What is The Essence of Leadership?

The essence of leadership is to Influence and also the ability to attract followers.

Is it better to relationalize or rationalize?

It depends if you’re talking business (truthful business) or personal life:

Rationalize = make (a company, process, or industry) more efficient by reorganizing it in such a way as to dispense with unnecessary personnel and/or equipment.

Relationalize = Building capabilities of an organization through relational databases, systems, and experiences.

As long as this is done truthfully (and not falling into the "Rational-lies" trap), why do you need to have one without the other? They're not mutually exclusive.

Should Facebook be blocked at work?

In a business sense, it should be blocked except for the Marketing Department where social networking is necessary. I haven't seen statistics on this, but I would imagine it far surpasses the hours wasted per week on fantasy football. I have seen statistics on that and it’s frightening!

What makes a great idea just go away?

Sometimes it happens before they’re even passed along? It could be an extraordinary idea that just fades. Why?

I would venture to say that the Status Quo is not painful enough. If the Status Quo were painful enough, the great idea would be sought after to move to a new Commitment to Change.

Would you rather have a family member administer your family’s goals or drive your family’s goals?

It depends on the size of the family goal and the role the family member takes. The difference will only be seen in larger or more complex goals. Drivers are the Leaders to a desired change. Administrators tweak self-inducing change.

Before You Dial…

Assume you’ll get voice mail every time you make a phone call. That way – even if someone picks up – you’ll be ready to deliver a brief, clear, and detailed message. Such clarity will prevent confusion – and increase your odds of getting what you need.

Source: Home Office Computing, Curtco Freedom Group.

What is constant in this world?

Making mistakes is constant...oh...and death

Should employers allow employees to date each other?

Interestingly, many companies have policies against employee dating because it can cause such problems (harassment, productivity issues) that would not otherwise have to be dealt with. However, these policies are difficult to enforce and could result in legal claims.

Does perfection take time or can instant gratification be experienced with perfection? Examples?

Wine is a good example of perfection over time. Salvation is very gratifying and can happen in an instant.

Does the law of diminishing returns apply to relationship?

This economic law states that we will get less and less extra output when we add additional doses of an input while holding other inputs fixed.

The answer to this question really depends on the environment that exists. Nothing exists in an environment that doesn't support it. A high-trust environment supports relationships and, therefore, employer-employee relationships do not have diminishing returns in a high-trust environment. Conversely, low-trust environments will have diminishing returns with any relationship.

Get rid of the word “but”

Any time you say “but”, you’re really saying you disagree and negating what was said right before. Instead, use “and” to pave the way toward agreement.

Example: Instead of “I see your point but I’d like to give it more thought,” use “I see your point and I’d like to give it more thought.”

How do you surprise a customer/client/spouse/family member (in a good way)?

I say do your best to exceed their expectations every time you deal with them.