Purpose & Direction - JFK!

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."

John F. Kennedy

Returning from a Board/Staff retreat over the previous weekend, I thought this quote was timely upon finding it and I thought it worthy of sharing. We all contributed greatly to the productive weekend - discussing our Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives of the organization.

I know all that attended have passion for our nonprofit and they exhibit strong effort in various ways, but now we have the task of executing the our plans - more specifically, the purpose behind our efforts and the directions in which we are to go.

Too often we all have witnessed managing by the moment or even crisis management - primarily reactive with a sense of unorganized urgency. Whether it be a small business, the government, volunteer organizations or nonprofits, the results that follow those types of systems/processes are unpredictable, inconsistent and less fruitful for all concerned - not to mention the stress it brings to those charged with the tasks inherent. Without clear direction, consistent messaging and commitment to a common goal, the process can be unbearable and frustrating.

I am confident that our directives and understood purpose will propel us to higher levels of success - removing the chances of wasting efforts and/or questioning why we are all here. Through ups and downs in my career, it took some bruising to realize the importance of corraling my courage and efforts in order to truly make the differences I intended and I am fortunate to have learned from my miscues in most instances.

I firmly believe in Identify, Plan & Execute now as my business/personal mantra, but I know I am not perfect and that I have to be adaptive, flexible and anticipatory to changes in those plans.

Thanks JFK for sharing your wisdom, and I hope others can find use for your words.

Thoughts?

Mickey

"Running", a poem

Running brings me quiet and peace,

and periodic pain at the least.

Running takes me to many beautiful places -

some seen and some imagined - but not jusr for races.

The smells, the sounds - all seasons, all around.

Running allows me to eat many a crepe,

and still be in shape!

Winning - as Sheen says - doesn't really happen often,

but the competition will hopefully delay my visit to the coffin!

Mile after mile, one foot in front of the other.

Feeling the runner's high - that's great brother!

Motivated by thoughts, family and faces

helps me maintain paces.

Endurance, commitment and sacrifice -

it's all part of my running life.

But nothing matters more than crossing the finish line into the arms of my loving wife!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Okay, I couldn't help it. Lately, lots of folks have been putting their top 5 movies on Facebook that they could watch over and over. I have been debating for days which ones I would list as such. However, I could not limit them to 5 and I settled on just not doing it.

Well, wouldn't you know the other day while flipping through the channels I came across Rudy!

I was busy getting ready for an appointment and had errands to run, but I kept stopping, sitting, standing and staring at scene after scene. I could not pull myself away even though I have probably seen the movie at least 5 times. Now I have to admit that the movie would certainly take its place in my top 5!

As a result of spending an hour or so watching it when I knew I could just leave, I figured I would share a few of my favorite moments from the movie:

1) Every player on the team was willing to give up their spot on the "dress" roster so Rudy could dress in his last game as a senior! Yes, I was moved by this gesture, again. This speaks volumes to the relationships developed on teams, between individuals, and to the importance of the whole as to its parts. In the workplace, in the military and on sports teams, a sense of togetherness can result in amazing sacrifices on behalf of individuals!

2) Determination and perseverance! As you probably remember, Rudy was a small and slow guy. Playing on the "scout" team against the #1 offense day in and day out resulted in a lot of punishment on his body, but he always managed to get back up. He didn't quit! Heck, he was even ridiculed by other "scout" players for trying too hard, telling him that he was making them look bad! Geez, don't we go through those same things in the workplace now and then?

We suffer set backs and we can choose to give up or keep on moving on....keeping your eye on the prize! Unfortunately, we sometimes pass by our co-workers who have become complacent and then we are subjected to isolation, envy and ridicule - or, we become the one expected to pick up their slack!

3) They carried him off of the field! This hasn't happened for another Notre Dame player since! Celebration in this case was initiated by his teammates, and it was well deserved. We should all take time to celebrate life's accomplishments, both big and small. Life isn't easy, work isn't always easy, marriage isn't easy....we have many challenges day in, day out. Celebrate mistakes by learning from them and celebrate successes as recognition of doing something you set your mind and body to do!

Rudy is an inspiration in many ways, and as such deserves to be in my top 5! Great, now the other 4....

Yours?

Want to be in the starting line up? Want a promotion?

While I was watching a college basketball game recently, one of the announcers shared his 4 topics of review when considering a back-up player for insertion into the starting lineup. After listening to them, I figured they could also come into play when considering an employee for a promotion. Here they are:

1) Effort - Can the coach/boss trust the player's/employee's effort when they hit the playing field, court or place of business? I have often seen people work extremely hard to get where they want to be, but then lapse a little bit once there. Can you be trusted to put in the same type of effort you did when striving for the promotion? Will you rest on your laurels or will the fear of failure keep you motivated? For me, I remember a coach saying, "Remember, there is always someone out there better than you, maybe wanting to take your spot."

2) Memory - Training? Practice? Can the coach/boss trust your memory when it comes to what they have taught you in practice or in the training classes? Will you remember the plays, the processes? What about continuing education? Once you are in the starting lineup or receive the promotion, it is still necessary to spend time developing your skills - whether it be studying the playbook or keeping up on industry trends. You should always take steps to improve your game or gather knowledge for the job.

3) Execution - So, you've identified your competition and have been given a good game plan....now it's time to execute. Can you be counted on to deliver? Obviously, the coach/boss can not run the plays or do the work for you - it's time to put up or shut up. Can they trust you to get the job done? I have seen some great plans, but not everyone chooses to fully execute them. It all comes down to execution - who best executes the game plan will likely be the most successful.

4) Talent - Lastly, the announcer spoke of trusting the player's talent. You have sold a bill of goods and your coach/boss has scouted your talent for some time now - watching film or reviewing your resume. Can you back it up? Or were you just "talked-up" by your agent? Can you hit the game-winning shot at crunch time? Can you bring in the business or make the sale? Can you demonstrate your competitive advantage over the competition?


In my experiences as a teammate and a coach in both sports and employment realms, these four aspects were present - of course, I may have never written them down until now! Obviously, when we are trying to move up the ladder of success in either realm there are several dynamics taking place and I am confident you have recognized some, if not all, of these mentioned here.

Any thoughts? Comments?

I will follow you, If you....

As many may know, I have an abundant interest in the topic of leadership - from a standpoint of wanting to provide it to others and from a viewpoint of looking for it in others. From time to time, I pull a book off my shelf at the house and pull insights from pages I have read. Below, I have reproduced a list of what "followers" put together in a book titled Leadership A to Z, by James O'Toole. This list was developed by managers and details what they require of leaders:

I Will Follow You, If You
* Treat me with respect
* Inspire me with your vision
* Teach me
* Are tolerant of my mistakes
* Talk with (and listen) to me
* Allow me to grow
* Don't give up, or change course arbitrarily
* Have the courage of your convictions
* Tell me the truth, and practice what you preach

Have you seen these traits in those you look to as Leaders? Are you still looking for these traits in those that proclaim to be Leaders?

Fortunately, I have followed some that espoused these everyday, but I have also answered to some that may not have kept these in their repertoire. Of course, I myself have tried to use as many of these as possible in my opportunities as a leader and I know well that I have fallen short at times.

For me, it is important to earn your stripes as a leader - to earn respect, not demand it because of position or title. Naturally, hierarchy serves its purpose for infrastructure, decision making and accountability, but it's an empty shell if people do not want to follow. The list above helps develop a sense of ownership and buy-in, and it can create a willingness in others to take chances they may not otherwise take - all for the gratification that comes with going places they have never been before. As a leader, that's one aspect I enjoy the most - having the chance to see someone accomplish a task they never thought attainable!

What do think about the list? Which do you admire the most in a Leader? Agree? Disagree?

Look forward to any comments....

Grant and Lee, in War and Peace

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123068008507043975.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

I came across this article in today's Wall Street Journal - focusing on two of the most influential military and political leaders of the 19th century. For you history enthusiasts, it is an interesting article and I would go to the exhibit in NY tomorrow if I could!

We all have opinions, thoughts, grumblings, admirations or pros/cons about their histories in the Civil War, but to know a little more about them outside of that arena is even more enlightening.

From Grant's misbehaviors at West Point to his compassion for the treatment of Indians and to his love of the bottle....or from Lee's demerit-less career at West Point to his commitment to Chivalry and to his days at Washington College....there is so much more to these leaders.

Of course, they are remembered for agreeing to peace at Appomattox and setting the stage for the end of the Civil War, but this exhibit also focuses on their lives before and after that event.

Hope you enjoy the article, and maybe decide to do some additional reading on the two - it will be time well spent.

"In the South, no man is a man until his father tells him he is."

I came across this quote while I was reading about Burt Reynolds' life experiences in the book, The Games Do Count, by Brian Kilmeade. Burt accredited this quote to Rip Torn, as an explanation as to why Burt's dad could never tell him how proud he was of him - well, at least not until his dad was ninety years old.


In the book, Burt reiterated how he sought his father's approval throughout his entire life - desperately wanting to hear words like, "good game, I am proud of you son." The quote by Rip probably resonates with many men today.


When do you become a man? Of course, many cultures in this world have rituals, tests, ceremonies, etc., to officially announce that a boy has entered manhood. Unfortunately, that process isn't as clear here in the U.S. for many young men. Losing your virginity? nope. Your first drink? Nope. Getting your driver's license? Nope.

Your father telling you that you have become a man, and that he is proud of you? Maybe.


As we all know, there are many young men that do not have a father figure to provide this type of annointing. Personally, I struggled for years yearning for some type of acknowledgement. It seemed no matter what I did or what I accomplished, I was never satisfied - always wanting someone to pat me on the back with admiration or congratulations. I did get some, but it never seemed to sink in and I still carried a chip on my shoulder....feeling I still had more and more to prove to somebody.


During my maturing years, it was really left to my mom and some friends to boost my pride - the absence of a solid father figure reigned in my life. The only one even close to that figure was my grandfather, and he certainly fit the bill similar to Burt's dad - old school, ruff around the edges, not one to throw around praise.


Not until my late 20's did I finally understand what I was looking for, and I realized that I would never get it. Specifically, I just wanted a man in my life to tell me that I was a man, a good man. Well, there was no such person, and there wasn't going to be - at least not a father. After a few tears and some self-talk, I decided the epiphany was a good thing and that I could then move forward with a sense of pride in myself....that I was a good man and that my mom's and friends' words were good enough for me. Heck, even a word now and then from my grandfather carried even more weight than before.


Fortunately, both Burt and I have reconciled these feelings - in different ways of course. For me, I am looking forward to having a son one day that I can talk to about anything and everything....and I will be there as he grows into a man - and I will not hesitate to tell him so.