Reflection #8: Get Out of that Rut

For many years when we have special occasions or friends over for dinner I read a toast or aphroism outloud before diving into our drinking and eating. The topic does not matter but usually it is about sharing wisdom through a poem, quote or story. The reaction has been mixed–some think it odd, others think it is too long, and others get it. Many times I am  asked to explain why I do this? This question leaves me pondering and most of the time speechless. Now, I recently identified a couple of reasons–to stimulate and challenge my guests thinking and get out of the rut of just saying a memorized script such as grace.  In addition, I ran across a message from the WSJ by United Technologies that rang true–See if stimulates your reflective side.

                                                     Get Out of that Rut

Oscar Wilde said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”

So stop getting up at 6:05. Walk a mile at dawn. Find a new way to drive to work. Switch chores with your spouse next Saturday. Buy a wok. Study wildflowers. Stay up alone all night. Read to the blind. Start counting brown eyed blondes or blonds. Subscribe to an out of town newspaper. Canoe at midnight. Don’t write to congressman, take a whole scout troop to see him. Learn to  speak Italian. Teach some kid the thing you do best. Listen to two hours of uninterrupted Mozart. Take up aerobic dancing. Leap out of that rut. Savior life. Rememmer, we only pass this way once.

The Challenge From Obama “Yes We Can” Leadership– Listening to Different voices and be Persistent

” You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” Wayne Gretsky, hockey star

At Obama’s press conference last night he issued a challenge for all of us. Can we learn how to be more persistent and patient?  He said that he is going to champion this idea.

There is a Permanent Solution to Change: Keep Re-Inventing Yourself

“”The key to life-long learning is not the amount of time we have, but the courage to face our demons and act.” Pecos River Learning Center   

A Positive Self-Image Leads to Success” cites a TIME study which found “only 3 percent of those surveyed had written personal goals while 97 percent of the respondents either had no goals at all or had only thought about them.” Interestingly, the 3 percent with written goals accomplished more. Here is Smart-Step approach for goal setting.

Change: Are you Playing It Safe

“You’re not sent here on this earth to spend your life in drudgery…. You’re going to do a lot of that because you have to earn a living. But the main thing is [to] enjoy your life.” Ann Richards
Former governor of Texas

The “boiling frog syndrome” applies here. It is said that if one drops a frog into a pot of boiling water, it will jump out with an instinctive defense mechanism. But if you place a frog in a pot of cool water and gradually increase the temperature, the frog will sit in the water until it is boiled to death. These slow adjustments to changes are acceptable, but the same change made dramatically is not tolerated.

In the movie , Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore makes this dramatic point in the clip called Resucing the frog. Are you a frog when it comes to change?

Reflection #7 Sitting on the Bench–Be Ready!!!

Many times while watching the NCAA “March Madness” I wonder what it is like to be crowned Champions? Yet this messgae from United Technologies Coroporation provides a different perspective and a life lesson for us all. Think about it.

                          To the Kid On the End of the Bench

“Peer to Peer” Teams: Change Diagnosticians

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and concerned citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”-Margaret Meed

As people watch one problem morph into several more, they start wondering what they can do.

Myth #1 in Presentations ” Content is King”

“Speech is power; Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.”   Ralph Emerson

Having been a presentation and communication coach for thirty plus years it is obvious  that a speaker’s message is important. The best message needs to be clear, concise and compelling. Yet the truth is that most people listen and understand the meaning and importance of a message with their eyes.

Secrets of Coaching: Power of T.R.U.S.T.

T.R.U.S.T.

                       

Five- Step Master Coaching and Change Model

 

Step 1.  TELL the Truth to yourself and others – Be clear on change wanted and goals. Tell truth to yourself and others… no lies, be authentic, open and do the right thing in interaction. (Stop)

 

Reflection # 6 The Butterfly Story

” Life is short and difficult. Focus on helping to make a difference by giving people the right to be who they are”

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of cocoon.

Obama’s “Yes We Can” Leadership–Changing D.C. Mindset through Multi-tasking

“Don’t permit fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all”.  The pundit’s on CNN and MSNBC are worried about how much President Obama is taking on–the economy, health care, education and global climate change. The fact is the President promised change and he is doing what D.C. is not use to being a leader who is a pragmatic experimenter. His style values thoughtful action above more talk, delay, and more talk. His job is to change the way Washington works. In doing this he must help government agencies and Congress dramatically shrink the time it takes to get things done. The “power of focus and action” has been missing for many years in Washington.

Reflection #5 –What is Learning?

“The truth depends upon a walk around the lake.”  Wallace Stevens.

Let’s take a walk together and reflect on what learning  is…

 I spent the last few hours pondering and responding to this incomplete sentence. Learning is…

 On this post you will find my list of 25 statements . Let’s see if you can add a few more insights so we can increase our perspectives of learning. 

LEARNING IS……

1. Never complete or finished

2. Learning is being curious.

3. Learning is stopping and reflecting.  

4. Learning is life long.

5. Learning is approximate and always incomplete.

6. Learning is making mistakes; then understanding the lesson.

7. Learning is never giving up on yourself.

8. Learning is teaching a communications class or any other subject.

9. Learning is appreciating the power of focus and concentration.

10, Learning is trusting your ideas.

11. Learning is to be  present in the moment not day dreaming.

12. Learning is all about knowing that the more you understand; the more you have to learn.

13. Learning is a deliberate intention to stretch yourself.

14. Learning is tapping your potential and passion for growth and development.

15 Learning is not being stubborn or bullheaded

17. Learning is seeing your 401K becoming a 101K.

18. Learning is all about flexible thinking.

19. Learning is absorbing data turning it into information and then into usable knowledge.

20. Learning is growing old with dignity and passing on your wisdom.

20. Learning is using trail and error; then remembering what was right and what was wrong.

21. Learning is listening to a preacher or teacher and taking home one or two useful ideas.

22. Learning is conquering your fears.

23. Learning is showing up and being present.

24. Learning is challenging your irrational ideas and bad behavior.

25. Learning is sometimes being silent and just listening.  

Add your ideas about learning; at least it will take your mind off of the economy.

Smart-Step Personal Change Process

“Be the Change You Want To Be.”  Gandi

On this post, I would like to talk about personal change and coaching. We all have seen the intensity of athletic coaches. Sense it is basketball season you probably have observed how coaches do coaching in real time. They pull a player out of the game and talk to them about what happened on the floor just a few seconds ago. For example, the other night I watch a coach pull a player out of the game because the man he was guarding gave him a head and then a ball fake and was by him for an easy layup.  The coach provided immediate feedback on what the player did wrong and tips on how to play better defense by moving his feet, not standing flat-footed and reaching with his arms to try an stop the opponent. This brief coaching session last less than thirty seconds and provide an example of excellent coaching. Let’s look at the steps–the player was provided immediate feedback,  wrong behavior was identified, coach quickly demonstrate desired behavior and reinforcement was given with a pat on the fanny. By the way this was all communicated in a calm and positive manner.  The coach saw this teachable moment and took advantage of it.

Obama’s “Yes We Can ” Warp Speed Decision-Making Style

At a time when the economy is melting down, we are fighting two wars,  change is coming at us like a tornado, and the world is so interdependent we need a leader who gets “ it”. What is IT ?

Can Leadership be Defined Definitively?

“The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers.” Peter Drucker

When we talk about modern day leadership there is much confusion about what it means.   There are many definitions and theories about Leadership. (Google entries –5,230,000) So where does that leave us?  Some say it’s a talent or ability that either you have it or you don’t.  Some say it is an interactive process between a person, followers, and the situation.  Still others say it is a relationship based on beliefs, values, and needs. One of the most basic ideas of nature vs. nurture is revealed when people speak about leadership as a ”god” given talent–one is  ”a born leader or not.”  This statement sees leadership as an inherited ability people either have or don’t have from birth.  Others say leadership is a skill or set of factors that are taught and learned. Others say it is a process or situation relationship based interaction. Where you stand on this debate?