World In A World

The modern workplace has two worlds that exist simultaneously. I know this because I've lived in both of them for many years. I didn't realize what was happening early on though.

Time to Talk

As a young HR Manager at my first hospital I tried hard to get along with my colleagues and team members. I wanted to be the one that wasn't afraid to jump into the fire, but did so in a way that I could maintain relationships with people even if we didn't agree on some issues.

That seemed like a natural approach to leadership, particularly after learning how not to lead in my first couple of jobs out of college.

When leaders and employees alike reached out to me "just to talk" I thought I was doing my job. So I listened...

...and I learned more than any textbook or leadership course could ever teach me.

Theories and "best practices" mean absolutely nothing when you're eye to eye with an employee who is struggling with an ineffective manager who is treating them poorly.

Many of those employees thought I helped them find their way. The reality is I learned more from them in my early years than they will ever know.

Time for Action

Now that I have many more years behind me, I now realize what was happening in those early days. Those discussion with employees, managers and executives continue to this day. The public world of meetings, protocol, and big powerpoint presentations pale in comparison to what is happening in the other world.

The other world is where real feelings...real issues...and candidly, the real decisions are made.

You know that, right? The real decisions are made outside the room.

How About You

Are you paying attention to the world in a world? It's paying attention to you, whether you know it or not. Make sure you lead in both worlds.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.

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We Shall Destroy - #Thinkathon 2014

Last week I had the privilege to attend the inaugural Thinkathon session in New York City hosted by the amazing team at purematter and IBM Social Business. Thirty of us were brought together from all walks of digital life to tackle the future of work. 

What does it look like? 
How will people work? 

What will the workplace...and workspace...look like?
What about loyalty?

What about full-time employment?
Will any work get done?

What about the younger-aged (and younger-minded!) workforce? Are they all self-serving work-life balance fanatics who don't appreciate 70 hour work weeks?

We were brought together to destroy the world of work as it exists today.

The Future is Cool...and Scary!
Our session kicked off with a fascinating (and haunting) message from Faith Popcorn, a prophetic futurist who is so accurate you'll want to follow her around and simply listen. 

Robots, genetic transformation, and the potential for more than one hundred million displaced workers got us all fired up to continue our mission!


Start Destroying!
The afternoon was then taken over by Hendre Coetzee, an absolutely brilliant facilitator and leader who guided our group of "world-of-work assassins" through a series of highly interactive and challenging sessions on what it will mean to work in the future.

We powered through five key drivers that will change how we work forever:
- the future of work talent
- the future of work culture
- the future of big data/analytics at work
- the future of technology at work
- the future of work collaboration/communication

Whoa! Heavy topics for a group of heavy-hitters!

By the way, when, not if, you seek out Hendre for guidance in your own organization you will not be disappointed. He is masterful at his craft.

How About You
The man that made this all possible was Bryan Kramer, CEO of purematter and the connection to the IBM Social Business team. Kudos to you Bryan and your amazing team for putting together an event that blew me away. (The following two days focused on IBM's #NewWayToWork campaign...more on that later!)

What are you doing to get out in front of the evolving world of work? Are you clinging to the status quo? Don't do it! The future is now! I'm fired up to hack the future of work in my organization! Who's ready to destroy with me?

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.




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Balance and Flow

The world of work has an odd sense of humor. When we find our passion...and commit ourselves to it...we end up having greater demands placed on us. Those demands become a source of energy and motivation to push ourselves even harder (at least they have that effect on me.)

My competitive side loves the world of work's sense of humor.

Finding Balance
Much is written about the ever elusive notion of work/life balance and how differently this concept is applied in the modern world. Should we compartmentalize our lives into neat little time slots? Should we only check email twice a day? Should I only focus on three tasks every Monday? Do I have to be present for every single thing in every part of my life every time?

I'm exhausted trying to figure out how not to be exhausted.

Stop Chasing Balance
As our scope of responsibility grows...our project list stretches into double digits...and apparently everyone on Earth feels compelled to send us email...we need to stop doing one important thing.

Stop trying to "find" balance. 

"Balance does not have an address. It is not hidden on a website. You can not sign up for balance through an RSS feed. Nor can you register for balance at an event. Balance is a fantasy."

The Joke Is On You
For those living in the modern world it is impossible to separate work and life. That is not a bad thing...in fact, it is quite freeing. Stay with me now. 

Once the pressure to turn off work and turn on home (or any other non-work part of your life) is no longer present, your complete life can simply flow.

My friend Doug Shaw understands this concept and has helped me understand it too. Don't let unrealistic concepts force you to live an awkward life. Life is about flow...and it is a powerful way to integrate all of the pieces of your world.

How About You
Have you allowed yourself to believe that balance exists in your life; or, have you embraced your whole life as one flowing experience that integrates everything that you are? 

I'm glad I listened to Doug when he said "flow beats work/life balance." He was right.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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