♬ Change your thinking, Change your mind, Back to the future…♬

Music and Lyrics by D. Ross, B. Wray, J. Wray; recorded by Diana Ross.

Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future

When one thinks of mentoring, one tends to think of the sage, wise counsel passing along his or her accumulated wisdom to the younger generation. While there is considerable need for this to occur, it is not the only mentoring that can take place in a law firm. Matt Starcevich, PHD, in an article: “What is Unique about Reverse Mentoring, Survey Results” in www.coachingandmentoring.com quoted Alan Webber, the co-founder of Fast Company in describing reverse mentoring (“RM”):

It’s a situation where the old fogies in an organization realize that by the time you’re in your forties and fifties, you’re not in touch with the future the same way as the young twenty-something’s. They come with fresh eyes, open minds, and instant links to the technology of our future.

Jack Welch, when he was Chairman of GE, ordered his top 600 managers to reach down into their ranks for Internet junkies and become their students.

A RM relationship can benefit both parties – the one doing the mentoring as well as the person being mentored. The younger associate gets face time with a senior partner. The senior partner gets the opportunity to gain new skills and see the world through younger eyes. In the survey, Starcevich asked “Why enter into RM?,” 41 per cent selected, “To gain technical expertise” and 25 per cent selected, “To gain a younger perspective.” This supports the notion of capitalizing on the technical knowledge base and younger perspective of the mentor. (more…)

♫ I feel connected (connected), protected (protected),
it’s like you’re standing right with me all the time.
You hear me (you hear me), you’re near me (you’re near me),
and everything else is gonna be alright…♫

Music and lyrics by: Amy Powers, Guy Roche, recorded by: Katharine McPhee.

This is another “Leadership Moments” guest post by Beth Flynn of the Ohio Leadership Center.

This particular post is taken from A. Christiansen (2010): The 40:40 principle: Are you Really Connected or just Linked?: How to create powerful, inspiring conversations that lead to greater success. Bloomington, IN: WestBow Press.

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Use other people’s names when you talk to them.
3. Be a good listener, encouraging others to talk about themselves.
4. Ask others about their interests, rather than talking about your own.
5. Make others feel important – and do so sincerely.
6. Smile often (Christiansen, p. 44).

The 40:40 Principle is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  Click here to borrow this resource or any other resource.   Then click on the Spectrum http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu

♫Cause there’s something inside of me I left behind
And there’s something inside of me
I just, I just got to find

It’s reinvention re-i-n-v-e-n-t-i-o-n
(I’ll say it again)
It’s reinvention re-i-n-v-e-n-t-i-o-n …♫

Music and lyrics by: Hazel O`Connor – A. Karner.

I have been a bit wrapped up lately in getting ready for presentations at ABA TECHSHOW and the Ethics 20/20 – Globalization, Technology and Transforming the Practice of Law symposium at the McGeorge School of Law (presenting with Stephanie Kimbro, Mike Downey, Professor Paul Patton and Chas Rempenthal of LegalZoom).  But I read with interest Drago Adams regular “Monday Morning Motivator” email from The Adams Advertising Group and thought it was such a wonderfully motivating piece that I have reposted it here with his permission:

Reinvention Has Never Been Easier

This week we share a powerful and timely message from one of our favorite authors and idea virus spreaders, Seth Godin.

Are you serious about transformation?

I’m not talking about polishing yourself, improving yourself, making things a bit better. I’m talking about the reset button’s reinvention that changes the game. That means an overhaul in what you believe and how you do your job. If you’re up for that, then right here, right now, you can start. How? (more…)

♬ All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don’t mean anything
When you’ve got no one to tell them to…♬

Lyrics and Music by: Phillip John Hanseroth, recorded by Brandi Carlile.

This is another wonderful guest post by Beth Flynn of the OSU Leadership Center on leadership and relationships. This post speaks to developing leadership by cultivating relationships.

1. Process situations relationally. Develop the habit of evaluating situations from a relational perspective.

2. Practice presence in your conversations. Be totally present in your conversations. Avoid thinking forward to the next task or next conversation.

3. Develop a story with everyone you meet. Every relationship has its own special history. Make sure you review this and plan constructively.

4. Cultivate relational intelligence. Be aware of what others are thinking and feeling.

5. Find ways of closing the parity gap. Subtle power of differentials – physical, financial, reputational- can be at place and make a powerful impact on a relationship without you being aware of it.

6. Gather information about others and retain it. Deliberately broaden your knowledge of other people or organizations.

7. Think from the other side. Ensure that your conversations with others are mutually beneficial and that both sides have incentive to continue the relationship and profit from it.

8. Take time to plan your day relationally. Take a few minutes every morning to think over who you are going to meet and how that meeting will build that relationship.

9. Do a relational evaluation. At the end of the day, take a few moments to review what’s happened in your relationships.

10. Value relationships above everything else. The reality is that we do value relationships above everything. The challenge for most of us is to keep it in mind in the crucible of commercial competition.

From: Schluter, M. & Lee, D.J. (2009). The relational manager: transform your workplace and your life. Oxford, England: Lion Books. p. 176-178.

The Relational Manager is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center. Click here to borrow this resource or any other resource. Then click on the Spectrum icon.

Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world.

Thanks Beth for reminding us that to be effective leaders, we need to stop talking, take a moment and listen to the stories of those who are meaningful to us.

♫ O how I wish I could sing like an Angel
I’d sing carols so high and sweet
O if I had the voice of an Angel
I’d be singing that sweet Child asleep…. ♫

“Christmas Angel”: Music and Lyrics by Corlynn Hanney, performed by the Argyle Alumni Choir.

2010 Christmas Slide Show from David Bilinsky on Vimeo.

At this time of year I would like to take a moment and wish each and everyone the Best of the Holiday Season and a Wonderful and Happy New Year.

To all I hope for Peace, Hope and Happiness. I hope your dreams become goals for the New Year and find good ground and take root.

As has become my tradition at this time of year, and as my gift to you, I offer a few minutes of solitude and reflection. This slide show combines two of my loves – music and photography.

I hope this slide show and music (please turn your speakers on full as the recording is a bit faint) brings to you a time of calm, joy and peace. The music is “Christmas Angel’ by Corlynn Hanney and is performed by the Argyle Alumni Choir, Argyle Senior Secondary School, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, copyright Frances Roberts, Director. Used with permission. I hope you enjoy the combination of the music and the photos.

Best wishes for a safe holiday filled with warmth, comfort, friendship and good cheer!

♬ Too Many People Going Underground
Too Many Reaching For A Piece Of Cake
Too Many People Pulled And Pushed Around
Too Many Waiting For That Lucky Break…♬

Lyrics and music by: Paul McCartney.

Ohio Leadership Center

This “Leadership Moment” post is another great guest post from Beth Flynn at the Ohio State University Center:

Some people don’t just live; they lead a life. They don’t sit around waiting for a lucky break; they create opportunities for themselves. They go after their dreams and bring them to life. Rather than bending to the status quo, they change it. Rather than being imprisoned by circumstance, they turn it to their advantage.

They assess their direction in life and determine whether it fits with who they are and what they want. They develop a vision for the good life, devise a plan for how to attain it, go for it, and check their progress along the way – all while addressing with creativity and flexibility, the inevitable obstacles that arise. As with any great effort, their work is never done but ever-evolving, and it is often inspiring to those around them (Gergen & Vanourek, 2008, p. 3).

Life Entrepreneurs is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.

Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world at: http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu. You can subscribe to the Leadership Moments list by sending an e-mail to Beth at: flynn.61@osu.edu.

Thanks Beth for another great post and for inspiring us to go after our dreams!

♬ Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow, don’t stop, it will soon be here….♬

Lyrics and music by Christine McVie, recorded by Fleetwood Mac.

Leadership

This “Leadership Moment” post is another great guest post from Beth Flynn at the Ohio State University Center:

In what ways are you a leader?

From: Jay, J.K., (2009). The inner edge: the 10 practices of personal leadership. Santa Barbara: CA, ABC CLIO.

The Inner Edge is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center. To borrow this resource or any other resource, please go to the resource search page http://164.107.48.88/winnebago/index.asp?lib=???

Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world at: http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu. You can subscribe to the Leadership Moments list by sending an e-mail to Beth at: flynn.61@osu.edu.

Thanks Beth for another great post and for demonstrating that you are a fine inspirational leader!

♬ Be the change that you wanna see in the world, just like Gandhi… ♬

Lyrics, music and recorded by MC Yogi.

This “Leadership Moment” post is another great guest post from Beth Flynn at the Ohio State University Center:

If you expect change in others and in the culture of your organization, then buckle your seatbelt and get ready to change yourself – first. Your change is the pivot around which culture change swings. If you keep the work of culture change at arm’s length, then real, lasting change won’t occur. The reason is simple: everyone else in your organization is sitting around with their arms folded, doing nothing too – just like you.

Culture change is a show-up, stand-up, participative, put-yourself-on-the-line personal process. Culture isn’t an object or system out there. It’s internal. You are in the culture, and the culture is in you. It’s a meaning-making interpretation process that you and others perform for survival. We want you to take that personally. Sustainable and durable change begins and ends with you and your commitment (McGuire & Rhodes, p. 20).

From: McGuire, J. B. & Rhodes, G. B. (2009). Transforming your leadership culture. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Transforming Your Leadership Culture is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center. To borrow this resource or any other resource, please go to the resource search page.

Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world at: http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu. You can subscribe to the Leadership Moments list by sending an e-mail to Beth at: flynn.61@osu.edu.

Thanks Beth for another great post and for demonstrating that you are an example of the change that you want to see in the world.

♫ Taking all of my energy, energy, energy
Taking all of my energy…♫

Lyrics and Music by: Louis Biancaniello, Rico Love, Sam Watters, Wayne Wilkins; recorded by: Keri Hilson.

Energizer Bunny

This guest post is courtesy of Beth Flynn of the Ohio State University Leadership Center and is one of her “Leadership Moments” emails. The OSU Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world.

In theory, every person on your team is a source of energy for your organization. But in reality, some team members create energy while others sap or destroy energy. If you know your team well, you already know which team members are sappers and which ones are the energizers.

High-energy performers test the limits and spur themselves and others on to even greater results. These are the people who will push you up and add energy to your reservoir. They spark others to perform. It’s fun to watch them in action. A team full of energized people is typically easy to motivate but challenging to manage because their high energy level requires constant direction and focus. (more…)

♬ Your a mean one, Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel
Your as cuddly as a cactus
Your as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch…♬

Lyrics by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, music by Albert Hague, performed by Thurl Ravenscroft.

Mr. Grinch by Dr. Seuss

Anyone who runs a business knows that it is profitable only if you have funds left over after paying all the bills. This enforces a common-sense mentality in ensuring that your costs don’t get out of control. However, in some offices the principle of saving money is taken to such an extreme that their frugality is actually costing them money. Here are some examples (drawn from the collective experiences of my fellow Practice Management Advisors and myself): (more…)