Leadership is not one thing. It is a composite of experience, instinct, influence and circumstances. One could say it is a composite of nature and nurture. It is much like archetypes and powerful themes we explore like the Star Wars saga. We can evolve as leaders like our favorite story characters.

Consider the timeless tales, many of which Disney Studios have enlivened, like The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Fantasia). Taken from the oral, around the fire tradition, stories are ways people teach and learn. Stories are colorfully pictorial, so they have a lasting impact. Likely, this visual effect stems from human infancy when we do not have language to express ourselves, but we do have mental pictures.

The fascination with super heroes like Superman and the Marvel characters feeds our need to feel protected by such archetypes. Humanly, we look outside of ourselves for that because there is an innate sense of vulnerability and awareness of our own death. The archetypes are universal and present in every culture. In fact, research shows the Cinderella story is likely an old East Indian tale that was adapted into Western culture. Study of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell provide the intricacies of the power of these symbols.

Star Wars continues this heroic, bigger than life, saga of finding “guardians” as leaders, to feel more secure, and follow our invisible quests. It is part of the American culture across multiple generations. The new characters will make their own place in the story for the newest generation.

So, what are the lessons offered in these stories?

The Force is invisible and has to be felt internally to be effective. Like a leader, one has to rely on our inner guidance and intuition. How is that different than courage or confidence?

Photo: Amazon.com

Remember, the Wizard of Oz, (recently brought up to date with The Wiz on television)? The characters sought traits and conditions outside of themselves. They did not look internally, and ultimately realize they possessed all along what they wanted. Dorothy had the ability to click her heels the entire time, but she did not know how to use them. This archetype is alive and well today. The shoes could be technology or information, but success is in how we apply it.

In the original story, Luke Skywalker has to embark on the hero’s journey(Joseph Campbell’s idea) to develop into a mature young man. He meets his characters, villains and heroes, along the way to temper his strengths and reveal “truths.” His purpose is to develop mastery of the Force and resonate to the internal power. Yoda, the lovable guru mentor, presents the riddles of life, much like the oracles in our ancient world. Religion evolves to offer a structure as we tread our own paths.

Another Star Wars theme is the duality of man’s nature, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s personas. Aniken, better known as Darth Vader, represents this theme. The fact that Vader reveals to Luke that he is his father presents a dilemma for Luke. The revelation shows how Luke can make choices and is not condemned to repeat his father’s mistakes. He matures and becomes his own person.

Princess Leah is another duality influence, and brings the feminine energy to the story, the yin and yang balance. She and Luke have a mystical pull toward each other; at first viewed as romantic, only to discover their sibling relationship, a tie that binds. Leah picks Hans Solo as her love interest. Her journey from privileged royalty, to slavery, and then freedom, is her personal journey as well.

The robots exhibit very human characteristics; C3PO and R2D2 are anthropomorphized. They communicate and overtly care about their human connections. They willingly put themselves in harm’s way, like our pets can do, to be part of the family and have a sense of belonging.

The new Star Wars generation has more diversity and reflects changes in our society. This may be a teaching tool for our times with all the chaos surrounding us. I am eager to see the new story and listen to the rousing John Williams’ theme!

http://feeds2.feedburner.com/blogspot/qDYb
c7e4232e6ad5e385652b43c83aeae033-1331863127

by Coachcubas

Action plan, career, coaching, Creative, entrepreneurs, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Visionary, Wisdom

Is entrepreneurism a gene or skill?

January 29, 2015

So, what if you aren’t born with the entrepreneurial qualities?

Recent findings and emphasis on personal development show that people can learn an entrepreneur’s (E’s) progressive traits and can borrow on E’s native talents.

There are several entrepreneur types that bring different strengths and experience while they learn new skills. This is a list of Positive Potentials LLC’s² observations from serving E’s across two decades of business coaching:

1. The Widget Maker—This type is often mistaken as a classic entrepreneur. These proud, diligent people are adept at doing one thing well—making widgets—Widgets are products and methods that can range from baking cookies to custom car production. The outcome is something they have perfected and want to take to market—They want to reproduce it and sell it. Although they may have no real business sense or experience, they forge ahead, often without a business plan, and launch their idea until they run out of money or personal energy.

Another E in this category is the Episodic E, who may be, for example, a car mechanic. S/He sees an opportunity to work on windmill turbines and opens a “green” shop or a former shoe sales person starts a boutique. They work on what they know within a comfort zone. Sometimes, they have little awareness of the moving parts of a business because they only focused on their part in it. These E’s must add business skills and hire talent especially if migrating from a non-business field like a mechanical environment.

They are comfortable and adept with their skills, limited by what they know, but may not take time or fear advanced training so they move from one episode to another as part of a long learning curve. Their shops can be chaotic and may waste resources, because they do not have a plan or marketing skills. For example, lawyers and doctors are historically inexperienced business people.

2. The Innovator—This E likes to tinker. These are not people who want to open a storefront; they want to “build a better mousetrap.” Often, they will consider selling their idea to Wal-Mart, but do not know how to protect and secure their idea with registered patents or how to attract investors.

They are focused on continuous improvement often coming from a manufacturing or systems background. They believe “necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention,” and use their creativity to solve problems. They are creative people because they see and love how things work.

3. You’re Fired —This is the reluctant E. Today’s uncertain economic and job climate can create this type of entrepreneur, because they may not have chosen to leave but they were downsized. They gather severance, savings and gumption in an attempt to duplicate the job they just lost.

Their perspective is limited because they only see a tiny part of the working business. This E requires support people to draft a written business map to keep the E on course and add talent to fill in the gaps.

4. The Last Hurrah—”If not now, then when” logic? Often a mid-life crisis triggers this E, who is restless and sees a last shot at a long-held dream. For example, in the 1990’s, while the economy was stable, “40-Somethings” saw an opportunity to use their 401k’s to start a business if they resigned. For example, independent coffee houses and bookstores popped up nationwide from these E’s efforts. They may have had access to other resources through their professional networks, too. The Boomers are classical examples of this type. After the economic downturn, many Boomers found themselves unable to retire, so they are back in the job market and ready to pour their energy into a new enterprise.

5. Buy A Job/Be Your Own boss—This E is slow to action and can be motivated by fear or external pressure, and a “I’d-better-do-something” attitude. These are ideal franchise prospects or owners. They like a template business model. It appeals to those who want order for security, not creativity. They want the illusion of being their own boss, but, in reality, they are bound by the franchisers rules with little flexibility to improvise.

They may hire people to organize offices and billing issues so they do not get bogged down with the details. The good news for them is they can better manage their process adopting E traits. Learning offers them a better degree of competence to check the work of others they hired without being an entrepreneur.

These visionary E’s hold and share a strong mental picture that s/he translates into the support of followers. Their persuasive communication style serves them to sell the dream born out of their passion. An example of this “charismatic selling” is the rise of multi-level marketing companies since 1990 that hype success with images of wealth, fancy cars and exotic travel as payoffs. One must ask what they are really selling.

Importantly, people serving entrepreneurs are wise to understand them and can benefit by teaching them how to marketing, deliver services and hire a lawyer. Service providers who help their E’s achieve their visions, have no loyalty issues, especially when times are tough.

Tip—Identify where the gaps are in your process to start a business. Find support to complete the gaps and write out your plan. The magic begins when you can visualize the outcome and know what resources you need to get started.

A positive first step is to seek out the free programs like at Glendale Public Library for more information www.GlendaleAZ.com/library. Good luck. -MC

Resources

http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/2695/Business-Literacy-Stimulates-Entrepreneurial-and-Personal-Mastery-Part-1.html

www.ResourcesForAmericans.Com

· Kauffman Foundation www. KauffmanFoundation.com

· Malcolm Baldrige Quality Principles— http://www.nist.gov/index.html

· Entrepreneurship.org, The Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship (PDE)

· The Phoenix Business Journal, www.bizjournals.com

· Coaching Programs EMBA (Entrepreneurial Mastery of Business Assets)

· ASU Technopolis

· Positive Potentials’ EMBA Certification Program™

· Fast Track Stealthmode Partners

¹ Michael Gerber, The E Myth Revisited, (New York, 1995), pp.19-33.

http://feeds2.feedburner.com/blogspot/qDYb
c7e4232e6ad5e385652b43c83aeae033-1331863127

by Coachcubas

change, community, economics, Value, Visionary, Wisdom

Conservation is abundance

March 14, 2012

As I am prepping a new project centered on sustainability and new meanings for “green”, I return to conservation. Consider that Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, was deep into conservation. In fact, conservative comes from ones desire to manage resources and use what one needs. (Today’s mention of conservative is like a tourniquet around any change in the status quo. mc)

In my world, conservation is abundance. It centers around using what you need and not hoarding or taking more than a fair share. This old principle requires a sense of discipline and a global view that everyone is worthy to receive.

Political issues taint such a simple concept. It becomes all about money and greed rather than serving a community—the family of mankind.

The people currently hoarding power are afraid to let go because they don’t see other options. They are stuck. Glued to old autocratic ways that justified why they need not share.

My solution is to create a new sustainability track that people subscribe to locally and globally. These centers are non-profit. They are like farmers’ markets and offer a variety of community services including healthcare options. Hospitals would be returned to non-profit status and serve the community rather than meeting business objectives.

Critical mass is here. A community pilot project on campus would serve as a viable example. MC

This is my entry into ASU’s (Arizona State University’s) crowd-sourcing project seeking solutions to world problems. http://www.10000solutions.org/solution/replace-yourself

http://feeds2.feedburner.com/blogspot/qDYb
c7e4232e6ad5e385652b43c83aeae033-1331863127

by Coachcubas

Leadership Lessons from the Star Wars Revival

Is entrepreneurism a gene or skill?

Recent findings and emphasis on personal development show that people can learn an entrepreneur’s (E’s) progressive traits and can borrow on E’s native talents.

There are several entrepreneur types that bring different strengths and experience while they learn new skills. This is a list of Positive Potentials LLC’s² observations from serving E’s across two decades of business coaching:

Resources

Conservation is abundance

Enjoy our past posts!

Contact me -

About -

Menu

Wisdom

Leadership Lessons from the Star Wars Revival

Is entrepreneurism a gene or skill?

Recent findings and emphasis on personal development show that people can learn an entrepreneur’s (E’s) progressive traits and can borrow on E’s native talents.

There are several entrepreneur types that bring different strengths and experience while they learn new skills. This is a list of Positive Potentials LLC’s2 observations from serving E’s across two decades of business coaching:

Resources

Conservation is abundance

Enjoy our past posts!

Contact me -

About -

Menu

There are several entrepreneur types that bring different strengths and experience while they learn new skills. This is a list of Positive Potentials LLC’s² observations from serving E’s across two decades of business coaching: