Cluelessness…

I mentioned before I’m enrolled in Metro State University of Denver’s Meritus Scholars program.  Spring term, I took an 8-week, men’s health care course, “Aging Warriors”.  It focuses on what makes older men tick; designed for undergraduates to learn about men like me.  Good luck! 

I attended a related lecture on campus about the decline of men in health care careers.  Classroom #230 is located in the “West Building”.  I entered under the overhead walkway that connects the West Building to the Arts Building.  Inside, I discovered the stairways in the West Building were blocked due to construction.  I walked the entire first floor halls and even went out a side door to see if there was some other way to get to the second floor.  I double checked the invitation email to ensure I had the right building and room number.  After wandering for some 30 minutes, I started to leave. 

Going back the way I came in and standing under that overhead walkway, I paused to get my bearings.  That’s when … you got it: 

I (finally) went into the Arts building.  Took the stairs to the second floor.  I crossed the walkway from the Arts Building to the West Building bypassing the construction.  I arrived in time for the lecture because, thankfully, I had left early.  I always leave early.  I get lost a lot. 

I’m clueless about many things.  When Lisa DiCarlo was writing this, I think she had a man (maybe me) in mind: 

The Know-Nothing: 

This is that clueless user who looks in vain for the “Any Key” when his computer prompts him to “Hit Any Key." 

Following the lecture, I paused in the second floor hallway to get my bearings.  A young man from the Aging Warriors class came up, he was a bit confused on exiting.  (So it’s not just we Q Tips!)  He mentioned it took him a half hour to find the second floor classroom, too. We chuckled at our cluelessness.  Of course, being men we didn’t stop anyone and ask for directions.  Nope, that’s not what men do.  Men align with Murphy: 

Murphy's Paradox: 

Doing it the hard way is always easier. 

Unknown Sage 

We both found our way out of the building and went our separate ways.  I was early for my next class, so I stopped in the library cafeteria for a snack.  Reflecting on yet another bout of cluelessness, I smiled remembering this mantra I picked up years ago (from a man, no doubt): 

I’m lost, but I’m making good time. 

I was with that same young man in the afternoon’s men’s health class.  When he arrived we made eye contact and smiled.  Yep, he was learning what makes Aging Warriors like me tick.  Careful what you ask for! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

 

Have you been tested?

There’s a provocative question in today’s world, true?  You can relax, it’s not that kind of testing I’m referring to. My context today is about something else, something more important. 

I’m participating in a Men’s Health class at MSU Denver this spring term titled, “Aging Warriors”.  The Professor (Doc R) invited a few of us elderly men to attend so his undergraduates could get a feel for what we’re like.  He knows at our age, many of us have been tested: 

Aging is not for the weak. 

Dr. Steven Rissman  

Although this class is focused on men, many of the topics apply to women equally.  And yes, in the business world many women feel they’ve been tested.  There’s even a math expression for it: 

Woman's Equation 

Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. 

Unknown (Female) Sage 

One of the many topics covered in class has to do with having a, “Strong inner self”.  That’s not something we can just say we have and be credible.  It’s like the sailing analogy: 

In calm waters, every ship has a good captain. 

Swedish Proverb 

Captains are tested in rough waters, true?  What about you?  What rough waters have you been tested by?  Do you believe in your skills and abilities? 

Doc R further presented in class that: 

If you believe in your own skills and ability to manage and master stressful events you gain a sense of security. 

“Stressful events” you say?  Why I bet in the business world you believe you’re bathed in stressful events, surrounded by pressure, faced with continuous deadlines.  That’s the American Way isn’t it?  I’m sure you are dealing with business stress.  However, there’s more to life than business, our work, the size of our W-2, the next promotion.  

Life’s stressful events are different.  They are the worse types of events that are almost indescribable.  They’re the events even the sturdiest of us wonder if we will be able to stand up under the weight.  They’re the events that take our mind completely off of work. They're Herculean:

Having confidence and believing in oneself is one thing.  But take it from an Aging Warrior, to have a strong inner self - it must be tested.  It will be tested. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Olympian…

Did you enjoy the Olympics?  Who wouldn’t want to have “Olympian” on their resume! 

During Olympic coverage, the sports media poured tons of hyperbole over the gold medal performances.  The spotlight may even have shined brighter on those athletes that failed, true?  Either end of the extreme is good for the ratings business, I suppose. 

In Olympic competition, not every competitor wins every event.  Their day is a lot like our day.  Following the closing ceremonies, what do you suppose the Olympians are doing this week?  Getting ready for their next competition, I’ll bet. 

Competition is about striving to win; preparing to win; competing to win.  Winning (or losing) is simply the end result, isn’t it?  You and me, we compete in our daily lives, don’t we?  And when we fail, what motivates us to try again?  Here’s Steve Richard’s view: 

            Who motivates you?  You! 

Of course, others can also play a big part in helping us leverage the power of motivation to overcome failure in pursuit of success.  For instance, teammates. 

As a sales professional, I advocated “hunting as a pack”.  There is power in the team.  I learned this approach from Joe Newton, who coached, “running as a pack”.  You may have read my writings about “Tiger Joe” before.  He was one of the most successful high school boys cross country coaches ever.  Although I was not a runner, he was the person who most influenced my sales process.  (BTW – he also coached 4-time Olympic gold medalist, Sebastian Coe.) 

There were many elements to Joe Newton’s competitive approach; the principle of continuous improvement; the ability to earn great success yet going back out every day to prepare anew; etc.  One key I remember was his focus on offering positive motivation to his kids.  His key to positive motivation?  Pretty simple, really. 

Every day at every practice, Coach Newton called out every kid by their first name - every day.  Every kid (and most of his teams had 100 runners or more) would hear his coach call him by his first name (or nick name), every day.  Joe Newton coupled this with saying at least one positive thing to every kid, too. Every day. 

It’s amazing how far a simple; “Way to go!” goes.  Joe Newton’s positive reinforcement helped his runners, run; every day.  They were motivated to train hard – harder than their competition.  On race day?  They dominated.  And after dominating?  Back to preparation because: 

It requires a strong constitution to withstand repeated attacks of prosperity. 

Joe Newton 

Back to business - Loren Brockhouse, a former colleague of mine, offers this link to Inc. Magazine’s “9 beliefs of remarkably successful people”. I particularly like Belief #9:

            The extra mile is a vast, unpopulated wasteland.

Enjoy the full article - 9 Beliefs of Remarkably Successful People 

Way to go Loren! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

 

Followers…

I read this headline in CNBC recently, did you see it? 

I wish I’d known earlier in my career that no one actually knows what they’re doing. 

Anjali Sud 

Well, OK.  A fairly unfair statement by the CEO of Tubi.  It could have been in jest (headlines rarely provide proper context) and to be fair I didn’t read the full article.  Even so, I’d like to believe that in my career I “knew what I was doing”.  To remain fair…  I didn’t always lead well.  And when I led poorly, my direct reports let me know. 

Much has been said and even more written over the decades about leadership; the qualities of leaders; the importance of leaders; all things leadership related.  Lord knows in our country today, many leaders are blanketed with riches beyond imagination.  But not all leaders stand above their followers:

Today, permit me to honor those followers.  To be a good and competent follower is a noble role, don’t you think?  I mean we’ve all worked for one of  “those” bosses.  And when we do, it makes our job harder.  But as a follower, we still need a leader.  And good followers have been “managing their managers” for years, true? 

"EXECUTIVE” (high powered): 

A golfer who calls the office from a cell phone every five holes to make sure employees haven’t left for the day. 

Martin A. Ragaway 

When I led teams, I welcomed their feedback on what I was doing, right or wrong.  Admittedly, when my people criticized me, it hurt.  I remember to this day one of my best salespeople (Lisa Kwiecien) speaking up in sales meetings when, as a leader, I wasn’t “connecting” with my team.  “Gary”, she would say, “You’re killin' me.”  Her facial expression that went along with the critique was priceless. 

Sometimes I backed off when criticized, sometimes not. All in all, I take great pride in the success many of my followers went on to achieve.  Perhaps along they were simply helping me learn to be a “better leader”: 

Good leaders inspire their followers to have confidence in them. Better leaders inspire followers to have confidence in themselves. 

Ron Meyer 

I don’t know how many of my followers went on to leadership roles.  In my case, after leading, I returned to a follower role for the last 15 years of my career.  As a follower, I earned great recognition because my leaders gave me the confidence that I “knew what I was doing”. 

So, “Thank you!” to those who followed me.  You helped me become a better leader.  In turn, I hope I helped you become more confident in yourself. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Luv rules…

Every year Valentine’s Day give us an opportunity to do something special for that special person.  Yes, we should treat our loved one special throughout the year, but you know, life can get in the way.  However this coming Saturday unfolds, it’s OK because: 

Love rules without rules. 

Italian Proverb 

And there’s plenty of time before Saturday to display your love for your love:

Who says men are oblivious? 

OK –  I can’t take credit for creating this awesome display of love for my love.  That was someone else’s awesome display on the outskirts of Kewanee in western Illinois farming country. 

Of course, we hope our women display their love for the men in their lives even when we don’t recognize the signs: 

You know “That Look” women get when they want sex?  Me neither. 

Steve Martin 

Saturday may be a special day in my marriage, but our relationship over the years has taken constant care (and patience).  Thankfully, my wife has patience: 

Patience strengthens the spirit,

   sweetens the temper,

      stifles anger,

    extinguishes envy,

  subdues pride,

bridles the tongue,

   restrains the hand,

      and tramples upon temptation. 

George Horne 

My wife and I will do something quiet this Valentine’s Day.  We enjoy our quiet time together - always have.  Our conversations will span many topics; children, friends, happy memories.  Of course, we will also synchronize our calendars, debate upcoming projects and review our finances.  Yuck! 

At the end of it all we will be reminded: 

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. 

Mignon McLaughlin 

May you enjoy Valentine’s Day with someone special in your life.  And if you’re with someone but you’re not sure if he or she is “the one”, don’t worry – trust your gut feeling: 

Love is not finding someone you can live with; it’s finding someone you cannot live without. 

Rafael Ortiz 

Love rules without rules on Valentine’s Day – and every day. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Lasting impression…

I was chatting with a friend and colleague of mine recently.  He bought 10 copies of my book, The Peace and Power of a Positive Perspective ©, to use as gifts for his best clients, partners, and colleagues.  He did so in part because I’ve been meeting with him regularly to offer a little sales coaching/mentoring/friend-who-listens support.  

I was introduced to him years ago when I was a volunteer mentor for the former American Association of Inside Sales Professionals.  He was my mentee and we have continued a meaningful relationship to this day. 

After several years, I finally asked if he would consider using my book as a “company gift” and send in the receipt for expense reimbursement.  At $15 on Amazon, I believe this is a gift that leaves a lasting impression.  Inside the front cover, I even have a page for adding a personal note. 

Being the thoughtful person he is, he ran it up the corporate ladder, first.  I have to admit I wasn’t surprised with the response: “Nope.  I’m not an authorized vendor.”  The Marketing Department authorizes items to be used as gifts and I’m not on their list.  Yes, red tape still exists in Corporate America.  It’s worse in government: 

To the government, cutting red tape often means slicing it into long strips lengthwise. 

Norman R. Augustine 

Continuing to be the thoughtful and kind person he is, he paid for the books out of his own pocket saying, “Gary, you’ve earned it.” 

He could have just continued to send the traditional (authorized) gift his Marketing Department has approved.  Even at a cost that’s more than twice the price of my book.  The limitation with that approach is obvious – it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.  All God’s children send those mugs and here’s what their (your?) clients/prospects/partners do with them:  

In the sales field today, it’s more important than ever to stand apart from others.  I’ve already spoken about the homogenization AI is creating with sales and marketing messaging.  Are we sure we want our client appreciation gifts to all look the same, too? 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Department transfer…

I spent so much time in the Department of Unintended Consequences during my sales enablement role at NetSuite, I often wondered if I was transferred just awaiting the paperwork. 

One of the things I really liked about working there was the encouragement of personal initiative.  NetSuite’s CEO Zach Nelson coined the phrases, “Take the hill”, and “We must” offering recognition for employee initiatives during his quarterly “All Hands” meetings. 

Has this happened to you?  You know, you’re trying to “take the hill”; “go the extra mile” because “we must”; and Boom!  Word comes down from the Department of Unintended Consequences (aka DUC aka duck!): 

            Harrison's Postulate: 

For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism. 

Unknown Sage

I remember once I had formulated a plan for a local client meeting.  My Regional Managers had been speculating about a “Client Day” for months.  Well, after “talking about it”, I decided I would “take the hill” and make it happen.  Someone yell, “DUC”! 

Evidently, the Regional Managers expected me to form a committee first.  They wanted to offer their input on how to do an event.  My bad – I actually knew how to do events.  Plus, I didn’t have patience for committees (still don’t): 

Another mystery commonly observed by committee pathologists is that the time consumed in debate is dominated by those with the least to offer. 

Norman R. Augustine 

Well, word from the Department of Unintended Consequences came down.  A Regional Manager wanted to know exactly who authorized me to “take the hill”.  Huh?  The committee was assembled. 

What started as a local, casual, inexpensive event morphed into something where clients and Regional Managers were flying in from all corners of North America.  Thankfully, my VP shielded me.  He knew I was trying to execute with excellence.  He also knew when I got criticized (inevitable for us all), I would seek comfort from the wise: 

The incident of an undersized lawyer in an acrimonious stump debate with the massive Robert Toombs. Toombs called out, “Why, I could button your ears back and swallow you whole.”  The little fellow retorted, “And if you did, you would have more brains in your stomach than you ever had in your head.” 

Abraham Lincoln 

Thinking better of it, I decided to keep Abe’s counsel to myself.  The client day turned out well; the clients were pleased; the Regional Managers enjoyed themselves; the hill was taken! 

Afterwards however, word from the Department of Unintended Consequences was heard from again.  I had misspelled the company name on one client’s name tent.  He was upset enough to email me, “cc all” and included a cell phone picture of my error.  My bad.  Someone yell, “DUC”! 

                      GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.