We have been enjoying family this summer! The picture above is taken while hanging with Sonya’s sister and brother-in-law. We hiked in with backpack chairs, some wine and a speaker. The time was simple and relaxing while sharing some laughs together. We hiked back in the dark.
Last week Sonya and I flew to Oklahoma to visit our son, Isaac who is selling door-to-door with Vivint. We spent some time with our dear friends, the Brooks, and then headed to Dallas for some business and catching up with my brother, his wife and my two-year-old adorable niece. Gabe drove up from Austin, where he is living and working, to join us for all the fun.
20 friends came together on Sunday to celebrate Sonya’s birthday for filet mignons, cake, and wine! We all honored each other with heartfelt words about everyone’s giftedness to the world.
We have more travels coming up to Chicago for the Global Leadership Summit and then to Kansas City for executive training with the Culture Index. Many of you have taken the Culture Index to understand yourself and others. I am now an Executive Advisor with them and helping decision makers drive top line revenue using this system for ensuring the right people are in the right seats on the bus.
In this newsletter I want to share about:
- How to get clear about what to do next
- Why guessing about employee fit is a bad strategy
- Being a person of value
How to Get Clear About What to Do Next
“Clarity comes from engagement, not thought. We learn best not theoretically, but in action.” -Marie Forleo
Change is inevitable. We live in a dynamic world, especially today. You may get burned out, or your kids are needing you around more, or you have to rebalance your work with your marriage. We are moving through new demands and realities.
I am coming out of a massive traumatic experience. My kids are grown up and leaving the nest. Young twenty-somethings are passing me by in technical knowledge. I don’t run long distances like I did when I was young. I’m in a new reality.
So, here’s what I do to get clear on what to do next:
So, here’s what I do to get clear on what to do next:
- Have conversations. I call trusted friends and tell them where I am and ask them for advice. I take notes. If they give me suggestions or referrals, I act on those. I am looking for what resonates or does not.
- Pray. I spend my mornings on my porch looking at the mountains and asking God for insight and guidance. He answers and shows me in my heart and mind what to do.
- Write. I write on my blog, LinkedIn, legal pads and my journal. As I write, I notice recurring thoughts. I look for what I am liking and not liking. Writing is thinking, and I need to see the thinking come out.
- Decide and Act. I commit and make a decision. I act and go on conviction. All decisions can change, but I don’t like being indecisive. If I have had good counsel, opened up a lot of options and thought through scenarios, then I feel comfortable deciding. I don’t look back, but I am open to whatever may be better. I don’t persist in ambiguity.
Why Guessing About Employee Fit is a Bad Strategy
I have advised executives for over 20 years. The number one thing we talk about is employees. The frustration with not getting results, handling bad attitudes and dealing with laziness is common and costly.
Polls have shown that 70% of employees are discontent in their jobs. Many are quiet quitting.
Managers can see issues, but rather than fire someone, they hold off for many months before coming to an inevitable decision.
Why persist in such ambiguity when there is data that can drive decision making on talent and job fit? How can you get the results you want.
The problem is solvable. You may have to make hard decisions, but the data is available on your team for how you hire, manage and motivate talent. You may even have to look at your own fit and leadership. But, the data is available. It’s why I love equipping owners and managers with the tools of the Culture Index so they know what is required for their team and who fits where. Take the free survey and learn how it works. I’m happy to help. It’s a game changer.
Being a Person of Value
How many people have you helped in a personal way this last week? My wife, Sonya, had 20 of our friends share intimately about how she has affected them and helped them in life. It was breathtaking and tearful to hear how much of an impact she has had on people.
The recurring theme was that she cares deeply and gets involved with people and their lives. Here are some of those powerful ways they shared:
- Paying attention, making people feel seen/heard, and sharing an insight, gift or connection to help
- Bringing people who don’t know each other together to become friends and do business
- Personally growing continually and pushing others to become better versions of themselves
- Positivity. She sees the glass half full and shares that perspective, while still being honest and real
The eagerness to love people well and make their day may sound like the stuff of fairytales, but I have witnessed it in our 26 years of marriage. She constantly inspires me to love people more. It starts with caring about others and not just looking out for yourself.
I am in lots of conversations about growing revenues for clients and wanting to help as an Executive Advisor with decision makers. If you know someone or would like to have a conversation to move the needle on revenues, let’s have a conversation. Comment below, and let me know your biggest business problem, and we can get to work solving it together.
Or, hit me up for a hike, golf, tennis or some pickle ball!
