Category Archives: Connect

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Creating Cheerio Castles From a Mom’s Heart

Every Business Owner Has a Personal Story

As an Executive Consultant there are several questions all clients ask. The first being, “how do you know”. My response, “I am an observer of others, experiences, and learn something from all of it.” Our knowledge, experiences, and actions within and beyond those give us an extraordinary gift of intuitive education.

As stated by Colin Powel once said as Secretary of State (United States) you have to make decisions quickly and at times you may only have 80% of the information the rest you go from what you know.

I decided to share this story with all of you as last week was a particular tough one. Some dear friends of mine sent a care package with Cheerios. Below is one of my stories and from working with executives to raising a kiddo from hard places just as I do; you too have the ability to build Cheerio Castles.

Creating Cheerio Castles From a Mom’s Heart

What does a mom’s heart have to do with Cheerios and creating a castle? Cheerio castles are those little round bits of cereal you find on the floor, car, and craft projects. My imagination builds beautiful castles with cheerios. I am sharing one of my stories of being careful what you pray for and second, finding God’s answer daily.

I do believe God answers prayer in His timing and not our own. As humans we make prayer and answered prayer more complicated than God intended. Many years ago someone told me: “God’s ‘no’ or unanswered prayer is not a rejection but is for our protection.”  There are many variables to unanswered and answered prayer; when we are present, allowing God to lead the way, we find our prayers are heard and answered daily. This is one of my go-to scriptures for prayer: There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven… He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11

This past year my husband I opened our hearts and home to a beautiful 12 year old boy. We became parents for the first time by becoming Foster Parents. Becoming a parent found daily there is a learning opportunity about myself and heart. 

Unanswered Prayer | God did not answer our prayer through creating our own family.

Answered Prayer | God brought a beautiful boy to us. This boy is made for us and fits in so many ways we would never pray for; God knows.

Our morning routine settled in to my husband and son waking and getting ready. I tend to stay out of the way. My husband is better equipped to keep our son on track, getting him out the door on time, dressed, brushed, and in a joyful mood.

When the guys are busy I stay in our bedroom and use this time to pray, meditate, and wire my brain for what is on the schedule for the day. One morning during prayer I found myself grieving experiences we as parents would not have, bringing an older kiddo into our home and hearts.

 Prayer: Give all you have to God for he knows what burdens our hearts.

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. – Romans 8:28

My prayer this particular morning went to my mind making a list of those things we will never experience such as:  quirky toddler moments, elementary school art projects on the refrigerator, mommy and toddler groups, little guy soccer, peanut butter and jelly faces, to our car would never have the cheerio chaos on the floor and seats, macaroni art, our dogs would not experience food on the floor or from a hand of a little one. My imagination spent more time creating cheerio castles, macaroni jewelry, what containers would store these amazing nutritious rounds of awesomeness, and so forth.

This prayer and meditation continued for about an hour and my logical brain hit me hard; almost an audible slap across the face. I said out loud to myself, “I do not have patience to clean up Cheerios out of the car.” My prayer took me from building Cheerio castles to the reality of patience.  I wrapped up this grief prayer session, not hanging onto what we will miss but considering the joy of messes a pre-teen and teenager brings without pretense.

The guys left for the day so I headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. As soon as I entered the kitchen my eye caught the dining room table. There were three Cheerios on our son’s placemat.  This has never happened before and my heart went directly to thanking God for answering prayer. My logical mind and temperament has no patience for such things as cleaning up Cheerios. God knows my heart yearns for Cheerio castles and that left me blessed with an answered prayer.  

God continues to leave me reminders of answered prayer as I continue to find Cheerios in unusual places. Sometimes I am not too keen on our beautiful boy and his shenanigans. God delights in my heart’s desire by leaving remnants of a Cheerio castle built in grief. God truly delights in our heart’s desires and I pray you too find God delighting in yours.

Be careful what you pray for: God knows what is on our hearts and delights in our joy.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37-4

Look UP & OUT!

Tracy Worley

 

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Building Community Legacies With Meaningful Conversation

Connection Collaboration Community

Have you heard “this is business, there is no room for feelings in business“, or some other derivative of it? Well, there is room; people remember how you made them feel over all else. Yes, they remember how they feel over you making them millions, cured their cancer,  or helped them solve a large issue.

All relationships in life, “people remember how you made them feel.” As I traverse from coaching executives to corporate teams the common denominators are “feelings” and “communication”.

Join me and others to build your legacy model with the 5 L’s. Legacy is building your sustainable growth model of how you show up in community, connections, and collaboration.

Legacy: Love, Listen, Lift, Link, Lead

Few Things To Consider:

  • Can you listen without bias or judgment?
  • When did you lift some one else to promotion?
  • Can you identify the last time you invited someone to an event; introduced them to people they need to know to grow?
  • Are you leading from behind the curtain or in front of the curtain?

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR HERE

 

What people are saying:

  • Thank you for the reminder of showing up with intent. It changed my conference and connections. JB Entrepreneur, Helena
  • I want to let you know your break-out this morning was excellent and on point to connecting and influencing my end in mind. IP Entrepreneur, Great Falls
  • I’m super excited to know that you are available as a resource just downstream from us! JW, Butte
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Be a HERO, Connect Over Coffee

TT TAlk Tuesday's

Tis the season to be crazy.

Be a hero and invite someone for a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or perhaps a hot toddy. Everyone needs a few minutes of respite…be the hero!

“Create clients, collaboration partners, and community meaningful to you one conversation at a time.” ~ Tracy Worley

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“Influence is Human Connection With Your Heart First”

Fostering Faith Friday's

Happiest of Friday’s.

Human connection is the foundation of relationship and sustainable success in business. Well pretty much any influence you want to glean from others is connection.

Scott Halford wrote an excellent article about technology, observing our surroundings, and finding the brilliance of life right in front of us.

Cheers, Tracy

Look Up From Your Phone: The Answer to Awesomeness Is Sitting Right in Front of You

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Are You Killing Your Legacy?

Create your legacy before others create it for you.

One of my greatest mentors and teachers John C. Maxwell taught me, “people remember how you made them feel.” As I traverse from coaching executives to corporate teams the common denominators are “feelings” and “communication”.

Have you heard “this is business, there is no room for feelings in business“, or some other derivative of it? Well, there is room; people remember how you made them feel over all else. Yes, they remember how they feel over you making them millions, cured their cancer, helped them solve a large issue.

Register Here

Join me and others to build your legacy model with the 5 L’s. Legacy is building your sustainable growth model of how you show up in community, connections, and collaboration.

Legacy: Love, Lift, Link, Lead

Few Things To Consider:

  • Can you listen without bias or judgment?
  • When did you lift some one else to promotion?
  • Can you identify the last time you invited someone to an event; introduced them to people they need to know to grow?
  • Are you leading from behind the curtain or in front of the curtain?

Hope to see you there!

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Customer Service IS Your Brand

Engaging clients in a meaningful way is your brand.

Did you know customer service is your brand?

This past week I experienced two significant customer service scenarios. As providers we forget clients are humans and remember first and foremost how we made them feel.

Your clients can and will purchase product/services from competitors. Clients will do so even if your competitor’s product is inferior to yours; where clients feel valued is where they will purchase.  

The first is I called our phone provider for service. I was on the phone for over 40 minutes with no resolution to our issue. At this juncture I had to jump off the call to make my coaching client call. I went to a local store for help and again no resolution. As a human being these are hours I cannot get back and “no” return on my time. How did I resolve our issue? I called the phone manufacture directly and they took care of me promptly, with care, and had a replacement the next day. We are now under serious consideration to move our business elsewhere as this company is consistent in not caring for clients.

The second customer service experience is with a direct product company. I have been a customer with them for about seven years and certainly have not spent as much money or years with them as I have with our phone provider. My experience with the call was prompt, courteous, and resolved my human-error issue without judgment. I received great care and concern for my order. I walked away with a huge return on my time as this conversation was less than 15 minutes and I felt like a winner.

This brings me to your brand. How you and your employees show up is your brand and how referrals if any will be passed forward.  Here are a few things to consider:

  • Does your organization take action in what you say you will do?
  • Does your organization go out of your way to welcome clients?
  • Does your organization stay in contact with previous clients?
  • Does your organization empower your clients to succeed with your product and/or service?
  • How do clients feel when they have shopped or received your services?
  • Biggie! What are you and your employees posting on social media?

If you want to know more please feel free to reach out to us. We have several tools you could easily implement to glean client satisfaction. From here you can build a strategy for strong brand communication.

Look Up & Out,

Tracy Worley

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Dream Your Dream

Red Shoe Courage Workshop

Dream, Vision, and Plan beyond today!

In 2013 I had a dream, vision, and then made a plan and that was to share my story to lift others to a better tomorrow. As you grow up into adulthood the dreaming “button” gets hidden and I am here to tell you there is not such thing as you are too old to be a “dreamer”. We are NEVER too old to dream, vision, and plan beyond today.

This weekend I had the utmost pleasure and blessing to pour into a group of extraordinary ladies during the signature event From Grace to Red Shoe Courage. And the following is just one a few outpouring of Gods grace during the event as hearts were stirred up, spirits were lifted, and old truths were shed!

God delights in your purposeful passion. Dream your dream and change your today for the tomorrow’s God desires for you! “There is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live…This is the gift of God.” ECC: 3:12-14 NIV

This is a note posted regarding the event and my dream in 2013 was to serve those who love what I do, value what I do, and let me dream my dream.

“Shout out to Tracy Worley! I was so blessed to participate in her Grace to Red Shoe Courage Workshop last night and today! She has the ability to tell her story, focus on truth telling scripture and help the attendees draw closer to God and release strongholds! Time and time again I’m in awe of the amazing women God has put in my life! It was great to attend the event with  and many new friends! Make sure you don’t miss Tracy’s next event!!” Shelly Wear

“It was incredible! I’m so glad I got to go last night, but sorry I missed today.” Stephanie Neil Gaertig

Remember to dream your dream and not live someone else’s!

Look UP and OUT!

Tracy Worley

 

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Are You Leading Under Fitbit Rules; Finding The Pulse Of The People?

I love people watching and am keen observer of their actions. Two of my higher level strengths is connecting and relating. These two strengths are so strong and developed that at a networking event I can tell you who belongs to who, who is avoiding who, and who doesn’t belong to who but spending a lot of time together.

FitbitLeadership Tracy Worley

Don’t worry I do not share your secrets. I have discovered and noticed as an increasing technology society we are leading our lives under Fitbit rules. These are just a few ways society is being led by technology.

  • When to take action (beeps when you have been sitting for an hour)
  • Calculating goals for you (calculates what your goals should be)
  • Celebration (lets you know when you have reached your daily goal)
  • Pulse, Sleep (keeps track of your pulse, sleep habits, calories, etc.)
  • Distance (lets you know if you have made the distance goal, redundancy implied)

My question to you as a leader, are you finding the pulse of your people?

People do not know where they are going unless goals and the path are laid out. When goals and the path is not clear; people set their own goals, or end up somewhere else.  “People need responsibility, they resist assuming it, but they cannot get along without it.” ~ John Steinbeck

As a leader of “self” what actions are you not fol
lowing through on? Your actions are being shown in large lights and even in Fitbit rules your actions are shown with a back-light in the dark. There is not hiding your leading actions, so again I ask as a leader of “self” what actions are you not following through on? 

“The world has a habit of making room for the person whose words and actions show that he knows where he is going.” ~ Napleon Hill

Below are five areas of connection and caring actions to bring into the bright lights of your leadership. The pulse of the people is hungry for strong leaders without oppression and modeling success with transparent integrity.

  1. Consistent in Challenging your team: create goals for them and push toward the next level of success
  2. Cheerful Confidence believing in their talents: bring people into their strengths and they will start believing in their success too.
  3. Creative Conversation leads to innovation: bring shifts to conversation to bring back sanity from the insanity of having the same conversation bringing the same results.
  4. Commit to leading yourself and others: invest in adding value by education, growth-opportunities, coaching, mentorship programs, etc. . . .
  5. Communicate Clearly and speak truth: crucial conversation with brings about a quicker shift in success for you, your people and the organization.

Change the pulse of your people to healthy conversation around the water cooler, if you do not give them knowledge, goals, and sustainable actions they will make it up, gossip, or go somewhere else. “All human beings by nature desire to know.” ~ Aristotle

In “celebration hands” I applaud you and celebrate your success!

Look UP & OUT!

Tracy Worley

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Reality of Leadership Did You Ask to Lead

Where is reality kicking your leadership pants?

Tracy Worley is America’s leading grace coach, international key-note speaker, trainer, syndicated radio host, author, and potential seeker, strategist and CEO of three values leadership based organizations. She works with business executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders world-wide to develop potential, tailor employee engagement modules, and turn up the volume on individuals and organizations potential personally and professionally.

Tracy knows firsthand about what it takes to find your potential, Individuals and organizations have individual cultures, stories, and rhythm – Tracy’s innovative style knows how to make it work. With a background in business management, business communication, project management, and life’s drama, Tracy found herself running a multi-million dollar organization at the age of 25.

Tracy knows from life experience the ups and downs of colossal failure and the elation of success beyond imagination.

But it’s exactly all these experiences that built character, knowledge, wisdom, and intuitive insight into individual and organizational potential. Tracy is highly intuitive, perceptive, and a world thinker in connecting what you cannot see. These gifts give her the ability to strategize with clarity where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there. Tracy’s expertise: training highly successful people to lead with authenticity to the desired success her client’s desire and deserve.

Reality of Leadership Tracy WorleyMost of us end up in a leadership role by being promoted or asked to take over projects at an ever growing rapid pace. Common practice is to promote those with seniority, even if the employee is given no management or leadership training.

The numbers are still staggering on how many organizations are behind in training leaders within their organizations.  A research article in the Deloitte University Press* states;

“Leadership remains the No. 1 talent issue facing organizations around the world, with 86 percent of respondents in our survey rating it as “urgent” or “important.” Only 13 percent of respondents say they do an excellent job developing leaders at all levels—the largest “readiness gap” in our survey.” Deloitte University Press

If 86% of respondents admit that leadership is “urgent” or “important”, but only 13% of respondents are doing anything about it, then where is this disconnect coming from?

The reality of leadership is that most leaders did not ask to lead, and do not realize everyone is a leader in their organization regardless of whether they asked for it or not. As I work with organizations and entrepreneurs, it is clear that personal and professional development is essential and will always be the “golden key” to raising leaders.

This brings me to a recent observation while refereeing a High School Soccer game. While I was refereeing the soccersideline for a Junior Varsity game on the parent side, the home team Varsity Soccer team was causing a ruckus. Yes, this is normal behavior and usually the parents are causing the issue. Back to the team, they were yelling profanity, negative jokes about their own team members, and in general not setting a great example of respect for others.

My response was one of delicate but stern warning, “I only want to hear positive comments and cheering from this section.” The shock and awe of surprise that anyone would call them out on their bad behavior was priceless. I heard a few other comments about me throughout the game, but as usual when refereeing the parent side, most of the comments, slander, and disgust for our calls rolls off our backs.

At the end of the game, I pulled the Varsity coach aside and told him of the incident. “Coach you have a great team this year, and we are the sum of who we choose to hang out with. Your team members are leaders on the sideline, and I know you would not expect anything less of them.” The coach was appreciative, and the next week at the Varsity game the team was a little sheepish, but also seemed to understand the reality of being on a Varsity team. They are leaders. Perhaps not by choice, but now they are aware that they are leaders and people will follow.

Here are a few ideas for a Leadership Plan:

  • Internal training program: Develop a video series or testing series to continually add value and knowledge.
  • Budget for training/education leadership programs: Reinstitute or create these programs. Many organizations cut these programs in 2008 and did not bring them back.
  • Mentorship programs: These programs are the most cost effective and added value to your organization. Current leaders are sharing, pouring, and also learning from those who they are mentoring. No longer does the organization have an intellectual property “leak” because knowledge is being shared.
  • Leadership assessments: Have you interviewed and given all of your team members a leadership assessment? Seniority should not dictate promotion; the most prepared and willing should be your next promotion.
  • Succession planning: Does your organization have a plan in place for all leadership roles?

I build content and programs for organizations, and the first thing I ask for is an outline of the above. And if there is content for the programs, I ask for that as well. You see, 100% of organizations have blind spots in developing and lifting leaders in their organization. Not by neglect, but by default.

I welcome your questions on where to start or am willing to look at your current plan. Please contact us today, as we are committed to adding value to leaders–which is everyone. Reality kicks our pants! No matter what you do or where you are, people are looking to you for the next step through your actions.

Challenge Question: Where is reality kicking your leadership pants?

Look UP & OUT!

Tracy Worley

Deloitte University Press Link

Global Leadership Survey & Data Link

 

Tracy Worley (2015) Authentic Leadership, Authentic Self

Canwell, Dongrie, Neveras, Stockton (2014), Deloitte University Press

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Are You Prepared to Take Risk With Imagination and Innovation?

Tracy Worley is America’s leading grace coach, international key-note speaker, trainer, syndicated radio host, author, and potential seeker, strategist and CEO of three values leadership based organizations. She works with business executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders world-wide to develop potential, tailor employee engagement modules, and turn up the volume on individuals and organizations potential personally and professionally.

Tracy knows firsthand about what it takes to find your potential, Individuals and organizations have individual cultures, stories, and rhythm – Tracy’s innovative style knows how to make it work. With a background in business management, business communication, project management, and life’s drama, Tracy found herself running a multi-million dollar organization at the age of 25.

Tracy knows from life experience the ups and downs of colossal failure and the elation of success beyond imagination.

But it’s exactly all these experiences that built character, knowledge, wisdom, and intuitive insight into individual and organizational potential. Tracy is highly intuitive, perceptive, and a world thinker in connecting what you cannot see. These gifts give her the ability to strategize with clarity where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there. Tracy’s expertise: training highly successful people to lead with authenticity to the desired success her client’s desire and deserve.

We all have risk in our lives, and we can either embrace it or do everything in our power to avoid it. Imagine a playground where a group of children are jumping off the top of the monkey bars, and then there are a few kids who stand at the edge pacing and waiting for the school bell to ring so they do not have to jump.

Jump_Create_Innovate Tracy Worley

I want to encourage you to JUMP! Not in the sense of physical, mental, or spiritual harm, but to really jump back into a childlike state and use your imagination. Create and innovate right where you stand! Ken Robinson states the risk of imagination eloquently, “Be prepared to be wrong.” When you are prepared to risk, be wrong, and basically stand there looking like an idiot—you are onto something!

Society has teaches us through our education system to no work within our natural gifts, but to test out to an educational standard. Highly successful people have bunked the standard and create success by taking the risk of standing alone. The risk takers are the ones you watch rise to the next level. The risk takers are the ones who are creating original ideas.

When you are prepared to imagine, innovate, and risk within your gift set, you are no longer living within the set standard of average! ~ Tracy Worley

Take time out and reflect on your life, career, and the significance that your natural gifts offer the world.

  • Reflect on what you loved doing as a child (natural gift).
  • Reflect on all of those assessments you have taken over the years (natural gift).
  • Reflect on your voice of doubt, do it afraid, do it anyway.
  • Reflect on discipline in your daily agenda. Are you taking time to risk?
  • Reflect on the ideas popping into your head and write them down. Some will make sense and some will not. Step forward with one where clarity comes through and start moving forward without knowing the how or the details. Don’t get held up in the paralysis of perfection.

You are meant to have a life and career of significance so embrace your natural gifts, talents, wisdom, and knowledge to create original ideas. If you look back in history and innovation, most of those who risked standing alone where mocked, but now we have light-bulbs after ten-thousand tries. We have flight because the Wright Brothers believed with imagination, risk, and perseverance that it was possible.

Society’s standard of average is not where you are valued. Create value by standing alone on the edge of the monkey bars and JUMP!

Look UP & OUT!

Tracy Worley

I know you are curious!

Do you want to find your secret sauce of imagination and create original ideas through your natural gifts?

We are starting a new series in June where you will build critical insights to building your secret sauce to creating the future you want.  5 Ways to Create the Future You Want.

 

Ken Robinson, Ph.D. (2009) The Element

Tracy Worley (2015) Authentic Leadership, Authentic Self

Tracy A. Worley (2015) GRACEbreak Radio