Month: April 2017

leadership dot #1784: there’s nothing

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Today is one of those days when I feel like I have “nothing” to write about — yet I have an entire basket filled with articles I have clipped for future dot ideas.

People often look in their closet and believe they have “nothing” to wear — even though the hangars are filled with perfectly good clothing.

Children complain that there is “nothing” to do or adults say there is “nothing” on television — despite the fact that the world abounds with entertainment and recreational options, many available with the click of a mouse or a step outside.

Teenagers stare into the refrigerator, lamenting that there is “nothing” to eat — even though fruit, cheese and shelves of food are plentiful.

I think that oftentimes when we say “nothing” what we really mean is “too many choices.” Our brains become paralyzed by the over abundance of options and become numb to action. If there was only one thing on television — as in an airport lounge — we would watch it. If we only had one outfit to wear — such as the one thing we packed in our overnight bag — we would wear it without complaint. If one meal was served to us in someone’s home, we would sit down at the table and eat.

The next time your brain is telling you there is “nothing”, narrow your choice set to the first one you see and act on that.

 

leadership dot #1783: the hunt

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I am fascinated with how discounters choose to display their low-cost movies: often tossed randomly in a bin for people to rummage through instead of being neatly displayed on a shelf. It is the same method of presenting things in clearance aisles or at garage sales — hit and miss in a seemingly disheveled way.

But, of course, while this method may appear haphazard, there is intentionality behind the madness. I would bet that most people who dig through the bin did not enter the store planning to buy a movie. But the bargain price entices them to shuffle through, and, then when they find one they actually recognize, it seems like a prize and they are compelled to take it home. I know I have been a victim to the marketing draw.

The grab bag idea has been around since marketing began, but the modern twist is that people can see what they are grabbing. Think about how your organization offers its products and whether there is something that you should offer in a more random way. Put all your conference swag in a bin for participants to choose one? Serve snacks or fruit in an unorganized basket rather than in neat rows on display? Distribute incentives or prizes through random selection rather than prescription?

The thrill of the hunt doubles the joy of the find.

leadership dot #1782: extension

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Since 1955, the traditional Tax Day (when federal income tax returns are due) has fallen on April 15. This year, due to the weekend and then Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia, taxes are not due until today (April 18).

Yet, even with an additional 3 days (72 hours) to file, the Internal Revenue Service estimates that 13 million people will miss the deadline and need to file an extension.*

People are deadline driven, but wait until very close to that deadline to take action on many things. A quarter of the tax returns will come in during the final week or later.** The week before Christmas is a shopping frenzy. The night before a play/conference/event is always a whirlwind. Many proposals, grants and homework assignments are submitted within hours of the due date.

As the bewitching hour approaches, a three day extension sounds like a magical thing. But when the gift of extra time is built into the deadline — like with today’s Tax Day — it means nothing. People will use every last second up until the deadline. Acknowledge this fact instead of fighting it. Building in cushion time after the deadline instead of as part of it will make your final minutes less taxing.

Sources:
*Extensions requested: WHIO.com

** Number of late filers:  Deadline for filing taxes pushed back to Tuesday by the Associated Press in the Telegraph Herald, April 15, 2017, p. 5B

 

leadership dot #1781: four ways

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Since 1932, service organization Rotary International has promoted the Rotary Four Way Test for Rotarians to use in both personal and professional situations. I recently received an email from a colleague that contained the elegant four-question guide as part of his on-going signature panel, and was struck by the power of using this as a guidepost.

The Rotary Four Way Test
Of the things we think, say and do…

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Think of how much better our world would be if everyone asked themselves these questions before taking action or engaging with others. You don’t have to be a Rotarian to follow these principles. Let the power of these 24 words guide your behavior today and all the days ahead.

leadership dot #1780: life

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While most people have Easter as top of mind today, for 32 special families, today means something else. April 16 is the tenth anniversary of the shootings on the Virginia Tech campus where 32 members of the community were killed and an additional 17 injured.

For many people, Virginia Tech meant that the Columbine High School massacre wasn’t an anomaly; instead it was possible to be a victim of a mass shooting while going about ordinary business in a place perceived to be safe. It was daylight on a campus, not a protest march like at Kent State, a showdown with the FBI or in a war zone. Now people have been gunned down en masse at a movie theater, shopping mall, night club, church, holiday party and elementary school, but when Virginia Tech happened, it was big news.

Maybe this event had more of an impact on me because I was working on a campus at the time. We sent cards to the student life staff and wore maroon and gold ribbons for days. The higher education was in solidarity trying to cope together, because we realized that at any instant, this could have been us.

Unfortunately, mass shootings have become almost commonplace these days. We hear about them in the news, but don’t feel them in our hearts. As many of you celebrate life today at your Easter services, vow to take action beyond the holiday to preserve life through curbing gun violence in our country.

 

 

leadership dot #1779: civility

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I was given a great little book “Return to Civility” by John Sweeny & The Brave New Workshop. This gem has 365 suggestions on small actions people can take to make the world a more civil place.

Suggestions cover a wide range of situations and include:

  • Learn and practice the art of waiting patiently.
  • Don’t wear headphones in public.
  • If you have to curse, choose silly words over offensive ones.
  • When trying on clothes in a store’s dressing room, hang the items you don’t want back on their hangers.
  • Gather information before you vote.
  • Find a way to vent your frustrations other than by complaining to loved ones (journaling, yoga, working out, hobbies, etc.)
  • When eating out with a group of people, throw in an extra buck or two.
  • If someone you know is extremely ill, share laughter with them in addition to tears.
  • Get your method of payment ready when you’re in line at checkout counters.

The genesis for this book was when the author’s wife said “Remember, they’re not trying to be rude, they’re just forgetting to be civil.”  Try not to forget today!

Order Return to Civility book here

leadership dot #1778: five questions

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I recently watched the excerpt of a Harvard University Graduate School of Education graduation address by Dean James Ryan. The speech outlines five essential questions — questions Ryan believes you should regularly ask yourself to become both successful and happy in life.

Ryan’s five questions are:

  1. Wait, what? — asking for clarification before drawing conclusions — this is at the root of all understanding
  2. I wonder… — I wonder if as a way to improve the world or I wonder why as a way to remain curious — this question is at the heart of all curiosity
  3. Couldn’t we at least… — as a way to get started on consensus — it is at the beginning of all progress
  4. How can I help?  — acknowledging that others may have a better idea than you do on the method of assistance but still volunteering to assist — this question is at the base of all good relationships
  5. What truly matters? — focusing on the important things and what you value — this question gets at the heart of life

Ryan advocates habitually asking these questions throughout life, and I agree that they would make your world a better place if you did. Pick one of Ryan’s questions and be sure that you ask it today (and then another one tomorrow, of course!) Once again, the question may be more powerful than the answer.

For more, read: Wait, What? by James E. Ryan

leadership dot #1777: symbols

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A one-line obituary in People magazine caught my eye: “Gilbert Baker, 65, who created the iconic rainbow flag to represent gay pride and the LGBTQ community, died in New York City on March 31.” Without the clause describing his enduring creation, I doubt you would have known who he was, and until his obituary, never knew the name behind the symbol.

I think about the thousands of other people who have contributed to our visual world in an anonymous way. Someone created the first emojis, all the state flags, the seal of the United States, graphics for Air Force One, the Peace Sign, the universal symbol for handicapped access and millions of other graphics that are so much a part of our world that we do not even notice them. There is a person behind the elephant and donkey symbols for the political parties, someone who standardized the first smiley face icon, laid out the mast head for the New York Times and Playbill and who sketched the first baseball team logos decades ago.

The symbols created by Baker and thousands of others have the power to unify (and divide) us, to engender emotion, to convey our values and to aid in making the world function more efficiently. We may not have the artistic talent to leave our mark in this visible and lasting way, but we can do more to pay attention to all that graphically surrounds us. Even if it is through a silent tribute to an unknown creator, consciously pay attention to the symbols that have colored our world.

*People magazine, April 17, 2017, p. 30

 

leadership dot #1776: is anybody there

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Today’s dot number (1776) reminded me of the Broadway musical of the same name and one of my favorite soundtracks. The show is a musical depiction of the American Revolution, centered around the feisty John Adams and his push to persuade the Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence. In this musical, Adams is often the lone voice pushing the colonies forward and he deflects considerable backlash from others who want to adjourn rather than listen to his oratory.

One of my favorite songs is a lament (Is Anybody There) sung by Adams when he wonders if all of his efforts are in vain. “Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?” sings Adams. He goes on to share: “I see fireworks! I hear the bells ringing out. I hear the cannons roar. I see Americans — all Americans free forever more,” before again becoming melancholy and wondering if anyone else shares his vision.

Anyone who has attempted to create change has felt like John Adams does in this musical. The change maker has seen in her/his mind’s eye a clear picture of what the new order looks like and uses it to sustain themselves when it seems they are alone in the effort. All change agents have wondered if anyone is there and whether anyone cares or if they are the only ones who believe the vision is worth the toll it takes to persist.

Use John Adams and his theme as your role model the next time you are in the painful phase of a change effort. “Through all the gloom, through all the gloom, I see the rays of ravishing light and glory!” sings Adams. It can be your mantra of persistence as well.

leadership dot #1775: in the beginning

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On the very first day at a job, I was in a meeting where people were complaining about the acoustics in the room. I got up, walked out into the hallway and brought the fake ficus tree into the corner of where we were gathered. It wasn’t perfect, but it went a long way in doing two things: 1) it did help with the sound bounce and 2) it signaled to the staff that actions were valued more than complaints.

When you are new — whether in a new job, in a new role or even on a new committee — it is important to do things early in your tenure that result in visible changes. They don’t have to be monumental, but a series of small improvements sends a loud and clear message that change is a good thing. During my first 100 days on the job, I compiled a list of the 100 things that we had done differently. It was a great way to step back and reflect over the first few months and show people that improvements were happening.

Often it takes some time learning and strategizing for impact to be made on the really big projects that you face. That work is essential, but so is continuing the momentum that comes with a person in a new role. Don’t let the initial energy fade while you are working behind the scenes. Instead, be sure you start with actions people can point to. The short-term visible changes will reassure you and others that good things are happening because of your presence.

[For an extensive resource in this area, see The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins]