Authentic Leadership in Cincinnati – 11/10 Meeting

WOW!!! Still coming down off a Leadership High!!!!! What an exciting and energizing session today.

For those who don’t know, Authentic Leadership in Cincinnati was formed on Linkedin on July 27th, only 3 months ago. Hard to believe as I sit and type that fact that we have come so far so fast! Says a lot about the leadership of the group. In that time, 232 Linkedin members have joined the group since the inception! In those mere 3 months, the group has been formed, created a passionate board, a vision, held out first session on September 15th and our second session today! A few exciting things that Erin shared before the meeting hit full stride today:

1. This will be our last formal event of the year. We are working on future topics/dates, so keep an eye on the linkedin group for upcoming dates and meeting topics.
2. We have begun the paperwork to establish our self as a not-for-profit entity. We expect to have that done early in 2010.
3. Erin reminded us all of the groups vision and purpose:

Authentic Leadership is driven by a motivation to positively impact people and results. It requires transparency, intentional actions and the building of effective relationships in order to help others reach their greatest potential.

Our purpose: To Develop, Support, Encourage, and Promote Authentic Leadership.

Today’s Session

Today’s roundtable session was attended by over 40 people with varying backgrounds, levels of experiences, roles, and company sizes. But, the group did share energy and passion to become better leaders. Today’s topic was “Leadership vs. Management”. Each round-table of 8 people were provided with three questions to discuss as a group. The power of our group is in the diversity of experiences, background, role, and function. This diversity enabled the smaller round tables to hear different experiences, ideas, and views of what is possible. The three questions that were posed to each table were:

1. How do you differentiate between leadership and management?
2. What are the pitfalls that keep great managers from becoming great leaders?
3. How can you apply leadership to your specific role in the organization?

Robust discussions then broke out at each table. The discussions went on for over 40 minutes and likely could have continued for another 40! We then pulled the group back together and each group shared their key learnings, insights, and thoughts with the larger group. These insights and thoughts led to more additional insights and take aways for all of us.

The key insights are noted below, the “summary” will give you a flavor of the discussion, but frankly don’t do justice to the in-person learning and insightful inputs.

SUMMARY OF ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS

1. How do you differentiate between leadership and management?

• Key Ingredients/Thoughts on Leadership:
• Leadership is not a personality style!
• Leaders focus on:
• Culture
• Trust
• Respect
• Leaders create a vision
• Leaders Model Behavior
• Leaders communicate until they bleed
• People Developers
• Influencer’s vs. Tellers
• Leaders do the right thing, not the easy thing
• Leaders “credentialize” their people
• Impact Oriented
• Evoke Motivation
• Leaders start to be leaders by managing themselves

2. What are the pitfalls that keep great managers from becoming great leaders?

• Feeling Threatened – Being Afraid
• Being a Dictator
• Loss of Vision
• Communication Road Blocks
• Focus solely on Management vs. Leadership
• Too much focus on Self
• Not being aware of effect on others
• Not aware of own values
• Not giving up control

3. How can you apply leadership to your specific role in the organization?

• Create community/Tribe
• Enable Strengths
• Take Responsibility
• Create Engagement in all directions
• AUTHENTIC
• Engage People
• Invest in People
• Communication – until you bleed!!!!

What a great session!

I’ve attached Word files of both the summary of learning. In addition, I also have attached the Start-Stop-Continue document that all the participants filled out and will be arriving in their mail in a few weeks as a reminder of today and the key takeaways from the session!

Super Tuesday’s in Cincinnati

Well, ok, not quite super Tuesday, but there are a three big Tuesday’s in Cincinnati! Starting tomorrow.

11/3/09 – Election Tuesday

Yes it’s an off-year election, but there are statewide issues (including the boom to the local statewide advertising coffers around Issue 3), local funding issues, and local elections. That said, free elections is what makes our country really special. No matter your political affiliation, every citizen gets a chance to select and guide our leaders. Unlike many countries around the globe:

• No vote is worth more or less
• No one needs to live in fear as they go to the polls
• We are blessed with choices vs. a straight line ballot

Please take part in shaping our country, our state, and our local towns by voting on Tuesday Nov 3rd!

11/10/09 – Authentic Leadership in Cincinnati – Leadership vs. Management

From our Linkedin Group Site:

Authentic Leadership in Cincinnati is excited to host a roundtable discussion on the member-selected topic of “Leadership vs. Management.” The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM. (Doors will open at 7:30a.m. for networking and breakfast. Programming will begin promptly at 8:00a.m.)

The event will offer targeted, facilitated small-group discussions, and summary sharing among the overall group. Throughout the morning, you can expect to discuss and clarify your understanding of the terms “leadership” and “management.” Participants (that’s you!) will also share how the difference between the two terms applies to you and your organization.

In order to help you take this new learning with you, we’ll offer some suggestions for implementation. If you employ new practices, use different language or try on new perspectives after having been part of this meeting, you can share this with the group on LinkedIn. This will be a great way to facilitate peer-to-peer leadership development and encouragement.

Cost of admission is $12, which covers event costs, and includes continental breakfast.

There is also an opportunity for all attendees to become a “Member for a Day” at Shaker Run, Royal Oak or Ivy Hills Country Clubs, where you can play a round of golf with a cart for $30 for a limited time after the date of this event.

Please join us for this unique opportunity. To register, please follow this link: http://authenticleadership1109.eventbrite.com/

This is our groups’ second session. If you want to get a flavor of our inaugural first event you can read my blog from the 15th of September

11/17/09 – Sales Leadership Shared Interest Group – Cincinnati AMA – 7:45-9:00am

Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, 3805 Edwards Road, 5th Fl. Conference Room A, Cincinnati, OH 45209′

This group has been created to:

1. Provide a forum to enhance Professional Sales Leaders, as well as marketer’s whose role requires more intimate involvement with the sales process, to grow professionally.
2. Drive a knowledge and best practices center of expertise for AMA members whose role requires a sales bias.
3. Grow AMA Cincinnati membership amongst Sales Leaders and Sales Professionals.

The SIG meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. If you are a Sales Leader, a Sales Professional, or just have an interest, we invite you to join us! Register Here!