Why do people find Knock-Knock Jokes funny? Sure, they’re corny and silly, but the puns and play on words can be entertaining. They are smart in their own way. One’s mind has to open to see the comedic twist. Here’s an example,”When is a door not a door?” Answer: When it’s ajar! (Groan)

Let’s apply this pattern to something more serious, something that leaders often overlook. “When is a strategy not a strategy?” Answer: When it’s a list of goals strung together!

I see this thinking pattern misunderstanding frequently when I work with small business in particular. Why? Part of the reason is because there are not many “advisors” around to correct a direction.

That is why I created the Pivotal Thinking topic for the Virtual Mastermind Projects as a benign way to start everyone on the team from the same starting line. Pivotal Thinking relies on the executive functions within the brain. When there is impairment or “lag” in these functions, decision making can be terrifying and difficult. Pivotal Thinking is affected by several functions. Read more here.

Take a “fear” temperature. This exercise is an opportunity to plant seeds of success and engagement at all levels. Preconceived notions can damage progress-the “ain’t broke” rule! Discover what fears would stand in the way of progress.

So, how do you check if you have a real strategy or not?

1. How well does everyone connected with the company, brand, understand what’s behind it? Purpose must be embedded or it is hollow.

2. What logic can be applied at each level or extension of the company?

3. How well does the leader realize that front-line employees are critical to the implementation of the plan? It’s not enough to create the strategy and implement it. Robert Burgelman*, Stanford professor, contends (sic) that “bottom-up initiatives must come from employees that fall within set boundaries set by the strategic intent.” Strategy Is Destiny” How Strategy-making Shapes a Company’s Future

4. Self-selected choices emerge when employees pick which initiatives, led by the strategy, they believe in rather than being forced to make something work.

5. Consider intention rather than goals—Goals are the pillars that mark the intent to achieve the created strategy. For example, how do the choices relate back to the purpose, intention? How do individuals make it part of their job description?

Successful strategists embed room to experiment and find ways that don’t work rather than finding one answer.

6. Apply the Universal Why or Toyota’s root-cause analysis of asking why until they can’t anymore! For example, ask, “Why are we doing this? Why did the first choice fail?”

This is a hot topic that you can bring to your organization. When everyone starts from the same place, the universe is your oyster!

*Robert Burgelman-https://hbr.org/2017/11/many-strategies-fail-because-theyre-not-actually-strategies

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by Coachcubas

change, community, economics, Value, Visionary, Wisdom

Conservation is abundance

March 14, 2012

As I am prepping a new project centered on sustainability and new meanings for “green”, I return to conservation. Consider that Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, was deep into conservation. In fact, conservative comes from ones desire to manage resources and use what one needs. (Today’s mention of conservative is like a tourniquet around any change in the status quo. mc)

In my world, conservation is abundance. It centers around using what you need and not hoarding or taking more than a fair share. This old principle requires a sense of discipline and a global view that everyone is worthy to receive.

Political issues taint such a simple concept. It becomes all about money and greed rather than serving a community—the family of mankind.

The people currently hoarding power are afraid to let go because they don’t see other options. They are stuck. Glued to old autocratic ways that justified why they need not share.

My solution is to create a new sustainability track that people subscribe to locally and globally. These centers are non-profit. They are like farmers’ markets and offer a variety of community services including healthcare options. Hospitals would be returned to non-profit status and serve the community rather than meeting business objectives.

Critical mass is here. A community pilot project on campus would serve as a viable example. MC

This is my entry into ASU’s (Arizona State University’s) crowd-sourcing project seeking solutions to world problems. http://www.10000solutions.org/solution/replace-yourself

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by Coachcubas

Behavior, business coaching, change, Creative, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, entrepreneurs, Performance, Visionary

What Better Time To Be Contrarian?

November 30, 2010

Call it what you will. It cycles around every decade. AKA innovative, creative, progressive—it means you are different. Isn’t that the intention of marketing and earning top-of-mind share?

In my business coaching practice, I am ever amazed at what little people understand about the art of running a business. My favorites, the “Widget Makers,” are darned good at what they know. BUT, they are limited by that same trait. They can borrow on a bit of the vision they pour into their wares.

Being contrarian can make people feel uncomfortable because they are heading into new terrain. Isn’t that what innovation really is? Fear of failure is the biggest obstacle people face for a variety of reasons:

1. Don’t want to own the idea. (Consider classical comedic set-up when someone is about to be scolded and it turns into a promotion!)

2. Affects budget allocation next time ’round.

3. Appears not to know what was doing.

4. All of the above and more . . .

If other similar businesses have already blazed a trail, why would someone want to tread the same path? Safety in the “me-too” mindset. Then, the so-called leader can claim they weren’t responsible. It’s a convoluted way of working. Consider the inertia of U.S. Congress.

Own the idea

Put your name all over it. Seth Godin agrees with me on this. Once you own it, your more likely to attract champions to the idea. If it is so appealing, others will want to ‘steal’ it and make it their own. Good; let them. After all, innovation isn’t about our name in lights; it’s about falling forward. They will improve it so it looks like their idea!

Tom Edison Had It Right

When asked how he continued to experiment with the light bulb after so many disappointments, Edison (I paraphrase) replied, “I found 999 ways that didn’t work.”

The Secret Sauce
To put yourself into an innovative place, you only need one ingredient—curiosity. It is so powerful because it keeps you objective. Curiosity engages you and your audience.

Your Assignment
1. Write down how many ways you offer curiosity as a “pull” toward your company offerings.
2. Consider your web and ad copy, presentations and personal interactions.
3. Think crayons, paste and paper. Remember how much fun that was in art class?

4. Ask about my Legos and Leadership™ Program for up tight, Type A people ;-).

5. Paint something with your fingers. What does it “say” to you?

This can be the beginning of an exhilarating experience and can spice up your relationships, too. Let me know how it goes.

Your Coach, MC

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by Coachcubas

Lessons Learned from Knock-Knock Jokes Apply to Strategy

Conservation is abundance

What Better Time To Be Contrarian?

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