Listening Leaders Archived Edition

November 1, 2006

LISTENING LEADERS INVITE INSPIRATION

Listening Leaders® incessantly initiate and invite inspiration.

Inspiration to dream big dreams and engage in positive acts comes from many places, including from the important initiation and invitation of others. Obviously some inspirational invitations are offered from individuals whom we know, while some arrive from sources which are relatively unknown. Some inspirational invitations are subtle and some are bold; some are direct and some are indirect. Strangely, some individuals are struck by inspirational moments at times and places when least expected.

Yet everyone will find profit when Listening Leaders® incessantly initiate, invite, and support the positive inspirations of others. For as Abraham Lincoln said upon meeting Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which stimulated opposition to slavery before the start of the United State’s Civil War, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war!”

Examination of the phenomena of inspiration confirms that everyone has the potential to inspire others. Moreover, inspired and supportive listeners have the opportunity to provide great inspirational impact on others.

First, Listening Leaders® are ideally positioned to invite and initiate inspiration of others by providing examples worthy of emulation.

Second, Listening Leaders® are generally and positively inclined to attend to the inspired thoughts of others. As a result they provide important inspirational service.

Third, Listening Leaders® actively invite additional refinement of inspired ideas by supporting and applauding the worthy inspired ideas and acts of others. Find individuals who need and desire to be listened to, and you will find individuals to inspire. As everyone holds the potential to influence others, the question arises: “Who inspires you and who do you inspire?”

Consider the inspirational force of the late Charles Schultz, who impacted millions through the humor of his daily “Peanuts” comic strip. Schultz enjoyed asking the following six questions. Can you name: 1. The five wealthiest people in the world; 2. The last five Heisman Award winners; 3. The last five Miss America’s; 4. Ten Nobel or Pulitzer Prize winners; 5. The last six Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress; and, 6. The Major League World Series winners over the last decade.

Charles Schultz’s point is that few remember the headliners of yesterday, even when they are the best in their field. Applause dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten and accolades are buried with their owners. Inspirational forces are remembered forever.

For, on the other hand, Schultz found joy in asking individuals to name the few individuals who inspired them to achieve significant and meaningful things over the course of their lifetime. Who are the teachers who invited and inspired you on your journey through school? Who are the special friends who inspired and inspire you through difficult times? Who are your inspirational mentors whom you found worthy of emulation? Who provided significant support during your inspired moments of creativity and action? Who made you feel special and appreciated? Who are you inspired to spend time with? Who listened and inspired you to listen to others?

The line of inspiration and influence passes generations. For as the Athenian statesman, Themistocles explained his remark that his young son ruled all Greece, when he said: “Athens holds sway over all Greece; I dominate Athens; my wife dominates me; our newborn son dominates her.”

Thus the question for everyday remains: Who are you listening to and inspiring today?

LISTENING LEADER KNOWLEDGE NUGGET: Listening Leaders® invite and inspire many.

In less than a week, more than 142 million registered voters in the United States will have the privilege to vote for individuals who desire and deserve to provide leadership in a variety of offices. In the private moment of the voting booth, every voter holds the special opportunity to move beyond the negativity of campaign ads and harsh debates to measure the inspirational character of candidates. The moment is rich, as thoughtful voters have a last chance to ask: “To whom, and why, am I truly inspired to give my proxy to until the next election?” The candidates have spoken and the pundits have opined. It is now time for careful listeners to render thoughtful judgments that will inspire citizens across the lands for years to come.

LISTENING LEADER TIP OF THE WEEK: Cast your inspired Ballot. Vote!

GOLDEN CIRCLE LISTENING LEADERS QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

A spur in the head is worth two in the heel ~ Proverb
Inspiration is the act of drawing up a chair to the writing desk ~ Anonymous
Deprivation is for me what daffodils were for Wordsworth ~ Philip Larkin
I did not write it. God wrote it. I merely did his dictation ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe
I dare not alter these things; they come to me from above ~ Alfred Austin
When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them ~ Chinese Proverb

A LISTENING LEADER GIGGLE:

Inspiration may come in strange ways as illustrated in the following story.

As a man and his wife were dining in a fine restaurant, the husband stared intently at a drunken lady sitting alone at a nearby table.

His wife asked, “Do you know her?”

“Yes,” the man sighed. “She’s my ex-girlfriend and I understand she started drinking right after we split up seven years ago. I hear she hasn’t been sober since.”

“My gosh!” his wife replied, “Who would think a person would be inspired to go on celebrating that long?”

LISTENING LEADERS KUDOS

Congratulations to the members of the Albert Lea, Minnesota High School Class of 1956 who were inspired to create “Inspiration & Ponder Point” in commemoration of the teachers who inspired them in a multitude of ways 50 years ago.

The creation of a $40,000.00 three-tiered outdoor classroom amphitheater overlooking “Inspiration Pond” on the school grounds provides a tranquil spot to listen and reflect on past inspirers, while inspiring others in the present and future. It is a gift and lasting legacy of appreciation of 102 educators who inspired the 306 members of the Class of 1956 to inspire others in a variety of numerous and productive ways. They taught us that Ralph Waldo Emerson was correct when he wrote, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Kudos to all members of a great class led by great teachers.

Congratulations are extended to Dr. Laura Janusik, Assistant Professor of Communication at Rockhurst University and the International Listening Association for co-sponsoring the Fall Listening Forum in Kansas City on October 20-21. The Listening Forum was designed to set the listening research agenda for the next 5 years within the contexts of Business, Education, Healthcare, and Religion/Spirituality. Nearly 100 participants from around the world actively identified the challenges of measuring listening and designed pilot studies to be conducted to overcome the challenges.

BECOME CERTIFIED TO TEACH LISTENING LEADERSHIP IN YOUR ORGANIZATION. You will become fully equipped to deliver a unique and proven Workshop that provides practical and measurable results. For certification details, go to www.ListeningLeaders.com

THE LISTENING LEADERS WORKSHOP “IN A BOX” IS AVAILABLE. You don't have to wait for the next live Listening Leaders® Workshop! We now have the entire workshop in a format that you can take in the comfort of your own office or home....plus it includes a one-hour coaching session with Dr. Rick Bommelje, Architect of the Listening Leadership. For details, go to www.ListeningLeaders.com

WE ARE LISTENING and invite your action:
Together, we can change the listening attitudes, skills, and knowledge of leaders throughout the world. We appreciate and invite your assistance in expanding our listening leader’s connections. Eight simple steps in advancing this important movement include:
Listen and inspire others.
Forward this newsletter to your children, grandchildren, friends and colleagues. More important, invite them to Subscribe to the “complimentary and weekly” newsletter by going to www.listeningleaders.com
Send us your listening leader insights, examples and stories.
Start a Listening Leaders Reading and Discussion Group. Invite your Librarian to purchase our Award winning LISTENING LEADER book.
As meeting, conference, and convention attendees spend the bulk of their time listening, please let others know of our availability to Keynote Conventions and customize Listening Leader Workshops.
Invite us to identify specific needs for listening development of leaders in your organizations.
Ask about our proven listening leader training programs and our customized in-house train-the-trainer strategies and our new Certification program.
We can help, we are committed, and we are listening.
Listen, Lead On & Make Today Count! – Manny & Rick
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LISTENING LEADERS: THE TEN GOLDEN RULES
TO LISTEN, LEAD & SUCCEED

By Dr. Lyman K. Steil
& Dr. Richard K. Bommelje

Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press
(ISBN 1-59298-073-2)

A pioneering book that directly connects listening with leadership.Based on more than 50 collective years of work with listening leaders throughout the world, Dr. Steil and Dr. Bommelje have created 10 practical, proven, and priceless rules to enhance everyone's listening and leadership success. Although outstanding leaders are outstanding listeners, most leaders have neglected the development of their listening attitudes, skills and knowledge.

“This is the most significant book ever written on listening and leadership and will profit leaders at all levels in all types of organizations and enterprises.” Dr. Ralph Nichols, Father of the Field of Listening

ORDER YOUR COPY at www.ListeningLeaders.com or www.amazon.com

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Dr. Lyman K. (Manny) Steil
25 Robb Farm Road
St. Paul, MN 55127
651-483-3597
LKS@ListeningLeaders.com Dr. Richard K. (Rick) Bommelje
8530 Amber Oak Dr
Orlando, FL 32817
407-679-7280
RKB@ListeningLeaders.com

© 2007 by International Listening Leadership Institute.
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