Lesson of the Day: Authentic Leadership

Of late have been doing a few posts that on teh surface appeared to be about personal relationships. That is part was done because most people can relate to them when they are worded in such a way as to make them personally identifiable. and relate-able.

I will expand on those posts I did here and on facebook using a personal story. Not that long ago I held an elected position. I was one of the people who developed the processes and criteria for that position. I presented my platform and my peer presented theirs. People also told me that they planned to vote for me. Come time I lost the election. Yet, how can you loose an election when people committed to vote for you unless they either misstated their intent or simply did not live up to their commitment?

When I lost I congratulated the winer and remained silent. There were people who came to me afterwards stating if that happened to them they would have made a loud noise regarding the outcome to which I responded - why? Had I behaved in that manner it would not have affected te outcome and would have sent the message that I disrespected the very process I helped to create. Later some of the people who did not vote for me approached me for help stating that the person they selected who told them what they wanted to hear was not living up to their commitment to them. My response was simply that I cannot help them because it is not my place or responsibility to do so and that they should hold the elected person accountable for living up to the expectations of their office. This was done because as a leader it is my responsibility even having lost the elections to help people understand they must accept the rewards and consequences of their decision so that next time out they will make a more educated choice. Sometimes when we attempt to make everything right or fix everything we do more damage then good. Ironically, over time many of those people ended up loosing their positions.

What did I do:

• Respected the process that was put in place
• Acknowledged and respected the choice of the constituents
• Held the people accountable to their choices

Too often people go for what they want to hear instead of listening for and doing what they need to for their own best interest. Also, people are shocked when they make those choices others accept them and all that the choice entails.

The lessons to be learned are:

• Listen carefully to what you are being told
• Observe the behavior of those making the commitments
• Always be consistent in what you promise to do
• Hold yourself and those connected to you accountable for their words and actions
• Education people but respect then enough to allow them to make their own choices
• Understand that you are not above the process (law)
• People's lives and business are not a game - do not play

Feel free to add anything else you feel of benefit.

Business and life lesson from an Orchestra

Most people today enjoy listening to music, albeit singers, bands or a full orchestra. To me in orchestral music we can learn much about how to run an effective business. So what is an orchestra? 

An orchestra - an instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large with string, brass, woodwind sections, and possibly a percussion section as well. The term orchestra derives from the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus. The orchestra grew by accretion throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but changed very little in composition during the course of the twentieth century. 

In a growing business concern either through employees or contractors you as the owners work to create an organization to accomplish the mission of servicing your customers and/or clients. An orchestra performs a work of music for their audience (customers/clients). So, what lessons are here? 

• A conductor – leads the orchestra in performance and rehearsals, determining as the leader the musical works being performed as well as the tempo (speed and rhythm) at which the work will be performed.
• An orchestra exists to perform music – not engineering, law, auto repair – they are focused.
• An musician plays from common sheet music
• Each instrument in the organization has a unique sound and make no effort to serve in other rolls albeit vocal, winds, wood wind, string, percussion (does not pretent to be what isit not)
• Each instrument has its own strengths and limitations
• Each instrument works to compliment the others in the orchestra
• All orchestra members practice to ensure a professional performance
• Each musician learns to master their instrument before joining the orchestra
• Each musician follows the first chair, section leader and ultimately the conductor
• Each musician learns to read sheet music if only by sight and follow what it dictates
• Each musician understands the importance of keeping their commitments
• No member works to outshine the group unless the music calls for is and only when asked to do so
• Each member agrees to the uniform of the organization
• Even when performing in unison the musicians play within the range octaves of their instruments – i.e. c is still c but in the octave of their instrument
• Each member musician is treated with respect
• Each musician maintains and respects the instruments (equipment)
• Each musician understands the importance of self control
• The success of the orchestra is based on who well each section gel and work together – the failure of a single section is a failure of the whole 
  
• The fun is when all of the hard work comes together for a successful and well received performance
  

Are there any lessons you would like to add?

The Secrets of #Business Success

For years I have read many books on how to run and build a successful business. Some books say write a business plan, others talk about elaborate systems of control, even others speak of marketing.  All of these are good but they do not speak to the core issues. 

There is a saying the more things change the more they stay the same. Fact is what is takes to run and grow a business has not ever changed. Before discussing how to create a successful business let me explain simple why businesses fail.  I will start with a simple truth – a business runs at an imbalance – that is it spends less money than it generates in revenue. An unsuccessful business spends more than it makes in revenue (to grow) or spends exactly what it makes. It really is that simple and that is why a business fails. 

Some will tell you either grow or die and that to some extent is true however it is not the growth that is important rather it is the type of growth – is it natural and sustainable and balanced based on true business needs (like the cycle of nature) or is it forced, cabalistic an hostile in nature like (like a predator in an ecosystem with a limited source of food). The first can be maintained it is controlled the latter if left unchecked (i.e. driven by greed) will lead to the demise of an already fragile ecosystem and the eventual death of the business and all associated with it. 

The underlying principles that determine the sustainability and success of your business have not changed since the beginning of time. 

• Respect
• Honesty
• Trust 

Without these three (3) basic ingredients a business will fail 

• Respect – seeing and understanding the value, contribution and importance of all things (people, facilities, equipment, contractors, suppliers, employees, clients, customers, etc) involved in the enterprise and maintaining or working to enhance or at a minimum maintain them.
• Honesty – understanding your core values and strengths and providing a full disclosure to all involved so that they can made an educated determination as to your value and ability as well as remove any doubt regarding your being able to execute the terms of the agreement and knowing that if you cannot you will tell them
• Trust – the obvious result of doing the first two.    

When these characteristics are in place people can them rely on you to and trust you with their wellbeing because fact is in business you are hired to solve a problem and you do not do business with people you do not trust long term. 

Sure a book will give you all of this great theory

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Business Ethics
• Organizational Behavior
• Financial Accounting
• Managerial
• Accounting
• Sales and Marketing
• Human Resources
• Cash Accounting
• Accrual Accounting
• Leveraging
• Business Ethnics
• Supply and Demand
• Strategic Planning
• Business and Contract Law
• Information Mapping
• Manufacturing and Production
• Operations Management
• Statistics
• Technology and Information Systems 

And a host of other theories but as is always the case in the reality and truth of what is required is simple we as people make it complicated.

• Add value
• Do your best
• Solve Problems
• Keep your word
• Service before Self
• Spend less than you Earn 

If I have left anything off feel free to add

Immature or unprofessional behavior

With all of the things happening today this thought has been ringing in my head. I debated on whether to post because I know some will find offensive. It is my belief that most people operation emotionally at a 6-8 year old level from a maturity standpoint and further they have no concept or desire for things like accountability, responsibly, etc – their concerns only lie with how things affect them and have little regard to how what they do affects those around them.

Remember back in grade school and high school.

• Do you remember how we used to act that them?
  
• Do you remember how concerned with peer pressure and what other people thought?
  
• Do you remember any of these lines?
  
• If you loved me you would
  
• If you were more of a woman you would
  
• If you were more of a man you would
  
• I dare you
  
• Since you did not pick me I am not going to play
  
• Call him/her I will listen on the other line
  
• What you do not know cannot hurt you
  

 There are so many other’s from our childhood but these are the ones that popped to mind the quickest. As a business owner and former corporate professional I am amazed to see that so many “adults” still operate emotionally on a child like level and lack integrity - they acutallly believe there is such a thing as situational ethics (a clear oxymoran)

• Greed
  
• Selfishness
  
• Tempter tantrums
  
• etc
  

Childlike behaviour in adults – 8 Articles

What do you think?

How to Analyze Twitter User Stats (Chris Pirillo)

http://geeks.pirillo.com - http://live.pirillo.com - Everyone uses Twitter differently. Some people use it to do nothing but post updates from their web site. Others use it to converse with friends. There's nothing wrong with using it for different reasons. It's sometimes difficult to tell what kind of user someone is, though. http://chris.pirillo.com Distributed by Tubemogul.

http://www.twitalyzer.com/twitalyzer/index.asp

A question about ethics

Let's say you are offered a job at a bank as a janitor.

The branch manager offers you a contract.

The contract states you will get a bonus of $X every year.

You get this bonus regardless of whether the bank makes money.

• Would you take the job?
  
• Would you accept the bonus?
  

Now lets add a twist - the bransch manager said:

• The money for your bonus will come from the deposits?
  
• The money for your bonus will come from the safety deposit box?
  
• The money for your bonus will come from the safe?
  

So would you:

• Still accept the job
  
• Still accept the bonus
  
• Why?
  

How to sabotage your business

I have not been feeling well the past few days – between my allergies, weather, and other issues have not been myself and have not been resting well. While recovering this topic has whirled around in my head.

As many of you know ethics and morals are my thing – just because something is legal does not make it moral or ethical and I believe because so many have lost sight of this. Without trust no business can be conducted. In fact trust is the basis on which all business is built at all levels and when it no longer is present business cannot and will not exist.

• What is the quickest way to build your sustainable business – establish trust and credibility
  
• What is the most effective way to decimate your business – erode trust
  

This post begins a series on exploring the various ways to destroy trust and credibility thus any hopes of your running or growing a profitable and successful business

• Childlike immature unprofessional behavior
  
• Betrayal and failing to keep your promises
  
• Lack of respect
  
• Dishonesty (lying) this includes misdirection
  
• Avoidance
  
• Stealing/theft
  
• Being defensive, critical and/or argumentative
  
• Being self-absorbed and/or self-centered
  
• Not accepting responsibility for your behaviors
  
• Control/power struggles
  
• Over estimating yourself (having to high an opinion of your value)
  
• Poor listening skills
  
• Not listening to the needs of your clients, suppliers, or employers
  

These topics may be organized slightly differently as each are explored – however it is important to understand regardless of your ability – if your business or services are views as a detriment to anyone you are doing business with – client, supplier, employee, employer due to their negative impact then those relationships will be terminated. Do not worry I will continue to scatter tech updates, reviews and related posts.

Before I begin I have a question – do you think this series will be helpful to you as a business owner?

What is a businesses’ greatest asset?

The state of the economy has made me think about this singular topic over and over again and it occurred to me that the answer to this question is also the only rue solution to out problem. For any business to be sustained over the long haul some things must exist

• Focus on the customer/client
  
• Respect for asset for fiscal, physical and human
  
• Consistency in policies, operation and standard
  
• Trust in, at and of all level of the business both internal and external
  
• A strategic long term vision with regards to actions taken 
  

Let me bottom line it “Character Counts”. Right now people have no faith in, respect for, or trust of our leaders albethey  political, governmental, or business. The reason is selfishness and greed has prevailed and everyone has shown not by their words – but by their action they are only concerned with their own self interest to the exclusion of another and detriment of the whole. 

• People do not put money in banks that say you will not get your money back
  
• People do not put work companies that say you can work but we will not pay you
  
• People do not trust government to solve their problems
  
• Even worse because of how society has conditioned us people no longer look to each other for solutions 

What is missing - Integrity and Authenticity 

We instinctively look for those people (not institution) who remind of our higher self.

People  who inspire us to be more, do better, put others before self, and keep our word by their example.

The question is will you do business of any sort with people or businesses or a government you do not trust – of course the answer is NO!

The solution is simply – we need people of character, who possess the qualities of integrity, valor, honor and service to lead all of these institutions – politics (compromise) is not the solution – we long for people who raise the bar and who we all can place our trust in.

• Are you such a person?
  
• Do you know of any such people?
  
• Do you know of a different or better answer/solution – if so let me know!
  

Image Source

Netiquette (Internet Etiquette)

Source

Every few months a plague descends on Usenet called the spelling flame. It starts out when someone posts an article correcting the spelling or grammar in some article. The immediate result seems to be for everyone on the net to turn into a 6th grade English teacher and pick apart each other's postings for a few weeks. This is not productive and tends to cause people who used to be friends to get angry with each other. - Chuq Von Rospach, Gene Spafford, Mark Moraes; A Primer on How to Work With the Usenet Community, 1983-1995.

"Netiquette" stands for "Internet Etiquette", and refers to the set of practices developed over the years to make the Internet experience pleasant for everyone. Like other forms of etiquette, netiquette is primarily concerned with matters of courtesy in communications. The following sections provide more information.

• Netiquette Basics

• Help the newbies
• Research before asking
• Remember emotion
• People aren't organizations

• Netiquette Of Sending:

• Be brief
• Use white space
• Use descriptive subject lines
• Stay on-topic
• Be careful sending attachments
• Copy the minimum number of people
• Include your email address
• Respect non-commercial spaces
• Avoid flaming

• Netiquette Of Replying

• Replying and forwarding
• Summarize for the group
• Check current information before replying
• Reference past communications
• Acknowledge important communications

• Netiquette Of Confidentiality

• Don't publicize other's email addresses
• Never send what you don't read
• Remember archiving
• Respect copyright

• More Netiquette Information.