Inspiring Innovations, Inc.

Sometimes under the veil of innovation, I choose to take calculated risks in my projects, my classes, my consulting and in my words. Well, this weeks TRIPLE III TIME message Warning: UNLEARNING In Progress!…takes full advantage of the innovation veil.  Because I believe that today there is unique, unexpected value…maybe even personal and professional gains that can be achieved through selective UNLEARNING.

First, consider the traditional “packages” put together by economic development officials to convince companies to relocate or expand in their regions.  Grants, tax exemptions and a reliable workforce have been the mainstays.  But what about now? Cell coverage, high-speed internet and a workforce that has “technological capabilities” as one of its “literacy requirements” are now priorities! Do development experts have to UNLEARN their views of traditional business needs/expectations and rebuild their sales pitches?

Next let’s stop by and visit a local public school.  What types of items are on their lists of classroom needs for the coming year(s)?  Chromebooks, white boards (in every classroom), security cameras throughout the school, multi-gender bathrooms and staff training on deadly attacks that may occur in the schools…may be at the top of their lists.  So, do we UNLEARN historic demand for written and verbal communication?  And do we make computer screen-time the largest part of the learning process?

Finally, when employers say COMMUNICATION, CRITICAL THINKING and PROBLEM-SOLVING skills are what they most look for and value in their employees…do you somehow feel that you are caught at an UNLEARNING crossroads?  How do we make the necessary personal and professional adjustments and embrace today’s/tomorrow’s change expectations…but not lose the valuable interpersonal growth components that make us who we are?

So what is the best advice?

Well my Grandma used to say: “You only have so much room in your brain…so make sure you keep the right stuff in there.”  And one of my guiding principles has always been to hold on to what you have (i.e. program/policy/practice) until you have something better to take it’s place.

So as you do your professional spring cleaning…should we post the sign, Warning: UNLEARNING In Progress!?

OK….I will admit it! As I get a little older…I do pay better/more attention to my investments.  Although I have always tried to save and invest as much as I could…I didn’t consider and study the various investment options to determine how I would get the greatest return. Fortunately, I didn’t take too many risks and lose my _____?  But what does this have to do with this weeks TRIPLE III TIME message?

Well let me explain that this week I would like to stress and highlight the value leaders build whenever they invest in their employees.  As companies and organizations plan for the future, it is always unfortunate when they don’t prioritize the need to continually update the workers.  It is hard to debate the fact that your staff/employees are your greatest asset! So as one strategically plans for your entities short or long-term future, making significant investments in your human capital…to make them “the-best-in-the-business”…is just good leadership!

Faster computers, new carpet, a cool paint color, custom furniture, company cars and/or high-tech phone systems are all quality investments…but are they the principle items that will most improve your bottom line?  As leaders do we specificallythink about dollars spent on personnel professional development?  Is it a priority…. or just another consideration on the list?  As the asset that makes the products or delivers the service…do your return-on-investment activities represent employee value and “cutting edge” advancement?

“Fact-Checking” is a unique piece of reporting these days.  If the New York Times did a Fact-Check on the amount and frequency of your Personnel Professional Development/HUMAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT would you be proud of their findings?

Recently during discussions about jobs and careers in one of the college classes I teach, a student asked a question that was totally “out-of-the-blue”.  He asked: “Sir, in your consultant work…and even before in your job doing workforce/community development…where did the inspiration come from for the different innovations you tried?”

Well, I had to admit to the class that no one had ever asked me that Innovation Inspiration Source question before.  And because there were seventeen young adults really waiting for me to fill the very quiet space with a “doctoral-level” response…I could only offer them a mostly instinctive and unpolished answer: “It comes from connecting with people and groups just like you!”

I went on to explain that I have been privileged to work with and be part of groups of people that were both interested and willing to join in innovative projects.  And because I was able to draft an “Always A Better Way” idea/picture for them, they helped fuel creative concepts and partnerships that could energize the new, cool opportunities I put on the table.

Bottomline:  I told them that they inspire me every time our class is in session.  I also told them that they should look for and use the innovation inspiration that they get from other people everyday…EVERYDAY.

And then I said, “Turn in your homework!”

This past week I experienced what no one wants to experience…the very early death of a young friend…someone I could call an “almost son”.  JP was a full-of-life, “let’s go for it” kind of guy.  JP took full advantage of every minute…every second of his life and very much earned the title of being special.  So as I thought about his legacy and this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message (and yes he was a weekly follower of III), I believe he would be pleased with the Just Be YOU! title and this special TOP 10 list to support it as his legacy.

So Just Be YOU and:

1. Make everyone’s day special…and you will be rewarded with your own special.
2. Work hard…play hard…because half-assing anything…is just that.
3. Shake hands like you mean it…and understand a man-hug is really an even stronger handshake.
4. Give until it hurts…because you never know.
5. Remember family everyday…EVERYDAY…because you need strong roots to continue to grow.
6. Take calculated risks…because staying the same is boring.
7. Stay connected as much as you can…because your connection probably means even more to the message receiver.
8. Be the first to laugh at yourself…because contagious laughter is an often lost necessity in everyday life.
9. Always have something to look forward to…it will bring the best kind of “mind-smile” only you can feel.
10. Show appreciation with your authentic smile and voice…and you will find it easy to Just Be YOU!

I am lucky to be able to share this Just Be YOU! Legacy.  I am sure there will be more JP memory “specials” that will show up down the road.

Yes it is Easter weekend…and yes I’ve been reminded many times about Spring Break for schools. But we will NOT take a TRIPLE III TIME break! Please check out this special leadership article targeted for mid-to-senior level managers.

Their recommended TOP 6 crucial skills to master are really just excellent for all in leadership positions.

From the Center for Creative Leadership (adapted from “Torn and Worn? Or Focused, Flexible and Strong?”) 6 Must-Have Skills for Leading from the Middle: https://www.ccl.org/blog/6-must-skills-leading-middle/

In our world today it seems like so many are seeking “special people” to be CHAMPIONS for their cause. To aide, approve, finance or in some way be the front-face/voice for an improvement or change that will somehow make society, work or just plain life better.

Well this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message encourages you to bring the “Who’s Your Champion Today?” question closer to home…and even make it personal. I believe it is VERY important to ask yourself at the end of each day: Who was my CHAMPION today? To better explain my message purpose, here are a few examples that may spark CHAMPION identification thoughts:

1. Pictures of your children or grand-children.
2. A smile from a cashier who said “Thank You” more than once.
3. Students in your classroom that really “got it!”
4. A colleague that emailed you back the same day…as promised.
5. A call from a friend that just re-joined the world-of-work.
6. The opportunity to share a new/innovative idea…that brings a grin from the boss.
7. The understanding that a mentor’s words of advice are important…even if they help just one.
8. The neighbor who always says “Sure I’ll come over and help” …even after putting in a 10-hour day.
9. The satisfaction smiles that come from a group large or small…after making someone’s bad situation better.
10. Finally, knowing that if you continue to help the CAUSE…you will be someone’s CHAMPION.

I’m sure you can think of many more. Let me know!

This quarter I just had to take a spin at addressing a continuous concern to the field of public service in my American Society For Public Administration article.  “Building A Public Official Mentoring Program” is the title and I hope you consider the simple outline for improving the leadership capacities for our future elected public officials.

Enjoy the article.

Building A Public Official Mentoring Program

Inspiration for TRIPLE III TIME messages truly come from all places…different times and uniquely from unexpected sources.  This week it was the title of an older movie about an aging baseball pitcher: “For The Love of The Game” that made me think about what drives a person to try to always be better at his or her craft.  Is it the money, prestige, the chance for a promotion and/or just feeling like you are the BEST!?

Well I believe for those who are true innovators and life-long entrepreneurs…motivation is totally For The Love of The Game!  Attempting to Always Find a Better Way and instill an IDEAS generating spirit in co-workers and colleagues…is a special kind of inspiration that is NOT just an occasional event.  No it shows up in every activity, conversation and project…and it is a priority everyday…EVERYDAY.  And no… age does not lessen the drive.

Bottomline: As you approach your world-of-work and you search for everyday motivation to be better…be creative…be special…think about pulling inspiration from an old movie title: For The Love of The Game.  Sometimes thinking a little deeper about “Why You Do What You Do?” …can make simple your purpose and your goals.