Permanent link for Mentoring Monday - March 21, 2022 on March 21, 2022

Women's History Month

Inspirational Quotes from Influential Insiders and Innovators

“We all work very hard to fit in. We don’t like to highlight our differences as female or focus on being women” – Maggie Woodward, Commander General, U.S. Air Force

“When Detroit Tiger GM Jim Campbell told me, ‘Over my dead body you’ll go into our Tiger Clubhouse,’ I knew I had to open those locker rooms – not just for my own credibility, but for every woman sports reporter who would come after me.” – Anne Doyle, TV Sports Broadcaster

“The torch is being passed to a new gender. There’s no doubt in my mind that we women will lift up that torch. We will carry it. And we will light a new way forward.” – Maria Shriver, Journalist, Author

“Leaders grow by jumping into the refining fire of a crucible and coming out changed. Leadership is a performing art that can only be learned through action.” – Mary O’Hara
Devereau, Author, Navigating the Badlands

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women.” – Madeleine Albright, Former Secretary of State
__________
Source: Powering Up! How America’s Women Achievers Became Leaders, by Anne Doyle

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Monday - March 21, 2022 on March 21, 2022.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - March 14, 2022 on March 14, 2022

Salute to Women’s History Month   

During March, we celebrate Women’s History Month. Governor Gretchen Whitmer recognizes the contributions of women in our state with these words:

“This month, we look to our past and honor those who secured footholds in the halls of power, shattered glass ceilings, and broke down doors to opportunity. . . .  Each and every day, women across Michigan step up in incredible ways to get things done. But these are tough times, especially for women. That’s why we must work together to create better opportunities for women and in an economy that supports them and their families. I’ll keep working with anyone to create even more progress for women.” 

To the women of the MI-ACE Women’s Network, we salute you and express our sincere appreciation for all that you do for the advancement of women in higher education, not only during March but every day of every year. 

Thank you!    

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - March 14, 2022 on March 14, 2022.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 2.28.2022 on February 28, 2022

“Attitude is the Difference Maker” 

We share with you this week the following excerpt entitled “Attitude is the Difference Maker” from John C. Maxwell’s book “The Choice is Yours.”

What’s all the fuss about attitude? Does it really make a difference? You bet it does! Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude. When facing an opponent of equal ability, the right attitude can give you the edge. Who enjoys everything more, sees more opportunities, and lives life with greater enthusiasm? The individual with the best attitude. As you examine your attitude and decide what to make it, remember these truths:

No matter what, your attitude is a choice. Circumstances may not be of your choosing, but your attitude is all yours. 

It’s easier to maintain the right attitude than to regain it. Fight to develop a positive attitude, and then don’t let it slip.

Your attitude determines your actions. Your outlook will determine your life’s outcomes more than any other single factor.

The people you lead reflect the attitude you possess. If you have any responsibility for others, as a boss, parent, or volunteer leader, the attitude of your people is a reflection of your own.

Tolstoy tells us that “happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.”  Your attitude makes the difference.

__________ 

Sources:  a) Quote from Leo Tolstoy; b) Excerpt from John C. Maxwell’s book entitled “The Choice is Yours: Today’s Decisions for the Rest of Your Life.”

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 2.28.2022 on February 28, 2022.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 1-24.2022 on January 24, 2022

“When We Learn”

As we approach the third year of dealing with the coronavirus and its variants, we find it difficult at times to face the day and do our jobs. It is during these difficult times when true leaders stand out – when they “live their purpose.”  

In today’s environment, many of us work remotely and often wonder what challenges lie ahead.   What will be the take-away lessons learned for leaders of the future? Here are some lessons that we have already learned that will sustain us and provide the momentum to continue serving and shaping the lives of others: 

 - Every person has been given the gift of a unique self, and the purpose of life is to share the very best of that gift with the world;

- We can’t control the world around us, but we are the masters of our souls;

- The emergence of good or bad qualities depends on the help given or hurt inflicted by others;

- When times of hardship ravage one’s outer shell, they can enhance one’s character and perspective;

- There is pleasure in the power of lifting others up, not in the pseudo-power of pushing them down;

- Praise from others is flattering but meaningless if it is not matched by self-respect. 

Here is a quote from an unknown source to remember in these difficult days: “Life is a miracle to be lived.” As a leader, you are in a unique position of trust; accordingly, learn how to muster up the energy to keep leading and sharing the best that you have to help others succeed. 

_______________

Source: Excerpts from Chicken Soup for the Soul, “101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit.” 

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 1-24.2022 on January 24, 2022.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 1-17-2022 on January 17, 2022

“National Mentoring Month”

January is National Mentoring Month and we want to urge you to celebrate the mentoring relationship that you may have at this time. If you are not in a mentoring relationship, we urge you to start one today.

Make a meaningful impact on someone’s professional development. In a 2019 report, 71% of mentors and 86% of mentees stated that mentoring impacted their professional growth and success. “In its ideal form, mentoring acts as a perfect circle – a mentor shares their expertise and guidance with a mentee, and the mentee returns the favor to mentor another.”

Great mentors must be able to both “talk the talk” and “walk the walk.”  According to an article from Forbes Magazine, below are the qualities of a good mentor: 

- A desire to develop and help others. A good mentor is sincerely interested in helping someone else without any “official” reward. Good mentors do it because they genuinely want to see someone else succeed.

 - The ability and availability to commit real time and energy to the mentoring relationship. Good intentions aren’t enough—mentoring takes time!

-  Current and relevant industry or organizational knowledge, expertise, and/or skills. The best mentors have deep knowledge in an area that the mentee wishes to develop.

- A willingness to share failures and personal experiences. Mentors need to share both their “how I did it right” and their “how I did it wrong” stories. Both experiences provide valuable opportunities for learning.

- A growth mindset and learning attitude. The best teachers have always been and always will be those who remain curious learners themselves. Would you rather be advised by someone whose mind is shut because he knows it all or by someone whose mind is open because she is always looking to deepen her knowledge?

- Skill in developing others. This includes the very real skills of: active listening, asking powerful, open-ended questions, self-reflection, providing feedback and being able to share stories that include personal anecdotes, case examples, and honest insight.

There is no better time than now to share your expertise – become a mentor today!  

__________ 

Forbes Magazine, Editor’s Pick, January 2019

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 1-17-2022 on January 17, 2022.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 1-10-2022 on January 10, 2022

“Seven Signs of True Strength in A Leader”

“Strength and weakness, it’s a fine line for sure. Neither a singular heroic moment nor a moment of weakness can define you as a leader. The larger pattern of your life tells the real story.

Further, it’s easier to recognize true strength when in contrast to an opposing pressure you face.

In that light, here are seven comparisons that help us see and develop a pattern over the course of our life that reflects and reveals true strength as a leader.”

1)   Strength to forgive when wronged

If you have been leading for some time, you undoubtedly have been hurt, wronged, or perhaps even betrayed. Thankfully, it’s not frequent, but it is part of leadership, and each hit takes its cumulative toll. Forgiving others isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. If you are unable to forgive, you will likely become bitter, and bitter makes you smaller, which causes your leadership to shrink.

2) Strength to love and care for others

Here we are not talking about a romantic love but the agape love for your fellowman. Love and forgiveness are closely related, but forgiveness is mainly internal, and love and caring demonstrates itself in outward actions. You never know how a simple smile when addressing someone can lift the burdens of the day. On a practical level, the best way to consistently care about the welfare of others is to make the decision to do so. 

3) Strength to take risks when fearful

Taking a risk is often considered in connection to the external issue your decision is based upon, like hiring a particular staff member or launching a new initiative. However, the fear of taking a risk is connected more internally to the level of your personal strength than externally based on the size or gravity of the decision at hand. To be sure, when making a decision on a huge risk, the stakes are higher, and you are wise to be cautious.

4) Strength to stand under pressure 

Over the past eighteen months or so, the pressure leaders have faced has risen dramatically.  Have you felt it? Of course, you have. Now for the more difficult question. Under all the pressures you face today, how well are you standing for your deep beliefs and convictions? No leader wants to crumble under pressure, but because of their strong beliefs and convictions, they are willing to stand strong.

5) Strength to give when empty

Our role as leaders is to serve and set examples. In essence, it is to give. A leader gives in so many ways: making good decisions, solving problems, absorbing criticism, resolving relational conflict, and the list goes on. Giving of yourself on a consistent basis, even when you practice a healthy lifestyle, can occasionally leave your tank on empty. It’s in those moments that your strength to continue giving is tested. What are you doing today to refill your tank so you can continue to give to others?

6) Strength to press on when overwhelmed

When many of the things you once knew or at least thought you knew about leading an organization no longer seem valid, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. But consider this.

The need for change, even difficult change, has always been part of leadership. The difference today is not what you are facing; it’s the speed at which you must face it. It can be overwhelming. What is the remedy? Know your margin for error; allow time to think, and rest.

7) Strength to walk away when tempted.

It is important to know that the inability to say “no” to just one serious temptation could jeopardize your integrity or remove you from leadership. This is true leadership strength.

 ___________ 

Source: Dan Reiland, Pastors’ Leadership Coach, edited excerpts from Newsletter, 12Stone Church Resources 

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays 1-10-2022 on January 10, 2022.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - Closing out 2021 on December 27, 2021

May January 1, 2022, be the start of success, joy,  and happiness in your life!

As we bid farewell to another challenging year, we write to convey our sincere appreciation for your support of the Michigan American Council on Education (MI-ACE) Women’s Network. As stated so beautifully by State Chair, Dr. Linda Logan, “It is our Network's mission to offer the professional development, networking, partnering, and engagement opportunities that provide an ever-increasing pool of talent to our Michigan campuses. We provide substantial links with other professional fields, peer-to-peer mentoring, and a long list of programs that help our members achieve career success and our campuses to thrive.”

On behalf of the MI-ACE Professional Development Committee, thank you for learning and growing with us throughout the past year. Following is a recap of our Mentoring Mondays journey in 2021:
 

December 2021

“Life-Changing Decisions, Life-Changing Actions”

“Pushing Past the One-Yard Line and Breaking through to Peak Performance”

“Powering Growth through Momentum”

November 2021

“Choosing Success – Every Day”

“Expanding Your Possibilities for Growth – Seven Minutes at a Time”

“Discovering Your Purpose and Passion”

“The Seven Minute Difference”

“Self-Care Strategies for Faculty”

October 2021

“Creating a Success Culture – Revised Version”

“What Is Your Leadership Battle Cry?”

Investing In and Supporting Women’s Leadership in Higher Education

“Your Leadership Mission Should Fit on a T-Shirt”

~ Summer Recess ~

June 2021

6/28 “Your Personal Brand”

May 2021

Salute to MI-ACE members transitioning to the role of college president

Celebrating the accomplishments of women leaders within our member institutions

Thanks & Recognition: MI-ACE Executive Board “Advancing Women Engagement Plan”

Salute to IRs: The Role of a MI-ACE Institutional Representative

April 2021

“‘Little Miracles’ Happen When We Affect Others”

“Creating a Success Culture”

“The One Question you Need to Ask Yourself before You Say Anything”

March 2021

The History of Women’s Suffrage in Michigan

Celebrating Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees

Salute to women leading higher education institutions in the state of Michigan

International Women’s Day

“23 Powerful Tips to Help Women Leaders Succeed”

February 2021

Salute to Alexa Irene Canady, M.D.

Salute to “Fly Girl” Vernice Armour

Salute to Sojourner Truth

January 2021

Salute to Amanda S. C. Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate

Salute to the women nominated for U.S. Presidential Cabinet Secretary positions

“Women Who Speak for Biden”

Salute to Kamala D. Harris, the first female Vice President

~ TOGETHER WE'RE BETTER ~

Carnation: The flower of January

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - Closing out 2021 on December 27, 2021.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - December 20, 2021 on December 20, 2021

“Life-Changing Decisions, Life-Changing Actions”

The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Changes, by Allyson Lewis, is an exploration of the process of change and how the decision to change itself is the first step to a journey of transformation.

“The process of change unfolds over time. In fact, we can only reach our finest goals, realize our biggest dreams, and fulfill our true purpose by embracing change as a constant condition of our lives.  In other words, change happens in an instant, and takes a lifetime.”

In this final entry, we summarize the closing chapter in this small book that gives us the key to big change through small actions. Change is not a finite event. It is not something you can complete on a timetable.  There comes a point where we realize that we want more – that we want to become different, become more tomorrow than we are today. That is the moment when your change begins. You might not feel or see it but you have set the wheels of change in motion.

Unlock the power of the tools you have identified in the micro-actions during the past five weeks. Step into the path of change with conviction and commitment. “You may be just a heartbeat away from achieving more, becoming more and enjoying more. Focus on the goals and purpose that represent life-changing actions to carry you on your journey. . . . Pursue the things that matter . . . . Unleash the power of your mind. You may have heard the expression ‘If you can believe it, you can achieve it’ – nothing can take you further or make more of a difference in your life than the incredible power of your mind.”

Our brains are more powerful than any of us can truly realize. Saying positive statements aloud, visualizing the outcome with our eyes, and embedding future expectations in our conscious and subconscious mind can make those expectations a reality. Below is our final micro-action to perform.

Micro-Action: Feeding your mind with positive images -- When you wake up in the morning, read these statements out loud:

•  I can be more today than I was yesterday.
• My purpose in life is to serve others and make their lives better. I have been given wonderful gifts and talents and I have the courage today to ‘paint the canvas’ of my life. I am blessed beyond measure and today I will be grateful and enjoy my life.

Are you IN or are you OUT? The decision is yours. “You simply draw a line in the sand and you say, today I choose to be different.”

__________________

Source: The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Changes, by Allyson Lewis, Kaplan Publishing.

WISHING EVERYONE THE HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS!

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - December 20, 2021 on December 20, 2021.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - December 13, 2021 on December 13, 2021

“Pushing Past the One-Yard Line and Breaking through to Peak Performance”

In this week’s review of The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Changes , the author compares one’s quest for success to a football game. For those of us who are sports fans, this makes sense. You push off from the starting line and march down the field to your opponent’s one-yard line.  Suddenly, the defense gets strong, and the offense seems to grow nervous and cannot push through that last one-yard into the end zone. Thus, having to settle for less than complete success.

“In life, as in football, winning matters. No matter how much energy, effort, and attention we devote to getting ‘almost’ there, if we fall short of achieving our goals we never enjoy the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with true success. Even though we ran 99 yards, if we cannot move past the one-yard line toward our own peak performance, we have to settle for less.” What happened? Did our opponents hold us back? Or was it a lack of confidence, commitment, strategy or action? Sometimes we create our own one-yard line barriers that prevent us from fully realizing our potential and achieving peak performance.

With seven-minute ideas and micro-actions, you can destroy the self-defeating barriers to inaction, indecision, insecurity and unpreparedness that can prevent you from reaching your own end-zone of success. “In every organization only a portion of the people achieve real success. Those people who make it to the top are those who have torn down the artificial barriers of procrastination and indecision. You can be one of those people, too.” Don’t abandon your purpose. As we learned in earlier chapters of this book, by aligning your choices, priorities and dreams, you direct your actions toward achieving your goals and fulfilling your purpose.

Go back and review your earlier micro-action exercises and ask yourself these questions:

• Are you putting your purpose as a leader, teacher, mentor or supporter to work?
• Do your goals, beliefs, and actions align with your purpose?
• Does your vision accurately reflect your passion, desires, and purpose or do you need to reexamine your mission in life?

Think about this seven-minute idea: “What we do for others is often what brings us the greatest joy and fulfillment in life.” If your mission/purpose is based on feeding your ego in an organization that serves the public, you may fall short of the end-zone. Do you remember the story of the farmer who placed a jar over a pumpkin blossom? The blossom could have grown into a magnificent pumpkin but the limitations imposed by the thin glass barrier confined its growth. Don’t let your ego or other barriers limit your growth. Here are some micro-actions to get you back on track toward breaking through to peak performance:

Micro-Action: Assessing your room for growth – Take the next seven to ten minutes to assess your skills. What hopes, dreams, activities make your heart pound and your palms sweat? What do you love most? What makes you willing to push through the tough times?

Micro-Action: Discovering and living your mission – Take seven minutes to read through the words below and identify those that are connected to your mission in life.  Then create your own list of terms you might use to describe your mission: 

educate                       peace                           vision

motivate                      patience                      clarify

encourage                   kindness                      strategic

love                             teach                           prioritize

hope                            play                             organize

joy                               serve                            simplify

work                            feed                             team

passion                        lead                             follow

creativity                     advocate                      flexible

faith                            health                          write

Micro Action: Setting One-Yard Line Goals – What are your one-yard line goals? What one-yard line goals would make a difference in your life? Consider some of these:

• Could you accomplish 5 percent more by increasing your activity level at work every day?
• Could you handwrite two or more thank-you notes a day to your colleagues telling them how important they are to you?
• Are you willing to take 15 minutes at the end of every day to create a written plan of action for the next day (a “to do” list would be sufficient)?
• Can you push yourself to make sure that you are truly creating the image that you want to project?

The final micro-action for this entry is to take seven minutes and set some one-yard line goals for this week and, each day, check the list to determine whether you have made it to the end zone.

Good luck! We are cheering for you!

__________________

Source: The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Changes, by Allyson Lewis, Kaplan Publishing.

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - December 13, 2021 on December 13, 2021.

Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - December 6, 2021 on December 6, 2021

“Powering Growth through Momentum”

“Don’t you love those wonderful days when you wake up before your alarm clock goes off, your hair looks just right, you hit all the green lights on the way to work, you have a great day planned, and with every minute that passes things just keep getting better and better? . . . . You are on a roll!”

That perfect start to your day is called momentum. We have been learning about the power of small changes. Once you get the ball rolling toward change in your personal and professional life, you begin powering the process of growth. Your momentum speeds you through the challenges of daily life and even helps you overcome those large obstacles that periodically stand in your path.

“The process of powering growth through momentum involves five stages:

• Identifying your starting point;
• Aligning your energies with your life’s purpose and passion to begin the process of change;
• Drawing upon your strengths to create a strategy that will shape your identity;
• Creating systems to regularly feed growth;
• Keeping your growth on track toward long-term goals.”

One of the great lessons in life is that it is the difficult times that strengthen us. One writer puts it this way “great leaders stand out when times are hard.” Hard times or challenges can force us to stop and re-evaluate and create a plan for pushing through. As you begin to re-evaluate your life, focus on your purpose and passion and the goals you set a few weeks back. Don’t take your eyes off your purpose and passion – keep the ball rolling and continue to gain momentum. 

The author of “The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Change,” focused her attention on growth in the following four areas:

• Education: She read more, studied, and attended conferences to increase her understanding of her profession (financial advisor);
• Productivity: She wanted to improve her understanding of the current technology;
• Organization: She wanted to de-clutter her work environment and create a system of paper management to make her life more efficient;
• Processes and Systems: She wanted to implement repeatable processes and systems to increase customer satisfaction.

Wherever you are in your professional life, you must decide to move toward meaningful change if that is your goal. You need to understand what is sweeping you along your current trajectory.  The following micro-actions can aid in getting you started:

Micro-Action: Describe your starting point by asking yourself a series of questions, such as:

a)     Does your job allow you to utilize your gifts and talents fully?

b)     Is a lack of skills preventing you from moving forward in your company/institution?

c)     Are you able to share your strengths in your current workplace?

d)     Are you really in the right career?

After completing the analysis of your “starting point,” take the necessary steps to get the ball rolling – align your work with your purpose, passion, and strengths in order to gain momentum.

Micro-Action:  In the next seven minutes, write the answers to the questions in the first micro-action.

Micro-Action:  If you want to be different, you must create a strategy and your story. We spoke in previous weeks about developing your elevator speech – a statement that sets you apart from others in your professional environment. 

Micro Action:  Create your story.  Your story gives you a competitive advantage. Take seven to ten minutes to describe your story. 

If some of these micro-actions appear to be repetitive, remember that change does not happen instantly. We have to be persistent in our efforts. We have to keep doing some things until they become second-nature. “We have to practice changing day after day in order to become a different person and to use the momentum of each day’s successes to power on through a lifetime of growth and development.”

________________

Source: The Seven Minute Difference: Small Steps to Big Changes, by Allyson Lewis, Kaplan Publishing.

Posted on Permanent link for Mentoring Mondays - December 6, 2021 on December 6, 2021.