Spokes of Leadership

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As I recently was working with a  leader who had just taken a new role in the organization, a very high level role, we discussed all of his “spokes”.

Spokes are the many aspects of your leadership in your life and or work.

spokes of leadershipWhat are the important areas that you want to focus on?  The vision, the people, the process, the change, the product, leadership style, recognition?  This leader needed to communicate his big vision to his team .  He needed to really become clear on the spokes that make his wheel go around.  I asked him to list everything  (all important areas) and then fill in on his sheet (in a big circle) all the aspects that he wanted to communicate to his team about each of these areas.   I asked him to post them in his office when he was complete.

For some of us, getting visual is a really big key in helping us carry out our goals.  When it is nebulous in our minds, it can be hard to execute and communicate to others.  Especially for new leaders, this is a very crucial activity to ensure they are driving the vision of their team.

I encourage you to decide what are the spokes of your wheel in your personal life or your business life.  Then assess what you want to accomplish in each area.  Then communicate that to your team, your leader or your family.  You could also do this as a team or a family exercise.

Happy biking!!

Executive Leadership Coach and Health of Leaders

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executive leadership coach and foodIn part of my business I work as an executive leadership coach.

I love this work, assisting leaders in being the best possible leader for their people.  This work always focuses on the leaders overall health.  Again if they are not healthy they will not create healthy teams and organizations.

As I worked with one leader as her executive leadership coach, I discussed my own personal journey of not eating sugar/gluten and making a good green smoothie in the morning for breakfast.   She was really interested in my journey and I told her the book I had just read “Wheat Belly” and explained how all of this food can really negatively impact us.

Little do I sometimes know how much my words impact others.   In a meeting a couple months later she said to me “I have to tell you that I have now eliminated gluten/wheat from my diet”.  She went on to explain that she has diabetes and that this practice has made her feel significantly better and lowered her blood sugar levels were more regulated and had lowered.  So much that her medical doctor said, “what what have you been doing”.  When she told her doctor what she had committed to the doctor said “wow that must be hard to give up wheat”.  My leader said “and giving yourself shots every day is easy?”.  I was so proud of her!   This is the most positive form of self leadership and love and I can imagine!

What can you commit to today to bring your nutrition and health leadership to the next level??

It’s not the years in your life….but the life in your years

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So true.  I found this today (August 28, 2013) as I was looking for a frame for a photo for someone who is very sick and has a very slight chance to live.  I almost feel like the angels had me find this so I knew that she had a good life overall and that she has really enjoyed her time with my Dad.  She has been my Dad’s partner the last 18 months but I will have to say that these may have been the best 18 months of his life.  They were two peas in a pod; got up early, went to bed early.  They liked to cook fish and live in the middle of nowhere in WI.  They both enjoyed having a partner.  He even got her to sleep on an air mattress (every night).   I am sad for the potential loss of a good partnership.  They sometimes seem challenging to come by these days.  As I begin my own next chapter of my partnership with my partner, it really makes me think.  I am truly glad that I do this work in the world.  I don’t think I could really do anything else.  If I am not helping others live their best life, then I would not be doing what I came here to do.  I had told Rose that she was what my Dad needed, a strong woman.  I think partnership takes huge strength and love of ourselves.  That is the entire concept of my work www.inlovewithme.com and www.healthychildrenofdivorce.com .  Truly if you love yourself you will raise the healthiest children.  If you are not happy in your relationships, you have to look to yourself and question the amount of love you have for yourself.  Life is way too short not to.

Today I want to thank Rose, for showing me what good partnership looks like, for being a strong woman and for loving my dad.  “It is not the Years in Your Life…..But the Life in Your Years…”.  You have really touched my life.

What can you do to love yourself deeper today, to take care of yourself better today, to love someone else today?

rose and dad photo

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROSE

September 3, 1941 – August 30, 2013

One Step Closer to You

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Self-love is all about becoming closer to ourselves. This 4th of July, doing yoga on the rocks and listening to Michael Franti at the Red Rocks Ampitheatre brought me closer to myself.

Taking the time to reflect and look inward can be a challenge for us all in this day and age of busy-ness and technology.

What I find is that when I slow down and take time to meditate, I truly accomplish more. And life seems so much easier. On this 4th of July weekend as we celebrate our freedom in the U.S.A., it’s a wonderful time to think about how each of us can be more free every moment of our day.

At the end of our lives, we will never look back and wish we had been busier. We most likely will be so grateful for all the small things we took time to appreciate and cherish.  The first key is appreciation and cherishing ourselves, and then others.

My wish for you is your ultimate freedom and love. I encourage you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and envision yourself surrounded by love. You are pure love. You are pure freedom.

You are my Sunshine!

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I have always loved that song! This past 4th of July, Michael Franti was my sunshine! In this video, we were doing yoga on the rocks and Red Rocks Ampitheatre! Wow, what an experience! If you’ve never been there, you must go!

As Michael sang, “that the sound of the sunshine coming down” I looked up at the beautiful sun above me and felt so grateful. I truly do feel the amazing love energy of the sun! Whenever I have the chance, I stand in the sun’s light and close my eyes, it just feels so wonderful and healing to me. We have so many healing opportunities around us, but many of us are moving too fast to really appreciate them and truly take them in. I have really been conscious lately about living in the “flow” of life. I’ve been calmer and breathing deeper. As a child, I always felt stressed and worried. As an adult, I know I am safe and loved. But sometimes I need a reminder to reset myself again. This is your reminder! Bask in the sunshine, live in the flow, and In-Joy your life!
With Love and Hugs,
Shannon (and my wonderful friend, Melanie, the other amazing yogi!)

Wahoo! I’m ALIVE!

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This 4th of July weekend, I had the opportunity to see Michael Franti live in concert. That guy is alive with life! His tour is the “I’m Alive” tour. At noon, before the concert, he offered yoga and an acoustic set. That is where this video is from. It was amazing. If you have never been to Red Rocks Ampitheatre in CO, it is a must do on any trip to the U.S. or CO! Set among the beautiful rocks you feel like you are in a work of art. And you are! It’s a work of nature!

What in your life makes you feel alive? Dancing, doing yoga and listening to these positive songs really made me feel alive that day! The energy of it was pure and simple – happy. When we enjoy our aliveness, we are happy. It truly is a gift to be alive. How will you embrace that gift today? How will you feel alive today?

I challenge you to first move your body, dance to some fun music or just listen to this video. FEEL the energy and KNOW you are alive! It is a gift to be cherished! Wahoo! I’m ALIVE!