Purposeful Busyness

Thomas Edison was not only an inventor - he was a scholar.

Yes, the very same man that invented the phonograph - which is like the Marlin to the Nemos of CDs and iPods; the motion picture camera, which is like the Mufasa to the Simbas of DVDs and YouTube; the light bulb, which is like the Triton to the Little Mermaids of lamps and porch lights; and more than 1,000 other things, which is like the Pongo and Perdita to the 101 Dalmations of civilization - was also a brilliant thinker, observer, and author. (And unlike me, I'm sure, wouldn't use Disney characters to connect his creations.)

As proof of Edison's multi-faceted talent ... and more specifically, to his gift of thought and penmanship ... check out this awesome display of insight, and wordsmithing. Edison wrote:

"Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment - and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing."

C'mon now: tell me that's not one of the greatest, spot-on, you-got-that-right, quotes you've ever read!? It's also timely, given the dynamics of today as it relates to the assumption of "entitlement." You know - people thinking that they deserve things because, well, they just deserve them because they think they're "busy"- regardless of having the right busyness and the right perspective, attitude, aptitude, mindfulness (i.e. PAAM).

In other words, it's imperative at work, and for the most part, at life - that we have tangible purpose behind our busyness. Work and life are too important, too valuable, too short, too special, and if I may, too God-given - to just "dial-it-in" or just "go-through-the-motions." That type of busyness is not only a waste - it's wrong, and detrimental.

Busy for the sake of just being busy is bad.

Purposeful busyness is good.

Smiles, Giggles, Laughter, and Happiness

I don't know about you, but doesn't it feel good to smile, grin, giggle, and laugh. Yea, you bet ... it feels good, to feel good. Now, before you give me one of those "no-duh, like, that's not an epiphany" rebuttals, let's just let this one play out for a bit, okay (humor me, if you will ;)

While I realize most humans love a good laugh, and appreciate the upside of positive repartee - the fact of the matter is we take these gifts for granted. We do; it's true; and we know it.

And that's the problem, and why we need to take silliness seriously, and not just in a goofy hat/fake mustache/funny glasses wearing kinda way; although that'll work. For proof, check-out the August issue of Ode magazine. (If you don't subscribe to this wonderful, genuinely exceptional magazine - you must - you simply must, must, must!) In it, they share some incredible stories (all real, and all with factual information) of how laughter and happiness heals, unifies, empowers, inspires, motivates, educates, cleanses, and purifies the body, mind, heart and soul.

It's true. The empirical data is there; the facts are real; there is no debate: Laughter is good medicine. And as important, its critical for our social evolution. Example: Two Neanderthals walk into a bar, order drinks, sit down, and listen to the chattering, laughing crowd. Suddenly, one turns to the other and whispers. "Try to stay cool, but this is one of those Homo Sapiens joints." For those keeping score at home, the punch line stems around how would a Neanderthal know that he was in a Homo Sapiens joint? Well, because of the laughter, and good cheer.

So, unless you're a Neanderthal (sadly, we still have 'em) - you'll appreciate and embrace that to enlighten up, we need to lighten up. And for all of you negative pundits who may not agree with the importance of smiles, laughter and good cheer - I'll let this picture say it for me (so there!)

Susan Sparkes - an acclaimed author, comedian, and pastor of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church (her sermons are often humorous, like "Lord Grant me Patience, and Make it Snappy" ) - says that, "Laughter is the GPS system of the soul. Humor offers a revolutionary yet simple spiritual paradigm. If you can laugh at yourself, you can forgive yourself. And if you can forgive yourself, you can forgive others. Laughter heals and grounds us in a place of hope. It fosters intimacy and honesty in our relationships with each other, and with God. And isn't that what grace is all about?"

Indeed.

Smiles, Giggles, Laughter, and Happiness Are Good!

Information Rules & Economics Wins

Excuse me while I let this out: ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

So, why the angst, you ask? Well, for one, thanks for asking, and two, in doing what I do, I often get asked to evaluate new and existing companies. Looked at 3 just today. The problem is that lots of these companies fail to deliver on the two most fundamental truths:

Information Rules and Economics Wins

Yes, and it's also a requirement to have good products and/or services - that people want to buy. And good operations - that can deliver, service, and support the products, services and customers. And most of all, good people - that get their jobs done with smiles, and effectiveness. But ... that's just common sense, right? (Although like dad says: common sense is not so common.)

Seriously, I look at way too many businesses that just don't give me the information, nor the math, that I need to make a rationalized opinion, let alone a decision. Now, of the two issues, the one that gives me the most heartburn, and literally drives me nuts, bonkers, looney tunes - is the math part. I mean really, I'm starting to feel like Jack Nicholson dealing with Nurse Ratched in the movie, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.

Here's the deal: In business, we need to do the math. (Most) everything needs to be explained, measured and justified through math. If we can’t do the financial analysis; measure and show proof-positive results (or expected results) using real numbers that establish and prove true profit - than we don’t do the business, unless we’re willing to take big risks. At the very least, we have to modify our thinking. And if we can’t do the detailed math to rationalize and justify new investments, or new products, or new strategies, or new employees, or new equipment - then we don’t. We save our money.

Companies cannot be started, managed or grown on just theory and speculation. They can’t just be built on good intentions, well-written strategy, or eloquent business plans. I don’t care if you’re a tiny, home-based business - or a small, mid size or Fortune 1000 corporation – you’ve got to do the math. At the same time, numbers don’t always tell the whole story. While numbers shouldn’t lie in-and-of-themselves, they’re not always accurate and don’t always tell the truth (it’s been said that 62% of all stats are worthless, and 20% suspect.) Numbers aren’t always black or white, or fit neatly into rows, columns and spreadsheets. They may need in-depth explanations because they can be interpreted in many different ways - depending on the view, expertise and background of the reporter, and the interpreter.

Net/net - information rules and economics wins.

But you know that already, right!?

Speaking of math, let's play a counting game. Goes like this:

1) Pick your Favorite number between 1- 9,
2) Then multiply that number by 3,

3) Then add 3 to that number,

4) Then multiply that number by 3,

4) Now you should get a 2 digit number,
5) Finally, add those two digits together

Now, take your final number, and match it to the number below, to see how it assigns you with the appropriate "old-school-playground-name-calling" (yea, I got some growing up to do).

1. You're a goof 2. You're a dork 3. You're a dweeb 4. You're a scatterbrain 5. You're a freak 6. You're a spazoid 7. You're a goober 8. You're a bonehead 9. You're awesome 10. You're a bozo

So - how'd you do? Don't tell me, I know the answer. 

Awesome is Good (and so is good information, and good math)!

There's Not An App For Good Leadership

Ya gotta love those Apple iPhone commercials. You know, the ones that use that catchy, oh-so hip, bumper sticker/sound-bite tag line: "There's an app for that." It's a great slogan: simple, and tight - yet expressive enough, that we get it. In fact, it's almost magical - in that those five little words, strung together like they are - imply that there's a quick, inexpensive, downloadable way to do, well, pretty much whatever you need done. How cool's that!?

Now, while there may be lots of phenomenal "apps" for doing lots of things - there's not an app for good leadership. Nope. Don't work that way. Good leadership can't be downloaded. And as great as books and tapes and videos on leadership are - it can't be attained in short order or by reading and watching alone. It takes time. It takes work. It takes commitment. It takes a lot.

But don't take my word for it - check it out yourself. Do you think these character traits of good leadership can be downloaded, read in, watched in, or accomplished in short order:

GOOD LEADERS HAVE …

Integrity, they are ethical, humble and trustworthy.

Good leaders are stractical, they’re good with both strategy and being tactical.

Good leaders set realistic, fact-based, and achievable expectations, goals, and objectives.

Good leaders execute. They get things done, on-time and on budget.

Good leaders comprehend the economics. They do the math, and know how to measure.

Good leaders are productive, and like productivity, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.

Good leaders are good collaborators and communicators. They’re understandable.

Good leaders achieve quick, short-term wins. Here and now.

Good leaders are energetic and motivated. They work hard and have fun with it.

Good leaders are team players. They are empathetic, likable and others-oriented.

Good leaders anticipate, adapt and adopt. They’re flexible.

Good leaders are accountable. They are organized and coordinated. They deliver.

Good leaders think outside, and inside “the box”: They get momentum and progress.

Good leaders are knowledgeable. They have real skills and broad perspectives.

Good leaders have conviction and are committed. They work hard and smart.

Good leaders keep things simple, not simplistic. And they know the difference.

Good leaders have a cause. It’s about more than just making money.

Good leaders are authentic. They have humble confidence and positive pragmatism.

Good leaders do the hard and soft stuff. They can manage the books, and feelings.

Good leaders listen intently. They hear what people say, and what they mean.

Good leaders rally for good change. They justify, promote, manage, and deliver change.

Good leaders are comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty. They also like details.

Good leaders handle the pressure. They’re thick skinned and cool under duress.

Good leaders have solid memories. They remember and forget - appropriately.

Good leaders are self-critical. They know that they make mistakes and can improve.

Good leaders reprimand in private and praise in public.

Good leaders know when enough is enough. They put first things first.

Good leaders are good coaches. They want and nurture more good leaders.

Good leaders appreciate and promote a balanced life with regard to work and family.

Good leaders are also diplomatic, persistent and persevering, agreeable, unassuming, calm, polite, good-humored, exciting and excited, helpful, thoughtful, competitive, steady, brave, self-starter, conscientious, earnest, flexible, resolute, tolerant, spirited, cheerful, inclusive, congenial, patient, responsive, trusting, optimistic, loyal, and consistent. (I know ... breath Scott ... breath.)

No doubt, those are a lot of characteristics, qualities, and attributes that go into being a good leader. And let's be honest: no human has all of those listed above - at least not at the same time, place, and level that they want. That's why being a good leader, is all about continuously becoming a better leader. And better. And better. And better. It's an evolutionary, lifelong journey; so you better pack a snack, and bring along a change of underwear.

But seriously, that's why good leadership takes constant effort. Because for now, there ain't no app - at least not yet. (Anybody got Steve Jobs number?)

Good Leadership is Good (and worth the effort).

Holding The Family Ladder - Together

On a recent weekend - it rained a lot. I mean like buckets, and buckets, and buckets of big, ugly, smelly, snarling cats and dogs.

At the height of the downpour - I noticed upon driving into my garage, that the gutter above was clogged; the water was trapped, and the gutter was about to break away from the house (which made me think, that maybe there actually was a big, ugly, smelly, snarling cat and dog sitting in my gutter).

Needless to say - it wasn't good; I needed to take action. So I grabbed my ladder, propped it up against the house in the drenching rain, and started to climb - only to chicken out half way up as the rain pelted, the wind howled, and I was rocked by the scary memory of once falling off a ladder, two story's high, and breaking several ribs. Ouch!

More truth be told, the fact that I wasn't able to climb the ladder by myself, really bothered me. Not only did it bother me that I didn't have the courage to step up, and fix this dire problem - but it also bothered me in my manhood/fatherhood/husbandhood as my family looked on, and I felt selfishly inadequate. "Man-up, you fool!" I said to myself, only to hear myself reply, "But what if you fall, land on the driveway, and break your neck. Smarten-up, you fool!"

And then - it happened. My wife called for the kids, and they all came out into the rain to hold the ladder for me, thereby giving me the courage, confidence and motivation to climb the ladder .... pull out the dastardly tennis balls that were clogging the drains (it wasn't cats or dogs after all; go figure) ... and fix the gutter before it came crashing down.

When I got off the ladder, we rejoiced! We danced, and laughed, and shouted with joy. It was awesome. Although cold and wet, we all felt great. (Albeit the neighbors probably thought we were off our rocker; but that's okay, it's good to be goofy.)

The family did it!

Together, as a family, we got the job done.

As a family, together.

And while I believe it's my job, as a husband and father, to hold the literal and/or metaphorical ladder of life for my wife and kids (it's an ego/ DNA thing) - sometimes, I need them to hold it for me. And for that - I thank them, appreciate them, and love them.

Holding The Family Ladder Together is Good.