Kevin W. McCarthy

Do You Have A Mentor?

Click here to watch the 60 minute replay of The On-Purpose Leader Experience: Session 1 from September 12.

A couple of decades ago a friend of mine attempted to organize a mentor program for those of us in our thirties.  He reached out to select men in their 50s and 60s to recruit them as mentors.  To his surprise, all of the men he approached felt inadequate to the task of being a mentor.  You see, they had never really been mentored so they perceived themselves as not being up to the task and responsibility.  Sadly, the program never got off the ground as a result.

Chances are that you, too, don't have a mentor.  But do you wish you did?

A mentor is a person with an impersonal interest in your personal leadership development and personal growth.  You may be thinking, "'an impersonal interest?' I would think it would be a very personal interest." 

Actually, those of us who mentor need to maintain a healthy distance from our proteges lest we run the risk of being too close to the person.  We risk becoming their fan, instead of their mentor.  The effect of too much closeness colors our perceptions and shades our reflective feedback.

As a mentor, I must place my commitment to the mentor-protege roles and process above the personal relationship.  Similarly, a defense lawyer must place the system of law above the client to ensure justice is served.

To have a "yes man" as a mentor is to have no mentor at all.  Mentors must be able to speak truth in love and be willing to suffer the consequence of offending.  Truth is the stock and trade of a mentor. 

Mentors aren't dictators; we refine and develop a person's inherent leadership and innate intelligence and capacity for good.  Allowing proteges to experience the consequences of their decisions comes with the title of mentor.  We need to speak our piece and learn to shut up.  Our ultimate interest must be independent, not co-dependent proteges.  Any mentor who is doing otherwise, it simply on an ego trip.

Yoda from Star Wars may be the most famous of all fictional mentors as the unlikely leader of the Jedi Knights.  Wouldn't we all like to have a mentor teach us to use "The Force" so we can perform like a Jedi?  Recall, however, how many times old Yoda seems to scrunch his face in dismay as Anakin or Luke Skywalker gets ready to do some impulsive (stupid) move that will turn the Force into a Farce.  

Who in your life is or was a mentor for you?  What is it about your mentor relationship that makes it special?  What does your mentor provide you?

Can A Leader Afford To Be Real?

This On-Purpose^® Business Minute invites you to explore the style and substance of your leadership. Please be sure to watch the video, read the blog, and comment. 

Leaders tend to have catch phrases that guide them. What if these are more style than substance when it comes to truly leading?

"Never let them see you sweat!"  That's the advice given to many a rising leader.  But is it valid or is this just the mythology of being a "strong" leader?  Then again, does a truly strong leader have anything to hide?  Jack Nicholson starred in the movie A Few Good Men as Col. Nathan R. Jessep.  In the movie he utters the famous line, "You can't handle the truth!" in a display of arrogance stemming from a fear of exposure.

"Be an open book," is the advice many would instill in others.  Is there such a thing as too much information?  Do we expect our leaders to exhibit a measure of prudent transparency?  Where is the line of privacy?

Hopefully, this On-Purpose^® Business Minute did inspire you to scratch below the surface of your style to discover the bedrock of your guiding principles.

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• How Do I Become A Leader? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• Who Is Keeping You Real? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• Are You Maturing or Just Getting Old? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• What Is Personal Leadership? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• How Solid Is Your Leadership? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
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Recovering the Diamonds, a short film by Nic Askew

Nic Askew of Soul Biographies produces gently disturbing films on-purpose.  Having been in a maximum security prison for three days (not nights) as part of a Kairos Prison Ministry, I related to Juan's initial reaction to the prisoners.  Recovering the Diamonds provokes a natural prejudice for self-defense within an extreme and dangerous environment of criminals.  Yet Juan offers hope and insight juxtaposed with Nic's compelling questions.

Invest 8 minutes to view Nic's film.  What if you are committing an imprisoning crime upon persons who don't fit your concept of a person worth knowing?

RECOVERING THE DIAMONDS from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

 

 

What Is Your Cost Of Poor Direction and Communication?

At a recent client management round table I facilitated, the participants emphasized the lack of direction and communication.  Their sentiments were echoed and validated by an employee survey.  When asked to perform a financial assessment on the cost of poor communication and direction, within two minutes these leaders had calculated over $12 million in costs or 25% of the company's gross revenues.

Is this high cost an exaggeration?  Not at all.  Their experience is typical.  Through the years I've invited clients to assess the cost of being off-purpose. Consistently, it is a breathtaking percentage of revenues.  Here's why: every line item on the financial statements is affected.  The effect, however, is mostly indirect so the true cost is out of sight on the typical performance metrics.

Broadly insufficient direction and communication reflects on the top leaders.  Experience tells me it isn't that the top leaders won't direct or communicate, it is that they don't know what to communicate.  Direction and communication are deep strategic matters residing in the office of the CEO and C-suite.  Purpose, vision, mission, and values form the basis of core strategy that inform the business plan. Generalities instead of strategic clarity muddy direction and communication.  When the leadership and management team are fuzzy, then the supervisory and front line people are left guessing what to do.

Interestingly, those who "guess" better than most, get promoted.  They imagine being in management will give them the opportunity to manage better than they were managed.  In fact, they soon discover they're just closer to the source of the problem and are even more exposed to the risks of managing through the mud.  This can lead to a feeling of being squeezed between upper management and front line workers.   On one hand, one wants to be loyal to their employer; yet, on the other hand, it is really hard to defend dumb policies and procedures with no basis of strategy or logic.  In top management's defense (to some degree), it is a fine line to walk between leading and managing versus dictating and micro-managing.  On the other hand, if you are the CEO -- figure out your strategy and direction and commit yourself and your team to being true to it.  Sell it consistently with great internal communication and reward right behaviors.

Image by x-ray delta one via Flickr

One of the great movie lines of all time comes from the movie Cool Hand Luke starring Paul Newman.  The chain gang prison captain says to Luke after rendering a whipping on him, "What we got here is... failure to communicate."   Watch Video.

Indeed, we do have... failure to communicate.  Imagine being in my shoes and seeing huge gains and savings to be had in a business, yet the leader is out of the comfort of his or her experience or they assume they are communicating.   Expecting others to be mind readers is frustrating for everyone. 

Purpose is the beginning of clarity in life and business.  It pays big dividends to be on-purpose.

 

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Ambition. At What price?

 

Click on text for more information on the:

On-Purpose Leader Experience • On-Purpose Mentor Experience

 

The desire to make a difference is the sweet, soulful heart of ambition.  In contrast is blind ambition that tramples all in its path to accomplish an end, perhaps even a noble end at that, which is fraught with unhealthy costs.  Much of this rests on your view of people.

Which will mark your life, career, and legacy?

Herein lies the rub for many a business person.  To what lengths are you willing to go to realize your ambitions?

Results, especially in the form of company sales and profits, are outward and tangible measures of success.  Measurable signs, however, tell just a portion of the story.  If you want to know the full story, ask the people along the way who helped to produce the results.

Here's an example.  For 12 months spanning 2008 to 2009, I worked full time with a CEO client to author a book that codified his corporate culture, leadership development moves, and business strategy for internal use.  Intending the company to go public, the book also targeted Wall Street analysts and investors so they could readily grasp what truly made this company great.  Instead of going with an IPO, the company was purchased by a national competitor for $130 million.  By the CEO's own admission, the book helped them get over $15 million in greater value for shareholders over the IPO price.

"Wow!" you may be thinking, "That CEO had to be happy."  You would think so.  Eight months after delivery of the manuscript, a client satisfaction clause I wrote into the contract was used to deny issuing me an "earned" stock bonus despite assurances to the contrary.  My concern for my client's best interest was played against me.  Ouch!  It hurts.

Just because one can take advantage of another person, does that mean one should?  Best-selling books on the art of war and being a prince would say go for it.  But I say there's nothing noble in selfishness.

An alternative view is one of valuing people above things.  Relationships are greater than transactions.  Results with responsibilities and citizenship can co-exist and produce true greatness.  

Hold no delusions of grandeur that either the perfect person or company graces the face of the planet.  Self-serving serpents slither the planet preying on others.  We are all capable of being this way, yet deep within our spirit we yearn to a higher call and standard.

Gazing with admiration upon the shells of successful men and women may provide inspiration, but it tends to deliver little instruction.  You know better.  Get the back story from the secretaries, bookkeepers, janitors, clerks, delivery persons, and cafeteria workers in corporate headquarters.  You'll discover whether the person capturing the headlines and your attention is gold-plated or 24 karat solid gold.

Here's another personal example:  On Sunday, I crossed a milestone (see On-Purpose Minute for more) when our youngest turned 18 years of age.  My career and business ambitions have been on medium heat for 20 years now.  Over the coming year(s) I'll be turning the heat to high once Judith and I are empty nesters with Anne off to college this fall.

Do this:  Whether you're leading your life, a team, or a business, you need to decide: Ambition, at what price?  Knowing your purpose and defining your values is a great start to building a life and a career where you can put your head to your pillow at night and sleep soundly.

____________________________________________________________________________________  Here are some famous quotes about money for your consideration and amusement. 

"Money makes the world go around."

From the song Money (Watch the performance!) in the broadway play Cabaret sung by Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."

 1 Timothy 6

"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart."

Jonathan Swift

"Get all you can, without hurting your soul, your body, or your neighbor.  Save all you can, cutting off every needless expense.  Give all you can."

John Wesley

"With money in your pocket, you are wise and you are handsome and you sing well, too."

Yiddish Proverb

Nic Askew's Film: Freedom From Stories

Being on-purpose sounds like a great concept... and it is.  There's a harsh reality to it in that it stirs up stuffed emotions and realities more easily tossed aside than faced head-on.  Delayed emotions inevitably rise to the surface.

I'm a fan of Nic Askew's Soul Biographies series.  This particular film features Brandon Bays and vividly illustrates the cost of living in emotional denial.  Men may slough this off as "just another emotional female."  Don't!  I'm convinced that heart attacks - a major killer of men - are no different than Brandon's tumor.  Manifestations of ill-feelings can result in illness.

While Brandon Bays is a New Age spiritualist, I have to admit a bit of a smile as I listened to her deepest truth to be right out of the ancient scripture from the Gospel of John (8:32). 

Share your thoughts.  Also visit Nic's website and donate to his film making efforts.

 

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Is Your Smart Phone Making You Stupid?

The smarter our smart phones get, the dumber we're becoming behind the wheel of a car.

Teens get blasted for texting and driving, but let me tell you, it isn't just kids.  While I don't text and drive, I do have my unsafe moments of cell phone use.  Those of us who are older and "wiser" are guilty of our own set of cell phone violations - looking up numbers, dialing while driving, reading email, etc...

There's a line in this video, "What is worth losing your life over?  That text message?"  That question stopped me dead in my tracks of cell phone usage.  

You see, even though my car is equipped with bluetooth and I've got two hands on the wheel, I find myself looking up phone numbers, dialing, and pressing send while driving.  No more even just a little distraction for me.  Watch this, join me, and let's live longer, healthier lives while driving safely for us and those other people on the road.

Really!  How busy are you that it can't wait until conditions to text or call are safe?

 

 

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Science & Faith with Billy Graham. Yes, THAT Billy Graham!

Billy Graham speaks on the relationship of faith and science. Pure faith meets technology!  Who wins?  You decide!  But you have to watch to learn.

 

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Free Business Tips, Ideas, & Advice for Running (& Starting) Small Businesses and Leading Your Life!

The challenges of being in business by yourself need not be a burden you carry alone.  May I come along side you for 2 to 4 minutes per week to offer sound business advice and mentoring via a free subscription to the On-Purpose Business Minute and On-Purpose Minute.

Every On-Purpose Business Minute packs a practical punch of business ideas, concepts, and tips for your real life challenges of starting and running a business. On-Purpose Minutes help you become a better leader of your life.  The better you lead you lead, the better you'll lead your business and team.  Let's engage in all things business and life.  You'll learn how to:

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Sample On-Purpose Business Minutes 

• Is A Startup Business A Smart Career Move? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• Why Is My Business Struggling? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• What Is The Purpose of A Business Plan? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• How Are You Learning To Be In Business? (kevinwmccarthy.com)

Does this make me look fat?

Every guy has to chuckle at this Geico ad featuring Abraham Lincoln in a real dilemma with his wife.