AS THE NEW FINE
2005: In 2005, when asked how I was professionally, my response 99.999% of the time was "busy". I was busy. I was important therefore I was busy. I have been busy for the last couple of years. I have talked to other people who have told me they were busy as well. It got to the point that at time its was a competition as to who was the busiest. It was like "my busy is bigger than your busy...here look." Then it hit me...and it hit me like a ton of bricks. We all have the same 24 hours, everyday.
The breakdown goes a little something like this:
7-8 hours of sleep=16-17 left
8 hours at work = 9-8 hours left
1 hour exercising = 8-7 hours left...That's right 1/3 of day left to eat, drink, and be merry.
So what's the big freaking deal? Our bosses expect 100% commitment during those 8 hours at work. If you are self-employed, then guess what you have a boss...the customer or better yet, your stakeholders. They not only expect but they demand 100% commitment from you. So you are busy...boo freaking hoo...guess what your busy is just as long as my busy.
Without a doubt, work can be hard, very hard. I fully buy-in to the idea that the harder you work the better the reward (provided that someone watching you work hard is someone who also bought-in).
Therefore...
2006: in 2006, I will stop saying "BUSY" and instead will say "FINE". If you read this blog and catch me saying "BUSY" when you ask me how I am, then you just won yourself a free lunch at Schlotzsky's. GUARANTEED!!! As for you, in 2006, when I ask how you are doing and you answer "BUSY", then I will tell you goodbye as you are too busy to go to lunch with me.
Remember folks, change your attitude and the rest will take care of itself.
12 December 2005
11 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #11
Someone Else’s Average
2005: I have seen a lot of things happen in 2005 that have decidedly made me quite upset. However, as I have been putting this work together I have noticed one consistent factor. Those that make me upset all have one thing in common: They follow others and most definitely are not the trailblazers in their private lives and most definitely NOT in their organization. They are the ones that also bring an organization to its knees. They are the AVERAGE that makes the organization's bell curve what it is.
You remember the bell curve. That thing in school that made the bad grades look better. Then again, there was always someone who would come along and score higher than everyone else and there goes the bell curve and the crappy grades are back.
The sad and pathetic thing is that there were NO people that I saw that scored better than anyone else in their organization. So the pitiful grade curve stuck. Just one thing to remember: Doing C(minus) work is still C(minus) work, whether one person is doing it or everyone in the organization is doing it. The trick is that when everyone is doing it, then the low grade becomes the high grade for the organization.
2006: In 2006, I still believe that there will be people who are doomed to be average and others that are doomed to make others average. I also believe that there will be a few that will ruin the grading curve for their organization. Hopefully, in the process they may bring a few that will rise to the top with them. Time will tell.
In the meantime, I firmly believe that those average followers will stay the same, just average and just a follower...what a shame.
2005: I have seen a lot of things happen in 2005 that have decidedly made me quite upset. However, as I have been putting this work together I have noticed one consistent factor. Those that make me upset all have one thing in common: They follow others and most definitely are not the trailblazers in their private lives and most definitely NOT in their organization. They are the ones that also bring an organization to its knees. They are the AVERAGE that makes the organization's bell curve what it is.
You remember the bell curve. That thing in school that made the bad grades look better. Then again, there was always someone who would come along and score higher than everyone else and there goes the bell curve and the crappy grades are back.
The sad and pathetic thing is that there were NO people that I saw that scored better than anyone else in their organization. So the pitiful grade curve stuck. Just one thing to remember: Doing C(minus) work is still C(minus) work, whether one person is doing it or everyone in the organization is doing it. The trick is that when everyone is doing it, then the low grade becomes the high grade for the organization.
2006: In 2006, I still believe that there will be people who are doomed to be average and others that are doomed to make others average. I also believe that there will be a few that will ruin the grading curve for their organization. Hopefully, in the process they may bring a few that will rise to the top with them. Time will tell.
In the meantime, I firmly believe that those average followers will stay the same, just average and just a follower...what a shame.
10 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #10
PASSION
2005: In 2005, I was witness to not a lot of PASSION. No, not the BEDROOM kind of passion, there was plenty of that, but who is bragging. I am talking about the kind of Passion that people used to have in their job. The kind of passion that they had when they were hired. Now I see empty eyes, eyes that no longer have sparks, now it is just blank stares. What went wrong? What made things so sad? Where did the passion go?
Good Questions...NO..These are EXCELLENT QUESTIONS.
Do the people I saw think that the passion is a farce? a simple, silly pipe dream. Yet, you put up with it, we stand for it. We wouldn’t stand for inferior food in a restaurant, or mediocre service in a hotel. No way. We value our time and experiences too highly. Yet many of us feel forced to accept an ordinary career — a career unworthy of loving — when we deserve so much more. It’s learned helplessness. We send cold soup back to the kitchen, but choke down the lukewarm career. This is where the passion ends.
2006: In 2006, I will continue to be witness to the lack of PASSION, I will witness people choke down their mediocre careers, the careers that they once felt so passionate about. In 2006, I firmly believe that there will be people who will get it but for the most part most won't have a clue.
Who will re-ignite the passion first?
I pray that it is not too late for you or me.
2005: In 2005, I was witness to not a lot of PASSION. No, not the BEDROOM kind of passion, there was plenty of that, but who is bragging. I am talking about the kind of Passion that people used to have in their job. The kind of passion that they had when they were hired. Now I see empty eyes, eyes that no longer have sparks, now it is just blank stares. What went wrong? What made things so sad? Where did the passion go?
Good Questions...NO..These are EXCELLENT QUESTIONS.
Do the people I saw think that the passion is a farce? a simple, silly pipe dream. Yet, you put up with it, we stand for it. We wouldn’t stand for inferior food in a restaurant, or mediocre service in a hotel. No way. We value our time and experiences too highly. Yet many of us feel forced to accept an ordinary career — a career unworthy of loving — when we deserve so much more. It’s learned helplessness. We send cold soup back to the kitchen, but choke down the lukewarm career. This is where the passion ends.
2006: In 2006, I will continue to be witness to the lack of PASSION, I will witness people choke down their mediocre careers, the careers that they once felt so passionate about. In 2006, I firmly believe that there will be people who will get it but for the most part most won't have a clue.
Who will re-ignite the passion first?
I pray that it is not too late for you or me.
09 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #9
PERMANENCE, or the lack thereof
2005: Tom Peters writes about PERMANENCE, "Put your all into surviving today’s tsunamis of change…and let the day after tomorrow take care of itself." The year is 2005 and there are people that still believe that permanence is the ONLY way things get done. HA HA HA nothing could be further from the truth. Permanence is yesterday. Today, if you hang around too long people will start to forget to dust you off.
2006: In 2006, I can assure you that there will be change, the only permanence will be that I will be changing and I will expect change and you will expect change from me. I will be dusting myself off and dusting off those relationships that have become an expected permenance.
Don't you think it is time for a change?
2005: Tom Peters writes about PERMANENCE, "Put your all into surviving today’s tsunamis of change…and let the day after tomorrow take care of itself." The year is 2005 and there are people that still believe that permanence is the ONLY way things get done. HA HA HA nothing could be further from the truth. Permanence is yesterday. Today, if you hang around too long people will start to forget to dust you off.
2006: In 2006, I can assure you that there will be change, the only permanence will be that I will be changing and I will expect change and you will expect change from me. I will be dusting myself off and dusting off those relationships that have become an expected permenance.
Don't you think it is time for a change?
08 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #8
CHANGE
2005: When was the last time you bought a new computer? Last week? Last month? Last year? I can assure you it was out of date the moment you took possesion of it. No need to be upset,
one thing to remember is that technology, as we know it today, is still in in its infancy.
This means, rather simply, that we ain't seen nothinʼ yet! Those of you that are reading this already know that the Internet has already lived up to its hype and will soon exceed it. Wildly. What does this mean for you? I will tell you what it means.
It means that you need to keep your eye on where technology is going. Remember the dot-com boom in the late 90s? Do you equally remember the dot-com BUST at the turn of this century?
Guess what, we are on the verge of 2006 and the start of another Internet BOOM is underway.
Don't think so?
I say you are wrong, I say that you are not looking ahead. Granted that this Internet Boom will NOT be as wild and crazy as the first boom, but I can assure you that when the bust happens, this time, it won't be as bad as the first. Additionally, this new BOOM will not just be about the web, it will be about what you can do on the web. Additionally, new technologies will be a part of the BOOM. The bio-technology sector will become the new GOLD RUSH sector. People will flock to it, especially with its promise of protection from the evil microbes of the world; H5N1 is no exception.
Are you listening now? Probably not. Well you better before its too late because this genie is out of the bottle!
2006: In 2006, I believe technology will be on the fast track to change, no, to REDEFINE our lives. Every aspect of our lives (love, war, commerce, what it takes to live) are not immune. I also will continue to looking forward, looking two, no THREE steps ahead when it comes to Tech development. It may just save my life, NO. IT MAY JUST SAVE OUR LIVES.
2005: When was the last time you bought a new computer? Last week? Last month? Last year? I can assure you it was out of date the moment you took possesion of it. No need to be upset,
one thing to remember is that technology, as we know it today, is still in in its infancy.
This means, rather simply, that we ain't seen nothinʼ yet! Those of you that are reading this already know that the Internet has already lived up to its hype and will soon exceed it. Wildly. What does this mean for you? I will tell you what it means.
It means that you need to keep your eye on where technology is going. Remember the dot-com boom in the late 90s? Do you equally remember the dot-com BUST at the turn of this century?
Guess what, we are on the verge of 2006 and the start of another Internet BOOM is underway.
Don't think so?
I say you are wrong, I say that you are not looking ahead. Granted that this Internet Boom will NOT be as wild and crazy as the first boom, but I can assure you that when the bust happens, this time, it won't be as bad as the first. Additionally, this new BOOM will not just be about the web, it will be about what you can do on the web. Additionally, new technologies will be a part of the BOOM. The bio-technology sector will become the new GOLD RUSH sector. People will flock to it, especially with its promise of protection from the evil microbes of the world; H5N1 is no exception.
Are you listening now? Probably not. Well you better before its too late because this genie is out of the bottle!
2006: In 2006, I believe technology will be on the fast track to change, no, to REDEFINE our lives. Every aspect of our lives (love, war, commerce, what it takes to live) are not immune. I also will continue to looking forward, looking two, no THREE steps ahead when it comes to Tech development. It may just save my life, NO. IT MAY JUST SAVE OUR LIVES.
07 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #7
CALENDAR KNOWS BEST
2005: In 2005, I gave up wearing a watch. Totally?, well maybe not, let's say I gave up it 99.998% of the time. At first it was difficult getting used to not looking at my wrist to tell me what time it was and reminding me that I was a slave to time. No matter what we are all slaves to time. We talk about how fast time flies. Look 2005 is just about over, where did the year go? To look at my calendar, I know exactly where it went.
So what does this mean? It means that if you or I wanted to know where I am or where I was,
my calendar was the place to check. My calendar became an extension of who I was in 2005. It was not only the center of my existence it became the center of my victories and of my FAILURES. There they were in a date square, in black and white with a time written next to it.
Someone once wrote that "we are what we eat" if that's the case then by all sense we are our calendar. Good or bad??? It doesn't matter, what matters is that this is who we are. When properly used you/your calendar will reveal everything about who you are: What is important, as well as what habits you continue to feed (manicure anyone?). Ultimately, it reveals to everyone and anyone that reads your calendar, what matters most to you.
2006: In 2006, I will continue to keep me/my calendar up-to-date. I will also hope to start looking at other people's calendars. Not to see what matters most to them but to see when they will be available to do lunch. I will also start adding more dates on my calendar that center on what matters most.
2005: In 2005, I gave up wearing a watch. Totally?, well maybe not, let's say I gave up it 99.998% of the time. At first it was difficult getting used to not looking at my wrist to tell me what time it was and reminding me that I was a slave to time. No matter what we are all slaves to time. We talk about how fast time flies. Look 2005 is just about over, where did the year go? To look at my calendar, I know exactly where it went.
So what does this mean? It means that if you or I wanted to know where I am or where I was,
my calendar was the place to check. My calendar became an extension of who I was in 2005. It was not only the center of my existence it became the center of my victories and of my FAILURES. There they were in a date square, in black and white with a time written next to it.
Someone once wrote that "we are what we eat" if that's the case then by all sense we are our calendar. Good or bad??? It doesn't matter, what matters is that this is who we are. When properly used you/your calendar will reveal everything about who you are: What is important, as well as what habits you continue to feed (manicure anyone?). Ultimately, it reveals to everyone and anyone that reads your calendar, what matters most to you.
2006: In 2006, I will continue to keep me/my calendar up-to-date. I will also hope to start looking at other people's calendars. Not to see what matters most to them but to see when they will be available to do lunch. I will also start adding more dates on my calendar that center on what matters most.
06 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #6
Re-imagine NOW!!!
2005: Tom Peters once wrote, "It is the foremost task—and responsibility—of this generation to re-imagine all of our institutions, private and public” and I add "OURSELVES." In 2005, I saw none of this. I lead the pack. Halfway through 2005, I stood alone, then one by one I started seeing others failing themselves and their organizations. I saw that I lost my edge. I saw that I lost the thirst for change. Things were becoming static. I was becoming stale and not going anywhere. Then it happened. June 4, 2005 things changed.
As usual, things changed because they had to change. I was on the fast track to becoming a diabetic. I was overweight, lazy, and just not in good shape both physically and mentally. So I had to act fast. I started exercising and life started to get more focused. I started seeing the way I do business start to change. I not only re-imagined the future with a better me, I re-imagined me.
2006: In 2006, I will start to expand the "Re-Imagine" mantra. I will let people know that these are not times for the faint of heart. In 2006 there will be a call for the maximum from each and every one of us. For the sake of ourselves, our communities, our children, our world. No right answers or certain rules are on the horizon. We must make it up as we go along. As for a Blessed Hiatus…forget about it (I ALREADY HAD MINE).
2005: Tom Peters once wrote, "It is the foremost task—and responsibility—of this generation to re-imagine all of our institutions, private and public” and I add "OURSELVES." In 2005, I saw none of this. I lead the pack. Halfway through 2005, I stood alone, then one by one I started seeing others failing themselves and their organizations. I saw that I lost my edge. I saw that I lost the thirst for change. Things were becoming static. I was becoming stale and not going anywhere. Then it happened. June 4, 2005 things changed.
As usual, things changed because they had to change. I was on the fast track to becoming a diabetic. I was overweight, lazy, and just not in good shape both physically and mentally. So I had to act fast. I started exercising and life started to get more focused. I started seeing the way I do business start to change. I not only re-imagined the future with a better me, I re-imagined me.
2006: In 2006, I will start to expand the "Re-Imagine" mantra. I will let people know that these are not times for the faint of heart. In 2006 there will be a call for the maximum from each and every one of us. For the sake of ourselves, our communities, our children, our world. No right answers or certain rules are on the horizon. We must make it up as we go along. As for a Blessed Hiatus…forget about it (I ALREADY HAD MINE).
05 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #5
CHANGE
2005: In 2005, like any other year there is change everywhere. I was witness to global changes, political changes, personal changes, however very little business change. Then again, there is that old saying that goes something like this: No matter how much things change they stay the same.
2005 was no exception. There were promises that 2005 will be the best year ever. There were
mission statements that reflected this "pipe dream". Why do I call it a pipe dream? I call it that because the change may look fantastic on paper, but when it comes to implement one important thing was forgotten: THE BUY IN.
Seems that the writers of the mission statement went all out on the changes but forgot to get the people to buy in to the change. They gave their change a name but forgot to get the buy in from the ones that matter the most...the employees. They give trinkets and t-shirts in the futile efforts of the shirt magically conveying the new change.
NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE, and, most of all, NO CLUE!!!
So what is the magic pill to change? The is no magic pill. Change has to happen...it has to happen NOW. No Shoes, No Shirts, No lame-ass bracelet (that worked for LANCE (everyone else is just riding a tired and well worn out coat tail)) will do it. Change happens the moment EVERYONE buys in completely and not a second sooner.
2006: In 2006, I firmly believe that change will permeate everything and everyone. However, I will do all that I can to ensure that the management gets their employees to buy-in to the changes. Failing to do that, the organization that makes changes without the buy-in is like that guy who gives himself his own nickname. If you don't understand that last sentence, well walk up to your co-workers and tell them that your nickname is <<> self-defined goofy-ass nickname here>> and see what kind of reaction you get.
2005: In 2005, like any other year there is change everywhere. I was witness to global changes, political changes, personal changes, however very little business change. Then again, there is that old saying that goes something like this: No matter how much things change they stay the same.
2005 was no exception. There were promises that 2005 will be the best year ever. There were
mission statements that reflected this "pipe dream". Why do I call it a pipe dream? I call it that because the change may look fantastic on paper, but when it comes to implement one important thing was forgotten: THE BUY IN.
Seems that the writers of the mission statement went all out on the changes but forgot to get the people to buy in to the change. They gave their change a name but forgot to get the buy in from the ones that matter the most...the employees. They give trinkets and t-shirts in the futile efforts of the shirt magically conveying the new change.
NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE, and, most of all, NO CLUE!!!
So what is the magic pill to change? The is no magic pill. Change has to happen...it has to happen NOW. No Shoes, No Shirts, No lame-ass bracelet (that worked for LANCE (everyone else is just riding a tired and well worn out coat tail)) will do it. Change happens the moment EVERYONE buys in completely and not a second sooner.
2006: In 2006, I firmly believe that change will permeate everything and everyone. However, I will do all that I can to ensure that the management gets their employees to buy-in to the changes. Failing to do that, the organization that makes changes without the buy-in is like that guy who gives himself his own nickname. If you don't understand that last sentence, well walk up to your co-workers and tell them that your nickname is <<> self-defined goofy-ass nickname here>> and see what kind of reaction you get.
04 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #4
Ignore the critic and EMBRACE the criticism
2005: In 2005, I was witness to some audacious criticism. Maybe audacious is too nice of a word. It would be better served to be criticism from a cowardly critic. Please don't get me wrong, I like criticism, it serves to keep me on top of my game. It motivates me, it makes me want to do better, some of my best ideas come from criticism. However, what I detest more than anything else is people who would rather take cheap shots at the person. To me, that is a cry for help.
The passive aggressive ones are the worst. They just reinforce that they really need help and as I am not a licensed therapist, I cannot help them. I just as soon shoot myself in the face with a flamethrower than to deal with people like that. Then again, there are people worse than them...The Boss. If a boss, tolerates that kind of behaviour from their staff well that is just not good.
What causes this? Any number of reasons, to me it is that the passive aggressive person was once the boss' strong arm that now the person has gotten so out of control that even the boss can no longer effectively control that person. What is a boss to do???
I cannot speak for that boss, I can only speak for myself...I WOULD FIRE THAT INDIVIDUAL AS SOON AS IT IS HUMANLY AND HUMANELY AS POSSIBLE. I would do it to not only remind the passive aggressive who the true boss is, but as an attempt to regain control of the other staff members before they become out of control.
2006: In 2006, I vow to make a hasty exit when an organization not only allows their staff to behave in that manner but encourages it. To me, this is an organization that lacks focus, control, and most of all it lacks integrity, at ALL LEVELS. I promise you dear readers, you do not want to be anywhere near any organization that does business that way. When the bottom falls out of the company (as it always does), the sucking sound you will hear is the sound of that company trying to take you down with them. All I can say is RUN and RUN FAST AND FAR.
Also in 2006, I will continue to embrace criticism and IGNORE the critics.
2005: In 2005, I was witness to some audacious criticism. Maybe audacious is too nice of a word. It would be better served to be criticism from a cowardly critic. Please don't get me wrong, I like criticism, it serves to keep me on top of my game. It motivates me, it makes me want to do better, some of my best ideas come from criticism. However, what I detest more than anything else is people who would rather take cheap shots at the person. To me, that is a cry for help.
The passive aggressive ones are the worst. They just reinforce that they really need help and as I am not a licensed therapist, I cannot help them. I just as soon shoot myself in the face with a flamethrower than to deal with people like that. Then again, there are people worse than them...The Boss. If a boss, tolerates that kind of behaviour from their staff well that is just not good.
What causes this? Any number of reasons, to me it is that the passive aggressive person was once the boss' strong arm that now the person has gotten so out of control that even the boss can no longer effectively control that person. What is a boss to do???
I cannot speak for that boss, I can only speak for myself...I WOULD FIRE THAT INDIVIDUAL AS SOON AS IT IS HUMANLY AND HUMANELY AS POSSIBLE. I would do it to not only remind the passive aggressive who the true boss is, but as an attempt to regain control of the other staff members before they become out of control.
2006: In 2006, I vow to make a hasty exit when an organization not only allows their staff to behave in that manner but encourages it. To me, this is an organization that lacks focus, control, and most of all it lacks integrity, at ALL LEVELS. I promise you dear readers, you do not want to be anywhere near any organization that does business that way. When the bottom falls out of the company (as it always does), the sucking sound you will hear is the sound of that company trying to take you down with them. All I can say is RUN and RUN FAST AND FAR.
Also in 2006, I will continue to embrace criticism and IGNORE the critics.
03 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #3
2005: In 2005, I took two vacations; one for personal reasons and one for a family function. The one for personal reasons was not fun. The one for a family function (which I dread) turned out to be one of the best times I had doing it. At one point, I turned to my wife and told her that this was the best trip to see her family that I have ever had. That's right it was a trip to my wife's cousin's wedding. We packed the kids and got onto an big orange and red big and then we were free to roam about the country (HINT, HINT)
In 2005, I know of one individual who took a vacation by himself, his wife took a vacation by herself, and their kids took their own vacation. Wow must be nice to get away from the kids and I bet it is. Come on, how much fun can you have without the kids?
Well if you are shallow you can have a pretty decent time, maybe close to fun, however, I assure you that there will be NO JOY in what you are doing and where you are doing it. As a matter of fact I would call it INSANE. Where is the fun in being insane? Truly I believe that it is actually a lot of work to be insane, convincing everyone you are insane.
But I digress, Mr. Vacation Example, owns his own business. He has quite a large staff who get paid at various levels, depending on the position within his organization. It would be safe to say that over 98% of his staff could not afford to own a Mazda Miata or two or three for that matter. Well, I was shocked when I saw that he openly flaunted his "single man" vacation to his staff. Most of which are single parents or sole providers for their family unit would never even dream about taking a vacation let alone a vacation without the family.
I fully understand that it is good to be the boss, but to openly rub it in the faces of the people who look to you for a job and most of all, a paycheck, is not a good thing for morale. When bad things happen to company morale, well that just isn't a fun place to work at.
2006: In 2006, I will do what I can to advocate that fun be brought back into the workplace. If you are not prepared to have some fun, then you are not really prepared to have productive employees.
Please do not get me wrong. I am all for getting to work and making things happen in the workplace. However, if there isn't some laughter in the workplace, then that is a place that is waiting to implode because I guarantee all you will find there is dissent. Do something before you find yourself with a high turnover rate that leave you with an "old timer" in your organization as having an average of 18 months time with your organization is definitely not my definition of fun.
02 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006 #2
INTEGRITY
2005: This past year I was witness to some very bad forms of Integrity. The proclaimed #1 tool of effective leaders. BAH!!! BAH? That's right, for some strange reason there are many people who are nothing more than managers and NOT leaders. The two are NOT the same. Anyone can be a manager, anyone can manage a stack of baseball cards. Not anyone can be a leader. In order to be a leader, you have to be able to motivate people to do something without having to resort to fear and intimidation. A manager uses fear and intimidation like they use toilet paper. Picture the manager of a stack of baseball cards, he gets rid of the cards he thinks are bad and hopes that the new cards will be good cards. Sound familiar? Truthfully, does it sound TOO familiar?
A leader is one that will motivate the players to perform thus raising the value of their respective baseball card. I was witness on multiple occasions to moments when managers would be magically transformed into leaders. However, their personal perception of what integrity is failed them.
They dropped the ball.
In order to not publicly offend anyone, I will stand up and say that they lacked "inherent decency and fundamental humanity" all that shined through was their ugliness (nothing else). That may be why they will always just manage and never taste the sweetness that is LEADERSHIP.
2006: Should I find myself crossing paths with managers, that in their minds, think they are leaders, I promise myself that I will quickly point them to this blog post and ask them not to be another bad card holder on next year's version of "MY VISION OF 2006 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2007". This is not in an attempt to publicly humiliate anyone but in an attempt to make them become the "GO-TO" person in their organization. To be the person, people turn to in times of confusion. The person who people recognize as the leader.
2005: This past year I was witness to some very bad forms of Integrity. The proclaimed #1 tool of effective leaders. BAH!!! BAH? That's right, for some strange reason there are many people who are nothing more than managers and NOT leaders. The two are NOT the same. Anyone can be a manager, anyone can manage a stack of baseball cards. Not anyone can be a leader. In order to be a leader, you have to be able to motivate people to do something without having to resort to fear and intimidation. A manager uses fear and intimidation like they use toilet paper. Picture the manager of a stack of baseball cards, he gets rid of the cards he thinks are bad and hopes that the new cards will be good cards. Sound familiar? Truthfully, does it sound TOO familiar?
A leader is one that will motivate the players to perform thus raising the value of their respective baseball card. I was witness on multiple occasions to moments when managers would be magically transformed into leaders. However, their personal perception of what integrity is failed them.
They dropped the ball.
In order to not publicly offend anyone, I will stand up and say that they lacked "inherent decency and fundamental humanity" all that shined through was their ugliness (nothing else). That may be why they will always just manage and never taste the sweetness that is LEADERSHIP.
2006: Should I find myself crossing paths with managers, that in their minds, think they are leaders, I promise myself that I will quickly point them to this blog post and ask them not to be another bad card holder on next year's version of "MY VISION OF 2006 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2007". This is not in an attempt to publicly humiliate anyone but in an attempt to make them become the "GO-TO" person in their organization. To be the person, people turn to in times of confusion. The person who people recognize as the leader.
01 December 2005
MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006!!! #1
As we start the last month of the 4th year of the 21st Century, I will be taking the time to reflect on what I see as "MY VISION OF 2005 AND LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2006!!!"
So join me as I attempt to make heads or tails of 2005 and some prognostications for 2006.
DAY 1
2005 should be that no matter what people will always be who they are and will only change when change does not threaten their place in within their circle of influence (at the center). Sometime around August or was it September, I decided that in order to grow as individual, I was going to have to shed some of my outerskin and with that shed some of my comfort zone. This meant that I was going to have to make my cirlce of influence wobble a bit.
When a circle wobbles it means that it is no longer properly centered. In my case, I was ready to let go of being at the center of MY circle of influence. I also knew that MY circle of influence was eventually going to put me back in the center once the wobble wore off and I adjusted to the new changes that were coming.
The first change was that I fired two long time customers. These two customers I felt were starting to slow me down to the point that I was not able to cultivate new business growth. Their businesses were thriving and they were buying new cars, taking trips, and where was I? Taking their calls when I was on a vacation that I took flying coach. I had to not be afraid and let go, even if it meant not having someone to replace them in the near term. Well, I bit the bullet and I am all the better for it.
2006, I will continue to cut down and trim off those clients that I feel are not beneficial to my advancement. I truly hope that they don't take it personally, because this is business and that's why they are called customers and clients. I would never intentionally cut down or trim down my list of friends as a matter of fact I would do anything to move some of those clients to my friends list.
So join me as I attempt to make heads or tails of 2005 and some prognostications for 2006.
DAY 1
2005 should be that no matter what people will always be who they are and will only change when change does not threaten their place in within their circle of influence (at the center). Sometime around August or was it September, I decided that in order to grow as individual, I was going to have to shed some of my outerskin and with that shed some of my comfort zone. This meant that I was going to have to make my cirlce of influence wobble a bit.
When a circle wobbles it means that it is no longer properly centered. In my case, I was ready to let go of being at the center of MY circle of influence. I also knew that MY circle of influence was eventually going to put me back in the center once the wobble wore off and I adjusted to the new changes that were coming.
The first change was that I fired two long time customers. These two customers I felt were starting to slow me down to the point that I was not able to cultivate new business growth. Their businesses were thriving and they were buying new cars, taking trips, and where was I? Taking their calls when I was on a vacation that I took flying coach. I had to not be afraid and let go, even if it meant not having someone to replace them in the near term. Well, I bit the bullet and I am all the better for it.
2006, I will continue to cut down and trim off those clients that I feel are not beneficial to my advancement. I truly hope that they don't take it personally, because this is business and that's why they are called customers and clients. I would never intentionally cut down or trim down my list of friends as a matter of fact I would do anything to move some of those clients to my friends list.
25 November 2005
What are you reading? THE BIG MOO
I am reading THE BIG MOO.
I know that Texas is known for its longhorn cattle, but that is now what this book is about. The subtitle of this book says it all: Stop Trying to Be Perfect and Start Being Remarkable.
There are 33 authors of this book. These people are some serious business thinkers, movers, and shakers. Don't get me wrong, these people were hand picked to contribute to the book. They write about a lot of topics and about what it takes to be remarkable. As an example, there is a section written about H.E.B., a Texas -based grocery chain.
Having been a long time patron of H.E.B., I never thought about how remarkable this organization has become since Walmart started selling food in Texas. After reading the section in THE BIG MOO, I am now a fully committed as H.E.B. being my grocery store. Buy THE BIG MOO and find out about H.E.B. and all the other things that make people and organizations REMARKABLE.
I know that Texas is known for its longhorn cattle, but that is now what this book is about. The subtitle of this book says it all: Stop Trying to Be Perfect and Start Being Remarkable.
There are 33 authors of this book. These people are some serious business thinkers, movers, and shakers. Don't get me wrong, these people were hand picked to contribute to the book. They write about a lot of topics and about what it takes to be remarkable. As an example, there is a section written about H.E.B., a Texas -based grocery chain.
Having been a long time patron of H.E.B., I never thought about how remarkable this organization has become since Walmart started selling food in Texas. After reading the section in THE BIG MOO, I am now a fully committed as H.E.B. being my grocery store. Buy THE BIG MOO and find out about H.E.B. and all the other things that make people and organizations REMARKABLE.
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