It's hard to change the world all at once. If we start with a few key people we increase our chances. The few are our kindling. People in organizations can be broken down into the following group: Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, and Laggards. Check out the graphic for the breakdown. When we want to light a fire, we can throw matches on to a log or we can choose the right kindling to light and let the kindling catch the logs on fire. Find your … [Read more...]
Should I Kindle?
October 12, 2010 by
Have you ever tried to light a log on fire without kindling? I've made this mistake. It's hard to light a log on fire without kindling. I'd light some paper. The paper goes below the log. The paper burns out before the log catches. At best, I char the outside of the log. Want a toasty, roaring fire? Lighting a fire requires layers. This is why people who are good with fire use progressively larger fuel elements to get a fire going. Lighting paper is easy. The paper can light twigs. … [Read more...]
Smoke on the Water… Fire in the Sky
October 8, 2010 by
I was sitting near the fire pit. I was excited to start the fire. An hour later I was frustrated. We had wood. Lots of it. But it was not in the condition to light. We struggled to light anything. After 45 minutes of fighting smoke, we gave up. It takes fuel, oxygen and heat to start a fire. The fuel must be the right kind for the job. It must be in the right condition. Not all fuel is in the right condition to light. When the wood is wet, we get smoke. When the gasoline is … [Read more...]
Set People on Fire!
October 1, 2010 by
Basics of fire science tells us we need three things to start a fire: Fuel (Ex.- Wood, Gasoline, Alcohol, etc.) Oxygen Heat You need all three to create a chain reaction. People are our fuel source; our message is our heat; visibility is our oxygen Without people to ignite, you just have a bunch of hot air. … [Read more...]
Where do you want to go today?
September 28, 2010 by
Do you feel lost? What's your destination? If we decide where we want to go, we are more likely to go there. If we choose nowhere for our destination, we're likely go there, too. Do you want to go somewhere in life? Pick a place. Go. Take the risk, one step at a time. Don't worry about being wrong or right. You can change your mind … Related articles Stop Dreaming and Start Doing (inc.com) … [Read more...]
Sad Songs Say So Much …
September 27, 2010 by
I attended a funeral this morning. It was the second in a little over two weeks. Both funerals included eulogies. Loved ones offered recognition of the character of those who passed. They offered glimpses of what their children and grandchildren appreciated and admired about them. Those who had passed may have enjoyed hearing about how they touched and impacted friends and family. It's sad that we have to die to hear about what others admire in us. Admiration and appreciation are … [Read more...]
Get ON your soapbox
September 23, 2010 by
Are you a leader? Do you want or need people to follow you? Where's your soapbox? How can you lead if you can't be seen? To lead we need to be seen, frequently. Whether it's face-to-face, in a meeting, via e-mail, newsletter or blog post, we need a soapbox. Something to elevate us to be visible. This is true if you're leading 1 person or 1,000,000. If you want to lead, find your soapbox. Take the step. Get ON your soapbox! Oh, yeah .... have something to say first! … [Read more...]
We can do this the easy way or the hard way …
September 23, 2010 by
A few weeks ago, I was at my brother and sister-in-laws for a birthday celebration. At one point we realized that of the 5 people in the living room, 5 people were staring at 3x5 "phone" devices. We were poking away at our phones. Checking Facebook, Twitter or browsing for some sort of trivia. People traveled 2-4 hours to spend time together ... to ignore each other. I've seen this many times. I'm guilty of it. Humans seek the path of least resistance when it comes to … [Read more...]
Opportunities are never lost … someone else will get them
September 21, 2010 by
I have set up many cups of coffee, lunches, and quick discussions. Meetings with a potential mentor, client or business partner. The conversation is going swimmingly. We're connecting on different levels. Then comes the question, "So, how can I help you?" There are a few different responses, based on my experience. Awkward silence. Well, um, (followed by a long rambling reply). Short, concise answer. Mark Twain said, "If you want me to speak for an hour, I am ready today." "If you … [Read more...]
What’s your enemy?
September 19, 2010 by
Who's ever found themselves working on something only to get to where you say, "Eh, that's good enough!"? When is good enough, good enough? If good is the enemy of great, when is good enough great? When does the pursuit of great become perfectionism that keeps us from delivering? When does Pareto and his insight about peas bring us to our knees as we pursue the good enough of 80% to the great of 90-100% Good may be the enemy of great. But great is the enemy of possible. I read … [Read more...]
