The Joy of Working
Posted on by

A few nights ago, my sons and I were talking about the “chore” of feeding our dogs.  My youngest son saw this as “work” that took him away from stuff he’d rather be doing.  It triggered a memory of a time when I’d just returned from a flight and I needed to use the restroom in the airport.  I remember this restroom as the cleanest I’d ever been in…even cleaner than my own.  In the room, there was an older, well-kept gentlemen dressed in his janitor’s uniform.  He looked professional.  Elegant.  He had just finished cleaning.

I told him that I really appreciated his work and that it made me feel comfortable after a long and arduous day of travel.  He gave me a bit of a puzzled look and simply said, “Thank you for noticing.”  I asked what made him so good at this job.  He told me he takes joy in his work because “he decides to.”  That simple combination of joy + decision really stuck with me.

My conversation with my sons made me wonder….is taking joy in our work just a decision?  Is it that simple?  And isn’t joy a higher, more powerful form of happiness?  My sons and I talked about this as we drove back from dinner.  We talked about the honor of good labor and that, no matter the work, we GET to choose to take joy in it.

I realize it’s simply a decision.  Maybe one of the most powerful we get to make – deciding whether or not to take joy in our work.  I don’t believe this means we should stay in a bad job.  I think this means we should approach whatever we do with joy and, after a while, if the work is no longer fulfilling or “joyful”, we should find work that is.  Ultimately, it’s our own decision to make.

Let me know what you think.

    Flowers from a Statue
    Posted on by

    I recently learned of an artist, Amanda Palmer, who was featured on a TED talk.  To say the least, she is an interesting person with a fascinating personal story.  Like many artists, she has traveled a road that most of us don’t travel.  She began her career as a live statue handing out flowers to passers-by and offering a simple “thank you”.  Occasionally, someone would offer her a small gift of money in the can or hat in front of her.

    While this might seem like a clichéd beginning to an artist’s career, Amanda’s journey also revealed an interesting economic question that made me wonder:  what price would our customers pay if they could choose the price?

    I know this concept probably feels like a crazy idea…and it probably is.  Although the crazy part is that it reveals the pure, unaltered view of value in the customer’s mind.  The customer – not us – gets to decide the value of what we have offered and determine how much that is worth to them.  This is ultimate power in the hands in the customer and, truth be told, is a very risky proposition.  Risky, not because we might lose money, but it might reveal a truth that is significantly different from what we believe is the value we create.

    So, my challenge to you is this:  the next time you are in front of a customer, ask them what price they would be willing to pay for your particular product or service.  Then ask them why they would offer that price.  You just might discover the real value of your business.

    Let me know what you think.

    ~ Mush

     

      The Power of Storytelling
      Posted on by

      During a recent business trip to Arizona, I visited the Old Tucson Movie Company – a place where many westerns have been filmed.  Our tour guide was a local man named Joe, who told us about the local Indian tribes, including the Tohono O’odham tribe.  Joe shared information with us about these tribes, particularly around how they keep their traditions alive by passing “cultural norms” down to younger tribe members.  I asked Joe how they did this, and he said it was a unique challenge because many tribes have no form of written language.  The norms are passed down through storytelling.

      This made me wonder – how do companies keep cultural norms alive and how do these norms get communicated within an organization?  It struck me that storytelling might just be the most powerful way to communicate what’s important.  It also made me wonder who the storytellers are in an organization.   Surely, it’s the story and the storyteller that count.

      So, how can leaders shape the stories that are told and pick the storytellers who share them?  I don’t know if we can actually hand-select our storytellers…it’s natural that people within an organization will talk to one another.  However, I do believe we can help shape the story itself through our actions, behaviors, and how we treat our people.  Makes sense that those things would impact the content of a story, wouldn’t you agree?  So the next time we are faced with a tough or important decision, we need to remember that we are contributing to the storytelling that goes on in our organization…and every story has the potential to get passed along time and time again.  How do you want your stories shared?  Just remember, you have the power to ensure each story is a positive one!

      Let me know what you think…

      Mush

        Nature vs. Nurture
        Posted on by

        Recently, I was having a conversation with Kimberly Cutchall of Accendo International about the positive or negative impact parents can have on their kids’ attitudes about life, etc.  We had that old debate about nature vs. nurture.  That is, can you really impact how easily your kids handle tough times, problems, or waking up in a cranky mood?  Or, is it possible that some kids are just prone to brooding or being somewhat negative?  The reality is, it’s probably not a black or white answer.  But I’d like to think we have an amazingly powerful opportunity to influence how our kids respond to adversity (even if it’s something as simple as not getting ice cream after dinner).

        This made me wonder:  As leaders, what power do we have to help people become happier at work?  I can hear some of the groans out there — that it’s not our job to make people happy.  And I somewhat agree with that sentiment; but I also think it’s important to recognize the special influence we, as leaders, can have on our teams.

        I just finished Shawn Achor’s book, The Happiness Advantage, where he described things called “mirror neurons” which actually cause humans to mimic behaviors.  He describes the example of spectators sympathetically flinching in pain as a rugby player gets violently tackled during a televised match.  We’ve all done it.  What’s really interesting about this phenomenon is that scientists have been able to pinpoint activity in the brain that “matches” that of the person actually feeling the physical sensation.  For example, a test subject would get pricked in the finger with a pin, and the person watching the test subject would register the same kind of brain activity as the test subject.

        What’s compelling is that kind of mimicking also happens with emotions.  Have you ever been in a room with a cranky boss and left the room feeling happy, upbeat, and positive?  It’s unlikely. Most of us feel the opposite response — stressed, frustrated, or worse…disengaged.  How productive are we after we leave that meeting with a cranky boss?  I would venture a guess that, for most of us, our productivity wanes.  Conversely, how well do we perform after leaving a meeting with a boss who is upbeat and positive, even when dealing with difficult business issues?  Probably much more productive, energized, and engaged.

        So, as leaders, we have a huge responsibility (and opportunity) when we really understand how our people will mimic our emotions and how this can positively, and negatively, impact their performance.  So, my challenge to you is this:  no matter the issue you are dealing with, be conscious of how your emotional state impacts those around you.  Take advantage of your people’s mirror neurons by being a great example of the type of emotions you want them to experience….you are more powerful in this regard than you might realize!  Which takes me back to nature vs. nurture. I still don’t believe there is one “right” answer…but I absolutely believe nurture really does have a significant impact.

        Let me know what YOU think!

        Mush

          Freedom: A Management Lesson From Ralph
          Posted on by

          Freedom is a powerful word.  Quite possibly, it’s the most powerful word in any language because of what it represents.  But what does freedom mean in the business world?  In my last blog, I talked about letting go of control, and giving employees the freedom to do what they were hired to do.  We hear a lot about empowering employees, giving them the right to make choices…giving them freedom.  Implicit in the act of giving an employee freedom is the “giving” act.

          This made me wonder:  what makes giving real freedom to an employee so hard?

          I’ve had the privilege of leading people for a long time.  My first assignment as a leader was when I was 23 years old.  I was leading a group of grizzly veterans – all 25 years older than me – who were part of a maintenance team in a chemical plant.  I think I was “in charge” for about 3-4 days while my boss was away.  Truth be told, I couldn’t fail…not because the stakes were too high or because failure wasn’t an option.  Rather, I couldn’t fail because I was surrounded by amazing people.  Needless to say, it was a humbling and educational experience!

          In the end, I did a pretty decent job, primarily as a result of one critical decision I made:  I asked for help.

          At the time, my boss was a 6-foot-something Texan who chewed tobacco constantly and yelled equally as often.  I still remember the smell of his tobacco, which was hard to miss because he gave me more than one close-quarters, face-to-face “development sessions.”  His name was Ralph.

          The morning Ralph left me in charge, he said to me, “Just ask for help.”  In retrospect, it was one of the most powerful management lessons I’ve learned in my 20-plus years of leading people.  In my opinion, the decision to ask for help is the purest act of giving freedom.  It empowers people in a way that can’t be matched.  It hands over responsibility while showing vulnerability and admitting you aren’t perfect.  Many, if not most, are eager to help because it makes them feel important to the outcome.  After all, who wants to feel they can’t help or be a part of the solution?

          Don’t get me wrong, there have certainly been times when I asked for help and did not receive it.  But regardless, I’ll keep asking for it.  And I’ll keep giving freedom because I know I need help to succeed.

          Let me know what you think…

           

           

           

            Do Less as a Leader
            Posted on by

            Do organizations become less effective as they get bigger?

            As companies grow in size and scope, they also grow in complexity.  Some of that complexity is a natural outcome of growth since bureaucratic controls are necessary to keep things in check.  In fact, there is a lot of great business advice out there encouraging leaders to build systems and processes that distribute responsibility and accountability because, no matter how good you are, a single leader simply can’t do everything.  I think this is really sound advice for the most part.  I also think that as companies get bigger, they can become less effective at delivering value to customers, employees, and other key stakeholders.   Think about it — who hasn’t complained at one time or another about a “big company” that is failing to hear them, or failing to deliver on what’s important to them?

            All of this made me wonder:  what makes us less effective as we get bigger?

            I think there are a lot of reasons.  I read a blog by Lawrence Jones recently about how leaders of small organizations can touch and feel things faster and better, which enables them to react quickly and make sure things always work well.  I believe this is part of the issue; the other part has to do with the difficulty of paying attention to all the small details that can make a business really hum.

            So, what’s the solution?  To stay small?  Maybe, but not necessarily.  I think this makes a great argument for “acting” small by breaking down your business into small workgroups or business units to keep things working well.  I also think there is a more compelling, riskier, scarier (for leaders), and counterintuitive solution:  do less as a leader.  That’s right, stop trying to control everything and give your people the freedom to do what you hired them to do.  Trust me, I could definitely take some of my own advice here.  Giving people that kind of latitude isn’t always easy, but I know firsthand it can be extremely rewarding for them and valuable for your organization.

            As you start to let go, you may find it necessary to create some structure around that type of freedom.  If so, then look to your organizations’ core values for guidance… and only check people when they are working outside of those values.

            So what’s my advice for today? Set people free…and watch your organization get bigger, better and more valuable.

            Let me know what you think!

              Great Moments
              Posted on by

              “Great moments are born from great opportunities.”

              That was the line delivered by Kurt Russell in the movie ‘Miracle’ when he played the coach of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team, just before they played the highly-favored Soviet team.  The USA team went on to win in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in sports.  This made me wonder:  why are upsets, come from behind victories, stories of underdogs, so compelling?  And, what does it really take to turn these into great moments?

              I think there might be something uniquely American about pulling for the underdog; about hoping for what seem to be unattainable wins.  The essence of the underdog is the notion that anything is possible — that success is not predetermined but, instead, a result of will, guts, determination, and effort.  It’s the idea that anyone can accomplish something, regardless of the challenge.  I can’t think of anything more fundamentally positive and attractive.

              So how do we do it?  How do we achieve great moments in our lives?  I don’t know if there is a magic formula or rule of thumb, but I do think there is a central idea that we must first accept:  we can change just about anything about our current reality; nothing is permanent about where we are.  So my challenge to you now is to list a few things you think you can’t change, and then ask yourself if these things really are unchangeable; not IF you can change them, but HOW you can change them.  Ask yourself how that group of 21-year-old American hockey players let go of the idea that the Soviets were unbeatable and then went on to beat them.

              The truth is, your current reality just might be your opportunity to create a Great Moment.

              ~ Mush

                Good Stuff
                Posted on by

                My 12-year-old son and I were recently watching a business profiles show on Bloomberg. The show featured two large companies and how they achieved success.  My son was very interested in the stories and I was curious as to why. His reason was: “I really like hearing stories of success.”

                This made me wonder:  how powerful can storytelling be — especially stories that focus on success?

                We have a ritual at O’Rourke Petroleum called Good Stuff, which I borrowed from Verne Harnish.  Good Stuff is really pretty simple:  during some of our company meetings, we go around the room and everyone shares something good.  It can be anything:  big or small, related to business or about our personal lives.  I find that sharing good news about anything – no matter how simple – provides a little jolt of energy to help us tackle some of our more pressing challenges.  Good Stuff doesn’t mean we don’t look at problems or call it like it is.  It just means that we consciously take the time to focus on the positive things we are doing every day; subsequently, we find this creates, encourages, and promotes positive energy and helps fuel success.

                It’s a small step – an easy ritual that has powerful benefits.  What Good Stuff have you done today?  I’d love to hear from you.

                ~ Mush

                 

                  Abundance
                  Posted on by

                  So much of what we hear about in the world today focuses on scarcity.  There are a lot of stories about how we don’t have enough of something:  money, freedom, clean air, reality TV (ok, I’m kidding about that last one!).  I’d like to challenge that notion:  I think the opposite just might be true.  I think it’s possible that many of us already have everything we need to get what we want in business and in life.  I’m not saying that life can’t be tough sometimes…from personal experience, I know it can.  I’m merely suggesting a shift in thinking, just for one day.

                  My challenge to you is wake up tomorrow and assume you already have everything you need to be successful.  Assume you have enough time, money, talent, resources…whatever it is that you currently think you don’t have.  Assume you’ve got it and see what happens next.  It’s possible that, for some of us, a subtle but important change might begin to take place.  It’s possible that part of our “scarcity mindset” might be replaced with something else.  A feeling of abundance.

                  There’s a saying I love:  Act yourself into a new way of thinking.  In other words, do something for a while – even if it feels uncomfortable – and it will start to become second nature.  So if we “act” as if we have everything we need to be successful then, eventually, we might start to “think” we have everything we need to be successful.  In fact, we might think we have an abundance of what we need to be successful.  Right?

                  I think an “abundance mindset” is such an important part of reaching a goal.  This simple idea often gives us the emotional freedom to get started.  To stop worrying about whether or not we have exactly what we need to reach the desired outcome, and just get going.

                  I realize life isn’t always simple and neat.  But for just one day – or even better, one week – try acting like the world is your oyster and you have everything you need to succeed right now.  Then, let me know what happens.

                  ~ Mush

                   

                    Happiness and Success
                    Posted on by

                    I was recently watching a TED talk by Shawn Achor who has a really funny and informative presentation about what makes people happy.

                    Shawn and many other mainstream psychologists have written about the science behind happiness. That’s right! There is actually a developing body of science that supports the notion that happiness might not be this mysterious force bestowed upon the lucky few. The facts are emerging that a series of behaviors we can control can actually lead to happiness. One of the ideas I love that Shawn talks about is flipping the thinking that success leads to happiness. Shawn challenges that, and instead offers a more compelling thought: happiness leads to success.

                    So that leads me to wonder:  If happiness does lead to success, then what leads to happiness? As it turns out, the advice your grandmother probably gave you about finding happiness is what Shawn would tell you as well…and is what actually works. According to Shawn, there are some simple but beneficial steps you can take that will lead to happiness.  And yes, there is scientific evidence that shows brain activity linked to happiness actually increases when you take the time to do these things:

                    • Be grateful.  For 21 days in a row, write down 3 things that you make you grateful. It doesn’t have to be something big.  For example, one day my 9-year-old said he is “grateful that space aliens aren’t attacking planet earth.” (I am too, actually!)
                    • Think about an event that makes you happy.  Yup…that’s it.  Just think about it a few times a day.  Sometimes I will watch a funny video about something my sons have done.
                    • Get a little exercise.  It doesn’t take much…even a simple stroll can help. A little bit of physical activity does wonders for your brain and feelings of happiness.

                    As we complete the election cycle, move towards the holidays, and get ready for 2013, I think it’s a great time to put life in perspective and feed our souls with a little happiness.  As Shawn implies, happiness just might lead to success.  If nothing else, it sure makes us smile and feel a whole lot better.  And the way I look at it, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!  Don’t you agree?

                    I look forward to hearing from you.

                    ` Mush