I Don't Know (But I'm Ready To Learn)

The other day, I was in a meeting with a bunch of know-it-alls.  They we're talking over each other about a bunch of stuff.  Everyone had something to say (and then some).  Not surprisingly, everyone also seemed to have an answer; let alone the right answer.  I'm pretty sure I never heard the words "I don't know." 

And that's a shame.  

You see - it's okay to not always have the answers.  After all, we don't know what we don't know.  While it might seem uncomfortable at times, it's actually commendable to admit that we don't have the knowledge or understanding that others have.  It doesn't mean we're stupid; it just means we're not there - yet.  

By admitting our inquisitive uncertainty, we're being honest and humble - which are admirable traits, especially when hanging out with know-it-alls.   By announcing "I don't know" - we actually get a more intelligent conversation going, which can lead to a more intelligent outcome.  From confusion, comes clarity.  But we can't get to the clarity, before admitting the unknown.

Sure, it can be unsettling - let alone scary or embarrassing - to admit that we don't know something (especially if we, or others, think we should).  But as a friend of mine once said when rationalizing the upside versus downside of the IDK mantra: "I'd rather put up with a momentary perception of stupidity, than being a fool for life, just because I didn't want to admit that I didn't know something, and take the time to learn."  Great advise.

I Don't Know (But I'm Ready To Learn) is Good       
           

Be Quick - But Don't Hurry

We've all heard the expression "speed kills." And while that particular phrase was likely coined with regard to cars, or boats, or skiing, or any physical activity whose rapid momentum can cause (gulp) death - it also applies to business, and life.  At least the sentiment, that is. 

And why? Because speed, in and of itself, can be bad. Although we might like speedy service, or speedy success, or speedy whatever - the fact is that speed, for the sake of speed, can cause problems.  More often than not, speed can make for mistakes. It can lead to poor quality, failure and a host of unfortunate by-products.   

When we speed, we hurry. And when we hurry, we can mess up. Which makes the word hurry, like the word speed, subject to negative interpretations.  Put another way, if we over do speed and we hurry - which leads to subsequent, but avoidable, mistakes - than we might mess up our job, which can kill our career. (See how that works?)  At the very least, it can get us hurt, which impacts our ability to succeed. 

While it can be good to go fast, be quick and have a sense of urgency - we never want speed, or the hurry factor, to get in the way of a job well done.  Best case scenario, think fast AND accurate; it's a both/and - not an either/or.     

Fast AND Accurate Is Good.

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.