Kit Prendergast, PCC
Kit brings you a wealth of expertise and experience as well as a wonderful spirit, energy, and a gift for inspiring you to create the life you truly want for yourself.Kit's Tips & Books
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Tag Archives: Leadership
Innovative Thinking: Stand In the Middle of the Intersection
Yes, you heard me right. If you’re ready to learn to be more creative, go stand in the middle of an intersection – preferably one that has a crosswalk through the middle as well as from corner to corner. At this crossroads, watch and feel the energy from people from all walks of life using all different kinds of transportation as they merge and pass each other. Give yourself permission to just observe and allow yourself to be curious about the stories that you are seeing.
Sounds simple but this is what true innovators do all the time. They actively seek out opportunities to stand in the intersection and open their minds to the wealth and depth of cultures, ideas and diverse experiences they are seeing. They ask “Why” and “What If?” They question and challenge themselves and others to connect the dots in unique ways. This isn’t new. Look at our world history and see how the birth of the greatest renaissance periods came the intersection of the arts, culture, business and human curiosity.
So here are my favorite three ways to start standing in the middle of the intersection.
- Say “Yes” more often when people ask you to do something new and different.
- Actively seek out people who are different from you (age, culture etc.) for conversation.
- Expand your reading to include books, blogs, magazines that cover subjects new to you.
And finally, allow yourself to simply be in the moment so that you can quiet the chatter in your head to better observe, learn and appreciate the wealth of life in our crossroads of life.
The Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators
The Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators, by Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen & Clayton M. Christensen, Harvard Business School Publishing, Boston, MA, 2011.
How do innovative entrepreneurs learn to be so creative? It’s really not such a mystery after hearing co-author Jeff Dyer speak at the recent ASTD Technology conference and reading this insightful book.
All of us can increase our creative mind set by practicing Dyer’s five “discovery skills” regularly. We may not become the next Steve Jobs but all of us can become far better in bringing insight and innovation into our business practices. And it’s good for our business bottom line as well.
360 Degrees of Influence
360 Degrees of Influence: Get Everyone to Follow Your Lead on Your Way to the Top, by Harrison Monarth, McGraw-Hill Publishers, New York, New York, 2012.
Okay, I admit it! I haven’t finished reading this book cover to cover because it is that good. I’ve only had it for a week but I keep finding new chapters to read each day that I can apply immediately to my executive leadership coaching work.
In this brand new book, Monarth tackles the complex challenge of how to initiate significant organizational change through the power of influence. I applaud his 360° approach which encourages all of us to gain the trust and respect of those around us – up, across and down – to expand our spheres of influence. My favorite chapters are on how to break through resistance; organizational politics; influencing your boss, how to use your words to change minds and Monarth’s emphasis on becoming EQ smart. So if you are a seasoned professional in a well-defined leadership role already or a rapidly raising young professional that wants to rock the boat this book is for you. I loved it!
Posted in Kit's Resources & Book Reviews
Tagged Career, Leadership, learning, strengths, success, Visioning
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Three Ways to Begin to Influence Others at Work!
Are you ready to have more influence at work? Maybe you are new in your position or maybe you are an “old timer” and now are itching to make some organizational changes that could take your department or company to a new and improved performance level. But are you a person of influence? Do others look to you for clarity on the company’s future and direction on how best to meet performance goals? Are you sought out for your ideas, your wisdom, your ability to manage organizational change and finally to fully engage and motivate others?
You may have some homework to do to become that kind of influential leader. Here are my favorite three ways to start.
- Practice your speaking skills (with individuals, small groups & large audiences)
- Sharpen your writing skills (share your ideas, connect with others)
- Invest in experiences and reading (to expand your awareness, interests & conversation)
And now watch others in your workplace . . . how do they persuade, inspire and influence others? What is it about them that speaks to others in an unique way? You can learn so much from just observing them in action!
Posted in Inspirational Leadership, Kit's Tips
Tagged Career, Leadership, Relationships, strengths, teams
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Three Tips to Increase Your Self-Awareness
How self-aware are you – really? During a typical day are you tuned in to your emotions (positive & negative) when they are actually occurring? Can you label these feelings and do you know why they are being triggered right now? And most importantly, do you take the time to learn from these insights and consciously use this learning to improve in your career?
Sounds easy . . . but actually this level of awareness takes constant practice. Here are three tried and true ways to “self-coach” yourself to increase your self-awareness a day at a time.
- Slow down! Give yourself permission to simply be in the moment. Focus on what you are doing right now, minimize the distractions and let yourself concentrate.
- Next check-in with your feelings each hour (or more frequently). What are you feeling physically, emotionally and mentally? Label these feelings in your own words.
- Ask yourself what these emotions are telling you – what personal values, concerns, hopes or worries are being triggered?
Now the important part . . . listen to your own intuition to gain some insight into how you might approach a challenging issue or situation at work. What is coming up regularly and why? Challenge yourself to be curious. Allow yourself to step back, think, and perhaps take another path to solving a problem. Be open to learning from the best teacher you know – yourself.
Posted in Inspirational Leadership, Kit's Tips
Tagged Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Relationships, strengths
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