The Twelve Days of MOR

Today’s Tuesday Reading – The Twelve Days of MOR – is an essay by Christy McCollum, Director of Administration, Washington University Information Technology.  [Christy may be reached at [email protected].]  
Her essay first appeared as a program reflection earlier this year.

«««»»»  
The Twelve Days of MOR, also known as MOR Maxims, is a game changing, customized leadership development program celebrating LEADERS at all levels of an organization.
 
“The Twelve Days of MOR” is a contemporary Christmas carol that enumerates in the manner of a cumulative song a series of increasingly grand gifts given to each of us on our leadership journey. The song, yet to be published, can be sung to yourself, or to your family and coworkers, in the familiar tune of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”.   Although this would be much more effective presented with an interactive audience, please enjoy the musical interlude. . .
 
On the first day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• The first impressions exercise.  (How to build my leadership presence – be MINDFUL, be INTENTIONAL, be AUTHENTIC, be CREDIBLE, and ENGAGE others.)

On the second day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the third day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• A blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.  
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the fourth day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us. .

• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.  (Focus is power, expectations can shape our perceptions, attention density shapes identity, mindful change requires practice, focus on identifying and creating new behaviors.)      
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the fifth day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• Phases in Leading Change.  (Learning the landscape, building awareness and support, engaging people in the change process, using power and influence to build support, incorporation of changes, documenting results.)
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the sixth day of MOR, the MOR Team taught us . .

• How to exercise influence.  (The power of expertise, the power of information, the power of relationships.)
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And, 
• The first impressions exercise.

 On the seventh day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• A workshop on Demand Management.
• How to exercise influence.
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

 On the eighth day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• A workshop on Lessons on Communication.  (One-way vs. two-way communication, the importance of audience analysis, developing effective message structure, delivery techniques.)
• A workshop on Demand Management.
• How to exercise influence.
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

 On the ninth day of MOR, the MOR Team gave us. .

• Emotional Intelligence.  (Self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and relationship management.)
• A workshop on Lessons on Communication.
• A workshop on Demand Management.
• How to exercise influence.
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the tenth day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• Tips on Communicating with Success.  (SUCCESS = simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotion, stories, sticky.)
• Emotional Intelligence.
• A workshop on Lessons on Communication.
• A workshop on Demand Management.
• How to exercise influence.
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And,
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the eleventh day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us . .

• Tools for engaging in Difficult conversations.  (Ask, acknowledge, articulate, address options, practice. .practice. . practice.)
• Tips on Communicating with SUCCESS.
• Emotional Intelligence.
• A workshop on Lessons on Communication.
• A workshop on Demand Management.
• How to exercise influence.
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And, 
• The first impressions exercise. 

On the twelfth day of MOR, the MOR Team gave to us

• Our commencement diploma!!  And a lesson in life  –  If you ever get the chance to sit it out or dance . . .      I HOPE YOU DANCE!
• Tools for engaging in Difficult conversations.
• Tips on Communicating with SUCCESS.
• Emotional Intelligence.
• A workshop on Lessons on Communication.
• A workshop on Demand Management.
• How to exercise influence.
• Phases in Leading Change.
• A lesson on Neuroscience and Developing Practices.
• Blueprint to conduct a SWOT analysis.
• Tools to create a development plan.  And, 
• The first impressions exercise. 

Happy Holidays to all!

«««»»» 
Christy has provided us all with a memorable refresher for key elements of the MOR approach to leadership.  Take this time to refresh what you learned when you participated in the MOR program, to see what’s to come if you are now in a program, and for those of you who have not participated in one of the MOR programs to get a sense of what we see as key elements of a leader’s work.
On behalf of all of us at MOR, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday time.
The Tuesday Reading will return on January 9, 2018. 
 
Make it a great holiday.  .  .     jim
 
Jim Bruce is a Senior Fellow and Executive Coach at MOR Associates, and Professor of Electrical Engineering, Emeritus, and CIO, Emeritus, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.