Leadership defined with four simple words.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

I have noticed this phenomenon occurring more than a handful of times so I believe it can be categorized as a "working rule"... or at the very least, a nice segue. 

The working rule goes something like this - When asked the question "How are you doing?", a North American will 99 out of 100 times tell you they are "good", "wonderful", "doing really well", or something to this effect, whereas a European will offer a response more accurate to their current well being -  For a European, the question is not simply a social courtesy as you buy a coffee, but a true opportunity to engage, share, connect and tell you "how they are really doing".

"Working Rule" or nice segue, this does offer an opportunity to look at four words as a reflection of leadership.

A quick Internet search on the "qualities of good leadership" will offer up 57,500,000 results in speedy order - All offering a perspective on stepping up your leadership game.

A FastCompany article for example, offers up these five qualities essential for leaders: 

• The first of these is being flexible.
• The second characteristic is being able to communicate.
• The third characteristic of good leaders - or, perhaps, a group of characteristics - is having courage, tenacity and patience.
• A fourth necessary characteristic is the combination of humility and presence.
• The fifth and final characteristic of a successful leader is being responsible.

A Forbes article offered up 10 Top Qualities of Leadership; Inc.com offered up 9 traits; CNN.com had 23... all followed by 57,499,996 other perspectives. Although I have not read them all, I will say with great certainty that PEOPLE are the central theme of any perspective on leadership. And this brings us neatly back to the question, "How are you doing?" - A personal question that creates connection, understanding, and the opportunity for discussion; isn't that what leadership is all about?  I will say, "almost". 

If PEOPLE are the central theme of any perspective on leadership, then the question "How are you doing?" falls short with its singular perspective focusing on a person. Leadership needs a more rounded discussion that comes with another four words, "How am I doing?" When you bring this question into the conversation, you immediately bring in a second perspective and make PEOPLE the central theme - Now you have leadership.

And that working rule that started this whole thing becomes a solid reminder that with these questions, you have to explore any answers deeper and move past the veneer of the initial response... that is where the leadership gold is found.

Besides, what would you think of a leader who didn't ask, "How am I doing?"

gpe

Even you Hipsters have to admit this is brilliant marketing...

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

On the vacant storefront window, beside the "FOR LEASE" sign, it reads as follows:

You win, Hipsters.

After 55 years in the Junction WestEnd Offset is moving, and we're not telling you where.

But you can reach us at 416-767-9853.

My response -

1. I laughed and laughed, and laughed some more.
2. I took a picture with my phone.
3. I jumped on the Internet to check out two things.

This is simply brilliant marketing worthy of the admiration of laughter. I will admit I find the concept of blaming a business' relocation on "Hipsters" very funny, and once I got over that, "laughed with" how effective this vacant store front is with it's ability to engage, explain, develop interest, and stimulate subtle calls to action.

As I read the 25 words plus a phone number, I could not help but ask myself a number of things:

• Who are these Hipsters that drove this long time member of the community away? Am I one of them? What exactly is a "Hipster anyway? 
• What does WestEnd Offset do? Why do Hipsters impact them in such a negative way?
• What do you mean you aren't going to tell me where you are moving? What if I want to know, even if its just out of curiosity?
• Well at least you left a phone number... proof they are still in business and maybe still interested in dealing with me if I'm not a "hipster".

And as if on queue, the handoff from old world marketing to new world marketing occurred without missing a beat... I pulled out my smartphone. 

I took a picture, and will admit I have shared it a few times.

I had to Google a couple of things - The need for immediate satisfaction and all.

First I had to Google the definition of Hipster - I needed to know if I was party to any of this. The definition reads as follows: The hipster subculture is composed of affluent or middle class young Bohemians who reside in gentrifying neighbourhoods. It is broadly associated with indie and alternative music, a varied non-mainstream fashion sensibility, generally progressive political views, organic and artisanal foods, and alternative lifestyles.*

Well that's not me, and even if it was, I just moved into the neighbourhood.

Secondly, I Googled WestEnd Offset and their new location. It seems WestEnd Offset is a sign and design company that is now located at 125 Blake St. As an aside, when I looked at their website it struck me that it was rather "Hip". www.westendoffset.com 

Because someone had the imagination to put 25 innovative words and a phone number on a vacant retail window to promote long after they moved, I now know WestEnd Offset exists, what they do, where they are, and if the need arises I will give them a call.

Rather brilliant wouldn't you say?

gpe

* Definition from Wikipedia.

My opportunities + problems are very different things. Or are they?

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

When you boil it down to the bare essentials, business (and possibly all aspects of life) is simply about dealing with opportunities and problems. Everything is either categorized as an opportunity or a problem... if it can't be, why are you dealing with it?

The way we address opportunities + problems is more or less the same:

• Understand the situation.
• Identify objective(s) to deal with the situation.
• Develop plans and initiate activities to meet the objective(s).
• Adjust according based on effectiveness of the activities and other feedback.
• Monitor the situation to ensure the objectives have been met, controlled and are sustainable.

It does seem we view opportunities + problems as opposites - Opportunities are considered beneficial and generally embraced, whereas problems are generally viewed negatively and to be avoided. Are they really opposites though? The most optimistic of us will say the difference is simply attitude... every problem can be looked at as an opportunity and it is just a mater of perspective.

Ponder this though, a person has 900 pounds of wood fall on them, turning their foot around 180 degrees and breaking their pelvis in three places. I think you would be hard pressed to find someone who would say, "Good for them, there is great opportunity in what has happened". No one is looking at this as an opportunity to take advantage of, but rather a problem to be solved. Although there is an ample amount of optimism, it is directed to a quick recovery not the philosophical perspective between opportunities + problems. 

Opportunities and problems should not be viewed as opposites but rather as a sliding spectrum from problem to opportunity and vice versa; constantly moving as problems are solved or situations change. What is a problem today, once solved, becomes an opportunity tomorrow... much like the problem with a broken leg and the possibility of never walking again. Four months after the fact, the problem becomes an opportunity to coach others how to fight through adversity and be better than ever (which includes walking, running and playing).*

The difference between Opportunities and Problems lie with the negative consequence of not solving them successfully. If you miss on an opportunity, there is opportunity cost to contend with to be sure, but most likely there are few negative changes with your current situation. With Problems however, if you are unable to solve for them, you are still dealing with the negative consequences of the situation - And more often than not, it leads to more problems. 

Consequence makes my opportunities + problems very different things, and although my approach to solving for opportunities + problems is more or less the same, I will always deal with my problems first.

If truth be told, it took me a while to figure this out.

gpe

PS: The blog title was influenced by the musical group July Talk and I have attached the link to their video with a similar title. Guns + Ammunition  

* This is one of Big Red's more colourful stories.