These unprecedented times which accurately can be labeled chaotic reinforce a basic tenet of smart business, smart living and smart lives.
Take a breath.
The onslaught of issues and imagery seem to demand an immediate, off-the-cuff and off-the-shelf reaction. In truth, what they demand is an action - one that is borne out of thoughtfulness and inquiry.
This is true in normal times as well. Think of how popular culture emphasizes the importance of "turn on a dime" thinking. Certainly the culture of many corporations is that the quickest answer is the best answer (not true). Reality shows, such as "Top Chef" and "Project Runway" and, yes, even "The Great British Baking Show," add rather severe timing elements to the tasks at hand so that the net result is not a winner who is ultimately the best, but one who can beat the clock and still come out ahead.
While I am a strong believer in timing as an ally - it goes both ways. Some of the biggest mistakes that I have made have been borne out of a belief that I needed to react more quickly than was necessary. In that reaction, I did not provide myself time to gather the necessary information, seek the required counsel, ask the right questions and, perhaps most importantly, center myself for the task at hand.
Both in "normal" times (are there really any "normal" times?) and these extreme times - to be at our best we must act, but we must act with intelligence, both moral and emotional.
Take a breath. Inquire. Contemplate. Center.
Then move on.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Friday, June 12, 2020
Of "Niceness" and Cake Plates
Millions enjoy the pleasures of watching "The Great British Baking Show." Cakes and "Bread Week" and biscuits and technical challenges - it's relaxing entertainment and hence, it is great television.
Let me point to the obvious, because it's worth noting (especially in this age).
This is one reality show (and a competition reality show, no less) in which everyone is really nice to each other. The hosts are sympathetic and help the contestants, the contestants are more focused on their own successes (or lack thereof) than on their peer's failures. Even the judges, facing the most catastrophic of creations find something nice to say ("But, it has a really great flavor. . .")
Is this why we like "The Great British Baking Show" so much? Proof that people can create and compete and be not only civil to each other, but build bonds and friendship? I think in recent decades we've ignored "nice." We've downgraded it to a middling compliment. And in recent years, let's face it, there are popular forces that decree that "nice" does not make for watchable television or, for that matter, electable politicians.
In its own way, "The Great British Baking Show" demonstrates the power of "niceness" and elevates it to "greatness."
And there's one more thing. . .that prize. When most reality shows are upping the ante ("You're competing for ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!" - and then the contestants jump up and down with excitement!). . .what's the big prize on "The Great British Baking Show?"
A cakeplate.
And the recognition and the satisfaction of a job well-done.
Let's just let that sink in.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Let me point to the obvious, because it's worth noting (especially in this age).
This is one reality show (and a competition reality show, no less) in which everyone is really nice to each other. The hosts are sympathetic and help the contestants, the contestants are more focused on their own successes (or lack thereof) than on their peer's failures. Even the judges, facing the most catastrophic of creations find something nice to say ("But, it has a really great flavor. . .")
Is this why we like "The Great British Baking Show" so much? Proof that people can create and compete and be not only civil to each other, but build bonds and friendship? I think in recent decades we've ignored "nice." We've downgraded it to a middling compliment. And in recent years, let's face it, there are popular forces that decree that "nice" does not make for watchable television or, for that matter, electable politicians.
In its own way, "The Great British Baking Show" demonstrates the power of "niceness" and elevates it to "greatness."
And there's one more thing. . .that prize. When most reality shows are upping the ante ("You're competing for ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!" - and then the contestants jump up and down with excitement!). . .what's the big prize on "The Great British Baking Show?"
A cakeplate.
And the recognition and the satisfaction of a job well-done.
Let's just let that sink in.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Power Doesn't Shout It's Name
We are supposed to believe, much as Dorothy was supposed to believe the Wizard, that if someone claims they are powerful that they are then, indeed, powerful. Further, we are led to believe that the more bombastic, the louder the claim, the more authentic it is.
I've come to believe that is not true. So, here are a few thoughts on the very nature of power.
A loud voice without wisdom is just a loud voice; true wisdom is so powerful it doesn't need to brag.
Power is not narcissistic; the very energy of power dictates it is not a solo sport.
Power has no need to belittle; power is so secure in it's own right that it is believable without needing to step on other people.
Power does not bully.
Power is willing to challenge itself, it is willing to be wrong for the purpose of finding the right answer.
Power is based on a belief in facts; not what is convenient to believe.
Power is focused on what is good for most; not what is beneficial for a few.
Power is generous.
Power is humble; it is self-evident.
It has no need to shout it's name.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle
I've come to believe that is not true. So, here are a few thoughts on the very nature of power.
A loud voice without wisdom is just a loud voice; true wisdom is so powerful it doesn't need to brag.
Power is not narcissistic; the very energy of power dictates it is not a solo sport.
Power has no need to belittle; power is so secure in it's own right that it is believable without needing to step on other people.
Power does not bully.
Power is willing to challenge itself, it is willing to be wrong for the purpose of finding the right answer.
Power is based on a belief in facts; not what is convenient to believe.
Power is focused on what is good for most; not what is beneficial for a few.
Power is generous.
Power is humble; it is self-evident.
It has no need to shout it's name.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle
Saturday, May 2, 2020
From a Distance
Yes, there is social distancing to be observed: at the moment I'm intrigued by the other distance that has been brought about by Covid-19. This distance is one that can create new and beneficial perceptions.
Previously, we were up close and personal, we were in the fray; we were in the middle of it. Now, in this unusual time of quiet, we have distance from that which was so familiar.
Many of us aren't in the same workplace. We aren't surrounded by the same people. Perhaps it has been over a month since we've seen or communicated with our teams. The daily processes that perhaps were mundane are now unusual for lack of practice.
This is an extraordinary time to reflect about what we came to accept as normal. . . this is a quiet time in which we can re-examine the world around is and determine what we want it to be.
The daily interactions that we were used to - do they serve us, the enterprise and others well?
Were we spending too much of life's precious time on redundancy?
The team members who were so regular, perhaps not charismatic, but so dependable. . . how do we consider their contribution now ? (For me, that type of contribution contextually now approaches the extraordinary).
Were we grateful enough? How do we show gratitude going forward?
If, upon self-examination, we found we "put up with stuff - just because;" how do we shed the negativity to create better workplaces? How do we challenge ourselves to lead the best workplaces?
What is really important in our lives? Who is really important in our lives? What and who are our new priorities?
What have we taken for granted that observed in the relative quiet seems so very obvious and pertinent?
This is the perfect time to create our new reality.
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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Previously, we were up close and personal, we were in the fray; we were in the middle of it. Now, in this unusual time of quiet, we have distance from that which was so familiar.
Many of us aren't in the same workplace. We aren't surrounded by the same people. Perhaps it has been over a month since we've seen or communicated with our teams. The daily processes that perhaps were mundane are now unusual for lack of practice.
This is an extraordinary time to reflect about what we came to accept as normal. . . this is a quiet time in which we can re-examine the world around is and determine what we want it to be.
The daily interactions that we were used to - do they serve us, the enterprise and others well?
Were we spending too much of life's precious time on redundancy?
The team members who were so regular, perhaps not charismatic, but so dependable. . . how do we consider their contribution now ? (For me, that type of contribution contextually now approaches the extraordinary).
Were we grateful enough? How do we show gratitude going forward?
If, upon self-examination, we found we "put up with stuff - just because;" how do we shed the negativity to create better workplaces? How do we challenge ourselves to lead the best workplaces?
What is really important in our lives? Who is really important in our lives? What and who are our new priorities?
What have we taken for granted that observed in the relative quiet seems so very obvious and pertinent?
This is the perfect time to create our new reality.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, April 24, 2020
How to End Up Better
Certainly there are so many awful things about the impact of Covid-19. To be clear, what follows is not meant to minimize those health, welfare and financial consequences.
That's the disclaimer. I am finding, however, that this pandemic is also presenting us with opportunities to move forward with that which we've been wanting to do for a long time.
In conversation with a colleague yesterday, I found her experience in evolving certain aspects of her work to be similar to mine. There are things that we have wanted to change about our work for a very long time; however, we let obstacles get in the way. With the onslaught of this pandemic; it became very clear that we needed to move forward. The priority of the current situation is overcoming the obstacles - not only for the short-term good of the work and individuals involved - but also as a permanent solution.
The impact of Covid 19 is strongly significant - in many ways that are negative. But we should also embrace the ways that it forces us to edit and renogogiate so that we exit this pandemic with a stronger mindset and a better, re-arranged set of priorities.
So we should ask ourselves "What are the things that we have long wanted for our teams?" "What are the ways in which we have wanted to change our work?" "What processes have we wanted to change?"
And here are the key questions. "What has stood in our way?" And, in light of a life changing and culture changing pandemic - are the former obstacles still the priority - or can we proceed with a change we've been meaning to make for a long time?
This is not to suggest that chaos rules; it is to suggest that we should make good, logical use of a chaotic event to make changes that are necessary for better work and better lives.
Because if we can't learn from this - what's the point?
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
That's the disclaimer. I am finding, however, that this pandemic is also presenting us with opportunities to move forward with that which we've been wanting to do for a long time.
In conversation with a colleague yesterday, I found her experience in evolving certain aspects of her work to be similar to mine. There are things that we have wanted to change about our work for a very long time; however, we let obstacles get in the way. With the onslaught of this pandemic; it became very clear that we needed to move forward. The priority of the current situation is overcoming the obstacles - not only for the short-term good of the work and individuals involved - but also as a permanent solution.
The impact of Covid 19 is strongly significant - in many ways that are negative. But we should also embrace the ways that it forces us to edit and renogogiate so that we exit this pandemic with a stronger mindset and a better, re-arranged set of priorities.
So we should ask ourselves "What are the things that we have long wanted for our teams?" "What are the ways in which we have wanted to change our work?" "What processes have we wanted to change?"
And here are the key questions. "What has stood in our way?" And, in light of a life changing and culture changing pandemic - are the former obstacles still the priority - or can we proceed with a change we've been meaning to make for a long time?
This is not to suggest that chaos rules; it is to suggest that we should make good, logical use of a chaotic event to make changes that are necessary for better work and better lives.
Because if we can't learn from this - what's the point?
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, March 13, 2020
How to Change People's Minds
Based on what is happening in popular culture, one might come to the conclusion that the most efficacious way to change people's minds is just to yell louder than they do. . .or perhaps throw out a 5th grade insult. . .or bully them on social media.
Consider, however, the results. Do we really see any of these tactics change minds. . .or hearts?
Here's the story (thank you NBC news). Qasim Rashid, a Democrat running for Congress in Virginia received (in his words) "deeply hurtful anti-Muslim" tweets. These included a meme that falsely claimed that Islam promotes violent acts of rapes and beheadings.
Rashid did some research on the author of the tweets, Oscar Dillon; he found that Dillon had a GoFundMe campaign because Dillon's retirement savings were depleted. Due to the rising costs of medical care, Dillon and his wife are essentially out of money by the 23rd of each month.
Current popular culture would dictate that Rashid would minimally ignore this, or maximally tweet back something akin to "Karma's a bitch, ain't it?"
But he didn't Instead he donated $55 to Dillon's GoFundMe campaign explaining that "My faith instead teaches me to serve all humanity." Some of the subsequent donations to the campaign are labeled "Inspired by Qasim Rashid."
Rashid said he received a "thoughtful" and "compassionate" apology from Dillon, accompanied by an invitation to visit him. Upon completion of the visit, Rashid posted a tweet of Dillon and himself, "Today I met my new friend Oz."
Dillon, for his part, said his meeting with Rashid was "astounding" and "mind-boggling." Dillon said that he previously had a hatred toward "radical Islam" since he and his loved ones were in danger on 9/11; Rashid's actions have Dillon re-thinking this hatred.
The bridge that connected two sides was simply built; the foundation was a faith in "serving all of humanity." The superstructure was humility and the willingness to connect.
Rashid and Dillon are better individuals. Their community is a little bit of a better place. Our country is little bit better.
Because one individual understood, and acted upon, what it really takes to change people's minds.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Consider, however, the results. Do we really see any of these tactics change minds. . .or hearts?
Here's the story (thank you NBC news). Qasim Rashid, a Democrat running for Congress in Virginia received (in his words) "deeply hurtful anti-Muslim" tweets. These included a meme that falsely claimed that Islam promotes violent acts of rapes and beheadings.
Rashid did some research on the author of the tweets, Oscar Dillon; he found that Dillon had a GoFundMe campaign because Dillon's retirement savings were depleted. Due to the rising costs of medical care, Dillon and his wife are essentially out of money by the 23rd of each month.
Current popular culture would dictate that Rashid would minimally ignore this, or maximally tweet back something akin to "Karma's a bitch, ain't it?"
But he didn't Instead he donated $55 to Dillon's GoFundMe campaign explaining that "My faith instead teaches me to serve all humanity." Some of the subsequent donations to the campaign are labeled "Inspired by Qasim Rashid."
Rashid said he received a "thoughtful" and "compassionate" apology from Dillon, accompanied by an invitation to visit him. Upon completion of the visit, Rashid posted a tweet of Dillon and himself, "Today I met my new friend Oz."
Dillon, for his part, said his meeting with Rashid was "astounding" and "mind-boggling." Dillon said that he previously had a hatred toward "radical Islam" since he and his loved ones were in danger on 9/11; Rashid's actions have Dillon re-thinking this hatred.
The bridge that connected two sides was simply built; the foundation was a faith in "serving all of humanity." The superstructure was humility and the willingness to connect.
Rashid and Dillon are better individuals. Their community is a little bit of a better place. Our country is little bit better.
Because one individual understood, and acted upon, what it really takes to change people's minds.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
Friday, March 6, 2020
Love Always Wins, But. . .
The sticker on the car proclaims "Love always wins. . ." and I instinctively found myself in agreement. With a caveat. . .
And inherently I believe that good comes out on top. . .with a caveat.
Let's acknowledge this. The idea that "love always wins" or that "good comes out on top" isn't always to our timeline (which usually means right now) or even necessarily to our specifications (and our wishes can be extremely precise).
What if our passions aren't fulfilled right now? Are we okay? Can we wait?
What if life doesn't unfold exactly the way we want? What are our alternatives? Are we open to the options?
Do disappointments stop the show? Or do we keep going? Do we re-calibrate?
Do we ask ourselves how we move forward and then allow ourselves to move on?
What is our philosophy of life? That anything beyond what we imagine is designed to disadvantage us? That we can only hope and pray for good things to happen, but essentially are powerless to make these things happen for ourselves?
Can we believe that by its very design life is a series of events, some of which will bring us joy, some of which will disappoint us. Can we navigate through this?
Are we willing to change our definitions or even our aspirations so that our souls are nurtured?
Love always wins. . .our passions can be fulfilled, but. . .
Good and life and love don't always work according to our plans.
This often requires adjustment.
It most certainly requires patience.
And a persistent belief that it is all worth the journey.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
And inherently I believe that good comes out on top. . .with a caveat.
Let's acknowledge this. The idea that "love always wins" or that "good comes out on top" isn't always to our timeline (which usually means right now) or even necessarily to our specifications (and our wishes can be extremely precise).
What if our passions aren't fulfilled right now? Are we okay? Can we wait?
What if life doesn't unfold exactly the way we want? What are our alternatives? Are we open to the options?
Do disappointments stop the show? Or do we keep going? Do we re-calibrate?
Do we ask ourselves how we move forward and then allow ourselves to move on?
What is our philosophy of life? That anything beyond what we imagine is designed to disadvantage us? That we can only hope and pray for good things to happen, but essentially are powerless to make these things happen for ourselves?
Can we believe that by its very design life is a series of events, some of which will bring us joy, some of which will disappoint us. Can we navigate through this?
Are we willing to change our definitions or even our aspirations so that our souls are nurtured?
Love always wins. . .our passions can be fulfilled, but. . .
Good and life and love don't always work according to our plans.
This often requires adjustment.
It most certainly requires patience.
And a persistent belief that it is all worth the journey.
Like it? Share it!
My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.
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