Doubting Thomas

Every second Sunday after Easter, the Gospel is centered around the Apostle Thomas. While you may not know the biblical story, you have inevitably heard about Thomas from an everyday cultural standpoint, as this is where we get the expression "Doubting Thomas".

The moral of the story is that Apostle Thomas was a sceptic, who refused to believe, without direct personal experience, that the resurrected Jesus Christ had appeared to the other eleven Apostles, until he could see, and moreover feel, the wounds received by Jesus.

Which is to say that he needed personal, hands-on proof - literally.  Not even the word of his 11 brothers, let alone the many previous miracles and teachings of Jesus, could help him overcome his scepticism until he saw it for himself, first-hand.  (As you may know or assume, Thomas does eventually get his proof, and moreover, a teaching from Jesus on his scepticism, and a reminder to us all that we don't always need to see - to believe.)

Now, as often happens in church, my mind will occasionally wander (add it to my many reasons for attending confessional).  But lest you think me wandering aimlessly, please note that more often than not, I reflect on how the stories parallel life and yes, at times, work (that one gets more of a rebuke from Father Dustin and Father Todd, but they still allow me to stay).

When we think about a "doubting thomas" - do we think this philosophy is a good quality, or bad?  Chances are, you're thinking somewhere in the middle, right.  And indeed, that is right.  No debating required. After all, nobody likes cynical sceptics who discounts and begrudges everything uncertain.  On the other hand, we can't just approve of those overly optimistics that don't do their homework, and jump before looking.  Too risky.

So, what's one to do - if not an overly sceptic or optimist be?

Well, give "positive pragmatism" a try.  That works.  Always.

You see, in business as in life, we want as much real data/proof as possible.  But more often than not, we can never know for certain, even if the data/proof is overwhelming.  Indeed, we have to groove on the fact that most decisions use a blend of science, math, senses (sixth, common and Spidey), attitude and yeah, a dose of faith (your call on the spirituality side).  It's an algorithm based on measured balance.  And that my friends, are the underlying ingredients for positive pragmatism.

Positive Pragmatism is Good.    

Social Business Leaders

As you undoubtedly know, social media is hot. It's a really big deal.

But do you know what's the next hot big deal thing? Social Business.

And do you know what it takes to build, manage and grow as a social business?  Social leaders, and social leadership. (Yeah I know, enough already with the word social. Way overplayed, right!?  Well, find a better one and I'll use it. Barring that, gotta go with the flow.)

But what exactly is a social business and social leaders/ship, and why do we (strike that, why should we) care.

In a nutshell, social business is when companies and/or organizations leverage social technologies, i.e. Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Jive, Yammer, Connections, etc.  But more than just using social media tools, they also incorporate "socially-minded" strategies and processes. By fusing social strategy, technology and processes across the entire enterprise (see graph below) - this encourages/produces a more creative, collaborative community of employees, customers and partners in a more accessible, transparent way than traditional, non-social enterprises.  Get it?

Now, from a social leaders/leadership standpoint - it's pretty much the same as how it works for a social business, except on an individual, self-directed/managed way.  In other words, social leaders use social technologies, strategies, process and mindsets to get their people excited and inspired about their company, job, work and life.  Moreover, they produce higher performing people/teams, and are more trusted (after all, don't you want to follow an energizing leader who cares, and gets you motivated)?

According to a recent article that I read (sorry, I forget who gets credit here, so if it's you, please stand and take a bow), there are 10 core attributes of social leaders:

• They establish authority

• They build social proof

• They walk the walk

• They are consistent in both work and life

• They hang with the right people

• They take time for relationships

• They build a platform that invites conversation

• They recognize that it’s not about them

• They do the work themselves

• They are sincere

As I'm sure you would agree, those attributes aren't necessarily new, are they? They're pretty old-school, actually; been required leadership principles for decades, right.  Indeed, they're not some new-fangled, pie-in-the-sky, born-on-the-web, list of attributes that "older folks" can't get their head around. Nope.

Which is why everyone (especially those in leadership roles) can rally on being a social leader.

If you think about it, all you really have to do is take your already socially-minded leadership thinking/actions/habits (you do have those already, right) and sync them up with today's social technology.

But do it now, if you're not already. Get going - don't wait.  Or worst of all, wait it out.  That'll be like waiting for Godot ... and we all know what happened there, right (hint: he never showed up)?

Social Leaders/Leadership is Good.

One Word to Ban, Banish, Bury

In business, there's this one word (and its associated "sentiment") - that just gets under my skin.  But more than just bothering me, this word is bad for business.

It's singlehandedly making a mess and a mockery of our ability to conduct business in a more meaningful, collaborative, impactful way.

Given the socio-economics of today - any word and it's associated thinking that causes strife, conflict and a major league hiccup in our giddy-up to help us grow, prosper and thrive - is a word that has no place in our lexicon, mindset or society at large.

Nope.

Sure,  there's lots of mean/nasty/ugly everyday words that have no place on this earth, let alone rhyme or reason to use them unless you yourself are mean/nasty/ugly: you know 'em (both the words and the people) when you see 'em.

Yep.

But in business - this mean/nasty/ugly word, and the people that use it - are much more discreet.  They hide in plain site; mostly undetected, while stalking silently in the light of day, preying on both the users and the receivers of this word.  And while the word screams ignorance, injustice and inappropriate interpretations - the word and the user of the word more often than not, don't understand just how nefarious this term is.

Then again - those that do, and deliberately promote and enforce this word and all that it's dark side stand for - are the bigger part of the problem.

Just saying.  

Well - its time for this madness to stop.  Its time to ban, banish and bury this word, along with all of its subset spellings - once and for all.  It's time to move on from having this word misappropriately control, command and domineer.  It's time to bring this insanity to an unceremonious demise.  It's  time.  

And that word is ... drum roll please ... vendor (yuck! I hate even having to write it; so excuse me while I go wash my hands).  In business, especially in a business-to-business (B2B) scenario - the word vendor represents an us-versus-you, cost-only-matters, beat-em-up, commodity-based, non-value-add, can't-be-trusted, we-think-you're-lower-than-whale-poop, way of thinking.  

Vendor is bad for business, on a whole host of levels.  

And it's not just bad for those companies that get treated like "vendors" - its worse for those that choose to engage in a "vendor" thinking.  While they may believe the reason for treating vendors like lowly vendors is based on economics (after all, one can only hope its not based on just wanting to act like a jerk) - if they really did the math, especially when you drill down to an actual cost-benefits or activity-based costing standpoint - they will see the errors in their ways, and flaws in their thinking.  At the end of the day, low-bid-wins/vendors-lose math doesn't work out.  

So if vendor is so bad, what words should we use?  

Well, if you do it right, the word partner.  Moreover, the goals and sentiment behind partnership.  But if that win/win, do-it-together, mutual-respect-and-appreciation-based partnership vibe is too much to ask (but I'll never understand why) - than go with supplier, provider or any other non-vendor label.  Because unlike a rose, a vendor by any other name, does smell sweeter.      

The Word Vendor (and vendorship thinking) is Bad.

The Word Partner (and partnership thinking) is Good.  

        

Keeping It Real In 2013

At this time of year, (way too) many of us contemplate, sign-up for and commit to various New Years resolutions.

It's our thing.

That said, and in recognition of the yin-yang-slippity-slop-shish-boom-bang nature of 2012, it's easy to see why we want to focus on positive resolutions. 

(As if anyone would sign up for negative ones, right?)

But before we go setting overachieving, unbelievably optimistic resolutions using words like extraordinary, phenomenal and other uber-super-duper adjectives - let's keep the expectations real, manageable and most of all - achievable.  (Can I get an AMEN!?)

That said, a word that that fits nicely given past issues, present dynamics and future uncertainties - is the word, drum roll please:

Good.

(Yes, good.)

Good works.

It's believable. Realistic. Achievable.

So here's to keeping it real, and keeping ...

Good Health

Good Habits
Good Friends
Good Business
Good Careers
Good Work
Good Faith
Good Love
Good Living
Good Family

(Insert your own here)

Good is Great.

Happy New Year!

Tis' The Mood That Makes The Season!

Hark merry merriers, and bring forth an ear.  

I've got a tale to tell, so you best huddle near.  

But before I embark, make remedy now: dash to the kitchen, and rustle up some chow.  Warm up your cup, and kindle the fire; I'm ready to roll, so appease my desire!

T'was upon a cold, morning clear; my eyes were not a' twinkle, no coffee near.  At the job I was already, no frolicking in sight - my spirits were low, and my attitude not bright.  All work and no play, make Scott a dull boy; it's true what they say, I wasn't a joy.

Oh woe ... oh me ... was dreary as can be!

Why here ... why now ... can't fun be with me!?  

Then out of the blue came a stranger so bright!  Could it be a vision? A ghost? Or some trick of the light?  "Hold still," cried I, "Stay just where you are! You scare me yo, so you best keep afar!"  

"Chill dude," the aberration said with a laugh, "I'm here to bring cheer and help you relax."  "Relax!?" I replied, "There can be no such thing. I have work and commitments that make my head ring!  I have deadlines, reports and emails a' plenty ... not to mention that Christmas day is all but upon me!"   

"Now now my good man," said the vision with ease, "Listen to my words for a dose of some peace.  For what I say you may not get, but when I leave you shan't ever forget.  Stand-up straight, don't slouch down - for you're to hear the soundest advise around."

At that the mirage smiled and gave forth a wink, and continued to speak of things I could not think.  It said in voice clear and clean, the following words I found so serene.  "A donut with no hole is a danish; a flute with no holes is a stick; yin with no yang is unzenlike; cathedrals aren't built from just bricks!"  

At that my eyes opened and my heart gave away ... my gloomy spirits were lifted, and my funky funk went away.  Oh joy is me, I truly do understand: it's so simple, so pure, yet full of command!   

So my good reader, put down this tall tale, and run with me fast to the bar for some ale.  Now raise a good toast to the heavens above, it's time to make merry and bring forth the love!

Hug your family, friends and neighbors too (but not those Cardinals or Patriots fans, as they are taboo).   It's time to put work aside for a few, to shout and be happy and sing something snappy.

Life is good, we are fine.  All is great, at this time. 

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Safe and Happy are Good.

Ain't Cool To Be No Jive Turkey

At this time of year, I love to (over) use one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies, Trading Places.  If you've seen the movie, you gotta know the line I'm talking about (though there's plenty of great quotes to choose from, am I right!?)

Okay - times up:  It's the one when Eddie Murphy's in jail, talking a bunch of loud-mouthed-smack, and the big dude comes up and says, "It ain't cool to be no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving."  (Yo, I put the link there for a reason, so give it a watch: it's great fun, and I'll be here when you get back.)

With your laughing smile squarely in place, I'm sure you can see why I dig that line, on a couple of levels.  For one, I say it to my kids now about a dozen times a day (yeah, I've got lots of growing up to do.)  But other than using it to frustrate my brew and confirm their belief that dad isn't as hip as he thinks he is (heeeey), I also use it in business to classify a certain type of bad behavior.

Yes, guilty as charged: I'm not above name calling - although to my defense, I think that anyone I've ever called a jive turkey, has probably been called way worse, by way more people.

No. Doubt. About. It.     

So what makes for a "jive turkey" you ask?  As opposed to your run of the mill moron, jerk, doofus or scallywag?  Well, JTs have some common shortcomings, and those are:

1) Big talker, small doer.  Sure, you know the type: they gobble gobble gobble, but when it comes to getting things done, they don't/won't/can't.  Which is why they also tend to delegate, though still take credit when credit is do; or pass blame, when blame is do.  Go figure. 

2) Smart, but arrogant.  These fowl birds have an out of whack ego to IQ ratio (and guess which one is out of proportion to the other).  For the record - arrogance by definition is when someone makes other people feel inferior and/or belittled.  Put another way, if your mouth makes others feel intentionally bad - not cool.

3) Nice, but jealous.  This one's kinda like too much nutmeg in the eggnog.  It looks all nice and tasty, but it's not.  More so, these ones can really hurt, as you think they are on your side, then the next thing you know, they're not.  No one likes a backstabber; heck, even back stabbers don't like backstabbers.  Nope. 

4) The Eddie Haskell.  Named for the weaselly, two-faced fictional character from the classic family sitcom, Leave It to Beaver - Eddie Haskell's use fake and overdone manners/courtesy to hide their true shallow and sneaky side.  In public, Eddie's are on their best behavior (assuming you buy it); but in private, they're scheming connivers - who just can't be trusted.    

No doubt, there's a gravy boat of other not so flattering attributes that make for a jive turkey.  But you get the picture.  Moreover, I hope you never have to deal with - let alone work with - a jive turkey.  If you do, well, remember the line and say it right to their face:  "IT AIN'T COOL TO BE NO JIVE TURKEY!"  

And if that jive turkey has you worried that its best to keep it to yourself (getting fired or having your face punched in, kinda sucks) - then anonymously send that video from Trading Places, along with a note letting them know its from a secret non-admirer. 

Jive Turkeys Are Bad.

(But real turkey's are good and tasty.  So have a safe, happy, family-filled Thanksgiving.)      

Training Our Instincts

Whether you are a dog lover or not (just don't admit it if you're not, 'cause that's as bad as wearing a Patriots jersey to a Colts home game) - you have inevitably heard or seen how dogs seem to sense good people from bad.  It's true.  They can do it.  At least the bigger friendlier ones, from my experience. (Sorry small doggers; the smaller the dog, the less I trust their human instincts as typically, they're too busy yapping and getting all crazy.)

In any event, big or small, dogs seem to have a sixth sense to smell out the people who more likely than not, aren't liked by other people all that much.  Its a canine thing.  That said, imagine if us humans could smell out the good people from the bad people (and especially without having to use the rear end, to do so; butt I digress). 

My oh my - how much time, energy and frustration we would save in business, work and life if it were only that simple.  Bummer, it's not.  Be that as it may, what if we tried to at least use a little bit of that ol' Lassie magic, and trained ourselves to hone our instincts and perceptive abilities so that we could get a leg-up (yes, pun totally intended) on our human encounters.

Now, my guess is that most people think that a dog-like "sixth sense" - let alone a "Benji sense" - comes from DNA; either you have it, or you don't.  Personally, while I think Mother Nature plays a big part - I also think you can gain better instincts over time by "training" your brain/gut through a combination of book smarts, real-world learning and a boatload of focused effort.   

But it takes all three, and maybe even a fourth or fifth - to really feel confident that your schooled instincts can be trusted.  Especially if those instincts are going to make or break an important decision and/or action.  After all, being wrong might turn out to be really really bad ... while being right turns out to be, well, right.  Either way, by inserting some trusted instincts, IN ADDITION TO as many tangible facts and figures as you can muster - makes for better confidence, all around.  You smell me?

Training Our Instincts is Good.