Putting together an instructional, continuous improvement…but also fun staff in-service training can be a challenging task.  Standardly, you have a variety of age groups, people in different employment areas of the company/organization and a little bit of an attitude that conveys: “Oh yeah we are going to have another REQUIRED staff in-service…I wonder what they will come up with now?”  Well because I enjoy “changing-it-up”, how about if we try a “SHARK-TANKING TO THE EXTREME DAY!” as a new option?!

The “SHARK-TANKING TO THE EXTREME DAY!” would be totally dedicated to new idea generation for your business, school, human service agency, development organization…whatever.  You would create your own rules regarding teams, time allowed to present and format for debate.  No one would be allowed to opt-out of participation.

Think about the potential.  What if the following “SHARK-TANKING TO THE EXTREME DAY!” parameters were set:

• Everyone would be a presenter/co-presenter and a SHARK…and would get to listen to all IDEA pitches.
• Non-traditional staff partnerships would be supported.
• Questions and debate could only be framed in a “why not?” …instead of “no way!” method.
• One, two or three IDEAS would be cooperatively selected as programs to be adopted…products to be invested in…or processes for continuous staff/organization improvements.

I understand that with every new initiative there will be a list of additional considerations I haven’t addressed.  Also, I can hear some already responding to this concept: “That would never work!” … “Staff would never take it serious!” … “It would be a wasted day!”.  Well to all with these thoughts…I suggest you continue to do what you have always done…and you will continue to be what you have always been.

Is that why you have staff in-service trainings?

How many times have you attended a meeting for work, for community, for church, for school or even for family …and the absence, length or weakness of a solid agenda made the event less that productive?  The Value of a Solid Agenda in all of these situations is demonstrated in light of its use as a facilitation “tool” that ensures all participants leave with a confident sense of progress.  So maybe it is long past the time to offer a TRIPLE III TIME message totally dedicated to developing great agendas!

The most important component in building a good agenda is to clearly decide: WHAT DO YOU WANT?  Attendees want to know why they are there (i.e. purpose) and what they are deciding on (i.e. goal).  Next it is necessary to determine a “structure of priority” for your WANTS.  This means you need to rank the WHAT DO YOU WANT? items and decide what item is most important…down to which one is least.  These actions will help you focus the discussions and thereby streamline the meeting conduct.

Along with trying to better focus and streamline the meeting, the agenda should adapt to the ever-shortening attention spans of people.  Try to establish a set timeframe for each major topic of discussion/action.  Whether its 15 minutes or one (1) hour, setting decision-making time limits is just good leadership.  Lastly, as has been suggested and exemplified in many agenda-building situations: SIMPLICITY MATTERS!

One last personal suggestion: Don’t be afraid to delegate and share the agenda-building responsibility.  Think about it as a learning opportunity…a chance to empower…practice prioritizing…and the sense of positive leadership partnering.  Yes, extra time and patience would be the cost…but I promise the long-term return-on-investment would be unlimited.

Well first I have to admit that I am not sure Webster’s Dictionary would recognize my “Under-Expecting” word combination.  However, I can not find a better way to introduce this weeks TRIPLE III TIME message…that yes comes to you via a “milkhouse moment” (or two) with my Dad.

Let me start out by saying that my Dad was never guilty of “Under-Expecting” of my brothers and I.  For clarity “Under-Expecting” means that Dad always set the work/job/problem-solving bar real high for tasks to be accomplished on the farm…so at no time could he ever be accused of not challenging us based on our age, size or lack of experience.  Instead assignments were given based primarily on what needed to be done TODAY…and thankfully we all accepted the challenges.  We weren’t always smiling…but mostly a “bring-it-on” mentality prevailed.

Today unfortunately, I believe that too often in the workplace and in many classrooms an “Under-Expecting” style of management exists.  Employees and students are not placed in situations that progressively and professionally challenge them.  Creativity and innovation do NOT result when we are placed in “Under-Expecting” situations.

Bottomline: Dad did not receive or expect perfection when he passed out work assignments.  However, I know he knew the personal growth you felt when you over-achieved in his eyes.  So, no matter your work/life status…don’t follow an “Under-Expecting” course of action.

Thanks again Dad.

One of the more important topics that has been discussed during the courses that I teach on government and politics has been our country’s “political culture”.  Unfortunately, words like: Divided/Angry/Confused/Uncertain have been the most common terms used.  I have been impressed with the thoughtfulness and caring that has been expressed by the students during our discussions and the hopeful attitude that they maintain about our government leaders.

Well with these thoughts in mind, I believe it is timely to ask: What is your organizations “Workplace/Professional Culture?”

To help you assess your Workplace/Professional Culture, consider these TOP 10 questions:

1. Do you see smiles and hear laughter…or tension and sighs?
2. Are your meetings energetic and hopeful or like old TV reruns?
3. Would you hold the title of Whiners or Winners?
4. Does your product/service “set-the-trend” or do you follow everyone elses?
5. Is your leadership style one that always questions new ideas or one that encourages them?
6. Do you convey a culture that pulls other groups to want to join yours…or cause them to avoid your organization?
7. Is your Workplace/Professional Culture one that employees brag about being part of…or hide their connection?
8. Does the press coverage you receive reflect a progressive Workplace/Professional Culture…or a “what happened now” tone?
9. Is there a solid vision of the future that facilitates a Workplace/Professional Culture that creates organization excellence…or is it just the same old picture?
10. Does your Workplace/Professional Culture debate operational minutia…and not see the bigger picture?

I believe building and maintaining a strong, growth-minded Workplace/Professional Culture is everyone’s job.  However, I also believe it starts at the top.

It has been some time since I passed along a wonderful unique message from a “Colleague-of-Inspiration”! Please take some time and enjoy this one-of-a-kind “Note to Self”.

This piece originally aired on CBS Nov. 10, 2017.

Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned from the International Space Station in September after a 288-day mission. Whitson has spent more time in space than any other American. While in orbit, the 57-year-old biochemist started writing a letter to her 9-year-old self. She finished it back home in Houston at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for our series, “Note to Self.”

Dear Younger Me,

I’ve learned a few things over the years that I would like to share with the younger version of myself.

You just watched on TV as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon. Although at the time, it was an unbelievable moment in history, seeing it with your own eyes made it real and believable and achievable. It made you feel small, but filled you with excitement. That moment in time planted a seed of inspiration in you. Now, it’s up to you to nourish that seed and grow it into more than just a dream.

Next year your dad will get his private pilot’s license. You will get your very first ride in an airplane. The exhilarating view of the cornfields from above will inspire you to fly as well. However, it will take several years of raising and selling chickens to earn enough money to take your own flying lessons. But just remember, learning to fly with that chicken money will be the first step toward a higher purpose. Because one day, you will become a real space explorer.

The year you graduate high school, NASA will select the first female astronauts. You will dream of exploration. Know that what you dream for might seem impossible, but you will be successful as long as you make your life decisions based on your own value system and not others. So ignore the naysayers, ignore the people who say you can’t become an astronaut. Instead use it as motivation.

It will be 10 years of applying before ever becoming an astronaut. The rejections will be discouraging, but in your typical style you will just keep trying. All those years of anticipation will be surpassed when the solid rocket boosters ignite and you will literally roar into space.

Seeing the Earth for the first time in orbit, you will be surprised that you never noticed the quality and texture of colors. High above Earth, you will remember what your parents taught you growing up on the farm: problems don’t always have elegant or expensive solutions. Dad will teach you that number 2 wire and pliers plus a healthy attitude can fix almost anything.

Believe it or not, you will spend more time in space than any other American astronaut and earn the nickname Space Ninja. You will grow soy beans on orbit while your father will grow soy beans on Earth. You will have the opportunity to help build the engineering marvel that is the International Space Station. You will walk, in space 10 times! You will find that living in space can actually become a home, in spite of tools floating away. Alien to all you know, you will adapt and you will love it.

Know that even though it is incomprehensible to you, you will be a role model. I am still struggling with this one, so you need to step up a bit earlier than I have done. I would tell you not to underestimate your abilities, but since I know you I’ll just say: challenge yourself. You will learn that you are so much more capable than you might imagine or even dream.

Sincerely,

The Older You

It has been some time since I passed along a wonderful unique message from a “Colleague-of-Inspiration”! Please take some time and enjoy this one-of-a-kind “Note to Self”.

This piece originally aired Nov. 10, 2017.

Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned from the International Space Station in September after a 288-day mission. Whitson has spent more time in space than any other American. While in orbit, the 57-year-old biochemist started writing a letter to her 9-year-old self. She finished it back home in Houston at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for our series, “Note to Self.”
Dear Younger Me,

I’ve learned a few things over the years that I would like to share with the younger version of myself.

You just watched on TV as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon. Although at the time, it was an unbelievable moment in history, seeing it with your own eyes made it real and believable and achievable. It made you feel small, but filled you with excitement. That moment in time planted a seed of inspiration in you. Now, it’s up to you to nourish that seed and grow it into more than just a dream.

Next year your dad will get his private pilot’s license. You will get your very first ride in an airplane. The exhilarating view of the cornfields from above will inspire you to fly as well. However, it will take several years of raising and selling chickens to earn enough money to take your own flying lessons. But just remember, learning to fly with that chicken money will be the first step toward a higher purpose. Because one day, you will become a real space explorer.

Astronaut Peggy Whitson CBS NEWS

The year you graduate high school, NASA will select the first female astronauts. You will dream of exploration. Know that what you dream for might seem impossible, but you will be successful as long as you make your life decisions based on your own value system and not others. So ignore the naysayers, ignore the people who say you can’t become an astronaut. Instead use it as motivation.

It will be 10 years of applying before ever becoming an astronaut. The rejections will be discouraging, but in your typical style you will just keep trying. All those years of anticipation will be surpassed when the solid rocket boosters ignite and you will literally roar into space.

Seeing the Earth for the first time in orbit, you will be surprised that you never noticed the quality and texture of colors. High above Earth, you will remember what your parents taught you growing up on the farm: problems don’t always have elegant or expensive solutions. Dad will teach you that number 2 wire and pliers plus a healthy attitude can fix almost anything.

Believe it or not, you will spend more time in space than any other American astronaut and earn the nickname Space Ninja. You will grow soy beans on orbit while your father will grow soy beans on Earth. You will have the opportunity to help build the engineering marvel that is the International Space Station. You will walk, in space 10 times! You will find that living in space can actually become a home, in spite of tools floating away. Alien to all you know, you will adapt and you will love it.

Know that even though it is incomprehensible to you, you will be a role model. I am still struggling with this one, so you need to step up a bit earlier than I have done. I would tell you not to underestimate your abilities, but since I know you I’ll just say: challenge yourself. You will learn that you are so much more capable than you might imagine or even dream.

Sincerely,

The Older You

As you look at and into different organizations to determine their primary source of leadership…what do you see?  Does the Executive Director/CEO provide the priorities for the agency/business?  Or does the Board of Directors “steer-the-ship” and determine steady guidance and recommendations for the future?  Which source of leadership offers the spark for all to gather around and build into a progressive flame?

My answer:  I believe organizational leadership is most often a combination of traditions and personalities.

In many cases I believe the Executive Director/CEO is the person selected and expected to offer progress action recommendations and ideas for an organizations continuous improvement roadmap.  The Board of Directors then assess the concepts, offer development support and more importantly make individual action contributions based on their own areas of expertise.  This blended style of strategy-making and future-thought creates a very strong foundation for employees to align with.

In the case of Boards of Directors assuming the larger leadership role, it is likely that timing and collective interaction may be an operational challenge.  Creating, building and maintaining a sense of continuous improvement maybe less concentrated, thereby allowing for periodic delays in progressive actions.  Please know that there are many very successful businesses and organizations that look more specifically to their Boards for leadership.  However, it is also very possible that the Executive Director/CEO is expected to not just manage the Board’s action plans…but also fulfill a “maintenance-of-effort” leadership role on a day-to-day basis.

So, what is this weeks TRIPLE III TIME real message?  Be a CONTRIBUTING LEADER in your position no matter your organizations leadership structure.  Don’t assume the Executive Director/CEO/Board of Directors  are not interested in your help/ideas!  Don’t assume your thoughts won’t make a difference!  Don’t miss the opportunity to build the future.  Don’t assume that someone else has already raised the issue that you are concerned about.

Be confident in knowing that CONTRIBUTING LEADERS are special too!

Changing jobs is challenging.  A new work family, workplace rules and expectations…I know you understand.  However, this TRIPLE III TIME message is going focus on about professionally: Keeping The “Right Stuff” as you transition. I’m talking about those documents, books, emails, whatever…that may assist you in being successful in your new position and forever prepared to excel everyday…EVERYDAY.

The easy and most convenient decision is to just take all your past work-related items forward with you.  This could allow you to reach back into history and pull out an old idea/program and introduce it as unique in your new workplace.  This action may be easy and convenient for you…but is it effective and efficient for your new workplace?  Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you take action:

1. Are your future work-based problems, persons or situations exactly the same as when your original challenges and resulting solutions were proposed…. EXACTLY?
2. Could the boxes and documents from past ideas and projects become more of a “crutch” …in your search for new solutions?
3. Are resources that are available today (i.e. technology) …and the work/community culture the same as were used to find your old solutions?
4. Will your new co-workers and associates be irritated that you are using “old news solutions” to remedy their perceived new problem?
5. Would the time taken to dig through old documents, books and/or emails be better used in researching fresh material?
6. Is the information you are holding on to…TIMELESS…and be useful even 20 years from now?
7. Would a common practice of referring to easy/convenient materials be considered leading by convenience?
8. Would it be logical to assume that your past good ideas are what got you your new position…but are not the ones that will keep you there?
9. Do co-workers and customers like to hear a discussion of “where you have been” …or about “where you/we are going”?
10. If someone asked you about the boxes, books and computer files you are saving…would you say: “It’s just old stuff?” …or “I am Keeping The Right Stuff”?

There is no easy, perfect answer.  But it is important to think about the questions!

Sometimes during the classes I teach, the sessions I conduct or the individual discussions I have with workers in any field…they ask: How do I get “restarted” each day?  What gets you energized?…Who do you talk to?…Do you have a special routine you follow?  You all understand the questions. Well, no matter the issue or question the “IT” that they/we/I are talking about is MOTIVATION.

Many of our TRIPLE III TIME messages have touched on MOTIVATION topics…but this time lets go a little deeper.  What motivates YOU: money, status, your family, colleagues or just the challenge of doing something cool?  Is it one thing or are you Multi-MOTIVATED? But what about when you feel unmotivated…where do you look for “get-up-and-get-it” answers?

BOTTOMLINE: First, take a long, hard look in the mirror.  Understand that there is no one anywhere that can motivate YOU more than YOU.  You can read books about it, go to seminars, get a life coach or even ask GOOGLE.  In the end, the person on the white horse that must ride in to help YOU will be YOU!

Second, seriously pick a source of MOTIVATION.  It doesn’t have to be just one thing or the same thing every day…but pick a MOTIVATOR.  Next, pick a point of success.  It can be small (signing up for a cool class) or big (starting a new product-line at work).  Finally, make it a MOTIVATION PRIORITY to be an example to all that you know.  The feeling of satisfaction that will come from having others learn and benefit from our commitment will keep your “IT” (MOTIVATION) going for YOU.

As I considered what the first TRIPLE III TIME message should be for 2018…my thoughts instantly circled around the traditional “New Year’s Resolution” practice.  Well I could come up with a large number of Resolutions (far beyond a TOP 10), but instead I thought it more valuable to offer a Leadership Pledge…that would feel satisfying even if recited everyday.

Here goes: As a LEADER everyday…EVERYDAY (you need to say it louder the second time) I will:

• Smile from the positives that happen today.
• Walk past the mad/angry feelings of unmet expectations.
• Practice a sense of urgency in all that I do.
• Exercise my creative/innovative muscles so they offer a “good” hurt.
• Shake hands STRONGLY with everyone that I meet.
• Think today about something to look forward to tomorrow.
• Run quickly to any new personal/professional opportunity.
• Roll around in every success so it gets all over me.
• Reach back for help/advice from true friends/colleagues.
• Remember that the word “NO” is very small.

Go ahead and say it over a few times.  Don’t just say it in your mind…say it out loud.

Now I think we are ready for 2018!