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Declaring Your Independence!

Freedom

We all know Independence Day is July 4th.  Other than our birthday and our mom’s, it’s the most important birthday to know. While celebrating our country’s freedom during the month of July, I challenge you to free yourself from something that is taxing you and holding you back. 

While any day is a great day to make yourself better, July does offer us that halfway point of the year to reflect. It is a great opportunity to declare “halftime” and see what we have accomplished and what we need to get after before the year ends. 

Have you worked hard this year? With six months to go it is indeed halftime. Celebrate your accomplishments, make needed adjustments, and win.  Ask yourself my favorite three questions: What do I need to keep doing? What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to start doing?

Whether you decide to live a healthier lifestyle, be a little more frugal, or work on a dream or bucket list, the fourth can be a day you look forward to for your personal independence. Give yourself this gift. Give your future self this gift. Each year, look back and celebrate the freedoms you have given yourself. 

Freedom from financial worry, a health crisis, stagnation are all possible with action.  In life there is always someplace to go. There is no summit.  Keep moving forward.  Movement is life itself. 

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and speed artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.KellyCroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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What You Don’t Say

KCcorporatespeaker

What you don’t say, says the most about you.

“Those who gossip to you, gossip about you,” is one of my favorite sayings. I remember it whenever anyone tries to entice me with a piece of gossip. I simply excuse myself. Usually, I say, “You’ll have to excuse me. I don’t know the whole story.”  And that’s really the point, isn’t it?  We never really know the whole story. So, why do people automatically want to jump on the less flattering and negative side? I guess we know why, and that tells us much about their character.

Our world has never had a greater ability to communicate than we do today. We communicate through social networking, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, texts, emails, and even video chatting, and more. Still, we find gossip and ill-will, more often than not, at the center of communication. Sad. It seems our ability to communicate has unfortunately improved our ability to gossip.

“Gossip is as hard to unspread as butter, ” another of my favorite quotes and it’s as accurate as it is funny. I see too many people’s lives being harmed by gossip and rumoring. Our digital age is adding a permanence to much of it and creating a so-called digital footprint.  Leaders must work to take care of their digital footprint and teach future generations to do the same.

Still, gossip is gossip no matter the form. We cannot allow a digital format to hold any more credence than word of mouth especially when its sole purpose is to harm. What we say and do behind others’ backs says more about our own character than it does about the person we are talking about. Gossiping is poison for any organization or leader. There is nothing but trouble to be gained by continuing a rumor or talking poorly about someone.

Parents and educators teach their children not to gossip and organizational leaders must teach it as well.

I encourage leaders to put an end to gossip in their personal lives and in their organization. Teach leadership that discourages all gossip and rumoring.  Address it outright by letting your people know, “we don’t talk like that here. That’s not what we’re about.”  Don’t assume that it is “understood” that gossiping is against our vision, make it clear.

“A man or woman should always be remembered by their best qualities,” another of my favorite quotes. When something negative comes up about someone else I choose to walk away or mention one of their endearing qualities. You can use a positive phrase to let someone know you’re uninterested in gossiping. For instance, when someone starts with a negative comment you can reply with some positive truth about the person, like, “Well, he sure knows a lot about marketing and gave a fantastic presentation last week.” They will get the idea.

We would think that adults would have a profound understanding about the dangers and improprieties of gossip,  but that is sadly not the case. Gossiping about others is bullying, a waste of creative energy, a cause of inefficiency and trouble in the workplace, and a count against a leader’s character.

Leaders make no room for gossip.

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and speed artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.KellyCroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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Why You Must Build a Leadership Factory

Leadership Factory

The journey toward wisdom is an essential quality of leadership, and a big part of acquiring wisdom is surrounding yourself with quality people each and every day. Some of you may have a choice in who will be part of your team or inner circle, so make your decisions carefully. Others will not have a choice of whom they will work closely with and lead. Regardless, wisdom is gained by not only making good choices, but nurturing everyone you work with into becoming world-class leaders. Grow the realm of your wisdom and invest in cultivating leadership. Create a leadership factory within your organization and produce leaders.

Help others become leaders by giving them leadership roles or responsibilities. Let them know they are leading and give them a framework to work within.   Tell them, “You will be

 leading our organization on this area.  I know you can do it. I want to give you plenty of freedom on this, but I do need a report or update on where you are at at close of each day and we certainly want to have this project completed by this date.” I know so many micromanagers that need to control too much of the organization that they never give anyone the opportunity to lead, to fail, to grow. Then they wonder why they have no leadership. You have to grow leaders and nurture them.

Offer those around you mentors to help them become better leaders, and by all means be an excellent and available role model yourself. Surround them with books, audio recordings, video, and other resources to help them become leaders. Make all of these resources easily available.  Send them to conferences, invite speakers, leave them notes of encouragement and helpful tips to follow. I have spoken at many workshops and provided leadership training and the comments are always the same, “I wish we would have done this sooner.” Leadership is something you have to manufacture. Start your leadership factory today.

Invite those you lead to reflect on leadership by writing an article for the newsletter or blog. Consider asking the promising leader to organize and lead a presentation on something they are all doing well. Ask their opinion about leadership topics and books they are reading on the topic. Engaging in this dialogue will highlight the importance of the qualities you want.

By all means, recognize those who lead. This will encourage everyone. Make leadership important and something that is identified and recognized. When recognition is implemented correctly it can increase retention, decrease absence, raise production, improve quality, change attitudes, and in general create a momentum of success and positive energy.

What ideas do you have about building a leadership factory within your organization? How will you prepare, train, equip, and acknowledge leaders? How will you design and build your leadership factory?

Leave your ideas in the comments below.

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.KellyCroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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The Perfect Day

KCBen

What would your perfect day look like? What would it need to include?

It’s fun to think about a perfect day, but of course, we realize, a perfect day isn’t really possible. Still, how great would it be if your day included most of these qualities you listed? Half? Some?  It would still be an incredible day, right?

I wonder how many of us aren’t even hitting one of these per day?  Why is that?  I’m guessing it’s because we didn’t make time for it and plan it into our day. Sure, conflicts come up and there can always be urgent tasks to finish, but planning some of what we love will brighten anyone’s day. Right?  Let’s remember to schedule blocks of time for some of the activities we enjoy doing along with all those pesky to-do items from our daily rat race.

We cannot have a great day if we don’t even know what it would look like, right? Let’s plan for it.

What does your day look like now? What do you need to start including?

I had the good fortune a few year’s back of asking David Blaine any one question I wanted, so I chose, “What is the most influential book you have ever read?” His answer to me? The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.  I did a quick search on iBooks and found it was a free book.  I downloaded it and began reading.  What a treasure trove of applicable life lessons.

Benjamin Franklin tried to live a perfect day and deduced that while it wasn’t possible, we can do much to improve our day.

Here is a peek at Ben’s schedule from 1750:

KCBFDay

I look at his day and I find some great advice that we can apply:

1) Begin Your Day With an Empowering Question: Franklin asks “What good shall I do this day?”  What questions are you asking yourself and are they empowering you? Create some great questions to help you get yourself moving in the direction you want.

2) Work is for Work: Franklin clearly establishes the need to focus and finish work while at work. He doesn’t bring anything home. Make the best use of your time when at work. Don’t bring work home. What a great philosophy. Make time for work and knock it out of the park, and when quitin’ time hits, well… enjoy yourself.

3) Make Time for Yourself: Franklin made time for himself each day. He balanced this in with his chores and work. He made time for himself. Too often I find if we don’t schedule what is meaningful it just doesn’t happen. To live without a schedule means leaving things to chance and that’s when we either don’t make time for things we enjoy, or we lose hours wandering the internet meaninglessly or watching way too much TV. Make time for yourself and balance it in your day.

4) Everything Has it’s Place: Rather than a huge spring cleaning, Franklin builds in time for organizing what he has. I will take the liberty to assume Franklin is somewhat of a minimalist and avoids clutter. Sure these could be chores around the house as well, but if so, it is not the all-encompassing chores many of us bury ourselves in each day.

5) Make Time for Reflection: I really like how Franklin ends his day in reflection, asking himself what good he has done. I think each of us needs to reflect at the end of the day and examine how we spent it. We should ask ourselves what we should keep doing, start doing, and stop doing. Reflection is key.

6) Rest is Important: For many, a good night’s sleep is negotiable, but not for Ben. he made it a priority and accounted for it. Rest is important to those who want to make the most of life. He didn’t over sleep. He kept to a schedule. He made sleep of equal importance in his day as all of his other activities.

7) Wake Early: We can see the Franklin woke up early and that this was important to him. When you look at his life it is amazing what all he accomplished. Waking early was clearly a key to his success.

Make your day great!

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.KellyCroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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Book Review: Fred 2.0 by Mark Sanborn

9781414362205_p0_v2_s260x420Want to deliver extraordinary results?

Read Fred 2.0 by Mark Sanborn.

Fred 2.0 by Mark Sanborn is the followup to his New York Times Bestseller, The Fred Factor. The Fred Factor was about providing extraordinary service, inspired by Mark’s postal carrier, Fred. The book was incredibly successful and I recommended it in my review to be included on every leaders’ bookshelf. The archetype of leadership Sanborn created in Fred served as a role model for leaders of all ages.

Sanborn is back with Fred 2.0: New Ideas on How to Keep Delivering Extraordinary Results. I proud to recommend this book to all leaders and anyone wanting to make their life more successful. Fred 2.0 is not just an updated version of his original work, it is a standout work of its own with more lessons on how to create extraordinary experiences for those your work with and lead.

Mark expounds on the four original “Fred” principles:

• Everybody can make a difference.

• Relationships are vital.

• It’s possible to add value in every area.

• You can keep reinventing yourself.

I work with leaders in education, business, families and various organizations, and Fred 2.0 has inspiring ideas for all.

The archetype of service leadership depicted by Fred the mailman is timeless because we understand it is obtainable by all. Whether we are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a seventh grade English teacher, a high school athlete hoping to become the captain of the team, or a husband and father trying to better connect and serve with his family, Fred 2.0 provides wonderful ideas on making an extraordinary difference.

In my art presentations and talks I talk about turning a mess into a masterpiece and making experiences in the classroom and business meaningful and memorable. Mark takes this concept even further and I love the stories he uses to emphasis his point on why we want to make ordinary jobs extraordinary. Mark offers us so many wonderful take-aways!

Read Fred 2.0 and allow Mark Sanborn help you to find your passion, invigorate your creativity, and inspire you to add your personal and memorable touch to all that you do. As Sanborn reminds us, being a Fred is about what we do, but rather, how we do it, and the person who benefits most from being a Fred is you.

I would love to see a copy of Fred 2.0 in every classroom, home, and business office because everything in the book is doable and will really make a difference. I can only imagine what the world might be like if we were all striving to make meaningful connections and experiences for each other. When we are at our best, we are being a Fred.

If you want to make an impact in the lives of others and fully embrace and utilize all that you can as a leader, you will want to pick up and read a copy of Fred 2.0.

I found Fred 2.0 inspiring and full of great ideas to help me deliver extraordinary results in many areas of my life. Add this to your bookshelf and visit Mark Sanborn’s website.

You can order a copy on Amazon here.

Always forward,

Kelly

I am a professional speaker, and I would like to speak at your event.

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
Twitter: @kellycroy
Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast
and of course: Facebook.

Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.

 

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We Need You! Creating a Culture of Engagement

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People need to hear the words, “We need you.”

If you want an engaged work force, they need to know they are valued!

Write a note. Make a call. Announce it in your newsletter.

Let your employees, family members, and teammates know you need them, and that they add value on a regular basis. Don’t wait until the yearly evaluation or exit interviews, or when there’s a problem to let them know. Let them know what their purpose is on your team, whether it’s business, sports, or home, regularly.

People Matter.

Everyone in your organization needs to be reminded of how they play a part. Remind them that they are a part of the team and a part of the vision.

Communication as a leader is crucial and one the most important messages you can deliver is reminding each member how they contribute to the overall vision and success.

Never let anyone feel like they aren’t a part of the big picture. Each member should personalize the organization’s vision with a specific emphasis on their role.

Many companies and programs struggle with retention. It’s a costly problem for organizations because they have to retrain and cover the absence.  This is true in sports programs, corporations, and everywhere people work together for a common goal. People leave because they no longer feel they have anything to contribute and that is primarily the fault of the leader. Take the time to review regularly with your team their role, responsibilities, and contributions. This vital step will eliminate most problems before they arise.

Most retention problems don’t occur because of salaries, playing time, bonuses, or awards.  People leave and become disengaged because they no longer feel they matter. They feel unwanted and have no purpose. Everyone wants to have a purpose.

A problem with retention isn’t just a financial concern, it also speaks volumes of your organization and your leadership. It grows and becomes a marketing problem, customer service problem, and more. Why do people keep leaving? Why can’t they keep people? Do I want to part of something where you feel undervalued and unappreciated?  No. No one does.

Good leaders communicate that purpose to each member regularly. They connect the member to the vision, and the vision to the member.  Making the connection doesn’t have to be all praise either. Sometimes the leader can make show the person’s value by correcting how they aren’t contributing to the vision fully. Express the words, “We need you.  You are an important part of our vision. You matter.”

If a member needs redirection well that becomes part of the regular informal evaluation process. You can identify an area for improvement in a positive way.  We have to do what our boss says, yet we want to do what the leader says. Big difference. Leaders are able to make everyone stand an inch taller, work a little harder, and on occasion do what shouldn’t even be possible. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s amazing. Maybe you have too. We remember these leaders, and we remember they didn’t accomplish it through fear. People wanted to give to the bigger vision.

As the leader you need to communicate the sentiment : As the leader, I acknowledge the contribution you make to our overall vision, and it is important.  Or even more simply: What you do matters. You matter.  This needs to be done with every person on the team. From the designer of the product to the person that delivers it.

Once that person feels (not just hears) that sentiment, you can help them grow in ways to make an even stronger contribution to what your organization is all about.

 

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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The Secret to a Successful Resolution: Fail Again and Again!

Kelly croy artist speaker educator

The starting point of anything can be a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first time.

If it’s a race, you might compare yourself to other runners, question the course, or start predicting what could go wrong. If it’s a financial goal, your initial deposit may look so minuscule in comparison to the total amount needed that you begin to second guess even starting.

Goals, resolutions, and habits are what transform us and bring out the best in us, but they really don’t need to be complex and stressful. They need to be fun and engaging.

Run your race, not the guy’s next to you. Plan your financial portfolio, not your coworkers’. Create your plan and personalize your goals with your life.

A new year, a birthday, the start of the month, even the first day of the week can provide us with an opportunity to begin something new, begin something needed, and chart a new course. It’s nice to have those clean-slate moments on the calendar.  Embrace them. Use them to your advantage!  It’s also important to remember, any time is a good time to start something worthwhile.

Most people abandon a resolution because they mess up and ruin a ‘perfect run’ of the habit they wanted to create. Well, don’t worry. You’re going to mess up, miss a day, and make a mistake.  That’s part of the success formula.

The secret to successful resolutions is what you do after you had a setback. You just start again. It really is that simple, but so many fail because they refuse to begin again.

Fail, fail, fail, your way to success. Edison’s 10,000 lightbulb filament failures, and Disney’s 300 failed attempts to find a financial backer, combined with every person who’s ever lost weight, quit an addiction, destroyed debt, or ran a race will remind of us that setbacks will occur and we must persist. Failure is a key ingredient.

When you fail give yourself a opportunity to adjust, make corrections, and set a new course. Perhaps you need to consult someone who has had some success in this area, but don’t wait. Keep failing. Keep collecting data. Keep trying. Never wait until you have the equipment, money or time, because you never will. Just start.

Start!

Many people, myself included, find great value in writing goals and resolutions down and keeping a journal of the progress. Maybe you will too. Try it.  There is no wrong way to begin anything.

I am firmly convinced that if you make 364 attempts at anything, by the 365th you’re going to be pretty darn good at it and see some major accomplishments.

Good luck.

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825

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Before Booking Your Next Speaker…

So you want to be a professional speaker

I share my art and words with dozens of organizations each year as a professional speaker.  I help meeting planners make their events, one everyone will remember. I have had the honor of working alongside some of the top event planners in the nation, as well as some big names in the speaking and entertainment industry. I know first hand how important it is to make a good decision when booking a speaker.

I believe there are some key areas to focus on, and important questions to ask when booking a speaker:

Presentation

  • Will the speaker customize the presentation? If so, to what degree, and how?
  • Is the speaker entertaining as well as informative?
  • How will the speaker’s presentation be unique from those we have had in the past?
  • Is the speaker appropriate for our audience?
  • Where in our program will the speaker be most effective? At the beginning? Before a meal?

Lasting Impact

  • Will the speaker’s words and presentation be remembered?
  • What will our audience take away after the presentation?
  • Does the speaker leave anything behind, or when he walks out the door, is that it?
  • Will the speaker be accessible before or after the presentation to the audience, and if so, to what degree?

Business Matters

  • Does the speaker or his office respond quickly to emails and calls?
  • Does the speaker’s fee fit within our organization’s budget?
  • Will the speaker offer any products to our audience?
  • Does the speaker have a press kit, contract, and other materials to help us in the decision making process?
  • What travel fees and other expenses will we need to cover?
  • What will our responsibility be after booking the speaker?
  • Can the speaker provide samples and testimonials?

These are questions to discuss with your speaker before booking him or her for your event. The process should be a discussion.  If the speaker or his staff is difficult to work with during this preliminary stage, then it is a good bet he isn’t right for your event.

I am proud of the presentations I have created and shared over the years, and my clients are happy to share their praise.

If you are considering me for your event, rest assured that:

  • my words, artwork, and computer animation will be customized for you!
  • my presentations are fun and inspiring for everyone in the room.
  • I will work with you to make your event one everyone will be talking about years later.
  • my assistant and I will respond to your inquires quickly and thoroughly.
  • I will leave behind a HUGE six foot by eight foot signed original piece of art, and customized art print for everyone!
  • you will enjoy working with me, and you will be provided with the materials needed to make an informed decision.

Here are just a few of the ways my presentations are used:

  • conference keynote presentations.
  • corporate leadership meetings.
  • award and recognition dinners.
  • annual meetings and banquets.
  • leadership events.
  • anywhere inspiration and entertainment are needed.

Kelly Croy is a professional speaker and artist.

He has entertained and amazed audiences across the nation

with his art and words. 

Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

www.kellycroy.com

1-800-831-4825