Answer The Why Question

Question mark 

You need to ask the "why question"-sooner rather than later.

Here's why:

  • All the success in the world will mean nothing without answering the why question.
  • Clients feel uneasy with organizations and individuals who haven't answered the why question.
  • Eventually the bloom fades, true beauty is rrevealed when the why question has been answered.
  • Truth can be found in those who've answered the why question.
  • Your organization will change the world when it answers the the why question.
  • Answering the why question creates the right type of urgency.
  • You'll find out if you're really an authentic leader, when you answer the why question.

Twisting Fate

Edision 

I can't remember exactly how many times Thomas Edison failed as he tried to bring his light bulb idea to life.  Was it a hundred failed experiments?  Maybe it was a thousand.  Regardless, he failed multiple times. 

This post really isn't about overcoming failure, though that could be helpful.  I really want to explore the mindset of having a willingness to stumble, a willingness to be the fool, the willingness to launch something most in the herd don't see nor understand.

I think we're way to willing to accept dime-store imitations (you fill in the blank here) when it comes to creative and inspiring leaders.  And by the way, creative and inspiring leaders are the types of leaders with substance and reality backing them up.  I'm not referring to a leader of a three-ring-circus or some executive who pulls out talking points from 5 years ago.

I'm not sure we recognize authentic when we see it.

Preserving your rep. at the expense of something given to you by heaven is foolish.  Your mortgage, 401K, bonuses or a nice fat promotion won't be there for you in the long run.  Those are temporary states that can change in a moment.  We know this to be true, whether we're willing to admit it or not.

Could it be that Edison was not so special?  What if everyone was supposed to pursue an end, even if it meant repeated failure?  What separated Edison from his herd was his willingness to take the step of twisting fate even if he didn't know where it would ultimately lead.  I define twisting fate as someone who acts on faith, realizing that the final product/outcome will resemble a mosaic more than a picture-perfect portrait.

This is hard work that many turn away from.

The Limits

Limits, everyone has them.  Have you been properly introduced?  

The limits remind us of our humanity and introduce humility.  This can create an urgency like no other.  You begin to see that you don't have all that time you thought you had.  This is good.

I heard a story once of a man who lost his wife.  He gave some sobering advice:

"Save nothing for special occasions."

In other words, every day of your life is a special occasion.

Here is a post a I wrote some time ago that will unwrap this idea more.

Don’t Make Excuses

A few thoughts ruminating through my head tonight:

  1. Is your organization bureaucratic?
  2. Is your organization run like a cult?
  3. Is your organization bloated?
  4. Is your organization relying on cutting expenses to give the appearance of growth?
  5. Is your organization paying you for your time or your results?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, then summon the courage and be creatively discontent.  Point out what's wrong and be outspoken (in a professional/respectful manner) about how to create a new paradigm.

By the way, this only works if you're an asset.  Mediocrity earns you no rights.

So Many Masks, So Little Time

I've written and taught about wearing masks before, but this post (The Joy of Quitting) from Seth got me thinking.  What if we burned our masks (the type that suck away our authenticity) in some great fire?

Politicians tend to be prone to mask wearing.  Ironic as that may be, since they really are supposed to be servants of the citizenry.  This is soberly played out in the video clip link of President Nixon in Seth's post.  The pre-speech interaction and honesty is worth the view.

When you wear masks to "project" or to deceive, you are taking a poison pill.  A pill that takes life very slowly…over time.  Most would agree that it's not worth the cost. 

Have you come to that conclusion?

Here are a some stakeholders who stand to benefit when the masks are discarded:

  1. Your family.  Believe me, they are longing for you to show up.
  2. Your career.  Are you really doing what is consistent with your wiring?
  3. Your next entrepreneur venture.  The potential benefactors of your ideas are worn out from empty ideas by mask-wearers.
  4. Your customers.  Too much coming at them-everyday-for you to be anything less than authentic.
  5. Your organization.  They may see potential in you that you're afraid to face.

Everyone Has A Story

I subscribe to the Pigg Pin because I need help in the garden.  Kevin dispenses in an understandable way, and I don't have to spend crazy amounts of time implementing the advice.

His post is more about his journey in life and entrepreneurism.  It's rooted in accidents and attraction, but one that I share on a different path.  I believe we all have something in common with Kevin.  Shame that so many spend a lifetime denying it.

Cheers to you if your living the dream, and to Kevin for the gardening and entrepreneur advice.

Corrupt Instincts and Leadership

Sometimes those involved in people leadership are like those in social media consulting, it seems like everyone thinks they can do it.  But, alas, not everyone can.  There are numerous people out there who have scars to prove my point.  This is a problem.

I came across this post from Ed Batista, someone who has encouraged and informed me, that speaks to leaders who have an arsenal of corrupt instincts.  These types of leaders act on their stressed and vitriol emotions.  Not unlike the spoiled child who always threatens to take his bat on home if you don't play by his pre-set rules. 

I won't give away Ed's insights, but I will give you some insights on what you must do in order to keep your heart and mind from being trampled upon-in any organization.  Here are some things to consider:

  1. If you work for a leader that exhibits corrupt instincts, then get out! I know the economy might be bad, I know you may be a year away from vesting, you might even be in denial about what the future will look like if you don't do something.  Regardless, leadership can be a very negative thing and they don't call it influence for nothing.
  2. If you will set aside the stars in your eyes from the interview, you might be able to get a clue about the organization's culture.  In other words, does the organization condone and create conditions for corrupt instincts?  Investigate, Investigate, Investigate!
  3. Start living on less.  Forget about the new 5 Series from BMW, start putting more money back, or get out of debt.  You may be working for angels today, but things can change and the demons are always at the gate.  Be prepared to protect your soul.
  4. Don't go on any journey of awakening (seeing what wasn't evident before) alone.
  5. This process will cost you.  But in the end, you'll be able to look back and know it was worth it.  Like me, you could lose your career and find your life.  Pretty cool in the end.