Good Morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

What does it mean to be a professional?
Walter Bond, former college and NBA basketball player and motivational speaker, says that it is mastering the fundamentals and pushing yourself each year to be bigger, faster, stronger.

It appears to me that some of the best lessons come from what NOT to do.

We had a recent moving experience where the vendor claimed to be professional, it was even in their name, but they were far from it. They brought tired equipment (that failed enroute) , marginal labor, long on excuses and short on performance. The result was a bent lamp, cracked steamer tank, broken quilt rack, scratched the parked Harley while unloading…the driver of the second truck (because the “Pro’s” sorely misjudged the size of the load) jumps out after arriving 1.5 hours late and asks if he can use the bathroom! Movers didn’t remove shoes at all, taped up parts that didn’t reassemble well…and announced to me that was “going the extra mile”. They strapped the screen door open and now it won’t close on its own so I’d call it officially sprung.

By the end of the job, they were shoving things in the garage with no regard to what was stacked on what. The “leader” sought final signature from my spouse (who was happy to get them on their way) because he knew I wasn’t going to accept that the job was complete.

If you consider yourself a professional, and I hope you do, then please don’t:

•Commit false advertising of your abilities
•Disrespect other’s property
•Duck your clearly agreed upon responsibilities

Instead, I’d start by:
•mastering the fundamentals of whatever it is your profession requires
•treat everyone you meet with the utmost respect
•doing what you said you were going to do…always.

Have a blessed weekend!

Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

Did he really nearly pull her to the ground? You grab me, I grab you. Who says media is above the law of reciprocation? Why is the White House using its platform to take a position on this?

Because it’s politics…and it is embarrassing and the behavior is shameful.

How do you avoid focusing on the real issues; building a robust economy, developing a comprehensive energy plan, correcting the downward spiral of heinous crime and drug use, establishing a long term solution to the broken social programs like social security, Medicaid and Medicare, bringing genuine resolution to terrorism by cutting off the head of the snake instead of playing with the tail, accomplishing true equality in pay, stopping this unfortunate backslide of racism, and a host of other issues society is facing today? Not to mention thinking proactively, using innovation, harnessing our brilliant people for overall good, not greed.

What the greatest country on earth has allowed its next generation of leaders to become is a perverted circus full of clowns – complete with make up for the cameras and spray tans that fool no one.

Some cockamamie producer (or a host of them) put psycho-babble on cue cards and
insert drama about emails, naked spousal pictures, allegations of affairs or whether someone’s arm was grabbed-are you serious?!

We are far too smart for this kind of charade to look the other way and call it politics and move on. This is OUR country; fought for and defended time and again. The great American experiment seems destined for failure at this rate. Are we going to sit back and watch it unfold on CNN in high definition?

I don’t care what party, gender, or skin color we bring to the table. The only thing that we can agree on is a need for common sense to bring solutions to the countless problems we face as a nation and a world.

•Are we allowing ourselves to be distracted because we let things get so bad?
•Did we learn nothing economically from Japan or Greece?
•Did we forget how to work hard and take care of ourselves – and our neighbors?
•Have we become so hypersensitive to a “squawk” with an agenda that it’s taking up our time rather than working on solutions?

As you wrap up your week, remember to tune out the “noise” and focus on the signal. There is so much distraction, so much garbage, so much wasted energy on things that don’t really matter. Take a deep breath, thank God for what he has blessed you with and then apply those blessings to make this world better.

Have a blessed weekend.

Good morning, Leaders!  It’s Friday!

I recall as a kid growing up in North Dakota, we’d have blizzards that would create “giant” snow banks packed in by the wind that you could create snow forts/makeshift igloos and pretend that you’d eek out a living there. It was what I considered carving out my future, even if it was only 15 minutes ahead. Hey, when you’re a kid, thinking much more ahead than that was wasting your youth.

So I spoke with an advisor last week who quoted the phrase (regarding career opportunities), “it’s yours to carve, right?”…
It conjured up the snow fort memory and has been bouncing around in my head since then.

Mine to carve-as if the world of opportunity is made of different density materials and as we learned with the three little pigs fable, you can build your house out of whatever material you prefer but if you want to keep the wolf from the door, you’d best select the right building material…so if you are carving your career out of snow (or whipped cream, cheese or straw bails- considerably easier to carve than say – wood or granite) you might get there quickly or easily but what do you have when you’re done?

What tool are you using to carve your future? I’m a motor head so it stands to reason that my carving tool looks like a hand held concrete saw. Ironically, it’s designed to cut the really hard stuff and plugs up if you cut through the mushy things. The super hard grit on the blade functions well with friction.

Carving for a while now-who was it that said objects in motion tend to stay in motion? I simply say that I don’t idle well. This goes beyond busy-body stuff. I desire purpose and cannot accomplish that without being in motion.

Discretion applied-Ah yes, the hard part of cutting the hard stuff. An artisan, craftsman or professional gains mastery of their paint brush/tool belt/skill set by using them enough until practice makes permanent. Cutting stone with a handheld saw is a challenge but it’s not really driven by sharpness of the blade or horsepower of the motor but by the vision of the operator. You’re not cutting to demonstrate your skill, you’re cutting the stone to release the masterpiece within the stone.

What’s your masterpiece?
(Is your focus on your)
•career?
•bank account?
•Family?
•quantity or quality of relationships?

Let me challenge your horizon-
I believe Leaders should be focusing on carving an environment where all the areas of focus mentioned above … and more … are included in your masterpiece.

We live in a complex world where singular focus is not rewarded, it’s expected as an anchor so you don’t waver or drift. Your masterpiece should be multi-dimensional, sustainable, accommodating, inspirational and inviting.

Pictured is the bank lobby of the Guardian building-Detroit, MI

Let the carving commence!

Have a blessed weekend.

Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

Last week I heard a speaker talk about three things that are changing drastically and will change the future for everyone.

His name is Peter Zeihan. His opinions are highly sought after, his conclusions are based on facts which make them hard to refute and he has studied these areas long enough to be considered a foremost expert on what the combination of all of this global intelligence means.

The areas he believes are changing the future are:
1. Geopolitics -the reassertion of, as the rules by which the world operates compared to the free trade we’ve enjoyed over the last 70 years.
2. Demographic Inversion that will change the capital structure of the planet.
3. Shale energy is creating energy independence for the United States.

Areas most deeply affected by these changes are:
•Finance
•Manufacturing
•Agribusiness

So, is this boring, is it too much to absorb or is it so scary that people don’t want to hear it?

Recently quoted facts:

Regarding geopolitics,
•The US has over 16,000 miles of navigable inland waters and since it costs only ~8% of what it takes to transport goods by land, the US is able to transport goods very inexpensively.

Regarding demographics,
•Most consumption comes from people in their 20’s and 30’s – buying cars, homes, goods, etc. When a country’s population ages, the economies slow and it takes at least 25 years to reverse the trend. For instance, China, in November of 2013, came out with a policy that states it’s ok to have two children rather than one, under the right circumstances. (It will take decades to reverse the trend created by the former, one child policy).

Regarding Shale (oil and gas) production impacts,
•New York City has converted a considerable amount of fuel oil consumption over to natural gas recently. The city now consumes more than the country of Belgium, exceeding 9 Billion cubic meters. Imagine not having to occupy Middle East countries or feeling like we have to referee centuries old wars just to buy “cheap” oil.

So, geography plays a big part in our quality of life. More than you think and probably more than you can possibly imagine.

Leaders – elevate your position, change your perspective, look at the bigger picture and take action.

Have a blessed weekend!

Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

For the past seven years, I’ve been traveling to Arizona for a visit to the Mayo clinic. They have an executive program that consolidates all necessary visits into a tight time frame that respects busy schedules but it provides ample time to listen and consult with top notch doctors at one of the most renown health care facilities on the planet.

•Here is where I learned about diet. They advocate for the Mediterranean diet where my doctor said “Meat is a treat”…(I grew up believing it was a staple).
•Here is where I learned my hearing is failing fast. At age 45, I was told I had the ears of a 60 year old farmer. Last year the new audio technician shared that the frequencies I now hear the least happen to be the typical female voice frequency…recipe for relational angst. Hearing aids are in my near future and I can thank my contractor background where crushing concrete and working around loud machinery with no hearing protection likely accelerated my hearing damage.
•Here is where I’ve been told (more than once) that my liver function is sub par and doesn’t process sugar or alcohol well.

Sleep, exercise, diet…all pillars of health I slowly started taking for granted.

Question: Why do I raise the issue?
Answer: My ignorance toward physical fitness and how it relates to being in a leadership role coupled with my desire to pay it forward.

I used to think it was completely cerebral. Why would physical and mental health cross each other’s path? Studies are actually revealing a connection between the heart and the brain we never anticipated. Google neurocardiology or HeartMath for more information. Not to mention the obvious stamina related to being mentally available for long periods of time.

Leadership is stressful and you’ll need all your resources to function at a high level the way your Team expects you should.

There are few excuses for me being overweight or ignorant today.
-Smart phone apps help calorie and step counting,
-I can (and have) Skype(d) with a virtual nutritionist,
-Healthy food choices abound-even at McDonalds.

Now all I need is the discipline to follow through.
Where did I set that down again?

Have a blessed weekend.

Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

According to a Google web search, candor is defined as…

can·dor
ˈkandər/
noun
the quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
“a man of refreshing candor”
synonyms:

frankness, openness, honesty, candidness, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plain-spokenness, bluntness, straightforwardness, outspokenness;informal-telling it like it is
“I’m not sure he appreciated my candor”

I often tell people “I prefer candor” because it sets the stage for an efficient, two-way conversation. No bull, no wasted words, just the facts.

As an example, in an effort to placate me regarding a tough work issue, one day my former CIO spent fifteen minutes dancing around what he really wanted to say which brought my snarky sense of humor to a head and I said, “You just wasted the last fifteen minutes of my life! What the hell?! Tell it like it is. Don’t beat around the bush.” Needless to say, after that our conversations were more blunt, and we got to know each other better because he became more open.

Unfortunately, those with a diplomatic preference might consider candor unnecessary honesty and concerning those currently in the political dog show (we are all being subjected to lately) we’re getting bombarded with verbose, infantile, shrill and braggadocios commentary that resonates with the anger of the body politic but…where are the issues, what groundbreaking policy or substantial solution has come from any candidate?

Candor is not spewing garbage when someone happens to be listening, it’s:
•straightforward
•unbiased
•without platform
It is the unadulterated and refreshing truth.

I also found out on multiple occasions it is NOT going to win any popularity contests. So,

•Choose your audience wisely.

•Ease them into your communication preferences.

•Be aware.

•Apologize when you’ve inadvertently offended someone.

In summary, aim for ‘Direct, respectful, but not mean.’

Have a blessed weekend.

Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

Monday of this week was the funeral service for Jason Moszer, Fargo police officer who ended his watch while protecting his community. It was the first officer lost on duty in over 100 years on this police force and moved thousands of people to the service. People came from as far North as Alaska and as far South as Texas.

As I heard some of the pastor’s words during the service, this was a “senseless act of violence” where officer Moszer lost his life and the shooter ultimately lost his as well.

The funeral service lasted 2 hours and the processional took another 2 hours where the people in the local geographic community as well as the law enforcement community honored one who fell in the line of duty but also took the time to honor the service we rely on and often forget to thank.

This local community that I grew up in has changed dramatically in the past half century. Technology, increased traffic, economic forces, gangs, drugs, and so many other contributing factors have influenced the landscape of what crime looks like today in our area. Fighting crime, restoring order, maintaining the peace and establishing a sense of security is an incredibly tall order and we are blessed to have so many committed, loyal and talented law enforcement working hard to do the right thing every…single…day.

What can we take away from a tragedy like this?

In the advent of cameras in squad cars, body cameras being added to the amount of equipment strapped to our protectors, weak political support as demonstrated in New York, this served as a reminder to me that not all communities disrespect law enforcement.

In my travels, when I share where I am from, people joke about Fargo as if the Coen brothers rendition is more accurate than my own memories. The display of support from the community is one more reason why I am so proud of where I come from, who I honed my values against and why it will always have a special place in my heart.

Special thanks for those who serve not in the light of recognition but behind the scenes. Planning events like this so people can properly emote and move on with their lives knowing this painful loss was not in vain. I salute the men and women who dedicate their lives to improving the safety and security of the world we live and work in.

Thank you.

Have a blessed weekend.

 

Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

I’m in Denver, just another stop in my travels and despite the wind, the weather is gorgeous! 76 record breaking degrees yesterday yet the snow cap mountains provides beauty that feeds the soul.

The blog is a little late, perhaps to make todays point in a demonstrative way. As one close men-tee used to say, “I’m not slow, I’m just an hour behind.” Colorado is known for many things including their fondness for cannabis. The hotel I was staying at provided a waft or two that made it clear to me that more than one were imbibing. Not I. No tats, no dope, no messing around … but the straight and narrow, with head buried and nose to the grindstone may be taking things a bit far.

As an engineer, we find genuine comfort in the fact that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In business, efficiency is lauded, if not required. The reinforcement to stick to a straight line has been relentless and I have respected the laws of physics, complied with the expectations of commerce and perhaps missed some of the joy in the process.

After 51 years of obediently minding the straight line amid constant reminders of smelling roses, drinking a second cup of coffee, and nurturing my spirit, you’d think an educated man could convert compelling cajoling into practice more easily.

My wife is smirking at this point and saying to herself, I’ve been telling you that for 30 years! Disconnect, pay attention to the people around you, put your feet up and lay in that hammock instead of just looking at it.

Nature demonstrates the need for buffers, transition, cartilage (to keep bone from rubbing on bone). We are compelled to lift our heads, take in the expanse of God’s beauty and … enjoy the journey.

Enjoy this blessed weekend!

 

Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

I heard a tremendous speaker this week!!
Bret Pyle talked to [one of the executive groups I’m blessed to belong to] about significance.

He prompted our thinking by asking about our interpretation of success…was it indirectly considered profit, absent conscience?

He quoted Twain who said “The two most important days of our lives are:
1. The day we are born and
2. The day we figure out why”

He asked us to consider who we need to forgive? (This assumes everyone has someone they need to forgive). From my observations, I think he’s right.

He suggested that the first half of our life is spent figuring things out and the second half is/should be spent helping others (children, coworkers, friends) figure it out as well. Bob Buford writes about this in his book, Half Time.

He told a story about “parenting to perfection” citing his father’s propensity to review his chores and catch everything not done well. He cursed his father under his breath and found himself duplicating the error to a higher degree as a father and shared how he worked to break the cycle. This one sounded like he was talking directly to me. {Kids, I owe you a sincere apology not knowing how to process the disdain I had for my father and as I have spent decades digesting the forgiveness formula for my dad, I unknowingly behaved just as he did. God teaches us to honor our father and mother and I took certain exceptions to this that I ought not have.}

He talked about Viktor Frankl who wrote “Man’s Search for Meaning” (a book my lovely daughter Aarika gave me to read this past Summer while I was adrift and trying to bridge the chasm between striving for success and seeking significance).

We were reminded of salient points through several clips from the movie “Dead Poet’s society”.
-Carpe’ Diem!
-Make your lives extraordinary!
-Find your own voice!

We plotted a graph of the year we were born and the year we think we’ll die…uh huh. Sobering. What year would you pick? Based on what? Once you pick a date, what does that do to your outlook? Perhaps create a sense of urgency? I only have x number of years to __________.

It also inspires inner questions like;
•What do people (who’s opinion I truly value) honestly think about me?
•How do I WANT to be remembered?
(I suggest you google and read about the Alfred Nobel story who one day in Paris around 1888 read his own unflattering Merchant of Death obituary.)
•Why am I here and did I recognize, realize and accomplish my mission?

So, inundated with high caliber data points and thought provoking questions, I began to ruminate over Bret’s presentation and decided to pay the favor forward.

Challenge: take an hour and contemplate what you would have to do: ideas, actions and behaviors, from this point forward in your life for your legacy to be mostly positive. In other words, What would your eulogy sound like?

•He helped me in a difficult time.
•She listened to my concerns when I didn’t think anyone cared.
•He was proactive and kept me out of trouble.
•She saw the big picture and relentlessly compelled me to think big until I finally got it.
•He stretched me to be considerably more than I would have been otherwise.

What are you going to do TODAY and this point forward to help someone else become better?

Have a blessed weekend.

A white space story

Good morning, Team!  It’s Friday!

Carole and I chose to raise the kids in a small town. The one she grew up in. I was far from metropolitan but I learned that “the good thing about living in a small town is everyone knows your business. The bad thing about a small town is…everybody knows your business.”

Carole’s Dad had the snowmobile bug too (I knew there was something special about this chick). A couple of Polaris sleds, well kept, perhaps this was my dowry? (Just kidding, folks).

When snow returned to the plains in 1997, the next generation wanted to go sledding and fired up the dusty rustys. Except for the damn banker. He loved ’em too and decided it was time to invest in new technology. Even worse, he allowed everyone to try out the new ride and every one of us who felt their elbows being pulled out of their sockets on the vintage snow scooters now had to have a new one, too. It was like riding on air, it had hand warmers, the suspension absorbed bumps so your back didn’t have to. It was heavenly.

If you haven’t lived in a small rural community, you haven’t experienced keeping up with the Joneses. If someone else had something nice, we all wanted it, wanted to pay a nickel less and get it a week newer. I was not immune.

I broke the bank and picked up two “hold over” sleds (previous year’s models still in the crate) from the local dealer who nearly crapped his pants when I came back after the Goldie locks incident.

Goldie locks:
I brought the two sleds home, proudly displaying to mamma what I had purchased with our hard earned pennies. She took one quick look and said “but…where’s mine?” “This one’s too big and this one’s too small. What am I supposed to ride?”

So I go back to the dealer the next day and find the kid who ran my credit and told him I needed another, preferably with a second seat. He wasn’t worried about his additional commission check, he was wondering if my credit could take another hit. We found it, borrowed against it and hauled it home.

Eventually, I realized with a family of five, anything less than five sleds was a temporary situation. No one likes riding two up…even if the sled is made for it. Or so it was in my house. I fostered the environment and so I followed through and made sure we had licenses, helmets, boots, gloves, bibs, coats and of course a sled for every but(t).

My Kindergarten teacher said, “If you’re going to bring treats, make sure you bring enough for everybody.”

Have a blessed weekend!
Ride hard and be safe, powder hounds.