Impact Today™
Monday, November 24, 2008
Citibank proves my point!
It took Washington less than 12 hours to prove my point about the dysfunctional leadership by the American government in dealing with the current financial woes.
Overnight they committed $306 BILLION dollars in Citibank to ensure it would not go bankrupt. This is on top of an earlier $25 billion for a total of 13 times what the auto industry has asked for in total.
Again, no requests to sell or reduce use of the Citibank air fleet, no business plan, no guarantees how the money will be used, and no requests for hourly or salaried concessions.
If a bank goes under, the customers go to other American (many times locally owned) banks. If the North American automotive industry collapses, the money goes overseas?
Leadership is about having a clear long-term plan for your organization. No evidence has been given of any long-term vision. Nor have we seen any hint the people playing Santa with the banks and Scrooge with the cars have even done an analysis of the situation beyond the generic, “We must throw money at it”. Only the automobile industry has done that kind of homework – and their reluctance in sharing with the public is that they are sitting at a table next to two competitors that want to learn their trade secrets.
When crisis exists, leadership also dictates that you share your plan with those you want to lead. Nancy, Harry, Barney, George, Barack, Christopher, Henry – what is the vision? Share the plan concisely and thoughtfully with your people. In any organization the people being lead will do much better if they can see the leader’s vision of the future.
Absent that vision, and buy-in to it, the people and organization often fail.
It took Washington less than 12 hours to prove my point about the dysfunctional leadership by the American government in dealing with the current financial woes.Overnight they committed $306 BILLION dollars in Citibank to ensure it would not go bankrupt. This is on top of an earlier $25 billion for a total of 13 times what the auto industry has asked for in total.
Again, no requests to sell or reduce use of the Citibank air fleet, no business plan, no guarantees how the money will be used, and no requests for hourly or salaried concessions.
If a bank goes under, the customers go to other American (many times locally owned) banks. If the North American automotive industry collapses, the money goes overseas?
Leadership is about having a clear long-term plan for your organization. No evidence has been given of any long-term vision. Nor have we seen any hint the people playing Santa with the banks and Scrooge with the cars have even done an analysis of the situation beyond the generic, “We must throw money at it”. Only the automobile industry has done that kind of homework – and their reluctance in sharing with the public is that they are sitting at a table next to two competitors that want to learn their trade secrets.
When crisis exists, leadership also dictates that you share your plan with those you want to lead. Nancy, Harry, Barney, George, Barack, Christopher, Henry – what is the vision? Share the plan concisely and thoughtfully with your people. In any organization the people being lead will do much better if they can see the leader’s vision of the future.
Absent that vision, and buy-in to it, the people and organization often fail.
Labels: Decision_Making, Goals, Leadership, Motivation
¶ 11/24/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
How To Do Business as Unusual
Remember the last time you were pleasantly surprised by something a business did -- maybe a business you patronize frequently?
One thing a great company must do to become and stay great is by astonishing its customers with excellent products, services, and ideas -- with excellent people.
A great lesson in astonishing the customer belongs to Fred Smith, the founder of Federal Express, or, as we know it today, FedEx.
To continue reading, click here.
Remember the last time you were pleasantly surprised by something a business did -- maybe a business you patronize frequently?One thing a great company must do to become and stay great is by astonishing its customers with excellent products, services, and ideas -- with excellent people.
A great lesson in astonishing the customer belongs to Fred Smith, the founder of Federal Express, or, as we know it today, FedEx.
To continue reading, click here.
Labels: Creativity, Goals, Strategy
¶ 11/12/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Friday, September 5, 2008
The dieter
The doctor tells his patient, “You are too overweight. If you don’t take off some pounds you will either have a heart attack or risk diabetes.”
Explaining he was a traveling salesman so weighing or measuring portions would be difficult, the doctor recommended a new diet.
“Eat regularly for two days then skip a day,” the doctor ordered.
When he returned two weeks later the doctor was amazed at a 40 pound weight loss.
“I’ve never seen such fantastic results,” the doctor complimented. “This must really be going well for you.”
The salesman replied, “Yes, it is relatively easy overall. But the day I skip is really hard.”
“Is it that you have trouble with the hunger pains?”
“No, it’s just that all that skipping makes me tired.”
Life Lesson: Make sure you fully understand the directions before you begin.
The doctor tells his patient, “You are too overweight. If you don’t take off some pounds you will either have a heart attack or risk diabetes.”Explaining he was a traveling salesman so weighing or measuring portions would be difficult, the doctor recommended a new diet.
“Eat regularly for two days then skip a day,” the doctor ordered.
When he returned two weeks later the doctor was amazed at a 40 pound weight loss.
“I’ve never seen such fantastic results,” the doctor complimented. “This must really be going well for you.”
The salesman replied, “Yes, it is relatively easy overall. But the day I skip is really hard.”
“Is it that you have trouble with the hunger pains?”
“No, it’s just that all that skipping makes me tired.”
Life Lesson: Make sure you fully understand the directions before you begin.
Labels: Anecdote, Goals, Leadership
¶ 9/05/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Do you have a VP of Employee Dreams?
Perhaps you have never heard of Admiral Janitorial Services. It is a company where management discovered a common employee trait: they had dreams. At Admiral Janitorial Services they found that by helping their employees achieve their dreams, the entire company became stronger and more productive.
Matthew Kelly is author of The Dream Manager, an absorbing new book about this fictional company. It serves as a parable of any company in the world and will leave a lasting impression on its readers as they discover people and business truths.
To learn more about the book, or to order it, click here.
Perhaps you have never heard of Admiral Janitorial Services. It is a company where management discovered a common employee trait: they had dreams. At Admiral Janitorial Services they found that by helping their employees achieve their dreams, the entire company became stronger and more productive.Matthew Kelly is author of The Dream Manager, an absorbing new book about this fictional company. It serves as a parable of any company in the world and will leave a lasting impression on its readers as they discover people and business truths.
To learn more about the book, or to order it, click here.
Labels: Books, Goals, Leadership
¶ 6/12/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Reaching your dreams
Life Lesson: Leaders enjoy the successes of others.
When preparing for Impact Today’s daily posting and the posting for my other blog, Tapestry™, I review a tremendous amount of material. It is an enjoyable effort as often I stumble across something absolutely remarkable. My friend, Richard Buzard, first called my attention to a video of Paul Potts. Paul was a common man, selling car phones in Wales, UK. Paul is also an uncommon opera singer being introduced to the world on television’s Brittan’s Got Talent.
It is featured on Tapestry because Paul has brought the culture of opera back into the public dialog. But there is something more to the story, which I realized this morning.
Each time I listen the same thing happens as his voice first reaches perfect tone at the high notes and the cameras pan a stunned panel of judges. At thus point I shed a tear.
This morning I realized why I can listen over and over and the same impact occurs. It is because at that moment it becomes clear that Paul has met a life-long goal. What a marvelous thing to witness, to share in, and in some way to remind us all that dreams can come true.
Paul Potts has now sung around the world, including a performance before the Queen of England. And with each performance he challenges us to turn our dreams into reality.
Visit our other blog, Tapestry™ to hear a mixed duet featuring Pavarotti and Potts. It is another moving performance.
When preparing for Impact Today’s daily posting and the posting for my other blog, Tapestry™, I review a tremendous amount of material. It is an enjoyable effort as often I stumble across something absolutely remarkable. My friend, Richard Buzard, first called my attention to a video of Paul Potts. Paul was a common man, selling car phones in Wales, UK. Paul is also an uncommon opera singer being introduced to the world on television’s Brittan’s Got Talent.
It is featured on Tapestry because Paul has brought the culture of opera back into the public dialog. But there is something more to the story, which I realized this morning.
Each time I listen the same thing happens as his voice first reaches perfect tone at the high notes and the cameras pan a stunned panel of judges. At thus point I shed a tear.
This morning I realized why I can listen over and over and the same impact occurs. It is because at that moment it becomes clear that Paul has met a life-long goal. What a marvelous thing to witness, to share in, and in some way to remind us all that dreams can come true.
Paul Potts has now sung around the world, including a performance before the Queen of England. And with each performance he challenges us to turn our dreams into reality.
Visit our other blog, Tapestry™ to hear a mixed duet featuring Pavarotti and Potts. It is another moving performance.
Labels: Goals, Motivation, Video
¶ 4/01/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A lesson in the culture of success – from my daughter
Two years ago my daughter had a dream of someday becoming a cheerleader. She translated her dream into action steps which involved weekly gymnastics training, the addition of a trampoline in our backyard, and occasional jogging.
She went to her first tryout and poured her heart into it. She practiced every evening and on the weekend, teaming with another to develop her final routine. She had confidence in her effort and performance. She had trouble sleeping the night before the new cheer squad would be announced as anticipation chased away all morsels of melatonin. Tears flowed when her name was absent from the final list.
She would not give up. She read cheerleading books from the library, subscriber to a cheerleading magazine, and intensified her use of the trampoline to develop and refine her moves.
Finally it was time for another try-out. She committed her body and time to the sacrifice necessary to make the time. But alas, at the end of the tryouts only the names of others were on the roster.
It was summertime when thoughts of school fall to the back of the mind, yet my daughter continued to hone the skills required for the cheerleading squad. “This year there will be more girls on the squad,” she reflected with surety that she would be among the new members. Learning, practicing, and mind-development filled the summer days, although giving into some of the uniqueness of the summer season’s special activities.
Soon the weather chilled signaling another fall with another opportunity to make the cheer team. The long afternoon tryout drills were tiring, but they did not dim her hopes – which thrived until the third occurrence of announcing the squad, without her.
Disappointment was severe – three tries and three failures. In despair, she indicated she would move on to something else.
We were surprised when she announced that another cheerleading tryout was coming up for the winter semester and stated she was once again going to make another attempt for the team. As with each prior endeavor, the try-outs occupied her time. She worked out on the trampoline, did back-walk-overs in the house, read her books and magazines, and dreamed that her action plan would finally deliver the most wanted reward. She tuned out the critics by encouraged others trying out to do better, which also helped her draw on her talent.
When I went to pick her up after the new squad was announced she was sitting in a rejected posture on the bench in front of the school. “How long is she going to subject herself to disappointment?” I thought.
As she approached the car she could contain herself no long. “I made it!”
Now the team has won two championship trophies. That’s them in the picture above.
Not only had my daughter’s dream, turned into a plan which grew to fruition, she experienced that rare feeling that she was part of championship team.
Who could learn from my daughter’s lesson? What about the entrepreneur that feels like giving up? What about the business executive that feels they are in over their head? What about the culture that feels they will always be oppressed? What about other dreamers? ¶ 3/05/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Two years ago my daughter had a dream of someday becoming a cheerleader. She translated her dream into action steps which involved weekly gymnastics training, the addition of a trampoline in our backyard, and occasional jogging.She went to her first tryout and poured her heart into it. She practiced every evening and on the weekend, teaming with another to develop her final routine. She had confidence in her effort and performance. She had trouble sleeping the night before the new cheer squad would be announced as anticipation chased away all morsels of melatonin. Tears flowed when her name was absent from the final list.
She would not give up. She read cheerleading books from the library, subscriber to a cheerleading magazine, and intensified her use of the trampoline to develop and refine her moves.
Finally it was time for another try-out. She committed her body and time to the sacrifice necessary to make the time. But alas, at the end of the tryouts only the names of others were on the roster.
It was summertime when thoughts of school fall to the back of the mind, yet my daughter continued to hone the skills required for the cheerleading squad. “This year there will be more girls on the squad,” she reflected with surety that she would be among the new members. Learning, practicing, and mind-development filled the summer days, although giving into some of the uniqueness of the summer season’s special activities.
Soon the weather chilled signaling another fall with another opportunity to make the cheer team. The long afternoon tryout drills were tiring, but they did not dim her hopes – which thrived until the third occurrence of announcing the squad, without her.
Disappointment was severe – three tries and three failures. In despair, she indicated she would move on to something else.
We were surprised when she announced that another cheerleading tryout was coming up for the winter semester and stated she was once again going to make another attempt for the team. As with each prior endeavor, the try-outs occupied her time. She worked out on the trampoline, did back-walk-overs in the house, read her books and magazines, and dreamed that her action plan would finally deliver the most wanted reward. She tuned out the critics by encouraged others trying out to do better, which also helped her draw on her talent.
When I went to pick her up after the new squad was announced she was sitting in a rejected posture on the bench in front of the school. “How long is she going to subject herself to disappointment?” I thought.
As she approached the car she could contain herself no long. “I made it!”
Now the team has won two championship trophies. That’s them in the picture above.
Not only had my daughter’s dream, turned into a plan which grew to fruition, she experienced that rare feeling that she was part of championship team.
Who could learn from my daughter’s lesson? What about the entrepreneur that feels like giving up? What about the business executive that feels they are in over their head? What about the culture that feels they will always be oppressed? What about other dreamers? ¶ 3/05/2008 0 Comments Links to this post
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Giving thanks
Tomorrow the United States will observe the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time when Americans pause to show appreciation for the many blessings they have received during the prior year.
Tomorrow the United States will observe the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time when Americans pause to show appreciation for the many blessings they have received during the prior year.Family and friends are important parts of this holiday, but so is remembering ultimately where our blessings originate.
Giving thanks should not be a one-day event. Leaders understand the importance of giving thanks:
- Employees that go the extra mile
- Customer that remain loyal
- Peers that offer encouragement
- Supervisors that help us discover the leader within us
It is by giving thanks that we show appreciation and strengthen our relationship with each other and our relationship with the One from whom blessings stem.
What I am thankful for
As the leader of Max Impact I am thankful for the many new relationships we have made this year and the fact that we are having another year of growth as an organization in a difficult local economy.
Most of all I am thankful for completing a life dream – the publication of my first book. As I travel and meet new people I am amazed at how many people aspire to write a book. They have great ideas and stories that are locked within their heads and hearts. Yet they have not yet begun to turn their dream into a reality.
It hit me while presenting a talk early this year that until I took the major challenge of writing a book and broke the overall task into smaller goals I would never realize the dream – even though I had been working off-and-on on the book for several years. As the book started to come together in the springtime, I was encouraged. Writing consumed my summer and finally I had a manuscript to send to the publisher.
It was amazing to see the final product and realize that the dream was reality. The feeling was overwhelming. It was humbling to know that it was not something I did on my own. It involved relationships from along the pathway of my life, encouragement from my wife and others, and moments of inspiration to turn brain waves into written words.
The book was designed for business leaders, such as yourself. It is a collection of 53 short stories about the people, events, and things in my life and how they taught me leadership lessons. The book contains many helpful lists to enable dealing with change, handling difficult people, overcoming adversity, leading others, and much more. It is designed to be a learning component in staff meetings or a personal study into how the reader can become a better leader. It is an essential for aspiring leaders and anyone wishing to enhance their leadership ability
Go to http://www.lifesleadershiplessons.com/ to learn more about the book or to place an order (it is only available from the website).
If you have a goal that has evaded you for years, I encourage you to break your goal into small chunks and begin moving toward the finish line. If I can do it there is no doubt that you can accomplish one of your life goals also.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
© 2007 Max Impact
Labels: Goals, Leadership, Recognition, Traits
¶ 11/21/2007 0 Comments Links to this post
