Posts Tagged ‘Philosophy’

For way too long, I was always the Martyr. Had the misplaced belief that, if I did my job with excellence, I’d be recognized for my work. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t work that way. If you’re not also tooting your own horn, the world just passes you by. Some will love you, most won’t know enough to miss you when you’re gone.

This is also one of the beauties of contemporary social media. It gives everyone who care to pick it up, a bull horn to serve their own purposes. Even today I’m probably too conservative in self-aggrandizing activity, but I’m working at it.

The article triggering the thought, originally is courtesy of Chris Guillebeau discussing what Hustling is.

Joey Roth created the artwork and I think you’ll agree, no words are needed beyond the labels.

(photo credit: Joey Roth)

What do you do if a competitor starting slinging mud at you, making outright false claims, or excessively stretching the truth about you?  Should you descend to their level and start slinging mud back?

A company’s president recently faced this basic question. The topic made for perhaps one of the most interesting, fresh topic, posts I’ve read in a while. So, do you sling mud too, or, ignore it, push forward, and take the high road?

Here’s something to think consider

Personally, I agree with the sentiment to avoid slinging mud. But there’s a difference between participating in the same behavior and standing up for yourself. In today’s social media world of broad transparency, you cannot afford to ‘not’ say anything.

Borrowing from a Harvard Business Review post yesterday, a happy coincidence:

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With so many people looking for work, seeking answers to win the next opportunity, this question is all too common.  At the same time, the suggested answers vary wildly but, for the most part seem to miss the crux of the issue.  Why should I hire you?

Consider these common responses:

I am:

• Accustomed to a fast pace and will hit the ground running
• Will be a valuable asset to your organization
• Able to handle stress and pressure
• Think quickly on my feet
• Am a team player

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I was catching up on blogs today…been away from my reading awhile…and saw one of Seth Godin’s dozens of philosophical questions.  The crux of his article was about doing indispensable work and cheating the clock.  We face more distractions, greater demands, more complex lives than ever before—nothing new there at all.  You also cannot work more than 24 hours in a day.  Too many folks work 10-12 hours a day, or, at least they’re ‘there’ that long.

One of his questions struck me as being worth discussing with my readers: What If…you were only allowed 5 hours a day to do your job?

Here are some suggestions:

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Recently I came across a fellow, Simon Sinek, whose mission in life is to find, nurture, and inspire leaders.  What I came across, was his presentation at TED.  In this particular discussion, he highlights why some companies, some leaders, are so much more effective than others in building loyalty, drive, motivation.

To borrow from some of his thunder, he posits that most organizations—most people for that matter—know what they do, they know how they do it, but never even stop to think about Why they do it.

I have spoken on the topic of Why, The Power of Why!, before.  In some ways, while the focus is different, the value of asking (or being able to answer) ‘why’ is important.

The The Power of Why!, I take a look at Mr. Ohno’s drive toward asking the question Why to drive toward true understanding.  After all, we can discuss the symptomatic issues surrounding an oil pump’s failure.  But not until you drill into the matter might you find true reasoning.

And, like layers of an onion, this is the same concept Simon’s talking to.  At the end of the day, why we join hands with someone is very closely tied to why they are doing something.

What Simon is highlighting, without so directly stating it, is that to be an effective leader you must be willing to bare your soul.  If you really want people to follow you, to adopt your beliefs, to go the extra mile, you must be willing to boldly, brightly, clearly state: I believe…

So much of what we consume today is fast-paced, hectic, sketchy, even frantically created information.  Worse, much of the information is simply thrown together requiring the consumer, perhaps with a bit of narration, to figure its meaning out for themselves.

Sound like some of the corporate presentations you’ve received? How about the general nature of communication between you, your boss, colleagues, and customers?  Like many of you, I’ve been there too. Corporate cultures, as they grow bigger and less personal, seem drawn toward impersonal tools supporting bulk interaction.

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According to Wired, “‘The internet’ is in the running for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.(read)”  Reading on, turns out Wired Italy has championed the cause.

The argument is not without some interesting thoughts.  The internet’s enabling 220,000 tweets/hour during the Tehran, Iran, riots is one example. The ability to unlock information that would otherwise be censored another.  The internet has brought us capability we had never seen before in the Age of Man.  Certainly if the collective achievements of the internet could be singularly attributed to a person, or even a small handful, it would seem warranted.

But.  The internet in many ways is the contemporary equivalent of the telephone. The same pro/con arguments can generally be applied for both internet and telephone. The telephone did not win a NBP that I’m aware of, should the internet?

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A bit off-target for my blog, I have seen this basic question come up at least four times in recent weeks.  Many job seekers, increasingly hungry for work, have begun to adopt a, “I’ll work anywhere there’s work…” mindset.

This mindset certainly seems reasonable if you’re in Michigan.  For the first time in 10 years, Michigan is expected to have positive job growth. Imagine.  A new University of Michigan economic forecast, just out, is now being discussed.  For a state that’s lost 855,000 jobs in the past 10 years (since June, 2000), 230,000+ last year alone, state job growth is forecast to increase for the first time.  With only 20K new jobs expected next year, moving anywhere, somewhere, certainly seems a requirement for many.

The question may be where?  And, how do you decide?

Should you consider the unemployment rate before jumping?  The short answer is Yes. Among other things…

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This is the second in a four-part series asking, “Do you have it in you, to be an entrepreneur?” There are four key strengths that are must haves for an entrepreneur to be successful. Previously, I discussed the first of these, Passion.  Here, we’ll discuss guts.

• Passion
• Guts
• Team
• Cash Flow

Passion.  Guts.  In past entrepreneurial discussions I have heard people use these two terms (or equivalents) interchangeably.  But, really, there is a difference between passion and guts.

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This past Friday, I had the opportunity to speak in front of a group of 30, folks considering launching their own business or just having done so.  Many are doing so because work is so hard to come by, others because it’s simply the right time to follow their dreams.

Starting my presentation, I wanted to address four key strengths that are must haves for an entrepreneur to be successful.

• Passion
• Guts
• Team
• Cash Flow

You Have to be Passionate

As a potential new entrepreneur, you have to ask yourself, “Am I passionate about what I want to do?”  Do you truly believe in the product, service, or other offering that you are going to build and take to market?

Passion is, perhaps first and foremost, the most important trait for any entrepreneur.  You have to truly believe that what you are going to do will add value for your customers.

A fire in the belly is what it will take for you to work the 12, 14, 16 hour days necessary at times to get your dream off the ground.  That same fire will keep you moving even when best friends, family members, Mom or Dad, are telling you it’s all wrong, you can’t do it, you won’t succeed.

Beyond the doubters, you will face uncounted obstacles, distractions, and daily-living events. If you’re not passionate, if there’s no fire in your belly, these events will overtake you, remove the luster of your once-shiny idea, and make it harder to stick with.

Next, I talk about Guts, Team, and Cash Flow.

Photo Credit: www.sxc.hu #793479