GiANT Perspectives

Video Perspective: "Balancing ‘What You Do’"

2010-02-09T12:02:34+00:00

"Balancing ‘What You Do’"

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Airplane Thought: Honor

2010-02-05T14:20:58+00:00

The man who falls has a heart that pumps pride faster than blood.
True honor only comes when humility precedes it.
* Inspired by that great King Solomon.

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Interested Before Interesting

2010-02-03T12:24:09+00:00

If you want a tip to get better at connecting with others, here is one from my good friends at Booster Enterprises - “Be Interested Before Being Interesting.”

Here is an example…

When you first meet someone, genuinely focus on them first before you start thinking in your mind what you want to tell them. Questions help, but make sure your intent is pure. Spend time really getting to know them. Be interested. If you do this well the following will occur:

You will enjoy the conversation more because you invested in someone else.
They will like you more and, thus, become more engaged than they normally would.
You will be perceived as an interesting person.
They will normally begin to ask you questions and, thus, become interested in you.
They will perceive you as a great resource and worthy person, which will impact you in the future.

This is so simple, yet, subtly powerful. I have been doing this for years, but never have thought much about it until I watched my Booster friends do this extraordinarily well.

Booster is a group of 82 all-stars that serve schools across the country with character development through the Boosterthon Fun Run. They go into schools once a year and help the schools with fund raising, while at the same time teaching kids fitness, education and character.

They practice what they teach. These guys are the real deal. I have watched them be more interested than interesting and I would tell you that I hope my kids get the chance to work for them some day. By the way, if you are tired of the old ways of raising funds in your schools, go to www.boosterenterprises.com and connect with them.

Now, it is your turn. At your next conversation with a new contact be interested before interesting. Keep practicing and make this a standard in the way you connect with people.

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Video Perspective: "Questions to Begin Your Year With"

2010-02-02T12:09:34+00:00

"Questions to Begin Your Year With"

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Airplane Thought: Adventure

2010-01-29T14:50:18+00:00

Adventure is not always far away. It can occur daily in a family with the right perspective and a healthy imagination. Keep adventure close to home.

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Momentum is to Remain

2010-01-27T14:52:41+00:00

Do you remember watching the Rocky movies? Some may call it cheesy, but most of us probably cheered fanatically when he came back from the brink of disaster.

Sylvester Stallone, in all of his Philly slang, would get us enthralled as he made some amazing comebacks in the boxing ring. Every plot was the same. The unheralded underdog would bring great heart only to get pummeled by the more talented enemy. Rocky Balboa would then fall two or three times until you thought he was down and out for the count. Then, suddenly, he would get this look in his bloodied eye and begin to not listen to his coaches.

You know what he would do? He would stay. That was it. He simply stayed in the fight and let his enemy know that he could take it. Not only that - he acted as if he actually liked the beating.

His competitor would then try harder to kill him and begin to wear themselves out. The heart of Rocky would begin beating louder as the fans began chanting, “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky.” A flurry of blows from Rocky Bolboa’s gloves would land ferociously on the face of the unsuspecting contender only to end their hopes on the floor at the feet of the true champion.

All because he stayed in the fight.

A leader can’t win if they are not in the ring.

A leader won’t ever see victory if they are not willing to take the blows and stand strong.

A leader will not win unless they pour their heart and soul into the dream.

It all starts with the Stay. Stay strong.

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3 Minute Monday: If You Were President

2010-01-25T11:03:11+00:00

As we prepare for the annual State of the Union address, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to review lessons learned from watching our President.

Take out a blank sheet of paper. Label one column “Good Leadership Examples from President Obama.” Label the other column “Leadership Examples That Have Not Worked for President Obama.” Then take 3 minutes and write as many leadership examples on the sheet as you can. When you are finished, take the sheet home and add to it as you watch the State of the Union on the 27th.

This is not a political statement, but rather a leadership statement. We get the benefit of watching a leader try to improve our nation through tough times. Why not actually study his examples, whether good or bad? We can learn much by watching and observing.

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Video Perspective: "Chick-fil-A Leadercast 2010"

2010-01-25T11:14:50+00:00

"Chick-fil-A Leadercast 2010"

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The Roles of Momentum

2010-01-21T12:08:14+00:00

When was the last time you started a campfire? Some of you are experts, while others maybe have never tried. The process of starting a fire is a good picture of momentum, and, specifically, the roles people take in the momentum process.

The most crucial part of a starting a fire is the beginning. You need the right dry bed, and kindling for a spark to set. You need enough oxygen for the fire to grow, but not too much wind that it would get snuffed out.

Starting a fire is both art and science. You need just enough of the right things at the right time. Once some wood shavings are set ablaze then oxygen will help it spread. And as the fire grows then so does the size of the wood needed (depending on how long you want the fire to burn). It is a great analogy for any leader of people.

In an organization, each person plays a role in how they build the fire of momentum and how they maintain it. Here are some keys to consider…

Someone needs the patience and focus to get that first client set or program developed. It takes concentration and time to see the spark. Then comes the fuel.
As others start to get involved in building the momentum it is important that they bring the right wood. Remember, not all wood burns. Wet or green wood just doesn’t work.
Larger and larger logs will need to be brought to the campfire.
The logs need to be arranged and stacked properly so that the fire doesn’t snuff itself out.

The roles of momentum are crucial. There is the initial fire starter, wood gatherers, fire tenders, and organizers.

Once the fire is set with the right wood then the enjoyment is felt. Everyone gathers by the fire with palms extended to feel the warmth of their momentum. Everyone can see when more wood is needed to extend the life of the flame. It will only go out if people fall asleep and fail to tend the flames or if there is no more wood available to burn. When people start throwing other things in the fire, the fire gets compromised. Fire likes wood, not trash.

As CEO, I am watching the fire of momentum begin to burn. I trust the fire tenders and like the wood that is being gathered. My role is to go after the big logs that will burn for years to come. I get to observe the gathering of wood and, from time to time, see if the wood is green or if anyone is bringing water to the campfire.

Everyone has a role at the fire. Build it right and everyone gets to enjoy it.

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How Little Things Can Kill Momentum

2010-01-19T12:35:29+00:00

I know. This title sounds like a direct contradiction of yesterday’s post. The reality is that they are both true. Little things can start momentum and little things can kill momentum.

Yesterday, I used a basketball analogy to explain how momentum gets started. The concept was that big things are built on the backs of little series of momentum. The opposite can occur as well, though. Little things can kill the momentum of a great game. Here are some of those things to watch out for:

A meddling boss whose pride can kill the positive momentum of a team
Negative words of teammates. Malice and Slander are killers.
Resting on success too early. Thinking you have made it when you are really just starting the upswing.
Unhealthy competition of one department over another.
Purposeless doing. The doing of the wrong things at the wrong time.

These are all potential little things that can kill the momentum of future big things. Watch out for them as you manage the momentum of your team.

It is true that little things start the momentum of the big things. It is also true that the little things can squash the life out of major momentum. Focus on what it takes to grow and filter out the things that kill.

Let’s gain momentum in 2010!

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