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No, I'm not suggesting you are a poem, but rather referencing the Edgar Guest poem called You.

I re-read it today in a post in Sean Woodruff's Woodruff Direct Blog. Which leads me to giving you two recommendations:

1. Read the poem. Apply it to your business, your family, and to yourself personally (you will want to read again with each different focus.)
2. Read Sean's blog. He is a great guy and very smart. I'll bet you will learn from him as I do.

Also posted in Leadership.

Yearning for Learning

Posted at 11:44 AM on Friday, April 29, 2005

I teach a fundamental truth about learning in some fun, unique and memorable ways when I train trainers. It is a truth that we all know and have used, unfortunately we have forgotten it or think it only applies to kids.

"I before e, except after c or when sounding like a as in neighbor and weigh."

"30 days hath September, April, June, and November ..."

Rhyming is a great way to help us remember things.

If you want to see a highly creative, and I'm guessing VERY effective way of applying this, go to this website.

This company is using this truth about learning, and combining it with the desire to improve our vocabulary to create A Dictionary and A Microphone - a CD learning system using hip hop music to help us remember over 500 words.

It is more than clever, it is brilliant.

The next time you need to remember something, remember the rhyme, it won't take much time.

You can even download samples.

This applies to us as individuals, as parents, and as teachers and trainers. When we can find rhymes, we will make learning happen faster and last longer.

Also posted in Training.

Some Creativity "Rules"

Posted at 8:32 PM on Wednesday, April 27, 2005

An article on FastCompany.com today talks about some rules to help groups be more creative. The Five Rules are different than some you might have read bfore. I found them interesting and thought provoking. Crispin Porter + Bogusky, an ad agency uses them in their organization.

They are:

Treat unoriginality as a sin
Find genuinely smart people wherever you can
Give people something to talk about
Remain humble
Trust your gut

Read the full article HERE.

Also posted in Creativity.

You are the Acorn

Posted at 8:32 AM on

Follow the Leader?

Posted at 8:04 AM on

Years ago I heard Zig Ziglar tell this story on a set of tapes I listened to many times. This week I was reminded of the story and through the power of the internet I've learned more about the background of the story.

And this story is far too good not to share with you.

Processionary caterpillars are an unusual species. They travel one after the other, head to tail in their search for food. It is because of this behavior that Jean Henri Fabre, the French entomologist, conducted an experiment.

He placed processionary caterpillars area the time of a teacup one after the other in a circle. In the tea cup he placed their favorite foods, inches from their current location.

Through instinct and the strength of habit, the ring of caterpillars circled the teacup for seven days, until they died from exhaustion and starvation. They died with the food they were searching for just inches away.

While we as humans are more insightful, complex and intelligent, our behavior, sadly, often mimics that of the processionary caterpillar.

We follow our habits blindly, without questioning if our habit patterns will get us where we want to go. If those behaviors worked for our parents or our friends, or for us in the past, we assume they will keep on working and don't question them at all.

We follow others, assuming they are leading us in a valuable and desirable direction. We assume the person is front of us knows what they are doing, so we can be safe in following them.

We mistake activity for accomplishment. Like the caterpillars we often work hard, but don't necessarily achieve what we desire from our efforts.

If you have other messages from this simple experiment, I'd love to hear them - please share them in the comments below.

More about processionary caterpillars.

Also posted in Leadership and Training.

Leadership Tip #4 - Stay Quiet A Little Longer

Posted at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, April 26, 2005

In Tip #3 I suggested that you shut up. This tip is similar, but speaks of a specific time to stay quiet.

In meetings.

In meetings too often leaders talk too much. They ask a question for group input and then proceed to share their ideas first. Why would people share all of their ideas if it is perceived that the leader already has an answer?

If you want the group to share thoughts, ideas and opinions, you must stay quiet. Let their ideas get on the table. Give those ideas a chance to see the light of day.

Chances are your ideas will come out anyway, and if yours are the ones you end up implementing, now those ideas came from the group - with a much greater chance of acceptance.

And that result is well worth the effort required to keep your mouth shut.

Also posted in Leadership.

The Sleeper Curve

Posted at 10:12 AM on Sunday, April 24, 2005

In today's New York Times Magazine, there is an article titled Watching TV Makes You Smarter (registration may be required) by Steven Johnson where he introduces the phrase the Sleeper Curve. I quote:

"This is what I call the Sleeper Curve: the most debased forms of mass diversion -- video games and violent television dramas and juvenile sitcoms -- turn out to be nutritional after all."

Huh?

The thesis presented in this entertaining and thought provoking article is that television shows have become much more layered, more subtle in the storylines and much more complex overall. (He suggests comparing a Bonanza episode to an episode of 24. I think about comparing Dallas to Desperate Housewives.)

Without going into the reasons he suggests that this is happening, the point is that many of the newer shows are much more stimulating to our brain than their predecessors. Per the author "... the mind also likes to be challenged; there's real pleasure to be found in solving puzzles, detecting patterns or unpacking a complex narrative system."

I share this with you not because this blog is about television or pop culture. I share it because of the connection to how we learn and that there could be some good news in what the television medium is providing us (beyond Discover, The History Channel and Animal Planet).

It also reminds us that it is always good to examine our existing beliefs/assumptions - like the one that says most everything on television has no redeeming value - and see if there is more or different information behind those assumptions.

The article is a preview of Johnson's upcoming book, Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter.

I've pre-ordered my copy.

Also posted in Creativity and Training.

Tossing Out The Cold Water

Posted at 7:15 AM on Friday, April 22, 2005

While facilitating a session yesterday for Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. We talked about ideas and what can sometimes stop them.

You know those statements, the ones that douse your enthusiasm and curb your interest and willingness to share more new ideas. Things like:

"We tried that last year..."
"It isn't in the budget."
"That will never work."

I call these comments Cold Water Comments because when they are stated, it feels like cold water has just been thrown on the creator of the idea and the idea itself.

Not a great way to generate greater creativity in your organization.

Later in the day, I received a list of the "READY REFERENCE LIST OF REASONS WHY IT WONT WORK" from one of the participants. They said that they had had this list for a long time and thought I would enjoy it.

Here are a couple from this list:

"It's against company policy."
"The union will scream."
"Where did you dig that one up?"
"It's impossible."

The next time you go to a meeting, leave your bucket in your office - everyone will benefit.

Thanks to BJ for the list.

Here is my article on Cold Water Comments.

Also posted in Creativity and Teamwork

Leadership Tip #3 Shut Up!

Posted at 5:52 AM on Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Want to be a better leader today?

Stop talking.

Those you lead have heard from you plenty, and while there are many important things to communicate to them, sometimes we get wrapped up in our message.

Not today.

Shut up. You will have more opportunities to give others air time to talk - and I guarantee they have something say.

But unless you be quiet they won't have a chance.

Also posted in Leadership and Teamwork.

Leadership Tips # 1 and 2 - Decide and Commit

Posted at 5:50 AM on Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Looking for one thing to do to become a better leader today? The first two things go hand in hand.

1. Decide you want to be a better leader. Any improvement starts with that decision. Identify at least two reasons why you want to be a better leader and decide.

2. Commit to your decision. This requires action on your part. Commit to yourself, and commit to those you lead. This commitment is a win/win - while you are gaining in your skills confidence and effectiveness those you lead and your organization benefit greatly as well.

The first tips is easy and the second is far from simple. But these two tips, taken together are the basis of all your improved leadership skills.

Congratulations on your decision and your commitment.

Also posted in Leadership.

A New Feature

Posted at 5:41 AM on

A Book to Sink Your Teeth Into

Posted at 10:16 AM on Thursday, April 14, 2005

I just finished writing my Resource Recommendation for next week's Unleash Your Potential. I went to my shelf and pulled off a book that I love.

And I do love this book.

Inspiration Sandwich: Stories to Inspire our Creative Freedom by Sark

It is hand written (produced in Sark's handwriting. It has sketches and water color art (you may have seen some of her posters in stores in the past).

It is beautiful. It is creative. It is fun.

And I can't put it down, even after reading it several times over the years.

I'm not sure there is a better recommendation I could give than that.

Also posted in Creativity.

How Big is Your Dream?

Posted at 4:32 PM on Sunday, April 10, 2005

Is it as big as Sarah Kessans' and Emily Kohl's?

Last week I met Sarah Kessans after giving a speech for the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society induction reception at Purdue University.

Sarah introduced herself to me and told me about their quest. In November of 2005 these two women will set out from the Canary Islands to row their boat to the West Indies.

2900 miles. Across the Atlantic Ocean.

More people have climbed Mt. Everest than have rowed across an ocean. More people have been in space than have rowed an ocean.

Wow.

These two are among 41 teams that will compete. Their stated goal is not only complete the race, but beat the women's team record of 50 days, 7 hours.

Wow.

You can learn more about their dream, the challenges, and contribute to their fund raising goal HERE.

Of course, it shouldn't surprise you that Emily is a Purdue graduate and Sarah will be in less than a month.

Go Emily. Go Sarah. (and Hail Purdue!)

What's in a Word?

Posted at 3:33 PM on

My friend Rosa Say on her great blog Talking Story has asked people to weigh in this month on "the Art of the Sale", so here are some of my thoughts.

I've never met anyone that didn't like to buy something. Even if it is someone who doesn't like to go to the mall, or someone who doesn't like to part with their money, EVERYone likes to buy something, be it tangible, or an idea, or something.

On the other hand, many people have stong negative experiences/feelings about being sold. When they hear "sales" they think of buying a car, buying insurance or a telemarketer being a bit too agressive on the phone (apologies to people in these industries, I'm just stating my observations).

The words used and the tactics connected to those words is where the disconnect lies. For many people then, sales or selling is connected with words like manipulation, trickery, force, pressure, tactics, negotiation. Most of those people with those feelings will say they don't feel comfortable in doing sales. No big surprise here.

If people like to buy but don't want to be "sold" then what do they want? I think they want: assistance, help, advice, options, expertise. People don't mind being influenced, they just don't like being forced.

Based on this quick discourse, it isn't surprising that the best salespeople see themselves as experts, consultants, or "assistant buyers." It is why they are successful.

For those who have the negative view of "sales" it is time to get a new set of words in your mind so that you can help serve your Clients and future Clients. Those new words can help you get to your personal art of (and comfort with) sales.

Also posted in Customer Service.

The Seven National Crimes

Posted at 9:40 PM on Saturday, April 09, 2005

William J. H. Boetcker, a Presbyterian minister wrote these. I have read them attributed to Abe Lincoln, but from some reading I've done recently, it seems that is a false attribution. Here are what Boetcker defines and the Seven National Crimes:

I don't think.
I don't know.
I don't care.
I am too busy.
I leave well enough alone.
I have no time to read and find out.
I am not interested.

Crimes indeed. Rather than thinking about these from the "national" perspective (I'll leave that for bloggers with a different focus), let's think about them as organizational crimes.

Too often, sadly, people don't think.
While not knowing isn't a crime in itself, it becomes one when it is a closing statement, rather than an opening one. (Are the trainers and Customer Service leaders among us listening?)
Giving people reasons to care is one of the most powerful things we can do as a leader.
Everyone is busy. But the paradox is that the busiest among us always seem to be able to get one more thing done. Sort of takes the value out of that excuse, doesn't it?
Leave it alone, and no change will occur. The problem is, often, it isn't "well enough" to start with.
Ever made it ok for people to read on the job? Why not? Give people opportunities to find ways to learn.
Interest drives action which is a precursor to achievement. As trainers we need to help people be interested in learning new skills. As leaders we must cultivate interest in our team members.

The critical question is - what will you do to reduce the organizational crime in your organization (or behind your desk)?

Also posted in Customer Service, Leadership, Teamwork and Training

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Posted at 7:16 AM on Sunday, April 03, 2005

Reader's Digest has told us this for years. Norman Cousins gave us real data in his book Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient.

Laughter can have a very positive impact on our health.

Recent research tells us more about this phenomenon. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have found that laughter may keep your heart healthier. Here is one short snippet:

"The team found that laughter-provoking movies cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand, resulting in an increase of blood flow."

You can read more HERE.

What does that mean to us? You can draw your own conclusions but here are some of mine:

- As a Leader, making a working environment more fun is not only good business, it is good for people.
- As a Trainer, effective training that incorporates fun interaction not only improves the learning, but it helps the blood flow.
- We know that laughter can aid in the creative process and now we know it may prolong people's lives. (Tell people that the next time you try some wilder approaches to creative problem solving!)
- Personally, perhaps we should rent more comedies at our local Blockbuster.

Have a good hard laugh today!

Also posted in Creativity, Leadership, and Training.

No Fooling

Posted at 6:07 AM on Friday, April 01, 2005

I'm back from vacation!

I thought about what I could write here that would be some grand April fool's joke, but I changed my mind.

April Fool's Day is an interesting holiday/tradition which can create some great memories.

I encourage you to laugh and enjoy the day, and to keep your pranks and schemes light and funny for everyone.

It is one thing to create something where everyone will laugh, and quite another to create a situation where you can laugh at someone else when they have been "fooled."

Have fun with the fooling, but don't take the word literally - don't make someone feel like a fool.

Begin to Unleash Your Remarkable Potential today!

Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential is Kevin Eikenberry’s guide to helping you have amazing success while developing your professional and personal potential.