Roast of the day: Medium
What does it take to be a great leader? There are entire books written on the subject. There are seminars and conferences devoted to answering the question. Yet, to me there is one overarching
principle that points to a great leader and it's this...
Success Shared. Blame Beared.
The basic idea behind this leadership proverb is that to be an effective leader one must be willing to share credit with his/her team while at the same time take personal responsibility when things don't go according to plan. My feeling and experience is that leaders mastering this skill will find themselves surrounded by a team that is "sold out to their cause." In my opinion, this is a key factor in effective leadership.
Unfortunately, it seems that as leaders we mess this up far too often. It's so easy to want to pin the success of a specific outcome to our chest or place the blame on the team when something doesn't go right. If you find yourself in a leadership position, try to remember this little proverb. I think it will serve you well.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Don't let the mundane pass you by...
Today's Roast: Medium
I have to start out by owning up to the fact that I am never going to be an everyday blogger.
There, I've said it. Although I'd love to scratch down my thoughts on a daily basis, it's really hard...not only to find the time (albeit I admit it's a bit easier for that during our current circumstances), but also figuring out content. I'm not sure I have enough interesting or deep thoughts to ramble on about.
With that said, I am going to try to commit to posting a blog on a weekly basis. However, you must understand that this is coming from an ENFP (for those of you that are Myers-Briggs aficionados) and a 7 (for those of you Enneagrams out there). In other words, my full intention is to keep up this this blog, but my follow through may be a bit lacking.
Now, onto the mundane.
Prior to our current circumstances, or if you happen to be one of the many essential workers that must actually go to the office or factory...perhaps you can relate to this post.
If any of you have a lengthy drive into work, it can become rather mundane. When I used to work in Maple Grove (for 28 years), every morning - Monday through Friday - I would drive virtually the same route to and from work. The commute would take roughly 35 to 45 minutes each way. Many times, if I was on the phone or listening to the radio, I could arrive at my destination seemingly on autopilot.
One morning, as was typical, I was driving my regular route, listening to the radio, busy with the thoughts of the coming day. Suddenly, I received a tap on my shoulder...."Look around you. My beautiful creation is all around you - and you are just passing it by." Obviously, this wasn't a physical tap on the shoulder - but the feeling was just as real. I turned off the radio and just began taking in all of the wondrous beauty that nature was displaying around me. The sun, the trees, things that I had driven by hundreds of times seemed new and fresh. I was amazed at how much I missed everyday on my drive into work...just because I was busy in the mundane.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that we not pay attention what we're doing behind the wheel and drive with our heads out the window. But there is something to that old adage that we need to "stop and smell the roses." Take some time and notice all of the amazing creation around you. Don't let the seemingly mundane pass you by...
I have to start out by owning up to the fact that I am never going to be an everyday blogger.
There, I've said it. Although I'd love to scratch down my thoughts on a daily basis, it's really hard...not only to find the time (albeit I admit it's a bit easier for that during our current circumstances), but also figuring out content. I'm not sure I have enough interesting or deep thoughts to ramble on about.
With that said, I am going to try to commit to posting a blog on a weekly basis. However, you must understand that this is coming from an ENFP (for those of you that are Myers-Briggs aficionados) and a 7 (for those of you Enneagrams out there). In other words, my full intention is to keep up this this blog, but my follow through may be a bit lacking.
Now, onto the mundane.
Prior to our current circumstances, or if you happen to be one of the many essential workers that must actually go to the office or factory...perhaps you can relate to this post.
If any of you have a lengthy drive into work, it can become rather mundane. When I used to work in Maple Grove (for 28 years), every morning - Monday through Friday - I would drive virtually the same route to and from work. The commute would take roughly 35 to 45 minutes each way. Many times, if I was on the phone or listening to the radio, I could arrive at my destination seemingly on autopilot.
One morning, as was typical, I was driving my regular route, listening to the radio, busy with the thoughts of the coming day. Suddenly, I received a tap on my shoulder...."Look around you. My beautiful creation is all around you - and you are just passing it by." Obviously, this wasn't a physical tap on the shoulder - but the feeling was just as real. I turned off the radio and just began taking in all of the wondrous beauty that nature was displaying around me. The sun, the trees, things that I had driven by hundreds of times seemed new and fresh. I was amazed at how much I missed everyday on my drive into work...just because I was busy in the mundane.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that we not pay attention what we're doing behind the wheel and drive with our heads out the window. But there is something to that old adage that we need to "stop and smell the roses." Take some time and notice all of the amazing creation around you. Don't let the seemingly mundane pass you by...
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
The Anticipatory Theory
Roast: Light to Medium
Years ago, a colleague of mine and I had recently returned from a business trip in Florida. Our local sales representative there had played host during our visit and we had the pleasure of meeting his wonderful family. While having dinner together one evening, I seized the opportunity to pontificate on my theories of time and LRPs (My theory of time...and the introduction to LRPs and A stitch in time). I was intrigued and pleased to hear some of the interesting ideas that both our sales representative and his wife had on the subject. I thought I'd share a bit from that discussion.
If you've been a faithful reader of my blog, you know that I have a few theories on why the passage of time seems to accelerate as we grow older. However, after my discussion with my friends in Florida, I must admit that there are probably quite a few other theories that deserve investigation. One of the main ideas we discussed during that dinner revolved around child-like anticipation. Thus, I have coined this as the Anticipatory Theory of Time.
The basic logic of this theory is that time will seem to pass slower when we are anticipating something of significance to take place. Do you remember as a child when your parents announced that the family would be taking vacation to Walt Disney World during Easter break? The months leading up to that planned vacation always seemed to take forever. Why is that? Even as an adult, I have experienced this same phenomenon as we plan our annual family vacations to Door County. It seems as if the anticipation of the upcoming event acts as a catalyst for slowing down time, at least in our minds. Granted, I have not taken the time to ponder the full effects of anticipation - but I am intrigued by this new theory (I realize it's actually more of a hypothesis than a theory, but allow me some grace).
Perhaps when considering your next LRP (Life Reference Point) event, you should consider planning it well in advance. By combining both the ideas of LRPs and the Anticipatory Theory, you may find that slowing the passage of time is seemingly possible - at least on a relative basis.
Years ago, a colleague of mine and I had recently returned from a business trip in Florida. Our local sales representative there had played host during our visit and we had the pleasure of meeting his wonderful family. While having dinner together one evening, I seized the opportunity to pontificate on my theories of time and LRPs (My theory of time...and the introduction to LRPs and A stitch in time). I was intrigued and pleased to hear some of the interesting ideas that both our sales representative and his wife had on the subject. I thought I'd share a bit from that discussion.
If you've been a faithful reader of my blog, you know that I have a few theories on why the passage of time seems to accelerate as we grow older. However, after my discussion with my friends in Florida, I must admit that there are probably quite a few other theories that deserve investigation. One of the main ideas we discussed during that dinner revolved around child-like anticipation. Thus, I have coined this as the Anticipatory Theory of Time.
The basic logic of this theory is that time will seem to pass slower when we are anticipating something of significance to take place. Do you remember as a child when your parents announced that the family would be taking vacation to Walt Disney World during Easter break? The months leading up to that planned vacation always seemed to take forever. Why is that? Even as an adult, I have experienced this same phenomenon as we plan our annual family vacations to Door County. It seems as if the anticipation of the upcoming event acts as a catalyst for slowing down time, at least in our minds. Granted, I have not taken the time to ponder the full effects of anticipation - but I am intrigued by this new theory (I realize it's actually more of a hypothesis than a theory, but allow me some grace).
Perhaps when considering your next LRP (Life Reference Point) event, you should consider planning it well in advance. By combining both the ideas of LRPs and the Anticipatory Theory, you may find that slowing the passage of time is seemingly possible - at least on a relative basis.
Monday, April 6, 2020
Take time to sharpen...
Roast: Medium Dark
I believe Spring is finally upon us. If you believe the calendar, the official first day of Spring was back in March, but it hasn't felt consistently "spring-like." However, the past two days have been nice. The temperature supposedly reaching into the mid-60s tomorrow is one indicator, but to me, the far greater sign of Spring is the return of the bird songs.
I decided to take advantage of the warm weather today and yesterday to do some walking. As I stepped outside, I was amazed at the chorus being sung. I couldn't believe how loud the bird songs seemed to be...it was as if hundreds of birds were busy announcing their return and it was wonderful.
As I took the time to listen and enjoy the moment, it occurred to me that these same birds have probably sung their choruses throughout the past summers, only I don't ever recall hearing them like this in June, July or August. I believe this is probably because with all the added activities, commotion and other noises that come with the warmer weather, we become dull to hearing these beautiful songs. It's only after the long and quiet winter months that our senses are sharpened such that when a day like today comes around the music is overwhelming.
This is not unlike the Christian walk, where - over time - we can become dull to many different facets to which we were once sharp. I don't want to be dull. I want to hear the birds singing their songs throughout the summer, and I want to be prepared for whatever God has in store for me. I want to make sure I take time to sharpen....
I believe Spring is finally upon us. If you believe the calendar, the official first day of Spring was back in March, but it hasn't felt consistently "spring-like." However, the past two days have been nice. The temperature supposedly reaching into the mid-60s tomorrow is one indicator, but to me, the far greater sign of Spring is the return of the bird songs.
I decided to take advantage of the warm weather today and yesterday to do some walking. As I stepped outside, I was amazed at the chorus being sung. I couldn't believe how loud the bird songs seemed to be...it was as if hundreds of birds were busy announcing their return and it was wonderful.
As I took the time to listen and enjoy the moment, it occurred to me that these same birds have probably sung their choruses throughout the past summers, only I don't ever recall hearing them like this in June, July or August. I believe this is probably because with all the added activities, commotion and other noises that come with the warmer weather, we become dull to hearing these beautiful songs. It's only after the long and quiet winter months that our senses are sharpened such that when a day like today comes around the music is overwhelming.
This is not unlike the Christian walk, where - over time - we can become dull to many different facets to which we were once sharp. I don't want to be dull. I want to hear the birds singing their songs throughout the summer, and I want to be prepared for whatever God has in store for me. I want to make sure I take time to sharpen....
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