"To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future." -- Plutarch
Upcoming Events
Times of Opportunity
As we get near the end of 2009, have you created space to reflect on the global financial crisis (GFC) and made time to assess your businesses performance? A great idea, but I'm curious to know how many businesses have really done a thorough assessment of where they are right now at this point in time, how you survived, and maybe then, also asked the question of what exciting, inspiring and maybe challenging opportunities now exist that could catapult your business into a model of success during the next twelve months and the years beyond?
Historically after every previous recession, depression, financial crises, ore whatever term you choose to use, there has always been a significant climb back that has provided the astute investor, the entrepreneur and small business operator with many opportunities for success. Are you open-minded, focused and ready to capitalise on opportunity as it knocks, or are you so absorbed in survival mode that you can't even see the opportunities?
Very rhetorical questions I know, but as business coach's and advisors if we weren't posing these questions we wouldn't be doing our job effectively! Opportunities are everywhere at the moment with both the State and Federal Governments splashing unprecedented amounts of funding and support programs across the entire country. There are also significant capital works programs, funding for the up-skilling of existing workers and business owners, and an enormous bucket of money to support workplace traineeships. Are you getting your share?
If you would like to discuss these funding opportunities in more detail in an obligation FREE environment, give Jeanette or myself (Mark) a call at the TRAC office on 07 5439 7999 or via email at mark@tracc.com.au
What's been happening?
We acknowledge that our communications have been a little inconsistent during recent times and we can only apologise with sincerity if it has inconvenienced anyone. In what has been a really busy year for the business, we have also had to accommodate significant family priorities with both Jeanette’s and my parents (based in NSW) ALL suffering from some level of serious illness during recent times.
The lessons learnt through this process have made us both all the wiser and stronger in our support and love of each other.
So all that said and done what have we accomplished, we …
- Completed the delivery of the Sunshine Coast Enterprises “Growing Creative Businesses” Mentoring program for 100 SME’s across the Sunshine Coast Region.
- Expanded our business capability and relationship with US based e-learning and IT Company LearningChange International where we have been developing E-Learning systems and knowledge management systems for clients in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Gladstone.
- Have completed numerous in-house training and consulting interventions with organisations big and small across the country inclusive of QLD Health, the Australian Air Force, QR, a number of prominent clubs, and several regional economic development units.
- Developed and continue to deliver the “Couples in Business” program on behalf of Sunshine Coast Enterprises.
- Continue to coach and mentor many business owners and managers across regional QLD
- Gained acceptance onto numerous QLD Government agencies preferred supplier panels for leadership development, executive coaching, conflict mediation and professional development training.
- Gained acceptance onto the “Jobs Assist” panel to provide Growth Strategies and business development support to small businesses across regional QLD through the QLD department Of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (More news on this later in this newsletter)
- Were recognised as finalist in both the 2009 Caloundra and Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards.
- Are competing in the 2009 QLD Tourism Awards in the Tourism Education and Training Category which will be announced at a Gala function at Jupiter’s casino on the Gold Coast in Mid November.
- Enjoyed a working holiday in Bali where we continue to build our business capability and provide ongoing support to the Lion King Orphanage in Singaraja
- (Jeanette and I) have both also continued our learning journeys with several professional development workshops and forums covering business, creativity and upgrading of our existing qualifications. All in all a very busy few months (since June – last newsletter) and I can honestly say we are looking forward to a couple of weeks of quality time together over XMAS. On a personal note we are once again expecting grandparents with our eldest son’s wife Sally due on XMAS day. What a year!
If you would like further information on any of the projects above please drop us an email at admin@tracc.com.au or call us at the office on 07 5439 7999
Feature Article - Visionary Leadership
The Principles of Visionary Leadership
As business development consultants we are often challenged with questions about how to motivate and inspire the workforce. Questions like...What are the qualities and abilities of true visionary leaders? What is the mysterious inner process within leaders that enables them to work their magic and radiate the charisma that mobilises others for a higher purpose? Great questions indeed, questions for which we will provide some insights, BUT also challenge you and your management teams to reconsider the whole management V's leadership paradigm!
A Visionary leader is effective in manifesting his or her vision because they demonstrate competencies which create specific and achievable goals which initiate excitement, belief, and enlists the active participation and support of others.
Visionary leadership is based on a balanced expression of the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical dimensions of leadership. It is holistic in nature and structure. It requires core values, clear vision, empowering relationships, and innovative action. When one or more of these dimensions are missing, leadership is unable to inspire and manifest a vision.
The primary objective of Visionary Leadership is to innovate, initiate and inspire new workplace efficiencies so that organisational structures and systems can be applied to ensure the increasing competitive value of the product or services offered.
Leadership Innovation – Today, fast growing organisations are built on leadership innovation, that is, they are not built by product visionaries but by social visionaries — those who invent entirely new ways of organising and maximising human potential. Southwest Airlines in the USA is a classic example, they have redefined how budget airlines can sustain themselves and grow to become the industry benchmark of success.
Applying Visionary Leadership increases efficiency by moving decision-making responsibility to the frontline. Once frontline managers fully understand and own the corporate vision they are empowered to improve operational efficiency with limited supervision. To make frontline responsibility effective, leadership must give workers an opportunity to develop quality decision-making skills and learn to trust them.
Workplace education and professional development creates a workforce of quality decision makers. In a visionary culture employees at all levels have the opportunity to discover and develop their unique skills, thereby, inspiring them to become quality decision-makers. The key word is “opportunity.” Not everyone will embrace this opportunity, but the few that do will inspire others with their positive attitudes. This can only be achieved with visionary leadership.
The Primary Elements of Visionary Leadership Implementation
Visionary leadership allows decision-making responsibility all the way down to the frontline.
Standard leadership historically limits decision making to management whereby the organisational structure controls decision-making responsibility.
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Outputs of Visionary Leadership – Bearing in mind that organisational priorities often control displayed leadership styles.
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Comparatively when the priority is control, leadership will be organised in a way that all decisions must have approval. The policy will be “do not do anything until being told.” Layers of management slow the final decision, whilst at the same time lowering efficiency. |
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High efficiency workplaces are based on visionary leadership, where workplace policies authorise decision-making responsibility at the frontline. Limited supervision is needed with worker responsibility... the priorities become trust and empowerment. |
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People, who have a burning drive to be an achiever, seek opportunity in organisations that have a reputation of supporting personal ambitions. Visionary Leaders inspire their co-workers to do the same and generally invoke a sense of pride in their performance and for the organisation they work for. This paradigm (change) supports the philosophy that no one knows what their true capabilities are until they are given opportunity and responsibility. |
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Developing Visionary Leaders – Very often, an organisation realises it needs to revitalise its leadership. Attitudes are reflections of leadership. If leadership wants subordinates to change their attitudes, the current leaders must first change their attitudes and personally develop quality leadership skills that can be mentored and coached to others. Then they can also adapt, transfer and benefit from the experiences of visionary leadership.
Organisational Learning as a Value – Man has the ability to educate himself without instructors – commonly known as self-education. Employees, of organisations that stay on the leading edge of technology, and contemporary thinking styles know how to educate themselves. In this day and age the education system waits for market demand before it is offered in classrooms, whereas Visionary Organisations are proactive in initiating continuous improvement and “Best Practice” solutions to their employee’s ongoing professional development.
A Self-fulfilling prophecy - If leaders want to control workers, they will lead in such a way that the self-fulfilling prophecy will condition workers to do nothing unless closely supervised, to slowly stifle and choke the workforce culture into an unproductive and self destructing outcome. A truly Visionary Leader must, therefore, train him or herself to perceive the future social and commercial needs of the organisation from a fresh and innovative business perspective.
By engaging a “What’s Possible” attitude and viewing the organisation from the position of an outsider, the management and leadership team are best placed to gain a fresh perspective, and a visionary perspective of its future developmental requirements. A fresh perspective often requires the Visionary Leader to forget about the existing customer and traditional ways of doing work, and to look at the entire world as an opportunity of discovering new and better ways to transmit positive energy to people, giving them a new sense of hope and confidence in achieving the organisations vision.
At TRAC Consulting our methods of developing leadership capability and strategic growth within organisations comprises systems thinking, process improvement and in-depth exploration of human potentiality. We coach leaders to work with their people to create new ways of viewing issues and problems, to be visionary, encouraging them to think and act more creatively.
We take a futurist view of dynamically positioning the company and its products and / or services, re-energising teams and focusing on the entire organisation as it moves forward towards the realisation of its vision.
Next February's (2010) Visionary Leadership Program is already generating significanat interest and will be limited to the first 30 enrolments. Marketing collateral will be ready for distribution soon, however we are taking "expressions of interest" (EOI) from persons keen to either attend or learn more about the program. Your initial EOI will reserve you a position until confirmed prior to 31st December. Should you be interested contact Mark or Jeanette on 07 5439 7999 or via email admin@tracc.com.au
END of Year Celebrations!
Jeanette and I have decided to put on an end of year XMAS party and golf day to thank those clients and business associates who have supported us so unconditionally throughout 2009. We would live to invite you all, however given it is a golf day (also for non golfers), there will be lots of fun activities and a novel approach to playing golf, we only have a limited number of positions to fill the field, so basically its first in best dressed.
The day will be held at the beautiful Club Pelican Golf Resort on Friday 18th December 2009 and it's a freebie, we'll take care of everything including a BBQ lunch, your golf, Canape's and refreshments afterwards, as well as supply prizes for best XMAS attire and a hole host of other novelty golf awards.
We've put together a PDF flyer about the day, so if you would like to attend and want further information contact mark on 0421 688877 or email mark@tracc.com.au - RSVP required by Friday 13th November. Lock in the 18th December into your diary for a great day and evening of fun and networking! See you all there!
