Five Ways to Become a More Detail-Oriented Person

This past weekend my daughters and I headed to one of our favorite spots, The Great Swamp, located here in northern New Jersey.  We filled out a sheet of paper for the little one, trying our best to find spider webs, mushrooms and frogs.  It was an hour of unhurried bliss, completely attentive to every little detail of the Swamp.

Details are like that- they are really important and often overlooked.  If this blog post is filled with typos and errors, you probably wouldn't return for a second visit.  Worse yet, you might feel as if the effort going into the blog doesn't meet your standards.

We make these conclusions with people as well.  As it turns out, there are at least three things that interviewers notice in job candidates.  We meet someone and immediately form a judgement based on such small details as their clothing or tone of voice.  I once interviewed a man who was late, had dirt under his fingernails and hadn’t flossed in some time.  Needless to say, he wasn’t hired.  

I like this piece about the kinds of things that detail-oriented people notice, including:

1. What people wear for clothing: i.e. a red tie implies strength.
2. Body language: A strong handshake indicates confidence.
3. Improper grammar: You want to build your vocabulary via more frequent reading.
4. The big picture: Detailed people understand context and perspective.
5. Patterns: i.e. “I have a pattern of getting along with my bosses”, etc.
6. Things out of place: Detailed people recognize when a room is off-kilter or when a meeting is missing a key person.
7. How much is left: Whether it’s time or money, detailed people have a good sense of “enough”.

These are the indicators of people who are detail-oriented but how do you develop that muscle?  I suggest five ways:

1. Get in touch with your faith.  Your relationship with God, cultivated over time, will enable you to be more heartfelt, more of a listener and more appreciative of your surroundings.  My faith in Christ (and I am happily Catholic) is not only the source of all I do but the engine behind noticing the many wonderful details around me.  The more often you can pray, the better.
2. Get outside.  Nature is the best classroom for noticing details.  The more time you can spend outdoors, the better.
3. Read more.  Authors are masters of inserting small details into otherwise complex storylines.  The more you can read, the better.
4. Create a home with less noise.  Cary and I have four kids and lots of glowing devices, from iPhones to tablets.  Still, our kids know that certain times are meant to be quiet like during dinner or early in the morning.  The less noise, the better.
5. Create a workspace with fewer interruptions.  I had the opportunity to interview Tim Metz whose company is dedicated to fewer interruptions at work.  The less interruptions, the better.

It’s worthwhile to try to be more intentional about who and what is around you.  Pay attention to them in every way.  In your daily journal writing, take note of your own personal details like how you are feeling, what makes you happy and what you're anxious about.  

Over time, simply by paying more attention, you'll start to notice even the smallest of details.  For whatever strange reason, I have an uncanny ability of noticing when someone gets a haircut.  I've learned how to compliment people on their haircut and they love it.  They love being noticed, just like you and me.

Why Your Body Language Is More Important Than You Think

Imagine this: you walk into a room and people are talking with one another, clustered in twos and threes.  You look around, scanning the crowd to see about one of two things:

1. Do I know anyone?
2. Where is the nearest food station?

A few of the groups glance over at you, eyeing you up.  This is the moment that your impression starts- will you own the moment or fade into the background?

This scenario happens all of the time.  

The fact is, people can see you before they can hear you.  This is the first reason why your body language is so vitally important.  Secondly, body language is a means of communicating to yourself.  I have confidence.  I am talented.  I can do this.  Third and finally, body language is a door to a meaningful conversation with someone else (and that’s always a good thing).

Here are some great resources for mastering the art of body language and networking:

• The Art of Charm: How to Dress
• Forbes: How to Work a Room Like You Own the Place
• Entrepreneur: 6 Ways to Work a Room
• Real Simple: What Is Your Body Language Saying?

If you’re serious about your career, paying attention to body language is a good investment.  Shoulders back, broad smile, engaging eyes, good handshake… now go and own the room.  You can do this.

Time to Stop Listening to Experts

I once had a friend who loved a particular saint. She read her books, prayed her prayers and in general, modeled her life after the saint.

Until it stopped working.

She realized that she was better off finding her own way. Years later when I asked her if she was still into the saint, she said quite remarkably, “I actually think that the saint sort of messed me up.”

All those years, she spent trying to be exactly like the saint only to find that she was uniquely gifted in ways the saint couldn't touch.  For example, while the saint was mousy and mild-mannered, my friend realized that she had a playful side that made others feel welcome.

My friend is like most of us I suppose- we like experts. They have authority. They are popular. Their voice seems to be “louder than words”.

The catch, of course, is that your voice (mine too) is as loud as you want for it to be. Volume is not what we are looking for. Rather, it's depth we are after.

These days, I'm reading Todd Henry's "Louder Than Words". One of his key points is this: find your own voice over time and then polish its edges.  Says Henry, “You need to create space for your creative process to thrive rather than expect it to operate in the cracks of your frenetic schedule.” The fact is that:

• No expert can provide a perfect path.
• No expert knows you exactly like God (and your friends do) does.
• No expert cares enough to talk with you regularly.
• Some experts aren't really experts at all. 
• Some experts' experience is so wildly different from yours that following them might be a waste of time. 

I'm not opposed to learning from others but I've seen too many "experts" whose advice just isn't helpful to regular folk.  My preference would be to listen and learn from mentors.  Mentors have a vested interest in you and they care.  They typically have accumulated wisdom that can be unpacked through their relationship with you.  That's powerful.

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Through mentors, we can be reminded why we do what we do.  This is one reason why the GTD weekly review is so important.  A weekly review tells us what's on our plate and how we can organize our priorities.  Most experts can't do that.  They just make us feel bad that we're not more like them.

For me, I am a school leader. My colleagues, each astounding, teach me how to be a better person. Occasionally, I provide something of value to them. Our students? Simply extraordinary in every way. They too help me to find my leadership voice.

Who is helping you find your professional voice at this stage of your career?

How to Recharge Your Batteries Daily, Quarterly and Annually

The best leaders find ways to recharge.

 This CEO organizes and rests on the weekend- that's it.  Meanwhile this executive took a sabbatical in order to recharge his batteries.  The fact is that executives need to be especially mindful of their need to recharge their batteries.

If we don't recharge, the following can happen:

• loneliness
• depression
• a lower quality of work
• less attention to mission
• less present to those we are called to serve

The leaders I know understand their need to refuel.  They know that if they don't refuel, the consequences above might overtake their otherwise successful career.

Leaders do this daily, quarterly and annually.  In this post, I'd like to explore some ideas for each:

• Daily refueling: take breaks, find spots of sanctuary where you can be nourished and energized.  Pay attention to this if you are an introvert as you'll need more time alone than extroverts.
• Quarterly refueling: I recommend the leaders take a day away from the office once per quarter.  Michael Hyatt does this and I do too.  Focus on strategic planning, long term goals and professional reading.  
• Annual refueling: this can take the shape of a retreat or a professional conference.

One more thought: one of the best ways I know to refuel is through the use of a mastermind group.  Amy Porterfield has a great interview on this topic.  Mine meets twice a year and it's quite helpful.

Refueling is one of the tenets of Terry Hershey's new book, "Sanctuary: Creating a Space for Grace in Your Life".   He teaches that sanctuary, of the idea of refueling is like water to a fish.  Except for one thing: we often don't give ourselves permission to refuel.

Hershey says that "Sanctuary is where you go to cherish your life.  It's where you practice being present.  And it may not be many steps from where you are, right now."  

I know that for me, daily refueling takes the shape of a morning devotional time.  I write in my journal, I pray and I plan for the day ahead.  A break at noon gives me a chance to check personal email and some time reading at night (before bed) keeps my mind sharp.  

What can you do today to refuel and stay on the top of your game?

Here's a Method That Will Move Your Team Towards Collaboration

I’m a school guy so my “year” began this past Monday, Sept. 1, the first day of school.  While we worked all summer to get things ready, only when kids arrive do we feel as if the year begins.

Your “year” may be the same or may begin in January or some other time.  Whatever the case, beginnings are the right time to sit with your team and look forward.

The only catch is that many leaders don't take the time to do this.  After all, it takes guts to delve into the "soft skills" that truly great leaders demonstrate.  We're talking about emotions, group sentiment and motivation.

An easy technique that I use is as simple as the following:

1. Let’s review the reasons why we meet.  I.e. to make decisions, to approve things, to seek advice, to share our wins, to track sales, etc.

2. Let’s articulate responses to “I appreciate when…”  This is the most important step because it invites participants to state what they like in the behaviors of their teammates.  You may hear things like...

I appreciate when you guys show up on time

I appreciate when we make real decisions

I appreciate when we don’t go over an hour

I appreciate when my opinion is heard by everyone

3. Let’s affirm what we are about.  At this point, we list the individual values that we are passionate about.  One typically hears things like “honesty”, “follow up”, “results oriented”, “speak up”, etc.

The hardest part of all of this is having the guts to try it.  Once the team gets rolling, the anwers flow and the rest is history.  

What strategies do you use as you prepare your team for a new year?

Introducing the Emergent Leader Podcast!

Today I'm pleased to take the wraps off my new and completely down-to-earth podcast, The Emergent Leader.

This is designed for anyone who can relate to the following questions:

• Have you gone for an interview and then waited for the call back... only it never came?
• Have you peaked at your current job and are secretly looking for new opportunities?
• Have you felt ignored at work and wished for greater influence?
• Are you frustrated with the "status quo" and want to make a difference?

If you can relate to these (and plenty more!) kinds of questions, The Emergent Leader Podcast is for you.  Seriously, this podcast was built with you in mind.  It's not for academics.  It's not for already-CEOS.  It's for you and me, wanting to make a bigger difference in the world through our work.

Why Did I Create This Podcast?

The Emergent Leader was born out of a desire of mine to

a) connect people to one another 

b) help them get ahead in their careers

So many people have helped me in my career and now it's time to curate my advice to those that I can help- maybe that's you or someone else that you are trying to help.  I have people approach me all of the time, asking for career advice.  Others will email me their resume, looking for an edge or bit of guidance.  This podcast can help them and I believe it will help you.

What's Waiting for You

I've prepared four casts for you to enjoy while you are working out, hanging out or on your way into work.  The first three are "just me" and the fourth is a special guest interview with an expert in career advancement.  Stay tuned as I have several amazing and influential guests lined up for August and September.

So what are you waiting for?  What if this podcast could really help you to achieve wild success at work?  What if you could wake up with a smile on your face, knowing that you are ready to rock and roll?  

How You Can Help...

1. Subscribe to the cast via iTunes.  If you like it, give it a review.

2. Download the Emergent Leader Quick-Read.  It gives you the outline of the show (plus it looks cool)

3. Tweet about the new podcast; just copy and paste this into your Twitter app:  I'm listening to the Emergent Leader Podcast by @mikekstpierre ...  You can too via iTunes today!

4. Post to Facebook the link to this blog post.

That's it and it's exciting!  I hope that you enjoy the cast as much as I have in preparing it for you.  Most of all, I hope that you put it into practice so that you can expand your influence and maximize your leadership at work.