Monthly Archives: October 2011

10.18.11
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“Leadership” guest lecture material

As a follow up to my guest lecture on Leadership to the Sales Management class at FSU, here are the resources that will help you cut through the clutter of all the information you will be beseiged with at the beginning of your professional career:

1. Peter Senge’s book, The Fifth Discipline which I hope is as much of a “game-changer” as it is for you as it has been for me.

2. Robert Fritz’s book, The Path of Least Resistence, which you should read before you graduate.

3. Steve Jobs’ commencement address at Stanford must be understood.

These are all references I wish I knew when I was in your seat.

I’ve also put together notes for my two young boys; kind of a “I wish I knew then, what I know now,” so they can maybe grasp some of these concepts at an early age and surpass my attainment in knowledge and ultimately have the capacity to do whatever they wish in life.  

Below are some life lessons I’ve learned that I hope you can learn early, if you haven’t already.  You’ve undoubtedly heard some of these before, but I’ve personally experienced them as a truth.  Don’t let a cliche get in the way of abosorbing a concept.

1. One person really can change the world, and often times, it is the only way.

2. Perserverance and passion separate the good from the great almost every time.

3. Truly persue your dreams.

4. Learn now how to manage information- the world is full of bad ideas.

5. Focus on the important, not always the urgent

6. Manage your personal brand; this is a key to success.

7. Successful people are typically great storytellers.

8. Create what you want. “Life isn’t about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

9. “Live it” to be successful.

10. Pursue the best argument- have a commitment to the truth.

11. Get on the right side of gravity (especially in this economy)

12. Be an expert in technology.

13. Focus on personal mastery, but live to serve others.

14. Live a balanced life.

15. You take charge of your education and development.  Don’t leave it in the hands of someone else.

16. Beware of people that seem to know everything.

17. Establish values and live them every day, no matter what.

18. Those that have givenup on their dreams will discourage you from yours.

19. The grass is always greener where you water it.

10.11.11
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New online fundraising research for nonprofits

Wonder how quickly fundraising is moving online?

Thanks to Blackbaud for providing interesting information about online vs. offline giving.  This is critical information for nonprofit fundraisers to know.  Leave a comment below to exchange how this works in your organization.

 

Multichannel giving by Blackbaud [INFOGRAPHIC]

10.06.11
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Guest post: 3 Realities in Managing Millennials

By: Molly FoleyThe Millennials…they’re sociable, talented, well-educated, and collaborative. They’re open-minded, influential, and achievement-oriented. They’ve always felt sought after and perhaps indispensable. They’ve been arriving in our workplaces with high expectations for both themselves and their managers.

Doesn’t sound so bad, does it?!

Why do today’s managers struggle with these new up and comers?

There are three realities all business leaders should and must face in today’s multi-generational workplace:

Reality #1 – Millennials are growing in numbers and influence.

Currently Millennials make up about 35% of today’s U.S. workforce. Born between 1982 and 2001, Millennials are fast approaching 30 and beginning to swamp our workplaces. And their influence on our work cultures is increasing with their deeply rooted technology skill set.

Reality #2 – Talented employees need great managers!

Talented young employees may join your company because of its creative, flexible culture or commitment to career development, but how long the young and talented stay and how productive they are, is determined by their relationship with their manager.

In Next Generation’s research among 20-40 year-olds, when asked, “Why did you leave your last job,” the most common responses all fall into one category: bad management.

Reality #3 – The next generation may – and likely does – see the world differently than their managers.

Too often managers quickly chalk up difficulties among teams in the workplace to different levels of experience. Although levels of experience can cause hiccups in the workplace, sometimes the issues occurring are more related to generational differences than experience.

The fact is most Millennials are simply looking for a different style of management. What they seek in a manager is different from what their managers sought in a boss.

Millennials value coaching and feedback. They want to know what the expected outcome is and the best way to achieve it from past experience. They are team oriented. They want to be invited into the conversation and given the opportunity to provide input. They value structure AND flexibility (I know, right?!).

The realities are that Millennials will continue to invade our workplaces and managers need to provide them opportunities to succeed and grow – they need to get back to some basics and manage!