Expert Series: The Leader in You

Hello Fellow Qlubbers.

I'm pleased to introduce Mary Ann Rettig Zucchi. She's the founder of Jupiter Consulting Group and someone I have worked with in my past life. She's going to provide some great insights on leadership and teams. While she's coached great leaders in business, many of the same principles apply to anyone who's leading a team - from the PTA to even the small neighborhood watch group.

[Qlubb] Hello Mary Ann. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do?

[Mary Ann] I work with leaders and teams in organizations big and small to bring out the best in individuals and groups, allowing them to enjoy greater success and satisfaction. Along with several other experienced organizational development professionals I founded Jupiter Consulting Group, an international firm dedicated to “adding life back into work.” We’re passionate about promoting the authentic, productive relationships in organizations. Toward that end, we provide coaching, facilitation, leadership and organizational development services.

I have been consulting with a broad range of industries in the US and abroad for twenty years. Prior to earning my master’s in Adult Education and doctorate in Counseling Psychology from UC Berkeley, I spent several years as a leader in a non-profit service organization. And like so many members of Qlubb, I’ve been known to wear a few hats at once—soccer mom, room parent, and college admissions volunteer to name a few.

[Qlubb] In your years of professional consulting, you've worked with many top leaders. What do you think makes a good leader?

[Mary Ann] While there is no cookie cutter for becoming an effective leader, the best do have several things in common—authenticity, commitment, self-knowledge. Rather than trying to be someone else (like their predecessor, for example), they learn how to lead authentically using their own unique style. They care deeply about the group they are leading and know themselves well enough to identify how they can best serve the goals of the group. As leaders they are able to “get up on the balcony” and see the big picture without becoming mired in the nitty-gritty details.

[Qlubb] Bringing it down to earth, most of our users are leading groups in their extracurricular lives. We have leaders ranging from room parents to Little League coaches to mother's groups to video game players. Are what makes a good leader different for your everyday person leading an extracurricular group?

[Mary Ann] The core characteristics are the same. I do think that effective leadership for any type of group calls for a realistic assessment of what one can reasonably take on given his or her full range of commitments. In my experience, volunteer leadership is most effective when roles are clearly defined and tasks are appropriately delegated. In addition to preventing burn-out, spreading the responsibility builds involvement and commitment on the part of other members and encourages the development of future leaders, all good things for the group.

Extracurricular leadership allows some to bring their professional expertise to an entirely new arena of interest (e.g. an IT marketing person with web design expertise who takes on designing a Cub Scout website) while others welcome the opportunity to use skills that they don’t get to use at work of in other areas of their lives (e.g., an accountant who enjoys recruiting new members or coordinating volunteers). Leadership roles are most gratifying when the responsibilities are in line with what one hopes to get out of his or her affiliation with the group.

[Qlubb] Most everyone has either founded or led a group. First of all, can anyone be a good leader?

[Mary Ann] Any one can be a good leader as long as he or she genuinely believes in the mission of the organization, is committed to advancing it, and brings enough self-knowledge to know what to take on and what to delegate.

[Qlubb] What advice do you have for the average person out there who is leading a group of people?

[Mary Ann] Make sure you know what your unique strengths are and focus your energy leveraging those. If you are great at mustering volunteers and energizing members of your group but don’t even bother to balance your own checking account, get out front rallying folks and find someone else to deal with the finances. Whether it is in an all-volunteer organization or running a company, the most effective leaders are very conscious of how to use their strengths to maximum effect. They are smart enough to find others to fill in any gaps.

Keep it fun! If you find your role as a leader to be more draining than energizing, it is time for a change. Chances are you are either spending a lot of time and effort on tasks that don’t play to your strengths or you need to spread the responsibility around a bit more in order to bring back the joy. Remember why you got into this in the first place!

[Qlubb] How does one know that they are being a successful leader (or at least on the right track)? Is this something that can be measured? Does it depend on what the followers think, akin to a popularity contest?

[Mary Ann] Successful leadership is marked less by the popularity of the leader than by his or her ability to foster the commitment, alignment and involvement of members in moving the organization forward. Rather than dictating results, successful leaders identify optimal ways in which they can serve their members and support the group’s goals. While remaining true to themselves, they adapt their leadership approach and style to the context and desired culture of the group. I would not expect successful leadership of the local VFW Post to take the exact same form as effective leadership of the neighborhood organic food collective. Checking in with a variety of group members, listening to their concerns and seeking feedback while holding regard for organizational goals and principles helps leaders stay on the right track.

[Qlubb] Thanks for your words of wisdom Mary Ann. Can you point our readers to your website (or a set of resources) that you think might be helpful? Thanks.

[Mary Ann] To learn more about leadership, visit our website. You’ll find recommended resources under the “How we connect” tab.





A D D I N G life B A C K I N T O work

Organizing - Make Life Simpler

This week we are speaking with Laura, the professional organizer behind www.orgjunkie.com.

[Qlubb] Hello Laura. Please tell me what you do and how you got started?

Hello, I'm a Professional Organizer as well as a Professional Blogger. I blog about all things organizing on my site "I'm an Organizing Junkie". Organizing is something I'm passionate about and it also makes me very happy. I love sharing this crazy passion of mine with others. My blog which started out as a hobby in May of 2006, turned into an amazing opportunity that allows me to stay home with my 3 awesome kids.

[Qlubb] How do you define someone who is in need or organization?

I would describe that person as someone who is constantly frustrated by not being able to find things that they are looking for, someone who is constantly late, someone who can't invite guests over for fear of them seeing the state of their home, someone whose bills aren't paid on time, someone who isn't at peace with their surroundings. The thing about disorganization is it pretty much impacts every area of our lives.

[Qlubb] How does one know if they can do it themselves or need outside help?

I honestly believe organizing is a learned skill. I don't believe it was a genetic ability that I was born with but something I learned to do out of necessity and desire. The thrill of success and accomplishment eventually led to my passion for it. If you are having trouble getting motivated or figuring out where to start, calling in some reinforcements might be just the push you need. Consider inviting a friend over to help you view your space with fresh eyes and give you a hand or consider hiring a Professional Organizer. A Professional Organizer will bring a lot of passion and excitement to your space and will get you excited about the possibilities.

[Qlubb] Some people like to get organized but then creep back (sometimes unwittingly) into disorganization? How does one stay on track?

This happens to everyone eventually. Organizing is an ongoing process. Life happens. Things change. A marriage, a new baby, a birthday, Christmas, etc. Events such as these can lead to new stuff and new agendas resulting in systems that need to be tweaked to accommodate changing needs. That's okay, don't sweat it. Just start back at the beginning of the PROCESS and you'll be back on track before you know it. You can find more information on my 7 step organizing process here.

[Qlubb] What do you look for when reviewing organizing products?

I look for products that fulfill a need, that make life easier, simplier. I want them to be practical and functional and not just a passing phase.

[Qlubb] What are your favorite organizing products? Why?

My favorite organizing products are hands down dollar store baskets. The functionality they provide at such a low price point gets me so super excited. They are perfect for drawers, cupboards and closets alike. They also come in all shapes, sizes and colors. My other favorite two organizing products that keep me on track time wise are of course my central kitchen calendar and my planner. Both wonderfully practical yet simple tools.

[Qlubb] How can our readers find you?

Readers can find me at my blog, www.orgjunkie.com. Stop by and say hello!

Organizing for America - Inauguration Edition

As with most mornings, I get up early to monitor Qlubb activities and usage. This morning was no different; except that I was also listening/watching inauguration activities. After the official swearing-in ceremonies, I observed a spike in Qlubb usage. While it could be due to a wide variety of reasons (e.g., marketing programs, daily usage patterns), I want to believe that Qlubb-goers were inspired by Obama’s call for change and for grass roots organizations to make a difference.

Regardless of your political persuasion, this past political season has demonstrated the power of grass root organizations. Even the smallest, most localized group can make a significant difference in our communities.

Qlubb was started to embody and channel that “can-do” attitude of groups. Our mission all along has been to help real-life groups get organized to get stuff done. As a community leader, I know how hard it can be to organize people and activities-it really is like herding cats sometimes.

So in the spirit of “Yes We Can” – I challenge you to start a Qlubb for your local group. Whether you are part of a religious group, women’s shelter, junior league, schools, boy scouts, community activists, union, etc, create a Qlubb, organize activities/events, recruit volunteers and ultimately affect change in your community.

Though we sometimes feel like a "skinny guy with a funny name" unable to affect change, don’t underestimate the power of your Qlubb.

Send me your stories of how Qlubb empowered you and your groups to effect change. I'll publish submissions regularly :)

“For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.” President Obama, January 20, 2009

Expert Series - Organizing as a Way of Life

Hello Qlubbers!

We're pleased to discuss how to get organized with Ramona Creel. Ramona is a NAPO Golden Circle Member and a founder of OnlineOrganizing.com. Started in 2000, OnlineOrganizing has grown into a nationally recognized organizing resource that provides tools for both professional organizers as well as people who need help getting organized.

[Qlubb] Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into the organizing business?

[Ramona] I was a social worker in my previous life – I ran a welfare-to-work program at the Atlanta Housing Authority, and I was the resource gal – if they needed education, job training, health insurance, child care, whatever, I could find it for them – I’ve always enjoyed helping people find solutions to their problems, and I’ve always been naturally organized – so when I got ready to leave social work, organizing was the perfect match.

[Qlubb] You work with a lot of professional organizers. When is it important to hire a professional organizer?

[Ramona] When you just can’t do it on your own – it’s just like hiring a personal trainer – if you can exercise regularly and achieve the results you want on your own, great – if you can’t, you ask for help.

[Qlubb] Many of our best users are people who like to be organized but are pressured by time and other commitments. What is your best advice for these folks?

[Ramona] Organizing isn’t something you fit in after all of your other commitments – it’s not a one-time activity, it’s a way of life – it’s like healthy eating or frugal spending or daily exercise – it is vital to your quality of life and should become a habit that accompanies all of your other daily routines.

[Qlubb] Have you worked with anyone who was too organized? Can you have too much of a good thing?

[Ramona] Nope – you can be too compulsive, but that’s not the same as being too organized – continually rearranging things or obsessing over unimportant details isn’t organized, it’s a waste of time – being organized also means knowing when to STOP organizing.

[Qlubb] How do you know when a group of people (such as a team, a playgroup, etc.) are organized?

[Ramona] When they function effectively enough to allow them to do the thing they actually gathered for instead of always dealing with administrative details – good organizing skills allow a group to spend their time on their work or play or whatever their purpose is – if that’s happening and little details aren’t falling between the cracks, they’re organized.

[Qlubb] Do you have a favorite piece of advice for a group leader or group members that helped them be better organized?

[Ramona] Communicate! The biggest cause of disorganization in a team is failure to tell people what's working for you and what isn't - folks are so scared of sounding like a complainer or insulting another person or (in the case of an employer) making the boss angry, that they aren't honest about what they need to get their job done effectively -- but if you allow other people to eat up your time and disrupt your routines, and if you don't speak up when a system isn't functioning properly, it hurts everyone - learn how to open your mouth when something isn't working, and everyone will benefit.

[Qlubb] How does someone who is organized get someone else that they depend on to be more organized?

[Ramona] They can’t – you can offer suggestions and assistance, you can serve as a positive example, but you can’t MAKE someone else get organized – they have to a) see the benefits to getting organized, b) see that their current situation isn’t working, and c) be willing to change – if any of those factors is missing, don’t waste your time.

[Qlubb] Where can a person who wants to be more organized find out more information?

[Ramona] Well, our site, Online Organizing is filled with resources – free tips and articles, as well as do-it-yourself organizing products and referrals to an organizer near you (if you need more help) – I also suggest a trip to the bookstore or library – tons of great books out there discussing the many aspects of being organized.

Displaying Ads in Qlubbs

Happy New Year everyone.

Though it's only the 9th day of the new year, we have been on a tear. With just had a huge spike in new users - I guess everyone REALLY does want to get organized as part of their new year's resolutions! Add to that, our development team has been releasing so many new features (yes, the 30-day calendar really does ROCK).

Many of you have asked me in the past on how we pay the rent? Yes, our investors have been very generous and very patient - however, we can't live on the unconditional generosity indefinitely. At the same time, I also very personally understand the budgetary limitations of real-life groups and so the core Qlubb capabilities will always remain free.

So in order to keep the servers humming and lights on, we will be rolling out display ads on our Qlubbs over the next few days. We are doing it gradually so that we can monitor the quality and appropriateness of the ads to our thousands of Qlubbs. I am sure, that despite our best efforts, some inappropriate ads may be displayed - please be patient and let us know ASAP. We'll address these ads immediately.

Let me know what you think of our ads.

Expert Series - Personal Organizing Made Easy

In our second expert series, we are speaking with Dena Pasis, About.com's guide to personal organizing. Dena has over 11 years of personal organizing experience, helping many people attain their organization goals.

[Qlubb] Welcome Dena. Tell us a little bit about yourself - how you got started and what do you do now?

[Dena] Hi Andrew, thank you for interviewing me. My passion for organizing began in my early twenties when I realized that the clutter in my outer world was creating inner turmoil. At first, I solely concentrated on organizing my personal space, and then I incorporated my talents into the workplace both in office settings and at personal residences. Currently, I am guide to personal organizing on www.about.com, and I am an office manager at a home organization and storage products company.

[Qlubb] I noticed in your blog you talk about people needing to "desire" to be organized. What have you seen are some of the reasons why people want to be organized?

[Dena] A few of the reasons why people want to get organized is to eliminate the clutter in their lives, keep better track of day-to-day events and create function in their current storage spaces.

[Qlubb] Is it possible to get someone to want to be organized who wasn't beforehand? For instance, how might you get a spouse or colleague to be more organized?

[Dena] I definitely think that someone can become organized who wasn’t beforehand. I also think that one of the best ways to encourage organization for a spouse or colleague is to lead by example. If you lead an organized life, hopefully your good habits will inspire others. Another helpful option is to provide your spouse or colleague with the tools that they need to help them get organized. For example, you could recommend a product to them that you find helpful or introduce them to an organizing system that you utilize.

[Qlubb] Most of the people who start using our service are people who are organizing a group of people. What tips do you have for these people to help get a group of people organized?

[Dena] To encourage group organization, I would recommend that the group leader devise an organizational plan, invite everyone to participate, offer weekly motivational tips and encourage open communication for the participants to express their feedback.

[Qlubb] For many people, organizing is a chore. Are there any tips for making it seem less like "work"?

[Dena] In order to make organizing seem less like a chore, it is helpful to pair a pleasant task with your organizing task. For example, if you listen to your favorite music while organizing your bedroom closet, it can make the task more enjoyable.

[Qlubb] What is your favorite organizing product that you use or that you recommend others to use? Why?

[Dena] One of the products that I use on a regular basis and find extremely helpful to organize my day-to-day events is The Personal and Family Grid Organizer by BusyBodyBook®. (See full review)

This product allows me to easily coordinate my work schedule, social activities, bills, dinner menu and to do’s for each day of the month.

[Qlubb] How can people find out more about getting organized?

[Dena] I highly recommend that anyone who is interested in getting organized should visit my website. As a guide to personal organizing on www.about.com, I provide weekly newsletters, blogs, tips, reviews and articles that will assist and encourage people towards their organizational goals.

[Qlubb] Thanks Dena for taking the time. It's a busy time for people in the professional organizing community and so we appreciate your time. Happy New Year!