perception

Perception. We tend to see the negative. We ask ourselves, "What's wrong with this picture?" It's human nature. The lizard brain is taking over. Our instinct puts us on the defensive. It prevents us from seeing the bright side, but the bright side is often where the solution resides. When we concentrate on what's wrong, we over analyze and come up with fixes that will take a long time or likely never be implemented. We should know what is broken for long term fixing, but when we know what we do well we have something to build upon. What's the perception at my company? Why do we call the people we do business with advertisers and not customers or partners? Why are we focused on decreasing our cancellation rate instead of increasing our retention rate? Perception is the way we look at things. When we focus on cancellation rates we focus on the negative, but if we focus on retention rates we'll look at what we're doing well. When we know what we're doing right we can spread that focus throughout the company and influence our employees and customers. Then we can make a difference and begin to effect change.

appealing to the rational and emotional

People have rational and emotional sides.  The rational side attempts to reign in the emotional side.  Some people have strong control mechanisms and others do not.  I’m reading Switch, by Chip and Dan Heath.  They refer to the rational side as the ‘rider’ and the emotional as the ‘elephant’.  It’s hard work for a rider to control an elephant, and when the elephant wants to take over the rider often doesn’t have a chance.  When presenting an idea you have to tap the audience’s elephant.  It's the only way to break through and create an urgent need. I have a dominant rational trait, and I tend to base my presentations on analytics, research and cold-hard facts.  I have been the champion of pursuing a CRM system for my company for nearly four years.  I've faced nothing but resistance.  I have presented the system from a cost benefit perspective; presenting a logical ROI.  I’ve tried to base my case on facts, but only now I realizing that I haven’t played to my audience's emotional side.  I’ve built my case rationally, but need to get the elephants involved.  I'm working on how to do this.  Right now my best idea is to produce a video presenting a dramatic example of how our customers perceive our company with the current systems we have in place.  My thought is the misery the customers and our employees face will hit home with my audience.  Their emotional side will take control of the decision and we’ll be able to move forward with the project.

my strengths

My top 5 strengths with descriptions from Strength Finder 2.0 and my comments following: 1. Maximizer: Taking something from below average to slightly above average takes a great deal of effort and in your opinion is not very rewarding.  Transforming something strong into something superb takes just as much effort but is much more thrilling.

I agree with the sentiment entirely.  I certainly don't care for mediocrity.  Ultimately, it's even more thrilling to take something that's below average and turn it into something extraordinary.

2. Ideation: You are delighted when you discover beneath a complex surface an elegantly simple concept to explain why things are the way they are.

It is fun to look inside a tangled web and figure which strands matter.  I actually prefer to dream of something intricate and then be forced to simplify it so it can be delivered.

3. Individualization: You are intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. You instinctively observe each person's style, each person's motivation, how each thinks and how each builds relationships.

I like to see what makes a person tick.  I'm patient and like to listen.  It's easier to get things done when I understand why someone thinks the way they think.

4. Strategic: You are able to sort through the clutter and find the best route.

I'm surprised this wasn't number one.  I like to create a map and am able to ignore the noise.  Wow, it's frustrating when you see the right route, but don't have to power to change course.  It hurts when you know the company is going to pay the price for it for years to come.

5. Self Assurance: You know you are able -- able to take risks, able to meet new challenges, able to stake claims, and, most important, able to deliver.

Bring it on!  I'm ready to take on anything you can throw at me.

Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

strengths

I know myself.  I know my strengths and I'm aware of my weaknesses.  Aware is the key word.  I don't focus on them or try to improve them.  If you choose to focus on your weaknesses you'll improve them at the expense of your strengths. You'll be ok at your weaknesses and ok at your strengths.  You are choosing to become mediocre. Instead hire or choose to work with people who are strong where you are weak.  Concentrate on your strengths.  That's where it's at.  Focus on them.  Improve them.  Become amazing.

To find your strengths and weaknesses I recommend Strengths Finder 2.0.

leadership

I'm not a fist pounder.  I don't yell very much.  Leadership comes in different forms.  The problem is perception.  You're not vocal enough to be a leader.  You need to be a bull-dog to get things done! I build connections by listening.  People need to be heard.  Listening inspires confidence and trust.  To change the status quo you first have to understand the past.  How did we get here and why are we hanging on?  Telling yourself that people are afraid of change isn't good enough.  What brought on the fear?  Once you understand you can lead.  You can open eyes and erase the past.  It doesn't take brow-beating or screaming.  Understand.  Build confidence.  Create trust.  Make change.  That's leadership.  Build your case.  Get results.  Change the perception.

achievment

Next week I finish P90X.  There is something about exercise that gets me motivated for everything in life. When I'm not exercising I have trouble getting things done.  I can organize projects and lead a team, but I don't have the same desire I have when I'm fulfilling the physical side of life.  For me exercise goes hand in hand with achieving the extraordinary.  P90X is tough.  Not only that, but I've managed to fit the long workouts with 3 hours or commuting, a full work day and time with my family (and now this blog!). I've heard it takes 21 days to form a habit.  I suppose I've simply gotten used to getting up at 4:50 and working out each morning. Goal setting works for me.  I enjoy doing things few people are willing to do.  In 2009 I committed to running a marathon in under four hours.  In November I ran the Philly Marathon in 3:57:26.  I'd never run a marathon before.  The same attitude applies to almost anything in life.  Running a marathon in under four hours was hard.  P90X was hard.  Delivering a project on time and on budget is hard.  Doing anything that is worthwhile is hard.

I may not be able to run a marathon as fast as Bill Rodgers or do as many pull-ups as Colin Bell, but I can set a goal and achieve greater things than most people are even willing to try.  Why won't they try? Why can't they commit?  It goes back to my first post.  There is something within us that is scared of success and what comes with it.  Embrace change.  Achieve the extraordinary.  Don't hold back!

fear

I've been talking about this blog for months.  I find excuse after excuse.  Anything to avoid the first post.  I can't decide on a title.  My thoughts aren't properly formed.  I don't have the time.  I work at a public company.  I can't talk about my  experiences. The thing is all these excuses are fear.  Seth Godin talks about the lizard brain in Linchpin.  The lizard brain controls the fight or flight instinct.  It prefers flight.  Fear takes over.  It's persistent.  It's all consuming.  It stops us from doing great things.  It stops our passion.  What if nobody reads my blog?  What if they think it's stupid?  What if they don't like what I have to say?  What if I fail?

Pay attention to the resistance.  Don't be afraid.  Overcome it.  One success leads to another.  Confidence builds upon itself.  I can do this.  People will read my blog and like it.  This blog is about me.  These are my experiences; my passions.  I don't do a job.  I don't go to work.  I make connections.  I create.  I problem solve and build teams.  I accomplish incredible things.