Archive for the ‘STN Book’ Category

Let’s SIFE IT UP!  That was the mantra for the evening as we built up with energy just before I went on to deliver my keynote to the Sheridan business community. The speech was a fund-raiser event for Students in Free Enterprise at Sheridan College and was the culmination of a series of events with an international cultural theme.  What a crowd and what a speech.  I felt very welcome there – much thanks for Curtis and Loren and the crew for the hospitality and just totally embracing the message. 

After a nice run with TELOS, (yes-he made the 8 hour harrowing road trip with me) I warmed up in the afternoon with a speech to the college students that started out with my story of Entrepreneurship and GDI highlights of the last ten years. I started and finished that speech by asking the question that every college student hears over and over and over…  you know the one,  “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?”   Interweaving the story of creating your future with passion and some stories of challenges and successes over the last several years was quite fun and, from what I heard, impactful.  Then I transitioned into The Spirit of Mokwai story which I just love.  One of the highlights was the debeau of BRING IT BACK – the trailer Scott Fessler put together. The crowd loved it and cheered at the end! Sweet. Nice work, Scottie. 

And then the Keynote – well there’s about a thousand things I could say about how exciting that was for me and how the Seeking True North Message was delivered and received.  I will say this – The STN Message is one of PRACTICAL INSPIRATION.  And yes, that’s a phrase that I just thought of, and it seems to ring true.  An inspiring message that engages the audience to think about the principles and how they apply to their life, and how they can be APPLIED in a practical sense.  In the end, as i concluded my speech, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop – and everyone was still awake – amazing! HA HA.  Seriously, the emotional ride included  smiles, laughs, a few audience jeers (yes this happens when you reference leadership and Obama in the same sentence in Wyoming), questions, answers, big-time audience interaction and as I said my last word there were notable tears of inspiration – awesome!  I was psyched – and I am sure you will be to when we share our next Seeking True North experience.

Peace -  Tim

It’s Sunday night and I just finished up a killer few days of team building programs with the Websense International Best Sellers.  Today was a Search and Rescue Simulation on snowmobiles in the Togwotee Wilderness. Yesterday was a combination of ZOOM and Teaming with GPS – Urban. The day before that was a unique sled-building slalom course event. No pictures at the moment~ but you can imagine!  The group was very eclectic international bunch from places like Brazil, Scotland, Sweden, Canada, HongKong, and of course, New Jersey. Many folks had never seen snow before!  The program was really about the incentive and relationship building through a series of amazing Grand Dynamics Jackson Hole Experiences. As with all of our events, I am continuously reminded of the one characteristic that makes all our events so great. ADAPTABILITY.  The ability to monitor the group, balance the needs of multiple clients (participants, Meeting planners, 3rd party vendors) and adjust on the fly is a hallmark of Grand Dynamics programs.  Timing, Weather, Site, Participant and Meeting Planner Expectations and Staff insights and communcation all come into play. 

I am also continuously reminded that my work is a direct metaphor of my life.  The ability to begin with the end in mind while maintaining a hightened sense of awareness and thus be able to adapt is a critical component of PRACTICE.  Develop Sensory Acquity and notice what is working, and what might need to be shifted to achieve your desired end result!

How are YOU adapting?

Check out this exciting preview of Bring it Back!.  This is a short, about a minute and a half, video that provides a peek into the 2006-2007 adventure that took me to Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia and Russia.  The trip was a quest for Self Actualization, and my search for the question of HOW PEOPLE LIVE TO THEIR TRUE POTENTIAL – World-wide.  This trip was a pivotal follow-up effort to donate funds I had raised for the Thailand Tsunami which I experienced December 26, 2004.  The quest included a first ascent of a remote wall in the jungles of Cambodia, a line which we dubbed, The Spirit of Mokwai.  This adventure was feature in Climbing Magazine’s annual EPIC edition in 2007, highlight the most EPIC CLIMBS of the year.  Thanks to Scott Fessler, life-long friend and independent film-maker, musician and writer in San Francisco who put this together. We are seeking a production company to support the development of the remainder of this film.  It is an incredible story, and one which needs to be shown to the world!  It is a perfect example of LIVING OUT the continuous life of SEEKING TRUE NORTH!  Please contact us for additional information.

ENJOY!

Here’s the idea in brief that I gleaned from the Harvard Business Review,  January 2009 edition on Transforming Leaders.  New leaders in an organization often focus on the quick win. However, in doing so, it is easy to fall into traps which paradoxically undercut what it is they are trying to achieve. 

One research study of 5,400 new leaders and their managers revealed that those who scored a quick win scored 20% higher their overall success in their new role. This research showed that, among the high performing leaders, on attribute stood out – a focus on results.   Of course this all makes sense, right?  The question is, HOW does one go about achieving those wins and avoid the potential quick-win pitfalls?

According to Mark Van Buren and Rodd Safferstone of Corporate Executive Board, there are five pitfalls to avoid, which include: Focusing too heavily on the details, reacting negatively to criticism, intimidating others, jumping to conclusions and micromanaging. In achieving the win-win, the new leader must shift their focus to their INDIVIDUAL quick win to the COLLECTIVE win.  As Muhammad Ali said it so eloquently in the shortest poem ever written, “Me-We.”  In creating that collective win, the leader engages with other key players in the organization and thus BUILDS the TEAM.  How can you tell if the quick win is a successful one?  It should demonstrate the following characteristics: 

VALUE:  The project either increases revenue or reduces costs.

FEASIBILITY: The project can be completed in a timely manner without distracting other team members from their daily tasks and without new resources.

COLLECTIVE IMPACT:  All team members are proud to cite their contribution toward the project and can see how they helped achieve the “win.”

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEADER TO ENGAGE: The project required the new leader to seek input from direct reports, peers and managers. 

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEADER TO LEARN:  In the course of the project, the new leader learns about the team dynamics, strengths, weaknesses and aspirations of the team members.

As new leaders engage in an organization and create a positive impact, remember to clarify not only the desired end results, but also the process in which you will create them!

Here it is!  For the past 8 years, Grand Dynamics has partenered with the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) to provide the Spring Creek Annual Incoming Chapter President’s Leadership Advance. Comprised of mostly CFOs of large construction companies, these leaders come to Jackson Hole for a 4 day Grand Dynamics training and development experience. The business results and ROI of this program have been featured in the New York Times.  Watch for yourself as construction industry leaders comment about CFMA, Grand Dynamics, and the power of the Seeking True North models methods and tools.  The following questions/comments are addressed in this interview series.

1. How can a Spring Creek Program benefit an incoming Chapter President?  

2. Describe your Grand Dynamics experience.

3. How will this training impact your personal or professional life?

4. Describe the effectiveness of the Seeking True North Models, Methods and tools.

5. During challenging economic times, why is it important to invest in team building and leadership development?

\

Thank-you to Mike Molaro, the CFMA team and all the incredible Chapter Presidents we have had the joy to share insightful and impactful learning experiences.  Thanks to Cal Beyer and Arch Insurance for their continuous support of this program. Thanks to Master Erick Erickson and Master Josh Morris, the Grand Dynamics facilitators I have been lucky to work with over the years. Thanks to the following 2009 Incoming Chapter Presidents for their interview:

Christopher Zaucha – Philadelphia; Sonya Quazchnick – Dallas/Forth Worth; Catherine Granger – Las Vegas; Bryan Johnson – Georgia; Jason Henley – CFMA National Chairperson; David Whiteman – Houston; Jeremy Vokt – Nebraska; Jack Geiffels – San Diego; Melissa Turner – Last Frontier; Larry True – New York; Charles Tasto – Arch Insurance Group Sponsor

I have created an awesome Valentine’s Day tradition, and this is year 3.  I headed to Albertsons Grocery Store and bought four dozen roses (total value about $100).  As I am checking out, the cashier notices that one of the rose bulbs has broken off and tells me she wants to get me a new set with all the roses. Allrighty.  So she leaves and returns and we begin to count to figure out which of the 4 sets of roses had the one missing and in the middle of it, she says, “Here, just take them.”  I smile and reply, “Thank-you. Do you realize that you just gave me roses BECAUSE I am about to give them all away?”  She looked at me and said, “really?”  “Yes, really.” Cool.

So I wandered off into the parking lot. The first few roses are really quite awkward.  A bit nervous and excited to make someones day, I begin to approach RANDOM women.  With a simple, “Happy Valentine’s Day” and a smile I hand the rose over and walk away with no time for any comments or expected response.  Over the next several hours, I travel to the post office, bagel shops, furniture moving sales, back-country ski shops and other random stores that are open. I even skip the line at a fast food drive through and dropped a rose off at the window and drove off quickly!  At one point I went into a gas station with a rose and there was only a male attendant.  This is where the experiment took it to the next level.  I gave the rose to the cashier and told him to give it to the next random woman that came in!  Now that is passing it on and getting others to feel the beauty of giving.  I picked up a friend and had him give some out. I gave a few to my Rock and Roll Band (Wounded Knee) so they could all feel the giving love.  My final stop was at Teton Thai where I brought a bunch in for the ladies behind the counter and in the kitchen and the ladies in for a bite. 

The reactions?  Well across the board really. From the quiet thank-you to the heartfelt appreciation and look of surprise and shock – WOW – that is SOOOO nice!  to the I would have never gotten one! to You Made My Day! The best is when it registers that there is really NO expectation from the giving. In my opinion, that is the crux of the giving. This act, of course, is not about getting anything back except for the fact that you feel good about making someone’s day!

So what’s the point anyway?  There are lots of ways to bring a smile to people’s faces and a little joy and love into the world. This is one cool way and I want to continue creating as many as possible.  Sure, it does make the ladies feel special.  Why not spread some love around the world!