A popular radio morning show made a comment today about, “once people loved each other”, then proceeded to sarcastically joke with realism about it being “hard to believe” and or "we use to do that”. It made me think about the following list of ideologies that guide our stories and show up in our work. Are they dead or alive? Golden Rule – “Treat others as you would like to be treated”, not seeking opportunities to find fault or speak against Common Good – The best of ideas for the greatest amount of positive benefit, embrace humility Honesty - Truth and facts, not a filtered narrative to support an agenda Respect - Appreciation, acknowledgement of a deserved human dignity. Not defaming, discrediting or denouncing. Loyalty – Show honor. More achieved through support, aligned to values. 10 Commandments (Rules of Law) – (Honor, Shall not…Steal, Kill, Bear False Witness, Covet) Keep IT simple. Common Sense – Basic logic of what is reasonable, feasible and believable. Not extremism. Kindness – Genuine acceptance, demonstration of caring and empathy. Desire everyone’s betterment. Integrity – Words and actions mirroring talk and walk. Not transference upon another. Like the noise of the radio in the background so are those abandoning these principles, to the many more voices staying true to keeping these beliefs alive. I am grateful to and for you, professionally and personally. ReImagine Possibilities, Inc.
Looking for a summer read - "Outwitting the Devil" by Napoleon Hill
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It’s a hot summer day. What better way other than being on or in the water, then to be alongside the river on a patio. Enjoying a beverage and snack with good friends. Being the weekend before Independence Day, not that surprising when a large pop is heard. Until we notice what generated it. We are all familiar with the phrase “snap, crackle, pop”. But witnessing a powerline split in two, it Pops, Crackles and Snaps. The scene bizarre. One end of the line dangling in the air above the parking lot, another on the ground dangerously close to the row of cars it used to hang over. A bustling establishment prepared for a big day now pitch black. Emergency vehicles arriving almost instantly. Both responders and staff wandering around in disbelief. Wondering what to do next. Patrons going with the flow. Intrigued by what was seen and how things will evolve. I share this quick story as a loose tie into a post series I plan to introduce, “Possibility of Perception”. The Firemen, we expect to perceive the situation through bravery, rather than fear. The Restaurant Manager, it’s assumed, a perception of being in control not panicked. And customers, instinctively perceive patience is needed. But what if fear, panic or impatient showed up? The scene now totally different. Perception influences our thoughts. Perception with purposeful reflection can bring change. Perception is a key tool in our ability to self-discover and self-improve, personally and professionally. My post series, a Reimagining of what may be Possible when you consider the perception you have. May any Pop, Crackle and Snap you hear and or witness over the next few days be in celebration of our country! Happy freedom, good food, fun times, with family and friends. Enjoy the fireworks!! ReImagine Possibilities, Inc.
As we celebrated Father’s Day this past weekend, I was thinking about my dad and how it has been 7 years since his passing. For me he is never really gone, always in heart, but quietly in the background. Which honestly, you could proclaim is the leadership style he lived. We see and or read article after article, post upon post, about leadership. What qualities make a good leader, an ineffective one, a memorable one. If we are truthful, most of us in the role, desire to be the leader exemplifying all the definitions if not actually modeling the examples of writings. I don’t know that my dad ever thought about this… maybe. He lived at a time and was the type of person that did what he did, without overthinking it. For that, anyone that had the fortune to meet him, looked upon him as a distinguished leader. Honoring dad, I share a perspective of leading to add to all the others. Leadership contains humility, empathy and listening. A leader is confident, engaged, honest, dependable and committed. You identify with being significant to them and there’s no questioning what they stand for. Most of all, in their absence, you remember thoughtfully the words, phrases or stories they spoke. You speak of them with admiration and appreciation of your experiences with them. You miss them but carry pieces of them forward in your life. In respect to my role model of leadership, I am questioning can it be as simple as striving to be the best and most authentic version of yourself? Living our story and values, every day with integrity? In trying so hard to define leadership perfectly and as if it is repeatable, are we complicating it? Do we forget leading requires a two-way, real relationship around forming a connection and showing respect? Can leadership be summed up as how the impact of our contributions makes a meaningful difference? With this year’s celebration complete, if possible, reimagine the fatherhood influence in your life as a definition of leadership to inspire you. Happy Father’s Day to all – my sons, my husband, my dad (watching over us) and every man that is touching our life momentously! “My father didn’t tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it.” – Unknown What is your father story? What is your leadership challenges and opportunities? ...ReImagine Possibilities, Inc.
An overarching theme for me this past week was education and conversation around exits, succession and business transfer. Beyond a bit of irony mom and I laughed about related to events in our own life. I welcome the experiences and growth opportunities for me to enhance my toolbox as invaluable going forward!
In a commitment by the Small Business Development Center to facilitate a knowledge exchange program for its Advisors, I took part in a 1 ½ day session that kicked off with a condensed version of the Certificate in Exit Planning Program. Scott Snider, VP of the Exit Planning Institute, professionally and skillfully took us through it. To quote him, “If you have one take away, make it, Exit Planning is Business Strategy”. A comment worthy of paying it forward. You might envision that this statement is supported, by the ideas of best practices, be prepared and active communication. Demonstrating the value around these ideas, we engaged in a group activity to determine the company appraisal of a real-life case study. It was interesting how 9 groups, with the same information was primarily in alignment, but not without a few conversations to get there and some curious outliers to consider. Advised that a right wrong outcome was irrelevant, perception and interpretation became clearly pertinent. Reaching a perhaps obvious determination that value is in the eye of the beholder, and potential inheritor. With the enormity of this topic, justice cannot be done in a few paragraphs. I admit I have simply flirted with you. However, not to leave you dejected, reimagine the following. *Does your business operate at a level day in day out worthy of high multipliers when being evaluated for non-capital value? Are you consistently demonstrating best practices? *How would a single incident alter your strategy and or operations? Are you prepared for the unplanned or unexpected in the moment, but more importantly beyond the immediacy of the significant event? *Has ownership/management engaged in conversations and documented thoroughly visions? Are the key players communicating thoughts on and needs for future personal and business goals? There is an abundance of possibilities for these answers. More questions and more responses. A trusted and qualified Advisor/Coach, an effective choice as a knowledgeable partner to work with through these essentials. When the work is done, success may be measured by the gap of multiple perceptions and personal interpretations as a manageable crack to fill in through thoughtful negotiation. ReImagine Possibilities, Inc. would like to encourage individuals, families and businesses (teams) through advising/coaching. Want to discuss "exit planning as business strategy"– please reach out to start a conversation. I have a really, really special “gig”! Because I talk about it so much, a dear friend suggested I write about it. What a blessing I live, in having the opportunity to write a new chapter of my life! Building upon the previous one in a way that allows me to give back, stay sharp and continuously learn. Passionate about fulfilling potentials, creating something better and encouraging entrepreneurship. I get to partner with others for this exact purpose! My “gig” is in the capacity as an advisor for individuals, partners and businesses with a local college’s small business development center. The program, funded by the government, makes it free for applicants to seek support and mentorship as they pursue their dream to start up and or grow their own business. I swear the Directors are guided by the universe or career matchmakers. Everyone I have had the privilege to be paired with, like karma on multiple levels. For me at least, I cannot speak for them. The ideas range from making a mobile studio in a refurbished city bus, to an aspiring inventor, to marketing culinary talents/family recipes, to representing emerging athletes’ best interests, to archiving art collections, to capturing stories through videography, to producing stunning stain glass pieces, and so many more. I wish I could describe each one individually, giving them the justice, they deserve. It is such an honor!! They are all incredible! Every introductory meeting, I am more and more in awe of the creativity. The identifying of an opportunity (gap, need, solution) to fill. Of the evolving current success into future successes. Impressive resumes, talents and business expanding initiatives. Even more, I am humbled and appreciative of the chance to get to know these individuals!! The courage it takes to reach out for assistance. The character to pursue their visions. The contagious spirit to define destiny. I truly believe, in giving my time, I am the one receiving more! These new relationships, and friendships, quickly treasured! Our work together often has similar components, but it is never routine. My approach is more coaching, providing information and tools, to allow for good decision making. I respect the engagement is about encouraging and getting to a determined finish line (for the moment). Motivated by achieving their objectives and meeting expectations, I try to be a good listener. Usually we agree upon “homework” and I do attempt to exercise accountability. Tapping my breadth of experience, applying my life coaching and or challenging me to dig into something, each relationship is really special. With a most grateful heart, I love this “gig”! Thank you to the program, directors and my clients. To anyone that has a nagging voice within – check into the availability within your community. Now more than ever, entrepreneurship, start-ups, small business growth is needed. There are resources available to position you for the achievement of your ambition and aspirations. Check it out. Conversations welcomed. ReImagine Possibilities., Inc.
This week I had the opportunity to listen to a panel on the topic of Winning with Integrity, Is Following the Rules Enough. The balance was 4 sports industry executives and 1 in the area of compliance. If I had to give a simply stated summary, though not directly associated with the headline, it all comes “Back to the Culture”! Something I am passionate about.
In the discussion, I found the opportunity to consider 3 ideas; the need to know your culture, the intent to match character to culture and my own observation of the conflict between the language of winning in cultures where having one winner is not the game. Briefly I offer… The need to know your culture. My working theory on knowing your culture, is you need to first identify who is leading it. Which may or may not be the ownership and or executives in leadership roles. Once identified, what is their personal story from as far back in their family life as able to remember. Understanding who these leaders are as individuals and their significant life experiences, is the first reflection of your existing culture, intended or unintended. An authentic culture is not solely the product of strategy meetings and company objectives. The intent to match character to culture. As an owner, executive and Manager, whenever we were bringing in a new member to our team, I would start the interview by acknowledging and encouraging that it be a 2-way conversation and evaluation. If you were speaking with me the assumption was you met the basic job requirements. What I wanted to know was could we develop a mutually rewarding relationship. Our company culture needed to be consistent with what the potential hire was seeking for themselves, not just us obviously feeling they were a fit. The language of winning where having one winner is not the game. There are far too many instances today where we metaphorically associate a win and lose outcome. Relationships, Business and Government should not be engaging in a win/lose but striving to achieve a common good and share in the big picture outcome. If we are competing, comparing and tearing one another down for our own benefit, my opinion, the perceived victory is bitter, not sweet, from all that has been loss through breaking good character rules. I do not want to be remiss in suggesting that the session did not discuss the challenges that exist between compliance and following the written (and unwritten) rules. There was such conversation (and many others), but often they lead back to the role of culture and building a team that exemplifies it. The panel valuable. My ideas, to be continued… ReImagine Possibilities would like to partner with individuals, families and businesses (teams) through advising/coaching, May you and I unpack your stories to discover if alignment exists between what you strategize to be and what is actually showing up? May I assist you in creating processes to position for success individually and collectively? May I with you, work to fulfill individual potentials, channeled towards everyone “winning” together? I was going to write a post about the power words hold. It is a love/hate relationship. But as I started typing my thoughts shifted to the idea that words have little influence until they are heard and or read. Power is in the listening, reading and interpreting. Which is all done through the narrative of our personal life. Held values, beliefs and experiences. (remember the game telephone?) And the examples are all around us! To call out a few… Media – they no longer report words to us that we may process ourselves. We get inserted adjectives, suggestive language and opinions. Talking points repeated over and over until our subconscious makes them fact and influences behaviors. We align with those we identify with more, find an element of trust in. Wouldn’t it be nice if individual reasoning replaced group think? Politicians – what if we could only read a speech or quote? No visual, no attached tone, no preconceived agenda. How would we decipher it through the filter of heart and mind? When I know I have a bias, I look for the transcript, attempting to manage my weakness. (Sidebar-Given the climate, I am reimagining elections… We vote only by our principles, never a candidate. Campaign seasons are months, not years. Rallies, townhalls and ads build up positions, not tear down people.) Wouldn’t it be nice if measurable results not rhetoric spoke louder? Emails – I have tried to practice and encourage others to read these in monotone, without adding emotion or assuming the voice it was written in. Too often a single, unintended sentiment, has altered relationships. We don’t know the day someone is having or realize their hot button. If I am meant to consider a tone, then be it person to person. The added benefit of, in person, observing body language and looking eye to eye. Wouldn’t it be nice to speak on our own rather than spoken for? Communications - As wisely put in the, potentially life changing highly recommended, book “The Four Agreements”, all communication is done through a lifetime of built up agreements within. What we say and do, the mirror of viewpoints, knowledge and feelings. It is not about “us” personally but is personal to “you”. Being able to embrace this, opens unbelievable possibility to better understand, appreciate and learn from each other. Avoiding competition where it is not relevant. Wouldn’t it be nice if conversations were exchanges that validated what we uniquely offer? You and your narrative are powerful! How will spoken and written words compliment and or challenge your story, today? Thank you for considering my words. I present them thoughtfully. Curious, how were they received? Why? ReImagine Possibilities., Inc
There is an argument to be debated that my life balance the past few years has painfully been tipped towards the loss side of scale. If I lived as a victim or tended to be a negative person. However, thankfully, I would be the opposite. I am perhaps at times overly optimistic (according to my children) and strongly believe in my own accountability. The cheerleader, thus Coach/Advisor, in me! Besides, as so eloquently presented in a preaching recently, is it loss? Or simply a new beginning within an ending, to center oneself in what the moment offers? This is a vast topic to write about. There are many directions my mind and fingers would like to travel. For the sake of this post, I am limiting myself as best I can. Listed below are LESSONS, nothing very new, but being considered again through the perspective of my latest “fresh start”. ReImagine… Possibilities… *A place for everything, everything in its place *Positioning for success *It is the little things *Never underestimate what makes a difference *Being present, in the presence *Show up, impact happens in just being there *Appreciate what you have, before it’s gone *The memories, not regret, to be forever *Bad choices have lasting effects *What is done cannot be undone, “it’s time” to focus on what next *Don’t do it later *Do it, say it, be it NOW *Power of Acceptance *Unconditional love can exist *Never give up *Only takes one time, one person, one discovery *Go all in *Whatever you are doing, don’t hold back *Believe in yourself *Without taking the risk, you will never actually know *Speak up *Eventually you will be acknowledged *It’s not about you *Give and take, together May you prepare, without guilt, for gain within loss! Amongst what may be taken from you, willingly or unwillingly, you aren’t eliminating what was but creating what can be. Begin to end, end to begin, again. Do you have a Loss Lesson to share? ReImagine Possibilities., Inc.
Ever have one of those days – where life just feels more surreal than real? Most likely, yes. I am having one of those weeks. Had another intended post but after having to unexpectedly say good bye to our dog of 12 years, all my words seemed lacking. Now just trying to make sense of the senseless. In the End, is - life, work, relationships surreal? An individual expression of how we show up in unintentional exchanges and experiences, real? How do we respond and react without filters? What is our personal willingness to invest? Do we have an intuitive attitude? When thrown a curve, a week off track, surreal or exposing what is real? Sometimes there simply is no answer. (like why a healthy dog eats a ribbon and the consequences that follow) I can propose we reimagine…Let there be dreaming, in a dreamlike incident. Be curious about what is explicable in the inexplicable. Believe in significance and hopeful of possibilities. In the End, if you thesaurus Surreal - bizarre and fantastic, exist together - for real. Reese you will be missed. ReImagine Possibilities., Inc. Do you ever ask yourself – Why this family? Is there a purpose? How possible is it to belong genuinely, connected by similar values, actions and choices? Simon Sinek gives an acclaimed TED talk on “Start With Why”, likely you are familiar with it or his book. Logically, we start introducing such initiatives at a business level, defining a company vision. It is not as emotional. We can be tactical. What if we reimagined starting at the core of everything we are, do and become? The more I learn and experience, my opinion, a defined or undefined why begins with the Family experiences. What if you were asked to state for both your family of origin and the family you form, a Why? Could you? Healthy or unhealthy, what principles are guiding? The common thread all members share, support or display while encouraging the importance of the uncommon? Is it comparable from one unit to the other – or significantly and purposefully altered? Do you personally relate with it? Owning or disowning? There seems to be a predominant belief around the why of family; stated or assumed, universal and uniquely. Containing values in words representing – love, belonging, unconditional, trust, acceptance….. There is a why we want to believe in, in this cornerstone unit that is responsible for shaping ourselves, our society, the world. Existing generation to generation, and does not need to be identified, it just is. Legacy. But what if a clear why is not shared or practiced amongst all members? A gap between what we want to have faith in and what realistically is becomes evident? Perhaps exposing self-serving survival - competition, judgement, division, dishonesty, insecurity….. This dysfunction and disrespect revealed more as we transition from growing up in, to having our own family, and or the loss of patriarch/matriarch? Does opportunity exist within families to identify or create a vision and then live an authentic purpose? Could you have a family conversation about (or work at) who you are truthfully, what/how you are living, and where you are going? Both individually and together? What difference would become possible? “Just Do It”, “Think Differently”, “Inspire a better life, a better way” crafted why’s consistent from personality to an ensuing culture… for yourself, we are family, Why? I have extended an invite through previous blogs - "We Are Family, What and We Are Family, How" - to a survey on a family research project. Concluding this series with "We Are Family, Why", will you contribute to helping me, give back, by clicking (and passing on) the survey button that follows, please. Thanks for considering. Conversations welcomed. ReImagine Possibilities., Inc.
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AuthorChristina Brandt Archives
September 2022
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