Disqus - Latest Comments for SusanMazza

Re: How to Lead in the Face of Criticism [Podcast S08E08]

Susan Mazza — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 19:30:35 -0000

Thank you Michael for a thorough and thoughtful discussion on a crucial topic. Criticism is so easy to dish out, especially online. It can also feel even harsher just because it's in "print"(like as you share a book review on amazon or a comment on your blog).

One of the phrases I loved is "dial the drama down". It's important to be mindful that our reactions can be like pouring lighter fluid on the drama fire or the match that ignites it. On the other hand, taking the time to choose to respond with love, compassion and personal responsibility can help to put that fire out, sometimes before it even starts. Criticism is easy. Giving and receiving criticism in a way that makes a difference takes hard work.

Re: Winners Give Just A Little Bit More

Susan Mazza — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 07:28:25 -0000

Love this idea of adding a "+1" practice Skip! It's a very practical way to put into practice the attitude of being a champion.

Re: Being Okay With Change — Decide Differently, LLC

Susan Mazza — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 17:42:40 -0000

Excellent perspective Shakti. Make Room for Change especially resonated with me. I have a high tolerance for change, and even have a passion for instigating change. That doesn't mean I don't react to the natural stresses inherent in change even when I have invited it. When the change feels tumultuous it's important for me to remember to "make room for the change" as you put it. Funny how strong the pull can be to go back to the way things were even when we chose to make a change in service of the future we want. I for one am very glad you stuck with it as I have come to count on your skill and wisdom as a coach as I navigate the often messy business of changing to be better and do better in life and work.

Re: How To Start A Podcast As A Content Strategy

Susan Mazza — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:13:00 -0000

This is an incredibly helpful overview of the upside and investment required to run a successful podcast. And you offer some great resources. Thanks!

Re: 3 Simple Ways a Leader Can Earn Trust

Susan Mazza — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 20:31:19 -0000

Thanks David. Agreement can be over-rated! The kind of passionate discourse that leads to truly great thinking requires that we disagree respectfully. When we really listen people feel respected regardless of our differing opinions.

Re: Ignore The Dream Stealers

Susan Mazza — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:10:32 -0000

Wonderful! Some of the best advice I ever got was to share your dreams daily, but only with the select few who truly believe in you and the possibility of your dream. Thanks for the inspiration!

Re: What Does Your Vision Incite?

Susan Mazza — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:54:02 -0000

A wonderful exploration of the subject of vision Jon. One of the things I have found that has worked is when leaders actively and continuously engage in conversations about what the stated vision for their organization means to each and every person from their own unique vantage point. All too often an executive team with "come down from the mountain" to reveal their vision as a presentation rather than make it the source of an ongoing conversation. If you want people to own the vision and take action to realize it, they must have the opportunity to breath life into its meaning in their world.

Re: Life Lessons from a Young Legislator and an Emperor

Susan Mazza — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 12:59:24 -0000

What a great exploration of lessons learned from this story. I especially like your last point: "From the news, we need to: Read closely. Think to understand. Reflect to learn."

Politics and protocol, no matter how crazy and even infuriating they may seem as times, are essential to understand and navigate wisely when out commitment is to make a difference even in spite of them.

Re: The Friday Five, Blogs That Matter – October 4, 2013

Susan Mazza — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:26:01 -0000

Honored to have an article form my blog included in this list Hugh!

Re: Building Trust Between Generations – Six Ways

Susan Mazza — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:41:05 -0000

Fabulous Jon! I especially love the reverse mentoring suggestion. Opening yourself up to learning from another edifies them and humbles you. In so doing it helps to level the playing field - something we need to do a better job of in every dimension of diversity, not just age.

Re: Organize a Twitter Chat for Fast, Fun, Flexible Post Learning Follow-Up

Susan Mazza — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 08:26:01 -0000

This is a great idea Julie! Wondering how many active participants are needed to make a "twee-union" work? I have only participated in the bustling worldwide chats of #tchat, #bealeader, #peopleskills and #leadfromwithin. Hard to imagine this in a smaller group (although I actually might enjoy a stream I can at least sort of keep up with!

Re: The Friday Roundup: Abe Lincoln’s leadership principles, loving yourself, something from left field and more

Susan Mazza — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 08:26:40 -0000

This is an excellent collection of articles Andy and, like Ted, I am honored to be among friends I respect as well as to discover a few new like-minded folks with great wisdom to share.

Love your bio by the way - "a former corporate slave turned dream realiser". Unleashing the human spirit, especially at work is what I am all about. Here's to removing the shackles and turning on the lights of leadership!

Re: Digital Detox vs Digital Redux in the Work-Life Merge

Susan Mazza — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 16:38:41 -0000

This article is very timely for me Judy as I truly am re-evaluating my work habits and digital life is a big part of that. So far I think for me it's more about restructuring than reducing. I am early in my process but so far what I can see is that I need to clarify my purpose for when and where I engage and set some clearer boundaries. Going to try a day of digital "rest" each week for a while as a practice to start to see where my energy naturally is called when I am not compelled to pick up a device!

Re: Democracy: 5 Ways You Can Make It More Meaningful

Susan Mazza — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 15:52:23 -0000

An inspiring reminder that democracy and freedom are not free.

Re: Why experiential learning is so important in business

Susan Mazza — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 17:29:25 -0000

I love your examples of how to put experiential learning into practice Julie. I also find that combining formal training with follow up coaching support and/or creating peer based learning communities over time significantly bridges the gap between theory and practice. Without support it is far too easy to revert to what is comfortable when the theory doesn't immediately "work" as expected. As you point put the learning requires experience.

Re: How to boost organizational performance through effective leadership

Susan Mazza — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 17:19:37 -0000

Thanks David! Looking forward to hearing more from you here about engagement in particular.

Re: How to boost organizational performance through effective leadership

Susan Mazza — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 17:11:02 -0000

Thanks Julie! i think it's time to reinvent the context for accountability to one that empowers vs. evokes fear and blame/shame. it's a topic I will definitely be writing more about here.

Re: The Hardest Part is Getting Started

Susan Mazza — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:19:22 -0000

Loved this article. It is so true and what it takes to launch a space shuttle is an excellent metaphor for just how hard it can be to get started. I "won the lottery" when I submitted my name to witness one of the final manned space shuttle launches for a NASA sponsored tweetup. Even though I had seem launches from just a few miles away because I live not far from there, experiencing the sheer power shaking through every cell in my body from just across the lagoon was indescribable. The good news is I believe there are still opportunities to view launches even though they are not manned (hopeful that will change in the future). You can learn more here http://nasatweet.com/wiki/M... and by following #nasatweetup on twitter.

Re: Six New, New Things I Learned from Wisdom 2.0

Susan Mazza — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:56:12 -0000

It is inspiring to hear about a conference that brought so many people from different disciplines to connect on such an "ancient" level. This comment from you in particular was music to my mind and heart:

"There is a new way to lead, and it isn’t necessarily soft. It is focused on core principles of values, purpose, mindfulness, compassion, and raising the level of positive difference profit-driven corporations can make in the world."

It was not long ago that this way of leading a profit driven corporations was considered naive at best and delusional at worst. When we actually start to apply the wisdom of the ages in how we leverage all of the knowledge and technology we have amassed the field of possibility for our future opens wide.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and takeaways with us.

Re: Challenge Your Status Quo

Susan Mazza — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:51:48 -0000

Beautiful exploration of the challenge of the confronting the status quo. I especially love your two questions. They are similar to the questions I try to teach my daughter to ask about those she chooses to spend time with. Its also the path to garnering the emotional fortitude and spritual strength to change for the sake of the future we want vs settle for the way things are.

Re: The Magic of Leadership – Converting

Susan Mazza — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:16:19 -0000

You have given new life and meaning to the word "convert" for me. The way you describe it, converting is a process of alchemy, perhaps with the key ingredient being a commitment. The one that come to mind to add is converting theory to practice. Like your "unlife life" concept last year I have a feeling I will be thinking about this one for a while!

Re: How To Be Smart – 5 Weird Things

Susan Mazza — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:45:51 -0000

Fun post Kent and great suggestions. I'll add seek people who don't think like you and don't agree with you with the goal of learning. Open minds are smarter.

Re: What To Do When Your Job Title Is Hard To Explain

Susan Mazza — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:12:27 -0000

This has been a perpetual challenge for me. Over my first 10 years of corporate jobs I wrote every job description because my next job was something no one else quite did before. Back then it was all about level though and the idea of personal branding wasn't on the radar. I never have liked boxes though. You are explaining an important shift in communicating what we do to others. I wonder how many are still hung up on the level/title. It takes work to get to the essence of who you are and what you do though - you've provided an excellent place to start.

PS We Are Penn State! Always nice to see a fellow Nittany Lion

Re: Goal Setting: The Forgotten Question - Rick Ross on Business, Technology and Life

Susan Mazza — Tue, 31 May 2011 09:42:53 -0000

I too love this idea of ruthless pruning - in the press to "Think Big"
we can end up setting goals driven from a context of ambition or proving
rather than one of wisely investing our time and ourselves.

Re: What’s Your Time Worth? Why Pricing Matters

Susan Mazza — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:20:44 -0000

Excellent food for thought on pricing Mike. This is something I have struggled with greatly. For me this statement captures my philosophy: "I don’t really sell my time as much as I decide where and with whom I want to invest it."

Until 3 years ago a high percentage of my work was subcontracting on a per day rate basis. Truth is I always put in more time than a day for a days pay. My focus is always doing what is necessary to produce the best possible results rather than my time. At one point I established a minimum rate of $1,500/day for subcontracting and my independent rates ranged from $2k for non-profits to $4k/day. But I still couldn't in my own mind correlate time and value so it was never satisfying. It also didn't work very well from a cash flow perspective.

Coaching and consulting for strategy, culture change and performance requires a focused investment with the client. I have determined it is not worth my investment (or my clients) to engage in this kind of work for less than 5k per month for at least 6 months with a target of 10k/mo. I have smaller retainer fees for a few clients I have long standing relationships with. What I continue to try to balance is generating an income that is satisfying with a workload that serves my life commitments and sufficient diversity of clients to keep my thinking fresh and my cashflow sustainable. Very challenging equation when you are on your own.

As part of my quest to break the trading dollars per hour paradigm, my focus over the last year and a half though has been on how to "productize" my work to better leverage my time. I offered one class called the Art of Accountability twice last year for $297. Was that the right price point? I still don't know and have a lot more research and experimentation ahead of me to figure out what works.

I am now interested in doing some subcontracting again so I can increase my focus on product development and delivery for my own business. Do you have any advice for how to navigate the world of subcontracting in today's world in a way that doesn't pull me back into a pure day rate model?