Unaverage Leadership

Remember The Past, But Do Not Live In It

As the Memorial Holiday approaches, I began to think of those who are now gone from my life - loved ones, friends, peers, and mentors.  Memories of joy, pain, laughter, and conflict.  It is a clear reminder that on my journey in life I can choose to live in the past, or live in today with anticipation of tomorrow.

Employee owners in ESOP companies have the same types of memories about their organization, past leaders, peers, service providers and customers.  In most organizations there those employee owners who hold onto the past and are in fear or cynical about the organization as it is today, as well as it's future.  It is very likely they compare events in the organization today to those of the past with comments such as "That would have never happened in the old days" - "Work was more fun back then" - "They would have never treated us this way back then" etc, etc....  They may have been mistreated, overlooked for promotion, or victim to a variety of other unfair events, but they clearly are living in the past.

I believe that the key to the past is to learn from it, forgive the bad, and re-live the wonderful stories once in a while.  This applies to individuals and organizations.  To help individuals and organizations achieve this there must meaning in what they do today, a clear link between today's activities and a promising future, and that they have the means and tools for both to happen.  There will be many important choices that will need to be made for all of this to transpire, but the most important one is this:

Choose to close the doors of days gone by in a meaningful way, so that all of the doors for today and tomorrow are wide open.

Enjoy your memories this holiday! 

Flickr photo by christmasnotebook

The Means Or The End?

 This time of year gives us pause to evaluate what life has given us and what more do we want from life.

When we evaluate life we have to evaluate work, since this is where most of our time is spent.  How do you evaluate your work - is it the means or the end?  The end, meaning it consumes your life and negatively impacts all other life activities or...The means, meaning work feeds a full and balanced life.

We can choose the answer ourselves, but the culture of our company plays heavily on this choice.  A company that supports a culture where it is a priority for employees to attend the ball game, music recital or visit the sick family or friend in the hospital, will get back ten times more effort from their employees.  The saying "the more you give the more you live" is so true.

There are many companies that support the scrooge mentality that work is first no matter what.  The rest of your life is captive to the demands of work and there are no alternatives.  Work is the end and when the ghosts of Christmas come calling, these companies will suffer in the end.

To put it in perspective, a year from now, five years from now, ten or twenty years from now, what will you remember?  The fact that you missed a half day or full day from work or the fact you missed the ball game, music recital, or failed to visit the sick family or friend.  What will be your answer when the ghosts of Christmas call on you?  The means or the end?

Frustration Is Alive!

Image by Metrix X via Flickr

Is the economy going to improve or not? Will I have a job tomorrow or not? Will I get social security or not? Should I put money in the stock market or not? Is it time to stuff money under my mattress or not?

These are the types of questions that permeate the conversations of today. There is so much unpredictability in our environment that people are really feeling the impact of the unknown.  It is just like waiting for the results of tests from the doctor's office - it can drive people crazy.

The unknown lowers company productivity and profits. These are times when leaders and companies need to accelerate their communication and face the unknown head on. No one can control or predict the future and the focus should be on what can be controlled.

This is a time to rally the troops and get everyone focused on what is right in front of them.  Keeping employees busy on internal improvements, training and giving input on changes is a great way to keep frustration at a minimum.

The Power of Passion

My father has lived alone the past two years and has just recently started to see a wonderful woman. The other day, he made this statement to me: "Vacuuming and dusting the house is not so bad when you have a good reason for doing it." He has a new passion for life and it has changed his perspective at all levels (he was married to my mother for 40+ years, the only women in his life until two years ago).

I am sure that all of you can relate to the feelings that my father is experiencing. It is truly amazing what happens to individuals and organizations when passion has been lost. Daily tasks become burdensome, we start to question why we do what we do, and cynicism comes alive. Our energy seems to leak away and we feel like we can never make any headway.

Why is it that organizations and individuals loose their passion for life? It is fear, lack of knowledge and getting stuck in the rut.

It is safe to stay in the rut or routine of life or work. We know what to expect and it is simple. As time goes on the safety is comforting, but everything starts to dull and tarnish as we continue to do the same thing. Gaining new knowledge can change this. New knowledge allows us to change perspective and gives a new luster to the former dulled and tarnished tasks.

The lesson, as my father would advise, is to face yours fears and take the first step. There is knowledge to be gained everywhere. Break out of the rut once in while to truly see what life has to offer.

Find your passion and you will find a new way to live life. 

Tough Times Brings Awareness

We are in a period of history when times are getting tough - real tough.  The reality is setting in and all of a sudden there is an awakening happening.  People and organizations are looking at their situation with a new awareness.  An awareness that is pure and not clouded with ego.

Yes, I said ego.  That little voice in our heads that says you are immune to what goes on around you, that you can justify everything you do, and that paints a reality that is not real.  The ego allows us to float through life and disregard what we know is wrong.  The responsibility of what is wrong can be blamed on others when the ego is in control.

When the ego is set aside, then awareness flourishes and new ways of thinking are welcomed, explored and even accepted.  With awareness, organizations and their leaders can start to face the long-term implications of overpaid employees, retirement obligations, lack of benefits, debt and the horrific lack of concern that permeates today's work environment.

No one likes tough times, but I believe these natural rhythms in life are a necessary part of keeping balance, perspective and opportunities for change.  As tough as it may get - and who really knows how tough it will get - open your eyes, hearts and minds to new ways to view your business, your people and how it all fits together.  It is your choice how you view our world today, I view it as a great way to start making a positive difference!

The Blessed Word - Forgive

I am sure you know people who live in the past.  A victim of circumstance, heredity, society, work, or some other significant event in life.  You feel for the story the first, second,and maybe even the third time, but at some point you start to mutter to yourself get over it.  Take ownership and get on with your life and quit dragging me down.

In your work place do you have victims or owners?  If your culture embraces forgiveness, I would bet you have owners not victims.  The type of employee that steps up to their mistakes, understands that business is not easy, and they live their life in charge of it, fully owning it.

As an owner or manager of a business, do you portray the victim or the owner?  Do you forgive the mistakes of your employees or do you act the victim and never let them forget?  Remember you set the stage at your company.

Forgiveness is not easy at first, but over time and practice it is amazing how it will free the spirit and open new doors.  Forgiveness is not for public display, it comes from deep within your private self.  That is where true forgiveness shines and when your actions start to match the forgiveness given.  This is when the individual changes, and therefore organizations begin to change.  Forgive today and watch the results of this blessed word. 

Flickr photo by yching626

Choose Wisely

The other day during a presentation I asked the group if individuals always have a choice or are choices imposed on us.  I would say it was a 60-40 split in favor of the individual having the choice - meaning there is a choice if you want one.

I firmly believe we always have a choice (once we become an adult).  The choices may not be simple or easy, but there is a choice.  Choices are simpler and easier when we consciously evaluate every choice we make.

• Eat more/ exercise less - get fat
• Spend more that you make - go in debt 
• Quit learning - miss opportunities
• Have a family - less personal time
• Take on debt - narrows your employment choices
• Get up late everyday - get fired

We become a victim if we believe that choices are imposed on us, and this victim mentality is what destroys hope, growth, and a full-filled life.

Take the time to think things through before you choose, it allows you to control your life -not others.                     

Gaining Control

Are you one of the millions of people who carry to much debt?  Do you work for a company that carries to much debt?  Do you live in a country that carries to much debt?

If you live in America, you have a high probability that you will answer "YES" to all three questions.  I encourage you to listen and watch this video from www.stopthesqeeze.org 

A quote from the bible speaks well to this issue - "The borrower is the lenders slave".  It is time you take a hard look at where you are being a slave, rise up, and take control of your life.

Flickr photo by gimchi