Meeting a Star

While on vacation recently, we met someone at Universal Studios who is a star. Pretty cool stuff.

Better yet, she was our waitress.

Still better yet, she was totally okay with being a waitress and being a star and being from Las Vegas. She was an outstanding waitress.

After our interaction with her, I wonder how many of us would be okay with being near the top of a mountain and then joyously working below and outside of our talent levels. Which police officer would become a janitor to pay the bills? Which executive would work at the book store? Which insurance agent would mow lawns?

Anyway, it was very cool to meet Mikalah Gordon and best of luck to her with Gone Country and the Tyra Banks show.

Question of the Month-Burnout

An interesting dialog occurred recently related to team member burnout. Someone suggested that those employees who are committed, focused and really connected to the organization's mission often suffer burnout. This is because they want to perform at high levels and exceed expectations.

The alternate perspective was about those team members who are not committed experiencing burnout. I would be very interested to hear about your perspective and who you think might be a higher risk candidate for burnout, the committed or the unattached.

Moses and Latin

The Easter weekend tradition of watching the Ten Commandments or, at least pretending to watch them, was recreated again this year.

One of the most interesting observations is when Charlton Heston, as Moses, returns from the mountain with the ten commandments. If you look closely at the stone tablets you will see they are identified with Latin numerals. So not only did Moses get the commandments but he also discovered Latin in the process. And maybe more amazing, was able to keep this secret for 3000 or so years.

Tim

SPHR Certification for Jill Elliott

Long time friend, associate and co-worker, Jill Elliott has achieved a great accomplishment related to the human resource profession. Way to go, Jill!!!

Jill Elliott, Senior Vice-President, FrancesPerkins Consulting, LLC) recently earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

The certification, awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), signifies that Jill Elliott possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field.

"Certification as a human resource professional clearly demonstrates a commitment to personal excellence and to the human resource profession," said Susan Meisinger, SPHR, President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). HRCI awards two levels of certification: Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

To become certified, an applicant must pass a comprehensive examination and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience.

HRCI is the credentialing body for human resource professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world's largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession. The Institute's purpose is to promote the establishment of professional standards and to recognize professionals who meet those standards

Movies that Inspire

With Academy Award season upon us, I am curious about what movies inspired other people. Maybe provided inspiration for various reasons. Maybe evoked a good cry or an unsophisticated belly laugh.

For me, Breaker Morant (1979) is a great tale of honor and perseverance. Patton is always great to watch, if for nothing more than the soundtrack. For mindless fun, Young Frankenstein is a hoot.

I am very interested in your movies of inspiration.

Tim

Innovation Versus Replication

In a recent program, we had a spirited discussion about innovation versus replication and best practices. The leading question was about if replicating the best practices of others was really innovation.

Many people believe that they are innovating or inventing when they are just copying or borrowing the work of others. Even when they add their own spin or own take on the matter, is it really innovation?

This is a tough concept. Drawing the line between what I built and what I built using something I saw and liked is very thin. Maybe the best definition is about the number of potential solutions to an issue. When no single solution is sought, innovation can be acheived. When we work towards a single, defined solution, that is more likely to result in replicated activities.

Tim

Mouth Control

Ever say something that just sounded ridiculous? Wanted to have the words come back the minute they left your mouth?

Yesterday, I approached a homeless guy and asked him if he was a little down on his luck. Although he was very polite (I think he knew he as about to get lunch or beer money), his look back at me immediately told me what an idiot I was. Of course he was down on his luck. This was not Donald Trump in deep disguise. This guy did not win the lottery and was planning how to spend it. What a baffoon I was.

Besides feeling like a total loser, the lesson is clear. Clearer after I got back into my truck. Remember to engage that carburetor between my mouth and brain.

Tim

MESSAGE RICHNESS

The first concept of effective communication is message richness – the message (content) and the way the sender and receiver are able to connect.

Richness is highly related to the emotional nature of humans. In essence, the greater the degree of richness, the greater the emotional connection to the message.

First and foremost, it’s important to base the importance of message richness on this undeniable fact: We’re creatures of emotion, not cold, disassociated creatures of logic. And it’s vital to understand how message richness is achieved.

In-person interaction has the highest degree of richness because all parts of the message can be evaluated and processed. We take in and process all nuances. We understand the message better simply by watching body language. We best interpret tone. When we're there, right then and there, we can seek clarification. We can evaluate understanding, and rapport.

Over-the-phone interaction diminishes richness. Although tone can still be evaluated and clarification can be requested, we miss the non-verbal clues.

Perhaps surprisingly, in public communications, (meetings, presentations and the like), richness also fades because of the lack of interactive elements related to clarification and understanding.

Richness takes a final hit when we convert communication to the written word. With the exception of Nobel Laureate winners, most people cannot achieve any type of meaningful connectivity in writing. Written communication has a high probability for misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Humor and personality can rarely be translated in the written word. And, even emoticons, colored backgrounds and dancing symbols, emails have are impersonal and lack ability for clarification.

So how do you establish richness?

Compare the amount of time you might spend recovering from a misunderstood email to the amount of time it takes to walk down the hall and talk to the recipient. Whenever possible, engage in interpersonal, one-on-one communication.

COMMUNICATION = CONNECTIVITY

Communication is a tricky combination of art and science.  In its basic form, it is the flow of information between humans. In all its complexity, it surely must be regarded as a human phenomenon.  Why is it so important to management leadership?

• Communication is human connectivity. It enjoins people in unique and personal ways to the tasks and mission of an organization.
• Communication is the inspiration point, the catalyst of why people follow a leader.  To have people want to follow, the leader must consciously hone communication skills.
  

Get out your playbook.  Over the course of this blog, we're going to hone communication skills specifically for managers, leaders and those aspiring to improve their lives.  We're going to offer advice and easily executed tips. We invite your comments and dialogue.