Leadership Mojo

Alex Ramsey's Thoughts for Finding Solutions with Conflicting Information

 How do you find an answer when expert opinion smashes into one another? I was at an NSANT meeting this weekend where two "technology" gurus both spoke. They gave conflicting information about different ways to solve similar problems. Especially where technology is concerned, this happens all the time. It's not always a bad thing. Nor is it always a good thing. For any strategic thinker, it's a critical concern.

My 83-year old father sits in the hospital right now, waiting on surgery tomorrow, in part because the doctors couldn't agree on a diagnoses months earlier. This is the second time in three weeks we've been in the ER. Months ago, his internist's diagnoses, "He can wait to get a pacemaker" was countered by the electro-cardiologist's emergency surgery to actually place a pacemaker in his chest.

For every one person who insists, "This is the correct answer," there is another person who insists only they have the correct answer. And, frankly, who cares, except when it is costing you tons of money, and, even more importantly, possibly your life? Then, it matters a great deal. So how do you decide? (Dad and me at my birthday at Al Biernet's a few months ago.)

Control Freaks

    One hallmark of exemplary leadership is the ability to inspire cooperation among others. Control Freaks, on the other hand, do motivate by dangling a long carrot. But, instead of working with others to create alignment and heart-felt passion for a shared goal, they apply humiliation, intimidation and bullying. I spent a fair amount of time this summer taking a crash course in control-freak behavior with the unusual dynamic duo Paul and Layne Cutright, experts in relationship theory and application.

     Recently, I've noticed a variety of situations crop up with control-freaks. Control is a tricky subject, diced with "shadow" aspects of our personalities. Things we really don't want to look at by light of day. What is at the core of Control Freakdom?

I Had to Fire Someone Today

    It's not much fun knowing all weekend that, odds on, you are going to have to let someone go first thing Monday morning. Especially in this economy. Still, there are times when it is absolutely necessary. And I've never been as certain that it was necessary as I was today.

     Here's the sad thing. It wasn't because of downsizing. In fact, business is so good, we are in the midst of hiring. The reason was because

The Overwhelm Loop

    What struck me when I was asked to address a meeting at a client company today was how many were stuck in the "overwhelm loop." It was a perfect opportunity to explore some aspects of emotional intelligence.   

    I asked the group to describe what being overwhelmed meant for them and received great answers, such as "I shut down, stop caring."  "It's when too many people are asking for too much of me, and I disappoint someone." They described how these states often lead to paralysis, anger,  and frustration. ...Not exactly great emotional states for effective leadership, problem solving, or for dealing effectively with customers.
     I asked how does it happen that some people are constantly overwhelmed and others rarely feel this way? Could it possibly be that some people get some "juice" or value out of being in overwhelm mode? Pretend for a minute that on some level being overwhelmed does provide the owner a benefit.  What could possibly be of value about being in an overwhelmed state of mind?
     A lot, as it turns out.

A $13 Billion Handshake

Mr. Joe Ordinary out there rarely considers how so-called "soft skills" carry any financial punch, much less could have the clout to impact billions of dollars. But one extra-ordinary Joe, legendary attorney Joe Jamail, proved how even the humble handshake can rock Wall Street.

Here's what ordinary people miss that the extraordinary don't: We make innumerable quasi-conscious judgments about people based on the power, or lack of it, in the way we shake hands. We rarely realize the power we hold in our hands to communicate trust and establish rapport. The simple truth is most people shake hands poorly. Yet, what could be more important right this minute, when there is so much confusion and uncertainty?

Bravo for the Gutsy Babes at Angels and Demons

The Cigar Peg is the kinda place you'd expect to see testosterone in action. You just don't always expect to see it from a couple of dainty and determined women. Without them, this economic slump would have slammed the Cigar Peg last Monday night, since the bidding was anemic until my friends stepped up and created a steamy battle for the best items.

I was in Phoenix last week at the  National Speakers Association (NSA) annual conference and attended the Cigar Peg for the first time.

Uncharted Territory

            No matter how old you are, no matter how much you've experienced, the river of life inevitably takes you into waters you've never seen or experienced before. And if those waters are especially turbulent, you might have a tendency to snatch at every tree growing along the river as you try to slow down and figure things out. If you can stop and take a little time to figure things out, you're lucky. Often, events happen too fast. So here are three tips for re-establishing equilibrium.

Shakespeare on Risk: Anything New Under the Sun?

            "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures. "
                                                                    William Shakespeare From Julius Caesar

           And you thought this economic crises was personal? Since Shakespeare spoke about similar challenges as those we face today 500 years ago, no less grand and world changing than today's financial crises, the eternal nature of difficult times gives us some perspective.
            The greatest challenge we face is in recognizing the signs and then is being flexible enough to adapt and react without creating tragedies. (By the way, Julius Caesar is a tragedy. That's something we want to avoid, right?....) When working with clients at LodeStar Universal, my role is to make sure that people things clearly, choosing courses of action that prevent tragedy.
            Shakespeare, through his plays, presents timeless issues. Here he tells  us that timing, free

Add a Dash of Einstein

        "The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility." Albert Einstein.
        I have Einstein on my brain, not just because I like the quote above. Even though he couldn't come up with a unified field theory, Einstein wasn't just sharp about physics. He had a lot of other things to say as well.
        The world is comprehensible, we just don't always have the perspective to see it. Hanging out with friends, old and new, is one way to gain perspective. I just got back from a neighborhood "happy hour," hosted by friend Karen Reisman. Einstein happens to be Karen's cousin. She owns letters that he wrote to her grandmother and mother and often quotes them in speeches she gives about his life. 
        In the spirit of problem solving, Karen and her husband Jim decided with so much financial turmoil, doom and market gloom, they'd open their home to friends on a Thursday evening. Karen made meatballs. A little wine, a few martinis, and lots of chatter. Before long, at the end of a tedious week, everyone had smiles on their faces. We relaxed and joked with one another, probably told a few tall tales. At the end of the day, literally, we all felt better.
        I think it's time for more neighbors to get together. To chat. To talk. To get to know one another. I never met a crises that wasn't also a great opportunity.
        We've all had our noses seriously down to business. I know I have at LodeStar Universal. But that doesn't mean, no matter what your economic situation, how heavy your load, or how deep your concerns that we all won't feel a little bit better by coming together. Try it. See what happens.

Sex Isn't Selling? Martin Lindstrom's Buyology

        In spite of conventional wisdom, the research reveals other factors are far more important if you're spending millions of dollars to push product. That's what best seller Martin Lindstrom tells us in his new book Buyology. It's called neuromarketing and it's hot. Martin has been studying the neurology and neuroimaging of thousands of people in one of the biggest studies ever conceived to pinpoint exactly where what really goes on in your head when you are out shopping, and frankly, making any decision. His cool website is filled with insights and creativity.
         Check it out.
        And while you are checking it out, keep in mind what we at LodeStar Universal constantly remind our clients is what Martin says the research bears out: How well your story is crafted increases the true value of your brand. And it doesn't matter if your brand is $60 a bottle water or your personal brand as an executive who is either valued or discounted in the marketplace. We all have a brand, whether or not we acknowledge it consciously or not. The question we all face is how can we do a more effective job with branding. After all, it's really just another form of communication. The people and products who do the better jobs of communicating tend to be the ones who come out on top no matter what or where they are.