No New Postings Effective 10/18/2010

Hello everyone,
As promised, we've updated our site with our blog within the site.  Please utilize the RSS feed mechanism to stay in touch with everything Altruistic!

Thanks, Annalisa

Leaving Blogger--but not going far!

On October 17, we unveil our new website with our blog posting within the site.  Checkout the new layout. Be sure to click the RSS feed or subscribe.

Thank you for signing on.  Our new site will make it much easier to stay connected!

Annalisa

What are you really living for?

When does a “good thing” become the “ultimate thing” and results in some form of idolatry? Let me ask it another way. What are you really living for? Alfred Adler (an Austrian medical doctor, psychologist) says if you really want to know what you are living for, look at your nightmares. What thing if it were absent might take away your very desire to go on with life? That “thing” may be on the path to becoming the “ultimate thing.”


Lately, hurting people are finding their way to Altruistic Leadership. They hear about us through our broadcast, through their church, through their friends—with a large percentage coming because they have been displaced, primarily through work, and are asking very deep questions that without that type of experience they may not have asked nor had the courage to ask.

What I find is that the position (or the job—recall what that stands for) gave them worth and value, which is a good thing. However, when the “good thing” (in this case the job) became the “ULTIMATE THING” that’s bad news because the job became an idol.

In psychological terms, an idol is the thing you get your identity from. In Bible terms, an idol is the thing you’re turning to for your righteousness. When the idol is removed, the invitation for anger, bitterness, depression, discouragement, fear & anxiety and a host of other emotions invade. Fear & anxiety (and their brethren) are defused by knowledge.

Stay tuned to Take-A-Lesson for the month of December. You have asked that we revisit topics like this post with experts in the field of work & life.

In October, we are re-launching our site, which will have key resources for career management and leadership enhancement.

IN ADDITION, our workshops are being expanded to serve more regional areas with experts coming into the workshop for up-close and personal interactions.

Stay connected by sharing this blog with others, becoming a fan, or following us.

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events

Meet the new Twitter.com

Meet the new Twitter.com

Not without meaning!

The caterpillar that lies inside the cocoon will never become the beautiful butterfly if someone cuts open the cocoon prematurely. The struggle itself allows the butterfly to emerge as a strong, new creature of nature. Understand how necessary this process is. That is why we are allowed to experience difficult, often life-changing events.

Join us on September 24 as we welcome Ron Allen, Chairman of the National African American Insurance Association. Ron has a 25-year history of leadership during very challenging times. His story of perseverance is encouraging and his leadership lesson will help you through the challenging moments we all face. Click this area to learn more.

~Annalisa

Problem or Fact of Life

"Decide if what you're facing is a problem or a fact of life. A problem is something we can do something about; a fact of life is something we must accept. If it is a true problem with a solution, then we move to the answer phase. Problems are just like knots ---- they have a process for untying. We must determine which part moves first. When that is done, then we put the process into a time frame and start developing as many options as possible. "  Fred Smith from Breakfast with Fred -- one of the greatest leadership resources I've encountered.  Add it to your toolkit!

Don't miss connecting with our September and October guest on their leadership journey!

Incredible Opportunity!

Master the art of the game!

Foundations

A revolutionary new workshop designed for diverse leadership

Foundations is a 2-day program designed for diverse men and women in work, community, and church leadership. Managers and non-managers will learn to develop and grow their leadership skills using interactive activities and assessments typically reserved for executives. We are unlocking the vault and sharing with you tools to achieve, obtain, and maintain success in the workplace and life. 

Click here to learn more about how you can participate in an incredible opportunity!

J.O.B. stands for Just Over Broke -- What's your career?

I worked with a very wise recruiter who consistently remained me that JOB stands for Just-Over-Broke and that was over 10 years ago. As you take a serious look at the remaining time horizon of your working life, ask yourself the question, JOB or career.


I asked HR executive Ron Thomas to address career vs. JOB in our August issue of Managing Your Career - Diversity style. Check out what Ron has to say. Enjoy! Annalisa

Click here to read the article.

Acting Against Discouragement

Great post by John c. Maxwell.

Acting Against Discouragement GiANT Impact

Take-A-Lesson in Mentoring! What it is... What it aint

Don't miss Friday's broadcast with Dr. Audrey Murrell, Professor and Author of Intelligent Mentoring.  Click here for details and "hear you" on the broadcast.

Sad or Depressed?

Today's Take-A-Lesson broadcast with Jacqueline S. Williams was not only a listener requested topic but timely given all the stress-related occurrences in our society. Click on Jacqui's name and sit back and take-a-listen.


While we target our broadcast for a diverse community, this area cuts across all demographics. My conversations with Jacqui leading up to the broadcast were illuminating. Additionally, the data and statistics I've collected on this subject--specific to people-of-color--is alarming to me. Jacqui (and the previous guest--Deborah Smith Pegues) are much more articulate than I in this area, so I'm pleased to have had them on the show to tackle these sensitive subjects.

Listen...do yourself and those you love a favor & listen in. Also, share this blog or at least the broadcast with others.

Ciao ~Annalisa

Transparency--like it or not, we're there!

Transparency by Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, James O'Toole is one of my favorites.  Rather than give you a book review, here's a video snippet by one of the authors.  I hope you'll read the book as well.

Click here to get started! 

Being Authentic

Have you had it with people shooting from the hip and saying whatever they chose attaching the labels of authenticity and being candid, which is an underlying disguise for rudeness and disrespect?

At Altruistic Leadership, we've adopted the following definition for authenticity in our programs...

Conducting yourself in a situationally appropriate way

Using authentic dialogue helps to wipe out silent lies and pocket vetoes that occur when people agree to something they do not intend to carry out, or are stuck on carrying out their own agenda. Confronting people in a situationally appropriate way doesn't suggest you rollover either! What it does suggest is that you focus the conversation & use dialogue to create action and bring closure.

Check us out at Altruistic Leadership-Programs.  We've designed our programs to equip the leader-of-color with powerful tools to bring about decisive and empowering dialogue for your career journey.

Take-A-Lesson with Dennis Dowdell, Jr.--Chief Human Resources Officer

Click here for details!

Please join us for our next broadcast with Altruistic Leader: Dennis Dowdell, Jr.  These broadcast feed your soul and enhance your career.  Don't miss them.  Also, share the site, this blog, and other resources with your followers, friends, and even foes--if you believe they can learn from what's on the site.

Thanks,
Annalisa

If you don't drop it, it will drop you!

Link to the video!

I found the full version of this video on the net.  It's one of my favorite DVDs by TD Jakes.  If you don't view the entire program (which I highly recommend), fast forward 45 minutes into the program for a leadership lesson on the Eagle.  Question: What have you picked up...that you need to put down?

New Resources are waiting for you!

I've uploaded new resources and articles on the Altruistic Leadership site.

Several are "must-reads" you don't want to miss.

Enjoy!

Altruistic Leadership Presents...Take-A-Lesson with Gregg Walker, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation of America

Have a wonderful Holiday and return ready to join us for our next Take-A-Lesson: Uncovering Hidden Mentors!

Altruistic Leadership Presents...Take-A-Lesson with Gregg Walker, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation of America

Deborah Smith Pegues Comes To Take-A-Lesson

Deborah Smith Pegues:


Whether a keynote speaker or seminar leader, Deborah delivers sage advice on relational, financial, and emotional freedom for secular and religious audiences domestically and abroad. She is a high-energy, inspiring motivator, effectively incorporating humor and hard-hitting directness into her presentations to her never-bored listeners.

Deborah is a best selling author with the unique ability to address readers across all social, racial, and economic strata. Her most popular book, "30 Days to Taming the Tongue", challenges readers to embark upon a 30-day period of verbal abstinence from 30 negative uses of the tongue including complaining, gossiping, lying, etc. With sales in excess of 480,000 copies, this book has revolutionized conversations across America.

Read more on her website or checkout Altruistic Leadership for date & time for the broadcast!

Issuu - altruisticleadership's Profile

Issuu - altruisticleadership's Profile

Issuu - Groups / Career Management Diversity Style

Sign up and join our new group which will feature exclusive articles, techniques and tips to help you Manage Your Career, Diversity Style!

Issuu - Groups / Career Management Diversity Style

Four regrets leaders have about working with difficult people. (2:20)

Four regrets leaders have about working with difficult people. (2:20)

Altruistic Leadership Presents...Take-A-Lesson with Gregg Walker, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation of America - Free-Press-Release.com

Altruistic Leadership Presents...Take-A-Lesson with Gregg Walker, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation of America - Free-Press-Release.com

Spark Program -- Saving Middle Schoolers

Sparks is a program serving middle-school youth. Truly Altruistic Leaders who started this program. Please check out the video post and contribute by raising awareness. Thanks everyone!

Resume is not enough! I can help with this...

http://blogs.wsj.com/hire-education/2010/05/24/a-resume-is-not-enough/?mod=e2tw#

Guy Vickers-President, The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation on Take-A-Lesson.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/05/prweb3999084.htm

May 21, 2010 1PM PST/4PM EST--Join us!

Take-A-Lesson is Taking Off!

Take-A-Lesson: Uncovering Hidden Mentors for Diverse Leaders has taken off and is fast becoming the place to me Friday's at 1PM PST. This program highlights corporate, non-profit, community leaders willing to share their leadership journey with the listening audience of Altruistic Leadership. For the diverse community, the Ursula Burns’ CEO of Xerox are unique and few. However, several talented executives have traversed the hard path of corporate America in the midst of cultural bias, challenges, and criticism. While these leaders are lesser known to the populous-at-large, they are the reason we have opportunities to run Fortune 500 companies. Their journeys, in some cases, are ending--during a time in which unemployment for people of color is twice that of traditional leadership. They see this and want to share with the listeners their triumphs, tripping points, and techniques.

I invite your to hear their stories and share in their thought leadership. Don't just let life pass you by, Take-A-Lesson!

Dr Byron L. Cherry, Sr--truly an Altruistic Leader--checkout the broadcast!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/altruisticleadership/2010/04/30/take-a-lesson-with-ceo-byron-l-cherry-sr-phd

Altruistic Leadership Presents...Take-A-Lesson with Bob Lockett, Assistant Vice President, People Services at USAA - Free-Press-Release.com

Altruistic Leadership Presents...Take-A-Lesson with Bob Lockett, Assistant Vice President, People Services at USAA - Free-Press-Release.com

Take-A-Lesson with CEO Byron L. Cherry, Sr. PhD

Don't miss what is becoming an internet must "hear" for diverse leaders.  Dr. Byron L. Cherry, joins our show on April 30 1PDT/4EDT.  His journey is not-so-typical, full and humor and will enlighten you!

Dale Caldwell--honest and upfront about challenges as a diverse leader!

Check him out! 

Job Market Looking Up...or, is it?

http://thebusinessofpeople.blogspot.com/2010/04/demographics-will-save-this-job-market.html

Enjoy!

Take-A-Lesson with CEO Byron L. Cherry, Sr. PhD.

Take-A-Lesson with CEO Byron L. Cherry, Sr. PhD.

Take-A-Lesson with Dale Caldwell

Take-A-Lesson with Dale Caldwell

Philanthropist, Speaker, and Executive Leader--all characterize Dale Caldwell. Tune in to share in his thought leadership on thriving in this economy.

~Annalisa

Age Discrimination -- Yes/No?

Interesting article passed along from one of my mentors. 

Over 55 Workers Key to Closing Coming Labor Gap | Encore: Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life

Over 55 Workers Key to Closing Coming Labor Gap | Encore: Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life

Posted using ShareThis

How do I best Approach a Target Company? Use Recruiters or Go it Alone?

Checkout it out!

Take-A-Lesson with Marke Dickinson, Sr VP & Chief Marketing Officer

Take-A-Lesson with Marke Dickinson, Sr VP & Chief Marketing Officer

This was a fabulous show! Marke provided an interesting perspective on the "iron ceiling" that I never heard before. I dig it!

Take-A-Lesson on March 26 with Marke Dickinson

Leaders giving back through their success journey are Altruistic.  Join me for a conversation with Marke Dickinson, Sr. Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Take-A-Lesson with Marke Dickinson

Take-A-Lesson with Ron Thomas Playback!

Take-A-Lesson with Ron Thomas

Missed the live show? Take-A-Lesson with Ron Thomas was an incredible, insightful, and inspiring. Click the link, sit back, take notes, and take-a-lesson.

Take-A-Lesson with Ron Thomas March 19

Success - Free-Press-Release.com

March 19, 1PM PDT/ 4PM EDT, don't miss our candid discussion with Ron Thomas on how diverse leaders can thrive in this economy. Take-A-Lesson premiers!

Jim Rohn Tribute--A True Altruistic Leader

One Altruistic Leader (Les Brown) paying tribute to another: Jim Rohn International. Jim Rohn was one of my virtual mentors. A business philospher that the world was fortune to experience. Experience...this leader. Don't...shortcut your learning.

Take-A-Lesson: Hidden Mentors Share Their Journey

Take-A-Lesson with Altruistic Leadership on BlogTalkRadio is gearing up for a great season of in-depth conversations with today's diverse leaders.


We uncover hidden mentors in corporations, education, private and public industry willing to share their journey with you. These are successful people-of-color leaders (African American, Hispanic, and Asian-Pacific Islanders) that will share with you their tips, techniques, opinions, and oppositions they faced during their career journey. These leaders experience transcend race, gender, & title; rather, because of the road they’ve traveled they understand how the trappings of life at the top can thwart one’s success in life and business. It’s important that we take their lessons and use them particularly during this time.    

Tune in to forty-five minutes of candid conversation designed to inspire, equip, and challenge you to take ownership of your future during these tough economic times. Questions may be sent in advance to allow the leaders a more thoughtful response. This is your opportunity to Take-A-Lesson with Altruistic Leaders.

In Search of Mr. Mitchell

I started this blog with a question: What’s Altruistic Leadership? Well aside from being the name of my organization, for me it's servant leadership—that which I experienced much of in the 80’s. You’ll notice this post is entitled, “In Search of Mr. Mitchell”. Mr. Mitchell was the President, CEO, and Chairman (from what I recollect) of San Francisco Federal Savings and Loan, a placed I worked at shortly after the death of my mother in 1981. With my father’s passing at the age of 9, my mother was the complete parent for me. However, with her death in 1981, and me in college, studio apartment, car note, insurance, and barely making ends meets, that job and Mr. Mitchell meant a great deal to me and my survival.

The 80’s were hard times for the Savings and Loans industry. And, like today employers were looking for cost savings anyway they could. But, unlike today, the leaders during that time seem to be more focused on people—personally—their employees. Or, perhaps I was fortunate enough to have that experience. Before all the formal training programs, vision and values plastered on walls and in booklets—these leaders seem to follow truly selfless rules, little examples that leave lasting impacts. Before pay it forward was a buzzword, they understood the importance of the concept and lived it.


Fade to black its 1981 and I’m in an elevator with Mr. Mitchell and two other executives. They’re openly discussing ways to trim expenses. One of the executive mentions a way to cut several thousand dollars—eliminate the soda fountain and toaster that was located in the break area on the 3rd floor. “The younger staff appears to be the only ones taking advantage of it. Besides they go through several loaves of bread daily…” It was a good idea, one that made my heart quicken—I panicked. Mr. Mitchell’s response firm but gentle “You’re right, it is the younger folks…but you see, for some of those kids, that’s their only meal. Let’s look elsewhere”. He knew that it was our only meal, my only meal. The first year after my Mom’s death was rough. Without too much detail, I was on-my-own as it was for so many other younger staff members at SF Fed. The “breakfast” was one of the reasons we came to work there. Before the dotcoms and their juice-bars, candy, ice-cream, hot lunches, or free vending machines, there was a Mr. Mitchell with a soda fountain and toast; a leader so in-tune with the personal needs of his staff.


Fortunately for me, my experience with this extraordinary leader didn’t end there. You might see this as a simple perhaps even trite example of altruism, but doesn’t altruism include little self-less acts that leave lasting impacts—that change lives. It changed mine. Those who know me know that this act of altruistic leadership planted along ago became a reminder for me to stay alert, in tune to the needs of others. I hope you stay with me on this journey, add your comments and altruistic leader citing. We all would benefit from your experiences.


Next Blog: A Leadership Trinity: A cord of three strands are not easily broken. Three executive who came together to surround me with comfort, conviction, and care!