Vacations seem like both a blessing and a curse. While most of us look forward to getting away from our work for a few days, we often experience stress to juggle schedules and workloads before and after the time off. More and more people are staying connected to the office while on vacation through their smart phones and laptops. How does one regain perspective, recharge emotionally and physically, or enjoy time with family if the work doesn't really stop? It's a nagging question as I prepare for my own nine day excursion that begins tomorrow.
I announced to my Facebook friends and Twitter followers today that I will be on hiatus from all social media connections during my vacation. Most comments were encouraging but a few seemed to suggest that I would probably succumb to the temptations of my iPhone mobile applications and check my status or post a tweet. It's a challenge I plan to embrace and hopefully conquer.
To inspire me I found a quote (see below) that will encourage me when I feel the urge to "check in." If the author was living in this century I hope he would still concur with his advice about work-life balance. For me, I hope to rediscover life without technology these next days. My subsequent posting will be at least a couple of weeks away. Wish me well on my quest! Join me if you like.
"Life is best enjoyed when time periods are evenly divided between labor, sleep, and recreation...all people should spend one-third of their time in recreation which is rebuilding, voluntary activity, never idleness." Brigham Young
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Following Your Dream
On Tuesday night during baseball’s AAA All-Star game in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a former Telford, PA resident achieved his lifelong dream, to play in the big leagues. Erik Kratz who toiled in the minor leagues for nine seasons received the call every player hopes will come and then faced a live national television audience for an interview with the MLB Network. You can view it by clicking on this link: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9918449
Kratz, who is now on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster, wasn’t known as a baseball standout in high school or college. He was a solid player but not the super star that often makes headlines. This made the road to the top of his chosen profession especially long and difficult. How does one explain a young man’s persistence in following his dream through camps, tryouts, minor league towns, and more than one baseball organization? Where does any leader find the courage and persistence to never give up, even in the face of overwhelming odds? Is dreaming even realistic in today’s uncertain and turbulent business environment?
More than one of my coaching conversations have centered on what gives the client passion and energy to come to work each day. Sometimes the answer is obvious and other times the dream has been buried for so long it is hard to rediscover. Yet having a dream (a purpose in life) really does matter. It is like a destination point on the map guiding a person toward what they truly hope to achieve or become. Without a dream, leaders struggle to make sense of their lives and find meaning in their work.
Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech called a nation to “...live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal...’" President John F. Kennedy cast a dream before the American people to put a man on the moon within a decade. In 1974 Ronald Reagan (before he ran for president) was already articulating his dream for the nation when he included these words in a speech to the first Conservative Political Action Conference, “We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth.” Jesus challenged his followers to “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations...”
These dreams galvanized those who heard them to take action. Personal dreams invite the same level of commitment. Like Kratz, who dreamed of playing baseball in the major leagues, you need a personal dream that awakens your soul, stimulates your thinking, and motivates you to follow it through to fruition. It may take thirty years or a lifetime but the journey and the waiting will be worth it all. Dream on (and best wishes, Erik)!
P.S. Kratz debuted with the Pirates on Saturday, July 17 and went 2-5 with two singles, an RBI, and a run scored.
Kratz, who is now on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster, wasn’t known as a baseball standout in high school or college. He was a solid player but not the super star that often makes headlines. This made the road to the top of his chosen profession especially long and difficult. How does one explain a young man’s persistence in following his dream through camps, tryouts, minor league towns, and more than one baseball organization? Where does any leader find the courage and persistence to never give up, even in the face of overwhelming odds? Is dreaming even realistic in today’s uncertain and turbulent business environment?
More than one of my coaching conversations have centered on what gives the client passion and energy to come to work each day. Sometimes the answer is obvious and other times the dream has been buried for so long it is hard to rediscover. Yet having a dream (a purpose in life) really does matter. It is like a destination point on the map guiding a person toward what they truly hope to achieve or become. Without a dream, leaders struggle to make sense of their lives and find meaning in their work.
Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech called a nation to “...live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal...’" President John F. Kennedy cast a dream before the American people to put a man on the moon within a decade. In 1974 Ronald Reagan (before he ran for president) was already articulating his dream for the nation when he included these words in a speech to the first Conservative Political Action Conference, “We are indeed, and we are today, the last best hope of man on earth.” Jesus challenged his followers to “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations...”
These dreams galvanized those who heard them to take action. Personal dreams invite the same level of commitment. Like Kratz, who dreamed of playing baseball in the major leagues, you need a personal dream that awakens your soul, stimulates your thinking, and motivates you to follow it through to fruition. It may take thirty years or a lifetime but the journey and the waiting will be worth it all. Dream on (and best wishes, Erik)!
P.S. Kratz debuted with the Pirates on Saturday, July 17 and went 2-5 with two singles, an RBI, and a run scored.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Ode to the King
This past week the sports world was preoccupied with the free agency of NBA star, LeBron James. Actually, it seemed like nearly everyone was watching this story. A primetime, one-hour “live” ESPN special on Thursday night broadcast LeBron’s decision to leave Cleveland for Miami . The next day an open letter to fans from an angry Cavaliers owner made its way virally around the Internet. In a word, it was all a bit “surreal”. Which prompted me to wonder about the leadership implications of this media and fan frenzy. Thus my brief “Ode to the King”, King James that is.
He towers tall on courts of paint and wood
To shoot an air-pumped ball through hoop and net.
His skills no one would dare dispute nor should
While champions rings elude his hands as yet.
From high school to the pros, a leap of faith
He took; smooth did he make the passage look.
Some thought he would be sure to fail the test
While others cheered and hoped for his success.
And so his loyal jesters crew did grow
Fans, media, each with one request...
To win it all.
Alas, poor Cleveland did not wear the crown
In spite of King James and his royal court.
They lost each playoff battle large and small
And a chance to be the best in their appointed sport.
So with his future now in doubt, we watched
As King James entertained his suitors all.
Each came with gifts of fame and fortune sweet
To lure him off to better lands away.
New York, Chicago, Cleveland made their play
But in the end he chose Miami’s Heat.
Methinks King James may never wear a crown
For ego doth seem more and more his need.
The best at sport or business leaders all
Defer of self so team can full succeed.
Inspiring leadership is rare indeed,
So scarce that few if any know the way.
A spark, its flame, the torch for all to see,
These are not common sights.
I grieve that King James does not know
How weak his legacy will someday be.
My ode ends without answers to my quest,
King James as leader, still must pass the test.
He towers tall on courts of paint and wood
To shoot an air-pumped ball through hoop and net.
His skills no one would dare dispute nor should
While champions rings elude his hands as yet.
From high school to the pros, a leap of faith
He took; smooth did he make the passage look.
Some thought he would be sure to fail the test
While others cheered and hoped for his success.
And so his loyal jesters crew did grow
Fans, media, each with one request...
To win it all.
Alas, poor Cleveland did not wear the crown
In spite of King James and his royal court.
They lost each playoff battle large and small
And a chance to be the best in their appointed sport.
So with his future now in doubt, we watched
As King James entertained his suitors all.
Each came with gifts of fame and fortune sweet
To lure him off to better lands away.
New York, Chicago, Cleveland made their play
But in the end he chose Miami’s Heat.
Methinks King James may never wear a crown
For ego doth seem more and more his need.
The best at sport or business leaders all
Defer of self so team can full succeed.
Inspiring leadership is rare indeed,
So scarce that few if any know the way.
A spark, its flame, the torch for all to see,
These are not common sights.
I grieve that King James does not know
How weak his legacy will someday be.
My ode ends without answers to my quest,
King James as leader, still must pass the test.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Finding Your Voice
I was reminded this week about how important a voice can be in shaping public opinion or calling us to take action. On more than one occasion I had opportunity to encourage other persons to think differently about a problem they were facing or be more accountable to themselves and others. In my role as an executive and personal coach I frequently face the challenge of finding just the right words that will prompt a client or friend to alter his or her behavior. Sometimes my voice is firm and resolute, other times I struggle to tell the truth as I see it.
There is an interesting Bible story found in the Old Testament (2 Kings 5) about Naaman, an Aram army commander who suffered from leprosy, an infectious skin disease. An Israelite servant girl (captured in one of the many Aramean insurgencies into Israel) somehow had the courage to tell her master about a prophet in Samaria who could cure him of the disease. Remarkably, Naaman took this girl’s advice and later was indeed healed of his leprosy.
We can all think of persons who “found their voice” and changed the world. Rosa Parks simply said “no” to the discriminatory practice of moving people of color to the back of the bus. Her actions helped galvanize a movement that eventually led to anti-discrimination legislation. On this date 234 years ago, a group of colonial patriots declared their independence from King George and a new nation was birthed. The ideals espoused by those early revolutionaries led to a war for freedom and the adoption of a new Constitution that remains the standard among all the world’s nations. Mother Teresa founded her Missionaries of Charity organization in 1950 and for 45 years ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying in 123 countries. Her unconditional love has inspired many others to give of their lives in service.
These examples illustrate the liberating power of finding a voice, of discovering one’s passion, of following your heart. If the young slave girl had remained silent her master would never have experienced baby fresh skin and the restoration of his social status. Had Rosa Parks quietly shuffled to her usual back seat it may have been years before the civil rights movement gained public support. If our founding fathers had succumbed to their personal fears or Loyalist opinions we might still be serving the Queen of England.
I’m not always confident that my own voice matters. Sometimes I silently wait for other voices to engage in the conversation or offer the dissenting opinion. It's often easier to quell the urge, to quiet the stirrings of our convictions, to remain disengaged. But sadly this is not what the world needs right now. Where political rancor and discord abound we need voices of reason and common sense. In the face of economic challenge we need voices of innovation and confidence. As business friends and neighbors struggle with personal loss and grief we need voices of comfort and grace.
Regardless of status or station in life, the power of one voice still matters. On this day when our nation celebrates a birthday it is even more important that the voices of our citizens are heard by those who represent us in Washington and in our state and local governments. It will take more than a vote to change the direction of our country. At the heart of our representative form of government are the voices of its people - your voice and mine. It’s time we find those voices again.
There is an interesting Bible story found in the Old Testament (2 Kings 5) about Naaman, an Aram army commander who suffered from leprosy, an infectious skin disease. An Israelite servant girl (captured in one of the many Aramean insurgencies into Israel) somehow had the courage to tell her master about a prophet in Samaria who could cure him of the disease. Remarkably, Naaman took this girl’s advice and later was indeed healed of his leprosy.
We can all think of persons who “found their voice” and changed the world. Rosa Parks simply said “no” to the discriminatory practice of moving people of color to the back of the bus. Her actions helped galvanize a movement that eventually led to anti-discrimination legislation. On this date 234 years ago, a group of colonial patriots declared their independence from King George and a new nation was birthed. The ideals espoused by those early revolutionaries led to a war for freedom and the adoption of a new Constitution that remains the standard among all the world’s nations. Mother Teresa founded her Missionaries of Charity organization in 1950 and for 45 years ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying in 123 countries. Her unconditional love has inspired many others to give of their lives in service.
These examples illustrate the liberating power of finding a voice, of discovering one’s passion, of following your heart. If the young slave girl had remained silent her master would never have experienced baby fresh skin and the restoration of his social status. Had Rosa Parks quietly shuffled to her usual back seat it may have been years before the civil rights movement gained public support. If our founding fathers had succumbed to their personal fears or Loyalist opinions we might still be serving the Queen of England.
I’m not always confident that my own voice matters. Sometimes I silently wait for other voices to engage in the conversation or offer the dissenting opinion. It's often easier to quell the urge, to quiet the stirrings of our convictions, to remain disengaged. But sadly this is not what the world needs right now. Where political rancor and discord abound we need voices of reason and common sense. In the face of economic challenge we need voices of innovation and confidence. As business friends and neighbors struggle with personal loss and grief we need voices of comfort and grace.
Regardless of status or station in life, the power of one voice still matters. On this day when our nation celebrates a birthday it is even more important that the voices of our citizens are heard by those who represent us in Washington and in our state and local governments. It will take more than a vote to change the direction of our country. At the heart of our representative form of government are the voices of its people - your voice and mine. It’s time we find those voices again.
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