Author Archives: Inspiring Innovations, Inc.
LEARNING MOMENTS: Making Sure Your Inventories Are Alive
In keeping with our annual tradition, this month’s LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast comes to you “LIVE”(ish) from my deer blind in northern Michigan! We’ll discuss and share thoughts about Making Sure Your Inventories are Alive. Let me know what YOU think in the comments.
Enjoy the listen.
TRIPLE III TIME: Taking A Professional “TIME OUT”
“As a general rule, time outs aren’t meant to function as a method of punishment. Instead, they’re a way of allowing the child’s reasoning power to catch up with his/her emotions. The main idea is to communicate, teach, and encourage reflecting.” (Focus on the Family online newspiece)
First, I will admit that in my very early childhood…TIME OUTS were not really even “discovered” yet. And if you got in trouble… Mom or Dad would figure out the best correct action to get your attitude and behavior back in the right place. However, today science and research has shown that pulling a child out of the problem situation and providing separate space for them to calm down physically and mentally… standardly helps in opening the “corrective action” doors.
So what about Taking A Professional TIME OUT when trying to resolve/improve/move a challenging concern to a more positive level… when working with adults?
Well as I have “grown” in the field of professional consulting and have worked with a variety of individuals, students and groups… creatively suggesting at certain times that it is necessary to consider Taking A Professional TIME OUT… is more than appropriate.
Remember the TIME OUT would not be a punishment, rather just a step-back action to give yourself and others a little mental and physical space. Frustrations… attitudes… and disrespect would be lessened during this implementation and strategy of Taking A Professional TIME OUT. Individuals have even laughed when I have “ordered” an adult TIME OUT. But when I explained my action and announced that if we don’t correct ourselves… who will… the support was excellent!
Bottomline: Try to regularly begin Taking A Professional TIME OUT… even if you are working on a project alone and are stuck! And don’t make it a “forced habit”… because then it can be looked at as punishment. Rather it is just a natural part of accepting personal responsibility at home and at work. Plus I have witnessed that it can work well… if YOU let it.
TRIPLE III TIME: “4th & 1” Decision Making
I know I’ve said and explained it before… but I never know where a cool concept for the next TRIPLE III TIME message may come from. But let me say without any doubt… I never thought the Detroit Lions would ever be a progressive motivator!!
Let me explain.
Yes, I have been a life-long Lions fan… and annual disappointment has just been a regular fact of life. However, like all Lions fans everywhere the last season and the current one has been an almost dream-like scenario. And for me one of the most impressive leadership actions has been the team’s “4th & 1” DecisionMaking. You know what I am referring to… right? I am talking about continuously engaging a “LET’S GO FOR IT/Calculated Risk-Taker” action when faced with a fourth down and one yard (or short yardage) to be gained to achieve a first down and continue their drive for a touchdown! It is a NEW LIONS… league-changing… impact on the game of football.
So why is this new “4th & 1” Decision Making change phenomenon an unexpected TRIPLE III TIME motivator?
Well I think the Lions success on-the-field and as a business in the sports sector… provides a real life example of the positivity of making a non-traditional “LET’S GO FOR IT/Calculated Risk–Taker” decision from time-to-time in the world-of-work. Continuing down a “that’s the way we have always done it and/or how the game has always been played” path of operation may be easier to manage… but brings limited growth.
Think about the overall importance of adopting a developmental “4th & 1” Decision Making strategy in your personal and work life… and maybe leave the Lions out of it. Taking that “LET’S GO FOR IT/Calculated Risk-Taker” action… may result in a multitude of unexpected progressive achievements and a new organizational “let’s enjoy being a winner” attitude that is regularly contagious!
TRIPLE III TIME – RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism
Providing the best instruction to my American Government & Politics classes has become a little more challenging this semester. With the upcoming election now just a week away…the questions and discussion about each candidate at every level of government…has become more direct and intense for all the right reasons.
As you can guess we talk about:
- Political party differences
- Personal positions on issues
- Priorities for our country/state
- Information shared by candidates and their methods of communication…
and yes multiple points-of-view are openly expressed. Regardless of their beliefs and attitudes…the single, most, important position I require each student to understand, accept and utilize is:
RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism
Why is this the most critical lesson to be learned??
Well I let them know that in politics…or on the job…or on personal life issues, the individual that follows a RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism code of conduct… will most often be the more successful person. And regardless of your role as a leader, co-worker, colleague, friend, neighbor, student, teacher, political candidate and/or life partner; if you appropriately show a professional level of common sense respect to everyone you interact with…the right kind of respect will be returned.
The best part of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism is that YOU own its potential. YOU control YOUR potential to offer the best form of professional respect. So use that control/potential wisely everyday…EVERYDAY! The positive, progressive, professional returns will be unlimited.
TRIPLE III TIME: Mini-Info PIT STOPS!
Communication designs and methods are probably one of the largest change areas we are experiencing everyday. I know I would not be able to list all the options that are out there right now…because I would forget a bunch…but just realizing the modern day expanse of the communication industry…is just overwhelming!
So to try to offer understandable, usable communication skills improvement considerations in our limited TRIPLE III TIME message-space…lets discuss what I call: Mini-Info PIT STOPS!
First let’s think about preparing to effectively communicateout a sizeable number of information items. Consider the following:
- Build your important concepts into a series of bullet points. You may have to draft them a couple times but simple, direct, interpretation-free would be the best structure.
- Use visuals to make a statement on an issue. Try it before you question this suggestion.
- Condense your timeframes. Think about limiting time/focus on a certain issue to15 minutes. If you allow more time…people will regularly “take it”.
Now let’s “turn the tables” and think about actions tomaximize your receipt of valuable information. Consider the following:
- Practice critical listening. Screening in communication highlights is a critical professional development skill…everyday!
- Try to “taste” items being communicated to better determine their understandability.
- Don’t go back for information “seconds”. It’s ok to be “concept-full” with small portions.
Bottomline: Sometimes people almost progressively “choke” on receiving too much information too fast. Creating a communication style which supports Mini-Info PIT STOPS will allow both the communication giver and receiver the time to better digest the message(s) being offered.
National Center for Public Sector Innovation
Did someone say INNOVATION?!
As I was making notes to prepare my quarterly American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) article…I remembered my promise to ASPA officials that INNOVATION especially in the public sector would be one of my priority topics as a guest author. And I also realized that I had never shared my personal drive to somehow create and sustain a National Center for Public Sector Innovation!
Well it is more than the right time to share!
I hope everyone takes the right amount of time to get a solid idea of the potential design of and tremendous value that would eventuate from creating an institutional National Center for Public Sector Innovation.
Let me know what you think.
National Center for Public Sector Innovation
As a regular article author for the American Society for Public Administration PA TIMES online publication, I promised I would make “INNOVATION” one of my main topics. This promise has enabled me to contribute at least one quarterly article per year primarily focused on creativity and non-traditional initiatives in the public sector. However, today I have to admit that until this moment I have not discussed my single, most significant idea in this area, the establishment of a: National Center for Public Sector Innovation (NCPSI).
Let me describe what I am proposing.
The National Center for Public Sector Innovation would be formed to fill a void to build an inventory, share ideas, and provide learning about public sector and private non-profit innovations at a level never before available. Public sector innovations (new and creative ways to deliver public service) are rarely recorded and often taken for granted by governmental and private non-profit organizations. Unlike the private sector where money is a motivator for new thoughts and products, the public sector is (and always has been) starved for innovation. NCPSI would respond to this void.
Membership in NCPSI would be open to share public service innovations effectively and efficiently. Potential members may include:
- Public administrators from federal, state, and local levels
- Front-line public/private non-profit service workers
- Elected officials
- Educators
- Volunteer board members
- College students
- High school students
This proposed membership base would help extend NCPSI’s main principle which is: Innovation is only understood, appreciated, and celebrated when it is shared. Because innovation in the public sector adds service value, NCPSI could have a positive impact on the lives of citizens everywhere.
A proposed virtual library of innovations solicited from the public/private non-profit sectors would be the most significant service of the NCPSI. Unique is the best word to describe the inclusive design of the NCPSI’s innovation recruitment and registration process. The NCPSI would allow for an open forum for identifying and contributing good public sector innovation ideas. There would be no long-term program/project/service evaluation demands for submitting an innovation. There would be no minimum or maximum fiscal or client-customer participation numbers. The main focus would be on each innovation’s potential for addressing a public sector problem or issue in a better way. This special structure would be critical because no person or group innovates at the same pace nor in the same way.
Innovations would be cataloged under the following major areas:
- Community Development
- Organizational Development
- Workforce Development
- Education Development
- Business Development
- Environmental Development
Catalog Definitions
- Community Development
The NCPSI defines community development as any public sector/private non-profit initiative that serves to better a community. Innovations related to safety, recreation, infrastructure or organized growth would all fit in this category.
- Organizational Development
Organizational development is defined as any public sector/private non-profit initiative that enhances, advances, or improves the effectiveness/efficiency of an organization’s programs or services. Many times, external and internal innovations are needed to move an organization down the road to conquer new age problems.
- Workforce Development
The NCPSI defines workforce development as any public sector/private non-profit initiative that trains or re-trains America’s workforce. Innovations may include new ways to approach old problems (e.g., worker illiteracy) or alternative methods for encouraging lifelong learning in the workplace.
- Education Development
Education development is defined as any public sector/private non-profit initiative that furthers opportunities for student learning. No idea is too small or too specific for this category! Options could include expanded on-line learning opportunities, new curriculum development, changes in school hours, or incorporation of job-specific coursework.
- Business Development
Business development is defined as any public sector initiative that enables the business community to improve financially, operationally, or structurally. Innovations that represent non-traditional partnerships between the public and private sectors would be likely candidates for this category.
- Environmental Development
Environmental development is defined as any public sector/private non-profit initiative that works to renew, protect, or preserve our natural resources. Examples could include creative ways to improve water quality, develop “brownfields”, or clean up a neighborhood.
The timely validity of creating a National Center for Public Sector Innovation lies in the need for people and organizations to simply share good ideas. Today (more than ever) it is critical to stay ahead of the expanding global economy. The NCPSI through its Innovation Catalog allows all contributing innovators to be an inclusive part of “product development”. As a virtual organization, the NCPSI would be “centered” in all who participate in the task of bringing forth quality public sector innovations.
Finally, a National Center for Public Sector Innovation could easily respond to questions like:
- Where can I go for information about innovative, public sector programs and services?
- What examples of public sector innovation can I learn from?
- How can I get assistance from someone who has real life experience to develop my own public sector innovations?
- When is the best time to venture forward with a new public sector innovation?
My hopes for helping create a NCPSI organization/service site continues.
LEARNING MOMENTS: Who Owns The BIG Picture?
This month’s podcast: Who Owns The BIG Picture? … is almost a strong personnel policy directive! Too often in many businesses or organizations employees within them seem to be “once removed” from owning and standardly sharing a common message about what their business/organization stands for!
I believe it is crucial for all employees… Board members… business owners… to make sure everyone knows Who Owns The BIG Picture… BECAUSE THEY ALL DO!! There is little doubt in my mind that if everyone regularly carries forward the “CAUSE” that they stand for… progress, and profit will follow.
Enjoy the listen!
TRIPLE III TIME: Nurturing Patience
No one would/could ever say that I am a patient person. Historically I toss out my business and/or personal expectations…and yes I want to see related action and results fairly quickly. But is that always a good “mind-set”?
As I have professionally grown, one of the most significant learnings I have experienced is the art of: Nurturing Patience.
Think about it.
Nurturing Patience on a professional level is one of the key traits that makes one a solid leader. And let me say that applying appropriate patience to a challenging situation does NOT always come as a result of growing older. Rather I have witnessed many young adults better apply their patience skills when dealing with difficult people than I thought possible.
Consider the goods and bads of seeking “immediate gratification” in different situations. Too often when people apply an “I want it now” attitude to a certain business deal, the result is rarely as good or complete had a Nurturing Patience approach been utilized.
I believe that by Nurturing Patience in business or personal development situations: (1) one gains a better understanding of their role, (2) steps back and gains more insight as to the good or bad outcomes that could result and (3) possibly draws other appropriate people into the discussion for advice.
I have lived on both sides of the patience issue. Have I experienced the negatives of moving too fast and expecting too much…or waiting too long to take action and not getting what I was hoping to achieve…absolutely! However, as leaders…it is critical for everyone to discuss Nurturing Patience, reflect on it’s appropriate application, use patience as determined and then take action.
Again making Nurturing Patience a high-value skill…is time well spent.
TRIPLE III TIME: More Than Just One “RIGHT WAY”
As we start thinking about this week’s TRIPLE III TIME topic: More Than Just One “RIGHT WAY”!…consider all of the people you have worked with in the past and currently. For me…fortunately I feel like I can report that I have been involved with only a few that seemed locked-in on a single path forward. Or maybe some of my “let’s try something different” work style may have rubbed off to minimize the “we have always done it this way” mindset?!
Regardless of what your past or current work/life situation is regarding the More Than Just One “RIGHT WAY”position…this TRIPLE III TIME message will focus primarily on the progress lost resulting from a Just One RIGHT WAY approach.
- Just One RIGHT WAY prohibits the input of other minds.
- Just One RIGHT WAY means no additional learning…for anyone.
- Just One RIGHT WAY labels you as narrow-minded.
- Just One RIGHT WAY means that no “what-else”discussion time would be allowed.
- Just One RIGHT WAY commits to a single process/activity (no matter what!)
Bottomline: The five progress lost examples are only some of the most significant negatives of Just One RIGHT WAY operations. And to avoid these types of negatives, we need to better understand that today we live in continuous growth TRANSFORMATION world. This means continuous growth TRANSFORMATION is the bestlife/work goal…not a Just One RIGHT WAY single life/work assignment.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Being With MY Own Kind”
Recently I was meeting with a group and the focus was on innovation (GREAT STUFF)! We discussed options for non-traditional opportunities for their organization and they also asked about my cool creativity experiences.
Well as you can assume I immediately jumped into a proud almost speech-like discussion about a number ofinnovative projects and service designs I had the privilege of developing over my career. And as the discussion continued, one individual asked a unique question that I had never been asked before. He asked:
“What was/is the single most motivational concept/issue that pushed you then and now to keep dreaming-up innovative ways of doing things in everyone’s workplaces?”
What a totally thought-provoking question!
My answer: Fortunately…historically… “Being With MY Own Kind!”
I explained that in my career long worlds-of-work, I have been able to surround myself with co-workers, co-partners and co-leaders that retained a TOP 10 set of professional priorities that exemplified the always innovative value of: “Being With MY Own Kind!”
Here are the colleague innovation-motivation TOP 10 professional priorities:
- Regularly thinks of new solutions to old problems.
- Steps-up for extra new challenge work.
- Is a calculated risk-taker.
- Truly believes in an always-a-better-way principle.
- Understands finances…but does not let it cease innovative concepts.
- Retains an immediate “bring-it-on” attitude.
- Appreciates that CHANGE is a natural activity.
- Maximizes a “no one goes it alone” strategy.
- Carries a natural professional “people-draw”.
- Continually operates with a “what next” momentum.
I always hope that my opportunities to highlight the benefits I have gained from “Being With MY Own Kind!” help to ignite innovative initiatives for others.
And yes I thanked him for asking the question.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 