A Message From Jeff

Dear Friends,

This month, we feature two articles, both focused on enhancing personal and company performance through the advice and direction of others.

The first looks at boards of directors as a means of improving the company's growth prospects and your own personal brand. We explore the value and process of evaluating your own company’s boards, serving yourself on others’ boards and establishing advisory boards.

The second article explores mentoring and its effect on strengthening performance. It offers tips for finding appropriate mentors and nurturing the mentoring relationship.

The ASK OUR COACH section addresses a situation you probably have found, or will find, yourself in at some point in your career: wanting or needing to go over someone's head to get results.

Finally, we invite you to join us at two upcoming conferences. I will be presenting at one of the events.

Jeff Gundersen, CEO
Executive Connections, LLC
jgundersen@executiveconnects.com
941-323-8300
Executive Search, Coaching & Consulting
http://www.executiveconnects.com

Using Powerful Boards to Strengthen Your Company, Yourself

CEO clients consult with us regularly about how to create a structure of support so they can continue to lead their companies powerfully. Our quick answer: Since it starts at the top, why not strengthen your board of directors and advisory boards?

One of the many critical responsibilities of a CEO is to build the organization's senior leadership team. We believe that CEOs do not start high enough in this effort. They need to begin by examining the strengths and weaknesses of the board of directors. Read full article.

Stronger Performances Through Mentoring

The Information Age being what it is, there is no dearth of sources for information and expertise. We research, we listen to guest experts and watch educational programs. We read books, newsletters and magazines. We hire consultants. But where do we go for ongoing wisdom? To whom do we turn for experienced advice to help us achieve stronger performance?

Increasingly in business, the answer is: mentors. Read full article.

ASK OUR COACH

Going Over My Boss's Head

As part of our commitment to provide assistance and support to executives wanting to further their professional and personal brand, we have created the ASK OUR COACH email service where you can get confidential answers to your career questions. What's on your mind? Don't hesitate to ASK OUR COACH.

Here is our answer to a question we received last month:

Q: How do you suggest finding the right level of balance in attempting to partner with executives whom you know do not have the right answers, but their bosses do. At what point and how do you suggest escalating, particularly when they are outspoken about not going above them?

A: First of all, I want to acknowledge the frustration you must be going through, even if most of it is self-inflicted.

What I am picking up here is that you are "attempting" to make this situation work, but that there is not really a full-blown commitment. I like to tell it straight and think that just might be the answer here: It's up to you to create the type of workplace in which you do your best work.

How to do that? There are several considerations. Start by having a conversation with each of the executives you're referring to, one at a time, and tell them the truth. Pick a neutral place to communicate your message powerfully, and always come from a place of speaking about yourself, not about the other person. Tell how you feel about the situation; get it out in the open. They likely feel tension in the relationship, as well, and this, hopefully, will create a place where you can come to some sort of compromise.

Realize that if you want a better work environment, you will need to do some work. I always tell myself, if something is not working 100% the way I want, what do I NEED TO DO TO CHANGE IT and make it work? Think about that. What is it going to take from you to make a difference? What is this negativity doing to your personal brand, your confidence and your overall ability to lead powerfully?

Bottom line: If you are not getting your needs met, if you are not succeeding in your job because of true incompetence on the part of these executives, if you truly cannot effect any changes--then you must seek counsel or create an exit strategy. Hopefully, the head of HR is your friend and/or you have a senior leader in the company within whom you can confide. Do whatever it takes to create success, both for you, the company and, ultimately, your direct reports.

Final message: If you do not handle this here and create a positive outcome, whatever that is, it will come back in another form in another position in another job.

Here are some additional questions for you to consider: Are you aligned with the values of your company? Is this position the right fit for you? Are you ready to move on and this is just one more thing that is bugging you? Have you past your "by when" date? Do you, for the most part, enjoy the culture of the organization? Is how “they" are leading not aligned with the values of the company? How long will you suffer and complain about what is not working? How much of your time is spent on thinking about how you are smarter than they are or how incompetent they are? Are you on target to meet or exceed your goals for the year?

Now reflect on your answers.

What do you think you would do if you could do something to make this different? What outcome do you clearly desire here? What is it you truly want? Is it to make “them" wrong and you right, or is it to work together more powerfully as a team of leaders. Remember: "Be the change you wish to see," as Gandhi said. It starts at the top.

Connect with EC at These Conferences

13th Annual Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium
“Securing Your Future In a New Era"
Date: March 9-11, 2008
Location: Sawgrass Marriott Resort, Ponte Vedra, FL
Phone: 800-803-3424 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              800-803-3424      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 212-803-6093
Registration

The 13th Annual Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium is the industry's defining event. This forum is critical at the senior level to continually raise the bar for the industry and facilitate informed discussion among those leading it. CEOs from major financial institutions will kick off all three days of THE leading banking conference. Mark your calendar and make sure not to miss Retail '08!

* * * * *

DMA 32nd Annual Financial Services Conference March 16-18, 2008
Morning Keynote: March 18, 2008, 8:30-9:15 a.m.
Moderator: Jeff Gundersen, CEO, Executive Connections, LLC
Speaker: Anne Herbster, Brand Service Director, AARP
"Helping 'Boomers' Meet Their Financial Service Needs"

Location: Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Phone: 212.790.1500
Registration: DMA Member $1,199 / Non-Member $1,299

The 32nd Annual DMA Financial Services Conference will provide leading direct marketing strategies for professionals in the insurance, banking and other financial services industries. Exchange ideas with fellow marketers and discover best practices from industry experts, then head back to the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort to enjoy the luxurious amenities this oceanfront location has to offer.

Be sure to make it to Jeff's presentation at DMA!
"What Legislation Do You Want to Affect and How?: Data Security Legislation"
Speaker: Jeff Gundersen, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Connections, LLC
Tuesday, March 18, from 7:15-8:15 a.m.

If you would like to reprint this article in your ezine, blog or website, you have our permission to do so as long as it is accompanied by the following information:

Authors Jeff Gundersen and Lorraine White lead the team at Executive Connections LLC, an executive search and executive coaching and consulting firm, specializing in building and supporting powerful executive leaders in advertising, marketing communications, direct marketing/CRM/loyalty, digital marketing/e-commerce, financial services, healthcare and private equity financed companies.

Author's content used under license, © 2010 Executive Connections LLC