I recently had the privilege of conducting a personal leadership workshop for a group of high school students, identified for their leadership potential. The lesson was based on several teaching modalities and combining learning with the arts. It was a fabulous experience and I hope to be able to do more such workshops with the leaders of tomorrow.

In the workshop, we discussed the value of cultivating character and making good choices. I referenced three ‘props’ to assist in making the appropriate points. I used a mirror, a mug, and a map. The mirror served the purpose of reinforcing the importance of self-reflection when cultivating character. The time to consider who we are and what we want is vital to developing our personal leadership. The mug reinforced the notion that those we choose to associate with can greatly impact our personal leadership. If they are positive, we tend to be more positive. If they are negative and critical, we tend to assimilate that attitude. If our friends and associates are highly motivated and goal oriented, our behaviour tends to follow. Relationships are key to personal leadership and choosing those relationships carefully influences our personal leadership potential. Finally, I used the map to illustrate the value of knowing where you want to go. To make this experience real for the students, I had them create life maps. On them, they indicated some major life points that had shaped them. Sometimes the best learning tools are discovered by accident and that happened in this case. I wanted to use my own life map as an example, but I wasn’t comfortable sharing some of my less flattering experiences with this group and so I used dark ‘dots’ to represent those dark times in my life. They loved the concept. It became a safe way for them to share some of their negative experiences. It also provided some perspective that our ‘dark moments’ don’t define us. The discussion and the life map exercise provided a wonderful opportunity for these students to explore their definitions of leadership as well as understanding the importance of character and choice.

When considering your own personal leadership, have you done the work these students did? Do you understand the role character plays in cultivating your leadership potential? Do you recognize the power of choice when growing your leadership skills?

So, Linda Lord, H.A.S. H.O.P.E. Do you?

Lynesa believes in the power of women. The power of Proverbs 31 women to be exact. As a successful executive, Lynesa was missing out on becoming a true Proverbs 31 woman. After much soul searching she discovered God’s purpose (her WHY) for living and now she shares that process with other women looking for their place in the world.

I joined the Journey to MAHood by studying directly with Lynesa. Her program is powerful and insightful. I’ve been in the self-development business for 14 years and it wasn’t until Lynesa that I got real clear about my WHY. The reason: I had been leaving God out of the design. Now, please understand that I have always based my work and life upon the foundation of my faith, but I hadn’t drawn a clear line from my talents to my service before and I thank Lynesa for clarifying that for me.

I have also watched the impact on my family as I journey toward MAHood. There has been a positive change in my children and my husband. My husband jokes that now that I am pursuing a Proverbs 31 woman framework, it ups his game to become a worthy man for such a woman! That doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been without its challenges, but I am pressing on.

I decided to record my journey for those also interested in joining me. You can find the video at this link: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viddler.com%2Fexplore%2FLindaJLord%2Fvideos%2F37%2F&h=5ee45

Should you want to take the 90 Day Journey, please visit my site at: www.emahs.com/ll1053 and sign up.

One reviewer stated the following, “When I was first approached to review The Pitch and discovered it dealt with business lessons I was a bit leery because my first thoughts were oh no this is going to be BORING! Then it also had soccer in it which I am also not a very sporty person so I just knew I was gonna hate it but I decided on a whim to take a chance on it figuring even I could make it thru a short 140 pages.

I was so wrong because from the first page I could not put it down and read it in one sitting! Linda has done a remarkable job of giving some sound business advice and weaving it into a fun work of fiction!”

Another said, “ Linda captures our imagination with the fictional story of Liz and Justin and then adds the power of direction and possibility by coupling fiction with sound business coaching.
She paints a picture of possibility for other struggling business owners. Linda creates a place for business owners to consider their strategies and reflect on ways to improve their companies. There is no better time for this book than now, when so many business owners are struggling find meaning and direction. This fable fuses a compelling story with realistic struggles and a series of instructions for improvement.”

And just one more. “Lord carefully weaves these business strategies within a fictional story. When it comes to finding books on entrepreneurship, you will usually find books on how to get started or books dealing with leadership and management in a broad sense. Lord’s approach was practical and relatable. I’m willing to bet that if you had to remember a business strategy, it would be easy to recall it from this story instead of an outline. I recommend this book because it teaches logical business strategies for a failing business, a stage of business not readily addressed. You also get a great story that highlights the importance of family while running a business – your business.”

I really enjoyed being a guest on Catch That Book Radio with Traci Green this week, too. The interview is available at the following link: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/linda-lord-talks-the-pitch/id349849301?i=82939963.

For those of you interested in seeing The Pitch, I have recently completed a 45-50 minute presentable version of the story for business conferences and women’s organizations. Contact me for booking information.

One dollar from the sale of each book goes to the Hemophilia Ontario, South Western Ontario Region.

I am giving away several AMAZING prizes!

Prize 1: 1 $50.00 Amazon gift card
Prize 2: 2 $25.00 Amazon gift cards
Prize 3: 2 copies of The Pitch !!!

You will need to leave a comment (10 entries) or answer my soccer contest questions (25 entries) on my site. Or on any of the participating tour stop sites on the scheduled tour date to enter. And to finish off your entry, leave your email address in the post or send a message to lindalordonline@gmail.com.

The questions are (1) name 3 soccer rules, and (2) name 3 soccer positions.

Book prizes open to international readers, grand prize to US and Canada only.

The Pitch Tour Schedule

May 3-Interviewed and book giveaway at Working Writers
May 4-Interviewed and book giveaway Jens Book Talk
May 4-Interviewed and book giveaway Author Exposure Club
May 4-Interviewed on Catch That Book Radio
May 5-Interviewed and book giveaway at Cami’s Books
May 6- Book spotlighted at Womenhomebusiness
May 9-Book Review and book giveaway at Between the Pages
May 10-Interviewed and book giveaway at Chitlit Club
May 11-Interviewed and book giveaway at Reading At The Beach
May 12- Interviewed and book giveaway at Mymompreneur.com
May 12-Interviewed on Moms Empowering Moms Show
May 17-Interviewed and book giveaway at The Cajun Book Lady
May 18-Interviewed on The Renee Bobb Show
May 19-Interviewed on The Business Woman
May 20-Book Review at Soccerphile
May 24-Book Review and book giveaway at Readaholic
May 25-Book Review at The Book Guru

May 26-Guest Blogger at The Life Success Mindset
May 29- Interviewed on  BookDivasOnline

June 2-Interviewed on Book That Author Radio

I first heard of Lynesa when she was a guest on the Chris Treece blog radio show. I was fascinated by what she had to say – and how she said it. I followed up with her and spoke to Chris. Since then, I have accepted the opportunity to write a monthly business column and have been interviewed by Chris about my book, The Pitch. 

Last night I was on a call with Lynesa, Chris, other contributing columnists and guests, as Lynesa gave us a virtual tour of the training portal. Two things jumped off the screen at me. The first, is the Journey to MAHood program that assists women in defining their WHY (life’s passion). Isn’t that the very question that I have been struggling with for months? Lynesa has begun to work with me to define my WHY and I have to say that the first two steps have been very exciting for me. The other program that spoke to me is the Wealth eNSURANCE. When a person becomes a monthly member of the site, she has access to the generational wealth building software that, based on real monthly income, sets a budget that includes debt elimination and the opportunity to save. What a gift for individuals looking for an almost flat learning curve about finances.

The concept behind the portal and the monthly articles is to take women to the next level of their personal development. Each article includes valuable information and then a 30 day challenge. I love it. I am currently working on my challenges in the areas of finances and health (fitness). I will be embracing the other challenges too, but I focused on the two most strategic for my situation to start.

The fascinating thing about this journey that I am on is that it is having a ripple effect on my family. Because my focus is clearer and more intentional, I am clearer and more focused. They have noticed that I am better able to manage the many demands that I have on my time and that I am remaining more pleasant

If you want to know more about this organization, visit the website: http://www.emahs.com/ll1053.

If you want to join me on this journey of turning your aspirations into accomplishments, just let me know and I can show you how.

When I start to write, I usually start where I would in my coaching practice. I establish personality type. With Liz, she is an ISFP (to use the Myers-Briggs, Kiersey Sorter lettering). That means that Liz is self-reflective and tends to re-energize alone or in small groups. She relies on what her senses tell her when she is gathering information from the world and determining its validity. Liz tends to make decisions based on their impact on people, rather than the impact on policies. And finally, Liz really sees the world in shades of grey. She isn’t so good with structure and deadlines. Each of these elements of her personality shows up in her business and her life. I am not saying that this description is enough for anyone to assess their own personality; it is merely my analysis of Liz’s personality as it relates to my writing. Characters have to have the same reference points as all others so they, and their experiences, are relevant.

After establishing personality, I have to know who and what matters to Liz. Knowing this, serves as the anchor point for her choices. When she doesn’t understand why she is making the decisions she is, it doesn’t really matter what they are. She is untethered. I find many of my coaching clients are in similar situations. When they do not know what drives them; then anything will or nothing will. By determining values and needs, I am able to create a character that is believable and one whose challenges resonates with the reader.

I believe that people always have choices. We may not always like them, but there are options. We may choose to engage or we may choose to escape. Both are choices. Whether a character in a book, or a real person, our choices define us. It is important to know what personality tendencies we have and how they influence our everyday functioning. It is equally important to know what and who drives us; shapes our priorities and compels us to act. What choices are you making that are ‘in character’ and which decisions are ‘out of character?’ Notice that when you are acting ‘out of character’ there will be increased stress and conflict in your life because character and choice are linked. 

I am really getting excited about The Pitch. I have an author’s assistant that I am working with. She helped me produce my media kit and I will be launching a virtual book tour soon. I have also started writing articles for sites other than my own so I am able to connect with a broader audience. I now have a website dedicated just to my book (www.thepitchbusinessbook.com). And I hope to launch a book club event over the next few weeks where readers of The Pitch can jump on a call with me to go through the material. I hope to add an audio book version of  The Pitch soon, as well.

When my work is aligned with my gifts and values (I know, you have heard that from me before, but not in the context of my own learning) it is pure delight to come into the office and start me day. I am truly excited about the many projects I am currently developing.

So, welcome back Monday. Let’s get busy. We have a lot to do today!

It’s scary, quite frankly. After I released my book, The Pitch, I was asked to speak at a local Rotary meeting. I spoke on knowing your place. It was a shorter version of a talk I had given a few weeks before at my church. I realized, after listening to myself twice, that I wasn’t following my own advice. I admitted to the Rotary group that to really take my place would involve a radical overall of my self-perception. That I would be risking ridicule and potential failure. I didn’t really know how to become who I was meant to be.

That’s the beauty of faith. I don’t have to know the how. I just have to learn to trust that the resources will be there.

I have been in conversation with many wonderful people over the last several weeks who have given me direction and challenged my thinking. I have wrestled with the concept of what I bring to the market place and what people can count on when they pay to see me, or hear me, or read my work. After much contemplation, I bring H.O.P.E. For those of you who have been around a while, you know how much I love acronyms. So, here goes: “When Linda is in the house, you will get Honesty, Options, Perspective, and Experience. You can have it in a book, on the stage, or across the table. However, you encounter Linda she will be there to assist you in making a living and having a life.” This allows me the creative latitude to do what I love and the variety to keep me sharp. And most importantly, to utilize the gifts and talents I have been blessed with having.

I’m not sure what it will take to improve my writing and performance skills, but I know I will do what I need to. I have already signed up for an acting workshop. My husband bought me some mp3 recordings of a storyteller’s workshop. I am anxious; I will not lie, but very excited, too.

I have a few ideas percolating, so stay tuned.

My own joy of reading has to a little to do with escapism and a lot to do with personal education. I like fiction that helps me to understand what makes people who they are. My favourite author right now is Jodi Piccoult. I was introduced to her work by my daughter’s teacher a couple of years ago. Her work makes me feel, intensely. It also challenges me to consider many perspectives. And isn’t that what life does, too? If we are willing to accept that there is more than one way to see situations and people.

Stories glue us together as humanity. It takes something specific and creates a space for us to consider the universal application. Sharing your story allows others to experience life from your perspective and apply it to their lives.

The drama I write is intended to the same. Through the characters I create, others are given a glimpse into those lives and hopefully take from the material, that which can be used to assist them in living life more fully.

My book, The Pitch, is intended to provide instruction and hope to business owners.

Story is comprised of a beginning, a middle, and an end. Each should be sufficiently compelling to keep people interested. When you tell your story to family and friends, remember to create the setting, include the significant plot points (highlights), and inject enough emotion that they care about the outcome.  We all have a story to tell. What’s in yours?