The Neuroscience of Leadership

New category added to the Servant Leadership Google+ Community. The Neuroscience of Leadership.

What we think, how we think, act and communicate makes a difference. While any authentic leader knows this to be true by their experiences, it is empowering to learn from research that developing one's emotional self-awareness is key to developing others. What do you do to be more emotionally self-aware?

Link to Neuroscience of Leadership: The Promise of Insights

ZMap tool to think through developing your attention and awareness.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group

ZFactor blog explores and discusses a variety of techniques, tools and discoveries by successful people that will assist others to achieve greater personal and professional success. ZFactor is a proprietary coaching methodology based upon the premise that successful people think, act and communicate differently. The ZFactor methodology is proven to accelerate personal, professional and business growth.

Leadership Success Predictors: Do You Amplify Others?

Do you encourage others to become greater or do you speak and act in ways that actually discourage others? The key metric of a servant leader is: Has your influence helped others grow and develop themselves personally and professionally? Are people better off knowing and working with you? Are others accomplishing their goals, objectives and dreams by being associated with you?

Amplify is defined as making something become greater in scope and stronger. Pixar's Randy Nelson reveals the top four predictors that determine if you and your team amplify others. This ten minute video is worth your time.

After watching the video, here's a quick way to self-assess your ability to amplify others:

• Depth of Experience: What is something you have truly mastered? And, how does this mastery demonstrates your ability to achieve mastery in other things?
• Breadth of Knowledge and Experience: Are you more interested in other people and how things work or do you speak and act in ways to make yourself interesting to others?
• Quality of Communication: How well do others understand you? When you do speak, do others tell you they have a better understanding of a situation?
• Create a Collaborative Environment: Do you create an environment that promotes authentic collaboration versus people just doing the basics to cooperate with one another. Is the team creating new possibilities? 
• Bonus - Question to Statement Ratio: What is your question to statement ratio? Do you speak out your ideas more than you ask questions to understand others?

Graduation - The Future Of Leadership Is Back

"Can you be the change you want to see in the world?"

~Mahatma Gandhi

Thank God for graduations. This is one of those seasons of life when we catch a glimpse of the future. Young men and women celebrating their achievements with family and friends and commencement addresses compel graduates to look into their future with faith, hope, love and dreams. Deepak Chopra has one of the more poignant addresses for 2013. (link below)

With heightened emotions, all are building expectations for the future with recently acquired knowledge that pales in comparison to the development of one's character and personal values empowered by faith, hope, love and dreams. These are the essential elements of being a sustainable leader. Gaining the knowledge, tested time and again, has resulted in a diploma that has become the cornerstone of one's future.

Everyone's diploma says all have learned the basics. There may be some minor differences in grade point averages, but what becomes more and more critically important to propel one forward into their desired future...

Entrepreneurial Leaders Do What Matters

"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." ~ John Wesley

These are times of rapid change, uncertainty and opportunity that call forth leaders with a deep desire to make a difference and leave a lasting legacy in business, community, church and government. People want to be part of something that matters. Yet, the challenges of getting others willing to confront the issues at hand and execute workable solutions require leaders who have the adaptive capacity to get others on the same page and moving in the same direction, at the same time. Leaders must have a deep understanding of what it takes to be highly effective and influential leaders. 

Leadership is no longer about declaring the vision or direction and then looking to see who is following and then focus on those who follow. This is a time for leaders to embrace the heart of a servant and spirit of the warrior. Authentic servant leaders observe all that exists around them and apply what they learn to develop a deep understanding of the art and science of leadership. Each must put forth the required time and effort to make themselves authentic servant leaders with a clear focus on others and set the course for things to come. Great leaders throughout history maintain a sense of providence as to who they are, where they are and what they are called to do. The opportunity, like no other time in history, is the possibility to create a world great leaders throughout history have desired to make reality.

Those who choose to pursue this leadership opportunity quickly realize the process to become an authentic servant leader involves reconciling immense personal and professional challenges. Change becomes a way of life. Leadership is a self-development process that requires daily attention as society requires leaders to have a servant-focus, be of solid character and maintain high standards in leadership practices and principles. Leaders are expected to continually learn and with a trusted mentor become a highly capable leader who knows themselves, cares about people and has a deep understanding of the business or organization they steward. 

For those leaders who answer this call into servant leadership, the Servant Leader Framework serves as a highly effective methodology for thinking and processing through all the situations, possibilities, challenges, changes and complexities of leadership.

This xy graph or ZMap becomes a ‘one page book’ for those who desire to know and understand who they are as an entrepreneur and servant leader. This simple xy graph provides clarity and focus on what to do to get to where you want to be. The challenge for entrepreneurs is reconciling their desires for success with doing good to make a difference. For those entrepreneurs who can stay focused on both success and doing good at the same time will know what it means to go from success to significance. It is possible to have it all. Just look at all the entrepreneurial leaders who have proven this is true. This is one of the ZMaps in my upcoming book The Servant Leader Framework.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Legacy.com - Just Dying to Be Mentioned

I did a Google search for "legacy" - check it out. I click on Legacy.com because I'm curious and enjoy seeing how people have put really good domain names to use. Bottom line - I'm not interested in being mentioned on Legacy.com for quite a while.

I doubt I would make the landing page for Legacy.com even if I were eligible to be considered worthy for Legacy.com. Yet, it begs the question, "So what will people remember me for?" 

Good question and the answer to that question requires comments from those who "really" know me. In the meantime, here's a couple of thoughts about the possibilities of legacy.

I've met, know and known many amazing people throughout my life and I love listening to their stories of success and how their failures and challenges became the seeds of that success. I cherish their words of wisdom whether they know I do or not. Whenever I have the opportunity to make a difference with someone else and sense that sharing my experiences of these people - I believe I am enhancing and expanding their legacy. See the blogs about Veterans Day (John), Zig Ziglar and Jimmy V.

Who knows, maybe the stories I share about others will have an impact on the lives of the living. And, maybe one day, when I become eligible for Legacy.com, I'll find myself in Heaven facing a long line of people who were blessed by the stories I shared about the legacy of others, which otherwise they may have never known.

Maybe, at the end of it all, it's really just taking the time to listen to another person and offering a few words of hope, encouragement and love. I guess I've been gifted with knowing many amazing people and I figure it's my job to listen, encourage, love and take the time to share the legacies of others. Thank You, God. I love my job.

Share the legacy of someone you know. It may make a difference!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Legacy "To Infinity and Beyond!"

You gotta love the attitude of Buzz Lightyear, an animated robot, obviously without any means of propulsion, yet believes he can fly "to infinity and beyond." This is one of my favorite quotes of which I have many favorite quotes. Sticking with the cartoon theme, I especially like the final cartoon strip of 'Calvin and Hobbes' when Calvin says, "It's a magical world, Hobbes ol' buddy. Let's go exploring!" 

These type of quotes inspire people who seek to live life large and leave a meaningful legacy. I believe these quotes clearly demonstrate how an authentic servant-leader remains focused on the here-and-now with an internal drive to make a difference. Their day-to-day actions to meet people where they are, believe in the magic and mystery of life and love; and serve them in all the ways they can, as long as they can - yet, the infinity of their impact on the lives and situations of others happens long after their deaths. Now that is a meaningful legacy.

My wife, Cindy, and I took a weekend trip with her parents to the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. It was the perfect Chamber of Commerce weather for strolling along the River Walk, people watching, a little shopping and fine dining. 

As we strolled along we came upon the local Salvation Army band performing at the Arneson Theater along with a men's choir from Houston. This is a unique theater where the audience sits in an amphitheater on one side of the river with the stage on the other side. The band and choir were performing the classic Christian gospel songs and the crowd was toe tapping, hand clapping and children dancing. 

As I scanned the crowd, the love for people and the joy of service exuded from each member of the Salvation Army, as they expressed their love of Christ through their actions, as opposed to words.  As I observed each uniformed member, I envisioned I was watching the Founders of the Salvation Army in action. The lives of William and Catherine Booth are the epitome of servant-leaders captured by an inspiring moment and putting their faith to work to serve others.

Almost 150 years from the founding of the Salvation Army, it is clear how the simple, God inspired lives of the Booths have achieved "to infinity and beyond." I am struck by the magnitude of how one couple's faith-in-action has changed lives and communities, time and again through the lives of millions. Now, that is what makes this planet a truly magical world. People choosing to love and serve others. This is just another experience that confirms my perspective that I've witnessed infinity once again - and this time on the River Walk. Makes me pause and be really curious about what is beyond.

Live the magic of life,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

How Do You Become a Thought-Leader?

Below is the response I gave to a the question "How do you become a thought-leader?" on the IBM Mid-Size Business Discussion Board. Check out some of the other answers after reading my response - thanks!

I did the Wordle because I figured all the key words would make a cool Wordle. What do you think? click here to go to my wordle. Feel welcome to copy my response and make your own Wordle.

My response to the question:   

Thought-leaders have the heart of a disruptive innovator with the abilities to listen, observe and process large amounts of information. They leverage a personal thinking strategy to organize and focus their thoughts into a cohesive communication that creates value for others.

They have deep understanding of the subject matter, which has been gained by direct, personal experience with an intense curiosity to know what they don't know. They are driven by the opportunity to reveal new possibilities to help others think differently about who they are and what they do. They have the hope that untapped potential gets revealed and released to make a difference in ways far beyond even the thought-leader's imaginings.

The most authentic thought-leaders are those who don't even know of the lives and situations transformed because the thought-leader is just doing what they love to do - think and act differently. --end of my response...

ZFactor Group is committed to helping thought-leaders, experts and influencers to publish their works in a manner that creates significant value for others and helps our authors build their legacy. Download our ZFactor Author Process.

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Veterans' Day: A Legacy of Service and Honor

A military cap and Bible were placed on the altar of my church, on Veteran's Day 2012. An honorable gesture to all the men and women who have served in the military of the United States of America. 

It was then noted the cap and Bible were from John Griffith, a long time member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas. It was a way to honor the many years of John's service for organizing the Veterans' Day procession at Bethany. 

I'm in the midst of writing this series of blogs about building a legacy and was struck by the simplicity in expressing the legacy of a man who was living vibrantly into his eighties. Sadly, earlier this year, he was struck down by a car that veered off a street and onto the running trail John was on. He left a wonderful family of children, grandchildren and friends.

The rest of this story continues to live itself out each and every day because of John's family and the impact he made on so many others, like myself. John's legacy stands clear and present by how he lived his life day in and day out. He lived a life of service to others, starting with his family and country, growing into serving his church, schools, community and at work.

John is one of the men who I revere and consider a mentor. Bethany is blessed with many men like John. Men who show the way by how consistently they have lived their lives, how they have expressed their love for others by serving in all the ways they can and as often as they can. Of course there are many women who do the same and more. But, it was John's cap and Bible on the altar.

One of my first experiences with John, he was teaching me how to do the behind the scenes activities at our church's annual family retreat and lead others to help. At the time, I'm in my late forties and while I knew how to do all these things, there was clearly something about John that was different. I knew there was much more for me to learn.

Thus, the significance of John's cap and Bible, for me. The cap a clear expression of his servant-leader's heart and the Bible expressing John's belief in the Word to be the hands and feet of Christ. I can now see just how clearly John demonstrated this all to me in his actions and words as we made coffee, at 5:00 AM, for the approaching hundred or more adults waking up at family camp. John was a man willing to do the small things and was highly capable at leading the big stuff.

John organized Bethany to be a drop-off location for clothing to aid the families of New Orleans after Katrina. This drop-off location was the best organized in the city and became a primary hub for clothing from Austin to New Orleans. I called John late one evening because I had received a call from someone who knew me and wanted to find out the logistics to donate. After John heard the situation, he exclaims, "tell me where they are and I'll drive over right now to pick it up." It was 9:00 PM. At the time, John was in his seventies and tireless. 

I am blessed to know many men like John and each of them has modeled "The Way" for me and to many others I know. I pray the cap and Bible on the altar today, stirred the souls of others to understand the significance of a simple cap and Bible to express the living legacy of one man and the difference he made. Then, in that understanding, may you also feel the stir in your soul to seek and understand the significance of Christ when he knelt to wash the feet of his brothers.

What two items would speak volumes for how you lived, served and loved throughout your life? 

Thank you, John for showing me how to live out my legacy each day. Who knows when we will suddenly run out of time.

John William Griffith

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Glowing Embers - A Little Idea Sets Off a Roaring Fire

I love to play with a good campfire. I love everything about getting the campfire started - that's probably why I've done so many start-ups and love working with folks making something new happen.

I've got some great stories about building campfires in all sorts of weather conditions, but the absolute best memories are all the friendships made and deepened around a good campfire. I'm an Eagle Scout, my two sons are Eagles, as is an older brother and many other friends - all Eagle Scouts. So, between Scouts and all the other camping trips I've done as an adult, I've built a fair number of campfires. And, will be doing that this weekend as we head out for a campout with good friends. Some gourmet cooking, great wine and a good campfire to get warm and cozy.

A well built campfire starts with good dry bits of kindling. I've seen many novices take a little paper, add some big pieces of wood on top and set a match to the paper. When the paper quickly burns out they look for more paper or lighter fluid and give it another go. The best method is to start tiny, then a couple of small twigs and then little bit bigger twigs. As a flame gets going, add a bit bigger twigs and then some small sticks - until you hear the snap and crackle of the sticks. You've now got a fire to begin building. Just like anything else, you always have to start small, first.

There's something magical about a good campfire. People are drawn into the campfire, especially as it burns down to the glowing embers. My wife loves to imagine herself being small and walking through an ember forest. A good campfire left undisturbed overnight, will be ready to fire up in the morning. Initially the embers are covered with a light gray ash, yet with a little kindling and a few puffs on the glowing embers, a bit of smoke appears and then a flame. I love to watch small children and even some older adults as they see a new fire be born, with just a little bit of effort.

So, it goes with Glowing Embers. They may be covered with a little ash, but give them a kindling of an idea and a little bit of breeze and they can burst into a raging campfire, once again. Get those fires a'ragin'.

God Bless,

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing

Social Media and Glowing Embers

If you consider yourself a Glowing Ember, then you must engage into social media. Why? If you have a pet project, want to communicate with family or you have something really big you want to make happen, getting into social media is the same as getting out and networking in the early days of networking.

If you think it's too much to learn, let me put it into perspective. If you could manage learning how to operate a personal computer, wade through the thousand page manual and then all the hundreds of pages of software manuals, social media will be a breeze for you. 

Learn to enjoy the simplicity. If you remember the "boot, whirl, whirl, whirl, loading, loading, loading, crash - darn, darn, darn..." then you will be amazed at the simplicity of today's social media. Sure, it's new information to learn. Just consider it a way to slow down the encroaching Alzheimers.

If you jumped into "networking" back in the days, shook hands, passed out your cards, put your name tag on the right side (instead of the left), then you'll love social media. People are waiting to meet you. I've made many new connections and renewed several others.

And, it's like anything else... you get out what you put into it!

~ Alan Goldsberry, Author and CEO of ZFactor Group Publishing