LEADERSHIP RESOURCES BLOG

Guidance on leadership development & strategic planning.

Leadership Resources sponsors TeamMates Scholarship

By Boyd Ober 03/02/2011
Leadership Resources Teammates Scholarship 2011

Thursday, April 28th was a signature day for the Lincoln TeamMates graduating seniors. The graduating seniors were recognized for their academic achievement and 18 of the TeamMates seniors were awarded scholarships to help them continue with their dream of post secondary education. This event was also attended by high-school aged students participating in the TeamMates program.

Celebrating the work of TeamMates, their families and mentors

This Spring Celebration event culminates the many years of hard work for the TeamMates seniors, their families and mentors. Many of the TeamMates mentors have been with these graduating seniors through high school and it is very rewarding for them, along with the students and their families, to see their TeamMate student graduate.

Dr. Nancy Biggs, LPS Superintendent for HR, conducted the program and introduced all of the graduating seniors and their mentors. Biggs congratulated each of the students on their hard work in reaching the huge accomplishment of high school graduation. She thanked the mentors for their commitment to meet with their students each week during the school year and for their contribution to their students’ success.

Keynote by Police Chief Tom Casady

The keynote address was presented by Police Chief Tom Casady. His message centered on overcoming personal adversity. He stressed to the students that they should surround themselves with positive people. A video message from Lincoln Fire and Rescue Chief, Niles Ford, was also presented. Chief Ford pointed out that perseverance is a key in achieving success. The honored seniors were also addressed by program co-founder Nancy Osborne and UNL Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Juan Franco. Both offered remarks to inspire the seniors to work hard and make their dreams of higher education come true. Dr. Steve Joel, Superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools also congratulated the graduates and gave inspirational messages along with closing remarks.

An important part of the program featured the awarding of 18 TeamMates scholarships from local donors in the Lincoln community. Without the scholarship assistance, some of the students would not be able to continue with their plan for post-secondary education.*

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.$500 Future Leadership Scholarship

Leadership Resources was proud to sponsor the Future Leaders Scholarship for $500. The recipient of this scholarship was Arazeli M. attending Bryan Community. Arazeli plans on attending SCC and focusing on a career in teaching.

Following the program, all TeamMates students and mentors were invited to participate in an informational session provided by the UNL Admissions Staff, followed by a campus tour and lunch in Selleck Hall. Lunch was provided for all students and mentors courtesy of TeamMates and UNL.

About TeamMates

The TeamMates mission is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential through mentoring. Since the program began in 1991, it has grown with the support of Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne to serve more than 4,000 students in 114 communities across Nebraska, Iowa and California. For more information, visit the Lincoln TeamMates website.

*For a complete list of the graduates, their TeamMates Mentors and the scholarship donors and recipients, please visit the TeamMates website.

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Leadership Resources Announces 2011 Executive Advisory Board

By Boyd Ober 02/18/2011

Leadership Resources, a provider of results-oriented organizational development, has announced the members of their 2011 Executive Advisory Board.

Continuing board members from 2010 include Lyn Wineman, President of Wineman Communications, Neil Finsand, Executive Director of the Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation, and Mike Kelly, Senior Vice President at Nebraska Book Company. New board members for 2011 include Theresa Garthright, Managing Broker at Home Real Estate and Ric Stoakes, Vice President at UNICO Group, Inc.

“We are privileged to partner with this group of outstanding individuals” said Boyd Ober, President of Leadership Resources. “Their professional expertise and related experience in the community are welcomed and appreciated as we continually strive to generate a high return on investment for our clients through the deployment of our development programs and strategic services. We look forward to their individual and collective contributions to help further the vision and mission of Leadership Resources.”

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.To gain further insight about the Leadership Resources Executive Advisory Board, visit http://www.lrsuccess.com/about_us/executive-advisory-board.

Leadership Resources works with leaders who believe the development and productivity of their people will determine the success of the organization. Using a variety of leadership tools and materials, coupled with on-going support and coaching, they help executives, frontline leaders, individual contributors, and entrepreneurs achieve higher levels of success related to personal and organizational goals.

To learn more, call 866-820-8410.

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Time & Technology at February's 3% Club

By Boyd Ober 02/12/2011
Leadership Resources February 3 percent Nick Bock

On Friday, February 11, Leadership Resources was joined by guest facilitator Nick Bock, CEO of Five Nines Technology Group. Nick shared his expertise with a room full of 3% Club attendees on the topic of “Time & Technology.”

Technology can either be your friend or your foe, depending on how you use it. It’s important to be aware of how technology effects what we do in our daily lives. To start with the positives, technology helps us by allowing for quick access to information. This information is readily available to us wherever we go, whether it be from a computer or a mobile device. Time management using prioritized lists are easier than ever because of the integration of apps. But technology can also be a hindrance. Facebook, continuous email alerts, and information overload are distractions that cause people to wonder of track!

11 Ways To Create Accountability And Increase Productivity At Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.When it comes to managing your email account, perhaps the most important thing it turning off those instant notifications. Nick says this is a productivity killer because it interrupts whatever you were working on. Don’t be afraid to close your inbox altogether for a couple hours. If you allocate a few half hour periods a day for email, you will save a lot of time. Other tips: unsubscribe from things you don’t read, filter “annoying” emails, flag high priority items, and utilize the search feature rather than throwing emails into layers of sub folders.

It’s important to find tools that work for you. If you are going to implement a system, stick with it and don’t hop from one platform to the next. Identify what works, implement it, and use it. If you’re constantly trying to find newer and better technology you’re wasting your time. Every month there will be something new and more innovative, but Nick recommends when you find something that works for you, stick with it for 12 months. Be disciplined!

“This was a great opportunity to self reflect on how much time is wasted checking emails and imagine how much more could get accomplished,” said John Oestreich, Managing Principal of Waddell & Reed. “I really enjoy the idea of shutting off email and only checking it a few times a day. What a great time saver!”

3% February Club Meeting PowerPoint – Download Now!

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January 3% Club Recap

By Boyd Ober 01/15/2011
Leadership Resources 3 percent club January 2011 meeting

Recap from January 3% Club – Your Company’s Roadmap for Success

On Friday, January 14, Boyd Ober facilitated the 3% Club luncheon entitled, “Your Company’s Roadmap for Success.” To start things off, Boyd asked everyone to go around the room , stand up, and introduce themselves. It was a very simple instruction, however, each individual stayed seated throughout introductions. It was later brought to the groups’ attention that nobody followed directions, but why did this happen? We face choices everyday — there are many different paths we can take. We are also creatures of habit. When the first person to introduce themself chose not to stand up, everyone else followed in the same manner, not wanting to step out of their comfort zone.

The group discussed the concept of having a vision. Often times, visions are kind of cloudy. The further out the vision is, the harder it is to see. It is crucial to share your goals and visions with someone. If you really desire success, accountability is part of that roadmap. Also, we must break our habits of thought in order to find ourselves moving in the right direction.

The roadmap for success starts with you as a leader. The group discussed what it means to be a leader. Traits that came to mind included: strong, responsible, decision maker. A leader is a role. Leadership means making things happen. Leadership is a process, and this process is very important.

11 Ways To Create Accountability And Increase Productivity At Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.The three responsibilities of a leader are:

  1. Create something to believe in
  2. Be someone to believe in
  3. Be someone that believes in others

If we can connect management and leadership with our goals in the middle, now we have the fundamentals for a roadmap.

Future and present are connected, even though it might not always be clear. Everyone took time to write down words that described their future. Next, they thought of words to describe their present. When we go from present to future, and have goals in the middle, being able to execute is key.

“In order to achieve a long term goal, most people don’t focus on how to get there,” said Jason Petersen, Principal at Turbine Interactive. “It’s so important to focus on execution everyday, which is inspired by your vision.”

Thank you to the attendees for joining us for this event! Thank you to Cornhusker Bank for allowing us to use their space at Hwy 2 and Apples Way for this event.

Your Company’s Roadmap for Success – Download Now!

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Congratulations, 2010 Success Award Winners

By Boyd Ober 12/19/2010
Leadership Resources Dustin Addison Award Winner The Planner 2010

Leadership Resources was pleased to present eight awards to clients at the 2010 Celebration of Success. To be eligible for an award, an individual or company must have utilized a Leadership Resources product or service in the past five years and have documented success in their personal or professional life. We had some excellent nominations this year and are pleased to announce the winners at this month’s event.

The 2010 winners include:

  • Leadership Behavior AwardBrian Olson, Vice President, Operations, Pen-Link
  • The Planner AwardDustin Addison,Financial Planner, Wells Fargo Advisors
  • Entrepreneur AwardDenise Mainquist, Owner, ITPAC Consulting
  • Goal Planning GuruNathan Rink, Financial Advisor, Waddell & Reed
  • Business Development Award Mark Zmarzly, Vice President, Haberfeld Associates
  • Balanced Lifestyle AwardOlivia Heidinger, Agent, Farm Bureau Financial Services
  • President’s AwardJohn Oestreich, Managing Principal, Waddell & Reed
  • Long-Term Growth AwardPlastic Companies Enterprises, Sam Featherston, President/CEO

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.Each award category has specific criteria ranging from top-line growth to the impact the individual is having on their peers and the community as a whole.

View the photos of the award winners at the Leadership Resources Facebook Page.

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Goal Planning Workshop – Planning for Success in 2011

By Boyd Ober 12/01/2010
Leadership Resources Dan Sedor Goal Planning Workshop.

Dan Sedor led the breakout session “Goal Setting 2011” at Tuesday’s Celebration of Success. Participants were given the opportunity to brainstorm some goals for the upcoming year.

Dan challenged everyone to not hold back, to follow their gut, and not to evaluate the goals just yet. They shared their ideas with each other, were encouraged, borrowed goal ideas from each other, and generated some great ideas for the upcoming year.

After getting initial ideas down on paper, the group was asked to start prioritizing and categorizing their goals into one of the six areas of life:

  • Family/Home
  • Financial/Career
  • Mental/Educational
  • Physical/Health
  • Spiritual/Ethical
  • Social/Cultural/Community

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.Dan encouraged everyone to have a well rounded list of goals they were committed to accomplishing in 2011. Participants were then asked to identify the actions and behaviors they will do to accomplish their goals for 2011. Dan reminded everyone to focus on the attitudes that will drive their behavior to deliver success in 2011!

Participants spent the majority of their time working on two handouts:

  • Brainstormed list of goals
  • Purpose/Mission and the 6 goal areas

An additional file participants may find helpful is the goal planning sheet, which is formatted in Microsoft excel and easy to type into and sort by target date, etc.
Check out our Brainstorm List of Goals for 2011 and Purpose/Mission and 6 Goal Areas handouts!

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Customer Service – "Wow" your customers in 2011

By Boyd Ober 11/30/2010
Leadership Resources Paul Rieken Customer Service

This is a re-cap of the breakout session led by Paul Rieken, at the 2010 Celebration of Success.

This breakout session focused on customer service and how to “wow” your customers in 2011. We have all dealt with good and bad experiences in this area. The group was asked to think of a time when they (as customers) experienced bad customer service, and also a time when the customer service was great. People shared what impact these services had on them. Ironically, the bad times seemed to stick out the most! The discussion continued with the “Top Ten Customer Service Mistakes” and “How To Deliver Great Customer Service–Top 10 Tips.” (available through the downloads at the bottom of the page)

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.

So why is customer service so important?

First, it maintains current and returning customers. (These people account for 80% of total business!) And of course, you can consider it free advertising when your customers give positive feedback about your company to others. Next, it “wows” the new customer. They want to come back, and in addition, they tell other people. Finally, customer service provides your organization with a competitive advantage. A lot of places do not have good customer service, so if you do that’s a huge advantage.

As Walt Disney once said, “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.”

Customer Service Breakout Session Handout – Download here!

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Leadership Insights – What Successful Leaders Have in Common

By Boyd Ober 11/24/2010
Leadership resources: Accelerate leadership program

This is a re-cap of the breakout session led by Boyd Ober, at the 2010 Celebration of Success.

Who is tired of being surrounded by negative energy? Who can’t even bare to watch the evening news to avoid being bombarded by more depressing stories? The people at Leadership Resources are ready to focus on the good things in life right with you. In doing so, President Boyd Ober shared with our group how changing our attitude changes our success and leadership potential.

The session started with two questions:

  • What is leadership?
  • What is success?

The room became buzzing with different answers and meanings for each individual with some great answers being presented. A leader was seen as a person that creates vision, someone others follow, an individual who influences others to reach goals and a process, action and role.

After some group thought, the same examples that were listed was turned onto each attendee leading to new set of questions to see themselves in a leadership role:

  • What am I creating that others will believe in?
  • What have I done to demonstrate that I am someone who believes in others?
  • What is my “extreme dream”?

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.Directly correlating with leadership, the key to success was a hot topic among the group. The definition of success varied for each attendee with a common goal; a feeling of setting and achieving goals. There are over 20,000 individual success moment for a person each day starting with the moment you wake up.

How does one reach such a high number? The key is a change in attitude and habit of thought. If you don’t like the results you are getting, change your culture, habit of thought or attitude. Each morning, start you day with two questions:

  1. How can I impact my priorities?
  2. How can I impact my attitude?

Soon you will be reaching or exceeding 20,000 successes a day. Each victory, whether it is minor or major, will directly impact your overall behavior, attitude, habit of thought, actions and results you achieve.

Leadership Insights – Download here!

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Dan Sedor facilitates "Effective Project Meetings" for ACGA Conference

By Boyd Ober 11/22/2010

Dan Sedor was chosen to facilitate a session titled, “Effective Project Meetings – Polishing Your Skills,” for the 2010 ACGA Conference.

The objectives of this session included:

  • Review the importance of planning and executing effective meetings
  • Cover the phases and important elements of effective meetings
  • Discusses the role of human dynamics in the meeting
  • Understanding the importance and role of meeting minutes and meeting recorder
  • Review the future of meetings and the impact of new technologies.
  • For more information about this particular session or to contact Leadership Resources about a session for your organization, please call 866-820-8410 or visit the contact us page.

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.To download the content from the AGCA Effective Project Meetings session, please click on the links below:

Document:

Effective Meeting Handouts
Effective Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

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Extreme Dreaming at November's 3% Club

By Boyd Ober 11/15/2010
Leadership development workshops.

On Friday, November 12, Boyd Ober facilitated the 3% Club luncheon on the topic of “Extreme Dreaming.” Leadership Resources was excited to host over 30 attendees at the event. The luncheon focused on the importance of dreaming big by getting out of the moment and being able to think beyond. The topic was inspired by the Orlando Magic’s Pat Williams’ book, Extreme Dreams.

How many people dream?

Everyone does! The group was asked to close their eyes and think about their own life as it was today. They proceeded by writing down all the words that came to mind. Next, everyone was asked to close their eyes and think about what describes their life in 30 years. Again, they wrote down those things that came to mind. Not surprisingly, most people’s description of their life today and their life 30 years down the road were not the same. Today, many people said they were busy, stressed and tired. But in 30 years, a majority of people dreamed of being relaxed, happy and successful.

The group narrowed it down even further and filled out 10-year projection worksheets. They brainstormed more specifically about how their occupation, personal responsibilities and family life might look in 10 years.

Unlock The Leadership Potential Within Your Organization. Download this whitepaper.The discussion continued with the importance of planning when it comes to extreme dreaming. When you plan, you take the dream and break it down. Not only is it important to have a vision, but you also need a mission. How are you going to do it? Additionally, we all need resources, positioning, investments and some form of accountability. Know your dream–then chase your dream. The quality of your process will lead to the productivity of your outcome.

“By continuing to come to these meetings and taking LR classes, it helps to reinforce what you know you are supposed to be doing but helps you stay on track,” said Paul Vachal, VP Sales at Reliant Studios. “If you don’t set the plan of where you want to be five or ten years down the road, you’ll end up just staying where you are.”

“I am starting up a new company and strongly believe in the power of coaching, so I am exploring what Leadership Resources has to offer,” said Bryan Carlson, owner of Signia Marketing.

10 Year Projection – Download Available

For more information on upcoming 3% Club dates and how to signup, visit the news and events section of our website or fill out the form on the contact us page.

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