Be Professional

Watched the premiere episode of The Apprentice.  Once again, was appalled by some of the contestants' pathetic lack of manners.  Seriously, where do they get some of these people from, and why them? (I think we know the answer, as it is sur-reality TV after all; but let's let this one play out for a while.)

If it's to to make business people look like idiots; or make us cringe to think that this is acceptable common-place "board-room" behavior; or imply that the office environment is wrought with arrogant superficiality, petty cat-fighting, divisive name-calling, cowardly back-stabbing, with the occasional off-handed compliment - then they are doing a good (but unfortunate) job.

Sure, bad behavior happens at work.  But that's not the norm.   

That said, to anyone in corporate America, especially young new employees, who thinks the ugly sensationalized behavior overly displayed on The Apprentice is okay, let alone tolerated in most companies - think again. It's not. That show should have both a viewer discretion AND a warning label like they put on unhealthy products. That label should read: "Made for TV only. Don't try this at work. (Unless you do actually want to be fired.)"

If I could give those TV contestants - as well as those real-life contestants that need it - one easy-to-live-by-easy-to-remember piece of advice, it would be this: Be Professional.  Please.      

Being Professional is Good.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

We've all heard the expression: "loose lips sink ships." While the saying might be a little old-school (I first heard this one from my grandpa), it still applies today. Boy does it ever.

The reality is, there's an abundance of ways in which folks can lose their lips, and without even speaking, i.e. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Blogging, You Tube, and texting to name a few silent lip movers. Heck - social networking is even worse than the spoken word, as words can be forgotten (and denied) - while all that other stuff gets recorded, and in theory, can be accessed (and hard to deny) by intended and unintended ears and eyes forever.  Whoa is right!

In today's high-tech world ... coupled with our low-tech human nature to judge and impugn ... there are just way too many ways to say/text/blog too much, which can get us into a lot of trouble. So let's be careful when it comes to loose lips, or loose fingers, or loose videos, or anything loose that can lose us our jobs, or lose us a chance at a job.  It's just not worth it.   

When it comes to deciding whether or not something we say/text/blog/video - should be said/texted/blogged/videod - just remember the other oldie but goodie expression favored by moms: "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it." True that.

Loose Lips Are Bad.

The Knight Lesson Learned

10 years ago today, Bob Knight got fired from Indiana University. Heck, he was more than just fired, he was canned; got the boot; given the big-time heave-ho (kinda like he what he did to the chair in the picture). Frankly, the whole episode was ugly, sad and surreal (again, kinda like what he did in that picture).

Here's the bummer of the story.  You see, on the one hand, Bob Knight did good. If you know the "untold" Bob Knight story, he had/has commendable qualities. The deeds, attributes and accolades on and off the court are extensive. It's true.

On the other hand, he also did bad, acted bad and had bad judgment. All too often, he refused to play by the "zero tolerance" expectations set by the administration when it came to keeping his pushy/loud-mouth/I'm above it all/don't tell me what to do/my way or the highway/in your face/shoving/neck grabbing/arm pulling/tirade ridden behavior in check, and under control.

So what's the "Knight Lesson" you ask?  Well, that it's not about you (or me). It's about them: your team, colleagues, family, employers, customers and community. Sure, you (and me) have to show up and be a part of it all, and take care of making you (and me) the best we can be. But that's what you (and me) do behind the scenes. While we're on the proverbial clock and getting paid - make sure it's about them.  By being them-oriented; putting them first, and being dedicated to their success - we take care of ourselves along the way.  

Making It About You (And Me) Is Bad.

Making It About Them Is Good.

To Thyself Be True

Socrates famously said, "To Thyself Be True." Smart dude (albeit he was a little nutty, and by the looks of his picture, could use some sleep and a shave; but I think that was the trend back then.)  More recently, Harvard Business Review published an awesome article titled: For A Better Career - Look Inward. When you have time, I recommend that you give the article a thorough read. After all, it could play a big role when it comes to thriving.

In the meantime, here's the low down: To succeed at work, and life for that matter, you must first start with yourself.  While that might sound somewhat selfish or egocentric - it's not. After all, you can't be others oriented, let alone a servant leader - if you are not a "self-assessing" person yourself.

So, what are some of the key suggestions to help us better assess ourselves, well:

1) Reflect (think about who you are and whats going on)
2) Ask for feedback (get others people's opinions, even those you don't like)
3) Be honest about your shortcomings (in play on Jack Nicholson's famous quote from the movie A Few Good Men: you can handle the truth)
4) Highlight your contributions to the bottom line (its important to keep score)
5) Describe the ares in which you improved your shortcomings (personal and professional growth is evolutionary, not revolutionary; we should always e improving)
6) Don't be a thunder stealer (give credit where credit is do)

In addition to those recommendations, the article also suggests that we should think about the following questions as well: Is what I'm doing working? How can I make it better? Am I realistic about my capabilities? Have I fallen into any unproductive habits? Is any behavioral problem like temper, disconnectedness, undue optimism or unneeded anxiety getting in the way? Am I capitalizing on my strengths and correcting my weaknesses? Am I focusing on my priorities? Am I modeling the self-awareness that I expect of others? Am I studying the competition and the customers intently but neglecting to look inward?

Indeed, that's a boatload of stuff to think about. But the good news is, you don't have to get it done all at once. Take your time; be patient and have fun. What you don't want to is ignore it. That's a negative.

Self-assessment is a practiced skill. It takes time.  More so, it takes work.  How you choose to accept that work, is up to you.

Self-Assessment is Good.

Got GAME?

Candidly, I struggle with using sports cliches in business, or life.  Even worse: war cliches. (But hey, if you like 'em - knock yourself out).  That said,  I ran across this sports cliche/acronym the other day, and it really resonated with me.  I like it.         

So, since this is a team sport, I thought I'd call an audible; step to the plate; huddled-up; bounce the ball in your court; skate to where the puck's going; take the shot, and see if we can knock this one out of the park. ("DOH" says Homer. I just did it myself.) 

Above and beyond the parallel to action-oriented sports, this little ditty makes an acronym out of the word GAME - where the G stand for Governance (i.e. how we manage and relate), the A stands for Accountability's (i.e. our responsibilities and objectives ), the M stands for Means (i.e. our actions and resources to get things done), and the E stands for Ends (i.e. our results).           

When it comes to business, and life - GAME matters.  It's at the very core of what we do, why, and how we do it.  GAME counts.  

The next time someone asks if you got game; or your trying to figure out how to succeed at "the game" - think about the GAME acronym, and align/measure yourself to that.  It can only help. 

And remember, while there may not be an "I" in team, you can't spell team without an M and E.  (Sorry, I just had to get one more in there before the clock expired; into the penalty box I go.)            

GAME is Good.    

Teaching Moments

Recently, we've been hearing a lot about "teaching moments."  For the most part, the recent wave - make that a tsunami - of TM euphoria stems from the furor, hubbub and hullabaloo over the Shirley Sherrod saga (if you have to ask what that was, well, you must be a Patriots fan).  Indeed, the President himself  proclaimed it a teaching moment of epic proportion. 

That said, I'm concerned.  It seems that we've adopted an expression whose consequence implies that we can package something, that just can't be packaged - into a sound-bite, bumper-sticker dimension. 

And that something is LEARNING.  

You see, learning is constant.  It's fluid, streaming and never-ending (if done right).  It's not a "momentary" thing, as it should stay with us well past a moment.  Heck - we even do it in our sleep, and subconsciously when we are awake.  We are always learning, because we are living.   And if we are living, we should always be learning.   

Sure - teaching as an act has its place, time and space.  It has moments. 

But learning - that's continuous.  It's the gift that keeps on giving. 

Learning is Good.   

Structure Defined

In business, there are certain words that some like, and some don't.  Depending on your upbringing, schooling, career, job, company, and a host of other factors - certain words can be interpreted as good, or bad; likable, or unlikable - irrespective of their actual dictionary definition. 

A couple of words that pop to mind are systems, rules, process, and standards.  Personally, I like those words. But, I've seen them misplaced and misused (let alone misinterpreted) - and can understand why some folks cringe at their use.  It happens.             

My favorite word that some like, and some don't, is structure.  For many, structure is (sadly) inhibiting; it implies unnecessary conformity, rigidity, formality and often times, a "my way or the highway" temperament.  Structure, when mishandled, can be an excuse for laborious, and overbearing rules.  Indeed, it can be viewed as a negative, not a positive.  And that's a shame. 

Because structure is good, when it's good structure. 

Good structure provides guidance.  It defines.  It keeps us accountable.  Focused.  On target.   It's both systematic, and flexible.  It provides measurements, and managements.  With good structure, we're able to get back on track, when we fall off track (which inevitably happens). Structure can provide safety, comfort and peace of mind.  Which is why structure is two parts science, one part art.           

There's a periodical devoted to art and architecture called The Structurist. In it, they (beautifully) define the word structure, as follows:  "Structure means to build, to construct, to form, as well as the organization or morphology of the elements involved in the process.  It can be seen as the embodiment of creation ... a quest not only for form but also for purpose, direction and continuity." 

Awesome perspective, don't you think?

(Good) Structure is Good.