Leadership Fitness in 5 Minutes with Gary Slyman

There are over 45,000 veteran organizations, how do you know which one's to support? Below are five that I have personally worked with or know others who have had direct positive impact from them.

Each of these help the veteran, their family and the local community.

1. Commit Foundation - helps veterans transition (www.commitfoundation.org)
2. Project Opportunity, Baltimore - provides 10 week entrepreneur course (www.project-opportunity.com)
3. Candorful - provides practice interview for veterans (candorful.org)
4. Head Strong Project - provides services for veterans suffering from PTSD (www.headstrong.org)
5. Cohen Veterans Network - provides mental health services to veterans and their families (https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/

Do you have others? Share them below.

What intentional change did you try to make this year?

What were the results? Were they positive or negative? What if you could apply some science to ensure you can make changes and they are sustainable?

Listen to hear the details and comment your thoughts below.

Self-Awareness.

This is the most important element of your leadership. If you understand who you are you can lead well.

I explore two parts of self-awareness, from the research and book by Tasha Eurich.

1. Internal - how clearly you see yourself, your insights, goals, the impact you have on others.

2. External- how clearly you see yourself as others see you.

They are independent of each other. Research has shown that having external self- awareness can lead to better relationships with those you lead and you can be a more effective leader.

How do you build self-awareness? Through honest feedback. Need help getting that feedback? Comment below.

Executive Presence - Authenticity

How do you ensure your authenticity?

Know your values and demonstrate them all the time.

1. Know your top values.
2. Define your values
3. Communicate them frequently

Values drive us...we are daily trying to fulfill them.

Our series on Executive Presence has ended, but now let's look at: How do You Evaluate Yourself?

I suggest a 360 evaluation, that you write. Think about what you want to know. I recommend no more than six questions over the areas below, some with a scale and some with free form comments, keeping the questions short.

Areas to explore... Executive Presence: Gravitas, Communication, & Appearance.

Need help? Comment below or send me a message.

Have you done a 360 yourself, share you thoughts below

Did you catch the Monday morning standup? Our series on Executive Presence is wrapped up, with guidance on creating an action plan.

Over the past few weeks we covered the three areas of Executive Presence: Gravitas, Communication, & Appearance.

Now let's make a plan. Work through the following:

1. What's the work that needs to be done?

2. Be specific

3. Be authentic

This is for YOU and those YOU lead. Put together a plan, use your strengths to get better and decide your non-negotiables.

Need help? Comment below or send me a message.

Executive Presence: Appearance

1. Gravitas
2. Communication
3. Appearance *

Two elements that affect your appearance.

• Fitness. Are you fit and able to handle the job. You don't have to be an athlete, but fit enough to do what your position demands of you.
• Do you look the part? Wearing the right clothes at the right time for the right event.

Appearance isn't that important but it can derail you. Appearance is a filter that everyone sees you through.

September is Suicide Awareness month. Those in your workplace are affected by suicide, there is a ripple effect and you as a leader can have an impact. Three areas to look at to prevent mental crises

1. Effective behavior health
2. Connectedness
3. Coping & problem solving skills

Considering the above and complete a before action report:

1. What are your intended results? (e.g. zero mental health crises)
2. What challenges might you face?
3. What can you learn? Gather data and speak with other leaders
4. Commit to put a plan in place.

You as a leader can have an impact

This past week I took a brief break from leadership lessons to remember 9/11. September 11, 2001. Where were you? I bet you know exactly where you were. What were your thoughts? As we reflect on Patriot day we think about all those lives that were lost. If you weren't born yet, how has it affected life? Life has changed. Today is a time remember.