When should I consider leaving my company?  This is a question we all face several times during our careers.  I recently said good-bye to a friend retiring after 37 years at his company. That is extremely unusual these days. When our parents began working, it was expected that they would remain with their first company until they left with a gold watch and pension. It just was not considered that they would seek another employer 5 – 10 times during their careers. In those days, we didn’t see mergers and acquisitions as frequently as today. And, companies did not use “reductions in force” as a common management tool. And, employees seemed to exhibit stronger loyalty to their original employer who was not viewed simply as a way to “get a foot in the door to gain experience.”

All that aside, there are legitimate reasons for leaving one company and moving to another – I have done so a half dozen times in my own career. What are those reasons? When is it time to consider creating or updating your resume to seek employment elsewhere. Outlined below are 5 solid reasons for leaving your company. There may be others, but this list is a good starting point for differentiating good versus not-so-good reasons for tasting the grass on the other side of the fence:

1. You have hit a dead-end – There are times when the road ahead, career-wise, is blocked and you see no detour around the block. For example, the only advancement opportunity is currently held by an individual younger than you that his perfectly happy in the role. Or, it has become clear that your manager does not believe you have the ability to advance. At this point, your only choices are to “buck up, Buttercup” and learn to be satisfied with your current role and find personal satisfaction outside the job OR move to another company. This is a perfectly legitimate reason for leaving.  But, one warning… be sure you truly have hit a dead-end.  Seek the advice of a trusted colleague to ensure that you are not being blinded by some other motive.  Often, when you look objectively, there are alternatives you have either not sought or have chosen not to consider.
2. You can’t achieve your goals with the current company – There are times when you should ask yourself the question, “In five years, which position do I aspire to hold? Can I achieve that goal in my current company?” If the answer to those questions is “no”, then it might be time to consider an alternative. When you fast forward those five years and find that you did not achieve your goal and have no immediate possibilities, it is too late. Don’t waste those valuable years treading water if you cannot legitimately attain your career goals in your current situation.
3. Your values do not align with the current company – There are also times when the company simply has a set of values that you cannot tolerate in your own life. When this occurs, it is time to move on, rather than make yourself and others miserable. Your performance will soon decline anyway, so move early when you see a values mismatch.
4. You have a “career accelerator” opportunity with another company – Sometimes you merely get the call from a recruiter that can accelerate your career five or ten years. Someone needs your exact skills and background and is willing to move your career ahead. When this call happens, it might be worth listening and responding.
5. Your personal situation dictates a change – Sometimes, your personal situation might dictate a company change. For example:
   1. Financial concerns require that you take another position simply because it meets an important financial consideration.
   2. Relocation to a more desired area or to be near family is important. I once left an excellent position to relocate near an ill family member. I don’t regret this move at all.
   3. Commute, hours, or family considerations dictate a change. Always remember that your family comes before your career. Once those years are gone, you cannot get them back. A job change is often needed to meet a family situation.
   4. Health concerns often necessitate a job change.

 

There are also good reasons why you should NOT change jobs. These include chasing financial gain without considering the impact of a change on your long-term plans or chasing a title. If you spend your time merely chasing a bigger title or more responsibility, you will eventually be left unsatisfied.

So, take the time to conduct a career inventory. Before you change jobs, are your motives or reasons clearly one of those outlined above? Or, are you merely a rolling stone that needs a change every two years? Be clear about your objectives and ensure that the reason meets a key career or personal need.

Good luck!

Integrity is how you act when no one else is in the room.  It defines who you are and how you are perceived by others.  And, it can determine how successful your team performs or what you personally achieve.  John Wooden was the Hall of Fame coach of the UCLA Bruins basketball teams of the 60’s and 70’s.  His teams won many national championships.  He spoke often of one’s character, or their integrity.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”  – John Wooden –

Today, we look at the relationship of influence and integrity when it comes to leadership.

“Influence without integrity leads to forced compliance and limited achievement”

Have you ever heard the statement a player makes about a coach, “I would run through a brick wall for my coach.”  The individual making this comment usually follows that comment with something like, “He/She is tough and challenging, but I know that he/she only wants the very best for me.  He/She wants me to be the very best I can be.  I would do anything to make him/her successful.”  That is an example of influencing with integrity!

Influence is easy, especially when you manage someone.  You simply tell the person what to do, how to do it, and when it must be done.  You can influence by dictate.  However, a great leader is one that “gets you to do what you don’t necessarily want to do and feel good about it.”  That’s leadership.  And, you can only get to this point if you have integrity.  Integrity cannot be commanded, dictated, or assumed.  It is earned!  Integrity comes over a period of time when you demonstrate in both small and large decisions and actions that you will do the right thing.  Integrity means that you are honest and adhere to a set of moral values.  It means you will always do the right thing even when no one is looking.

When you establish a baseline of integrity in how you act and in what you do, you gain a level of voluntary influence that attracts others.  You become that individual that others seek for advice, that individuals desire to work with… and that others will do anything for to achieve success.  Without integrity, any influence you might have is typically short-term, limited, and will not generate the motivation from others needed to attain that top performance and success we strive to achieve.

If your team is not performing to the level you hope, could it be that you have not established the level of integrity (thus, trust) needed?  Here are some helpful hints that you might consider to enhance your own integrity:

• Meet with your team members one-on-one or in small groups – be vulnerable and allow them to get to know you (that means your personality, likes, desires, concerns, etc.)
• Ask for the advice, opinion, or thoughts from members of your team
• If you know you have done something to hamper your integrity, admit it and ask for a second chance — then, make them glad they allowed a second chance
• Begin spending more “on-the-floor” time with your team members – nothing builds integrity like time together
• Do something special for individuals and/or the team – begin adding value to their individual lives
• Do something intentional to support your team – fix an issue that has plagued the team or individuals
• Begin today —- Do what you say you will do and when you said you would do it!

Have one of your “best days yet”!

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!