A Good Way to Change a Corporate Culture – Peter Bregman – HarvardBusiness.org
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Category: don’t speak…don’t speak!
I think I have mentioned him here at least once. I like to read the blog of Bob Sutton, the author of “The No Asshole Rule”. I wish that I could say I have finished the book. I’ve started it along with many others and it is in the pile. I read his blog frequently and always agree with what he has written. Which makes me feel good because he writes for the Harvard Business Review, teaches at Stanford and is a fellow at IDEO. Three things I like very much.
I have posted this before, but I am posting it again. On his blog he has a list, I love these!
15 THINGS I BELIEVE
1. Sometimes the best management is no management at all — first do no harm!
This doesn’t mean a free-for-all. I think it is a statement for respect. I don’t claim to know much or have any answers. But I have found that by listening, engaging with those around you equitably you will create an absolute team. Respect and decency can take you a long way. Someone tweeted today, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
2. Indifference is as important as passion.
And it doesn’t mean that you don’t care. Passion, I think can also be confused with agenda. For me indifference just means that you are willing to be open to what other’s think might be a better way to approach a solution. Indifference can keep you open to other’s ideas and suggestions. You may have the best solution, but being open to other’s just makes for a more productive environment.
3. In organizational life, you can have influence over others or you can have freedom from others, but you can’t have both at the same time.
This is not, in my opinion a statement about isolation or being a lone wolf hiding out in a cube. Which is better?
4. Saying smart things and giving smart answers are important. Learning to listen to others and to ask smart questions is more important.
Uh, yeah! When was the last time you really listened? I think it was Fierce Conversations training. One exercise allowed you to ONLY listen. You could not respond at all. I find this very easy to do. For a couple of reasons. One, most of the time I don’t have anything really interesting to say. Two, I am very aware of the need to be heard. Really, truly heard. So I want to listen so that others feel that they are being heard.
5. Learn how to fight as if you are right and listen as if you are wrong: It helps you develop strong opinions that are weakly held.
This makes me feel better about having an opinion and changing it upon listening to someone. I thought maybe I was to easily swayed.
6. You get what you expect from people. This is especially true when it comes to selfish behavior; unvarnished self-interest is a learned social norm, not an unwavering feature of human behavior.
I expect people to be real, true, honest, respectful and descent.
7. Getting a little power can turn you into an insensitive self-centered jerk.
ABSOLUTELY! I don’t have the power, never had it, never want it.
8. Avoid pompous jerks whenever possible. They not only can make you feel bad about yourself, chances are that you will eventually start acting like them.
Not sure about this one. But I do make it a practice to avoid jerks. Life is too short.
9. The best test of a person’s character is how he or she treats those with less power.
I know this is true. I have seen it realized and I work very hard to adopt this everywhere I am. Treating someone of lesser power like someone with less power comes from a place of fear and insecurity.
10. The best single question for testing an organization’s character is: What happens when people make mistakes?
Lot’s of finger’s go out. I’ve seen a lot of people over the years not take responsibility and be accountable for what they have or haven’t done. I have one a few occasions taken responsibility for things that I didn’t do, but felt that to continue the professional relationship it needed to be done. It actually helped with my credibility.
11. The best people and organizations have the attitude of wisdom: The courage to act on what they know right now and the humility to change course when they find better evidence.
Wisdom, the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight (dictionary.com).
12. The quest for management magic and breakthrough ideas is overrated; being a master of the obvious is underrated.
I think that for the most part management magic is an illusive concept. How many can say that they had management that knew what they were doing? Management that understood how to motivate and encourage their employee’s to deliver, to go above and beyond. How many of you have had management that gave as much as they ask for? I don’t think you can take and take and be successful. You have to be willing to do give more and do the dirty work. You have to be part of the solution, be willing to admit that you don’t have all the answers and help look for solutions.
13. Err on the side of optimism and positive energy in all things.
Easier said than done!
14. It is good to ask yourself, do I have enough? Do you really need more money, power, prestige, or stuff?
I have enough. But need just a little bit more. I’m un-employed; I think I can ask for a little bit more.
15. Jim Maloney is right: Work is an overrated activity.
Categories
stories
I write stories from time to time. I have several started and saved in a folder on my computer. I think there are about 8 or so. No one has read anything I’ve written since college. Well except for one, The Uncurious Adventures of Knod Knowingly. I started that for National Write a Novel Book last November. Like the rest of them it isn’t finished. I’ll finish it someday, promise.
Most of the stories I write start with reality. A moment in my life, a sentence from a conversation or a thought. Like Knod Knowingly and the land of the Kneverbodies. After that I change everything. Complete creative license. But I need to put on my brave hat and starting putting stuff out there to be read. Good or bad, liked or disliked.
One of those stories, black-and-white-bridges started with one sentence, my friend Jana mentioned all the bridges in Portland the weekend I came to look for a place to live in 1987. There is more to this story. But this is enough for now. Gotta start somewhere.
So that the story doesn’t freak anyone out (tinyelvisgirl). Yes I did go to art school, yes I did give Jana the photo and I moved to Portland. The rest, that creative license thing.
Categories
the pit of my stomach
I know that we can all say, at some point in our lives, “I have this amazing friend.” My life’s crazy journey crossed the path of another; that I will forever be thanking whom ever I need to for the rest of my life for. Today I cast aside all others and say that no one compares to my friend Colette. And I have some pretty amazing friends! (so temporary apologies to the rest)
On April 6th, Colette got that call that none of us want to get or deserve to get. You have breast cancer. From that moment she went into survival mode like no one I know. (previous post)
On April 17th, with a bottle of wine and the amazing Brenda at Mosiac, Colette, Melissa and I got our haircut and celebrated after with yummy food in The Pearl.
On May 5th she had her first chemo treatment and 4 days later we all walked in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
May 21st a second cut.
May 24th, “Ladies, today is the day… No more hair… Michael shaved the rest of it off! I’ve got a beautiful scarf on, shades and a little sad smile…” And I know that sad little smile won’t last too long or that she will allow herself to let many see it. She might.
It makes the pit of my stomach feel that feeling that is so hard to describe. It’s not empty, it’s not turning, it’s up near my throat. It feels like your arm or leg just after it starts to wake up from being asleep from prolonged unusual pressure, heavy.
I’ve never considered myself a strong person. Although, I do think people think I’m tough. I just am really good at the mask maybe? I don’t know what makes me that way, somewhat closed off? I’ve been amazingly lucky with family and friends to love. With Colette and her family it’s no exception. Her strength carries us all. How will I ever repay her for her friendship?
Categories
collaboration
I’m still sorting out my thoughts on this. Collaboration is hard. But it seems that people love to talk about it. I’m also thinking about this great post on author Bob Sutton’s, “sir we don’t actually do what we propose we just propose it.”
Ground Hog Day the movie, have you seen it? This is the best way I can think to describe the dialogue and conversation about the topic of creative industry in Portland. Each conversation starts at the same spot and get’s one word further each year. This is at least year 9.
Why are we still JUST talking about creative industry in Portland? Agendas? Strategy? Value proposition? Egos? Mixed messages? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!
If done right, creativity can be very glamorous. So the fascination is so compelling you could charge admission. But who really has been successful with creative? Think about it. I’m not going to say.
I don’t say mainly because it would be my opinion and my perception of the product.
Part of the problem, I think, is that the creative process never stops. So you are never really done. So how can you put it into a functioning, organized organization or association? And how can you let one person manage that? What is their agenda?
In the last two weeks I’ve been to two separate events, in the creative space, topic being communication and collaboration.
The most interesting thing for me was the Oregon Arts Summit, the Art of Collaboration. There were about 300 people there. I knew 5 people. Which seems odd to me, only because I’ve been involved in the arts and creative industry in Portland for more than 10 years. Who was this audience?
What was very clear to me is that people communicate an idea of collaboration but no one really knows how to implement it. They let their fears or take over. Or they don’t think outside of their immediate reach. They limit their resources. Or let the lack of resources dictate what is possible. Maybe if there were a LinkedIn for interests and causes. Then you could actually see your true network of resources to enrich your program, organization or company. They seem so stifled by what they don’t have, the big gap of what ever it is that makes them a real success that they can’t see past it. They can’t see past, we don’t have enough money, we don’t have enough time…we don’t, we don’t, we don’t. I’m reminded of my “I think I can” talk with my little friend Sophia.
I’m sure I will come back to this topic again.
One of the newer classes at PSU in the Multimedia program is Social Media and Web 2.0. The instructor John Anthony Hartman created a blog for the class Webmanual.org. PSU is building a curriculum to offer a certificate in Social Media next year. John created the blog so it could become a living document of the class and program. I was the first student to post! Here is that post;
It might just be me? This new thing, this new space “social media” for some is a very scary place. I sat in a seminar this week listening to people talk about twitter, blogging, facebook and etc. All of the questions asked about social media came from a place of fear. What if this happens? What if that happens? What if the sky fall?
Now I’m no brand expert, but. What if someone starts talking about your brand for you and it’s off message? (btw-they are!) What if they don’t like you or don’t understand what your brand represents. If they have an audience, (many do) they could put you in reactionary recovery instead of a proactive space of retaining and managing your brand message.
At the very least, use social media as a tool to LISTEN to what is being said about you or your brand. Don’t have your story reported via, as Gillmor says, twitter the new AP wire.
Categories
no title needed
Categories
500 a day
I’m usually a bit more comfortable writing because I am a firm believer in the standard, write about what you know. I don’t know much about this. After several attempts I’m finding it difficult to feel comfortable because I know nothing about this. Not that I know anything really about the other things I write about here. But at least I feel I have some personal experience with the topics.
So bear with me, while I venture into some uncharted territory from time to time.
That’s Mel, Colette and me, from Christmas at the Krols! Friends indeed, two from a short list of about 6 of my dearest and nearest friends.
Two weeks ago Colette found out that she has breast cancer. I read today that more than 500 woman a day are diagnosed. Wednesday a CT Scan, Thursday the Oncologist, Friday the plan is to cut our hair. More later, and maybe another photo.
Once again unemployment is high. What do you do?
For the last 15 years or so I have been listening to people talk about their future. I have to admit that going to school to study photography, film and television; I really thought that I would be listening to people talking and pitching film ideas. Best-laid plans right?
First and foremost, you have to network. It is a bit easier today with all the social media outlets. Facebook has groups, as does LinkedIn and Twitter allow you to follow companies and people at those companies to gain insight into their environment.
I’ve never been good in a crowd. Mingle isn’t my thing. But what I can do is talk to a group about being prepared for that future. The mindset to prepare hasn’t changed so much but the tools and resources available sure have. Where to start?
First, take a breath, relax and put together a plan. Make a list of everyone you know. EVERYONE! I say try to get to 50. In a workshop a couple months ago on this suggestion one woman said, “hey I still have the address list together from my wedding!” EVERYONE. Then contact each and every one of those individuals telling them you are looking for work and what you are looking for. Check them off as you go through the list. And determine whom you will follow up with and at what intervals. I’ve said this for years, you just never know. You just don’t know where your next lead will come from. I heard someone say, be careful of the feet you step on today they may be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.
Work on a financial road map. Get clear what you can and are willing to do and do without. Target specific companies and make sure you take full advantage of that thing, that place that is Social Media.
I’ve watched people for years apply to jobs with no real consideration of the company that they are potentially going to work for. Again, a bit easier today with the Internet, Facebook, LinkedIn and that Twitter. There is no reason in the world today for someone to take a job at a company that they don’t know everything about.
Using Social Media to enhance your job search comes with specific obligations and responsibility. I’m going to pull some numbers out of my hat. If you read 5 articles about Social Media, I bet that 2 of them will talk about brand. Yes you and I need to think about the image that we paint in the public social space.
I read a great article today by Carrie Wilkerson the @Barefoot_Exec, what she says about your social network and how she draws traffic. It’s the four C’s, character, conversation, content and consistency. You should also apply this to your job search. I think it will keep you from heading down the wrong path.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpiI0WIo6Io[/youtube]