Wednesday Words
To Go Where Your VisionPoints, a few inspiration points for you and your business.
Part of leadership (a big part of it, actually) is the ability to stick with the dream for a long time. Long enough that the critics realize that you’re going to get there one way or another… so they follow.
—Seth Godin, in Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
I have a dream here at the Maximum Customer Experience Blog. I’ve been plugging away at it for a year and a half publicly, and behind the scenes for six months or more before that. I do dream of leading—and of learning—here. I also have a dream for leading my company, VisionPoints, and I have dreams for my family and my personal life.
Some times my dreams are one step forward and two steps back. At those times, it’s “never coast, never count my chickens before they’re hatched, never say never,” I remind myself.
You’ve got dreams in every aspect of your life, too. Grow your business, lose a pound, earn respect, lead a tribe.
Well, I have a confession to make: Sometimes I count my chickens. Sometimes they don’t hatch! My critics sometimes get to me. Sometimes I get worried, sometimes I get down on myself.
(Okay, maybe I coast sometimes, too. Could we not talk about that?)
Seth hit upon something I’ve been cultivating my whole life, and I hope you will, too. The ability to stick with it. Coast if you must, gain a little strength, resolve never to count a chicken again, or not to get too bummed out if you do; give yourself a mental pep talk, or read work by someone who’s always got a ready laugh, relaxed wisdom, or a quiet inspiration.
Stick with it, for a long time, and be the leader you dream of being. Setbacks be damned.
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
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29 April 2009, 10:27 am
Firsties!
I agree with what you say, especially about the coasting. But I am reminded about a conversation I had with my old boss. He was pushing. Pushing customer service, pushing sales, pushing us in general. I said, if you push too much I will fall over. And he pushed, and I fell over. All the way over. In fact I quit.
You can push yourself over too. I did that very thing last fall. Thank goodness Brett was there to pick me up again. You need to coast, to catch your breath. To lift your head up to see where you are. Then do as Kelly says and put your head down for the next push and look forward to the coasting. It can be fun, you can ennjoy the work you have put in, even if its for a brief moment.
Cheers,
Eyeteaguy
Eyeteaguy’s last blog post…And you are?
29 April 2009, 1:13 pm
Good quote (of course it is, as it is a good book…)
It got me thinking, that and Eyeteaguy’s comment – a combination of sticking with it vs. coasting vs. pushing, perhaps.
With a dash of leadership thrown in…
All of the managers I have known have “pushed” me. And perhaps, in some ways, I’ve “pushed” myself in my own life – I’ve been a “manager”.
And that kind of works for a while, and then you need to coast, and sometimes another push can’t get you going again, no matter how hard you push.
But Seth’s thing is about being a leader – a leader can stick with an idea for a long time.
Because of belief in that idea.
A leader also doesn’t have to push you – he or she pulls you along, you follow willingly because you believe in whatever it is they believe in.
So maybe rather than “managing” our lives and careers, we need to “lead” them.
Believe in what we are doing, know that it is right.
Act as our own leaders, so that we will be pulled along by the strong beliefs we have.
29 April 2009, 3:19 pm
Francis,
Thirdies!
I think pushing is a big no-no, unless your goal is to build up resentment. And that goes for external and internal. I’ve talked about the dangers of pushing here before, and I stand by that.
Motivation is one thing, but “pushing” is a recipe for failure. As Brett says…
Brett,
Lead yourself! I love that.
I’m split. (I suspect that’s the human condition.) On some things I’ll follow my beliefs to the end of time. Thankfully, those are the things I get to discuss here at MCE most of the time. On some things I have to push and push—those things that aren’t based on dreams and closely-held beliefs, but on “shoulds” and “musts.”
Guess what’s easier, more successful, and gives me more joy?
Regards,
Kelly
29 April 2009, 5:12 pm
Fourthies!
I’m a bit late.
Uncle Big Brother changed the internet settings, I couldn’t even read my own dashboard at work. So I didn’t realize till right now you’ve been talking about me. Thanks for the Link Love!
PS. I found a site that describes a geo-stationary inflatable banana. That’s supposed to hover at 50 km altitude.
Dunno if it’s real or not, but the idea is pretty awesome, you gotta admit.
I bet you whoever came up with that followed Seth’s advice.
Friar’s last blog post…Comic Strip Characters in Need of Serious Therapy
29 April 2009, 5:18 pm
Kelly,
I’ve read several military folks talking about leading from the front, that’s the way to inspire people. I mean, nobody would listen to Sgt. Rock if he wasn’t right at the front of the battle, with his Tommy Gun in hand. No, he has to be at the front, kicking butt.
So maybe if the ideas we really care about are like Sgt. Rock, they get done. I know what you mean though, “shoulds” and “musts” like eating Bran Flakes are not the sort of thing that “lead” me
Brett Legree’s last blog post…genetics.
29 April 2009, 5:20 pm
Friar,
Thanks goodness Uncle left your ability to look for inflatable banana references intact.
(?)
But I like how you (kinda) tied it in to the post. Friar gets the save!
Until later,
Kelly
29 April 2009, 5:27 pm
Brett,
I’d eat Bran Flakes all day before I’d get my 8 glasses of water and my green leafy vegetables in. That’s what I mean about human nature—I’ve got stuff I can kick butt on and bring folks along with me (the ideas I really care about!), but I need someone else to lead the charge on that.
Oh, yeah, & then I have to follow happily behind. That I sometimes forget, lol.
That’s also the brilliance of Seth’s book: he knows there’s room for leadership on a thousand issues, and he really wants folks to find a way to lead on the issues they’re passionate about. I keep coming back to that book again and again. Genius.
Later,
Kelly
29 April 2009, 6:58 pm
Ms. Erickson,
You have created quite a fascinating discusion here. But I am unclear on what you mean by coasting? Do you mean resting or taking a holiday? I am very much in favour of holidays but they must be what we call a “clean break” where one goes to the sea shore and turns off their electronic devices. Staying “connected” while on holiday is not a holiday at all. This is all from personal experiences and I encourage all my employees to take at least two weeks when they holiday. But I also expect them to come back well rested and get stuck in again.
Mr. Legree,
You are quite correct. One cannot lead from behind or “pushing” as you call it. I unfortunately learnt this lesson the hard way. My first venture eventualy failed due to the failings of my people. As the business declined the more I encoraged my people. They of course did not respond as I would have liked. After the failure I did have to take a good hard look as the reasons. My people were of course my problem but it took a very wise business associate of mine to educate me to that fact that any failings on the people side can be directly attributed to the leader of the organization. That of course was me.
I had spent some time in the armed services so I treated my people as I was treated by my seargent. For my next venture I treated my people as I was treated by my Captain. It was a remarkable difference. Even though my second venture eventually failedd as well it was not due to my people. In fact I still employ some of them to this day in my other organizations.
I do apologize, I seem to have rambled on again.
Sincerely,
Henry Rathburn
29 April 2009, 7:49 pm
Mr. Rathburn,
No need to apologize of course – you were not rambling. You had a good comment with a great example.
I agree with you 100 percent about requiring that holidays be a “clean break”. I returned from a holiday myself recently, and while I was away there was no connection at all via digital technology. I just read a book, and worked on a business idea I have. The clarity of thought was incredible, and my first week back (this week) I swear I’ve accomplished more at work than I did in all of the last month. It was time.
Being a leader (rather than a manager) is not an easy task – it is something I am learning more about, each day.
Once you can do it though, your people will follow you. The CEO of one of our competitors is what I call a leader. When I hear him speak – just a speech – I want to follow him. I think he has what it takes. The financials of his company back that up, too.
-Brett
Brett Legree’s last blog post…genetics.
30 April 2009, 1:28 am
That’s a great quote. I have the book (Seth sent it to me – I’m in his Tribe. Cool, huh?) I like your philosophy and analogies about persistence. I tend to think of a gardening theme. Keep planting! And don’t waste time watching to see what comes up. Go on and do some weeding, watering, and more planting. (Similar to not counting chickens, don’t count your sprouts – vegetarian version, I guess.)
Oh, and here’s a way to get your green vegetables in (I actually DID this for a week – those photos are of the salads I ate every day) http://denisefisher.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/7-salads-for-7-days/
Denise Fisher’s last blog post…No Wire Hangers
30 April 2009, 7:42 pm
If you’re in Seth’s tribe, do you learn the secret handshake, and do you get the Magic De-Coder Ring?
30 April 2009, 8:14 pm
Henry,
I laughed out loud at your comment: “I also expect them to come back well rested and get stuck in again.” That’s delightful!
By coasting, I meant, not going on all cylinders. Not giving it 110%. Slacking off, (nearly) guilt-free. I give myself the “no coasting” pep talks but when I need to coast I refuse to beat myself up.
I always put 110% into client work, but I don’t do it by putting in 110% to every minute of every day. That’s a recipe for a burnt-out Kelly. So I don’t mean resting, exactly, or taking a holiday. Just permitting myself to be human.
I think that is actually one of the keys to sticking with a Big Dream for the long haul. If you set yourself up to have to be Superman, you’re a lot more likely to fail than if you allow yourself to be human.
Brett,
That competitor should snatch you up, with your ability to see things from so many angles at once. (Rah, rah, Brett!)
Denise,
Thanks and welcome to Maximum Customer Experience!
Hehe, I like “don’t count your sprouts.” I used to be a big gardener, and that does make an excellent analogy. There’s always another task to keep you moving forward without worrying one aspect to death!
Off to read about your salads now!
Friar,
I just want the X-ray Glasses so I can see inside Seth’s head.
Until later,
Kelly
30 April 2009, 11:44 pm
Friar,
Dag, I missed out on the secret decoder ring; but I know the secret password to get into the private meeting cave.
Hey, if you have a copy of the book and you look on the back of the jacket cover, you’ll see photos of some of the tribe members. Somehow, my pic didn’t make the jacket (that’s when I noticed some of the pictures were printed multiple times).
And inside…
Page 105, Principle 5. Exclude outsiders.
Maybe that’s why I didn’t get the decoder ring either. Even among insiders, I’m an outsider. Story of my life.
Denise Fisher’s last blog post…No Wire Hangers
1 May 2009, 7:24 am
Denise,
Just once I was going to give a rest to bragging about the cover. *giggles* But since you brought it up…
On top of the left corner of the letter “R.” Me. (Did you try a magnifying glass? It took me three passes to find me—after I’d had the book for a week or two and then finally wondered what he did with all those photos. Maybe you missed you?)
It didn’t require any skill or magic decoder rings, but it is kinda neat-o.
Fear not—private meeting caves are way more useful than 3/16″ photos hidden on book jackets.
Later,
Kelly
1 May 2009, 12:36 pm
Kelly, I found you! Super cool. I’m glad you bragged. After reading your comment I had to scan the cover again. Nope, I’m still not there. What I did notice, however (and it ticks me off) is that there are FOUR photos of just dogs (not the mildly annoying photo of people with their pets, partners, or babies, but a solo DOG PORTRAIT). The first one I noticed is four squares above your pic. How did they decide that a dog photo trumps a human tribe member for a book jacket? I posted my pic as soon as I arrived (and in so doing avoided the dreaded monkey avatar, unlike many who STILL have it as their iconic image), and I was member #3015 (August 2008), but somehow, didn’t make the cut.
With all this talk about the secret cave, It made me feel guilty that I haven’t visited in a while. Every time I’m there I feel blinded by the brilliance, and end up doing more exploring than participating. (I need to fix that.) I looked for you there, but couldn’t find you. We must meet up by the hidden fountain. And I’m thinking about bringing up the decoder ring issue too.
Denise
Denise Fisher’s last blog post…No Wire Hangers
1 May 2009, 2:22 pm
Denise,
You won’t find me behind the hidden fountain. Seth put out a call for photos on his blog some time after the Tribe was set up, and that’s what I responded to. I guess I’m blinded enough by his books and the blog that I thought I wouldn’t have time to be a valuable member of the Tribe, LOL.
Yes, I noticed the dogs too, and I remember he was very specific about photos of self. Makes me wonder whether the cover was automatically generated, maybe to be random about who “made it,” because a human should have booted those.
Or maybe they’re Seth’s dogs.
Later,
Kelly
1 May 2009, 10:53 pm
“Or maybe they’re Seth’s dogs.”
ROTFL! That’s hilarious Kelly. You’re like the Paul Harvey of book jacket explanations. Now I know the rest of the story.
(Plus how cool is it to say you’re on the book jacket of Seth Godin’s book? I’d milk it if I were you. You could even put that on your resume.)
Denise Fisher’s last blog post…Wardrobe Organization By The Numbers – The 28-Outfit Seasonal Collection
3 May 2009, 9:37 am
Experience Designer, creator of 3/16 of an inch of Seth’s latest book…
And that’s the rest of the story. Good day!