The Best Vision Story Challenge

Years ago, an article was published in Fortune magazine taking executives to task for their wasted efforts in regard to the vision statement process so many organizations were using. I have used that article in various ways in many of my appearances to make a point and always get a laugh. Unfortunately, many folks still use the same valueless process today with similar dismal results.

Wandering through many company hallways, I still see vision, mission and values statements hanging on walls but with the life choked out of them. Employees even have them laminated and attached to their company badges. However, when I ask what the vision is, I usually get a smirk coupled with a feeble attempt or an "I don't know". Moreover, if they have memorized it, my next question is always...is it meaningful.

If you have been in a session with me, you know how I feel about the scourge of the vision statement and what the remedy might be. For those of you who have not been with me as of yet, the remedy in a nutshell is the focused, memorable, heart-felt vision "Story." Or, as I call it, The Never Ending Story. It's the process that Gwen uses in my book, The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable.

Beginning with this Leadership Buzz, I would like to create a Vision Story Challenge with the idea being to share your stories. In fact, let's make it interesting. Let's do a "Top Ten" and let all of you vote on the results. I will need to come up with some prizes it appears. No, I think a new car is out of the question.

vision_samples.pdf

Here's how to play:

Send your company vision story to me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   and I will post it.  I will promote this challenge around the globe with my colleagues who also can ask their readers to send some samples to me. Since we are in the middle of summer, let's keep the timeframe a bit longer.  I will announce the winners of this go-round in the September issue of the LIO newsletter.

For those who are unaware or need a refresher, elements of a great vision story include but are not limited to:

Sharing what really matters to you and your organization. Is the real you Showing Up, so those you wish to join with you are inspired by the possibilities? Is the good, bad and ugly of the current situation evident and acting as a good measuring stick to gauge progress as the future story unfolds? Can people hear the invitation to join? Can they hear the benefits?

Perhaps later, we can do a similar challenge to see the Top Ten Worst Vision statements that are seriously still being used in an attempt to inspire the masses. I'll probably be inundated with those I'm sure.

So get busy. Rise to the challenge. Send me your Vision Story entries today.

LPI Test Drive 

In The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable, Joe and Gwen’s life was changed by it and so have thousands of real people in the real world for more than 20 years. What is “it”? It is The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI).

There’s a good reason why The Leadership Practices Inventory is featured exclusively in my book, The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable. It is the best leadership 360-instrument on the market, hands-down. I have been using it with my clients for more than 15 years with impeccable results. It is simple, to the point and totally backed by tons of research.

If you’ve never experienced the LPI, now is a great time to take it for a test drive. I am pleased to announce, that beginning with this newsletter, Wiley, the LPI publisher. is bundling the new Self LPI with every copy of The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable purchased directly  through them exclusively via my newsletter or website. This offer, valued at $40.00, won't last long, so take advantage of it today.

As they say on television, here’s how to order:

Remember, great leaders invest in themselves. So, whether you need a test drive to check it out for business for the first time or simply to review and refresh your past results, today is as good as ever to spend a moment or two on you.   

It's All About Relationships

Your career depends on relationships. The best way to grow a relationship is to say thank you to those who assist in helping you achieve your goals.

What's the best way to say thanks? Hint: it's not email! That's too easy and you never know what happens after you've clicked send. The winner of all time is the personal thank you card. Written specifically and sincerely, the little note is received warmly and usually kept in a place of honor.

With that in mind, order some elegant cards today with your name or initials on them. And keep a few with you (in your briefcase when mobile) at all times. Put a stamp on one or two of the envelopes in advance so you are prepared.

What's the best way to send them? Offering the note in person, as you verbally share your appreciation, is certainly a great way. However, many times that's not possible.

The most powerful way to send a card is to their home through snail mail.  And if you want to take the modest thank you note to the next level, send the note to their home but not to them; send the note to their spouse or children. If applicable, let their family know how much you appreciate their mom or dad and what they did that was so meaningful.

Your relationship will be secured.

Let Them Eat Cake 

Speaking of saying thank you, I have to share a recent story. At the last ASTD conference in San Diego I was introduced to Kevin Eikenberry, who also is an author of leadership books and speaks around the country. I will be reviewing Kevin’s book, Remarkable Leadership, in the near future.

After a quick meeting, we traded books and agreed to continue developing our business relationship allowing what was next to emerge organically.

The next thing I knew, Kevin had reviewed, The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable, on his Blog and some books flew off the shelves. A few weeks later, he invited me to be on his Blue Ribbon panel of judges to review and nominate “The Best of Leadership Blogs” in his second annual contest. A great idea.

Abby Hoye on his staff made the activity quick, fun and I enjoyed reading all of the entries (including one that I write for, Leader Talk). The Blue Ribbon panel’s job was to winnow down the entries to the Top Ten and then Kevin would invite the world to read them and vote. The winners will be announced on Kevin’s Blog in August. I urge you to click over to the Blog, read the entries and cast your vote.

But, what this is all leading to is that Kevin went above and beyond what he needed to do as a thank you for my time. I was pleased to participate and needed nothing else. But he sent all of the panel members a gift from Send Out Cards. It was a thank you note with a sample of some very tasty, rich and thick brownies.

No, the brownies won’t sit high on my shelf with the card; in fact I’m sure they are all gone as you read this.

Going above and beyond is the hallmark of a “remarkable” leader. Thanks Kevin, nice touch!

The Secret is in the Music...

I was browsing through my ITunes Library the other day peeking into the past. Appropriately, one of my favorite albums popped into view. "The Days of Future Passed" by the Moody Blues. I recall it being one of the first rock albums I bought that was recorded with a full orchestra. It certainly set the pace for other bands of the time.

So, I hit play, tossed on the headphones and crumpled into my favorite chair...memories rushing at me as if I was rocketing through a time machine. No, I wasn't inhaling anything other than crisp ocean air.

Then, as if my time-travel ran head-on into a train, the lyrics, which I have heard hundreds of times, began to echo in a new way. I was stunned.  It was as if I was hearing the words for the first time. The lyrics to some of the cuts were about leadership. At least the way I think and talk about leadership.

Were The Moody Blues the culprit for my reasoning around the definition of leadership all this time? Have they been lurking in my subconscious waiting for the moment to pounce? Were their lyrics somehow unconsciously woven into my book, The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable?

Okay, I see your eyes roll. You’re thinking you may have not have been smoking, but what kind of brownies were you munching on?

No, really, humor me. Take a look at some of the lyrics from a few of the cuts: (I have edited a bit to make my point.)

From “The Voice”

Make a promise take a vow
And trust your feelings it’s easy now
Understand the voice within
And feel the changes already begin…

I have been saying this for years. Leadership is a choice, a moment-to-moment choice you make for yourself. Listen to that voice inside. Once you make the choice, you have begun.

From "Blue World"

And it's only what you do

That keeps coming back on you

And it's only what you say

That can give yourself away

Leadership can't breathe without credibility and integrity. You must choose to be open, honest and authentic. You must do what you say you will do. Not just for others, for yourself.

From "Your Wildest Dreams"

I wonder if you care

I wonder if you still remember

Once upon a time

In your wildest dreams

Many times in my seminars, I ask people to recall their childhood dreams of what they wanted to be when they grew up and how they're doing on that goal. Connect with that 12-year-old. Who'd you want to be? Can you remember? Isn't it time to quit saying yes to mediocre and march towards your masterpiece?

From "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"

I know you're out there somewhere

I know I'll find you somehow

And somehow I'll return again to you

The mist is lifting slowly

I can see the way ahead

And I've left behind the empty streets

That once inspired my life

And the strength of the emotion

Is like thunder in the air

From the words that I remember

From my childhood still are true

That there's none so blind

As those who will not see

And to those who lack the courage

And say it's dangerous to try

Each day you must make the choice anew. When you keep asking yourself who am I and what do I want from my life, the real you heads home. The fog lifts. Old mind-numbing patterns begin to crack and fade. Be ready.

From "Gemini Dream":

Turned round to see

Where we've been

And what we believe

Living it

Believing it

Wanting it

Make it work out

It's no "secret". You must really want it, believe it and live it as if you have it.  Cause...

From "Nights In White Satin":

Just what you want to be

You will be in the end.

Okay, ‘nuff said ‘bout the days of future past. It's time for the days of the future. It's time for a little Even Elroy, a new band that I heard recently. Never heard of them? Check'em out on ITunes. I'll be featuring some of their stuff from time-to-time.