Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

   Tripped by risky action.

Today I got a request to do a survey.

• From an organization I belong to.
• Asked social media questions.
• And questions to determine member values.

What was the problem?

• Three questions didn’t work.
• The survey was not set properly.
• Data would be meaningless.

I tried to help.

• Shot the staff person in charge an email around 8 AM.
• Perhaps she could change it in time?
• At 7 PM I got a surprised response.

An intern did the survey.

• She didn’t proof his work.
• Before sending to their CEO list.
• (Didn’t proof her three-sentence email to me either.)

Leaves me shaking my head.

• She asked me for 10 minutes of my time to complete survey.
• But couldn’t take the same time to proof the student’s work.
• She put the organization’s reputation at risk.

With lots of people looking for work, not the smartest thing to do.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you make sure your important communications are seen by a second pair of eyes before hitting send?

Filed under: Community building, Rants | No Comments »

   My sweet Raindrop

It was a lazy Sunday.

• I was tired from a week in LA.
• Spent Thursday and Friday digging out.
• Yesterday road-tripping to see in-laws.

Today was my day.

• I slept in late.
• Spent the morning chatting on the porch.
• Made a scrumptious brunch with Chez James.

By afternoon I was ready for a nap.

• James was running an errand.
• The room was cool.
• The couch called my name.

I flopped down and shut my eyes.

• At first I struggled to relax.
• Then it happened.
• I floated away on a dream.

About 20 minutes later Raindrop wigged out.

• She jumped on me.
• I ignored her.
• She panicked and pawed my throat.

Was I okay?

• Raindrop knows I never take an afternoon nap.
• Especially not on the couch.
• In her mind, I looked like I was dying.

My vet explained this to me last year.

• I’m the alpha dog in the house.
• Dogs don’t understand sick.
• Just dying - and it scares them when Alpha appears going down.

To Raindrop’s delight I got up and was okay - sometimes she loves me too much!

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you keep your members in the loop and worry-free when trying something new in your chapter?

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

   Score: Bugs 2 - Cynthia 0

Yesterday James and I sat on our front porch.

• It was mid-afternoon.
• We were catching up on my week on the road.
• I wore pink-flowered lounge pants.

Raindrop was on the grass in front of us.

• Started to chase a bee.
• I yelled at her to leave it alone.
• Wrong move.

The bee heard my voice and zeroed in on me.

• He wove around my flower-covered legs.
• Like a cat greeting someone with allergies.
• I swatted and screamed to no avail.

I got up to run into the house.

• The bee wanted the flowers.
• I dashed a desperate dance through the door.
• Hoping I dodged the enemy.

It was wishful thinking.

• As soon as I was in the house my hip started to hurt.
• I rolled down my pants.
• And saw a big welt forming from a bee sting.

The bee won this round.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you keep your team focused on your goals in spite of dancing distractions?

Filed under: Magic Meetings, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

It works pretty well.

This year I’m part of ASAE’s Fundraising Team for the new ASAE Foundation.

• I’m excited.
• I spent the last three years on the research committee.
• Got an insider’s perspective to ASAE’s research process.

This year I’m raising money to pay for the research.

• It’s a stretch for me.
• Never been on a formal fundraising team before.
• (Don’t tell ASAE!)

I’m good at getting people excited about my adventures.

• And have great friends.
• Who like to support me.
• (Some wrote checks as soon as they heard what I was doing!)

I tried out various pitches this week at ASAE’s annual meeting.

• Be a leader, not a loser.
• You’ve got to pay to play.
• Let’s be part of something cool together.

One of my most effective requests…

• Cut a check for the foundation.
• And you get to party with me and Thelma.
• (I’ve been touring LA with my friend as Thelma and Louise.)

I’ve been pretty successful.

• In my own Cynthia way.
• When I get back home I’ll shift gears.
• And try the more traditional approach of the official campaign.

Any bets which approach will generate more support for the foundation?

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you encourage your members to experience your chapter in ways that honor them?

Filed under: Savvy Leadership, Volunteers | No Comments »

At ASAE’s Beyond Diversity session.

I walked in the door.

• Was escorted to the left.
• Greeted warmly.
• Offered refreshments.

Saw five participants at back of room.

• Nose to wall.
• Required to stand.
• Ignored.

The program started.

• Those in the back were required to still stand.
• One chair given to the five to share.
• But not allowed to turn around or sit down.

The presentation continued.

• The information was interesting.
• Many took notes.
• Those in the back seemed forgotten.

Some walked in late.

• Three more were added to the back wall.
• No one noticed.
• As the presenter talked about barriers in the workplace.

Where were the challengers to the treatment of those in the back?

• Why did we let this go on?
• We felt uncomfortable.
• Were we supposed to speak up - or let those in the back have the experience?

A second presenter interrupted.

• Asked if guests needed anything - I got a neck massage.
• Colleagues at my table asked re those in the back.
• We were quickly dismissed - and the program continued.

One woman spoke up for the eight in the back.

• Asked for more resources.
• And was shot down.
• The program continued.

My table tried to stage a revolt.

• We physically interrupted the program.
• They held us at bay.
• Gave more neck massages to calm us down.

Finally those on the wall were released.

• The difference between the haves and have-nots?
• If they wore glasses.
• WOW!

We debriefed the experience.

• Emotions shared.
• Motivation for action and lack of action explored.
• Discussed how to apply at work.

This was one of the most powerful programs I’ve ever attended at ASAE.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you create memorable learning experiences for your members?

Filed under: Keeping members, Savvy Leadership | 8 Comments »

Hmmm…

I’m at ASAE’s annual meeting in LA.

• Picked up my name badge.
• Was given a bright orange holder.
• To show I’m a consultant.

It’s a change.

• And I’m feeling the difference.
• In the past I got a blue badge holder.
• Just an attendee.

With the orange badge, I’m being treated differently.

• Some people don’t want to talk to me.
• Especially the vendors.
• Which is a touch frustrating.

We are planning a Lazy Leader Road Show for 2011.

• 20 cities.
• Training 5,000 leaders.
• Hoped to learn a lot at the expo this year.

Thanks to my orange badge holder, my research just got harder.

• I’m not really complaining.
• I’m sure good intentions created the call out color.
• Not sure what they are today.

Going to see if I can swap for a blue badge holder so I get what I need at the expo.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…Are you willing to be flexible when new ideas aren’t perfect fits for some of your members?

Filed under: Keeping members, Lazy Leader Road Show | 4 Comments »

Coming back is.

It’s been 10 days since I’ve been in the gym.

• I had summer flu.
• Swollen shut ear.
• Lovely exhaustion.

At first I felt anxious.

• I wanted to move.
• Use my muscles.
• In spite of being sick.

And a few days ago it changed.

• I eased back into not moving so much.
• Felt my hips spreading.
• And a sadness followed.

This weekend ASAE’s annual meeting starts.

• I was supposed to be looking good.
• Muscles starting show.
• New clothes flashing.

Instead I feel like the dough boy.

• Round.
• Fluffy.
• And wide.

I decided to go back to the gym tonight.

• My elliptical machine was calling.
• I came up with a ton of reasons why I shouldn’t go.
• And between us, was a little scared too.

I grabbed my boot straps and went in spite of myself.

• I was nauseous from nerves walking in the door.
• And then the front desk guy greeted me with a smile.
• I slipped back in the groove.

In spite of my “vacation” I had a great workout - and crawled back to my car a happy camper.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you help make it easy for missing members to come back to your chapter?

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Keeping members | No Comments »

   NOW!

I was sick all weekend.

• But had to go to the mall.
• To get an outfit for upcoming trip.
• I fly this Friday.

Walked past a kiosk in the mall.

• Saleslady offered a free sample of hand cream.
• I declined.
• I was focused and on a mission.

She stopped me again.

• Asked about my nails.
• Assured me it was just a question.
• I was not the quickest thinker and agreed to answer it.

She dragged me to her kiosk.

• Grabbed a well-used nail file block.
• Told James he was going to be the judge.
• And got my fingers in position.

Alarm bells went off in my head!

• What did she think she was going to do?
• Use that dirty file on me?
• Without my permission?

I yanked my hand back.

• Told her “No.”
• She was insulted.
• Tried to grab me again.

Wrong move.

• I was already cranky from feeling sick.
• Turned and stormed away
• She yelled a few parting insults.

It was her lucky day - I felt too bad to file a complaint.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…How do you make sure you are not hard selling unwanted opportunities to your members?

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Rants | No Comments »