When In The Midst Of The Storm

Recently, it seems like nearly every client, colleague, and friend has been overwhelmed by unexpected circumstances. Sometimes the challenge has been out of left field, sometimes the challenge has been more intense or longer-lasting than expected...but either way, they are struggling to manage.

Sometimes, Life has a way of ganging up on you, eh?

This past month has been a challenge for me as well. A "perfect storm" of previous commitments, professional challenges, and personal set-backs. Sometimes it can knock the wind out of you - leave you reeling for a moment. A setback like this can be painful, but it can be an attention-getter when you desperately need one.

When things in our environment are so dynamic, it is dangerous to be inflexible in anything except your values and The Truth. The saying that "good always triumphs over evil" is only true in the longest term. Short term, the ugly truth is that evil sometimes wins...temporarily. The key is getting through the temporary times.

Here is what I've found to guide me (and other clients/colleagues/friends) through these temporary trials: The "A List"...

1. Accept the pain/circumstances: Denial only prolongs the process. It IS happening - and time (nor any connected circumstance) isn't stopping. Grow up and face it with courage NOW or a messy "domino effect" will make it worse. (Yes, it ALWAYS makes it worse...)

2. Assess the root cause(s): Objectively review your circumstances and YOURSELF to get at the root cause of the problem. Look for trends/patterns. What is REALLY causing the pain right now? Could it be the natural consequences of YOUR actions? (or LACK of action?)

3. Adapt to the new situation/challenge: What was is no longer what is. Let go of the past and embrace a new now to establish today's starting place to make progress towards your goals. No, your goals don't have to change, necessarily (if they are still worthy), just your approach to achieve them. Maybe there's ANOTHER right answer that will get you there?

4. Action your way through towards your goals: Thinking/talking about your intentions get you NOWHERE. As overwhelming as it may seem, you can take a step NOW...even a baby step is progress. Baby steps, multiplied by consistent effort often turns to momentum and larger steps.

If you've experienced a painful set-back, you have my condolences. Take a moment to grieve (Accept) and then commit to the rest of the process. There IS hope...even in the midst of the pain and confusion. Focus on your goals and the process and soon you will be out of the maelstrom.

Take a deep breath, and begin. Now.

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

No Longer Waiting For A Good Opportunity

Well, it's FINALLY 2010. A clean slate. A fresh start. A new beginning.

Then why are so many people...just waiting?

I was talking with a client about his plans for growth in 2010. After he described a long list of ways they were planning to position themselves and gain market share, I asked him what he and his teams were currently doing to accomplish those goals. He stated that they were watching and waiting for more evidence of a turnaround before they took any action.

I believe the opportunity is already starting to slip away.

One of the traits of world-class success stories is they LEAD the market. They initiate trends. They take action and gain while "wanna be's" wait for "proof" or for some kind of assurance that their plan will gain BIG results with minimum risk.

Funny thing about business (and just about any other aspect of life for that matter)...low risk almost ALWAYS results in low rewards.

Intent means nothing until it is acted upon.

Once there is a good understanding of the customer, your team/resources/strategies, and the competition, every moment of "waiting" squanders your potential. Your competitive edge diminishes. You leave the window of opportunity open for your competition.

Sounds like a foolish way to begin a new decade.

Do New: Stop waiting for opportunity and MAKE opportunity instead!

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!

The Hidden Side of Success

Just wrapping up the next phase of who-knows-how-many-phases-it-will-take conference calls with my publisher exploring the many steps of the process in getting a book actually published. Seems vaguely familiar to most transformation efforts I've led over the years.

At first, you walk into the brand new (to you) situation and get hit with a tidal wave of new information. Despite years of wide-ranging experience, it's not what you know that causes potential problems. It's that you don't know what you don't know.

Of course, knowing that gives you an advantage.

The key to success is to explore what is, at that moment, hidden to you. Data. Information. Relationships. Opinions. Perspectives. Blind spots. Misunderstandings. Assumptions. Hidden agendas. Ego. Fears. Untapped potential. Hope. Courage. Heroism.

There are always clues - and solutions - hidden inside the organization. The secret is rooting it out. To do this, you need to actively go to where the answer hide. Almost always where the employees and customers meet.There are two rules when exploring these uncharted territories: 1. Follow the money (the measurement of value), 2. Follow the time (the measurement of priority) and 3. Follow the customer (external and internal - employee) experience (the measurement of relevance).

Secrets never are discovered in an office - only out where real life happens.

So, my goal for learning this publishing process is to, at every step, keep my ears and eyes open to everything that is happening. Ask questions and listen/learn. Expect to be surprised - and to uncover unknown challenges. Keep the big picture in mind, and have the courage and tenacity to keep climbing that mountain.

Eventually, the view gets clearer...and the air gets cleaner......and the goal is achieved.

What challenge are you facing right now? Are you really following the clues or your predetermined expectations?

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

I Believe Too!

Just came across a wonderful quote by John D. Rockefeller that covers volumes in one paragraph. Definitely worth reading - and re-reading - to get the full value. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and continue to)...

“I believe in the supreme will of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity, an obligation; every possession a duty. I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master. I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but it owes every man an opportunity to make a living. I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and that economy is a prime request of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs. I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character-not wealth or power or position- is of supreme worth. I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross (waste matter) of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free. I believe in all-wise-and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will. I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.”

Every sentence = pretty deep stuff. The question now is "What do YOU believe"? and "Are you living your life in way that reflects that?"

And, most important, "If not, why"?

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

Who's YOUR Most Loyal Customer?

I just returned form delivering the Pre-Conference workshop for the Society for Human Resource Management's Strategy Conference in Phoenix. We visited several world-class operations - including the Westin (one of the upscale Starwood hotel brands), Cold Stone Creamery (making ice cream buying a real experience) and the famed Mayo Clinic.

During the visit to the Mayo, several professionals spoke to my group revealing the best practices that have created the Mayo reputation/brand. The Chief Human Resource Officer, the Human Resource Manager, and the Operations Manager all shared amazing information that, according to the attendees, was extremely helpful from an operational standpoint. The interaction that made the most memorable impact was when a "customer" volunteered to share his experience with the group.

This patient just happened to overhear that our group was going to be there and offered to recount how he was treated during his liver transplant...just 5 WEEKS EARLIER. He went on about how the clinical aspects were over his head, but every Mayo employee he worked with took the time to, not only educate him so he could make the best choices - or execute his multiple procedures and surgery impeccably, but that they interacted with him in a way that made him know they CARED.

Tragic that experiencing the "care" in "health care" is so rare these days.

This "customer" went out of his way to prepare, drive out, and stand in front of a group of strangers to brag about an organization he is loyal to.

Impressive. That spoke volumes to everyone in the room. Passionate customers who are justifiably loyal usually have that affect.

Mayo earns that loyalty - and reaps the benefits as well.

The question is: Who is/are YOUR most loyal customers? Are they sacrificing to be an advocate for YOUR company? Have you EARNED that commitment?

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!