What I Learned in May

1. When someone is worried about you, take their concerns seriously.
2. Since everyone hates meetings, why do people not have more discussions in their meetings to question the value in the meeting itself, and look for alternative ways to communicate and make decisions…or how to improve the meetings.
3. One of the most dangerous things we can do at work is to get stuck in a point of view we are not willing to reconsider,even when a cogent argument is presented against it.
4. When a coworker chooses to play outside of the rules, he gains a powerful advantage over the others who play by the rules. The sooner the better in calling out bad behavior.
5. Many people who look good on the surface, struggle with health problems that we know nothing about. Some are physical, some are mental, and some are spiritual
6. Failing to recognize a personal limitation can have dangerous consequences. I learned last week that “pride goeth before the fall” when I was walking without my walking stick and fell. Luckily, I didn’t hurt myself.(except for my pride).
7. If I stop to think about it, there are many ways I can make my life easier. There’s no need to be my own worst enemy.
8. Working with people who are very different than ourselves, can be illuminating if we allow ourselves to learn from them how they go about doing things.
9. It’s useful to think about the people (and pets) who make you feel safe and secure. Who’s on your “personal comfort team”?
10. Emerson’s right: “speak truth to power”.
11. When I take time to reflect at  the end of the day, I often find that my day has gone very different than what my intention was in the morning. However when I make reflect ion a daily ritual,  I find I can get closer and closer to my intention as the days go by.
12. Self awareness, while virtuous, can also be painful. That’s why we avoid it.
13. Our house has become a “Bird Air B & B”. What a treat to see Robins giving birth to and feeding their young in a nest right outside our porch (see picture below).
14. If I just let someone else take the lead, I can find great peace and security.
15. Doing something for others can be the greatest joy.
16. May is the most beautiful month.
17. My 96-year-old mother-in-law, Jean, continues to amaze me. Above she is sinking a 15 foot putt, when she had not picked up a golf club for over five years.
18. We tolerate a lot of crap because we don’t like to engage in conflict and to make tough decisions.
19. If you are a leader of a team, you shape the team’s culture by everything you do, not by what you say
20. The power is in the story. Who is going to tell the story of your organization?
21. When presenting to a group, the most powerful thing I can do is facilitate the group talking to each other about meaningful topics. It’s not about what I know, it’s about helping them realize what they know.
22. There is power in the “why”. Just like little children, people you lead need to know why you’re asking them to do something.
23. Honor people who have been influential in your life. Let them know that they’ve made a difference. You can honor the people who are gone by visiting their grave or memorial, or writing something about them.
24. Choose carefully the people with whom you want to spend time.
25. Recognize the genius of your enemies.
26. The Fonz, as tough as he seemed, never really got into a fight.
27. Some of the leaders I work with are so busy and have so many things to do that they feel incompetent most of the time.
28. If you want to take care of your customer or your patient, first take care of yourself and the people that work with you.
29. It’s dangerous to be perceived as inflexible.
30. One the values of coaching, Is expanding your view of what your options are.
31. I found it useful to make a list of how I waste precious time.