Greetings, Colleagues! You are receiving this introductory 
newsletter because you have acquired services or attended 
a meeting/presentation with Key Associates. While we 
hope you like it, please feel free to opt out on future 
issues by following the instructions at the end of this letter.

##########################################

     KEYZINE: An e-zine for LEADERS:
   ABOUT THE PEOPLE PART OF BUSINESS
          Volume 1, April 19, 2001
    Publisher: © Key Associates, LLC, 2001
           http://www.mkkey.com

##########################################

"Leadership is always dependent on the context, but the
context is established by the relationships we value."

                                                        -Margaret Wheatley

IN THIS ISSUE:

=============================================

                WHAT'S HOT IN LEADERSHIP

=============================================

LEADERLESS AND NETWORKED ORGANIZATIONS. 
According to Business Week, truly leaderless organizations will 
continue to make more sense because the Internet allows information 
to be shared in a network fashion. Also, in 1000 public companies, 
the use of self-directed work teams has grown from 28% in 1987 to 
78% in 1996. Twenty-five percent of their meetings are being held 
virtually, using some of the distance conferencing methods 
described below.

LARGE GROUP PROCESSES. With so much high tech, leaders 
need high touch communication processes that really count when 
they do draw people together. Thus a growing need to be inclusive 
of lots of people in planning, problem solving, dialogue and 
information sharing. The Search Conference format allows large 
groups to define their future together and take responsibility for 
making it happen. For more information, go to 
SEARCH CONFERENCE
.

=============================================

                FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

=============================================

"How do I deal with CYNICISM?" Cynicism is often a result of 
dashed hopes and dreams. Let coworkers talk it out at a Whine and 
Cheese party; then after the woe-be-gone event, declare that we are 
only talking future now. See more tips in Corporate Celebration: 
Play, Purpose and Profit at Work:
Corporate Celebration.

"How can I get people to stop BLAMING each other?" Teach them 
(by modeling) to replace," Who did this?" with "What process 
created this result?"

"I find it difficult to give NEGATIVE FEEDBACK." Try this lead in, 
"If I knew something that I felt would help you be more successful, 
would you like to hear about it?"

=============================================

            MEETINGS AND COURSES ON LINE

=============================================

There are an overwhelming number of venues for holding meetings 
and knowledge transfer events online. If you haven't gotten your virtual 
feet wet, view a demo at Placeware's web site, 
http://www.placeware.com/tour/index_new.html

And try a free 15-day trial by selecting that service on their homepage.

If you'd like to see other options, go to 3M's Meeting Advisor. Or 
The Coworking Institute.

=============================================

            USEFUL WEBSITES & NEWSLETTERS

=============================================

Fast Company (the magazine for new organizational leadership) has 
a Fast Take Newsletter. Request a subscription at 
http://fastcompany.com/x/
.

For fabulous meeting tips and tools, visit 3M's website and subscribe 
to their newsletter, designed to improve business meetings. 
http://www.3M.com/meetingnetwork
.

Subscribe to a newsletter, GREAT SPEAKING, that will improve 
your skill as a public communicator. Go to 
http://www.antion.com/ezinesubscribe.htm
.

For a free 24-page manual on development of a complete marketing 
plan, contact http://www.actionplan.com.

=============================================

            ARTICLES/PUBLICATIONS

=============================================

Struggling with what to do about incentive pay, merit raises, and other 
MOTIVATORS? In Alfie Kohn's words,

"The inequitable application of incentives is irritating and likely to 
cause resentment, but the more important point is that they're 
counterproductive regardless of the particulars. In fact, the larger 
the reward, the greater its potential to disrupt relationships, 
undermine interest in the work itself, and lower the quality of that work."

Have a look at Alfie's site, http://alfiekohn.org/managing/articles.htm.

An undeveloped skill in most leaders is the ability to see SYSTEMS. 
Check out this website for an entire library on the subject, 
http://systemsthinkingpress.com
.

=============================================

            MAINTAINING YOURSELF AS A LEADER

=============================================

Take a break--a ONE MINUTE VACATION. Pull yourself 
off-stage, drop your shoulders and relax your neck, visualize an 
escape place, take a deep breath and go on a mental vacation for 
60 seconds.

=============================================