So there I was sitting with a friend watching the rather quirky, yet lovable antics of a little three pound (mostly hair I think) gremlin-like creature all the while admiring my friend's genuine love for this animal and the equally genuine joy it brought her.
It reminded me of something a colleague had given me a while back, which I found amusing so I thought I'd share. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Business Lessons I've Learned from Dogs:
1. Always greet customers with excitement, even when you just saw them three minutes ago. They never grow tired of thinking they are the most important thing in your life.
2. Don't confuse your tail with a goal worth chasing.
3. Sleep as many hours a day as possible, but always be ready to play when the chance arises.
4. Don't be afraid to get dirty; in fact, relish it.
5. When the big folks are feasting, if you know how to work things, you'll be able to feast too.
6. Barking a lot is annoying, so don't do it often. That way, when you do bark, people spring to attention.
7. Don't bark at the mailman. He's been known to have a dog treat in his pocket.
8. The more you show that you don't need a leash, the less you have to wear it. Conversely, if you're always tugging on your leash, you'll always have to wear it.
9. The joy is in digging the hole, not hiding the bone. But its reassuring to know there are a few bones hidden.
10. Biting someone never leads to anything good.
11. Continuously learning new tricks keeps you young.
12. Fool your masters into thinking they are in charge.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Man in the Mirror
A common requirement of leaders at all levels is having the courage to make tough decisions and take difficult actions.
We talk about courage in meetings, rate it in performance evals and listen for it in interviews. Most would agree it's an important element of successful leadership. Yet, becoming a courageous leader involves a lot more than talking, rating, and correctly answering interview questions.
The dictionary defines courage as "the state or quality of mind and spirit that enables one to face danger or fear with confidence and resolution" But what does that mean in the real world and how can it be measured and quantified?
Perhaps the best way to understand courage is to define its opposite. Some would say "cowardliness"...avoiding pressure, difficulty, or danger. Others might say "fear"...being afraid to do the right thing when the going gets rough. Both are logical and appropriate, but there's another description that's equally valid, although not as commonly thought of- "conformity"...letting things be the way they have always been because of the high price associated with changing them.
As a leader, you need courage to do what needs to be done, to do what you know is the right thing. There will always be those who tell you you're wrong- even when you're thoroughly convinced you're right. There will always be those tempting you to take an easier and less resistant path. And there will always be those who, either purposefully or unintentionally, create obstacles that will challenge your resolve.
Courage is about having the guts, nerve, and heart to do the right things that foster progress. To become a courageous leader, you must have an undeniable, indisputable, unwavering commitment to be the best you can be. The true measure of your leadership is the ability to look in the mirror and know that you had the courage to do what you felt was the right thing to do.
For every person there comes a moment when he or she must have the courage to step forward and meet the needs of the time. Regardless of whether your moment is now or somtime in the future, you must be ready. The people you lead are counting on you.
Don't let them down.
We talk about courage in meetings, rate it in performance evals and listen for it in interviews. Most would agree it's an important element of successful leadership. Yet, becoming a courageous leader involves a lot more than talking, rating, and correctly answering interview questions.
The dictionary defines courage as "the state or quality of mind and spirit that enables one to face danger or fear with confidence and resolution" But what does that mean in the real world and how can it be measured and quantified?
Perhaps the best way to understand courage is to define its opposite. Some would say "cowardliness"...avoiding pressure, difficulty, or danger. Others might say "fear"...being afraid to do the right thing when the going gets rough. Both are logical and appropriate, but there's another description that's equally valid, although not as commonly thought of- "conformity"...letting things be the way they have always been because of the high price associated with changing them.
As a leader, you need courage to do what needs to be done, to do what you know is the right thing. There will always be those who tell you you're wrong- even when you're thoroughly convinced you're right. There will always be those tempting you to take an easier and less resistant path. And there will always be those who, either purposefully or unintentionally, create obstacles that will challenge your resolve.
Courage is about having the guts, nerve, and heart to do the right things that foster progress. To become a courageous leader, you must have an undeniable, indisputable, unwavering commitment to be the best you can be. The true measure of your leadership is the ability to look in the mirror and know that you had the courage to do what you felt was the right thing to do.
For every person there comes a moment when he or she must have the courage to step forward and meet the needs of the time. Regardless of whether your moment is now or somtime in the future, you must be ready. The people you lead are counting on you.
Don't let them down.
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