Management Craft

Undo Before You Become Undone

I am happy to tell you that Undo Before You Become Undone is now available! Please pick up a copy today - one for you and one for a pal! It is just $12.50 (about the same as two gallons of gas!).

It is a short, sassy, irreverent, and sometimes funny look at how we work. It challenges us to reinvent, and begs us not to take ourselves too seriously.

This is a self-published book, so you will not see it on the end caps of your local Barnes and Noble. You will not see a review posted in the New York Times Sunday Books Section. You will not see the authors on a jet-setting world book tour. You will not see the book cover on the home page of Amazon.com.

Being self-published means that the book will only get the press and attention that you - my dear readers and fellow bloggers - give it. How do I suck up love thee, let me count the ways.....

I am one of three authors of the book and was joined in this project by my smart and sassy pals Randy Boek and Kathleen Goodman. Here is our author portrait that is on the back cover (I'm on the left, the one with the butterfly wings, and yes, we posed on top of the Space Needle to take this shot - ah, what we do for attention!).

I would like to thank ALL of the readers who graciously volunteered their time and energy to read the book and offer a blurb. Here they are in alphabetical order:

“The thing that strikes me as I read the book is that after the ‘age’ of specialization, it sounds like the ‘Jack of all trades, Master of none’ will again become a valued member of the team. It sounds like the person with many non-specialized skills will have an advantage. They will be better able or more eager to undo because they will better see the ways the undone might be re-combined. I am very interested in this as I'm soon to be undone and looking for ways redo in other ways. I'm turning 60 and have 40 more years to live and I know I need to undo and recombine several more times before the end.” Bob Bennett
“Undone packs a punch.  Like being hit on the head by a piece of 4"x2".  Not all of it is original.  Some of it is not new.  But it carries a concise and powerful message for re-thinking the role of consultants, advisers, managers and leaders.  You might not agree with all of it.  But you will be stirred by it.” Mike Chitty, Progressive Managers' Network, Leeds UK

“Unbelievable!  Unparalleled insight!  Unmatched intellect!  Uncommonly good!  What can you undo today?” Michael Fulton, Enterprise Social Butterfly

“Boek, Goodman, and Haneberg make a case for skating on the other side of the ice in Undo Before You Become Undone.  If you are preparing for what you thought was going to be a knowledge work career, or even if you don't know that yet, you will find insights and inspirations in UNDO!  Of course some of their ideas do not apply to me: Who are they, experts?” Scott Johnson, Illinois Online Network, Online Learning Administrator (a career that didn't exist 15 years ago)

"Thanks for the slap in the face... I desperately need to get un-Bobbed and become part of con-cat-nation!" Nick McCormick, Author, Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager

“Undo Before You Become Undone is a quick read but far from shallow; more like a fast, cool dip in the deep end.  The authors’ cheeky poke at us consultants in ‘Experts Aren’t’ had me laughing so hard I blew coffee out my nose, until I heard the thermometer in my rear-end pop, and I realized that this turkey was done!  Boek, Goodman and Haneberg examine the impact of prevailing market forces driving change and end each of their six chapters in a manner designed to pop some new ideas out of your intellectual toaster.” Patrick J. McKenna, management consultant, founder of Edge International and author of the business bestsellers, Herding Cats and First Among Equals.

"This book reads like a refreshing splash of cold water in the face of our complacent natures."  T, improvisational actor and life coach

“The last company I worked for always made me feel like we were doing business in the forties. Everything they did was behind the times and usually made everyone feel more like a resource then a partner in the business. I hope they read this book and realize that by doing business with that kind of mentality, they will become extinct. This book teaches you to be fluid and stay open to what’s coming down the pike. Business is changing every second and only those that can master the art of being open will survive.” Jerry Verno, Inventory Planner

“Undo Before You Become Undone by Boek, Goodman, and Haneberg combines the wisdom of Zen master, Shunryu Suzuki’s statement of ‘In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few’ with a reverse swoosh of ‘Just Undo It.’ It also reminded me of the Guess Who lyrics from She’s Come Undone: ‘She's come undone, She didn't know what she was headed for, And when I found what she was headed for It was too late.’” David Zinger, Founder of the Employee Engagement Network and Blogger for Slacker Manager

We invite YOU to undo before you become undone!

Fireside Chat with Dr. Marty Seldman

How do you find your career sweet spot? Listen to find out.

During this 28 minute podcast, I chat with Dr. Marty Seldman, co-author of Executive Stamina: How to Optimize Time, Energy, and Productivity to Achieve Peak Performance. Marty and his son, Joshua, have teamed up to address the topic of executive stamina in a holistic way.  Have a listen in as we talk about focus, choice, personal alignment, physical stamina and it's connection to success, and charting your ideal career path.

You can listen to my podcast with the Dr. Marty Seldman by clicking here:

You can also download an MP3 version of the podcast here.

And just a reminder.....

Here is the Podcast Feed for the entire Fireside Chat podcast series:

To see the complete list of podcasts in this series, select the Podcasts and Webcasts category on this blog or see the list on my main website here.

You can also find this series on iTunes (and several other podcast sites), just search under my last name for Fireside Chat.

So Go, Already

You know the type....

They always have something to say about how things ought to be handled.
How things ought to change.
Which decisions the leaders ought to make.
The managers who ought to be fired because they are incompetent.
The way departments ought to be reorganized (surprise, their department doubles in size).

Maybe you are this type?

Do you ever just want to say, "You're doing this all wrong!"

If so, it might be time to go - I mean that it might be time for YOU to go.

For some, there comes a time when staying with a company produces more stress and frustration (for you and the people who have to listen to you) than it is worth.

Sure, we should all try to improve our workplaces, help our companies grow, fix problems.

BUT, when what you think is a problem is perfectly fine for those who are making the decisions, then you need to let it go or just go.

A mediocre strategy with good buy-in and cooperation will outperform a great strategy that no one supports. Play - as in play well with others - or find a place where you can play.

Be WITH the team or change teams.

This message was brought to you by my new sponsor, my recovering control freak brain. You see, I was having thoughts about how some company OUGHT to be doing things and I realized that I was the problem, not them. Sure, I might be right and they might be wrong (there's a good chance I am right and they are wrong - spoken like a true recovering control freak) but it is not my company and so I either need to be on board or I need to move on (away from the project).

Fireside Chat with Alexandra Levit - Dream Jobs

What's your dream job and how do you get it? Listen to find out.

During this 22 minute podcast, I chat with Alexandra Levit, author of How'd You Score That Gig: A Guide to the Coolest Jobs-and How to Get Them. We talk about which jobs her research revealed to be the coolest, how we can get from where we are today to doing our dream job, and how to discover the type of job that will be a great fit for your strengths and interests (your Passion Profile). Alexandra's book highlights 60 cool jobs - including a realistic look at the good, bad, and ugly of each. This is a fun conversation and a must-not-miss for anyone wanting to improve their career happiness. You can find Alexandra's blog here.

Alexandra also has a podcast called, 30/20 Vision, which is a monthly series for the 20-something woman who wishes she had a couple of big sisters to clue her in on the ins and outs of life after college. It features young authors Christine Hassler (20 Something Manifesto), Alexandra Levit (How'd You Score That Gig?), and Lindsey Pollak (Getting From College to Career).

You can listen to my podcast with the Alexandra Levit by clicking here:

You can also download an MP3 version of the podcast here: MP3 Download

 

And just a reminder.....

Here is the Podcast Feed for the entire Fireside Chat podcast series:

To see the complete list of podcasts in this series, select the Podcasts and Webcasts category on this blog or see the list on my main website here.

You can also find this series on iTunes (and several other podcast sites), just search under my last name for Fireside Chat.

Fireside Chat with Dan Pink - The Adventures of Johnny Bunko

What has Dan Pink's book got to do with the Rocky Horror Picture Show? You'll have to listen to this podcast to find out!

During this 23 minute podcast, I chat it up with Dan Pink, author of The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need. Dan's book is the first American business book written in manga - a Japanese comic format. The book is a gas to read and the career coaching is timeless and immediately implementable. We talk about manga, we talk about strategic career advice, we talk about how Marcus Buckingham is a bauble-head, and we talk about Diana. Who's Diana? Listen and find out. Check out the website for Johnny Bunko here and check out a super cool movie-type trailer for the book here.

Dan's last two books are well known and likely on your bookshelf. They are A Whole New Mind and Free Agent Nation.

You can listen to my podcast with the Dan Pink by clicking here:

You can also download an MP3 version of the podcast here: MP3 Download

 

And just a reminder.....

Here is the Podcast Feed for the entire Fireside Chat podcast series:

To see the complete list of podcasts in this series, select the Podcasts and Webcasts category on this blog or see the list on my main website here.

You can also find this series on iTunes (and several other podcast sites), just search under my last name for Fireside Chat.

Reject Criticism, Reject Flattery

I was flipping around the channels while riding my exercise bike tonight, and I caught a few minutes of Deepak Chopra on PBS. It was the pledge push and the PBS announcer was asking him questions submitted from callers.

One caller asked how he could overcome self-doubt. I am not going to get the exact words, but he said, roughly:

Reject criticism. But then you must also reject flattery.

I like that he included both. So often we see advice to reject, or not let criticism define how we feel about ourselves BUT we don't address the downside of letting flattery affect our perceptions.

He was saying - do not think of yourself as either lower than or higher than anyone else.

OK, so Chopra is a bit new-agey (or as my friend calls it, Airy Fairy), but I think this is great advice. We get so wrapped up in how people see things - other people - that we lose our self and we give up living fully and mindfully in the present.

Even at work - the politics, the juggling for power. It is crazy. And it is meaningless. Most of the silly work politicking adds no more minutes of happiness and often robs us of precious minutes. I am not talking about pride in goal achievement, I am talking about the need to win in ways that elevate our feelings of stature.

Reject that having a small cube means something. Reject that having a corner office means something.
Reject that failure is devastating. Reject that winning is the end goal.

Food for thought.

Be Happy... Or else

I like this post from pal Terry Starbucker called, Clearing the Last Hurdle to Happiness. Check it out. Here is a snippet:

I wonder how many people in this world are truly happy, and I find it hard to really come up with a good estimate. It’s hard to tell just by observing all the people who cross my path every day, and time doesn’t allow me to step up to every one of them and ask “hey, are you happy?” (imagine if a stranger walked up to you and asked that question - would you answer?).

It is a good question and I like how Terry processes it in this post. Here's another question I have. Why, when we can choose any level of happiness, do so many of us choose something less - often much less - than bliss?  Most of us - most of you reading this blog - lived truly charmed lives. And yet we choose other emotions like sadness, frustration, envy, disappointment.

I don't remember where, but I remember seeing a study that said there was very little correlation between money and happiness once one is past covering for basic needs of food, safety, and health.

Terry offers up the option that some of us feel something other than happy because deep down inside we don't feel we deserve to be happy. Perhaps. I think that we learn to be dissatisfied from a young age. If we are truly content, after all, what will motivate us? Our parents and teachers have taught us well when it comes to the virtues of unhappiness.

And this can be a vicious cycle, too. Right now, I am not so happy because I have taken on too much work, when I do not need to and I cannot meet my goals regarding health and non-business writing. So it is my EXCESS work (or EXCESS success) that is causing me pain now. How crazy is that! And you know what, it is all in my control.

So, thanks, Terry, I am enjoying a moment of peace tonight and will ponder how to love (and change, if needed) the abundant life I have created.

There was a great article in National Geographic about Bhutan this month. We were attracted to this issue because we are going to Bhutan in November. As you know, Bhutan is known for their Gross National Happiness. Check out this great feature article that talks about how they continue to explore and struggle with decisions about how to balance tradition with progress.

Perhaps a nice Monday mantra is in order (speak and repeat as neccessary):

I live a charmed life. I am lucky and at peace with my circumstances. Life is good and I am happy.

The Business of Leisure

It's amazing how hard we work to figure out how to relax.

Does this seem odd to anyone else?

We enroll in retreats - get to the airport two hours early, fly for another four hours, carry all our electronics with us, and then pay for it with plastic that boomerangs back into our lives three weeks later.

We buy books about Zen, Wabi Sabi, goddesses, secrets, and breathing techniques. We attend monthly book chats to discuss breathing.

We become human pretzels on bright rubber mats and we take classes to learn how to laugh.

We nurse expensive single malts and foo-foo drinks at loud happy-hour joints.

Our volunteering starts off simple enough, but then our inner leader kicks in and before we know it we are on the board of directors.

Those needing to relax in mid-life often find that a red topless car or purple motorcycle are required tools.

We plunk down thousands of dollars on vibrating chairs and pay thin people dressed in hemp to cover our naked bodies with hot oil and rocks. The hotter it is, the bigger their tip.

We spend weeks planning vacation details and the vacation mourning our lack of control over the details. We judge new lands by how they don't fit our expectations. We stand in line for hours to see the Mona Lisa and then look at her for less than two minutes. We snap drive-by photos of sights we've highlighted in travel guides. Then we spend nights and weekends uploading and editing the vacation photos to share with others and we tell people, "hey, I saw the Mona Lisa."

Guppies would find it hard to fly and hummingbirds can't swim. But why don't we know how to relax?

Perhaps it is time we all woke up and smelled the vente soy latte. We know how to relax and recharge. We know how to laugh. We know how to breathe. Or we did once and that knowledge is still in there like riding a bike. The pursuit of leisure is a diversion that can take us in the opposite direction.

Are we addicted to Name Brand leisure? 

What did you do this weekend?
Nothing.
What do you mean, nothing.
I relaxed.
Oh, so you went to the spa? Read a book? Went shopping?
Nothing.
You tried one of those sensory deprivation tanks?
No, I did nothing.
Where did you go?
Nowhere.
Did you take in a DVD?
No.
I see, you got drunk and slept.
No. I did nothing.
I don't understand what you mean. Is something wrong?

To relax, relax. What are we afraid of?

Anything is Possible - Create Your Work World Again

I was coming out of a Bed, Bath, and Beyond today and I got kind of reflective. I was looking for a new blanket because the nights are getting cold in Seattle and with four big dogs (three now, 16 year old Jet went to doggie heaven a couple weeks back), nothing stays nice for very long.

But this post is not about blankets. Well, I guess in a way it is about the feeling a nice blanket gives us on a cold night.

As I was coming out of BB&B, I let my mind wander on to thinking about my life and work. And it hit me - I have created what I always said I wanted. I work from home, do a variety of types of work (consult, speak, write, coach, etc), I get to work with lots of smart people, I have enough money to pay bills, save a wee bit and take vacations and have a second home (condo really) in my favorite place, New Mexico.

This is just what I have said I wanted for years.

What's interesting is that we often don't feel like we have arrived when we get there. I did not see a taped finish line, a checkered flag, and I did not get a certificate of completion suitable for framing.

Why is that.....?

Two reasons. First, that's just not me - I grew up in the time of the pink upturned collar izods, yuppies, and - yes, I admit it - disco. We of this time are never satisfied. Second, this is a journey - a long journey with any luck.

We express goals as end points, but they are never end points. Goals are great. Visualizing what you want is great. Staying in focused action to get to the goal is great. Seeing that you have arrived as you continue forward, like hanging out of a slow rolling car to take a picture of Mount Ranier on a clear day - well, that's extra sweet with a cherry on top.

Getting there is wonderful. Not stopping is even better.

Anything is possible, it really is. And beyond this, other things are possible too - things we cannot even list as possibilities.

Bill and I went to see Mozart's Requiem last week. It is a somber piece - for the dead - but the performance was uplifting. Just before the conductor came out, I remarked to Bill that this was going to be the first time we saw the music director Gerard Schwarz for the Seattle Symphony (OK, so we didn't do our homework) but then the conductor came out and it was a young woman named Carolyn Kuan. She looked twelve. She was great.I watched her take lead of the orchestra and chorus and it was amazing. I imagined that she must be very smart, driven, and focused and in action. Yep, yep, and yep. Here's a picture of her:

Do you air conduct (I do sometimes, it's fun)?

Anything is possible and much more than we can imagine today.

I no longer wear izods (but have three ipods) and I won't admit to doing any disco dancing. But I think that five years from now, I will again be walking out of some store or coffee shop and suddenly realize that I got where I was headed again.

Another stop on the turnpike. Time to get gas, clean the windshield, and head back out.

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed?

From HR Daily Advisor:

“Start-of-day positive mood spills over and affects positive employee mood during the day,” they reported. “Likewise, start-of-day negative mood spills over and affects negative employee mood during the day, even accounting for work-related contextual influences like customer interactions.”

Get your latte and eat your Wheaties. Smile and say, "good morning," until you believe it! Read the whole article here. Hat tip to George's Employment Blawg.