Written by Nicole Langston
Keynote
Loretta Love Huff
Known and appreciated by thousands of engaged and sometimes exhausted Executives and entrepreneurs as the dream leader for business. Loretta Love Huff helps people and teams exceed their dreams. Loretta guides her clients to unleash their inner fear, influence and integrity to produce results that otherwise would not have been attained. Loretta has made several appearances on the local Fox 10 morning new show, many radio stations across the country, featured in many business publications like NY times, AZ Republic, Wall Street journal, Black Enterprise, Phoenix Business Journal, Arizona Women and Working Mothers magazine. She is the author of two books, which you will see up here; Leadership without Limits Inspiring the Best in Yourself, your people and your Organization, plus also 6 Keys for Dissolving Disputes when “Off their heads! Won’t work (find this and more on her website). She is also the creator of Sleep, Leap, Reap the bamboo approach to courageous leadership and outrageous growth, a consulting process that generates new revenue sources, improves productivity and increases profit margins for professional service firms and service based businesses.
Prior to that, she worked as a Senior Executive in Leadership roles at Fortune 500 Companies such as DreamWorks, Apple, Sega of America (SEGA), Bank of America, Sears and Kraft Foods (Kraft Heinz Company). She holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago.
Loretta stands ready to shine a light on your path to higher productivity and profits. We are honored to have her here today. Please help me welcome Loretta Love Huff.
Courageous Leadership, Outrageous Growth: Loretta Love Huff, went up
She looks forward to talking to each of us at the end of this session and learning more about you. Helping you exhibit your talent and skills as you move through the employment process and working with companies, so you can accomplish all the great goals that you set.
Why would you want to bother to reinvent yourself? If you’re in transition right now, you are probably thinking I need to reinvent, I need to do something new, I need to find a new job. There is an example of someone who left a company and started a business and started earning a lot more money and feeling freer, because she was her own boss. There are a lot of upsides to it.
There are reinventions that are happening all around the world. You have probably noticed some. When you are thinking of reinvented yourself it can fell kind of scary, feels like you are walking on the edge of the world you have never known. It is a bit terrifying at times, but there are upsides to doing that. It is possible you will discover courage that you maybe never thought you had. You will feel empowered, freer, more confident and capable of doing things.
What we are going to talk about today are:
Why reinvent yourself
Talk about the three essential elements that you need that will support you in that reinvention process
Four As for change
Critical components of courageous leadership and outrageous growth
Some real life reinvention stories along the way to make it real and not just theoretical
Growing up Loretta was very nervous, shy and timid as a kid. She would rather read then play with others.
First job at Sears often in staff meetings, she would have a good idea and she would analyze in her mind. By time she got an idea outlined internally, someone else would say it. She always sensed she was intended for bigger things. She had to face her fears, step out of her shell or she would not progress as she hoped.
At Sears, they had a tradition where someone would give a speech and presentation when someone was leaving. One of her other fellow team members, was a guy who could present without any preparation. It was one of her staff who had been there forever, so she had to plan what she was going to deliver. She was nervous and scared, she had to overcome her mindset. She practiced and prepared. She delivered it and many told her what a great job she did.
Transformation = freedom
My Vision and what she is aiming for: we all have our own unique gifts to share. Companies that honor and embrace those gifts have happy and productive workplaces.
How do you make a transition from feeling like you are out on a hammock? It is about expressing your leadership skills and building confidence.
Personal mastery:
3 essential elements
4 A’s for change
The Optimal foundation
Essential Element #1 – the right mindset
Bar theory at work – your beliefs make you take actions, that produce results
Fundamental beliefs:
“We all have more options then we generally see and have more control then we tend to take.” – Loretta Love Huff
In your mind, you are trapped by your fears and beliefs, so you may not take the chances that you need to take to have the life you want to have.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave (wo)men is not (s)he who does not feel afraid, but (s)he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
Essential Element #2 – the right roadmap
The As 4 change are:
Aspire – have a goal that you aspire to
Assess – where are you on the path for that
Act – taking action
Reinvention is easier then you think.
“Bold action may be less a matter of big moves and more the culmination of a series of swiftly executed small steps, each minimizing risk.” – Liz Wiseman, Rookie Smarts
Account(able) – having someone to hold you accountable is key.
Essential Element #3 – the Optimal Foundation
The DEAR dynamic ™: A basic or dynamic force, especially one that motivates, affects development, or stability.
Desire – what do you desire?
Emotion – feelings, think that will make you happy, so that you can make better decision.
Allow – Let’s make something happen!
Result – sometimes you need to create the environment to help you get results.
In order to influence others, avoid the fatal flaw of assuming people are just like you and are taking action for the same reasons you do. It is helpful to recognize behavior styles, such as these:
The Directors: usually in control, in charge and may be scary. They accept challenges, are strong willed and impatient, but take quick action.
The Critics: cautious, analytical, concerned, fear of making mistakes. They are orderly, quality conscious and plan ahead.
The idol: people oriented, optimistic, recognition needed, expressive, outgoing, enthusiastic, and energizing.
The Supporting Role: stable, predictable, deliberate, work in background, diplomatic, consistent, google listener, and sympathetic.
** Reflect the personality or traits so you can appeal to them and their needs.
Influencing the Director
Goal: results and control
Fear: losing control, being taken advantage of
Buying basis: What hiring you does for him/her
Selling strategy: Highlight potential results
The benefit to him/her …. position to them as how it will help them? What will provide them a benefit?
Influencing the Idol
Goal: people environment, recognition
Fear: rejection, loss of approval
Buying Basis: who has hired you
Selling Strategy: concepts appeal to others
The benefit to him/her ….
Influencing the Supporting Actor
Goal: security, stability
Fear: sudden change, losing security
Buying Basis: How hiring you will stabilize his/her world
Selling Strategy: “support” provided by concept (for you)
The benefit to him/her …..
Influencing the Critic
Goal: accuracy, order
Fear: criticism of performance, lack of standards
Buying Basis: Why hiring you is a logical investment for him/her
Selling Strategy: “Track record” of the concept. Give them information to help them decide
The benefit to him/her …..
6 Skills that Create Credibility, Connection and Trust
i. Communication
Some companies promote the “Mushroom Management” theory. This is where you are kept in the dark and given a load of manure.
Keep people informed by explaining policies and decisions by providing accurate feedback. Be candid about one’s own problems and limitations. Tell the truth.
ii. Support – how can you be more available and approachable?
Provide more support to help people with advice, coaching and support for teams and clients.
iii. Respect – what can you do? How can you admire someone? Actively listen to the ideas and concerns of others. Delegate to develop your staff.
iv. Fairness – be objective and impartial. Be quick to give credit and recognition to those who deserve it.
Fair DOES NOT = Same
v. Predictable and reliable – be consistent in daily affairs. Keep both expressed and implied promises. When you are these, then you can support others.
vi. Competence – enhance your credibility by demonstrating good business sense, technical ability, and professionalism.
Be the proactive problem solving partner. What do I need to learn? How can I improve (the company, function, leader etc)?
Brand management of your career
• What do you want to be known for?
• Diversification and transfer of knowledge
• Stay abreast of the knowledge
• Ask, what does this mean for us?
• What new potential risks are arising?
• Are we keeping up with technology?
• Who else needs to know this?
Business management stewardship – translate insights from projects to recommendations for others to follow.
Partnership: driving business values
• Understand the business and its strategic plan
• Stay abreast of new internal initiatives, processes and technologies
• Communicate potential risks (in business terms)
• Help improve efficiencies
• Establish key metrics for a high performing X function
Reinvention/Transformation – transform …. go beyond the change
You want to be an agent of change
“You could be our spiritual leader” BUT she was petrified. It was the start of another reinvention.
Change or Die vs. Die or Change
Think of something YOU did, made you feel great when you KNEW you were a hero.
Fundamental belief; “we all have more options then we generally see and more control then we tend to take.” – Loretta Love Huff
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. When we feel confident and believe in ourselves, then we take more chances to take actions.
IE: Many celebrities talk about how they knew they were supposed to take action.
A free conflict resolution tool for “Saving the Heads” for you included! Go to Get CC Talk and put in your basic information to download the slides and your gift today!
Winners for the drawing … three winners got to choose from her 2 books or the Talent assessment, which is different than a DISC assessment. (The results give you suggestions of what jobs would be good options for you to consider.)
As Loretta mentioned, you can take a FREE DISC Resource from us anytime.
HIRING COMPANIES
Medtronic Pam Goux, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Pam has been with Medtronic for over 17 years now, starting 2001. She has worked for a few companies but can’t think of being anywhere else.
Medtronic started in a garage back in 1949 for pacemakers. Back then, the electricity went out a lot and when it did it would impact (take down) anyone on one of those. They needed to come up with one that could be battery operated instead. The first implantable was in 1959. Technology has evolved as have their devices since.
The therapies and solutions Medtronic provides improve lives. The offer therapies and solutions across our four business groups.
Medtronic believes: people are the expertise to achieve their mission. Medtronic is driven by their Mission statement – which was created in 1960 and has never changed. They have received many workplace accolades annually. They offer comprehensive benefits – everything that everyone would want to offer.
Their global presence: helping people in 350+ locations. They have 78 manufacturing plants one of which is here in Tempe. Roles available visit Medtronic Careers. Opportunities include Clinical Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer, Sales Representative, Equipment Engineer, Process Engineer, Assembler and more.
Even though the jobs may list one location, they are welcoming to remote and virtual jobs regardless. Feel free to apply anyway if something fits you.
Dexcom, Kristy Gephart Talent Acquisition
Dexcom has been around for over 20 years, HQ in San Diego CA. In 2015 they launched the G5 device, which really pushed them in the marketplace. It was a game changer for the Type 1 and 2 Diabetes. The device can be on the arms or legs, then needle inserts in body and sends readings every 5 minutes. It can be sent to your smartphone. It is great technology and it doesn’t require the needle pricks either. Helps to better monitor levels.
Leaders realized that they needed another location to grow the business. They landed here in Mesa. Opened here in March of 2017 with only 7 people. They had to get everything ready for FDA to come in and inspect. Then got green light and began manufacturing. 2018 was crazy for them for positive growth and lots of change. They have a wonderful team and accomplished a lot. Last year they also launched the G6 device too. They are now a 24×7 monitoring. They had about 10 events last year and brought in about 500+ people.
Lots of growth in manufacturing, plus in the support and operations too. 2019 they have planned to bring in manufacturing the G6 here to Mesa. Has been in San Diego prior. Will refine their processes more. January 2020 will be launching another green room.
Submit your resume online at Dexcom Careers for positions such as QA Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Manufacturing Supervisor, Cost Accountant, Process Analyst, Microbiologist, or Mechanical Engineer.
WillisTowers Watson Mary Ann Lopez, Tempe Service Center Recruiting Lead
WillisTowers is the leading global brokering company. They are basically a finance brokerage, working with many Fortune 5000 companies. They do a lot with insurance and healthcare too. They are working with Individual Marketplace heavily at present.
Why work for them? Core Values -> client focus – integrity – respect – excellence – teamwork
Really hiring for: Benefit Advisor Role to Apply
Will train for this role, see the requirements provided. It really needs strong communication skills. They will need to get licensed, but the company will pay for this. They will also pay for the continuing education (CE) credits for the licenses needed.
View all roles at Willis Towers Watson Careers, such as Director of Operations, Business Support Specialist, QA Specialist, Client Service Specialist, Technical Product Owner, Benefit Advisor, Software Test Engineer, Scrum Master, User Experience Designer and more!
UPCOMING EVENTS
2019 VetTalks Business Networking & Career Event
Vet Talks is a big event that is coming up on Thursday, March 7, 2019. It will be hosted onsite at University of Phoenix 4035 S. Riverpoint Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. See Miltary AZ . Due to Vet Talks we will not be doing an event next week.
BestCompaniesAZ is proud to present our 5th Annual Veteran Business Networking and Career Event in conjunction with Birdies for the Brave™, Career Connectors and ASU Pat Tillman Veterans Center. This event brings together Arizona’s award-winning, military-friendly companies with veteran business professionals. This free, public event kicks off with registration and networking from 4-4:30 pm; VetTalks Presentations & Networking from 4:30-5:30 pm; continued networking with veteran employee resource groups and talent acquisition professionals from 5:30-7 pm.
Stories of achievement and career success will be shared by executives and employees from top veteran friendly employers including “Vet Talks” by:
• ASU Pat Tillman Veterans Center
• Charles Schwab
• Freedom Financial Network
• GoDaddy
• USAA
Following two Event Schedule: North Scottsdale and then back here at Gilbert
HOST
Jessica thanked Central Christian Church in Gilbert, our host facility, and gave a big shout out all our volunteers.
THANK YOU for coming!