Jim Clemmer's Leader Letter

Some industries and professions are under particular strain these days. That's certainly the case for healthcare professionals during these times of financial constraint, aging populations, and viruses like SARS or West Nile.

I was the opening keynote speaker for the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association this spring at their annual conference in Regina. Their conference theme was, "Discover the Leader Within." I took "speaker license" with their theme and modified my slide to read "Nursing the Leader Within." I introduced this theme with the analogy of how parents of young children on airplanes are advised that if the oxygen masks were ever to "drop from the panel above," put the mask on yourself first and then assist your child. This is counterintuitive to our parental instincts. But, of course, if we don't take care of ourselves first, we may not be around to help anyone else (I wrote about using this metaphor in another setting in the May Leader Letter).

As you can see in the comment below from one of the conference organizers, the response to the notion of "oxygenating yourself first" to set up my overview of the timeless principles of personal leadership (drawn mostly from Growing the Distance) resonated very strongly with the 300 participants. Taking care of ourselves first so we can more energetically lead others is common sense. But it's not always common practice – especially among caregivers, parents, and other helping professions. During this summer's reflection and renewal, ask yourself whether you're getting enough self-leadership oxygen. If not, help others by taking care of yourself.

"100% were satisfied or very satisfied with your opening keynote address. A total of 80% were very satisfied (the highest rating possible). Impressive. You were indeed humorous, passionate, and profound all at the same time. Respondents were also asked what they enjoyed the most (about our conference), and your opening keynote was mentioned several times...incorporating comments from the previous evening's awards ceremony was a nice touch... Again, a heartfelt thank you."

Susan Smith-Brazil, Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association

I am one of the two groups of people that love to get positive feedback and recognition for my work (the two groups are: men and women). So, I was delighted to get this e-mail a few weeks ago (by the way, all correspondence and comments shared in the Leader Letter are only done with full permission):

"I am on the faculty of the Atocrates Centre for Project Management at Durham College's Whitby Campus and currently teaching the fourth module in the five-module Master's Certificate in Project Management program. Your books and newsletters have provided me with numerous quotes and other material – with full attribution of course – which truly enriches what I have to offer my students in "Project Leadership Skills Development".

"I am further impressed with your 'down-to-earth' style, which is such a contrast to the academic material, and the academics themselves, with whom I deal on a daily basis.

"Thanks for all you have done, and all you are doing, for the subject of leadership."

Don Guillod, Principle, The Kawartha Highlands Group, Burnt River, ON

Following is my response:

Hi Don,

Thanks very much for your most thoughtful feedback. I always appreciate hearing about how my work is used and impacts others.

I especially appreciate your comments on my style. Last week I took our 18 year-old daughter, Jennifer, with me on a speaking engagement at a conference in Calgary. It was the first time she had heard me speak to a room full of managers. When we discussed her impressions on the plane coming home, she said she was surprised that I didn't "put on a professional mask" that she wouldn't recognize. "You weren't professional; you were just Dad at the front of the room giving a talk." Since my goal is to be authentic, I thanked her for the compliment.

Jim

I have thought about my conversation with Jennifer a few times since that trip to Calgary. Behaving like a "professional" is often a good thing. I am on the national board of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS). Like many professional groups, we have a strict code of conduct and a rigorous process and standards for our "certified speaking professional" designation (I reported on my receipt of this designation in the May issue of the Leader Letter).

I am all for professionalism. I also like the assurance that whether I am working with colleagues in my field or buying professional services, I am dealing with a true pro that really knows his or her "stuff." I like to know that he or she continues to study their field of expertise, has deep experience, and can handle most of what is thrown at him or her.

But too often "professional" is another name for impersonal. We often equate professionalism with being unemotional or not showing our true selves. While few people want us to throw a temper tantrum or break down in tears when we might really feel like doing just that, people connect most strongly with us when we're real. When we can be open, transparent, and not putting on an act, is often when we're the most genuine – and persuasive. Of course, if the image I want to portray is not the person I really am, that may necessitate a deep (and maybe painful) look in my personal development mirror.

"I thoroughly enjoyed your June issue (of the Leader Letter) and reading your gardening analogies. Like you, I am an avid gardener. Many years ago at a workshop/seminar I had the pleasure of listening to Robert Dilts, the keynote speaker and his use of the garden as an analogy to his topic on Personality Traits in the Workforce and other Institutions. He referred to recognizing different species of plants/vegetation's ability to thrive only in certain environmental conditions. In order for them to blossom or bear fruits to their fullest potential they need to be planted or relocated in the right soil/zoning conditions and given the ongoing nurturing needed.

"His topic addressed recognizing people's dominant personality type/traits and directing or re-directing them to positions and responsibilities where they can give of their best potential, whether it is in a work, school or home environment. Most of all for those in authority to support and encourage individuals to embrace opportunities and resources to enhance their internal and external growth and development applicable to their unique personality and the environment they are more prone to adapt to more readily.

"To reinforce his position on personality type and effective team work to get the job done, he pointed out that it is necessary to have on board The Dreamer, The Thinker, The Critic (for constructive criticism), and The Doer; each working with, not against, the other. I found that session to be a most insightful and informative, and have since tried to make a concerted effort to identify individuals with the above stronger tendencies...the people we connect with and the opportunities they present to us through thoughts, words and deeds do help us to keep growing."

Kamara Hennessey, Burlington, ON Canada

"No words are enough to describe my appreciation to you. You know what? You always make my day right. Everyday, I start my day full of motivation end up at night still invigorated...because of all the notes, and really motivating nuggets of wisdom you are sending me.

"I hope and I would like to assure myself that even in my little way, I live up to the wisdom that I am receiving from you.

"More power to you!"

Apollo Neil R. Monroy, Researcher, Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry Division International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

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Martin Seligman has done it again. I have long been a fan of his work. Among his 20 books, I have often cited his classic 1990 book, Learned Optimism in my own writing and presentations. As Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and as Past President of the American Psychological Association, Martin has spearheaded groundbreaking research on the emerging field of "positive psychology." This approach is "shifting the profession away from its narrow-minded focus on pathology, victimology, and mental illness to positive emotion, virtue, and strength."

In Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment, Martin provides the Signature Strengths Survey along with a number of brief quizzes and tests that are helpful tools for assessing how much positive emotion we experience and how to determine our greatest strengths. His research shows that there is a direct relationship between the positive emotions, or happiness, we experience in our lives and our core, or signature, strengths.

"I do not believe that you should devote overly much effort to correcting your weaknesses. Rather; I believe that the highest success in living and the deepest emotional satisfaction comes from building and using your signature strengths." (page 13)

"Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street."
- Elbert Hubbard

"We all create an outward self with which to face the world, and some people come to believe that is what they truly are. So they people the world with doctors who are nothing outside the consulting-room, and judges who are nothing when they are not in court, and businessmen who wither with boredom when they have to retire from business, and teachers who are forever teaching. That is why they are such poor specimens when they are caught without their masks on. They have lived chiefly through the Persona."
- Robertson Davies, The Manticore

"There's something we call professional terminalism. People who emphasize too strongly the fact that they're professionals usually are not very good at what they do. What really adds up to professionalism is being very good at what you do in a very modest way."
- Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines

"Jazz comes from who you are, where you've been, what you've done. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn."
- Charlie "Yardbird" Parker, saxophonist

"If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead."
- Johnny Carson, former host of "The Tonight Show"

"I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me."
- Unknown

Hi Mary Jane,

Wow! Now it's my turn to be inspired by a message from you! I sure appreciate the feedback and knowing what a difference my work has made for you. That re-fires my enthusiasm to continue what I am doing.

Congratulations on pursing your educational goal – and on your outstanding marks. You're a testament to hard work and determination.

Thanks very much,

Jim

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"Jim, thanks for your newsletter. I particularly appreciated the "It's okay son, everyone's doing it" story and your moose-on-the-table metaphor. Some of the folks to whom is applied the metaphor, I've met afore."

Luther Beauchamp, Chiefland, FL, USA

"Great newsletter. Perks me up to have my computer do something useful. I pass this to my co-workers and wait to see what they comment upon. It is a good conversation starter."

Stan Harvey, Vice President Managed Systems, Nuclear, Ontario Power Generation, Toronto, ON, Canada

I would love to hear from you on any of the discussions raised in this issue of the Leader Letter...or any other matters concerning my work. Of course, I especially welcome conversations exploring how I might help you or your team/organization with a keynote presentation, management team retreat, or workshop.

Send me an e-mail at Jim.Clemmer@Clemmer.net or call me directly at (519) 748-5968.

I hope to connect with you again next month!

All the best,

Jim