I’m a pretty serious person by nature. I can be funny, I like to laugh, and I know laughter is good for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Nonetheless, I can get so caught up in my work that the opportunity for laughter seems to get squeezed right out. So, one of my goals for 2012 is to laugh more. The result of establishing this goal has been pretty amazing! I am more aware of my laughing and pause to enjoy the circumstances more completely. I have been paying attention to my most reliable sources of laughter and seek to incorporate them into my life more regularly. I noticed that I laugh more on weekends and so I have intentionally added a few minutes of laughter to my mornings with inputs such as the book “The New Yorker’s Rejection Collection.” I find myself smiling while driving to and from client meetings. Friends and acquaintances are sending me jokes and links to funny videos. I am happier. And, most amazing of all, I am remembering jokes for the retelling for the first time in my life! This is one of the simplest and most rewarding goals I’ve ever established for myself. If you could use more laughter in your life, set a goal, tell people around you, and start looking for those opportunities to smile and chuckle.
I am frequently contacted by long-time readers of my Clear Thoughts™ newsletter wishing I could help their organizations. This just happened several times in the past few weeks and in each case, the situation was the same: The loyal reader would love to hire me but doesn’t have the authority The person with the authority has never heard of me and doesn’t think a consultant is the answer The reader has generously shared my newsletters with direct reports and peers The reader has never shared upwards This leaves the reader feeling frustrated beyond belief and wondering how to get the boss to give me a call. Here is what you can do to prevent this from happening to you!
Easthampton, MA – Ann Latham will be presenting a full-day workshop on “Uncommon Commitment” in Minneapolis on September 26th. The event will be held at the Earle Brown Center and is sponsored by PMI-Minnesota. “The value of commitment is generally understood,” says Latham. “With commitment, you can accomplish amazing things. Without it, the simplest initiatives become stormy, iceberg-filled seas.”
My husband is developing a fondness for moss. After several years of trying to get grass to grow where moss thrives, he is finally learning to respect and welcome the moss. Why anyone would ever expect grass to be a universal solution for yards is beyond me, but that is the American way and it can be hard to shake these preconceived notions for how things should be done and how they should look. Grass simply can’t be expected to thrive in every possible situation. Preconceived notions do not just drive ludicrous lawn longings. They also drive daily business habits. Where are you trying to fill a round hole with a square peg? Where are you insisting on consistency for the sake of consistency? Where are your expectations for employees causing nothing more than frustration for them and you? Where are you striving for “green lawn” goals that aren’t really very important? Where are you hoping practice will make perfect despite no progress? If something isn’t working, stop doing it! Reexamine both the goal and your approach. If only moss will grow in your shady, sandy yard, learn to love the moss!
East Greenwich, RI – The Society for the Advancement of Consulting® has asked its global members to to comment on what, if anything, for-profits can learn from non-profits. “Peter Drucker claimed the Girl Scouts were the best run organization in the U.S.,” says SAC® CEO Alan Weiss, PhD. “so why don’t we examine what can be learned and transferred?”
Welcome to the Clarity Quiz! Under what conditions does email make sense over a phone call or face-to-face conversation? When you have a straight forward question that requires an answer When you have a straight forward answer to a question asked of you When you want to confirm, document, or disseminate a decision, plan, or assignment When you are confident one email exchange will resolve your issue All of the above and only the above Under many, many more circumstances Make your selection and then read on to see if you are correct.
I was inspired to watch Undercover Boss for the first time last night because of my connections and proximity to Yankee Candle. The show obviously provides fabulous publicity, though there is no way for me to know how much of that the CEO and team can control. My experience during more than twenty years of corporate life is that lots of rewards come to those in the right place at the right time. One of the employees alluded to this. Sometimes the motivation is indefensible – discrimination, nepotism, and more. Other times it is mostly luck – getting on a high profile project or unusually talented team. And sometimes, it seems to be a combination of human nature and unaware managers – rewarding the masterful fire fighter who saves the day while forgetting about those who quietly and consistently produce solid results. Harlan Kent certainly reinforced that belief that it pays to be in the right place at the right time. A few employees got really lucky to be part of the show. But they aren’t the only employees at Yankee Candle who work hard, take pride in their work and the company, and face personal challenges. I’d love to see them make all their other employees feel as lucky to be working for Yankee Candle. Imagine if everyone got the mentoring they needed to find a rewarding job, the acknowledgment they deserve for their effort and care, and the extra support that would help overcome personal obstacles! Imagine the loyalty, productivity, and customer care that would ensue!
We haven’t paid an electric bill in over two years and are proud of it! Why? Because we’ve had a credit on our Western Massachusetts Electric Company account since April of 2010 thanks to the energy production of our photovoltaic panels and our careful efforts to minimize our energy usage. By producing more energy than we use, something many told us we could not do, we not only avoid contributing to the growing demand for energy, we also help WMECO meet the energy needs of others. Our monthly statement, showing growing credit, is the kind of tangible feedback I discuss with my clients because it encourages desired behaviors – the continued efforts to minimize energy usage. Everyone wins when the sun shines and we turn off unnecessary lights and power strips, hang heavy jeans and towels in the sun to dry, and ensure the oven, burners, and other appliances aren’t running hotter and longer than necessary. At least you would think everyone would win. Truth be told, that growing credit on our bill provides no financial incentive because WMECO doesn’t ever have to send us a check, no matter how big the number becomes, no matter how many foggy, wintery days worth of consumption our credit would cover, no matter how much of our neighbor’s electricity we are providing while WMECO is billing. Pride and conscience will continue to motivate us because they always have. However, while WMECO and the rest of the industry spends lots of time and money dreaming up new energy reduction programs, it is pretty ironic that they are actually encouraging us to increase our consumption!
You’ve heard people talk about watching for the writing on the wall. They say that if you see signs that your days with a company are numbered, you should start looking for another job. Too many people are blind-sided or do nothing, even when the signs are clear. I agree. You must be alert to what is going on around you. But that is only half the problem. You need to take a good look in the mirror as well. Are you excited about your work? Are you learning important skills? Are you contributing effectively? If you aren’t operating at the intersection of your company’s needs, your passion, and your skills, and you don’t expect to be doing so any time soon, start looking elsewhere. Employment is a two-way street. Don’t abdicate responsibility to silver platters and pink slips. No one else is responsible for your career. No one else is going to make you sure you have a rewarding career.