Today, we look at the next in our series based on the 1965 song by The Byrds called Turn! Turn! Turn!  (see full lyrics below).  You will recall that we looked at “a time to plant, and a time to reap that which is planted” the last time.  Today, we look at the theme:

“A time to break down, and a time to build up”

My wife and I enjoy watching those TV shows highlighting the rehabilitation of old houses with the finished product being a masterpiece.  There is an annual home tour in an old St. Louis neighborhood that we also like to do where all the homes illustrate a complete and major rework of the home.  Some of these are absolutely amazing, especially when you see the before and after photos.

To successfully accomplish these home rehabilitation projects, the comes a day (or month) called “demolition day.”  That is the time when much or most of the old, obsolete elements of the home are torn away to make room for the new.  In many cases, the demolition takes the interior of the home all the way down to the inner structure (or studs) of the home.  A complete reconstruction is necessary — wiring, sheetrock, trim, paint, etc. — to make the beautiful finished product that we enjoy seeing.

The same concept is often necessary in our private or work lives.  Taking something “all the way to the studs” is often necessary to rebuild to that beautiful finished product.  Individuals with severe addiction often must become broken and dependent before they can be restored to their true person.  Systems must often be completely removed before new, modern ones can be installed.  The way we work may have to be completely redesigned from a “blank slate” to re-invent a process that is more efficient and more effective than the old one.

The theme “a time to break down, and a time to build up” certainly applies to stages and facets of life and work.  Making the determination as to when something must be demolished is often the challenge, however.  Asking yourself, “What value is in the old?  What is worth keeping?  What can be made better?  Should I just start from scratch?” are the questions that can help make this clearer.  If you find that there is no intrinsic or true value in keeping the old, it may be better to start over.  I have seen cases where trying to retain and fix something old actually costs more and results in a worse product than having started from scratch.  However, you need to determine if the old, like an antique, is worth keeping and restoring.  In homes, this intrinsic value often makes rehabilitation worth it.  However, in the work place, we need to be less emotional and more practical when looking at improvement projects.

So, for today, think about those challenges you face.  Is today a time to begin the demolition needed to rehabilitate something in your life?  Or, is today the day we need to “build up” someone else in our life?  It could be that you can turn a bad day into a good one for someone else simply by saying something encouraging.  Think about it.  Have a terrific day!  Thanks for making this a better world.

Turn! Turn! Turn!

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM

 

I recently ran across the following quote:

“Work for a cause, not for applause; live life to express, not to impress; don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.” – Author Unknown –

It made me think of people I miss when they are not around. Then, it made me wonder why is it that I miss them.  As you probably know by now, when I philosophize (oftentimes, on my porch at home), I make lists.  Here is my list of “why I miss some people when they are not around” – this applies to home, work, and other places:

1. Some people I miss simply because of the way I feel when they are near – I’m sure you know this point well. There are just some people in my life that make me feel all better, even when I’m not feeling well or when I’m not in the greatest of moods. These individuals have a way of lifting the mood when they are present. What is it about these that I can emulate? How can I become more like that?
2. Some people I miss because they make this a better place – If you are like me, you have a list of people that you know make this a better place when they are present. You just get a more confident feeling about the place when you know their car is in the driveway or when their computer “green dot” is on or when you sense that they are in the same house or building. You know they make a difference… a positive difference. You know that things simply are not as good when they are away.
3. Some people I miss because I am a better person when they are near – Have you ever noticed that some people have this knack of making everyone else around them better? How do they do that? But, it is true, some have that sense of calm or warmth or caring or direction or vision or hospitality or whatever it is that makes everyone else in the room better just because of their presence.
4. Some people I miss because we have been through so much together – My wife and I have been married for almost 41 years. We have been through so much together that I am just not the same when she is not near. There are others in my family or workplace that make me feel the same way… individuals that have worked with me in one or two other companies together. We just have a different bond than those that have not been through the same journey.
5. Some people I miss just because they make me smile – Yes, some people make me smile just by thinking of them. Life is different when they are away.
6. Some people I miss… just because – And, finally, some people I miss for reasons I cannot pinpoint. However, their absence still creates that emptiness that is just not present when they are near.

So, there is my list. Now, the question is this, “How can I live my life that makes my absence felt when I am away?  On the other hand, does my absence make some glad?”  We should routinely take personal inventory of our lives.  Today might be a good day to just ask whether you are making such a difference in the lives of those around you in such a way that your absence leaves a vacuum that only you can fill.

One last quote for today from another unknown author that should make us all go home and hug our family this evening:

“Because you never think that the last time is the last time… you think there will be more… you think that you have forever… but you don’t”

Thanks to so many of you for making a difference in my life.   Thanks for being in my life!  Have a fabulous day!

 

I recently heard of a comment one couple has used with their children.  They live in an area frequented by those “ice cream trucks” that come around a couple times each day trying to entice parents into buying ice cream and other treats for their children playing outside.  Amazingly, it seems these trucks always come around just before mealtime.  Anyway, this couple fends off this temptation for the kids by telling them, “When the ice cream truck is playing music, that means that the truck is out of  ice cream.  If you ever see it not playing music, that means it has plenty and we might get some.”  Of course, no one has ever seen an ice cream truck NOT playing that irritating carnival music!

In the US, we have entered an election cycle where many public positions are being contested in upcoming elections.  Candidates work tirelessly to say what they think the voters want to hear.  They “spin” their stories to attempt to entice support.  What is spin?

Spin is an effort to turn a negative situation into a positive one by embellishing, manipulating, or twisting the truth.

In my example above, the parents want to avoid a difficult conversation (that is, they don’t have the courage to just say “no”) by twisting the truth (or, in this case, lying).

Do we see “spin” in the workplace or in life?  Sure, let’s look at a few examples:

• “Though I didn’t accomplish the specific goals set aside for me this year, the things I did do were done in an amazingly outstanding manner.  Thus, I deserve an ‘exceeds’ rating…” – Using spin to explain why you didn’t accomplish required tasks is a way of trying to manipulate the system for your own benefit
• “Yes, our team did not perform as well as we intended or even did last year; however, we are excited that our declining results give us a chance to improve even more next year…” – Shame on anyone using spin to attempt to turn poor results into “good news”
• “We failed to accomplish the required task, but our results were better than most other teams…” – Attempting to shift the focus from your own performance to that of others is a form of “spin” that should be easily detected by an astute member of management
• “We were on track to have a break-out year, but our efforts were derailed because the new xyz system implementation was late…” – Shifting the blame to someone else is a form of “spin” that fails to accept accountability for results
• “Though I failed to achieve several key results, my historical stellar performance should highlight that this year was an aberration that can be dismissed…” – Attempting to rest of your laurels or historical performance to dismiss poor results is a form of “spin” that, again, illustrates lack of accountability

We could probably look at a number of other examples of “spin” in the workplace.  However, turning “spin” into truth requires courage.  I believe there are three key things that, if done consistently, can change how you are viewed by others (that is, instead of being viewed as a “spin-master”, you would be viewed as one that consistently demonstrates good character):

1. Hold yourself accountable – Don’t use “spin’ to make your performance appear to be something it was not.  When you failed to achieve a desired result, say so.  Being open and transparent builds and exudes character that will pay off in the long run for you and others.
2. Be bold about the truth – Some fear being the bearer of bad news.  This should not be the case.  Be open about what happened and why without offering excuses.  Help the hearer understand the impact of the results and what actions are being taken to mitigate negative consequences.  Often times, being bold about the truth actually works to your advantage.  Certainly, it helps the company face up to problems that otherwise might have been swept under the carpet.
3. Ask probing questions of others that offer you “spin” – When faced with potential “spin” from others, call them on it.  Ask probing questions about what actually occurred or what could have been avoided and why it was not.  “Help” others to be accountable for the results they are responsible for achieving.
4. Be clear about what you could control and what you could not control – It is OK to put results into proper context.  For example, when explaining negative results, it is certainly acceptable to offer the rationale behind the results.  Of course, conditions may change over time that make achieving desired results impossible.  But, when you do, be sure that you don’t twist the truth by mixing those things you could control with those you could not.
5. Do what you say you will do – Develop a reputation of someone that will always do what they say.  And, if you ever find yourself in jeopardy of missing a target, early and open communication is a must.

In short, no one truly cares to hear “spin” – especially from those they should expect to be open and truthful.  Let’s resolve to execute our work spin-free.  Let’s help each other understand the truth about that ice cream truck!

This could be it… our very best day yet!  There is still that chance!  Watch for it!

 

There was a song that reached #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1965 by The Byrds called Turn! Turn! Turn!  You may remember the song, but will surely find it familiar when you listen at the link below.  The song was written by Pete Seeger and the lyrics are adapted word-for-word from the Book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon over 5000 years ago.  The song was popular during a very turbulent time in history and typically evokes vivid memories by those old enough to remember it.  The song includes 14 items relating to “a time for everything.”  We will look at some or all of these over the next few weeks and see how each them applies both to life and work —- and, how an understanding of them can help us be more productive in what we do.  The lyrics are included below.  Today, we look at the theme:

  “A time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted”

Those of you familiar with farming or gardening understand this well.  There is a proper time for planting.  You cannot plant vegetables in the harsh cold of the winter and expect good results.  And, you cannot plant today and expect a harvest next week.  There are proper times both for planting and harvesting.

Likewise, there are proper times for the things we do in our lives or in our work.  And, perhaps just as importantly, obtaining a harvest takes hard work and patience.  Parents of toddlers know this for sure!  You work hour-by-hour, day-after-day, and year-after-year to teach your children right from wrong, how to do things, ways of thinking, values, and skills to be productive adults.  As someone once said, “The days are long, but the years are short.”  Eventually, there is a payback when the children have grown into self-sufficient, productive, loving adults (yes, that day will come!).  Yet, they didn’t become that way overnight.  You cannot expect good manners on day one.  It takes time to reap the harvest.

Similarly, activities in the workplace must be timely and they often require patience.  Knowing when to push and when to wait is a skill some never learn.  Driving to the end is hard – especially that final 10% to the finish line.  Knowing that you have good things coming in your career, but having the patience to realize that they may be 5 or 10 years down the road is hard.  Working diligently on a project for 5 years, but understanding that someone else will get the credit when it finally ends is challenging.

The key thing to remember is that there will be a day of harvest.  Perhaps, that day will be years from now.  Perhaps, you will reap what others planted and watered.  It could be that you’ll never see the end of your good work occurring today.  But the point is that we must understand that persistence, patience, preparation, praise for others, and active participation all work together to drive the final good results we hope to see.  I am personally thankful for those in our past that had the foresight to develop products that save lives, create processes/systems/procedures that govern how we work, and give me their personal attention to ensure that I had a chance to be successful.  Today might be a day of sowing seeds for the future, making an impact on the life of another, or it could be a day we reap the harvest sewn by others.  In each case, giving the very best we can offer should be our goal and our attitude.

Have a terrific and productive day!  Thanks for all you do!

 

Turn! Turn! Turn!

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM

 

We live in a challenging world in challenging times. One of the issues facing Transformative Leaders today (and, frankly, all of us) is how to identify and deal effectively with our biases.  Let’s face it… everyone has biases or preferences.  Personally, I have a bias for vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.  And, who doesn’t prefer a cute puppy over a scruffy, old dog?  We also carry biases regarding the appearance, background, education, demeanor, age, color, height/weight, etc., of individuals.  These preferences have an impact at our homes, our places of work, and at social events.  We carry these preferences (e.g., biases) whether we know it or not… whether we admit it or not.

A colleague recently sent me an interesting article written by Amir Ghannad (Sr. Director, Global People Excellence at Campbell Soup Company) that speaks to this issue.  Ghannad, who is also author of the book, The Transformative Leader, agrees that we all have biases.  Even those claiming to be unbiased, have biases.  Ghannad says, “If we accept the notion that biases are automatically developed based on our experiences, then we all have them and the best chance we have of not letting them cloud our judgment is to acknowledge their presence and deal with them, rather than try to pretend they don’t exist.”

So, what is our responsibility in dealing with the biases we have developed based upon our background and experiences? According to Ghannad, there are two actions we must take to prevent them from clouding our judgment: admit that we have them, then deal with them.  Pretending they do not exist is simply offering an excuse to exercise our biases.

Once we recognize these biases and determine that they are not logical, practical, or productive, we can begin the process (e.g., an active process) to manage them. Ghannad summarizes his beliefs on this much better than I could:

“We would all be better off if we recognized that there is nothing wrong with having biases, as long as we acknowledge their existence and do our best not to act on them. It is when we deny that we have biases that we relinquish control of our thoughts and allow society to think for us.  

Biases are comforting because they provide easy answers where none may be readily available in reality. More often than not, however, those answers or solutions give us an excuse to be lazy or give up on solving the real problem. We all want change, but unfortunately we also tend to want someone else to go first. Transformative Leaders do not have this luxury, nor should they. They do not look to others for permission to speak the truth or do the right thing. Rather, they are authentic about what they know and don’t know, and own up to their faults and biases, so that all those who look up to them realize that they have permission to do the same. It is only through this acknowledgment and sharing that we are able to help each other put down the baggage we have been carrying in the form of our biases or at least make peace with our imperfections, knowing that we can mitigate the risk of them impairing our judgment, so long as they are not hidden from our view.”

From The Bias of the Unbiased by Amir Ghannad (for full article see https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bias-unbiased-amir-ghannad)

 

Inside of nearly every person is one that wants exactly the same things we want… the ability to live our lives as we choose, the ability to make a positive impact, the need to be appreciated, and the ability to have meaningful interaction with others. Let’s resolve together to seek to “walk in the shoes of each other.”  Let’s see life from the other side and work together to create a productive environment for all.

Thanks for making this a better world! Let’s have a “top ten” day!

Today, no words…. Just watch… less than 3 minutes that could literally change your life – or for someone else!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJjZ4ZU5f-g

What is it that you desire most in your life? Maybe today?  Have a great one!

 

 

Previously on “Weed Control,” we talked about the importance of strategic thinking and what strategic thinking looks like. Today, we look at some specific actions you can take to become and be known as a strategic thinker.

Before we look at how to become a strategic thinker, it is good to see some of the distractions that can keep us in the weeds:

• Often, we stay in the weeds because we have a technical bias — “we fix stuff”
• We are also rewarded to stay in the weeds – “I’m rewarded when I fix stuff”
• We may have a fear of getting out of the weeds – “No one else can fix my stuff the way I can”
• Unstated expectations may keep us in the weeds – “Fixing stuff is my job”
• And, we become too comfortable in the weeds – “I’d rather fix stuff than anything else”

Despite these distractions, we need to get out of the weeds and become a strategic thinker. Here are some ways or action we can take to become a strategic thinker:

1. Confirm expectations and critical success factors for your position – things change and what you might have thought were expectations at the beginning of the year may not be what is needed now – by understanding these expectations better, we can more clearly see the path to the future
2. Get out-of-your-box – we need to change our thinking from “why it can’t be done” to “what can I do to make it happen”. Our management does NOT want to hear our excuses or reasons, they want us to find a way to make things happen. Be creative and do something no one else has ever done before!
3. Seek the input of others – no one can solve every problem alone. Find someone else (a coach, mentor, or friend) that will listen to us and help us be objective in finding solutions to our problems. Find that innovative friend that can help shape our early thoughts into a masterful solution!
4. Anticipate change – remember, nothing stays the same in life or business. Think ahead to how things will be different and begin now to craft a new approach.
5. Think “big picture” – a strategic thinker gets out of the weeds and looks beyond today or beyond this year. Short-term victories are good, but this is a marathon, not a sprint!
6. Be introspective about your career – where do you want to be 5 years from now? Can you get there from here? If not, what actions are needed today? Look at yourself like a hiring manager. Do you have all the skills that make you the automatic choice when that opening arises?
7. Take initiative! For example:
   1. Network with others to become better known AND to learn about what you want or need next in your career
   2. Create your own opportunities – don’t just assume that path to your future is a straight line
   3. Be seen and known as one that “gets it done”
   4. Think and act as though you own the company – take the action needed, say the things needed, do what others will not do
   5. Re-think relocation – being mobile could be a significant career enhancer
   6. Be bold! – you will be surprised what happens when you become known as one that will be candid and open rather than as one that simply follows others

So, there you have it! Get out of the weeds.  Take charge of your future.  Move the needle in your job, your function, your company.  Don’t expect that significant change in your career if you are content to keep pulling weeds by hand.

Have an awesome day! There is still a chance… this could be our very best day yet!

 

Yesterday in Part 1 of “Weed Control,” we looked at the importance of strategic thinking. Today, we answer the questions, “What does strategic thinking look like?  How will I know it when I see it?”

You remember from yesterday the reasons that strategic thinking is important. It is an essential driver for your career and it helps ensure our company/function is relentless in our pursuit of excellence.  So, let’s now look at attributes of strategic thinkers:

1. Strategic thinkers… understand customer needs and expectations and continually seeks customer input – First, we need to understand that “customer” can refer to our end user, our boss, another function, a regulatory, or anyone else dependent upon the input of our work. A strategic thinker must have a thorough understanding of the end goal – what are we working to accomplish? They must understand the goal, our strategy for reaching that goal, and the key activities needed to achieve it. This applies to us on a large-scale (e.g., company-scale) and as individuals. We must understand what it is that we do or should do that will make a difference to our team, our unit, or the company. A strategic thinker asks frequently, “What am I doing that will result in a pay-back or return-on-investment to the company? How did I earn my salary today? Is the company better because of what I am doing? What value did I add to my spouse/children/friends/neighbors/coworkers today?” In short, strategic thinkers understand what others need from us and their key motivation every day is to meet that need.
2. Strategic thinkers… are innovative, creative, drive out-of-the-box solutions, and take calculated risks to achieve results – Yes, it is true… you can be successful without strategic thinking, but your success will likely be limited. Strategic thinkers drive the unexpected and often don’t simply follow the rules. Just like the salmon that swims upstream each summer to its birthplace, strategic thinkers must often be the contrarian… the one that takes a bold stand that no one else will take. They intentionally look for the innovative or new approach, are typically willing to scrap the old and find the new, and they understand that life and work is not a zero-risk proposition. A strategic thinker cannot be found in the rut of the everyday, mundane drudgery.
3. Strategic thinkers… anticipate change – Change is the one constant we must all deal with. Tell me… what has NOT changed in your work or home environment in the last 5 years? I would say that for most of us, we are not in the same role doing the same things now we were doing a year or two ago. Change will occur, so a strategic thinker knows this, anticipates this, and takes action now before it hits. Individuals that are always caught off guard on change are not strategic thinkers. A strategic thinker knows that they must be constantly alert to what is coming and prepare in advance both for their current function and for their career.
4. Strategic thinkers… work toward broad, longer-term solutions and are not focused only on today’s agonizing details – A strategic thinker measures every action against the broader, longer-term reality. Before every decision is made, they ask, “How will this affect others? What other actions are needed to mitigate negative impacts?” They do not charge ahead and worry about the details later. They calibrate actions against the strategy and ask, “Will this help or hurt me in achieving our long-term goals?” Management rewards individuals that can look into the future and reasonable prevent issues there by taking actions today.

 

So, are you a strategic thinker? How do you need to adjust your approach?  Keep in mind, that your career will dramatically change (for the better) when you become a strategic thinker and drive longer-term results.

 

Thanks for all you do! Have a tremendous day!

I was recently asked to provide a presentation to an organization on strategic thinking. So, when I considered how best to articulate this in a practical way, I chose to use the analogy of “staying out of the weeds.”  This shifted to “weed control.”  Thus, the title of this.  Today, we look at the importance of weed control (strategic thinking) to our company and your career.

CEB, Inc. (a management service company) recently conducted a survey of several thousand leaders of regulated functions across multiple industries as to what competencies were important for success in our companies and in individual careers. They were then asked to rank these competencies in order of our individual effectiveness.  In short, strategic thinking was rated the most important competency for individuals.  Leaders of all businesses said strategic thinking was the most important competency an individual could have to drive success in their organization (this ranked above things like organizing, leading, functional expertise, analyzing, etc.).  And, to top it off, when asked to rank what competencies were done the best, strategic thinking was rated near the bottom.  In short, most do the worst in the competency considered the most important.

Why is strategic thinking so important? There are a number of reasons that driving strategic thinking is of value:

1. It ensures we are looking at the big picture, while losing focus on the “weeds”
2. It helps provide a roadway (with rumble strips) to ensure we stay on track
3. It ensures we understand and constantly verify customer expectations and input
4. It produces imaginative solutions
5. It encourages reasoned and calculated risks
6. It helps us anticipate changes in business conditions and facilitates adaptability
7. It helps ensure we consider to broader implications of our decisions
8. It keeps momentum going toward long-term strategy rather than short-term pressures (e.g., weeds)

Strategic thinking is also important for individuals. Senior managers today do NOT reward individuals (typically) that are continually wrapped up in weeds.  They understand that weeds must be dealt with, but they are more interested in the longer-term, broader picture.  Individuals that can see the big picture, summarize issues into key points and provide an approach for solving problems are the individuals that are consider high-potential employees.

So, make no mistake about it…. Becoming a strategic thinker is absolutely critical to our company and your individual career success!  In the next two parts of “Weed Control”, we look at what good strategic thinking looks like (Part 2) and steps we can take as individuals to expand our own ability as strategic thinkers (Part 3).

Thanks for your great work and the encouragement you provide others. Have a weed-free day!

 

 

You have probably experienced the feeling….  You are driving down the interstate highway and become complacent, then you cross the rumble strips on the right side of the road and the rumble it makes immediately snaps you back to focus and back on the road.  Yes, rumble strips are often found on major roads on both the right and left sides to prevent drivers from driving inadvertently off the side of the road.  Studies have shown that their presence significantly reduce accidents with a 3000 to 5000% return on investment.  Why are these so effective in reducing accidents?  Obviously, they provide an immediate warning to the driver that they are veering off course that, when corrected, will prevent an accident.

Rumble strips are also effective in business to provide an early warning.  For example, the use of statistical process control can provide “control limits” that warn the manufacturing operators that the process may be veering off course.  These limits typically elicit action that prevents the process from producing product that is unacceptable or unsafe.  Having an upper and lower limit for acceptable operation is similar to the rumble strips found along highways.

Similarly, establishing “rumble strips” in our lives can also pay dividends.  For example, creating a monthly financial budget with a system to monitor your spending can help ensure that you don’t generate unacceptable debt or spending issues.  Establishing limits on where you will go and what you will do can help protect you from adverse situations or actions.  The key is to “pre-establish” these limits.  If you wait until you drive off the road, it is too late for a rumble strip to serve any purpose.  Likewise, if you have not pre-established limits on your actions, you may go beyond those limits before you realize it.

Having rumble strips in your career can also be important.  When you determine in advance how to maintain a proper work/life balance, you will better prioritize your time and avoid an imbalance in either aspect of your life.  Again, thinking about this and making specific decisions in advance are critical.  Think about what rumble strips you have established and what additional ones you might need.  Today is a good day to establish these.

Thanks for making a difference!  Have a fabulous, “top ten” day!