Tuesday, November 29, 2022

More people must mean better productivity? More results?

Recently I have been in meetings, invited to meetings or more where we have to have multiple people to cover all bases because no one wants to either step on toes or make decisions for THEIR department without buy in. This causes a meeting to have to have another meeting since we need to invite the "Others" which essentially we start over and then try and make some kind of decision. I don't know about you but given the choice between another meeting or accepting people I trust decision and being more efficient - I am going with TRUST. Will it be exactly the way you wanted? Nope, probably not but could you move forward and be productive. In my opinion absolutely. Maybe all meetings should be held sitting on the floor or standing. This way people are not comfortable and get to the point.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Getting Lost

I have to admit before GPS I was horrible at navigating. Heck I still am? Is the map saying that road or the next? But one thing I think I do well is keep the main thing the main thing. Beyond that I am really good at identifying the main thing. I would say on Google maps the main thing is showing your driving to the top of the map. (I recently found you can orient it to North always - so confusing) Anyway. What is your direction? Many times I see people and companies orient to; Process (Over people) Technical issues over customer experience Distraction away from what you are successful doing Just some small examples. It is the purpose of leadership to keep clarity and direction right up front.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

What is next

I recently was having a conversation with an Euteneuer that sold his business and he was contemplating what is next for him. This is not unique to business owners, heck I spent my entire career working to get to my current position and now...what is next. Maybe it is ok to not have a next for a while? Let’s face it I am a next guy. Always looking forward to the next. I sturggle living in the moment so maybe I should just slow down and enjoy the current? I don't think I know how to do that! Just because I don't know what is next does not mean I am not preparing for next (Not knowing what it is) Building people, skills and more. Something interesting we did discuss was that both of us have worked from our first job early in life till now without a break. He was going to take a few months to just get some projects he wants done and relax. (Honestly, I am not sure he can do that!) I have always thought this would be interesting, take a few months and have no destination for a while. (I think I need the stress to keep things going) For now, I will keep looking forward with no intent to slow down.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Presenting Part Duo

Presenting is one of those things that if you are interesting you are better than 75%. I think people are stuck on this whole process (Probably because we are taught in school...don't get me started) Things I think are just wrong 1. Sticking strictly to facts (I have google so I can find my own facts" Give me opinions and vision. 2. Slow pace - yep, I can read your slides, I don't need it read to me. 3. Don't underestimate your audiences ability to go fast pace! 4. So much time. the average sitcom is 22 min and most people struggle to stick with that. You think you can keep people entertained for an hour? Stick and move. 5. Questions - most of the time I hate this part of the presentation. 6. People getting stuck in the tech (IE the clicker wont work and so on) be prepared to go without. 7. Tell stories - the more personal the better. 8. Have fun as a group! Just the short list but more to come...

Monday, May 2, 2022

Presenting - Yep still scary?

I have been presenting to new and different crowds lately and usually before now I knew the audience really well. This set of rounds I have been presenting on topics I am not as familiar with (Cybersecurity) and to crowds that I am not exactly sure of their level or wants. So far so good! If you know me at all you know I take a different angle then almost everyone else and that has served me well. One new thing I tried here recently to a more comfortable audience was the select your own journey. I put a dozen topics that vary on length and they select the title. Went pretty well but I under estimated how much time it would take and we only made it through 1/4 of the topics (But hey, maybe they will want me back?) One thing is for sure, put yourself out there and there will always be haters and that is ok. Just keep on getting better!