jungle jeff

What Makes A Question Good?

While it may be challenging for some, you really should look at that picture without the political advertisement.  It is simply a bumper sticker that I took a picture of.

It wasn’t until I bent down to snap the photo, that I saw the political ad.

Forget the ad.

Today is about questions, not politics.

“He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes;  he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” — Chinese Proverb

What makes a question good?

What stops us from asking questions?

What stops us from doing anything that we think is important?

When will we overcome this?

Is it even worth it?

Asking tough or intriguing questions can make people – your boss, your peers, your subordinates, your family – feel very uncomfortable.

Taking risks is risky. So is playing it safe.

NY Times March 17, 2010

Privacy Vanishes?

What’s one of the most obvious reasons we lack self confidence?

There are a ton to pick from aren’t there?

And it’s human nature to dislike those that have a ton of self-confidence.

How weird is that?  Talk about paradox:

• We desire self-confidence
• We strive for self-confidence
• We hate those that have an abundance

Two weeks ago, on March 16, I wrote a jungle jeff blog post entitled, Privacy Is A Myth.

The very next day, the New York Times posted the above front page article.

We said the same thing.  But I broke the story.

Social Media is here to stay.  Books (sadly) aren’t, and neither is the NY Times.

So, guess this makes me self-confident and antagonistic.

Excellent.

Sometimes, if not always, it’s incredibly effective to have a role model that practices what is preached. But you already knew that, right?

The other thing that can happen is we get so darn busy that the answers and inspiration we seek are in front of us, yet we push them aside because they don’t look like what we expected or hoped for.

Today is one of those times.

This guy (me), is quietly intense.  And for good reason.  It’s a short message that will help you understand:

• Why I write five daily blogs
• Why excuses are lame
• The secret approach (no one wants to admit)

Additionally, this video will challenge you about your approach, not just for health, but for everything.

Here’s a simple, quick, little test to gauge your determination to transform yourself into a better, more effective adult.

It’s pass or fail.

Ready?

Did you watch the video?

A Pile Of Rocks

Creativity comes in many forms, including a childlike imagination to pretend.

Today’s topic reveals the number one Social Media secret.

It’s number one, period.

But vehemently denied by so many.

And multitudes fail because of this.

Let me make this as simple as possible.  The answer is patience.

Click on it to read Seth Godin’s take. It’s his number one most popular blog post.

Patience.

This is why Social Media, and blogging in particular, is overrated.

Maybe, Maybe Not

Do you know next? Most likely, you don’t.

I didn’t either, until I clicked here.

Come to find out, I do know next.

It’s one of the special gifts I have that looks stupid, antagonistic, even moronic.

What's Next?

Everyone has special gifts they bring to the table, value they add to their organization

Often, for myriad reasons, these gifts, these talents, go unnoticed.

Why?

Because the employee’s gift is so different from the status quo that it looks crazy.  Moronic.  Maybe even stupid.

Just like Hugh MacLeod stated a few days ago.

Ditto

Fortune has named SAS the number one employer to work for, again.

Why?  You’ll have to read the article to find out, but you can bet CEO “Dr. Goodnight”, is using common sense and the estimable ROI that comes with following your gut – that being loyal begets loyalty.

I’d like to extend a very special thank you to Bob Stewart for sharing the link in yesterday’s jungle jeff comments section.

Comments are a great resource to extend, enhance and create an online leadership think-tank community.

Snowball Marketing?

Imagine if (random number) half your staff had blogs.  And they wrote about how your company helps people.

Imagine the people you select to blog, like this.  They are smart, professional people.  You already trust them to remain compliant with all your organization’s policies, while interacting with your customers on the phone, and face to face.

Imagine no rules are broken and no lines are crossed – the same way you currently assume your people are behaving in front of your customers.

Is this easy or difficult to imagine?

Traditional Thinking?

Are you familiar with the new business card?

It’s no longer a small rectangular piece of card stock.

Bet you don’t have a clue.

Most people don’t.

I didn’t either.

Until a year ago.

Then the epiphany.

Being Caged In Is Boring, But Secure

Never get bored with two things:

1. The Fundamentals
2. Common Sense

Never get comfortable with two things:

1. Status quo
2. Mediocrity

Always be thankful for this:

1. Everything

And never get bored with blogging.