On Leadership Online

Going in before you go out.

bhigh — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:03:32 +0000

I watched this terrific Tedtalk today and heard myself muttering “yes, exactly!!!” to anyone within ear shot. At the time that was my two dogs who always like it when I’m excited. Take a listen. For me it aligns well with an emerging theme on this topic of leadership in the virtual space. That is the theme of authenticity. Simon Sinek refers to it as “What you believe”. It’s about knowing what you care about, what your values are. Being clear on those and aligning what you do with those is key to engaging others. So, before you reach out to engage others, go inward first, figure out what you believe and then reach out in any way you can.

It’s all about connection

bhigh — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:41:14 +0000

The ability to connect with so many, so quickly, is both the challenge and the opportunity for those hoping to lead in the virtual space. I saw a remarkable show last night on happiness. The conclusion spoke directly to the underlying importance for leaders to find a way to connect online that works for them, that works for their constituents, that helps them be authentic servants of those they hope to lead.

Life is a journey through time and happiness is what happens when we make that journey together.

“Together” looks different in the virtual space, but has no less importance, possibly more.

“Many hands” must work together

bhigh — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:21:37 +0000

A post from Chris Brogan brought up an interesting point about social media:

“We’re building a cluster of solo players out there on the field when what is necessary is a team methodology with all kinds of touchpoints, system connectors, and deeper communications/strategy channels… many hands in the social media huddle, is the better way to play.”

I couldn’t agree more and would like to suggest this springs from the misguided focus on the tools vs the challenge those tools might address. I heard an interesting presentation while visiting San Francisco a few weeks back by form Justin Dumont of 5Star Development Inc. He shared research he has done on companies integrating social media tools into their organizational learning and knowledge transfer. His conclusion was that if you can focus on the business challenge and find the technology that addresses that challenge, the rate of adoption will be much greater that if you try to retrofit. This makes sense doesn’t it? If you think about the sports analogy Chris made, all these teams have a challenge, beat the other team, that pulls them together. If we can create that same energy in our organizations, we are more likely to see the power of “many hands” approach Chris alludes to. Now, take the next logical step to the implications this has for leaders when using social media tools. If a leader can be clear about the “win”, then the “many hands” of the organization can work together to create a systems approach. The power of virtual system can be channeled and it’s full potential brought to bare. Clarity around the challenge comes first, then find and use the tools that will help people meet that challenge.

Practicing the art of listening

bhigh — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:12:44 +0000

This Friday, November 27, 2009 is the National Day of Listening. It seems ironic that we need to assign a “National Day” when there is so much out there to hear. It points out a useful distinction between “hearing” something and “listening”. Hearing is the passive approach. Listening the active. Think of our expressions: “I heard in passing….” or “Listen! Did you hear that?” Listening is a mindful act. When we really listen we choose to pay attention on purpose, rising above distractions. This enables us to hear the things that touch our hearts and minds. It takes believing that listening attentively can have rich rewards. It takes discipline to make space for that which we believe is worth listening to, and it takes practice. So maybe a National Day of Listening is a good thing. It offers us the opportunity to practice the listening that brings meaning to our lives. It also gives us the chance to create for others more that is worth listening too. Are you up for it?

Visionaries

bhigh — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:22:28 +0000

Glancing through the UTNE Reader at the library today I read through their feature story, “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World”. The nominees were chosen because of “the unwaivering, inexhaustible sense of purpose they bring to their work”. Quietly, steadily, these people are having a profound impact on our world. Some of the nominees drive their results by taking advantage of technologies and the digital realm. For example, Lance Ledbetter is the founder of Dust-to-Digital, a label dedicated to “producing high-quality, cultural artifacts, which combine rare, essential recordings with historic images and detailed texts describing the artists and their works”. As a result of his ongoing efforts, so many have had opportunity to experience these works and be impacted by them. But it’s not the use of technology so much but the notion of “steadiness of purpose” that is so relevant to the topic of leading in the virtual environment. Effective leadership in any domain relies on our convictions and “…it is the strongest among us who can stay true to a vision.” These profiles are compelling and well worth the read.

Who are your teachers?

bhigh — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:38:17 +0000

I have a yoga practice and have recently begun to explore the Anusara approach. I am learning many new things that bridge my time on the mat and my time exploring leadership. I’ll be sharing these from time to time, particularly as they relate to leading in the virtual environment. One thing I’ve noticed with Anusara is acknowledgment and respect for one’s teachers. As I understand it at this point, their approach to the role of teacher is based on the assumption that we will always be learning as we participate in the dance of life, that teachers will come from many places, and that it is our responsibility and our gift to be able to acknowledge those who teach us and pass on the learning. Entertaining this concept has helped me acknowledge with gratitude the many teachers I have in my life, from all corners of my life: yoga, work, friends and all generations of family.

As I think about leading effectively in the virtual environment, I see a clear similarity. The teachers in the virtual scenario become the people you connect with through virtual channels: blogs, social networks, podcasts. As you endeavor to lead, what can you learn from them as they respond to your message? Can you begin to think of those you are trying to reach not as being those you need to “convince”, but as the ones who will teach you about how your message is received and how your vision could become reality?

Taking stock of your current teachers, is an interesting exercise and a great first step. From there, it is a logical next step to think of all the potential teachers out there. All those within your broad virtual reach you have the opportunity to learn from about your vision for the future, if you can accept with honor the merged role of leader and eternal student.

Namaste.

Giving it up

bhigh — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:35:24 +0000

The topic of charity has come across my radar recently in a couple of interesting ways. I read Chris Brogan’s post about ending hunger and l loved that he made it so easy:

There are three things you can do today: give, volunteer, or share, which means that you could donate some money or some time, or you could at least share the news with others.

In other words, just do something. This morning I listened to Diane Rehm interview Peter Singer. The conversation drove home the kind of impact the individual can have. He talked about his book The Life You Can Save as well as some wonderful sites for finding an entry point into the world of giving that works best for you like GivingWell.org.

What has this got to do with leading online? Well, it occurred to me these are both examples of people understanding the power of virtual networking and using it in a way that aligns to the values they hold and ones they hope others will share. This is what leaders do. They identify their values, from those values they create a compelling vision of the future that others can then choose to align with and work towards. In the scenario above, these two men are leaders in their own fields who I would submit have tapped into two essentials of leading online:

Be clear about your beliefs and values, i.e. being credible, and align your actions with those values-consistently.
Using the viral power of net to be transparent about those values, share your vision for the future and make it accessible.

So check these sites out. My guess is you will want to crack open your wallets-however tiny they may feel these days. Peter Singer shared another valuable lesson. Focusing on making lots of money you keep to yourself, and being consumed by consumerism, is a very narrow interpretation of “doing well”. It feels good to help others and there are plenty of ways to do this.

Posted by Beth High

Leader “tweets”?

bhigh — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:30:40 +0000

I caught a segment on NPR’s Weekend Saturday by Andy Carvin “Welcome to the Twitterverse”. It featured Daniel Schorr, who as always added interesting perspective. Here’s one thing that got me thinking:

“We’re losing the difference between audience and conversation,” Schorr added. “It’s all becoming part of one vast thing. … You’re not really communicating one to one anymore … and the whole world is going to end up as an audience.”

So what’s the implication of that statement for those who are exploring their ability to lead in the virtual environment? It’s good news. Leaders want audience, right? Engaged, comitted audience. But wait, they also need conversation. Leadership at it’s heart is about relationship, and relationship is built one conversation at a time. So if twitter means the end of conversation, that’s very bad news isn’t it? Thoughts?

You can lead the horse to water…

bhigh — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:19:14 +0000

I just caught a webinar by Mzinga around Social Learning. It was great. He referenced an article from the Wall Street Journal . In it, Robert Cross, a professor of management at the University of Virginia referenced a project he was doing where

…employees of 20 companies were surveyed and asked to identify colleagues who have helped them perform better; about two-thirds of the names weren’t on the firms’ previous lists of top performers, Mr. Cross said.

So who is influencing…leading…these people and how do leaders identify and connect with them? The implications are far reaching.

There was a lot of great food for thought that I kept putting through the filter of “Leadership Learning”, but I kept coming back to the issue of getting leaders to use the tools. If they currently play in these spaces, great. If not, how do we get them there so they can practice the behaviors we know can make a difference for them and those they try to lead? Ideas?

Building the leader’s online toolbox.

bhigh — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:42:12 +0000

I am slowly collecting data around which of the many available web2.0 technologies leaders choose to use. And, which ones they use successfully. What I am finding is very interesting. Although they are aware of the online options, leaders I’ve surveyed tend to use what’s handy, or what’s comfortable. No big surprise there. Don’t we usually go with the known vs. the unknown? We use the words we are comfortable with when we speak and write. As we get proficient at a sport we cling to the habits that have brought us success. Try to change your grip on a golf club, baseball bat, or tennis racquet after you’ve developed some game and you know what I mean. Changing habits is not easy. More than anything it takes a commitment to change and growth.

In order to take advantage of the technologies available to create compelling vision and community and to increase their online toolbox, leaders need to hold tight to that commitment and bravely experiment with their virtual voice. Supporting them is what this site is all about. I am going to try and find examples (good and bad) that we can use in this discussion. If you have any examples; emails, blog posts, podcasts, webinar, wikis, etc., please send them on. Let’s fill this toolbox with what works.

Posted by
Beth High