Own it and turn it into brilliance

Have you ever seen the TV series Ballers? It’s about a “fixer”/ “man Friday” to pro-football players and a series we are hooked on watching right now. Anyway, in one of the episodes the lead character Spencer, tries to patch things up with an old rival player, Balsamo, by having him throw out the first pitch at a baseball game. It’s a huge moment for the retired footballer, Balsamo. As he comes out, the crowd cheers him on and chants his name. It’s a flashback to his glory days. He takes to the pitcher’s mound and swings it hard towards home plate. He completely misses and slams the ball straight into the stomach of the boom-mic guy on the side. The crowd starts booing and someone yells “Balsamo, you suck”. Balsamo utterly butchered his spotlight moment and he stands frozen looking around at the crowd. Instead of cowering back to the stands, he owns the blunder, throws his arms up triumphantly and confidently, egging the crowd to cheer him on. Suddenly, the fans change, and they are back to applauding him and cheering him on. It’s an amazing moment. I remember watching it thinking it’s a wonderful lesson in turning things around. Not everything will go as well as we planned so why not own it and make it a brilliant lesson.

Sure, some lessons will be humbling, very humbling and we should not or may not have the opportunity to celebrate it, like catastrophes (I won’t go into detailed examples, but you can imagine what they are). These may not be the moments we throw our arms up in the air and ask for more applause, but there are lessons we can learn. We just take them in quietly, reflecting on them with care and grace.

For the most part though mistakes are just that, mistakes. We seem to give them too much negative energy, rather than spinning them into something good and something valuable to learn from. Here’s my two cents….

·        Own it – You made the mistake, take ownership. Accept, apologize and move on.

·        Fix it – It’s yours to fix, so fix it. Figure out a way to make amends, make it better and turn it around so there’s some good that comes out of it.

·        Learn from it – Mistakes have a way of repeating themselves if you don’t learn from them the first time. Funnily enough, that’s how life works. So, learn from it, preferable the first time and not the second- or third-time round.  

·        Pay it forward – If someone’s made the same mistake, help them and support them through it. 

·        Reflect – How do you do better? How can you avoid this again? What went wrong? Reflection is key for self-growth. Careful that you don’t go down the “woah is me” path. Stay above the fray. Stay classy.

·        Turn it into brilliance – Mistakes are sometimes opportunities in the making. Penicillin and the chocolate chip cookie were discovered because Sir Alexander Fleming and Ruth Wakefield made mistakes. You may not be inventing the next Penicillin but who knows, there maybe a golden opportunity you maybe missing. Look closely. 

I just finished reading the book, #Girlboss, the rags to riches story of Sophia Amoruso who founded “Nasty Gal”, the fastest growing retailer in 2012 according to Inc Magazine. There’s a line in the book that I love…. I quote; “My advice to #GIRLBOSSes is to get excited about the mistakes you’ll make”. So, here’s to the fictional Balsamo’s and the non-fictional Sophia Amoruso’s who embraced their mistakes and turned them into brilliance. It’s time we do the same!  

Say it loud…… THE RAPTORS ARE THE 2019 NBA CHAMPS!

The Raptors are the 2019 NBA Champs!!! I like saying that. I will always remember where I was, who I was with and that glorious feeling of the “Sixers” (the 416ixers) winning in six. Two million people showed up for the parade to celebrate their historic win. This post is not about how great or historic that win was. We all know it was and then some more. It’s not about all the nail biting games they clinched leading up to it. It’s about how one man had a vision and moved his team towards executing that vision ever so well. It’s about leadership. The one big reason, in my humble opinion, why the Raptors won the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Most people did not understand or agree with the firing of former Raptor’s head coach Dwayne Casey, who had just been awarded Coach of the Year. Most people did not understand and hated the trade of fan favourite and star player DeMar DeRozen for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. It did not make sense to most, but to President of Raptor’s, Masai Ujiri, it made perfect sense. He was the leader that made the 2019 NBA championship possible. He executed pure and simple leadership.

·       Vision – He had a vision for the team and executed it with precision. He communicated that vision over and over, never giving up on it even when the team couldn’t see it. When the reality of it seemed like it was slipping away he still communicated that vision. He bought into the vision and kept selling us that vision at every opportunity he got. Yes, we all bought into it.

·       Seizing Opportunity – It was risky signing Kawhi Leonard coming off an injury, yet he seized it. A risky move, that later would pay off with an NBA championship and making Leonard one of the most valuable players in the sport.

·       Get the right people on the bus and get the wrong people off the bus – It’s a Jim Collin’s quote from his book “Good to Great”. If you haven’t read it, read it! It’s a great one. I’m sure it wasn’t easy letting Casey and Derozen go. To execute his vision and have it fulfilled however, it was needed. He needed to change up the dynamics of the team, change the leadership within it, so he could move it forward. He let them go, moved up Nick Nurse to head coach and brought in key players to fulfill his vision. After winning the championship he did give credit to both Casey and Derozen who were instrumental in the road towards the championship. Classy leadership!

·       Passion – He never lacked passion, in his pursuit of his vision, in the communication of his vision and the way he led. At times, he got into hot water trying to rally the team a little “too passionately” before crucial games.

·       Trust - He trusted his team, even when it seemed to not go as well. He was steadfast in his belief and trust in their capabilities and what they can achieve together.

If you follow basketball or the Raptors you would know that Kawhi Leonard, did not end up signing another season with Toronto. No hard feelings. We thank him for a stellar year and giving the city and the country something, we’ve never had before, an NBA championship. We wish him the best but not too much. We want to see the Raptors win again sometime soon. I trust Ujiri may have something up his sleeve …. I think it’s leadership.  

Do what you do with passion

I had posted my usual motivational tweet one morning… “Do what you do with passion or not at all”, to which someone sarcastically tweeted back, “I’m cleaning today, should I do that with passion too?” I said, “Absolutely yes”. Sure, it’s not, the most exciting of tasks, but still… why not? I would think you would want a clean looking house. How would you achieve the best possible result if you were grudgingly doing the work? I know I can’t. It’s easy when you are excited about the project or task to get passionate about the work. Not quite the same when it’s a mundane or day to day chore. So how do you get that excitement going?

·       Boost it up – ask yourself if it’s necessary – if not, then don’t do it. If it’s necessary, then get it done. Boost it up to liven the time doing it. I use music to boost up any tired old chore. Cleaning is a perfect example. With good music, I do feel passionately doing the most mundane of tasks. A little bit of wine helps too and sometimes more than just a little.

·       What’s next?  - it helps to think what’s coming up next. At times it’s something more exciting within a project or goal. Get the boring stuff out of the way to make room for the more exciting stuff. Doing with well and efficiently, will only lead to a better experience after it.

·       Two hands are always better than one – I like to include my family and friends in some of the not-so-exciting things I need to do. When we got our basement ready, when we needed to do some major cleaning and purging, I made sure I sourced out help. Didn’t want to keep all the “fun” to myself. It became an event, an exciting one and not so daunting and boring after all.

·       Envision the end – it’s nice to have a vision, with everything. It doesn’t have to be formal or written down but, planning it out in your head and envisioning the result and what it would look like can be good motivation on getting things done and getting them done well.

I must leave to complete another mundane task. Yes, it’s absolutely needed, and I am envisioning the final product to get me going. The end-result involves a very exciting NBA Finals game 5 against the Raptors and Golden State Warriors. Here I go with passion……

Don’t forget to sign me up for the NHL!!!

Tomorrow will be my son’s very last hockey game of his “house-league minor hockey career”. Personally, I hope he never gives it up and continues to play perhaps at university or pick up with his pals and maybe eventually join the beer leagues. We have had just as much fun, if not more, watching him play, grow and boy did we acquire a whole hockey family with us along the way.

He started out playing soccer at the tender age of three and a half. His first organized sport. I remember sizing him up against the other players on his team. Josh had an athletic-like build and was a strapping three and a half year old. Star player of the team I thought compared to the tiny team mates around him. Both my husband and I were ex-athletes and yes you could say “stars” in our own element. He must take after us I thought as I waited eagerly for the 1^st game of his promising sports career to begin. As the other tiny little boys ran around like bees after the ball, there was my son in the middle of the field picking dandelions with another spectacled boy and blowing the fluffy white wishes at us with glee. “Go after the ball Josh” I shouted, half shocked at my son and half annoyed at the other spectacled boy who I was sure had distracted him from the game. Needless to say, his soccer career didn’t last long thank goodness and we eventually moved onto what became his love, all our loves…. hockey.

He started off half walking and half skating, going the wrong way, falling down every time he took a shot, but boy did he ever try and hustle around that ice. We found it! His sport became our sport and his love became ours. One night as I tucked him into bed he said to me “Mom, don’t forget to sign me up for the NHL (National Hockey League)” …..if only, …a lofty dream for an average house-league hockey player who eventually became the star player in our eyes. NHL was far beyond our hopes. We just wanted a jersey that fit that year!!

Josh’s hockey career gave us many great times, awesome experiences, drama…oh my word the drama that resulted from the passion of the game, incredible amount of pain when one of his team-mates passed away tragically, lessons that will stay with us forever and most of all it gave us a wealth of fond memories, life-long friendships and a wonderful hockey family. A family that can undoubtedly be counted on THREE things at any time;

1.       A ride to and from the rink

2.       Advice on all things, hockey and life, even when you don’t ask for it

And ABOVE ALL

3.       A RIOT OF A TIME!!!

I remember Josh`s very first goal…I cried. I remember his first punch right smack on the face of a bully on the ice…I beamed with pride…. he was nominated Assistant Captain that year and I was sure the punch had lots to do with it. I remember well when he was nailed against the boards and suffered his first concussion…. I cringed. I will remember his grin on the ice and quick glance at the stands when he scored, which wasn`t that often for a defenseman. I will miss sitting in the cold arena cheering or yelling at the top of my lungs. I will miss the laughs, the tournaments, getting told off by the hotel security at those tournaments to keep it down and turn off the karaoke. I will miss the pub nights after the game. I will NOT miss going to the games a whole hour and a half ahead of time, so my husband could prepare the game sheet and get ready to co-coach and manage the team. I will miss very specially watching my #4 Left Defenseman hustling around the ice with the very best of people…. our hockey family, our forever friends.

Tomorrow is his very last game. The team secured an overtime win of a nail biter to move on to the Finals. We all needed a drink at the pub after to calm ourselves down! I don’t know if the team will end up winning the championship tomorrow. Josh’s team won Gold the very first year he played hockey and it would seem a fitting finish ending with Gold. I won’t lie it would be just GOLDEN to win!! In any event, I know what outcome I can always count on…. lots of fun and definitely another awesome memory! Go Spits!!!

Your Heart Does Not Lie!

2013 was a pivotal year for me. After having worked 12 years at my previous company, taking on a new role and a new challenge each year pretty much, I decided to call it quits and take my chances going after new opportunities. People thought I was nuts, having a pretty good gig going on. I loved the people, the place but no longer felt challenged or excited. I had nothing lined up nor was I actively looking right away after I quit. Instead I took the time off, to discover, play, travel and take on new challenges I would not have otherwise experienced had I stayed PUT! Just a few of my highlights;

1.    Gained my PMP (project management professional certification)

2.    Figured out social media and ran some marketing and sales campaigns

3.    Except for Lincoln, I saw all Oscar nominated “Best Picture” movies

4.    Disneyworld with my family…. Loads of fun!

5.    New Orleans!!

6.    Opened up my company and started a blog…which reminds me I have to write more often!

7.    Gained some awesome friends and mentors

8.    Got an opportunity to serve on the board of directors for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Peel region

9.    Landed a terrific new opportunity that affords me the privilege to serve and challenges me with some very exciting projects ahead

10.  My very favourite……LOTS of family time.

I am a NOT a believer of good things come to those who wait. I am a believer of going after what you want. So, go get it!! Don’t wait! Apart from the highlights, here are three very important lessons I took with me this year……

Listen to your heart

Do what feels right to you. You will have tons of naysayers. Learn to tune them OUT! I remember hearing the phrase “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” over and over, again. I tuned it out. I took a risk. A BIG risk and live to tell you that it was sooooo worth it! Do what you want to do and what feels right! Learn to listen to yourself more and tune out the white noise around you. Listen to your heart.

Seek out and cherish your support system

Being a mom of two, a wife, a mortgage holder, a bill payer, I couldn’t just up and quit and follow my speaking heart. I needed the support of my family. I needed them on my side. They encouraged me to follow my heart and when I was ready to seek out my next opportunity, they became my biggest cheerleaders. They cheered me on every single day. Make sure you have a very strong support system. I had the very best!!

Surround yourself with positivity

You are what you think. Guard your thoughts and actions carefully. Surround yourself with positive people. You can’t soar with the eagles if you hang around the turkeys. Figure out who your eagles and turkeys are and pick your company wisely. I surrounded myself with positivity and with people I could learn from, and did I ever learn a ton! Your attitude will determine your altitude and you want to make sure you aim high! Positivity is key!

So, what are some of the things you learned in 2013? Do let me know …..

Your Excitement Can Move People to Change!

The only constant and inevitable thing is change. You can be assured that just when things settle down, they will change soon enough. So, don’t get too comfortable!

To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often – Winston Churchill

The last project I completed involved an implementation of a brand-new investment product and a new Customer Relationship Management system. The word around the water cooler was that it was the “project from hell”. There were times mid-project that I too believed it. Murphy certainly poked his head not once, not twice but several times during the 3+ year span of the project. It was essentially a strategic initiative (somehow initiative sounds too light of a word) that summed all the changes that the company had ever gone through and delivered it in one giant swoosh. A new system, new product, new processes, new ways of doing business, new rules and regulations, new project methodology, new project teams and members, some of them lived across the pond...…literally, and did I add, business transformational! There were some bumps along the way. With all of the ups, downs and turnarounds, the new product was eventually delivered, the system was launched, and the people lived! I was the Project Manager of the “Change” stream, which most saw as a chore, an afterthought or a “nice to have”. WHAAATTT!!   

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance – Alan Watts

People did start to dance eventually. They danced and even sang to the rhythm of change, some holding hands even to the finish line! The venue, the music, the dance steps people followed, were carefully thought out and executed. It started early and was repeated often. The music changed, the steps including the players changed, but, there was always music, there was always a dance and a conductor to lead the group.

To lead significant change, the kind that’s business transformational, one can list several “MUST Dos”. There are books upon books written on how to get people from here to there and in no means am I suggesting my outline of steps below is it or better than what’s out there! Absolutely not!! They were what I observed and felt that worked for me when leading change. I write it in hopes that it will perhaps help you lead change. So, here’s my short list of MUST Dos;

1.

    1. 1111

1.    What will change look like, a.k.a your vision?

 

What will change look like, a.k.a your vision?

I need to envision the beach and the hotel before I even consider taking a vacation there. I am not the backpacker type. I do enjoy my creature comforts and as such, need to envision what it will look like before inertia begins. Added to that, I usually travel with my family and there’s no way of convincing them to come along unless I really believe it. You do have to know what change will look like, what your vision is, so you can paint a picture for your team. Giving them a picture allows them the benefit of envisioning it too.

Create a need and urgency for change!

It would be impossible to move people forward willingly and successfully without defining the why. Unfortunately shoving them forward is NOT an option!! Explain the need and urgency for change and people almost always will follow. Some will even step up and be your change agents who will help you in leading change. There may be several reasons for change; however, staying ALIVE most often is the reason for great and massive change. Make sure you explain that, and it’s clearly understood. Do that successfully, and you will have an eager group ready to help you lead the change.

Get people on board

You need people. You need people on board with you on the train to change. Look for those change agents. They are your hidden gems in getting everyone else excited about change. Most people don’t like change. But you will find a few who don’t like the status quo. They are the ones who thrive on change and chaos. Bring them on board with you first and it will be easier to move everyone else along. Your attitude about change is HUGE. As a change leader, you set the tone for people to follow. If you are hesitant, then no one else will really buy your need for change. Get excited and inspire people into action.

Plan, Do, Check and Act

This is usually applied to quality, but also works when leading change. You must plan how you will execute the transformational change needed. You then execute the change. You check along the way to see if it worked, and then you act on what worked and what didn’t. Do it frequently throughout the process. Change is constant and so is the process of change.

Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!

Do it early and do it often. Be direct! You don’t want your message diluted or misconstrued. Use a variety of methods, media and forums to communicate. Communication is not necessarily a memo, email or presentation. Be creative with your communication. Have events, games, town-halls leading up to change. Keep it exciting. Keep them wanting more.  

 “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Leading change is not easy. You need to live it, believe it, and breathe it, day in and day out. You will need to be a fearless, skilled and strong driver wearing a coat of Teflon. People will need to see the change in you and want to be a part of that change. Your attitude is EVERYTHING!

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs

The quote was inspired by Marianne Williamson’s poem; Our Deepest Fear. Thanks David Hain for the history lesson! If you haven’t read the poem yet, I strongly encourage you to read it.

So, what are your thoughts on leading change? What change leadership methods worked for you? What didn’t? Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas……

A 4 year old teacher? You bet!

Taking the GO train home, the other day, we were all treated to the antics of an excited 4 year old. He dazzled and entertained and left everyone on the train hanging on for more. When it was his turn to get off were all bidding goodbye like good old friends. The train ride afterwards was somber and quiet, with everyone back on their mobile devices and newspapers.

Four year olds aren't just cute and talkative. They do have valuable lessons we can take away. Next time you meet a 4 year old pick out what you learn.

1. Be enthusiastic! It is that simple. Approach each day like it's a gift to be treasured and enjoyed thoroughly. Revel in the "newness" around you. Absorb your surroundings and be excited that you are privileged to be a part of it. Unfortunately, some others may not have this opportunity, but you do. Value it and be excited about it. It's not JUST a train ride. It's a mesmerizing ride with lots of sights to see and lots of people to meet. Make it count!

2. Make friends along the way. It's no fun going anywhere all by yourself. Even if you are a loner, at times you will need to make friends to get to where you want to go. Be friendly, be kind and don't forget to SMILE.

3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Since when does everyone know everything? Be humble and don't forget to ask for help or ask how things work if you don't know. People are usually very happy to help, and it makes them feel wanted. Give them that benefit. Ask for help when you need to.

4. Wow your audience. Our little 4 year old friend on the train kept us engaged, kept us wanting for more of his simple little antics. We need to do the same. Leave an impression with those you meet. Make a difference. Leave your audience hanging for more.

When you meet a 4 year old next time, don't forget to listen and observe intently for another lesson we can learn. When you do, send me a message so I can add it to the list!

Let there be light....

On July 8th, 2013, due to heavy rain and flash floods we did not have power for 4.5 hours in Mississauga. No TV, radio, lights or cordless phones! We stood outside the house mingling with neighbours who said there were heavy rains and floods in Toronto which is about 15-20 minutes away from us. It was barely a drizzle where we were. We hurried around the house before it got dark looking for candles and flashlights. After about an hour with no power we were conserving our cell phones just in case. It seemed like a repeat of the brownout in 2003. We didn't have power for about 8+ hours as I remember. Our family of 4 sat around the living room playing a game of phase 10. We stopped after it got too dark and we couldn't tell the difference between the green and blue cards. Everything was so dark and quiet! There was no conversation, just silence as we watched the candles flicker back and forth. Every now and then someone got up and tried switching on a light to a room just out of habit. How we take the little luxuries in life for granted! No electricity and/or no water is the norm amongst most of the world. Rolling blackouts is how some countries conserve electricity. I am so thankful I live in a country where I flick on the switch and there is light. "For how long?" some people say.... I do hope for a very long time. We snuck in a few surfs on the internet and heard of a GO train being stuck in water and people needing to be rescued. About 2 hours in darkness and silence we had power! A flurry of activity ensued with everyone setting their digital clock radios and getting back on the internet for more updates.

It was only the day after that we would really comprehend the extent of water, damage and drama that occurred the day before. There were pictures upon pictures of people wading in the water, using their canoes, cars immersed in water, the GO train rescue and even a snake on the train...yuck! I had to travel on the GO 2 days later and yes I was looking around and did not let my legs rest on the ground for too long.

• We so take our little luxuries for granted. Thank goodness for hot water, internet, phones and light. We didn't learn our lesson last brownout, but we are getting us some old fashioned phones.... the kind you plug in.
• I do enjoy occupying one room in the house with my family, sitting in silence with nothing but a few candles flickering for light. It's simple and just bliss.
• It's always good to be prepared. I am not sure how prepared we would have been had we had no power for longer. I refuse to be one of those doomsday "preppers" but it's something to think about.

I do hope we have no rolling power outages or big blackouts and brownouts. I am a wimp and do need my power and yes, hot water too. I am not sure how long we will last without it. Our blackout did remind me to be very thankful of our little luxuries! It also made me think of how we will be ready if we have an outage for longer...I hope I won't ever have to find out!!