DENVER, Colorado

A top Denver building official may face more sanctions after the Denver Board of Ethics found he broke the rules on multiple fronts.

The board found Scott Prisco, the engineer, architect director and building official for the City and County of Denver, used his position to lean on inspectors, as well as used city resources to work on his wifes private business.

Laura Swartz, communications director for Community Planning and Development, said the division has a great deal of respect for the Board of Ethics and would look into following their recommendation.

Prohibiting Mr. Prisco from engaging in private business with Hip Homes was not enough of a consequence," Swartz said. "Community Planning and Development intends to follow their recommendation to consider additional disciplinary steps consistent with those outlined in the career service rules."

Jane Feldman, a member of the Denver Ethics Board, said she was disappointed by the initial actions of the Community Planning and Development in response to their findings.

I think that I was somewhat disappointed, Feldman said. We dont know what will happen, if anything will happen, and the initial response from the city was to say that it was just a lapse in judgement and I think that the board of ethics thinks that it was...much more serious than his supervisor at least immediately seemed to have.

RELATED: Denver Ethics Board disappointed by citys punishment for unethical official

RELATED: Denver Ethics Board rules city building official used position to help personal business

The board registered their displeasure with the punishment earlier this month. Prisco kept his job, but will not be allowed to be involved with Hip Homes or have an outside business.

Prisco also runs Hip Homes LLC with his wife, Jeanne Prisco. The company builds sustainable homes in Denver.

In January, the Denver Ethics Board said Scott Prisco used public office for private gain. Data obtained by 9Wants to Know shows his project moved through the permitting process within his purview only slightly faster than the median for residential homes.

Concerns about Scott Priscos unethical actions highlighted gaps in the Denver Ethics Boards ability to assure the the city and countys employees are acting properly. The board cant punish employees they find to be unethical. Its up to their boss to choose the punishment.

Denver Auditor Tim O'Brien released a report Thursday outlining numerous areas where he said the Denver Ethics Board needs improvement.

If the Ethics Board had the kind of authority that were talking about this morning, then they could have taken some action, OBrien said.

Three of the prominent changes the auditor called for included:

The Board of Ethics has until Oct. 30, 2020 to implement the recommendations. OBrien said some of the asks mirror improvements previously covered in a 2010 audit. The auditor said the City Council did not put those into law then, but hopes it will gain momentum now.

If nothing was done, that would worry me, OBrien said. That would be troubling to me that we would put this kind of effort forth and nothing happened. Well, I think the ethics board and the executive director was clear about their commitment to at least do something about it.

The Board of Ethics agreed with almost every recommendation made by the audit. Feldman said installing these improvements would be beneficial, especially because its frustrating to not be able to pursue anonymous complaints.

It may be someone that just has a personal dispute with the boss, but we dont know and we would like the ability to be able to investigate that, and see if there is any basis for those complaints, she said.

> Read the full audit of the Denver Board of Ethicshere.

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Denver official to face further disciplinary action after board ruled he used position for personal gain - 9News.com KUSA

This is the third consecutive judgement of good for the school, with the latest under a different framework.

The school on Ewood Lane was praised for its quick response to improvements following the previous Ofsted inspection, with the report stating: leaders have improved the curriculum so that there is a greater range of subjects and pupils achieve more.

Todmorden High pupils celebrate their good rating.

Inspectors said that pupils have a lot of confidence to ask questions but that they would like more opportunity to debate and discuss ideas more in some of their subjects.

The report stated that the school could improve by creating a consistent approach to assessment across the school and complete curriculum changes.

The inspectors noted that Todmorden High School is a welcoming and friendly school. Pupils enjoy coming to school because they feel safe and they learn a lot. Pupils get on well with their teachers and enjoy good relationships.

Pupils know that there is always someone who will help them if they have any concerns.

We are delighted with the report, said Head teacher Gill Shirt. The inspection team judged the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all to be good.

I am extremely proud of our pupils, colleagues, Governors and all our external partners who have worked together so incredibly hard to ensure that Todmorden High School continues to raise the bar.

The judgement of good in all areas of inspection brings welcome recognition and validation of all the hard work that has taken place over recent years and is in line with our own self-evaluation of our current strengths and areas for further development.

Thank you to parents and carers for their unwavering support, belief and trust in both myself and the school as a whole.

This positive outcome is without doubt the result of a huge team effort of which we all feel incredibly proud.

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Calderdale head teacher extremely proud of Ofsted result - Halifax Courier

All of us fall short of our potential as leaders at times. But this is no excuse for being unwilling ... [+] to stare our problems in the face.

Leadership is a journey into self. It involves understanding the patterns of power that every human being is able to accessand learning how to deploy that power to best effect.

We might define a good leader as someone who has mastered their power and knows how to direct it so that it is additive to their team, their business and the wider world. By way of contrast, an underperforming leader is someone who misunderstands, misdirects or maliciously deploys their power. Poor leadership rarely delivers brilliant long-term results.

All of us fall short of our potential as leaders at times. But this is no excuse for being unwilling to stare our problems in the face. Here are three of the most commonand challengingissues that leaders face on their journey to excellence.

There is a big difference between the leader who is doing his best to engage openly and honestly with his colleagues or shareholders, and one who is manipulating, distorting or withholding key information in order to try and create a desired outcome.

It is important to note that the dishonest leaders intention might not be malicious. But it is almost always self-serving. For example, many underperforming leaders withhold difficult information simply because they dont like entering the zone of uncomfortable conversations. The wish to avoid personal embarrassment is another reason.Then there is plain old denial.

In reality, a fundamental lack of honesty is rarely sustainable. People can smell inauthenticity from afar, and the truth will out. But the underperforming leader thinks of himself first, and prioritizes comfort over candor.

By way of contrast, the good leader embraces forthright diplomacy. She understands the power of honesty. She turns the zone of uncomfortable conversations into a training ground for herself and her colleagues.

Candor, congruency and a willingness to embrace complexity are three signs of a high-performing ... [+] leader.

Organizations are good at creating long-standing, seemingly intractable problems. Underperforming leaders are good at delegating the responsibility to remedy themin unrealistic timeframes.

Sadly, wicked problems dont generally lend themselves to quick fixes, particularly when the issues are systemic in nature. In fact, a lack of systems thinking is why many wicked problems exist in the first place. In an attempt manage the chaos that accompanies growth, many businesses implement new processes, priorities or structures without considering their impact on the whole. So, the solution only ends up creating more problems (we might call this the law of unintended consequences). These problems pile up, becoming ever more complex and creating organizational inertia.

But the underperforming leader is untroubled by this, preferring to agitate for results now and at any cost. This is a classic misuse of power. In championing fast fixes, he will likely store up a whole lot of problems for a later timeor another leader.

Faced with a wicked problem, the good leader slows down, and tests solutions at the systemic level.

The psychologist Carl Rogers believed that for a person to achieve self-actualization they must be congruent. This means that someones ideal self (who they would like to be) is consistent with how they actually behave.

This is a lofty goal that all but the most evolved leaders will often fall short of achieving. Many of us have distorted self-images, with childhood trauma often being the root cause. And because around 80% of our thought processes are non-conscious, we often struggle to understand why we feel and behave as we do.

But the underperforming leader does not attempt to traverse this psychological terrain. Instead, he plays armchair psychologist to his team, barracking them to improve their own performance while ignoring the factors that compromise his own. Overcome by ego, he believes that his title signifies that his personal development journey is complete.

The good leader makes mastering her own psychological weaknesses and blind spots a priority. She acknowledges that achieving congruence between self-image and behavior is a force multiplier on every other goal she has. She invests money, time and energy to achieve this state of grace.

Candor, congruence and a willingness to embrace complexity are three signs of a leader that has mastered his or her power. They also represent a challengingif often inspiringjourney of personal development.

If your coach or consultant asked you to rank yourself out of ten on each of these factors, how would you score?

Original post:
Are You Struggling As A Leader? Here Are Three Possible Reasons Why - Forbes

After losing his last two fights, Juan Adams reached out for help to get his career back on track.

"Anytime I go through something hard in life, I go see a therapist," Adams told theScore. "We work through it. Sometimes it takes a long time, this time it took two-to-three weeks getting back to the right mindset. And that's what I've been doing man just been a lot of personal development."

The 28-year-old revealed he's been working with a therapist on and off for the last seven years.

"It started when I was very young," Adams said. "When I was in school, I first got diagnosed with ADD (attention-deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). They sent me (to a therapist) because I just stopped caring about school. Once I learned how to control that, I stopped going. I had to go again in high school because I was getting into a lot of fights."

"My junior year in college I was getting into it with my teammates a lot," he continued. "There were a lot of arguments, a lot of testosterone in those rooms. Me, you know, I don't have many in-betweens. Its like 'one, two, three, ok we're going.'

"So I've been working with a therapist since then. This one I started going to right when my mom died, off and on. I'll get good for a little while, a few months and then I will go back and just check-in."

Fighters don't often open up about their personal struggles while competing in a masculine sport like mixed martial arts. Adams wants to change that stigma by sharing his battles with anxiety and depression.

"So many people suffer from this, men especially," he said. "Its stigmatized in our society quite a bit. Anything that's going to keep you on this earth longer, I advise you to do it.

"So that's why I'm open about it. When I was a kid, the reason I was so reluctant to go for it (was) because I viewed it as weakness. Once I became more secure in who I was, I was like, I'm going to be (the) person that I needed when I was younger."

Fans have become inspired, and Adams has taken on a mentor role. The Contender Series winner mainly wants to prove there's no shame in enduring mental struggles.

"I don't check my DM requests often, but when I do there's always one or two people that are just saying how much its helped them," he said. "My Instagram story Im pretty open about my struggles with anxiety when I'm going through depressive bouts. I'll do it for everyone to see and then you know, they can see in two or three days I'm usually over and I'm good again. It's not something that you have to be defined by."

Adams is scheduled to face Justin Tafa at UFC 247 on Feb. 8 in Houston.

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Adams opens up about doing a 'lot of personal development' with therapist - theScore

This Insights article was contributed by Richard J. Walsh, Director UNCWs Swain Center for Executive Education & Economic Development We know from experience, that the best leaders never stop learning. Often, they seek out new opportunities to grow and help steer their organization toward growth and success. The most successful leaders start out each year with both a business plan and a personal growth plan. Yet, how do you develop a personal growth plan? For those leaders I coach, my answer is easy, yet challenging. Each new year is a time to take stock, to reflect on our business and our personal life. Re-connect with those who are most important in our life, and perhaps with someone we havent spoken to in a while. Forge new friendships with those who may think differently. Be of services to others in our community that may need our help. Reflect on our accomplishments, learn from our mistakes, and hopefully, determine our most important goals for the coming year. Perhaps youre thinking, that may be easier said than done. Each year, we are afforded a precious gift, and that is the opportunity for a new beginning. A new year to grow our business, spend time with loved ones, friends, business colleagues and community. A chance to make time in our hectic schedules and a chance to slow down from our fast-paced lives. A chance to re-connect with those people and activities that are most important to us and others. I find myself the busiest Ive ever been. What can I do differently? My answer is simple, yet profound. Begin by taking better care of ourselves. Leadership studies show that most of us need to be more resilient; and resiliency is one of the best predictors for success. We need to be at our best to help prepare our teams and our organizations for the future. Yet, many of us struggle just to respond to day-to-day challenges or set-backs. In a recent study of over 1,000 global leaders, leadership challenges fell into four main categories: market forces, organizational agility, social networks through interpersonal connections and personal renewal. These challenges pre-occupy much of our time, and we often overlook personal renewal. Health studies have shown that most of us dont make time for sleep, proper diet and exercise. Neuroscientists have researched that for us to be at our best, on average, we need eight hours of sleep. Medical experts, such as author Dean Ornish, MD recommends more plant-based foods in our diet. Sports psychologist Dr. Sharon McDowell encourages exercise in improving our overall, well-being. I seem to ruminate (or obsess) over past struggles. How do I learn from the past and set a new path for the coming year? Learn from the past, but dont dwell too much on the past. Unfortunately, negative thoughts attract negative experiences. Instead, learn to attract positive experiences for us and our team. Reflect on what went well, and how to share our talents and experiences with others. Write down five things that went exceptionally well, and how to leverage those accomplishments. Explore how others seek our advice, whether on technical areas, past experiences or even personal character. Then, identify key themes, and make time to share our unique talents even more in the coming year. When we find ourselves replaying negative thoughts, read from our list of top accomplishments. Over time, our positive thoughts will overtake the negative, and we will notice a big difference. I often feel like Im on a treadmill, doing the same things over and over again. If so, I challenge leaders to review our calendars over the past year, and group our time into four or five key areas. Are we performing activities that pull from our unique strengths and talents? Or, do we find ourselves doing more routine activities, that perhaps others on our team can do? If its the latter, then let them do it. The most successful leaders free up time to focus on those things that bring unique value to our team or organization. Activities that can make the greatest impact. Learn from our mistakes, but move forward. To help, determine five things that didnt go as well as we had hoped. Are their others who can support us, or past accomplishments we can apply to a challenging situation? Draw a road map, and decide on 3 or 4 actions we can take that will move us and our organization forward. Then focus on those most important actions. Often, we get so distracted by the urgent, we overlook the most important. As leaders, others look to us to help set priorities, and ensure future success. Set aside time to do just that, or said in another way, set aside time to think and act more strategically. In summary, the best gifts for ourselves are to take some time to recharge our batteries and focus on how we can bring the greatest value to our organizations, family, friends and community. Reflect on what went well, and determine any adjustments needed. Learn from our mistakes. Seek the advice of others, perhaps those who are different from us, and above all else, take good care of ourselves as we begin the new year. Perhaps last year wasnt exactly a time of reflection or personal renewal. If so, plan time over the next few months to learn from our experiences and set a path to achieve our most important goals. After all, the best never do stop learning.

Robert T. Burrus, Jr., Ph.D., is the dean of the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, named in June 2015. Burrus joined the UNCW faculty in 1998. Prior to his current position, Burrus was interim dean, associate dean of undergraduate studies and the chair of the department of economics and finance. Burrus earned a Ph.D. and a masters degree in economics from the University of Virginia and a bachelors degree in mathematical economics from Wake Forest University. The Cameron School of Business has approximately 60 full-time faculty members and 20 administrative and staff members. The AACSB-accredited business school currently enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students in three degree programs and 200 graduate students in four degree programs. The school also houses the prestigious Cameron Executive Network, a group of more than 200 retired and practicing executives that provide one-on-one mentoring for Cameron students. To learn more about the Cameron School of Business, please visithttp://csb.uncw.edu/. Questions and comments can be sent to[emailprotected].

Continued here:
The Best Never Stop Learning by Robert Burrus | Sponsored Insights - Greater Wilmington Business Journal

Attacking his former colleagues in the U.S. Navy SEAL community, Eddie Gallagher has shown why the Navy was right to push for his demotion and removal from the service.

Gallagher, a SEAL who was tried for numerous war crimes and convicted on one count, had his demotion countermanded by President Trump last year. The president claimed that this ill-advised decision ensured Gallagher was treated fairly, but the actual result was a diminishing of the Navy's integrity and its professional ethos.

This week, Gallagher again proved why Trump was wrong to protect him.

Gallagher did so by releasing an Instagram video identifying the names, photo identification, duty status, and service units of SEALs he accuses of betraying him by testifying in his trial. As the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, Gallagher accused the men of being "cowards" and included a member of the Naval Warfare Special Development Group, or Seal Team Six, in his rant. The video, titled "#TheTruthisComing," is apparently a trailer for a larger upcoming project.

But the only truth that has come out is that which we already knew: It's good news Gallagher is no longer a SEAL.

After all, Gallagher knows full well that by identifying the names, likenesses, and units of those he attacks, he has endangered them and their families. This is particularly true of the DEVGRU operator. Alongside the Army's Delta Force, DEVGRU is the lead unit for the nation's most dangerous counterterrorism operations.

Recall that DEVGRU was responsible for the killing of Osama bin Laden. Now, ask yourself a question: Do you think al Qaeda would like revenge against a DEVGRU SEAL?

Gallagher must know this. That he persists in threatening his former brothers shows he doesn't care about putting them and their families in danger. Indeed, he appears to like it.

Some will say that Gallagher has the right to attack those who followed their consciences by speaking to investigators, but they are wrong. Whatever you think of the way that Gallagher has been treated, his first responsibility should have been to his rank and his reputation as a retired senior noncommissioned officer. Even those with some sympathy for Gallagher should agree with this. As one former Joint Special Operations Command Task Force commander put it to me:

"I understand that chief Gallagher is upset or, better yet, pissed because he feels that men within his command betrayed him and that he wants to clear his name even more after being acquitted [of the most serious charges in his trial]. However, by striking back at those 'cowards,' as he describes them, does not show personal growth and maturity. We are taught every day that karma is a bitch and every dog has its day. Instead of making a vendetta, stand tall, be proud of what you accomplished, repair the damage to your name by something else to make this a better world, and walk quietly and carry a big stick, not Instagram."

That's the U.S. special operations way to deal with adversity, not the production of whiny Instagram videos.

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Eddie Gallagher forgets his rank and earns his negative reputation - Washington Examiner

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LinkedIn recently analyzed hiring trends across its platformto determine both the hard and soft skills companies need most in 2020. The trends align with what I see in my executive coaching practice, where I help leaders manage stress, build resilience, unleash creativity, develop emotional intelligence, and communicate and collaborate better.

Hard skills are often technical in nature and tend to be both teachable and measurable. Design, engineering, economic analysis, and AI all fall in this category.

Soft skills include interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to be creative and to view problems from multiple angles. Self-awareness is also essential here. Leaders, teachers, and coaches can help develop soft skills in others, but they tend to be trickier to measure.

We underestimate (and undervalue) the latter set of skills by calling them soft. As I have written before, soft skills are imperative to be an effective leader. Accordingly, Dartmouth University president Philip Hanlon calls them power skills, a high-value currency in todays workplace.

For the second year in a row, LinkedIns analysis finds creativity to be ranked the highest in-demand soft skill. As technical tasks become outsourced to computing and AI, it is the ability to see things differently and to connect the dots in new ways that distinguish great companies from good ones.

Daniel Pink noted this trend fifteen years ago in his book A Whole New Mind, where he argued that creativity and other right-brain skills were going to be the key to the future. We were, he said, moving from the information age to the conceptual age. That observation is even more valid today.

The ability to persuade and influence others is required in sales, but its applications are much broader. Leaders are responsible for communicating and igniting the organizations purpose and mission to employees, customers, clients, and other stakeholders. Conveying vision and influencing others to believe in that vision is a fundamentally persuasive skill.

Persuasion also figures more subtly in another essential interpersonal activity, developing one-on-one rapport with colleagues and employees. When leaders can effectively communicate the why of a task, tackling the how becomes far more manageable. Great leaders have a contagious conviction that persuades others to be believers.

The greatest ideas and innovations, argues Frans Johansson in The Medici Effect, do not come from lone wolf inventors, but from the intersection of different fields and perspectives. In order to think out of the box, we have to break out of our siloes. The most innovative companies and leaders create an environment that fosters collaboration.

Encouraging cognitive diversity is a complementary leadership skill. The Harvard Business Review finds that teams solve problems faster when they are more cognitively diverse. Leaders must orchestrate collaboration, and a diversity of background and perspective, if they are to stay on top.

Disruptive is a popular buzzword to describe ground-breaking ideas and cutting-edge companies. In order to ride the constant waves of change, leaders and their organizations have to learn to be adaptable, agile, and nimble.

The skillsets required to be adaptable are both personal and organizational. Leaders need to manage their stress and build resilience through a growth mindset and healthy habits in order to adapt and thrive in high-pressure environments. They must also be able to pivot and let go of assumptions and preconceived ideas. An open and receptive mind is essential. Organizations, in turn, must be able to respond quickly to unexpected changes in the market. Creativity, resilience, and the ability to collaborate will enhance an organizations adaptability.

Emotional intelligence is the secret sauce that enables all of the other soft skills. We cannot collaborate with or win over others unless we can read them accurately and can be empathic. We cannot fully tap into our creativity and agility unless we are self-aware and able to manage our thoughts and emotions.

Emotional intelligence is a foundation for succeeding and thriving in a complex and ever-changing world. Although this set of skills yields the most significant results in the interpersonal realm, it starts with the individual, and with the tough inner work and self-development influential leaders commit themselves to. Developing mindful self-awareness and self-mastery is the core of my executive coaching work, and leads to the biggest breakthroughs, both personal and professional.

One measure of just how essential soft skills are in todays world comes from Googles process of organizational introspection. Google was founded by a pair of computer scientists and conceived as a company that would be driven by the ideas and needs of engineers, not managers. As it evolved, however, the company examined what made for its most creative and productive teams.

The results of Googles internal analysis surprised many. Of the eight most important qualities found in its top employees, technical expertise came in last. All of the top characteristics were soft skills.

If soft skills can provide the competitive edge at one of the worlds most innovative tech companies, imagine what they can do for your organization.

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5 Of The Most In-Demand Soft Skills Companies Are Looking For This Year - Forbes

TAWAS CITY Serving the Children of the World is the Kiwanis organizations slogan, and the local Tawas club has maintained this motto for nearly 75 years.

Whether providing scholarships to students, or serving as a source of comfort to children enduring long hospital stays, the Tawas Kiwanis Club assists young people through a variety of avenues in addition to giving back to the community as a whole, via multiple service projects.

This branch is part of Kiwanis International, an organization which has served children for more than 100 years.

Longtime member Ken Cook who serves as both president and treasurer said the Tawas club was chartered in December 1945, with Secretary Kim Leet adding that the group is currently comprised of 19 members.

Cook and Leet were joined for the interview for this story by Tawas Kiwanis Club board members Tony Johnson and Jan Rockwell, as well as immediate past president Dave Lesinski.

Of their various projects, Johnson says the clubs Run By the Bay 5k event is one of its biggest fundraisers.

The race is set to enter its 14th year this summer, and will be held in East Tawas on Saturday, July 11.

Leet said another large fundraiser is the sale of gourmet nuts, for which Cook noted that they bought two pallets this year.

Thats 160 cases, Lesinski pointed out.

Six cans per case you can do the math, Johnson added with a laugh.

He said the Tawas Kiwanis Club also raises money through hot dog sales, while members are stationed at art shows and other events during the year.

As for how the proceeds raised are then distributed and used, Cook first explained that the club has two separate accounts.

We have whats called a service project account, and then we have an administrative account, he said. Any money that we raise in the community goes back into the projects.

Cook said the members dues and some other minor revenue go into the administrative account, which takes care of all of their international dues, Michigan district dues and any other kind of overhead expenses, such as supplies, sending officers to conventions and so on. So we spend no money of the publics in that area.

As a result of the Tawas Kiwanis Clubs fundraising efforts, they have been able to make such contributions as a sizeable donation toward the playscape at Tawas City Shoreline Park.

In another example, Johnson says the group keeps in contact with Tawas Area Schools to find out what the needs are for those in the district, and Kiwanis has provided hygiene products, school supplies and other essentials for students in need.

He added that scholarships have also been offered if, say, there are problems with accommodating field trips. We can help fund those field trips for students.

Educational scholarships are given out by the club, as well, to assist students with some of their expenses as they head off to college.

Additionally, Kiwanians have offered a helping hand to the young people of the community who are considering a career in law enforcement, with Lesinski noting that the club sends students to the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy.

Cook said the members also support various childrens hospitals throughout the state, via annual contributions to the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation.

He explained that these children may be dealing with anything from cancer, to severe accidents or other issues which require extensive rehabilitation.

Either way, Cook said the youngsters have to contend with being in an unfamiliar environment, not attending school and more, which is quite an adjustment. Therefore, the money raised by the clubs goes toward personnel costs and the programs that help distract the young patients during this time.

Its not really going toward the medical care, its going toward the psychological care, he pointed out.

According to the Foundation, Michigan Kiwanians contribute more than $200,000 each year to help hospitalized children by supporting non insurance reimbursable activities promoting childrens recovery. The support the Foundation provides can take many forms, but it is all designed to ease the anxieties and speed recovery of hospitalized children.

Aside from monetary gifts, the Tawas Kiwanis team also gets hands-on with their efforts. And, chances are you have seen at least one of the structures the club has been a part of during your travels in the community.

For one, members donated the materials and physically constructed a pavilion and picnic tables for those at the Iosco County Medical Care Facility.

A pavilion in Shoreline Park was also donated and built by the local Kiwanis crew.

Further, the club is responsible for the kiosk which can be spotted in Shoreline Park, as well as the one along the bike path on US-23, across from Tawas City Walmart.

Cook shared that the structures were originally built as informational kiosks. And we would put businesss names in there and where they were located on the map for the public to view.

This has shifted a bit over time, and the small buildings are now more like historical kiosks, with photos and information on the communitys bygone days.

Theyre really nice pictures, too, they really are, Rockwell commented.

Another familiar sight which the Kiwanians are behind is the sign located near the intersection of US-23 and M-55, listing all of the local service clubs and welcoming passersby to the area.

Lesinski and Cook spearheaded the actual construction of the sign, then reached out to the involved service clubs, which all chipped in on the project.

Another thing we do is volunteer our time to help the Michigan Salvation Army, Cook went on.

He said the Tawas Kiwanis Club always takes one weekend a month, pre-Christmas, to staff the town with its members for bell ringing to raise money.

This year, the weekend we did it, we collected just under $3,200, Cook said. And we passed that right on to Salvation Army.

When it comes to their hands-on work, Kiwanians arent afraid to get a little dirty, either, as was the case during their inaugural Tawas River Cleanup event in 2018.

The public was invited to join in, as the group used kayaks and canoes to collect debris from the bottom and the banks of the water.

There are a number of ways to learn more about joining the club, for those looking to get involved and give back to others.

While many people have hectic schedules that only seem to get busier each day participation in the group is flexible and can be tailored to accommodate the needs of the club member.

Were not asking for a lot of time, said Lesinski.

He added that, for the average person, if the Kiwanians took just several hours of their time a year, it would be a lot.

The club doesnt have a super strict schedule, and members dont have to log X number of volunteer hours in X number of months. However, people obviously have to show up and put in some work in order to be a member.

For example, it was mentioned that Kiwanians wont get penalized for missing a meeting here and there.

Although, that being said, if you dont attend you wont know whats going on and youre really not doing any good to yourself trying to do a service to the community, Cook stressed.

The twice-a-month meetings often feature guest speakers, as well, from a range of different groups and organizations.

If you care about kids, thats what Kiwanis is; the whole thing is about kids, Lesinski said, as to why people should consider joining. And I dont know a group where you can give as much time, or as little time, to help the community kids. To me, its just a simple thing.

Kiwanis is all about kids, agreed Rockwell. And thats something thats sometimes not really pushed, to where people understand that kids need help. And we always could use help.

Beyond the altruistic aspect of what Kiwanis offers, theres a social aspect to it, too, Johnson added.

He said the group has lunch a couple times a month, they try to get together during the holidays, they gather for summer picnics and take part in other social events.

As for the current members, many are involved in the community in other ways, beyond being Kiwanians.

Leet, for example, serves as vice chair of the Tawas City Zoning Board of Appeals, while Cook is the city mayor. Lesinski is a forerunner for the Knights of Columbus, and Johnson is president of both the Oscoda Area Schools Board of Education and the Iosco County Community Foundation, just to name a few.

Cook said that when many of the Kiwanians were kids themselves, there were Little League coaches, school board members and others who were putting back into the community. And its our turn.

When asked about their favorite activities as club members, If its got anything to do with food, Im in! Rockwell joked.

Clearly the club clown, he also said he has been a Kiwanian since Moby Dick was a minnow, and is one of the longest standing members of the organization.

Cook shared that Run by the Bay is his favorite fundraiser because, generally speaking, there are a lot of families involved.

He said people often check in with the club to see when the event is going to be held each year, because theyre coming to visit their families in the area and want to arrange their trip around the 5k.

So theres a lot of family things connected with that event, said Cook, adding that it also turns out to be a great fundraiser.

The Kiwanis website lists the following, as the best reasons to join the organization:

The opportunity to help: We believe that those who give the most are the happiest. There is nothing more beautiful than individuals who reach out to make other peoples lives beautiful. It teaches us the value of service to others and shows us how important our contributions are in making this world a better place most especially for the children.

Personal growth and development: Membership provides education in human relations and personal development. Being in service to others develops good character in every person. It gives us experiences that teach and develop us to become better individuals.

Make friends and be part of something great: Being a member allows one to take part in the many activities and projects we create. We have a great group of members who enjoy spending time with each other for the betterment of our community.

For anyone wanting more information, or looking to join Kiwanis, Johnson recommends stopping by The Buckhorn Inn during one of the groups meetings.

They gather at the venue, located on M-55 in Tawas City, at 12:05 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, and all are welcome to attend.

Further details can also be found by visiting https://tawas.kiwanisone.org, sending an e-mail to kenbcook@gmail.com or contacting Cook at 362-4412.

Excerpt from:
Kiwanis puts children at the forefront of its outreach efforts - Iosco County News Herald

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A fading North Star Many people are feeling lost in their careers. Trying to navigate a VUCA world an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous creates a lot of opportunity for confusion and distress.

Feeling lost is perfectly normal. It is a sign that you are evolving as an individual in spirit and mind.

But it also highlights a lack of direction when it comes to your career path, not enough training to perform your job, or the job isnt what you were expecting it to be all of this while the demands of the world around us are changing rapidly.

Executive coaching will include more learning centred around carving out a career path and cultivating a dream life through challenging current thinking and possibilities.

Fear takes a front seat for women The key issues facing Arab female leaders in the region are a lack of self-confidence and interpersonal confidence. They often place little value on having an authentic personal brand; and they arent visible enough in the local, regional and global business communities.

Women should develop business acumen in their field of work to help boost their confidence in the workplace.

Working with an accredited and certified coach could also help craft a personal brand. Many women underestimate the importance of personal branding in the office, which helps make you more visible to leaders and decision-makers.

Mental toughness factors will become a go-to for executive coaches in this decade

Sharing your key achievements and volunteering to speak at business events is another simple way of being seen, so by working with a coach, you will be much better equipped to do this.

VUCA world gives rise to mental toughness The concept of mental toughness will take off in 2020. Based on the complexity and difficulty with which we all live,there will be more time dedicated as individuals and teams to optimise this mindset focus.

Shifting from mentally sensitive to mentally tough is the biggest determinant of success for leaders.

It will help leaders deal with issues such as how to correct team dysfunction and improve management skills for the team. Mental toughness factors will become a go-to for executive coaches in this decade.

AI goes mainstream in 2020 Unsurprisingly, the ways in which trainings are facilitated has adapted to accommodate a new generation of workers who are digitally-savvy.

Were starting to see artificial intelligence adopted in pretty much all businesses, and coaching is no exception.

In 2020, we will see a continuation of eLearning courses being integrated into our development strategies which are more individualised to the learner.

The industry hs been playing around with VR for the last year or so, so this will only become more prevalent as we move into 2020. Training in 2020 must align to the way we learn in a hi-tech world through a more customised approach.

Tunnel vision is key Employees have many distractions that impact their ability to be productive. A popular approach used in workshops is called activation energy and it trains people on how to minimise distractions by making themselves harder to reach.

This means turning off email and phone notifications and even wifi all together if its helpful to you while you are concentrating on a task.

Expect to see an increase in millennials registering for workshops on innovation, entrepreneurialism and career guidance

Taking time out is also critical to reflect and to use the time we have to work on less transactional and more planning objectives.

Helping employees combat distractions and limit social media use during the day (where its not your job) to be as productive as possible, will be an ongoing theme in 2020.

Training future entrepreneurs A rising trend among younger learners is that they are very interested in how they manage their career from a portfolio and fractional perspective, as they can often have a side hustle outside of their main workplace.

For this younger generation, they are keen to partake in training because the goal is to get the most out of the experience during their short time with the company, with a view to potentially doing something more entrepreneurial later.

In 2020, people are clearly much more willing to work 80 hours a week for themselves, than 40 hours for someone else.

Personal development is of utmost importance to the younger workers so expect to see an increase in millennials registering for workshops on innovation, entrepreneurialism and career guidance.

Developing future Emirati leaders In 2020, we will see the continuation of government and semi-government entities hand-picking their local talent and offering them one-to-one performance and career coaching programmes.

We have seen these entities choosing people who exhibit leadership skills and competencies, and giving them tailored training designed to drive their career growth, enabling them to become the future leaders of their respective nations.

Building a holistic coaching culture This is key for individual and organisational performance and success. In 2020, well see a continued demand to develop internal executive coaches at the junior and middle-management levels.

There will also be a continuation of sourcing credible accredited, certified and business-oriented coaches with a proven track record of corporate experience to enhance productivity, maximise performance, and accelerate growth for senior management and C-Suite levels.

About the authors

Gaj Ravichandra and LeilaRezaiguiaare co-founders ofKompass Consultancy

Read more here:
The professional development trends to watch in 2020 - Training Journal

Traditional forms of leadership don't make sense in the modern workplace. Leadership today isn't a charismatic person leading their employees. Instead, it's a collaborative and diverse team that shares ideas.

Today, it's common to work with people from different parts of the country and the world. More companies offer remote jobs andwork-from-homeoptions. The availability of computers, electronics and increased internet penetration creates greater work flexibility.

You're very likely to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Team members, vendors and customers will come from different locations and time zones.

Leaders need to adjust not only to a more diverse workgroup, but also to changing employee expectations.

People today are no longer satisfied with a job that just pays the bills. People want meaning and purpose in what they do. They want to participate in designing their work environment for a more fulfilling life.

These changes and challenges mean that leadership needs to be more flexible. It fact, putting some of the responsibilities into the hands of one's team can be the most effective way to meet these new changes.

Empowering your team to lead itself is a subtle form of leadership. There's potential in this type of leadership for people to be proactive and work in the way they feel best.

Let's explore practical ways that you can help your team lead itself while meeting your business goals.

Team members who have a personal stake in your goals and business successes will put in more effort. They are more likely to seek unique and helpful solutions to problems, and embrace company values.

You can create a greater connection between team members and your company by building a community. A community can create a sense of belonging and also foster loyalty.

It's possible to build an online community on amembership platformor by using messaging hubs. A community can be a place for your team to interact with each other and have discussions.

This is especially helpful when you have remote workers. An online community can enable team members from around the world to feel engaged. They'll be on the same page when it comes to company information, and they get to know their peers.

When your team members feel connected, they're more willing to take on responsibility and grow your business. You will also create a collaborative environment where your team members support each other.

Giving people the means to share their ideas empowers them to come forward with creative solutions. Your team is your best source of ideas, because they know your business and also interact with your customers.

By fostering innovation and encouraging co-workers to be creative, you develop a culture of innovation. A work culture that encourages innovation and creativity creates greater engagement and satisfaction. Your team will see that their work is meaningful and that they help shape your brand.

Creating outlets for idea generation in your organization impacts your business in a positive way. You'll find ideas for new product developments, which will lead to business growth.

Timely and meaningful feedback is necessary to nurture leadership. Feedback makes it possible to identify when something isn't working and to fix it. It's also a way to reinforce a job well done.

Feedback is necessary to accomplish business goals. It can also enable you and your team to support each other. Regular one-on-ones and team meetings are essential for staying on the same page. Your team can inform you where they need help, and you can give them the right support. Help them by giving ideas, or by providing access to tools and assets.

Also, spending time with each team member gives you the opportunity to understand them better. When you give your team feedback, you're creating the opportunity for them to learn and grow. You can provide them with the perspective and support they need to close a sale or deal with an unhappy client.

Feedback also helps your team make information-backed decisions that help your business grow.

It's important to not only give feedback but to receive it too. Create afeedback formto streamline your communication. Accepting feedback from your team empowers them and gives them a say in the working of the company. They'll be more invested and will be willing to improve how they work.

A practical and effective way to develop leadership skills in your team is to offer them training opportunities. Bringing in experts to teach your team members valuable skills can increase their effectiveness at work.

It's important to help your team develop skills in areas that are different from what they already do. Leadership is less about technical details and more about the bigger picture. Having broaderinterpersonal skillsandthe ability to handle conflict leads to better interactions at the workplace.

Provide your team members with training in communication and personal development. Such skills, along with marketing, negotiation skills, and other skills, helps them develop strong leadership abilities. You'll find you can delegate more responsibilities to promising team members. It also shows employees that you recognize their potential.

You can also train your team directly by acting as a mentor and by providing resources. Share helpful content, such as thought leadership articles, or give them access to online courses and tools. There are many ways you can give your team the right training and guidance to create leadership abilities.

When your team does a great job, it's important that you celebrate it. Recognizing your team gives them a boost and makes their work appear meaningful.

Showcase some of your team's best work to the rest of the organization. Use your communications channels to offer praise. You can make it part of your companynewsletter or highlight peer accomplishments during a meeting.

Appreciating your co-workers is important because it shows that you're listening. After all, monetary compensation is not the only thing that matters. Your team members care about growth and recognition.

Today's workforce wants to feel like they're doing meaningful work. Giving them positive feedback and recognizing their efforts creates increased work satisfaction. It can build a drive to do more. You'll build loyalty and motivate people to do their best.

Empowering your employeesto develop leadership skills does not mean that you're abdicating your role as a leader. It's about creating a workplace that encourages proactive behavior and self-sufficiency.

Your brand is only as strong as the people behind it, which is why giving your team the ability to take charge wherever possible will grow your business.

It's also helpful to create greater work flexibility to get the best from your team. They can manage their time effectively while meeting their tasks.

Work flexibility in the form of remote work also benefits your business you can save on office space and operations costs. It also boosts loyalty;95% of companiesthat hire remote workers find higher employee retention rates.

Empowering your team has powerful benefits for your business. Support them in having more autonomy at work, and you'll create a strong workspace.

Continue reading here:
Benefits of Empowering Work Teams to Self-Lead - Business.com