Aesop was a slave and storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BC.  He wrote/told a number of “stories with a moral” known as Aesop’s Fables that are still told and cherished today. We look at Aesop’s “The Lion and the Mouse” today.  This is a story that speaks of how we treat others, planning ahead or planting seeds for the future, and not overlooking the potential contributions of even those least likely.  Read this and see what you see:

 

The Lion and the Mouse (an Aesop Fable)

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little Mouse. “ Forgive me this time, I shall never forget it.  Who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days for you?” The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Sometime after, the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse.

 

I think the message that jumps out at me from this story is the fact that we can easily overlook the potential contributions or abilities of some.  We tend to categorize individuals which places barriers or limits on what we feel they can do.  I have seen many cases where an individual that some felt was not ready for a bigger job or critical project blossomed when given the opportunity.  In fact, I have personally witnessed many individuals achieve remarkable things simply because someone took a chance on them or gave them the opportunity to do more than others felt was possible.

Is there a “mouse” on your team or in your group?  Is there someone that needs that breakout opportunity to shine?  Is there something you can do to provide that opportunity for someone?  Are you that mouse?  Notice that the mouse took the initiative — she spoke up to the King of the Beasts.  Had she never spoken, the Lion would have eaten her.  Is there something you need to say or do to distinguish yourself?  What conversation do you need to have with your manager at your year-end performance review?

Have a fabulous day!  Look for that opportunity you might be given to make a difference for someone else!

 

 

There is a chapter in the book, “Strengths Based Leadership” by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie that discussed Why People Follow.  Because every person reading this is either a leader of people or must follow the leadership of another, this is very pertinent to our work success.  Why are some individuals considered great leaders, while others, though technically strong, are considered poor leaders?  What makes YOU want to follow someone?  Who are those terrific leaders that you would follow whether or not you report in their organization?  Think of an individual leader that has made a significant impact on your life.  See if that individual possesses the attributes that emerged from the study of Rath and Conchie.

Rath and Conchie, surveyed over 10,000 randomly selected individuals to identify what words describe a great leader in their own life.  Four key themes emerged which describe what people want and, thus, why they follow great leaders:

1. Trust (which includes honesty, integrity and respect) – Can I believe you?  Do you do what you say you’ll do?  Are you honorable?  Would I want my spouse, son, or daughter working for you?  Will you always do the right thing, even when it is difficult?  How have you personally sacrificed for me or for our team?
2. Compassion (which includes caring, friendship, happiness, and love) – Do you really care for me as an individual?  Do you want me to be successful?  Am I important to you?  Do you really try to help me balance my work with my life?  Do you care about my opinion?  Does my input count?
3. Stability (which includes security, strength, support, and peace) – Do you have my back?  Are you working to secure our future?  Do you deal with issues that make our work difficult?  Will you stand strong when needed?  Are you there for me?
4. Hope (which includes direction, faith, and guidance) – Do we have a purpose and have you conveyed that?  Do we know where we are headed?  Have you conveyed the strategy and how we fit in?  Will you personally work to keep us on track?  Are you positive?  Do you make us feel good about our work?

 

Do you agree with these four attributes?  Do you believe these are essential for great leaders?  Why do you think attributes, such as results oriented, technically competent, organized, etc. were not included in these four themes?  Do you think these are too “soft” for leaders?

So, if you agree that the very best leader in your life possessed these attributes, how many of these do you consistently exhibit?  Would individuals in your group agree that you exhibit trust, compassion, stability, and hope?  Or, are you so focused on results that you fail to consider the needs of your individual team members?  The real question is, “Who would or do you follow?”  Then, ask why.  Then, begin working those key reasons into your own approach.  Something to ponder….

Have one of those “best days yet!”

Previously, this blog featured a few quotes from the American writer, philosopher, and humorist, Mark Twain (or Samuel Clemens).  Today, we look at four more of his quotes to see how his wisdom might impact us.   Enjoy:

1. “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” – Are you a worrier?  Do the things that could happen impact you more than the things that actually have happened?  Certainly, there are some in our company paid to identify, anticipate, and mitigate risks.  But, for most of us, we need simply to take a realistic view of the future and live accordingly.  If the stress of what could happen is wearing you down today, you might benefit from looking again at a previous blog titled, “Stress is self-inflicted.”
2. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” – I think it is interesting to see here how Twain defines courage… not as an absence of fear, but as resistance and a mastery of it.  We should not think we are unusual or inadequate when we fear that big presentation or fear taking on that major assignment.  Fear is a natural human response to a challenge.  But, courage is having the fortitude to charge ahead, even in the face of some fear.  Don’t let fear hold you back, but let it inspire you to courage as you’ve never had before.  Tackle that fear today that has been holding you back!
3. “The more you explain it, the more I don’t understand it.” – Historically, there has been this belief that the more information you provide, the better.  Whether in conversation or in a PowerPoint presentation, unless you cover every possible scenario, you have fallen short of the target.  However, it appears to me that we’re seeing a shift in that philosophy.  I have recently seen clear movement toward the concept of “get to the bottom line quickly” that, to me, is refreshing.  I have heard several times, “I’m buying, so please stop selling.”  In other words, when you see that you have accomplished your mission, cut off the conversation, even if you have a dozen more slides to show, and move forward.  If you have a decision and a direction, no more conversation is needed.  As Twain indicates, the more you explain, the less clear it gets.  Cut it off while you are ahead.
4. “Let us endeavor so to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” – Twain here encourages us to consider our legacy as we live our day-to-day lives.  Are we living our lives in a way that makes a positive difference to those around us.  Despite the fact that the undertaker will make money from our funeral, will even he/she be sad?  If you are like me, you might wonder what factors, conversations, or people combined to create who you are today.  I remember working in the oilfields near my home as a summer job when I was young.  My father was a welder in the oilfield for nearly 40 years, so everyone knew him.  So, when I worked in the fields doing the least possible desirable jobs, I encountered many of the seasoned, crusty guys that worked in the fields.  To a man, these guys always made a comment to me about my dad.  I never heard a negative word about him, but, instead, their comments about him were always respectful and caring.  Hearing this over and over impacted me in several ways… first, I didn’t want to disappoint him and, second, I wanted to be like him.  Just like most young men, I had a great respect for my dad, but that respect and admiration was even enhanced by the comments made by his coworkers.  I’m sure each of us has had experiences that impacted how we live and what legacy we hope to leave behind.

What does Mark Twain say to you today?  What kind of legacy are you leaving?

I had the privilege of hearing Kina Repp speak the other day. Kina was hosted by our organization to make a number of presentations on the importance of safety in our everyday lives. Specifically, she highlighted the importance of lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) and related it to her personal story. Twenty-five years ago, Kina went to Alaska with a friend to work the summer in the salmon canning industry to earn money for college. On her first day working, less than an hour into her shift, her arm was caught in a conveyor belt while cleaning it. She lost her arm up to her shoulder and nearly died. She related her story about that day, her recovery, the impact this accident had on her life and others, and the key learnings we can take away from her experience. Her full story can be found on her website at www.kinarepp.com and I encourage you to read it for yourself.

Kina’s presentation was impactful. She made everyone laugh at times and she had many in tears at times. During her presentation, you could hear a pin drop. It makes such a difference to hear the real-life stories of those impacted or those that can provide an eye-witness account of an incident. Kina did a terrific job conveying how her life changed in a single moment and challenging all of us to avoid the challenges she has faced, as a result. Knowing that words cannot convey the message like Kina did in person, I tried to capture the 10 key learnings for us from her story:

1. Don’t rely on anyone else to protect you! – On her first day working in the Alaskan factory, Kina received no detailed training on how to clean the conveyors properly and safely. She simply began by doing what she felt might be the best approach. In fact, she stated that at one point, though the job seemed a bit unsafe, she assumed that, if it wasn’t safe, they wouldn’t allow new employees to do the job. She relied upon someone else to ensure her safety. Though the plant made many mistakes in this event, Kina stated that she shares the blame by assuming that she would be safe and that others would protect her.
2. When you sense that something is not right, it probably is not – Kina stated that during the time she was cleaning the conveyor belt, she sensed that something was not right. It just did not seem right that they should be on, around, and under the conveyor belts while they were still running. However, she pushed that feeling aside because she wanted her boss to know that she was a good and hard worker. She did not want to complain on her first hour on the job. So, she kept working.
3. Your life can change in a second – We all know it, but we think it cannot happen to us. In just a second, Kina’s glove, hand, shirt sleeve, and arm were pulled into the conveyor. She came to work that day complete, happy, and anxious to work, but she left semi-conscious, bloody, on a stretcher, in a helicopter, without her arm. Are we aware of the environment around us every day, every minute with the thought that our life could change in just a second?
4. Consider the impact of your decisions on others you love – Not only did her life change that day, but the lives of many others did, as well. Kina almost died that day. She was air-lifted to a hospital where she incurred multiple surgeries. She said her father never left her side and has never forgiven himself for her accident. Many others were impacted, including her coworkers that witnessed her accident and the supervisor that assigned her to that job. When we think of safety, we typically only think of protecting ourselves and our coworkers. However, there are many other individuals that depend upon us, that love us, that count on us to come home each night. When we consider the risks that are around us and how much risk we are willing to incur, we need to also consider the potential impact to those others that care for us. Even if we feel the risk is worth it for ourselves, it is worth taking when you consider the possible impact on those individuals?
5. You might not get a second chance – Kina was very fortunate! If not for her ability to brace herself in the conveyor with her other hand, her entire body would have been pulled into it. She knows she could have – perhaps, should have given her injuries – died that day. She was given a second chance. But, we might not have that same good fortune. Again, is it worth the risk?
6. You never know what you are capable of until you are in that situation – Since the presentation, I have heard some say, “I could never have gone through what Kina did and survive the way she has done.” Kina is strong, travels extensively, water skis, is married with four children, and lives a full life. But, she went through many years of recovery. Before her accident, Kina would probably also had doubted her ability to go through all that. However, when faced with the alternative, she pushed forward.
7. Teach others what you’ve learned – Kina told that her father has never forgiven himself for not teaching her about machines and how to be safe around them. Kina said that she has become very diligent about ensuring that others learn from her. She calls this her life’s mission. Despite the heavy travel schedule she incurs and time away from her family, she feels it is important to pass along what she has learned to others. So, the question for us is whether we are doing the same for those we love at home. Are you teaching others to wear safety goggles when using the weed eater? Are you consistently wearing your seat belt? Do you put away your phone when driving and teach others to do the same?
8. Your attitude determines your satisfaction in life – Kina told a story about being frustrated one day trying to make a peanut butter sandwich. She told her grandmother that she just could not do it. Her wise grandmother told her, “Kina, you never have to make another sandwich in your life. You can let someone else do it for you. Or, you can learn to make the best peanut butter sandwich any one-armed girl ever made. The choice is up to you.” Kina made the choice to thrive. We all have it within us when challenged, but it depends on the choice we make. It depends upon our attitude.
9. Seeing others with the eyes of a child – Kina eventually got her college degree in education and taught for many years. She spoke of how quickly children accept the fact that she simply has only one arm. They are able to accept others much more quickly than adults. Is this something that we can learn?
10. Make the most of today – As Kina said, “We never know what today might bring. So, we need to make the most of every day.” Why let those pesky distractions we face today ruin it? Are our primary worries for today really worth it? Something to think about…

I hope Kina’s message is as meaningful to you as it was for me.  If you get the chance, visit her website.

Have a great and safe day!

I recently ran across some old, tattered papers in my wallet when cleaning it out.  I carefully unfolded it and found a poem given to me by my Mother many years ago.  She has been gone for 18 years, so this must be well over 20 years old.  I have transferred it from wallet-to-wallet over the years.  Anyway, here is the poem:

 

Your Family Name (by Nelle A. Williams)

You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it’s yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live

If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased

It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there

So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You’ll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son

 

Our given name is important… it links us to the many generations of our family that have come before.  It links us to the heritage of those before us and how they lived.  It links us to those that come after us and gives them a standard by which to live and connect their lives to the past.  We should cherish our name, what it means, and those that built it and gave it to us.

 

We have been entrusted with something very valuable that we need to hold with care and pass along to others with pride.  Let’s remember this as we strive for excellence in what we do every day.

 

Have you ever seen or been involved in a situation in which your collaboration was forced?  It did not make you feel very good about your participation, did it?  Collaboration and commitment go together — if members of a team are committed, the naturally strive for collaboration to be successful.  If a team is collaborating well, you can bet that they have a commitment to a common goal.  When either of these elements is missing, you see members begin to distrust each other which ultimately leads to discouragement.

I remember being in Kindergarten.  I was very competitive, even as a 5 year old.  I wanted to win at everything.  So, whenever an assignment was given that was totally within my control, I did great.  I finished first, then watched all the others struggle to keep up.  However, when our teacher (Mrs. Murphy — yes, I can still remember some important facts from my past) put us into groups to work as a team, my patience was stressed.  I remember going nuts as a teammate struggled to cut a simple figure out of paper with those small scissors we used.  Or, another teammate forgetting how to spell “embellishment” or some other easy word.  I became discouraged because I was not committed to my teammates… only winning.

Our teams often function in similar ways.  When we, as leaders, have not clearly articulated the goal or objective and conveyed why it is important, the team members may fail to see the benefits from collaboration.  As good leaders, we must ensure that collaboration always is driven by a common commitment, and that our common commitment inspires collaboration.  Yes, there is that word again…. Inspiration.  As leaders, we must inspire others to achieve what they could not have done otherwise.

So, are you inspired to collaborate to achieve something fantastic?  Or, are you inspiring others?  If you see distrust or discouragement in your team, you might consider whether a common commitment has been achieved.

Have a stupendous day!  Do something to encourage a teammate that may be feeling discouraged or unappreciated.  Thanks for all you do!

I watched several of the NFL football playoff games this past weekend. Several things struck me as I watched that relate very well to success in work and in life. I thought I would share them.

First, one game was between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just a quick recap of the end of the game. Cincinnati was ahead by one point with less than two minutes remaining. They had the ball and could, theoretically, run out the clock and win the game. Three things happened that doomed the game for the Bengals: 1) they fumbled and Pittsburgh recovered the fumble, 2) a Cincinnati defender was penalized for a flagrant, illegal hit to the head to a Pittsburgh offensive receiver – it appeared that this illegal hit was connected to events earlier in the game and the defender was looking for a way to “pay back” the receiver, and 3) a Cincinnati player was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting of his “disappointment” for the prior penalty.

In another game, the Minnesota Vikings were attempting a field goal in the last seconds of its game with the Seattle Seahawks. Minnesota was trailing in the game 10-9 and the field goal would have won the game for them. The field goal attempt was short and seemingly automatic. The kicker missed the sure field goal and Seattle won the game.

These events brought to mind 4 key things that can guarantee failure in our work, in our life, and in our efforts in any activity:

1. Don’t fumble – We must do the basics well or we’ll certainly taste defeat or failure. In the game noted, the only way Cincinnati could lose is if they failed to do the simple task of holding onto the ball. Yet, a loss of focus on the basics lost the day. We must understand what our basic success factors are. If we remind ourselves that nothing else is more important than “holding onto the ball,” we are likely to succeed. What are our basics that must be done before anything else? What represents the ball to us – that item or activity that we cannot drop? Knowing comes first, then protecting comes next.
2. Personal agendas are incompatible with team goals – The Cincinnati player that committed the flagrant penalty was thinking only of his own selfish motives, not what was best for the team. Had he controlled his selfish attitude, his team was likely in a much better position to win. Likewise, we must always put the “team” first. When we begin thinking of what is best for ourselves, we put the success of the entire team at risk. The question on the table is this, “Is it better for you to gain revenge and win your personal battle or for you to put your personal agenda aside for the good of the team?” Hopefully, we all choose the latter, not the former.
3. No matter what happens, we must keep our poise and remain calm – The Cincinnati player penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct lost his cool. He lost control of his emotions and actions. As a result, it cost his team the victory. In the same way, we must remember that negative things will happen to us. We make better decisions when we retain our composure and ensure that our thoughts are clear. Only then, can we make decisions that result in the best outcomes.
4. Never take things for granted – No matter how near the end or how apparent the victory, it is not over until it is over. The game is not won until the clock reads 0:00 time remaining. Working to do our best work until the project or activity is completed is imperative for us to guarantee victory. Staying focused until the last box is checked will prevent that overconfidence that has doomed many projects.

 

So, have you ever experienced the taste of defeat when you failed to follow these four principles? Think about the devastating feeling is would be (or is, if your team hails from Cincinnati or Minneapolis) to suffer defeat when your expected victory as these teams experienced this past weekend. Now is the time to examine our own approach before time runs out with us on the losing end of the score

Thanks for all you do! Have a victorious day!

 

 

 

 

 

John F. Kennedy was the 35^th President of the United States and served from 1961 – 1963.  He was a war hero and was the youngest US president ever, when elected.  Kennedy was a terrific speaker and is considered a great leader.  Today, we look at these four noteworthy quotes from Kennedy as we see how they relate to our efforts in our personal and professional lives:

1. “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” – We frequently face significant challenges in our lives, whether they result from decisions we have made for ourselves, decisions others have made, or a combination of the two.  When these challenges occur, we have two choices: face the challenge with courage or run in fear.  Kennedy here is trying to make the point that these challenges often provide us with an opportunity to shine.  Kennedy himself may never have become President had he not faced serious challenges in war that resulted in his hero status.  So, instead of looking at your challenges in discouragement and defeat, look at them as an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities, skills, professionalism, and demeanor under pressure.
2. “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – Purpose and direction determine whether our activities will add value or not.  These define success or failure.  Without direction, our best efforts are often inadequate or forgotten.  Before acting, it is always a good idea to ask yourself, “How will the company (or my life or the life of someone else or our patients) be better as a result of this effort?  How will success be defined?  What value am I adding?”  If you cannot provide a clear answer on these questions, you might question whether the activities is worthwhile.
3. “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” – Anticipation, preparation, prevention… We always wish we had fixed the roof before the storm.
4. “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.” – Kennedy had a bias toward action.  Some tend to watch and wait before acting.  Kennedy contends that the risks of the latter are greater than the risk of occasionally making a mistake.  It is so comfortable to leave well enough alone, but we often need to venture into out of our comfort zone to make individual or corporate progress.

Leadership, opportunity, and action… As we begin a new year, these are attributes that we should all strive to exhibit and provide.  Have a super, happy, and productive day!

I had one of those moments recently. You know… one of those moments when you just could not remember something that is so basic that there was no way you could ever forget. I struggled trying to remember for a few minutes, then, in frustration, looked it up on my phone. Two thoughts hit me… First, I hope no one saw me or I extremely glad that this was the quiet moment it was.  Fortunately, it was not some question that another person had asked. Thus, I didn’t have to be embarrassed by my memory lapse. Second, is this an early sign that I am quickly heading toward an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? There has to be a “first sign” and, perhaps, this was it for me. This thing I was trying to remember is so familiar that, honestly, no one would believe that I could not remember it unless there was something wrong with me physically. I can remember the score at halftime of a basketball game 45 years ago and could not remember this? OK, so the moment passed and I have not experienced anything similar since.

There are so many good things in my life that I truly never want to forget. I remember that day in May a few years ago. It was a perfect day, sunny and 75 degrees. That was the day my daughter was married. Every part of that day was wonderful and I have tried very hard to etch its details in my mind in a place that can never be erased. Or, I remember holding each of my grandchildren for the first time. That look of pride on my son’s face when he handed me his first daughter occupies a special place in my memory. Or, I remember the excitement in my younger daughter’s face when she showed us her engagement ring and told us that she was marrying the love of her life. Or, the joy she expressed when telling us she would soon be a mother.

I remember my own wedding day and how beautiful my wife looked as her Dad walked her down the aisle. And, I remember how proud we were of our first home… a 12 x 52 foot mobile home with shag carpeting and a barely adequate heating system. I remember our first house, our first (and second and third) child being born, and the agony of moving away from friends. I remember the joy each time we reunite with those same friends several times a year for over 30 years.  I remember childhood memories, sporting achievements, my first hunting and fishing experiences, and family members now long gone. I remember our first new car, but recall that our first big purchase was a stereo system. I remember so many wonderful times together with the love of my life over our 40 plus years as a married couple.

Is it possible to store these wonderful memories in a place so protected that they will always be with me? I heard an old song on the car radio this morning as I drove to work. It was “Gentle on my mind” by Glen Campbell. You probably know that Campbell has been in the news over the last couple of years with stories detailing his own personal struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, he can no longer perform concerts. There is a line in that song that struck me this morning:

“That keeps you in the back roads; By the rivers of my memory and keeps you ever gentle on my mind.”

I’m hoping that somehow, someway, no matter what physical ills may come my way in the future that I can keep these special times and memories “… in the back roads by the rivers of my memory.” Please, God, allow me to keep these good times etched in my memory. I realize that we cannot predict what may come in the future, but I ask that you allow these sweet and wonderful memories to remain.

Most of us know of or have heard of Dr. Seuss.  He was an American writer famous for creating dozens of children’s books.  He once said, “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.  Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.  Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”  There is meaning in his words for us in industry, as well.  It is so easy for us to get in that rut of doing things the same way at the same time every day.  We do and say what others expect.  We stay in “character” because, after all, we are who we are.

But, just for today, the challenge is to look at life “through the wrong end of the telescope.”  Step outside your box and see what your world looks like from there.  What do others see when they look at you?  How can we look at our problems differently?  How many other ways can we imagine to solve our problems?  What would we do if the wanted to create this problem?  Looking at problems in this way might just help us find an answer we never expected to find.  Here are a few other quotes from Dr. Seuss:

1. “You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.  You’re on your own, and you know what you know.  And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” – Is today the day you need to make that decision you’ve delayed?  What can you do to resolve that issue in your group?  Is there a new direction needed?
2. “Don’t cry because it’s over.  Smile because it happened.” – There is always a “what’s next.”  When we linger in the past too long, we just might miss something great.
3. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.” – Don’t you just hate it when you know that it’s you that needs to take action… that others are looking to you to make a difference?  It honestly may not get better unless you do.

Think about what Dr. Seuss might be saying to you or us today.  And, at the end of the day, we might think about one more thing he said, “Today was good.  Today was fun.  Tomorrow is another one.”  Have an awesome day!