As my reputation for creating clarity has grown, I’ve been getting more and more phone calls and emails from people around the world asking if I would consider doing tele seminars. The number of requests has finally hit the tipping point, and thus, here it is! We’ve Got to Stop Meeting Like This! – 10 Surprising Reasons for Wasteful Meetings August 6, 2013 at 12:00 noon EDT Space is limited – register now to reserve your seat. Nothing to lose – this one’s on me! In addition to the live event, registrants will also receive an MP3 download of the presentation. Even if you are busy on the 6th, you can still benefit from these tips. My abhorrence of wasteful meetings, coupled with the frequency with which this topic has been requested, drove the selection of this first presentation. Future tele seminars will address productivity, accountability, strategic clarity, simplicity, motivation, and much, much more. Read my Clear Thoughts™ newsletter each month so you don’t miss a single one.
I had a great time on WWLP’s MassAppeal recently. Watch me in this television segment on getting a child to clean his room!
Just before the Bruins lost in game six of the Stanley Cup play-offs, I told my husband that I was worried because they had started playing not to lose. They were backing up and being cautious. I was cringing. That is not the way to win! It is not even the way to play it safe! A few weeks earlier, the Wall Street Journal wrote about US businesses becoming more risk averse. This does not bode well for our country. I’ve seen it myself when talking with clients from many industries and companies of varying size. People are finding it harder to make decisions and invest where it will make a difference. Granted, the world is increasingly complex. We face ever more and ever more complicated decisions. Those decisions include abundant opportunity, yet bad news dominates the press. Fear paralyzes. Many play not to lose. By doing so, they are missing opportunities and squandering the most precious and finite resource – time. Meanwhile, the Dow has more than doubled since 2009, housing prices and housing starts are both up, and unemployment is dropping. Profits remain high and cash is being stashed. Those who seek good news and see opportunity, where others see gloom, are constantly evaluating their options, taking prudent risks, and moving ahead. While they may not score with every shot, their willingness to act, learn, and adjust with confidence and determination will keep them in the game. So quit reading all the bad news. Develop a strong game plan and support it with the necessary investments. Keep your eye on the puck, admit your mistakes, learn, adjust, and persist. Play to win. The alternative will never make you a champion.
I haven’t made a grasshopper pie in years but this hot weather just begs for it. Let’s see. Marshmallows Heavy cream Butter Oreos – must be some protein in that chocolate! Creme de Menthe – green is always nutritious, right? Creme de Cacao – more chocolate? Milk – good enough for babies, good enough for me! Grasshopper pie is obviously a health food! Seriously now. The marshmallows are made of corn syrup and sugar. The package has a huge label reading FAT FREE! Is this: Brilliant advertising Someone’s idea of a joke Proof that Americans are gullible, stupid, or both Repulsive All of the above What do you think?
“How old is Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks?” “Remind me to call my sister tomorrow at 6:00.” “Tell Erika ‘Please send me your flight number.’” “Schedule time tomorrow from 8:00 to 10:00 for writing.” “Where is the Dow?” I can be out walking, in the car, or at my desk and Siri does these things for me faster than I can do them for myself. How cool is that!?!? I love Siri! So glad I updated to an iPhone 5!
“Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.” Colin Powell
What is your first reaction? And then, how many explanations can you come up with? Careless No attention to detail Stupid Blind Colorblind Doesn’t care Didn’t think it mattered Hoping to get fired Artistic flair Trying to get supervisor in trouble Mosquito attack End of a long day Too drunk to notice Broken back Hit by a car Chased away by a bear Someone else hit by a car Downpour Tool that lifts manholes fell in as the lid dropped Demands equality It is always worth asking before you assume or blame.
I’m frequently asked about the difference between objectives and goals. My response: Who cares! This is not a distinction worthy of discussion. Here is why: Do you know what you are trying to accomplish? Is your definition of success sufficiently clear and specific so it will be obvious when you have achieved it? Do you have a reasonable deadline from which to work backward in scheduling your work? Are you committed to success, including knowing what is of lesser importance and may need to be put aside in order to succeed? If yes to all four, you are in good shape whether you think you have goals, objectives, both, or neither. If not, you won’t get anywhere regardless of whether you think you have goals, objectives, both, or neither. Debating the difference between goals and objectives is as useless as most goals and objectives because most goals and objectives don’t meet these four criteria.
Welcome to the Clarity Quiz! What is the best way to motivate your employees? Reward them financially Recognize them in public Recognize them in private Remove obstacles to progress Give them jobs they love Explain the value of success Make your selection and then read more.
Executives: Listen up! Many of your best employees are out interviewing. How do I know this? Because lots of them contact me before they take that step. They read my newsletter or hear me speak and see that I could help. They are tired of banging their heads against the lack of clarity, communication, commitment, and progress. Without the authority to hire me themselves, they can only make suggestions to receptive ears, share my newsletter, or try to introduce me to someone who can make a difference. Since they are unwilling to risk their jobs, they rarely blurt out the truth. When they’ve had enough, they move on.