Ever wonder if we are more like vultures than not? It occurred to me that we are actually just like them.
Over the weekend, our Church’s Cub Scout Pack spent the night at Brevard Zoo. There were many safety rules, because of the children, the darkness, the animals, etc.
In the morning, before breakfast, we were still confined to a certain area to remain safe. Across from our cabin, I spotted the vulture cage. There was a wild vulture standing on the cage pole, with other vultures just a few feet away on the inside.
Couldn’t help but have this moment of truth fly through my brain and capture it on this one-take You Tube video:
“Law of the Niche: People are most valuable where they add the most value.”
Duh, right? No brainer. Obvious. Get a clue. You can’t be serious.
In the hectic pace with which we travel through our days (weeks, months), we often miss the most basic of life’s truths.
This happens to me with our son. I’ll get caught up in my work, and the next thing you know, the week has flown by and our son has done amazing things, but guess who hasn’t noticed? Guess who wasn’t there to add a little coaching, a little fun, a little encouragement?
Guess what else?
Life is like this. Always was, is now, and always will be. Whatever your level in your organization, you must find your own ways to stay engaged, to stay passionate.
I see so many people who are stuck. Many of them leaders, responsible for inspiring and developing others, the way a parent does with children.
They get stuck managing their to-do list instead of inspiring and developing their people. Just like a Parent. Just like me.
But the days (weeks, months) fly by.
Our son can not wait for me to find the time. His life marches on at an incredible pace. He will not slow down for me. I must find the way(s) to keep up with him.
Same is true as a leader, and as an employee who follows orders. Same as you. You must figure this out yourself and not wait.
It’s time for a complete 180 degree turn from the jungle jeff “seriousness”. It’s time for complete nonsense and a laugh or two. You good with that?
Who doesn’t like to laugh? Humans were born with certain predispositions. Laughing is near the top of everyone’s list.
Love or hate American Idol, it doesn’t matter to me. I love it for a few compelling reasons, which aren’t listed here. And what started my loyalty to the show was Simon Cowell’s “brutal honesty”.
If for no other reason, we tuned in week after week to watch him be honest. It was a time when I really needed a role model for “brutal honesty”. Was desperate for it myself and didn’t know how to get it.
So, by watching Simon, we got to see the power – the magic – of brutal honesty.
I actually saw watching American Idol as leadership training. Most others saw it as entertainment.
Brutal honest is essential for world-class results. You could see in the contestant’s eyes, and their body language that Simon’s feedback was the most important of all.
Even if it hurt.
These people were trying to be the best in the world. The next ‘common person’ to sell millions of songs. Millions. Can you comprehend that?
Simon would say what everyone else was thinking but no one had the guts to say. This intrigued me. This motivated me. It also made me laugh.
