When you’re 95

The end of the year is always a good time for reflection. Dr. Tony Campolo tells about a study where fifty people over the age of 95 were asked one question:

“If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?”

Three answers emerged and dominated the results of the study.  These were:

If I had to do it over again I would:

• Reflect more.

• Risk more

• Do more things that would live on after I am dead.

At the end of the year – food for thought.

“Live long and prosper”

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Keeping Your Personal Goals Private

For some time now I have noticed that when people broadcast their goals they don’t seem to be as successful as those who you don’t hear from and then they attain some big goal.  I attributed it to do with personality, but research shows it’s an example of self-management, thus learned.  If you can spare three minutes, check out Keep Your Goals To Yourself.  Good information and a good chuckle.

Leadership Contrasts: Cynicism vs. Respect

In the New York Times December 5 was an excellent interview entitled “The dangers of cynicism at the office.”

OOPS: The NY Times is now asking you to register to see articles.  It just takes a couple minutes – sorry abut that.

Kathy Savitt compares cynicism with four characteristics of leadership: Courage, Respect, Wit and Optimism.  Try it on  – an excellent read.  Also an interesting section about asking good questions to assure that you don’t hire jerks.  She also introduces a management tool called “stump a chump.”  This article is effective because of its use of dramatic contrasts.

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The Admin From Hell

As long as we are ruminating about firing people, here is a cautionary tale for all you “nice guys” out there who think you can do it and not hurt people.

A small company decided to separate a very difficult administrative assistant by eliminating her job.  I advised them to make sure she was locked out of their systems before they did so and to treat her respectfully, but get her out of the building as quickly as possible.

They had a party for her on Friday afternoon after they gave her the news. Nice guys do dumb things like this all the time,.  On Monday when they retuned to work, all their accounts receivable had been deleted.  Fortunately, they did have a back-up system.

Stress makes people stupid

– Stupid people sometimes do bad things

– Lesson learned

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