Author Archives: Inspiring Innovations, Inc.
TRIPLE III TIME: GIVING (Not Paying) FORWARD
As I draft this final TRIPLE III TIME message for 2021, I can hardly believe that we have been sharing thoughts and ideas about communication, leadership, innovation and professional development for eight years. Sometimes the messages come naturally, sometimes with challenges…but always with the hope that each helps every reader in a special personal or professional way.
This last 2021 TRIPLE III TIME message GIVING (Not Paying) FORWARD was created by the post-retirement activities undertaken by a very great friend. First, I am assuming that everyone understands what is meant when you talk about the person “Paying Forward” for a product or service for a total stranger. Maybe it’s paying for a cup of coffee, restaurant tab and/or the fare to go across the Mackinaw Bridge! These good deeds are referred to as special “Paying Forward” acts of kindness…and it is hoped that they are replicated by the recipient. But today I want to alter our “Paying Forward” act perception and substitute the unique value of GIVING (Not Paying) FORWARD.
My friend who was/is a very successful business person who decided to initiate GIVING FORWARD activities for several young adults he had just happened to connect with. What GIVING FORWARD help does he offer you ask? Well his great GIVING FORWARD advice/coaching includes educational recommendations, career mentoring, relationship development, parenthood issues, business profit & loss challenges and sometimes just fatherhood-isms. His GIVING FOWARD times never seem to have an agenda but are always given focus by the life experiences concerning each of his GIVING FORWARD “adoptees”. Money and personal finances may be a topic…but never an expected benefit action.
Bottomline: The goal of this TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage everyone to consider a GIVING FORWARD action with someone. It’s a great learning example to end our year with…and an example to think about starting in 2022.
TRIPLE III TIME: Are YOU The Boss Of YOU?
Just a little bit ago I was having an interesting conversation with one of my very young grandsons. Most of the discussion centered around…”Grandpa what do you do anyways?” Well as I tried to explain what I do to help people and groups…another direct question came blurting out: “Grandpa Are YOU The Boss Of YOU?” And even though I began a simple explanation “speech” to him about Boss-isms…I began thinking a lot more about his question.
In real life and work Are YOU The Boss Of YOU? Without question the answer is forever “YES!”. However as I tried to give this question the value it deserves, I couldn’t help writing down some prime time TOP 10 related questions:
- Do you set a good Boss example everyday for yourself?
- Have you been encouraging to YOU and those around you?
- Do you need to “pump-up” your Boss reliability factor?
- As Boss of YOU…have you taken the easy-way-out on important decisions lately?
- Have you been a good Boss listener to yourself this week?
- Are you an inspiring Boss (to YOU)?
- Are you a Boss that procrastinates?
- Do you often or even sometimes say “that’s good enough” (as the Boss of YOU) when finishing an important project?
- Do others seek you out to benefit from your Boss of YOU priorities?
- Finally at this Christmas time and end of the year…would you nominate yourself as Boss Of YOU…for the year?
Have a fun time with these Are YOU The Boss Of YOU? TOP 10 questions and enjoy your Christmas.
TRIPLE III TIME: Having The Toughest Talks
Everyone knows about the challenges and discomforts that come with Having The Toughest Talks with someone. Whether its about under-performance with a co-worker, the canceling of an agreement with a partner company or service provider and/or trying to resolve a conflict issue with a family member or friend…the discussion moments are tough! In response some ignore or hide from the challenge(s) hoping that it might resolve itself. Others might take a “my way or the highway” hardline approach just to move it forward (good or bad) in some way.
No one “enjoys” the Having The Toughest Talks moments. I know that I have touched on this issue over the years in other TRIPLE III TIME messages, but today it is time to give it a special TOP 10 “helpful thoughts” blog segment.
- Treat the person/persons how YOU would want to be treated during a Having The Toughest Talks situation.
- Gather as many “facts” as you can regarding the challenge…but stay open to new/additional facts as the tough talks continue.
- Do NOT enter Having The Toughest Talks discussions with your mind already made up on what will happen afterward.
- Appropriately use each person’s age and experience as measuring tools in assessing the situation.
- Leave other people’s opinions “at the door”.
- Listen well and take notes.
- Correctly compute the values related to action options (i.e. firing the person/canceling services/personnel reassignment, etc.)
- Consider the precedent-setting issues that will result from your action or inaction.
- Don’t ignore the option of postponing action on the issue. Sometimes delayed action is a solid positive step for all sides.
- Finally understand the high-value of compromise while Having The Toughest Talks.
I am sure there are more than these TOP 10 “words-of-wisdom” that would be helpful when Having The Toughest Talks. Please add them to this list and build your own set of resolution recommendations. Responding to Having the Toughest Talks incidents will always be “a work in progress”!
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Taking On The Trainer Role
How would you react if tomorrow your boss announced that YOU would be preparing and delivering specialty training to a select staff/customer group next week? Would you be ready and confident… or scared and confused?
Well this months Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast focuses totally on offering grounded progressive concepts as you are Taking On The Trainer Role! However, my message is unfortunately very short and only recommends a few strategic trainer planning ideas. But as you listen, I know YOU will expand on each idea and be ready to deliver a GREAT training!
TRIPLE III TIME: U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101
Over time I have discussed the multiple motivations that drive the selection of topics for my weekly TRIPLE III TIME blogs and American Society for Public Administration quarterly articles. Sometimes the ideas come from a long-standing concern or concept. Others are generated by professional interactions or family principles.
This week I hope you enjoy the special discussions that led to drafting this week’s “combination” message. You should always enjoy giving credit where credit is due… so be sure to take note of the critical thinking and problem-solving efforts of some quality young adults!
TRIPLE III TIME: The Importance of KEY WORDS!
This week we are going to talk about “The Importance of KEY WORDS!” that describe you, that you use as a means of making a priority point, or that possibly drive you to take professional action on a particular issue. I believe everyone establishes a unique form of communication through the use of KEY WORDS while on the job.
What do I mean? Well let me provide two personal examples. First anyone who has ever worked with me knows very well what I mean when I USE the word “cause”. They understand that I am referring to the mission of helping people, helping businesses and/or the community to be better. Likewise, when I HEAR the phrase: “We have never done or tried to do this before”…colleagues know my innovation instincts kick into high gear and drive me to take on a new professional challenge!
The goal of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage everyone to pay professional attention to The Importance of KEY WORDS! that describe/define YOU! Think about the KEY WORDS that communicate who you are…what you stand for…that people use to describe you…and label you in your world-of-work. Are they positive and progressive or passive and uncertain? I even ask candidates that I interview for jobs or project assignments: Give me three KEY WORDS that define/describe you.
Give some quality time to understanding The Importance of KEY WORDS! in communicating your status as a person and worker. Let me know your results.
TRIPLE III TIME: Mr. L & Dr. B
Over the years our TRIPLE III TIME messages have mentioned and discussed the importance and long term value of mentors and life advisors. I believe we should all have at least a couple individuals that are regularly available and professionally comfortable to reach out to…no matter the issue.
Mr. L & Dr. B have been my 40 year (plus) mentors and life advisors. They always provide common idea-sharing support and wisdom…but at any given moment have the capacities to specialize in a professional or personal area of concern. As a result they both have contributed in different ways to my innovative style and professional approach with useful information and “furture-ish” guidance.
But there’s the III question: When do YOU fill that special mentor/advisor role for someone? Let me offer an example.
Recently a friend and colleague called just to share concerns about a tough education related issue. We talked for some time but unfortunately I was not able to offer him a real solid solution for his problem. However, the conversation ended with this statement: “I know we didn’t find a good answer to my issue but just hearing your quiet, listening voice has helped me a lot.”
The moral of this TRIPLE III TIME message is to always…ALWAYS give someone the best information, help and support you can. The example I mentioned caused me to reflect on others who have looked to me for mentoring and life advice…and I found it happens much more often that I realized. Maybe its my age and graying hair…but it is a special honor just to be consulted. So because you will not instantly recognize your “mentoring-moments”…be genuine and positively thoughtful every time.
Thanks again Mr. L & Dr. B.
TRIPLE III TIME: 5-M’s of Implementation Essentials
One of the most critical responsibilities in running a business, organization, school and/or governmental entity is going through the process of implementing a new program, project or service. Helpfully in most cases there are pre-determined administrative planning guidelines and tasks to complete that will hopefully move you toward successful implementation. But what about assembling the right people? Who should be at the implementation table to ensure the strongest new initiative is prepped and ready?
This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is dedicated to describing the 5-M’s of Implementation Essentials with regard to personnel necessary for GREAT new initiative start-up and operation. The 5-M’s stand for: Movement (Innovation)-Money (Finances)-Marketing (Customers)-Management (Staff)-Maintenance (Accountability). I believe it is vital to have strong leaders from within your group that specialized in each of these areas to help design and facilitate the best implementation plan possible!
During my career I was very lucky to have representatives from the 5-M’s of Implementation Essentials involved and committed to “across the board” effectiveness, efficiency, unity and performance everyday…EVERYDAY. Did we always agree on everything…NO! But the ever present drive to find and deliver a product that was better than anything currently available…was always a solid motivator.
Bottomline: When it is time to build the right implementation plan and process for ANY new endeavor, be sure to gather dedicated personnel from the areas of Movement (Innovation)-Money (Finances)-Marketing (Customers)-Management (Staff)-Maintenance (Accountability)…and I know you will be very pleased with the future you build together.
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Infused Leadership
The importance of EVERYONE assuming the role of leader in their place of work no matter their job… has been part of many LEARNING MOMENTS discussions. This month’s topic: Infused Leadership, is a special initiative action to be adopted by organizational leaders to build the leadership capabilities of every worker.
Infused Leadership can best be explained through the use of real-life examples. So I hope as you listen deeply to the three examples shared in this month’s Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast, you will be ready to introduce Infused Leadership activities into your workplace too.
TRIPLE III TIME: Prepping For The “Pick Me!” Moment
Whether you are seated at a formal meeting, a motivational workshop, a team building session or just with a small number of co-workers are you ready for the “Pick Me!” moment? Everyone knows what I am talking about. That moment when the meeting leader calls on you to speak on an issue being discussed! Some people don’t look up, some go for long bathroom breaks or even try to convince everyone that they have an urgent call to take in an effort to avoid being picked to share their thoughts.
Prepping For The “Pick Me!” Moment is one of the most important skill sets to attain during your professional career. It is just common sense to understand that people appreciate and respect those that are not only prepared to respond solidly to a question/issue but also display a working knowledge on the proposed topic.
What does this mean in real life?
I believe that because Prepping For The “Pick Me!” Moment is a critical professional priority…everyone should give appropriate attention to the following TRIPLE III TIME suggestions:
- Be “armed and dangerous” with high quality information to share on the topic.
- Offer thoughts and suggestions by volunteering to participate instead of having to be picked for comment.
- Allow for questions at any point during your “Pick Me!” Moments.
- Appropriately add substance to the input of other attendees.
- Be an example of professional compromise on any challenging issue.
- Avoid “Pick Me!” Moment rambling.
- Take short but specific notes as a “standard operating procedure” during “Pick Me!” Moment discussions.
- Don’t limit your prep based only on YOUR views…but from others too.
- Prep for conflicting opinions…always.
- Finally always set a high level “Pick Me!” communication example.
OK…yes I used my TOP 10 TRIPLE III TIME message delivery format. Give them all some thought. You never know when the next “Pick Me!” Moment will arrive!
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 