Equipping people leaders to navigate change — and design the future — with boldness and purpose.
Do you want to be a leader who gets noticed by the C-suite, and is known as someone who can add value to any strategic conversation? Then you must learn to communicate like an executive – whether you hold an executive title, or not.
In order to be heard; in order to present effective business cases; in order to get approval to make the changes you want to make; you must be able to communicate in a way that executives can relate to, and understand.
As a business leader, you fill a critical role inside your company. You lead or initiate key projects that can positively – or negatively – impact business performance.
As a result, you must master the art of building (and selling) an effective business case in order to gain executive approval to implement key strategies necessary to achieve strategic business objectives.
I’m a voracious consumer of content in the areas that are of interest to me – specifically leadership, entrepreneurship, speaking and personal development.
Interestingly, I’m not a good book reader (fixing that is a goal for 2016). But I do buy lots of books. I just rarely read them.
So a couple of years ago, I decided to try podcasts as a way to continue learning, and to fill time that was normally spent listening to the same songs in my playlists or on the radio over and over again. Now, I listen to podcasts while driving, traveling, exercising, cleaning the house, fixing dinner, etc. Suffice it to say, I’m hooked on learning.
Last week, I was honored to be the emcee at the Leadercast: Northern Kentucky host site for Leadercast Live, the largest one-day leadership event in the world, with over 100,000 attendees.
Each year, Leadercast brings together an All-Star lineup of business and political leaders, sports figures, social activists and world class communicators at a live event in Atlanta, Georgia, which is simulcast to hundreds of host sites across the world.
The theme for the 2015 Leadercast event was “The Brave Ones” and speakers included:
Andy Stanley – Leadership Author and Communicator
Peyton Manning – Super Bowl-winning Quarterback & 5-time NFL MVP
Malala Yousafzai – “Bravest Girl in the World”
Ed Catmull – President of Pixar & Disney Animation Studios
Seth Godin – Best-selling Author
Rudy Giuliani – 107th Mayor of New York City (1993-2001)
Aja Brown – Mayor, City of Compton
Bill McDermott – CEO of SAP AG
CMDR Rorke Denver – Navy SEAL Commander & Author
Throughout the day, I shared some of my greatest takeaways from the speaker’s talks on Twitter with those who follow me (@JenniferMcClure | Twitter) and also those following the hashtags #leadercast and #thebraveones – both of which were global trending topics throughout the day.
Bold #leadership does not require special gifts or talents, nor is it just for the ultra-smart/ultra-resourced @AndyStanley #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Leaders start off with an idea and commit to something first. Then, they figure out how to get the resources. @AndyStanley #Leadercast2015 — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
When someone says to you: “I’ve got an idea! #Leaders say “Wow!”, not “How?” Don’t how ideas to death. @AndyStanley #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Nobody who has ever accomplished anything of significance stopped at “How are we going to pay for it?” @AndyStanley #Leadercast2015 — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Don/t allow your calendar or your org to take your focus away from what you know you need to do to achieve your purpose. #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
#Leaders of organizations, you must listen to your people. Leaders don’t have to have all the answers. @BillRMcDermott #Leadercast2015 — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
“Trust is the ultimate human currency.” #leadership @BillRMcDermott #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Don’t make your life’s work fixing your weaknesses. Focus on your strengths – and use those in service to others. #Leadercast2015 — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Every leader needs people in their lives who are willing to speak the truth to them without fear. – Peyton Manning #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
My goal is to be a game changer. Leaders search out and sense game changing moments – Peyton Manning #Leadercast2015 #thebraveones — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
No matter how old you are, you have to earn the respect of your team. You do that by working, not by talking. Peyton Manning #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
“Being aware of your fear is smart. Overcoming it is the mark of a successful person.” – Seth Godin #Leadercast2015 #thebraveones — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
It’s always too soon for a new idea. You can be prepared but you can never be ready. – Seth Godin #Leadercast2015 #thebraveones
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Dreams don’t take bravery or guts. Putting yourself outside your comfort zone and doing it again and again is what it takes. #Leadercast2015 — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Zero dumb ideas is the wrong concept. Leaders must make it safe for people to operate in the messy middle. @edcatmull #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Solving problems is not an impediment to the job. It is THE job. @edcatmull #Leadercast2015 #thebraveones #nkyleadercast — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Leaders aren’t necessarily the best or brightest. They simply do what they believe needs to be done. @AjaLBrown #Leadercast2015
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Brave leaders are not super human. They’re simple people who have decided to be overcomers. @AjaLBrown #Leadercast2015 #thebraveones — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
If you want to be a leader, you have to be able to communicate your ideas to others. – Rudy Guiliani #Leadercast2015 #thebraveones
— Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
Most of our success as a leader is directly related to the people we choose. – Rudy Guiliani #Leadercast2015#thebraveones — Jennifer McClure (@JenniferMcClure) May 8, 2015
I’m already looking forward to Leadercast 2016 – The Architects of Tomorrow – May 6, 2016!
When you think about people who have changed the world, who comes to mind?
Maybe you think of people like Henry Ford, who transformed the automobile into an innovation that has moved the world. Or Orville and Wilbur Wright, who made the world accessible to all.
It makes sense that these individuals are thought of as world-changers. They’ve invented or improved upon everyday things that have had a lasting impact on us all.
Now, think about who has changed YOUR world?
If you were to make a list, it might include a parent, a teacher, a boss, or maybe even a religious leader. These types of people hold places in our lives that position them for great opportunities to influence.
But what about you? Would anyone name you as someone who has influenced his or her life?
If not, why not?
“I’ve got nothing to offer.”
The truth is, there are many good things – and maybe a few not so good things – that make up who you are. So you’ve got something – and you can use your life experiences to help someone else.
“I’m not really that interesting.”
The good news is that influencing others is not about you. It’s about them. You influence others by focusing on their story – not yours.
“I’m not super successful.”
Your level of success has nothing to do with your ability to listen. Many people are seeking influencers who they can simply talk to, and who will share a different perspective.
“I’ve got some skeletons in my closet.”
Failure makes you human. There’s someone out there who can relate to – and learn from – your failures. So can you.
“Nobody has ever asked me to be a mentor or influencer in their life.”
Then your first opportunity is ready for you! Don’t wait for someone to ask you to speak into his or her life. Most likely, the people who have influenced you the most weren’t invited to do so.
So how can you actually change the world?
One person at a time.
[Tweet “You don’t have to invent something with lasting impact or create a movement to change the world.”]Somebody in your life needs your influence. Somebody is ready to benefit from your knowledge, skills and expertise.
Steve Jobs said: “…the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
I believe that you can change the world.
Just do.
Jennifer McClure – You Can Change The World – #DisruptHR from Jennifer McClure on Vimeo.
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Unbridled Talent LLC is a consulting and advisory firm providing services to clients in the areas of talent strategy and leadership development. Jennifer McClure offers keynotes, workshops and training that inspire and teach business leaders to be more effective in their careers and as leaders of their organization’s most valuable resource – people. Contact us to schedule an event or to discuss our strategic consulting and advisory services.