We are also located right next to the Lac du Flambeau Reservation, and more Native Indian people serve in the military per capita than any other ethnic group, including whites. Both my grandfathers served, as did almost every one of their generation, and my great uncle lost his life in WWII. One of my other great uncles was shot down and held as a POW. His injuries stayed with him his whole life. Service is about sacrifice.

Veterans get this special day because when they volunteer to serve, they are signing up to make the ultimate sacrifice, if required. For a while there, the military was seeming like a pretty easy way to get some societal advantages like a college education and preferential federal job placement. Not so much anymore. Besides, even in a prolonged time of peace, those who enlisted still were signing up to put their life on the line if called upon.

Of course, some people could not fathom going into the military. Combat training is not for them, and they may be morally opposed to war.There have been many other ways Americans have served. I am grateful for the teachers, policy makers, environmentalists, doctors, infrastructure workers… the list of dedicated Americans goes on and on.

After having one of the most divisive elections in history, I think it is important to think about service to our country. We should use the Vets as an inspiration and look up to them to think about what we can give to make the world a better place. This last year, we have seen people who “take the knee” for the National Anthem because they feel we, as a country, could be doing more.

Maybe it is sacrilegious to say this on Veterans Day, but I have been thinking a lot about the Pledge of Allegiance. It may have started while watching Game of Thrones, and seeing different kingdoms pledge to stand by this fictional leader or that, no matter what. Some swore their sword, but then do not fulfill their obligations. I wonder how many Americans have said the Pledge of Allegiance thousands of times, yet threatened to move to Canada if there was either this outcome or that? It is sort of like wedding vows, where people gather all their favorite witnesses together as they swear they will give their lives to this other person, then go roll in the hay with the next person who temps them. What are you swearing to sacrifice?

This is why Veterans Day is so important. Vets really do stand by a commitment and serve. There is no not following through for them. The do go to war when called upon. They together, black, white, Indian, man, woman, Jew, Christian, Muslim, rich and poor, are willing to do their best and if need be, put their life on the line so we can have a society that represents freedom for all.

So let’s use this day not only to thank Vets but to remember that America is a place that is intended to shine as a beacon of hope across the world. We represent inclusive policies, wise conservation policies, a place where our public has the right to visit some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and of course, unprecedented opportunity and freedom to speak out. So find a vet today and thank them. Let them know what you are willing to do to help make America shine as a global symbol of freedom. What you are willing to do to protect the values that they put their life on the line for.

Thank you Veterans for your service and example of leadership!

Keep Leading,
Rad

Propel Yourself to New Levels

Last month, I went to a 1-day riding clinic which was pretty much a waste of time, but did end up propelling me to new levels of riding. It wasn’t that the instruction was so good, in fact, I thought it was pretty bad and I came home feeling like I knew nothing. After a few days of thinking I that I was just a horrible horse trainer, I decided that was not true and I began to increase the amount of time I worked with my horse Ranger, the way that we have been working, using a style that has been working for us.

I have to say, I was a little harder on Ranger and he rose to the challenge. I rode him in a bit, which is a piece of metal in the mouth of the horse and if used properly is not a cruel device at all. A bit is used by 99% of people who ride horses, but there are alternatives. Because Ranger had a rough start when he was a little guy, and because he was pretty mistrusting, I had often used a “bitless bridle” for Ranger, something that seemed to put him at ease.

Ranger rose to the challenge of having a bit in his mouth again, and did well dropping his head, tucking his chin, and moving all the individual body parts I asked him to. After several days of intense training (by our standards), Ranger began to plateau. He was cooperative, but it seemed like he was being pushed.

Horse Personality

I like my horses “alive” and to have personality. I like them to be safe and obedient, but to still be who they are. I let Ranger have another go at the bitless bridle and boy did he seem to appreciate it. Ranger was gentler that he had been with the bit, calmer, and had more of what cowboys call “try”.

My kids have both started to ride Ranger and have figured out that they can control him without getting hurt or hurting him. My son, 8 years-old, actually just started riding for the first time on his own and he LOVED IT! This just made me so happy because I love horses and invest a lot of time and family resources into them. To share the joy I get, with my family, would mean the world to me.

Lessons Learned

So here is what I learned this summer and how it can be applied to any situation in life. There will be times where some well-meaning soul will try and teach you something and tell you you’re doing it all wrong. Take what you can from these people, but never stop trusting in yourself and using what works for you. It is important to get outside advice, but I know from life coaching that as coaches we are not supposed tell someone how to do something, but rather help them on a journey of self-exploration. Look inward to judge yourself and see if you can do it better, but believe in yourself and trust in your talents.

Next, look to your team for feedback and make sure you are taking care of them the way they want to be taken care of. Sometimes there are external pressures for how you should treat your team, what they should be allowed and what kind of benefits they should get. However, if you want to really invest in your team, take care of them they by asking them what they need. A team member will tell you how they like to work. If you make a working environment a pleasurable place to work and build a trusting relationship, you will get a 100% return on your investment.

So there it is, a little tip from a Fall Northwoods horse training session. Trust in your ability and take care of your team. Next thing you know, you will be the kind of leader you have always wanted to be.

Keep leading,
Rad

Momentum is one of the biggest assets you can have to help you achieve your goal. When you hear about habits of effective people, it is easy to think “well, I don’t have those habits. If I did I wouldn’t be reading up on personal development.” That a pretty reasonable thought. So how do you go from static to dynamic and develop those habits and build that momentum? Well, time to take Nike’s advice and just do it!

Okay, so now you are about to start a hate email that begins “Dear Rad, you suck!” Hold up just one second and listen to one of my inspirational stories. About the time I turned 40, I decided that life goes pretty fast and I tried really hard to go from being in shape to being in really good shape. I had been working out for a couple of years and I was feeling pretty good. A few small tweaks and I became really fit.

Well, shortly after that I had a lifestyle change that made me much busier and created many more time commitments on my part. Coincidently, this change to a faster-paced life also introduced high-calorie foods around every turn and offered almost no access to healthy food choices. Whereas before I didn’t really eat French fries, today I am babysitting my brother’s Fry Daddy and ate fried food three times last week. I didn’t go from super fit to eating fried food at home over night, I did it little by little and now I have momentum!

See, don’t you feel better now and think “Boy Rad, I could use some of that momentum too.”

Okay, there are two examples there and they both went the same way. One little step builds on the next and whether you are on the way towards a goal or moving farther from it, it is a slippery slope, so get your momentum working for you.

Here is how you do it. Set your goal. Sure there is a whole science to goal setting but the big part is deciding what you want and that is easy. Next, you don’t do anything until you do something to move towards that goal. One thing! That can be to write a list, drink some water, drop and do 10 pushups, schedule a meeting…just do one thing. You know what you have now? Momentum. You are on the slippery slope moving towards your goal. Now wasn’t that easy?
Next, you have to do one more thing, as soon as you can, because momentum is your friend. Before you know it, time adds up and you have accomplished so much. So build on your momentum right now. Pick that one little thing and just do it!

Keep leading,
Rad

Conservation, Reuse, Recycle

Another big factor in my hording is my commitment to conservation. Waste not, want not is paramount to sustainability as reuse comes before recycle. I see value in many things and stash them away for a rainy day. I like stuff of fish tanks, building supplies, cool fabrics, anything that can be reused or repurposed. This too may slightly hinge on a deep seeded insecurity, where I have slight feelings that I am not capable of manifesting the same materials I come across today at some point in the future.

Anyway it goes, I have a lot of stuff and have trouble getting rid of stuff. I have a few categories that I sort of consider collections, like saddles (I have at least 8 and only one ridable horse at the moment) and antique knives, but a lot of what I have, most people would just consider junk!

4th Quarter Progress

As I am pushing forward in this fourth quarter of the year and trying to dig deep and make some things happen, I have noticed that there is just a lot of stuff in my way. Every time I want to progress I have extra steps just to deal with the clutter around me. I have come to the realization that some things need to go. It is hard for the environmentally-sensitive side in me, but I am now much more attune to throwing out what cannot go to charity, and just getting it out of my way so I can move more efficiently.

The same is true for lots of other aspects in life. We keep stuff that maybe we don’t need. Sometimes, they are relationships. Sometimes, they are activities. Sometimes, habits.

My Challenge To You

I would like to ask you, what “stuff” do you have hanging around that may be getting in your way? Is there anything that is taking up time, money, space, or even just mental capacity? Can you live without this extra burden? Can you see how having it out of your way would streamline your life?

This week I challenge you to make a list of some “junk” you would like to get out of your way so that you can focus on what you really want. Let me know what it is because it might really help me de-clutter too! Chances are you’re not alone so… help a brother out! I want to hear from you (if you’re shy, just email info@animalleadership.com). If you are anything like me, I know you will start to feel good about the space you make, whether it is physical or mental. This positive feeling will grow and propel you to new heights of achievement. Once you have some things out of the way, your priorities will really shine through and success will come naturally.

Keep leading,
Rad

I don’t know why I have a draw to horses and horse training. In many ways, I wish I did not. It doesn’t fit in with my family life, and just building the infrastructure for the horses is a constant challenge. When it comes to horse training, I have a desire to learn as much as I can and try to get better. Few things in life are this way for me. I am not particularly patient and I don’t set out for the long haul on most projects, but with horses I have and it is beginning to really open my eyes to somethings.

True Confession

First off, I kind of suck as a horseback rider. That’s a true confession. I started riding and thought I was pretty great, considering I had never been around horses in my life and I immediately went into starting (or breaking) horses. An unbroken (and yes that is a horse word) horse goes through a phase of what they call green. Just like the new rider trying to learn the basic concepts, green means you have some understanding, but there is no muscle memory, no true perception, certainly no mastering of the process. A saying in the horse world goes…green and green is said to be a recipe for black and blue…and I don’t recommend it.

Surviving green and green made me feel like I must be pretty special, but now I look around and realize I have been messing around with horses for over a decade, and that is a long time. I am very good at starting a young horse, but I don’t really know how to do anything advanced. I look at young people who have been working at horseback riding for several years and they can do all kinds of cool things. This made me realize, it is time to take it to the next level. I really want to be a good horseman who moves in harmony with the horse. I know that moving toward this will give me great pride. I also believe that even though I have a long way to go and the learning is endless, that some small adjustments to the way I am doing things will have big results.

Life Lessons Learned

So here is the life lesson. What is it that lifts us from one level to another? What does it take? Well, first, there is desire or need. Second there is the Law of Karma that states you have to accept where you are. Third, you need a goal or at least vision of where you want to go. Next you need a plan or program. Finally you need tools, teachers, and critics to evaluate you.

I realize that I am at step two, and to be honest, it kind of hurts. It is making me look at other areas of my life and questioning,  am I where I want to be? Am I where I should be? Boy, that is a potentially dark road, so how you approach it is important.

The object is not to compare yourself to others for that sake of living up to them, but to assess if you have the components of the life you want to lead. In life coaching, we break it down into some categories such as friends and family, finances, environment, health, romance, personal growth, fun and recreation, and career. All that being said, it is okay to use others as motivators of what you can accomplish. To go full circle in this article, that is why I want to get out there, to discover other horse people and see what they are doing and how I can do it to.

So, before you come out with the big New You resolutions in a few months, is there an area of your life that you want to improve? Are you ready to take a stab at it? Go for it! See what you can do to make a small tweak that can really lift you up and improve all areas of your life. We are in the fourth quarter and there is still a lot of time left in this year. Let me know what it is you are taking on and I look forward to watching your mastery build momentum.

Keep leading,
Rad

Next week: getting stuff out of the way…

The Real World

I didn’t have a pleasant school experience until the later years of college due to my different learning style, but being involved with school policy and helping schools to break the old mold is now very interesting to me. Schools are a great place to look at why we have certain beliefs, and, as they should be, represent the best opportunity to get kids ready for the “real world”.

The latter part of that being said, I think schools fail miserably at making real world connections. They do a pretty good job teaching reading, writing, arithmetic and introducing science and art, but the connections to business, management and overall leadership are often missed.

Any manager knows that training is an important part of the job. It represents a large investment in an employee and takes time. That is way employee retention is so important and the companies that want the best people recognize this and do their best to retain these employees.

The Schools of Today

In school today, there is a trend to have those that achieve the basics in the class and finish their work to help the students who are struggling. Parents of the kids who finish first often resent this because their student should be challenged more, not used as free labor. That is understandable. However, what if the schools presented the lesson of helping other students as a leadership or management module?

What if they spent some time telling those students who were helping that learning how to train employees, how to master content so that you can explain it clearly, and how to develop an outward sense of compassion to those around us, are all ESSENTIAL leadership skills? Don’t you think parents would buy in more to their students helping? In our charter schools, we have lost students whose parents feel they are being used as free labor and don’t value this new challenge.

This is true with anything you do. There is a lot more to what we are doing than just the act of the duty itself. Take sports for instance. It sounds like a tremendous waste of time. In the same regard we have come to understand that not only does it represent fitness, but builds character, sportsmanship, stimulates the brain, teaches responsibility, etc., BUT only if it is coached properly and mentored correctly.

Finding Value in Everyday “Jobs”

My guess is right now there is something in your life that you are doing, and not because you see it as developing leadership skills. In fact, you may not even see much external value in, but there truly is. This activity may be your daily employment or your volunteer duties or even raising a family. My challenge to you is to think about the life skills and leadership lessons you are gaining from that “job”. Go ahead and write them down so you can see them, and practice an elevator speech that describes how these skills make you a better leader in some other capacity of your life. This will help you in your next job interview or to find a place where you can volunteer these skills.

If you are really up for a challenge, ask a local school if there is a classroom where you can come in and present your story about said aspect of your life and what it has taught you. I guarantee that message will help inspire students and get them thinking outside the box… And leaders like you getting involved is exactly what our school systems need.

Keep leading, in whatever capacity you can,
Rad Watkins

Are You Caught in a Personality Trap?

Why is that? Well, simply put, you will be living your life with one leg caught in the trap that has been set for you. Do you remember the traps that I described in the FREE Animal Leadership Implementation Guide I sent you when you took the Animal Leadership personality test? (If not, take your free test here  www.animalleadership.com and get your guide too.) Well, each one of the four personalities, the Bear, Wolf, Eagle, and Horse, have a trap set for them. Let’s use a real life example of the Bear’s trap.

Recently I have been working with a leader who is a Bear personality. Being a Bear he is self-assured, quick to take control of the direction of the group, and gets frustrated when people don’t follow his direction. This last part is the Bear’s trap.

Different Personalities, Different Traps

Each personality has it’s trap. As a Wolf personality I have my strengths, but my trap is lack of organization and follow through. I know this and I work at it. The Bear’s trap is getting frustrated when people don’t want to follow their leadership or when challenged.

So, in the case of the leader I have been working with, he is very frustrated that some of the people he leads (and he is an accomplished leader), have different personalities and leadership styles. It is actually past the point of frustrating him, and is undercutting his ability to be the leader he could be.

You see, you cannot be a highly effective leader by pushing others to be like you. But rather, you must look to foster the strengths in others in order to grow your own strengths.

The good news is that such leadership strategies can be learned. If learned, they will not only help you as a leader, but in sales, in making friends, even in being a parent. So I encourage you to think about your leadership style and personality type and see where you can improve. If you haven’t already, go to www.AnimalLeadership.com and take the personality test and review the FREE implementation guide. Then let me know what you learned and how you will aim to become a leader who helps bring out the best in others.

Keep leading,
Rad

As a social creatures, humans are predisposed to look to others in their social circle and try to be like them. This phenomena can be very helpful if you surround yourself with positive role models that help you strive to be a better person, but it can be very limiting too. You must be careful as you strive to become a better person that you don’t limit yourself by trying to do things exactly like those around you. You must go about things in your own way, so that you can be the best you possible.

Lessons from Movie Night at Home

The other night, I watched Kung Fu Panda 3, which I have to say was just as good as the first movie (rare for sequels). Without giving anything away, I can say that it had some focus, just as the other Kung Fu Panda movies, on developing talents not as those around you develop theirs, but rather to be the best individual possible. To be unique, and use one’s strengths.

It is funny that the Animal Leadership System has so much to do with Kung Fu Panda, but that is what we teach. I firmly believe that you are a unique individual, and if you learn how to be the best you, you can be,  you will be much more effective than if you try to live life as someone else.

A Personal Story

For me personally, this lesson was thrust upon me because of my learning disability. I still have trouble with that term, because I am not sure that disability is the correct descriptor. One of the ways such a difference in learning styles (the disability) is diagnosed is that the student does not perform as well as other students in some areas, yet is as bright if not brighter, than their peers in many ways. In my case, reading and spelling were very hard to learn, yet my IQ was in the 97^th percentile.

Anyway, I could never, and still can’t do everything that my peers do, but I can do many things my peers can’t do. When I stopped trying to do the same things at the same times as all my peers and focused on what came natural to me, I started to thrive.

Working as the Chairman of two Charter Schools (ones within the public school system, not ones that direct public funds outside public institutions) I still see this with students. Many Special Ed students gravitate to our charter schools because they feel there is more freedom to learn in a way that is conducive to their individual strengths. Traditionally, students are taught to all learn the same thing, at the same pace, as they sit on the same piece of furniture, assuming the same posture…and if they don’t perform the same, they are failures or have a disability. People are individuals and MUST play to their strengths!

Applying Lessons to Your Life

I think about the horses I work with. Some are hard to get to move. Some are hard to get to stand still. Both traits are really handy depending on what you are doing. I could never take five horses, throw them in a round pen, and teach them with the same style at the same time. They have individual strengths and as a good trainer I’m sensitive to that and try to coax them out.

So, how about you? Are you trying to perform in the same manner as those around you? Do you give yourself a hard time when your unique strengths start to show themselves? Do you try to foster your strengths so that you can be the best uniquely you, you can be?

It is so important that you begin to live in your own skin and develop the you, which only you can be. We need you in this world because there is only one and we have been waiting for your talents. Your greatness is something that only you can bring to the table. When it comes to being an individual, love it and live it so you can best serve those around you.

Keep leading,
Rad

The key here, is that because people are different, they look for different things when they communicate. It is easy to assume everyone is just like us, but they are not.

I am sure by now you have taken the Animal Leadership personality test and found out whether you are a bear, wolf, eagle, or horse (If not, go take the test here). Each one of these personality types has things they are looking for when communicated with, and if you give them information in the way they like it fed to them, they will be more receptive to your message.

Many people don’t know that I do a fair bit of real estate sales when I am not giving Animal Leadership talks (or playing with my horses). Where I live, selling real estate can mean anything from small, year-round homes, to large tracks of forest land, to extravagant lakefront summer homes. Although sales is not natural for a guy who spent years as a grassroots conservationist, I love it because I am out and about working at my own schedule, and actually spend more time outside than I did in my last few conservation-related jobs. I also love it because I can approach it not as a salesman, but as a provider of information, and more of a consultant on anything related to the potential purchase. The way I provide this information is key to whether or not people will feel secure enough to purchase a property. It is the perfect testing ground for all things related to Animal Leadership.

Using the Wrong Bait?

Here is some of what I have learned about communicating effectively with all different kinds of people. First off, once someone is really comfortable with who they are, they are not going out of their way to prove themselves or impress you. These people, really great people to be around, are going to expect to hear things in a way that makes sense to them. It is almost like fishing, where if you have the wrong bait, some fish just won’t bite.

The Bear Personality

So, when you are dealing with someone who might be a bear person, you are going to want to be direct. Don’t beat around the bush or try to sugar coat things. Don’t waste time or try to be too persuasive. Let a bear person know the facts and listen to their opinion. Keep things in the moment and on topic. These people are all about business, so let them know you are too, or at least when you are trying to connect with them.

The Wolf Personality

Wolf people love the fun and what is possible. They want things upbeat. They will tell stories and like to be told stories as well. Keep things fun and light and provide information in an optimistic way. Being too abrupt or negative could scare them off.

The Eagle Personality

Eagle people like lots of details about things. They don’t make decisions lightly and need to spend some time taking it all in before they are ready to swoop down and grab their fish. For eagle people, you must not push them and make sure you do anything you can to help them understand the whole situation. Often, they will not move on until they feel confident that captured it all and haven’t missed anything.

The Horse Personality

Horse people are social people who like to talk about social things. They will put their necks out for friends, but will run if they think you have bad intentions. Let them know you care. They are not afraid of a job or having some work to do, but it should be specific and direct. The most common personality type is the horse.

Be Yourself

So the reason I mention all this is it is important to be yourself, and you will naturally gravitate to others like you. However, you can be so much more effective as a person if you help others be who they are and know how to communicate with them. Be a leader, know who you are and help others be who they are. Learn these few simple techniques and watch how it will help you make friends, communicate, and even increase sales if that is something you’re after. Live in your skin and let others live in theirs. Communicate effectively and feed others information the way they like it.

‘Till next time, keep leading,
Rad

Our year-round property is just a quarter of a mile down the road on the mainland, so my sense of place is tremendous. All though I did not grow up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, the physical place, this couple mile radius particularly, feels so much like home that I feel a part of it. It’s in my blood.

Figuring It Out

It is interesting deciding where you want to live and then figuring out how you will make it work. It is all I have ever done. The only time I ever moved anywhere for a purpose and not a place was when I went to Beloit College. It was in the middle of cornfield country and that did not do it for me. I left after the first semester. Since then, I have lived in Boulder Colorado, Missoula and West Glacier Montana, Seattle and Port Angels Washington, Houghton Michigan in the U.P., and Sandpoint Idaho, as well as Ashland and Minocqua Wisconsin. I write a lot about leadership and service to others because I believe it is important and fulfilling, but you really do have to be the leader of your own life and decide how you want to live if you going to be truly satisfied with your life. It is harder than it sounds because there are times when the tail starts to wag the dog.

Summertime: Blessing and a Curse

For me, summer gets so busy and there are many demands both social and work, that I operate in a very reactive mode. One of the reasons I live where I do is because my family all comes up to the island in the summer, so I want to spend time with each of them. Also, a stream of friends come to their cabins for a week at a time, all on vacation and sort of assuming that we are too. The social demands are non-stop. It is a blessing and curse, but it is what I chose and that is the big thing.

Sometimes we don’t get to make choices about how we live. Sometimes we get sick or have someone depending on us that ties us down, but for the most part we can really do anything we want and live anywhere we want. We can be anything we want!

Be Intentionally Thankful

So, as I sit and watch the sun rise and the eagle fly by, I give thanks that I made it through the harsh, slow and long winter, to get to be part of this fast paced, full-of-life summer. This moment of reflective bliss is perfect and a big part of what I live for. Now I turn to you and ask, what do you want out of life? Do you have it? Are you ready to take charge and go get it? Are you ready for the sacrifices? Do you even know what it is? I hope so. If not, maybe some reflective time in nature giving thanks will help you find your way and fuel your soul. I am here to help as well. I hope you are enjoying the intensity that is summer.

Keep leading,
Rad