This past week I experienced what no one wants to experience…the very early death of a young friend…someone I could call an “almost son”.  JP was a full-of-life, “let’s go for it” kind of guy.  JP took full advantage of every minute…every second of his life and very much earned the title of being special.  So as I thought about his legacy and this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message (and yes he was a weekly follower of III), I believe he would be pleased with the Just Be YOU! title and this special TOP 10 list to support it as his legacy.

So Just Be YOU and:

1. Make everyone’s day special…and you will be rewarded with your own special.
2. Work hard…play hard…because half-assing anything…is just that.
3. Shake hands like you mean it…and understand a man-hug is really an even stronger handshake.
4. Give until it hurts…because you never know.
5. Remember family everyday…EVERYDAY…because you need strong roots to continue to grow.
6. Take calculated risks…because staying the same is boring.
7. Stay connected as much as you can…because your connection probably means even more to the message receiver.
8. Be the first to laugh at yourself…because contagious laughter is an often lost necessity in everyday life.
9. Always have something to look forward to…it will bring the best kind of “mind-smile” only you can feel.
10. Show appreciation with your authentic smile and voice…and you will find it easy to Just Be YOU!

I am lucky to be able to share this Just Be YOU! Legacy.  I am sure there will be more JP memory “specials” that will show up down the road.

Yes it is Easter weekend…and yes I’ve been reminded many times about Spring Break for schools. But we will NOT take a TRIPLE III TIME break! Please check out this special leadership article targeted for mid-to-senior level managers.

Their recommended TOP 6 crucial skills to master are really just excellent for all in leadership positions.

From the Center for Creative Leadership (adapted from “Torn and Worn? Or Focused, Flexible and Strong?”) 6 Must-Have Skills for Leading from the Middle: https://www.ccl.org/blog/6-must-skills-leading-middle/

In our world today it seems like so many are seeking “special people” to be CHAMPIONS for their cause. To aide, approve, finance or in some way be the front-face/voice for an improvement or change that will somehow make society, work or just plain life better.

Well this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message encourages you to bring the “Who’s Your Champion Today?” question closer to home…and even make it personal. I believe it is VERY important to ask yourself at the end of each day: Who was my CHAMPION today? To better explain my message purpose, here are a few examples that may spark CHAMPION identification thoughts:

1. Pictures of your children or grand-children.
2. A smile from a cashier who said “Thank You” more than once.
3. Students in your classroom that really “got it!”
4. A colleague that emailed you back the same day…as promised.
5. A call from a friend that just re-joined the world-of-work.
6. The opportunity to share a new/innovative idea…that brings a grin from the boss.
7. The understanding that a mentor’s words of advice are important…even if they help just one.
8. The neighbor who always says “Sure I’ll come over and help” …even after putting in a 10-hour day.
9. The satisfaction smiles that come from a group large or small…after making someone’s bad situation better.
10. Finally, knowing that if you continue to help the CAUSE…you will be someone’s CHAMPION.

I’m sure you can think of many more. Let me know!

This quarter I just had to take a spin at addressing a continuous concern to the field of public service in my American Society For Public Administration article.  “Building A Public Official Mentoring Program” is the title and I hope you consider the simple outline for improving the leadership capacities for our future elected public officials.

Enjoy the article.

Building A Public Official Mentoring Program

Inspiration for TRIPLE III TIME messages truly come from all places…different times and uniquely from unexpected sources.  This week it was the title of an older movie about an aging baseball pitcher: “For The Love of The Game” that made me think about what drives a person to try to always be better at his or her craft.  Is it the money, prestige, the chance for a promotion and/or just feeling like you are the BEST!?

Well I believe for those who are true innovators and life-long entrepreneurs…motivation is totally For The Love of The Game!  Attempting to Always Find a Better Way and instill an IDEAS generating spirit in co-workers and colleagues…is a special kind of inspiration that is NOT just an occasional event.  No it shows up in every activity, conversation and project…and it is a priority everyday…EVERYDAY.  And no… age does not lessen the drive.

Bottomline: As you approach your world-of-work and you search for everyday motivation to be better…be creative…be special…think about pulling inspiration from an old movie title: For The Love of The Game.  Sometimes thinking a little deeper about “Why You Do What You Do?” …can make simple your purpose and your goals.

Putting together an instructional, continuous improvement…but also fun staff in-service training can be a challenging task.  Standardly, you have a variety of age groups, people in different employment areas of the company/organization and a little bit of an attitude that conveys: “Oh yeah we are going to have another REQUIRED staff in-service…I wonder what they will come up with now?”  Well because I enjoy “changing-it-up”, how about if we try a “SHARK-TANKING TO THE EXTREME DAY!” as a new option?!

The “SHARK-TANKING TO THE EXTREME DAY!” would be totally dedicated to new idea generation for your business, school, human service agency, development organization…whatever.  You would create your own rules regarding teams, time allowed to present and format for debate.  No one would be allowed to opt-out of participation.

Think about the potential.  What if the following “SHARK-TANKING TO THE EXTREME DAY!” parameters were set:

• Everyone would be a presenter/co-presenter and a SHARK…and would get to listen to all IDEA pitches.
• Non-traditional staff partnerships would be supported.
• Questions and debate could only be framed in a “why not?” …instead of “no way!” method.
• One, two or three IDEAS would be cooperatively selected as programs to be adopted…products to be invested in…or processes for continuous staff/organization improvements.

I understand that with every new initiative there will be a list of additional considerations I haven’t addressed.  Also, I can hear some already responding to this concept: “That would never work!” … “Staff would never take it serious!” … “It would be a wasted day!”.  Well to all with these thoughts…I suggest you continue to do what you have always done…and you will continue to be what you have always been.

Is that why you have staff in-service trainings?

How many times have you attended a meeting for work, for community, for church, for school or even for family …and the absence, length or weakness of a solid agenda made the event less that productive?  The Value of a Solid Agenda in all of these situations is demonstrated in light of its use as a facilitation “tool” that ensures all participants leave with a confident sense of progress.  So maybe it is long past the time to offer a TRIPLE III TIME message totally dedicated to developing great agendas!

The most important component in building a good agenda is to clearly decide: WHAT DO YOU WANT?  Attendees want to know why they are there (i.e. purpose) and what they are deciding on (i.e. goal).  Next it is necessary to determine a “structure of priority” for your WANTS.  This means you need to rank the WHAT DO YOU WANT? items and decide what item is most important…down to which one is least.  These actions will help you focus the discussions and thereby streamline the meeting conduct.

Along with trying to better focus and streamline the meeting, the agenda should adapt to the ever-shortening attention spans of people.  Try to establish a set timeframe for each major topic of discussion/action.  Whether its 15 minutes or one (1) hour, setting decision-making time limits is just good leadership.  Lastly, as has been suggested and exemplified in many agenda-building situations: SIMPLICITY MATTERS!

One last personal suggestion: Don’t be afraid to delegate and share the agenda-building responsibility.  Think about it as a learning opportunity…a chance to empower…practice prioritizing…and the sense of positive leadership partnering.  Yes, extra time and patience would be the cost…but I promise the long-term return-on-investment would be unlimited.

Well first I have to admit that I am not sure Webster’s Dictionary would recognize my “Under-Expecting” word combination.  However, I can not find a better way to introduce this weeks TRIPLE III TIME message…that yes comes to you via a “milkhouse moment” (or two) with my Dad.

Let me start out by saying that my Dad was never guilty of “Under-Expecting” of my brothers and I.  For clarity “Under-Expecting” means that Dad always set the work/job/problem-solving bar real high for tasks to be accomplished on the farm…so at no time could he ever be accused of not challenging us based on our age, size or lack of experience.  Instead assignments were given based primarily on what needed to be done TODAY…and thankfully we all accepted the challenges.  We weren’t always smiling…but mostly a “bring-it-on” mentality prevailed.

Today unfortunately, I believe that too often in the workplace and in many classrooms an “Under-Expecting” style of management exists.  Employees and students are not placed in situations that progressively and professionally challenge them.  Creativity and innovation do NOT result when we are placed in “Under-Expecting” situations.

Bottomline: Dad did not receive or expect perfection when he passed out work assignments.  However, I know he knew the personal growth you felt when you over-achieved in his eyes.  So, no matter your work/life status…don’t follow an “Under-Expecting” course of action.

Thanks again Dad.