Create a Win-Win-WIN!

Many of us have heard the phrase "Make it a Win-Win". Simply said, it means "don't agree to anything with someone unless it benefits you both." This approach supports a fair, healthy long-term interactive relationship - as opposed to a one-time only transaction. It's a good place to start, but not the most effective approach to optimizing your relationships. What is even better?

Creating a Win-Win-WIN!

Not only should you focus on benefiting you and your direct business collaborator, but also consider how the ultimate "customers" benefit - your customer, the collaborator's customer, the cause you are working towards, etc. If you both are fully committed to ensuring that ALL people benefit as the agreement radiates out, then you can be sure that it will likely grow/build momentum rather than be a one-time deal. The ultimate goal in business (and in Life!) is to create something of value that is both sustainable and develops perpetual motion (a "life of it's own") that continues adding value to everyone involved.

That's a legacy worth working for.

So...what are you doing that is different and better - for not just you and your immediate colleagues, but for all the "customers" you exist to serve? Create a compelling reason for people to prefer you and your product/services (by adding superior value in exchange for their money, time, and effort) and they will become loyal to you...and want to participate in "spreading the gospel" of your shared cause.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

"On-stage" or "Off-stage"?

I just got back from speaking at an event with a few hundred people in attendance. All the details were covered. The stage was arranged well. The materials and lighting were set "just right". Seating, programs, music, coordination and timing, the service team's attire...everything in the ballroom looked/sounded great. The event team was excited to create an experience that was memorable.

Well, it was. For the wrong reasons.

Just after lunch, everyone was re-seated and listening to the speaker before me, when the side of the room we all heard...snoring. From the AV technician!

The whole room began to shift around uncomfortably and murmuring/snickering traveled around the ballroom for a loooong 20 seconds until someone walked over to the technician and finally shook him awake.

Guess what ended up being the most memorable moment from THAT conference?

More importantly, what do you think people are saying about the event company? The same event company, by the way, that went to all the effort and care to make sure "everything was perfect" - failed to focus on the team's behavior as a part of what really mattered.

Anything people can sense in any way during your event will either add to or take away from the value they perceive. ANYthing. As we used to say at Disney, if they can see, hear, taste, feel, or smell it, then it is "on-stage" and we should manage it to ensure a great experience. Consider, not just the "things" in the room, but the people as well, and ask "are we sending the message we want to send?" and "How will this impact our customer's experience?"

After all, you want to be remembered for the best reasons, right?

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Let It Go!

As we rush/stagger/grind/step towards the end of the year, many of us reflect on what was and what may be. While I encourage this (not just once a year, but every quarter/month/week - as best you can), it seems that "resolutions" - regardless of when they occur, rarely last. On average, only 15% of those who make New Year's resolutions keep them for at least 30 days. What a shame!

Part of the problem most have with adopting new behaviors is that they are still embedded in the rut of old habits (muscle memory and/or mental hang-ups.) Here's the key that all successful professionals know: Before you can successfully follow a new path, you have to stop walking the old, less-effective path. In other words: what keeps us from adopting effective new habits is INeffective old habits.

Japanese culture has some interesting rituals for the transition between one year and the next. For example, many hold "ending of the year parties" (called "bounenkai" - or "forget the year"), where they ceremoniously cut ties with anything holding them back from growing/improving for the upcoming year. Another tradition is called "osoji", where everyone deep cleans their homes, offices, and schools to literally begin the new year with a "clean slate". While I don't follow these practices, I do appreciate the acknowledging of how we must create closure for one chapter before we can successfully begin a new chapter.

So, as you begin making plans for your next chapter, please consider what you need to STOP doing - or let go of - BEFOREHAND. Once you've confronted that detrimental anchor, then and only then will you be free to sail forward towards whatever exciting new adventure you have in your heart.

One final word of encouragement: If you're not living the life of your dreams, then why not? When are you planning to live your unique purpose? No matter where you are today, the very best time to begin is NOW. Don't wait another day. No more settling. Take the first few steps and you will begin to see an amazing shift in momentum toward the lifestyle you've always wanted.

You will never regret it, I promise. I can guarantee you the inevitable: you'll regret not starting sooner if you wait.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

The Alternative To Change

If you don't like change, I understand. But you're going to like mediocrity a WHOLE lot less.

The real problem with change is, despite what many claim, it is NOT always good. In the real world, we've all been burned by change at one time. So, what's the alternative? Don't focus on change - focus on improvement!

Here's the TRUTH about legitimate improvement in your life:

1. The definition of "improved" is determined by YOU.
2. Improvement, by definition, must be different...but different in YOUR direction!

Bottom line: All improvement requires change, but not all change is an improvement.

Are you clear about what you want that is different/better? If not, invest some time to figure that out. (Today would be good.)

Are you willing to take action and DO what is required to create that improvement? If not, then prepare yourself for a life of pain and disappointment. Regardless of what all those foolish Secret/Name It, Claim It fad philosophies claim, it doesn't happen by magic...and no one will do it for you. (The good news? The effort is worth it. Really!)

Here's an interesting factoid to consider: Have you noticed that only about 5% of people who make New Year's resolutions see them come to fruition? What percentage of people do you consider to be truly successful in life? About 5%? Do you think there's a connection? I believe in both cases, it's simply because the successful people are clear about what they want/what direction to move in order to improve, AND they invest the required effort to achieve their goals. That's not always fun or sexy, but it works at Disney and other world-class companies, consistently. (Yes, ANYone can be successful!)

Are you setting the stage for an improved new year? If not, why not?

How will 2011 be different/better than 2010 for you? What will YOU do differently/better to actually make your goals a reality this time? (Hint: The best time to start is NOW!)

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Recruiting For Keeps

I just finished a session with a European association of Human Resource professionals who are struggling with their recruitment efforts. The common complaint is that "there are no good people to hire". Actually, the truth is that there are PLENTY of good people out there. The real challenge is that they already have jobs working elsewhere. (After all, why would a legitimate good quality employee be out of a job...really? If you create a great culture, they will come to you!)

While many people asked questions about how to get more people to fill vacancies, the real root problem is two-fold:

1. Not keeping existing "right fit" talent
2. Not selecting new "right fit" talent

Employee retention is a chronic challenge for most organizations. Taking care of the people you have is a full-time job. Maintenance is not my strength, but I've always made sure that I engaged an internal support system to ensure people felt supported and cared for. Open communication, rewards & recognition, personal development, and mutual respect are just some of the tools you can use to create a culture that remains dynamic and attractive. When people are involved, they can create the kind of workplace that jazzes them most - every day. Involvement is directly correlated to engagement, buy-in, and ownership. When people are in an environment where they can connect with their passion and really make a difference every day, they will actually fight rather than leave.

As for not selecting "right fit" talent, this is usually the result of either not knowing how to articulate the non-negotiables of your unique culture (values, vision, standards, personality, etc.), or a lack of discipline in holding out for a right fit - instead hiring any warm body to fill the position short-term. Regarding this last issue, I've found that the team will bear the wait longer if they a) understand the value of holding out for a good fit colleague, b) are confident that the person selecting the new colleague has the same criteria as they do for "right fit", and c) the person selecting the new hire is working as hard as they are covering the additional responsibilities.)

When you hire the right people and maintain the relationship, it will continue to grow and stay healthy...just like any dynamic relationship. (Feel free to test this in your personal relationships too!)

And, yes, YOU can influence your recruitment process.

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Results, Not Effort

I'm noticing a growing problem in the workplace today. More and more people are defending their value based on how "hard" they are working - as if the amount of effort they expend means anything.

Those who know me know that I value hard work (I have no patience for laziness - in thought OR deed!), but working a lot and accomplishing little is moronic.

There, I said it.

If a logger works hard, spending all day trying to cut down a big tree with a penknife when they could be using a chainsaw, do we applaud their effort? Of course not. We call him foolish! Loggers are valued by how many trees they cut down. The amount of time or effort they spend doesn't add any additional value. It simply isn't relevant to the outcome.

The weird thing about human nature is that we tend to judge others by their results while we judge ourselves by our intent. [Enter loud buzzer sound here.] Sorry. This doesn't (and will never) be acceptable to any logical, fair-minded person.

The measuring criteria is results. Period.

In the real world, we earn value by creating it. Effort and time are things that are spent. Hopefully, our energy and time is invested in a way that creates more value than we used. If not, we chose poorly. If so, then we are growing our resources and influence - and benefit because of that.

Value is defined by the one "purchasing" the outcome - whether an employer or the recipient of the effort. An employee who can create ten quality widgets an hour (regardless of effort) will always be worth more than someone who creates less. If you are exerting more time/effort than others on a particular activity and producing less, rethink your approach. Either learn do be more effective or switch to something that is more aligned with your personal strengths.

Spending more time and effort defending your lack of results is, well, an additional waste of time and effort...because it will not result in a better result. It just sounds like whining (definition of whining = "anger coming out of too small a hole." Ha!)

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Problem, Challenge, or Opportunity?

Today I heard some people having a heated discussion about whether it was better to refer to a situation as a "problem" or an "opportunity".

What a waste of time.

The REAL issue isn't the terminology - it is the fact that, typically, all they do is talk. That's a common situation that most people/businesses are in today. Here are some practical distinctions I make that I've been told by clients is helpful:

Definition of "Problem" = Anything that is unacceptable to you. The degree of your problem is the degree of unacceptableness. REALLY unacceptable = BIG problem.

Definition of "Challenge" = A problem that you are willing to face/fix.

Both "Problems" and "Challenges" are "Opportunities". The truth is: We have almost unlimited opportunities each and every day. You can choose to have one less soda a day and lose about 15 pounds a year. You can choose to wake up 30 minutes earlier each day and invest that time strategically considering your future. You can choose to take the 5 minutes immediately after reading this blog to call a friend or family member and tell them how much you care about them or to ask forgiveness/forgive them to enhance your relationship.

Every day. Every hour. Every minute is an opportunity.

The question is: "Will you take action"?

Merely talking about definitions of words and other concepts without acting on that discussion to add some kind of value is a complete waste of energy. Calling something a "problem" isn't what creates negativity/defeat. Failing to do anything constructive about the problem is what keeps it a problem - and retains the negative consequences.

Solution? Commit to do more than talk about what needs to improve. Take action to achieve something of substance that means something at the end of the day.

Just a suggestion...you could start with that phone call...

Think about it. But more importantly, do something about it...today!

Getting Experienced...In A Good Way

As a collector of quotes - and life experiences - I just came across an aphorism by Louis L'Amour that is my current favorite: "You can't learn anything from experiences you're not having".

So much meaning. So few words.

Business life is too often full of mere talk. People analyze and study and discuss and have meetings and argue and write reports and present and talk some more...and wonder why nothing gets done!

In order to get new results, we have to "do new". "New" requires learning. Learning requires engagement. Engagement requires action. In short: Having experiences.

Ironically, the most successful people are those that take action before there's a 99% chance of success. They leap earlier - 80%? - and learn along the way. This earns them a competitive edge.

The key? That edge is NOT just the results of the action. What creates the real edge is their experience...what they gained from actually taking action.

It's an edge that can be realized no other way.

So, connect the dots for yourself this year. Step out in a way that you never have before - and experience more...learn more...grow more.

You'll soon see it makes all the difference in the world.

And your world will never be the same.

Isn't that what you want? A better life?

Go out and get some more experience...in a good way! ;)

Think about it, but more importantly do something about it...today!

Sowing (and Reaping) O.A.T.S.

Ahhh...the beginning of a new week. Always seems to be both a wide-open seven days of possibility and, at the same time, not enough time to complete the ever-growing list of "things I've got to do". While planning for the week may seem intimidating, it becomes MUCH easier when you have a system to follow. One such approach is the OATS formula:

O: Objectives - First identify what your goals are. What results do you want to achieve by the end of the week. Write them down and rank each one.

A: Activities - For each goal, write down what you need to actually do (think behaviors) to bring each objective to fruition. This is the "Who" part of the formula.

T: Time - The "When" part of the formula is not only establishing a deadline, but also estimating how much time each goal/action will require. I try to add an extra buffer to allow for unexpected developments. If the unexpected development is that nothing unexpected came up, then my unexpected development is that I have extra time to accomplish new adventures!

S: Schedule - Once you have the previous details in place, you can place them appropriately in your calendar. Take into consideration when you do your best work (we all have different preferences/bio-rhythms, etc.) One tough obstacle is that few people place as high a value on time commitments to themselves as they do to commitments made to others. Make yourself and your plans a priority!

Simple and to the point. Try it out and see if this works for you. If you sow your OATS now, you'll be reaping that investment into you (and your life plans) soon!

Think about it - but more importantly, do something about it...today!