Debra Kasowski

What Makes a Good Executive Great?

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http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-business-woman-looking-away-vision-concept-image10468085Some people believe that great leaders are born while others think great leadership can be learned. I believe it a can be a little of both – what you are born into and the role models and mentors you learn from make the biggest difference.

There are certain qualities that propels a good executive to a great one!

Great executives:

  • are committed to sharing the mission and vision of the organization and try to onboard all the champions to continue to share the message

 

  • make regular appearances throughout the organization. The staff need to see that you care about the work that they do. Take time to learn about your people. Get to know some of their names – everyone from the janitor to your assistant.

 

  • are strategic systems thinkers who communicate in an all-inclusive “we” – collaborative message.

 

  • are open to listening to ideas and opinions of others even if they are different than your own.

 

  • help build the capacity of the people within the organization by encouraging growth and development. They take a step back from the control of being a micromanager.

You know who those great executives are.

They are the only one who brings that high powered energy to a room. They are theones people in the organization look forward to seeing and hearing from. They are the ones who believe in the work being done.

The people who work for them respect and admire the leadership.

These fine executives surround themselves with the very best – you may be one!

What are you willing to do to shift from good to great starting TODAY?

To Agree or Disagree with Sheryl Sandberg – Facebook COO?

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There are many women in our lives who have influenced and shaped who we have become. For many of us, these people were our mothers, grandmothers, and women leaders. Leaders come in all shapes and forms. Some we know directly and others informally through books, magazines, and interviews.

The other night I watched Oprah’s Life Class interview with Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, and author of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. I received the book at a birthday present but I have not yet cracked it open. The interview was very revealing of character and position. Sandberg was recently featured in Time Magazine with a title, “Don’t Hate Her Because She is Successful“.

Do you “hate” women because they are successful? Do you aspire to be like them or shy away in envy?

I believe women should be admired for their skills and talents. I do not think Sandberg’s positioning is about burning bras and creating a movement against men. Her position and my position as a business coach are about building women leaders and the right to achieve our own successes.

As women, we compromise ourselves by not allowing our voices to be heard. Your opinion and perspective can shift a culture and create a movement. In the interview, Sandberg talked about women “not sitting at the table” and getting involved in the discussion or planning. The women who grow their businesses or climb the corporate ladder are not the women who hide behind the computer no pun intended to Facebook. The women who are leaders support others through asking the right questions and challenging ideas and thoughts that do not align with a vision.

Secondly, it is okay to be yourself and know your priorities. Sandberg shared that she left the office at 5:30 p.m. so show could be home with her family and in bed by 9:30 p.m. because her children would be getting up in the morning. We can have it all but not always at the same time. I totally agree with this philosophy but many people use to tell me I could not have it all – at any time. I think that view has fuelled me in writing my books and juggling the kids activities. I do recognize when people state, “I do not know how you get so much done.”

I will share part of the secret – I choose to.

In my home, we talk about expectations, goal-setting, and shared household responsibilities. I do not need to seek martyrdom but do strive to maintain sanity.

We must “LEAN IN“. What would you do if you were not afraid? So many times we may hold ourselves back from achieving what we want due to our “mommy guilt” but who ever said that you were not doing well by your children for being an example of strong work ethic, voice of equality, and achievement. Who said that women were not allowed to be leaders or achieve their dreams?

I am more involved with my children than previous generations because I choose to. I am grateful for the opportunities that come my way because of the efforts of the previous generations and my own. I believe women can climb the corporate ladder, grow businesses, and raise the next generation of leaders in our community. We are leaders by example. We have a vision for our future and collaborate with others to get things done.

Yes, there are trade-offs and sacrifices for a greater and bigger life. There is nothing sweeter than creating a life you love – your way!

Congratulations Sheryl Sandberg on reaching out and creating a platform for women leaders!

Who is a woman leader you admire or who has influenced who you are? Please share and comment on this post!

 

 

 

 

 

Become the Leader of the Life You Are Truly Meant to Live

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The journey of your life begins with choosing to become a leader of your own life. A leader who embraces their values and makes decisions that aligned with those very same values. There is more to life than going through the motions. Create a life that matters by being the leader you know you are meant to be.

Here are my 3 tips for being a leader in your own life:

Start taking responsibility for your life.When I say responsibility, I mean OWN your life. Ditch the excuses, complaints, and blaming others for why you feel hard done by. You can make decisions and choices based on what you control. You can either do something about it or do nothing – either way you have made a choice. For every excuse, complaint, or blaming statement, take note of what it is you can do to change the way it makes you feel. Can you ask for clarification, help, or even express your concerns or feelings to a person who you feel has wronged you? Remember people can only give what they know to be true based on where they are on their own life’s journey.

“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.”  ~Author Unknown

Build people up. We often see the strengths of others better than they see their strengths in themselves. Let people know their strengths when you see them. Think of ways you can help them develop their strengths or hone their skills even more. Perhaps you have come across a great book or article they need to read – share it with them. The more you help others the more they will want to help and champion you.

Do the things that great leaders do– stretch out and grow their comfort zones. Challenge yourself daily to do your very best each day. Set daily goals and reflect on your achievement at the end of the day. Many people will take the road that was well traveled but those who wish to grow and become better with try new things, learn from the mistakes, and persist even when the going gets tough. Each action taken creates a momentum to bigger and greater things.

Your success depends on consistent action. Each action creates a spark of momentum. Momentum is unstoppable unless you quit. Quitting is one of the greatest failures when you are pursuing something you truly want. Keep taking action and choose to LEAD and live rich from the inside out!

Great Book Review: Are You Leading with No Title?

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Every spare moment I have I am usually making notes, writing, or devouring great books that inspire, entertain, or help me grow as a leader in my life’s journey. My most recent book was Robin Sharma‘s “A Leader Who Had No Title” and I must say that this brilliant well written parable grabbed my attention from the very start. 

It completely blows me away to hear that so many people feel that they have no control in what happen’s in their lives and how they become prey to their own decisions and choose to become a victim in their own lives. Sharma creatively demonstrates how leaders who are truly leaders do not rely on their titles to make a difference in the lives of others. In fact, each person has an impact in making a difference in the lives of others by living up to their greatness. The character Blake Davis is befriended by Tommy Flinn and spends one day visiting four mentors who completely transform his life from one of despair and disillusion to a life of promise and hope. These four powerful conversations are not with people parading their successes and wealth but people who live each day to become better people and teach others to do the same by being leaders in their own lives. People who truly reap what they sow! If you want to live victoriously, you need to get this book. You are important and every thing you do matters!

This book is one of the must-reads that you will want to share with your colleagues, business partners, customers, and friends. Give a hand up to those who need to realize their potential and step into their greatness. Start being a leader!

How to Become an Influential Source in the World

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Not everyone once to become an influential force in the world. Sometimes it takes some responsibility and people shy away from that. To become an influential force, it is not about being pushy or salesy, or trying to get after people to buy your product or service. By being an influential force, what you are doing is – sharing your energy and how energetic or passionate you are about your product, service, or your business.

Here are 3 ways you can become an influential force in the world:

  1. Be the Best – Be the best at what you do. If you hone your skills, research, read books, take workshops, and learn different things about how you can be the best at what you do. You are an expert. People will be attracted to you because of your knowledge. 
  2. Be Resourceful – You might not always have all the answers but if you are able to link people to where they need to go or what services they might need to support their businesses or their lives. You become an expert resource. People will want to come to you because they know you are the “go to” person.
  3. Be an Action Taker – People attracted to those people who step out of their comfort zone, go after their dreams, ask for those “big asks”, and move forward. They do not dwell on comparing themselves to others and stopping themselves in their tracks.

To become influential in todays’ world, be the best, be resourceful, and step out of your comfort zone and go after what you want. People are attracted to people who overcome any barriers or roadblocks that come up in their way. Often people will say, “How did you get that?” Well, they get it because they ask. They do bold things and so can you.

As the influence extends to others, you will see a ripple effect among others. The influence by word of of mouth continues to grow and because they will show that you are an EXPERT, you are the RESOURCE, and you take ACTION!