The next time you visit www.leadershape.org, you may be surprised with a new look and layout. That’s right! We’ve redesigned our website.
We feel confident that the new design will make it easier for you to do all of the things you’ve been doing on the website. Just like in the previous design, you still have the ability to learn about our organization, gather information on programs we offer, access resources, and donate to our cause.
Plus…there’s more!
More opportunities to connect with the LeaderShape community. We’d like to share two community-focused features with you today.
Share Your Story – We love to hear what the members of the LeaderShape community are up to. The “Share Your Story” tab on the lower left hand side of our main page is a great place to share YOUR story with us. And by story, we mean a moment, a discovery, a breakthrough…anything that you connect with the LeaderShape experience.
@LeaderShape – We want to stay connected to and interact with our community as much as possible. With graduates and facilitators located all over the world, it can be challenging to do so face-to-face. LeaderShape has accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and YouTube. Scroll down to the center light grey box and connect with us! You can also subscribe to the “I am LeaderShape” blog by clicking on the RSS feed button.
Again, we hope that the new design, crisp look, and updated information allows you to navigate the site more easily and provide you with the particulars you are looking for. So take a look. Click away. Let us know what you think.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Palmer Award Recipients!
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank
Once again we are in awe over the amazing work that this year’s Palmer Award applicants have done to help to create a just, caring, and thriving world. Thank you to all of the LeaderShape graduates who shared their stories with us through this process. We are eager to continue to hear about the strides that you make. So don’t stop! Keep going!
We do want to take some time to highlight this year’s recipients. Their passion and the progress they have made on their visions is inspiring and touching. We hope that you are able to capture the essence of the outstanding work they are each putting out into the world.
Jonathan Naber (The University of Illinois)
With a vision to provide affordable prosthetics, Jonathan founded the Illini Prosthetics Team and, in collaboration with his team, began a start-up social venture to provide prosthetic arms to people in developing nations. In his application, he shared that candid conversation, networking, and a resolve to accomplish the vision have served as motivators for him and the group.
Jonathan also developed a website (www.illiniprosthetics.com) to serve as a platform for amputees to convey their concerns for prosthetic arm design as well as aid organizations in obtaining prosthetic arms. As the site grew, clinics in Guatamala, Columbia, Bolivia, India, and Sierra Leone have contacted the group asking for prosthetic arms. Through the connections that have been created through the website, Jonathan and his team were sought out to provide prosthetic fingers to a patient in Ecuador and they are currently testing out three different “concept” arms with ten patients at a partner clinic in Guatamala.
Not only has Jonathan been acknowledged by LeaderShape for the work he has accomplished related to his vision, he was also the recipient of the 2010 Lemelson-MIT Illinois Student prize, recognizing him as the most innovative student at the University of Illinois.
Janelle Legros (Florida State University)
Longing to be an active voice on campus that would educate and inform the student body on issues distinctive to the Caribbean islands and Haiti in particular, Janelle set forth on a path of self-discovery. Through this self-discovery and the encouragement from her fellow LeaderShapers, Janelle chartered the Global Haiti Initiative (http://www.haiti-initiative.com) on her campus. Since then, she has collaborated with other colleges and universities, establishing over 15 additional chapters.
The initial focus of the Global Haiti Initiative was to take on projects that brought to light various issues from education to water sanitation, orphanages to health care, and de-worming to the construction of medical facilities. The focus of the organization changed suddenly when the earthquakes struck Haiti in January.
Demonstrating her ability to work in times of chaos and change, Janelle and The Global Haiti Initiative worked to provide assistance to the people of Haiti by collecting over $3000 in donations and coordinating a mission trip to the country. They have also held a blood drive that benefited Doctors Without Borders’ work in Haiti and sponsored a screening the film “Road to Fondwa” that was accompanied by a discussion.
Congratulations to Jonathan and Janelle!
Once again we are in awe over the amazing work that this year’s Palmer Award applicants have done to help to create a just, caring, and thriving world. Thank you to all of the LeaderShape graduates who shared their stories with us through this process. We are eager to continue to hear about the strides that you make. So don’t stop! Keep going!
We do want to take some time to highlight this year’s recipients. Their passion and the progress they have made on their visions is inspiring and touching. We hope that you are able to capture the essence of the outstanding work they are each putting out into the world.
Jonathan Naber (The University of Illinois)
With a vision to provide affordable prosthetics, Jonathan founded the Illini Prosthetics Team and, in collaboration with his team, began a start-up social venture to provide prosthetic arms to people in developing nations. In his application, he shared that candid conversation, networking, and a resolve to accomplish the vision have served as motivators for him and the group.
Jonathan also developed a website (www.illiniprosthetics.com) to serve as a platform for amputees to convey their concerns for prosthetic arm design as well as aid organizations in obtaining prosthetic arms. As the site grew, clinics in Guatamala, Columbia, Bolivia, India, and Sierra Leone have contacted the group asking for prosthetic arms. Through the connections that have been created through the website, Jonathan and his team were sought out to provide prosthetic fingers to a patient in Ecuador and they are currently testing out three different “concept” arms with ten patients at a partner clinic in Guatamala.
Not only has Jonathan been acknowledged by LeaderShape for the work he has accomplished related to his vision, he was also the recipient of the 2010 Lemelson-MIT Illinois Student prize, recognizing him as the most innovative student at the University of Illinois.
Janelle Legros (Florida State University)
Longing to be an active voice on campus that would educate and inform the student body on issues distinctive to the Caribbean islands and Haiti in particular, Janelle set forth on a path of self-discovery. Through this self-discovery and the encouragement from her fellow LeaderShapers, Janelle chartered the Global Haiti Initiative (http://www.haiti-initiative.com) on her campus. Since then, she has collaborated with other colleges and universities, establishing over 15 additional chapters.
The initial focus of the Global Haiti Initiative was to take on projects that brought to light various issues from education to water sanitation, orphanages to health care, and de-worming to the construction of medical facilities. The focus of the organization changed suddenly when the earthquakes struck Haiti in January.
Demonstrating her ability to work in times of chaos and change, Janelle and The Global Haiti Initiative worked to provide assistance to the people of Haiti by collecting over $3000 in donations and coordinating a mission trip to the country. They have also held a blood drive that benefited Doctors Without Borders’ work in Haiti and sponsored a screening the film “Road to Fondwa” that was accompanied by a discussion.
Congratulations to Jonathan and Janelle!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Accepting Applications for The Palmer Award
The Palmer Award is given out each year to two LeaderShape graduates who have participated in a national or campus-based session during the previous year (in this case, that's 2009). The award is given to recognize the achievements of those individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to bringing their vision to reality after attending a session of The LeaderShape Institute. The recipients of these awards receive $750 in honor of their achievements.
The Palmer Awards are provided from an endowment gift donated to the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation by Dr. Edmund T. Palmer, Jr. Alpha Tau Omega created the concept of The LeaderShape Institute in 1986 and the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation funded the creation of the initial curriculum design for The LeaderShape Institute.
PALMER AWARD APPLICATION
The Palmer Awards are provided from an endowment gift donated to the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation by Dr. Edmund T. Palmer, Jr. Alpha Tau Omega created the concept of The LeaderShape Institute in 1986 and the Alpha Tau Omega Foundation funded the creation of the initial curriculum design for The LeaderShape Institute.
PALMER AWARD APPLICATION
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Why Multiple Sources Of Information Are Important
It seems lately that everything seems to be characterized as polar opposites. Democrat or Republican. Red or Blue. Fox News or MSNBC. Liberal or Conservative. With us or against us.
The leaders of today and tomorrow need to see past this sucker's argument. Very rarely in life are things just so simple with easy dichotomy. Heck, just do a Google image search of blue states vs. red states and see how many versions different sources show. I've just shown two examples above.
That's one reason we haven't hung our hat here at LeaderShape with any one particular leadership theory. No one author, theory, study, or approach works in a one-size fits all, works every time, way.
One strategy to help you avoid falling into this trap is to seek out multiple sources of information. Look for opinions and approaches different than yours. To illustrate the point of why only looking to one source of information could be dangerous, I'd like to share with you four different takes on the same research study. Each of these articles have a different spin on the same recent study. Notice the different titles:
New EyeDriver technology the future of driving?
Hands off that steering wheel
Driving with your eyes, not your hands
Checking out girls while driving could kill you
Nothing is "wrong" here. Just different takes on the same basic information.
Let's be honest. We're all busy. It's easy to only listen, hang out, and agree with people who already agree with what you think or believe.
But there is a danger in doing this. Part of leadership is not doing the easy, way you want it, version. Effective leadership bringing all voices, people, opinions, thoughts, and ideas together and forges a new way forward that's better for all.
Often there are multiple "truths" involved. No one is saying this is easy. But this is one reason why good leadership can be difficult, exciting, challenging, rewarding, frustrating, and needed.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Why Is Ethics So Important?
"Business is set up in a way that deliberately pushes the boundaries of ethical acceptability and evolves naturally along a path of ethical ambiguity. This does not arise because of intrinsically low integrity of the entrepreneurs/owners, but because of the genuinely ambiguous role of them." (p. 21)
Pearson, G. (1995). Integrity in organization: An alternative business ethic. London: McGraw-Hill.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Humanitar-ish Award
I have to admit. I'm a fan of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
While I do enjoying watching these shows, I don't support these shows as a main source of news for some individuals (my lack of support extends to all tabloid journalism, not just these shows, posing as legitimate news).
That being said, comedy can often provide a reality check. Last week, there was an episode on The Colbert Report that seemed timely:
Stephen Colbert proposes a Humanitar-ish Award for "outstanding achievement in the field of considering whether to give to charity as long as there's something in it for me."
Colbert does a great job and poking fun at individuals and organizations that seemingly give for altruistic purposes, but come across as though they have alternative selfish motives.
There is no substitute for the real thing.
If you choose to give, give because you really care - not because you want to look good.
While I do enjoying watching these shows, I don't support these shows as a main source of news for some individuals (my lack of support extends to all tabloid journalism, not just these shows, posing as legitimate news).
That being said, comedy can often provide a reality check. Last week, there was an episode on The Colbert Report that seemed timely:
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Own a Piece of Histor-Me - Original Interview Table | ||||
| ||||
Stephen Colbert proposes a Humanitar-ish Award for "outstanding achievement in the field of considering whether to give to charity as long as there's something in it for me."
Colbert does a great job and poking fun at individuals and organizations that seemingly give for altruistic purposes, but come across as though they have alternative selfish motives.
There is no substitute for the real thing.
If you choose to give, give because you really care - not because you want to look good.
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Years Revolutions!
A few years ago, a good friend and LeaderShape Lead Facilitator, Jeff Cufaude, and I were discussing new year's resolutions. I have to say that I have not been a big fan. I've never understood the concept of waiting until a particular time of year to start or do what you want to do. Why not do it now? Why wait?
Now I do value the taking stock of what you've done, where you've been, and where you want to go.
Jeff suggested I change my language from resolutions to revolutions. Now we're talking...
So for the past several years I've made a list of things that would truly be revolutionary in thinking and doing. And set out to do just that. To put it in LeaderShape terms, it's stretch goals.
I've included a great revolution clip for your inspiration (of course, I'm hoping it really doesn't involve the police).
If you are interested in taking stock of the past year and want to look toward the next year, I think David Allen's most recent newsletter does a great job of posing some compelling questions. Here are his questions:
David's Coaching Tips
For those of you who want more form and structure, here are some questions that can guide you in your 2009 review and 2010 goal setting. When I go through these kinds of questions I like to consider my answers in several areas:
Physical
Emotional
Mental
Spiritual
Financial
Family
Community Service
Fun / creativity / recreation
Completing and remembering 2009
Review the list of all completed projects
What was your biggest triumph in 2009?
What was the smartest decision you made in 2009?
What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experience?
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009?
What was the most loving service you performed in 2009?
What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2009?
What are you most happy about completing in 2009?
Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2009?
What was the biggest risk you took in 2009?
What was the biggest surprise in 2009?
What important relationship improved the most in 2009?
What compliment would you liked to have received in 2009?
What compliment would you liked to have given in 2009?
What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009?
Creating the new year
What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010?
What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010?
What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2010?
What would you be most happy about completing in 2010?
What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2010?
What would you most like to change about yourself in 2010?
What are you looking forward to learning in 2010?
What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2010?
What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving in 2010?
What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2010?
What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2010?
Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2010?
What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2010?
So here's to a new decade...and not to incremental change, but rather revolutionary change that makes a much bigger difference.
Now I do value the taking stock of what you've done, where you've been, and where you want to go.
Jeff suggested I change my language from resolutions to revolutions. Now we're talking...
So for the past several years I've made a list of things that would truly be revolutionary in thinking and doing. And set out to do just that. To put it in LeaderShape terms, it's stretch goals.
I've included a great revolution clip for your inspiration (of course, I'm hoping it really doesn't involve the police).
If you are interested in taking stock of the past year and want to look toward the next year, I think David Allen's most recent newsletter does a great job of posing some compelling questions. Here are his questions:
David's Coaching Tips
For those of you who want more form and structure, here are some questions that can guide you in your 2009 review and 2010 goal setting. When I go through these kinds of questions I like to consider my answers in several areas:
Physical
Emotional
Mental
Spiritual
Financial
Family
Community Service
Fun / creativity / recreation
Completing and remembering 2009
Review the list of all completed projects
What was your biggest triumph in 2009?
What was the smartest decision you made in 2009?
What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experience?
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009?
What was the most loving service you performed in 2009?
What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2009?
What are you most happy about completing in 2009?
Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in 2009?
What was the biggest risk you took in 2009?
What was the biggest surprise in 2009?
What important relationship improved the most in 2009?
What compliment would you liked to have received in 2009?
What compliment would you liked to have given in 2009?
What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009?
Creating the new year
What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010?
What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010?
What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in 2010?
What would you be most happy about completing in 2010?
What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2010?
What would you most like to change about yourself in 2010?
What are you looking forward to learning in 2010?
What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2010?
What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving in 2010?
What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2010?
What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of that in 2010?
Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and serving in 2010?
What one word would you like to have as your theme in 2010?
So here's to a new decade...and not to incremental change, but rather revolutionary change that makes a much bigger difference.
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