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Wishing everyone well on this Independence Day.  Enjoy and celebrate the GIFT of freedom!

Does your organization call meetings for strategy or diversion?  I spoke with a friend today who told me its the latter. 

When organizations or individuals lack clarity and direction they resort to diversion.  Something to distract…a game of "pretend."  Almost like channel surfing with a remote at home.

Cures for this disease are simple, but hard to live out:

• Decide what you want and be prepared for the consequences
  (good and bad)
• Decide to stop wasting other people’s time.  Just because you don’t know what you want doesn’t mean everyone else is in the same boat.
• Decide to seek help…preferably with someone who is skilled and that you trust.
• Decide to keep the duration of your meetings to no more than one hour.
• Decide that too many meetings equals too many opportunities lost.

The title of this post is my reccomendation for AT&T to use as a marketing slogan.  More specifically for the IPhone.  C/NET News has an interesting piece on the current issues around activation for the IPhone.  Usually when you take the middle of two extremes (customers and providers) you’ll get the truth. 

It’s no secret about AT&T’s struggle with giving outstanding customer experiences.  Guy Kawasaki posts his review of the iPhone here ("My iPhone Review").  His experience with the folks at AT&T mirror my own from two years ago…at least their consistent.

I wonder whether Steve Jobs was a little nervous during pre-launch?  My read says he’s written these glitch issues off to the following:

• Every product has an ebb and flow cycle.
• The "brand" will transcend the problems.
• People want the iPhone to be magical and wonderful…therefore it is!
• He’ll rip the heads off of many if these glitches aren’t fixed soon:)

These are a couple of shots (click on the photo for a larger view) from Hilton Head Island.  I love the sand castles my kids created and of course blue skies never hurt either.

It was great to get away and exhale.

 

Been spending a beautiful week on Hilton Head Island, SC.  I’ll post some photos soon.

Somebody once told me to never forget the small stuff (thank you, return phone call/email, etc.).  I’m glad I listened. 

Struck a deal today with someone I hadn’t seen for almost seven years.  Our business transaction was born out of many small things I did with him long ago.

You never know when things will return and pay dividends…or penalties.  It’s your choice as to which one.

What small things are you doing today?

Welcome to the world of networking…the rating variety that is.  Asher raises his hand on rating current and former bosses at ebosswatch.com.  Not sure how it makes money, but the idea is intriguing. 

What if this type of networking became as regular as other types of social networking?  Would managers/leaders do anything different?  Maybe…maybe not.  Let’s face it, being a jerk boss is another form of addiction.  Don’t believe me?  Then how likely would a twenty-year jerk boss just quit being a jerk?  You see what I mean?

The best therapy for a jerk boss is for them to resign (from any and all leading of people) or go do something else inside the company.  I guess I not a believer in jerk rehab.

What say you?

To say that Americans are busy would be putting it mildly.  Look no further than the average corporate soldier for proof.  He/She has a Blackberry full of meetings, outings, dinners, off-sites and much more.  They may be "well titled" or have no title to speak of, but you can bet their running hard.

Now here’s the million dollar question; Are they making a difference?  By that I mean, are they really accomplishing anything that will have some impact after they’ve left the organization?  Is it just a flurry of activity that someone else will take over when they’re released or retired?

Most people are not leaving a mark.  They’ve substituted activity for true results that matter…is it any wonder why happiness has eluded them.  Why are these folks unhappy?  I think it has to with a part of the human core that knows they don’t have forever to leave a brilliant light behind (thank you Bernie Taupin).  Why do all the meetings if nothing of significance is produced?

So what do you do if you find yourself in a predicament like the above?  Here are some suggestions:

• Listen to this Seth Godin Podcast around his new book.
• Read the comments from Anon on Penelope Trunk’s Blog).
• Ask yourself what’s holding you back from doing what you want.
• If you’re married DO NOT follow your dream without your spouse.
• Any organization that’s better at meetings than producing dynamic products/service, is a company to be avoided.

Some believe that corporate America is overrun by sycophants (those who feel the need to kiss ________).  I’m not writing to measure that statistic, but I do want to write to those who are courageous enough to admit that they are part of the "sycophant club."

Why are you doing it?  If you’re older than 40, has it worked as a strategy for you?  Have written a book on the subject?  Are teaching a course on how to be a better sycophant?

The ironic thing here is many don’t know they have the problem and a good number of others don’t care. 

Here are some reasons why group #1 (ignorance) behaves the way they do:

• They live with and are driven by multiple fears.
• They’ve observed others (fellow sycophants) and blindly follow.
• No one of importance in their lives told them it was OK to be authentic.
• They work in an organization that rewards sycophant tendencies.

Now for group #2 (plotters):

• They worship the 21st century trinity (me, myself and I).
• See the fourth bullet above.
• They’re calloused beyond a habit.
• They’re hurting deeply and won’t let on.

If all of my insight nerves you, then maybe there is hope.  Go find someone who will tell you the truth and loves people.  You just might find an awakening…

What sycophant experiences have you had?

Found this interview with Joseph Ellis courtesy of InsideWork.  Mr. Ellis is a master of strategic thinking and vision.  He was formally with Goldman Sachs and is a well noted author.

How do you approach your strategic thinking?  When you consider the future do you see anything?  By the way, strategic thinking is not a meeting at an off-site with your boss.  It can happen there, but it starts with you and the years of practice (strategic thinking and visioning).

Keep in-mind that what you see may not always be the yellow brick road.  Maybe you’ll see that what your doing today is destined to become extinct.  Some organizations and people should have exited their markets years ago (see the music business).  There are other dreams to dream, other businesses to be involved in.

Humans are notorious for self-delusion.  Our retirement, out second home on the coast or the new Lexus keep us hostage to a present reality that only we see.  No wonder innovation and change are so often dreaded in corporate America.  If you’re truly a visionary and a strategic thinker, then you’ll realize that there is an ebb and flow to all things.  Timing is everything here.

Take a deep breathe and See.