Month: April 2017

leadership dot #1774: confidential

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We’ve all had documents shared with us that were for “your eyes only” and not to be shared. Harvard Business Review adds a new twist to their articles that are available exclusively to registered educators. Instead of the usual “confidential” stamp in the corner, Harvard puts the full name of the recipient, their institution and an expiration date on every page of the document.

Maybe it is to allow them to trace back to offenders, or maybe it gives that extra level of personalization that signals to the user that “this means YOU.” Either way, it is a more effective deterrent than just their “Do not copy or post” watermark that also is on each page.

Think of what you can do to add a level of definition to your products or downloads. How can you be clear on what is available for sharing and what is not. Do you need to take additional steps to label your financial documents or benchmark data that is shared with your board? Have you thought about ways to educate your internal users on what is public and what is proprietary information? Can you adopt some of Harvard’s labeling and be ultra-specific about with whom this document was first given?

In this electronic age when sharing is as easy as a keystroke, it may be worth the extra effort to give someone pause before they hit “send” with your data.

 

leadership dot #1773: artists at work

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When people think about Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and the Work Projects Administration (WPA), what comes to mind is often dams, bridges and roadways or other concrete symbols of the American infrastructure that the WPA helped to create. All true, but in addition, the WPA also employed over 5000 artists to create posters to spread FDR’s message and provide inspiration to a dispirited American public.

The WPA Federal Art Project was one of the first government sponsored programs to support the arts. During the 1930s and 1940s, these artists created over 2000 different posters and printed 2 million pieces before the WPA was disbanded to divert efforts toward World War II. Until then, posters promoted the arts, community activities, provided educational messages and shared progress on WPA projects.

Think about how you can add a graphic component to your “work project”. Do you need to deploy a team of artists to generate enthusiasm for what you are doing or to celebrate what you have done? Can you incorporate an artist onto your team to add an element of visual culture to your work? Are there other ways for you to support the arts in this era of reduced funding for something that contributes so much to our humanity?

If nothing else, purchase the new release of WPA Poster Stamps from the Postal Service and commemorate the time when the government employed artists to benefit the common good.

 

leadership dot #1772: observe

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Since it’s Saturday, many of us will be doing stuff-of-life errands that include a trip to Target. For most of us, the purchases are pretty routine and the transactions are forgettable.

But one Target employee saw much more in his exchanges during his first week working at the retailer. In a humorous and reflective fashion, Tom Grennell shares his observations about some of the customers who came through his line:

> Children continue to handle their own transactions. This makes my day good. One girl had her own wallet and told me: “Thank you for your help, sir.” This makes my day great.
> A very angry old man pulled two full carts through. He purchased a Twix bar, a bottle of Diet Pepsi, 36 pair of underwear and 262 adult diapers. I believe I have just had another glimpse of my future.
> A customer came through looking nervous. She leaned over the counter. She whispered to me. Someone had pooped in the baby supplies aisle. All evidence pointed to it not being a baby

Tom’s reflections seemed similar to what I call having “blog eyes” — intentionally reflecting on the small things that happen right before us and making connections to something bigger than ourselves. How can you really pay attention to life today? Try to see the world around you with an inquisitive perspective and think of what observations you would make if you were Tom or writing a blog. The world is much richer when you see the details.

 

 

leadership dot #1771: who

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A friend had to replace a mini-fridge that was part of his cabinet layout in the downstairs bar. The new one was ever-so-slightly too big, so he asked a contractor friend to assess the situation and see if the cabinet opening could be expanded. The next thing you know, the contractor has power tools out and is sawing off a piece of the attached cabinetry.

For him to do this was just another task — all in a day’s work. There was little risk that something disastrous would occur. For the homeowner to have done it, the chances that something could go wrong with the operation were much higher. There was definitely a risk that the cabinets would be irreparably harmed. If I would have done it, the risk would involve a loss of fingers, not just scarring the wood!

The risk level associated with a project is determined by the skill set of the person performing it. A pilot can smoothly land a jetliner, a sommelier can confidently uncork a $500 bottle of wine and a surgeon can effectively operate on a brain — all with a reasonable and even routine level of risk. For others to take on those tasks would be foolhardy.

Before you answer “yes or no” as to whether something can be done, consider the skill level of the person who will be doing it. You risk having the wrong answer if you reply without competency in mind.

leadership dot #1770: low battery

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Often while using my phone, a warning comes on indicating that I am nearing the end of my battery life. I am then offered two options: continue as is, or continue in “low battery mode” that powers down some of my apps and optimizes features to conserve energy.

I think we all need a “low battery mode” indicator in our lives. There are times when we may not realize that we are reaching the end of our power, and should alter our behaviors to maximize the energy we have remaining. There are other times when operating on “low battery” is warranted and we should heed the call to relax and recharge. On select occasions, we can opt to continue at full power and eek out every last watt from the day.

When we reach 20% battery life on our phone, the dialogue box forces us to make an intentional choice on how we wish to proceed. Commit to the same level of intentionality to manage decisions about your personal power use.

leadership dot #1769: concession

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In a recent class I taught, there were several students who were instructors with the university’s ROTC program. In one of our discussions, we talked about the impact of Millennials on the military — and whether their influence had permeated the traditional top-down culture of our country’s armed forces.

The short answer — not too much — yet. Much of the Army’s leadership is decidedly not Millennial age, so the impact may come in the future. But for now, the most visible change they identified came in the form of a “stress card.” Should the exercise or training become too much for a solider, they can give their commander this card and be relieved from some of the exercises. I wonder how much it is used — and the peer repercussions from doing so — but it is an indication that things they are a changin’.

Think of what your organization has done to acknowledge the Millennial workers on your staff. Have you allowed them to have a voice at the table and a choice as to how their time is allocated? Do you provide frequent feedback and consciously note opportunities for praise? Have you included them as members of a team and sought their commitment to the purpose of their work?

You don’t have to provide a stress card, but you do need to find ways to engage everyone who works with you to get the most from their loyalty and performance. If the traditionally hierarchical military is adapting, certainly your organization can too.

 

leadership dot #1768: burst bubble

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With all the news about Neil Gorsuch’s upcoming Supreme Court nomination hearing, it has caused me to think about Merrick Garland.

In case you don’t recall, Garland was the candidate President Obama proposed as a Justice, but the Senate chose not to bring his nomination forward. I think about the thrill it must have been for him and his family — a call from the President and a chance to be on the highest court of the land — only for it to go nowhere, not even a hearing. But even knowing what he knows now, I’ll bet that Garland would still be glad to have been nominated. It was a excitement that can’t be taken away and something that he should cherish forever.

There are many moments in life that seem like they are the pinnacle, only to have the bubble burst later: a personal best time that still only earns second place, a nomination for a big award but not a win, an engagement that ends before the wedding or an upset win in the tournament that advances you only one more round. Keith Urban and the Mississippi State women’s basketball team experienced it this week.

The trick to happiness is to savor the moment, no matter how fleeting it is. Don’t let the let down overshadow the thrill.

 

leadership dot #1767: onward

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The offices at Starbucks headquarters will feel differently today as Howard Schultz is no longer in the CEO role. Yesterday, Schultz stepped down — again — a role he held for the second time since 2008.

I am not a coffee drinker so I don’t have personal experience with the Starbucks product, but there is hardly anyone around who hasn’t had interaction with the Starbucks brand. His contributions to defining the importance of a “third place” — beyond home or office for gathering, socializing or work — have reimagined the role of many “fast casual” restaurants and internet access points throughout the world.

His book Onward is one of the most candid assessments I have read from a business leader. Schultz outlines his triumphs as well as failures and reflects on them in a way that all of us can learn from. I think it should be required reading in MBA classes! (For a page of highlights, click here.)

Schultz used his mantra “Onward” not only to title his book, but to sign all of his correspondence. It is a fitting word for today as he moves on to the next chapter in his, and his company’s, existence. Learn from his experience and take to heart some of what he recommends: “Grow with discipline. Balance intuition with rigor. Never expect a silver bullet. Use authentic experiences to inspire. Be decisive in times of crisis. Believe.”  (And, of course, read the book.)

Thanks to Tricia!

leadership dot #1766: happy dance

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Today is Opening Day in Major League Baseball — a reason for many fans to do the happy dance as they celebrate the return of their beloved pastime.

But the fans aren’t the only ones who are dancing. A tradition has evolved in Boston whereby the outfielders do dances of their own after a victory.  The dancing has received much more attention than the outfielders originally anticipated, but now has become an established part of the game experience. “Win, Dance, Repeat” has been the basis of commercials, competitions, videos and even dance moves suggested by fans.

More importantly, the dancing celebration serves as a great team building exercise for the players and an on-boarding ritual in spring training for the newest members of the roster.

You couldn’t mandate that MLB players add dancing skills to their responsibilities; that just evolved organically. But it happened in part because the culture was ripe for fun and then the organization fostered it through social media.

How can you take a lesson from Boston’s playbook to encourage bonding and camaraderie with your “players”? Is there a small ritual that you can help cultivate into a tradition? Can you give permission for silliness to occur — or model it yourself? There’s more to playing ball than what happens during the game.

 

leadership dot #1765: joke

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I recently called a local steakhouse to be placed in their call-ahead seating cue and was told that the table should be ready in 30 minutes. When I arrived, I was told that it would be an additional 30 minute wait. I was not happy.

Nor were the others in the lobby full of people. While they tried to mitigate our hunger (and anger) by feeding us appetizer samples, it did little to improve the mood.

You may be amenable to someone playing a joke on you — especially today — but having a restaurant provide a seating time that was a joke wasn’t funny.

I have said before that the cardinal rule of service is to align expectations with reality. If the wait is an hour, people are much more agreeable to it than saying a half hour and meaning an hour. If you say it is April Fool’s Day, people are much more receptive to being pranked than on other days.

 

You’ve got a free pass for exaggeration today…but it expires at midnight!