Laura Lopez Blog 2008-10-01T00:15:36Z http://lauralopezblog.com/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast Are you a Hollow Tree in the Corporate Jungle? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-09-24:da216a7f-64b4-4aa2-a7b7-1dac603e048b Laura Lopez 2008-09-24T10:58:46Z 2008-09-24T10:43:00Z What can Hurricane Ike teach you about getting stuck in a job rut?
 
My family and my business is based in Houston.  Hurricane Ike came through this past weekend and rattled and rolled our city and our lives.  It will be hard to forget the devastation that occurred to our neighboring coastal cities.

When we awoke Saturday morning, we found our home intact, but several small trees and a fence between our home and our neighbor's house had fallen. We were very fortunate. 

As the rain started to subside, many of us ventured outside to see if others were in need around us and to survey the damage in our neighborhood.  Many trees were down and some had destroyed  homes. 

Wham, bam, thank you m'am (mother nature)!

As the days passed and I continued to see more of our neighboring streets, I noticed more and more trees down.  What surprised me about many of the trees I observed, was that they were hollow and had shallow roots.  

Yet, days earlier who would have suspected that these apparently strong and functioning trees were like shells; hollow on the inside?  

In this example, Mother Nature's actions are a great metaphor for what often happens in the Corporate Jungle.  You see, Mother Nature understands the need for pruning to promote growth.  She has a way of weeding out the debris that can be stifling and impeding growth. 

Are you a Hollow Tree in the Corporate Jungle? 
     
Kevin and Jackie Freiberg, authors of "Boom! 7 Choices forBlowing the Doors off Business-as-Usual" refer to this phenomena as "Dead People Working".  Like the seemingly strong, functioning tree-when it falls, it is obvious that there was nothing inside holding it intact to the earth.  Nope....it was just taking up space in the Corporate Jungle. 

You see, the Corporate Jungle, like Mother Nature, understands that pruning can promote growth.  I am not trying to sound callous, but if you are a Hollow Tree in the Corporate Jungle, it might just be time to re-root yourself somewhere else, or Corporate Mother Nature will do it for you.

Re-rooting yourself requires finding your passion again.  You see Hollow Trees are just "hanging out" because the sunshine and water is good where they are, because they feel safe, but they aren't producing fruit, flowers or seeds any longer.   

If your life blood isn't pumping and your roots are growing shallow; you've lost the passion for where and what you are doing.  Do yourself and others the favor and re-root yourself, or others will do it for you!
    
I was re-rooted, initially unwillingly, by others.  I was starting to become a Hollow Tree. When my job scope began to change and my company wanted me to pursue other opportunities in Atlanta....well what do you think?  It was time to go. 
    
Hollow Trees in nature don't hang on to deadness; no they just fall when Mother Nature pushes them.  Well, people like you and I, we love to hold on to deadness, holding on to stuff that isn't working for us any longer in our lives.  That could be a relationship, a job, a habit.  We get stuck in a rut. 
    
Don't be a Hollow Tree in the Corporate Jungle or anywhere else for that matter.  Find your passion, your life blood and grow deep roots.  It will be good for you and for everyone else around you.  It will promote growth in you and in everything you do.   
           
Laura Lopez is a performance strategist, leadership specialist and branding expert with more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience. Most recently, Laura Lopez was a vice president with The Coca-Cola Company. Laura's book, The Connected and Committed Leader, is available via her Web site at http://www.laura-lopez.com/shop.htm, at your local bookstore or on http://Amazon.com.  As the owner of her own business, Laura helps companies and business associations achieve more sustainable business results through the power of leveraging diverse talent with effective leadership and branding. She is available for speeches, workshops and customized programs. Laura can be contacted via her Web site at: http://www.laura-lopez.com
]]> What can Hurricane Ike teach you about getting stuck in a job rut? <p> My family and my business is based in Houston. Hurricane Ike came through this past weekend and rattled and rolled our city and our lives. It will be hard to forget the devastation that occurred to our neighboring coastal cities. <p> When we awoke Saturday morning, we found our home intact, but several small trees and a fence between our home and our neighbor's house had fallen. We were very fortunate. Stressed Out? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-09-24:7973ef20-5ae7-42f5-aa4d-e1840b1eb59a Laura Lopez 2008-09-24T10:40:24Z 2008-09-24T09:31:00Z Learn how to accept and adapt to your present reality to alleviate stress.

Since childhood, Labor Day has always marked the end of summer fun and the back-to-school and work routine that comes with it.

For adults, the back-to-school routine can be a welcomed change (kids getting out of the house!), but it is often filled with a let’s-get-back-to-work serious note. And, of course, a certain amount of stress. 

I recently read a brilliant definition of stress in Ekhart Tolle's much-acclaimed book "The Power of Now". He writes that stress occurs when we are too focused on either the past or the future state, with little regard for the present moment. In other words, when we are stressed out it is usually when we want to be somewhere else other than the present. WOW!

Think about it for a moment. You are stressed out in traffic. Why? Because you don't want to be stuck behind some truck, you would rather be in your living room relaxing. We get stressed out at work because we know we have 30 more things to do by next week. Or, we’re stressed because we should have spoken up in that important meeting last week.

Tolle advocates, and I agree, that if we focus on the moment in front of us and suspend our focus on the past or the future, then we would not be stressed.  I have tried this and it works.  When I know that I have many things to accomplish, I try to focus my attention on the one thing that I am doing now, as opposed to concentrating on the future things that also need to get done. The present moment is the time we have now for getting things done. Focus your attention here and not on future or past tasks.

This is an important leadership skill to develop. 

It reminds me of a story I heard regarding prisoners of war. Apparently, after the Vietnam War, surviving prisoners of war were psychologically analyzed. What researchers learned was that the freed prisoners all shared something in common - their attitudes toward their current reality weren’t pessimistic or optimistic. No, the survivors were realists when dealing with their current reality of being a prisoner of war and the pain, agony and unknown associated with it. 

You see, pessimists didn't survive because they focused on the things they should have done and they gave up early, hence their fate. Optimists didn't survive because they believed that things would get better tomorrow and when they didn't, they began to lose hope. Realists took each day as it came and dealt with their present reality. They minimized stress and focused on the present task at hand.

With so much unknown (i.e. organizational changes in strategy or corporate downsizing), being a part of the corporate ranks can make one feel like a prisoner. It is no surprise that leaders are expected to adapt to change and help others manage change for themselves. 

Change that is out of our control and involuntary is stressful. We seem to want to hang on to the past, or project a different future. Learning how to accept the present moment helps us alleviate stress. 

Athletes demonstrate this well. They don't know what their opponent's next move will be, but they are focused on being able to respond effectively to that moment with little regard for the past or the future. They are alert and able to adapt to change quickly.
    
This is realism in action. This is a successful leadership skill. 
           
Laura Lopez is a performance strategist, leadership specialist and branding expert with more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience. Most recently, Laura Lopez was a vice president with The Coca-Cola Company. Laura's book, The Connected and Committed Leader, is available via her Web site at www.laura-lopez.com, at your local bookstore or on www.Amazon.com. As the owner of her own business, Laura helps companies and business associations achieve more sustainable business results through the power of leveraging diverse talent with effective leadership and branding. She is available for speeches, workshops and customized programs. Laura can be contacted via her Web site at: http://www.laura-lopez.com.  

]]> Learn how to accept and adapt to your present reality to alleviate stress. <p> Since childhood, Labor Day has always marked the end of summer fun and the back-to-school and work routine that comes with it. <p> For adults, the back-to-school routine can be a welcomed change (kids getting out of the house!), but it is often filled with a let’s-get-back-to-work serious note. And, of course, a certain amount of stress. Effective Leadership During A Recession: Tips for Women in the Workplace tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-09-12:eb6d7952-20cd-4541-bf59-8fd7131a11ed Laura Lopez 2008-09-24T10:31:40Z 2008-09-12T07:57:00Z The current economic downturn is creating an increasingly stressful work environment, as companies nationwide face corporate downsizing, decreased sales and a reduction in compensation, bonuses and other benefits.

“While this is a difficult time for businesspeople across a wide range of industries, women, in particular, face unique challenges in the workplace during recessionary times,” said Laura Lopez, leadership expert and author of the new book, The Connected and Committed Leader.

According to Lopez, women face the following challenges:

  • Women step out of the workforce for an average of 11 years due to family responsibilities, and are trying to catch-up from those non-income-producing years.  Given that women often earn less than their male counterparts, the impact of an economic downturn can set them back further. 
  • Despite women's advancements in corporate America, gender stereotypes still exist in the workplace, so women may not get the same promotion or advancement opportunities as men.  While companies are starting to make changes to accommodate women's unique needs for flexible schedules – such as job sharing, telecommuting and reduced workweeks – these options are still not widespread.
  • Women have been huge contributors to entrepreneurialism over the past five years, and recessionary times could slow down this growth rate simply because it is more difficult to access start-up capital for business ventures during tough financial times.

“Women have the tendency to retreat during recessionary times, but they should use a counter-intuitive approach to recession-proof their careers and businesses.  Push forward instead of pulling back,” said Lopez. “Women, who traditionally focus on tending to the needs of others, often put their own development on hold.  It is even more critical during recessionary times to invest in your business and career.” 

Lopez offers the following tips for becoming a strong and effective leader:

  • Learn when to let go. Women often struggle with this, as they’re so used to juggling and multi-tasking at home and at work that they often believe they can – and should – do it all. However, this mindset can limit their impact as a leader.  An effective leader needs to be able to unleash the potential of others and to guide them to accomplish great things. 
  • Create your own brand. In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s critical to differentiate yourself from the crowd by promoting your abilities and demonstrating your distinctions. During recessionary times, when companies might be considering downsizing, it’s particularly important to spotlight your brand and emphasize your value to the team.
  • Know when to say no. Many workers, especially women, make a common mistake – saying yes to everything they’re asked to do, thinking this is an effective way to get ahead. Every time we say yes to something where we are, perhaps, sub-optimal, we diminish our true potential and promise.  Being willing to try and handle every task can be detrimental to our long-term success. 
  • Build strong relationships. It’s essential to form solid relationships with our bosses, customers, clients and colleagues. Many people, primarily women, become focused on their “to do” list, ignoring the equally important, but less urgent, aspects of business, such as relationship-building.  While establishing these relationships can be time-consuming, it’s essential to business success.
  • Be flexible. While women can be very service-oriented, they also can be perceived as un-yielding and rigid when meeting the ever-changing demands of their workplace.  Many women are great at executing the details, but become so focused on reaching the “end goal” that they become un-flexible during the process, damaging important relationships with their colleagues and customers.
  • Demonstrate effective leadership skills. Remember that demonstrating effective leadership skills will set you apart from others, which is especially important during challenging economic times. 

Laura Lopez is a leadership specialist and branding expert with more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience.  Most recently, Laura Lopez was a vice president with The Coca-Cola Company. Laura's book, The Connected and Committed Leader, is available via her Web site at www.laura-lopez.com, your local bookstore or on www.Amazon.com. As the owner of her own business, Laura helps companies and business associations achieve more sustainable business results through the power of effective leadership and branding.  She is available for speeches, workshops and customized programs.  Laura can be contacted via her Web site at www.laura-lopez.com. 

]]> The current economic downturn is creating an increasingly stressful work environment, as companies nationwide face corporate downsizing, decreased sales and a reduction in compensation, bonuses and other benefits.<p> “While this is a difficult time for businesspeople across a wide range of industries, women, in particular, face unique challenges in the workplace during recessionary times,” said Laura Lopez, leadership expert and author of the new book, The Connected and Committed Leader. Are YOU a Foundation of Trust? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-09-08:f6eae1c7-aefe-4492-8480-41723f60c48f Laura Lopez 2008-09-08T13:43:16Z 2008-09-08T12:57:00Z There is one question I hear repeatedly when I address corporate audiences:  "How can I lead when my boss is a jerk and I don't trust him/her?" The answer I give to audiences may not be popular, but it is truthful. 

Trust starts with YOU. 

Yes, trust is the foundation of leadership.  Yes, trust is essential in business.  And, trust starts with you!  

Stephen M.R. Covey outlines 5 different layers of trust in his book "The Speed of Trust."  The first most critical layer is Self Trust:  The principle of Credibility.  Covey breaks down the area of Self Trust into 4 categories.  The first two are Integrity and Intent (Character based) and the second two are Capabilities and Results (Competency based).  

I would like to address the area of Integrity.  In my book, "The Connected and Committed Leader"
Leadership insight #6 deals with Trust building through consistency, clarity and integrity.  Oftentimes, people assume that integrity means honesty, but in reality integrity is about congruency.  Personal congruency.  Do you walk the talk?  Do people see you as someone who consistently acts out your values or beliefs, or do you believe something and act out differently?  Do you have the courage to stand up to your boss when you disagree?  Do you have the passion to do the right thing even when it isn't the popular thing?  Do you sell yourself out time and time again?

When you find yourself wondering why you don't trust someone, begin by looking first at yourself.  Are YOU a foundation of trust?  It is always easy to blame others,  but if every time we thought someone else needed fixing, we tweaked ourselves instead, I believe we would have a whole lot more trust in our workplaces.  Don't you?
 
.  ]]> <br>There is one&nbsp;question I hear repeatedly when I address corporate audiences:&nbsp;&nbsp;"How can I lead when my boss is a jerk and I don't trust him/her?"&nbsp;The answer I give to audiences may not be popular, but it is truthful.&nbsp; <br><br>Trust starts with YOU.&nbsp; <br><br>Yes, trust is the foundation of leadership.&nbsp; Yes, ... Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-09-05:a601a51e-02ae-49a0-b8bc-b0a84a7d8b1a Laura Lopez 2008-09-05T15:59:58Z 2008-09-05T15:31:00Z
This perspective comes to life when you look into the success of Southwest Airlines, which Kevin and Jackie Frieberg did in their book "Nuts."  Southwest Airlines has a list of core values, as many companies do.  The difference iss that they really live their values.  One value in particular highlights the fact that leaders need to demonstrate humility by keeping their egos in check.  This value is "Take your business seriously, but don't take yourself seriously." 

If you have ever travelled Southwest Airlines and experienced their joking atmosphere, you can see how this value comes to life in their business.

Why is joking and not taking ourselves too seriously important for leaders?

Leaders need to be seen as human beings, authentic people.  People don't follow scripted robots, they follow authentic leaders.  When a leader takes him/herself too seriously, there usually is a feeling of rigidity and unapproachability that accompanies it.  You can't lead others if there is an emotional distance.  Leadership requires an emotional connection and this can't be facilitated through intimidation, fear and rigidity.

I travelled with my family to Europe this summer and we brought a light stroller for my daughter who is 4 along with us.  For anyone who has ever travelled with children, you know that these items are usually gate checked.  You can leave the stroller on the jetway when you depart and it is picked up on the jetway when you land. 

On our way back home on Continental, I had the stroller and was placing it just outside the door.  I quickly asked a question to a gentleman who was rushing by me to get on the plane.  He was obviously a Continental employee.  I quickly asked him, if this was an ok place to leave the stroller since this jetway had multiple doors.  He brushed me off and said that he wasn't sure with a bit of a huff.  It was obvious that he felt "above" answering this question.  As quickly as he entered the plane, I noticed that he was either the pilot or co-pilot.

I was left with the brushed off feeling and I realized that this never would have happened at Southwest Airlines.

In fact, at Southwest Airlines, it has been seen and known that pilots have rolled up their sleeves to help load luggage onto the plane.  This activity wasn't "below" them.  Why does this all matter?

When we take ourselves too seriously, the ability to guide, inspire and lead others is hindered.  The implications of this behavior did not only impact me, a customer.  But this behavior impacts everyone working on that flight.  Flight attendants and other crew are probably walking on egg shells so not to bruise this co-pilot/pilot's ego.  They certainly aren't performing at their best if this is what they are concerned about. 

Take your business seriously, but remember not to take yourself too seriously.

]]> The Connected and Committed Leader receives review from The Tall Poppy tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-26:20335d50-3324-4270-bda2-3b6d9b9f049e Laura Lopez 2008-08-26T10:17:23Z 2008-08-26T10:09:00Z The Connected and Committed Leader is written by Laura Lopez, a former vice president of marketing at The Coca-Cola Company. It is a book that argues that leadership style in our large corporations is devoid of heart and true human connection.
I think many of us have had experience with the people in power in large organisations. Who hasn't had to negotiate with the bank or the power company at some stage? You know how lacking in compassion they are, all tied up with regulations and browbeaten by someone even more senior than themselves. As a parent our loyalties are divided between the needs of our families and those of a usually heartless workplace, especially in larger organisations. There is little human connection showing at all.

Laura says that for organisations to remain viable into the future they need to change their attitude towards leadership. She believes that people will need to lead rather than manage though traditional management has been the other way around. She defines a leader as "a person followed voluntarily by others". This conflicts with many management theories, which tend to promote directing and controlling behaviours rather than guiding and encouraging. She argues that these theories are outdated and that because the expectations of this new generation of employees has changed, the skills required to lead them need to be changed too.

To read review, click here...>
]]> <DIV><STRONG><A href="http://www.laura-lopez.com/shop.htm" target=_blank><STRONG>The Connected and Committed Leader</STRONG></A></STRONG> is written by&nbsp;<SPAN><A href="http://www.laura-lopez.com/about.htm" target=_blank><SPAN>Laura Lopez</SPAN></A>,</SPAN>&nbsp;a former vice president of marketing at The Coca-Cola Company. It is a book that argues that leadership style in our large corporations is devoid of heart and true human connection. </DIV><br> <br><DIV></DIV> <br><DIV>I think many of us ... Can you become a leader by chance? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-18:54098eaf-5080-4053-93fc-04c472338ce9 Laura Lopez 2008-08-18T14:55:31Z 2008-08-18T14:36:00Z
We are quick to answer that question by saying "no...it takes a great deal of practice and dedication to become an olympic athlete."  These folks are leaders because they play to their strengths and know how to work and rework this strength to perfection.  Chance has little to do with it.

And yet, people step into leadership roles with little focus on perfecting their craft. 

I believe that too many people leave their leadership skills up to chance.  I know I did at times.  You get busy tending to the "work" and you don't see how perfecting the craft of leadership can enhance your ability to get the job done, regardless of the role you are in. 

Leadership isn't something outside of the work....it is the work.  Just like Olympic athletes see their daily practice as THE game, we have to see that the daily interactions that comprise our work is where leadership happens.  Now this is something you would leave up to chance, is it?

Are you perfecting your leadership game?  click here to see


]]> Are you adapting fast enough? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-13:ba96e7a7-d647-4ac6-94c2-fcc6e0eea747 Laura Lopez 2008-08-13T18:35:51Z 2008-08-13T18:31:00Z Get the most out of your changing workforce. 

Several weeks ago I spent the Fourth of July holiday with my family on the Eastern end of Long Island, New York. As I looked around at people's faces at the local parade, I realized that this was no longer the same place in which I grew up. No matter where you live or where you're from, our melting pot of a society is forever adding to the landscape by blending and mixing a variety of people with different racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

These differences are also apparent in your workplace. Having your workforce effectively reflect your marketplace will also be beneficial to your business. Today, white Americans are the minority in several states such as California, Texas and New York, so beware if your workforce and leadership is lacking diversity. 

In addition to the growth evident in the Hispanic, Asian and African-American communities, there are many factors changing the composition of your workforce.
    
For example, take a look at the globalization of our economy. Gone are the days where American businesses are contained to our borders. Today many companies are outsourcing whole departments like finance, accounting and customer service to places such as India and China. As a leader in such workplaces, you must be culturally sensitive to the global differences both in and outside of our borders. 

To read article, click here...>
]]> <DIV><EM>Get the most out of your changing workforce.&nbsp;</EM></DIV> <br><DIV><br>Several weeks ago&nbsp;I spent&nbsp;the Fourth of July holiday with my family&nbsp;on the Eastern end of Long Island, New York. As I looked around at people's faces at the local parade, I realized that this was no longer the same place in which ... Learn how to reach your goals with the help of others tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-13:aa427cbc-94ab-4ebb-bbba-ca493d8b2e80 Laura Lopez 2008-08-18T14:09:17Z 2008-08-13T18:19:00Z The Connected and Committed LeaderI used to try to do everything myself...until I just couldn't do it anymore!  

Even though you may try to juggle many things and try to do everything, it may give you the illusion of accomplishment, but what are you really accomplishing?

In the long-run, it is near-impossible to reach your goals without enlisting the help of others.
 
But what does it really take to motivate others? Come learn how to get the best out of others, so that you can more effectively reach your goals!  
 
Practical, usable insights that can help you be more effective in leading others to help you get things done in business and in life.   
 
There is still time to sign up!  The curriculum is based on my award-winning book, The Connected and Committed LeaderThe Connected and Committed Leader. 

Where: 2855 Mangum, Houston 77092 (4th floor conference room)         
When: August 18, 2008
Time: 8:30am -12:30pm
Tuition: $149.00/per person*
 
*Tuition includes a copy of my book and accompanying workbook.       
 
Hope to see you on Monday, August 18. 
]]> <DIV>I used to try to do everything myself...until I just couldn't do it anymore!&nbsp;&nbsp;</DIV> <br><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <br><DIV>Even though you may try to juggle many things and try to do everything,&nbsp;it may give you the illusion of accomplishment, but what are you really accomplishing?</DIV> <br><DIV>&nbsp;</DIV> <br><DIV>In the long-run, it is near-impossible to ... Bring Your Heart to Work tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-07:914d1b08-83ce-482d-9c18-5799e48eae7b Laura Lopez 2008-08-07T19:02:47Z 2008-08-07T18:52:00Z
In my new book, The Connected and Committed Leader, I explain the importance of bringing our hearts to work. Getting reluctant employees to accept new ideas is not much different than convincing a two-year-old that it’s time for bed. While being an effective leader is not easy, the rationale, insights and experiences offered in my new book will help CEOs, school principals, mid-level managers, teachers, and everyone in every organization to become the best leader they can be.

What does bringing your heart to work mean? Watch this short video to learn more...>]]> Leadership in the 21st century is not reserved for “the top dogs.” Skills for managing timelines, projects and deadlines are not the same skills needed for leading people. When leaders micromanage, people under-perform.&nbsp;<br><br>In my new book, <A href="http://www.laura-lopez.com/shop.htm" target=_blank><EM>The Connected and Committed Leader</EM></A>, I explain the importance of bringing our ... Are Men More Effective Leaders Than Women? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-07:29892dca-fdad-41d9-bb5b-79fd3a6ae123 Laura Lopez 2008-08-07T18:40:14Z 2008-08-07T18:14:00Z The Connected andCommittedLeader insights, or are they strictly for women?"  

While I do work with a lot of women, my insights are not exclusively designed for women.  However, I find that the more I work with men, the more my research shows they rate lower on the insights on which women rate high, and vice versa.
     
So, it does beg some questions:  Are men more effective leaders than women?  Does gender play a role in being an effective leader?

The timeless debate of the sexes never seems to end.  There are many stereotypes that ensue: women have better verbal skills, men are better at math, men are physically stronger, but women have better endurance.  Some say men are more single-minded and focused, while women are natural multi-taskers.  The list goes on and on.

Research has found that some of these beliefs are actually scientifically based.  When studying male and female brains, researchers discovered that women have more cross-brain activity and have more highly developed verbal areas.  Because a man's brain is less integrated, they tend to be focused on one thing at a time.  So, you can start to see how some of these stereotypes might have a grain of truth to them.

To read article, click here...>]]> "Can men relate to&nbsp;<A href="http://www.laura-lopez.com/shop.htm" target=_blank>The Connected andCommittedLeader</A> insights, or are they strictly for women?"&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>While I do work with a lot of women, my insights are not exclusively designed for women.&nbsp; However, I find that the more I work with men, the more my research shows they&nbsp;rate lower on the&nbsp;insights&nbsp;on ... Seeing Leadership in a Different Light - Five Questions with Laura Lopez tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-06:64d5cc0c-5247-41f7-93cf-8f4980a1559f Laura Lopez 2008-08-06T16:03:38Z 2008-08-06T15:54:00Z

Good leadership is a lot like good manners: It's hard to define, but you know it when you see it.

Houstonian Laura Lopez has taken a stab, however, at identifying seven essential leadership qualities, including curiosity, consistency and vulnerability. She details them in her new book: The Connected and Committed Leader: Lessons from Home. Results at Work.

Until 2006, Lopez was vice president of marketing for the Minute Maid division of Coca-Cola Co. She rejected a transfer to Atlanta - her husband is in the oil business in Houston - and has become a leadership and branding consultant.

Lopez recently talked with the Chronicle's L.M. Sixel about the do's and don'ts of great leaders, the importance of listening to others and what to do about a bad boss.

To read article, click here...>

]]> Business leadership needs heart tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-06:96d1b4ad-46c4-4f48-a45e-81280d264988 Laura Lopez 2008-08-06T16:04:29Z 2008-08-06T15:47:00Z

Laura Lopez has a resume that would catch the attention of any corporate headhunter.

But she says her real insights into business leadership trace to her adoption of a baby from Russia.

“As I sat with my daughter for two months, and uncovered what it really was about leadership … I came up with seven essential leadership insights that I was finding as a parent I was implementing,” says Ms. Lopez.

To read feature article, click here...>]]> Can Motherhood Prepare You for the Boardroom? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-06:5498c325-4dd1-4fd2-bb99-6f6261c5180c Laura Lopez 2008-08-06T15:46:11Z 2008-08-06T15:37:00Z leadership speaker.

Can being a parent prepare you for the board room?  Do lessons from home translate to more effective business results?  Yes, and yes again!

With as much discussion people have on work/life balance concerns, I wanted to share with you a few thoughts about bridging your two worlds; work and home. 

Whether you are a parent, planning to be a parent or passing it all together, the work/life struggle is real for women and men alike. 

The article is written with moms in mind, but have no fear men and non-mom women, the idea of borrowing concepts from home and applying them to work still applies to you. 

I believe you can blend and borrow from each parts of your life for a customized, unified whole! 

To read article, click here...>
 
]]> Leadership as a Life Practice for Success tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-05:db7d45d4-644f-4b2a-88d8-72ada548f25d Laura Lopez 2008-08-07T18:50:14Z 2008-08-05T14:58:00Z To read the first chapter of The Connected and Committed Leader for free, click here...>

"Laura Lopez draws insightful parallels between parenting and leading people at work, a much needed read for business in this 21st century. The Connected and Committed Leader captures the essence of a soulful approach to leadership."

-- LeAnn Thieman, Coauthor, "Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul" and "Chicken Soup for the Caregiver Soul"

“Great book! As Laura writes, leadership is not exclusively for ‘the top dogs’ but for everyone. Her seven insights for leaders are really about being more effective human beings. Let's all start there! This is a thought-provoking work that can help all of us win, and win the right way."

-- Don Knauss, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, The Clorox Company

“This is a book for men and women alike. Laura reminds us how important it is to 'bring your heart to work.' Her stories illustrate that leading from your head brings predictable results, but taking the risk and leading with your head and your heart can bring truly transformational results....for you, your team and your business."

-- Abigail Rodgers, Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company

]]> ... Motherly Instinct Should Be Applied in Business tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-05:79109385-bc96-4d91-9365-f62f0eb698e2 Laura Lopez 2008-08-05T15:07:37Z 2008-08-05T12:11:00Z

Motherhood is a tough job. Many see a child's love as the only reward but one former business executive insists there is more. FOX 26's Duarte Geraldino reports how this Houston mother learned motherhood can also gives women the skills to lead and make millions of dollars.

To listen to TV interview, click here...>]]> <A href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=04EBF8555D43864E48F19BC4DAC962A3?contentId=6536691&amp;version=1&amp;locale=EN-US&amp;layoutCode=VSTY&amp;pageId=1.1.1&amp;sflg=1" target=_blank> ... Do you earn what you are worth? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-08-05:c011d724-cd3b-4f05-8073-52648e61a196 Laura Lopez 2008-08-05T12:05:22Z 2008-08-05T11:42:00Z
With tax day behind us, some of us might be rejoicing to get more of it back and yet others are crying over the big check that had to be written. 

Are you earning what you are worth?  Ever wonder why big companies spend all that money to build brands? Money is the answer.  Big brands bring in bigger bucks! 

How do you build your brand to earn what you are worth?  First, don't follow the pack...and don't make these other common mistakes.

To read full article, click here...>
]]> The importance of relevance in branding. tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-03-25:ef168018-7794-4c40-9282-bf1f81ab3f8d Laura Lopez 2008-07-10T19:52:20Z 2008-03-25T14:43:00Z branding lessons:

1.  A brand is never static.   Targets evolve and change continuously.  A brand must continue to redefine itself in order to remain relevant.

2.  Connection and engagement is at the core of branding.  You can't have connection and engagement with your target if you are no longer relevant.

3.  Relevance always requires a mindset that steps out of ourselves and out of our brands.  Great brands never believe they are the center, their target is. 

]]> Leadership will be at the core of their rebranding efforts, but they are trying to make it relevant to today's tech-saavy teenager. Personal Connections tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-01-30:6e7b894d-d314-45a5-b25a-cfdf592c51e0 Laura Lopez 2008-07-10T19:54:29Z 2008-01-30T15:34:00Z
As a fairly new entrepreneur, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all today and decided to go out for a run to clear my head.  Technology and the internet are changing our lives more than we can even fathom at the moment.  Fortunately the foundation for leading people are still fairly straight-forward, but the complexities of what technology brings can often complicate it. You know how that email ticks you off because you can't really understand the tone. Or how the telecommuting limits face-to-face time or hallway time where informal communications happen. With our focus on learning and adapting to all the changes, time is short.   It is easy to gloss over the connections that matter when we opt not to make that phone call and instead we shoot off an email. I do it too. It is easy.

In leadership, as in sales, the personal connection is key. When in doubt get face to face or atleast pick up the phone.  It is amazing how quickly we can put something back on track by making that personal connection. 

]]> It sometimes amazes me to realize how much we need to know in order to be in business. Whether you are in marketing, general management, IT, or an entrepreneur wearing all hats there are constant changes in our world that have business implications that we need to keep up with. How do you define Leadership? tag:lauralopezblog.com,2008-01-24:53b320db-a7dd-4b5b-b77f-f03db7875d99 Laura Lopez 2008-07-10T19:57:35Z 2008-01-24T21:07:00Z leadership or leader conjures up old images of command and control, antiquated and stodgy ways of being. When I speak to businesses (small and large)and associations about leadership, I invariably get a few people saying: "I don't want to be a leader, it's not my deal"...or they say it in their way in so many words.

The reality is that it is a bad word. I think people think of leadership as a role and if they aren't in one with that word attached to it, well then it isn't for them. I think of leadership as a way to get what you want in life.  Authentic leadership enables people to enlist others to assist and help them achieve their goals. No one can be as successful alone as they can with the help of others. I am searching for another word that captures it better and has a lot less baggage.

]]> I think people think of leadership as a role and if they aren't in one with that word attached to it, well then it isn't for them. I think of leadership as a way to get what you want in life.