Great experiences start with great communication and I’m delighted to share my first INFocus Newsletter with you. My intent is to provide you with leadership communication focused solutions for Being A Better Leader. I’ve recently renovated my web site to make it easier to navigate and to help you connect with the resources you need; tips to strategically navigate shifts in your business and solutions for effective communication that influences, engages and inspires.
I was at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the weekend with my hubby Les. We caught a couple of exhibits that were wrapping up, namely prominent Vancouver photographer Jeff Walls’ collection, and the landscape collection featuring famous Canadian artists including the Magnificent Seven and Emily Carr. The latter, entitled Rapture and Ruin, was an experience in contrast: rapture in this case meaning a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to knowledge of divine things, when compared to ruin implying a falling down, collapse or destruction. While I don’t profess to be an art connoisseur, I am a creative junkie always in search of a fix. I see leadership as an art; something to be practiced and developed, with each experience adding depth and dimension. My own leadership journey has taught me many lessons, none richer than learning to know my self better. For me, engaging in creative activities creates positive energy and inspiration, leading to increased focus and results. It’s like getting my batteries charged. And boy with the contrast we are experiencing in the market place today, I need to stay charged!
Leading your business today requires that you stay on top of your game, and be thinking in new ways. I expect you recognize this too. What’s your strategy for staying healthy during challenging times seems to be the number one topic these days. It’s at the centre of every conversation I have, every piece of news I read, every client I work with. There’s a lot of uncertainty and what most of us want more than anything is clarity around what we need to be doing, combined with the focus and determination to make it happen. There’s never been a better time to invest in yourself and your business to help you gain clarity of focus and systematic support for forward momentum. Gung Hay Fat Choy! The Year of the Ox, according to Wikipedia, is a sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. In the spirit of contrast, join me in choosing to believe in the Ox, over the media’s doom and gloom. I’m putting my intention and attention on creating great experiences for myself and others.
The Year of the Ox, according to Wikipedia, is a sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. In the spirit of contrast, join me in choosing to believe in the Ox, over the media’s doom and gloom. I’m putting my intention and attention on creating great experiences for myself and others.
Did You Know?
Lisa addresses queries as a regular contributor to Coach’s Corner in The Province Newspaper’s Working section. Mark your calendar to catch her next Q and A this coming Sunday, February 1st.
Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. Dwight D. Eisenhower
I am pleased to introduce the newest member of the Being A Better Leader team. Mary Boles of Virtual Business Solutions has been helping keep us on track with her unique brand of off-site executive assistance. If you would like to find out more about her services, you can email Mary directly or call her at 778-397-7006.
Lisa is pleased to announce the expansion of her leadership communication toolbox to include Facilitation, a process for guiding groups to understand common objectives and realize a plan to achieve them. How will engaging an experienced and credible independent Facilitator impact your next strategic planning session, town hall meeting or team gathering?
“Our goal was to seek input from a large and varied Library staff about development concepts and ideas that had been recommended and prioritized by a project group. We asked Lisa Caswell as a facilitator, to hold conversational space for this work. We were keenly aware that there were sensitivities regarding this particular discussion topic routed primarily in staff resignation and disappointment; firm opinions as to roles and responsibilities; confusion regarding different opportunities afforded different professional groups. It was crucial for us to have independent facilitators who could hold the audience on track, clarify concerns, reframe and refocus as required, and create a trusting safe place for conversation to unfold. I can’t thank you enough for the work you did in support of our goal. You conducted yourself so professionally and respectfully through the session and earned the trust of those within your groups. I received much positive feedback from participants about the way in which the process unfolded for them and the way in which they felt safe, heard and supported. Your contributions made a difference to our results.” Deborah Austin, Director Library Human Resources at UBC
I’m most interested in creating community and connection, so invite you to share what's INFocus for you, your insights and your stories. And, if you're interested in learning more about how we can help or if you've got questions or comments, don’t hesitate to call me at 604-985-5715 or drop me a note.
Warmly,
Contact: 604-985-5715 coaching@beingabetterleader.com