Monthly Archives: October 2009

A Personal Touch!

Posted on October 25, 2009 | Leave a comment
I learned a valuable lesson in leadership over the weekend  that truly humbled me – a lesson I wish to share with all of my readers. It all started Friday night when I received a broadcast message from one of my LinkedIn contacts. In the message, he asked all those on his distribution list to forward to him a link to your website along with a brief blurb about who you are and what you do. He would then paste the link and blurb on his Business Resource page. In return, he would send his web link and blurb for posting on one of your active web pages. On the surface, the benefits were clear: free advertising, more website traffic, and potentially higher ranking on search engines. What I did not realize was its potentially negative impact. In fact, I did not realize it until I sent out a similar broadcast message to my contacts. The true impact of the broadcast message was not apparent until I received a note from one of my valuable contacts. She said that while she knew I meant no harm by sending the broadcast message, she made me realize that a broadcast message is interpreted as an impersonal sales pitch. Ouch! That was not the message I wished to convey! It then occurred to me that I committed a social faux pas; on a global scale no less! Social media is suppose to be about encouraging a personal, two-way communication among consumers in a marketing world once dominated by an annoying, one-way sales pitch. And what was I doing? Sending out an annoying, one-way sales pitch!  What’s more, I am doing this as I have been trying so hard to embrace and promote the “Little Way”… a philosophy that asks each of us to lead by following the needs of others.Then the second blow hit me. How can I follow the needs of others if I don’t add a personal touch? It is only in maintaining a personal connection that we learn to follow the needs of others. So please… learn from the lesson I now share. Forgo future broadcast messages in favor of a personal note if for no other reason that we all need to know that we are valued. In a “hi tech, low touch” world of ours, do your best to maintain a personal touch when you can. It tells each life we touch that we value who you are and what you do. Most of all it says, we truly care.

Remember … touch a life today “The Little Way” by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, “I wish my community, knew…”, then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.

~ Theresa

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Enlightened Leadership

Posted on October 6, 2009 | Leave a comment

Last week I went to a conference on “Engaging Partnerships and Leveraging Opportunities” sponsored by the Rural Learning Network. The keynote speaker was Clinton Sidle, Director of the Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows Program at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and author of “The Leadership Wheel: Five Steps for Achieving Individual and Organizational Greatness” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2005). The topic was “Enlightened Leadership.” The presentation was so enlightening, I had to share!

He started his presentation saying he had researched many “archetypal truths” of ancient traditions, including the Tibetan’s Mandela and the Native American’s Medicine Wheel. He said he also studied many contemporary psychologists and managerial thinkers, including Carl Jung and Isabel Briggs-Myers, creator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. He then developed the Leadership Wheel, which pulled together three spokes of authentic leadership–the leader, the organization, and society–into one integrated process for “enlightened leadership.” A five-step framework for leadership transformation as well as for personal and organizational change, this “Leadership Wheel” defines five intelligences — intellectual, emotional, intuitive, action-based, and spiritual. They are:

  • The Teacher knows the world, has Intellectual Intelligence, is an analyzer, and influences others based on their expertise and their intellectual grasp of their profession and industry. This leader is an expert as well as a coach and mentor.
  • The Nurturer awakens the heart, has Emotional Intelligence, and is a “connector”. They recognize as well as manage the feelings and emotions of self and others. This leader is a servant and a people person.
  • The Visionary sees the way, has Intuitive Intelligence, and is a planner. They see the big picture as well as think strategically and systematically in a way that helps others see opportunities and possibilities. This leader is a visionary.
  • The Warrior embodies the way, has Action Intelligence, is results-oriented, and gets things done. They actualize plans; take control of situations; challenge processes; take risks; and experiment to make things happen. This leader leads by example.
  • The Sage learns to learn; has Spiritual Intelligence; and knows themselves along with what they have to offer. They are learners, are open and candid, and strive to grow and develop. They empower to make a difference and make the most of all experiences. This leader is a learner.

The goal of this “enlightened” process is to access one or more of these intelligences as needs dictate when leading others. The end result? Healthy relationships, teams, and organizations! For more information about this refreshing and enlightening, approach to leadership, go to www.clintsidle.org.

Remember … touch a life today “The Little Way” by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, “I wish my community, knew…”, then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.

~ Theresa

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Touch a life today….

Posted on October 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

Making a difference is all about touching someone else’s life with the purpose of making it a bit better. The deed does not need to be great to make a difference. In fact, even the smallest of deeds can still instill love along the way. It can be as simple as putting an unsolicited smile on the face of another. Take, for example, a video that recently went viral on YouTube with over 359K hits in the matter of days. “High Five Bike in NYC”  (www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMQk8Uncl9k) is a video performance of Nate Kassel riding his bike through the streets of NYC and slapping ‘high fives’ to people hailing taxi cabs. Shot and edited by my son, Mike Celona (www.mikecelona.net), it’s fun to watch the priceless expressions on people’s faces as they receive a “high five” when they least expect it. A lot of people must be smiling as the video gained national attention over the weekend when CBS Early Morning interviewed Nate. Enjoy!
Remember … touch a life today “The Little Way” by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, “I wish my community, knew…”, then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.

~ Theresa

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In need of inspiration?

Posted on October 2, 2009 | Leave a comment
“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle.
I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.”
Mother Teresa
Nowadays the world is filled with negativity; often dragging us down regardless of how cheerful we strive to be. It is then we seek out a “pick-me-up” to guide us, to inspire us, and to make the most out of our day. As difficult as it may seem on some days, inspiration may be found all around us. All you need to do is open your heart, mind, spirit, and senses to it then take it all in. Life’s little pick-me-ups come in many forms. What’s more, it may be found all around us. The following a just a few ways to get inspired:
  • Watch the sun rise or sun set
  • Look up into the sky and observe birds in flight
  • Read an inspiring book
  • Express gratitude to at least five people in your life
  • Start a “joy journal”, writing about experiences that bring you joy
  • Take a walk to a special place that makes you feel connected to nature
  • Watch children at play, fully appreciating the spirit they express and the way in which they live in the present moment
  • Sit by a waterfall and feel the pure and positive feelings that flow from the water
  • Put on your favorite music then dance, dance, dance
  • Admire a colorful piece of art or a photograph to make you feel hopeful and happy
  • Pet an animal you love and feel its heart beat against yours
  • Have fun moment with a loved one who makes you laugh
  • Smile as much as possible
  • Take a hot bubble bath
  • Light a candle and enjoy the warmth it creates
  • Do something nice for someone else
  • Treat yourself to an uplifting movie or event
  • Tell someone you love them
  • Call a friend and get together to reminisce about good times

Most of all… remember the good times and ask yourself who or what inspires you?

Remember … touch a life today “The Little Way” by following the lead and need of others. Also, if you ever thought to yourself, “I wish my community, knew…”, then be sure to visit White Light Communications at http://www.tothewhitelight.com.

~ Theresa

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