If you want to find out about the leadership characteristics of a great leader, look no further than the thousands of firefighters and their comrades and what they have demonstrated these last 2 weeks: 

• Perseverance

• Taking risks

• Deep caring in the face of danger

• Filled with hope for resolution

• Working until exhaustion

• Pride in accomplishments

For all those who are involved in the saving of the forests and communities, deep thanks and please be safe.  If you wish to contribute to help those who have lost so much in the fires, www.RedCross.org

All of us have some leadership in us to be accessed in times of need.  We all also have strengths, values and talents that serve us well in our daily lives, leading, family, community and church. Yet, we are not always sure what it is that really drives us to do well and what we “use” to do that.

I’ve coached multiple executives that actually think that if they do something easily and naturally it can’t and won’t be valued.  They have this idea that success and true leadership is hard.  We have to sweat and struggle in order to be good at something.   

These are people who think that hard work is the only way they will succeed – a work ethic of “hard is better”.   

When we look at an individual and assess them and their skills, it becomes quite obvious what they should be doing for work or as a career.  We discover their natural talents in math, speaking, design, organization, leadership and/or communication.  And yet we have so many people in the wrong jobs, barely using their talents and strengths struggling to create results that are not forthcoming. 

They are working in jobs they think they should be working at rather than working in a position they are naturally talented in.   

At NMA we start every coaching, training or long term consulting engagement with an assessment of each individual and the organization.   

Why?  We want our leaders and managers to know who they are and who they are leading.  We want each individual leader to review their skills so they can be reacquainted with their strengths and to notice what their challenges are.  Also, with our work ethic of "struggle" and "work must be hard", we may not be aware that what are doing in your job is not really where you are strong and talented.   

Are you operating well?  Can you do easily and naturally everything on your desk?  Do you have the vision and energy to move through your day with ease and joy?  Are problems and issues opportunities to solve rather than something to get angry and frustrated about? 

Are you fact doing well, feeling good, finding joy and creating sustainable results in your work?  If not, then it is time for you to take an assessment that will help you to understand where you should be contributing in a creative and productive way.  

One of my favorite and most effective leadership and communication assessment takes a look at:

• How you communicate – or not

• How you are perceived, your behavioral style and your ability to influence

• How to motivate you, manage you and what your ideal environment for working is

• How you adapt as a leader and individual contributor

• The value you bring to the organization

• Where you fit and contribute on a team

• Your core leadership strengths and where they can be best utilized

• Areas for improvement in critical areas 

The evidence that our clients get from their assessment helps them not only know themselves better, but creates an immediate ease in how to deal well with their staff, subordinates and management.  It answers many questions and provides a clear path for change if needed. 

It’s a snapshot of you right now.  I recommend that if you have not done an assessment on you or your people either in a long time or ever, it is time.  The assessment answers questions, reveals people’s strengths and talents and highlights areas that can be improved – it is a roadmap to what is really most important.  

Wouldn’t you like to know what your strengths, talents and values are right now?  And wouldn’t you like to know who it is you are working with? 

Send me an email and I will set you up to take your leadership and communication right on line.  It will take 15-20 minutes of undisturbed time to take the assessment.  We can then debrief your assessment either by phone or in person.  I can provide you with 20 testimonials of leaders just like you that took their assessment.  The most common comment from taking their assessment is:

“Wow, this is great information to know.  It helps in all aspects of how I am working, communicating and leading”.  

I’d love to discuss your assessment information with you.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful fall weekend.  Please let me know how I can continue to be a resource for you in your leadership development.

My best,

Natalie

Natalie R. Manor, CEO

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR:

1. F'REE ROADMAP “Speaking with Influence” Teleconference Series

The final teleconference in the F'REE ROADMAP “Speaking with Influence” Teleconference Series will be on:

WHEN:  Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 7:00pm (Eastern Standard Time)

TELECONFERENCE LINE:   605-475-6000   PIN:  879916#

DURATION:  One (1) hour 

Each ROADMAP “Speaking With Influence” Teleconference will be recorded and available for download for those who could not make the call. Watch our weekly newsletter for details. 

2. Success without Stress Seminar

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