Leadership Solutions

Leadership Solutions: Humor Tool

Here it is, Friday, and you have been through a tough week.

Perhaps you're feeling grumpy.

So, here's an easy way to shift your perspective.

Make a humor list.

That is, write on the top of a paper, "What's funny about today?"

Then answer the question.

Write down anything, regardless of how stupid, dumb, or foolish it seems. Recognize that there is genius in stupidity. And often your best ideas will appear at the end of a long list.

For example, #10 on my list today was: There goes a bird flying in the rain. Nobody goes out in weather like this unless they're out of beer.

I'm offering this example as an inspiration because I fully expect all of you can think of something better.

Key Point: Put some humor in your day. It makes your mind work better.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: The Real Problem with Fear

Fear in itself is bad enough.

But our reactions to fear actually enhance the fear.

For example, let's suppose that you are afraid of gzondnicks (a fictional thing created exclusively to serve as an example in this blog). What would you do?

1) Associate with people who shared a fear of gzondnicks.

Then you could complain about the threats of gzondnicks, worry about encountering gzondnicks, and exchange scary stories about gzondnicks. Note that all of this negative talk makes gzondnicks more awful than they are, which increases your fear of gzondnicks.

2) Build a fortress.

For example, you might buy a gzondnicks deterrent. Or, you might avoid gzondnicks. Or you might build barriers to keep gzondnicks out. But all of these actions serve to enhance your awareness of gzondnicks. Every time, for example, that you look at your gzondnicks deterrent, you see gzondnicks instead of safety.

3) Attack gzondnicks.

There are many ways to attack a gzondnick. And all of them cause the gzondnick to retaliate. In turn, this retaliation creates more reasons to be afraid. For example, if you were to insult a gzondnick, the gzondnick would become upset, which would prove that gzondnicks are terrible and thus warrant fear.

So, what do you do?

Simply, find the fear and throw it out.

I realize that this sounds simple.

I'll share that I have struggled with fears for decades (five or six of them, actually). I have also made significant progress in eliminating them.

I have found that finding a fear and than acknowledging it is the key to getting rid of it.

That is, once your can stand face to face with the real fear, then you can go to work on replacing it with courage.

So, it's possible to rise above gzondnicks.

After all, every fear is really just a gzondnick -- a nasty bit of fiction that you have kept in your mind. And thus, it's true only as long as you allow it to stay around.

Key Point: Everyone's growth depends upon eliminating fear.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Deadly Kindness

Every National Park has this sign.

It reads: Don't Feed the Animals.

If you do feed them, they'll become dependent upon handouts. Then if you stop feeding them, one of two bad things happen.

1) The animals will seek out people to obtain more handouts. Sometimes this results in people being hurt (i.e., attacked) by the animals.

2) Or, the animals starve.

Feeding wild animals is also dangerous. Unlike the characters in cartoons, these are real animals. Deer have sharp hoofs, bears have claws, and all of them have teeth.

So, how does this relate to your business?

Many organizations have people who thrive on handouts, such as the low performers who always seem to need help.

Of course as a compassionate leader, you want to inspire, instruct, and motivate. You want everyone be successful.

And sometimes your efforts to help may be misplaced.

So, take a candid look at your challenging employees. Are you investing in performance or just giving handouts?

Charity is commendable. And realize that there is a big difference between giving a lift to someone who is climbing versus giving a gift to someone who is coasting.

Key Point: Fair compensation provides the dignity of earning a reward and sets a standard for all to follow.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

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Leadership Solutions: Warning -- New Law

If you visit California, be warned.

 

There is a new law that became effective January 1, 2009.

 

It is now illegal to text message while driving.

 

This suggests something: Enough people had accidents while text messaging to warrant passing this law.

 

Now, I realize that California is at the forefront of social change in the United States.

 

So, what's next?

 

I predict that in the years to come:

 

1) It will be illegal to fold laundry while driving.

 

2) It will be illegal to take a bath while driving.

 

3) It will be illegal to play an accordion while driving.

 

But good news. It's still legal to brush your teeth, apply makeup, and eat watermelon while driving (at least in California).

 

Key Point: Every law exists to commemorate some fool who violated common sense.

 

Much success,

 

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

 

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Happy New Year!

This is it!

It's the New Year.

Of course, today is Chinese New Year.

But you can still celebrate.

Why?

If you missed starting the year with goals and plans, here's a second chance to do that now.

So, celebrate the beginning of a new year. Put on a party hat. Laugh hysterically. Pop a balloon. Dance.

(Suggestion: Make sure your door is closed before starting.)

Key Point: It's never too late to begin a new year.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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Leadership Solutions: Manage Interruptions

Every office has these.

They're the social butterflies who drop by to visit.

You can tell if they're working by how long they stay. That is, any visit lasting more then a minute is really a vacation for the visitor.

So, what do you do?

1) Ask how you can help. Then answer their question and thank them for coming. Stand to demonstrate that the conversation is over.

2) If they brought a large issue requiring more than a minute, schedule an appointment. Ask them to bring at least three possible solutions when they return.

3) As soon as you realize that it's a social visit, end the conversation. State that you're busy and want to get back to work.

Note: If you are a boss, chronic (long) social visits should be a performance issue. Someone may be using them to procrastinate.

Key Point: Your time is valuable. Make sure that visitors use it well.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

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Leadership Solutions: Now We Know

Have you ever wondered why people make mistakes?

I asked my coach this question recently because I was, . . . well, . . . fed up with making mistakes.

So, here's the answer.

First, let's clear up one important detail.

These events aren't "mistakes." They're lessons. And the people who bring them to you are your teachers.

In fact, the people who cause you the most misery are your best teachers.

Now, we can answer the opening question.

Lessons happen because you need them.

Really.

In fact, if you were to pass them (i.e., do the right thing) then these events wouldn't be lessons. They'd be forgettable moments.

So, be grateful for your teachers.

And pay attention to your lessons. They are the essence of becoming a more effective leader.

Of course, you must pass these lessons in order to progress to the next grade. Otherwise, you'll be kept behind to repeat the lesson.

Key Point: All of the stuff that aggravates you happens to teach you how to manage aggravation.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

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Leadership Solutions: Clothespins and Daffodils

Here's good news.

Last Sunday I retrieved the clothespin that I had left in the Fullerton Arboretum a week before.

You see, sometimes I use a clothespin to hold leaves or branches aside when photographing flowers.

This suggests (among other possibilities):

1) No one noticed the clothespin on the daffodil leaves, or

2) Those who saw it decided to leave it for the owner, or

3) Those who saw it left it alone rather than take it to the office.

Now, suppose you were walking through a garden. How much detail would you notice?

And what would you do if you found a clothespin attached to a leaf?

Key Point: Pay attention to your surroundings. Curiosities can be found everywhere.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

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Leadership Solutions: Today's Test

Suppose you just learned that a colleague has been promoted.

Do you:

1) Feel pleased?

Do you sincerely congratulate your colleague? (e.g., "Hey, great job!") Do you praise management for making a wise choice? Do you ask your colleague for ideas on how you can earn a promotion?

2) Feel disappointed?

Do you offer a cynical comment to your colleague? (e.g., "Well, I suppose they had to promote somebody.") Do you complain about bureaucracy, favoritism, or clueless management? Do you sulk?

Here's how to score your answer.

1) Successful people celebrate other's success and then figure out how they can achieve the same results.

2) Failures resent other's success and then invent excuses to explain why they can't do as well.

Now, here's the real push.

Wise leaders notice how people react to good news. Then they use those observations to help determine who merits advancement.

Key Point: Successful people are inspired and encouraged by other's success.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

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Leadership Solutions: Number 50

Good news!

Yesterday I completed Journal #50.

This means I have filled 50 journals since January 4, 1999.

As a leader, you are most likely working hard, rushing to complete as much as possible during your day.

And here's a possibility: what if you set aside a half hour or so to reflect on what you're doing. You could use this to clarify priorities, capture lessons, and find solutions.

Thinking through such issues could help improve your efficiency and your effectiveness.

I know that I've found writing in a journal to be helpful for reasons such as these and more.

I have ranted, vented, and complained. I have inspired, healed, and comforted. I have played, laughed, and speculated.

In total, my journal has been a good friend. It has been there in the morning to help me start my day. And sometimes it's been there at night when I needed to relax.

It has also helped me write articles, blogs, poems, gags, and newsletters.

You may be surprised by the benefits that you'll gain by writing in a journal. So, I urge you to write.

Key Point: Writing in a journal helps you find wisdom, which can make a difference in your effectiveness as a leader.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

Web Site

blog