Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Cowher speaks at NC State's December 2008 Graduation

Perspective... nice story.. good talk!

James E. O. Hankins II Speaks to Fellow NC State University 2008 Graduates

Nice speech to the NC State class of 2008 by James E. O. Hankins II.

Coach Bill Cowher on Success

“Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not just measured by what you do,” he said. “So many times, it’s not about how many times you fall down, but more about how many times you get back up that is a true measure of who you are."

“Success is about finding that thing you’re good at and can be very passionate about,” he said. “Chase a dream, and enjoy the process along the way.”

-Bill Cowher - CBS Sports analyst, Former Head Coach of the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and 1979 NC State graduate.

Generation X & Y Myths

While there are generational differences in workers today, I find too many people claiming way more differences that there really are. Jennifer Deal has an excellent book out "Retiring the Generational GAP" that deals with many of the myths. Here are some of the core principles she shares:

1. All Generations have similiar values: They just express them differently!
2. Everyone wants Respect: They define it based on the context.
3. Trust Matters to everyone!
4. People want (expect) leaders who are credible and trustworthy (See Principle #3).
5. No matter how old or young, organizational politics is a challenge.
6. No one really likes change! (Yes all of us.. some of like making others change though)
7. Loyalty depends on the context, not on the generation! "Promote me... then I'll be loyal!"
8. If you do the right things... it is as easy to retain young employees as your old ones!
9. Everyone wants to learn!
   
10. Almost everyone wants a coach.

And one more telling fact that kills the myth of the Gen X culture:

Between the ages of 31-35.. early Xers change jobs less often than the early boomers! Between the ages of 20-25, late Xers change job about as often as boomers.. In 2o years we will know more, but the truth is there is far less to be made about the Gen X culture being less loyal or commited to work!

Those of you who have sat though one of my presentation on Social Networking where I also discuss the Art of Persuasion.. might remember me using Jimmy V's great ESPY talk to demonstrate the art of the motivating others toward a goal. Well.. It is Jimmy V week! Here is a nice reflection page on Jimmy V! And if the thought of saving lives through more cancer research moves you, make a donation!

Mahalo!

One of the most important obligations of leadership is to recognize that others are a part of your own success! In the USA today, we are celebrating a holiday that represents the importance of coming together with those who are important to you and saying thanks for the many blessings of life. Mahalo my friends and colleagues. I hope you can reflect on the past year as I have and realize how many of my friends and colleagues have touched my life and made it better! I hope you have a wonderful day!

The High Price of Ownership

Interesting video on the psychology of basketball ticket ownership.

Cal Ripken on Leadership

Sorry I have been such a slacker when it comes to posts.. Life had been quite busy lately and I have let things slide. Today's post captures the main points in a speech given at NCSU by Cal Ripen, the "Iron Man" of baseball! Cal's focus for the speech and his book are the secrets to perseverance; something we would all agree Cal Ripken Jr. epitomized!

The 8 keys to perseverance!I have added the questions as my contribution!

1. You need to have The Right Approach Cal Ripken spoke on the importance of knowing your role and what your primary mission is with the organization you work for. It must be hones and clear! It is what will help you overcome the challenges each day. For Cal it was simple: "Come to the ball park ready to play and if the manager chooses me, play!" Do you have a Clear Mission of what your purpose is every day?
2. A Strong Will to Succeed is the second key to perseverance. This is genetic, you either have it or don't. It is an internal drive to do things, desire to accomplish things. This energy has to be channeled. It can result in tantrums and negative behavior when things do not go smoothly. Cal Ripken talked about running laps or doing push ups when we was upset about something that didn't go well. How much inner drive do you have?
3. Passion and love for what you do is also important. Cal Ripken's dad was fond of saying to him "There are too many people n this world doing things they hate!" Finding a job or task you really love to do often carries you through the tough times. It is what makes working worth the effort. How much love do you have for the job you do?
4. There are just some people who Love to Compete. Cal Ripken shared how even as he got older, he enjoyed the competitive challenges of new young shortstops joining the team. It allowed hime to have a honest assessment of who he was. Are you resting in your current role or are you trying to increase your performance above last months?
5. Consistency is the ability to adjust and readjust.. to perform every day. Develop many skills, solve problems and find solutions, and do more than just your primary job. Do these on a regular basis and you will be irreplaceable. Remember, and I quote Cal Ripken "In the spirit of helping a team, it is not always your main skill that you can contribute." Ever heard of a shortstop calling pitches.. well Cal Ripken did at one point in his career. What kept him in the game was more than hitting and playing shortstop. Are you reliable, consistent and doing more than just your primary job?
6. You need to have the Conviction to carry out what your doing. Stubborn in a good way, Thick Skinned when you need to be. He was not talking about stupid stubborn like not going to the Doctor when your sick or selfish stuborn. he was talking about live your life as your values tell you to. It is about seeing things to the end. Sticking to it! Do you stand up for what you believe in?
7. Strength is the seventh key! Both Physical and Mental strength is needed to survive. As you become older, Knowledge becomes more important, learning is the key. Too many people think they know it all by the time they graduate or get that big promotion. The truth is the big promotion should be your call to learn more and more. Are you a life-long learner?
8. The final and maybe the most important key to perserverance is how you practice good Life Management. Achieving balance between professional (Managers & Media) and personal (family) life is not only important, but necessary. Engage your boss.. clarify expectations.. do the same for your family. It is about understanding what each needs.Transparency is the key. Even with the media, he as able to weather any and all storms. Do you clafiry mutual expectations with your boss and spouse? Your Children?
   

One final note.. Cal Ripken jr. was maybe the last true baseball player for lots of reasons. He played for the same team all his career, dedicated to a love the game, and through it all he showed class. There is a reason we all idolize him and it is for all the right reasons. It is a shame we have so few role models like Cal today in sports!

TEDTalks: Malcom Gladwell (2004)

Is there the perfect product? OR a perfect destiny? Gladwell challenges us to think broader than the perfect product.. to realize that the human condition creates a variety of perfect products.. each matched to our diverse human wants and needs

Do schools today kill creativity? (Ken Robinson, TEDTalks)

If you are not prepared to be wrong... you will never come up with something original!

All Children are born an artist, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up - Picasso

Does our education system cause us to grow up and lose our originality? This is a nice TEDs closing talk.