Category Archives: DEVELOPING YOU!
TRIPLE III TIME: Talking “Dress Code”
Now that the major “working from home” phenomenon has eased and face-to-face customer service has been prioritized…has anyone given much thought about the pandemic effect on tomorrow’s “dress code”? Do you think that our recent health scare and distancing from people would/should be a reason or rationale for softening what should be professionally worn to work…no matter your occupation?
Strangely I have received interesting comments from both sides of this issue. Some say that the pandemic and work-from-home experience will lessen the importance of appropriate work attire…and heightens the focus on one’s work capabilities. On the flip side I have heard several individuals indicate that they believe workers will make efforts to improve their workplace image with “a better look” than they had maintained in the past!
Well first I have to admit that I don’t recall ever Talking “Dress Code” in any of my nearly eight (8) years of TRIPLE III TIME blogging! Second with my position on this issue I may show my age…and emphasize the value of tradition. Regardless I do feel it is prime time to give yourself a cool fresh start.
I believe “looking like you mean business”…means a lot. Looking your best displays pride in what you do and who you represent. This does not mean looking better just on Monday’s or boss visitation days. Looking like you mean business should be an every work day priority. This Talking “Dress Code” work ethic came from my Ma and Dad. Despite their farming world-of-work, they understood the value of looking professional EVERYTIME the opportunity or responsibility required it.
Bottomline: Look like you mean business in your world of work. The quiet respect and attentiveness you will receive will be worth the effort.
TRIPLE III TIME: The Science of NETWORKING
If you looked up the word NETWORKING in an Oxford Dictionary & Wordpower Guide, you would find the following definition:
“Networking-A group of interconnected people…keeping in contact with others to exchange ideas and information.”
The definition and actions that surround the term NETWORKING sound simple and pretty easy to accomplish…right? But for the purpose of continuous professional development this TRIPLE III TIME message will offer a little more in-depth scientific assessment of this “maneuverable” term.
First, I believe to be a high-level NETWORKING agent you must always go beyond your current group of inter-connected people. Stretching yourself to network beyond your comfort zone, is professional development at its finest! Also, with my belief that the need/cause of innovative diversity must always be part of your planning for quality life and work tomorrows…NETWORKING beyond expectations is high value.
Likewise, with the understanding that a good idea can only be good if it is shared…NETWORKING with ideas and information is only logical. But in order to “science it up”…could you categorize your NETWORKING colleagues? Maybe create special section areas like political, private business, education, guest speakers…you get the idea. Or periodically create a NETWORKING challenge/contest about a certain problem issue and who can offer the best solution. Or maybe establishing a specific time every year to have an online moment when all share “The Best Ideas Ever!” for everyone to learn from.
Never underestimate the power of regular, expansive, diverse NETWORKING. It has a wonderful way of expanding your thoughts and idea-generation in the most progressive/positive way.
TRIPLE III TIME: Do YOU Practice What YOU Preach?
As an everyday leader inside and outside your world of work, setting and being the best professional example you can be is critical. Yes, I know we have talked about example setting in other TRIPLE III TIME messages…but have we ever discussed the importance of looking back to measure our example setting actions? In other words have we ever asked ourselves directly: “Do YOU Practice What YOU Preach?”
You know what I mean! Example “Do YOU Practice What YOU Preach?” issues are easy to identify. Think about:
- Do you avoid doing personal stuff at/during work hours?
- Do you practice your own version of allowances for “comp-time” or follow Agency policy?
- Do you share company/organization information equally among co-workers?
- Do you advance company gossip or never “go there”?
- Do you engage in professional development training/workshops as you prescribe for others?
- Do you invite communication advice and/or ideas from all?
- Do you maintain your work/office space?
- Do you step-up to help others or with special projects?
- Do you allow yourself “dream-time” to be continually creative?
- Do you show up late…leave early or set a positive attendance practice?
These ten (10) examples of “Do YOU Practice What YOU Preach?” are just a short list of the leadership “preachings” that have appeared in TRIPLE III TIME messages over the years. And although I do not support offering repeat messages, I do support regularly assessing personal professional progress (i.e. measuring do I practice what I preach!).
TRIPLE III TIME: “Try One More Thing!”
One phrase I never like to hear during my consulting opportunities is: “Well I have tried and done everything to improve/fix/advance in this area …so I don’t know what else is left?” I know you have all heard it and I would guess that you too have uttered these words some time in your life/work history! But as you can guess my corrective action approach is and has always been to go through an often-extensive list of alternative possibilities…and not surprisingly there are maybe one or two actions that were untested.
Given these experiences I thought it may be helpful to use a TOP 10 list of lets “Try One More Thing!” fun concepts for this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message.
- Go Back To Go Forward: Got back in time and find the origins of the challenge issue. History may help you see the future.
2. Phone A Friend: Colleagues…a new set of eyes will always add insight to the issue.
3. Draft An Idea Paper: Sometimes just writing down details about a challenge and seeing past ideas in writing…sprouts a new one.
4. GOOGLE IT: In today’s high-tech world…sometimes the problems can be just a click away.
5. Break IT Into Smaller Pieces: Addressing pieces of an issue often assists in identifying brand new opportunities.
6. Assemble A Game-It Group: Break the “I’ve tried everything” mind block and assemble a small group and address the issue in an idea-generation game fashion.
7. Attempt A “Visioning” Exercise: In a creative way try drawing a picture/diagram of a possible solution.
8. News Reporter Interview Technique: If a reporter from the New York Times was interviewing you about solutions…would your “innovative-spirit” fire up?
9. Go To An Inspirational Spot: Location-Location-Location…may be an asset in finding a new option.
10. What Would_________Do?: Think of a LEADER you admire most…and ask yourself What Would _________Do?
Bottomline: So in the future before you shout “I’ve tried everything!”…check out this TOP 10 and “Try One More Thing!”
TRIPLE III TIME: YOUR Source of ENERGY
The year is now 2021. What are you going to do to kick off the new year in an extra special direction? No… this is not a New Years Resolution TRIPLE III TIME message. Rather it is a professional suggestion to begin 2021 with a unique analysis to identify YOUR Source of ENERGY… progressive… positive… innovative ENERGY that will serve as a guide going forward.
I will bet that you have never really completed an analysis of your sources of ENERGY before. But right now, think hard… are your sources:
And don’t take the easy way out when completing your analysis and say, “All of Them!” While that may be true based on specific circumstances… I believe everyone has a select ENERGY “WELL” that they go back to for help.
- Family
- Customers
- Networking
- New Projects
- Students
- Colleagues
- Mentors/Advisors
- What? Who?
Why is completing this YOUR Source of ENERGY analysis so vital right now? Because too often… especially given the challenges of 2020… people seem to get entrenched in a Zone of Dis-Energy…. and their spirit of potential… future thought… personal and professional entrepreneurship goes/remains dormant.
Bottomline: Make a pledge/promise/commitment right now to maximize connectivity with YOUR Source of ENERGY! Daily let the progressive sources of energy surround you. YOU have the power to do this. Build on current solid sources of energy and weekly seek out one or two more. Don’t allow negative sources of dis-energy “control-the-flow”. Remember this process begins with a quality analysis of YOUR Source of ENERGY. Don’t short-change this fun “input” activity… it will lessen the new ENERGY output.
TRIPLE III TIME: Professional Reflection
This week I have the semester ending opportunity to assess and score the results of students taking their Final Exam in my American Government & Politics class. As you can guess my exams are a little non-traditional… but a whole lot about “What do YOU think?”. The exam consists of a variety of essay questions and each student has a choice of the required number of questions they must answer. But the question that is most fun and interesting are the answers that come from the last question:
“Ten (10) years from now… what job will you have and what part of this American Government & Politics course impacted you the most and why?”
Right now, I bet you are asking yourself… where is the Inspiring Innovations TRIPLE III TIME message in all this verbiage?
Well, just like students in my class answering that last Final Exam question, reflection… Professional Reflection is the special “test” assignment for this weeks message. What if you were asked:
“Given all of the challenges you faced during calendar year 2020, what action or occurrence professionally impacted you the most and why?”
I am sure the COVID issues would strongly influence your response to this question… but what about you and your world of work? Consider:
- Are you more tech-savvy?
- Can you really do your job without personal contact?
- Have new business products/services been created in your profession?
- What skill-set areas have you “stretched” and which ones have contracted?
- What type of motivational speech could you give to co-workers… today?
- Are you happy because you didn’t have to change at all?
- Did you feel like you wanted to find a new job?
- Is there a training area you wished you had?
- What professional resources or people did you look to for guidance?
- If you knew then what you know now, would you do anything different?
Professional Reflection is an exercise that really should have no specific timetable. Therefore asking yourself pertinent growth questions is something that all professionals need to ask in some way or form… just to observe/determine personal movement.
So how would YOU answer this Final Exam question??
TRIPLE III TIME: “Even If Just ONE”
I take a regular “debriefing” action every time I finish teaching a class. By debriefing I mean that I take some quality time to assess what I did good…not so good…mistakes…cool progress steps…you all know what I mean.
Well the more recent class was a little more challenging. Issues like attendance, completion and submission of quality assignments, and just interest in the course topic were all ongoing concerns. The impact: A feeling that I wanted them to learn…more than THEY wanted to learn. And so what did I decide to do differently…you know “Corrective Action”? Or if I was the mentor…what advice would I pass along?
It is so important that you “give your all” to your profession everyday…EVERYDAY! In the case of my class…how sad it would be for me to lower my bar of learning expectations and teaching service delivery just because some choose to do the minimum. Not only would you be “short-changing” the caring achievers…but the bad habit you would be enacting/adopting…sets a world-of-work example you wouldn’t want anyone…ANYONE to follow.
So my Learning Moment from my latest class instructor experience: EVEN IF JUST ONE cares a lot about learning…you need to care even more about teaching.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Not Perfect…But Perfectly Attempted”
Ok…for those that know me realize that this week is a National Holiday: Opening Day of Deer Hunting Season. Well of course that is an exaggeration…but because of my Dad’s legacy…it will always be a holiday to me. But this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: “Not Perfect…But Perfectly Attempted” …is not specifically about the hunt. Rather it focuses on the importance of just going after the opportunity!
First, I have long preached that PERFECTION doesn’t exist. If that were the case we would still have black and white TVs, wall phones, and cars that only get 10 miles per gallon. Why…because back then that was perfection. Today I believe PURSUING PERFECTION is “where-the-action-is”! For all that I work with I advise and mentor the importance of NOT waiting for that perfect situation, but instead take advantage of whatever goal you are seeking and strongly seize the moment. In my consultant messaging I try to stress the high value gained in just trying a new approach and being an example-setter.
Today if you were to ask me to give everyone a solid example of a “Not Perfect”….But Perfectly Attempted” action…I would quickly return to this years hunt. My youngest son never worries about getting a buck that surpasses the biggest one his Dad has got. No his focus is making everything about the hunt: Location (hunting blind), Service (food plot), Timing (get up early), and Equipment (gun/bow/binoculars/hand warmer/etc.) is as perfect as it can be.
BOTTOMLINE: PURSUE PERFECTION and focus on Location, Service, Timing and Equipment in completing your day job. If you do, I believe you will find reward when following a “Not Perfect…But Perfectly Attempted” course of action.
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: 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. 