WOW Word-Of-the-Week #503: Attentive
March 26, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #503: Attentive
Attentive – paying attention; listening carefully; observant.
Would you say you are very attentive? Would you say your manager or supervisor is very attentive? Do you give those people close to you your full attention?
This week’s WOW comes from the Expert Advice Column in the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, written by Jennie Wong and titled “3 MISTAKES EVEN GOOD MANAGERS CAN MAKE.”
This week I will feature the first one. Jennie writes, “If you’re new to managing others, you are undoubtedly on a learning curve of your own. But what if you’ve been doing it for a while? What if you’re actually pretty good at it? Chances are, you’re still making these common mistakes. Good managers inadvertently commit these errors all the time, but once you realize where the stumbling blocks are, you can make a different choice and evolve to the next level of leadership.
Mistake No. 1 – Ignoring Your Top Performers
High-performing employees can create a vicious cycle through their own competence. The better they do their job, the more work they are given. And the more they find a way to get it all done, smoothly and without drama, the less attention they get from the boss.
Why? Because the boss is busy with the “problem children,” the employees who are struggling.
Keep your eyes peeled for this pattern, and look for ways you can reward your best people with both tangibles and intangibles, like your attention.”
This week’s focus is on being attentive. If you are in a leadership position do you think you are a “good manager?” Have you ever thought about how much attention you give your “problem children?” Have you identified your top performers? How do you reward them? If you are a top performer, how much attention do you get?
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #502: Confidence
March 19, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #502: Confidence
Confidence – belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities.
Do you have confidence in yourself? Do you tend to second guess yourself? When confronted with problems or challenges do you believe you have the power and ability to handle them?
Once again I received another S T E V E ‘ S.…3 – M I N U T E…. C O A C H I N G that totally hit home for me!
Steve writes, Today’s Topic – PRINCIPLE: Confidence
(Principles are basic truths that, when applied,
cause success to come to you easier and quicker.)
Confidence feels pretty good, doesn’t it? A warm, things-are-possible; enjoyable, moving forward, free kind of feeling. Here are two aspects of confidence.
First, how do you get or have confidence?
Surprisingly it’s not about learning stuff; confidence is not about knowledge. Sure, it always helps to learn and understand,
that’s a common topic here in S3MC, but learning about confidence does not cause it, it must be experienced.
The two great experiential teachers of
confidence are — successes and failures.
In other words, feedback. The feedback which comes from actions attempted. You either got what you wanted (aka success) or you didn’t (aka failure). The more your actions lead to what you want the more you gain confidence in a particular area. Paying attention to the feedback, rather than judging yourself, quickens your journey up the confidence curve.
Second, what keeps us from gaining and feeling confidence? It’s the part of the above mentioned feedback which has been labeled as ‘failure.’
For most people, aided by a culture’s focus on being number1, failure (not being numero uno) is too painful to contemplate, so no attempt is made. Thus, no confidence is developed. Some people seem to live by a no-try-no-cry model.
The more you focus on the powerful and beneficial effect of confidence, the more you’ll try, the more feedback you’ll get, the more pleasing outcomes you’ll experience, the more confidence you’ll develop. Then you discover that confidence is a marvelous, clean, uplifting source of energy.
Coaching Point: Do you pause from time to time to experience, even wallow in, the feeling of confidence?
— Copyright 2011 Steve Straus. All rights reserved. —
This week’s focus is on confidence. Do you have confidence in yourself? Do you feel confident doing your job? If at first you don’t succeed will you try, try again?
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #501: Rationalize
March 13, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #501: Rationalize
Rationalize – to justify (one’s actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event.
Did you find yourself thinking how could Bernie Madoff have done such a terrible thing? How did you react to Lance Armstrong finally confessing to using performance enhancing drugs to win all 7 Tour de France races?
The LA Times had an article written by Walter Hamilton titled, “Why Madoff employees didn’t blow the whistle” and then I just watched the documentary titled, “The Armstrong Lie.” I found myself in disbelief that people would knowingly lie and cheat. And continue to do it for years! I couldn’t sleep at night. How about you?
Hamilton writes, “It’s one of the more baffling elements of the Bernard L. Madoff saga. Why did so many employees of the disgraced money manager go along with the record-setting Ponzi scheme rather than blow the whistle on such a brazen financial felon?
Scott Wiltermugh is a researcher who studies how people rationalize unethical behavior, hoping to shed light on the contorted logic used to justify wrongdoing. Part of the reason is obvious. Madoff was a domineering figure. People feared for their jobs- and of course – their bountiful paychecks. Employees probably comforted themselves in the notion that they were only following instructions and didn’t initiate the scam themselves.
But it goes deeper, Wiltermugh said. Even though the scam was hurting people – especially new investors unknowingly 
pouring in their money – employees probably told themselves they were helping other people – older investors who wanted to cash out. They were also aiding their co-workers who needed their jobs.
In other words, people may have deluded themselves into somehow thinking they were doing the right thing.”
And as for Lance Armstrong, Stephanie Bunbury writes, “In 1997, when he was first declared cancer free, he become the front man for his own foundation, which raised millions for cancer sufferers and their families. Every time he was dragged through the mire of accusation and multiple tests, he had a sensational comeback: his persecutors were not just attacking him but all the little children with cancer he was helping and would be able to help as long as he was on top.”
And my opinion – it is all about power and control, and ultimately being greedy.
This week is all about not rationalizing. How do you feel about people who do things that are ethically questionable? Would you be a whistle blower?
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #500: Tenacity
March 4, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #500: Tenacity
Tenacity – persistent determination.
Have you ever failed at something and continued to try again? Would you have the strength and determination to continue if you failed for 5 years? Would you have the strength and determination to continue if you failed for 20 years?
One of the most successful people I know failed for five years before he started having some degree of success. Now, that’s persistent determination!
You probably have heard of him too. In 1969, he moved to Nashville to make it as a country singer. He was rejected by 26 record labels before securing a record deal. His debut album sold only 324 copies. Flat broke; he moved to south Florida and played in the local bars where, at times, nobody even showed up.
In 1974, he had his first hit single. But it wasn’t until 1977 that he became an “overnight” star. Have you figured out who it is? Jimmy Buffet! He continues to be one of the top grossing acts and has a cult following. He has continued his success by creating a clothing company, restaurants, writing children’s books and several other ventures.
Dallas Buyers Club
Did you watch the Oscars on Sunday? Did you see Dallas Buyers Club? Did you know that it took 20 years and 86 rejections before it was finally financed and filmed?
This week’s focus is on tenacity. The question is, “Do you have tenacity?” Would you have persistent determination for one year? Would you have persistent determination for seven years? How about 20 years? When we really want something and know it in our heart, we will do whatever it takes to keep going and make it happen! What are you determined to have? How persistent are you willing to be to get it?
FUN-damentally Mobile-Optimized! & Speaking Dates
March 4, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-damentally Mobile-Optimized! & Speaking Dates
Great news! My website has been updated and is mobile-optimized for ideal viewing and usability on smart phones and tablets. I had gotten requests from my readers and made that my first goal for 2014.
Also, if you would prefer to have your WOW’s in plain text please let me know as I can update that feature as well. Just e-mail me with your current/preferred WOW e-mail address.
I also had requests asking me to publish my speaking dates. This is what I have booked so far this year.
March 25th – Keynote – NACUFS – Stillwater, OK
April 9th – Half-day Playshop – CMAA – Orlando, FL
April 19th – Keynote – Menifee Women’s Conference – Menifee, CA
May 8th – Half-day Playshop – CMAA – Palm Coast, FL
- More FUN-travel planned for the summer!
September 17th –Half-day Playshop – CMAA – Hobe Sound, FL
October 9th – Half-day Playshop – CMAA – Bonita Springs, FL
October 29th – Half-day Playshop – CMAA – Sarasota, FL
Let me know if you would like any additional info on my programs. And I want to thank everyone for the very positive feedback and input you have all given me and I encourage everyone to keep sending me your thoughts!
Until then I hope you have a…
FUN & Fabulous Year! Susan