Posted on November 21, 2013
By Nan Russell
Twelve minutes before I was to speak to a large group gathering in a downtown hotel ballroom, I was still struggling with A/V equipment. With hundreds of presentations under my belt, I’m 
accustomed to handling last minute glitches. But no matter what I tried, my presentation wouldn’t project.
Hailing the meeting planner for help, he did his magic and within minutes an A/V tech arrived with another projector. When that, too, failed to work and just five minutes remaining, he began troubleshooting each part of the set-up, and I began mentally rearranging my opening to buy more time. Turned out, there was no need. The projector wasn’t the problem, the cord was. I was up and running with two minutes to spare.
However, this isn’t a story about A/V problems. It’s a story about two kinds of people. (continue reading →)
Posted in: Winning at Working |
Tagged: handling problems, initiative, Nan Russell, titleless leader, Winning at Working |
Posted on October 17, 2013
By Beth Pelkofsky
As a colleague of Nan’s, I periodically post here when things grab 
my attention about titleless leaders. This post stems from a recent personal experience. A month ago, I found myself only able to put weight on one foot. It was a HUGE learning experience in many ways. I saw life from a variety of perspectives – sitting in a wheelchair, standing with a walker, and kneeling on the ground. This way of observing life gave me pause and got me thinking – “What am I seeing differently?”
As a titleless leader you may be firing on all cylinders, doing great things and making a difference at work. At the same time, you may be stuck on a task or a project; having difficulty finding a solution or worrying about a looming deadline. Here are three ways to discover a different perspective (without having to break a bone in your foot):
- Increase Your Altitude:“The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes,” in the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. When ‘life happens,” things are out of sync and you start to wonder what really matters in life. Increase your altitude. Get out there. Do something different. Get uncomfortable. You will discover new options, have less stress and enhance your problem-solving.
Posted in: Tips |
Tagged: Beth Pelkofsky, perspective, titleless leader |
Posted on September 30, 2013
By Nan Russell
This week: I’ve been working for several months on a new book, Trust, Inc.: How to Create a Business Culture That Will Ignite Passion, Engagement, and Innovation. This week is my final “author read.” It’s a chance to catch anything before the publisher, Career Press, sends it off for printing. The book releases in November, but is available for pre-order if you want to check it out.
Things You May Have Missed: There’s so much out there, so I thought I’d narrow the field a bit. One approach I use, especially when I have a lot going on, is to read just one article a day that enhances my leadership perspective or skill building. Here are three pieces I thought might be helpful to titleless leaders:
FYI: Thought you might enjoy a picture I took this weekend capturing the beginning of fall here in the Northwest.
Posted in: Tips |
Tagged: Leadership, Nan Russell, titleless leader |
Posted on September 16, 2013
By Beth Pelkofsky
As a colleague of Nan’s, I periodically post here when things grab my attention about titleless leaders, as it did this week.
It is a familiar time of year – Back to School. There are shopping trips to local malls, schedules adjusted and readjusted and many new activities begin. Even if you don’t have children, you are impacted with back to school TV commercials and increased traffic on the roads.
So, if change is on your calendar (and it always is) – here are Five Behaviors for Tackling Change:
- Prepare – Change comes in all sizes and shapes. It is wanted and unwanted. It is expected and unexpected. And, it is exciting and devastating. Create your own ‘toolbox’ for coping with change.
- Accept Where You Are – Change often turns everything upside down. Only you can control your reaction to it. Epictetus, a philosopher said, (continue reading →)
Posted in: Tips |
Tagged: Beth Pekofsky, dealing with change, titleless leader |
Posted on July 1, 2013
By Beth Pelkofsky
I’m a colleague of Nan’s. She just finished writing her new book, Trust, Inc.: How to Create a Business Culture that Will Ignite Passion, Engagement, and Innovation; so I offered to write a blog post so she could relax a bit.
In a few days Americans will be celebrating, Independence Day on July 4th. 
There will be parades, picnics, fireworks and baseball games in campgrounds, neighborhoods, small towns and big cities. I thought it was a perfect time to consider the words of some independent thinkers.
- “Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.” – Thomas Jefferson
- “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.” – Benjamin Franklin
- “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”– Albert Einstein
- “The best thing about the future (continue reading →)
Posted in: Leadership |
Tagged: Beth Pelkfosky, independent thinkers, titleless leader |
Posted on May 17, 2013
By Beth Pelkofsky
I’m a colleague of Nan’s. She is now writing Part 3 of her new book, Trust, Inc.: How to Create a Business Culture that Will Ignite Passion, Engagement, and Innovation; so I offered to write a blog post.
I subscribe to a few online daily quotation services. I read them most mornings before beginning my day. These words often provide inspiration or a new way of thinking. Here is one that arrived in my inbox yesterday by American businessman and author Max De Pree, “Leadership is more tribal than scientific, more a weaving of relationships than an amassing of information.”
Unfortunately, in many workplaces today it is the opposite, leaders believe hoarding information is power and with that power brings authority and followership. Really? Have they looked recently at successful workplaces today?
So, what does it mean to be tribal? According to speaker and author of Tribes, Seth Godin, “A tribe is a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader and connected to an idea.” OK, makes sense.
Now, what about the “weaving of relationships?” How do titleless leaders build good working relationships? Here are a few ways to spark your thinking?
- Operate with Trust – Trust begins with self-trust, pay attention to yourself and to your intentions, and give trust first. What does your trust barometer say?
Posted in: Tips |
Tagged: Beth Pelkofsky, communication, Leadership, relationships, titleless leader, trust |
Posted on April 24, 2013
By Nan Russell
Eclectic items caught my eye recently in-between writing chapters for my new book, Trust, Inc.: How to Create a Business Culture That will Ignite Passion, Engagement, and Innovation (Nov 2013; Career Press), that I wanted to share with titleless leaders. Each gave me pause in a different way:
- Titleless leaders do great work. But, what makes us feel good about our work? That’s the question asked and answered in this TEDTalk by Professor Dan Ariely.
- Titleless leaders understand what others see on the outside happens on the inside first. Yet, how we see ourselves and how others see us is not always congruent. This Dove video offers some perspective on how hard it can be to see us as others do:
- Titleless leaders know what they’re for. They work toward what they want to bring about. No matter your position on (continue reading →)
Posted in: Tips |
Tagged: Nan Russell, titleless leader |
Posted on April 14, 2013
By Beth Pelkofsky
I am a colleague of Nan’s. She is writing Part 2 of her new book, Trust, Inc.: How to Create a Business Culture that Will Ignite Passion, Engagement, and Innovation; so I offered to write a blog post.
As I went about my normal routine this past week, I heard a couple of disturbing workplace stories. So much so, that I found myself ranting to friends and families. What has happen to basic kindness and human compassion in today’s workplaces? I’m sure at least a story or two come to mind.
It takes me back to a frequent conversation with my mom when I was a teenager. “Young lady it’s not what you are saying, it is how you are saying it, that is mean spirited.” And, my typical response was “Whatever.” This is an important learning that has served me well. Although, it did take a while for me to get it.
Why It Matters
As a titleless leader you will need to focus not just on what your message is but how you say it and how you act. Here’s why –
- You create a lasting impression. Does your impression look like a magnificent tapestry or a lackluster textile? Which is more valued?
- You get what you give. Are you kind with colleagues? Are you honest and act with integrity? This isn’t a cause and effect relationship but (continue reading →)
Posted in: Leadership, Tips |
Tagged: Beth Pelkofsky, impressions, Kindness, reciprocity, relationships, titleless leader |
Posted on March 15, 2013
By Beth Pelkofsky
I’m becoming a bit of a regular guest posting on Nan’s Titleless Leadership blog. This week I spent many hours driving in the car. I listened to personal CDs, radio talk shows and of course music.
You know how sometimes you hear a song and it plays over and over in your mind and then you hear yourself, singing it out aloud. That is what happened to me this week. Here’s the song that seized my thoughts by Five For Fighting … What kind of world do you want? A pretty daunting question.
How would you answer these questions?
- What kind of world do you want?
- What kind of workplace will you create?
- What kind of leader will you be?
Questions worth considering for a few moments from time to time. Curious but not sure how (continue reading →)
Posted in: Resources, Tips |
Tagged: Beth Pelkofsky, reflective thinking, titleless leader, what kind of leader |
Posted on February 19, 2013
By Nan Russell
I like twitter. I find it a fun and interesting way to offer and receive info-tidbits, connect with and learn from others, and put a virtual toe into a river of trending happenings or information.
If you want to be a titleless leader, consider these a week of coaching-tweet reminders from me to you:
1. Ask yourself – how can I be of service? How can I best support the work and efforts here?
2. Your words matter. Use them carefully. Don’t forget, please, thank you, and good morning.
3. Paint a word picture of what you want achieved. Help people “see it” – then they can do it.
4. Don’t “hire” hands or heads (continue reading →)
Posted in: Tips |
Tagged: coaching-tweets, Nan Russell, titleless leader, when you're not in charge |
accustomed to handling last minute glitches. But no matter what I tried, my presentation wouldn’t project.
