Building 17

The complex where I just moved to is so big, I keep having to ask my neighbors where things are. These brief conversations all seem to have a pattern:


“Can you tell me where the dumpster is?”

“Sure. It’s in the corner of the lot in back of building 17”.

“Do you know where the kids get on the bus?”

“Down by the gate at the end of the row from building 17”

After hitting several dead ends and gates, I ask “How do I drive to the other side of the complex?”

“Turn left at building 17. That takes you all the way around”

Know where the playground is? It’s up the hill from building 17.

From reading this you might guess that building 17 is the “Hub” of the complex, dead center, middle of it all, but it is not. It is a regular looking building that does not seem any different from any of the others: Yet somehow it has become the reference point for most of the landmarks in the complex by the community who lives here.

It is interesting how people gravitate to certain habits when in a community setting. Someone emerges as a leader, and perhaps begins to use building 17 as a point of reference, and others naturally fall in to place. The originator of the building 17 reference may not even live in the complex anymore. Regardless, the pattern is set and will likely continue as long as the apartment buildings remain standing.

Perhaps there is something within you which acts as your reference point. It might have to do with a physical feeling, a certain part of your body, a particular emotion, or a simple thought. Think for a minute what it might be. What is the one thing from which you reference everything else? Does it seem to shift from one thing to another depending on circumstances, or is it stable and constant?

If you meditate, you may already be keenly aware of the things which “center” you. These are things which might be helpful to use as a good reference point. Rather than letting emotions ball up and a fit of rage be our (boiling) point of reference, it might be a good thing to move toward your center at all times, no matter what. No matter how hungry or angry or tired or frustrated or sad or whatever you might feel, move toward your centering thing: Your building 17.



Re-frame your reference point with custom mind movies!

Cross-Training

Are you the type of person who likes to be in control of everything? Or are you more apt to defer to others, delegate tasks, and ask for help when you need it? I think I am prone to try to take care of everything myself, but I do not necessarily think that is the best route to take.

It is a true gift to be able to recognize when you need help and ask for it. I am working on that. I do love to help others, and feel as though I let my team down when I cannot find the answer or fix the problem. Who am I to think my team members might not feel that same way?

Along these lines, I have come to appreciate a strategy which is implemented fairly often in business known as cross-training. If every member of the team knows how to do everyone else's job, there is more cohesion, appreciation of others, and better functionality as a whole. This is not always fun for employees however. Let's take a look at the advantages from their perspective and see how we might be able to make the process more appealing.

I remember I had a boss once who had a button that read "that's not my job". Every time anyone complained about doing something out of their "box", she made them wear the button for the day. It was a humorous yet effective way to communicate leadership. We gradually learned that taking up the reigns for others was positive, ego-boosting, and just plain professional behavior. I rarely saw the button. It just wasn't needed.


One of the firms I work with has an entirely cross-trained department. No one at the firm can tell you which member of that team does what. There are 5 of them, and the work gets done. They are like a well-oiled and fine-tuned machine. They all do it all, and seem to be happy about it. There is one "in-box" for the whole group and one "out box". It is a mystery how they operate. I think they like it that way!

Learning and training for a job you were not expecting to perform may seem daunting, unecessary, or like a waste of your time, but try to see the good in it for you in the process. Perhaps you will gain a skill of use to you down the road. Perhaps you will find the other tasks more rewarding than you thought. Maybe you will be seen as a "doer", and your positive attitude will land you a better position, more referrals, or a raise in pay. I believe that nothing done with pure positive energy is ever wasted. Even as you perform these tasks which may feel uncomfortable, be thinking ahead, and be thankful for your opportunity to shine.

Thanks Randy Pausch

You do not have to be a computer genius, which he was, or an art aficionado, which he was, or a PhD indoctrinated college professor, which he most certainly was, or a virtual reality geek, which he also was, to appreciate what Randy Pausch has to say. Special thanks to Ken McArthur and Tracy Repchuk for bringing Randy’s message to my inbox.

View the video Here. It is worth your time!

His “last lecture” and book of the same name has inspired college students, youth, and many others (myself included) about the power of imagination and believing in your childhood dreams. Randy’s last lecture is a gift to us from him. His life was a gift, and he had the forethought to realize that and make sure we all get the chance to receive his optimism, even after he is gone. His work on teams transformed graduate school to "Edutainment" status (his term) at Carnegie Mellon.

Randy died yesterday, yet his death was in a way a catharsis…a jump-start for the rest of us to do what he did. Embrace his dream, never take “no” for an answer and to scale, even bust through, every brick wall we face. Thanks Randy! You are endeared to us forever.

President Roosevelt and Inspiration through Pain

Special on PBS "The American Experience" last night reminded me how much pain the man was in, yet he made such a huge impact on the lives of so many Americans, and indeed on the world.

Got me thinking. Why is it that pain many times produces some sort of positive result? Does that mean pain is necessary to achieve a positive outcome? I don't know the answer, just posing the question.

Sometimes I think I have experienced too much pain, yet other times, perhaps I have not subjected myself to enough. Is there a path we can go through, and emerge from somehow stronger, more loving, happier, making a bigger difference....some sort of rite of passage which includes a certain amount of pain?

Yet there are many who endure pain their entire lives and never come out on the sunny side. What's with that? Is that a choice they make? Perhaps is not the amount, but the severity? Or the wherewithal to cope, no matter the hurt. Just seems cruel to have to go through. Are there those who never feel pain, yet still find themselves strong leaders? Is that even possible?

Just pondering these things today. Let me know your thoughts!

Championing Courage

Championing Courage

Whom do you know who exudes courage? Think quickly of one or two before you read the rest of this article. What actions do they take that make you think of them as courageous? Have they always seemed this way to you or have they recently done something to make you view them in a more courageous light?

A week ago, I took on a challenge: I decided that LifeTeamBuilders would adopt a few contestants in the race for the “Next Internet Millionaire” contest. After choosing some I liked, I posted a message in the forum offering to help promote them. The response was phenomenal and for the next 5 days, I did everything I could to build them up. I sent emails to my lists and blogs encouraging votes. I set up Squidoo pages for each of them. I even ran a small google adwords campaign offering free advertisements to my list for those who would send positive comments.

What was interesting in this process was the fact that most of the contestants who wanted my help were not the ones I originally picked. They asked me to add them in, make room for another one, gave me good reasons why they were worthy of my help, and for the most part, I agreed. Why? Because they had the courage to ask. I could have spent a lot less time on the whole project if I only promoted the original favorites who responded. Instead, I took on most of those who asked because I felt the act of asking in and of itself showed their strength as a leader.

Think now of the person or people you thought of at the beginning of this article. Have they ever asked for your help? When someone asks you for help, how does it make you feel? For me it is validating. Someone thinks enough of me that my actions will, in some way, improve their situation. I know for sure that at least some of those who asked did not in any way, shape, or form need my help. They were extending a hand to me as a way of validating me, lifting me up. Being a leader.

Asking for help is not an easy thing for many of us to do. I know I struggle with it all the time. Pride, fear, or for whatever reason, many of us simply do not like to ask for help. This has to change if we are to make it, especially if we are to lead a team. Showing vulnerability is an attractive quality. Why is that? Because people are innately, I believe, born to give. Helpful women, problem-solving men, all want to give. Ask someone for help; give them something of value in return, and you are well on your way to fostering a nice relationship. The leader in you is borne.