I am in a transition process heading toward retirement at the end of the calendar year. I have read all the “expert” talk about the importance of getting ready for this chapter of life.  One of the key things they warn about is going from a job where you interact with others and “produce value” every day to very little interaction with others and minimizing that drive to accomplish something every day.  In fact, I have had concerns about that myself over the past few months.  My DNA says that we should be focusing on adding value in all we do.  So, when I think of moving to a lifestyle that perhaps doesn’t foster adding “business value,” I do understand that it may take a few months to make that personal shift.

Earlier this week, I had a day off and my wife and I took two of our grandchildren to the zoo. We left early and spent a glorious morning watching the animals and trying to corral 5- and 3-year olds in the crowds at the zoo.  We did have a great time.  Afterward, we stopped for lunch at one of those places with an indoor playground.  We just let the kids romp and play until they were done.   Back home, we spent some time outside on swings, picking and eating blueberries, and taking a golf cart ride.

At the end of the day when my son-in-law arrived to pick up the kids, Neely, our 5-year old granddaughter came over to me and hugged my neck like only a 5-year old can do — tight and close. Then, she said something that changed my entire perspective on that next chapter of mine.  She said, “It sure was a good day, Grandpa.  I love you.”  Then, she scampered off to get into the car.  Immediately, I realized that my time for adding “business value” might be close to an end, but, I will have even more time to pour my life into my seven grandchildren and my wife.  Life is good!

This also reminded me that we all need to be free to enjoy each day, especially those little things and those interactions we have with others. You never know when something you do or something you say might make a total life-difference to someone else.

So, I am more excited than ever for my next chapter. I don’t know all the things yet that I will be involved with, but I do know seven little lives that I will do my very best to cherish, enjoy, and positively influence.  Everyone should be as blessed as I am!

Have a great and enjoyable day! Thanks for what you do to make a difference for someone else!

Back in the 1990’s, one of the most popular singers of that time was Shania Twain.  One of her top songs was titled, “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”  The premise of the song is that there are some things that people do that are just the opposite of impressive — they actually become repulsive.  The song was fun, but the message of the song carries forward to us even today.  Let’s take a look at some things that are not impressive.  And, hopefully, if you are tempted to engage in these behaviors, you’ll be dissuaded.

Things that are not impressive:

1. Individuals that assume that form is more important that content – Many individuals are far more concerned with how things look – how they look – than with the work product they produce.  Their first question for nearly every situation is, “How will this affect me or what will others think?”  It can get so bad that this kind of individual might even do what is not best for the company rather than do something that might impact them.
2. Individuals that create problems simply to be the hero that solves that same problem – We have probably all seen examples of this… the person that created the crisis is eventually rewarded for “saving the day.” It is too bad that this kind of behavior likely continues because it is often rewarded and encouraged.
3. Individuals that become good at “fighting fires” instead of “preventing fires” – Wouldn’t you rather be known as the person that was always able to avoid a crisis than be good at navigating out of those you created?
4. Individuals that feel their own time is more valuable than anyone else’s – Some individuals are always five minutes late to everything.  Then, they want everyone else to wait again while “they get caught up.”  This is simply disrespectful.
5. Individuals that make everything “all about me” or “what’s in it for me” – Some individuals turn every conversation back to themselves or their own situation or their own desires.  Most often, you make others feel better about being around you or engaging with you when you encourage them to talk about subjects of interest to them.
6. Individuals that are not kind or that disrespect others – I have seen this quote many times recently, “You can tell a lot about a person that treats the cleaning crew the same way they would treat the CEO.”  Showing respect to others is just the right thing to do rather than treat only those well that might someday be able to do something for you.

Rather than focus on things not impressive, let’s consider how we can do what’s right, treat others right, and live in a way to models integrity.  Doing anything else is… well, in Shania’s words… not impressive. Thanks for making our company a terrific place to be.  Have an awesome day!

 

Twenty-five years can make a huge difference.  I recently saw an old Radio Shack advertisement from February 16, 1991 (see the link below).  The advertisement shows 15 technology-type items on sale for their big President’s Birthday Sale for that year.  Of the 15 items, we now carry 13 of those items in our pocket in one single device (the items include: phone, computer, still camera, video camera, clock/radio, phone answering machine, all-weather radio, calculator, CB radio, speed dial, CD player, desktop scanner, and voice recorder).  In just 25 years, technology has advanced to the point that instead of spending around $6000 in today’s dollars for these 13 items, we now have them all together in our smart phones that cost around 10% of that.  It makes you wonder what of today’s top technology will be obsolete within the next few years.

You will also notice that Radio Shack is no longer considered “America’s Technology Store” as they tout in that advertisement.  In fact, depending upon who you listen to, Radio Shack may not even survive as a company.  Even their name has not really kept up with today’s technology.

So, what does this have to do with us?  Technology, or skills, in the workplace must be kept current, as well.  The skills we used 5, 10, or 20 years ago may no longer be those needed by the company.  If we have not advanced our skills, today’s company may not even need us.  A couple examples, one old and one new…

• When I first started in the business world, there was a “secretary” to support every few individuals.  Because management individuals did not have computers, the secretary was required to type all letters, schedule meetings, retain paper copies of all documents, etc., etc.  Many of these same activities can be done today through Outlook e-mail or Microsoft Word programs.  The “secretary” role has evolved to focus more on projects, organizational activities, and helping those they support to be more productive.  The skills are completely different and more advanced.
• You have probably read that some fast food firms are planning to exchange people with machines for order-taking, order-prep, etc.  Again, if your only skills are fast-food order-taking, your job may be obsolete soon.

So, the questions for today are, “Have your own skills continued to evolve and advance in ways that keep you ahead of the competition?  Are you continuing to make yourself more valuable to the company and more marketable globally by continually advancing your skills?  What are you doing now to be ready for the significant technology changes that will occur in the next 5 or 10 years?”

There are many ways to keep advancing your skills:

• Education – coursework, advanced degrees, seminars, conferences, industry organizations, etc.
• New positions – taking risks by moving to positions outside your comfort zone
• Volunteering for challenging tasks – often times, taking on a new challenge is the best way to learn new skills or make yourself more prepared for expanded roles
• Working with or serving as a mentor – by interacting with others on a regular basis, you keep your skills sharp and learn new ones

We do not want to find ourselves someday trying to use our old technology skills in a new technology world.  Think about where you are today… are you a multi-skilled individual that can do many things or are you the individual devices featured in the old Radio Shack advertisement.  Now, what will I do to be ready for the next transformational change that is probably already starting to occur?

Today could be a “top ten” day — there is still a chance!  Have a wonderful, productive, and delightful day!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-cichon/radio-shack-ad_b_4612973.html

 

In earlier tributes, we recognized friends, mothers, great leaders, and veterans.   So, today on Tribute Friday, we pay tribute to those adult leaders that so greatly influenced our early years.  We are at the end of the school year for most and it reminds me of the thrill I experienced on the last day of school in my school days.  And, I remember the great restraint exhibited by our teachers that did not outwardly cheer, yell, and party to celebrate their own three months of freedom.

So many teachers, coaches, and leaders of my youthful years influenced me.  I can actually remember the names of every teacher I had through my early years… Murphy, Taylor, Cozad, Bronson, Briscoe, Martin, Wilson, Boles, etc.  There were others, as well… baseball and basketball coaches, band leaders, scout leaders, volunteers that made so much possible, etc.  The dedication and integrity of these individuals helped shape me.

So, it might be appropriate today for us to thank one of those key individuals that helped make us who we are today.  Or, at least, it might be good to thank one of our kids’ teachers.  Is there someone that greatly influenced you that comes to mind?  Why not take a few minutes to say thanks today? 

And, thanks to you for all you do!  Have a great day and terrific weekend ahead!

 

I was a Boy Scout in my youth.  I have many fond memories of times camping, hiking, earning merit badges, and on service projects.  Though that was nearly 50 years ago, I have remembered the Boy Scout Law all these years.  It is still applicable today as a set of rules to live by at home, at work, and in our daily journey through life.  Here it is (my brief definition of each in parentheses)

A Boy Scout is:

• Trustworthy (we do what we say we’ll do)
• Loyal (we stand by and support our friends)
• Helpful (we quickly jump in to serve others)
• Friendly (we make the first move to make others feel comfortable)
• Courteous (we behave appropriately to others)
• Kind (we exhibit self-control in how we treat others)
• Obedient (we realize that we are accountable to someone)
• Cheerful (we remain optimistic)
• Thrifty (we are good stewards of the resources in our control)
• Brave (we display courage to stand up for the right things)
• Clean (we keep ourselves and our areas orderly)
• Reverent (we are respectful to others and their views, even if different from our own)

Not a bad list, eh?  Thanks for all you do to make this a great place to live and work!  Have a spectacular day!

 

Today is a no-brainer day at The Porch.  Just read and enjoy what Mr. Anonymous has to say (that’s right… the original author of all of these is anonymous):

• I know the voices in my head aren’t real….. but sometimes their ideas are just absolutely awesome!

• I’m not clumsy! The floor just hates me, the table and chairs are bullies, and the walls get in my way.

• In the morning I can’t eat, I’m thinking of you. In the evening I can’t eat, I’m thinking of you. In the night I can’t sleep.. I’m so hungry!

• To make a mistake is human, but to blame it on someone else, that’s even more human.

• If you didn’t see it with your own eyes, or hear it with your own ears, don’t invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth!

• Stupidity is far more fascinating than intelligence, after all intelligence has its limits.

• The probability of meeting someone you know increases a hundredfold when you’re with someone you’re not supposed to be seen with.

• Taking a shower is awesome, it makes you feel nice and clean, makes you sound like a great singer, and helps you make all of life’s decisions.

• It may look like I’m doing nothing, but in my head I’m quite busy.

• Anything is possible if you don’t have to do it yourself.

 

Sometimes we overthink everything.  Often, it is good to simply read it for what it is, relax, smile, and move on.  Today is that day.

Have a splendid day!  There is still a chance that this could be the day you’ve been waiting for… your best day yet!

 

Ernest Hemingway is considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20^th century.  He wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Sun Also Rises, and The Old Man and the Sea, among other novels.  He was also the 1954 Nobel Prize winner in Literature.  Today’s quote is from Hemingway and speaks to about relationships, leadership, attitude, and perseverance.  So, it is appropriate to see what we can learn from Hemingway today:

“Before you talk, listen

Before you react, think

Before you spend, earn

Before you criticize, wait

Before you pray, forgive

Before you quit, try.”

            – Ernest Hemingway –

Hemingway lists six specific attributes that might define one a successful individual.  Let’s look at each of these:

1. Listen – Do you really care what others are saying?  Or, are you merely preparing your next comments?
2. Think – Many err because the act before they think.  Pausing long enough to reason is an important personal attribute.
3. Earn – We need to earn what we get.  That means having enough patience to work for what we want.
4. Wait – Patience to persevere is often necessary.  Waiting is a skill that few truly master.
5. Forgive – We can’t really have peace unless we are willing to forgive ourselves or others.  Only then are we free to live as we desire.
6. Try – Success frequently comes on the last try.  In fact, it almost always comes on the last try.  So, we must always be willing to try just one more time.

How well do you stack up to these six attributes?  Do you do well at more than one or two?  Was Hemingway speaking to you directly when he penned this?

Today, keep your chin up, your mind focused, and your attitude on making life better for someone else.  If you do, it might just be a “top ten” day.  Enjoy!

 

 

Next Monday is Memorial Day in the United States. Our colleagues in other countries celebrate similar days throughout the year.  So, today we pay tribute to our veterans – those that willingly served to keep us free.  To highlight the plight of many of these veterans, we take a look at the story of Joe, a veteran of the Viet Nam war era.

 

Joe’s Story

I’ve known Joe for quite a long time. He is most often, these days, found sitting outside the coffee shop down the street from where I live.  Joe is unemployed, homeless, and depends upon the generosity of others for the basic needs of his life.  Joe grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois.  He was a good student, was well liked, and, according to his parents and teachers, had a bright future.  Joe was a good athlete and his favorite memories are playing baseball and basketball for his hometown high school.  Joe often thought he would go to college and become a teacher.

However, the military had other plans for Joe. He grew up when the military draft lottery was still in place.  In those days, every date all year was placed in a bin and someone from the draft board pulled out the dates one-by-one until all were pulled.  Then, for every 18 year old male in the US, a draft into military service was held, starting with the first date drawn, until enough new soldiers were entered into the military.  Typically, 18 year olds with birthdates in the top 150 or so knew they would be drafted.  Birthdates drawn above that were fairly safe in that they would not be drafted.  In 1968 when Joe turned 18, his birthdate draft number was 38.  Thus, he was drafted into the Army.

In 1968, the War in Viet Nam was still going strong. So, Joe found himself heading to the Far East on his 19^th birthday.  Joe had never been beyond Missouri in his entire life, so the trip to South Viet Nam was both exciting and dreadful.  But, he served the best he could.  In his 8^th month in Viet Nam, Joe was on patrol with his best friend when they stepped on a land mine along the road.  Joe’s friend Bobby died instantly.  Joe was badly damaged and required 4 surgeries to regain his ability to walk and the use of his arm.  He was honorably discharged in 1970.

Joe spent the next 40 years hopping from one job to another. He tried college for one semester, but just could not concentrate long enough to stay in class.  His war injuries kept him from many jobs that he knew he could do.  He had no significant skills, so he ended up working at whatever menial job he could find.  He became homeless in 2006.  By then, he had been hooked on drugs originally intended to alleviate his pain.  Most of his family had died or he had last track of them.  He never married.  For the last ten years, Joe ate leftover food from dumpsters, begged for coffee money, and slept wherever he could remain dry and relatively warm.

Growing up, Joe never intended to end up on the street. He had the greatest of intentions.  He was glad to serve his country, but a part of him died that day Bobby died.  He has remained a patriot all these years, but he feels he let himself and his family down because he was never quite able to fully shake the injuries – mental and physical – he incurred in Viet Nam.  He is sad that he has never met his nephews.  And, he is sadder yet that they probably would be embarrassed to even say they were related to him. 

By the way, my name is Joe and I might live just down the street from you. If you get a chance, please give me a hand.  And, please don’t think harshly of me.  I did the best I could.  I just wish I could have done more.

 

Joe is a veteran that sacrificed much to heed the call to serve his country. And, his story is not so unusual.  Many, perhaps most, of our veterans returned home different than they were when they left to serve.  Many never returned.

I am honored to be the son of a World War II veteran, the grandson of a World War I veteran, the uncle to a current Army Colonel, and to have several brothers-in-law that served during the Viet Nam War time. None of these men talked about their time at war much.  However, they each served proudly and with honor.  Today, my hat is off and I extend my most sincere thanks and honor to all of you that either served or had family members that served in the armed forces.  You have sacrificed much and we pay tribute to you today.  Thanks!

Please, find a veteran today and tell them thanks. We owe them our freedom and the way of life we enjoy so much.

 

A colleague recently shared with me a short list of “things I’ve learned” published in the Aer Lingus Travel Magazine for May, 2016 (author unknown).  I liked the list and thought it might be helpful for others.  Following is the list and the verbiage behind each item:

1. Start at the end – I always start each year with a clear vision of where I want the business to be by the end of the year. I work backwards from there, deciding on what needs to be done to achieve this. I share my vision with my team and seek opinions before finalizing the plan for the 12 months ahead.
2. Don’t let complacency set in – Sometimes, when things are going well, it’s easier to sit back than initiate change. The old adage, ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’ doesn’t always apply. Stimulating change to keep your business ahead of the competition is vital in the increasingly competitive environments that we operate in. I drive change through a continuous improvement ethos, which is shared by all of our employees.
3. Practice questioning – Don’t underestimate the power of questioning. It’s amazing how much you can discover when you ask questions. It sounds like the most obvious approach to a problem; however, I’ve learned that it is truly a leadership differentiator. The more questions I ask, the more I learn about a situation, person or problem. It’s an extremely powerful approach and, when used correctly, quickly gets me to the core of an issue.
4. Behave as you want others to – I believe that people mirror behaviors and they tend naturally to follow the behaviors they see around them. I’m extremely conscious of my own behaviors and I like to make at least one positive change each year. I encourage my team to do the same.
5. Learn…always – Every situation presents an opportunity to learn. It’s amazing what you can glean from any situation by admitting that you don’t have all the answers. It can be quite liberating, whilst driving trust and collaboration with your team.
6. Look forward – It’s natural to reflect on past successes but I’ve learned that looking forward and planning for future success is a much better use of my time. I spend 80 percent of my time looking at what is to be done, as opposed to what has been done. I’ve shared this thinking and way of working with mu team and I’ve seen motivation, creativity, innovation, job satisfaction, increased energy and strong engagement as outcomes.

I especially like #4… behave as you want others to. I have found that this really is true and I think you probably notice it, as well.  When around quiet, serious people, most individuals tend to take on that demeanor.  On the other hand, when around energetic, outlandish people, most tend to ramp up their energy level.  So, be careful what behavior you encourage.

Let’s have a great day… perhaps even a “top 10” day!

 

My wife’s Grandpa Tucker has been gone for over 30 years now. But, I remember sitting on lawn chairs in their country yard trying to catch a breeze listening to his stories. He had a very diverse “career.” Over the years, he had worked in factories, ran a petrol (gasoline) station, did odd jobs, and farmed. In their first 25 years of marriage, they moved 26 times. Then, they never moved again for the next 30. Every time we visited, he seemed to tell the same stories. That tends to happen as you age… you forget what you’ve already shared. Yet, the stories were always fun and we enjoyed hearing them. We often wish that somehow we had taped them to watch them again with our own children and grandchildren. Anyway, this is one of those stories that he said was true:

Back in their early years of marriage (probably in the 1920’s), the Tuckers were working in northern Illinois. They had decided to move back home to southern Illinois and packed up the truck and headed south on the main highway. In those days, not all highways were paved. In fact, they were little more than a pathway across the prairie. On the way south, they encountered a tremendous thunderstorm. The rain was torrential. Somewhere along the way, there was a low spot in the roadway. The rain had turned that into a mud pit. The mud was so bad that the cars and trucks of the day could not get through. But, an industrious farmer that lived nearby had brought his team of horses to the pit to pull vehicles through to the other side. The Tuckers were waiting their turn behind another car and witnessed that car’s interaction with the farmer. The farmer said to the driver, “I’ll pull you through, but it will cost you $4.” The man said, “You’re kidding! You’re charging $4 to pull me through? That’s robbery! You’d think that out of kindness, you’d pull me through.” This went on for a few minutes before the man handed over $4 and the farmer and team pulled them through.

When Grandpa Tucker came up to the pit, he had already retrieved his $4. He reached out to hand it to the farmer. The farmer said, “No, Sir, for you it is $3.” Grandpa Tucker said, “Only $3? I thought you charged that last car $4.” The farmer replied, “Yes, I did. My price is $4 if you argue, but only $3 if you don’t. So, you get the no-argument discount.” He pulled them through and they continue their journey south.

So, what does this story teach us? I think there are a few good points for us in either our business or personal lives:

1. Not every day is sunny. Sometimes, we just have to trudge through the mud and make the best of what comes your way. Diligence and persistence are words that come to mind.

2. When it’s your team of horses, you set the price. We can’t always have it our way. Often, we are at a disadvantage in a situation and our best approach might be to just deal with it and make the best of the situation.

3. Courtesy and kindness frequently pay dividends. When you treat someone with kindness, their natural tendency, especially when they work in a stressful position, is to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’ve heard that treating airline employees with kindness can often make rebooking cancelled flights easier, for example. As we have said often on The Porch, “There is never a time or situation when kindness is not an appropriate behavior.”

Finally, if there are wonderful family stories in your family, take the time to retell them or, better yet, write them down. You may be the only way these are retained for future generations.

Thanks and have a tremendous day!