Paul Copcutt - Just My Toonies Worth

The Risks of Climbing to the Top

When you set out to go mountain climbing, as in business, there are a number of factors that increase your chances of success, but if not can cause a fall. 

• Knowledge - past experience, having all the right equipment packed, planning your route, practicing the more difficult traverses ahead of time. 
• Teamwork - having the right team with you, knowing everyones strengths (and weaknesses), understanding you do not have all the answers. 
• Realism - not living in the clouds thinking whatever happens that it's all going to be great. Having dreams yes, but ensuring your feet are set firmly in reality so that you make clear headed decisions. 

This past weekend's deaths of four climbers on Mount Everest, highlight the continual human drive to achieve the ultimate pinnacle. People with the drive to fulfil lifelong dreams and goals, willing to pay the ultimate price. Without knowing all the details and what they faced you do wonder if they stuck to those three principles. 

Recently we have seen some examples of this where senior business leaders have not and it has proved or may prove to be their undoing. 

Scott Thomson, the former CEO of Yahoo, fired for lying on his resume. He appeared to be a highly qualified leader. His knowledge seemed to be a good fit for the difficult task of turning Yahoo around. But when your experience is brought in to question peoples confidence fast disappears and they start to question other decisions you make. 

Irvin Goldman is the Chief Investment Officer at JP Morgan who had been fired for 'gamble' losses by another firm a few years ago and JP Morgan were aware of this. Now the firm faces at least $2 billion (or much more) in losses due to risky trades by one of Goldman's London trading team. 

Gene Morphis was the CFO of publicly quoted fashion company Francesca Holdings. His role as the main financial voice for the company meant he had access to the most sensitive of information. His regular complaints about his work and bosses expectations through tweets on Twitter and updates on Facebook were at best unwise. His perceived lack of reality cost him his job.

Each of these individuals leadership has certainly been questionable and damaging to their company's and themselves.

There is a deeper indication of poor leadership from their own leaders too though. The board at Yahoo knew of this resume error earlier, Jamie Dimon CEO at JP Morgan bank was an outspoken critic of government attempts to reign in bank trading and Francesca Holdings knew of these social media outbursts long ago but set no formal company policy. 

You must be aware of how your personal brand leadership is being perceived. It's not a case of do what I say but don't do what I do. Leadership has a big responsibility attached to it, and when you compromise that in any way the results can affect many more people than just you. 

There was a good article in the Washington Post on this Learn to Manage Your Personal Leadership Image

When In Doubt Deny....Then Lie

Well it was only a matter of time before we saw it again.

People seem to easily forget that celebrities and CEO's are human too. That means a small percentage will also do things that surprise the rest of us.

This time it was Scott Thompson, now former CEO of Yahoo, the beleagured internet company, uncovered as having lied on his resume.

His claim was to have a double degree, when an unhappy investor discovered that one of those degrees was not even offered by Thompson's school until after he had graduated!

Three things that Thompson did that accelerated his downfall;

1. He first of all pleaded ignorance.
2. Then he lied
3. Finally he did not apologise

It now has been reported that Thompson may be suffering from thyroid cancer, my empathy to him if that is the case. But his actions have now damaged a leadership brand that previously had been held up as a technology success and likely a strong factor in his being hired for the Yahoo position.

Hopefully you will never be in this situation or something similar, but if you are three simple rules to follow;

1. Admit all that you know about the situation. Come clean. People will react badly for sure, but not nearly as much or for as long if you drag things out.
2. Do not lie. This is worse than trying to hide the truth and could damage your personal brand for the long term.
3. Apologise unreservedly for any errors or mis-judgements that are yours. Take full responsibility and accountability. This is likely your only hope for keeping your job, but be prepared for the inevitable that you might have to resign.

Thompson may not be concerned about working again, although reports say there is no severance package. But most of us are likely going to have to and want to work again. So if you do have to, do it on your terms, do not leave it to others to fire you. Falling on your sword when it is entirely your doing really is the only honorable thing to do

Want to see who else in senior levels of responsibility (including the current vice President of the United States) have been in a similar position? CLICK HERE

Do you think Thompson handled this the right way? Would you do things differently? 

 

What is holding you back from your personal brand?

Through my wife's business I have had the opportunity to be connected to Keith Kochner at Mentorfish.com for the last few months and have found his teaching exactly what we need in the 21st century. Lots of great content, he is prolific with new insights and learnings - even for someone like me who tends to explore and read a lot! 

Keith is coming to Toronto next week to hold a live evening event so you can get a full experience of what he has to offer. Cost is just covering running costs of the event, but I know you will get way more value - hope to see you there. 

Personal Brand Book Review - One Piece of Paper

One Piece of Paper – The simple approach to powerful, personal leadership.

© 2011 by Mike Figliuolo, 237 pages, Hardback

5R Score: 30/35

The Leadership Maxims Approach

1. Leading Yourself
2. Leading the Thinking
3. Leading Your People
4. Leading a Balanced Life
5. Making it Real

On a scale of 1-7   

Relevance - is it right for personal branding? - 6

Resonance - does it make sense to the reader? - 6

Relation - is there a connection for everyone? - 6  

Remarkability - does it stand out, will it get noticed? - 6

Real - does the personal brand come through? - 6

Would you pick it up?

This book is one of the early runners for me as my book of the year for 2012 and carries one of my highest ever ratings. It’s both that good and I believe a must for anyone looking to do work and define more clearly their personal leadership brand.

I actually chanced on picking it up, the sub-title ‘personal leadership’ was what had caught my eye as this is a hot topic at the moment in terms of requests for my speaking services from Fortune 500 companies. I am glad I did pick it up. Once I had I could not put it down or stop recommending to anyone prepared to listen!

Relevance

This book is all about your personal leadership, which ultimately is your leadership brand. The author does not make any direct reference to personal branding, but the book is liberally sprinkled with many of the approaches, exercises and discussions personal brand strategists have with leadership clients.

Certainly going forward for any client wanting to communicate their leadership brand to their team etc., I am going to be adding this to the ‘must read and implement’ list.

Resonance

For those not familiar with the personal branding term or approach they do not have to worry. This book and the approaches that are recommended are intuitively evident. In fact it is likely that a lot of your leadership maxims are already in place, it is more of a case of being consciously aware of them

Once you have your maxims then sharing those with others becomes the easy part and communication flows after that. It really is a simple but highly effective approach.

Relation

Regardless of it you are in a people management position or not you can still be a leader. So that makes this book even more useful and relevant. You do not have to wait for that role that actually has people reporting to you to define now what your leadership style is and will be.

This book might be especially useful for those aspiring to be leaders but feel it is a few years away. With your maxims defined you can be ahead of the game and even start to be trying them out in less risky environments away from work in volunteering for example.

Also for the many of you who are in solopreneur type roles the one piece of paper could prove in=valuable in helping you get clear on your thought leadership and ensuring you stay true to it regularly.

Remarkability

I really loved the simplicity of the book and approach. Like an over blown business plan your leadership does not have to be described in impersonal, lengthy and ultimately boring documents that end up on the shelf and never used.

The one piece of paper concept makes it easy to share, post, reach for and refer to all the time. You could even reduce it down in size and make a pocket version of it if you like. I love the simplicity and quick ease of use and relevance.

Real

Mike shares his own leadership mantras at the end of the book. Also throughout the book he gives many personal and client examples to make the points and share the value in the approach

But as he points out there are not like the 10 commandments, they are not set in stone forever. They can and will change depending on many factors. That for me really makes this book realistic and the process workable and actionable.

 

 

Why having an Axl to grind damages your personal brand

This weekend see's the induction of Guns & Roses in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland - minus Axl Rose. In fact his long running dispute with some of the original band members seems to be continuing to the point where he has asked not to be included in to the induction. With very lawyer type language and a very impersonal letter to "the hall, band fans and Whom it May concern" he said;

"I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf."

The Sex Pistols were the only previous refusals to induction and that strikes me as very on brand for them!

Certainly Rose has had more than a share of controversy, difficult life situations and outbursts, so perhaps this is just another on brand action. 

But if you were faced with a similar situation in your profession alternative ways to handle this and not damage your personal brand as much might include:

1. A polite declined RSVP to the organizers. This is a highly appreciated and supported award and institution that is also recognising many of your peers not just the group you have a dispute with. Why make the event more about your absence and perceived gripes than their recognition?

2. Remember who got you there. Your own brand fans likely were integral to your being recognised, publicly refuting that support in any way is in the least crass. Create a personal message, perhaps a video in Axl's case would have worked, and post it on your web site clearly explaining your reasons in a more authentic way.

3. Take responsibility. Accept that past actions and reactions have not been looked upon favourably and this is an opportunity to step forward and change the future. Accept the invitation and use it as an opportunity to present a new YOU that everyone, especially yourself can look forward to live with going forward. 

It's time to play the music, its time to hit the lights - its time to stand by your personal brand

The very public resignation by Greg Smith from Goldman Sachs last week using an op-ed piece in the NewYork Times is not a recommended tactic for your career!

Certainly not at the top of your personal brand communications plan!

However, what he did was good personal branding. One of the very first exercises that I get clients to undertake and a core part of the personal brand building foundation is the Values exercise.

I describe Values as being your moral compass. The things that we stand by in all situations, or if they are being compromised either by ourselves or someone else it makes us angry or upset. You only have to see Greg Smith's outburst to understand that on some level his personal values were being effected by working at Goldman Sachs.

Now in reading the 'backlash' from his very public outburst there may be other underlying reasons for his departure. But none the less he finally reached a point where all the benefits of working there could not outweigh how he truly felt.

Was he wise to do it so publicly is a whole different conversation. It may well come back to bite him. But I wager there will be a company out there who will hire him because of what he said, it just my not be in investment banking!

Oh the places your personal brand will go!

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

Theodore Seuss Geisel !

It's your 107th birthday!

 

You have attributes that stand out. 

Skills that show you've paid your dues.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose. 

You're on your own. And you know what you know. 

And YOU is your brand, you decide where to go.

 

You won't fall behind, you'll find those with a need.

You'll pass by the others, because you're so branded to lead.

Wherever you work, you'll be the best of the best.

Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.  

 

Oh the places you'll go. Following your passions is fun. 

Being true to yourself, means that we all feel we've won. 

And with values aligned and purpose all set.

Achieving your goals is one sure fire bet. 

Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be. 

But it's all been authentic, because you said "It's all me!"

 

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will indeed!

(98 and three-quarter percent guaranteed)

KID YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS

 

So....

buy your web site domain 

Before someone else does it

Because owning your name

Certainly matters a bit. 

But the critical part is developing your brand foundation.

Owning the definition of YOU makes you live with elation. 

You're off to great places!

Today is your day!

Your brand consultant is waiting. 

So get on the phone right away! 

 

With poetic apologies on his 107th birthday to Theodore Seuss Geisel - Happy Birthday! Looking forward to seeing The Lorax on its film release this week.  

 

 

 

Personal Brand Book Review - 18 Minutes

18 Minutes – Find Your focus, Master Distraction and Get the Right Things Done

© 2011 by Peter Bregman, 263 pages, Hardback

5R Score: 28/35

The 18 Minutes  

Part One – Pause

Part Two – What is This Year About?

Part Three – What is This Day About?

Part Four – What is This Moment About?

 

On a scale of 1-7   

Relevance - is it right for personal branding? - 6

Resonance does it make sense to the reader? - 6

Relation is there a connection for everyone? - 6  

Remarkability - does it stand out, will it get noticed? - 5

Real - does the personal brand come through? - 5

Would you pick it up? 

For me there is always one book each year that has the most impact on the way that I think, act or say. At the end of last year this was the one. People regularly identify a strength in me, organizing and I have been consistent in a related area to this – making some kind of daily planning system work for me – NOT!   

There are far too many books out there that espouse the very latest ways, ideas and ‘simple’ systems to implement and make your life easier. I have tried many of them and found that most of them require a Phd to understand or operate and ultimately get frustrating and unworkable. 

 
What I like about ’18 Minutes; is that it boils things down to the core basics of what is most important to you and ‘forget’ the rest. 
As you slip out of all the good intentions you had at the start of the year, this book can get you back on track fast. 

Relevance

Perhaps not immediately evident that this is a book about your personal brand. But once you have clearly identified what your personal brand is and who needs to know about it, then you have to get on with living and communicating that brand. The challenge is remaining focused and not getting distracted. This book and its easy to follow 18 Minutes a day looking at the 5 most important areas of focus for the year make staying on brand much more effective. It also means at the end of the year you are going to be much further forward.

Resonance

I found the 18 Minute approach quick to grasp, easy to initially implement and in most cases stick to regularly (a failing in many of the more complicated systems – one I have followed has almost 20 pages to act on - weekly!).

For me though the most compelling part of the whole system is that when I have not followed it for a day or I find my day got away from me, I can check back in and identify right away where I was falling down AND find a quick solution to getting back on track.

Relation

In today’s world of multiple demands on seemingly less and less time we can all relate to the desire to want to not just get back control of our lives and simplify them too. But deep down we also want to know we are making a difference (whatever we define that to be), 18 Minutes gives us the approach to focus just on what is most important.

Remarkability

Because the approach is so simple there is a danger that people do not see this as remarkable. That would be a shame. We do not have to complicate or over think things to have them make us more effective or successful.

Just the simple suggestion of setting a one hour alarm to do focused and concentrated work has made a huge difference to my productivity. This book review and one other article were effectively completed in one of those 60 minute bursts.

Real

The author is constantly using personal and real life work and client examples to get his points across. His blog posts do the same. The book is broken down in to very bite size 2-4 page chapters that get one key point across. This makes for easy reference and pick up again stickiness. But once ingrained it’s certainly one to keep on the bookshelf. 

 

 

What's Love Gotta Do With It? - Your Personal Brand That Is!

 

Do you love YOU enough?

How often do you take time to reflect on your strengths?

I would quite confidently suggest very little. In my work with leaders and employees in Fortune 500 Companies the most under leveraged part of their personal brands are their core strengths.

Your core strengths are the things that you do so naturally and so well that you perform them almost sub-consciously. When I point out to someone that others have identified a particular strength in them they say

“Oh really, but I do that all the time!” – EXACTLY!

Many people are very poor at spending enough time on their own personal development. It might only be in their annual reviews that they do this. Those experiences are not always very positive ones. 5 minutes spent reviewing what you did well. Then 55 minutes spent on strategies to bring weaknesses up to, at best, an average level of performance.

Some may view this as either a little simplistic or harsh. Truth is that only 42% of  North Americans believe that working mostly on their strengths will mean they are more successful. That drops to an alarming 24% of Japanese and Chinese.

Very often it is difficult for you to articulate your top strengths and how they might be reflected in your career to date. If you can identify those strengths, you are ahead of the game. And you will love yourself more!

You can also take this information and create your examples, or stories, around how you have used that strength in business situations. People love stories. They will be more likely to want to work with you and for you based on these emotional connections.

There are many other assessments and tests that can be taken to understand more about yourself. It is probably best to find one or two that resonate and make sense to you.

Another good personal brand exercise is to conduct a SWOT analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats. In each area ask yourself these questions:

Strengths – what are my strengths, what do I have that is positive, that can help me achieve my goals?

Weaknesses – what are my weaknesses, where am I challenged the most?

Opportunities – if I was able to overcome those weaknesses and utlilise my strengths what will result for me? What is the upside?

Threats – what is the down side if I do not address those challenges?

It’s not just enough to be aware of your strengths. Take the time to discover if you have other hidden talents either through your own analysis or from the feedback of others – ideally both. The foundation of ALL strong brands are built in part on maximising strengths.

 

Personal Branding is an Uphill Climb

When you walk in to the lobby of a tall office building, often you will see the sign for the stairs. But does that sign say enough to make you ignore the elevators and walk the stairs?

Unless you are still sticking to a new years resolution chances are no!

But if you saw the sign above, chances are by over 35%, that you would. Even 9 months after the sign was first posted. This is what researchers in New York found after placing a few of these around the city. 

So if something that simple can cause that type of re-action and continued action, what can you be saying about yourself that might get the same result? 

One immediately obvious place would be your business card. 

Rather than say Accountant. What re-action might you get if it were to say - Honest assessment. Accurate results - Accountant? 

Or better still, include one of your emotional attributes.

Honest assessment. Accurate results. Fun approach. - Accountant. 

When communicating your personal brand it's important to reflect the real you, after all it's going to be the reason why people want to hire you, work with you and for you. The fact you can perform great tax returns is a given. If you have a little fun too - that's the difference.