I read recently that studies have shown that most people lie at least once during a 10 minute conversation. Worse yet, the research suggests when communication takes place by computer deception rises to an even greater level. For example, a recent study of undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst revealed people conversing by email told FIVE TIMES as many lies as people speaking face to face. Further the study pointed out people are much more self-serving with their email lies than those told face to face. For those of us who read hundreds or thousands of emails a week ponder those facts and figures for a few minutes. I'd like to think that the people that I interact with don't fall in to this category but I wouldn't want to be caught lying either.
I fear this study has little to do with an isolated academic experiment and says more about the overall sad state of the moral fiber of this country and our lackadaisical approach to the truth. We are told by society that the truth is relative and that there are no moral absolutes (which in itself is a statement of such - think about it) and as long as no one gets hurt it's ok to bend the truth every now and then. I am convinced that this is not only a reason why buyer-seller relationships have become increasingly strained in recent years but I would argue there are a number of other unhealthy side effects such as stress and anxiety that plague society as a whole today as a result of "relative truth."
My dear grandfather passed away one year ago this week. He lived well in to his 90's and almost never had a bad day in his life. Seriously. He was a man's man and he was a devoted and loving husband to his wife and even though his little girls were both grandmothers themselves they still called him "daddy" until the day he died. There was much to admire, respect and love in that man and we could sure use a few more like him. If I used one or two words to try to describe the amazing man he was the first two words that come to mind are honesty and loyalty. His word was gold. Period. It was backed up by a loyalty to his family, his work, his friends (he never knew a stranger) and his Creator. In the 40 plus years that I had the privilege to be his grandson I can count on one hand the number of times I saw him get angry, raise his voice or show frustration or disappointment.
What does all of this have to do with us and to interacting with customers and co-workers? Everything. Think about people you know, work with or live with who you know always speak the truth. Even and especially if it hurts. I don't know about you but if I ever need help with anything these are the people I seek out first in my life. I bet you do to. I bet the people you work and do business with do too. Getting the picture? I would much rather do business with someone I trust and know that is going to put my goals and interests ahead of their own needs to tell me only what they want me to hear so they can serve their own interests.
So I am asking you the same question. Tell the truth. Would you want to do business with yourself? It's never too late to change and it's never too late to use the Golden Rule. I am thankful I had a shining example in my life to show me the way. Will you do the same? If so, someone may write about you after you're gone. Honestly.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Anti-Establishment
Just the name itself seems a little irreverent among the azaleas and the Georgia pines. Bubba. A kid from Florida who went to college in Georgia and has the most unorthodox skills in the world of golf is the King of it after an unbelievable Easter Sunday display in front of a national television audience. If you have no idea who or what I'm talking about let me introduce you to the 2012 Masters champion, Bubba Watson. If you didn't devote a good part of your Sunday afternoon to watching him and a slew of other golfers fight it out over 18 grueling holes with two additional sudden death holes for he and Louis Oosthuizen you missed some of the best drama television has to offer.
It's a great story of a 33 year old kid (I can actually call someone in their mid 30's a kid now since I am an "advanced" 40 year old) who had won three times previously on the pro tour. His best finish at the Masters prior to this weekend was a tie for 20th in 2008. I could write a long time about all the back and forth competition between he and his playing partner for the day and sudden death adversary Oosthuizen but there are some much more interesting anecdotes and lessons for all of us from Bubba. The guy who has never taken a golf lesson in his life and who has a swing that sometimes looks like he could be a stunt double as one of the Three Stooges is the Masters Champion!
Like many professional athletes these days most golfers have a coach for everything from nutrition and exercise to a swing and meditation coach. Not this guy. This self taught guy steps up to the tee and puts a left-handed swing that looks like something you could see at the local municipal course from a guy destined to hit the ball a long way - to the right or the left. Not only is it an unusual swing but it just so happens he is the number 1 ranked golfer in driving distance by a wide margin. So why all the fuss over Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson?
I learned at least three lessons watching Bubba play Sunday that apply to how I work and relate to other people that you should add to your skill set as well:
It's a great story of a 33 year old kid (I can actually call someone in their mid 30's a kid now since I am an "advanced" 40 year old) who had won three times previously on the pro tour. His best finish at the Masters prior to this weekend was a tie for 20th in 2008. I could write a long time about all the back and forth competition between he and his playing partner for the day and sudden death adversary Oosthuizen but there are some much more interesting anecdotes and lessons for all of us from Bubba. The guy who has never taken a golf lesson in his life and who has a swing that sometimes looks like he could be a stunt double as one of the Three Stooges is the Masters Champion!
Like many professional athletes these days most golfers have a coach for everything from nutrition and exercise to a swing and meditation coach. Not this guy. This self taught guy steps up to the tee and puts a left-handed swing that looks like something you could see at the local municipal course from a guy destined to hit the ball a long way - to the right or the left. Not only is it an unusual swing but it just so happens he is the number 1 ranked golfer in driving distance by a wide margin. So why all the fuss over Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson?
I learned at least three lessons watching Bubba play Sunday that apply to how I work and relate to other people that you should add to your skill set as well:
- Dance to your own music - Just because everyone else or "they" say it has to be done a certain way doesn't make it right. Find a style that is all your own and then perfect it so that you become the best at what you do and other people notice you along the way.
- Go ahead and let them see you sweat - For some four hours on Sunday Bubba battled toe to to with Louis. Realize that on the 4th hole Mr. Oosthuizen made arguably one of the greatest shots in Masters history - a double eagle 2 on a par 5 from over 200 yards away. Bubba didn't blink but he did show every emotion in his bag during the day. Pressure is a part of life and it's okay to tell other people what your challenges are and ask for help. That's what "caddies" are for! Who do you need to help carry your burdens?
- Victory is sweet - Frankly, I don't know how Bubba held it together long enough to sink the final 6 inch putt to win the tournament. He broke in to tears before he was able to retrieve his ball from the cup and a good solid minute of raw emotion poured out in embraces with is caddie and subsequently his mother. The guy poured himself 110% in to making his dream a reality. Later he told the national television audience he hadn't dreamed far ahead enough to envision being a Masters champion. The realization that he had reached the pinnacle brought a rush of emotion. There is nothing better than preparing to win and then going out and doing it. The best victories in life are best celebrated with those who have helped you get there.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
How is your Social Life?
No, I am not asking about what you do outside of work. To the contrary, I am wondering how social you are at work? If that seems like a strange question then this post is written for you. I am talking about perhaps the greatest change and opportunity in business since the Internet. Social Media.
How connected are you? How well are you using these fantastic tools and programs to enhance your sales, marketing and branding messages? If you have to stop and think about it you're not doing enough. If you think you're too old, technologically challenged or pressed for time to learn I would strongly encourage you to realign your priorities. Social Media is here to stay and it is how business is getting done. I am an admitted novice but I can give specific examples of how I have used different programs to increase the awareness and effectiveness of my brand on line.
As with many new things the first step is the hardest. Just like the Internet as its popularity increased exponentially at the end of the last century it can be overwhelming to try to figure out where and how to most effectively use and manage it. Like any other important thing you attempt to do in business (or any other important area of your life) you better have a plan and you need to set some goals or how will you know if what you're doing is making a difference or is a colossal waste of time? Without specific desired outcomes you can easily spend hours and days wandering in to a trance and getting caught up in all that is available.
Once you've thought about specific plans the other thing that has to be evaluated is what information can you contribute that your customers really value? Everyone, especially your customers has plenty to do without wasting their time about information that is neither useful nor profitable for them to read. Therefore, we've all got to make sure we know what issues are important to our customers and how we can address them better than anyone else. Answer these seemingly simple questions and you are well on your way to building a network of connections that can pay off in terms of reputation and respect, not to mention financial.
The bad news is that this can be an overwhelming and daunting project to take on. There are Social Media consultants popping up all over the place with promises to help you become Socially relevant. I can't tell you the best or easiest way to take on this project. I can tell you that if you do it and do it well that the rewards can be surprisingly significant. I can also tell you if you don't figure it out you're going to be left behind no matter what your title or job description is.
There is no such thing as a Social Media hobby when it comes to business. Either you're Socially engaged or you aren't. It's the new peer pressure. Don't be a Social misfit!
How connected are you? How well are you using these fantastic tools and programs to enhance your sales, marketing and branding messages? If you have to stop and think about it you're not doing enough. If you think you're too old, technologically challenged or pressed for time to learn I would strongly encourage you to realign your priorities. Social Media is here to stay and it is how business is getting done. I am an admitted novice but I can give specific examples of how I have used different programs to increase the awareness and effectiveness of my brand on line.
As with many new things the first step is the hardest. Just like the Internet as its popularity increased exponentially at the end of the last century it can be overwhelming to try to figure out where and how to most effectively use and manage it. Like any other important thing you attempt to do in business (or any other important area of your life) you better have a plan and you need to set some goals or how will you know if what you're doing is making a difference or is a colossal waste of time? Without specific desired outcomes you can easily spend hours and days wandering in to a trance and getting caught up in all that is available.
Once you've thought about specific plans the other thing that has to be evaluated is what information can you contribute that your customers really value? Everyone, especially your customers has plenty to do without wasting their time about information that is neither useful nor profitable for them to read. Therefore, we've all got to make sure we know what issues are important to our customers and how we can address them better than anyone else. Answer these seemingly simple questions and you are well on your way to building a network of connections that can pay off in terms of reputation and respect, not to mention financial.
The bad news is that this can be an overwhelming and daunting project to take on. There are Social Media consultants popping up all over the place with promises to help you become Socially relevant. I can't tell you the best or easiest way to take on this project. I can tell you that if you do it and do it well that the rewards can be surprisingly significant. I can also tell you if you don't figure it out you're going to be left behind no matter what your title or job description is.
There is no such thing as a Social Media hobby when it comes to business. Either you're Socially engaged or you aren't. It's the new peer pressure. Don't be a Social misfit!
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