Michelle Ray

Business and Leadership Keynote Speaker

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Motivational Stories

Applying the wisdom of Polonius in uncertain times

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I recently attended the National Speakers Association Annual Convention. It is always a highlight of my own professional development quest and yearly “boost”. I see myself as a lifelong learner who can always find someone who is further along in my career and life path to teach me a great deal. For example, I had the pleasure of hearing the legendary Les Brown who rocked the house full of speakers; demonstrating not only the art of connecting with the audience and crafting a memorable speech, he also shared three thoughts on why people are failing today:

1. Most people don’t believe in themselves
2. They are influenced by negative information
3. They are in a new world and need a new mindset

Les’s presentation resonated with me because I share his philosophy. I believe that the solution to these three problems lies in getting to the essence of what rings true for you. Once you focus on what is within your control and you resolve to channel your energy in that direction, life becomes easier and more joyful. Business decisions become less complex when the focus is more about responding rather than reacting to economic forces over which you have no control. You can disseminate information and then decide on your own truth. However, the degree to which you are able to differentiate yourself from the opinions of others will determine how easily you are able to make up your own mind about your current reality. A multitude of forces can sway you in a particular direction…either positive or negative. This is true for individuals as well as businesses of every description. The proliferation of media; both on- line and in traditional formats, are vying for your attention at an unprecedented rate. Therefore, the ability to discern fact from fiction, genuineness from phoniness, substance from fiction is not as easy as it used to be. In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the fictional character Polonius said: “This above all: To thine own self be true.”

Consider the life path of Kyle Maynard. Kyle is an extraordinary 25 year old motivational speaker who was born with a condition known as congenital amputation that has left him with arms that end at the elbows and legs that end near his knees. When many thought he was crazy, he learned how to become a wrestler and mix martial arts champion; excelling at both. Kyle also shared his powerful message at the convention, delivering insights on dealing with his own self-doubt and the many occasions when he chose not to buy into the negative opinions of others.

Here is what I learned from Kyle:

1. Put your mind to work and everything is possible
2. Negative thoughts are at the core of self-limiting beliefs
3. You have the power to formulate your own attitudes and transform your current reality

The answer to this burning question: “How well do you know yourself?” can lead you to a new world and a new reality. It may require a radical rearrangement of your current way of thinking. It may mean letting go of assumptions that are no longer serving you.  It may necessitate separating yourself from all the negative influencers in order to create different outcomes personally and professionally. One thing I know for certain is that the exploration is a worthy endeavor.

Are you a “desk” potato? The benefits of workplace wellness

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It is one thing to be a “couch” potato…Are you a “desk” potato? Chances are that if you are both, you are heading for health problems. If your well-being is a value that you live by, then you are probably aware of the negative implications of being sedentary at your desk each work day and you make sure you get up and move whenever you can. How about your employer? The research confirms that optimum physical heath translates into better mental health. Therefore, better mental health means that both you and your employer will benefit because you are more productive. A “Living Strong” Blog report noted that by investing in wellness programs and encouraging healthier lifestyles, organizations will see improvement in employee morale, decreased absenteeism, lower health plan costs, improved productivity and increased company revenues.

In one of the only longitudinal studies undertaken on this subject, the University of Michigan proved that it pays to create a culture of wellness. They tracked the impact of a Midwest Utility Company’s implementation and investment in their wellness programs over nine years. The company realized a net savings of $4.8 million in employee health and lost work time costs. This week, CBS early morning news Health Watch segment featured New Jersey- based PHH Corporation as an example of an incentive-based wellness employer offering staff $1,000 a year to make measureable improvements to their heath. Many employees wear a pedometer and simply plug it in to their computers to track their walking success! They are rewarded for the miles clocked up just by walking around their workplace! The segment noted that for every dollar a company spends on wellness, their ROI (return on their investment) can be three to six times higher!

Adapting workplace wellness programs need not be financially prohibitive. Research the numerous pages available on line that describe best practices around the world.  Check out The Government of Alberta’s Healthy U webpage; as well as “Look Good Feel Great Always” blogs, great resources for you and your workplace to get healthy!

Sixty Seconds On-line: The new imperative for every business

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Life is just a minute. Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it, Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute. But an eternity is in it! -Dr. Benjamin Mays

When I came across this amusing and interesting infographic that illustrates what happens every minute on the internet, it made me think of Alvin Toffler’s book, Future Shock,(1970), where he popularized the term “information overload”. Could anyone have imagined then how profoundly the world would change? Consider the enormous amount of information and dialogue happening on-line today. For example, every sixty seconds there are: 100+ new LinkedIn accounts, over 98,000 tweets, 1500 blog posts—the list goes on.

From a business perspective, consider what are you contributing to the social media conversation. The new imperative for us all is to keep up and connect. How are you linked in with this enormous amount of knowledge? Do you know your customers’ social media preferences and are you communicating with them based on their preferences, rather than your own? From a personal leadership perspective, how are you standing out in this ever-expanding crowd? Are you ensuring that you’re not intimidated by this vast global network, but are instead benefiting?

Where is your head? It matters more than your skill set!

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Paul G. Stoltz, Ph.D. has written a fascinating article in Psychology Today, entitled: “Six Ways Mindset Helps You Win at Work.” Thousands of employers in numerous industries and countries were asked if they would prefer to hire a candidate with “perfect skills and qualifications” or one with a mindset that fit the job and company. Almost unanimously—98 per cent—they chose the candidate with the right mindset. The companies further believed that they could predict the mindset of people they would want to hire within the next decade (96 per cent) and thought it far more likely that new hires would develop necessary skills rather than an appropriate mindset (97 per cent). People with the right mindset were chosen as more likely to receive a pay raise or promotion. Perhaps most incredibly, when asked how many ‘regular’ employees they’d trade for a person with the right attitude, the average response was 7.2.

Dr. Stoltz’ findings show that a positive attitude and a demonstrated positive mindset—one which shows “openness and connectivity,” “integrity and kindness,” “resilience, tenacity and intensity”—are a far more valuable attribute than any other, whether looking for a new job, a pay raise or a corner office. The right attitude makes any employee as valuable as seven of his or her peers in the eyes of coworkers and managers.

In recent years, we have witnessed a proliferation in the number of “happiness” books and surveys. It makes sense that most of us see this as the optimal way to live life and look for resources that help us to achieve this state of being.  In fact, the quest to measure happiness has gone global. In 2008, the World Values Survey found that freedom of choice, gender equality, and increased tolerance are responsible for a considerable rise in overall world happiness.

In her book “Happiness at Work…Maximizing your Psychological Capital for Success” Jessica Pryce-Jones says that “the starting point of happiness at work is that it is self-initiated.” This supports my argument that practicing personal leadership; taking charge of our thoughts and actions, is a choice that is always available to anyone who is ready and willing to lead themselves.

Try this quick quiz (answer “yes” or “no”) to see if you are in the right headspace at work:

  1. I speak well of my colleagues in their presence as well as their absence
  2. I express any concerns regarding people and processes in a positive manner
  3. I give the same level of service internally as I do with my external clients
  4. I am aware of my non-verbal communication
  5. I think before I speak; most of the time
  6. If there are misunderstandings, I am able to let them go rather than ruminating
  7. I think of my work in “big picture” terms, rather than routine or mundane
  8. I recognize positive consequences of honing my listening abilities
  9. I am conscious of my mood and how it impacts others
  10.  When I attempt doing something that takes me outside of my comfort zone, I consider the “best case” rather than “worst case” outcome.

Scoring

 7 – 10 “yes” responses

You understand that your mindset contributes to the overall atmosphere. When you put your best foot forward, you realize that your actions create synergy. You can “rise above” the differences and maintain a positive outlook.

 4 – 6 “yes” responses

You are conscious of your thoughts, however you often feel powerless over them. Although you recognize that changing your outlook and responses could be liberating, you find that concentrating on the positive takes more effort

 3 or less “yes” responses

Focusing on the “negative” is habitual and your self-perception is limiting your opportunities; professionally and personally. The willingness to view people and situations through a different lens isn’t a priority. You may be at “burnout” and need more than a vacation or a job-change to get out of your own head.

Lessons in Leadership, Business and Team Spirit: The Vancouver Canucks 2011 Stanley Cup Run

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I immigrated to Canada from Australia during the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1994. Although I had already experienced some exposure to Canada’s passion for the game of hockey, nothing compared to the reaction of Vancouverites cheering on their beloved Canucks’ magical run during the post-season.  In Vancouver, many of us remember the heartbreak of that Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.  Seventeen years later, it is on again…only this time, the expectations of the team going all the way existed right from the start of the season.

What is it about this team that sends an entire city into a complete frenzy? How has it come to pass that over 100,000 people have watched the game on big outdoor screens downtown? Over half the population of the province has been watching the playoffs!  Millions of us are dreaming about the moment when Henrik Sedin will finally hoist that cup over his head. Imagine what will happen here if the Stanley Cup comes to Vancouver for the first time.

How has this excitement been generated? Looking at the Canucks season and playoff run from a leadership and team spirit perspective, there is a lot one can say about how they have been managed, motivated and inspired to succeed. Here are some perspectives on the Canuck’s success principles that have direct applicability to business and the workplace:

1.       Great leadership

General Manager Mike Gillis took some risky, unpopular decisions when he joined the organization in 2008. One can argue that no matter what the outcome of this series may be, the parallels for business leaders are as follows:

*      Building a team with depth while recognizing the unique strength of individuals; combining to create a phenomenal powerhouse of an organization from the inside out

*      The hiring and firing of key players and personnel

*      Significant, strategic acquisitions of talent over the long-haul

*      Untiring support for his coach and management teem

*      Above all, confidence in his own judgement. He trusts his gut-feelings.

 Lessons: Surround yourself with great people who possess talents and strengths that are different to yours. Believe in yourself and your decisions as a leader and this will resonate throughout your entire organization.

 2.       Resources and support

 No stone has been left unturned by management in terms of providing the support to the front line to excel, i.e. the players have access to an array of personnel as well as resources to ensure that they can perform at their best. 

Lessons:  Give your team the tools they require to succeed and understand their individual personalities and needs. While it remains true that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts, recognize that the motivators for each individual differ.

 3.       Creating a sense of community

 “Canucks Nation” is at fever-pitch, even during the off-season. The Canucks are a community on and off the ice.  The players’ and the organizations’ dedication to causes such as the Canucks Place Children’s Hospice are an outstanding example of making a difference outside of their workplace. 

Lessons: People thrive when they feel they are part of something bigger than themselves. By channelling altruistic energy into a meaningful cause, team spirit comes alive and productivity thrives.

 4.       Rising above obstacles outside of one’s control

Politics is part of business. Much has been written about the refereeing, “conspiracy” theories and the politics of the NHL.  At critical times facing intense pressure, the team has remained focussed on the “big picture” and management have not bought into these distractions.

 Lessons: Choose not to buy into morale-busters such as negativity and gossip. Cultivate a positive mindset and recognize that unfortunately there are naysayers who will try and sabotage your success. In Australia this is known as the “tall-poppy syndrome” (when others will try to cut you down to boost their own low self-esteem).

 5.       Commitment to the goal

The ultimate reason for success this season is the fact that the team and the organization have kept their eye on the prize. Everyone is acutely aware of the stakes and shared the responsibility for successes and mistakes. Their allegiance to one another and their unwavering belief is a key ingredient for winning; they have done so one game at a time for a total of 106 games to date.

Lessons:  Goals are easier to achieve when they are broken into manageable pieces. When the entire team shares the same conviction and remain clear about the ultimate objective, everyone wins.  

Summary:

 As a leader, if you and your organization can replicate these principles with patience, perseverance and persistence, your teams and clients alike will be cheering in the stands, excited about your energy and proud to be associated with your achievements.

The challenge to rise above and prioritize your life

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In the past few weeks I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions; juggling business with the rapid decline of my father’s health. Is it humanly possible to do both? When you have to put yourself to the test, you quickly discover where your priorities are. Unfortunately, I have been in this place before. Almost six years ago, I lost my mother. Now, I am facing the loss of my surviving parent. Until only a few years ago, my father had never suffered from a major illness. In fact, it was rare that he ever had a cold.  Eighteen months ago he was diagnosed with cancer. As he approaches 91 years of age, his cancer has spread rapidly and he is deteriorating fast.  I left Vancouver and went to Australia 10 days ago as I could not sit still and wait another day. It became very clear to me that I made the right decision to be with my father. To put it simply, I had to ask myself “in what state do I want to see my Dad?” His smile was worth everything. He is still hanging on, although he is very weak.

If you are questioning where to place your professional or personal priorities, don’t wait too long to make your decisions. Trust your intuition and you will not regret your choices. The jetlag and exhaustion is something I could live with. Not acting on my gut feeling would have left me remorseful. We don’t have to experience the inevitability of the most significant events in our lives to teach us these lessons.  Instead, we can accept that we cannot do everything and choose to do the most important thing. For anyone reading my blog who has gone through the loss of your parents, I would welcome your advice and support.

Queenslanders…You are legends!

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The Australian Spirit is alive and well in the Queensland Floods, Australia

In Australia, the saying “you’re a legend” generally applies to an outstanding individual. What the world has witnessed in the past few weeks is the stuff of ordinary people doing extraordinary things….The entire State of Queenslanders are legends; displaying an unshakeable determination to help others pull through their biggest natural disaster. I continue to be moved by the stories of generosity and caring displayed by my fellow countrymen and women during the state of Queensland’s most difficult time in their history.  Australians possess a unique spirit of mateship that truly is unparalleled. Yesterday, the call went out for volunteers by  Brisbane City Council. Over 10,000 people showed up at various gathering points to help flood victims and begin the massive clean-up task. They arrived with buckets, shovels, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and lunch. Instructions were provided on the council website regarding how to prepare oneself physically for removing heavy piles of debris. Residents and business owners have also been advised to take extreme care as they return to hazardous conditions. There are warnings to watch for snakes that are retreating from the floodwaters. The stench from the mud and rot was reportedly overwhelming. Nurses were on hand to administer free tetanus injections. These conditions have not stopped people who arrived in droves to help.  In fact, there was an oversupply of volunteers. People were turned away due to an overwhelming response.  They will keep coming as there will be no shortage of tasks as cities, towns and the state of Queensland slowly rebuilds.  The human and financial toll is already significant. The stories of heartbreak emerge daily. Yet there is no doubt that the moral fibre of Australia survives and thrives while enduring the unpredictability of Mother Nature.

I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!

Except from Dorothea Mackellar’s
“My Country” (1904)

Letting go and staying relevant in 2011

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I am not into New Year’s resolutions. Most of us know that we can have the best intentions; often setting ourselves up with unrealistic expectations. Instead, I prefer to look at letting go, have no regrets and establish realistic goals that I can break down into manageable, bite-size pieces. However, as we approach the end of the first decade in the new millennium, I have realized that that my methodology to establish short-term and long-term goals will be influenced by an ever-changing business and technology landscape…more than any other time.

“Relax…It’s only uncertainty”…Dr. Graeme Codrington, Montreal, December 6, 2010

The motivation for this particular blog comes from a recent experience I had in Montreal. I am a believer in professional development. As a speaker and educator, I work with organizations who invest in developing their people. Therefore, it is a value that I practice myself.  I attended my own association of professional speaker’s annual convention a few weeks ago. This year it was known as “The Unconventional Convention…A Quantum Journey.” Everything about the sessions and the speakers demonstrated the power and wisdom of doing things in an “out of the ordinary” way.

Why? Because the times we’re in demand creativity and innovation in order to survive. There is no “normal” anymore.  Without acceptance of this fact,  entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and individuals will become irrelevant; just as many other businesses have disappeared because they could not or world not adapt. By “irrelevant”, I am referring to your business, your brand and the manner in which you interact with customers.  Think about the application of this truth; regardless of where you work or the nature of your enterprises.

From my perspective, re-thinking the way business is done is the new imperative.  For example, if I wish to grow professionally and personally, I need to let go of what worked five or ten years ago and do things differently.  New technologies have made it possible to work virtually; from anywhere in the world. The evolution continues regarding the manner in which we communicate. If my clients or prospective clients wish to connect with me through social media, then I need to adapt accordingly. If they tell me that they no longer want hard-copy handouts or will be using electronic evaluations from now on, then I need to respect their green initiatives. As a disseminator of information, I realize that audiences now interact during presentations by using smart phones to spread the word, take notes or share ideas with each other instantly. How do your customers wish to interact with you? Can you accept it?

The new realities of how we connect and interact obligate us to remain relevant. It is no longer easy to stay comfortable and continue to do we have always done.  The marketplace and speed of change won’t tolerate complacency. Doing “business as usual” may have worked prior to the great recession. The problem was that this mindset that got so many businesses into trouble. One could reflect on recent times and conclude that the economic meltdown was necessary to shake us up in order to re-think the way we do just about everything; a giant wake-up call from which we are still emerging. 

Ask yourself:

  • What will you priorities be in 2011? Are they in balance?
  • Are your values congruent with how you live each day?
  • How will you differentiate yourself?
  • What are you willing to let go of?
  • What positive changes will you make to your attitudes regarding customers and technology?
  • How will you practice creativity and innovation; personally and professionally?
  • What will you dare yourself to do differently in 2011?

Wishing you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.

Michelle

Being the leader of your life

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Earlier this week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Ignite Excellence Conference in Toronto.  Suzanne F. Stevens, the founder of the Ignite Excellence Foundation, inspired 150 people to attend the event and support her vision of raising funds for African Leaders of Tomorrow. With an incredible line-up of speakers, entertainers and suppliers who gave their time and attended at their own expense, the Ignite Excellence Foundation raised over $30,000 (the final figure may go higher).  All proceeds of the event will be donated to build the Leah Ngini Community Centre at the African National University in Nairobi, Kenya and provide scholarships to prospective women leaders. Suzanne’s dedication and focus on helping educate women in particular to advance their education and realize their own vision is a cause so dear to Suzanne that she has recently sold her house and is moving to Africa early in 2011 to immerse herself in her passion in order to make a difference on a global level. One of the most influential comments to have an impact on her life was this quote from Dr. Douglas Carew, Vice-Chancellor of African National University:

 “The biggest problem in Africa today is not AIDS, poverty, disease, education or urbanization; the biggest problem is LEADERSHIP. When moral leaders of integrity and justice arise, then Africa’s problems will be solved”.

 The event was a phenomenal success, not only because of the dollars raised, but also because the attendees were there to learn about investing in their careers to ultimately lead themselves. Therefore, a dual objective was realized as participants were educating themselves to become the leader of their own lives, as well as helping others in the process. The overall experience of participating in this event and witnessing Suzanne’s vision in action made me reflect on the difference between being transactional versus transformational  in our day-to-day living. Essentially, it is about living a purposeful life rather than just going through the motions of our waking hours. Having a vision and putting energy into making it a reality results in a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Vision –   My top ten favourite quotations:

The world of tomorrow belong to the person who has the vision today – Robert Schuller

See things as you would have them be instead of as they are – Robert Collier

The willingness to create a new vision is a statement of your belief in your potential – David McNally

Vision is the art of seeing the invisible – Jonathan Swift

The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious – John Scully

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus – Mark Twain

Where you come from is not nearly as important as where you are going – Unknown

The saddest thing in the world is a person who has their sight but has no vision – Helen Keller

Vision without execution is hallucination – Thomas Edison

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it – Michelangelo

At the crossroads…Living life with no regrets

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The border of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia

I recently celebrated my 50th birthday. If you had asked me at the age of 40 where I would be at 50, I would not have had a clue that life would look this good today. Nor would I have known that my 40’s were going to be without doubt the best years of my life. I certainly didn’t feel that way at the age of 39 years, 364 days. (Come to think of it, I wasn’t too keen on turning 30 either.) My 40th year was a very hard year and it had nothing to do with age. My mother became very ill, a significant relationship ended, several friendships were severed unexpectedly. If life is a combination of peaks and valleys, I was definitely in a valley. How could so many distressing life events hit me all at once? How would I see my way out?

When I reflect on that time, I know that I was immersed in the pain of watching a parent slowly fading away with the killer disease of dementia. I was also experiencing the loss of others who were in fact also still living but chose to live life without me. On top of all that, I was feeling geographically displaced; passionate about Canada and Australia while recognizing that I could not live in two countries simultaneously. On the plus side, I had a new career that I loved and a positive outlook instilled by my father that kicked in at a time when I needed it the most. Ten years have passed and it feels like a whirlwind. How could it be that October dawns and we are almost at the end of another year and another decade? I could not have predicted ten years ago that I would get married…and become a grandmother to boot! I wouldn’t have imagined that I could enjoy a career that enables me to travel freely and be my own boss. Most importantly, I have reached a point in my life where I am comfortable with who I am; accepting that ageing is a gift and I have a life I can not only be grateful for, but reflect upon.

One thing I have learned at the crossroads of my century is to let go of the words “what if….” and listen to my gut. On my birthday, I was in a beautiful coastal town in Queensland; sitting at a restaurant with my husband. Queensland’s slogan “beautiful one day…perfect the next” wasn’t fully living up to expectations. It had rained all day and was much cooler than normal for late August. Nonetheless, it was magical. The next day we drove south to another coastal town that is no longer the small town I remembered as a teenager. Maybe the weather would be better? It was no longer a small town. It was now a city. It dawned on me that a friend from my teen years moved to that town more than 30 years ago. I started to wonder if she was still in this town. Without hesitation and driven by curiosity, I looked in the telephone book and sure enough, her number was listed. When she answered the phone I said “I won’t be surprised if you don’t recognize my voice…it’s been more than thirty years…” My old friend instantly replied: “Michelle!” I was shocked and excited. We made a plan to get together the following day. It felt as though no time had passed at all. Rekindling the friendship was a moving experience as old memories came flooding back. I am so glad I made that telephone call. What if I had not? We vowed not to let another thirty years pass. Whenever you find yourself at the crossroads of indecision; dig deep for courage and the answers will come. Then you will be able to say to yourself “I am so glad I took that step”…No more “what if’s?” No regrets.