Month: November 2018

leadership dot #2339: tech trash

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When I think of recycling technology, I think of going to a landfill, but the office store Staples has another idea. It was news to me to learn that Staples recycles technology – and even broadly defines what that is. They do so, for free, every day, but to celebrate America Recycles Day (November 15) they are incentivizing the practice by offering coupons for those who recycle next week (November 11-17).

Staples will accept most anything computer related including ink cartridges, but also gaming systems, GPS devices, MP3 players, shredders, cordless phones, DVD players and coffee brewers! (You need to find your own final resting place for kitchen electronics, televisions and lamps.) They will even wipe your data to meet Department of Defense standards.

Staples may have ulterior motives behind their recycling – hoping their environmental practices may cause you to go there for purchases as well as drop-offs – but it is a generous and extensive service no matter the rationale behind it.

Make recycling your technology a regular part of your organizational habits – especially now that you know where to do it for free.

 

leadership dot #2338: appreciate

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My washing machine has been out of commission for a few days and I find myself lamenting the unavailability of the clothes that I normally wear. Instead, I am reaching into the back of the drawer to wear socks that I haven’t worn in ages – perfectly good socks, mind you, but not the ones I prefer.”

The same is true in so many other settings. I am able to extract much more peanut butter from the nearly-empty jar when there isn’t an unopened one next to it on the shelf. I can work miracles stretching the supplies for a training workshop when more participants attend than expected, but beforehand I feel compelled to go buy new tools. It may seem like there is nothing to do at home — unless the weather is miserable and I don’t want to leave the premises — and then I suddenly find ways to entertain myself. I claim there is “nothing to wear” unless the washing machine isn’t available and then realize what abundance there is in the closet that is routinely overlooked.

For today, see if you can push yourself to stretch the resources you have. Eat what is in the cupboard instead of going to a restaurant or store. Read a book from the shelf instead of ordering another. Listen to old playlists instead of downloading today’s hits.

Most of us have at our disposal much more than we need but we still want to continually pursue other options for “more” or “new”. In this month of thanksgiving, appreciate what you have instead.

leadership dot #2337: public spiritedness

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What does the United States willingly give, without charge, to almost every country on the planet – and they, in turn, return the favor to us?

It is hard to think of many examples to fulfill that criterion, but one of the answers is weather data. Lots and lots of weather data. Michael Lewis said that “weather data is one of the greatest illustrations of the possibility of global collaboration and public spiritedness.”

Weather information is collected, shared and stored from almost every point on the globe. It is compiled from sophisticated satellites and complex radar stations but also from thousands of amateur weather observers, commercial planes, ships, buoys in the ocean and daily weather balloon releases. “Each and every day, NOAA* collects twice as much data as is contained in the entire book collection of the Library of Congress,” writes Lewis.

You may think you get your weather from an app on your phone or a meteorologist on the television set, but in reality, the forecasts are modeled on the complex data collected by governments around the world. Modern computing capacity has allowed the time frame for which forecasts are given to expand – by crucial minutes for tornado warnings and by days for traditional weather patterns. While we clearly don’t have the precision that we would like, empirically forecasting for public safety has become substantially more accurate over the years.

You can envision a scenario where powerful or wealthy countries would keep their data for themselves or charge others for the reports generated by their billion-dollar satellites, but, fortunately, the information exchange still flows freely. If countries who can’t agree on much can willingly exchange valuable data, what can you share with others outside your organization? Conduct your own experiment in public spiritedness and offer your pieces of information to help create enlightenment for the whole.

Source: The Coming Storm by Michael Lewis, an Audible Original, 2018.
*NOAA = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

leadership dot #2336: citizens

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I listened to a fascinating book, The Coming Storm by Michael Lewis, in which he highlights the National Weather Service and the data it collects. I know that doesn’t sound like a riveting read, but truly his narrative was simultaneously provocative, enlightening, and disturbing.

The Weather Service collects substantial data – from every airport in America and hundreds of other sources every day – and, as in all things, information is power. Lewis’ writing raises questions about who should have access to that data, what role partisan political advisors have in making the information accessible to all, and the quest for increasing control of the information by private weather sources (like Accuweather and the Weather Channel) who have incentives to charge for forecasts rather than prioritizing public safety.

Kathryn Sullivan, the former top administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, made an observation that stuck with me: Lewis writes: “The relationship between the people and their government troubled her. The government was the mission of an entire society; why was the society undermining it?…The sense of identity as citizen has been replaced by consumer: the idea that the government should serve the citizens like a waiter or concierge rather than in a collective good sense.”

I hope that all those who were elected yesterday have a different view of how our democracy should operate. I fervently hope that they promote the collective good instead of profits; that they see the role of government as serving the entire society instead of individual interests and that they restore the pride and identity of Americans as citizens instead of consumers or adversaries.

Michael Lewis entitled his narrative: “The Coming Storm.” Instead, I hope we have elected leaders who will act as citizens to help us collectively move toward the coming light.

Source: The Coming Storm by Michael Lewis, an Audible Original, 2018.

leadership dot #2335: in the arena

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For about half of the adults in America, today is just another day and they are oblivious to the fact that it is Election Day. The other half (or less) will cast their ballot to determine the outcome of many local and state-wide elections but otherwise will go about their normal business. But for a small subset of people – those who were committed enough to actually have their names on the ballot – today could be a game changer.

I don’t think the average person realizes what it takes to be a candidate, even in a local election. There are months of daily commitments: hosting fundraisers, attending meet and greets, developing messaging, conducting interviews with countless media outlets, asking people for donations, walking in parades, going door-to-door to seek support, driving around the jurisdiction to place signs, participating in panels, showing up at community events to “waive the flag”, posting on social media, making phone calls, attending a plethora of events sponsored by the party, and seeking even more donations. It is a thankless task – where you commit months of energy and effort, endure verbal bashing, spend your own funds, and are grilled by the media – just for the opportunity to serve.

There are many on the ballot today with whom I vehemently disagree and would be very glad to see lose, but I applaud all of them for being in the arena (as Teddy Roosevelt would say) – for being willing to put themselves out there, for publicly sharing their values and views, and for taking public service seriously.

If you haven’t already voted, TODAY is the day to do so. You’ve got the easy job of casting a ballot instead of being listed on it. Millions of dollars and thousands of hours have been invested to give you a choice as to the direction you wish your government to go. The very least you can do is to show up at the polling place.

leadership dot #2334: context

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Setting the context is one of the most important things you can share when trying to enact a change. Too many times people jump right in to communicate what they want changed without spending the time to explain the problem they are trying to solve, the reasons that led to their conclusion or what prompted the change in the first place.

Without the context, the recipient of a proposal has a much harder time understanding whether the recommendations make sense or are appropriate for the circumstances. It often leads to questions about the proposal or resistance to the change that could have been averted if you had more effectively set the stage.

If you anticipate the questions that may be raised and address them in light of what you are proposing, you can help others see the logic behind your choices before they automatically jump in with objections to your content. You are helping steer them to reach the same conclusion you did, rather than leaving it wide open for their interpretation.

Most proposals are rational, even if you don’t agree with them. Sharing the context first will help others understand your point of view and allow them to consider the changes you propose from that perspective as well as their own. If you find that there is agreement on the context, it can be the first step toward reaching agreement on the content.

leadership dot #2333: if the shoe fits

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Have you noticed the growing number of options in men’s shoes? It used to be dress shoes or athletic shoes, with few categories in between, but now men’s casual shoes have taken on a life of their own. There are full-page ads in many magazines that highlight the multitude of colors and patterns in the new styles.

The introduction of variety in male shoe styles has opened up a new market, not just for shoes, but it has expanded the casual fashion category. Relaxed dress codes can now be expressed with relaxed shoe options to make a suit seem less formal or jeans to become more so.

Women have always known that the right shoe can make or break an outfit, thus the accumulation of “so many” pairs. I predict that men will soon be needing more space in their closets if the adaptation of colors catches on.

Think of whether the implications of this should cause you to change your steps. Do you need to be more clear on attire expectations at work or events? Can you capitalize on the trend and provide storage options or spirit-themed shoes in team colors? Will we see a resurgence in the shoe shine stations beyond airports?

Colorful, patterned, casual shoes are one more way people can express their personality. Look for men’s shoes to start to do more talking, not just walking.

leadership dot #2332: instant recess

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In a class presentation on stress management, one of my students shared the concept of holding an “instant recess” to create some levity and infuse some energy into a group. One person can call for a “recess” and everyone in the area convenes to participate in a quick energizer or in motion activity.

The example that she shared involved a Baby Shark video, an earworm of a tune that has motions for people to replicate in synch with the cartoon. It took about three minutes total and gave participants a release of stress and an opportunity to relieve some tension mid-day.

Whether you are comfortable acting as sharks or whether your group needs something a little more low-key, the concept of instant recess is a good one. Sometimes you just need a quick break in the action to rejuvenate yourself for the long haul.

Thanks, Korissa!

 

leadership dot #2331: perfect

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Perfect is an elusive goal and it stops too many people from acting at all.

I know people who are miserable in their jobs but find reasons that all the other opportunities aren’t right for them. There are citizens who don’t vote – or don’t vote for major candidates – because they disagree with one thing they have done or one component of their platform. Others do nothing toward solving a major problem because they don’t have the perfect answer to address all aspects of the complexity, so they continue wrestling with options rather than starting toward some improvement.

Making progress often comes as a result of small steps and compromises. The initial phase of anything new is fraught with trial and error, but part of growing is making those adjustments that improve conditions along the way.

The house you move into may never be a perfect fit, but it becomes your home. The college you chose might not offer everything exactly as you had hoped, but you craft a great experience from your time there anyway. Your partner didn’t check all the boxes on your list and sometimes makes you crazy, but you remain committed to them.

As the midterm elections approach, you won’t find a perfect candidate on the ballot in either party, but you should make the wisest choice you can and vote anyway. The same goes for that next new opportunity – if it provides promising potential, you should say “yes.” Make yourself better and work your way to best rather than staying in place waiting for best to find you.

leadership dot #2330: pending

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One of the key characteristics that separates those who are seen as organized and those who aren’t is the skill a person has at following up. It is one thing to create a to-do list and accomplish daily tasks, but another thing altogether to be able to keep track of what needs to have repeated attention.

I’ll bet half of the things that I do require me to do follow up work on them. I call or email someone but need to wait for their reply. I order supplies but need to ensure that they arrive and are in good condition. I contract with a caterer but need to review the confirmation and ensure the details are correct. I submit a proposal but need to follow up to see if I am hired. And on it goes.

It is tempting to make that initial effort and cross the item off the to-do list, but that is only a fraction of the task. A system for follow up is required to clear it off your “do now” focus, but to keep the item alive on your radar.

The way I keep track is with the magic word of “pending”. I put a P in a circle (like the © copyright C only with a P) next to the item rather than deleting it. I keep a separate list of pending items that I check every few days to see if anything needs to have follow up from me. I add follow up reminders on specific dates about important items. As much as I love crossing things off, I refrain from doing so until they are complete, not just started.

Don’t just take the first step of what you have to accomplish. Use the power of the “P” to ensure that you reach the finish line on your tasks.