Motivations are everything and is especially true in networking.  I’ve found that many don’t network for the following reasons/excuses:

• They see no value in who they are.  Ironic, sense God made us totally unique (check your DNA compared to every other human being on the planet).
• They are too busy.  Too busy to connect…hmmmm?
• They only care about themselves.  This is a huge problem unto itself.
• They don’t know where to start.

I found this post on 800-CEO-READ titled: " Six Essentials for Networking – Rules for Renegades."  The author gives some great tips on how to make networking effective.

Go spread your story.

I like The Juggle blog.  However, today’s post "CEOs, Just Like Us?" leaves me sighing.  Do we believe that the majority of CEOs are super human?  Do we think they’ve drank from a well of Teflon?  The findings in the study are telling.  Most executives (even the non-CEO) are granted rock star status because of our worship of power and celebrity.  The fact that a study like this was conducted is evidence of that. 

I’ve encountered more than a few executives in my time who were shocked that I didn’t treat them like royalty.  At the end of the day what long term impact have most executives in corporate America made?  Particpating on a two-hour conference call doesn’t count.  So declaring them human as it relates to the death of a loved one is no big surprise.

If you’re a CEO/executive and you haven’t sacrificed your family, friends and health, then you may consider yourself exempt from my passionate rant.  This is for those who worship and those who seek to be worshiped

If we continue to drink the kool-aid, they’ll keep making it.

You might be a big fan of Sprint Nextel, but I can’t help wondering whether they realize how many people view their service levels.

Check-out this commercial and laugh or cry.

When organizations live in a fantasy world where they think they’re great, but they really aren’t is truly a story for a nude emperor.

Here Comes The Flood

When the night shows The signals grow on radios All the strange things They come and go as early warnings Stranded starfish have no place to hide Still waiting for the swollen Easter tide There’s no point in direction we cannot even choose a side. I took the old track The hollow shoulder, across the waters On the tall cliffs They were getting older, sons and daughters The jaded underworld was riding high Waves of steel hurled metal at the sky And as the nail sunk in the cloud, The rain was warm and soaked the crowd. (chorus) Lord, here comes the flood We’ll say good-bye to flesh and blood If again the seas are silent In any still alive It’ll be those who gave their island to survive Drink up, dreamers, you’re running dry. When the flood calls You have no home, you have no walls In the thunder crash You’re a thousand minds, within a flash Don’t be afraid to cry at what you see The actors gone, there’s only you and me And if we break before the dawn, They’ll use up what we used to be. The above is a song by Peter Gabriel.  It was based on a dream he had where people were exposed to their thoughts being laid bare for all to see (interpret).  In other words, everyone would know if you were authentic or not. Sounds like a cure for all the actors we have in corporate America.  Hey, these folks might appreciate the liberation of a flood.  The liberation from portraying someone or something they are not. If you plan on building something (life, work, family, etc.), then I would suggest you get the habit of making people know where you stand…win or lose.  Check-out Seth Godin’s post "Authentic."  It’s a great story of someone who inspired by being who he really was.

Signed an agreement today to publish the book.  I anticipate a release date of December 15 (give or take).  More updates to come…

You’ve heard it before that to get what you want you need to know what you want.  Never more true in the pursuit of a job.  You could be a software engineer looking for a vibrant place to pursue your craft, but you’ve been burned by toxic work environments and/or toxic bosses.  So do you roll the dice again and hope that what’s portrayed in the interview is really an accurate representation of the organization?  There is hope in reducing the consequences of the "gamble."

Certainly, social networking is a big help in seeing the face behind the face.  But eBossWatch.com is taking things a step further.  They’ve introduced an online jobs board called jerk-free jobs.  I highly recommend you look at the site and the mission behind it.  If you’re looking for a job it could help you, and if you’re not you’ll get a taste of what is happening in the workplace.

The founder of eBoss is on mission.  Let’s join him in the movement to make the workplace a jerk-free experience.  Besides, you and organization will be more successful when jerk managers are sent out to pasture.

The Business First column is out.  You can read a brief excerpt here.  You’ll need to be a subscriber to read the full text online or you can pick up a copy of the August 24 edition at a newsstand near you.

Here’s to contagious vision!

Don’t you wish those who are wanting one thing, but are asking for another, would just buck up and say it?  For example; "I’m only two sales away from my quota, therefore buy this."  The salesperson isn’t interested in what you need.  Maybe blunt honesty would relax everyone.

Especially, when you tell them "no thanks."

In a world that advocates playing the percentages you might find yourself feeling that certain people are either lucky or unlucky.  Or worse, you might credit Tiger Woods with just being a darling of the gods. 

I heard about story where Mr. Woods responded to an interviewer that success is rooted in the principle of "you get what you put into it."  Kinda makes you pause…I agree with Tiger Woods with the added note of Destiny underlying it all.  That is why I so often refer to Destiny as the greatest pursuit one can involve oneself in.  I do believe we (in this case Americans) have discounted this at our own cost.  Cynical, bored or corrupt, we’ve just decided it is too hard to pursue something so mysterious and unseen.  We have zero desire to endure that kind of process. 

Destiny is the big story written by an even bigger Author.  It is hard, but it is simple.

I’m here to tell you that I wake up every day reminding myself of why my Destiny matters.  I remind myself of how the story has played out thus far.  History helps you understand the ground you’re walking on.  This from a man who may be half way through the motion picture.  These steps I once questioned, but now I know that each human becoming has been given all that I have…if they believe…if they are willing. 

It’s when we stop believing and turn off our willingness that story ceases to be.

Just signed an agreement with Columbus Business First for a guest column titled "Making Vision Contagious in Every Employee."  The column should run within the next three weeks.

The premise of the column is around teaching senior leaders how to cast the shadow of vision throughout their organization.  The approach is practical and relevant to business growth regardless of the model. 

Don’t know if I’ll get any lead time on the publishing date, but look for the column to be posted here as well.