The Grind

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "the grind?" Is it how you feel about your job? Is it the burden of life in general? Is it a faux commitment to fitness? 

I'm guessing you didn't feel good about it.

The Grind Can Fuel
If I were to answer those questions honestly, I would admit that sometimes I fall into the negativity trap associated with the grind. I hate that.

What happens most of the time however, is that the grind becomes fuel for me. It moves from another lame excuse about "how busy I am" and "that life is so hectic" and moves me to look at things differently.

Without the pressure of "the grind" I wouldn't take risks.

Without the need to deliver I wouldn't try new things.

Without the constantly changing business world, I would just be another boring leader who thinks talking about work versus actually having to deliver as an executive is "the grind."

The Grind Can Drain
There is a dark side to the grind...one that can overwhelm, exhaust, and wear us out. The biggest risk of this grind is that we believe it is permanent.

Let me say that again...the biggest risk is that we believe the negative grind is permanent.

It's not. Ever.

Work can be frustrating, so what?
Life can be frustrating, so what?

How About You
Important things are supposed to be difficult some of the time. 

That stress can be turned into energy to do things you never thought possible. That pressure can be focused on new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways to take you, and your organization to a new level of performance.

How are you going to embrace the grind today and make a difference in your world?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Never A "Right Time"

I work with many leaders, and most of them are cautious. So, cautious in fact, they proclaim that they “wait until the right time” to make certain moves when it comes to recruitment and starting to build their employer brand as if it were a good thing!

Please don’t take this personally, but the right time was five years ago.

TIMING IS NOT YOUR MASTER

It’s an odd obsession…or excuse…to allow time to dictate whether we do our jobs or not. Sure, the answer is always the battle of negotiating some perceived internal political storm. But, why is human resources and talent acquisition always on the defensive?

Perhaps the time has come for us to take the talent shortages directly to those political opponents and call them out?

- They’ve held the organization back through their failed attempts to hang on to outdated strategies.

- They’ve failed the organization by not understanding and using current technologies to their fullest to attract the best and brightest talent.

- Based on these outdated attempts to cling to power, it is now human resources’ obligation to drive change as quickly as possible before the competition completely outmaneuvers the company.

BE YOUR MASTER

The data, complaints and noise that is constantly directed at human resources is no longer acceptable. These are not HR’s failures. 

They represent a culture of arrogance that wishes for everything to be perfect, yet is not willing to do anything differently.

HR is ready, willing and able to step up and lead the way. And it is now time to seize control to ensure the work actually gets done.

HOW ABOUT YOU

Tough talk? Maybe. But, how many more meetings would you like to attend where HR gets criticized…again? The same goes for me...none.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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Born to Serve

"Despite everything you think you know,
You're ruled by a ruinous pack of lies.
You mean nothing in the grand scheme of things,
You're nothing in this vacuum hole of time."

Wait, what?

Who Are You Listening To?
There are lots (and I mean lots) of voices in our heads every day. Our colleagues, employees, peers, leaders, and perhaps the most challenging of them all...

...ourselves.

Often the political pressure of corporate life creates an alternative reality that when uncovered, seems to fall apart just as quickly as it whipped itself into a frenzy. But those voices...and their ability to impact our lives...are still powerful.

Our job is to not only manage those voices...but quite honestly to drown them out and lead the way!

One Voice Wins
Where does one start when the world seems to be pushing in from all sides? 

For me, it's about sorting through the noise...the self-serving agendas...and the power plays that seem to drive so much of leader...er, human...behavior. 

Once all of the variables are clear, the path we must take becomes clear. Your path...the one your honest, sincere voice has been telling you about is the one to choose. 

Stop listening to the critics.
Stop listening to the power-hungry phonies.
Stop listening to the leaders caught up in the fake world of corporate "fit" and "opinions."

...and stop listening to that inner self-doubt voice. It's wrong.

How About You
Whose voices are in your head? Are they distracting you...confusing you...trapping you in a downward spiral that serves others and not yourself?

It's time to go for it...for yourself...and make a real difference!

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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Under the Influence

Today I'm going to share something about myself that some of you may not know. It's such a part of who I am, that I don't remember being anything but this way. It's been both a blessing and a burden at times, but mostly it's simply...me. First, a little set up for what I need to disclose.

Talking to Myself
For many years I've used personal mantras to help manage my life. In particular, I've used them to help manage the "self-talk" that we all have running in our heads throughout the day. (Everyone has that self-talk thing going...right?) Two of the most important personal mantras of mine continue to have a huge influence in my daily life.

No Excuses. - This is one of my favorites (obviously!) To me it represents a level of commitment, a willingness to power through difficulties, and to raise my personal level of accountability much higher than what I might have thought was originally possible.

Work Hard, Play Hard. - This one plays out in every aspect of my life. My career, my fitness routines, the music I listen to, and my personal passions.

Everything.

Adrenaline
The impact of my personal mantras is that I realize I have a deep affection for adrenaline. The intensity of pressure, deadlines, too many priorities, taking risks, trying new things, and conflict in my work life are often draining. Yet I seek these things out routinely. I can't stop...and quite frankly, I don't want to!

The influence...the rush...of adrenalin has fueled my life, including my leadership style for many years. Is that a good thing? I'm not sure. Sometimes it has allowed me to push past old stereotypes, take necessary (albeit scary) risks, and make a difference. 

At other times it has been something that overpowers those around me. That's not fair to them...but my reality is...I'm an adrenaline-rush guy.

How About You
What drives you? Is it work...taking risks...a personal passion? Or, have you settled into a comfortable routine that doesn't include any adrenaline? If things have slowed down in your world, you might consider kicking things up a notch. You'll never know what is achievable if you never feel the rush.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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Inspiration - What's Your Excuse?

I have a very busy life.  You do too.  But that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep pushing, keep trying, keep taking risks.  It doesn't matter if it's your work, your personal life, or your bucket list.

Stop making excuses and get to it.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.  Ever.