Leadership Solutions

Overcoming Limitations

Notice the butterfly in this photo.

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Part of one wing is missing. And the other wing has a tear in it.

You might conclude that this butterfly is flying impaired.

And yet, this butterfly is out there, flying about, working at being a butterfly.

So what's the point?

Well, none of us is perfect.

We all have a piece missing or a tear somewhere. So our challenge is to make sure that we still show up for life and give it our best effort.

That means we push on despite our failings, limitations, and fears.

I'll add that this butterfly does not know that its wings are damaged. If it did, it might have decided to give up, rather than forge out for another day.

And then there'd be one less butterfly in the garden.

Unfortunately, when dealing with limitations, people are smarter than butterflies.

They will notice their limitations and then use them as excuses.

And then there's one less person who's fully alive.

Today's Task: Show up with a full commitment to be your best.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of Create Success

714-528-1300

Ordinary Comedy

And then my wife said,

"You're wearing your shirt inside out."

This explained two things:

1) Why I couldn't find the pocket on this shirt.

2) Why the people at the bank were so happy to see me.

I'm still amused. In fact, I'm smiling as I write this because life can be such an amazing source of comedy.

Which brings to mind the following:

1) We don't need more TV.

Instead of wasting time watching TV, just observe what happens in your life. Most likely it's hilarious. Or at least it's funny.

Really.

2) We do need more tolerance.

This includes tolerance for ourselves and for others.

Life is a human experience of discovery. If you are busy being alive, you will make mistakes. Accept them and move on.

Similarly, recognize that everyone else is doing the best that they can.

By the way, in case you were wondering, I took my shirt off and put it back on right side out.

Life goes on.

Today's Task: Enjoy the humor that unfolds daily in your life. It's your reward for being alive.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of Create Success

714-528-1300

Can You Believe This?

Fasten your seat belts.

This will shock some people into falling out of their chairs.

So grab hold as you read on. It's a fact that:

1) People leave phone messages because they want to talk with the person they called.

2) When someone leaves a phone message, they actually expect the courtesy of a return call.

3) Without a return call, the caller has NO way of knowing if the message was received.

4) Being ignored is the worst insult that someone can give another.

5) Not returning calls wastes the caller's time on making additional calls or delaying actions that need a decision.

6) Other people, like the ones who leave phone messages, are human beings who are trying to earn a living.

7) Everyone who calls is a potential customer or someone who can influence customers.

I realize this is shocking.

And it's true.

Today's Task: Return phone calls.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and one of the nine people in the US who returns phone calls

714-528-1300

PS: Without conversation there is no business.

Honk If You Like This

It's unlikely that you're driving your car while reading this.

So if you like this idea, yell "Honk!"

The idea is:

Let's hold a National Day of Courtesy.

During this day, everyone would (for example):

1) Return phone calls

2) Show up on time

3) Turn off cell phones while in public places

And so on.

Now wait, before you panic, this would be for only ONE day.

After that everyone could go back to ignoring phone messages, arriving late, and imposing their cell phone conversations on others.

So, what do you think?

Should we try this?

Today's Task: Treat others with courtesy.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of Create Success

714-528-1300

PS: If this works we might try something more ambitious, such as a National Day of Respect

Presentation on Better Meetings

Here is a great opportunity.

I'm speaking at a dinner meeting on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 (from 6:00 - 8:30 PM), on how to hold better meetings.

The title of my presentation is:

Help! I'm Stuck in a Meeting and They Ran out of Donuts.

Other details are:

Location: DoubleTree Club Hotel - Santa Ana, CA

Host: Orange County, CA, IIBA Chapter

Registration: IIBA-OC Meeting

Benefit: Enjoy an excellent dinner (people often come for the food), meet interesting people, AND gain valuable ideas on how to be an effective leader by holding effective meetings.

Tell others. Bring friends. Rent a bus.

See you there.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of 119 Tips for Effective Meetings

714-528-1300

Out of the Lens Thinking

What's wrong with this picture?

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Wait, before you comment on composition or things like that, here's my point.

I took the photo with a 400-mm lens at a distance of about 15 feet.

So I broke the rules, sort of.

Here's why this works.

1) Flexibility

I was trying to take photos of birds with a long telephoto lens. Then this butterfly appeared. The macro lens that I'd normally use was at home. So rather than be restricted by a limiting assumption, I used the lens that I had.

2) Opportunity

Happy surprises appear everywhere. If you pay attention, you'll find them.

3) Speed

Butterflies spend only a moment on a flower. Then they leave. Most really good opportunities are like that. They stay briefly, and then they're gone.

4) Commitment

Even long shot possibilities deserve your best effort. I used a tripod, cable release, and 8 frames/sec. All totaled, I took over a dozen photos. Then I selected this one as the best. Half hearted efforts, on the other hand, seldom lead to useable results.

Key Point: Creativity requires new thinking.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of Create Success

714-528-1300

Business Definitions

Here are the basic tools that every business must have.

Mission: Brief statement of what you do.

Purpose: Brief statement of why you do it.

Values: List of the ideals that you honor.

Principles: Statements that describe how you apply your values.

Goals: Achievements that help you accomplish your mission.

Plans: Actions that complete your goals.

Strategy: Approach taken to complete goals.

Now, some questions.

1) What are these for your business?

2) Does everyone in your organization know what these are?

3) Does everyone have the same understanding of what they mean?

4) Does everyone's work reflect consistency in applying these tools?

As you might expect, a business runs into trouble when:

a) People lack direction.

b) People lack consistency.

Today's Task: Review the basic tools that drive your business.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of 119 Tips for Effective Meetings

714-528-1300

PS: My meeting facilitation helps groups define these tools for their business.

When Not to Use PowerPoint

PowerPoint has spread like crab grass.

As a result, people feel compelled to use it for everything.

So here's a warning.

PowerPoint may not be suitable for the following:

1) Bed time stories for children younger than three

2) Marriage proposals (unless this is your sixth, in which case you may need it)

3) Eulogies attended by old people (generally the BC generation, those born Before Computers)

4) Disciplinary lectures to a teenager

5) Family picnics in remote locations

6) Arguments with relatives, unless they bring out a flip chart

7) Presentations where you want to make a good impression

Hey!

How did Number 7 get in there?

Well, here's a tip.

If you design a PowerPoint presentation that is more interesting than your talk, you may as well stay home. Just send your file and let the audience click through the slides.

Why?

The less you rely on PowerPoint, the more they have to rely on you. And that makes you a more interesting, more effective speaker.

Key Point: Use PowerPoint (or Keynote) only when it enhances your presentation.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of 119 Tips for Effective Meetings

714-528-1300

PS: My workshop on Business Presentations shows how to give presentations that get results.

It's Your Choice

He said this at least six times.

He also told me that he was 90, had been out for two walks this morning, and was going to play golf tomorrow.

His point was: "You have to enjoy every moment."

Of course, at 90, he's more aware of the brevity of life than most of the people reading this.

And yet his point stands. You have to enjoy every moment. 

So how are you doing?

How much of your day do you enjoy -- really enjoy?

Half?

A fourth?

All?

Some of this is mindset.

That is, you can choose to enjoy tasks. For example, I will choose to enjoy mundane activities such as paying bills, taking out trash, and washing floors.
 

And some of this is investment.
 

That is, you can also choose to act in ways that will make every moment enjoyable. For example:

You can choose to interact with others so that you have enjoyable relationships.

You can choose to work within a job so that you have an enjoyable career.

You can choose to manage your personal affairs so that you have an enjoyable life.

Next Step: What changes can you make in what you do that will bring more joy into your life?

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of Create Success

714-528-1300

PS: My workshop on Time Management shows people how to invest in their future.

Men: Don't Let This Happen to You

"I asked, 'Do you know the way to Miami?' I asked, 'Did you check a map?' I asked, 'Did you get directions?'

And did you do these things?

NO!

So where are we? We're not in Miami. We're not even in Florida. We're lost somewhere in California!"

Key Point: Real men ask for help.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

Results Specialist

Speaker, Meeting Facilitator, and Author of Create Success

714-528-1300

PS: My workshop on Communication Skills helps you stay out of trouble.

PPS: The birds are Nutmeg Mannikins. Since the male and female look the same, the bird on the right is a juvenile.