When I first began taking on clients and projects as a consultant…I was somewhat unsure of my solid competency in this new area of work.  Yes I was a pretty good Director…manager of people and an organization…but I was not totally confident in may abilities to advise/recommend/instruct others!  So in the beginning of my consultant role I found myself relying too heavily on sharing information on MY innovative projects and initiatives instead of solidly addressing the challenges of the individual or organization I was hired to help.

What was my corrective action?

Well I decided I needed to be more like my long time mentor and colleague Dr. LB!  He was (and still is) a GREAT consultant.  During my years of knowing him as a college professor and consultant, he always was solid in his customer service approach…handled tough questions and was admired as someone who really helped people/organizations.  So how did I do as a consultant…trying to be more like Dr. LB and assimilate his style and processes?  Honestly…I think I was worse!

Recalling these moments of self-evaluation and corrective action…pushed me to draft this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message:  Are YOU An Assimilator??

“Assimilation systematically erodes self-esteem as surely as water wears down granite.  The tragic consequence of assimilation is that it destroys a piece of ourselves.  Without a sense of ourselves we can not draw on the unique talents that make us truly valuable.  Even those who win by assimilating ultimately lose, for after all it is only the artificial self who got (did) the job.”

(Second To None:  The Productive Power of Putting People First by Charles Garfield)

This quote by Mr. Garfield really sums up the negatives of trying to be someone else as a professional.  As an Assimilator you stifle your own creativity and eliminate any sense of authenticity you may bring to your job/organization.  And speaking from my own personal experiences…my growth as a consultant really started when I began “just being myself” as an instructor, good listener, and LEADER.

In the world of innovation and creativity…one of the greatest underestimated and only casually recognized strategies is the act of “Bouncing Your Idea” off others.  Think about it.  Sometimes “Bouncing Your Idea” off someone is conducted so naturally and regularly that no one takes the time to personally and professionally assess the value of this historic process of sharing and discussing an idea…of any size/level!  Therefore, this TRIPLE III TIME message:  Don’t Underestimate “Bouncing Your Idea!” will suggest a strong TOP 10 list of resulting positives that might go unrecognized and appreciated?!

When “Bouncing Your Idea!” off someone you may:

1. See even more growth areas than you had considered.
2. Identify weak points in the idea design/implementation that went unnoticed.
3. Find that you have more individuals/organizations/businesses interested in your idea than you thought.
4. Have a group of unique “spin-off” ideas come forward.
5. Realize others have a similar idea that can add value to yours.
6. Become the “go-to” person regarding new idea discussion and development.
7. Create an “idea generation” movement/division in your workplace/community.
8. Help a friend/colleague better formulate an idea and its presentation to others.
9. Confirm the notion that new ideas aren’t always about more money…rather about doing things uniquely different.
10. Build your own self-confidence in your capacity to be innovative and creative.

All ten are common-sense and straight-forward.  So go ahead and begin Bouncing Your Idea (or Ideas) off others every time you get the chance.

It will be fun and progressive!

​“When was the last time you stood up and delivered bad news?  It can be scary and uncomfortable.  As humans, our instinct is to want to be liked by those around us, but truly brave leaders know that if we want to make change, sometimes we have to deliver the cold, unpalatable truth.”  (GREAT TED TALKS:  Leadership, Harriet Minter)

Harriet Miller’s quote is simple, honest and complete in its analysis of how difficult it is to try Telling People What They DON’T Want To Hear!  Think about it.  As was “distantly” discussed in earlier III messages…EVERYONE is faced with this responsibility at some point.  This setting may occur in a supervisor-to-employee, friend-to-friend, mentor-to-client, counselor-to-participant and of course parent-to-son or daughter situation.  In every case it becomes a leaders role to effectively define and explain the problem and hopefully find a way to a positive solution.

Those who are not “brave leaders” may choose to delay, avoid, ignore, hope the bad news goes away or that someone else delivers the bad news message.  However none of these options help any problem…instead they may even contribute to making it  bigger!

The main point of this TRIPLE III TIME message concerning the Leadership At It’s Toughest:  Telling People What They DON’T Want To Hear! topic, is to recommend always taking a BRAVE LEADER role.  Remember the saying:  If not you…then who?  I think it is necessary to apply this question when addressing a bad news issue.  Would you want someone else to explain the problem, consider appropriate discipline or propose a good solution?  

I believe YOU know my BRAVE LEADER answer.

During the past year or so…in my role as a consultant and community college administrator…I have consistently asked “organizational customers”…what class or training opportunity would make you better?  And although I thought everyone would be able to quickly and easily consider my question and toss out a few learning examples…most times it just generated more questions.  Questions like:

• Do you mean in my job or at home?
• Do you mean a college class or just a workshop?
• Would it be just one class/session or might it be one that meets many times?
• Are you asking about one that would grade you too?
• Can you define “better”?

Well as you can see my observational research told me that most were not sure how to exactly answer the question and/or what to designate as an area they need to improve in?!

What Would Make YOU Better?  The goal of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to indirectly motivate you to think about how YOU would answer this question.  Did I believe it would really be easy…NO?!  But unfortunately it seems to be a question individuals do not often think about.  Plus because it is a combination professional/personal topic area…it often generates the need for deeper response considerations.

I can report that when individuals or groups sincerely address the What Would Make YOU Better? question, the results can be extremely progressive!  The “Better” answer sometimes is as simple as taking a personalized computer class…or as involved as a series of time management sessions for all in your organization.  However the best part of whatever actions are taken…is that professional ownership of the improvement is required!

Many have heard me say in the past:  “Assuming means that you can read someone’s mind…and I have never had that work out for me!”  Remember?

Well this week I want to use this TRIPLE III TIME message opportunity to offer even more detail to these long term words of advice.

First, I believe it’s important to point out that given all of the change we have experienced in just the last few years…nothing in the world of work can be assumed as the same.  People in certain jobs have changed…products and services have changed…so don’t apply the ASSUMING approach to any of these areas.  You will be let down.

Second, think about the whole category of communication.  Are there really just one or two standard professional ways of sharing a message or document?  NO!  Therefore if you are ASSUMING you will get a return phone call, letter or maybe a personal visit…don’t hold your breath!  You will be let down.

Finally, one of the biggest drivers of ASSUMING falls under the categories of work and family traditions.  Think about these statements.  “We have always done it this way.”  “We always meet on this date, time and this location…IN-PERSON!”  How many assumed strong traditions have faded or have been greatly altered in the recent years?

My TRIPLE III TIME advice is to try and limit the personal and professional discomfort resulting from the ASSUMING situations you become involved in.   Because “Assuming” Has No Value.  Rather take it upon yourself to answer questions more completely, make necessary phone calls, attend in-person meetings, make appropriate reminders even if seemingly unnecessary.  And most importantly help others beyond expectations.

The results will be a better adjustment to change factors, better quality communication, more positive revision of traditions and less assumption pitfalls!!

Did I just hear someone say:  “Are you a little more calm now!”

This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message recommends that you put yourself in the “witness chair” and directly ask yourself a series of questions that all revolve around a major leadership issue:  “Are You A Good FINISHER?”

• Do you finish a project completely before starting another?
• Do you have a habit of starting multiple projects/initiatives but only following through and completing the one or two that you like?
• As a leader do you assume the “starter” role and delegate FINISHER work to those that work with you?
• Do you work with others that have to wait for you to move forward so they can do their work…because you are not a good FINISHER?

There are many more questions that can be asked in relation to the basic:  “Are You A Good FINISHER?” challenge…but this TRIPLE III TIME message will try hard to be focused.

I believe establishing and maintaining professional priorities centered on being a good FINISHER is critical to serving as a high-quality leader.  In my old and new worlds-of-work…if I say I am going to do something…I am going to do it.  This priority setting stance is then my driver to ensure I also retain an exemplary FINISHER position on the achievement/completion of promises I have made!

Good intentions often don’t come with good FINISHER results.  Also being recognized as the King or Queen of great ideas…does not hold much leadership weight…if a good idea is never firmly initiated and operationally FINISHED.

This week take an extra solid look in the mirror and ask:  “Are You A Good FINISHER?”  Are you a positive (or not so positive) professional example in this area?  Look around at others in your circle-of-colleagues…do you “stand-out” or “stand-behind” as a good FINISHER?

Be thorough and honest.

“Within you resides a beast that has the potential to devour your energy, focus and productivity.  For lack of  a better term, let’s call it the Beast of Disorganization.  The Beast feeds on bad habits!  The Beast absolutely loves bad habits!  It cannot survive without them.  The Beast especially loves the fact that disorganized people don’t think of simply changing their habits, but seem to look everywhere else for solutions to their problems.  If you are not currently organized, there is a good chance you will never get organized or stay organized until you change some of your counterproductive, chaos-generating habits.”

This Beast of Disorganization paragraph comes from a book entitled:  Getting Organized by Chris Crouch.  And if you were to read his entire self-help book, we all would rethink our answer to the question contained in this week’s TRIPLE III TIME title:  “Me…Disorganized…No Way?!”

Today I believe most of us operate in a zone of “Disorganized Denial”.  Even those who feel and come across as totally together and organized…may be so structured that they don’t leave open spaces for creativity and innovation.  Think about some questions Chris includes in his book…do you:

• Operate in an extremely cluttered environment and can’t even maintain reasonable order in your workspace?
• Can’t effectively and efficiently process and follow up on your incoming paper, e-mails, voice mails, etc?
• Can’t seem to establish, determine, or stick to your priorities?
• Haven’t learned to use your time in a rational manner?
• Can’t seem to stay focused on…or follow up and get closure on…simple tasks and projects?
• Can’t handle many of the basic skills critical to your success?

We could continue to debate “Disorganized Denial” and your level of potential disorganization…but this TRIPLE III TIME message is more about offering some very basic suggestions to improve your overall life/work organized status.

Let’s try focusing on a few helpful factors:

1. Use the control YOU have over your ability to be at least somewhat organized.
2. Don’t allow yourself to be/get “crowded” in your mind or physical space.
3. Work on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking may work on occasion but not effectively as a life-style.
4. Don’t have “stacks-of-stuff” everywhere and argue you know where everything is.
5. Prioritize and stick to them.
6. Likewise as you prioritize make sure your priorities have a REAL purpose.
7. Remember the idea of keeping things simple makes a lot of sense.
8. Don’t let technology or social media contribute to potential disorganization.
9. Embrace the organizationing actions that lead to great project completion.
10. Finally, everyone has how to get better organized advice…but it’s YOUR job to take action.

A fun TOP 10…on an always important topic.  Give improved organization a chance…it can only help!

Whether I am working with young adult students or workers employed in any sector and at any level, the costs related to additional education for skill development are always a concern.  Tuition, housing and book fees at a university, customized training for your leadership group and/or video-conferenced CNC instruction all carry significant cost factors that impact individuals or a specific company…who are just trying to promote the value of continuous learning.

However, today I believe the assumed value of historic education options has shifted due to cost and skill need prioritization.  And as a quiet but effective and efficient compromise…Express Trainings & Learnings opportunities have been steadily introduced in multiple unique online formats.

Check out the following examples:

• Grow with Google: Google Analytics Academy
• HubSpot Academy: Design Foundations:  Building brand guidelines and consistency
• FEMA – Emergency Management Institute
• Alison: Empower Yourself
• edX – Harvard University Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
• Coursera – University of Michigan: Successful Negotiation:  Essential Strategies and Skills

And now you are asking:  “What are the points I am trying to make in this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message entitled:  Express Trainings & Learnings?”

Well first in general I would like everyone to consider the examples given and challenge yourselves, co-workers and those you supervise to seek out quality, no-cost, no-travel online Express Trainings & Learnings courses as a means of creating a customized continuous professional improvement/development plan.

If you are selective in your choices…you will challenge the “you only get what you pay for” belief with credible no-cost options.  You may also come to realize that many in the HR profession do not know what they don’t know with regard to the wide range of available new age Express Trainings & Learnings.

Change has happened and continues in this area.  Employers are giving more consideration to the quality personal traits of job candidates FIRST and understand that direct job training and learning maybe just a click away.

A concluding final fun thought or two:  Modern is…as Modern does.  Or better yet:  Future is…as Future does.  Are YOU Modern and Future doing.

Doesn’t it seem like today everyone believes we no longer have 24 hours in a day!?  That work time goes by somewhat slow…but home and recreation time races by.  That no matter how effective and efficient we try to be with our time management plans…that we never seem to finish one task well enough to satisfy ourselves and thereby move forward to the next project frustrated.

Reality?  Fast & Diversified…that seems to be the “life-pace new normal”!  So with that in mind let’s take this TRIPLE III TIME message opportunity and talk about Investment Strategies For Your TIME!

First we need to specifically consider your TIME as a special company asset.  What do I mean?  Think about your TIME as:

• Something only you own
• A limited resource
• Something non-renewable
• Priceless

Then think specifically how you “spend/utilize” your TIME asset everyday.  Consider workplace and personal products or services you complete/deliver.  This approach may be very difficult…but it is the only means to determine if you are getting an appropriate Return-On-Investment (ROI) for your TIME.

Consider TIME draining activities like:

• Are you “triple-guessing” yourself on a decision already made?
• Spending an inappropriate amount of time with those who chose to do the minimum?
• Participating in “old-news” actions and not future-building issues?
• Finding yourself working for technology demands…rather than making technology work for you to advance?
• Focusing so much to make sure everyone is doing everything correctly….that innovation is ignored?

Bottomline: Devising Investment Strategies For Your TIME is a very personal consideration.  Just like no one invests their savings the same way…no two people should invest their TIME the same way.

Give yourself some TIME…to consider your TIME investments.  I believe your ROI will be worth it.