Speaking Leader to Leader

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On January 4th our teams will be asking us openly or indirectly, “What is our game plan for 2021?” Our job now is to create and empower a unique culture based 2021 game plan, with an outstanding roll out strategy for early January. Staying on the light side of what is commonly a stressful process, we suggest these three proven steps. Let’s have a conversation.

John
773-641-9631

What: Events around the upcoming Holidays; Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

Why: To have some fun during Corona Virus times while showing sincere appreciation, and supporting every team member in reviewing and planning for a successful Holiday Season continuing into 2021..

Why this is Important: Without team buy in, we are dead in the water, plus everyone needs a pat on the back and some positive, “we can do it talk”.

We are Thankful for You!November
Thanks-for-Giving session: A Zoom or live session facilitated by John M. Ruh and Associates to show sincere appreciation with some fun games and exercises to get everyone on board. This will include an announcement of your Annual Company Review (online by 3rd party) for all to participate in, thus giving everyone a voice.

SnowmanDecember
Fun, weekly holiday quiz with prizes that support your culture and the values that are important to you. Will also have something live or Zoom session again to announce feedback from your online survey*, along with thoughts for next year.

January
Blast Off!New Year/ New Start Blast-off: As leaders, we need to give our state of the union/blast off session in early January, ideally in a fun and powerful way. Given the Covid environment, we’ll do so with a positive “we can and will with Context/Attitude” to give everyone direction and optimistic expectations for the upcoming year.

Call / email us now at 773-641-9631 or john@johnruh.com for:

  1. Discussion on how this might fit nicely into your culture.
  2. A special holiday 30 day introductory offer
  3. Your free introduction of how to define your culture right.

* It is highly recommended that you use a neutral, outside 3rd party to perform the survey to ensure employee confidence with their anonymity.

3 Fun, Engaging Events to Finish Strong/Plan Wisely for 2021

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Hey! Come and Join Us!Check Out Our 3 Entertaining and Engaging Events for a Successful Close of 2020 and Planning a Successful 2021

What: Three events around the three upcoming Holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

Why: To have some fun during Corona Virus times while showing sincere appreciation and getting everyone involved in reviewing and planning for a successful Holiday Season into 2021.

Why this is Important: Without team buy in, we are dead in the water, plus everyone needs some positive, “we can do it talk”.

November

We are Thankful for You!Thanks-for-Giving session: A Zoom or live session facilitated by John M. Ruh and Associates for those willing to show sincere appreciation with some fun games and exercises to get everyone on board. This will include an announcement of your Annual Company Review (online by 3rd party) for all to participate in, giving everyone a voice.

December

SnowmanFun holiday weekly quiz with prizes that support your culture and the values that are important to you. Will also have something live or Zoom session again to announce feedback from your online survey*, along with thoughts for next year.

January

Blast Off!New Year/ New Start Blast-off: As leaders, we need to give our state of the union/blast off session in early January, ideally in a fun and powerful way. Given the Covid environment, we’ll do so with a positive “we can and will with Context/Attitude” to give everyone direction and optimistic expectations for the upcoming year.

Call / email us now at 773-641-9631 or john@johnruh.com for:

a. Discussion on how this might fit nicely into your culture.
b. A special holiday 30 day introductory offer
c. Your free introduction of how to define your culture right.

* It is highly recommended that you use an outside neutral 3rd party to perform the survey to assure employee confidence with their anonymity.

What We See is our “Must Do List” between Now and Year End

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Here is our “Must Do List” to be accomplished between now and year end.
Since it is difficult to stay focused during this time, as leaders, we must start this project NOW.

Our Top 5 Must Do’s

  1. Priority One: Client Care
    Take care of customers by delivering a superior product or service and communicating clearly and effectively. This is the foundation of success, and might also be the best marketing we can do to secure our future.
    Completion date: Now
  2. Comprehensive Continuous Improvement List
    In order to improve and frame our future, it is critical everyone is crystal clear about our priorities. Clarify projects that must be completed between now and Thanksgiving. Why? It’s simple: Change or die. Your continuous improvement projects list needs to be public and reviewed weekly.
    Note: Ask us how to do this and/or meet with one of our C.I. project managers. We can also provide you with a form to use that will make this easier.
    Completion date: Now
  3. Do an anonymous company-wide survey to give all stakeholders a voice in assessing 2020 and planning 2021 by Thanksgiving.
    This is a step most of us skip. We need to stop, review, and complete 2020 instead of just having 2020 run into 2021. We need a process approach on assessing and planning.
    Why? Ideally you get the input needed to develop your 2021 game plan.
    Completion date: By 12/31/20, or earlier if you are a very large group of people.
  4. At Thanksgiving Holiday deliver sincere “thank- you’s” to all stakeholders that have contributed to 2020.
    2 Reasons why:

    1. It costs very little to say thank you and it is a thoughtful, personal way to express our gratitude to those who brought us to where we are today.
    2. Normally, 50% of our staff people are high on the “people” side of the equation. They want and need to hear that they are appreciated. Doing this, making it a process, can be the start of enrolling their support for 2020, (and increases the probability of retaining them).
  5. Take Care of Yourself
    We cannot be effective leaders for others unless we first ensure that we are taking care of ourselves. As the flight attendant says, “Put the mask on yourself first!”

Thanksgiving to December 31st
When we have done the above well, we are ready to design and package a great 2021 game plan to support and achieve our 2021 vision, mission and values.

PS: To help you sort out how you might do this for yourself and give you a head start, we are offering one month FREE partnering to support you with designing and supporting your Culture Based game plan right.

Call/email us at 773-641-9631 or John@JohnRuh.com.

Now What III?

Posted by & filed under Business Planning, Leadership, Professional Development.

Speaking Leader to LeaderThird in a series of suggested responses to the Coronavirus situation.

As leaders, it is essential we live in the question, “now what?” and, most importantly, make wise choices based on our individual circumstances.

June Entrepreneurial Ideas

  1. Thomas Jefferson piece on Power of Vision, Declaration, and Right Context
  2. Weekly blogs on The Power of Vision with opportunity for 1-1 and/or team discussion per phone or zoom:
    • Vision, Context, Commitment, Responsibility (VCCR)
    • 5 Steps for any Vision
    • Vision, Morale, and Productivity
    • Who is the leader of your life?
  3. Three potential Zoom events (at a time that works for you)
    • Opportunity Selling to your coming market• Stress Management featuring 5 Star Best Practice Tool and insights from 3 scholars for lasting results
    • Thomas Jefferson – The Power of Vision, Declaration, and Right Context

Worth a conversation?

If so, call/email John 773-641-9631 or john@johnruh.com.

Also read Coronavirus Now What I, II.

Thomas Jefferson – The Power of a Declaration and Right Context

Posted by & filed under Continuous Improvement, Culture, Leadership, Professional Development, Vision.

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” …..

“All men are created equal” …….

I love colonial history, and especially enjoy relating it to life and business today. Here are some of my thoughts, and a write up discussing Jefferson, plus a link to a blog on the “Power of a Declaration”. Speaking Leader to Leader, let’s start a conversation on these three ideas:

  1. Making a New Declaration – Regardless of your present circumstances, consider the idea of making a new “declaration” for yourself, your team or company and then putting in place a unique culture with the right P.S.T. support. johnruh.com/the-power-of-a-declaration/
  2. Defining your American Dream – Jefferson had a deep belief in American exceptionalism. Translated to today’s world is the idea that your dream is possible if you apply yourself and utilize your gifts wisely. Read more about Jefferson here: johnruh.com/thomas-jefferson/
  3. Practice Entrepreneurial Thinking – Jefferson had deep beliefs about individual freedom and self-reliance vs expecting that the government, your company, boss, or significant other will make your dream come true. I call this Entrepreneurial Thinking. Read the Jefferson blog a second time.

Consider Doing the Following:
The power of making your own declaration combined with the right context and the right P.S.T. support to transform your life, that of your team, and possibly your company. johnruh.com/right-support-means-the-right-p-s-t/

Worth a Conversation?
If so, call/email me at 773-641-9631 or john@johnruh.com.

Thomas Jefferson

Posted by & filed under Book / DVD Summaries, Professional Development.

April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826

A Summary of His Life
First in a series of write ups on our first Presidents

General Information

  • Born into Virginia plantation life, father died when he was 14
  • A renaissance man/idealist who studied throughout his life (law, constitutions, languages, history science, agriculture, architecture and more. Polite, restrained and eloquent writer.
  • Sold his book collection to Library of Congress to pay off debts, however missed books so much he rebuilt it (his collection can be seen at Library of Congress building in D.C.)
  • Walked to his inauguration (wanted to be man of the people)
  • Open door policy significantly expanded publics ability to see President of United States
  • He and Washington were Virginia gentlemen and after presidency never turn away a guest at their homes
  • Served as first Secretary of State, then Vice President under Adams, became third President of United States. Served two terms and voluntarily resigned as did Washington (no two-term limit at that time)
  • Received no pension, (nor did first five presidents), when he retired. No book publishing, no promotional tours- went back to the plantation to make a living.
  • Believed in “ Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness”, “ All men are created equal”, American exceptionalism and individual and state rights. Hated the notion of monarchy/federalist point of view.
  • Democratic Republican essentially started two party system. Opposite of Federalists (Adams, Hamilton and to a certain extent Washington)
  • An enigma and man of many contradictions. For example, A slave holder his entire life while preaching and fighting for liberty, writing and signing the Declaration of Independence.
  • First president to suggest public works projects like national road (done after his presidency)
  • Died on July 4th, 1826, 50 years after Declaration of Independence and same day John Adams died
  • Loved the French and their ways. Felt our revolution influenced theirs and was first ambassador to France. Strongly disliked the English system of government and called Adams, Hamilton and others monocrats.
  • At age 27 moved to the hill later called Monticello, built what was a mansion in those days and worked on it his entire life. Had many unique features for its time and was never finished.
  • Influenced by John Locke (who was inspired, I believe by Roger Williams founder of Providence, RI in 1636)
  • Although opposed politically, he exchanged 158 letters with John Adams from 1812-26. Adams wrote two for each one he wrote
  • Loved walking, horseback riding and considered the farmer a real citizen
  • Celebrated both in his life and since. Venerated with a major memorial in D.C.

Highlights

  • Renaissance man of many interests and talents. Knew more than anyone in his day including Ben Franklin
  • Considered the Declaration of Independence, religious liberty for Virginia and founding the University of Virginia to be his 3 greatest accomplishments.
  • Cut federal deficit by 1/3 during his Presidency by keeping federal government small, reducing size of Navy and leaving matters up to states and individuals
  • 1803 Negotiated the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon for 15 million or $18.00/sq. mile almost doubling size of United States while preventing the French, Spanish or English from gaining a foothold here
  • Lewis and Clark discovery expedition set the stage for opening of the West
  • First Secretary of State, 2nd vice president and 3rd President of United States
  • Major innovator in many fields including agriculture, architecture, writing of Virginia constitution with Madison, and of course, The Declaration of Independence
  • Repealed Sedition Act passed by Adams
  • Can be argued he saved our Democracy as we know it today including the Bill of Rights which was under threat prior to his becoming President (Read up about Sedition Act)

Lowlights

  • Slavery contradiction given his beliefs about liberty and fighting for it. He never freed slaves even in his death. Thought blacks were inferior to whites.
  • Sally Hemmings, one of his slaves, was his mistress and they had children together
  • Jefferson died insolvent,100,00 in debt. He never freed his slaves which were sold with his house and belongings upon his death to pay creditors
  • Shy quiet by nature and a poor public speaker. So much so, that many could not hear him at his inauguration
  • Had 6 children of whom two made it to adulthood, and only one survived him. His wife died shortly after childbirth in 1782 at age 33 leaving him with three young children. He burned their letters and rarely spoke about her death.
  • Never came to grips with the emotion of deep sadness/grief. Private. kept his feelings to himself.

Personal Thoughts

He was human like all of us and had his shortcomings, however these things impress me regarding Jefferson

  1. The context he created for all Americans, from his to this day, of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” feeds the idea of American exceptionalism now engrained in our collective consciousness.
  2. We would welcome another President who would lower our deficit and support liberty as he perceived it.
  3. From my perspective, he, like Lincoln, saved our democracy and our Union. Few recognize that, prior to his Presidency, one could be jailed for speaking out against the government. Jefferson’s Presidency set the stage for individual liberty as our way of life which prior to 1776 and our Declaration was unimaginable.

Sources: Jon Meacham, The Art of Power, Clay Jenkinson writings and speeches, Gordon S Wood, Ken Burns documentary and from visit to Monticello

Two Burning Issues

Posted by & filed under 3 Simple Steps for Annual Business Planning.

Speaking Leader to LeaderToday’s unique Coronavirus environment has created two burning issues. Let’s focus on these concerns by having meaningful Leader to Leader conversations that support all of us at creating the right solutions given our individual situations.

Burning Issue 1
Managing our personal stress levels wisely to increase our own awareness and support others better. Stress Management.
Why: Stressed out people are not productive.

Burning Issue 2
Understanding opportunity selling and incorporating it into our sales program since traditional relationship and needs based selling is either severely limited or dead. Opportunity Selling.
Why: Our markets dictate we do this.

Why We Suggest this Approach
Structural changes (best practice programs) need to be put in place vs temporary band aid solutions or simply hoping things might return to normal.

Why? Research shows that in order to make lasting changes, a structured program and processes are needed for as much as 70% of the population. These modifications create new habits which produce new skills that, in turn, create the results you want.

Let’s start the conversation. Please email/call your thoughts. John 773-641-9631 or john@johnruh.com

Our Promise: The right support for you…the right person, structure, and best practice tools to transform your life and business.

Opportunity Selling

Posted by & filed under Sales.

What: Opportunity Selling

Why:

  • Traditional relationship selling is either inactive, severely limited or dead.
  • Needs are non-existent or substantially diminished thus it is imperative to modify one’s approach now,

Solutions:

  1. Start doing Opportunity Selling: Please read Corona Virus, Now What
  2. Commit to creating in writing a 5 Star sales program built on your unique culture with a strong marketing component.

Key benefit: It works. More importantly, you will create a new sense of excitement for yourself, your team/your company.

Action to take now: Call / email John at 773-641-9631 and ask for his team to give you a free introductory session on Now What? (regarding Opportunity Selling training for you and your sales team).

Stress Management

Posted by & filed under DISC, Leadership, Professional Development.

Stress ManagementSpeaking Leader to Leader: Confronted with the C virus environment, as leaders we must keep our stress levels in optimum range so we can support others right. If we don’t address our own stress problems, we will be unable to assist others in similar circumstances. The DISC tool mentioned below, and insights from three renowned deep thinkers, (Victor Frankl, Carl Jung and Dr. Hal Stone), can transform a team experiencing a very negative, stressful condition into a more productive, cohesive, higher performing unit.

What: Dealing with Stress Management

Why: Stressed out people are:

  1. Less productive
  2. Disruptive and
  3. Can negatively impact morale

Solution: 5 Star DISC tool and Stress Application

  • Insights/root causes from three well-known experts: Frankl, Stone and Jung.
  • One free DISC profile per company plus an informative 20 minute phone follow up.
  • Done online with instant participant feedback (takes 12-15 minutes).
  • Trainers: We have highly qualified instructors who use effective interactive 1-1 and group training methods that get results. Online Zoom training is available for team members working from home.

Key benefit: Everyone will see how their behavioral profile reacts to stress and what can be done about it.

Action to take now: Call Darlene at 773-775-6636 to receive your one free profile per company, plus instructions on how to profile your team, and reduce stress permanently by understanding oneself better.