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By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Solutions  Wow, another breathtaking, nerve-racking performance by the Kansas City Chiefs! They've done it again with two Super Bowl championships two years in a row. But one thing I've learned is that Patrick Mahomes is inevitable. He and this incredible team are at their best when under fire. If you've been reading my blogs or newsletters for a while, you probably know I'm a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. One thing I love to do is to bring to light leadership lessons from this amazing team! And this is one of those instances. I could write about so many players on this team, but I'd like to highlight Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, both wide receivers who came up huge in this game. They each caught touchdown passes that cemented winning the Super Bowl. Here are some leadership tips stemming from their play in this game that I believe we can embrace to become more effective leaders: 1. Never Give Up and Never Give in When the cards are stacked against you, rearrange the cards! Until the playoffs, Marquez had dropped the ball so many times that they lost one game to the Philadelphia Eagles as a direct result of a drop. Things were so bad throughout the season that many fans wanted him off the team. But he became a hero in these playoffs, scoring the go-ahead touchdown for the Chiefs in the Super Bowl and securing a clutch catch that cemented KC's win to go to the big game. He proved the naysayers wrong to help the Chiefs win the Super Bowl. Leadership Tip: stay determined to achieve your goals, no matter what obstacles or challenges stand in your way. Keep focused, keep learning, and keep showing up. Doing so will make all the difference in the world. 2. When Your Name is Called, Be Ready Mecole was released midseason from the New York Jets, returning to the Chiefs, who had drafted him. He rarely received targets for much of the season up until the playoff game with the Buffalo Bills. Twice in that game, he fumbled the ball and jeopardized the game. It was not a good day! However, according to Patrick Mahomes, he kept working to get better. And it paid off. In the Super Bowl, he came up big, scoring the winning touchdown. He showed up when it mattered most. Leadership Tip: don't allow negative occurrences in your past to shape your future. Keep working, stay positive and determined so you'll be ready to succeed when your name is called. As business leaders, we would all do well to embrace these qualities: through never giving up, preparing ourselves to serve well, and envisioning our success, we will become better equipped to lead with excellence. # # # Speaking of excellence, that's one thing I love to help companies achieve—seamless sales and marketing operations that generate increased revenue. One of the ways I do that is through CRM optimization. If you want to improve your CRM, I have a freebie for you! My FREE 5-Step CRM Guide will help show the way. Click the button below to get started!
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By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Image by freepik One of my favorite types of blogs I create is about leadership quotes. They are bite-sized nuggets of wisdom that are quick to digest and apply to our lives. I hope you'll find this selection as inspiring as I do! # # # You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand. --Woodrow Wilson # # # A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. --Douglas MacArthur # # # Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe # # # There are no office hours for leaders. --Cardinal J. Gibbons # # # The important thing is this: to be able to give up in any given moment all that we are for what we can become. –DeSeaux # # # Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway. --Eleanor Roosevelt # # # Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult. --Warren Bennis # # # There exist limitless opportunities in every industry. Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier. --Charles F. Kettering # # # The highest of distinctions is service to others. --King George VI # # # Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. --Harold R. McAlindon # # # Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar. --Orrin Woodward # # # This last quote echoes my passion for helping organizations raise their bar of excellence, and here’s proof! I once asked a client what sets me apart from other consultants. He said that I ensure my clients can stand on their own two feet after I'm done, giving them all the tools they need to thrive. Some might say that's not great for my business, but I see it differently. My goal is to empower my clients to be the best they can be, and building self-sufficiency is a big part of that. Want to dive deeper into how I can do this for your business? I specialize in jump-starting and managing long-standing projects, improving processes and automating them, or sprucing up your marketing and sales capabilities. If that's you, I'm offering a FREE 30-minute consultation. Hit the button below to book some time on our calendars! By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Image by freepik With things rapidly changing in the world, business leaders often have too many irons in the fire, and sometimes, leadership development takes a backseat for them. That's why I really like leadership quotes. They are a bite-size lesson in practical leadership principles that can help sharpen our saws, even during the busiest times. Here are a few that caught my eye recently. I've wrapped them around an experience I had early in my leadership journey to further illustrate their power. # # # A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and help those who are doing well to do even better. -Jim Rohn At one large company I worked for, I had been in my position for a while and had accomplished great things, but I didn't see any possibilities for challenging work on the horizon. I was performing at a lower level than I could because I was bored with the status quo. That's when the best boss I ever had stepped in. He presented me with the idea of running a Voice of the Customer process team for the whole company, and I accepted his offer. This new role instantly energized me, and through the process, I gained additional skills that were key to launching my consulting firm after I left the company. # # # A leader takes people where they would never go on their own. - Hans Finzel My boss instinctively knew I would not volunteer for such a role because I lacked confidence in my ability to lead during that career phase. Offering this role signified that he was confident in my ability to excel, which paved the way to my success. # # # Leaders instill in their people a hope for success and a belief in themselves. Positive leaders empower people to accomplish their goals. -Unknown Not only did offering the role boost my confidence, he consistently encouraged me that I was doing a great job. His belief empowered me to lead with excellence. Not only that, the experience I gained gave me the skills to launch my own business later on down the line. # # # If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams My boss demonstrated this truth by living out these principles. His consistent encouragement, wisdom, and coaching in my new role were life-changing. You never know how actions like this can change an employee's life trajectory! As leaders, if we can do the same with those who follow our lead, we will have led well. Speaking of leading well, if you haven't subscribed to my LinkedIn Newsletter, Leading Well, I'd love for you to jump on the bandwagon! Click on the button below to subscribe. By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Image by Royharryman on Pixabay If you’ve been reading my blogs or newsletters for a while, you probably know I’m a huge Kansas City Chief’s fan. One thing I love to do is to bring to light leadership lessons from this amazing team! One person I’d like to highlight this week is defensive back Jaylen Watson. His story is so inspirational, and his knack last year for game-changing plays was instrumental in the Chiefs run to the Super Bowl. Here’s an example of that. In the first game in the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, he intercepted the ball near the Chargers end zone and ran it back for a 99-yeard touchdown. That’s pretty amazing in itself, one of the longest “Pick 6s” in Chiefs history and the longest go-ahead fourth-quarter Pick 6 by a rookie in NFL history. Here are some leadership tips from his life that I believe we can embrace to become more effective leaders: 1. Never Give Up and Never Give in When the cards are stacked against you, rearrange the cards! Jaylen did that after he flunked out of USC. He realized the necessity to turn things around. So, when he landed at Washington State, he worked hard and got straight A’s while beginning to make a name for himself on the football field. Leadership Tip: stay determined to achieve your goals, no matter what obstacles or challenges stand in your way. 2. When Your Name is Called, Be Ready Jaylen wasn't even supposed to be playing in this game. Trent McDuffie, a fellow rookie, was injured in the season opener. Jaylen was the next man up. In his own words, he said, "I've just been working my butt off, and if the time came where someone went down, I was going to be ready and prepared, and that's what happened.” Leadership Tip: stay proactive in your day-to-day professional life. Sharpen your saw through learning opportunities. Make the most of mentoring relationships. Stay on top of your obligations, and don't forget to pass your wisdom on to others. 3. Anticipate Great Things to Happen In a post-game interview, Jaylen said he woke up knowing he would get a Pick-6. Since he was a rookie and a seventh-round NFL draft pick (the bottom-of-the-barrel talent, in NFL speak), he knew the tests would come early from the Chargers quarterback. And when it happened, he was ready. Leadership Tip: envision your success, knowing you'll succeed in whatever comes your way. Be confident that great opportunities are on the horizon. # # # As business leaders, we would all do well to embrace these qualities: through never giving up, preparing ourselves to serve well, and envisioning our success, we will become better equipped to lead with excellence. Speaking of leading with excellence, Michael Cantu and I discuss how to do this in our best-selling book, No-Nonsense Digital Transformation. We cover quite a few topics on leading well: transforming culture and mindset, effective project planning, and building productive teams, to name a few. This book would still be an excellent read, even if you're not interested in digital transformation! If you want to learn more, click the button below! By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Photo by Elijah Macleod on Unsplash In leadership, influence is the cornerstone of effectiveness. A leader's ability to inspire, guide, and shape the future hinges on their power to influence others. So many books exist on this topic - it may be a challenge to know where to start! For that reason, here's a quick 3-minute read to help you increase your leadership influence quotient: 1. Expand Your Knowledge Base It’s easy to get lackadaisical when it comes to learning. Some leaders may feel complacent and don't feel the need to grow anymore. This scenario can be the case if leaders have been in their roles for a long time. If this is the case, the best thing to do is decide to keep learning, push through the resistance, and get growing! 2. Take a Genuine Interest in Others Great leaders show care for others and their needs, which builds emotional equity amongst their peers and those they lead. Who doesn’t love to follow leaders who genuinely care about them? 3. Be Generous People remember leaders for their generosity, especially when their giving isn't required. And it doesn't even have to be money--gifts of time are invaluable as well. 4. Be Authentic People can spot a fake a mile away, yet so many are afraid to be themselves, thinking people won’t accept them if they show their true selves. They’d rather put on a mask instead. The best thing we can do is be ourselves, and if the true-you has rough edges, that’s okay. We all have them. To be imperfect is perfectly human. 5. Thrive During Tough Times We do have a choice on how we deal with hardship. It comes down to two things: either we choose to face challenges head-on, or by default, we allow adversity to eat away at our resilience and our ability to overcome. My advice? Choose wisely! 6. Embrace Servant Leadership Have the mindset that life isn't about us. It's about serving others, bringing value to everyone we meet, and leaving a legacy. In the end, if we can embrace these six qualities such that they become a part of who we are, our influence as a leader will grow, and who doesn’t want that? # # # Speaking of growing, how would you like to win back customers who left for greener pastures? What if you could get a guarantee that your investment in a solution to accomplish this would more than pay off with minimal effort on your part? If that sounds intriguing, I'd love to have a chat with you! Click the button below to schedule a time. By: Henning Schwinum, Co-Founder & Managing Parter of Vendux LLC  Image from Wikipedia Do you remember this movie scene from “Das Boot”? The submarine had sunk to the seabed, way deeper than it was built for, and then the crew was trying to raise it. Throughout the process, they were staring at the analog depth gauge, waiting for the needle to move. It started flickering at first, and when the needle moved for the first time, the crew was cheering. They knew that their situation had significantly improved. Moving the needle is an idiom that means to make a change that is noticeable, to modify something so that the effect is measurable. Most often, moving the needle is used in a positive sense, meaning to make progress toward a goal. The term became popular a few decades ago in the business world, where one of the fundamental questions is: How does one have an impact on the company? What is the measure of this impact? Business is definitely an environment where success for an individual employee and the company as a whole requires significant, noticeable, and positive achievement. Healthcare Success provides an example of what it means to move the needle as an employee: “People want to do a good job. And they want to be appreciated and recognized for hard work and accomplishments. But this is not about their growth potential or intelligence they bring to the job. To be appreciated—and for a strong organization to grow—people need to tune into where or how “they are moving the needle " When you move the needle, use the same gauge as the boss.” Lee Salz, a great voice in the world of sales, wrote about improvements because of learning: “When you read a book or attend a seminar, the objective isn’t to find a revolutionary selling approach that will monumentally change the way you sell. If you have that mindset, you’ll be disappointed when you find it doesn’t exist. Your goal should be to find tips, techniques, and strategies which move the needle of your sales game. Incremental improvements in each step of your selling process have a magical impact on your sales results.” Brian Evans, a top business journalist, provides insights into the direction the needle should move: “Information overload is a very real hazard when picking up a new … skill. ... A quick Google search will supply you with books, articles, webinars, and YouTube videos that all purport to have the best perspective. In the midst of this avalanche of information, the traditional advice is to just “do something.” Get the ball rolling and tweak your strategy from there. The thing is, it’s easy to move the needle—it’s harder to make sure it’s going in the right direction. You don’t simply want action. You want strategic action. You need to narrow down your options and choose a method you believe can see you to the finish.” At Microsoft, the term seems to be particularly popular. Raymond Chen: “The phrase move the needle is part of general business jargon, but it is very popular here at Microsoft. You need to know what it means, and more importantly, you need to be willing to throw it around yourself in order to sound more hip and with-it. In general business speak, move the needle means generates a reaction, but at Microsoft, it has the more general sense of provide a perceptible improvement.” Joe Sweeney, author of “Moving the Needle,” talks about the deliberate action plan required: “Moving the needle can happen every day in our lives. You have to be committed to continuous improvement and also develop systems that help create game changers. It isn’t always that large order in business or the big promotion. You can do it when you learn to get quiet, get centered, enjoy simple things in your life and take pleasure in experiencing special moments that life presents to us.” The common thread? The needle does not move itself. Contact us if you would like to find out how a fractional or interim sales leader can move the needle in your business. __________________ Healthcare Success – How Are You Moving the Needle in Your Organization? Brian Evans – If You’re Working to Move the Needle, Make Sure It’s the Right One Raymond Chen – Microspeak: move the needle Joe Sweeney – Moving the Needle By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Image by James Weatherly on Flickr Many of us who live in Kansas City are well aware of the fantastic talents of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. For those of you who aren't, he's not just known for his insane arm strength and jaw-dropping touchdown passes. He's undoubtedly a true leader who exhibits incredible qualities on and off the field! Let's take a closer look at three leadership lessons we can learn from Mahomes and apply to our own lives, both professional and personal: 1. Grit and Determination Mahomes never gives up, no matter his obstacles on the field. These qualities were on full display during the 2022 playoffs when he sprained his ankle, and he didn't allow that to dissuade him from winning the Super Bowl. He has shown us time and time again that setbacks are just opportunities for comebacks. Developing a never-give-up attitude and pushing through challenges with unwavering determination is essential in life and business. 2. Never Out of the Game One thing we've seen in Mahomes' career is his ability to lead comebacks when his team is trailing. No matter how dire the situation may seem, he always rallies his team and turns things around. His never-quit attitude teaches us that true leaders don't give up even when victory seems out of reach. 3. Don't Settle for Mediocrity Mahomes has an unwavering belief in aiming high and refusing to settle for mediocrity. He never sees himself as "good enough" but strives for excellence daily. This mindset pushes him to achieve greatness individually and as part of a team. By setting high standards for ourselves, we can make a meaningful impact in whatever path we choose. So there you have it – three invaluable leadership lessons we can learn from Patrick Mahomes. Let's channel his determination, resilience, and commitment to continuous improvement into our lives! Remember, greatness begins with small steps toward becoming the best version of yourself. # # # Did you enjoy this content? If so, would you be interested in yours truly writing some blogs for you? If that's you, I have a special I'm running—three blogs for $397! If you're intrigued and want to learn more, click the button below to schedule a quick phone call with me. By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Image by Waewkidja on Freepik Many business leaders face the challenge of keeping their employees engaged and enthusiastic. One excellent method is to foster creativity among your employees. Doing so can lead to innovative ideas and solutions. Here are five strategies to spark creativity within your team: 1. Provide Autonomy and Ownership Give employees the freedom to take ownership of their projects and tasks. When individuals feel a sense of autonomy, they are more likely to explore unique and creative approaches to problem-solving. Allow them to make decisions, set goals, and experiment with strategies. 2. Encourage Open Communication Create an environment where open and non-judgmental communication is valued. Encourage employees to freely share their thoughts, ideas, and feedback without fear of criticism. Regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and idea-sharing platforms can facilitate open discussions and the exchange of creative insights. 3. Challenge Assumptions Encourage employees to question assumptions and look at problems from different angles. Create a culture where asking "why" and challenging the status quo is welcomed. Doing so can lead to breakthroughs and innovative solutions that might not otherwise happen. 4. Embrace Diverse Perspectives Foster a culture that values diversity in all its forms. When individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints collaborate, it can lead to the generation of innovative ideas. Encourage diverse teams and create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone's input is respected and appreciated. 5. Provide Time for Exploration Dedicate specific time for employees to engage in creative activities unrelated to their usual tasks, such as "innovation time," hackathons, or creative challenges. Allowing employees to explore hobbies, side projects, or areas of personal interest can stimulate their creativity and lead to unexpected breakthroughs. 6. Encourage Breaks and Downtime Recognize the importance of breaks and downtime in the creative process. Encourage employees to step away from their workstations, go for walks, or engage in activities that help them relax and recharge. Creative ideas often emerge when the mind has space to wander. 7. Recognize and Reward Creativity Acknowledge and reward creative efforts and outcomes. Appreciation can occur through formal recognition programs, incentives, or simply acknowledging and celebrating employees' creative contributions in team meetings. Remember that fostering creativity requires a supportive and encouraging environment. By implementing these strategies, you can help your employees tap into their creative potential, leading to innovative ideas that benefit both the individual and the organization. An added bonus is that your employees will love it! # # # Speaking of innovation, what has worked in your company for sparking creativity? What has been your track record in this area? I'd love to hear what's worked for you! And if you're currently experiencing challenges in this area, I'd love to brainstorm ideas about how you could improve your innovation efforts. Click the button below to schedule a chat! By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions  Image by 8photo on Freepik Being a leader these days is undoubtedly a challenge—there are so many balls to juggle that it can be tricky to find time to sharpen your saw. That's why I've compiled a list of 17 leadership quotes to give you some quick inspiration to help you on your leadership journey! # # # Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. — Jack Welch If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader — John Quincy Adams The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things — Ronald Reagan A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. — John C. Maxwell A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. — Douglas MacArthur A boss has the title, the leader has the people. — Simon Sinek If you think you are leading and turn around to see no one following you, then you are just taking a walk. — John C. Maxwell Leadership is an action, not a position. — Donald McGannon Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better. — Bill Bradley You manage things; you lead people. — Grace Murray Hopper Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult. — Warren G. Bennis Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead. — Pete Hoekstra A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see. — Leroy Eimes Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. — Warren G. Bennis There is a difference between being a leader and being a boss. Both are based on authority. A boss demands blind obedience; a leader earns his authority through understanding and trust. — Klaus Balkenhol The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes. — Tony Blair You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too. — Sam Rayburn Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. — Peter Drucker # # # This last quote is significant. A lot of companies may be doing many things, but are they the right things? If you're wondering if your company is going down the right path with potential projects, I'd love to talk with you! I have several resources that can help you determine what your next best steps should be. Click the button below to set up a time to chat! By: Kathy Kent Toney, CEO & Founder of Kent Business Solutions Have you ever taken a risky leap at an opportunity that was a fantastic experience? At the time, it may have seemed to be a crazy decision, but you look back on it and smile when you think about it. That happened to me when I decided to participate in the "Honeywell Icon" competition (their version of American Idol) at a global sales conference when I worked for Honeywell years ago. I bring this up because I acquired some amazing leadership lessons from this experience that I'd like to share with you around embracing opportunities and obtaining success: 1. You're More Prepared Than You Think You Are I didn't think I was good enough to enter the competition when I first heard about it. I hadn't done karaoke for decades, even though, at the time, I was playing guitar and singing at open mics. Lessons Learned: Many of us underestimate ourselves when we have what it takes to succeed. After examining the opportunity and asking mentors or trusted colleagues if they believe it's worth considering, move on to the next step. 2. Take a Calculated Leap I decided to practice the song I chose (Desperado by The Eagles) to see if it was worth the risk. After that, I knew my previous performance experience would give me the confidence I needed. With the urging of my co-workers, I signed up within 15 minutes of the competition. When it came time for me to sing, I went all in and had a blast. It helped that many in the audience had overindulged quite a bit, so people were over the top with my performance, especially my colleagues. Lessons Learned: If you have the qualifications, go for it! Don’t give into imposter syndrome; embrace the opportunity and make the best of it! If you determine you're not qualified at present and it's something you would love to do in the future, take steps to prepare yourself for future opportunities. 3. Reap the Rewards & Learn from Your Mistakes While singing, I made a slight mistake that I quickly caught before it became significant, so nobody noticed. I pretended like nothing wrong had happened. In the end, I won the Honeywell Icon title. I achieved my 15 minutes of fame and enjoyed every minute of it! Winning this silly competition brought confidence that carried over into many areas of my life, all because I took the leap of faith and succeeded. Lessons Learned: Minimize mistakes along the way so they don't become more prominent and noticeable. Also, be sure to learn what you can from them. When you succeed, celebrate the victory before moving on to the next opportunity. So many times, we forget to do that! Then, translate your newly gained confidence to the following tasks at hand. # # # I am excited to announce that I'm offering a new software platform that helps small business owners grow their businesses on autopilot. It's an all-in-one sales and marketing system, a business in a box, that helps generate more leads and close deals quicker with much less effort. This is especially helpful for those who would like to improve their process for follow-ups. If you'd like to learn more, click the button below to set up a chat! |
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