Recently I have had occasion to read many goal sheets or “Inspiration Statements” or whatever you call them. I, universally, like them, but I am impressed by one thing: Whom are we trying to impress with them? Should be "me" or "us" right?-- And if that's the case--why do we use such fancy language? I think one goal should be to make them clear, simple, concise … clean!
To me this is particularly as relates to these sorts of documents for personal use and then even more so for those that we hope to share with others.
To do this, a good place to start would be to read George Orwell's 1946 essay, Politics and the English Language. Orwell understood how language could be used a weapon against the powerless, and how jargon and clichés are used to hide meaning, not clarify it. He offers six timeless rules for effective communication:
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech, which you are not used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
7. Try and express your thoughts in one breath.
MBA-speak started by infecting the workplace but has tragically now also made its way into sport (losing teams now "lack accountability") and even the home (KPI's in the kitchen!).
* Why do we have to touch base to get our ducks in a row when we could just meet?
* Why must we synergize our learnings going forward, when comparing notes would do fine?
* Why wouldn't a busy person save time by saying "I'm busy" instead of due to cascading workflow, I am lacking in requisite bandwidth?
* Why reach out when you can just make a call?
* Why can't we leave a meeting with things to do, rather than take-home actionables?
Communication is about respect and accountability. If we express ourselves clearly, we have no choice but to stand by what we say. By resorting to clichés and jargon, people are blurring meaning to avoid scrutiny. It's also laziness and frankly unimpressive and poor form--who are we trying to impress anyway?
People are hungry for clarity and authenticity. In every part of life, let's commit to using language to amplify meaning, not bury it.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Little Things Matter
Yes they do!
And how's this--two posts in one day--I'd better sit down , I'm a little light-headed.
Anyway... I forgot to recommended to you a service that a good friend has started up: a website, a blog, an RSS feed--whatever you call it, it is valuable, wonderful and useful. Little Things Matter:
www.LittleThingsMatter.com
I highly recommend subscribing to it--because they (little things) sure do (matter)
And how's this--two posts in one day--I'd better sit down , I'm a little light-headed.
Anyway... I forgot to recommended to you a service that a good friend has started up: a website, a blog, an RSS feed--whatever you call it, it is valuable, wonderful and useful. Little Things Matter:
www.LittleThingsMatter.com
I highly recommend subscribing to it--because they (little things) sure do (matter)
Global Convention 2010--Musings...
Yes, outstanding, yes, impressive, yes, you "shoulda been there!" But two other words spring to mind as I ponder this event:
PERSPECTIVE. If after being there,one does not have a new and elevated perspective, one would need their head examined. One of the value propositions of doing such is it gives one a global, and therefore, elevated perspective. Speak to someone who was there (if you weren't) or go through your notes if you were, you'll notice a whole new perspective on life, Unicity and "our" (including your own) potential. If you were there, good start; If not, be at the next one!
SYSTEM: It became clear to me (again) the need for a system--not even the "right one" but just having one. That Process (another "P?") is critical. Sticking with it; and walking and talking it even more so. Watching the outgrowth of the System there and the power and attraction it has generated are powerful--that's what generates the perspective!
Find a system lock onto it, talk it, walk it, do it.
Oh yes, one other note. I was reminded of how many good people we have and work with. GREAT folks! Thank you for your association, thank you for being here. It's just great to work with and for wonderful people!
Life is GREAT
Rock on
PERSPECTIVE. If after being there,one does not have a new and elevated perspective, one would need their head examined. One of the value propositions of doing such is it gives one a global, and therefore, elevated perspective. Speak to someone who was there (if you weren't) or go through your notes if you were, you'll notice a whole new perspective on life, Unicity and "our" (including your own) potential. If you were there, good start; If not, be at the next one!
SYSTEM: It became clear to me (again) the need for a system--not even the "right one" but just having one. That Process (another "P?") is critical. Sticking with it; and walking and talking it even more so. Watching the outgrowth of the System there and the power and attraction it has generated are powerful--that's what generates the perspective!
Find a system lock onto it, talk it, walk it, do it.
Oh yes, one other note. I was reminded of how many good people we have and work with. GREAT folks! Thank you for your association, thank you for being here. It's just great to work with and for wonderful people!
Life is GREAT
Rock on
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Welcome to 2010!
Well, we'll see how I go with being more diligent his year! Three posts over last year don't quite cut it as "diligent."
My flavor of the month is Inspiration--how to get it, how to maintain and augment it and its great value.
We have all had occasion to be "in the groove" or in our "flow" or just "on"--we know how good that feels, we achieve great things, we feel almost super-human. But yet all too often it doesn't happen often enough. So how do we get that more?
I believe it's more than goal setting (and all that that entails), or having a vision--those are good, but they are really just a means to an end. They help us "get inspired." That's the outcome we're looking for. A purposeful emotion-laden, sensory rich Statement of Purpose Or Inspiration Statement that is USED on a daily basis--that is meaningful to us. A Preview of (your) Life's Coming Attractions if you will, I believe is front and center to this obtaining and retaining an intrinsic source of Inspiration.
As Dr Norman Vincent Peale would state in his book The Power of Positive Thinking. Take the time to ponder, to empty your mind once a day on a daily basis, then fill it with this statement and all the emotion it invokes in you. The the power of creation takes over, your mind will drive the actions in and for you that will, quite literally, bring that to pass. No question in my mind.
So write one, use it, DO IT
My flavor of the month is Inspiration--how to get it, how to maintain and augment it and its great value.
We have all had occasion to be "in the groove" or in our "flow" or just "on"--we know how good that feels, we achieve great things, we feel almost super-human. But yet all too often it doesn't happen often enough. So how do we get that more?
I believe it's more than goal setting (and all that that entails), or having a vision--those are good, but they are really just a means to an end. They help us "get inspired." That's the outcome we're looking for. A purposeful emotion-laden, sensory rich Statement of Purpose Or Inspiration Statement that is USED on a daily basis--that is meaningful to us. A Preview of (your) Life's Coming Attractions if you will, I believe is front and center to this obtaining and retaining an intrinsic source of Inspiration.
As Dr Norman Vincent Peale would state in his book The Power of Positive Thinking. Take the time to ponder, to empty your mind once a day on a daily basis, then fill it with this statement and all the emotion it invokes in you. The the power of creation takes over, your mind will drive the actions in and for you that will, quite literally, bring that to pass. No question in my mind.
So write one, use it, DO IT
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Never Believe Your Own Press Releases
It used to be amusing to me, but now I am boarder-line frantic. Watching good (sometimes VERY good) people go past the point of amazing and into the realm of destructive--to themselves.
In my humble opinion, the recent market melt-down was entirely a function, and classic example, of this.
Be confident Yes, have a self-assured posture, Yes. But don't cross over into "I can do no wrong," or "I know better than everyone" That is a slippery slope to both yourself and those who would follow you,.
Recently, I had occasion witness just this. This person and his team were good, perhaps even VERY good, they had even established and published "rules" for how they operate. They had build an expectation and created much confidence and progress as a function of such. People knew what they could count on. The "rule of law" lead to great productivity.
But then... along came a circumstance that would under normal circumstances easily fit into the rule-set, but they chose to ignore that and go a separate way. Loss ensued. Maybe not economic loss at first, but loss of respect (even self respect), loss of confidence in them and loss of ability to "posture up." I am certain economic loss will follow. Such a shame, such a loss, such a waste.
Anyway, life is good, we should be good and do good--even when it is hard or unpopular (and this one wasn't even that)--that is the mark of a fine individual and certain leader. That is who I would choose to be and follow.
So, yes, do your press releases, do them as you normally would. But please, please, please don't believe them--no-one else does!
In my humble opinion, the recent market melt-down was entirely a function, and classic example, of this.
Be confident Yes, have a self-assured posture, Yes. But don't cross over into "I can do no wrong," or "I know better than everyone" That is a slippery slope to both yourself and those who would follow you,.
Recently, I had occasion witness just this. This person and his team were good, perhaps even VERY good, they had even established and published "rules" for how they operate. They had build an expectation and created much confidence and progress as a function of such. People knew what they could count on. The "rule of law" lead to great productivity.
But then... along came a circumstance that would under normal circumstances easily fit into the rule-set, but they chose to ignore that and go a separate way. Loss ensued. Maybe not economic loss at first, but loss of respect (even self respect), loss of confidence in them and loss of ability to "posture up." I am certain economic loss will follow. Such a shame, such a loss, such a waste.
Anyway, life is good, we should be good and do good--even when it is hard or unpopular (and this one wasn't even that)--that is the mark of a fine individual and certain leader. That is who I would choose to be and follow.
So, yes, do your press releases, do them as you normally would. But please, please, please don't believe them--no-one else does!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
I'm Back!
Long time, no post. But I am back on deck now and will post regularly going forward. It's been fun just keeping my head down and working, but it's time to share and simultaneously come up for air.
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sarasota Leadership Training
In a word--Brilliant! Well done Todd Smith for concieving and exceuting such a first-class and very beneficial event. Thank you
You just had to be there. But if you missed it all is not lost. The speeches will be available as recordings (not quite the same as being there, but not too bad), AND you can come to Deer Valley in July for the next iteration-Gotta be there!
We're rolling now. It was great to see so many old faces and catch up as well as get to know new faces and seeing the elevation of the results of many.
Look out world, here we come!
You just had to be there. But if you missed it all is not lost. The speeches will be available as recordings (not quite the same as being there, but not too bad), AND you can come to Deer Valley in July for the next iteration-Gotta be there!
We're rolling now. It was great to see so many old faces and catch up as well as get to know new faces and seeing the elevation of the results of many.
Look out world, here we come!
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