Category Archives: Triple III
TRIPLE II TIME: Evidence-Based Creativiy
According to my GOOGLE request for a definition of “Evidence-Based”… the response went something like this:
“Evidence-Based: Data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood.”
So what does that definition REALLY mean to program planners, service managers, teachers…and anyone trying to find that “Always A Better Way” option/opportunity? Simply put it means that you need to take a look at qualified information and available stats related to a new project you may be considering…FIRST! Then more confidently move forward on your “Evidence-Based Creativity” initiative!
As a life-long innovator in multiple professional areas, today more than ever before the call has gone out for quality evidence-based support for new/re-designed programs/products/services. Creativity costs related to both time and money have become an ever-growing concern in both the public and private sectors. Therefore, the opportunity for experimenting via a “trial and error” methodology has become a much narrower road toward progress.
The most important part of this TRIPLE III TIME message is to USE “Evidence-Based Creativity” in your future planning. Specifically don’t be easily led to immediately cancel progress plans just because there have been relatable failures in the past. Rather emphasize the Creativity part and make appropriate corrections… know that no two situations are exactly the same when innovating…and lastly remember that when innovating in any product/service area… to also use innovative “measuring-sticks” for your initiative! In my history, too often people use old measurements to assess a NEW (maybe similar but still new) project. The result is an inaccurate/less fair evaluation.
Bottomline: First, embrace the importance and value of including evidence-based components in whatever innovation you pursue. Second, also recognize that innovativity must be infused into any and all measurements of your new product/service to be experimentally correct. And finally adapt a precedent of “Evidence-Based Creativity” as a modern day standard of operation.
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Cooperative Diversity
The major goal of this month’s Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast is to more creatively and purposefully harness the potential of Cooperative Diversity!
Too often, as we work with people… we overlook the LEADERSHIP… INNOVATION… COMMUNICATION and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT learnings that exist in a cooperating diversified group. Effectively nurturing the unique input and likewise managing the progressive outputs of co-workers, colleagues, Board members, and friends as part of standard company/organization operating procedures… can truly build unlimited growth value going forward.
Plan to listen to this special podcast more than once. I believe there are multiple LEARNING MOMENTS.
Creative Public Administration (Who Cares The Most?)
Guess what? The time has come around for my first 2025 article for the American Society For Public Administration (ASPA) – PATIMES online news publication. Plus as you can assume from the title of the article… INNOVATION and citizen interest are my focus.
The Creative Public Administration (Who Cares The Most?) article does not offer any unique solutions to ignite idea generation in the public sector. Rather it offers observational insight into the creativity viewpoints and priorities of those in different citizen age groups.
Yes, I had fun writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Professionalized” Self-Confidence
It is always interesting to observe the range of… level of self-confidence in individuals whether you happen to be in a group of people or maybe just one-on-one with someone. In a way trying to measure anyone’s self-confidence strength (or weakness) becomes almost a special “skill” all by itself!
But for this week’s message, let me ask a unique TRIPLE III TIME question: Has anyone ever addressed the issue of what constitutes “Professionalized” Self-Confidence?
Well as I have witnessed both good and not-so-good examples of “Professionalized” Self-Confidence, I believe a special TOP 10 points to consider in this area may be in order. Consider building your “Professionalized” Self-Confidence by:
- Not assuming everyone knows what you may be talking about,
- Better managing the quick responses that may come out of your mouth,
- Giving someone else’s idea a greater chance,
- Using high quality voice tones when responding to issues,
- Selecting written words that show a strong element of respect,
- Offering information/advice on one concept/action/idea at a time,
- Taking an appropriate amount of time when speaking,
- Budgeting your excitable self-confidence approaches over more time and issues,
- Allowing others extra understandability topic processing time… and
- FACT-CHECKING yourself for true accuracy on issues!
Now after having written and re-read this TRIPLE III TIME message… maybe it could have served as a solid New Year’s Resolution plan!
TRIPLE III TIME: Recognizing “PUSHING-ME” Energy
It is that time of year when the calendar places us in that “in-between” state of being. If I am not clear in the point I am trying to make… think about the fact that we are right in the middle of the week when we celebrate Christmas and then in just days we say good-bye to 2024 and welcome in the New Year: 2025! And traditionally we just try to quietly relax and enjoy where we have been… and then quickly plan where we want to go both personally and professionally in the new year.
So why is this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: Recognizing “PUSHING-ME” Energy so important??
First, I want you to think about those you are responsible for and recognize the value of how they unknowingly have a cool role in pushing you to grow and be more accomplished in just being YOU! Second, consider those who look to YOU for support, advice and guidance to help them resolve a problem issue or possibly make a challenging decision on a life/work situation that has been “on-the-table” for quite some time. Finally, take the time to begin Recognizing “PUSHING-ME” Energy sources from other unique, not regularly noticed areas. And as you do this fun “case-study”…take stock in how often you THANK THEM for the special Energy they deliver!?
So as you progressively celebrate your holiday “in-between” season and creatively attempt Recognizing “PUSHING-ME” Energy offerers in your work/life areas (family/ friends/ neighbors/ students/ co-workers/ leaders)… think about sharing an extra special thanks message to them.
For me… I want to write that I appreciate the GREAT ENERGY I get from everyone that reads and helps me produce these weekly TRIPLE III TIME messages!
I couldn’t keep writing them without you.
TRIPLE III TIME: Holding the Leadership Reins
Are you in a LEADERSHIP role? Well no matter how you answer this question… today… I believe everyone is placed in a LEADERSHIP role at different times and for different purposes. So given this perception, did you ever give much thought about the professional responsibility of: Holding The LEADERSHIP Reins?
The first thing I think about when considering Holding The LEADERSHIP Reins for any organization or initiative… I think of it as an “ART” and that one can not do it perfectly because people are not perfect… right? Times, assignments, ages and circumstances are all impactors when appropriately Holding The LEADERSHIP Reins! Think about it.
If you apply a “moral idealism” concept and you believe if given the most appropriate situational freedoms everyone will do the right thing… you loosen the Reins! But what happens if those you manage practiced only doing the minimum at work and complained that you did not provide enough direction (as their leader) to get the job done?! And therefore your LEADERSHIP Reins were too loose and they did not totally understand the principles to be followed.
Perfection does NOT exist!
In my time as a LEADER… I followed a pattern that whoever I supervised had to earn how loose (or tight) my LEADERSHIP Reins would be for them. I never wanted to be Holding The LEADERSHIP Reins so tight that I restricted innovation, sharing of ideas and regular willingness to communicate. So if from time to time someone found me tightening the Reins exclusively for them… they quickly realized that maybe they lacked respect/ownership of the “mission” we were striving for…and their mis-use of freedoms caused their “Reins To Be Totally Tightened”… at least temporarily!
Bottomline: The goal for this week’s TRIPLE III TIME: Holding The LEADERSHIP Reins message is to first encourage you to assess your style in this personnel area. Second to reflect that there is no perfect Rein holding process. And finally to offer some situational examples that may help you find YOUR way in this vital professional responsibility area.
LEARNING MOMENTS: TOP 10 Growth Questions
Well as we finish 2024, this Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast is a targeted message toward bettering Board/Council/Committee advancement. Often as professionals are recruited and join a community development group, it becomes “growth- necessary” to pose a number of common-sense questions that help blend everyone in support of a special “cause”!
The TOP 10 Growth Questions and related growing-pain considerations highlighted in the podcast offer only a brief review of priority development processes. Please listen closely to each one and add your own thoughts.
Enjoy the holidays.
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: 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.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 