3 words…

I sat there on that long boardroom table surrounded by radio people being grilled by questions of what my company was all about. We were there to develop a campaign. I never felt so inadequate in my life.

At the time, I had recently been asked to take on the role of general manager for three very different companies. Earlier on this particular day, I had spent the whole morning wrapped up in one company and suddenly, there I was in the midst of this group getting grilled about a different company. It was dizzying.

I recall sitting there at that table feeling like the spotlight was completely on me and yet… inside, all I wanted to do was run. I felt so overwhelmed, unprepared, and inadequate for what I was asked to do with running these companies.

As the questions kept coming from every side, I remember bowing my head for a few moments. I could hear the questions coming, but, for a moment, I felt like I had slipped away.

“Dear God, I have no idea what I am doing. I feel so inadequate. I don’t belong here. I don’t know how to answer these questions. I need your help. I give up.”

It was a moment where I was in the room, but not in the room. It was a silent call for help to the only One I knew could hear me right then and there.

And yet the questions kept coming…

“What is your core demographic?” came from one end of the table. While from the opposite end came… “Why should people shop with you?”

And yet, there I was, momentarily checked out from the constant questions saying a silent prayer… a plead for help.

“Tell them stories.”

I remember that moment like it was this very second. As I have said before, it was like a thousand arrows had simultaneously hit their mark. Something changed, there was a pivot… my countenance was suddenly different as I remember looking up and around at the many faces gathered at the table.

3 words… tell them stories. And so I did.

Suddenly, I felt like a different person. I felt emboldened as I began to tell the countless stories of the many people I had come across while working on the sales floor. It was really quite surreal as the stories seemed to flow out from me as if I had rehearsed them before the meeting.

At one point, I could sense that those gathered around the table were on the edge of their seat and moved at what they were hearing. I remember seeing a few even begin to tear up as I was rattling off several experiences.

It was one of those moments to remember. I wonder if they had sensed it too?

“That’s it.” were two words that came confidently from one end of the table. “Just tell the story. That’s the campaign.”

And so we did. A few weeks later, I went back into that office, but this time, to enter the studio. Unscripted, we flipped the record switch and began telling stories.

But what happened on that one day? Sometimes we can get so overwhelmed with seeking the perspectives we think we need, when all along, its much simpler than that. The perspectives we thought we needed were merely based on the same old stuff. This is what we always do, so… let’s do it again. In other words, these are the building blocks and formulas for building a successful campaign. But, don’t you think that somewhere along the way, we lost sight of what a true campaign should look like?

I learned how to tell a story in first grade. Miss Britt had us all take turns reading from picture books in front of the class as they all sat on the floor in front of you.

Thirty years later, I learned how to surrender my anxieties in a board room as a still small voice spoke three words… “Tell them stories.”

In the process, a campaign was born and to this day, was the only campaign I ever remember people talking about.

But, to tell a story… you need a story. And, when you feel alone, know this… you are not alone.

There is power in those three words. So, live life to be a storyteller. We all have a story. Is anybody listening?

Yep! In a still small voice, He said… “Tell them stories.”

Three words and a cry for help.

And here I was thinking I was inadequate. I was trying to respond to the questions in a way I thought I was supposed to. I was never so wrong. God heard me that day and showed me that I did belong there and that I was the very opposite of inadequate. I just needed to be me. I just needed to be… a storyteller.

I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t asked for help? Two words… train wreck.

I wonder what would happen if I lived life with my eyes and heart wide open to those around me?

3 words. So… tell me.

Clarity is the Antidote to Anxiety

Clarity is the antidote to anxiety.

This simple statement has shifted me. I came across it while reading a book called, “The One Thing You Need to Know” by Marcus Buckingham.

For those that know me well or have worked for me, they would probably argue that there was no statement more transformative to me then this one.

As a leader, it would do you good to pause and reflect on these 6 words. And, in light of these current unstable times, it would be a mistake to not believe anyone is experiencing some sort of anxiety in their lives or jobs.

It would also do you good to understand that when one has anxiety, it generally leads to lack of productivity, it also can lead to misguided perception.

For some that new me well, or figured me out… they new that when they came to me and the first words out of their mouth was… “I need clarity” this was a signal to me that they were experiencing anxiety at some level and it would do us all good to immediately stop and seek to address it.

But, why is that so difficult? In recent posts, I have talked about the power of the ripple effect.

Too often, in businesses, people don’t understand that these 6 words have the power to create a ripple effect that lifts one up instead of leaving a path of destruction.

Too often, businesses don’t understand that in not providing clarity, it has the potential to sink all productivity as you leave your employees left to figure out for themselves how best to proceed. Now, granted, people only do what makes sense to them.

But, when in the culture of anxiety, what makes sense to us may not also be the most sound for us.

Think about your situation for a moment…

Do you foster a culture where people can come to you when they are feeling anxiety and need some clarity about a certain project they have been assigned to?

When you present a strategy or a project, are you presenting it in a way that seeks to provide bullet proof clarity?

Too often, messages are lost in translation. Too often, we fill our messages with too many words. In this, how focused and sharpened is that which you seek to roll out?

In this day an age, one might argue that it would be best to not let people know ahead of time that there will be job cuts. That it would be best to just spring it on people. On the other side, people might think… I don’t want to dwell in a culture daily knowing that at some point, jobs will go away and it may or may not… be me.

Either way, one would be foolish to think that this culture is not already present anyway.

If this be the case, I would recommend as a leader to develop and execute a strategy that is consistent, in touch, engaged, approachable, honest, and clear.

At the end of the day, isn’t that what people really want anyway?

Is there anxiety where you are? Can you trace it to a lack of clarity?

As an employee, you have a right to ask your supervisor a clarity question. As a supervisor, you have a responsibility to provide clarity.

In doing so, you may just unlock something extremely powerful… an antidote to anxiety.

Let’s face it, anxiety can be so crippling. Often times, when left unchecked… it can lead to what we call, paralysis from analysis. Sadly and often, this analysis feeds on things that are not perceived correctly. Imagine what a healthy dose of clarity would do for this? If this is you, seek help. …seek clarity.

If you are a leader, slow down for a second and take a temperature of your culture and get engaged. Don’t ever lose sight that which really matters… the people. Be proactive and ask yourself what type of ripple effect are you causing.

As you seek to send a clear message to the frontlines of your organization, you must lead with clarity.

Otherwise, don’t be surprised when productivity and morale sinks. Because, chances are, anxiety has taken hold and paralysis has set in.

The 501 Strategy…

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, goes the old saying.

Though this is a saying that people ask in the middle of the day when wanting a drink, I believe it’s a question that anyone doing anything with mobilizing people need to ask with all seriousness.

If it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, then what happens at 5:01?

Too often, our goal is just to get to 5 o’clock. if we can just make it… we’ll be happy. Really? That’s all?

Over the past several years, I have had a front-row seat in watching some pretty amazing and huge events take place. I have also been a part of planning several meetings myself that last over a few days time. From retreats to business meetings, I have both planned them and ran them. In that, I can say from personal experience, for many of them, I was just thrilled to get to 5 o’clock.

Never once did I ask… what happens at 5:01?

Okay, great meeting, but, what will the attendees do with this experience? Generally, attendees will get pumped up and momentarily encouraged. But, by the time they go back home… it’s like playing a really bad game of telephone.

I know I said orange, but by the time it got to the other side of the room… the word was now… elephant. What? How is that possible?

In this, I am realizing how short-sighted I was. Not only was it critical to put on a quality event that stimulates thought, reflection, and change, but… I needed to spend a lot more time thinking about what that change looked like.

I needed to spend a lot more time thinking about what happens at 5:01. In other words, if my event is over at 5 o’clock, what happens next? How am I engaging people post event? How am I providing resources, areas of opportunity, action points for growth going forward… post event?

It is not enough to come into a city and put on an event, or to host a retreat,  or business meeting, and then leave.

What lasting effect will you leave behind?

In going forward, I would propose that before you launch a campaign or post an agenda, etc. about something you are planning, ask yourself one question… what will happen at 5:01 when this is over?

I would propose knowing the answer and have already developed the 501 strategy. Why? For this to be sustainable, don’t you need on the ground leaders who take ownership? Don’t you need boots on the ground at 5:01 ready to mobilize, engage, reinforce, build up, connect, train, and act?

Sure, it’s great to train these leaders up for action during an event. But, I would argue that you are training them to be reactive. But, at 5:01, we need them to be proactive. And to do that, you better have thought through your 501 strategy from the start.

Otherwise, we miss massive opportunities to transition mountain top experiences to life level applications. When we miss that opportunity, experiences can rarely stick.

In the book selling world for so many years, I often wondered… what happens when that guest walks out of the store with that book? Now, some might say… it’s just a book, relax. On the contrary, I believe the power of a good book and the connection that can be made with a good story. In this, what would happen if we developed a 501 strategy for that guest in particular to a specific book to help them dig deeper as to how that story can apply to their life?

Just getting our guest out the door with a book in hand is a great thing. But, getting them out the door with a book in hand …and a resource for us to walk together in reading that book after they leave the store is greater.

I had an opportunity to do this once with New York Times bestselling author, Paul Young for his book, The Shack.

For sure, we sold a ton. We also heard both sides of thought about the content of the book. Some was true and some was not true. But, instead of leaving it alone, we decided to develop a 501 strategy for our guests. In this case, we sat down with Paul and interviewed him. The result, a free website was built using wordpress. On this website, we posted the entire 120 minute interview with Paul.

Does anything say you care more about a guest than a post sale or post event ongoing engagement with them? Not just follow-up, but engagement.

Isn’t that what’s at the core of what I am trying to convey with the 501 strategy? I’m not interested in how you are going to follow-up. I am interested in how you will engage. Don’t be confused, they are two different postures.

Conventions or large public gatherings should have 501 strategies too. And like selling a book, what is more important? Getting people to the event or what the people will do… post event?

Sure, sweep into a city and throw a party, in the process, pump the local economy up. But, what is the lasting effect? Is it sustainable? does it translate? Of course, you need to sell books or get people to an event to plant the seed of your message. But, how will that seed then grow?

Building a seamless 501 strategy is perfect soil to watch this come to fruition.

Anyway, just a few thoughts. Sorry for the ramble.

You follow? What are you planning? What are you selling? What does it look like in action?

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere… what happens next?

The Power of the Ripple Effect…

I love reading real stories and then posing questions about them. I did that with various business articles I read very early on in my blogs. In this, I want to try and get inside various scenarios and ask what would I do differently. With that said… here’s another one…

What happens when you take a company that had lost a ton of money, re-build an entire team, and turn a profit in two years?

For me, my reponse to this scenario would be to seek to then sustain that profitability, look to build on what was established, and therefore begin to see a pattern of profitability.

For others, they would say that that was an incredible feat. I think they would also agree with my response in then wanting to see a pattern of profitability.

Often times in the business world, people can get greedy. And, if they are completely disengaged from reality, usually, their decisions to strive for more are not with sound minds with regards to what makes an operation tick. Now, let me be clear… I have no problems with making a profit. I am a capitalist and believe in the free market. So, I don’t believe that making a profit is a bad thing, unless it entales one losing their soul. But, there is nothing wrong to wanting to increase that profit once profit has been made. Who among us doesn’t want to continue to improve?

But, what happens in the case of this initial statement when seeking a pattern of profitability after being a perrenial bottom line loser is not the first choice?

Too often. there is a complete disengagement from the people at the top as to what it really does take to be successful. In the case of this scenario, it would appear that it was the team that was assembled would have played a major role in moving the company to the black. It would also appear that the team assembled were all working well together and operating within their strengths. (Quite frankly, this would be a dream scenario for any company. It reminds me of the team I once got to work with.)

So, what then was the response?

“Next year… let’s make a lot more than last year. And, to do that… you will need to cut payroll.”

 Never mind that the very people you are cutting are the very ones who played critical roles of moving you from very red to black…

And there lies the problem…

Too often, the ones calling the shots have no idea the power of the ripple effect. They think that to get to point C, you simply dismantle everything that got you to point B. But, what they don’t realize is that in doing this, very rarely does it work. Matter of fact, not only will you generally not make it to point C… you will often times find your way back to point A. Now, if asked, or at least those of this scenario, I am quite confident that it is not seen that way. In this, there is a misperception in that there shouldn’t be a problem then to have 2 or 3 people then take on the extra load of 4 or 5 people.

To some, this is not seen as dismantling. It is simply seen as reorganization to become leaner and meaner.

But, ask those who are taking on the extra work? Take a look at what this does to morale? Take a look at what this reflects as to how ones reward a profit? Remember about what I said about being back to point A? This always leads to a reduction of productivity when seen within this type of scenario.

Again, don’t get me wrong… unfortunately, there are times when you do need to cut payroll. But, as far as I can see from this scenario, there was no reason to. Matter of fact, there was every reason to build on what was already established. Therefore, seeing a pattern of profitability was indeed a real possibility. And, quite frankly, if kept in tack, there was the strong potential to even outperform what was desired in the first place. (Oh, the irony of it all.)

In my book, this is called lack of foresight and unfortunately, foresight doesn’t seem to be all that common at times. So, you’re left with knee jerk reactions that turn the ripple effect into full blown tsunami’s.

So, what does this all lead to?

Lack of credibility amongst your workforce. Lack of trust and respect amongst your workforce. A dead end.

Unfortunately, this rarely matters. Too often, leaders are so disengaged from reality that they don’t even see the true fruits of their decisions. Because, their response is to keep making decisions, keep making changes, keep asking for more when all along… maybe it is quite simply them that need to change. But, pointing fingers is always much easier.

So, why don’t they change?

My thought on this is… as Max Lucado once wrote…

The heart of the matter will always be… the matter of the heart. From first glance, some things are never explainable. They don’t make sense. But, there is always sense or lack thereof present. There is always more than meets the eye. Generally, I leave that discussion and judgement up to God.

But, what motivates leaders to think this is leading?

Are they comfortable? Are they arrogant? Are they inept? or, are they just plain wrong?

I don’t know. But, often… the answers to sustainability and to seeing positive patterns of profitability are found in the very ones leadership seeks to squeeze or toss.

What we need are leaders that see the value of their people. What we need are leaders to know the very names of those in picture frames upon the desks of their people. We need leaders that understand the importance of providing vision, for without it… businesses perish. We need leaders that understand in offering clarity, it IS the antidote to anxiety. We need leaders that truly do, offer leadership and that without it… there is chaos.

We need leaders who see people as heartbeats and not as numbers. We need leaders who themselves are open, authentic, approachable, teachable, and reflect humility. We need leaders who see the power of the ripple effect.

For, it is that ripple effect that will either way reach those far distant shores. But, either everything in its path will be destroyed or… will be lifted up. But, it all starts with them and knowing the stakes. Because, once you flip that switch.. the lights are on.

What type of ripple effect are you caught in? Are you riding the wave or caught in the undertow?

Just a thought.

Garbage Man

I didn’t get his name, but I could hardly hear his voice as he strained to get every word out. He was a smaller and older African American man who was carting garbage through Concourse B at Midway in Chicago. As he pulled up next to me, I looked at him and asked, “How’s it going?”

For a moment, he looked surprised that I was talking to him. He said a few words that I could barely understand.  But, I did catch him saying, “Just glad to be alive and have a job to come to.” In response, all I could say as I made a sharp right for the men’s room was, “Lord bless you.” He simply looked up and smiled. I went my way and he went his.

You know, I relate to this guy. It was only in 1993 that I too, was carting garbage around the Clark County Fairgrounds in Vancouver, Washington. I remember that look when someone acknowledges you when you are pushing around garbage. Quite frankly, people like this often times go unnoticed or seemed to others as less significant. They get taken for granted for being the ones who come to clean up our messes. And, so they come and go to the attention of no one who seems to notice.

Occasionally they will ask you at your table if you are done so they can dispose of your stuff and we kindly answer their question as they go about their job.

But even still, they come and go.

I remember all too well… coming and going.

How did I get to this place where I am typing this recollection in Chicago after meeting with some pretty high influence individuals in Washington DC?

Perhaps in stories like these, I am beginning to understand that the very one I just spoke of who was carting garbage through the airport was too… a high influence individual, and we don’t even know it.

If this man was of the least of these, then that which you do for the least of these, you do unto Me says one who changed the ages so many years ago.

We all have significance and we all have value. No matter what you do, where you are, how much you make, whether you have a college degree or not, whether you own a pair of shoes or not… you are valued and if you want to see what I mean… just look in the mirror.

So, as you go about your day and observe people doing their various jobs and things… don’t pass them by. See value, see significance, and see potential.

For, in this, you never know who you might be entertaining and… you never know what that word or look of acknowledgement might do for that person.

Quite frankly, you never know what it might do for you.

He looks like HOPE.

My flight to Dulles from Chicago Midway. My recollections…

‘To see a child come into the hospital very sick and then watch them leave the hospital a few days later all better… priceless! you can’t pay me enough money for that feeling.” the young man says in a thick Nigerian accent as he leans over the middle seat on this airplane to tell me.

“If I can help one person, chances are, where they are from, maybe 100 more people have what they have. If I can help them, I can help their entire village.” he continued.

Though I didn’t get his name and it took a while to understand his accent over the sound of the airplane, this man was on a mission to finish his schooling, become a doctor, and return to Nigeria to impact lives.

He made his way to the US to go to school only by the support of his sister, who now lives in Chicago sponsoring him. But, it was while he was serving as part of the UN peace security that his fellow UN friends encouraged him to go to school and that he had something special. Matter of fact, he was about to go to Afghanistan when the papers came thru that he was coming to the States.

Meanwhile, this 2 hour flight seemed to be passing by before our eyes.

We spoke about the need for African nations to collect accurate data on health issues so that they can more effectively determine sources of outbreaks. Therefore, begin taking a more proactive stance. Unfortunately data is often tainted by local government leaders who wish to keep the people oppressed by keeping the millions of dollars of aid that pours in annually. Why would they want to solve the problems, which many could be, if aid keeps pouring in relatively unchecked as to the results they are “producing.”

In this, he speaks adamantly about knowing where people send their money and to be sure they know where the money is going and if it is indeed effectively making a difference.

It reminded me of a statement a friend of mine from Rwanda once said… “Poverty is not the problem… leadership is.”

We continued down this path of a strong need to provide accurate data. He spoke of research being done seeking to determine why the spread of HIV was more widespread in Eastern Africa than in Western Africa. He also personally set out to determine why Cameroon, a neighboring country to Nigeria had an epidemic with Hep C, when there was no epidemic at all next door in Nigeria.

He was done talking about these problems and seeing no results. He had questions. And, he was going to get his answers.

I know this because his eyes told me so. I know this because of that passion in his voice and the way he used his hands to make a point.

I liked this guy. He was done with the same old…same old.

When he spoke of a child leaving the hospital all better… you could see it in his eyes. He could see it, he was right there saying goodbye to that patient as he explained it to me as we were 30,000 feet in the sky somewhere over Pennsylvania.

Here’s a guy who is on a mission. No question he will impact his nation.

But, as he pointed out, doctors in Nigeria generally just sign off a prescription for the patient, no questions asked, no explanation given. What this guy wants to do is to simply explain to them what is wrong, how long they will feel this way, what they are taking and why they are taking it. Because people worry so much, he feels in simply offering that type of specific information, this education alone on their symptoms can often times see 50% of the patients sickness healed as so much can be mental. This combined with treating whatever ailment they were suffering can take a lot of weight off of a persons shoulders. Can you imagine the ripple effect this could have once that patient returns to their home? HOPE. So, he says he is not just going to write prescriptions… he is going to educate. HOPE. You mean this isn’t going to kill me? I’m going to feel better? HOPE.

And, that is what this guy looks like. He looks like HOPE. He wouldn’t say it. For all he knows, he is just trying to be himself. And that is what I liked so much about him. He had no idea how powerful his passion was. But, he knew if he can help one, he can help the whole village.

What do people see in you? Can they see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice, or how you use your hands to emphasize a point? You can’t act it. This is real and comes from a place down deep. What do you see in you?

Do you believe? You know what you need to be doing? Just do it.

What does ready look like? How about…today!

Start with one and maybe just maybe…that village will follow.

‘

80/20…Your Brand through 2 lenses

So, you have a brand. And, you have, well… you.

Aren’t we in a day and age where it is time they come together? Aren’t brands merely and extension of who we are?

I had the wonderful opportunity to be with several small business and start ups recently. In the discussion, we really landed on this concept. But, as I have blogged recently, old schtick aint working no more. To me, the idea of old schtick is like walking up to a prospective client or person and the first words out of your mouth is… “How can I have your business?”

Now, I do score points for just being completely up front. But, for me… why would I want to give you my business when I don’t even know who you are? (I guess that is why I am so careful with whom I give my email address to now a days. Latest email stats show 90%+ of email is spam.)

What was that Donna Summer song? …I work hard for my money.

While at the class with the small businesses and start ups, we spoke about the 80/20 rule when marketing your message/brand. In context, I was speaking of using Twitter and Facebook and how to use your status updates and Tweets to build your brand.

Here are a few bullet points from that presentation…

I view this through the lens of the 80/20 rule in that 80% of our posts are relational and 20% are informational.

This accomplishes several things…

A. People will get to know who you are, what makes you tick, and things that are important to you. This creates trust and buys you the capital you need for…

B. …You to speak about your business and what you offer.

Make no mistake; building up capital is one thing. But, how you spend it is another. So, syncing up the message is critical, but how you sync it is crucial…

In this, be deliberate, don’t overdo it, be conversational, ask questions, respond accordingly, have fun, be consistent, and most importantly, be you!

Homework for the class was this…

• In 20 words or less, write 8 different messages about your brand through the “relational” lens
• In 20 words or less, write 2 different messages about your brand through the “informational” lens

Don’t try to be someone you’re not. BE YOURSELF.

What I like about this exercise is that it really forces you to focus in your message in strategic ways. Hey, we live in the world of status updates and 140 character messages. Use them wisely. Otherwise, this world isn’t much more like staring at the Las Vegas strip at night. In other words, with all these bright lights flashing and trying to get our attention, how does one stand out? Interestingly though, in Las Vegas, the lights are about the appeal and the draw, but… what really reels them into this or that casino, is what is on the inside.

Good or bad, That’s the truth.

And perhaps, we can learn from that. Because, in the end.. isn’t what is on the inside that which really matters? For me, I like that about a business I support. I like to know who they are and what they are about. I like to know that they have lives beyond the pitch of their goods. I like to know that I am not just a transaction. And you know what? I don’t think you want to be just a transaction, either.

So, if you want someone to come inside, you got to get them to the door. And these days, people can smell a pitch a mile away. Be relational… and then, informational.

Now that they have opened the door and walked in…

Well, that’s for another blog of random thoughts.

Turn this around and you get…

Over the past several years, my life has been changed.

And now, nearly one year after our national general election for the leader of our nation, the thought that has changed my life, has begun to grow even more apparent.

With regards to that election, one thing that we heard many times from the various politicians that were running for president is a statement that I know we could all recite.

That statement is…

“What kind of world are we going to leave our children?”

In this, we find a core reason for why these politicians are seeking the opportunity to serve. However, for me, this statement has taken on a whole different look and has challenged as a parent.

The only difference is this…

I believe it is time to turn that statement around for it to read like this…

“What kind of children are we going to leave our world?”

Now, I could spend the next several minutes writing about what I mean. But, I don’t think I need to. I think you already know what this means. With that, my only question is this… what does that look like? (in action)

Please join me by sharing what you believe this looks like. Together, we CAN make a difference, we just have to get out of the way sometimes and let the children speak, share, and even lead. For us, hmmm…. slow down long enough to listen?

This happened with me and my own daughter. Click here to see what she started. Friend, what kind of children will we leave our world?

We all have a role and it begins… right now.

Listening in on an Interview over Coffee…

Ahhh, the good old fashioned interview!

If you have been reading some of my recent posts, you know I have been spending a lot of time observing how people pitch their services in meetings at coffee shops. Today, I have the distinct pleasure of listening in on an interview for a team member that is hoping to become a surpervisor.

This takes me back to my own experiences with interviewing people.

In this, I always felt in a multi store operation, consistency was critical with the questions being asked. I also believe it is critical that we ask the right questions. Questions that actually led to something. Something that reflected our company core values.

However, in this… I always try to approach the interview with those “pre-determined” questions engraved in my heart. In this, I wanted to send a message that this is who we are and these questions matter so much, that I don’t need my notes to ask them. Quite frankly, I think we only dust off the question lists when we actually perform an interview and then we get back to business as usual.

But, shouldn’t these questions be core to how we spend each day? How often do we audit these questions to see how effectively we actually reflect these questions? Quite frankly, these questions, if they are so critical to have them written down and that everybody who conducts interviews uses them, shouldn’t we all have them down pat? Shouldn’t these questions be plastered all over the back wall in the break room?

I too, also enjoyed in the interview process looking for opportunities to expand the discussion. In this, I also want to look for what gets this potential employee or team leader excited. I want to see what gets the person sitting up in their seat. I want to see what they are passionate about.

Of course, if I have done a good job with describing the opening, then it will allow me to best discern who the best fits would be based on their cover letters, resumes, etc. This way, I can weed through all the applications and seek to invite in the ones that appear to be a match.

Also, I am always interested to see what the ratio is between the interviewer and interviewee as to who speaks the most during the interview. Sometimes, as interviewers, the temptation is to not shut up. Who is this interview about anyway? How about asking a question and getting out of the way. Stop trying to answer the question for them. Shouldn’t we be listening to how they answer and be looking for strategic follow up questions? One’s that either draw on strengths or weaknesses?

In this day and age… we can no longer “wing” the interview process due to being a desperate employer. Why? Because there are a lot of desperate potential employees out there. When the two mix… not good.

With this interview today… even though how the questions were being asked were way too mechanical, they didn’t do too bad. Quite frankly, I think the interviewee did an exceptional job with their responses and really showing some confidence. The interviewee did pick up on some points that she felt she needed to give her advice on. But, then again… was this all of a sudden a performance evaluation or an interview?

When the interview was complete, they both got up, exchanged pleasantries, and went their own way. An hour from now, will any of these questions be on anyone’s mind? For sure, the potential candidate as they over analyze their performance. But, for the employer… business as usual. Time to file those questions away for the next interview and probably not to be thought of again until then.

Well, that’s my observation and ramble.

Oh, one other thing that I observed from this interview… when conducting an interview… don’t ever dress in attire that you wouldn’t wear to work.

10 Differences Between a Boss and a Leader

A good friend of mine sent this to me the other day. Which one are you? [Gunnar]

My friend has a saying; Leadership cannot be demaded – only earned and deserved.
With that in mind, has anyone ever told you the difference between a boss and a leader?

1. The boss drives people; the leader coaches them.
2. The boss depends upon authority; the leader on good will.
3. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm.
4. The boss says ‘I’; the leader says ‘we.’
5. The boss says ‘Get here on time’; the leader gets there ahead of time.
6. The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown.
7. The boss knows how it is done; the leader shows how.
8. The boss makes work a drudgery; the leader makes work a game.
9. The boss says ‘Go’; the leader says ‘Let’s go.’”
10. The boss justifies or lays blame – the leader takes responsibility.

Some great books I recommend are… [Gunnar]

Whale Done – Ken Blanchard

The One Thing You Need to Know – Marcus Buckingham