Saturday, April 30, 2011
With our Struggles comes Learning!?!
So much I like about this-reading this morning and thought I would share! To me it gives peace DURING our ups AND downs!
Joy in Trials JAMES 1:2 My brothers and sisters, 4 consider it nothing but joy 5 when you fall into all sorts of trials, 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 1:5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 1:6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 1:8 since he is a double-minded individual, 6 unstable in all his ways.
1:9 Now the believer 7 of humble means 8 should take pride 9 in his high position........
May your struggles be few, but when they occur, let learning happen!!!
Joy in Trials JAMES 1:2 My brothers and sisters, 4 consider it nothing but joy 5 when you fall into all sorts of trials, 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 1:5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 1:6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 1:8 since he is a double-minded individual, 6 unstable in all his ways.
1:9 Now the believer 7 of humble means 8 should take pride 9 in his high position........
May your struggles be few, but when they occur, let learning happen!!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Are you the CALL CENTER management world? Meeting of AssociationCCP.org this Thurs: http://ping.fm/vZ1qX
DIS-TRUST BOXES
Suggestion boxes on walls of a business indicates a lack of leadership, trust, upward comm, etc! I call them DISTRUST BOXES, think about it! They say, sure we want your input and realize you can not funnel it thru your leader, so scratch it out on a note and go STICK IT in that box on the wall.
I am just sayin....!
I am just sayin....!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Being a NON-MicroManager!?!
The concept of DELEGATION is a great way for a leader to begin breaking away from being a micro-manager. Delegation develops two-way trust (that you trusted me to do this and that I know you can be trusted to get the job done). Delegation develops people to be better prepared to do higher-level work. It develops thinking skills, problem solving abilities, initiative, confidence, and self-esteem. It also allows you to discover strengths and weaknesses of your people. Consider this scenario…by delegating, I am developing that person to take on more responsibility and allowing me time to practice leadership in other areas. If I take advantage of this opportunity, I can also become a better coach to those that I have delegated to, since I will have to do some coaching along the way. The challenge is not to do too much and get in the way…after all, too much coaching can signal a lack of trust. When you delegate, keep these factors in mind; be available, since there may be questions and issues that come up. Also, remember to give the authority necessary to do the job…nothing is more frustrating than to be given the assignment but not the authority to get it done.
And here’s a HUGE, BIG, VERY IMPORTANT point! Regardless of the outcome, the responsibility of the delegated action remains with you! …If it goes well, the person who did the work gets the credit; if it doesn’t go so well—guess who gets the blame?…that’s right, Mr/Mrs. LEADER, You! This piece is crucial to your ability to gain buy-in to the whole idea of delegation. What I mean here is that one of the killers to delegating is the ‘risk’ aspect. You must take the risk out of the equation for them - the only real risk here is the one that you are taking, by delegating. Tip: It is a good idea to bring your own boss into the thought-process when delegating…so he/she realizes and buys into the idea of taking this risk with your people. You also may discover that this particular action or project is one that the boss does not want you to risk. Hence, that was a good idea to involve the boss, huh?
Bottom line?...by practicing real delegation, in the process you have learned more about delegation, coaching, relationship-building, developing people, identified strengths, utilized resources effectively, support, praise and on and on and on…as well as improved trust. And who knows, with enough of this, properly done, you may actually get a day off sometime soon!?!
Concept addressed within the Great 8 Leadership Principles/my book, The Conference for Leaders...
And here’s a HUGE, BIG, VERY IMPORTANT point! Regardless of the outcome, the responsibility of the delegated action remains with you! …If it goes well, the person who did the work gets the credit; if it doesn’t go so well—guess who gets the blame?…that’s right, Mr/Mrs. LEADER, You! This piece is crucial to your ability to gain buy-in to the whole idea of delegation. What I mean here is that one of the killers to delegating is the ‘risk’ aspect. You must take the risk out of the equation for them - the only real risk here is the one that you are taking, by delegating. Tip: It is a good idea to bring your own boss into the thought-process when delegating…so he/she realizes and buys into the idea of taking this risk with your people. You also may discover that this particular action or project is one that the boss does not want you to risk. Hence, that was a good idea to involve the boss, huh?
Bottom line?...by practicing real delegation, in the process you have learned more about delegation, coaching, relationship-building, developing people, identified strengths, utilized resources effectively, support, praise and on and on and on…as well as improved trust. And who knows, with enough of this, properly done, you may actually get a day off sometime soon!?!
Concept addressed within the Great 8 Leadership Principles/my book, The Conference for Leaders...
Fixing Micro-managers
Is your boss a micro-manager? The way to FIX him/her is to begin feeding them upward, lots! Keep them overly-informed until they begin telling YOU to go away!
As I finalize my book, would u share link here w/(3) people u know? Mgrs, CEO types, HR, Sales, Preachers, Leaders, Teachers? http://ping.fm/o0Q4q
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Hope you & yours have a great Easter & we will remember HE died on the cross for us! Song 4 u: http://ping.fm/NCxGc
Friday, April 22, 2011
UTOPIA, FRIENDS, THANK YOU, HOPE U R THERE
UTOPIA is a concept I used to ponder now and then; these days it has a whole new meaning and picture in my mind. I am sure that it is Heaven, and it will be much more utopian than imagineable.
Anyway, I was thinking of how I used to think of the Utopia concept – more than anything, it was a place where all friends, family and good relationships from our lives would all come together again. Would that not be cool, all those, just the ones you/we/I want there of course, all together for always. Not just them from the past but obviously those right here in our present, like my wife, kids, parents, family, etc…you get it huh?
Social Networking has brought a whole new meaning to all this as wel, now that I think about it. It has been great re-connecting, reaching out and discovering many. The frustrating thing is that I am not much closer to that utopian mindset/concept because even though they/you may be a friend on some network, I still do not experience them, see them, have coffee with you or have you around!
This has been a bit of a frustration in recent years, as I am sure it is with anyone as you/we age! So many friends from high school, college, military days, teachers known, students taught, consulting associates and clients, etc…. Man so many quality people I miss seeing routinely.
Without rambling any more just now, but no promise that I will not do some more later, I am just saying here that in this present world, I strive to and want to re-connect, rebuild, develop and/or stay in touch with friends, like you, past relationships in life. If you do also, let me hear from you and lets do…
On another level, this whole thing again got me thinking of how Heaven will be, and I am sure I have no clue – it will undoubtedly be much more than any of us can fathom. Regardless, two thoughts: 1) that you and all those treasured friends and relations will have found the path, discovered Him and actually BE THERE, and 2) that in some mystical spiritual way, we will have some form of capability of merging with, connecting with, being with, communicating with ALL at once. The quantity, volume and numbers challenge of too many FRIENDS to keep up with, will not even exist, we will just all be together….again, I do not know how, but I am sure I do not know how HE does any/all that HE does. And that makes sense, since HE is HE and I am just one of us; how could I possibly understand all that is.
Just one more thing, if you have not already stopped reading. This all reminds me of maybe my first favorite Christian song, Thank You by Ray Boltz ( it is on my MP3 that I listen to as I ride my bike out on the roads). It was a song before I became new. Any way it is a great song, and all about the people we have touched in our lives, on many levels. Go take a listen, I know I am right now, so must go!
Well okay, I will stop. Have a great day, a blessed one, one where you had something good happen and you helped someone get something; and lets stay in touch my friend.
Anyway, I was thinking of how I used to think of the Utopia concept – more than anything, it was a place where all friends, family and good relationships from our lives would all come together again. Would that not be cool, all those, just the ones you/we/I want there of course, all together for always. Not just them from the past but obviously those right here in our present, like my wife, kids, parents, family, etc…you get it huh?
Social Networking has brought a whole new meaning to all this as wel, now that I think about it. It has been great re-connecting, reaching out and discovering many. The frustrating thing is that I am not much closer to that utopian mindset/concept because even though they/you may be a friend on some network, I still do not experience them, see them, have coffee with you or have you around!
This has been a bit of a frustration in recent years, as I am sure it is with anyone as you/we age! So many friends from high school, college, military days, teachers known, students taught, consulting associates and clients, etc…. Man so many quality people I miss seeing routinely.
Without rambling any more just now, but no promise that I will not do some more later, I am just saying here that in this present world, I strive to and want to re-connect, rebuild, develop and/or stay in touch with friends, like you, past relationships in life. If you do also, let me hear from you and lets do…
On another level, this whole thing again got me thinking of how Heaven will be, and I am sure I have no clue – it will undoubtedly be much more than any of us can fathom. Regardless, two thoughts: 1) that you and all those treasured friends and relations will have found the path, discovered Him and actually BE THERE, and 2) that in some mystical spiritual way, we will have some form of capability of merging with, connecting with, being with, communicating with ALL at once. The quantity, volume and numbers challenge of too many FRIENDS to keep up with, will not even exist, we will just all be together….again, I do not know how, but I am sure I do not know how HE does any/all that HE does. And that makes sense, since HE is HE and I am just one of us; how could I possibly understand all that is.
Just one more thing, if you have not already stopped reading. This all reminds me of maybe my first favorite Christian song, Thank You by Ray Boltz ( it is on my MP3 that I listen to as I ride my bike out on the roads). It was a song before I became new. Any way it is a great song, and all about the people we have touched in our lives, on many levels. Go take a listen, I know I am right now, so must go!
Well okay, I will stop. Have a great day, a blessed one, one where you had something good happen and you helped someone get something; and lets stay in touch my friend.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
To God, my wife (YOU & maybe your world at some point?)
On recent trip to visit kids, now grown and living south of here, I heard an old favorite country song. It is about feelings/emotions, which I am always good for...!
http://ping.fm/lqLs8 (click link and once begins, minimize and read on here…good tune regardless)
Anyway it had me hooked thinking on life, my wife, for sure my God, my kids, family, etc.
On the surface it may be/seem like a past, sad even, memory song; but for me it is a happy NOW & FUTURE song. A bit mushy maybe, but I have been compelled to write about this for a few weeks now.
Maybe there is something here you will resemble and connect with as well.
The song? In case you did not open the link but are still reading is: LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. A great tune; here are the lyrics. My thoughts added are in (parenthesis)! Some lines mean little, but others, oh yeah…
I spent a lifetime lookin for you (my GOD, found HIM when I was 45!)
Single bars and good time lovers were never true
Playin a fool's game hopin to win
And tellin those sweet lies and losin again (More than once, yep)
I was lookin for love in all the wrong places (until I bottomed out, & there HE was; thanks Ronnie for leading me there)
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin her eyes, lookin for traces of what I'm dreamin of (Sydney was that one, that dream)
Hopin to find a friend and a lover (both are so critical; found both of in HIM and my wife Sydney)
I will bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin for love
I was alone then, no love in sight (for sure, unlove-able it seemed, worthless, and then…)
I did everything I could to get me through the night (then The WORD was there for comfort, peace and solace. Still my human side struggled until she showed up)
Don't know where it started or where it might end ( I do now)
I would turn to a stranger just like a friend
I was lookin for love in all the wrong places ( I did not know it but I was for sure)
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin her eyes, lookin for traces of what I'm dreamin of
Hopin to find a friend and a lover
I will bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin :for love (finally the Lord a decade ago in pastor/friend’s home office / Sydney: April 6th)
You came knockin at my hearts door (HE did just that, guessing HE had been knocking all along; I was the one knocking Sydneys door down)
You're everything I've been lookin for (THANK YOU God, and thank you Sydney)
No more lookin for love in all the wrong places (absolutely NO MORE)
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin your eyes, lookin for traces of what I am dreamin of
Now that I found a friend and a lover (my God)
I will bless the day I discover you, oh you (my wife)
Lookin for love
In all the wrong the places
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin your eyes, lookin for traces of what I'm dreamin of
Now that I found a friend and a lover
I will bless the day I discover you, oh you
Lookin for love
In all the wrong places
In too many faces...
(I think besides the human love aspect that so connects here for my wife and I; I believe the BIGGER message here is hope that you will or have already found in HIM …to be that face for YOU)
http://ping.fm/lqLs8 (click link and once begins, minimize and read on here…good tune regardless)
Anyway it had me hooked thinking on life, my wife, for sure my God, my kids, family, etc.
On the surface it may be/seem like a past, sad even, memory song; but for me it is a happy NOW & FUTURE song. A bit mushy maybe, but I have been compelled to write about this for a few weeks now.
Maybe there is something here you will resemble
The song? In case you did not open the link but are still reading is: LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES. A great tune; here are the lyrics. My thoughts added are in (parenthesis)! Some lines mean little, but others, oh yeah…
I spent a lifetime lookin for you (my GOD, found HIM when I was 45!)
Single bars and good time lovers were never true
Playin a fool's game hopin to win
And tellin those sweet lies and losin again (More than once, yep)
I was lookin for love in all the wrong places (until I bottomed out, & there HE was; thanks Ronnie for leading me there)
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin her eyes, lookin for traces of what I'm dreamin of (Sydney was that one, that dream)
Hopin to find a friend and a lover (both are so critical; found both of in HIM and my wife Sydney)
I will bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin for love
I was alone then, no love in sight (for sure, unlove-able it seemed, worthless, and then…)
I did everything I could to get me through the night (then The WORD was there for comfort, peace and solace. Still my human side struggled until she showed up)
Don't know where it started or where it might end ( I do now)
I would turn to a stranger just like a friend
I was lookin for love in all the wrong places ( I did not know it but I was for sure)
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin her eyes, lookin for traces of what I'm dreamin of
Hopin to find a friend and a lover
I will bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin :for love (finally the Lord a decade ago in pastor/friend’s home office / Sydney: April 6th)
You came knockin at my hearts door (HE did just that, guessing HE had been knocking all along; I was the one knocking Sydneys door down)
You're everything I've been lookin for (THANK YOU God, and thank you Sydney)
No more lookin for love in all the wrong places (absolutely NO MORE)
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin your eyes, lookin for traces of what I am dreamin of
Now that I found a friend and a lover (my God)
I will bless the day I discover you, oh you (my wife)
Lookin for love
In all the wrong the places
Lookin for love in too many faces
Searchin your eyes, lookin for traces of what I'm dreamin of
Now that I found a friend and a lover
I will bless the day I discover you, oh you
Lookin for love
In all the wrong places
In too many faces...
(I think besides the human love aspect that so connects here for my wife and I; I believe the BIGGER message here is hope that you will or have already found in HIM …to be that face for YOU)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
As good as it gets right now, so enjoy it
Doing some thinking on planning, learning, visioning, trust, taking, risk, predestination, etc. Do you realize that right now, in the present, in this very moment, it is as good as it gets?
It does not get any better than that/this! It might later, but for right now, no, this is what it is.
We all struggle with this at least now & then, but LIVING in the present is critical. To do this likely requires that we accept and trust that HE created it, this moment.
Along with all the human factors you did to impact this moment right now, well IT IS JUST AS IT WAS PLANNED. SMILE, enjoy, do not fret; go improve something, relax, relate, learn, and well grasp the moment you are in!
Whether you believe in God or not, this is all still true, right? Whether you created it, or HE did (which HE did :), enjoy your moments, your life, right now, today, ...and those around us.
Gods best to you, now and in your future moments!
Just thinking and sharing. Have a great Saturday morning and weekend my friend, DOUG...
*There is some leadership learning there as well. Leaders need to teach, preach and walk this thinking huh?
It does not get any better than that/this! It might later, but for right now, no, this is what it is.
We all struggle with this at least now & then, but LIVING in the present is critical. To do this likely requires that we accept and trust that HE created it, this moment.
Along with all the human factors you did to impact this moment right now, well IT IS JUST AS IT WAS PLANNED. SMILE, enjoy, do not fret; go improve something, relax, relate, learn, and well grasp the moment you are in!
Whether you believe in God or not, this is all still true, right? Whether you created it, or HE did (which HE did :), enjoy your moments, your life, right now, today, ...and those around us.
Gods best to you, now and in your future moments!
Just thinking and sharing. Have a great Saturday morning and weekend my friend, DOUG...
*There is some leadership learning there as well. Leaders need to teach, preach and walk this thinking huh?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
PEACE, KEEP THE FAITH, ...remember those?
PEACE, KEEP THE FAITH, remember those?
Whenever these days I hear those words/phrases, I immediately think back to my high school annual where some friends wrote these as they were signing annuals. I really do not know if I used those words back then, as many did back then; but do know they finally work for me NOW!
I feel sure that most who said those words meant good things by them, no doubt. All I know is that muttering these words now, PEACE or KEEP THE FAITH brings me immediately now to God first of all!...(then I think of the annual, those friends, etc)
As it should be, huh, Him first.
I/we should go to God first in all we do; despite the human side of me, I try to do so. Whether it be finances, health, losses, pains, or troubles/sufferings of any kind, if we would GO TO HIM FIRST….we have really at that point done all we can do huh? We have our best HOPE in the right place, for me anyway.
After we do so, then we can go to relying on ourselves and our human hopes, which we all will.
It struck me this morning how I can begin this day in the right way, with Him, studying His Word; speaking, relating, asking and thanking Him…
Subsequently this could end up, really it could, as the very worst day of my life, or yours and very likely will be for someone’s. That is not bleak thinking, or being pessimistic. It is just the reality of life and not sure, but guess it is also His Will, in some way, no matter what.
Now for sure, it might end up becoming the very best day of mine or your life (I am pulling for this one personally, for you, me or someone. It will be for someone right?)
No matter what happens, it may make no sense on our human level, but that is why He is God and we do not understand always. Because He is God!
I could go on and on and on here when I get to really thinking of this crazy world, hurting people, blessings, goods and bads and why?!?!
However first and foremost please Lord help me remember to go to you first with those wonderings. He needs to remain first. He needs to be our best relationship, our best friend, the one we love most…and He needs to be the one we go to first with any and all that stuff that may go wrong today.
Let me not also forget that we should go to Him first as well with the good stuff, to THANK Him ( I guess that tithing thing goes here also huh? Yes the answer is yes here.)
Blessings, PEACE & KEEP THE FAITH my friend,
DOUG
Whenever these days I hear those words/phrases, I immediately think back to my high school annual where some friends wrote these as they were signing annuals. I really do not know if I used those words back then, as many did back then; but do know they finally work for me NOW!
I feel sure that most who said those words meant good things by them, no doubt. All I know is that muttering these words now, PEACE or KEEP THE FAITH brings me immediately now to God first of all!...(then I think of the annual, those friends, etc)
As it should be, huh, Him first.
I/we should go to God first in all we do; despite the human side of me, I try to do so. Whether it be finances, health, losses, pains, or troubles/sufferings of any kind, if we would GO TO HIM FIRST….we have really at that point done all we can do huh? We have our best HOPE in the right place, for me anyway.
After we do so, then we can go to relying on ourselves and our human hopes, which we all will.
It struck me this morning how I can begin this day in the right way, with Him, studying His Word; speaking, relating, asking and thanking Him…
Subsequently this could end up, really it could, as the very worst day of my life, or yours and very likely will be for someone’s. That is not bleak thinking, or being pessimistic. It is just the reality of life and not sure, but guess it is also His Will, in some way, no matter what.
Now for sure, it might end up becoming the very best day of mine or your life (I am pulling for this one personally, for you, me or someone. It will be for someone right?)
No matter what happens, it may make no sense on our human level, but that is why He is God and we do not understand always. Because He is God!
I could go on and on and on here when I get to really thinking of this crazy world, hurting people, blessings, goods and bads and why?!?!
However first and foremost please Lord help me remember to go to you first with those wonderings. He needs to remain first. He needs to be our best relationship, our best friend, the one we love most…and He needs to be the one we go to first with any and all that stuff that may go wrong today.
Let me not also forget that we should go to Him first as well with the good stuff, to THANK Him ( I guess that tithing thing goes here also huh? Yes the answer is yes here.)
Blessings, PEACE & KEEP THE FAITH my friend,
DOUG
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Fixing things, or just continuing to blame?
From an interview in McKinsey Quarterly / Mar 2011: (Flying people, not planes): The CEO of Bombardier on building a world-class culture.
Paraphrasing a few lines from interview:
(..Everyone in management recognized we had a problem but insisted it was not in their department… At the management level, there were cultural problems too.. ...the culture was about avoiding putting facts on the table. We would go to a leadership forum and spend three days telling each other why we were good. And if a person brought up a problem, someone else would say, -Yes, but you did not really understand the issue properly; we’re actually really good. It was a culture of not facing up to issues, of blaming another department….)
>>>WOW, this is so right and so real. I rarely go into an organization to help with their leadership/people-system, that I do not initially have to help them break through this dynamic first!
The trust needed among senior levels of management is frequently just not there, making this a hurdle to initially overcome. When the leadership gets it, understands this and really begins focusing on themselves, amazing improvement can then happen. If not, the effort, resources expended were a waste of time, no ROI!
The question for you the manager, the CEO, the HR Champion, etc is: Are you ready to really make a positive difference in your organization; or will we just keep telling ourselves everything is fine? When all else fails, try addressing leadership!
Strongly recommend the McKinsey Quarterly for leadership learning, ROI, and tons of just good management stuff. Some of these ROI aspects were used to reinforce points in my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders.
God's very best this day my friend,
Booker
Paraphrasing a few lines from interview:
(..Everyone in management recognized we had a problem but insisted it was not in their department… At the management level, there were cultural problems too.. ...the culture was about avoiding putting facts on the table. We would go to a leadership forum and spend three days telling each other why we were good. And if a person brought up a problem, someone else would say, -Yes, but you did not really understand the issue properly; we’re actually really good. It was a culture of not facing up to issues, of blaming another department….)
>>>WOW, this is so right and so real. I rarely go into an organization to help with their leadership/people-system, that I do not initially have to help them break through this dynamic first!
The trust needed among senior levels of management is frequently just not there, making this a hurdle to initially overcome. When the leadership gets it, understands this and really begins focusing on themselves, amazing improvement can then happen. If not, the effort, resources expended were a waste of time, no ROI!
The question for you the manager, the CEO, the HR Champion, etc is: Are you ready to really make a positive difference in your organization; or will we just keep telling ourselves everything is fine? When all else fails, try addressing leadership!
Strongly recommend the McKinsey Quarterly for leadership learning, ROI, and tons of just good management stuff. Some of these ROI aspects were used to reinforce points in my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders.
God's very best this day my friend,
Booker
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Workplace DisTRUST, thinking & maybe some sarcasm
I hear TRUST discussed by leaders frequently; there are deeper and more subtle aspects to trust many just do not get. We all agree that trust is important, and although most do not intentionally lead others astray, your/their leadership may be creating a culture of DIS-TRUST.
Just sharing a few ways managers FAIL TO TELL THE TRUTH!
Workload & Scheduling: Words spoken: We won’t be working Saturday, (or we will not be working late tonight). A common ploy of leaders to keep people motivated until later in the day/week when we drop the surprise bomb on them and work after all. Now that was just a lie now, was it not? Teachers do this a lot also, in their leadership roles.
Quality FIRST (or) Just say something when you see a problem: This is a BIGGEE, happens a lot in workplaces. We preach quality; print it on mission statements; put slogans about it on walls, etc. Then we fail to walk the talk: We tell people to be quiet, not to worry about it and/or tell them to just ship it! ...after they identify a problem, mistake, flaw, etc. Now again, that’s just lying to them. And here is another twist: When we get bad news or criticism we do not like to hear, we blow them away. Maybe you are shooting the messenger, and killing future suggestions. This is a great way to keep people from bothering you; to prevent information from getting to you!?! Oh well, you could always put up a Distrust Box, ...er uh I mean Suggestion Box!
TEAMWORK – (Teams Solve Problems, Not Individuals)… and then managers time after time, make decisions, tell them what to do, and provide THE solution for them to execute. We preach it and then do not practice it; never consulted with them, asked their opinions or attempted to gain consensus/or the best solution. We subconsciously think that 2 heads are better than 1, but then just end up using the thinking of one head - yours, the manager! Oh well, who has better thoughts than you anyway?
We want Risk-Takers! Time after time we abuse, ridicule, or in other ways, put down people for taking risks. Risk is okay as long as it does not fail or cause us any problems, right?!? If he/she had just gotten it right, it would have been a good risk. Wonder what they will do next time; yeah I really wonder!
Promotions, Raises, Transfers… How many times do you think that someone in your organization has considered himself / herself to be the right person for the job; only to watch it go to someone else? When we do not have a system for evaluating performance, people will consider your system unfair… because it is! You will have a tough time proving them wrong! You can always just tell people not to talk about salary, pay, promotions, etc…because of privacy rationale, you know. You and I know it is just because we are not doing it right or fair huh? Oh well, they will never catch on?!?
Let me check on it, and I will get back to you. ...Take a moment and consider how many times you have heard this said to people and subsequently no response? How many times have you taken that monkey on YOUR back and failed to return with an answer? Now I am not suggesting that you intentionally lied, but to him/her it was just that, you lied to them. Now if you had built a strong relationship up front with that person/all your team, they would not suspect this, but you did not do that either huh?
...Managers put themselves into this predicament; Leaders understand the dynamic. They not only build relations but also think ahead; they give them the right to pester until you get back to them. Thus keeping the monkey on their back huh?
Many many more examples are out there, but likely you just remembered something/someone you need to go get back to, huh?
Have a great day, and although you would never make any of these mistakes, others might. You might want to get this into their hands; maybe even your boss! Yikes….
BOOKER, ...what?...I am just saying...!
Just sharing a few ways managers FAIL TO TELL THE TRUTH!
Workload & Scheduling: Words spoken: We won’t be working Saturday, (or we will not be working late tonight). A common ploy of leaders to keep people motivated until later in the day/week when we drop the surprise bomb on them and work after all. Now that was just a lie now, was it not? Teachers do this a lot also, in their leadership roles.
Quality FIRST (or) Just say something when you see a problem: This is a BIGGEE, happens a lot in workplaces. We preach quality; print it on mission statements; put slogans about it on walls, etc. Then we fail to walk the talk: We tell people to be quiet, not to worry about it and/or tell them to just ship it! ...after they identify a problem, mistake, flaw, etc. Now again, that’s just lying to them. And here is another twist: When we get bad news or criticism we do not like to hear, we blow them away. Maybe you are shooting the messenger, and killing future suggestions. This is a great way to keep people from bothering you; to prevent information from getting to you!?! Oh well, you could always put up a Distrust Box, ...er uh I mean Suggestion Box!
TEAMWORK – (Teams Solve Problems, Not Individuals)… and then managers time after time, make decisions, tell them what to do, and provide THE solution for them to execute. We preach it and then do not practice it; never consulted with them, asked their opinions or attempted to gain consensus/or the best solution. We subconsciously think that 2 heads are better than 1, but then just end up using the thinking of one head - yours, the manager! Oh well, who has better thoughts than you anyway?
We want Risk-Takers! Time after time we abuse, ridicule, or in other ways, put down people for taking risks. Risk is okay as long as it does not fail or cause us any problems, right?!? If he/she had just gotten it right, it would have been a good risk. Wonder what they will do next time; yeah I really wonder!
Promotions, Raises, Transfers… How many times do you think that someone in your organization has considered himself / herself to be the right person for the job; only to watch it go to someone else? When we do not have a system for evaluating performance, people will consider your system unfair… because it is! You will have a tough time proving them wrong! You can always just tell people not to talk about salary, pay, promotions, etc…because of privacy rationale, you know. You and I know it is just because we are not doing it right or fair huh? Oh well, they will never catch on?!?
Let me check on it, and I will get back to you. ...Take a moment and consider how many times you have heard this said to people and subsequently no response? How many times have you taken that monkey on YOUR back and failed to return with an answer? Now I am not suggesting that you intentionally lied, but to him/her it was just that, you lied to them. Now if you had built a strong relationship up front with that person/all your team, they would not suspect this, but you did not do that either huh?
...Managers put themselves into this predicament; Leaders understand the dynamic. They not only build relations but also think ahead; they give them the right to pester until you get back to them. Thus keeping the monkey on their back huh?
Many many more examples are out there, but likely you just remembered something/someone you need to go get back to, huh?
Have a great day, and although you would never make any of these mistakes, others might. You might want to get this into their hands; maybe even your boss! Yikes….
BOOKER, ...what?...I am just saying...!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
job openings info
a few positions open now for Certified Medical Assistants in some of my Olathe and Lawrence clinics so thought I'd let you know. I have both FT and PRN (as needed with no guaranteed schedule or hours, benefits, etc.) in both locations. They do have to be a Certified Medical Assistant. If interested the person should go to http://ping.fm/Kl8H7
or contact me for a specific person to contact! BOOKER
or contact me for a specific person to contact! BOOKER
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
APPs development?
If you know anyone with knowledge of APPS (iphones, etc) development and creating, I would like to speak to him/her?
Monday, March 14, 2011
RESENDING...trying to remember something?
Heard something like this somewhere recently: Struggling to remember something?... Here's a tip and a thought: just open up the bible. The mind will flood w/ to-dos, etc! Someone deviously trying to keep us away from reading the bible and HIM?
Remember me, BOOKER
Remember me, BOOKER
Org structure a Communications issue?..just call it Matrix!
Is dysfunction in your org structure causing communication challenges?
One manager was sharing: Organizational structure seems to me to be one of the most significant issues impacting organizational communications.
She paused for a moment: What I came across a while back was that frequently we change the org chart to meet the demands of personalities and people problems; instead of organizing to accomplish the mission.
Mission first, then organize people to support the mission! For most that is about making the product, providing your service, etc. When we move people & their functions around, for relationship issues, personality and conflicts, the result is we are creating functional conflicts. We are also confusing communication channels, pathways and the information flow.
Indeed our people system should be designed to support the business vs re-designing the operation to support the people issues! Many companies have been changed so much to meet the personality quirks… that the lines of communication, information flow, etc don’t make sense anymore. We have dotted line relationships, people reporting to multiple bosses (which one of those dotted-lines is responsible for the leadership stuff?)
Systems and processes have become very confused. People get frustrated because nobody understands it… because it, the structure does not make sense.
The management world a while back was sold on a way of dealing with all this dysfunction. Someone began selling management on a marketing spin, labeled Matrix Organizational Structure. They tossed away the old organizational structure with some platitudes, made-up logics and reasoning to sell this matrix thing. They sold this idea as one that made sense as long as it had a name. Just throw out the dysfunctional org chart and call it Matrix.
What is so funny to me having watched the movie Matrix years ago; it didn’t make sense, it was crazy! They labeled this new structural idea correctly, because it also is nuts and makes no sense!
Before anyone gets upset because you loved the movie; that’s fine, but not the point here. Regardless it was still about some complicated, dynamic and confusing stuff!
***actually an excerpt/paraphrased part of a dialogue from my upcoming book...
Food for thought, BOOKER
One manager was sharing: Organizational structure seems to me to be one of the most significant issues impacting organizational communications.
She paused for a moment: What I came across a while back was that frequently we change the org chart to meet the demands of personalities and people problems; instead of organizing to accomplish the mission.
Mission first, then organize people to support the mission! For most that is about making the product, providing your service, etc. When we move people & their functions around, for relationship issues, personality and conflicts, the result is we are creating functional conflicts. We are also confusing communication channels, pathways and the information flow.
Indeed our people system should be designed to support the business vs re-designing the operation to support the people issues! Many companies have been changed so much to meet the personality quirks… that the lines of communication, information flow, etc don’t make sense anymore. We have dotted line relationships, people reporting to multiple bosses (which one of those dotted-lines is responsible for the leadership stuff?)
Systems and processes have become very confused. People get frustrated because nobody understands it… because it, the structure does not make sense.
The management world a while back was sold on a way of dealing with all this dysfunction. Someone began selling management on a marketing spin, labeled Matrix Organizational Structure. They tossed away the old organizational structure with some platitudes, made-up logics and reasoning to sell this matrix thing. They sold this idea as one that made sense as long as it had a name. Just throw out the dysfunctional org chart and call it Matrix.
What is so funny to me having watched the movie Matrix years ago; it didn’t make sense, it was crazy! They labeled this new structural idea correctly, because it also is nuts and makes no sense!
Before anyone gets upset because you loved the movie; that’s fine, but not the point here. Regardless it was still about some complicated, dynamic and confusing stuff!
***actually an excerpt/paraphrased part of a dialogue from my upcoming book...
Food for thought, BOOKER
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Great HR article for searching/struggling with jobs, Readers Digest, 2011(only part of it here, 4-5 pages of good stuff) : http://ping.fm/DfBrq
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Do not Worry, it is learning along your Journey
…DO NOT WORRY
(Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... O ye of little faith?... Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom & righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow) , MATTHEW 6:25-34
NOT WORRYING is a tough concept for all of us, no matter who you are! In these challenging times with so much hopelessness, bad economy, people/friends losing jobs, organization struggling, oil spilling, disasters here and there, people being laid off – who or what is next? Will it be you, a loved one or some of those you lead? It’s everywhere, and we’re not supposed to worry?!?
Indeed, this is one of the tougher biblical principles we are supposed to follow… all about faith I reckon, huh?
So many things, such as this concept of not worrying leads me back to one of my favorite scriptures which I locked into upon becoming NEW, into His Kingdom about a decade ago:
From James 1: 2 thru 13: (Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…. ...If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault… ...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him…”.
All this just says to me to appreciate the journey of life, and to realize there are lessons happening even in these tough, worrying times. Are you in a good time or a tough time?...remember it is part of His plan and your journey!
BOOKER, enjoy that sunshine out there today :)
(Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... O ye of little faith?... Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom & righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow) , MATTHEW 6:25-34
NOT WORRYING is a tough concept for all of us, no matter who you are! In these challenging times with so much hopelessness, bad economy, people/friends losing jobs, organization struggling, oil spilling, disasters here and there, people being laid off – who or what is next? Will it be you, a loved one or some of those you lead? It’s everywhere, and we’re not supposed to worry?!?
Indeed, this is one of the tougher biblical principles we are supposed to follow… all about faith I reckon, huh?
So many things, such as this concept of not worrying leads me back to one of my favorite scriptures which I locked into upon becoming NEW, into His Kingdom about a decade ago:
From James 1: 2 thru 13: (Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…. ...If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault… ...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him…”.
All this just says to me to appreciate the journey of life, and to realize there are lessons happening even in these tough, worrying times. Are you in a good time or a tough time?...remember it is part of His plan and your journey!
BOOKER, enjoy that sunshine out there today :)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Returning home
I just returned from some traveling and as I was on my last leg of a long drive, I began to think how good it was going to feel to be home.
You know that warm & fuzzy feeling we get after we have been away. That peaceful, comfortable, cannot wait to be back; ready to de-stress and plop down in that comfy favorite chair or couch. You get it right?
In those miles on the road, I had been praying for a lot of struggling in people’s lives around, and thinking also how blessed I am. It stuck me at that moment how that feeling of getting home resembles the feeling we get when we have God in our lives. Resembles, but really does not even come close!
It is amazing to think, but until I asked Him in my life about a decade ago, I never knew that warm & fuzzy, peaceful and loving feeling full time. It IS what happens when we ask Jesus in our lives. I know I thought I had that loving feeling, that I had it good, but nothing compares to where it is now. He sure gives me that feeling and knowledge of knowing He is always there. It is an instant thing, whenever I just think of Him or say His name.
Even when we have our downs, struggles and life problems, He is still there, providing that comfy warm & fuzzy chair and home-y feeling; like our Mommy or Daddy holding us. As the ultimate Father it is that same thing!
Just sharing that analogy with you, and with these warm temps, I hope you find peace and warmth this day in many ways. Now that I think of it, these warm temps after all the freezing weather is kind of like that feeling we get when He is with us…..never mind, you get it right?
A side note: I am doing something that I have never done – reading the bible thru from page one this year; a friend put the thought in my mind. It is just like 5 pages a day is all it takes! I am just on day three, but committed to doing it. Want to join me?!!
Thanks for listening to my wanderings and thoughts. Take care my friend,
BOOKER
You know that warm & fuzzy feeling we get after we have been away. That peaceful, comfortable, cannot wait to be back; ready to de-stress and plop down in that comfy favorite chair or couch. You get it right?
In those miles on the road, I had been praying for a lot of struggling in people’s lives around, and thinking also how blessed I am. It stuck me at that moment how that feeling of getting home resembles the feeling we get when we have God in our lives. Resembles, but really does not even come close!
It is amazing to think, but until I asked Him in my life about a decade ago, I never knew that warm & fuzzy, peaceful and loving feeling full time. It IS what happens when we ask Jesus in our lives. I know I thought I had that loving feeling, that I had it good, but nothing compares to where it is now. He sure gives me that feeling and knowledge of knowing He is always there. It is an instant thing, whenever I just think of Him or say His name.
Even when we have our downs, struggles and life problems, He is still there, providing that comfy warm & fuzzy chair and home-y feeling; like our Mommy or Daddy holding us. As the ultimate Father it is that same thing!
Just sharing that analogy with you, and with these warm temps, I hope you find peace and warmth this day in many ways. Now that I think of it, these warm temps after all the freezing weather is kind of like that feeling we get when He is with us…..never mind, you get it right?
A side note: I am doing something that I have never done – reading the bible thru from page one this year; a friend put the thought in my mind. It is just like 5 pages a day is all it takes! I am just on day three, but committed to doing it. Want to join me?!!
Thanks for listening to my wanderings and thoughts. Take care my friend,
BOOKER
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Know a manager needing LEADERSHIP? (& book status)
My upcoming book on leadership in our society is due out end of Feb 2011. Maybe YOU might be interested (or someone you know) - please FORWARD if so.
Co-Authors:
Debra Hayes, CCP / Les Hyde / Terrell L. McTyre
SYNOPSIS: A story of learning by a Senior Manager and boss, both attending a Leadership Conference.
A wealth of leadership challenges and answers are brought to light. Real life personal struggles and their impacts on management are realized. The result is clarity and growth regarding productive leadership and relationships in the workplace.
Not just a warm and fuzzy look at managing but a strategic understanding of the individual and organizational payoff. payoff. Return on investment (ROI) is uncovered and laid out each step of the way.
Are you coming to the conference? It begins a few pages in, but you will want to see what happens prior to arrival! Although optional, do not skip the speech (and surprise) that evening at the conference!.....
*************************
Management's Training & Development Dilemma:
(Q):What if I train my people and they leave?
(A): What if I don't train my people and they stay?
Have an awesome day,
BOOKER
Co-Authors:
Debra Hayes, CCP / Les Hyde / Terrell L. McTyre
SYNOPSIS: A story of learning by a Senior Manager and boss, both attending a Leadership Conference.
A wealth of leadership challenges and answers are brought to light. Real life personal struggles and their impacts on management are realized. The result is clarity and growth regarding productive leadership and relationships in the workplace.
Not just a warm and fuzzy look at managing but a strategic understanding of the individual and organizational payoff. payoff. Return on investment (ROI) is uncovered and laid out each step of the way.
Are you coming to the conference? It begins a few pages in, but you will want to see what happens prior to arrival! Although optional, do not skip the speech (and surprise) that evening at the conference!.....
*************************
Management's Training & Development Dilemma:
(Q):What if I train my people and they leave?
(A): What if I don't train my people and they stay?
Have an awesome day,
BOOKER
Monday, January 31, 2011
Birthday, Relations, Thanx
Well I am proof if you ask for things, you will receive. I told everyone not to forget my birthday and they did not! Thanx so much for the notes one and all...and it is not hardly mid morning yet. What a great day! And to top it off, the biggest snow storm of the year hitting at the same time. I am soooooo blessed.
I will never be 55 again, having been born in 1955, that was kind of a cool year. So many good things - my wife's illness went away, yea... my parents moved back to Lexington... everyone around me is pretty healthy to include me, not hardly an ache in my body as we speak... second book published, did I mention my third one is due out this month?... new friends and relationships discovered and grown... My faith and relationship with HIM has grown... I have work, although not enough if you or your organization need some leadership development help (see how I worked that in there?)..
Roof over the head, food on the table... on and on and on it goes, I am one lucky guy.
Thank you Lord for all, and for this first 55! Hope everyone has a great day, you have plenty of smiles, a relationship is improved in your life, and well that God blesses your world in some amazing way.
My only real wish is that HE will find ways for me to help many people in some way this coming year!
You know, IT JUST DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!
I will never be 55 again, having been born in 1955, that was kind of a cool year. So many good things - my wife's illness went away, yea... my parents moved back to Lexington... everyone around me is pretty healthy to include me, not hardly an ache in my body as we speak... second book published, did I mention my third one is due out this month?... new friends and relationships discovered and grown... My faith and relationship with HIM has grown... I have work, although not enough if you or your organization need some leadership development help (see how I worked that in there?)..
Roof over the head, food on the table... on and on and on it goes, I am one lucky guy.
Thank you Lord for all, and for this first 55! Hope everyone has a great day, you have plenty of smiles, a relationship is improved in your life, and well that God blesses your world in some amazing way.
My only real wish is that HE will find ways for me to help many people in some way this coming year!
You know, IT JUST DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
* First off, how about making it a good Friday for someone else? Just a
thought :-)
* Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where
it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful for that and the rest of
your life - be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be
thankful about, right?
* Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing
idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of
any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book
sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here
and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big
gifts! I would like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
"People don't care how much you know
until they first know how much you care."
Doug Booker
www.bookertraining.com
913.232.0244
Join me on TWITTER
Join me on LINKED IN
Join me on FACEBOOK
....blogging now at
www.leaderconvo.blogspot.com
thought :-)
* Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where
it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful for that and the rest of
your life - be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be
thankful about, right?
* Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing
idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of
any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book
sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here
and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big
gifts! I would like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
"People don't care how much you know
until they first know how much you care."
Doug Booker
www.bookertraining.com
913.232.0244
Join me on TWITTER
Join me on LINKED IN
Join me on FACEBOOK
....blogging now at
www.leaderconvo.blogspot.com
GOD thinking
Exploring formal learning about GOD? I am looking for ideas regardinging doing a study of God, ministry, etc. Seeking ideas, guidance, suggestions...???
I am unsure if it is my goal, or if I am called to go the whole way (whatever that means); but am interested in LEARNING and GROWING. Currently attending an awesome Assembly of God church - denomination aspect is not all that important to me. I am looking for cheap, credit or not, not paper intense, LEARNING, etc..
I have worked with Leadership & People Development for 20 years now. I love it and consider it a ministry of sorts, but now wanting to push the faith part! I teach learning and growing and want to do so myself.
ISA 58:10... In reading this morning, I interpreted it as about focusing on, helping and serving others. So much where I want to be somehow. In extending our souls for others, we (our heart) gains so much in so many ways. ...a mighty prayer of mine is that the book I am completing this coming month will help in doing this!
Have a super duper day my friend, DOUG
I am unsure if it is my goal, or if I am called to go the whole way (whatever that means); but am interested in LEARNING and GROWING. Currently attending an awesome Assembly of God church - denomination aspect is not all that important to me. I am looking for cheap, credit or not, not paper intense, LEARNING, etc..
I have worked with Leadership & People Development for 20 years now. I love it and consider it a ministry of sorts, but now wanting to push the faith part! I teach learning and growing and want to do so myself.
ISA 58:10... In reading this morning, I interpreted it as about focusing on, helping and serving others. So much where I want to be somehow. In extending our souls for others, we (our heart) gains so much in so many ways. ...a mighty prayer of mine is that the book I am completing this coming month will help in doing this!
Have a super duper day my friend, DOUG
Friday, January 28, 2011
HAPPY FRIDAY, Odds n Ends
First off, how about making it a good Friday for someone else? Just a thought
Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE meeeeeeeeeee....
Secondly, enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today! Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
Thirdly - As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE meeeeeeeeeee....
HAPPY FRIDAY, some odds n ends
AND how about making it a good Friday for someone else? Just a thought
Enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today!
Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....
Enjoy the bright sunshine if you are in the local area, where it is to be 50 degrees and sunny today!
Be Thankful, be determined to be thankful. Look around, there is much to be thankful about, right?
As I complete my upcoming book, I am attempting a marketing idea: If you have a connection or way of getting me onto the bookshelf of any bookstore, I will give you a finders fee and a percentage of each book sold. This is really just a way of networking with YOU!
And lastly but for sure not the least important. Do not let Tuesday get here and tell me you forgot my birthday. You now know and pleasssssse no big gifts! I would just like a thought and a smile before you click DELETE nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Leadership and Return on Investment, some thoughts
[My upcoming book deals with managers at a leadership conference. In self-reflecting about ROI after a breakout session, a leader captures these thoughts]:
About being a boss and buddy: my group doesn't share too much of their lives with me and I'm not sure they would? I always thought of it as unprofessional. I realized I do have that kind of a close relationship with my own boss. And without that trusted relationship and mentor-ship I would not have survived in the company, and through my divorce.
Networking, Socializing and Trust - While I have some professional relationships, I also know that I could improve those relationships with peers and other employees in the company. There are numerous instances where my lack of relationship with a co-worker caused problems and possibly a lack of support.
Other people in the company seem to have an easier time getting things done; maybe that is why...
Wondering if I invested in meaningful relationships and developing rapport and trust with people, would I be a more effective leader? How would this behavior modification produce tangible results? Need to crunch some numbers to prove to myself.
The amount of time I spend having to inspect every result(s) throughout the day and having to go make corrections during the day. I am always on my team to produce the right results and felt I couldn't trust them without watching them throughout the day. I easily spend 25% of my day doing this kind of inspection. What would I do with 25% percent of my workday freed up?
If I develop professional relationships on the basis of trust, connection and genuine respect for people I could easily free up 80% of my inspecting time to work on relationships, employee engagement in problem solving and process improvements to have the people doing the work accountable for their performance with scorecards that reflect their performance. With an established relationship(s) I would be able to effectively coach and develop my team to focus on the department productivity.
Other beneficial examples come quickly to mind as I think of how interdepartmental improvements could be made with positive financial results.
The Great Eight Leadership Conference: COMMUNICATE, RELATE, EVALUATE,
CREATE, ELIMINATE, ACCOMMODATE, FACILITATE, DEMONSTRATE
About being a boss and buddy: my group doesn't share too much of their lives with me and I'm not sure they would? I always thought of it as unprofessional. I realized I do have that kind of a close relationship with my own boss. And without that trusted relationship and mentor-ship I would not have survived in the company, and through my divorce.
Networking, Socializing and Trust - While I have some professional relationships, I also know that I could improve those relationships with peers and other employees in the company. There are numerous instances where my lack of relationship with a co-worker caused problems and possibly a lack of support.
Other people in the company seem to have an easier time getting things done; maybe that is why...
Wondering if I invested in meaningful relationships and developing rapport and trust with people, would I be a more effective leader? How would this behavior modification produce tangible results? Need to crunch some numbers to prove to myself.
The amount of time I spend having to inspect every result(s) throughout the day and having to go make corrections during the day. I am always on my team to produce the right results and felt I couldn't trust them without watching them throughout the day. I easily spend 25% of my day doing this kind of inspection. What would I do with 25% percent of my workday freed up?
If I develop professional relationships on the basis of trust, connection and genuine respect for people I could easily free up 80% of my inspecting time to work on relationships, employee engagement in problem solving and process improvements to have the people doing the work accountable for their performance with scorecards that reflect their performance. With an established relationship(s) I would be able to effectively coach and develop my team to focus on the department productivity.
Other beneficial examples come quickly to mind as I think of how interdepartmental improvements could be made with positive financial results.
The Great Eight Leadership Conference: COMMUNICATE, RELATE, EVALUATE,
CREATE, ELIMINATE, ACCOMMODATE, FACILITATE, DEMONSTRATE
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
VIRTUAL ADMIN ASSISTANCE?
I have in contact with some professionals who are offering their skills and abilities in 'whatever an executive assistant' maybe ought to be able to do. Their services primarily are online and virtual!
I currently use them for a few hours per week - do you have need for some help a few hours/week? Some of the areas of work they offer:
PRESENTATIONS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
MARKETING
BILLING
CONTACT MANAGEMENT
WEBSITES
SOCIAL NETWORKING
EDITING / WORD PROCESSING
TELEMARKETING
ORGANIZATION
.....etc!
At this point I am interested in helping them - I am also considering this as a service that Booker Training Associates might offer?
Please let me know if you have any interest for any reason!
Maybe you would like to offer YOUR time/services?
(or) maybe you have a need for such services for a few hours per week?
Feel free to contact me at your convenience and I will help you explore and connect with them. Thanks,
BOOKER
9132320244
doug@bookertraining.com
I currently use them for a few hours per week - do you have need for some help a few hours/week? Some of the areas of work they offer:
PRESENTATIONS
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
MARKETING
BILLING
CONTACT MANAGEMENT
WEBSITES
SOCIAL NETWORKING
EDITING / WORD PROCESSING
TELEMARKETING
ORGANIZATION
.....etc!
At this point I am interested in helping them - I am also considering this as a service that Booker Training Associates might offer?
Please let me know if you have any interest for any reason!
Maybe you would like to offer YOUR time/services?
(or) maybe you have a need for such services for a few hours per week?
Feel free to contact me at your convenience and I will help you explore and connect with them. Thanks,
BOOKER
9132320244
doug@bookertraining.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Performance Evaluation, doing it RIGHT this year?
The dreaded annual performance assessment drill; many have just dealt with it.
Whether you are reading this as a boss or as the employee, how about doing it right in 2011? So this time next year that process can be fair, agreeable, easy, comfortable and predictable result?
This is a huge morale issue for many companies - impacting productivity, culture, turnover, job satisfaction, etc.
Sharing here a process I have developed with leaders over the years:
THE BEGINNING: Leader/follower spend time in January (assuming a calendar year situation), clarifying, discussing, and negotiating expectations. What we want to happen this year regarding his/her performance is the goal. This agreement may go back and forth a few times, but get it done by end of January. We use the companys performance appraisal form or one that you create. You might want to consider factors the company does not use, such as relations with others, teamwork, communicating, respect, attitude, etc. These are all areas we judge people on, so why not make it part of the actual process?
THE NEXT STEP: In February, the manager provides the employee a copy of the form filled out in January. Ask him/her to fill it out according to how he/she sees themselves performing. After receiving their input, you the manager now schedule the meeting. Do not cancel it, it is important. Both address everything specifically, especially the disconnects between what they see and what you see.
KEY TECHNIQUE: We talk to the expectations as if right now was annual performance assessment time. Wording such as - if it was next December, here is how I would rate you - however it is not, so this just means we need to be working to improve in these areas. Addressing it as if it was the final annual result takes the pressure off of both parties here. The good news? There are ten more months to correct or improve the issue! You are after changing peoples thinking - that feedback is a bad thing!
THE ROUTINE PROCESS: We do this in the same way each month. The first couple of months will likely be a bit lengthy and uncomfortable. This will change and become a good thing! The manager still needs to be doing informal, on the spot, daily, routine coaching as necessary. Some managers do this fairly well, but that does not replace the formal monthly face to face discussions.
END OF THE YEAR, THE ANNUAL EVALUATION: By the end of the year, guess what? The manager can provide a fair, accountable, accurate and caring evaluation of the employee (and every employee on the team). It will be easy because it is much the same as the one done in November, right? Because you cared, you spent the time
to do this the right way. Besides that, it’s your job! Now surely you are not going to tell me you do not have TIME for your people, are you?
I mentioned up front that this message is for the boss AND the employee. Obviously this is all what a leader SHOULD do. However if your boss does not do this, YOU make it happen, tactfully! If you do not, sure you can blame and be mad at the boss next December, but you still lose. What if you could avoid being a victim of flawed leadership, like you were about a month ago!?!
Hope that helps your 2011!
Gods best my friend, (taken from my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders)
Whether you are reading this as a boss or as the employee, how about doing it right in 2011? So this time next year that process can be fair, agreeable, easy, comfortable and predictable result?
This is a huge morale issue for many companies - impacting productivity, culture, turnover, job satisfaction, etc.
Sharing here a process I have developed with leaders over the years:
THE BEGINNING: Leader/follower spend time in January (assuming a calendar year situation), clarifying, discussing, and negotiating expectations. What we want to happen this year regarding his/her performance is the goal. This agreement may go back and forth a few times, but get it done by end of January. We use the companys performance appraisal form or one that you create. You might want to consider factors the company does not use, such as relations with others, teamwork, communicating, respect, attitude, etc. These are all areas we judge people on, so why not make it part of the actual process?
THE NEXT STEP: In February, the manager provides the employee a copy of the form filled out in January. Ask him/her to fill it out according to how he/she sees themselves performing. After receiving their input, you the manager now schedule the meeting. Do not cancel it, it is important. Both address everything specifically, especially the disconnects between what they see and what you see.
KEY TECHNIQUE: We talk to the expectations as if right now was annual performance assessment time. Wording such as - if it was next December, here is how I would rate you - however it is not, so this just means we need to be working to improve in these areas. Addressing it as if it was the final annual result takes the pressure off of both parties here. The good news? There are ten more months to correct or improve the issue! You are after changing peoples thinking - that feedback is a bad thing!
THE ROUTINE PROCESS: We do this in the same way each month. The first couple of months will likely be a bit lengthy and uncomfortable. This will change and become a good thing! The manager still needs to be doing informal, on the spot, daily, routine coaching as necessary. Some managers do this fairly well, but that does not replace the formal monthly face to face discussions.
END OF THE YEAR, THE ANNUAL EVALUATION: By the end of the year, guess what? The manager can provide a fair, accountable, accurate and caring evaluation of the employee (and every employee on the team). It will be easy because it is much the same as the one done in November, right? Because you cared, you spent the time
to do this the right way. Besides that, it’s your job! Now surely you are not going to tell me you do not have TIME for your people, are you?
I mentioned up front that this message is for the boss AND the employee. Obviously this is all what a leader SHOULD do. However if your boss does not do this, YOU make it happen, tactfully! If you do not, sure you can blame and be mad at the boss next December, but you still lose. What if you could avoid being a victim of flawed leadership, like you were about a month ago!?!
Hope that helps your 2011!
Gods best my friend, (taken from my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Leadership, Business, God and ME ?!?
Likely my church’s 2011 theme put the finishing touches to this thought & writing. It is all about taking a stand, making a difference, not waiting on someone else, being a leader, etc. Some real good LEADERSHIP stuff for sure. It was one of those messages you are sure was meant for you (me)….so much about where I have been and where I am!
I get asked or have people suggest that I better be careful with doing so – talking GOD along with BUSINESS. Business OR God,…I used to struggle with this, and truthfully I still do maybe just a little. I get this, understand the concern, but it doesn’t have to be an EITHER/OR thing. In the last few years I have come out of the closet regarding my relationship with God.
My upcoming book will include my faith story, discovering the truth and becoming NEW about a decade ago. This is not about me (or you) forcing beliefs on anyone or their business and people. It is just about being honest and sincere about self and what you are about……and doing that walking the talk thing. I will leave the rest to HIM – some will read and some will not, that’s about you and HIM.
Our church’s new theme is so much in my heart right now; so I will be radical (for me anyway) and be bolder with my belief. My expectation? My business, life and world will grow and prosper this year - in one way or another. I expect to be telling you next year of how blessed I have been BECAUSE of being real; and sharing just how HE has used me.
No matter what the world says in general, I know there are MANY who will have no problem working with a person of God. What a nutty notion that is anyway huh; after all, this way, you get GOD….and me!
I must tell you that TRUST and FAITH have already brought about new clients, friends; and some truly great relationships have developed since sneaking out of that closet. I have also lost some who have disconnected likely for this reason.
I soooooo hope and expect HE will use me to serve HIM through my work, books, teaching, coaching and efforts. I pray that my work, writings and efforts will help me lead others to know HIM. My ministry of working with leaders might just produce not only better leadership, but them leading others to HIM.
Whether you continue our relationship or resist here by clicking DELETE or UNSUBSCRIBE, my prayers are with you for God’s very best my friend! By the way, the theme of the church is IF NOT YOU…. So if not you, maybe you will forward this to some other leader or person interested, in need, etc???
Take care, DOUG
I get asked or have people suggest that I better be careful with doing so – talking GOD along with BUSINESS. Business OR God,…I used to struggle with this, and truthfully I still do maybe just a little. I get this, understand the concern, but it doesn’t have to be an EITHER/OR thing. In the last few years I have come out of the closet regarding my relationship with God.
My upcoming book will include my faith story, discovering the truth and becoming NEW about a decade ago. This is not about me (or you) forcing beliefs on anyone or their business and people. It is just about being honest and sincere about self and what you are about……and doing that walking the talk thing. I will leave the rest to HIM – some will read and some will not, that’s about you and HIM.
Our church’s new theme is so much in my heart right now; so I will be radical (for me anyway) and be bolder with my belief. My expectation? My business, life and world will grow and prosper this year - in one way or another. I expect to be telling you next year of how blessed I have been BECAUSE of being real; and sharing just how HE has used me.
No matter what the world says in general, I know there are MANY who will have no problem working with a person of God. What a nutty notion that is anyway huh; after all, this way, you get GOD….and me!
I must tell you that TRUST and FAITH have already brought about new clients, friends; and some truly great relationships have developed since sneaking out of that closet. I have also lost some who have disconnected likely for this reason.
I soooooo hope and expect HE will use me to serve HIM through my work, books, teaching, coaching and efforts. I pray that my work, writings and efforts will help me lead others to know HIM. My ministry of working with leaders might just produce not only better leadership, but them leading others to HIM.
Whether you continue our relationship or resist here by clicking DELETE or UNSUBSCRIBE, my prayers are with you for God’s very best my friend! By the way, the theme of the church is IF NOT YOU…. So if not you, maybe you will forward this to some other leader or person interested, in need, etc???
Take care, DOUG
Friday, December 31, 2010
Conference Call about upcoming book TODAY...
Open to all interested, I am hosting a CONFERENCE CALL about my upcoming book, The Conference for Leaders.
I am creating a network of people, friends, associates, former students from anywhere/everywhere to collaborate with..
That potentially means something different to each of you. You may have an interest, skill, passion, etc in leadership, marketing, facilitation, bringing development to your city, community, church, or business.????...
There are potential opportunities for us to work together; if that sounds good to you.
1130am/CST, TODAY!!!!,New Years Eve
Dial - (605) 562-3000
Enter Access Code - 574567#
Mute *6, ...will last about 20-30 minutes
God's best to you as we finish out this decade today and tonight. Blessings for an awesome 2011!
I am creating a network of people, friends, associates, former students from anywhere/everywhere to collaborate with..
That potentially means something different to each of you. You may have an interest, skill, passion, etc in leadership, marketing, facilitation, bringing development to your city, community, church, or business.????...
There are potential opportunities for us to work together; if that sounds good to you.
1130am/CST, TODAY!!!!,New Years Eve
Dial - (605) 562-3000
Enter Access Code - 574567#
Mute *6, ...will last about 20-30 minutes
God's best to you as we finish out this decade today and tonight. Blessings for an awesome 2011!
Monday, December 27, 2010
OK to forget about Santa, but not...
As this holiday season was approaching, I had lots of thoughts about how people might view both God and Santa Clause in similar ways. People place hope, wishes, expectations, prayers and have good feelings toward both huh? I intended to write about all that, but did not get that done. However I did want to share some thoughts now AFTER Christmas.
These thoughts are still about the parallel worlds and thinking regarding Jesus and Santa. It strikes me how much focus builds up about both as we head into that magical time of year, and the 25th.
We focus on Santa and all that we hope he brings us and we do somewhat the same with Jesus; along with thinking of His birth, the babe in the manager, 3 Wise men, and all that goes with the birth of our Savior.
An exciting time of the year for sure. I hope this just serves as a good reminder for all of us.
People forget about Santa, allowing his memories to fade into wherever until this time next year, right? We might tend to do the same for the baby Jesus, but we cannot and should not, so DO NOT.
Yes He is the Reason for the Season, but also for every season! Keep Him uppermost in your thoughts, prayers, thinking, wishes, hopes, expectations, etc every day of the year, all year.
Hopefully when we thanked Santa, that we REALLY thanked God!
We head toward 2011, the first year of a new decade. Remember that our constant prayers, hopes and expectations, wants and needs need to be placed in that baby in the manager, our Savior, every day, every season. A relationship with Him is necessary ALL year round.
I gotta go do some praying! God's best to you my friend and Merry Christmas
Doug
These thoughts are still about the parallel worlds and thinking regarding Jesus and Santa. It strikes me how much focus builds up about both as we head into that magical time of year, and the 25th.
We focus on Santa and all that we hope he brings us and we do somewhat the same with Jesus; along with thinking of His birth, the babe in the manager, 3 Wise men, and all that goes with the birth of our Savior.
An exciting time of the year for sure. I hope this just serves as a good reminder for all of us.
People forget about Santa, allowing his memories to fade into wherever until this time next year, right? We might tend to do the same for the baby Jesus, but we cannot and should not, so DO NOT.
Yes He is the Reason for the Season, but also for every season! Keep Him uppermost in your thoughts, prayers, thinking, wishes, hopes, expectations, etc every day of the year, all year.
Hopefully when we thanked Santa, that we REALLY thanked God!
We head toward 2011, the first year of a new decade. Remember that our constant prayers, hopes and expectations, wants and needs need to be placed in that baby in the manager, our Savior, every day, every season. A relationship with Him is necessary ALL year round.
I gotta go do some praying! God's best to you my friend and Merry Christmas
Doug
Friday, December 17, 2010
The true story of Rudolph
This was shared with me, just passing on :) If it is not true, you go disprove, I would just assume believe it. That is just me though:
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer Little Barbara could not understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dads eyes and asked, Why is Mommy not just like everybodys Mommy? Bobs jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bobs life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he would rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyns bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he could not buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animals story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story does not end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story does not end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of White Christmas.
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different is not so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Gods very best to you my friend. This has me thinking of a blog about Jesus and Santa, maybe, mmmmmmm BOOKER
A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer Little Barbara could not understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dads eyes and asked, Why is Mommy not just like everybodys Mommy? Bobs jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bobs life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he would rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyns bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he could not buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animals story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story does not end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story does not end there either.
Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of White Christmas.
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different is not so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Gods very best to you my friend. This has me thinking of a blog about Jesus and Santa, maybe, mmmmmmm BOOKER
HELP with book, follow-up work, interested?
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Continuing to get next book finished, The Conference for Leaders. The book is a dynamic process with a vision of including actual conferences, training, consulting, speaking, marketing...... I am in need of some help, advice, et. If you have any of these or know someone, please contact me. FYI, there isn't much $ on the front end; this will require you seeing the vision and possibilities, using your expertise/interests and helping to make this happen. Needs:
1. We need to establish a 1-800#, to include capabilities to do conferencing
2. Someone to do some phone work/telemarketing
3. Contact people in cities around the country who would be interested in hosting, being involved, facilitating, networking
4. Contact management
5. Curriculum development, ground and online
6. Editing
7. Leads into working with Church Leadership
8. Connections to Parenting Leadership
....more later, please know that I/we need people to help make it happen -leaders, thinkers, innovators, creators, vs. waiting on a task to do?!?!... Booker, 9132320244 / doug@bookertraining.com
1. We need to establish a 1-800#, to include capabilities to do conferencing
2. Someone to do some phone work/telemarketing
3. Contact people in cities around the country who would be interested in hosting, being involved, facilitating, networking
4. Contact management
5. Curriculum development, ground and online
6. Editing
7. Leads into working with Church Leadership
8. Connections to Parenting Leadership
....more later, please know that I/we need people to help make it happen -leaders, thinkers, innovators, creators, vs. waiting on a task to do?!?!... Booker, 9132320244 / doug@bookertraining.com
Monday, December 13, 2010
WAY TOO BLESSED, have a day of smiles this day!
Way too blessed is what has been on my mind lately; when I think of it, I have much about which to smile. I have my struggles, as we all do. My wife’s health is not good, and we’ll sure take your prayers in that regard. The economy still affects business and making a living no doubt. At the same time, I have good family, a roof overhead, plenty to eat daily, good friends, work and people to teach; and we are keeping pretty warm even. Thank you Lord and please be with all those without what I do have – those in need.
As I ponder this, I thought of my world in dealing with business, leaders, management and leadership. As I sought to make a connection, it struck me that leaders should be conscious of this way too blessed thing as well.
They are blessed not only with whatever blessings in their personal life, but also of the opportunity and privilege to lead people. They have been given the reigns to make decisions for and about those they lead. Leaders should realize that being able to serve those they have been entrusted with is indeed a noble calling. Those who are led well and effectively surely know they are blessed.
If you are a leader, you have been given the opportunity to care for people. They are depending on your leadership to make their world at work, a whole bunch of their lives as good as possible. They are there for you to support, respect, build, grow and develop; and oh yeah you need them.
In finishing up the book I am writing, I was into some critical thinking regarding the relationship between leader and follower(s). Just think how much is dependent on you, the leader to make that world enjoyable, productive and for you to create an environment; one where people can bless you through their work and efforts?
Leaders should be thankful they are way too blessed and remain very aware that that they too are way too blessed. Leaders need to be careful not to take those people for granted; your blessed world counts on them! When the leaders make their world as good as possible, many more blessings will come their way. If those relationships and those people who maybe aren’t so blessed are ignored, well you may soon learn how blessed you used to be. Realize this maybe even selfishly, that by taking care of them, you are taking care of YOU.
Yes I am personally blessed again this Christmas, our last of this decade. Likely I am more blessed than I deserve. It is my wish and hope I can bless some people around me or that I encounter during this holiday season. I hope you will look for some to bless as well. If you lead folks, probably right there on that team you lead is a good place to begin that search.
Bless you and I hope you and yours find those tidings of great joy!
As I ponder this, I thought of my world in dealing with business, leaders, management and leadership. As I sought to make a connection, it struck me that leaders should be conscious of this way too blessed thing as well.
They are blessed not only with whatever blessings in their personal life, but also of the opportunity and privilege to lead people. They have been given the reigns to make decisions for and about those they lead. Leaders should realize that being able to serve those they have been entrusted with is indeed a noble calling. Those who are led well and effectively surely know they are blessed.
If you are a leader, you have been given the opportunity to care for people. They are depending on your leadership to make their world at work, a whole bunch of their lives as good as possible. They are there for you to support, respect, build, grow and develop; and oh yeah you need them.
In finishing up the book I am writing, I was into some critical thinking regarding the relationship between leader and follower(s). Just think how much is dependent on you, the leader to make that world enjoyable, productive and for you to create an environment; one where people can bless you through their work and efforts?
Leaders should be thankful they are way too blessed and remain very aware that that they too are way too blessed. Leaders need to be careful not to take those people for granted; your blessed world counts on them! When the leaders make their world as good as possible, many more blessings will come their way. If those relationships and those people who maybe aren’t so blessed are ignored, well you may soon learn how blessed you used to be. Realize this maybe even selfishly, that by taking care of them, you are taking care of YOU.
Yes I am personally blessed again this Christmas, our last of this decade. Likely I am more blessed than I deserve. It is my wish and hope I can bless some people around me or that I encounter during this holiday season. I hope you will look for some to bless as well. If you lead folks, probably right there on that team you lead is a good place to begin that search.
Bless you and I hope you and yours find those tidings of great joy!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A life-changing opportunity, recommending a friend...
Strongly recommend you take a moment:
Ready to maximize your personal leadership and earning potential?
We are a group of successful entrepreneurs looking for successful, business-minded individuals with a strong desire for personal growth, career fulfillment, and financial success.
Whether starting a career or searching for a new opportunity, we will help you capitalize on your strengths in a highly supportive and consultative environment.
Allow us to share with you some history of this exceptional team and answer some of the questions you may have:
Income Potential:
Currently, each of our team members owns his or her own business and is very successful. The top team member earns over $1,000,000 and the average income for our immediate team is into the six figures. You control your own time and income.
Training and Growth:
When working with us, you receive extensive training, and support from us throughout your career. You will be using our powerful and duplicated business system and marketing platforms to attract interested prospective clients to you and your business.
Getting Started:
Our flexible training program allows you to begin your career on a part time or full time basis. This program is in addition to your commissions.
Growth Opportunities:
There has never been a better time to be self employed. Our expanding markets and innovative products create the opportunity for dynamic and rapid growth.
Qualifications:
We require highly motivated individuals willing to invest their time and energy into creating a profitable and rewarding business. You must have a desire to succeed, have an independent spirit and strong work ethic.
If you are interested in being in business for yourself but not by yourself, while providing a platform for others to succeed, please visit my website: http://ping.fm/O2NtW
...then contact me at rnheim@aol.com or call me direct at 913-744-1597.
Best regards,
Dr. Ron Heim
Elevate Advisor
rnheim@aol.com
913.744.1597
Making it happen – together!
Ready to maximize your personal leadership and earning potential?
We are a group of successful entrepreneurs looking for successful, business-minded individuals with a strong desire for personal growth, career fulfillment, and financial success.
Whether starting a career or searching for a new opportunity, we will help you capitalize on your strengths in a highly supportive and consultative environment.
Allow us to share with you some history of this exceptional team and answer some of the questions you may have:
Income Potential:
Currently, each of our team members owns his or her own business and is very successful. The top team member earns over $1,000,000 and the average income for our immediate team is into the six figures. You control your own time and income.
Training and Growth:
When working with us, you receive extensive training, and support from us throughout your career. You will be using our powerful and duplicated business system and marketing platforms to attract interested prospective clients to you and your business.
Getting Started:
Our flexible training program allows you to begin your career on a part time or full time basis. This program is in addition to your commissions.
Growth Opportunities:
There has never been a better time to be self employed. Our expanding markets and innovative products create the opportunity for dynamic and rapid growth.
Qualifications:
We require highly motivated individuals willing to invest their time and energy into creating a profitable and rewarding business. You must have a desire to succeed, have an independent spirit and strong work ethic.
If you are interested in being in business for yourself but not by yourself, while providing a platform for others to succeed, please visit my website: http://ping.fm/O2NtW
...then contact me at rnheim@aol.com or call me direct at 913-744-1597.
Best regards,
Dr. Ron Heim
Elevate Advisor
rnheim@aol.com
913.744.1597
Making it happen – together!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Booker, Book and Working Together?!?
I have a project to be tied to doing some conferences; along with opportunities in training, consulting, speaking, etc. I am in need of some other players on the team! It has been a dream of mine to have something like this - where I can involve friends, associates, former students, educators and other connections/relationships from my life. If you have time; if you could see us working together; and/or you have any interest, please contact me. For relationships not in my geographical area (KC), this could indeed involve you, wherever you might reside.
Skills, knowledge and expertise wanted/needed: Leadership/Management, Communications, Parenting, Faith & Church leadership, Book graphics, Org Development, People-development, Marketing, Training, Women in Leadership, Conferencing, etc.
The book behind all of this will be out by first of 2011; if you would just like to be kept posted on the book, let me know that as well. My first two books will play into this as well. More on all soon, this has very exciting potential for many reasons. If it seems to fit for you, I look forward to hearing from you.
God's best, Doug
www.bookertraining.com
913.232.0244
doug@bookertraining.com
Skills, knowledge and expertise wanted/needed: Leadership/Management, Communications, Parenting, Faith & Church leadership, Book graphics, Org Development, People-development, Marketing, Training, Women in Leadership, Conferencing, etc.
The book behind all of this will be out by first of 2011; if you would just like to be kept posted on the book, let me know that as well. My first two books will play into this as well. More on all soon, this has very exciting potential for many reasons. If it seems to fit for you, I look forward to hearing from you.
God's best, Doug
www.bookertraining.com
913.232.0244
doug@bookertraining.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
RELATE FIRST, ASK SECOND
Recently, I have become hugely interested between the relationships & parallels between my faith and the dynamics of leadership & relationships. One of these hit me yesterday listening to a radio talk show. I hope you find something useful and relevant here. Either way, I always welcome your reactions, thinking, argument, etc!
I frequently share with leaders in coaching, consulting or in academic management courses, about the value of establishing relationship(s) quickly and early on - before you need someone. As the new one (whether manager or employee), it just makes sense that while you are learning the ropes of the company and business, what better time to be making strong relationships? The fact is, we will NEED something from them; be ASKING for something; want their HELP; or be in CONFLICT with them sooner or later!
This is why it is so critical to have a relationship BEFORE you need them, right? Doesn’t that make sense? Yet so often people just start functioning around someone, or manage them without focusing on IT until IT is the problem – the undeveloped relationship!
It struck me listening to this Christian talk show and driving down the road how ludicrous this is, that we do this. I was trying to think of some parallels or analogies, and the simplest one came to mind. When we are asking someone for help or for something, whether this is your employee, your co-worker, or maybe even God! wouldn’t it be easier if you had a relationship? I thought of someone in need of something, let that be YOU. Now would you go out and seek someone you know or just find the first stranger walking down the street to seek help from?
This lady was calling in to the talk show, asking about how she didn’t feel like she was connecting to God when she prayed for stuff. The host made the point, that just as in our human relationships; we need to spend the quality time up front. Get to know HIM; get to know your employee or co-worker, etc. He drew the parallel also of the parent and kid, and what if there was no love there; just a kid asking unceasingly for stuff all the time without the loving relationship in place?
Well, I could go on and on here - but I guess you probably see the point here. Whether it is about our most important relationship in life, that one with our God, Jesus Christ or with other humans – nurture the relationship first! Reminds me of the quote
EFFECTIVE LEADERS REALIZE YOU GET THE HEART BEFORE ASKING FOR THE HAND!
A scripture that has some connection: Luke 13:22 - 27 (not the most obvious scripture, you may have to think a bit to see the relationship. But hey, thinking is a good thing, huh?)
Pray when you don’t need anything. Have a cup of coffee with others when/before you need anything!
I frequently share with leaders in coaching, consulting or in academic management courses, about the value of establishing relationship(s) quickly and early on - before you need someone. As the new one (whether manager or employee), it just makes sense that while you are learning the ropes of the company and business, what better time to be making strong relationships? The fact is, we will NEED something from them; be ASKING for something; want their HELP; or be in CONFLICT with them sooner or later!
This is why it is so critical to have a relationship BEFORE you need them, right? Doesn’t that make sense? Yet so often people just start functioning around someone, or manage them without focusing on IT until IT is the problem – the undeveloped relationship!
It struck me listening to this Christian talk show and driving down the road how ludicrous this is, that we do this. I was trying to think of some parallels or analogies, and the simplest one came to mind. When we are asking someone for help or for something, whether this is your employee, your co-worker, or maybe even God! wouldn’t it be easier if you had a relationship? I thought of someone in need of something, let that be YOU. Now would you go out and seek someone you know or just find the first stranger walking down the street to seek help from?
This lady was calling in to the talk show, asking about how she didn’t feel like she was connecting to God when she prayed for stuff. The host made the point, that just as in our human relationships; we need to spend the quality time up front. Get to know HIM; get to know your employee or co-worker, etc. He drew the parallel also of the parent and kid, and what if there was no love there; just a kid asking unceasingly for stuff all the time without the loving relationship in place?
Well, I could go on and on here - but I guess you probably see the point here. Whether it is about our most important relationship in life, that one with our God, Jesus Christ or with other humans – nurture the relationship first! Reminds me of the quote
EFFECTIVE LEADERS REALIZE YOU GET THE HEART BEFORE ASKING FOR THE HAND!
A scripture that has some connection: Luke 13:22 - 27 (not the most obvious scripture, you may have to think a bit to see the relationship. But hey, thinking is a good thing, huh?)
Pray when you don’t need anything. Have a cup of coffee with others when/before you need anything!
Monday, November 22, 2010
IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS
It cannot be any better because it is where we are. At any given time, we have done what we can and all we have is hope at that point. By the way, if you/I were not smart enough to do so earlier, when it gets to the HOPE point, you better turn it over to Him!
Lots of emotions and thoughts in my head over recent days due to family, Thanksgiving, Church, Veterans Day, holidays and well, LIFE!
It struck me the phrase (above) made popular years ago, was MY greeting to anyone and everyone back then. I used it for several years. I used it as an optimistic point of view to internalize and portray a positive attitude. Interestingly it was during a time of struggles and I think it helped me. It was also before I knew HIM. Somewhere in the midst of some deeper human struggles in life it went away from my vocabulary.
Sunday, in church I got to thinking about this for some strange reason; HE was stirring my mind and heart are all over the map. HE and my church do that frequently; that is a good thing.
I was praying for my wife’s health, my work, consulting/speaking opportunities, finances and oh yeah, ........ALL those zillions of people in this world who are struggling soooooo much more than I am!
That is when that old phrase hit me. I was thinking of how so many years later, now that I have BECOME NEW and God is all over my life, I should REALLY be using that phrase. I plan to adopt it again - because truly IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!
You see, it cannot be any better, because it is His Will and HE is there with me (and with us) huh?
Yes our struggles are relative and someone is always worse off than we are. Still our struggles are very real! It is where we are, the pains, suffering and struggles are ours indeed. That place is as good as it gets, because HE determines it so.
We are TO BE glad for this day - to be thankful for where we are, right? Did this make any sense to you?
Thanks for letting me share that. Well, HAPPY THANKSGIVING anyway.
Lots of emotions and thoughts in my head over recent days due to family, Thanksgiving, Church, Veterans Day, holidays and well, LIFE!
It struck me the phrase (above) made popular years ago, was MY greeting to anyone and everyone back then. I used it for several years. I used it as an optimistic point of view to internalize and portray a positive attitude. Interestingly it was during a time of struggles and I think it helped me. It was also before I knew HIM. Somewhere in the midst of some deeper human struggles in life it went away from my vocabulary.
Sunday, in church I got to thinking about this for some strange reason; HE was stirring my mind and heart are all over the map. HE and my church do that frequently; that is a good thing.
I was praying for my wife’s health, my work, consulting/speaking opportunities, finances and oh yeah, ........ALL those zillions of people in this world who are struggling soooooo much more than I am!
That is when that old phrase hit me. I was thinking of how so many years later, now that I have BECOME NEW and God is all over my life, I should REALLY be using that phrase. I plan to adopt it again - because truly IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!
You see, it cannot be any better, because it is His Will and HE is there with me (and with us) huh?
Yes our struggles are relative and someone is always worse off than we are. Still our struggles are very real! It is where we are, the pains, suffering and struggles are ours indeed. That place is as good as it gets, because HE determines it so.
We are TO BE glad for this day - to be thankful for where we are, right? Did this make any sense to you?
Thanks for letting me share that. Well, HAPPY THANKSGIVING anyway.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
REACH OUT! ?. you just never know
Driving home today I heard the following story on the radio. It was pretty timely for me because recently I had been struggling and feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the relationships in my life. You see, I have been reaching out, networking and connecting with lots of neat people. I have made a lot of new friends recently; had a lot of great ones already! Lots of relationships, nice problem huh? Regardless, this story shed a little light on this…
...A couple of decades ago, this lady had just moved into a new apartment. She was down at the apartment complex swimming pool one morning when she spotted a woman across the pool sitting alone. She had a very apparent birth mark/defect on her face. She also noticed some ladies nearby who seemingly were having nothing to do with her. The lady decided to go over and say hello. The two of them quickly hit it off and discovered that they were both pregnant, one expecting in July and one in December.
They met nearly every morning for about a month, when one morning the other woman shared that her husband had taken a job and they were going to have to move. They had become pretty close and tears were shed as they said their goodbyes. The other woman said as she walked away: You have a boy and I’ll have a girl and one day they will get married, how about that? Time went by and they lost touch with each other.
One day, the lady’s 18 year old son came home sharing that he had met this girl and really liked her. They had been working in the same company, different departments... He went on to say the girl had revealed that her mom knew her (the boy’s mom)!
You got it, don’t you? Yes, the girl was indeed the daughter of the woman who had moved away 18 years ago. The boy and girl ended up married and the lady finished her story on the radio saying that she now has a wonderful daughter in law and three great grandchildren!
( Heard from a caller on KLOVE radio today )
I must tell you I am recommitted to continuing to reach out and meet people, make new friends, build relationships, etc!!! Developed a new one earlier today didn't I Patrick?
We just never know what HE is up to, do we?
BY THE WAY, if we haven’t touched base recently, why don’t you reach out and let me know?!?
Any messages here for you?
...A couple of decades ago, this lady had just moved into a new apartment. She was down at the apartment complex swimming pool one morning when she spotted a woman across the pool sitting alone. She had a very apparent birth mark/defect on her face. She also noticed some ladies nearby who seemingly were having nothing to do with her. The lady decided to go over and say hello. The two of them quickly hit it off and discovered that they were both pregnant, one expecting in July and one in December.
They met nearly every morning for about a month, when one morning the other woman shared that her husband had taken a job and they were going to have to move. They had become pretty close and tears were shed as they said their goodbyes. The other woman said as she walked away: You have a boy and I’ll have a girl and one day they will get married, how about that? Time went by and they lost touch with each other.
One day, the lady’s 18 year old son came home sharing that he had met this girl and really liked her. They had been working in the same company, different departments... He went on to say the girl had revealed that her mom knew her (the boy’s mom)!
You got it, don’t you? Yes, the girl was indeed the daughter of the woman who had moved away 18 years ago. The boy and girl ended up married and the lady finished her story on the radio saying that she now has a wonderful daughter in law and three great grandchildren!
( Heard from a caller on KLOVE radio today )
I must tell you I am recommitted to continuing to reach out and meet people, make new friends, build relationships, etc!!! Developed a new one earlier today didn't I Patrick?
We just never know what HE is up to, do we?
BY THE WAY, if we haven’t touched base recently, why don’t you reach out and let me know?!?
Any messages here for you?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Worth passing on? Proposed change to US Constitution
The Time Has Indeed Come!
Governors of 35 states have already filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.
This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law.
I TRULY don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.
A Constitutional Convention - this is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come. And, with the advent of modern communication, the process can be moved along with incredible speed. There is talk out there that the "government" doesn't care what the people think. That is irrelevant. It is incumbent on the population to address elected officials to the wrongs afflicted against the populace...you and me. Think about this...
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.
I'm asking each addressee to forward this Email to a minimum of twenty people on their Address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."
Governors of 35 states have already filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.
This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law.
I TRULY don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.
A Constitutional Convention - this is a good way to do that. It is an idea whose time has come. And, with the advent of modern communication, the process can be moved along with incredible speed. There is talk out there that the "government" doesn't care what the people think. That is irrelevant. It is incumbent on the population to address elected officials to the wrongs afflicted against the populace...you and me. Think about this...
The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971...before computers, before e-mail, before cell phones, etc.
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land...all because of public pressure.
I'm asking each addressee to forward this Email to a minimum of twenty people on their Address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ."
Monday, November 8, 2010
What CARING Means, REAL LEADERSHIP!
Sharing something from my past that is a good leadership lesson: Real leaders understand their presence, approachability and personality quirks!
We all have them, and they could affect how people (your team/followers) relate and see you. Let me share my story: In my last assignment in the military, as an Army Major, I showed up in Germany to take a command position. In my first meeting with my commander, he immediately revealed this about himself,
I realize people see me as appearing serious, irritated and even mad. He went on to explain that he knew that's how he appeared to folks.
He went on, I discovered this a long while back and try to share with all I work with and who are around me. I recognize that I give this impression, but I am just always thinking and tend to scowl, and so I come across that way. Do not let it keep you from approaching me, communicating, bringing me problems....that's just me.
Here was a leader who knew himself and was telling me this to ensure I understood this, trusted and would approach him! A side note, he was totally right, he was a big burly bald dude who came across intimidating and yes even mad. He was in fact, a teddy-bear kind-hearted soul and we became tremendous friends; socializing as well as working together very effectively.
Great lesson, hope it helps YOU. Are you a leader that has people avoiding you? Are you a follower with a leader that you may be perceiving wrong? Either way, some communication with those around might help huh?
BOOKER, about the workplace!
We all have them, and they could affect how people (your team/followers) relate and see you. Let me share my story: In my last assignment in the military, as an Army Major, I showed up in Germany to take a command position. In my first meeting with my commander, he immediately revealed this about himself,
I realize people see me as appearing serious, irritated and even mad. He went on to explain that he knew that's how he appeared to folks.
He went on, I discovered this a long while back and try to share with all I work with and who are around me. I recognize that I give this impression, but I am just always thinking and tend to scowl, and so I come across that way. Do not let it keep you from approaching me, communicating, bringing me problems....that's just me.
Here was a leader who knew himself and was telling me this to ensure I understood this, trusted and would approach him! A side note, he was totally right, he was a big burly bald dude who came across intimidating and yes even mad. He was in fact, a teddy-bear kind-hearted soul and we became tremendous friends; socializing as well as working together very effectively.
Great lesson, hope it helps YOU. Are you a leader that has people avoiding you? Are you a follower with a leader that you may be perceiving wrong? Either way, some communication with those around might help huh?
BOOKER, about the workplace!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
When life is at its VERY BEST, I am focused outside of ME!
Several things have brought this to light lately – some things that made me go mmmmm:
• The absolute worst times in my life have been when I was focused inwardly. My self worth seems best (seems weird) when I am/can be focused on other’s troubles.
• The company or customer service agent sharing his/her excuses and troubles vs taking care of the customer?
• This is the essence of Servant Leadership huh?
• How easy it is to focus on others when we are in the JUDGING mode. We are soooooo much better at judging others than ourselves huh?
• Heard a parenting radio show about how some of the latest thinking on kids about constant praising, all good, building self-esteem can actually be a very damaging thing. Teaches that everything is about YOU!
• Reminds me of my days as a military commander and how it was a principle when we were eating a meal out in the field - the soldiers ate first.
• When we solve a relationship issue/conflict with someone, life is good and unstressed again. Leaders facilitating the resolution of a conflict between two people have done a great thing.
• Our society, workforce, work ethic and just generally people working together is challenged these days because of a real focus on self…it’s all about me’ generation??!
• It’s a mindset of thinking of others before self: When the elevator opens do we rush in or wait for others to come out? When we are in a discussion, conflict or argument, do we listen first?
• Before you as a leader make a decision, do you see what they think first?
• When we/employees are focused on the team’s troubles, we are much more satisfied, motivated and have a sense of belonging.
• Touches on that THROWING STARFISH story, about the person wandering the beach finding starfish and throwing them back in the sea before they die. Someone challenges how they can’t make a difference. Thrower responds with, as another one is thrown back, how it will indeed make a difference to THIS ONE.
• Oh yeah, here’s one: Jesus served us and died for us!
• Involving others in my doing, thinking, solving or working through something gives us comfort (and a better answer typically).
• Serving and giving are sure to be a big part of the coming holidays huh?
• MATTHEW 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends,….I no longer call you servants because a servant doesn’t know his masters business. Instead I call you friends. Everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you…
• The absolute worst times in my life have been when I was focused inwardly. My self worth seems best (seems weird) when I am/can be focused on other’s troubles.
• The company or customer service agent sharing his/her excuses and troubles vs taking care of the customer?
• This is the essence of Servant Leadership huh?
• How easy it is to focus on others when we are in the JUDGING mode. We are soooooo much better at judging others than ourselves huh?
• Heard a parenting radio show about how some of the latest thinking on kids about constant praising, all good, building self-esteem can actually be a very damaging thing. Teaches that everything is about YOU!
• Reminds me of my days as a military commander and how it was a principle when we were eating a meal out in the field - the soldiers ate first.
• When we solve a relationship issue/conflict with someone, life is good and unstressed again. Leaders facilitating the resolution of a conflict between two people have done a great thing.
• Our society, workforce, work ethic and just generally people working together is challenged these days because of a real focus on self…it’s all about me’ generation??!
• It’s a mindset of thinking of others before self: When the elevator opens do we rush in or wait for others to come out? When we are in a discussion, conflict or argument, do we listen first?
• Before you as a leader make a decision, do you see what they think first?
• When we/employees are focused on the team’s troubles, we are much more satisfied, motivated and have a sense of belonging.
• Touches on that THROWING STARFISH story, about the person wandering the beach finding starfish and throwing them back in the sea before they die. Someone challenges how they can’t make a difference. Thrower responds with, as another one is thrown back, how it will indeed make a difference to THIS ONE.
• Oh yeah, here’s one: Jesus served us and died for us!
• Involving others in my doing, thinking, solving or working through something gives us comfort (and a better answer typically).
• Serving and giving are sure to be a big part of the coming holidays huh?
• MATTHEW 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends,….I no longer call you servants because a servant doesn’t know his masters business. Instead I call you friends. Everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you…
Friday, October 22, 2010
Is your business ready for good times again?
Business & the economy most definitely WILL come back, heard on Dave Ramseys (Christian Personal Finance/Get out of Debt) radio show the other day.
Leadership is hugely needed in the business/workplace; earning back respect, etc. Paraphrased words of Daves, a topic of which I have been speaking of lately as well.
Dave is someone I referenced in my first book, in addressing this Q&A: Where do managers get leadership learning?
Answer: Advice from friends and family? Yikes, thats nuts.
As Dave says, How illogical it is to get financial advice from people in your life (family, friends, etc) who are up to their ears in debt?
As business comes back, are you the ownership, your business, and/or your managers ready to lead?
Very likely bad leadership/management practices and behaviors (how people have been treated over past few years) have caused people to sour on their organization! When times are tough, jobs are limited; people will tolerate very ineffective management/leadership. After all, when I (the employee) need the job, am I going to be complaining about my boss?
The point here is that organizations and management better be prepared when people CAN complain again; when there are jobs again or they just begin to think about leaving because of how badly they feel they have been treated? Will you or your organizations managers have an understanding of all this and know how to provide the effective leadership that will be required?
Just some food for thought! Holler if I can help :)
Gods best, BOOKER
www.bookertraining.com
Leadership is hugely needed in the business/workplace; earning back respect, etc. Paraphrased words of Daves, a topic of which I have been speaking of lately as well.
Dave is someone I referenced in my first book, in addressing this Q&A: Where do managers get leadership learning?
Answer: Advice from friends and family? Yikes, thats nuts.
As Dave says, How illogical it is to get financial advice from people in your life (family, friends, etc) who are up to their ears in debt?
As business comes back, are you the ownership, your business, and/or your managers ready to lead?
Very likely bad leadership/management practices and behaviors (how people have been treated over past few years) have caused people to sour on their organization! When times are tough, jobs are limited; people will tolerate very ineffective management/leadership. After all, when I (the employee) need the job, am I going to be complaining about my boss?
The point here is that organizations and management better be prepared when people CAN complain again; when there are jobs again or they just begin to think about leaving because of how badly they feel they have been treated? Will you or your organizations managers have an understanding of all this and know how to provide the effective leadership that will be required?
Just some food for thought! Holler if I can help :)
Gods best, BOOKER
www.bookertraining.com
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
JOB, Finance?
Financial managers wanted in the United States for a major intercontinental seafood supplier and exporter.
The position requires:
- Higher education (optional)
- Over 25 years of age
- Precision
- Ability to work under pressure deliver work on time.
- Ability to work with Word and Excel applications
- Software and hardware necessary to work via the web
Position's obligations:
- Dealing with money orders our enterprise receives from clients
- Organize and keep records of numbers on handled transactions
- Produce precise reviews
We promise:
- work at a large company
- promotion opportunities - fair wages (2150 after a 1 month trial period)
- additional 5% bonus in case of a completed operation
- Flexible working hours and time control possible
- The employer pays for all the expenses connected to bank services
............don't know anything further but will give you some contact info I have if you send me an email doug@bookertraining.com
The position requires:
- Higher education (optional)
- Over 25 years of age
- Precision
- Ability to work under pressure deliver work on time.
- Ability to work with Word and Excel applications
- Software and hardware necessary to work via the web
Position's obligations:
- Dealing with money orders our enterprise receives from clients
- Organize and keep records of numbers on handled transactions
- Produce precise reviews
We promise:
- work at a large company
- promotion opportunities - fair wages (2150 after a 1 month trial period)
- additional 5% bonus in case of a completed operation
- Flexible working hours and time control possible
- The employer pays for all the expenses connected to bank services
............don't know anything further but will give you some contact info I have if you send me an email doug@bookertraining.com
Friday, October 8, 2010
Personal & Professional Learning from 'James'
Two great scriptures hit me reading this morning; 1) so much about what I am doing professionally with a business team/conflict situation and 2) the other so close to my own situation personally.
On the business side, a team/dept I am consulting with is struggling and I plan to share this in our next gathering. Fortunately this is a business I am working with that Faith/God are part of the equation:
"... Don't speak evil against each other brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. Your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone is the judge. ...so what right do you have to judge your neighbors?..." JAMES 4:11
Personally, my wife and I are in a process of selling our home, potentially moving, discussing of options, etc. This so connects to our situation:
"...Look here you who say, 'we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do this or that, do business there and make a profit'. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog - here a little while and then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that...." JAMES 4:13
Wow, some powerful messages there for all of us, huh? WORK WELL WITH OTHERS.... WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL, HE IS..... Wow. Have a great day, BOOKER
On the business side, a team/dept I am consulting with is struggling and I plan to share this in our next gathering. Fortunately this is a business I am working with that Faith/God are part of the equation:
"... Don't speak evil against each other brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. Your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone is the judge. ...so what right do you have to judge your neighbors?..." JAMES 4:11
Personally, my wife and I are in a process of selling our home, potentially moving, discussing of options, etc. This so connects to our situation:
"...Look here you who say, 'we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do this or that, do business there and make a profit'. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog - here a little while and then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that...." JAMES 4:13
Wow, some powerful messages there for all of us, huh? WORK WELL WITH OTHERS.... WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL, HE IS..... Wow. Have a great day, BOOKER
Thursday, September 30, 2010
LEADERS VALUING
[a piece being worked on for upcoming book]:
Think about the phrase, PEOPLE, OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE. Seen that or heard that somewhere before? For many years it has been a popular slogan, motto or marketing used by companies to make their people believe that they are considered important. First off, organizations don't make this belief a reality, every individual leader does......or doesn't.
Rarely does it really play out in the WALK, it’s just TALK…many employees tell me this. You're thinking the same thing right now aren’t you; about your current job or recent situation or organization where you worked?
In fact, this is probably the resource that is the most UNDER-valued. Consider for a moment, all the other resources within your organization…time, money, inventory, machinery, facilities, etc. Think how much effort is put into managing these other resources - doing preventive maintenance, planning and organizing, fixing, repairing, replacing, etc.
Organizations tend to be pretty proactive regarding other resources; however when it comes to people, it is pretty much all reactive.
We do spend time on people - reacting to people problems: behaviors, performance issues, conflicts, problems, lack of team skills, leadership ineffectiveness, relations on the team and between depts, etc.
The PEOPLE-SYSTEM (the culture, teamwork, leadership, relationships, management, morale, baggage, history, attitude, promotion, succession…) receives the least amount of effort on the front end typically.
Here’s a really important question for the leader to reflect upon: Do you REALLY value him/her/them? Do you feel like each one of your folks is just as important as the others? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Hope you are feeling valued. Have a blessed day, BOOKER
Think about the phrase, PEOPLE, OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE. Seen that or heard that somewhere before? For many years it has been a popular slogan, motto or marketing used by companies to make their people believe that they are considered important. First off, organizations don't make this belief a reality, every individual leader does......or doesn't.
Rarely does it really play out in the WALK, it’s just TALK…many employees tell me this. You're thinking the same thing right now aren’t you; about your current job or recent situation or organization where you worked?
In fact, this is probably the resource that is the most UNDER-valued. Consider for a moment, all the other resources within your organization…time, money, inventory, machinery, facilities, etc. Think how much effort is put into managing these other resources - doing preventive maintenance, planning and organizing, fixing, repairing, replacing, etc.
Organizations tend to be pretty proactive regarding other resources; however when it comes to people, it is pretty much all reactive.
We do spend time on people - reacting to people problems: behaviors, performance issues, conflicts, problems, lack of team skills, leadership ineffectiveness, relations on the team and between depts, etc.
The PEOPLE-SYSTEM (the culture, teamwork, leadership, relationships, management, morale, baggage, history, attitude, promotion, succession…) receives the least amount of effort on the front end typically.
Here’s a really important question for the leader to reflect upon: Do you REALLY value him/her/them? Do you feel like each one of your folks is just as important as the others? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Hope you are feeling valued. Have a blessed day, BOOKER
not a blog, just sharing TEACHING/PRAYING
NOMINEE FOR "E-MAIL OF THE YEAR"!!!...don't know who gets credit for it, just passing on...
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: 'Let me see if I've got this right. 'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride... 'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams. 'You also want me to provide them with an equal education
regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
'You want me to do all this and then you tell me... I CAN'T PRAY?'
WOW, am I glad I am in adult education :))
After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: 'Let me see if I've got this right. 'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride... 'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams. 'You also want me to provide them with an equal education
regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
'You want me to do all this and then you tell me... I CAN'T PRAY?'
WOW, am I glad I am in adult education :))
Monday, September 20, 2010
Leadership / Spiritual WISDOM
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding PROVERBS 3:13
He who loves discipline loves knowledge, he who hates correction is stupid PROVERBS 12: 1
What is wisdom anyway? As I think of it in regard to leadership, I am sure most of management believes it to be centered on how the product(s) is made or how we provide our service(s). Since there are many in management who know the product/service, but still struggle does not it have to be something more?
Is it really about that technical/operational know-how, or could it be something different? I believe it is undoubtedly about ALL of it: the knowledge of the business, people skills, human behavior/nature, process/systems-thinking, group dynamics and even some organizational behavior/development thrown in. If I knew much about all that and practiced it in my role as a leader, I would likely have to be a pretty wise leader, huh?
Whatever it is, it can be a double-edged sword. You see, leaders frequently believe they are there, they have arrived; and therefore they must know it all (or at least more than those they lead). If that is so, how do I use that wisdom? Do I share it, teach it to others, keep it to myself, or just use it to make all the decisions myself?
* I always have to be careful here in challenging management/managers. It is not about anyone being bad, but just about bad management (leadership).
The scriptures above encourage us to find and discover wisdom, maybe above anything else. Again, I ask you to consider here, what is leadership wisdom; what do leaders need to know?
Along with our own understanding, opinions and beliefs in this matter, we should seek the input of others around us. We should work on our leadership competencies and ask others to help us with this learning and growing. We need to be OK with it (them) when they do correct us, challenge us or point out where we are falling short. Wisdom would tell us that old phrase, two heads are better than one- is a truism. A lack of wisdom would cause the leader to not ask other opinions or not involve the team.
Enough said for now. Ponder it and maybe keep in mind this which was shared by my Pastor (regarding being open to change): A grave is much like a rut, only with the ends kicked out.
Use some wisdom here and be open to what that analogy says.
Gods best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
He who loves discipline loves knowledge, he who hates correction is stupid PROVERBS 12: 1
What is wisdom anyway? As I think of it in regard to leadership, I am sure most of management believes it to be centered on how the product(s) is made or how we provide our service(s). Since there are many in management who know the product/service, but still struggle does not it have to be something more?
Is it really about that technical/operational know-how, or could it be something different? I believe it is undoubtedly about ALL of it: the knowledge of the business, people skills, human behavior/nature, process/systems-thinking, group dynamics and even some organizational behavior/development thrown in. If I knew much about all that and practiced it in my role as a leader, I would likely have to be a pretty wise leader, huh?
Whatever it is, it can be a double-edged sword. You see, leaders frequently believe they are there, they have arrived; and therefore they must know it all (or at least more than those they lead). If that is so, how do I use that wisdom? Do I share it, teach it to others, keep it to myself, or just use it to make all the decisions myself?
* I always have to be careful here in challenging management/managers. It is not about anyone being bad, but just about bad management (leadership).
The scriptures above encourage us to find and discover wisdom, maybe above anything else. Again, I ask you to consider here, what is leadership wisdom; what do leaders need to know?
Along with our own understanding, opinions and beliefs in this matter, we should seek the input of others around us. We should work on our leadership competencies and ask others to help us with this learning and growing. We need to be OK with it (them) when they do correct us, challenge us or point out where we are falling short. Wisdom would tell us that old phrase, two heads are better than one- is a truism. A lack of wisdom would cause the leader to not ask other opinions or not involve the team.
Enough said for now. Ponder it and maybe keep in mind this which was shared by my Pastor (regarding being open to change): A grave is much like a rut, only with the ends kicked out.
Use some wisdom here and be open to what that analogy says.
Gods best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Message to the Wrong Person
Who’s the message for anyway..?..!
Here’s a dynamic that I run into all the time in trying to help teams, groups, departments and/or organizations develop improved working relationships and partnerships… Please read this through carefully a couple of times, because it’s relevant to everyone of us—we’ve all seen it…done it…and had it ‘done’ to us as well! This goes on all the time, but if your team can get hold of this one…enormous strides can be made toward increased teamwork, trust, less conflict, more productivity and improved relationships all the way around.
Is it just part of human nature and inevitably going to be there?… probably, if that’s what you think and you’re teammates think!!! IT WON’T BE EASY, BUT IMPROVEMENT IS POSSIBLE…it simply takes realization of the negative impact and a commitment by the team to change it.
Let’s get a little more specific--as a facilitator, I see this within groups and get caught up in it myself—let me explain how we do this to each other and the damage that if inflicts. Situation: You have a problem with someone (what they said, what you thought they said, their opinion, something they did that impacted your world, etc…get the picture?) What do we typically do when this occurs? We go share it with someone else—a peer, a boss, everyone except the person who really needs to hear it! Starting to connect aren’t you… ? Teammates (employees within the same office-under the same leader) frequently will even take it straight to the leader to deal with. Think of the impact and fallout of doing things this way -- first of all the person you are taking it to can do nothing but listen to you bellyache….what are you expecting them to do with it? If they go do something with it, then they have broken your trust!?! If you allow them (or push them to do it for you) all you are going to do is lose respect and your relationship with that individual.
Teams that are ready to fix this dynamic have to honestly sit down, look each other in the eye and say we all have our gripes with each other for good reason, but why don’t we agree to start doing things in the right way in the right spirit…? After all, if you tell me what your issue is or what you don’t like that I did or whatever, haven’t you actually done something positive regarding our relationship and the team overall? But we tend to take confrontation and disagreement as world-shattering stuff instead of the good that is to be gained. If we can manage to do it in a respectful, tactful and non-confrontational way…it can drastically improve a team in ways we cannot even imagine.
As a facilitator and trainer, I frequently have this very same thing happen to me. Here is how if affects me personally in this role: After I have worked with a team for some period, I begin to see myself as one of the team. It never fails, that eventually someone will take issue with how I am performing or maybe an opinion that I express (as if I do not have a right to my opinion also, huh? ). Instead of taking issue with me and tossing it out there for the good of our relationship…the person shuts down, creating a barrier to any further learning or communicating on that person’s part…and then later, takes it to someone that wasn’t even there!!! What I just described here, that happens to me is the very thing that people do to each other all the time. It tears down relationships, discourages communication, kills trust and makes life miserable for all around the issue. Not to mention all the wasted time that these kind of things end up taking,……because we took it through a cycle and circle of ‘the wrong people.
AS LEADERS, MENTORS AND TEAM MEMBERS, WE CAN HELP OTHERS BY STEERING THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION (AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF EMPATHETIC LISTENING OF COURSE). AND HOPE THEY WILL HAVE THE INSIGHT AND COURAGE TO RETURN THE FAVOR WHEN YOU COME CALLING!?!
Take care, DOUG
Here’s a dynamic that I run into all the time in trying to help teams, groups, departments and/or organizations develop improved working relationships and partnerships… Please read this through carefully a couple of times, because it’s relevant to everyone of us—we’ve all seen it…done it…and had it ‘done’ to us as well! This goes on all the time, but if your team can get hold of this one…enormous strides can be made toward increased teamwork, trust, less conflict, more productivity and improved relationships all the way around.
Is it just part of human nature and inevitably going to be there?… probably, if that’s what you think and you’re teammates think!!! IT WON’T BE EASY, BUT IMPROVEMENT IS POSSIBLE…it simply takes realization of the negative impact and a commitment by the team to change it.
Let’s get a little more specific--as a facilitator, I see this within groups and get caught up in it myself—let me explain how we do this to each other and the damage that if inflicts. Situation: You have a problem with someone (what they said, what you thought they said, their opinion, something they did that impacted your world, etc…get the picture?) What do we typically do when this occurs? We go share it with someone else—a peer, a boss, everyone except the person who really needs to hear it! Starting to connect aren’t you… ? Teammates (employees within the same office-under the same leader) frequently will even take it straight to the leader to deal with. Think of the impact and fallout of doing things this way -- first of all the person you are taking it to can do nothing but listen to you bellyache….what are you expecting them to do with it? If they go do something with it, then they have broken your trust!?! If you allow them (or push them to do it for you) all you are going to do is lose respect and your relationship with that individual.
Teams that are ready to fix this dynamic have to honestly sit down, look each other in the eye and say we all have our gripes with each other for good reason, but why don’t we agree to start doing things in the right way in the right spirit…? After all, if you tell me what your issue is or what you don’t like that I did or whatever, haven’t you actually done something positive regarding our relationship and the team overall? But we tend to take confrontation and disagreement as world-shattering stuff instead of the good that is to be gained. If we can manage to do it in a respectful, tactful and non-confrontational way…it can drastically improve a team in ways we cannot even imagine.
As a facilitator and trainer, I frequently have this very same thing happen to me. Here is how if affects me personally in this role: After I have worked with a team for some period, I begin to see myself as one of the team. It never fails, that eventually someone will take issue with how I am performing or maybe an opinion that I express (as if I do not have a right to my opinion also, huh? ). Instead of taking issue with me and tossing it out there for the good of our relationship…the person shuts down, creating a barrier to any further learning or communicating on that person’s part…and then later, takes it to someone that wasn’t even there!!! What I just described here, that happens to me is the very thing that people do to each other all the time. It tears down relationships, discourages communication, kills trust and makes life miserable for all around the issue. Not to mention all the wasted time that these kind of things end up taking,……because we took it through a cycle and circle of ‘the wrong people.
AS LEADERS, MENTORS AND TEAM MEMBERS, WE CAN HELP OTHERS BY STEERING THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION (AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF EMPATHETIC LISTENING OF COURSE). AND HOPE THEY WILL HAVE THE INSIGHT AND COURAGE TO RETURN THE FAVOR WHEN YOU COME CALLING!?!
Take care, DOUG
Monday, August 16, 2010
GODLY LEADER MOMENT #4 (Boss and Buddy)
…Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end… JOHN 13:1
…Don’t get too close,…there’s a fine line between you & your people, …keep your distance, …you can’t be a friend & a boss, etc… These are commonly spoken and widely accepted management myths heard when people speak of the workplace and a manager’s relationship with their people. Managers say those things and maintain the status quo. Leaders know it is just management-thinking; and therefore grow, build & improve these relationships! Leaders know their success depends on the quality of these relationships.
Because so many people have seen this fine line-concept caused by manager’s abusing their authority and position, it has come to be accepted in management circles. It is found in management-theory courses and most anyplace you see management taught. Not HERE my friend; I don’t buy it for a second – I’m teaching LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP! I believe this mentality comes from managers who practiced favoritism, abused their roles, not holding all equally accountable, taking advantage of people, promoting on friendship, etc.
If you are a leader or trying to become one, realize this – your success is going to come from them (your people). What kind of leader would YOU perform for the best? What leader have YOU worked for the most effectively? Of course the answer is the one you had the best relationship with, right? We speak of the importance of relationships among team-members and how dysfunctional teams are when relationships aren’t good; but the leader needs to keep his/her distance?!? This dynamic frequently comes up in Leadership Development coaching, consulting and training. My response is consistently, …don’t fall into that way of thinking; work on developing relationships with your folks as tight as possible... When you create comfort, trust, respect, great communications and a desire for people to want to be there with YOU and the others……great things happen. The result is awesome productivity, loyalty, low turnover and believe it or not, people looking forward to coming to work. When the leader cares about his/her folks, is there for them outside their job; wants to support and help them with troubles; and even socializes with them AFTER work, etc – now we have a great family-like relationship.
Now of course, there can be issues and risks, but not if YOU the leader do things right! If fair expectations and accountability happen with everyone, these issues don’t exist! The problem is NOT about this buddy & boss concept & debate,….it’s about YOU the leader, and your leadership! I have indeed worked with and coached great leaders who would not go there as I am describing! They maintained this ‘fine line’ and wouldn’t let the relationship exist outside the workplace. It’s just my opinion they were limiting themselves & the potential of this relationship.
Jesus broke bread and spent countless hours teaching, socializing & continuously improving the relationships with those he led. The Word speaks to developing a personal relationship with Him. Shouldn’t the ULTIMATE LEADER’s leadership be our guide?
God’s best to you my buddy AND friend, BOOKER
…Don’t get too close,…there’s a fine line between you & your people, …keep your distance, …you can’t be a friend & a boss, etc… These are commonly spoken and widely accepted management myths heard when people speak of the workplace and a manager’s relationship with their people. Managers say those things and maintain the status quo. Leaders know it is just management-thinking; and therefore grow, build & improve these relationships! Leaders know their success depends on the quality of these relationships.
Because so many people have seen this fine line-concept caused by manager’s abusing their authority and position, it has come to be accepted in management circles. It is found in management-theory courses and most anyplace you see management taught. Not HERE my friend; I don’t buy it for a second – I’m teaching LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP! I believe this mentality comes from managers who practiced favoritism, abused their roles, not holding all equally accountable, taking advantage of people, promoting on friendship, etc.
If you are a leader or trying to become one, realize this – your success is going to come from them (your people). What kind of leader would YOU perform for the best? What leader have YOU worked for the most effectively? Of course the answer is the one you had the best relationship with, right? We speak of the importance of relationships among team-members and how dysfunctional teams are when relationships aren’t good; but the leader needs to keep his/her distance?!? This dynamic frequently comes up in Leadership Development coaching, consulting and training. My response is consistently, …don’t fall into that way of thinking; work on developing relationships with your folks as tight as possible... When you create comfort, trust, respect, great communications and a desire for people to want to be there with YOU and the others……great things happen. The result is awesome productivity, loyalty, low turnover and believe it or not, people looking forward to coming to work. When the leader cares about his/her folks, is there for them outside their job; wants to support and help them with troubles; and even socializes with them AFTER work, etc – now we have a great family-like relationship.
Now of course, there can be issues and risks, but not if YOU the leader do things right! If fair expectations and accountability happen with everyone, these issues don’t exist! The problem is NOT about this buddy & boss concept & debate,….it’s about YOU the leader, and your leadership! I have indeed worked with and coached great leaders who would not go there as I am describing! They maintained this ‘fine line’ and wouldn’t let the relationship exist outside the workplace. It’s just my opinion they were limiting themselves & the potential of this relationship.
Jesus broke bread and spent countless hours teaching, socializing & continuously improving the relationships with those he led. The Word speaks to developing a personal relationship with Him. Shouldn’t the ULTIMATE LEADER’s leadership be our guide?
God’s best to you my buddy AND friend, BOOKER
Friday, August 6, 2010
A FOLLOWER'S PERSPECTIVE OF BOSSES
During discussions on leadership, teamwork, organizational life, culture, etcetera….nearly all people in the workplace think and feel according to how they are led and/or managed. More often than not, initial emotions, thinkings and feelings expressed come flowing out from the perspective of ‘ourselves’ - the follower. This is true, even in discussions with supervisors, managers and even senior management personnel. This is likely because our predominant thought-patterns are based on ourselves as followers first and foremost. 99% of us report to someone else, no matter our current status, position or role. As people consider issues of ineffectiveness by management (leadership), the first thoughts and ideas out of their mouths are from their ‘dissatisfied-follower’ role. That is because those are highly charged thoughts regarding how they are being treated, cared for, communicated with and bottom line – led, or not led as the case may be.
This may not be the most all-inclusive and perfect list, however I would surmise that if any leader routinely led according to these factors, they would be one perfect leader in most follower’s eyes! Here are the Top 10, as expressed by people in all kinds of organizations serving in all kinds of different capacities. Interestingly, the vast majority of these observations, complaints, wants and needs are mostly from management folks themselves, ……..think about the significance of what that says for a moment! The words of a follower:
1. I WANT my boss to support me, shield me and care about me-not just care about what I can do. Feedback would be nice every now and then also…
2. I WISH my boss would deal with that one person that makes everybody else miserable. That one ‘bad apple’ is just allowed to do what he wants, because they are afraid of him, or think that we can’t live without him, what a joke.
3. I WANT to be involved early on regarding impending changes, new ideas, solutions to problems… When I am not involved, I just start not caring about how well things are done, get an attitude and become very apathetic. My motivation is shot…
4. I NEED the opportunity to develop myself, be taught new skills, have the opportunity to be promoted, or maybe just be recognized for what I do now.
5. I WISH things were done fairly, no matter who knows who, or who the boss likes at the moment…
6. I WISH I could be communicated with on what is going on, not just what she thinks I need to know. I find more out more from co-workers than I do from above…
7. I WANT conflict to be dealt with fairly, quickly, … When people are in conflict, it is just allowed to fester, drive everyone else crazy and puts everyone on edge…
8. I WISH we would take the time to do things right. We rush through everything; like when someone new is hired, we just give them a few minutes of training and throw them into the routine. We barely even introduce them, and for sure we are setting them up for failure, because of poor training. Team-building is basically non-existent…
9. I NEED my boss to provide me the resources I need to do my job well.
10. I WISH I was more challenged, maybe even get the boss to delegate some things to me. She is afraid to let anyone else do anything for fear of her own job, or maybe she just doesn’t trust anyone. How will we ever get any better?
These as well as others, are what is required for me to flourish, grow, learn and become more and more productive and useful to ME, to YOU, to the ORGANIZATION. Maybe the question is, are you OK with me becoming you…., are you modeling the right stuff? Take care, DOUG
This may not be the most all-inclusive and perfect list, however I would surmise that if any leader routinely led according to these factors, they would be one perfect leader in most follower’s eyes! Here are the Top 10, as expressed by people in all kinds of organizations serving in all kinds of different capacities. Interestingly, the vast majority of these observations, complaints, wants and needs are mostly from management folks themselves, ……..think about the significance of what that says for a moment! The words of a follower:
1. I WANT my boss to support me, shield me and care about me-not just care about what I can do. Feedback would be nice every now and then also…
2. I WISH my boss would deal with that one person that makes everybody else miserable. That one ‘bad apple’ is just allowed to do what he wants, because they are afraid of him, or think that we can’t live without him, what a joke.
3. I WANT to be involved early on regarding impending changes, new ideas, solutions to problems… When I am not involved, I just start not caring about how well things are done, get an attitude and become very apathetic. My motivation is shot…
4. I NEED the opportunity to develop myself, be taught new skills, have the opportunity to be promoted, or maybe just be recognized for what I do now.
5. I WISH things were done fairly, no matter who knows who, or who the boss likes at the moment…
6. I WISH I could be communicated with on what is going on, not just what she thinks I need to know. I find more out more from co-workers than I do from above…
7. I WANT conflict to be dealt with fairly, quickly, … When people are in conflict, it is just allowed to fester, drive everyone else crazy and puts everyone on edge…
8. I WISH we would take the time to do things right. We rush through everything; like when someone new is hired, we just give them a few minutes of training and throw them into the routine. We barely even introduce them, and for sure we are setting them up for failure, because of poor training. Team-building is basically non-existent…
9. I NEED my boss to provide me the resources I need to do my job well.
10. I WISH I was more challenged, maybe even get the boss to delegate some things to me. She is afraid to let anyone else do anything for fear of her own job, or maybe she just doesn’t trust anyone. How will we ever get any better?
These as well as others, are what is required for me to flourish, grow, learn and become more and more productive and useful to ME, to YOU, to the ORGANIZATION. Maybe the question is, are you OK with me becoming you…., are you modeling the right stuff? Take care, DOUG
Monday, August 2, 2010
GODLY LEADER MOMENT#3, Insanity in Conflict
“…You have heard, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemies’. But I tell you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that; and if you greet only your brothers what are you doing better/more than others?…†MATTHEW 5:43
This scripture has particular significance to all of us in the workplace (as well as every part of our lives huh?) This reminds me of something I wrote a few years ago regarding working with ‘others’. The article focused on the challenge of working with those we don’t get along with - are in conflict with - or let’s just say the relationship is less than good! Loving those with whom we work can be tough but we are called to do so huh? Maybe HE would accept us just liking them and getting along with these others?
We all have these people in our lives from time to time; the challenge is to address them as quickly as possible to get that stress out of our lives. For me it is about the insanity of working side by side with this ‘bad relationship’ day after day after day after day (like that Groundhog Day movie). I believe we become numb to them and lose focus on just how much they are impacting us and those around us/them.
Leaders are REALLY needed in these situations. Yes, the personal leadership of solving these relationships in YOUR life, but also as a leader of those you manage & supervise in the workplace. He/she/they need you to get involved and facilitate real resolution. YOU are needed to get them out of this insanity, when they can’t/won’t by themselves. Leaders may not deal with conflict for some of the following reasons “…it is personal, not my business…they will work it out… I don’t know how to facilitate resolution… fear of taking sides or judging one over the other… I will just make it worse, or…I don’t have time to mess with it, etc…â€
The reality is that we must deal with these relationships - it is your (leader’s) job! For the record, it is ALWAYS your business! Why? ...because people in conflict, to some degree negatively impact productivity, communication, relationships, morale …need I say more? HOW you do it may seem challenging, however the first step is to be committed and persist in not letting them (conflicts, baggage and bad relations) exist on your team. That’s what you are paid the big bucks for, isn’t it?
OK, soooooooo how are you dealing with THOSE in your life right now personally? How good would it feel to have that relationship(s) solved? If you are like me, when THOSE get solved, it is like the weight of the world is off your shoulders and life is soooo much better. As you begin to hesitate or procrastinate about taking action with him/her, remember that HE (Matthew 5:43) directs us to do so. ïŠ
God’s best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
“…You have heard, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemies’. But I tell you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that; and if you greet only your brothers what are you doing better/more than others?…†MATTHEW 5:43
This scripture has particular significance to all of us in the workplace (as well as every part of our lives huh?) This reminds me of something I wrote a few years ago regarding working with ‘others’. The article focused on the challenge of working with those we don’t get along with - are in conflict with - or let’s just say the relationship is less than good! Loving those with whom we work can be tough but we are called to do so huh? Maybe HE would accept us just liking them and getting along with these others?
We all have these people in our lives from time to time; the challenge is to address them as quickly as possible to get that stress out of our lives. For me it is about the insanity of working side by side with this ‘bad relationship’ day after day after day after day (like that Groundhog Day movie). I believe we become numb to them and lose focus on just how much they are impacting us and those around us/them.
Leaders are REALLY needed in these situations. Yes, the personal leadership of solving these relationships in YOUR life, but also as a leader of those you manage & supervise in the workplace. He/she/they need you to get involved and facilitate real resolution. YOU are needed to get them out of this insanity, when they can’t/won’t by themselves. Leaders may not deal with conflict for some of the following reasons “…it is personal, not my business…they will work it out… I don’t know how to facilitate resolution… fear of taking sides or judging one over the other… I will just make it worse, or…I don’t have time to mess with it, etc…â€
The reality is that we must deal with these relationships - it is your (leader’s) job! For the record, it is ALWAYS your business! Why? ...because people in conflict, to some degree negatively impact productivity, communication, relationships, morale …need I say more? HOW you do it may seem challenging, however the first step is to be committed and persist in not letting them (conflicts, baggage and bad relations) exist on your team. That’s what you are paid the big bucks for, isn’t it?
OK, soooooooo how are you dealing with THOSE in your life right now personally? How good would it feel to have that relationship(s) solved? If you are like me, when THOSE get solved, it is like the weight of the world is off your shoulders and life is soooo much better. As you begin to hesitate or procrastinate about taking action with him/her, remember that HE (Matthew 5:43) directs us to do so. ïŠ
God’s best to you and yours this day, BOOKER
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