Category Archives: Triple III
TRIPLE III TIME: “Subtle Leadership”
This year my Dad would have been 91. And I will openly admit that there are many times each week that I think about what he might say or believe about “the state of everything”. I contend that his comments would be brief and to the point…but in the most unique way…each statement would qualify as: “Subtle Leadership”.
So in my fun TRIPLE III TIME way…here are my DAD’s TOP 10 “Subtle Leadership” 2021 reflections:
- Mask or no mask…there’s work to do so get out there and do it.
- Only take stuff with you that you know you will need…the rest will get too heavy to carry.
- Make a note about what you need to get done…otherwise you will forget.
- If you say you already know everything…why am I telling you something you need to know.
- People get scared sometimes…and that’s ok.
- Do you listen or sing a few of the songs we used to play…and then smile.
- If people tell you they have not tried farming a certain way before…try it and be the first.
- Make time for feeding young and older calves and cows…you need them all.
- It’s OK to go out and work a field later at night…it gives you special time to think.
- Remembering only negative stuff can take up a lot of space in your brain.
Yes I can almost hear him say each of these TOP 10 “Subtle Leadership” points. Read them a couple times and think about how they may help you too.
TRIPLE III TIME: Learning About “Emotional Intelligence”
Psychologist and author Deborah Rozman at one time made this important point: “If you don’t manage your emotions, your emotions will manage you.” And I have to be honest I really don’t remember where or when I read Ms. Rozman’s statement, but it wasn’t until recently as I strategized with a colleague consultant did the term Emotional Intelligence become a priority professional development issue for me.
Emotional Intelligence is defined as: “the ability to understand, manage and express one’s emotions in healthy ways.” Think about that definition and then apply it to yourself. When you feel good about yourself and where you are going in life, your emotions help with appropriate energy and enthusiasm. On the flip side when we are down-in-the-dumps and seem to be going nowhere, fear, anger, frustration, sadness and worry take a tremendous toll on our health both physical and mentally. I believe Learning About Emotional Intelligence is something everyone should undertake. What do I mean? I mean allow personal and professional time to better understand your emotions and the emotions of those you live and work with. Consider ways to…I will use the term harness…your emotions to possibly reduce stress, anger and move more quickly to positiveness. No one enjoys being caught in life’s ups and downs roller coaster ride. I believe these are the most critical times when understanding the impacts of Emotional Intelligence can lead to a quicker, positive life or work situation.
The goal of this TRIPLE III TIME message: Learning about “Emotional Intelligence” is just to create a greater awareness and understanding of this topic as a professional development tool. Thanks to JK for sharing it’s basics with me and I encourage all III readers to do a little research and reading about it.
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: “What Do You Mean: CULTURE?”
More and more in all sectors of employment, “specialists” are talking about the importance of a solid workplace culture? What is it? How do you develop it? And what/who is responsible for maintaining it? This months Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast, “What Do You Mean: CULTURE?”, attempts to answer some of these questions. And yes, five minutes does not seem like enough time to respond to even one. But listen closely and let me know what you think?
TRIPLE III TIME: Leadership & Understandability
Many times those in leadership positions make statements or write notes and assume everyone hearing or reading them “gets” exactly what is being requested or explained. Assuming people can “read a leader’s mind” is often an operational weakness that if not addressed can have a huge spread of inaccurate information and directives throughout a business or organization. This challenge of achieving solid UNDERSTANDABILITY is even more pronounced if a leader has that “innovation-spirit” blended into their mode of operation. So how do we achieve a communication balance with regard to Leadership & Understandability?
I believe the majority of the responsibility in addressing this issue falls with leadership. First they must establish a culture of innovation understandability within the overall group. This means ENHANCED COMMUNICATION…openness for asking questions and freedoms for anyone to question the viability of proposed actions. Next in an effort to combat the inability for people to read the leader’s mind phenomenon, additional detailed WRITTEN-DOWN IDEAS must be a standard leadership practice.
Finally effective leaders must retain a high level of PERSONAL ACCESSIBILITY. This means that those in charge need to employ a schedule which allows co-workers and colleagues adequate time to share and converse. There is no way to totally measure the value of ensuring regular accessibility as a leader. However, operating in an always distant manner will undoubtedly create production and quality voids.
Leadership & Understandability are inevitably linked as important personnel management skill sets. Emphasize understandability. This action will enhance your leadership experience on all levels.
TRIPLE III TIME: Innovation Tracking
Innovation Tracking has unofficially been one of my career life hobbies. It started years ago when I thought the world should have/create a National Center for Public Sector Innovation (NCPSI). I appreciated the great group of co-workers and work colleagues that joined my hobby from a distance. Interestingly NCPSI development activities went much further than anyone but me expected! However it was one of those concepts that was a little ahead of its time…so it faded.
But today think about how people make it a practice…even a service to follow/track trends. There are society, fiscal, political, medical trends…and the list goes on. Often they reveal interesting economic growth patterns or changes in how people act, vote, etc. So how about we apply this style of activity and begin a special “creativity movement” and have “followers” participate in Innovation Tracking!
We would begin by simply applying Innovation Tracking to individuals. Could they report that they have tried an innovative new practice in their world of work…weekly? How about observing innovative change…large or small in the product/service they offer? Next, how about if people tracked innovation in their community? A new walking path…a new voting process…a new/alternative downtown…or just an alternative cooperative music/performance get together.
Because of what I do and who I am personally…I do Innovation Tracking all the time. I review innovation organizations online, belong to innovation “groups”, and try to initiate some form of innovative practice with those I work with and even in my personal life…everyday…yes EVERYDAY!
Try it. Don’t make Innovation Tracking harder than it is. Do it in an effort to see more positivity and commit to a belief that there is ALWAYS A BETTER WAY!
TRIPLE III TIME: Public Sector Continuous Improvement… Now or Later?
This weeks TRIPLE III TIME message is my quarterly American Society for Public Administration PA Times article entitled: Public Sector Continuous Improvement… Now or Later? As you can guess, in the article I try to encourage a greater focus on employing a standard of continuous improvement processes to develop quality and efficiency in the public/private non-profit service sectors.
Hopefully everyone reading this article will agree that NOW is the best time to move into a “zone” of public sector product/service continuous improvement. What a great common theme to rally around!
LEARNING MOMENTS: Educationing Your Organization
Sometimes in your career-building journey you try-out different actions and attempt to determine the best ways(s) forward. You never know for sure if certain activities are the best… if the timing is right… and/or if your initiative for development even makes good progress sense?
This very special Educationing Your Organization Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast is about my time as an agency leader and my non-traditional design for developing the organization. It was a unique, fun time. I know you will enjoy this podcast discussion.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Stretching Flexibility”
Yes it is the start-up of a new college semester…and yes I am again teaching a couple classes in American Government & Politics. It is satisfying to know and see all of the students in person and again draw on their real attendance energy when in the classroom.
It is always my practice to spend the first class period as a “get-to-know-you” moment. Of course we cover course expectations but before we end that first class I always try to give them a special word…phrase…or sentence that specializes the learning time that we will share. So this semester I told them we will discuss the need and importance for every professional to begin: “Stretching Flexibility”
What does this mean to the students…why is the combination term “Stretching Flexibility” so major that each student would talk about it after they complete the class?
Well first as I continually stress to every class that American Government & Politics impacts everyone and everything in their daily lives… “Stretching Flexibility” actions must be applied. For example in the area of education, we must continue to learn and teach with more of a non-traditional mindset. Likewise with the speed of medical science…we must be more open to the fact that quality treatments can be developed in shorter time periods (i.e. stretch our capacities to be flexible in trying new medicines).
The class will also regularly talk about the magnitudes of technology in all fields of employment and how only by Stretching YOUR Flexibility will you be able to effectively and efficiently work in the new economy. Additionally during the conduct of every class session we will address the quiet, increased personal/professional value of Stretching and being more Flexible in applying your observation and listening skills.
As we near the end of the course hopefully they will know that “Stretching Flexibility” means that CHANGE will be the most constant occurrence in your life. And finally in my pursuit of theming “Stretching Flexibility” for the class, I will challenge them to look around and see if they can locate a local, regional, state, national and/or international Champion who “Stretches Flexibility” everyday…EVERYDAY.
It will be a good semester. I wish you all could join us!
TRIPLE III TIME: TIME MANAGEMENT
As you age the challenges of managing your time seem to grow more every day. I guess this should not be a big surprise because the older you get…the more you realize that your “time” is limited. So maybe it’s appropriate for this reason and maybe more for all of us to give TIME MANAGEMENT some special attention this week!
First think about where time management challenges come from. Are most of them generated by employment…family…personal finance…or unforeseen life issues? Second try and determine if certain circumstances drive more time management issues to you or does your life/work style build the incidence of endless challenges and thereby rob you of quality time.
I believe everyone…EVERYONE should seriously assess and personally redesign their own TIME MANAGEMENT strategy…monthly! Creatively addressing the issue of TIME MANAGEMENT on a “keep it fresh” and pre-planned basis is a professionally strong activity. We talked about it before…the speed of change…advances in technology…and a global economy…all demand a persistent TIME MANAGEMENT effectiveness review.
Ok, ok…I can hear the question: What specific TIME MANAGEMENT considerations do I employ? Well, consider these:
- Prioritize completing tasks that enable co-workers to advance their work.
- Perfection doesn’t exist…so do a good job and move on.
- Take on a leader mindset…and don’t allow for time wasting distractions/discussions.
- If you are unsure of what tasks are most important…ask management.
- Minimize multi-tasking…it often reduces product/service quality.
One last thought: My grandpa used to remind me to not waste or give away your time…”cause it comes to you in a limited amount”.
TRIPLE III TIME: YOU Make Your Own GOOD LUCK!
We have all heard the expression: “YOU Make Your Own GOOD LUCK!” And you have also heard the statements:
*”I have the worst luck…things never go my way!”
*”I tried everything but I am someone where good luck just doesn’t come my way!”
And what if you do a quick self-assessment…which statement best exemplifies your style/position?
I am a total believer in the phrase: YOU Make Your Own Good Luck! Why? Because as you take on certain work/life projects…your attitude/approach will very much dictate the LUCK you feel. Your positive approach/statements will be infectious and will cause others to contribute quality positiveness to your cause.
Also, the progressive energy you generate will cause you to look and research other good opportunities that may be related to your initiative and that too will convey a GOOD LUCK message. Additionally people are naturally attracted to positive people. As a result, the potential for them to bring with them GOOD LUCK opportunities and cool experiences goes way up.
Building and having a “YOU Make Your Own GOOD LUCK! attitude/approach costs you nothing. However, having a “YOU Make Your Own GOOD LUCK!” attitude/approach can result in priceless unseen/unexpected benefits.
YOU decide.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 