I found the following Taekwondo Tenets (rules) at a local site. Rules can bring structure to a person’s life, help them control their behavior if the rules are consistently followed and can help you obtain a ‘noble character’ as stated below. This is good stuff!
Perhaps we should have everyone in the world take TKD so they can learn better behaviors and treat each other better.
Or you can become a Christian where we are encouraged to live the same way without all of the physical stuff. We learn these things by learning about Jesus and the way he lived. For us it is a choice.
I don't think there is much choice in TKD.
I wonder how many people don’t take TKD because they don’t like the rules? Many most likely take it because they want to learn these things or need help learning them.
Tenets of Taekwondo
Definitions that are in bold are for children younger than 6.
COURTESY (Ye Ui)
Taekwondo-Do students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct the training in an orderly manner as well.
1) To promote the spirit of mutual concessions / To agree to disagree
2) To be ashamed of one's vices, and avoid the tempting of others' vices.
3) To be polite to everyone.
4) To encourage the sense of justice and humanity.
5) To distinguish Master from Instructor, Instructor from Student, Elder from Youth, Man from Woman.
6) To behave oneself according to etiquette.
7) To respect others' possessions.
8) To handle matters with fairness and sincerity.
9) To refrain from giving or accepting a gift when in doubt.
INTEGRITY (Yom Chi)
I do not lie to myself or others.
I do not cheat myself or others.
I do not steal from myself or others.
PERSEVERANCE (In Nae)
To pursue your dreams earnestly and strenuously without giving up / To follow through
SELF-CONTROL (Guk Gi)
To be in control of oneself.
I am in control of my feeling.
I am in control of my actions.
I am in control of my thoughts.
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT (Baekjul Boolgool)
To do what is right at all times even when it doesn’t benefit you / To follow through no matter the cost.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tough Times for Pot Farmers
Does the harvest party make it all worth it?
This excerpt is from Bloomberg Business Week titled ‘From Reefer Sadness for Pot Farmers’
Now a new set of variables has thrown the business into even greater uncertainty. On Nov. 2, California will vote on Proposition 19, the "Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010," a ballot initiative introduced by an Oakland pot enthusiast named Richard Lee that proposes to legalize marijuana for personal use. The new law would permit individuals to possess up to 1 ounce and cultivate 25 square feet worth of plants at private homes, with no medical requirement. Beyond that the initiative's language is murky. Regulation of commercial production and sale of cannabis would be done by counties and municipalities, leaving the mechanics of how it would all work undefined.
One thing seems clear, though, if the measure is adopted: A quasi-black market will be replaced by a much more legal one, and prices for pot are likely to go down. It's impossible to know by how much, but a 2010 Rand study called "Altered State? Assessing How Marijuana Legalization in California Could Influence Marijuana Consumption and Public Budgets" estimates that retail prices could eventually drop by 80 percent. First, suggests Jonathan Caulkins, a public policy professor at Carnegie Mellon University and a co-author of the Rand study, there would be a "honeymoon" period of several years when production would ramp up as California product began to push out inferior Mexican pot across the country. Once that happens, you could have "a real change in industry structure," according to Caulkins. Growers would have to professionalize their operations and become even more industrial-scale to squeeze out smaller margins of profit. In such an environment, people probably won't make the $150,000 or so Jason says he clears every year, and "mom and pop" farmers will be wiped out. Jason is planning ahead. "You wanna go up top and walk through them fields of glory?" he asks. "If you can grow twice as much, you'll make the same amount of money, even if the price is half."
At harvest time, which starts in October, he hires trimmers to cut the buds off plants for $200 a pound. "Somehow I tapped into this endless lesbian crew. They come out from North Carolina or Idaho, jumping trains the whole way," he says. "One year I had a CPA from Paris." He hires a cook to feed them and provides music, wine, and, of course, plenty to smoke. "It's a party," he says, bouncing up and down and making Edward Scissorhands motions with his fingers. His plots are scattered around the forest along with a collection of greenhouses that are visible from overhead but, he hopes, aren't numerous enough to invite a raid.
Jason says he clears $150,000 to $200,000 a year in profit from the land surrounding his house, depending on how good the crop is. He earns more from other plots he owns nearby. He doesn't pay taxes on the income because he doesn't file a return ("I don't lie about it. That's when you get in trouble"). Spending all that cash in the middle of nowhere can be a challenge. He and his wife eat all-organic, and he's got a few trucks to play with as well as a $28,000 Kubota backhoe. Some of the money is "seasoned" slowly into a bank account, so as not to draw attention.
This excerpt is from Bloomberg Business Week titled ‘From Reefer Sadness for Pot Farmers’
Now a new set of variables has thrown the business into even greater uncertainty. On Nov. 2, California will vote on Proposition 19, the "Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010," a ballot initiative introduced by an Oakland pot enthusiast named Richard Lee that proposes to legalize marijuana for personal use. The new law would permit individuals to possess up to 1 ounce and cultivate 25 square feet worth of plants at private homes, with no medical requirement. Beyond that the initiative's language is murky. Regulation of commercial production and sale of cannabis would be done by counties and municipalities, leaving the mechanics of how it would all work undefined.
One thing seems clear, though, if the measure is adopted: A quasi-black market will be replaced by a much more legal one, and prices for pot are likely to go down. It's impossible to know by how much, but a 2010 Rand study called "Altered State? Assessing How Marijuana Legalization in California Could Influence Marijuana Consumption and Public Budgets" estimates that retail prices could eventually drop by 80 percent. First, suggests Jonathan Caulkins, a public policy professor at Carnegie Mellon University and a co-author of the Rand study, there would be a "honeymoon" period of several years when production would ramp up as California product began to push out inferior Mexican pot across the country. Once that happens, you could have "a real change in industry structure," according to Caulkins. Growers would have to professionalize their operations and become even more industrial-scale to squeeze out smaller margins of profit. In such an environment, people probably won't make the $150,000 or so Jason says he clears every year, and "mom and pop" farmers will be wiped out. Jason is planning ahead. "You wanna go up top and walk through them fields of glory?" he asks. "If you can grow twice as much, you'll make the same amount of money, even if the price is half."
At harvest time, which starts in October, he hires trimmers to cut the buds off plants for $200 a pound. "Somehow I tapped into this endless lesbian crew. They come out from North Carolina or Idaho, jumping trains the whole way," he says. "One year I had a CPA from Paris." He hires a cook to feed them and provides music, wine, and, of course, plenty to smoke. "It's a party," he says, bouncing up and down and making Edward Scissorhands motions with his fingers. His plots are scattered around the forest along with a collection of greenhouses that are visible from overhead but, he hopes, aren't numerous enough to invite a raid.
Jason says he clears $150,000 to $200,000 a year in profit from the land surrounding his house, depending on how good the crop is. He earns more from other plots he owns nearby. He doesn't pay taxes on the income because he doesn't file a return ("I don't lie about it. That's when you get in trouble"). Spending all that cash in the middle of nowhere can be a challenge. He and his wife eat all-organic, and he's got a few trucks to play with as well as a $28,000 Kubota backhoe. Some of the money is "seasoned" slowly into a bank account, so as not to draw attention.
We are all teachers
So here’s my premise.
Many people when asked by another person, let’s use the term ‘questioner’, for help with something will look at the current situation or status and begin to solve or propose solutions almost immediately.
It seems like the ‘expert’ doesn’t try to understand what caused the problem but they assume that the ‘questioner’ is ok getting to the current point and if the ‘expert’ just offers some suggestions or solutions then it will fix the problem.
What is helpful for me is for the ‘expert ‘to try to understand what I comprehend to this point, without going into a lot of detail, to make sure I have an understanding of the process for example. This may be considered using a holistic approach.
Granted I have a responsibility in the questions I ask and how I ask them to further my understanding but I think many times the ‘expert’ is trying to solve things in as little time as possible.
As a result maybe I won’t get the understanding that I need to be able to perform this task or process on my own. I think this is or should be the ultimate aim of training and education. And at some point we are all teachers.
Many people when asked by another person, let’s use the term ‘questioner’, for help with something will look at the current situation or status and begin to solve or propose solutions almost immediately.
It seems like the ‘expert’ doesn’t try to understand what caused the problem but they assume that the ‘questioner’ is ok getting to the current point and if the ‘expert’ just offers some suggestions or solutions then it will fix the problem.
What is helpful for me is for the ‘expert ‘to try to understand what I comprehend to this point, without going into a lot of detail, to make sure I have an understanding of the process for example. This may be considered using a holistic approach.
Granted I have a responsibility in the questions I ask and how I ask them to further my understanding but I think many times the ‘expert’ is trying to solve things in as little time as possible.
As a result maybe I won’t get the understanding that I need to be able to perform this task or process on my own. I think this is or should be the ultimate aim of training and education. And at some point we are all teachers.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Calling
I recently saw a reference to this quote by Bob Shank:
‘Career is what you are paid for, but a calling is what you are made for’.
‘Career is what you are paid for, but a calling is what you are made for’.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Passion
‘What carries you through the tough times? What gives you the power to overcome adversity? Passion! Poet William Arthur Ward suggested that the key to success is to
Believe while other are doubting
Plan while others are playing
Study while others are sleeping
Decide while other are delaying
Prepare while other are daydreaming
Begin while other are procrastinating
Work while other are wishing
Save while other are wasting
Listen while other are talking
Smile while other are frowning
Commend while other are criticizing
Persist while other are quitting
What will give you the energy to believe, plan, study, decide, prepare, begin, work, save, listen, smile, commend and persist? The answer is passion!’
Quoted in ‘Put Your Dream To The Test’ by John C. Maxwell
Believe while other are doubting
Plan while others are playing
Study while others are sleeping
Decide while other are delaying
Prepare while other are daydreaming
Begin while other are procrastinating
Work while other are wishing
Save while other are wasting
Listen while other are talking
Smile while other are frowning
Commend while other are criticizing
Persist while other are quitting
What will give you the energy to believe, plan, study, decide, prepare, begin, work, save, listen, smile, commend and persist? The answer is passion!’
Quoted in ‘Put Your Dream To The Test’ by John C. Maxwell
Near – Death Experiences
It may be difficult for you to believe in an after life but the piece below references some evidence to that effect. Do you think you have to be able to see spirits in order to believe they exist? How much impact does the spirit world have on us?
Is it fact or fiction?
The excerpt below is from an article titled ‘Seeking Proof in Near-Death Claims’ in the 10/26 Wall St Journal
‘In addition to floating above their bodies, people often describe moving down a dark tunnel toward a bright light, feeling intense peace and joy, reviewing life events and seeing long-deceased relatives—only to be told that it's not time yet and land abruptly back in an ailing body.
The once-taboo topic is getting a lot of talk these days. In the new movie "Hereafter," directed by Clint Eastwood, a French journalist is haunted by what she experienced while nearly drowning in a tsunami. A spate of new books details other cases and variations on the theme.
Yet the fundamental debate rages on: Are these glimpses of an afterlife, are they hallucinations or are they the random firings of an oxygen-starved brain?
"There are always skeptics, but there are millions of 'experiencers' who know what happened to them, and they don't care what anybody else says," says Diane Corcoran, president of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, a nonprofit group in Durham, N.C. The organization publishes the Journal of Near-Death Studies and maintains support groups in 47 states’.
Some investigators say the most remarkable thing about near-death reports is that the core elements are the same, among people of all cultures, races, religions and age groups, including children as young as 3 years old.
In his new book, "Evidence of the Afterlife," Jeffrey Long, a radiation oncologist in Louisiana, analyzes 613 cases reported on the website of his Near Death Research Foundation and concludes there is only one plausible explanation: "that people have survived death and traveled to another dimension."
Dead or Alive?
An analysis of 613 near-death experiences gathered by the Near Death Research Foundation found:
About 75% included an out-of-body experience
76% reported intense positive emotions
34% described passing through a tunnel
65% described encountering a bright light
22% had a life review
57% encountered deceased relatives or other beings
Note: Patients could report more than one sensation.
Is it fact or fiction?
The excerpt below is from an article titled ‘Seeking Proof in Near-Death Claims’ in the 10/26 Wall St Journal
‘In addition to floating above their bodies, people often describe moving down a dark tunnel toward a bright light, feeling intense peace and joy, reviewing life events and seeing long-deceased relatives—only to be told that it's not time yet and land abruptly back in an ailing body.
The once-taboo topic is getting a lot of talk these days. In the new movie "Hereafter," directed by Clint Eastwood, a French journalist is haunted by what she experienced while nearly drowning in a tsunami. A spate of new books details other cases and variations on the theme.
Yet the fundamental debate rages on: Are these glimpses of an afterlife, are they hallucinations or are they the random firings of an oxygen-starved brain?
"There are always skeptics, but there are millions of 'experiencers' who know what happened to them, and they don't care what anybody else says," says Diane Corcoran, president of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, a nonprofit group in Durham, N.C. The organization publishes the Journal of Near-Death Studies and maintains support groups in 47 states’.
Some investigators say the most remarkable thing about near-death reports is that the core elements are the same, among people of all cultures, races, religions and age groups, including children as young as 3 years old.
In his new book, "Evidence of the Afterlife," Jeffrey Long, a radiation oncologist in Louisiana, analyzes 613 cases reported on the website of his Near Death Research Foundation and concludes there is only one plausible explanation: "that people have survived death and traveled to another dimension."
Dead or Alive?
An analysis of 613 near-death experiences gathered by the Near Death Research Foundation found:
About 75% included an out-of-body experience
76% reported intense positive emotions
34% described passing through a tunnel
65% described encountering a bright light
22% had a life review
57% encountered deceased relatives or other beings
Note: Patients could report more than one sensation.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Hello?
Interesting thing about when you ask God for something. The answer may never come, it may come eventually or it may come quickly.
I believe I got an answer from God this afternoon to a prayer I prayed and posted on Friday that was looking for truth.
Was it a positive answer like the one that I expected? Not necessarily.
Was I full of hope as I expected I would be when I heard it? Not necessarily.
Was I surprised when I head it? Not necessarily because I didn’t realize it was an answer when I first heard it. I came to a realization later in the evening that I was hearing truth as I was reading through the Bible.
I don’t think it was the passage that I was reading at the time as much as it was that I was reading the Bible and I was reading it and trying to concentrate and understand what I was reading.
Some of the truth that I had heard earlier was that I didn’t give myself a chance to hear God because I always have noise (radio, TV, etc) around me.
I believe there is a great deal of truth in what I heard because it was a confirmation of some of the things that I was thinking over the last few weeks as I asked God to help me. This message put things into context and offered some possible steps to take and some solutions.
How, you ask, was the message delivered? It was offered through my wife who, as she explained it, has been praying for me. She stated her love and concern for me but also explained how she was able to hear more from God in recent weeks by reducing the amount of noise in her life.
It is easy for me to get caught up in everything that is happening around me so this seems like an appropriate answer to the prayer and who God chose to deliver it. Because it both included some things that I had thought of and it also included some things I did not think of and these would be challenging for me to do. It was also delivered by my wife who I trust explicitly. I may not always agree with her but the timing of the message and the appropriateness cause me to believe that it was from God.
It requires me to trust God and stop thinking about myself.
I asked. I heard. Now I have to be faithful and follow what I believe is God’s direction.
I believe I got an answer from God this afternoon to a prayer I prayed and posted on Friday that was looking for truth.
Was it a positive answer like the one that I expected? Not necessarily.
Was I full of hope as I expected I would be when I heard it? Not necessarily.
Was I surprised when I head it? Not necessarily because I didn’t realize it was an answer when I first heard it. I came to a realization later in the evening that I was hearing truth as I was reading through the Bible.
I don’t think it was the passage that I was reading at the time as much as it was that I was reading the Bible and I was reading it and trying to concentrate and understand what I was reading.
Some of the truth that I had heard earlier was that I didn’t give myself a chance to hear God because I always have noise (radio, TV, etc) around me.
I believe there is a great deal of truth in what I heard because it was a confirmation of some of the things that I was thinking over the last few weeks as I asked God to help me. This message put things into context and offered some possible steps to take and some solutions.
How, you ask, was the message delivered? It was offered through my wife who, as she explained it, has been praying for me. She stated her love and concern for me but also explained how she was able to hear more from God in recent weeks by reducing the amount of noise in her life.
It is easy for me to get caught up in everything that is happening around me so this seems like an appropriate answer to the prayer and who God chose to deliver it. Because it both included some things that I had thought of and it also included some things I did not think of and these would be challenging for me to do. It was also delivered by my wife who I trust explicitly. I may not always agree with her but the timing of the message and the appropriateness cause me to believe that it was from God.
It requires me to trust God and stop thinking about myself.
I asked. I heard. Now I have to be faithful and follow what I believe is God’s direction.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Truth
Lord,
Bring your truth into my life today
Help me to recognize that truth
Help me to be willing to accept that truth
Help me to respond to that truth in a way that is honoring to you
Thank you Lord,
Amen
Bring your truth into my life today
Help me to recognize that truth
Help me to be willing to accept that truth
Help me to respond to that truth in a way that is honoring to you
Thank you Lord,
Amen
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Growth is a process
This excerpt on Personal Growth by John Maxwell is from ‘Leadership Wired’.
I’ve heard it said that we are either growing or dying. There is no cruising in life although that is what many people attempt to do. People who want to grow are constantly looking for and seeking ways to grow, change and improve.
Personal Growth requires a conscious decision and consistent effort. It is a process. Anything in life worth having requires constant effort. Some things we value more than others so we pay more attention to those things and apply more effort.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. So does personal growth and accomplishment. Anything is possible a step at a time.
Read the article and then begin your journey by taking the next step.
*******************************************************
Five Ingredients of Personal Growth By John C. Maxwell
As any farmer knows, the growth of a crop only happens when the right ingredients are present. To harvest plentiful fields, the farmer has to begin by planting the right seed in rich topsoil where sunlight and water can help the seed to sprout, mature, and bear fruit. If any of the ingredients (seeds, topsoil, sunlight, or water) are missing, the crop won't grow.
Growing as a leader also requires the proper ingredients. Unless the right attitudes and actions are cultivated an aspiring leader will sputter and fail rather than growing in influence. Let's look at five basic qualities essential for growth in leadership.
1) Teachability
Arrogance crowds out room for improvement. That's why humility is the starting point for personal growth. As Erwin G. Hall said, "An open mind is the beginning of self-discovery and growth. We can't learn anything new until we can admit that we don't already know everything."
Adopting a beginner's mindset helps you to be teachable. Beginners are aware that they don't know it all, and they proceed accordingly. As a general rule, they're open and humble, noticeably lacking in the rigidity that often accompanies experience and achievement. It's easy enough to have a beginner's mind when you're actually a beginner, but maintaining teachability gets trickier in the long term especially when you've already achieved some degree of success.
2) Sacrifice
Growth as a leader involves temporary loss. It may mean giving up familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, or relationships that have lost their meaning. Whatever the case, everything we gain in life comes as a result of sacrificing something else. We must give up to go up.
3) Security
To keep learning throughout life, you have to be willing, no matter what your position is, to say, "I don't know." It can be hard for executives to admit lacking knowledge because they feel as if everyone is looking to them for direction, and they don't want to let people down their people. However, followers aren't searching for perfection in their leaders. They're looking for an honest, authentic, and courageous leader who, regardless of the obstacles facing the organization, won't rest until the problem is solved.
It took me seven years to hit my stride as a communicator. During those seven years I gave some boring speeches, and I felt discouraged at times. However, I was secure enough to keep taking the stage and honing my communication skills until I could connect with an audience. Had I been insecure, then the negative evaluations of others would have sealed my fate and I never would have excelled in my career.
4) Listening
Listen, learn, and ask questions from somebody successful who has gone on before you. Borrow from their experiences so that you can avoid their mistakes and emulate their triumphs. Solicit feedback and take to heart what you're told. The criticism of friends may seem bitter in the short-term but, when heeded, it can save you from falling victim to your blind spots.
5) Application
Knowledge has a limited shelf life. Unless used immediately or carefully preserved, it spoils and becomes worthless. Put the lessons you learn into practice so that your insights mature into understanding.
ABOUT
John C. Maxwell is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 19 million books. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP, a non-profit organization that has trained more than 5 million leaders in 126 countries worldwide. Each year he speaks to the leaders of diverse organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, the National Football League, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United Nations. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell has written three books that have sold more than a million copies: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. His blog can be read at JohnMaxwellOnLeadership.com. He can be followed at Twitter.com/JohnCMaxwell.
I’ve heard it said that we are either growing or dying. There is no cruising in life although that is what many people attempt to do. People who want to grow are constantly looking for and seeking ways to grow, change and improve.
Personal Growth requires a conscious decision and consistent effort. It is a process. Anything in life worth having requires constant effort. Some things we value more than others so we pay more attention to those things and apply more effort.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. So does personal growth and accomplishment. Anything is possible a step at a time.
Read the article and then begin your journey by taking the next step.
*******************************************************
Five Ingredients of Personal Growth By John C. Maxwell
As any farmer knows, the growth of a crop only happens when the right ingredients are present. To harvest plentiful fields, the farmer has to begin by planting the right seed in rich topsoil where sunlight and water can help the seed to sprout, mature, and bear fruit. If any of the ingredients (seeds, topsoil, sunlight, or water) are missing, the crop won't grow.
Growing as a leader also requires the proper ingredients. Unless the right attitudes and actions are cultivated an aspiring leader will sputter and fail rather than growing in influence. Let's look at five basic qualities essential for growth in leadership.
1) Teachability
Arrogance crowds out room for improvement. That's why humility is the starting point for personal growth. As Erwin G. Hall said, "An open mind is the beginning of self-discovery and growth. We can't learn anything new until we can admit that we don't already know everything."
Adopting a beginner's mindset helps you to be teachable. Beginners are aware that they don't know it all, and they proceed accordingly. As a general rule, they're open and humble, noticeably lacking in the rigidity that often accompanies experience and achievement. It's easy enough to have a beginner's mind when you're actually a beginner, but maintaining teachability gets trickier in the long term especially when you've already achieved some degree of success.
2) Sacrifice
Growth as a leader involves temporary loss. It may mean giving up familiar but limiting patterns, safe but unrewarding work, values no longer believed in, or relationships that have lost their meaning. Whatever the case, everything we gain in life comes as a result of sacrificing something else. We must give up to go up.
3) Security
To keep learning throughout life, you have to be willing, no matter what your position is, to say, "I don't know." It can be hard for executives to admit lacking knowledge because they feel as if everyone is looking to them for direction, and they don't want to let people down their people. However, followers aren't searching for perfection in their leaders. They're looking for an honest, authentic, and courageous leader who, regardless of the obstacles facing the organization, won't rest until the problem is solved.
It took me seven years to hit my stride as a communicator. During those seven years I gave some boring speeches, and I felt discouraged at times. However, I was secure enough to keep taking the stage and honing my communication skills until I could connect with an audience. Had I been insecure, then the negative evaluations of others would have sealed my fate and I never would have excelled in my career.
4) Listening
Listen, learn, and ask questions from somebody successful who has gone on before you. Borrow from their experiences so that you can avoid their mistakes and emulate their triumphs. Solicit feedback and take to heart what you're told. The criticism of friends may seem bitter in the short-term but, when heeded, it can save you from falling victim to your blind spots.
5) Application
Knowledge has a limited shelf life. Unless used immediately or carefully preserved, it spoils and becomes worthless. Put the lessons you learn into practice so that your insights mature into understanding.
ABOUT
John C. Maxwell is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 19 million books. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of EQUIP, a non-profit organization that has trained more than 5 million leaders in 126 countries worldwide. Each year he speaks to the leaders of diverse organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, the National Football League, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the United Nations. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell has written three books that have sold more than a million copies: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. His blog can be read at JohnMaxwellOnLeadership.com. He can be followed at Twitter.com/JohnCMaxwell.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
New Experience
Went away with some guys I know this past weekend and had some fun and a new experience. We did some shooting of sporting clays or what I would refer to as skeet shooting.
I have not had much experience shooting rifles and have never shot a pistol. This weekend we used a shotgun and it was fun and a good experience although it didn’t start out well because I couldn’t get them targeted in but eventually I was able to hit the clays pretty consistently. It was a good feeling and I am looking forward to doing it again.
This was just one thing we did but we had fun with a number of activities and games that I think most guys would enjoy.
The real value in the weekend was in getting to know the other guys better through interaction and discussions. These guys have been meeting together for a couple of years and have great bond of friendship. Although I know each of these guys, some better than others, I have only been attending the weekly sessions for about 5 or 6 weeks.
During the weekend there was a time with a serious discussion and there were times of just having fun and joking with each other and sometimes challenging each other.
One interesting aspect of the weekend was that there was no real ultra competitiveness expressed or evident. There was some trash talking but it wasn’t crazy and guys were more interested in having fun as far as I can tell. There was a level of respect and appreciation for everyone that made the weekend enjoyable.
These types of experiences are available to other men but I’m not sure many men are interested in participating. You might ask, why not.
After working with men closely over the last few years I think there are several reasons.
o Some guys are shy and because of this are very uncomfortable in this kind of setting especially if they are encouraged to meet other men or to express their thoughts or opinions.
o Some are insecure and think everyone is looking at them and judging everything they do. But in reality almost everyone else is only worried about themselves and they don’t care about others and what they are doing.
o Some are prideful and think they have it all together and don’t need or want that type of experience. In fact many think they are much better than the guys who are involved in that group and so don’t need that type of thing.
o Some guys don’t want to think about attending and participating because this allows them to avoid the decision.
o And some guys don’t go because they have obligations they can’t get out of, like work, family or other commitments. Although I have expressed in other posts that many of the things we do can be postponed and rescheduled many times we just don’t choose to do that.
If you haven’t thought about improving yourself as a man or in your relationships with other men then that is most likely a reason why you don’t go to these types of events that are typically called retreats. I have been to many men's events both large and small and usually gain something that helps me to be a better man.
As men we all need to improve because we aren’t great or even good at everything and it takes a conscious decision and effort. Your family will appreciate it if you make this effort because as you become a better man you become a better husband, father, employee, manager and /or friend.
Don’t let any of the reasons above stop you from going or getting involved with a group of guys. Do yourself a favor and get involved with a group of guys, or talk with the guys you are already meeting with, and start to plan a weekend away each year to have some fun and get to know each other better.
Interestingly, during the weekend the guys were making suggestions of things we could do next year.
I have not had much experience shooting rifles and have never shot a pistol. This weekend we used a shotgun and it was fun and a good experience although it didn’t start out well because I couldn’t get them targeted in but eventually I was able to hit the clays pretty consistently. It was a good feeling and I am looking forward to doing it again.
This was just one thing we did but we had fun with a number of activities and games that I think most guys would enjoy.
The real value in the weekend was in getting to know the other guys better through interaction and discussions. These guys have been meeting together for a couple of years and have great bond of friendship. Although I know each of these guys, some better than others, I have only been attending the weekly sessions for about 5 or 6 weeks.
During the weekend there was a time with a serious discussion and there were times of just having fun and joking with each other and sometimes challenging each other.
One interesting aspect of the weekend was that there was no real ultra competitiveness expressed or evident. There was some trash talking but it wasn’t crazy and guys were more interested in having fun as far as I can tell. There was a level of respect and appreciation for everyone that made the weekend enjoyable.
These types of experiences are available to other men but I’m not sure many men are interested in participating. You might ask, why not.
After working with men closely over the last few years I think there are several reasons.
o Some guys are shy and because of this are very uncomfortable in this kind of setting especially if they are encouraged to meet other men or to express their thoughts or opinions.
o Some are insecure and think everyone is looking at them and judging everything they do. But in reality almost everyone else is only worried about themselves and they don’t care about others and what they are doing.
o Some are prideful and think they have it all together and don’t need or want that type of experience. In fact many think they are much better than the guys who are involved in that group and so don’t need that type of thing.
o Some guys don’t want to think about attending and participating because this allows them to avoid the decision.
o And some guys don’t go because they have obligations they can’t get out of, like work, family or other commitments. Although I have expressed in other posts that many of the things we do can be postponed and rescheduled many times we just don’t choose to do that.
If you haven’t thought about improving yourself as a man or in your relationships with other men then that is most likely a reason why you don’t go to these types of events that are typically called retreats. I have been to many men's events both large and small and usually gain something that helps me to be a better man.
As men we all need to improve because we aren’t great or even good at everything and it takes a conscious decision and effort. Your family will appreciate it if you make this effort because as you become a better man you become a better husband, father, employee, manager and /or friend.
Don’t let any of the reasons above stop you from going or getting involved with a group of guys. Do yourself a favor and get involved with a group of guys, or talk with the guys you are already meeting with, and start to plan a weekend away each year to have some fun and get to know each other better.
Interestingly, during the weekend the guys were making suggestions of things we could do next year.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
If I were the commissioner...
If I were the Commissioner of all sports, all Leagues, all broadcasts etc there would definitely be some changes. I will make the rules for all leagues.
Here is part of the change (did I really say that?) I will propose:
o All football teams would have to use the no huddle offense – Huddles are passé and waste a lot of time. And the ball can be snapped for the next play whether the defense is ready or not.
o The offense in football should be able to move any time they choose and move anywhere they want up and down the field on any play. The defense in football has had an advantage for a long time. It’s funny to hear the defenders complain when they think someone goes after their legs but it doesn’t bother the defense when they throw shoulders into another player’s head or upper torso and cause players to be helped off the field does it.
o Anytime Lou Holtz appears on TV the sound will automatically be turned down until he is done talking. Lou likes to talk about Notre Dame every time he is asked a question or asked to comment. Or he talks about how good ND is at recruiting or something similar. I think Bob Costas qualifies for turning down the sound also.
o The clock doesn’t stop at the end of any basketball game for fouls the way it does now. It’s annoying and makes the game too long. The new rule would be that if a player commits a foul in the last three minutes of the game the team that is fouled gets three points for every foul and the clock keeps running. Let’s keep the game moving.
o Baseball umpires can hang it up too. We can use electronics and computers to make all the calls, including balls and strikes. For any sport we may only need one or two officials in the booth to review the calls and override calls when necessary.
o One way to stop fights in all sports, including hockey, is that anyone involved in fighting is automatically thrown out of the game and suspended for three games whether the player started the fight or retaliated. Plus the team of anyone who is involved in a fight automatically gets a loss for every fight.
o All whining in Pro Soccer would result in immediate suspensions and then maybe soccer would go away. Did you see the World Cup this year and all the complaining? Or is that just a cultural thing?
I am starting to like this I think I can come up with some more great ideas. Maybe I need to take a look at the mascots.
It’s Half Time!
Here is part of the change (did I really say that?) I will propose:
o All football teams would have to use the no huddle offense – Huddles are passé and waste a lot of time. And the ball can be snapped for the next play whether the defense is ready or not.
o The offense in football should be able to move any time they choose and move anywhere they want up and down the field on any play. The defense in football has had an advantage for a long time. It’s funny to hear the defenders complain when they think someone goes after their legs but it doesn’t bother the defense when they throw shoulders into another player’s head or upper torso and cause players to be helped off the field does it.
o Anytime Lou Holtz appears on TV the sound will automatically be turned down until he is done talking. Lou likes to talk about Notre Dame every time he is asked a question or asked to comment. Or he talks about how good ND is at recruiting or something similar. I think Bob Costas qualifies for turning down the sound also.
o The clock doesn’t stop at the end of any basketball game for fouls the way it does now. It’s annoying and makes the game too long. The new rule would be that if a player commits a foul in the last three minutes of the game the team that is fouled gets three points for every foul and the clock keeps running. Let’s keep the game moving.
o Baseball umpires can hang it up too. We can use electronics and computers to make all the calls, including balls and strikes. For any sport we may only need one or two officials in the booth to review the calls and override calls when necessary.
o One way to stop fights in all sports, including hockey, is that anyone involved in fighting is automatically thrown out of the game and suspended for three games whether the player started the fight or retaliated. Plus the team of anyone who is involved in a fight automatically gets a loss for every fight.
o All whining in Pro Soccer would result in immediate suspensions and then maybe soccer would go away. Did you see the World Cup this year and all the complaining? Or is that just a cultural thing?
I am starting to like this I think I can come up with some more great ideas. Maybe I need to take a look at the mascots.
It’s Half Time!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Success and Significance
'...Organizations led by servant leaders are more likely to create environments where people at all levels can experience both success and significance.
We’ve found over the years that when you focus only on success, you will never reach significance. That’s the problem with self-serving leaders – they never get out of their own way. On the other hand, if you focus on significance – generosity, service and loving relationships – you’ll be amazed at how much success will come your way. Take Mother Teresa. She couldn’t have cared less about accumulating wealth, recognition and status. Her whole life was focused on significance. And yet what happened? Success came her way. Her ministry received tremendous financial backing, she was recognized all over the world and she was given the highest status wherever she went. She was the ultimate servant leader. If you focus on the significance first, your emphasis will be on people. Through that emphasis, success and results will follow.’
Leading at a Higher Level' - Ken Blanchard
We’ve found over the years that when you focus only on success, you will never reach significance. That’s the problem with self-serving leaders – they never get out of their own way. On the other hand, if you focus on significance – generosity, service and loving relationships – you’ll be amazed at how much success will come your way. Take Mother Teresa. She couldn’t have cared less about accumulating wealth, recognition and status. Her whole life was focused on significance. And yet what happened? Success came her way. Her ministry received tremendous financial backing, she was recognized all over the world and she was given the highest status wherever she went. She was the ultimate servant leader. If you focus on the significance first, your emphasis will be on people. Through that emphasis, success and results will follow.’
Leading at a Higher Level' - Ken Blanchard
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Giants and Braves down to the wire
Currently watching the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves in the MLB (Baseball) National League Division Series. San Francisco has been in control for most of the game until the 8th with a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the eighth the Atlanta Braves got a two run home run and took a 2-1 lead.
Is this more deflating to the Giants now than if the Braves took the lead 2 or 3 innings ago?
I know the Giants are professionals, they get paid like professionals and the expectation is that they will come back, if possible.
So the question is does the money they get paid create the attitude of a winner? Or did they have the attitude that they would win before they got the big bucks?
BTW the Giants just tied the game in the top of the 9th with two outs.
Advantage Giants? Is it the attitude, the talent, the synergy of the team or a combination of these items?
Is this more deflating to the Giants now than if the Braves took the lead 2 or 3 innings ago?
I know the Giants are professionals, they get paid like professionals and the expectation is that they will come back, if possible.
So the question is does the money they get paid create the attitude of a winner? Or did they have the attitude that they would win before they got the big bucks?
BTW the Giants just tied the game in the top of the 9th with two outs.
Advantage Giants? Is it the attitude, the talent, the synergy of the team or a combination of these items?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Give it a go
It’s not always easy for men to ask for help whether from their spouse or from other men. But if a man has a friend who he likes to spend time with and as their friendship grows and their trust for each other grows they each realize they can ask each other for their opinions or thoughts on specific situations. This may be different for you because you probably think you have all the answers.
Being willing to ask about things then becomes the issue. Do you realize that people who know you well can figure out when you are hurting, under pressure or having some difficulty? And you don’t have to say anything for them to know this.
And then those who know you well wonder why doesn’t he ask me or someone else, he has a relationship with, for some assistance or guidance or how to handle these situations. It can come down to you looking foolish for asking some questions or looking foolish for not asking some questions. Either way you may look foolish. But if you think you are above the other man it will be hard to talk with him about these things. You are more concerned about 'losing face' than resolving the issue.
But from my own experience I have found that when you are sincerely seeking answers and willing to work to resolve situations then you gain even more respect. More respect than was previously afforded to you. And isn’t this what you really want?
If necessary, start small. Ask some lighter, easier questions that don’t make you feel too uncomfortable. And then progress from there. Take a step at a time. It can get easier over time depending on the issue. And as you develop the habit it should become easier.
In the quote below Howard Hendricks provides a simple explanation of how this type of relationship works.
‘…But has it ever occurred to you that spiritual growth is rarely the product of assimilating more information? If it were, we could have transformed the world several million books ago. But inasmuch as knowing Christ involves a relationship, growing in Christ also involves relationships. One of the most helpful of these involves a mentor. That’s because most of us don’t need to know more nearly as much as we need to be known more. We don’t need a set of principles to practice nearly as much as we need another person to help us. We need someone to believe in us, stand by us, guide us, model Christ for us. We need another’s encouragement, wisdom, example, and accountability. We need his smiles, his hugs, his frowns, his tears…People will forget most of what you say: they will forget almost nothing of what you do. Therefore, whatever behavior you model for your protégé is the pattern he will tend to follow – or in some cases reject.’
This quote is from Chuck Swindoll’s book ‘The Church Awakening’ quoting Howard Hendricks from his book ‘Standing Together: Impacting Your Generation’
Being willing to ask about things then becomes the issue. Do you realize that people who know you well can figure out when you are hurting, under pressure or having some difficulty? And you don’t have to say anything for them to know this.
And then those who know you well wonder why doesn’t he ask me or someone else, he has a relationship with, for some assistance or guidance or how to handle these situations. It can come down to you looking foolish for asking some questions or looking foolish for not asking some questions. Either way you may look foolish. But if you think you are above the other man it will be hard to talk with him about these things. You are more concerned about 'losing face' than resolving the issue.
But from my own experience I have found that when you are sincerely seeking answers and willing to work to resolve situations then you gain even more respect. More respect than was previously afforded to you. And isn’t this what you really want?
If necessary, start small. Ask some lighter, easier questions that don’t make you feel too uncomfortable. And then progress from there. Take a step at a time. It can get easier over time depending on the issue. And as you develop the habit it should become easier.
In the quote below Howard Hendricks provides a simple explanation of how this type of relationship works.
‘…But has it ever occurred to you that spiritual growth is rarely the product of assimilating more information? If it were, we could have transformed the world several million books ago. But inasmuch as knowing Christ involves a relationship, growing in Christ also involves relationships. One of the most helpful of these involves a mentor. That’s because most of us don’t need to know more nearly as much as we need to be known more. We don’t need a set of principles to practice nearly as much as we need another person to help us. We need someone to believe in us, stand by us, guide us, model Christ for us. We need another’s encouragement, wisdom, example, and accountability. We need his smiles, his hugs, his frowns, his tears…People will forget most of what you say: they will forget almost nothing of what you do. Therefore, whatever behavior you model for your protégé is the pattern he will tend to follow – or in some cases reject.’
This quote is from Chuck Swindoll’s book ‘The Church Awakening’ quoting Howard Hendricks from his book ‘Standing Together: Impacting Your Generation’
A song remembered
One of the songs that I remember from the past is 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man' by Bob Seger. This was the song that was playing when I went to my first official fraternity party. I have never known or cared to know the lyrics I just liked the tune and the sound of the song.
It is a cool upbeat song with a lot of energy.
It is a cool upbeat song with a lot of energy.
Just thought this would help
During the course of my life there are a number of things I have noticed while out and about that I think will improve all of our lives and society in general. Here are a few thoughts:
o You, and we, would be better off if you would save your change each month and take it to a store with a change counting machine rather than standing at the checkout counter at any store and digging around in your purse, wallet, pockets or whatever for a few coins so you can pay with exact change. You’re extending the time that the rest of us have to wait in line and watch you struggle while you try to produce the coins that you thought you had. And many times you didn’t have the coins. It seems this happens whenever I am in a hurry.
o If you are prone to be distracted easily, and you may not realize this about yourself, but you may want to go grocery shopping either very early in the morning, before 8:00AM or very late in the day, after 10:00PM. Otherwise you will stand in the middle of the aisles looking at the shelves and trying to find something or decide what brand or size to buy or you may be talking to someone and those of us who are trying to get our shopping done quickly are forced to stand and wait or go back the way we came and go down another aisle and it take longer than we planned.
o When driving in an area where you aren’t too familiar with the exits on the Interstate or expressway it would probably be better to not panic when you realize that you are at your exit and traffic is flowing at about 70mph and you have to cross two or three or four lanes of fast moving traffic to try to get to that exit. Worse yet is trying to stop and force everyone behind you to transfer almost all of the rubber on their tires to the road surface. It would be better to start to get over to the right lane when traffic allows and drive on to next exit. Get off at that exit and go under or over the highway and head back in the direction from which you came so you can get off at the correct exit. A simpler solution is to get a GPS unit.
o If you drive a hybrid or electric car, like a Prius, you would help all of us out by staying out of any lanes on the highway other than the very far right lane. Hybrids or electric cars are like the train we learned about as a kid that keeps thinking I think I can…, I know I can. It just doesn’t seem to happen so everyone is slowed down.
These are just suggestions that may help us all as we strive to make it through life. Granted there may be one or two things I have to work on so I’ll try to figure out what they could possibly be and then try to get some resolution on these.
o You, and we, would be better off if you would save your change each month and take it to a store with a change counting machine rather than standing at the checkout counter at any store and digging around in your purse, wallet, pockets or whatever for a few coins so you can pay with exact change. You’re extending the time that the rest of us have to wait in line and watch you struggle while you try to produce the coins that you thought you had. And many times you didn’t have the coins. It seems this happens whenever I am in a hurry.
o If you are prone to be distracted easily, and you may not realize this about yourself, but you may want to go grocery shopping either very early in the morning, before 8:00AM or very late in the day, after 10:00PM. Otherwise you will stand in the middle of the aisles looking at the shelves and trying to find something or decide what brand or size to buy or you may be talking to someone and those of us who are trying to get our shopping done quickly are forced to stand and wait or go back the way we came and go down another aisle and it take longer than we planned.
o When driving in an area where you aren’t too familiar with the exits on the Interstate or expressway it would probably be better to not panic when you realize that you are at your exit and traffic is flowing at about 70mph and you have to cross two or three or four lanes of fast moving traffic to try to get to that exit. Worse yet is trying to stop and force everyone behind you to transfer almost all of the rubber on their tires to the road surface. It would be better to start to get over to the right lane when traffic allows and drive on to next exit. Get off at that exit and go under or over the highway and head back in the direction from which you came so you can get off at the correct exit. A simpler solution is to get a GPS unit.
o If you drive a hybrid or electric car, like a Prius, you would help all of us out by staying out of any lanes on the highway other than the very far right lane. Hybrids or electric cars are like the train we learned about as a kid that keeps thinking I think I can…, I know I can. It just doesn’t seem to happen so everyone is slowed down.
These are just suggestions that may help us all as we strive to make it through life. Granted there may be one or two things I have to work on so I’ll try to figure out what they could possibly be and then try to get some resolution on these.
Wizzdom from a song
Jim Croce was a singer whose life ended too soon at age 30. He had some interesting songs and it occurred to me that the refrain from his song ‘Don’t mess around with Jim’ released in 1972 could be advice that will live through the ages for your career.
o 'You don't tug on Superman's cape' – SM was the man of steel. Faster than a speeding bullet. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. The man. So don’t challenge the Big Dog unless you are prepared and ready to defend your argument or recommendation or to depose him. This could be the fight of your life. If you mess up you’re done.
o ‘You don't spit into the wind’ – As kids we used to say don’t wizz into the wind the reason being that the blow back would mess up your clothes. This is the same as knowing which way the wind is blowing. This doesn’t mean don’t do anything but be aware and know if you have to make adjustments to get your ideas accepted and/or implemented. Be in control.
o ‘You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger’ The Lone Ranger was a a Texas Ranger who wore a white hat and a black mask over his eyes. The point is to have your facts and arguments ready because you are going to expose the LR and take away the LR’s identity or position or power or all of these. He will be exposed and embarrassed. Do your research and due diligence and be prepared for a fight but go for it.
And you don't mess around with Jim, da do da do...
Web Site
http://www.jimcroce.com/dontmess.shtml
o 'You don't tug on Superman's cape' – SM was the man of steel. Faster than a speeding bullet. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. The man. So don’t challenge the Big Dog unless you are prepared and ready to defend your argument or recommendation or to depose him. This could be the fight of your life. If you mess up you’re done.
o ‘You don't spit into the wind’ – As kids we used to say don’t wizz into the wind the reason being that the blow back would mess up your clothes. This is the same as knowing which way the wind is blowing. This doesn’t mean don’t do anything but be aware and know if you have to make adjustments to get your ideas accepted and/or implemented. Be in control.
o ‘You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger’ The Lone Ranger was a a Texas Ranger who wore a white hat and a black mask over his eyes. The point is to have your facts and arguments ready because you are going to expose the LR and take away the LR’s identity or position or power or all of these. He will be exposed and embarrassed. Do your research and due diligence and be prepared for a fight but go for it.
And you don't mess around with Jim, da do da do...
Web Site
http://www.jimcroce.com/dontmess.shtml
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Meetings: Good or Bad?
Have you complained or heard others complain about having to attend meetings?
In this blog by Ron Ashkenas titled ‘Why We Secretly Love Meetings’ at the Harvard Business Review site, he identifies some interesting reasons in favor of having meetings.
'Unfortunately these basic and widely understood guidelines for effective meetings are probably the least followed procedures in corporate history. If the government conducted "meeting audits" almost every company would fail. Most managers still complain about ineffective meetings, and then proceed to schedule multiple meetings and run them poorly. It's an amazing phenomenon.
This leads to one of the dirty little secrets of organizational life: Despite their protestations, at an unconscious (or conscious) level most managers actually like meetings, and for several reasons.
They encourage social interaction. Most people don't enjoy working alone; they want contact and relationships with other people. Meetings make them feel part of a community, and give them an outlet for sharing their personal feelings and opinions, not only on work issues but also on personal or political topics. So, some of the seemingly off-target chatter in meetings (even the complaining) is actually the realization of an important social outlet.
They keep everyone in the loop. As firms have become more matrixed and interdependent, meetings serve as the informal loom that weaves together the organizational threads. People need to know what's going on in other parts of the organization. They need informal sources to supplement the formal communication mechanisms — and to guide them through political and personal minefields. These information networks are created, reinforced and expanded through meetings.
They often represent status. Membership on multiple committees means that you are important, your opinion is valued, and you have a seat at a decision-making table. Attendance at staff meetings means that you are part of the leadership team. Even being asked to present or answer questions at a meeting on a one-time basis gives you visibility with senior people and is status-enhancing.
These psychological drivers of meetings are very powerful — and usually trump all of the logical and rational "meeting management" advice that is doled out in courses and articles. In other words, what seems like wasted or unproductive time for many managers is actually fulfilling important personal and organizational needs.
This does not pardon meetings run wild and the time we lose to them. Managers at all levels need to be continuously on guard against unnecessary meeting proliferation and poor meeting disciplines. For example, several years ago in GlaxoSmithKline's research organization there was a realization that — as a result of multiple project meetings and the inclusion of all functions on drug development teams — many people were spending as much time in meetings as they were on actual drug development work. As a result the company developed a "fit for purpose" meeting process in which only the people directly involved in a particular phase or issue of the project attended the meetings, while others just received information.
All organizations should periodically look at their meeting patterns and make adjustments like this in addition to encouraging the use of agendas, virtual meeting approaches, and all the rest. However just complaining about too many meetings or poorly run meetings won't do much good. Like moths to a flame, we'll keep coming back, no matter what we say.'
In this blog by Ron Ashkenas titled ‘Why We Secretly Love Meetings’ at the Harvard Business Review site, he identifies some interesting reasons in favor of having meetings.
'Unfortunately these basic and widely understood guidelines for effective meetings are probably the least followed procedures in corporate history. If the government conducted "meeting audits" almost every company would fail. Most managers still complain about ineffective meetings, and then proceed to schedule multiple meetings and run them poorly. It's an amazing phenomenon.
This leads to one of the dirty little secrets of organizational life: Despite their protestations, at an unconscious (or conscious) level most managers actually like meetings, and for several reasons.
They encourage social interaction. Most people don't enjoy working alone; they want contact and relationships with other people. Meetings make them feel part of a community, and give them an outlet for sharing their personal feelings and opinions, not only on work issues but also on personal or political topics. So, some of the seemingly off-target chatter in meetings (even the complaining) is actually the realization of an important social outlet.
They keep everyone in the loop. As firms have become more matrixed and interdependent, meetings serve as the informal loom that weaves together the organizational threads. People need to know what's going on in other parts of the organization. They need informal sources to supplement the formal communication mechanisms — and to guide them through political and personal minefields. These information networks are created, reinforced and expanded through meetings.
They often represent status. Membership on multiple committees means that you are important, your opinion is valued, and you have a seat at a decision-making table. Attendance at staff meetings means that you are part of the leadership team. Even being asked to present or answer questions at a meeting on a one-time basis gives you visibility with senior people and is status-enhancing.
These psychological drivers of meetings are very powerful — and usually trump all of the logical and rational "meeting management" advice that is doled out in courses and articles. In other words, what seems like wasted or unproductive time for many managers is actually fulfilling important personal and organizational needs.
This does not pardon meetings run wild and the time we lose to them. Managers at all levels need to be continuously on guard against unnecessary meeting proliferation and poor meeting disciplines. For example, several years ago in GlaxoSmithKline's research organization there was a realization that — as a result of multiple project meetings and the inclusion of all functions on drug development teams — many people were spending as much time in meetings as they were on actual drug development work. As a result the company developed a "fit for purpose" meeting process in which only the people directly involved in a particular phase or issue of the project attended the meetings, while others just received information.
All organizations should periodically look at their meeting patterns and make adjustments like this in addition to encouraging the use of agendas, virtual meeting approaches, and all the rest. However just complaining about too many meetings or poorly run meetings won't do much good. Like moths to a flame, we'll keep coming back, no matter what we say.'
India or China
China and India have the largest populations in the world and will soon have the largest markets in the world. Each has advantages and each has disadvantages when you analyze them.
What would you think would give one the advantage over the other? The two paragraphs below are from the end of the article titled ‘India's surprising Economic Miracle’ that appeared in the September 30 issue of The Economist.
It is a fairly short article but one worth reading.
‘The Indian government recognises the need to tackle the infrastructure crisis, and is getting better at persuading private firms to stump up the capital. But the process is slow and infected with corruption. It is hard to measure these things, but many observers think China has done a better job than India of curbing corruption, with its usual brutal methods, such as shooting people.
Given the choice between doing business in China or India, most foreign investors would probably pick China. The market is bigger, the government easier to deal with, and if your supply chain for manufactured goods does not pass through China your shareholders will demand to know why. But as the global economy becomes more knowledge-intensive, India’s advantage will grow. That is something to ponder while stuck in the Delhi traffic.’
What would you think would give one the advantage over the other? The two paragraphs below are from the end of the article titled ‘India's surprising Economic Miracle’ that appeared in the September 30 issue of The Economist.
It is a fairly short article but one worth reading.
‘The Indian government recognises the need to tackle the infrastructure crisis, and is getting better at persuading private firms to stump up the capital. But the process is slow and infected with corruption. It is hard to measure these things, but many observers think China has done a better job than India of curbing corruption, with its usual brutal methods, such as shooting people.
Given the choice between doing business in China or India, most foreign investors would probably pick China. The market is bigger, the government easier to deal with, and if your supply chain for manufactured goods does not pass through China your shareholders will demand to know why. But as the global economy becomes more knowledge-intensive, India’s advantage will grow. That is something to ponder while stuck in the Delhi traffic.’
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Missin' it
We are missing something great today in Atlanta, GA. From October 6 – 8 the Catalyst Conference ‘happens’ in Atlanta.
It is a great conference designed to reach the ‘next generation of Christian Leaders’. But we find it is great for anyone who wants to be around people excited about God. You learn. You get recharged. You get inspired. You do more.
My wife and I have not attended Catalyst during the last two years but we were there the three years previously. As with many conferences it is motivational and inspirational but it is also challenging.
It is almost as if the issue you are dealing with at the time will be addressed by one of the speakers and you will encounter someone who has had the same situation you are dealing with and found a way to get beyond it with God’s help.
That may not matter to you and that’s ok. But I think if you are a Christian you will want to know as much as you can about God and his word and how to live the way that God wants you to live. It is a process and one that you grow into every day.
I pray that you get a hunger to know God like no hunger has ever possessed you before.
What kind of hunger is that? The kind that you have when you are learning about a sport, like football, and you start to watch every game on TV, you go to as many games as you can, you get a team jersey and wear it everywhere, you debate anyone about how great your team is, you get into a Fantasy Football league and know all the statistics and you think about football almost all the time. That is someone who truly loves football. Substitute your own interest. Do you have the same passion?
God wants us to love Him in the same way. With the same passion that we may love football. One of the ways you get that is by getting together with people who are excited about what you are excited about. Who are passionate about God and want to live like Christ. And people who will challenge you.
It could be about new ideas. But many times it’s about refining and applying what you already know and learning how to share that with others.
It’s not just showing up at church once a week or hanging out with the same people every week and talking about the same type of stuff all the time although there is some importance to that.
It’s about becoming more effective as a Christian.
Previous post on Catalyst
More Catalyst 5/7/08
Catalyst Site
http://catalystconference.com/
It is a great conference designed to reach the ‘next generation of Christian Leaders’. But we find it is great for anyone who wants to be around people excited about God. You learn. You get recharged. You get inspired. You do more.
My wife and I have not attended Catalyst during the last two years but we were there the three years previously. As with many conferences it is motivational and inspirational but it is also challenging.
It is almost as if the issue you are dealing with at the time will be addressed by one of the speakers and you will encounter someone who has had the same situation you are dealing with and found a way to get beyond it with God’s help.
That may not matter to you and that’s ok. But I think if you are a Christian you will want to know as much as you can about God and his word and how to live the way that God wants you to live. It is a process and one that you grow into every day.
I pray that you get a hunger to know God like no hunger has ever possessed you before.
What kind of hunger is that? The kind that you have when you are learning about a sport, like football, and you start to watch every game on TV, you go to as many games as you can, you get a team jersey and wear it everywhere, you debate anyone about how great your team is, you get into a Fantasy Football league and know all the statistics and you think about football almost all the time. That is someone who truly loves football. Substitute your own interest. Do you have the same passion?
God wants us to love Him in the same way. With the same passion that we may love football. One of the ways you get that is by getting together with people who are excited about what you are excited about. Who are passionate about God and want to live like Christ. And people who will challenge you.
It could be about new ideas. But many times it’s about refining and applying what you already know and learning how to share that with others.
It’s not just showing up at church once a week or hanging out with the same people every week and talking about the same type of stuff all the time although there is some importance to that.
It’s about becoming more effective as a Christian.
Previous post on Catalyst
More Catalyst 5/7/08
Catalyst Site
http://catalystconference.com/
Make a wise choice
Yesterday I was in a meeting with some co workers when a disagreement broke out with some pretty heated exchanges. The two people involved have known each other for some time and work together well, normally. As is usually the case things eventually settled down but there was some discomfort for all in the room for awhile.
While this disagreement was occurring I started to wonder if I was going to have to choose a side to support. Usually that is not the best approach as you become an enemy of the party you oppose at worst, or strain your relationship with that person at best.
It occurred to me almost immediately after having the thought above that I need to choose to side with Jesus as I profess Him as my Lord and proclaim that I want to be more like Him. God said He first wants us to love Him and then to ‘love others as we love ourselves’ but unless we work at it I don’t think that will happen.
Too many times in the past I have chosen a side in a dispute and lost a friend or ended up in a long term disagreement that was very uncomfortable for all as everyone knew that eventually something would happen or something would be said that would cause the peace to be interrupted.
I am glad that God helps me to understand how to deal with these situations by helping me to remember some scripture that gets me to focus on Him. My reminder was from Psalms.
But what was it He said in Matthew? Something like ‘blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God’. By focusing on how and what the world does we lose sight of what God wants us to do and we become less effective in being examples of Christ.
While this disagreement was occurring I started to wonder if I was going to have to choose a side to support. Usually that is not the best approach as you become an enemy of the party you oppose at worst, or strain your relationship with that person at best.
It occurred to me almost immediately after having the thought above that I need to choose to side with Jesus as I profess Him as my Lord and proclaim that I want to be more like Him. God said He first wants us to love Him and then to ‘love others as we love ourselves’ but unless we work at it I don’t think that will happen.
Too many times in the past I have chosen a side in a dispute and lost a friend or ended up in a long term disagreement that was very uncomfortable for all as everyone knew that eventually something would happen or something would be said that would cause the peace to be interrupted.
I am glad that God helps me to understand how to deal with these situations by helping me to remember some scripture that gets me to focus on Him. My reminder was from Psalms.
But what was it He said in Matthew? Something like ‘blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God’. By focusing on how and what the world does we lose sight of what God wants us to do and we become less effective in being examples of Christ.
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