Are you trapped? Many are…some have given up on finding a way out. There’s a another group that’s trying to find a new path. Sometimes art imitates life.
All of the above is to set you up for this link to A Good Year. It’s a new movie by Ridley Scott that might resonate with you. I highly recommend that you take the test link titled "Live to Work or Work To Live." I smiled after my results…wouldn’t have been able to say that some time ago.
What will you do with the life you’ve been given?
I don’t write about politics, but I thought it was timely to talk about the implications regarding leadership. The biggest question I have about Nancy Pelosi is not whether she’s for higher taxes or a higher minimum wage. The question for me is whether she’s read to lead. Now you may say that Ms. Pelosi has been the minority leader for years and therefore can handle her future assignment without blinking. I would say pause…getting promoted doesn’t mean you’re ready. What is or what will she do to prepare?
I don’t have any idea what Ms. Pelosi will do, but I can help you and Ms. Pelosi (if she’s reading this blog). The following are some tips to remember when preparing for the "next" assignment:
As you may know, Microsoft has introduced a new product (Zune) to compete with Apple’s I-Pod. This article from Business Week gives a review and comparison. I wonder if Microsoft’s strategy is now related to waiting to see what’s "hot" and then duplicate. I just don’t see how waiting and seeing helps you in the long run.
As in business, your life was not meant to be a duplicator. The best life lived is found in what you were "wired" to be. Go ask the average eighty-year old about this and you might be shocked by the tears of regret.
Be who you are!
As this Forbes article states, the newspaper industry is finding their traditional business model (advertising) disrupted by Google. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think so.
Businesses are run by people, so they sometime prefer predictable and comfortable environments. You know, the old if it ain’t broken…In many cases change is to be avoided at all costs. Leaders can talk a good game about managing change when it is thrust upon them. The best leaders welcome it before that day arrives…that day has arrived for the newspaper world.
I think about the number of years I sought security and comfort…it leaves me laughing and crying. Fortunately my scars give me something to speak from. 2006 has been a year of experiencing changes that look so different from my "normal." The familiar has been swept away.
But I’m Alive! I am more alive than ever before…welcoming change as friend and not an enemy. The musician Seal once wrote: "The future is my friend. It hurts, but it treats me well." He’s right…I’m a living example.
Remember, if changing (yourself or a business model) bothers you, then learning does to. You can’t have one without the other.
Check out Pat Poole’s blog entry for Thursday, November 2. Good humor and relevant…
This profile of Jim Donald, CEO of Starbucks, in a recent issue of Fortune is truly inspirational. I especially like his approach around meetings and returning phone calls. Many organizations and their leaders should take Mr. Donald’s counsel to heart.
How productive are you?
Do you have anyone pouring life and light into you? I’m talking about someone who gives you needed direction. If you do, you’re a fortunate person. You probably see things in work and life from a perspective of growth. You would also be rare…rare because most are going it alone. Most are relying on their skills and not their character. I’ve written before about what happens with this type of lopsided development. Namely, damage to organizations, families and life in general.
When we have people willing to travel through life helping us we’re better able to see the need to change, which means learning. Don’t be fooled, learning is not just for those in school. Be a life-long learner…
The following are a few benefits of not going it alone:
Many thanks to Larcel McGhee who is one of a few who plays this role in my life.
I had the opportunity last week to ask a successful coach (football) about how you can know if you’re really on a team. The question came up in a group of business leaders. I told the coach about how common it is for organizations to throw the word "team" around. My experience has shown that many spell team "I." I thought if anyone would know about what makes a team a "real" team this guy would.
He responded that you can know its a real team when the members care more about others on the team, than they do about themselves. By the way, this gentlemen helps The Ohio State University football team do great things. Thought that we be important to note.
So, are you on a team or something else?
Welcome to twentieth century America business. As this story from ABCNews.com communicates, executives are kinda guilty, so they’ve decided to retire.
Isn’t the first step in fixing a problem admitting that you have one.
I guess we’ve decided that character and ethics are a situational thing. No wonder the majority of employees are disengaged. Would you be engaged if top leadership acted in the way many of these "brilliant" people have? Not to mention the kinda/sorta approach the organization takes in admitting wrong.
United Healthcare’s stock rose after the announcement so I guess all is well.
Not for a minute folks…
Check out Seth Godin’s announcement for his seminar in New York this December. I won’t be able to make it (a very special and beautiful lady who I’ve known for twenty years has a birthday that day), but here’s a link to the event details.