Inquisit Wonderland

Inquisit is calling, are you listening,
On the Net, we are glistening
A beautiful sight,

Our programs are right

Surfing the Inquisit wonderland.

Gone away is your budget.
Here to stay is better judgment
We offer great fees,
Registration with ease,
Surfing the Inquisit wonderland.

On our Website we build a portfolio,
Available from Honolulu to Buffalo

 

We'll say: Are you ready?
You'll say: Yes ma’am,
We’ll deliver education to you

Later on, we'll aspire,
As you participate by the fire
To face current needs  
Programs help you succeed,
Surfing the Inquisit wonderland.

 

Inquisit.org we have the right course,
We can be your education source
We'll have lots of fun and then you’ll endorse
Please come on back, we’ll be your resource.

Needing credits, ain't it thrilling,
With inquisit.org you’ll make a killing

We'll instruct ‘n accredit, the Inquisit way,
Surfing the Inquisit wonderland. 

Inquisit is Thankful for You

Thanksgiving time brings to mind

all the great customers we have come to find.

We hope our education brings you knowledge and skill

Your CE needs, we hope to fill.

 

Most of all, we are thankful for each of you
 -- as you are essential,

you are treasured people
who make our jobs extra special.

 

On Thanksgiving, (and every day)we appreciate you.

 

Inquisit

BOO! Scared? Terror can be a Teacher

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the weather, the football season, the smell in the air. Many of us flock to the annual scary movie marathons to get in the mood for Fright Night.

Scary movies – I find them quite funny.  Why do the actors ALWAYS make the worst decisions?  They practically walk right up to the said villain and hug them.

 

But, scary movies have much to teach us. Happy Learning.

 

Ankles are the most vulnerable part of your body

 

Achilles had his heel, but as horror tales clearly illustrate for the rest of us it’s the ankle that will spell our doom, i.e. stand strong on your own two feet - and ankles. Don’t ride another’s coattails.

 

Whether it’s a hand suddenly snatching your ankle as it shoots out of a clearly botched business decision or a hand grabbing your ankle in a dark hallway once you all decided you were going to stay in a haunted business relationship because the work was as good as done anyway, scary always seems to come, not from above but below, dragging us away screaming, clawing at the floor, and wondering if this is what we get for wearing stilettos instead of boots.

Somebody presumed out-of-sight will come back in the knick-of-time

Rule number one, that we all learn from horror movies, is that if you don’t actually see your friend die but just get dragged off by his ankles (see above – there’s those ankles)  screaming or cursing you out for just standing there watching, then she probably will be back.  Rule number two is that person will reappear both somehow stronger for having been beaten to near death by demons and at the very last second to save your life. Believe in your friends.  They will be there to save your life, if they can.

Never Leave the Group / Team

When there’s a maniac on the loose, straying from the team is just a bad decision. We must work in teams. We must respect each team member. We must have each other’s backs. Cling to your group like glue. The loner always gets it in the end!

Always Bring Backup

One chief lesson that I’ve learned from horror movies is to always grab an extra weapon, i.e. always have a contingency plan. Just assume that your first line of defense will somehow go wrong. If a data-crazed zombie is banging down your door, pack an extra set of evidence-based spreadsheet to prove your case (just in case).

Shortcuts are a bad idea

Chances are, those off-the-beaten-path shortcuts will leave you stranded, alone, and in the path of a chain saw. My advice: due diligence. Shortcuts often result in disaster at the end. Do your job to the best of your ability. But remember, process improvement for increased efficiency is NOT the same as a shortcut.

Trust Your Instincts

We were born with survival instincts, thanks to our cavemen ancestors. However, we usually pay absolutely no attention to them and that is how people end up running from vampires.  If you have a weird feeling about a place, or a person, or a possibly possessed thing running around the organization, trust yourself and work through the tingling instinct.

Scary movies provide valuable lessons:

• Don’t be scared at work or ever hesitate.  Trust your instincts.
• Protect your “ankles” or at least all vulnerable parts and projects.
• Make good decisions – don’t run into the chain saw – find a path above it. Take the high road.
• If you hear ominous music in your ears when someone walks by…smile, turn and run.
• Teamwork Teamwork Teamwork!

 

 

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

You! You! You!

Rudy is the classic story of someone who was always told they were too small for whatever their dreams were. Rudy’s dream is to play college football for Notre Dame.

 

Four lessons to take away from this film are:

• Determination
• You don't have to be a superstar to be a hero.
• Believe in yourself.
• Never give up on a dream. Don't be a quitter.

 

One Thought can Stop You

 

Our thoughts really do matter, and one “goofy thought” (as Rudy calls them) can stop you dead in your tracks. If you let it take root, one thought can discourage you, derail you, and cause you to make poor choices that take you away from your goals. It’s important to have a good defense that prevents negative influences and a good offense is one that supports positive messages. Best defense – believe in yourself. Best offense – surround yourself with honest, trustworthy coworkers.

 

When the Journey Gets Tough, Don’t Seek Permission to Fail

 

Often, when the going gets tough, we seek permission to stop.  Instead of hanging in there and enduring the pain, we look to those around us for permission to quit. Of course they’ll endorse that thinking. They can’t possibly understand the mission you’re on – because, most likely, it isn’t their mission.  You will provide hundreds of reasons to quit and they will approve them all. It’s easy.  Don’t be a quitter and don’t put a friend in the position to be a quitter supporter.  Instead of seeking permission to fail… seek a different set of eyes to set your path back on target. Yes… seek permission to pause and reflect.  Then attack!

 

All Contributions are Valuable

Rudy is on the practice team. This position is not glamorous.  But, his role contributes to the team’s game day preparation. Using your talents in a positive manner to make a difference (no matter how big or small) for a particular purpose, which ultimately is a benefit to the whole, is true contribution. Not everyone can be the coach. Not everyone can be the quarterback.  But, where would the QB be without his “line”?

 

Give Your Best - Always

Rudy went to practice every day giving his whole heart and effort, even though he didn't play in the games. By doing his best every day, Rudy helped the players to prepare for the big games by making them perform and work hard at practice instead of just giving them an easy ride.

The team respected Rudy because of his hard work and commitment.  

You may not be the top rainmaker, but your coworkers DO recognize hard work. Give it your best every day.

 

Commitment

 

The ultimate lesson from Rudy’s journey is commitment. Making the decision to follow through on a dream, goal, idea, or mission regardless of the challenges and obstacles.

Stay on Track!            Stay Committed!              Never Quit!

 

 

 

Remember - Be A Titan

It’s football season! This is my favorite time of the year.  As a football coach’s daughter, the season is in my blood. And during football season, I am always reminded of leadership.  I still remember, as a little girl, sitting in the bleachers watching my Dad and the other coaches, work with their team.  (My Mom worked so my sister and I hung out with Dad in the summer—I’m sure a joy for him!)

As a fan of both movies and football, there are many, many good films about football. Remember the Titans is one of my favorites.  Why? Because it teaches all of us that when people and teams are divided by race, gender, age, geographic, or spiritual reasons, great leaders can bridge any gap and connect people.

 

Walk the Talk

 

Having a Titan - a strong, devoted leader is everything.  We all need that one person, or team of leaders, who is willing to put in all the work necessary to become a successful company. There are two main things that a captain, or leader, must always be doing: accentuating teamwork and generating a positive work environment. There is no doubt that teamwork is an absolute necessity in reaching any final goal. To develop that sense of collaboration, you must make each employee feel as though each person is a vital facet to the company as a whole, and without them, it simply would not work (even if it would). How do great leaders do this? Easy… they walk the talk. Once your employees see that you conduct your daily work in a positive way, they too will do the same, day in and day out.

 

One of my favorite quote is by Mahatma Gandhi “We must become the change we want to see.”  If you want your team to be productive…be productive. If you want people to tell you the truth… tell the truth. If you want to be respected…earn it.

 

If you get tackled, get right back up.

 

Never let the continual cheap knockdowns stand in the way of your path to victory, and ultimately, an undefeated season.

 

Regardless of how long it takes to close your first big deal or make your first sale, the key to being a strong leader is resilience. The definition of resilience varies greatly, but my favorite is “being able to flex against outside forces, but not lose your shape” i.e. never lose yourself. There will undoubtedly be things that are not in your control that will slow down your business. But, you cannot let these outside forces get you down, or get in the way, of reaching your final goal.

 

“What’s your Battle Cry?  “Mobile. Agile. Hostile.” or “MIB”

 

To get his team on the right track and working together, Coach Boone takes the Titans to an extensive football camp away from home. During one drill he yells them the question, “What are you?!” Their answer: “Mobile, Agile, Hostile!”

 

In business we should be mobile, most likely not hostile, but most importantly we must be agile. Agility is key to reaching success at the highest level. In today’s world, everything is changing at a very rapid pace. This means we must do the same in order to stay competitive. Agility’s best friend in creativity. Stay up-to-date, and relevant in your customers’ eyes.

 

I must digress for a minute.  Recently, I read an excellent book called The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. The book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. The boys have struggles, as any team does. But, when in the boat they rowed as one and their cry was MIB –Mind in Boat.

 

Find a department battle cry and yell it out!

 

Having a star on your team doesn’t make you a star team

 

In Remember the Titans, the team star and quarterback gets injured due to a poor block. The back-up quarterback gets the call and steps in without missing a beat.  Businesses call this a succession plan.

 

Having a star on your team doesn’t make you a star team. Every single person contributes, and every single person deserves to be treated the same. Another key is the fact that you are only as strong as your weakest link. If one person is not pulling his or her weight everyone will suffer because of it. A leader must recognize, and make changes as these problems arise.  And leaders, please watch out for anyone who uses “I” or “My” instead of “We” or “Our”.  When you hear that…throw the flag! Penalties/issues/grandstanding/conflict is coming.

 

No Doubt.

 

Coach Henry Boone of the Titans tells his team that they are going to win. There is no doubt in his voice, and his players recognized that fact. He demanded perfection and that is what they gave him. Everyone must have that winning mentality, always. When they do, and when everyone understands the final goal of their business, nothing is impossible.

 

Ahhh, I love lessons learned from football and sports. MIB!  Mind in Business!

 

“You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. You can make the best or the worst of it." The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Imagine the possibilities if you had the strength of a 20 year old but the experience of a 70 year old. Such is the case of Benjamin Button, who is born old and ages backwards. Now, that plot alone should certainly set the story up for some amazing life lessons such as, death is Inevitable, love is a lot of work, family doesn’t always mean blood relative, and life adventures are possible for anyone who has the courage to try.

What’s most remarkable about the film is the absence of any regret in Benjamin’s life. It is my absolute #1 life goal – to look back on my life with no regrets. I’m doing pretty well. I’m 55 with just one regret (so far).

Be a Good Listener

Everyone wants to talk with Benjamin. He proves to be a good listener. They tell him what they've been through in life. A man with a poor memory points out again and again and again that he was struck by lightning seven different times.  A wealthy woman, who keeps to herself, teaches him to play the piano. A gregarious visitor takes a fancy to the man-boy and introduces him the joys of manhood. And through it all, Benjamin listens with patience and compassion.  Most of us never listen.  Our minds are too busy thinking about what we should say next.  Listening is a skill. Few have it.  Get it! Practice it!

Keep an Open Mind

Benjamin always keeps an open mind and uses each encounter as an opportunity to soften his heart. He makes the best of bad situations and does not allow them to bring him down. He demonstrates self- control that enables him to handle failure and success, defeat and victory, and all with calm. One of his favorite mantras is "You never know what's coming for you." It is best to see everything as a mystery that does not need to be solved or explained away. Just live in the present moment and savor what presents itself to you.  We are all so busy. Do we ever stop to smell the ocean? When was the last time you felt calm?

To Be a Kid Again – The Wonder of it All

A sense of wonder is a trademark of Benjamin's personality. As a man-child in the home for the elderly, we actually see him listen to the house breathing. As a child-man he savors the start of the day looking out over the water. Benjamin learns how to let go and not to cling to anyone: "We're meant to lose the people we love. How else will we know how much they meant to us?" From start to finish, this character tries to be himself, accepting his flaws and celebrating his strengths as a human being: "It's never too late or too early to be whoever you want to be." 

I love the beach and one of my best beach joys is watching babies see and feel the ocean and the sand for the first time. The wonder of it. Don’t you wish, as adults, there were some mysteries left to spark our wonder? 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button reminds me that the best thing each of us can do is to make the most of our journey and be thankful for the people we meet along the way. It's all a gift. Wherever you end up, whatever you do at any given time, do it with the zest of a child and the experience of a 70 year old. This reminds me of my favorite Abraham Lincoln quote, “Whatever you are—be a good one.” 

"You can change or stay the same.

There are no rules to this thing.

You can make the best or the worst of it."

Hercules and The 12 Labors: Sounds like WORK

I have always loved mythology.  When your things aren’t going well, those crazy jealous gods of Greek and Roman myths, will always top your own woes.

I saw Hercules recently…the movie… not so good. But it did remind me of the tales on the great hero’s 10/12 labors, and all the creatures and characters in the stories sound like most days at the job.  However, while we all know Hercules as the strongest man in the world, the labors are mostly solved with his quick thinking and problem solving skills and not his muscles.

The ultimate moral: The goddess Hera magically caused Hercules to go insane. As a result, Hercules murdered his own wife and children. When he snapped out of it, he was anguished, but still had to carry out a sentence for what he'd done. The historical message of the myth is clear: whatever the circumstances, take responsibility for your mistakes.

Labor 1: The Nemean Lion: Get your hands dirty

Ahh… the Nemean Lion, the fierce competitor that simply can’t be slain with a sword. So… find another way. Hercules strangles it with his bare hands.  Now, that is a critical thinking.  The Nemean Lion teaches us to find another solution, and sometimes, we just may need to get out hands dirty while we implement the right strategy. When one or many ideas do not work, find the one that does. Focus on your own strengths to conquer the competition. There is more than one way to skin a cat! 

After he kills the lion, Heracles skins it and wears its hide as a cape. The skin that cannot be pierced by a sword serves as protection for Hercules for the rest of his life… his armor.

Your armor… think through problems and find the solution. Don’t’ give up when one doesn’t work.

Labor 2: The Lernean Hydra: Respect

My favorite!  Nothing like a co-worker, peer, customer, or boss with multiple heads… you never know which one will show up. And, when you think you eliminate one of the heads…two more come back! The many personalities encountered by the working adult is a Hydra. Our mission is to learn to work with all of them.  I think that to slay the work Hydra, the venom is respect.  You do not have to like everyone you work with. You do not have to agree with them all the time. You do not have to invite them for dinner. But, you must respect them for the role they play in your business. Respect is the flame that cauterizes the heads of the Hydra. And, its two heads.  Show respect… earn respect.

Labor 3: Erymanthian Boar: You are not boring

Hercules is ordered to capture the boar…not kill it.  The lesson here is things are not always what they appear.  It would have been easier to kill the boar because capturing it alive meant our hero had to carry the beast back on his shoulders.

Do you find yourself carrying others?  Do others ride your coat tail? Does that bore you?  Don’t let it. You will rise to the top if you stay the course and continue to lead by example.   Ask yourself why someone rides your coat tail.  Could the answer be admiration? As leaders, we all must, at times, carry the boar. Stand proud that others want to be part of your coat tail.

 Labor 4: Ceryneian Hind: You got skills. Use them!

Heracles captures an incredibly fast deer with golden horns.  The Hind is sacred so Hercules pursues it for almost a year to capture it unharmed.  Using his clever skills and patience, he capture the sacred creature. Moral…if the result is worth it, use your skills to secure it…it is worth the time you take to earn it.

Labor 5: Augean Stables: Get to the bottom of it

The Augean stables are owned by a lazy lord who does not clean up after his oxen. The stables are filled with massive amounts of dung, and guess who has to clean it up? Do you ever fill like you have to “clean things up” for those that don’t take care of their oxen? Don’t get mad... get curious. Why don’t they care for the oxen?  Do they not know how?  Are they lazy?  Are they hurt is some way?  Are they afraid of the oxen? Do they not have clear outlined and attainable goals set for them in oxen maintenance?  Do they understand the oxen maintenance schedule/goals? Behind the dung is an answer. Get curious and dig to find it.

Labor 6: Stymphalian Birds: Be the person everyone wants to hear

Good grief… man-eating birds.  Is there no end to mythical creatures?  Constant chatter and “noise” can scare away anything.  Are you a person who always has the need to say something even if it is just to hear yourself talk?  Yes, contribute, please. But words with empty thoughts are simply noise and will frighten the flock.

Hercules uses a pair of bronze castanets to drive the man-eating birds far away. The noise of the clattering castanets frightened the birds, who flew as one into the air. Hercules shot with his arrows a great many of them, while the others quickly fled the scene.

Labor 7: The Cretan Bull: Don’t be a dumper

This insane, fire-breathing bull was kept as a pet by King Minos of Crete. Heracles had little trouble wrestling this mad beast to the ground and bringing it back to the king… mission accomplished. The king, not big on a fire-breathing bull as a pet, sets it loose to terrorize the land. Are you a dumper?  When the going gets tough do you dump the project on someone else?  Instead, find those who can help you tame that fire.

Labor 8: Horses of Diomedes: Lead by example

"Capturing Horses," you say, "That doesn't seem too hard."  Well…it just so happens that these horses are man-eaters.  See #5…cousins to the birds. That's right... King Diomedes is in the habit of feeding his horses the flesh of people that get on his nerves.  Now, now… don’t get any ideas.  You cannot feed your coworkers who get on your nerves to the “sharks”.   A herd of horses naturally follow its leader. If the leader feeds them flesh, they become flesh-eating horses. As leaders, we have the very difficult task of identifying the sources of disruption, eliminate those practices, and “feed” the team vision and truth rather than fear and mistrust.

Labor 9: The Belt of Hippolyta: Diplomacy is often the best policy

The queen on the Amazons.  Oh, to be tall with long legs!

I love this labor.  It shows that it pays to be nice. Heracles goes to their queen and asks her nicely for her belt. Amazingly, she agrees.  Things get complicated next… but for our story…remember, it is not always just what you say, it is how you say it.

Labor 10: Cattle of Geryon: Strike with vigor

Geryon, is a giant with three bodies and three sets of legs all connected at the waist. It's Heracles' job to fetch Geryon's beautiful herd of cattle, which are colored red by the sunset.  Another one of my favorites.  KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE.  Do not become distracted by the obstacles that block your way to the goal. There will ALWAYS be giants with 6 legs and oceans to cross. Focus on the beautiful end result. And, trust in those that can help. If, after a long journey, we are confronted with a giant, a two-headed dog, and a three-bodied winged monster, all of which block our path to our goal, we must strike back with conviction. Strike with vigor and gather the confidence to overcome the two-headed dog of indecision or whatever other big freakish obstacle that you may face.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­--------------------------------------------------------------

Whoa, wait a minute. There's only supposed to be ten labors, right?  When Heracles gets back with the red cattle of Geryon, the King pulls a fast one on him. The wimpy king tells Heracles that he's not going to count the killing of the Hydra or Augean stables because he had help.  Well, the king never said he couldn’t have help.  Hint: unclear, misunderstood goals always cause more labor(s).

Labor 11: The Golden Apples of the Hesperides: Keep your wits about you

The trick on Atlas. We all know Atlas. He holds up the world.  We all need a break from holding up our worlds and we may lose our edge, if we don’t stay focused.

Heracles must now fetch some golden apples from the nymphs known as the Hesperides, who were said to represent the sunset. To get the apples, Heracles enlists the help of the Titan Atlas, who is doomed by Zeus to hold the sky up on his back. Heracles tells Atlas that he'll hold the sky up for a little while if the Titan wouldn't mind fetching some of those lovely golden apples. Atlas, who is seriously sick of holding up the sky, agrees. When Atlas comes back with the apples, however, he suggests that Hercules keep the sky on his shoulders while Atlas delivers the apples to the king.

Heracles thinks this sounds suspiciously like a trick. Our hero "agrees" with Atlas, but tells the Titan to take back the sky for just a minute while he puts a pad on his shoulders to ease his burden. When Atlas takes the sky back, Hercules says, "See ya!" and heads off with the apples.  

Labor 12: Cerberus: No one likes to be in the dark

The three-headed hound, Cerberus, who guards the gates of the underworld is Hercules’ last labor. You have a Cerberus don’t you?  We all do. You know… the one who looks at you like you have 3 heads when you are proposing a solution or working on a new project.  We must figuratively grab those doubters and naysayers.  Listen objectively to their points. But stand by your ideas. Converse and negotiate until they agree to come out into the light to see a shared view. Then set them free.

By all accounts, Hercules was Ancient Greece's consummate hero---part superman, part everyman. He took responsibility for his mistakes. He was a critical thinker, courageous, indomitable, and often alone in his fight against the tyrannies of the world.  Twelve myths, day-to-day job duties, new projects, regulations, revenue targets, all can be considered labors. Yes, we are all faced with Herculean tasks every day. Think through problems, be courageous, and know your team has your back. There’s a hero in all of us.
  

Begin Again: Just go for it, follow your passions

I saw a well-acted movie that was fun!  And ladies, it has Adam Levine in it.  Could it be bad??  It isn’t. It’s actually very good. And, the lessons learned while tapping your toe to the music is all summed up in the title – Begin Again.

To begin again after any disappointment, even in business, each of us must dig deep into our character and define what we want and how we define success and failure for ourselves.  And, more importantly, never use someone else’s definition of success. If you are a person who strives to exceed expectations in everything you do, but are told continuously that you simply meet expectations you may begin to see yourself burdened with failures. Don’t let those who continuously define you by their definitions, break your passion. If you believe in yourself and your passions then make your own destiny.  Failure is the opportunity to begin again, smarter than before. So... Fail often. Fail fast. Clean it up. Learn from it. Move on. Repeat.

Every single adult, at one time or another, experiences going in one direction and then things implode. Success is about picking yourself up and finding an opportunity to press on, never losing those characteristics that make you the person you are.

They are always people who will want to bring you down. Once you realize this and accept it, life becomes a little easier. There are also those who will support you through all the crashes, burns and revivals. These supporters may be disheveled with demons of their own. But they are sincere and nonjudgmental. Never begin again without them at your side. Destiny has company!

Stand fast and hard to your beliefs and ideas. Work with people in a collaborative way to improve and expand ideas. And, most importantly and most difficult, when your ideas are challenged, gather the courage to defend them with the ultimate goal to improve them.

 

Those who disappoint you will come and go. Only you will be with you for the long haul. It is never too early or too late to learn to believe in yourself.  If you doubt that belief…stop…and begin again.

   

Failure is Not An Option… Really??

I love critical thinkers. But know so few.  Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fair-minded way.  Critical thinkers are engaging. People who think critically consistently attempt to live rationally, reasonably, empathically. 

Apollo 13 is the best film that I have ever seen that demonstrates vision, sacrifice, commitment, talent, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, lack of blame, and passion in a team environment. Don’t you wish the team in the Apollo 13 movie was your team? 

Get Your Shots or You’ll Miss the Fun

Just 72 hours before the scheduled launch of Apollo 13, Ken Mattingly was removed from the mission and replaced by Jack Swigert from the back-up crew as Command Module Pilot. Charlie Duke, also from the back-up crew caught the measles from one of his children, and exposed Mattingly — the only other member of either the prime or back-up crews who were not immune to the disease. If Mattingly were to come down with the measles, he might contract it while alone in the Command Module while Jim Lovell and Fred Haise were walking on the Moon.

We are all busy. But your health must come first. Take care of you so you can take care of your business, your employees, your patients. Don’t cancel those screening tests.

Plan well! Failure Could Be an Option

Any thought of loss of human life certainly deserves the famous statement verbalized by Gene Krantz – Failure is not an option.  And, of course, in Gene’s case the situation was life or death.  But, many of us do not face those life threatening situations. Many times a risk must be taken. Hey, with risk comes the potential for failure. Will every project or initiative be a success? I sure hope so – but I doubt so.  Does that mean you never take the risk? No. You need to plan and plan well. I have always maintained the best plans are worthless without execution, but that does not undermine the importance of planning. Executing without a solid plan is not executing, it is just experimenting. So, stop making it up as you go. Plan. Prepare. Execute.

Conflicts happen. Get the focus back!

Conflicts cannot always be avoided. Conflicts may not always be harmful. As a leader it is important to ensure that the conflict does not get the better of the larger vision or goal. During team conflicts, keep the focus on the goal. That goal most likely has an impact on the individuals in the conflict. 

The Team – Right Individuals

Teamwork is critical and each individual must understand and realize why he or she is a critical part of the team. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. A team is like a chain and the weak links must be corrected or removed. As important as it is to have the right members on the team, it is also equally important to ensure that each team member understands his part in the team and has a sense of accountability with respect to his or her deliverable. Ask yourself: “Am I the weakest link on my team?”

Remember, conflict, crisis and churn is most likely a result of the process and not the people. In the case of Apollo 13, it was found that the cause of the loss of the spacecraft was an explosion that occurred because of a defective wire connecting a fan used to stir liquid oxygen. The insulation on the wire burned, triggering the explosion. No astronaut was at fault. 

Vision, sacrifice, commitment, talent, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, lack of blame and passion. Does this describe you and your team?

Spidey Sense

It’s summer blockbuster season. A good super hero movie is bound to make its debut.

 

Spiderman is one of my favorite superheroes. He wasn’t born a superhero, like Superman.

 

Spiderman acquired his powers suddenly as a young adult, through a quirk of fate. Very similar to the way most people become leaders. And the core principles that make Spiderman a force for good in the world are pretty much exactly the same ones that can make leaders a force for good in an organization.

 

Number one on that list…. Trust your spidey sense. The definition of spidey sense is simple -- intuition, instinct. Leaders must trust their instincts. Your spidey sense tingles when you feel a strong sense of something being wrong, suspicious, or false. I call it quirky.  Many people will try to rationalize the quirkiness you sense by defending the situation because of a “personality” involved.   Heads up, or 8 legs up, friends –your spidey sense is not fooled.  Leadership is the ability to cling to walls, superhuman strength, perfect balance and equilibrium, as well as, superhuman speed and agility. Also, be aware that the person next to you may use the same spidey sense but get very different information from it and may choose a very different response as the one your consider.  Your own spidey sense has a directional component and can guide you to or away from hidden weapons and disguised enemies (get it?).

 

With great power comes great responsibility. This is the one everybody knows; Spidey’s credo, shared by his dying Uncle Ben.  It really should be core to every leader’s thinking. As you gain power in an organization, you have increasing opportunity to make decisions and act in ways that are selfish, short-sighted, and reactive (and that hurt others, either personally or professionally). However, you can also choose to make decisions and behave in ways that are generous, far-sighted, thoughtful…that support others’ growth and success. Great leaders know that they have a deep human obligation to use the gift of power for the greater good. Leaders must put a sticky web tape around the words “I” and “My”.  As a leader, it is “We” and “Our”.

 

Be who you are. The thing about Peter Parker that stands out the most is his desire to be honest - to do the right thing-and even when he sometimes fails in that quest, he manages to pick himself up and keep moving ahead.

 

When Peter Parker is catapulted into the world of a superhero by that bite from a radioactive spider, he struggled with his new identity. It took him a while to figure out how to be himself – geeky, smart, compassionate, shy -- and still be a superhero. Most of us who get thrown into leadership roles go through a similar struggle. Good leaders realize that there are skills and capabilities they must learn and practice in order to be effective leaders and managers. But they also know that they are who they are….and that’s a good thing. The leaders who people want to follow aren’t trying to be somebody else, some made-up version of who they think they should be as a leader. That always feels fake. Good leaders are comfortable in their own skin, confident in their own gifts – and that allows everyone around them to operate in the same high flying way.  Ahhh… my favorite word – confidence!

 

Do good things even if you don’t get the credit. Spiderman is often misunderstood and maligned. The local newspaper goes through phases of thinking he’s a villain; people question his motives; mothers tell their kids not to emulate him. But he keeps on fighting crime (even though he sometimes gets disheartened). Good leaders don’t do the right thing just because their boss is watching, and they don’t stop doing the right thing when nobody’s noticing or when someone else gets the credit. They do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do…even when it’s hard. And that demonstration of courage and integrity inspires others to behave in the same way, shifting the whole axis of the company toward trustworthiness.

“Not everyone is meant to make a difference. But for me, the choice to lead an ordinary life is no longer an option.”

--Spiderman and You