Merry Christmas
May your holiday season be filled with family and friends and peace.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
So, What’s The Problem?
Communications, Management, Personal Development, problem solving Comments (0)
During this last week I met a friend for dinner. We try and meet at least once each month to catch up on what is going on in each of our lives. I have known Steve for 20 years and value his opinions and insights. He is a dear friend. He always has an alternative view or another perspective to consider, and I figure I occasionally offer him some interesting perspectives as well.
Reflecting on our conversations and especially the most recent one, I note a few points for discussion. Some points involve the form or the intent of these meetings. Some points are the content, especially from the last meeting.
On Form:
Validation
Conversations with dear friends you respect are key to maintaining a realistic perspective. These conversations either validate what you are thinking or feeling or they can disclose quickly the invalidity of your thinking. Of course, it does help to have a trusted and trusting friendship. Superficial discussion will not be very productive.
Perspective
Conversations with Steve always offer another perspective. In these discussions, we will discuss one of our situations and invariably the other will provide a different interpretation of the facts, make a different set of assumptions, and suggest a different perspective for consideration.
Synergy
I have spoken of synergy before in these pod-casts. These conversations invariably result in something that goes beyond either of our insight or understanding, as if a third person distilled the essence of our thoughts and formulated a thought greater than either of us considered.
On Content:
The Problem
Steve and I covered some interesting topics in our last meeting. One was the economy. We talked about the economy, the fallen stock market, the failing banks, the failed corporation, asteroids, the unemployment rate. We went down multiple paths of discussion on each and several times asked the question, “What’s the solution to the …… situation?” We discussed multiple alternatives and the ineffectiveness of each.
Steve then identified the real issue, “I don’t think we know what the problem is.” It certainly does seem that governments, corporations, and enterprises worldwide are taking actions to address a problem that is not clearly defined. Otherwise, it seems to me that some evidence of progress would exist, rather than a reliance on the argument that “things would be worse of we had not done (fill in the blank)”.
True Value
With stock markets failing, 401K accounts at 50% to 60% of their value within the last year, with corporations and employers significantly reducing costs daily to survive, and with a future significantly more uncertain than 1 year ago, I raised the point that the only things we could really count on are the family, the friends, and the relationships we maintain.
The Management Message
Above, I spoke of validation, perspective, synergy, precise identification of the problem, and true value. In our management role, we need to form relationships with our business associates that provide us true value, providing us validation, a perspective, and a synergy as we address our objectives, solve our problems. And most importantly, we need to be able to precisely identify our problem.
admin @ March 7, 2009
A Variation On Being Rather Than Doing
Personal Development Comments (0)
Penelope Trunk posted an excellent article, “This is why all your goals are bad for you“ on her site: Penelope Trunk’s Brazen Careerist.
See also my podcast PSM #25: The Framework for Managing Self [revised] here in the weblog.
As the lyrics in the song that say, “take your passion and make it happen” could not be more appropriate. Only when we approach each day with passion are we truly successful.
admin @ January 19, 2009
The Rotary Club’s Four Way Test
Discussion Points Comments (0)
It is interesting how I am introduced to ideas and discoveries in surprising places when I least expect it. In Big Spring, Texas I saw a sign featuring the Rotary Club there and asking 4 questions that I had not seen before. Sure, I have considered these questions singularly or collectively but had not seen them listed collectively as a strategy for decision making and action. I find it really handy to put these 4 questions on an index card, or in my iPhone, and carry them with me, occasionally reflecting on them when a difficult situation arises. I have listed the Four Way Test, straight from the Rotary Club and that sign in Big Spring, for your consideration too. Here they are:
- Is it the Truth?
- Is it Fair to all concerned?
- Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
- Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Also, here is a link to The Rotary Club’s Guiding Principles to give them full credit for this.
I contend that this is plain, simple, management: managing with integrity by considering this Four Way Test or questions like these in everything we think, say, and do. Considering questions like this differentiates leaders from managers and executives.
Craig @ December 25, 2008