Author Archives: Inspiring Innovations, Inc.
TRIPLE III TIME: Planning For A PLAN!
Planning is a critical task in every profession. Whether the assignment is teaching, sales, farming, home building…whatever, the responsibility for preparing and having a good PLAN of action for your initiative is just plain important.
So, as I began considering factors to discuss in this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message, I realized that many Planning for a PLAN actions have changed over my career years… and that maybe a special TOP 10 in this professional development area might be the best way to go! But remember these TOP 10 considerations come to you from a consultant’s mindset:
- Who wants the PLAN…who cares if it’s just Ok or Great?
- Will people care if it’s your idea…or should it be theirs?
- Remember a lot of PLAN narrative is “old news”…bullet points are a solid option.
- Consider “immediate gratification” components…they initiate interest.
- No one “goes-it-alone” in completing a project…so include partnerships in your PLAN.
- Offer information on past successful PLAN achievements if appropriate (they are like references in a resume).
- Use creative, visioning terms in your PLAN (create pictures with your words).
- Determine if the PLAN needs to be about “parts” of your organization…or more about the whole to be successful.
- Both TIME and MONEY are critical PLAN factors…give them appropriate attention.
- Finally, discussion about being FLEXIBLE and SPECIAL have a place in PLANS…they always matter.
Effectively and efficiently Planning for a PLAN is a professional development skill-set that may be used daily. Maybe re-read this TOP 10 with that thought in mind!
TRIPLE III TIME: Considering Untold CAREER STORIES
One of the most impactful and favorable tools I use in my classroom teaching moments and thought-provoking consultant opportunities is the sharing of personal CAREER STORIES. For a ton of solid reasons, listening and discussing the life-building experiences contained in every persons CAREER STORY is the greatest form of true, actual instructional content.
Hesitancy and modesty are often “limiters” of quality details that those invited to contribute their CAREER STORIES use during their presentation times. However, with the right prompting from me…the extra special details most often do come out!
So as I was looking at my notes regarding this week’s TRIPLE III TIME messaging Considering Untold CAREER STORIES…I could not help but think about what my Dad would say if he was pushed onto the guest presenter stage??
Well maybe he would:
- Tell everyone he only had an 8th grade education but wasn’t afraid to try new farming methods or crops…and make more money.
- Explain why it was important to try different brands of machinery (Massey Ferguson/International/David Brown/New Holland/John Deere) and not pick just one because that’s what everyone else was doing.
- Encourage everyone to help others because that is what farmers in our neighborhood did when someone wasn’t doing so good.
- Report that he liked innovation before it was called innovation. Because he allowed his kids to raise chickens, pigs, ducks, rabbits and even different kinds of calves…just to learn about being special.
- Maybe conclude about the importance of having hobbies that you love. Like playing accordion in a polka band for people that really appreciated the music.
Yes I believe he would have needed some prompting…but it would be worth the push! And I hope that this message encourages you to consider your own CAREER STORY and what unique experiences you might recall and share.
TRIPLE III TIME: The Devaluation of Governmental Learning
This quarter’s American Society for Public Administration article is truly a reflection of our times. Given the situation: The Devaluation of Governmental Learning, there are plenty of reasons and examples of why we are going “down” in this area.
The article offers a simplistic description of this phenomenon but more importantly some equally simplistic developmental corrections. Of course, these corrections would require U.S. citizen participation and dedication… but the necessary governmental learning that would occur would be PRICELESS.
Read the article here: The Devaluation of Governmental Learning
TRIPLE III TIME: “Owning-Up”
Very recently I found myself totally lost in the world of technology! To be honest, the computer action I was trying to accomplish was far from “high-tech” stuff…rather it would be considered by most as a very elementary computer function! But given my attitude toward becoming more computer-literate…I had to begin “Owning-Up” to co-workers about my “technology disabilities” and seek out a colleague who could help me quickly resolve my issues.
So when I contacted SB…I was greeted in the most professional yet co-worker caring fashion. In a special kind of way she made “Owning-Up” feel like a very standard, yet important continuous improvement and staff development activity. SB talked me through the necessary steps…did NOT do anything for me…but made me push and type every button to get me computer-wise… where I needed to be.
The reason this experience is part of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message, is to encourage everyone to try “Owning-Up” to knowledge and skill weaknesses… and not avoid or dismiss them as unimportant. Addressing any and all of these types of unknowings can not only improve your workplace effectiveness…but also serve as an avenue to make better friendships.
Additionally, SB served as the best problem-solver I could’ve asked for. How would my reactions be different if she had ridiculed my techno-weakness, expressed disgust at my lack of computer skills or shared my dilemma with others in a demeaning way. Think about your experiences on either side of this personnel issue (or others) and consider how was it handled. Were you SB-like…or the opposite?
“Owning-Up” and seeking quality help in an uncertain workplace learning area is the STRONG way to go. And when you are asked for “Owning-Up” help…be the professional and caring person that co-workers are hoping for.
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Reversed NETWORKING
Appropriate NETWORKING in and around your employment sector has always been an important action for hiring and promotion purposes. Who you meet, where you go, and what type of relationship-building you accomplish has traditionally been the standards related to effective NETWORKING.
Well this month’s Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast offers a different view of what type of progressive NETWORKING might be more impactful today. Hear what a special guest contributes to this topic… it’s a fun, youthful perspective!
Enjoy the listen.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Remember When?”
Throughout the years that I have been writing these TRIPLE III TIME messages, I have reported that I never really am sure where motivation for a specific message may come from. However, this week my inspiration came about totally unexpectedly.
Since my wife’s recent retirement from the world of education, she has started going through boxes of “stuff” that has been untouched for years. The goal is to make us more organized. And as you can see she came across a very special picture that brought back a ton of memories…which made this III message timely.
JHL and I have been friends, co-workers and colleagues for well over forty (40) years. There are a million stories I/we could share…but for this moment I believe a special TOP 10 of partnership would be best.
Let’s say it like this…Mr. JHL for me:
- Always offered a reliable, safe and confident listening ear yesterday, today and tomorrow.
- Provided a real meaning to the “I’ve got your back” statement.
- Made our service philosophy “For The Cause”… a daily reason to show up for work.
- Supported the building of an agency image which believed “There Is Always A Better Way” to help people.
- Served as the ideal “co-star” when showing off our innovations.
- Helped make personnel management always progressive.
- Facilitated an agency priority of partnerships…which proved to be the best way to do business.
- Conquered re-starting his job… to be even better than his first start.
- Never said “I don’t think we can” or “I don’t think I can help with that” regarding any brand new business or personal project I dreamed up..
- And lastly, he didn’t know that when he referred to himself as the “2nd Banana”…that I took that assessment to mean our Agency was better with two LEADERS!
Sometimes we all need to “Remember When” to make sure we appreciate friends, opportunities and future possibilities.
Thanks Chief!
TRIPLE III TIME: Realizing People’s “Building Blocks”
We have discussed it before…but working with people is the toughest job around. Trying to get people to work together effectively. Trying to understand why some choose to perform a task one way…while everyone else wants to do it another way. Or why some always show up late for work or don’t finish a certain assignment on time…any time!
But did you ever take a little historical look and try to attempt Realizing People’s “Building Blocks”? What do I mean?
Think about what in their lifetimes may have led them to do what they do and why they are the way they are?!
- Did they finish high school…or did their parents?
- Do they have a “good” job…or ever had one that matched their talents and paid them well enough?
- Do they live in a good neighborhood…in a rural area…in a city?
- Are they religious?
- Were they a single child or did they come from/belong to a big family?
- Do they come from a broken family?
- Have they lived in a cultural-diverse area?
- Are they someone who grew-up following “the rules” completely…or is a risk-taker?
- Do they think they are too young or too old to “make-a-difference”?
- Does “what other people think” drive their decision-making…or are they a free-thinker?
This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: Realizing People’s “Building Blocks” is all about making it a professional priority to better understand people before making quick judgments or generalizations. I believe as people work with others too often personal assumptions are made about someone which may be totally inaccurate. Will taking a little extra discussion time when making decisions about people in your workplace make you a better person…better LEADER!
Absolutely!
TRIPLE III TIME: Creating A QUALITY Communication Culture
Let’s start this TRIPLE III TIME message with a very simple question: Has your business or organization ever set aside a solid amount of time and resources with the single objective of: Creating A QUALITY Communication Culture? A culture of communication sessions brought together by everyone at all levels and with the goal that we will communicate better and more completely than anyone…anywhere?
Well have you?
Creating A QUALITY Communication Culture in your workplace/organization is not a one-time thing…it is a forever assignment. And before I find myself taking up valuable TRIPLE III TIME message space explaining why…let’s go quickly on to a TOP 10 Creating A QUALITY Communication Culture list of suggestions. Here goes:
- Anyone, anytime in an organization can initiate a QUALITY Communication Culture improvement concept.
- A QUALITY Communication Culture effort has no delivery limitations (i.e. oral/written/email/text/anything!)
- Using a “grapevine mentality” is a QUALITY Communication Culture prohibition.
- You do NOT need leadership’s approval to improve your Communication Culture.
- A QUALITY Communication Culture always requires you to re-review your message before you send it.
- Creating a QUALITY Communication Culture means YOU will take responsibility for what your message says.
- Remember that the skillful use of the three (3) T’s all play a role in Creating A QUALITY Communication Culture: Tone…Timing…Technology.
- Don’t Communicate just to speak…have a valid point.
- Perfection does not exist even in A QUALITY Communication Culture…so give people breaks.
- Finally, silence is allowable in A QUALITY Communication Culture…it can send a powerful message.
Creating A QUALITY Communication Culture is so vital in all workplaces and yes even at home. These special TOP 10 suggestions are probably just a starting spot to help grow your QUALITY Communication Culture…so get started!
TRIPLE III TIME: “I’ve Never Told Anyone About My Life-Long Idea!”
One of the most special career experiences I have had over the years was working with a small rural township community on “idea generation”! The project lasted several months and included city officials, township board members, local business people and representatives from the area school district…including students. My consulting service plan included several county-wide meetings, three IDEAS workshops, four in-school brain-storming sessions with students and finally an IDEAS booklet to inspire anyone and everyone to share and build on their community/business/education/entrepreneurship development concepts.
There are several stories I could share but this TRIPLE III TIME message will focus exclusively on a discussion occurring at one of the last IDEAS workshops. There were about ten attendees including one older lady who always quietly sat in the back and took a lot of notes. And if you know me and my classroom discussion style…no one can “hide” and not participate in the sharing of ideas and how to be innovative everyday…EVERYDAY.
So when I walked over to her and simply asked: “Why have you attended all of these workshops?” She did not shrink away…rather she nervously stated because: “I’ve Never Told Anyone About My Life-Long Idea”.
Well as you can guess without much encouragement she told the whole group her entrepreneurial idea (which was GREAT) and the rest of the workshop was dedicated to helping her identify the best steps forward to possibly make her creative idea a reality.
The moral and TRIPLE III TIME message of this memory reflection is best explained in a quote by Harriet Minter author of GREAT TED TALKS: Leadership.
“Don’t be afraid to put what you know out there. The competitive advantage gained through collaboration is greater than when you operate in secrecy.”
And don’t wait 50+ years to tell someone about your idea(s). Holding too tightly to your IDEA to keep it totally yours may have the reverse effect on it and unintentionally “strangle it” from growing.
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Making Use of the “Not Rights”
Learning valuable lessons from the “Not Right” decisions or actions taken by co-workers, supervisors, and/or leaders… is often not placed in a professional development context… but it should be!
This month’s Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast Making Use of the “Not Rights” is all about sifting through example-based learning that comes from assessing “Not Right” experiences. The practice is not always easy or comfortable… but necessary and proper.
Enjoy the listen.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 