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: Newsletter “Particulars”
This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is one specially requested by a long-time reader. Her request was more about my “opinions” regarding company or organizational newsletters…rather than my thoughts about what qualities make one a GREAT ONE! So I guess as you read through the message…I believe you will find I have taken the middle-of-the-road position when discussing Newsletter “Particulars”.
First, I believe internal and external newsletters can be HIGH VALUE if designed/developed correctly. Regularly…consistently taking advantage of the ability to share accurate, enthusiastic information can prove “priceless”! GREAT newsletters should generate a vision of the future (what’s next) and thereby give readers something to look forward to.
Second I really don’t support a continual “report-out” document that only talks about what’s been done (i.e. old news!). Reporting pieces on progress are acceptable…especially if they describe what they mean for the future. Also, if you are the person most in charge of newsletter production, think about visuals reflecting today and tomorrow views on issues/products/services. Colors, straight-forward wording and terms that invite people to want more info are important.
My old TOP 10 weekly staff news-piece was a fun motivator. Every Friday it listed things to look forward to the next week…what staff would be responsibly involved…and what new stuff may result and determine who else may be given an assignment?! All about the future…all the time.
Finally when you think about Newsletter “Particulars”…don’t have big hopes of return communications from the readers…good or bad. Newsletters should be primarily considered a leadership privilege to better inform…set priorities…offer clarity…and possibly motivate those in the targeted audience.
Don’t waste this critical opportunity.
TRIPLE III TIME: In-Person Times
Somehow I wish I had recorded the times the discussion of in-person versus virtual connections occured… and the values of meeting face-to-face were highlighted. Yes, I understand that “distance” learning, meeting and communicating are just the new times requirement… but did I say “that I believe only half as productive!” So yes again I know that time… money…. speed and efficiency matter… but what about authenticity… clarity…. and personal sincerity? How do you measure those?
Today I feel In-Person Times in the workplace have increasingly gone up in value.
Think about it!
Think about meetings… presenting… interviewing… teaching and just plain LEADING. Think about the ability to introduce something totally unique to a group of faces on the big screen. Can you walk over and ask… ”do you really get it?” Can you convince them that every meeting is a special professional “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity? Or are you just hoping that the session offers some level of quality understanding and need for solid further action? Or has progressive convenience replaced the priority for In-Person Times?
Bottomline: In a way this TRIPLE III TIME message may sound sarcastic or maybe a little bit old-fashioned… right? However, my goal for this week is to re-review the professional value of taking greater steps to require In-Person Times in workplaces. Don’t minimize its impacts. Don’t take it for granted. And don’t let “good enough” in the operational areas of meeting, learning, and communicating be your organizational standard. Go the extra mile in providing In-Person Times and your workers and customers will realize the benefits.
TRIPLE III TIME: The “What’s Missing?” Question
As we near the end of 2024… it seems like many in a decision-making position/role are trying to identify the best development areas to target as they begin operations in 2025. In my consultant day job… it is always a priority to help sort through the community, economic, education, business and/or workforce development challenges and more appropriately answer The “What’s Missing?” Question!
Do you understand the challenge?
As examples, think about The “What’s Missing?” Question regarding:
- Rebuilding the local library… but how many people really visit the library?
- Adding on to the local school… but overall school student numbers are declining?
- Approving the building of a general (dollar) store… but acknowledging there are already two in the area?
- Considering applying for a special childcare grant… but realizing there may not be the right people available to staff it.
- Or having to deal with being the single “development” organization in the region…and realizing you “can’t be everything to everyone!”
I believe Boards, councils, committees and directors of all businesses and organizations may identify a better development path by first simply addressing The “What’s Missing?” Question. Jobs, childcare, better trained people, housing and quality recreation options are and always will be important challenges. But if you narrow your planning focus and try to commonly agree on only one or two priority initiatives… quicker progress will follow.
I guess the goal/purpose of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to try and help decision-makers with a simple, future planning, first-step action recommendation… focus on The “What’s Missing?” Question. Regardless of the planning group…this action will remind you what you already have…acknowledge your growth limitations and instill gratitude that you get to have the opportunity to make meaningful choices in necessary development areas.
TRIPLE III TIME: Progressive “HOMEWORK”
This last week one of my current American Government &Politics class members submitted a weekly Position Paper entitled: Homework Does NOT Increase Learning. Well I decided quickly she was a top candidate for making it a class presentation/discussion topic. And it was very evident that she was proud of her topic selection and even prouder of her opportunity to share her thoughts and “Position” on the homework issue.
As you can guess, the rest of the class voted unanimously in favor of her idea to eliminate homework for students in all grades. But you will also not be surprised that when I cast my vote…I included a statement that I thought it was a very short-sighted, creativity limiting and professional-growth delaying concept. The resulting class discussion was very good! And in the end I truly believe that everyone understand that dependent on one’s approach…Progressive “HOMEWORK” could be a better mindset. So to correctly continue this important re-learning opportunity…this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is kind of a reminder that homework…Progressive “HOMEWORK” can and should be a continuous improvement component of every workplace.
Think about it.
If you want to stay “up with the times” research homework may be a suitable responsibility. Or if you are looking at new/different hi-tech ways of changing your business/agency marketing…Progressive HOMEWORKon what is most effective might be timely. Or if you need to upgrade your professional credentials…to possible apply for a new/different job…Progressive HOMEWORKwould be a natural action to build your new life/work plan!
Maybe we all don’t think about daily life/work challenges and the Progressive HOMEWORK that we complete to improve?! But if not before…today please be proud of and take credit for the professional advancements you achieve based on the Progressive HOMEWORK you complete everyday…EVERYDAY!
LEARNING MOMENTS: Making Sure Your Inventories Are Alive
In keeping with our annual tradition, this month’s LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast comes to you “LIVE”(ish) from my deer blind in northern Michigan! We’ll discuss and share thoughts about Making Sure Your Inventories are Alive. Let me know what YOU think in the comments.
Enjoy the listen.
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: “4th & 1” Decision Making
I know I’ve said and explained it before… but I never know where a cool concept for the next TRIPLE III TIME message may come from. But let me say without any doubt… I never thought the Detroit Lions would ever be a progressive motivator!!
Let me explain.
Yes, I have been a life-long Lions fan… and annual disappointment has just been a regular fact of life. However, like all Lions fans everywhere the last season and the current one has been an almost dream-like scenario. And for me one of the most impressive leadership actions has been the team’s “4th & 1” DecisionMaking. You know what I am referring to… right? I am talking about continuously engaging a “LET’S GO FOR IT/Calculated Risk-Taker” action when faced with a fourth down and one yard (or short yardage) to be gained to achieve a first down and continue their drive for a touchdown! It is a NEW LIONS… league-changing… impact on the game of football.
So why is this new “4th & 1” Decision Making change phenomenon an unexpected TRIPLE III TIME motivator?
Well I think the Lions success on-the-field and as a business in the sports sector… provides a real life example of the positivity of making a non-traditional “LET’S GO FOR IT/Calculated Risk–Taker” decision from time-to-time in the world-of-work. Continuing down a “that’s the way we have always done it and/or how the game has always been played” path of operation may be easier to manage… but brings limited growth.
Think about the overall importance of adopting a developmental “4th & 1” Decision Making strategy in your personal and work life… and maybe leave the Lions out of it. Taking that “LET’S GO FOR IT/Calculated Risk-Taker” action… may result in a multitude of unexpected progressive achievements and a new organizational “let’s enjoy being a winner” attitude that is regularly contagious!
TRIPLE III TIME – RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism
Providing the best instruction to my American Government & Politics classes has become a little more challenging this semester. With the upcoming election now just a week away…the questions and discussion about each candidate at every level of government…has become more direct and intense for all the right reasons.
As you can guess we talk about:
- Political party differences
- Personal positions on issues
- Priorities for our country/state
- Information shared by candidates and their methods of communication…
and yes multiple points-of-view are openly expressed. Regardless of their beliefs and attitudes…the single, most, important position I require each student to understand, accept and utilize is:
RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism
Why is this the most critical lesson to be learned??
Well I let them know that in politics…or on the job…or on personal life issues, the individual that follows a RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism code of conduct… will most often be the more successful person. And regardless of your role as a leader, co-worker, colleague, friend, neighbor, student, teacher, political candidate and/or life partner; if you appropriately show a professional level of common sense respect to everyone you interact with…the right kind of respect will be returned.
The best part of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message: RESPECT: Common Sense Professionalism is that YOU own its potential. YOU control YOUR potential to offer the best form of professional respect. So use that control/potential wisely everyday…EVERYDAY! The positive, progressive, professional returns will be unlimited.
TRIPLE III TIME: Mini-Info PIT STOPS!
Communication designs and methods are probably one of the largest change areas we are experiencing everyday. I know I would not be able to list all the options that are out there right now…because I would forget a bunch…but just realizing the modern day expanse of the communication industry…is just overwhelming!
So to try to offer understandable, usable communication skills improvement considerations in our limited TRIPLE III TIME message-space…lets discuss what I call: Mini-Info PIT STOPS!
First let’s think about preparing to effectively communicateout a sizeable number of information items. Consider the following:
- Build your important concepts into a series of bullet points. You may have to draft them a couple times but simple, direct, interpretation-free would be the best structure.
- Use visuals to make a statement on an issue. Try it before you question this suggestion.
- Condense your timeframes. Think about limiting time/focus on a certain issue to15 minutes. If you allow more time…people will regularly “take it”.
Now let’s “turn the tables” and think about actions tomaximize your receipt of valuable information. Consider the following:
- Practice critical listening. Screening in communication highlights is a critical professional development skill…everyday!
- Try to “taste” items being communicated to better determine their understandability.
- Don’t go back for information “seconds”. It’s ok to be “concept-full” with small portions.
Bottomline: Sometimes people almost progressively “choke” on receiving too much information too fast. Creating a communication style which supports Mini-Info PIT STOPS will allow both the communication giver and receiver the time to better digest the message(s) being offered.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 