Misconceptions of Being a Leader ...

“You get to be so opinionated as a leader.” We have to make split second decisions. All. Day. Long. We, literally, have 3.2 seconds to make a decision for a problem that you brought to us before we have to move along to your peer who is also asking for us to help with their decision-making on a dozen other problems. So, while it may seem like a mere opinion to you it really is that we have the ability to make wise business decisions in a few brief moments as we filter it through a laundry list of scenarios which include but are not limited to … How does this affect the current unit and team? How does this affect the dynamics of company? Is this the right decision for the team? How will this result impact the future? “All you do is sit around and chat while drinking coffee.” While we do talk – a lot – it is because we need to know what goes on in the world of those who work with (and for) us. Sometimes we only get a rare 45 minutes a week to download on what is going on in your world and how we can help. And, I have found, that one opens up much more over Starbucks.

“It is so great to be the boss because it is so easy.” Being the boss means that you have a 24/7 child. You never really get to completely turn work off. When you are driving to work you are mentally talking through a tough conversation that needs to be had. When you are driving home you are contemplating if you completed everything you needed to within your best capacity. When you try to fall asleep you are thinking about everything from the 8 a.m. coffee chat to the 6 p.m. rethinking of tomorrow’s solidified game plan and all that happened in between… only to contemplate that you have to do it all again in a few brief hours

“Why in the world did you hire that person?” We, like you, get a brief 60 minutes (at most) with someone looking for a job. And, 9 out of 10 times they put their best foot forward and have some experience with nailing an interview. So, while someone may interview well does not always translate into a great hire. We, as leaders, have no additional superpowers to fine-tune the BS meter in an interview. Some people just interview extremely well and fail to deliver.

“Everyone likes the boss.” NO! No one ever likes the boss. They say they like the boss – to the bosses face. But, they really don’t. However, at the end of the day, it is not about being liked. It is about making decisions that are best for your team and for your business, which means that, you are, rarely, liked.

“It is so great to be the boss because you can delegate everything.” The higher you go, yes, the more you delegate but it is so that you can make room on your plate to learn something new. True leaders are always evolving. They are never satisfied with where they are. They want the next challenge. In order to do that they need to raise great leaders to take on some of the daily load they carry.

“I can’t wait until I am the boss because _______ (fill in blank here).” Really – you can! It is lonely at the top. Refer to quote #5. For the one decision that makes one person happy there are 10 others that are ready to refute. As hard as it is, leadership is not about being liked (at all!). It is about being respected. Your team should respect that you have a certain knowledge and authority when you speak. Your team should know that, despite losing the popularity contest, you would and will make the best business decision that has their best interest at heart.

I am officially ...

A Washingtonian. They say if you live here a decade that you can legitimately call yourself a Washingtonian. So, here I am – professing to be one. As you may know, while this “District” is fabulous (to me) in many ways there are also things that, well, make me giggle.

The first three start with … You – “Where are you from?” Me – “DC” …

1. You - “I live in D.C. too” Me – “Really?! Where?” You – “Well, Alexandria. Or Bethesda. Etc.” If the post office does not acknowledge NW, NE, SE or SW on your legitimate address you do not live in DC.

2. You – “Really?! Do you know Congressman so-and-so? Or, my fave - Do you know the President?” Me – walking away. This question makes me laugh every time. It is almost as bizarre as when I worked for Walt Disney World and someone would ask, “Do you know Sally Smith?” Yes, out of 30,000 Cast Members I know Sally Smith?! (Factoid – only once, in 15 years, did someone ask if I knew another Cast Member and I actually did. I know there is some mathematician out there that can easily do the legit math but with my math skills I equate that to about 1 out a kazillion gillion.

3. You – “Do you, like, go to Georgetown Cupcakes all the time? That must be so great!” Me – walking away.

4. No one ever says I’d rather fly out of BWI or Dulles because it’s cheaper. No amount of money is worth that. And, you never ask your true friends to take you. Ever.

5. It is amazing that we troll the streets of DC looking for a great rooftop bar. And, when the weather is nice we share them with 432,612 of our closest friends.

6. We are elated for the weather report from December 15 through March 26 because it usually involves the following: Weatherman – “There’s a chance of snow tomorrow.” All 200,00 Federal employees turn on the tv at 6 a.m. and peer through one eye to hear “Federal Government is closed” and then they roll over and go back to sleep.

7. Lastly … All true Washingtonians:

Lose several SmarTrip cards in the course of one year.

Have great calves and quads from taking the stairs in all Metro stations due to the escalators being broken, yet again.

Know each and every Starbucks’ location within a 4-block radius of wherever they are.

Know that traffic, simply, sucks. all. the. time.

Give cabbies directions 9 out of 10 times they hop in a taxi.

Avoid all monuments at all costs.

Know where all speeding cameras are located. Each. And. Every. One. Of. Them.

Can list off every brunch establishment with bottomless mimosas/bloody mary’s.

6 Do’s and a Don’t of living a happy life …

1. Do what you love. I know this is very cliché but it is so true. If you are a creative yet go to work in the financial field I can guarantee that you will not be happy. While the financial world may provide you with the bank account you may enjoy it does not fulfill you when you lay your head on the pillow at night.
2. Do have an inspiration (or two). I think there are tangible inspirations as well as people who inspire us and we need both. Visual inspiration is not to be taken for granted - even for the non-creative types. Everyone is inspired by something and someone. Find both.
3. Do define the limitations of B.S. in your life. We are the only ones that can control what comes in and what we let out of our lives. Create a barrier. Dump what is not relevant and absorb what will enrich you.
4. Do have trusted friends. While you may not always like what they have to say they will, likely, never steer you wrong. And note, despite what social media depicts, this circle should be very small. Only a few can and will know you well. Trust them!
5. Do have a mentor. You are never too old to have a mentor personally or professionally. They are the two (one for each) that can see unbiased(ly) into your life. They can depict situations that you cannot see coming and offer invaluable advice!
6. Do see reality. We tend to envision things as we wish them to be as opposed to the reality of what they are. The previous 5 steps may help in doing that.
7. Don’t be afraid to try something new. I know this is elementary but the older we get, I find, that the more rigid we become. Whether it is a cuisine that you would not normally eat or another that you would not typically call your “type” trying something new often surprises you on a whole new level!

7 Random things about Disney and me ~ October

Florida storms, like most storms in life, seem to appear out of nowhere; just surprisingly enough to make you take cover; but, in the end, make you realize they were never as bad as they first appeared. In all my 15 years as a Disney Cast Member I never really saw Walt Disney World through the eyes in which Walt intended until this trip. And, all it took was something as simple as a ride on Space Mountain. We rode the ride much like I had over the past two decades but this time I took a moment to relish the moment. Hearing my sister’s genuine giggle (the-whole-entire-ride) and Natalie’s cries of fright and delight finally gave me that “ah-ha” moment which most guests experience and I realized I had lacked each time I stepped into a park.

I appreciate that WDW has finally caught up to the digital age but when you have 20,000 guests in one park all trying to use their smart phones at the same time you need to improve your tower coverage.

I, truly, understand that after a trip to WDW one needs a vacation from their vacation. I mean it is sensory overload to the nth degree!

I have a soft spot for Cast Members who genuinely love their job and live to make the Magic. The realities of the day-to-day often make us hard and cynical but when you ride the tram and hear the comical spiel of someone who is enjoying their job it makes you pause; it makes you laugh; and it makes you thankful that someone can transport you from reality to Fantasyland in one brief moment. And, you experience joy.

I appreciate that on any given day in any of the four parks you can find someone on some level that you can connect with – even just waiting in line. I love that it brings all people from all walks of life into one location for the purpose of simply finding a break from reality for a few short days.

And, there will always be an element of Magic to Disney that makes me still believe in fairy tales and that dreams really do come true …

WHAT IF... ?

As you may have guessed from previous posts, I love FALL! I love that a new season begins. But, not only is this a new season but it is the season of brilliant change. It is where the time of investment begins to manifest itself in a sea of vibrant color and, for me a time where things that I have worked so hard for begin to fall into place. As if on cue, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend encouraged by those who inspire women to be the best that they can be and strive to obtain the life that they desire. And, after a day and a half of inspiration a pressing question began to appear again and again …

            If my life was a book and I was the author … how would it end?

While I, genuinely, contemplated this question over and over again there are many aspects of my life that I confidently confess I would not change. However, there are a few areas where, were I totally honest, the threads of doubt and questioning begin to toy with the recesses of my mind and I truly begin to ask … “What if?”

So, I would love to know … if you knew that you had the ability to rewrite your story what would you say? How would it differ from where you are today? Do you think that you have the ability to change your course?

7 Random Things about NYC & Me ~ September

Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right away no matter what any light or sign may say – especially to the contrary. The city totally shuts down between the hours of 3 and 5 pm. There was not a bite or beverage to be had. And, beware … their website may say they seat until 3 but the kitchen really closes at 2:40?!

Coming from DC where the grid is fairly simple I understand that 730 G Street means that you find 7^th and G (and the right quadrant) and you are good. How the heck are you suppose to know that 11 Times Square is really at the corner of 42^nd and 8^th Ave (the address, by the way, was not at either the corner of 42^nd or 8^th)?

The advice of my very good friend rang true … “If you check into your hotel and there are more liquor stores than banks; find a new hotel.” So true, my friend, so true!

I wore all black; I was on my cell phone; I wore gigantic sunnies; I had a cross-body bag for Pete’s sake– why the heck did you mistake me for a tourist and offer me a Bus Tour each and every time I walked to the corner?

My irritation for stupid people was at an all-time high! I am my father’s daughter. Must pray through this!

Between your massive, confusing public transportation to your indistinctive address grid; in the words of Stacy “This city makes DC look like a cupcake!” Again, so true! And, I loved every second of it!