Look at yourself: If you want change you have to be the first one to step up and make the change that you want. How many times have you watched the leader say, “we need to change and here is where I think we need to go”? This is the one area that we can learn from those that have failed in the past. I really feel that the change starts at the top. I used to tell my team, “hold me totally accountable. If I am failing, tell me!” Step up and lead.

It is a two way street: Make sure that you are making it more than just a powerpoint presentation. Have open and honest communications with your team. I know we all have seen the nice slides and gotten some charge out of them, but when you want to go deeper, there was nothing deeper. Make sure you have open lines of communications.

Make that change – obtainable: It is easy to look at something that is so far out there. We all like to have visions of grandeur, but please be realistic. Make sure that everything that you want is something that CAN happen…

Get the troops involved: If you really want change, you better figure out how to include your team. Setting expectations is something we all have to do. There is no question about that. It is important how you include your team in that process. The most successful changes that I have witnessed have one thing in common, everyone was standing together around the vision. Start small and encourage them. The rest will follow, especially if you have done the first 3…

Don’t rush the troops: It is always easy to push for results. Be patient, please. Take your time and encourage your folks. Failure is always just around the corner, especially if you rush everyone. Stand firm, but remember that patient is a virtue.

I bet there is always more that one can do to make sure that the change that they want, will happen. From my experience, these are the things that I need to have to look at. Do you have anything to add?

Photo… Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

I got a few questions that I thought I would take some time to write my thoughts on.

1. Are you happy with your decide to retire? Answer: Most definitely! I have had plenty of time to do many things, that I would not have time for, if I was still working. I have done plenty of volunteering! I have done plenty of reading! I have been able to dedicated more time to my family. I have been busier in some areas than if I was still employed.

2. What do you miss most? Answer: The people! I have met a lot of smart and dedicated people over my 28 years. Some of those folks, I stay in contact with even after I have retired. Not to say that I haven’t met some great people in all of my volunteering, because I have. I had built relationships over many years with folks that are all over the globe. I just can’t keep those relationships going as they were. So, I have new relationships that I am building to few that void.

3. What are you plans moving into year 2? Answer: More volunteering and getting back into the workforce. Let’s face it, with my wife working and me not – the dynamic of retirement is not really what I want. So, I have rested for a year. Got healthier! Refocused my priorities! My second career will be a joint relationship… What I mean by that is, the company or organization and myself will be a great fit for each other. I don’t want a job! I want to have a real partnership. Which brings out the best in both of us… I also will not stop volunteering. It has been a very rewarding experience that I want to continue. I will make “time” – that is a promise.

I had a great experience over my work history. I have given plenty to the company, to the organizations that I worked for and the people that I have met along the way. I have gotten plenty back as well. I still feel like that is what I want in the future. I look forward to  what the future holds.

Here are those that want to leave 2011:

10. Transparency… What is that really? If you were trying to figure it out, you would have to be like a spelling bee contestant. “Can I have that in a sentence please?”

9. Thinking Outside the Box… I know this one has been around for quite sometime, it is definitely time to hang that one out to dry.

8. Drill Down… This is for the folks that don’t understand the concept at a higher level. Hence you have to drill down for them to understand. Well, as the manager this truly makes you look pretty dumb (at least to your folks).

7. Reaching Out… The only thing that should reach out is a baby asking to be picked up or hugged. Otherwise, just say, “Get in contact with xxxx.”

6. Thought Leadership… Let’s not make up terms that just dummy down their overall intent. This one comes across as an oxymoron, just like military intelligence. Sorry – stop it!

5. Boil the Ocean… Why would you think about boiling the ocean? I think we all understand that the task at hand is going to be difficult – or maybe not (just say – “this is going to be difficult.”)

4. Going Green… This is one that is fashionable and we all want to seem hip and cool. After the first time, this gets very old.

3. Internalize… Another one of those that I am sure have been around for a couple of years. Are you asking me to think about it some more? If so, then say that.

2. Let’s ask out stakeholders community… Maybe it is me, but I have already discussed with those folks in the know and what I am saying is with their comments in mind. Should be part of all discussions that information is gathered before a recommendation is come up. Once a recommendation is ready, no need to ask the stakeholders again. Sorry, waste of time. Or maybe you really don’t trust your folks.. Whichever – stop!

1. Drink the Kool-aid, Eat Our Own Dog Food… Or anything else that just means we have to try it before we ask others too. So sick of these…

Have any that drive you nuts?

• Taking care of myself. I know that I need to do this, as I am not getting any younger. My adult children, remind me about all of the new parts I have and I need to do a better job of not needing anymore. They are right!
• Losing some weight. Goal this time is about 15 pounds. I put on some weight late in this past year, hip surgery and not being able to go to the gym have that effect.
• Getting back on my gym routine. The middle of January, I should be released from my hip replacement. Physical therapy is going well!
• Smile more! Do what makes me “happy.” Spending more time with family. Need to get more hugs from my grand daughters.

How many folks make professional resolutions? Do you sit down and focus on what you would like to change? I do… These resolutions are different from the stuff that I have to work on within the job. These are the ones that I want to do better in, for me and my team.  I usually write them up and share them with my team. I want them to help me… Makes me feel more accountable. Here is my list:

• Continue to focus on my volunteer work with Az4Education, Valley Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Haley Elementary. I would like to add one more to my list – So, searching for that non-profit that I can either volunteer or work for…
• Start writing my manifesto. I have been talking about this and really need to do it! I have a couple of folks that have asked. Time to stop talking and deliverable. Getting stuff done.
• There are more coming…

What are you thinking about? Care to share?

You stop and think about that for a moment. Do you have a leader that steps the forefront, one that you say – that is a leader? Anyone today? All of what I would call great leaders are in the past (John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan). Look at the mess that we are in, our economy, lack of jobs, attempted recovery that has cost billions, debt and the list goes on. Looking at a recent Gallop poll shows the lack of confidence in our so-called leaders. We elected them. Congress is running at 15% approval rating. Our President is bouncing in the 40′s for an approval rating (usually goes up after one of his well prepared and delivered speeches). Why is everything so low?

• Look at the list of issues that are going on all at the same time. Economy, lack of jobs, failed attempts at reform, debt and lack of pulling together to get the job done. Maybe this is too much? I don’t remember this much going on back in the good ol’ days. Again, maybe I can only remember the best of times. Having too much on the plate definitely causes a lack of focus. So, maybe pick a couple of issues, fix them completely (not argue about it). I do remember that whatever was going on in the past, we did what was necessary and got through it. Are we going to get through it – now? Of course, but it is going to be extremely painful. We need real leadership to make that happen. Since we elected the last group, and the confidence level is at 15% – time for some huge changes. Time for us to act.. We need folks that will act!
• Observing leaders actions are something that are very telling. When you really look at the leaders of our country, you see folks that are worried about how we perceive them. I know I stated the Gallup poll results, I bet our political leadership looks at approval ratings. Worried more about how we see them, rather than the actions that they do. Leadership is not about worrying about how your followers think about you as a leader. It is about the vision, goals and the leaders actions – that is why we follow. Stop worrying about what everything is thinking about you. Get out and get it done… Stop working against each other and get together for what is needed for this country. Enough already.
• People are just sick and tired of reading and watching the news. Today, we get instant information. That comes with good and bad. I like it, when stuff is out for public consumption. Don’t hide anything. The downside is we usually don’t get much good news. The facts sometimes are not fully disclosed until it is too late. If we are tired of what we see and hear – we show it in the confidence level that our political leaders are getting today.
• This one maybe a slap in the face, but maybe some of those folks best days are behind them. Their best work was years ago.. Time for a change!

Maybe it is me, but I see today’s political leaders as not leaders. Like I wrote earlier, I did not want this to be focused on the political aspects only. Principle’s of leadership apply and it is time for some much needed leadership in political office.  So, what can you do?

• Get educated in politics. Don’t just sit back and look at the candidates when it is an election year. Stay aware of what is happening real time. Understand what is going on with the hot topics of the day (well, pick the ones that are really important, there are way too many).  What actions are happening. Who is really making a difference, if any.
• Action is what is important now. So, when you hear words – wait for actions. No actions, then they failed. I don’t have any political aspirations, but if you do and action is your middle name… Go forth.
• Let your leadership know your “true” feelings. Since they are worried about how we perceive them. Write to them, tell them exactly is on your mind. They were voted in to act on your behave. Time to stop all the party positioning and let’s roll up the sleeves and get to making stuff happening.
• Rethink your past votes. Look at their performance today (not their past re Watching what some of the voters did in Arizona with recalling a failing leader. I was pretty excited to see that folks are taking control. It is costly, but probably not as costly as leaving them in.

Look when you are out in the world.. And you see a lack of leadership in the organization you are working in – you have choices. You chose to follow particular leaders. With our political system, that is hard, but not impossible. We need to step up and take control. Our future and the future of our kids, depends on it.