{#SirenChat} Transcript 4/15/2015

Photo courtesy of Death to the Stock Photo

The power of community is a beautiful thing. As the host of the weekly Twitter chat #SirenChat, I’m reminded how important it is to connect with people. Much of my time is spent behind a screen or desk or veil of perfection. How many times do I choose to roll out my A roll instead of my B roll with all the flubs and cringe-worthiness that real life delivers? 9 out of 10. Our last chat served as a catharsis (for moi, anyway).

Here’s a roundup of the topics we covered:

Q1: What big project are you working on? #SirenChat

Q2: What’s been the biggest hiccup getting ur new project off the ground? We’re here to support! #SirenChat

Q3: When’s the last time u had to have a sit down w/ a client + tie up miscommunication, project gone awry, etc. I’ll chime in! #SirenChat

 

Read the transcript I created using TweetReach, including how many folks we potentially reached and a recap of the chat. Teaser of the transcript is below.

Help us spread the word about #SirenChat with these fun and easy “tweetables”!

“If you’re going to hold someone to what they believe, make sure you accurately represent what they believe.” ~ Malcolm Gladwell
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.@urbansiren is obsessed w/ #leadership + so am I. That’s why I’m at the next #SirenChat 4/22 12-1 pm EST.

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I discovered an online Twitter community that loves discussing #leadership + #integrity. Join #SirenChat each Weds in April.

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Keep the conversation going until our next #SirenChat on Wednesday, April 22 12-1 p.m. EST by leaving your comments below and checking us out on FacebookInstagram and Pinterest.

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{#SirenChat} Transcript 4/8/2015

Photo courtesy of Elaine Sauer.

Each time I host #SirenChat, I’m reminded of the importance of connecting with people. People. Yes, people. Those moving, unpredictable organisms hidden behind screens. “Design Your Life” has been the theme of our weekly Twitter chat, and we’ve been talking about leadership, decision-making and mindfulness. And while I plan in advance the four questions I’ll pose during the hour-long chat, there’s always room for spontaneity.

Here’s a roundup of the topics we covered on #SirenChat today:

Q1: Last great book you read on #leadership and/or #organization? Answer with A1 at the beginning of your Tweet. Hashtag #SirenChat

Q2: Do you pull your team in for big decisions or brainstorm solo? Answer with A1 at the beginning of Tweet. Hashtag #SirenChat

Q3: Does changing your mind midstream feel flakey or adaptive to you? #SirenChat

Q4: Are we experiencing homophily in a major way on #SirenChat?

 

Tools and resources shared:

#SirenChat#organizing tool: currently using @WorkFlowy to stay on a straight line so I can serve my team. #leadership

 

Read the transcript I created using TweetReach, including how many folks we potentially reached and a recap of the chat. Teaser of the transcript is below.

“If you’re going to hold someone to what they believe, make sure you accurately represent what they believe.” ~ Malcolm Gladwell
Tweet this!

 

.@urbansiren is obsessed w/ #leadership + so am I. That’s why I’m at the next #SirenChat 4/15 12-1 pm EST.

Tweet this!

 

I discovered an online Twitter community that loves discussing #leadership + #integrity. Join #SirenChat each Weds in April.

Tweet this!

Keep the conversation going until our next #SirenChat on Wednesday, April 15 12-1 p.m. EST by leaving your comments below and checking us out on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

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Honor the Backstory

Photo courtesy of Death to the Stock Photo. Edits by the grace of Canva.

Social media aficionados, bloggers, consultants, CEO’s and outlaws: we’ve all got a backstory. It may not make our A roll on Instagram, but it’s there. Oh, it’s there. It’s there in the years it took to build our businesses and relationships. It’s there in the disappointing rejections, hard lessons and isolating days behind a computer wearing pajamas while Tweeting fitness memes from a camera library. Haven’t been to the gym in eight months.

I’m not documenting this to tease out your confession.* That’s none of my biznitch. I’m sharing this to keep myself honest. Here’s what I’m not:

I have no prejudices against any of the above. Those are fields I don’t get paid for. Though Animal Spirit Magazine is a brilliant idea. Should that ever launch, I call dibs on intellectual property**. And I’m not making fun. I’ve worked with talented life coaches and found value in their offerings. Before I digress beyond repair…

“Don’t try to be something you’re not. And resist pretending that A Roll is the only way to live.”
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..what I’m trying to say is this: know the value of what you bring to your colleagues, clients and collaborations. Don’t try to be something you’re not. And resist pretending that A Roll is the only way to live. Learning from mistakes is one of the greatest benefits of entrepreneurship. I once said this to a friend on Instagram: Constantly leading with your A Roll makes you seem like an A Hole. And my subsequent advice:

“Constantly leading with your A Roll makes you seem like an A Hole.”
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The backstory is so gold. Take it from Clients From Hell. Sooooo…good.

Now that I’ve put my ass in front of my elbow (what even?), does this mean I must blog about the backstory? Fine. Fine. Stay tuned.

 “The backstory is so gold.”
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*Bold-faced lie. I want your confession
**Not kidding

What’s your backstory, morning glory? Share it here in the comments, on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest

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{#SirenChat} Transcript 3/11/2015

Image template and edits by the grace of Canva.

So many thanks to the Sirens who participated in the inaugural #SirenChat! We had a hoot and tackled topics ranging from emotions that crop up when our decisions are challenged to leadership figures who inspire us. Regarding the former, I need to take a deep breath. Regarding the latter, I named Thich Nhat Hanh.

Read the full transcript I created using TweetReach, including how many folks we potentially reached and a full recap of the chat. Teaser of the transcript is below.

Transcript courtesy of TweetReach.

If you missed the chat but would like to keep the conversation going, add to the comments below or catch up with us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Next #SirenChat: Wednesday, March 18 12-1 pm EST! All leaders welcome!
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I joined #SirenChat and liked it! See you for the next chat: Weds March 18 12-1 pm EST!
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Meet great, like-minded folks (like me!) at #SirenChat. Each Weds in March 12-1 pm EST.
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Design Your Life

Photo courtesy of Death to the Stock Photo

Standing by the side of the road and watching go-faster folks pass with the colors you wish you were wearing is no way to approach business, life or pleasure. It’s a go-getter kind of world. We’ve heard it said in many ways, shapes and forms. “Go for the gold.” “Name your price.” “Work hard, play harder.” I’m a proponent of speed in a controlled way. Faster does not always equal better. Slow and steady is a force to be reckoned with. The kind of speed I’m describing falls in the “Blink” genre, a go-with-your-gut/don’t delay or deny what’s instinctual. I’m no fan of rushing into things without careful consideration. After all, I’m a Capricorn. Weighing options, careful assessment and rationally choosing a path is part of my stardust. Still, the initial reaction, the first blush, the snap judgement does the job but good.

Are you intrigued by the aforementioned duality and trying to figure out “what’s works when it comes to decision-making” and thus, designing your life? Yeah, me too. I’m fascinated by what draws a person toward their conclusion. Throw in my obsession with emotional intelligence (try this quiz via The New York Times) and we’ve got ourselves a heady cocktail.

Image and edit courtesy of Canva

Bring your favorite shaker and join me for my Twitter chat during the month of March: Wednesdays 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST. Hashtag: #SirenChat. Participants (that’s you!) will fuel our chat with experiences, stories and questions. We’ll discuss:

  • How a decision-making process either sealed the deal or broke the bank
  • Collectively exploring pros and cons of strategic thinking and gut instinct
  • Articles and examples of emotional intelligence and relate them back to ourselves
  • Self-awareness and how we interact with people and deal with circumstances
  • Creative solutions to mind-bending challenges including suggestions from our fellow chatters
  • Mindfulness exercises to help us stay in the present moment so we can best assess any situation
  • Resources and helpful tips to living a life by your design
Homework:
Connect with us on Twitter so we’re ready to roll.

Tip:
Bring your copy of Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Blink” for extra in-depth discussions on how the human mind works in a millisecond.

Tools:
Not sure how this Twitter Chat thing works? Don’t fret. Read this and this

Ready and willing? Can’t wait? Same here. Help spread the word, invite your chatty friends and let’s make it a party!

Twitter chat with @urbansiren each Weds 12-1 pm EST this March to discuss designing a fantastic life. #SirenChat
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Design your life with entrepreneurs and social impact leaders each Weds 12-1 pm EST w/ @urbansiren #SirenChat
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Weds 12-1 pm in March we’ll discuss decision-making skills, gut instinct and more w/ @urbansiren #SirenChat
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Connect with likeminded thinkers exploring best practices for decision-making and productivity with @urbansiren
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Fan of #MalcolmGladwell and his book #Blink? Me too. #SirenChat each Weds 12-1 pm EST in March.
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Keep the conversation going in the comments section here and on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

 

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World You Love to Live In

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Photo: Courtesy of Death to the Stock Photo. Edited via Canva.

Leadership comes in an array of shapes and sizes. There are blow-hard, self-proclaimed gurus, “diminishers” who throw out the baby with the bathwater, and those who balance wisdom, strength and compassion. Toward the third end, I’m not sure anything tops Pujan Roka‘s book “Bhagavad Gita on Effective Leadership: Timeless Wisdom for Leaders.” I purchased this book several years ago and it’s a staple in my library. The concept of “servant leadership” is an effective approach to leading with integrity. Dig videos? Watch it for more on the subject with Mr. Roka providing the presentation and slideshow.

“The greatest leader is the one whose existence is hardly known.” ~ Tao-te-Ching, 500 BC, from Mr. Roka’s presentation.
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“Selflessness is the greatest leadership quality.” ~ Bhagavad Gita, 3,000 BC, from Mr. Roka’s presentation.
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Do you envision yourself as a certain type of leader? Do you have a great leadership lesson to share? Add your voice to the comments section, or leave your mark on Facebook, TwitterInstagram or Pinterest.

 

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My Pseudo Writing Sabbatical, or, Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain

Image courtesy of Death to the Stock Photo

It’s been one year since I’ve stopped by my own stomping ground to gain ground on my blogging. Perhaps you didn’t notice the cupboard was bare. A good hostess still leaves snacks out, but* I’ve been the good kind of busy. The working hard, securing new clients, co-launcing new businesses, completing trainings, honing new skills, documenting adventures, making new friends kind of busy. Do I get a hallway pass?

There will be two camps.

Ode to Camp Unforgiving: I appreciate the hard line drawn. If I were a better man, I’d have drawn it myself. I’ll reiterate that I don’t live right. Why bother with the if’s, but’s and whoops’s. It would have been simple to set aside a few minutes each morning and send word from me to you. Recording my lessons these last 365 days in business and life might have made for a reliable if not interesting read. Aren’t you like me? Don’t you sometimes find it difficult to write unless you make it a habit? If not daily, then regular at least? And what if you’re not so sure there’s value to share when the timer goes off?  Hapless musings to satisfy a self-imposed deadline. Yuck for all involved. Then again. Practice makes closer to perfect. The more you write, I’ve heard it said, the faster the good ideas flow. I’m down with that. I’m working on it. Be patient with me. No, don’t. I’ll get my act together and make you proud.

Ode to Camp Forgiving: That’s what I’m talking about. A little lightness. Fewer restrictions, fresh air, sunshine and time spent away from the screen is equally important as communicating the two-dimensional way. Magic has been happening whether I’m touting it or not. I haven’t had the time to write**, because I’ve been so busy doing all the things I promise to do for prospective and current clients and collaborators. Besides, since writing is ingrained in me, I can bust it out anytime.*** You knew I’d get back in the saddle someday. No hard feelings. We have plenty of time to catch up.

What’s left to do except share a peace offering and deflect the awkward attention I’ve drawn to myself by wearing the hat of Most Noble Content Curator. Look, these guys are doing well:

You Are Not So Smart

Brain Pickings

Blissbombed

Creative Rehab

The Grommet

Unmarketing

Bonus track: ProBlogger analyzes posting frequencies with a round-up of bloggers and why their style–frequent or not–works for them and their audience.

There. Are we even?

Procrastinators and writing wizards, share your comments below, on Facebook or on Instagram and name the super blog I forgot to mention.

*excuse ** hogwash ***be very, very careful

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