SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
March/April 2006
Olympic Efforts Can Make You A Rising Star!
Rosemary L. Azzaro
Creative Contributor, HBA Bulletin
Springtime. Time for the HBA to turn its attention to honoring outstanding women in our industry—notably HBA’s “Woman of the Year” and “Rising Stars.” HBA Rising Stars are selected by HBA Corporate Members who identify “one woman who has contributed significantly to your organization, exemplifies leadership and is a role model for others.” For one organization, achieving financial goals might be the measure of a significant contribution; for another, it might be creating a workplace community in the throes of organizational restructuring. Being a role model for others might entail succeeding and thriving in light of personal challenge, being a “rainmaker” or having the knack for integrating efforts across departments to complete high profile projects. The point is, we all have the opportunity to make significant contributions to our organizations, lead and be role models.
So, how can you be a “Rising Star?”
Pondering this question, I sat down to compose for this space against the backdrop of Torino 2006—the Winter Olympic Games. Please don’t hohum yet. I am just as tired of sports/management clichés as the next gal. However, I found plenty of workplace wisdom in Torino to encourage you to carry the flag, get out of the gate and attempt a quad—and will not mention Bode Miller once!
Know your limitations.
We are all encouraged to take risks. But set limits? US figure skating fans had mixed emotions when its long-time darling Michelle Kwan dropped out of the competition—bravely deciding her quest for the elusive gold medal could not be undertaken optimally in her present physical condition. Giving 17-year old Emily Hughes the chance to be an Olympic competitor was one positive outcome of this decision. But, we can all learn from Kwan’s tough call: Face up to the reality of your limitations; acquire the expertise you need to get the job done; let someone else take on the task if you know you can’t do it justice.
Don’t overwork it.
I love Olympic advertising— probably a throwback to my days working with long-time Olympic sponsor Eastman Kodak. I loved the Chevy Tahoe commercial with the car horns blaring out the notes to the Olympic theme—until a full orchestra chimed in. Sometimes keeping it simple is enough. Perfectionism is one of those things that can get in our way—and perhaps make us “overwork it.”
Let the team decide. I watched the members of the German curling team take a time out and huddle together on strategy going into the final ends of their game with Switzerland. Their coach was not in view. He soon appeared on the sidelines but did not join the huddle. Brave. Empowering. He let the team decide. Sometimes those closest to a situation really have the best handle on it. Support from the sidelines; just don’t be absent.
Basketball coaching great John Wooden tells his personal story and shares his belief that leadership skills can be learned in Wooden on Leadership. Including excerpts from his personal journal, the book reveals a coach who asks his team to be their best at every moment — rather than urging them to win.
Get up every day and have a new spin.
In a Fast Company interview with GE CEO Jeff Immelt, he tells how during his worst year ever, former GE CEO Jack Welch gave him the courage to turn around his division. Welch’s words, “Remember, it’s a marathon. Ten years. Fifteen years. You’ve got to get up every day with a new idea, a new spin, and you’ve got to bring it in here every day.” He didn’t win a medal, but didn’t you love the comeback performance of US figure skater Evan Lysecak in the men’s long performance?
Get perspective.
The only British competitor in Olympic alpine skiing, Chemmy Alcott was overwhelmed and unprepared for the avalanche of messages and outpouring of support from fans in the UK following her downhill run. No, she didn’t win the gold medal. In fact, she came in 11th. But she put Great Britain on the map in alpine skiing. Sometimes, we need to step back and set our actions in perspective. I worked with an agency president who, when I asked a question, always started out by countering, “Are we going to lose the account?”
Be a turn-around expert.
US speed skater Shawni Davis thanked his grade school Olympic fans in a Today Show interview by displaying his gold and silver medals—along with two “Flat Stanleys” ( http://flatstanley.enoreo.on.ca).
In the book Flat Stanley author Jeff Brown writes about Stanley who gets squashed flat by a falling bulletin board. However, this small mishap makes it convenient for Stanley to travel the world in a flat envelope. The Flat Stanley literacy project encourages young people to write stories and to correspond with each other by sending Stanley off for a visit. When was the last time you turned lemons into lemonade?
Thank Mom and Dad.
Until gaining corporate sponsors, “Mom and Dad” was emblazoned on the ski helmet of US Gold Medalist Ted Ligety—acknowledging both the emotional and financial support they gave him. Take time to recognize and acknowledge those who support you and your work: team members, staff, mentors. And please, don’t forget spouses and family.
Passion lives here!
The theme of the Torino 2006 expresses the embodiment of Olympic ideals as well as the Italian way of life: passion. In related messages, the International Olympic Committee continued its “Celebrate Humanity” campaign. Spokesperson Andrea Bocelli, the Italian tenor, reminds us that no matter what physically demanding feat is accomplished as the Olympics, “the greatest muscle is the heart.”
Inspirational and value-centered leadership is the life work of consultant, author and life coach Lance Secretan. The former “Spirit at Work” columnist for Industry Week, Secretan writes, “Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration—of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.”
Rosemary Azzaro is HBA’s new Web Committee Chair and a long-time contributor to this section. As a consultant, she provides interim account development and management services to scientific and promotional agencies, pharmcos and providers: razzaro@comcast.net.