Posts Tagged ‘Leadership’
Sunday, September 23rd, 2012
A year and a half ago, I was at lunch with two people I have immense respect for – past guest lecturers in the class I teach on leadership at the University of Colorado Denver. We were sharing stories of the challenges we faced as leaders in an assortment of roles, when the senior member at the table said, “We have a tremendous amount of insight and experience to offer towards the development of future leaders. The heck with being best in the world, let’s figure out a way to leverage our strengths and talents to be best for the world.” His statement was the catalyst that created the J3 Leadership Group, LLC where we now help build extraordinary organizations… one leader, one team at a time. Our primary tenet is to help senior leaders align heroic aspirations across their organization to accelerate change and drive growth by building on core strengths to create unity of purpose and alignment. We do not offer paint-by-numbers solutions, but require leaders to take on the dual role of student and teacher
At a time when many boomers are seeking encores for their careers, we took a hard look at which entrepreneurs were seeing success. Much to our surprise, a recent Forbes article pointed out that, “Vivek Wadhwa, a Duke University researcher worked with the Kauffman Foundation in 2009 to explore the anatomy of a successful startup founder. That survey of more than 500 startups in high-growth industries showed that the average founder of a successful company had launched his or her venture at the surprisingly high age of 40. The study also found that people over 55 are almost twice as likely to launch high-growth startups than those aged 20 to 34.” I personally believe it depends on the type of the venture; the passion, experience and skills of the founders, and the ability to pair with those that have complementary skills.
To this end, the J3 Leadership Group has created a very unique offering by pairing with a highly successful strategic branding company, and a unique sales and business development practice focused on helping C-level executives connect for fruitful B2B relationships. *What we know is that driving organic growth while maintaining profitability is a difficult balancing act (and a source of pain in most organizations), so our partnership will combine brand and sales expertise along with an operational leadership approach to create the Sustena Group. The three disciplines under one umbrella offer a unique approach to help senior leaders align and accelerate three interrelated and essential business functions – brand development, business development and leadership development.
We look forward to sharing what we learn by helping leaders, teams and organizations realize their full potential and deliver the encore performance their stakeholders expect.
Tags: brand development, business development, Driving organic growth, entrepreneur, J3 Leadership Group, jan rutherford, Leadership, sales development, sustena group
Posted in Entrepreneurship, Leaders, Teams | No Comments »
Sunday, September 16th, 2012
Much has been written about the challenges of four generations currently in the work force: Veterans/Matures (1928-1945), Boomers (1946-1964), Gen X (1965-1980), and Millennials (1981-1999). I have heard many say the younger generation doesn’t demonstrate commitment in terms of hours worked, and has an entitlement mentality. I have also heard that the older generation is tired, and doesn’t understand how to leverage technology. Michael Winerip recently wrote an article in the “The New York Times” times on “Boomers vs. Millennials: Who’s Really Getting Robbed?” It was a light-hearted article on a serious topic of opportunities and obligations. Dr. Tasha Eurich wrote a brilliant paper on “the real problem of generations in the workplace,” where she concluded, “generational differences are largely a myth.”
My perspective is based on observation and interaction, and I’ve concluded our future is in good hands with the Millennials. I mentor and coach a number of Millenials, and I find them extremely intelligent, well educated, ambitious, and with a propensity to make a significant and positive mark on this world. I had the honor and privilege to spend time with Sal Giunta recently. Sal is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Viet Nam War. Suffice it to say, he is truly an inspirational young man, and typifies many of the selfless and outstanding traits of his generation. A good friend of mine who was born in 1936 (a “Veteran”) believes we need more leaders with heroic aspirations. I don’t think we need to look much further than those 31 and younger.
Tags: Boomers, Heroic aspirations, jan rutherford, Leadership, medal of honor, Michael Winerip, Millennials, Sal Giunta, Tasha Eurich
Posted in Leaders | No Comments »
Sunday, September 9th, 2012
I hadn’t been to the place I was born in 40 years, and my recent visit happened to coincide with my birthday and visiting my Grandma’s grave. Reflection accompanies reminders of our mortality, and I thought about where I’ve been and what I still feel called to achieve. I thought about how the trajectory of my life would have been altered greatly if we had not moved. I thought about my wife, kids and grandson, and about my profound gratitude for good health. I celebrated my birthday with relatives I rarely see, but the bond was if I saw them just yesterday. I also thought about the dash on my Grandma’s grave, which represents nearly 80 years of life. It’s been 20 years since my Grandma died, and I contemplated how I am a living part of her dash. So are a myriad of other grandkids now fully entrenched in middle age with adult children of their own.
We’re here but a blink, and I wonder how often we live our lives selflessly for those that follow us. I looked around at all the other graves in the cemetery and wondered how many of those souls died knowing they truly made a difference in the lives of others – especially their loved ones. A friend recently shared the following with me from Cicero, “Zeno gives this definition of passion: Passion is a commotion of the soul opposed to right reason and against nature.” This I know: We all want to make a difference in this world during our dash, so we must have the discipline to live with temperance, and a vigilent eye to our legacy. My Godmother would say, “Yolo – you only live once,” and it’s a great reminder to live without regret.
Tags: jan rutherford, Leadership, legacy, temperance, the dash
Posted in Discipline, Passion | No Comments »
Monday, September 3rd, 2012
I spent part of my Labor Day in solitude backpacking and climbing a 14er near Aspen, Colorado. Not many people climb 14ers by themselves, but I cherish the self-reliant aspects of being miles from civilization. Part of the reason for the trip was forced solitude and introspection. I7 wanted to see what I would think about when I completely cleared my head… if I could completely clear my head!
Like leadership at times, solo backpacking can be intensely lonely. My mind wandered all over my to-do list, but I spent a lot of time wondering why I chose to be uncomfortable as I pushed myself physically. The escape from civilization seems to be the only way to gain perspective on the human condition; which includes my own condition – mental, emotional and physical. I believe when we’re cold, wet, tired and hungry, our true character emerges. I wasn’t cold, wet or hungry, but I certainly exhausted myself climbing. I had taken the wrong route up a draw in the basin, and had to traverse of steep slope above cliffs that contained scree, talus, and boulders. It added about ninety minutes to the climb, and my bruises, blisters and cuts serve as testament to the rookie mistake.
I was exhausted, and had to remind myself of my motives. I definitely wanted to make up for not summiting earlier this season because of a sprained knee and bad weather. Climbing a 14er had also become a ritual for my birthday month. If I can keep climbing these mountains, then I can kid myself into thinking I’m not getting too old! Part of what kept coming into my head during the ascent was a quote. It was a passage in the book “Lost Horizon” by James Hilton – a book based on a quest for something quite elusive – agelessness. Hilton famously wrote, “Perhaps the exhaustion of the passion is the beginning of wisdom.” Was I still passionate about climbing these mountains, and accepting of the inherent risks? Climbing always leaves an impression for days in the form of various aches and pains. Would the interpretation of Hilton’s quote say that wisdom arrives when age and the mountains finally conspire to make one quit climbing?
The mountains provide a needed escape, and perspective, on civilization. And I realize that civilization provides the needed perspective on the solitude of the wilderness. In striving for balance, what occurred to me was I need both perspectives for the wisdom I seek. I can’t imagine not having the deep introspection that comes from solitude, and I can’t imagine being completely alone and away from family for an extended period. The “aha” on the balanced perspective meant I was indeed successful at clearing my head. A mark of wisdom?
Tags: james hilton, jan rutherford, Leadership, lost horizon, self reliant
Posted in Passion, Self Reliance, Self-awareness, Wisdom | No Comments »
Sunday, August 19th, 2012
Last week I wrote about a new venture I’m starting and how fortunate I am to be associated with a great team. Last week, I had the opportunity to see a great team in action: Panther Racing led by John Barnes. I had the opportunity to ride in a two-seater with Arie Luyendyk, Jr, and what impressed me most wasn’t the ride, it was how hands-on the entire team seemed to be with every aspect of the business. From the owner to a twenty-something PR person, the team was focused and committed to racing, winning, and representing their number-one sponsor – the National Guard.
The purpose of the event was to raise awareness for employers through a program sponsored by Panther Racing, Colorado ESGR, and Hiring Our Heroes. It was a first-class event, and the mission never waivered from helping employer executives understand what citizen soldiers endure, and how tough a time they’re having finding employment after deployments. It’s great to see a team that’s optimized and energized, and even better when a major part of their purpose is truly a higher calling. As Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer was quoted in Parade today, let’s get the word out to insure our soldiers have the opportunity to be part of another great team when they come home.
Tags: : Panther Racing, Arie Luyendyk, Dakota Meyer, employment, ESGR, jan rutherford, John Barnes, Jr, Leadership, medal of honor, soldiers, teams
Posted in Teams | 2 Comments »
Sunday, August 12th, 2012
I am in the process of launching a new venture with some terrific partners. I say I am in the process, because we aren’t having a seminal event to launch. What we’re doing is getting our act together (legal, accounting, messaging, targeting, etc.), and we’re testing the waters (and developing our business) through our network.
That word network has all sorts of negative connotations, so I like to refer to it as connections, friends, colleagues, and trusted advisors. It seems that new ventures conjures up kids right out of college, but the Kauffman Foundation research shows that Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 in the last 15 years had the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity of any age group.
A lot of wanna-be entrepreneurs are waiting for the brilliant-idea-epiphany (like Instagram), but that’s like wishing to win the lottery. We believe what University of Chicago economist David Galenson has found: experimental geniuses, reach their peak slowly though trial and error, gathering information, and testing assumptions to realize their full potential. We certainly don’t believe we’re geniuses, but it’s good to know some things get better with age!
I can’t imagine creating the venture we are without having a myriad of life experiences (aka successes and failures), and a network of trusted advisors. I say trusted, because trust is the key characteristic of the people in our network. I always thought of entrepreneurship as a lonely endeavor, but I am finding a richness in the friends we have that are willing to help. They’re just plain gracious, and for all the help and support we’re receiving, I am extremely grateful.
Tags: David Galenson, entrepreneurship, gratitude, jan rutherford, Kaufman foundation, Leadership, new venture
Posted in Entrepreneurship | No Comments »
Sunday, July 29th, 2012
Entering the army at age of 17 made me a student of leadership. Leading by example meant being physically fit – an army requirement to be a “leader with presence.”
In business, I have often thought the physically fit business leaders were better leaders, so I was intrigued to read Shelley DuBois’ article in Fortune on why executives should sweat! She mentions General David Petraeus saying “physical fitness was the most important trait for good leadership.” This is based on the work of Charles Garcia, author of Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows: Learn How to Inspire Others, Achieve Greatness, and Find Success in Any Organization. Garcia said the number one leadership lesson is, “Great leaders have deep reserves of physical, spiritual, and emotional energy, and that energy is usually fueled by a strong and supportive relationship with the people they love, regular exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and setting aside time for reflection.”
Exercise cultivates energy, toughness, discipline, and the ability to adapt and overcome. Exercise can also expose weaknesses in these areas – akin to showing one’s true colors (aka character flaws).
Software company SAS has a corporate athlete program and claim participants are more productive and focused. It’s a program modeled after the Human Performance Institute where results are measured in four areas:
- “Physical: Higher energy, fitness, and frequency of exercise.
- Emotional: Sustained levels of confidence, positive feelings, and resilience.
- Mental: Increased mental alertness, focus and preparation for work.
- Spiritual: Higher feelings of being fully engaged with work and personal life.”
Leaders keep obfuscating the balance issues between work and family. If you’ve ever tried to physically balance anything, you know it’s nearly an impossible state to hold. Things lean one way or the other. The elusive” balance is knowing when to focus on one and when to focus on the other. The better fit you are, the better you’re able to manage your energy, which translates into leveraging downtime, handling stress, and erasing guilt because your time is spent in the right places!
Tags: exercise, garcia, Leadership, petraeus, rutherford
Posted in Discipline | No Comments »
Friday, June 29th, 2012
We toured The Dail today, and met with Deputy Bernard Durkan, a TD For Kildare North. He has quite the gift for a good historical story that relates to current times and tribulations. Like a great politician, he serves up the problems of our day as a challenge for which he expects people will embrace and overcome.
Later we toured Startup Bootcamp of Dublin where learned of very driven young entrepreneurs and the leader-mentors that are guiding them on their journey. There’s a pride and swagger in the facility that’s increasingly uncommon in a day when many are simply looking for a wage.
We met with James Wolsey who through his Dublin office serves as the Honorary Trade and Investment Representatives in Europe for the State of Colorado. This position was created in December 2011 one month after Ambassador Michael Collins visited Colorado.
We capped the course off with a visit to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the elegant Iveagh House, and met with Cyril Brennan, Deputy Director US Affairs, North America, Australia and New Zealand Unit, Anglo-Irish Division. Cyril was gracious, interested, interesting, and exceedingly bright. I could have listened to him for hours speak of his work. For me personally, this was one of the highlights of the trip, as it seems obvious that Cyril is one to watch in Ireland.
I have attached a number of class photos from today, and will end without too much additional comment. More to come tomorrow in the “course wrap-up.”
Tags: Ambassador Michael Collins, colorado, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Bernard Durkan, Iveagh House, James Wolsey, jan rutherford, Leadership, Startup Bootcamp, The Dail, \Cyril Brennan
Posted in Culture, Entrepreneurship | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012
Last year when we were in Dublin, the Queen visited. This year, we’re in Belfast for her visit, which was just as historic as she shook hands with an ex-IRA chief.
The Dublin students traveled to Belfast and made their first visit of the trip to Northern Ireland. We’re all one big class again. We met with Norman Apsley today, and he provided a tour of the Titanic Pump House, and an overview of the NI Science Park. Norman was extremely gracious with his time, as he had earlier met with the Queen as well. The picture that contains the students is inside the dry-dock where the Titanic sat within 18 feet of concrete, 50 feet below the surface in a bay 1,000 feet long.
The other picture is of Bryan Keating and his lovely wife Linda. We had the great fortune of spending an evening at their lovely home, and will look forward to his company again tomorrow with the students.
The students and I spent time this afternoon discussing their experiences here from a business, social and political perspective. The class is working together extremely well, and their insights on matters of another culture are enlightening, and refreshing. I trust we’re creating experiences that will serve as signposts to reflect back on over the course of a career!
For an additional perspective – see one the student blogs on her experience in Ireland so far!
Tags: bryan keating, jan rutherford, Leadership, norman apsley, northern ireland science park
Posted in Learning | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 26th, 2012
The Belfast Team presented their final analysis and recommendations to the Maildistiller CEO today regarding a channel strategy, and received excellent feedback! Now we need to learn the following from the two projects we conducted here in Ireland:
- What will be the economic impact of the student’s work?
- If paying for this work on the open market, what would have been the investment?
- Please address the teamwork and leadership of the group.
- Were there any areas of opportunities identified?
- What are the similarities and differences between US and Irish students?
- For next year, are there any specific skill sets you would like to see?
The team also had the opportunity to participate in the Belfast Pub Summit in the evening as well. We had the chance to meet Irish investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, techies, and the media. The subject of risk came up again, and I did speak to one gentlemen who believes the Irish embrace risk, but my informal survey over the last several days shows that most Irish business men and women believe that risk aversion is a cultural phenomena that will only slowly diminish over time.
The Maynooth Team finished their project today, and wrapped up one additional country study from a channel perspective. Tomorrow, we’ll all be together in Belfast (along with the Queen!) where we’ll have the grand opportunity to meet and hear from Norman Apsley.
Lastly, I have had the privilege to meet Mark Jones from UCD, and he’s taken the imitative to brainstorm ideas on how we can continue to build an economic and cultural bridge between Colorado and Ireland. Mark is one of the sharpest students I have met, and it’s thoroughly energizing to be around him. He’s a future leader to watch!
Tags: belfast, belfast pub summit, entrepreneuriship, ireland, jan rutherford, Leadership, maynooth, norman apsley, risk, ucd
Posted in Entrepreneurship | No Comments »
