What’s Your Relationship?

This week I learned about the Three Levels of Relationships.

Level 3: Family/Friends

The highest form of a relationship where you are being authentic (i.e. yourself), you share deeply about yourself (thoughts, feelings, desires, mistakes, etc,) and you are vulnerable. 

Level 2: Professionals

The middle level of relationships in which you are seeking to build trust and respect, you share some information (i.e. appropriate), and you expose yourself a little to the other person. 

Level 1: Acquaintances

The most elementary of relationships that is superficial in nature, there is little personal sharing of information (i.e. mostly when you are asked a question and you feel comfortable answering it), and you remain guarded. 

This is a good way to assess your relationships–is it a level 1, 2, or 3 and are you behaving appropriately within that, so that you trust, communicate, and collaborate effectively.  😉

(Graphic Credit: Andy Blumenthal)

Braving Trust and Credibility

So I thought this was really good from a colleague this week. 

How to build trust and credibility in the workplace:

Credibility is about being “convincing and believable” and results from “expertise and experience.”

Trust is believing strongly in the honesty, reliability, character, and effectiveness of a person.”

BRAVING

Boundaries – Have good boundaries–respecting yours and having my own; show others respect in words and deeds. 

Reliability – Be someone who is both reliable (can be counted on)  and is authentic.

Accountability – Hold others and yourself accountable; we all own our mistakes, apologize and make amends. 

Vault – Keep information in confidence.

Integrity – Hold courage over comfort; choose what’s right over what’s fun, easy or fast; practice and not just profess values. 

Non-judgmental – Believe the best in people even when they occasionally disappoint you. 

Generosity – Offer and ask for help from others, and give generously of yourself in time and effort. 

No offense to anyone…the last thing they said was a little spicy for the workplace (but I know it was meant well):  “Good conversation with others should be like a miniskirt–short enough to retain interest and long enough to cover the topic.” 😉

(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Nothing Personal

There’s this funny line that some managers use with their employees.

It’s when they harshly criticize, pick on, or even bully their hard working and good people.  

What do they say when they do it:

“It’s nothing personal.”

Ha, that’s sort of funny, but really it’s sad. 

I asked an executive colleague about this and this is what they profoundly said:

“It’s my favorite line when the boss says it’s nothing personal. Of course it’s personal. Is there anyone else in the room!”

When people misuse/abuse their power to hurt others whether at work or even in other situations like with small children or anyone else in a subordinate position:

– That’s not business.

– That’s not professional.

– That’s not being a good human being.

People are not punching bags because someone else is having a bad day. 

We need to rise above the occasion and be better than that. 

It’s better to be humane, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent. 

And not just because someday, we are all in that position where someone bigger is facing off against us.

But rather we need to behave kindly to others, because they too are G-d’s children and our brothers and sisters, and it is the absolutely the right way to behave–whether it’s business or personal. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

From Cradle To Grave

It’s funny how in organizations talk about the lifecycle of people. 

From a full lifecycle perspective, it’s “cradle to grave!”

In terms of lifecycle on the job, it’s “hire to retire (or to fire).”

Really the lifecycles are intertwined. 

It starts with the cradle…we are born and go through a maturation process that focuses on our education and preparation for life. 

Then we get hired into our (hopefully) dream jobs, where we spend our careers until we retire–or if you mess up badly and get fired or decide to change career course–you may have to go back to “go” and “do not collect $200” and you get hired again for another career round. 

Eventually you retire and start your 2nd life in retirement, where please G-d, you have the health and prosperity to enjoy the fruits of your labor and your families. 

Ultimately, our lifecycle ends at the grave with the death of our bodies–our souls go on to Heaven and live forever basking in the light of the Almighty. 

Thus, the human capital lifecycle. 😉

(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

What Is Peace + Happiness?

I loved this piece of art work with the colorful Buddhas.

It got me thinking about peace and happiness–is it the same for everyone?

To one person, career, achievement, and money seems to make happy–as one of my friends told me about one of his extremely successful bosses who heads a large corporation and has not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 mansions on the water, in the mountains, and overlooking Central Park in NYC.

To another person, it’s being able to do what they want to in life–doing what makes you emotionally happy instead of what you have to do; the freedom to choose and to be passionate about what you do and how you spend you time every day–whether it’s a profession, an activity or sport, or even exploration and travel.

Yet others, find peace and satisfaction in spiritual and religious pursuits–joining the clergy or learning about G-d and philosophy, doing G-d’s commandments or helping his creations by doing good deeds. 

Many of course, find peace and get nachas from their families, the loves of their life, their beautiful children and grandchildren, and helping the next generation to grow and prosper after us. 

That can also extend to friends, community, and even colleagues–when we surround ourselves with other good people, those who we enjoy their company and have things in common, then we can find happiness with each other.

Being here in Florida for the holidays, I’m reminded of all the sun, beauty, and body-worshippers, those people who love their physique and good health, working out, looking good, being with others that look good, and even designing and making things that are beautiful. 

And at the other end of the spectrum again are the intellectual nerdy nerds who get their energy from being brainiacs like one of my friend’s nephews who is one of silicon valley’s serial innovators.

Whatever you love, have, and do that makes you happy is something to be extremely grateful for.

Nothing is forever, and nothing is owed to us.

Use the gifts that G-d has given you with the wisdom to reach enlightenment by being good and generous to others and so that you truly merit these beautiful things and thank the creator who blessed you. 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Take Your Family Issues To Work Day

So we all love Take You Child(ren) To Work Day.

It’s a great idea to bond with our children and share our work life with them.

This way they know what mommy and daddy do and also a little of what work is like. 

But one of the funny things I noticed is how uncomfortable most parents seem with their kids around them in at work. 

They have this worried and kvetchy look on their face.

They are crossing boundaries between personal/family/home life and professional/work life. 

What is at once two-faces, two distinct roles is now combined for a single day a year. 

Perhaps personal problems from home and between family members is entering the workspace or the problems of work life is evident to your close family members. 

Maybe mommy or daddy really doesn’t get along all the well with little Johnny or Rosie all the time or perhaps little Johnny or Rosie is not that perfect little kid you’ve been showing around in pictures and talking up in the office. 

Similarly, mommy or daddy may not be “all that” in the office that they come home and portray to their family about–that big management position and corner office could be just another run of the mill job and situated in a long row of cubicles deep this way and that. 

In any case, the barriers are being crossed and even if there have been no outright lies told and caught, different sides of the person that are typically kept separate and sacrosanct are converging and the alternate egos and varied personas come head-to-head.

The good news is that the organization usually gives the parents leeway to not really do any serious work when the kids are around for the day and to mostly schlep them to special kids’ events in the workplace–everybody get to meet the CEO and have ice cream?

Thus, the unveiling of dual natures and embedded conflicts is kept to a manageable minimum, if not an uncomfortable merging of work and family life. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal) 

The Geometric Desk

Thought this desk was really nice. 

Professional, clean, hardwood, and very polished!

Not overly large, but I  liked the geometry of this thing, which made up for it.

The square draws on one side and the inverted cone on the other–very cool.

Great design, and seemingly good quality for home or office. 

Made in America? That would be especially nice (let’s bring the manufacturing home!)  😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Starbucks Playbook

I’m in Starbucks and this young lady is drawing one of Starbucks promo signs.

This one was for the new Starbucks Caramel Flan which is a latte (coffee with a shot of expresso and frothy steamed milk) with whipped cream and generous topping of caramel.

In making the sign, the girl was nervous that she wouldn’t do a good job because of her drawing skills, but she was actually doing pretty well.

I learned some interesting things from her that the big picture of the cup of coffee on the sign is actually a magnet–so that just snapped in place and was a big help.

Then as you can see on the left, she is a holding a playbook from Starbucks Corporate that has a miniature version of the sign that she is supposed to draw with instructions.

So this is her guide and the same used by all the other Starbucks putting up this promo this week.

From a marketing and branding perspective, this helps keep it tight in terms of the messaging, timing, and look and feel.

Starbucks leaves nothing to chance with their coffee sales and this methodology of having each store draw the promo by hand but from a playbook makes it both authentic and professional.

Nice job with the Caramel Flan sign! 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Six Dimensions Of Personal Health

There was a wonderful interview in the Washington Post with leadership expert, Bob Rosen.

One of the things that Rosen says is that there are six dimensions of personal and professional health that are vital to leadership.

I have taken these and created with my own photos, a little graphic to remind me of them.

The six dimensions (with my definitions) are:

1. Spiritual – Serving G-d and doing what is right.
2. Emotional – Your feelings and ability to manage your state of mind, especially in trying situations.
3. Social – Interacting with other people in loving, caring, and sharing ways.
4. Physical – Taking care of your body through good nutrition, exercise, and healthcare.
5. Professional – Working and contributing to the world by serving a purposeful mission.
6. Intellectual – Learning and growing mentally by gaining knowledge and the ability to apply it.

I like how each of these is a a distinct contributing element of one’s overall health, but also come together to form a coherent whole of human health.

When all six dimensions are in good health, then a person has the foundations to live and excel.

However, when one or more elements are not being properly taken care of or are out of balance with the others, then a person will not have the ability to maintain or advance themselves.

Self-awareness and a commitment to doing your best in all six areas will help you grow as a person and leader.

Together, these six areas can be associated with one’s own personal architecture, whereby one plans and strives for health and maturity in each of them over time.

(Source Graphic and Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

What YOU Need To Land That Next Job

Mashable (17 August 2013) has some good advice for job seekers–show you mean business and here’s how to do it:

1) Integrity–This is the #1 fundamental. If you are not trustworthy, reliable, honest…you are more trouble than you’re worth. Integrity underscores your character as a person and professional. If you cheat, lie, steal, and are self-serving, why would anyone want to associate with you, let alone have you work for them?

2) Adaptability–Change is constant and happening faster and faster. If you are status quo, “old school”, and can’t innovate your way off a typewriter, how in G-d’s name are you going to help a business grow and adapt to changing market conditions? Go-getters, trend-setters, and change-agents, desired and welcome.

3) Problem-solvers-Anyone can complain and see problems, but it takes special folks to solve those large and complex ones. You need to be able to come up with a strategy, articulate it, and execute on it. If you see the bad in everything, but can’t solve anything–you are part of the problem and not part of the solution. If you have technical skills and can apply them, you are valuable to the organization.

4) Self-Starters–No time to babysit snoozers, slackers, or the constantly tardy–organizations are looking for professionals. You need to hit the ground running. If you don’t know what to do, how to do it, or can’t pick up on it pretty quickly, this is going to be a painful experience. Those with initiative, enthusiasm, team players, and hard workers make it relatively easy,

5) Loyalty–Backstabbers, users, and serial job-hoppers, you’re wasting precious time. If you’re loyal to the organization and leadership, you deserve the same in return. Your value increases as you learn the organization, mission, and people and can apply your unique training and experiences over time. The organization wants you to grow with them.

You’re a fork, a spoon, and a knife and you are just what the organization is looking for. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)