Nonsense At Work

#679: No footprints to clean up

May 202013

I had writers’ block while Bruce Cockburn sang “no footprints when we go” in the background. Then an idea surfaced.

There are three types of people. Those who strive to be remembered by leaving huge footprints; those who live so as not to cause ripples; and those who don’t think about either option.

As a kid I did not think about it, I became ego-driven enough to want to leave my mark and now I simply want to fade away.

If you really believe that the future belongs to your children, then do two things. Leave your personal space in better shape than you found it. And don’t carve your name on every tempting surface.

Too often ‘big shoes to fill’ means that those big shoes stomped on others, leaving damaging footprints behind. Equally damaging is the need to be remembered. It creates a lot of nonsense for our children to clean up.

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You can listen here to the radio version of No footprints to clean up (10 most recent radio files)

#678: Paradox at the top

Leadership, Power, Success No Responses »

May 152013

The more successful you are at your job, the higher you will climb on the corporate ladder. The higher you climb, the bigger your carpet and the fatter your wallet. You know this already, which is why you stepped onto the ladder in the first place.

However, many climbers forget that the higher you climb, the more visible you become to those you stand on. Sorry, I mean those below you. No, I mean those you manage and lead.

Actually, you don’t become more visible. Your ego does. It stands out more and more. That’s the risk.

Here’s the paradox. If you want to be successful, then your ego must be your driver. Because to be promoted, you must be visible and be seen to be successful.

Yet, if you want ongoing success, then the higher you climb the more invisible you must become by making visible those below you.

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You can listen here to the radio version of Paradox at the top (10 most recent radio files)

#677: Successful reflection

Success No Responses »

May 132013

Do successful people spend time on daily reflection? That question was thrown at me over coffee recently. My immediate reaction was to control my reaction because it triggered so many different thoughts that I needed time to reflect on the right one to speak.

Without my poker face in place my first thought would have reflected my annoyance. ‘How the H would I know?’ In my experience, many successful people tell us what they think sounds right now, not what really worked for them. No, don’t blame them for doing this. Blame it on the ‘success industry’ whose gurus are always looking for the five steps. Or is it seven?

My next thought was that some successful people already report more hours to their day than us normal people, with or without time for reflection added in.

Here’s how I finally answered. Define success. Because your definition will determine what you mean by reflection.

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You can listen here to the radio version of Successful reflection (10 most recent radio files)

#676: Create clatter for creativity

Motivation, Work No Responses »

May 092013

What is it about coffee shops that so many people seem to work there? It’s not the coffee because, as an espresso drinker, I must say that few of the concoctions that I see displayed on tables look like coffee to me.

Is it the companionship, reminiscent of old drinking halls and smoking dens? No, that cannot be, because most of the tables are possessed by loners, their only companions hidden inside mobile devices.

Surprisingly, it is the cacophony of the place that makes it work as a workplace. The constant clatter of crockery and cutlery, the background music mixed with many muted mumbles, all contribute to making you mentally sharper and even more creative.

Does your boss still need convincing? Then quote the scientific research led by Ravi Mehta which shows that we think better when distracted with modest background noise.

Now, I wonder why cubicle noise doesn’t count.

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You can listen here to the radio version of Create clatter for creativity (10 most recent radio files)

#675: Be easy on my mind

Business No Responses »

May 062013

Are you easy to remember or easy to forget?

I would like to be remembered, but I don’t feel very memorable. No, I’m not feeling sorry for myself. I’m being realistic. And if you are serious about networking and business development, then you should be as well.

I’m not worried about being forgotten when I’m no longer breathing. It’s today that I want to be remembered, because if I am forgotten today, then I must introduce myself all over again.

I discovered this by accident when I began wearing bow ties in the Eighties. Although I had a practical reason for wearing bow ties, I accidently created an easy way for people to remember me. When people referred to me as ‘the bow tie guy’, I no longer needed to introduce myself from scratch as often as before.

So remember, if you want to be remembered, create a memory jogger.

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You can listen here to the radio version of Be easy on my mind (10 most recent radio files)

#674: Have a nice checkout

Customers/Service No Responses »

Apr 152013

Apparently there is an army so cowardly that a surprise attack by two enemy soldiers is called an ambush. Well, I have been ambushed.

Two listeners attacked me for my comments recently about the body at the checkout counter with no one home. I am cowardly enough to admit that they are right in attacking me. I expressed myself very poorly.

What I meant had nothing to do with the mental abilities of cashiers and everything to do their dream state.

Do I blame the cashier for being mentally absent? Not always. Rude customers, such as those who phone waffle in line, would get me fired.

But I do blame you if you ignore me in favor of my shopping basket, which is why your belated ‘have a nice day’ is then so annoying.

As for those cashiers who so obviously enjoy being there, I’ll be back smiling with you even though I hate shopping.

You can listen here to the radio version of Have a nice checkout (10 most recent radio files)

#673: Divorce at work

Motivation, Work No Responses »

Apr 102013

How do you approach your job, like a marriage or like a casual relationship?

The whole idea with marriage is that we willingly decline all other options. And we announce this decision in public so that everybody knows what our intentions are.

That’s how you are supposed to behave when you accept a job.

I know it’s a stretch to compare working a job to working a marriage, but in many ways they are similar. In both cases it takes two to party. More important, both parties must commit to work at it.

I have not met many people who decide to get married until someone better comes along. But I have met many people who approach their jobs this way.

Don’t do that. Like marriage, you must put your heart into your job. At least while you’re at work. If you don’t, others will notice. And if they do, don’t blame your boss for wanting a divorce.

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You can listen here to the radio version of Divorce at work (10 most recent radio files)

#672: How to stop networking working

Business, Trust No Responses »

Apr 082013

Here is my golden rule for using networking to develop your business. Don’t waste my time by taking your time.

Yes, I do know that it takes time to build meaningful relationships. But networking and business development do not fall into that category. At least not in the beginning.

Here are three things you should do to set the foundation for a longer term relationship. One – if you want something from me, ask. Be clear and specific. Two – tell me why you think I can help you. Three – then make it easy for me to help you. Give me something on paper.

On the other hand, if you want to ensure that I won’t help you and that our relationship will end before it even began, then do these two things: Don’t buy me coffee even though you invited me to meet.

And don’t ask if there is any way you can help me in return.

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You can listen here to the radio version of How to stop networking working (10 most recent radio files)

#671: First day on first ladder

Motivation, Organization No Responses »

Apr 032013

On the first day of my first formal job after my first formal degree my first formal boss resigned. The man who picked me as being worthy, who promised me riches in exchange for my productive loyalty, walked out the day I walked in.

Unlike most corporate ladders, the one I stood on had only two rungs. And the rung above me was suddenly empty.

No, this wasn’t an opportunity. It was a calamity. Back then I knew the minimum about management and even less about leadership, but I did know that I needed a boss to tell me what to do how by when.

From that day onwards I treated organizational life with a great deal of suspicion, expecting nonsense in every cubicle, corner office and boardroom.

Not being an April Fool, I finally created my own ladder and promoted myself to the position of Chief Nonsense Officer.

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You can listen here to the radio version of First day on first ladder (10 most recent radio files)

#670: How to put the spring in spring

Change, Motivation No Responses »

Apr 012013

One of the first new skills I learned after moving to the USA was time management. No, not boring productivity management, but how to time when to fall back and spring forward.

That’s right. I had to learn how to save daylight because my birth land had not yet developed the power to change time.

Now that spring is finally here (I think), let me tell you in three simple words how to really spring forward during spring. Ready? Put It Down.

I could also say ‘take it off’, but you might then misunderstand me.

During winter, we add many layers to keep warm. Come spring time, you must start shedding the extra bits. They just add weight and make you too heavy to spring lightly into spring.

It’s the same with your history. History is heavy. Put it down, before it holds you down and takes the spring out of your step.

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You can listen here to the radio version of How to put the spring in spring (10 most recent radio files)

Older Entries

#679: No footprints to clean up

#678: Paradox at the top

#677: Successful reflection

#676: Create clatter for creativity

#675: Be easy on my mind

#674: Have a nice checkout

#673: Divorce at work

#672: How to stop networking working

#671: First day on first ladder

#670: How to put the spring in spring

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