Author Archives: Inspiring Innovations, Inc.
TRIPLE III TIME: The PRIORITY PICTURE
In recent staff/organizational development discussions…the “how do you get better at prioritizing for your workplace?” has been a primary topic. I first told them I believe the improvement approaches vary by individual…but to get a better visual of the prioritization challenge the group had fun taking part in a couple mind exercises.
First, I asked the group to think about all the messages they receive each day via telephone, in-person, email, newspaper, television, social media, etc. And consider each message as a “sticky-note” …color coordinated by source…all placed on a white board. There were laughs and gasps…but all seemed to understand how overwhelming that would be for just one day. The exercise concluded when I asked them to view their imaginary boards and determine if they can see specific priorities coming through…or are their boards more like those pictures that you can’t see an image unless someone points it out to you?!?
Think about it!
The second exercise had everyone visualize your messages trying to be funneled into your brain…and a smaller “pipe” showing priorities exiting your brain. Again, the giggles…but more importantly was the realization of what do you do with all of that excess messaging information taking up space in your mind?
This is another time management area where SIMPLICITY MATTERS! As messages come to you it is critical to ask: What is wanted or needed to make it a priority…before making decision room for details. Also, identifying the timeframes for action is a screening tool for priority setting that will assist in opening (or closing) the messaging input funnel. Additionally, it is YOUR responsibility to inform message senders of your process for priority setting and that they too must understand that SIMPLICITY MATTERS.
Learning Moments Podcast: “Innovation as a Policy”
It’s time again for the Learning Moments Podcast! Innovation is one of the most highlighted terms in both the public and private sector…but have you ever thought about “Innovation as a Policy”? How are you making “Innovation a Policy” in your organization? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
TRIPLE III TIME: Let’s Talk “Consistency”
A great friend of mine recently let me know that one style of explaining my TRIPLE III TIME messages that he really enjoys is what he labeled “Milkhouse Moments”. Simply put my Milkhouse Moments were true learning moments that usually came from my Dad while we were milking cows each morning and night. Well…this week Let’s Talk “Consistency” is a Milkhouse Moment that came in the form of a work expectation example from my Dad…rather than in words.
Let me explain.
Recently I was complimented by another great friend about my TRIPLE III TIME Blogs and 2017 start-up of my monthly Inspiring Innovations – Learning Moments Podcasts. I was very thankful for the compliment but I was equally thankful when she said that “their success is largely due to the commitment to Consistency…so readers and listeners always can count on you being there.”
Well…I can assure you that I really didn’t think I was learning a valuable life-long lesson when I had to get up early…or leave a few afternoon parties in order to be on time to help with important farm work responsibilities (my Dad would call them chores). But as I thought more about my friends compliments and the ever-growing number of colleagues that read-listen-share the messages, I realized that my Dad’s work expectation example of Consistency…has benefited me personally and professionally for all my years.
And today maybe he helped a few more…with another Milkhouse Moment.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Job Opening: A Morale Officer”
Each week as I consider what topic to discuss in this TRIPLE III TIME message space, it is fun when a topic seemed to find me. In a number of friend, colleague and even family conversations, the issue of workplace morale was raised and stressed as a common problem. “At an all-time low”…“Even the normally happy ones are lack-luster”…and “Maybe we should hire a Morale Officer to help”…are all real time quotes about the challenge of low morale in the workplace.
So armed with this documented need for Inspiring Innovations Advisor assistance, outlined below are my TOP 10 duties for the Morale Officer position:
- Instruct everyone to smile…a lot!
- Meet with co-workers to resolve workplace feuds…before bringing in the “higher-ups”
- Recommend actions to meet customers in ways that promote helpfulness, energy and possibilities.
- Direct staff to regularly ask questions about changes in work expectations and problems.
- Form teams to come up with new cool product and service options.
- Discuss methodologies on how to create the habit of finishing each day on a good note…and starting FRESH the next day.
- Hold a workshop with all employees on how to eliminate workplace “hiding-spots”.
- Institute a policy to require co-workers to take turns sharing a “good story” about a work issue each week…rather than repeating bad story news.
- Have each employee take a pledge to “Not Watch the Clock”. Running from responsibility does not build morale.
- Bring in the New York Times (or local paper) to assist in developing ways to constructively BRAG about your business/organization and the products/services you offer.
***OK…Now tell me which of these TOP 10 shouldn’t be in YOUR job description.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Getting the Last Word”
Today we are experiencing tough times. No, I don’t mean the stock market is down, the unemployment rate is going up or the potential for war is growing. No, the tough times that we are experiencing appear to be more centered on the fact that no one seems to be listening to one another and “Getting the Last Word” in a discussion somehow qualifies you as the winner.
And yes, we are all guilty.
The “Getting the Last Word” syndrome is fueled by many of today’s leaders. Think about it. How often in any discussion that you are involved in…is there silence while people REALLY think about what’s been said…and then allow the discussion to continue. Also, how often if you do not instantly respond to someone’s point are you asked: “Don’t you have something to say?” And wouldn’t it be extra cool if your response was: “No, I am really thinking about what was just said.”
“Getting the Last Word” in a discussion/debate does NOT make you a winner. It does however indicate that you have NOT totally thought through the points that were just shared by someone else. (“ARE YOU LISTENING?” That’s my Mom’s voice.)
BOTTOMLINE: Unless you are running for an office or are a contestant in a debate competition, “Getting the Last Word” in a discussion isn’t as important as you might think. Instead, how about if we all try setting a new trend and reverse the scenario. This would mean that while involved in a heated conversation you say: “I have made all the significant points I want to make…and I want you to “Get the Last Word” in…so I can listen and better learn from you.”
Who would be identified as the LEADER?
TRIPLE III TIME: EXPECTATIONS (Unlimited Shades of Gray!)
Addressing the challenge of meeting customer expectations, staff expectations, Board expectations, public expectations and even your own personal expectations, has most recently become a major area of Inspiring Innovations consultant discussion.
Well, advising on the EXPECTATIONS issue I thought should be easy…right? But even with the solid wording found in contracts, lists of performance measures, discussions of deadlines and/or creative service agreements, there are still Unlimited Shades of Gray when addressing the “looking forward to something” beliefs and feelings founded in EXPECTATIONS.
Now for those that know me…REALLY know me…they know that I have always loved the gray areas of policy, rules and life. The gray areas have enabled me and many others to exercise our innovation and non-traditional “muscles” and to experiment and pilot so many cool concepts and services!
But for today…and maybe just this once, I will try to “darken the gray” and toss out my Top 10 that I hope will help everyone with the EXPECTATIONS challenge. CAUTION: Be sure to remember that the 10 ideas come from the “Giver AND Receiver” points of reference.
- Smile and always nicely ask the most specific questions you can put forth. (With EXPECTATIONS, a hostile tone or softball questions will go nowhere.)
- Write down “what do you/they want?” Add appropriate details.
- Do not expect that people will totally “get” your expectations. (They can’t read your mind and have not had the same expectations-building experience you have had).
- Have confidence that people do understand your CORE expectations and you theirs…but never assume.
- Try to display your desired outcomes first…and the expectation actions will evolve more smoothly.
- Refer to past precedent activities/priorities to assist in expectation comprehension.
- Share your expectation questions with co-workers/colleagues. (A lack of expectation understanding or clarity is often a pain felt by many!)
- Don’t assume an expectation for or from someone is equally delegated (Accept that partial expectation assignments are still a statement that you are important.)
- Simplicity Matters!
- Communicate…Communicate…COMMUNICATE all regarding expectation steps.
And if you wanted #11…how about: Be sure to offer a “way-to-go” to those involved if your expectations are met or exceeded. Quality constructive criticism is also helpful if someone falls short.
Learning Moments Podcast: “What Else Mapping”
This episode of the Learning Moments Podcast covers the innovation topic: “What Else Mapping!” Think about it! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this innovation exercise. Email me at mpichla@inspiringinnovationsllc.com or leave a comment below.
TRIPLE III TIME: A Special Innovation
Several times over the past few years the suggested quarterly American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) topic for guest columnists has had special meaning to me. In light of the fact that one of my sons recently joined the Army Reserve and completed basic training this summer, I thought maybe I could offer an article that would contain an idea for the military to consider. Check it out! http://patimes.org/testimonial-recruitment-units-trus-special-military-recruiting-teams/
TRIPLE III TIME: “Does Anyone Hear ME…US?”
Life working on the frontline often has a feeling of isolation. Most times your main line of COMMUNICATION rests with co-workers and first-tier management. Contact and discussion time with those at the top levels of business/organization operations are often infrequent and “courtesy-call-ish” in nature. The resulting personnel activity usually follows a common track:
- Internal complaining
- Business remains stagnant
- Work activity continues but…with minimal leadership influence
- Workplace “hiding-spots” develop for frontliners and top-level leaders (i.e. He or she is just too busy or “Does Anyone Hear ME…US?” anyway)
Well for this TRIPLE III TIME message…I am going to push the responsibility for COMMUNICATION in the direction of the frontliners. Think about these ideas:
- When did you last send a direct request for a meeting with the lead person(s)?
- Have you ever structured a formal agenda to share with leaders as part of your meeting request…IN WRITING?
- Because we live in a SHOW-ME WORLD… what new service/product/operation are you ready to show them?
- Do you make sure your request is all business and not a personal visit moment?
- If you work with a team…are they all involved in the leader meeting request idea?
- Are you prepared for whatever form of feedback may result (i.e. professional discomfort)?
- Is the information you wish to discuss progressive/action-based?
- Have you considered a very specific meeting timeframe (i.e. one (1) hour)?
- What meeting structures have you considered to make sure it can NOT become a whining session?
- Finally be sure to identify the 1 or 2 or 3 priorities for the visit (i.e. take-home ideas)
BOTTOMLINE: Leadership is a two-way street…and as frontline leaders it is more than appropriate for you to take the meeting request initiative.
TRIPLE III TIME: Opportunities of a Lifetime!
Over the years you have heard me comment on and give examples of what I term: Opportunities of a Lifetime! Opportunities like meeting a special person/celebrity, getting an award, traveling to a new spot and/or running into a long-lost friend are just a few examples. If you think back at your own personal history…I am sure you will find many examples that will make you smile.
Today however, I seem to take the time to watch and assist family, friends and colleagues in experiencing their Opportunities of a Lifetime. Some take them for granted…while others don’t recognize them for all that they are. I will admit maybe it’s an age thing…but for this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message I’m YELLING LOUDLY…be sure to celebrate your OPPORTUNITIES OF A LIFETIME!
By taking the time to celebrate your Opportunities of a Lifetime you will:
- Learn a little more about what makes you special.
- Maybe generate a progressive momentum that will serve you well.
- Be reminded of the positive example you are setting for others.
- Realize that in almost every situation YOU are the one who initiates, facilitates and creates the resulting Opportunity of a Lifetime.
So maybe if we all think that today we are creating one next OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME…we will smile all day.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 