When we talk about a vision, we mean an aspirational picture of a greater future. This is something that leaders need to consider with their teams. As leaders, we need our team to understand that they are a crucial part in the ultimate achievement of our team, so they can have ownership over their piece of the mission. 

Casting a vision must be made intentionally and invites people to be a part of greatness. And to be great. 

Here are some crucial questions that leaders should ask when they are creating and communicating a vision to their teams and stakeholders:

• What's missing?
• Where are we trying to go?
• Where are we presently?
• What are the downfalls if I don't cast a vision for my team?

Intro Music: Into the Wasteland by The Wasteland Fathers

We've done a lot of cold calls with our time working in sales. As much as we've done it, it's still not our favorite thing to do at all. It's tough, it's uncomfortable. And it's necessary if we want to grow our business and reach new audiences that don't know what we're about. 

Some highlights from the episode, why this is hard, and why it's worthwhile to be earnest:

-- Empathize: Put yourself in their shoes. We enjoy deep work, concentration and getting things done. We have some feelings about interrupting others, just as we don't like having our flow of work and thoughts interrupted. 

-- Put in Effort and be Earnest: Feel really good about what you're asking/proposing to someone. Put a lot of thought and work into your message. It will help raise your professionalism in earnest.

-- Ask, don't manipulate: Ask if it's a good time to connect with them and why you're reaching out. If the answer is no, respect that, leave and follow up later. 

-- Be helpful, be specific, don't name drop: Have something to offer, be specific with your ask. Be interested, not interesting. 

We love this topic! At ALPs, we view "self-leadership" as "discipline." Here are some highlights of this episode: 

-- On a day-to-day basis, discipline is having command over yourself, doing what IS good, not what FEELS good.

-- We all know that oftentimes, the thing we need to do is the thing we want to do the least. Which means we need to do it even more.

-- When discussing self-discipline regarding leadership, we must have command over the content, the room, and ourselves. We keep the same thought process when we present to our partners and deliver leadership content to our partners. 

-- Habits and routines are great, but what do they lead us to? We must choose the proper methods of self-discipline that align us with a deep meaning and purpose in achieving a goal, whether it's personal or business. 

--A brief discussion of the Stoic Virtues - Wisdom, Justice, Temperance, and Courage as a framework for discipline and staying on the right path.

We actually talked each other out of starting a leadership consulting business for the better part of 10 years! And then, all of our ideas came together and we couldn't deny what we need to create anymore. We're so grateful to have this opportunity everyday - and we have our family and many of our friends and colleagues to thank for supporting us. 

Our goal has always been to walk alongside our partners on the trail, pointing out the hazards ahead for them to avoid, as we've tripped over some of the same hazards in our careers. 

We truly want to be partners with those whom we work with - not just suits on a stage speaking to people. But bringing people into the ALPs family, helping teams truly APPLY solid frameworks and principles within their own business in order to overcome challenges and win. 

There are a lot of unknowns happening around us in our country and the world, which add to whatever is going on in our individual lives. All we can do is control what we can control and find the good where we can. 

Some highlights include: 

• Humans crave and look for predictive patterns. When something happens out of the norm, it can be unsettling. 
• Normalize your stress - feeling that way is okay, and uncertainty is normal.
• It can be tough to navigate your way through difficult situations when people don't know where to turn for solid information. 
• Choose to lean on our own ability to understand what's going on with our families, in our communities and make assessments with what's going on around us and in our hearts. 
• Control what you can control - your physical wellness with moving your body, your emotional/mental wellness with thoughtful conversations, internal work, genuine relationships and spiritual considerations. 
• Say "No" where you can, do less where you can - Build in some margin to adjust, adapt and dial it up when it's time to sprint.

Finally - be cool! Love each other. 

Creating a culture of initiative within your team requires a few things; competence, confidence and an environment where initiative is rewarded and supported. Initiative also requires solid guidance, resources and parameters set by leadership so their people can run and create good work. If leaders can provide those elements, they can help foster courage and responsibility within their team. 

The dreaded Q4 is upon us. It's hard for Q3 to come to an end and think that we've reached the summit. But that's a false summit, and we still have to persevere to the end of the year and truly hit the mountain top we aim for. It's an opportunity for greatness and to start the next year strong—stick with it! 

We feel this one! We've worked in the corporate world, know what it's like to play calendar Tetris and try to make it all fit. You may have more control over your calendar than you think. Ask yourself, "Does it have to be this way?" It takes some thoughtfulness - fully understanding the goals and objectives, setting, and the priorities of work. It may require some dialogue and communication with the people at work and at home to get some cushion. 

We get asked a lot about how we come up with our content, modules, and ideas. We've always tried to ask ourselves, "What problem are we trying to solve? What is the need?" The creative process is a total collaborative effort between our team and our partners. We encourage you to set aside time intentionally on a regular basis to think and work on any creative ventures. And try to be genuine and useful, not brilliant!

Leadership inspiration and influential figures come and go throughout our lives - parents, relatives, teachers, peers and people we don't personally know. Blayne and Brandon share the individuals who have shaped their leadership style and inspired them at different points in their lives.