I’ve been a leader for a long time and I’ve been a manager for a long time. I think I am a strong leader; I think I am an OK manager – there is always room for improvement in all arenas, of course.

Somehow I have assumed that by being a strong leader that I am by rote being a good manager. Au contraire mon frere, “being a good manager isn’t about what YOU want to do; it’s about your team,” according to Beth Banks Cohn, a leadership development coach.

So, one of my goals for 2010 is to find out where my TEAM wants to go, what each of THEIR goals are and then I plan to bust my ass to help make those dreams come true. If everyone on the team is achieving their dreams and we are all on the same page as far as where we are headed as a group – how could we NOT absolutely rock the world?

My end of the year thoughts…

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!!

There were at least 100 people in Starbucks at 53rd and Broadway at 1:45 p.m. yesterday, but one guy stood out. Really stood out. He walked past me, head held high carrying…a highly distinctive gilded china old-ladyish pink coffee cup with a swirly gold handle. You just know there is a story there. Your mind starts racing – maybe his grandmother left it to him, maybe he is royalty, maybe he’s just plain nuts.

I stood in line thinking of all the possibilities – so already, this guy has my attention – not the cute guy in front of me (ok, maybe a little) or the other 98 people in the room. I got my coffee and felt compelled to go up to him: “So, may I inquire as to the significance of your unusual coffee cup?” He was clearly delighted to be asked and said, “The significance is three pronged: One, everything tastes better in ceramic, Two, it is the environmentally correct choice – I saved at least 365 cups by using this one cup and three, it is the best conversation starter, as you have demonstrated.”

His name is Jason – he stood out because he figured out how he COULD in a very crowded coffee shop in the middle of NYC – no small feat. He stood out because he was being true to himself (taste, environment and willingness to speak to strangers). There is a marketing lesson here – identify your company’s “pink cup” and craft a story around it. Now you’ve got our attention.

One of my strengths that plays well as leader of One Eleven is my willingness to try something. Anything, really. I am not particularly afraid of failure, having done so many times and lived to figure out a better path.

It is incredibly fortunate that I am surrounded by strong people, who can balance risk and trial – but are willing to take the untrod path to see where it goes.

Of course, Seth Godin has inspired me yet once again – he recently blogged about getting companies to get off the dime and TRY stuff…”Just do stuff. First you have to fail, then you can improve.”

So, for our clients – what do you say? Let’s try some stuff…think about this when you plan for 2010 – seems like a good time to be bold.