Listening Leaders Archived Edition

June 13, 2007

LISTENING LEADERS SCHEDULE SUMMER SABBATICALS

Savvy Listening Leaders® schedule summer sabbaticals.

In case there is any question, the writers of the Listening Leaders® newsletter attempt to practice what we preach. As the creative search for alliterative themes, meaningful research, and writing demands significant time and energy, it is time to recharge our batteries and enjoy the summer. For in the words of an unforgettable song, “Summertime and the living is easy….” It is time to kickback and just listen.

Thus, we are taking a short summer sabbatical from the demanding task of writing the Listening Leaders® newsletter. Our mission to “Advance Listening Leadership Worldwide” remains as strong as ever, and in the interim we will send periodic listening tips and nuggets your way. Concurrently, our Listening Leaders® Editor’s sabbatical objectives will include a variety of listening goals and experiences. On early summer mornings we will listen to the captivating call of Minnesota loons calling across the water. In the evening we will listen to the political loonies blathering across the airways. On truly special days, we will listen to the captivating sounds of youthful voices and the unbridled spirit of grandchildren. Listening to their joys of new discovery along the seashore and mountain paths and running rivers replenishes the soul.

Throughout the summer, we will pause and relax while we catch up with the stories of days gone by. Listening to, and reminiscing with, special friends and visiting relatives will continue to provide a reconnection to our past. As the voices of the past provide clarity for the present, the keepers of the past will be invited in. As a result, shared listening will pave the road for the future.

In our extensive travels, we will listen to the wisdom of our professional colleagues and numerous clients. The objective to listen and learn will remain ever present. In the process, we will listen to the perspectives of other cultures and insightful views. Along the way we will make and take time to enjoy the wonderful music of the special events of the summer season. From the multitude of marching bands and symphonic offerings, we will witness the power of listening to extraordinary and talented musicians.

As we run, bike, golf, and exercise, we will listen to our bodies protest with the passage of time and age. Yet we will run, bike, golf, and exercise, because it is summer and our inner voice says balance and exercise is important. Beyond listening to our bodies, we will listen to our souls and the voices above, for there is no sabbatical from listening to that which truly matters. Our summer sabbatical will end with the September 5th publication of the Listening Leaders® newsletter. In the interim, for our subscribers who tell us they wait with excitement for each new Listening Leaders Newsletter, we invite your exploration of past Listening Leaders® newsletters at our www.listeningleaders.com Archives.

Until September 5th, 2007 we invite everyone to Listen, Lead On and Enjoy the Summer.

In the interim you will be receiving the bi-weekly LISTENING LEADERS LAZER NUGGETS, important listening and leading tips and ideas.

LISTENING LEADER KNOWLEDGE NUGGET: Listening Leaders® schedule time to enjoy summer in special ways.

A sabbatical is nothing more than a prolonged hiatus to allow an individual to fulfill a specific goal. For as Dr. Paul Sharp, University of Oklahoma president emeritus and a scholar in the area of higher education, reminds us, “Early in the history of the United States, when universities were operated by religious organizations and faculty members were ministers, sabbatical leaves were a time to replenish one's spirit. Over time, "Sabbaticals evolved into time used by professors to conduct research and be renewed professionally."

In recent years, beyond the church and academic institutions, industry, governmental agencies, businesses, and individuals have embraced the value of the sabbatical. The latest trend has witnessed sabbaticals taken by cartoonists Gary Larson, Bill Watterson, and Garry Trudeau, the lampooner of American life through his comic strip ''Doonesbury”. Imagine taking a sabbatical from a stage composed of 723 newspapers in the United States with a combined readership of 65 million people. In addition, musicians like, Cindy Wilson and Bobby McFerrin, and sportsmen like Alain Prost have taken time away to recharge their batteries.

Although most sabbaticals are usually provided with some degree of living allowance or stipend, the Listening Leaders® summer sabbatical will depend solely on the significant expansion and continuation of the sales of Listening Leaders: The Ten Golden Rules to Listen, Lead & Succeed.

For as Marcel Proust reminds everyone, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” To paraphrase Proust, the ultimate goal of our short summer sabbatical is to enjoy discovery through “new ears.” We will listen this summer with the memory of Walt Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road” ringing in our ears.

“From this hour I ordained myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines, Going where I list, my own master and absolute, Listening to others, considering well what they say, Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me. I inhale great draughts of space, The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.”

LISTENING LEADER TIP OF THE WEEK: Enjoy your summer as you schedule your summer sabbatical.

GOLDEN CIRCLE LISTENING LEADERS QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

It is well to lie fallow for a while ~ Martin Tupper
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things ~ Henry Miller
Embrace the detours ~ Kevin Charbonneau
One cannot rest except after steady practice ~ George Ade

A LISTENING LEADER GIGGLE:

It may be time for a sabbatical when one hears voices from heaven.

Some time back, there was a house painter who was interested in making as much money as he could. As a result he would often thin down his paint to make it go a bit further. With larceny in his heart he got away with his felonious strategy for some time. Eventually the largest church in his hometown called for bids to paint the exterior of their church.

Because his price was so competitive, he got the job, erected the scaffold and purchased the brushes, rollers, and paint. When everything was prepped he proceeded to thin his paint down. Then he labored long and hard. When the extensive job was nearly done, there was a horrendous clap of thunder followed by terrifying bolts of lightening. The sky opened and the rain poured down, washing the thin paint from the church exterior. Knowing this was a judgment from the Almighty, the painter fell on his knees and cried, "Oh, God! Forgive me of my sins! What should I do?"

And from the heavens, a mighty Voice spoke, "Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"

LISTENING LEADERS KUDOS

Kudos to all the Fathers in the world! For without Fathers there would be no Mothers. Without Fathers and Mothers there would be no children. Without Mothers and children there would obviously be no need for a sabbatical at any time. We wish all Fathers a Happy Fathers Day and trust you will receive the gift of “Being Listened To.” !

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

ORDER YOUR “LISTENING LEADERS WORKSHOP ‘IN A BOX’.

You don't have to wait for the next live Listening Leaders® Workshop! The entire workshop is in a format that you can take at your own pace in the comfort of your own office or home. 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:

Make time to regenerate.

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

__________________________________________________________________

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

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