use to speak fluently and overcome the occasional ‘brain freeze’.
I was recently speaking to the Malaysian Association of Professional Speakers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the topic of ‘Professionalism’; practice these techniques and soon you will be speaking like a professional.
How do you know when your employees are feeling disengaged or demotivated?
The following behavioural markers should give you a clue:
Following the letter of the instruction rather than the spirit as evidenced by, ‘But you didn’t tell me to do X” when X was implied by the instruction and necessary to the completion of the task.
Going early and coming late, using up all sick days and even taking unpaid leave days. Days off are mostly on a Monday or Friday.
Increase use of social media, youtube and instant messaging at work.
Silence – not contributing to discussions or dialogues.
When I am conducting workshopswithin an organisation I hear the following complaints from dis-empowered of demotivated employees:
“My boss doesn’t listen.”
“Why isn’t my boss here as he needs to hear this stuff?”
“Why don’t senior management do what it says in the value statement?”
“I can’t influence head office in USA/Europe and they make unreasonable demand on my time and resources.”
Motivated and enaged employees are more creative and productive; disengaged employees will lose customers, money and have more accidents at work. Therefore to re-engage employees you should talk to your staff and listen to the answers. Ask questions like;
“What do you like best about working here?”
“What do you like least about working here?”
“What would you change if you could?”
Of course if you ask these questions you must be prepared to do something about the answers otherwise it will increase cynicism.
And what if you are feeling de-motivated and disengaged? Then get back in touch with what your work means to you above and beyond the paycheck. What about your work gives you an intrinsic sense of achievement? Ask yourself, “if this was my company, how would I behaving?” Above all look for the fun and pride in what you do because your work is an extension of who you are (see posts on Self Leadership).
This blog is a draft from my new book on self-leadership with Dr. Ana Kazan.
