this past week i was fortunate to be forced out of my comfort zone.  

if you remember, i like turbulence on a flight because it shakes me out of my thoughts and forces me to be present.

 

well, that is kind of how this past week was for me.  i’ve worked in the automotive advertising industry for 21 years now (hard to believe) and because some of the programs i’m doing, i was invited as a guest to attend the WFF annual conference in orlando.  i felt as if i was undercover, a poser, a faker.  however, when i shared who i was with some of the incredible women i met, they were impressed!  they thought it was a great idea that i was learning about their industry and they were, in turn, interested in mine.

i had the privilege of sitting through 6 one and a half hour long seminars taught by leaders in their field:

 

1. excavating the future: interactive session for reflection and planning for the year ahead (kellogg school of business professor)

2. seeing the big picture by kevin cope

3. courage, credibility and stretching your comfort zone

4. 21 ways to connect in business in 90 seconds or less (excellent)

5. taking the stairs: success means doing things you don’t want to do

6. accelerate your impact as a business leader

 

the goal of the program is content and connection so in each of these, I did exercises with and met women in the foodservice industry.  i have to say it has opened my eyes to what a great industry it is.  here are my scribbles of notes from the seminar.  they provided full decks and overviews but i listen best if i’m writing at the same time.

• Sustained high performance requires rest
• Productivity goes in 90 minute cycles
• An impression happens in 2 seconds:  I trust you, you make sense, you move me.
• Difference between motivation (money) and inspiration (create unstoppable employees)
• #1 predictor of a successful person: Ability to Speak Up
• 5 superpowers: Enthusiasm, Curiosity, Feedback, Empathy and Imagination
• If people like you, they want to say YES to you, if they don’t they want to say NO to you.  They decide this very quickly.
• 5 ways to make lasting impression: Attitude, eye contact, smile, open body language, synchronize.
• Leaders speak in the positive, because people only process positive information.
• Know what you want in the positive (horse example)
• 55% of people are visual, the rest are kinetic or audio.  If you’re talking to a group, you need to engage all of them.  Tell a story
• IAKOLA.  stands for I’m Am Kind Of Like A…. fill in the blank. (pit bull example)
• It is key to understand how a company makes money.
• Key that EVERYONE knows how a company makes money
• Everyone needs to know their role in actively improving that process
• Selling or supporting someone that is selling is key to increased revenue
• Companies pay slower and collect faster for cash flow purposes
• No margin, no mission  Stephen Covey
• If you’re not unique, you better be cheap
• That which you measure, you damage, that which you manage, you improve
• Growth is important to a business because it attracts and keeps the best people
• People work hard for a paycheck, harder for a person and hardest for a purpose
• People want the big picture, need to engage employees hearts AND minds
• Problems that are procrastinated on are amplified
• Buffalo run into the storm to get through it, cows run from the storm and end up running with the storm for long periods of time.
• Short term choices lead to difficult long term consequences
• Leverage long term vision to endure short term sacrafice
• You need to CONSTANTLY REMIND PEOPLE OF THE VISION
• The more we have invested into something the less likely we are to let it fail
• Neutral thinking always becomes negative
• Increase your commitment by asking the question HOW can I do this rather than SHOULD i do this
• Some of us care so much about success that we procrastinate and wait for a perfect time
• Cultivate a habit of action
• Demand progress rather than perfection
• Comparison is not only the thief of joy but the definition of mediocracy
• Success is never owned, it is rented and the rent is due every day.  
• or being healthy is never owned…
• or leading a team….

overall it was a great sunday, monday and tuesday with 2600 bright women.