Either/Or....

 

We live in an EITHER/OR world. Well, actually, we live in an EITHER/OR culture. We either support that or this. One or the other. We either want this or that. One or the other. And we have to destroy that which we don’t support. Including those who support that. What a terrible way to live! Why can’t we have BOTH! Why can’t we support that and this? Oh, I changed a word, didn’t I? Or a perspective….

 

As a leader, you have to consider how to get to AND. You’ll achieve effectiveness when you do. And you’ll go nowhere when you don’t. That’s the truth!

 

Imagine, instead of choosing one or the other of your teammates to lead a group to accomplish a particular task, you choose both! There’s a high probability that each has unique perspectives, experiences, knowledge, even wisdom that can be combined to create a better solution or way. Don’t believe me? Look around you. Assuming that you’re working with others right now, what could you contribute to a tasking that others aren’t as knowledgeable or experienced in doing? Go ahead, look around. Now, what could each of those folks whom you just noticed provide that would make you and your team better? You may not know that, and probably won’t ever know unless you ask them. My guess is that if you asked them, they’d be more than willing to tell you. OMG, you may learn something about your coworker!

 

In my The OTHER F Word podcast this week, I mentioned that not everyone gets promoted when they’d like to. That’s true. And, again, it’s because we live in an EITHER/OR world that perpetuates that mentality. A truly Effective Leader will design a way to promote him AND her. Maybe not in the same way. I can’t tell you how, you’ll have to figure that out for yourself, and for them, but it’s probably possible. I’ll bet that you never thought of that though. It’s easier to acquiesce to the norm, either/or. But Effective Leaders don’t do that. They’re constantly looking for the best ways to lead by helping all of their followers. 

 

If you take notice, the Universe in which we live isn’t separated by either/or. It’s inclusive. That’s why it’s call a uni-verse. It includes you AND me and all of what makes us us. If you’re going to lead effectively, start with considering how to lead with an AND mentality. I can win AND you can win. AND together, we’ll make this place a better place to work and live.

 

Until next time, be GREAT. You ARE!

 

HEIRPOWER!

 

bob vásquez!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month!

 

Every year around this time I’m approached by people with the same question,  “Hey, Chief,”  they ask,  “why do we have to have Hispanic Heritage Month?  Aren’t we all Americans?”  I never argue that a bit, but there’s more to it.  I’m sure you know we celebrate African-American/Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, Asian-Pacific Month in May, Hispanic Heritage Month in September/October, and Native American Month in November.  The purpose of those observances is to educate those of us who don’t know a lot about those cultures, and to acknowledge the contributions those groups of people have made to our own American heritage. 

What makes America great is its diversity.  If you’ll look around you (go ahead, no one’s watching) you’ll notice that what we call America is made up of people from all kinds of cultures, from different parts of the country, or the world. We’re all different yet we’re all the same. We share the same basic values that make us Americans. We’re invested in making our country and the world a better place for all of us to live. We believe in a democratic system of government where the people have a say in what and how we live. What makes America great is that although we have different and diverse needs and desires, even though we’re all different, we’ve been able to synergize all those differences to form one unified family that allows us to be ourselves and expects us to accept each other.

We used to talk about the American Melting Pot.  An honorable idea, but I’m not sure it’s attainable.  Why?  Because there is very little, if any, chance that we’ll all “melt”, that we’ll all assimilate, that we’ll all be the same.  And I’m not so sure we all want to be the same.  I think it was General George Patton who said, “If two of us are thinking the same thing, we don’t need one of us.”  There’s a marked difference between thinking the same thing and thinking with the same purpose in mind. Diversity means we can think differently but attain the same goal.

 

The concept of the American Salad Bowl comes closer to describing the culture we live in.  The illustration of the salad bowl describes a dish that, as a whole, is its own entity, delicious and healthy.  What gives that dish its flavor and wholesomeness is all of the different ingredients that make it one.  Each ingredient adds its own contribution to the whole.  Any part of it that’s missing will affect the end result. 

Dr. Stephen Covey said that “unity is not sameness, it’s complementariness.”  If we are to be united, we have to be willing to accept, appreciate, and celebrate each others’ differences. 

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is 15 September through 15 October, join the fun!  Get involved!  Make time to enjoy the various events scheduled throughout the celebration!  You don’t have to be of, or know a lot about, the culture. The people who have labored hard to organize the events will gladly teach you and will welcome your support.  You’ll learn a lot and you’ll find a kind of gratification you can’t find elsewhere.  The education you gain and the relationships you develop will make you better and they’ll make America better.  Together, we can go forward!  

¡ADELANTE!

bob vásquez!

The Present is a Gift!

 

There’s so much talk about the future these days! I’m somewhat of a futurist. I’ve invested most of my life helping others, and myself, envision the future so as to empower us to live in it. Peter Drucker once said that “the best way to predict the future is to create it.” But when do we create it? In the past? Well, the past has some influence on us, doesn’t it? Do we create the future in the future? I’m not sure how that would work. I’m convinced that we create it in the present. 

 

For years I’ve attempted to practice meditation. I know that it’s good for the mind and the soul. But, man, is it difficult for me to do! For even a few minutes. You see, as soon as I get in my meditation pose, I start thinking about all sorts of things. Sometimes, about what I SHOULD have done. (The past.) Often, about what I HAVE to do the rest of the day. (The future.)  Almost never about NOTHING. The key to meditating is to learn to think about nothing. That’s incredibly difficult for me to do…or not do. As my sensei tries to guide me, just be here…. NO! I can’t! What if…? Be present! Okay…. NO!

 

Most leaders that I know, whether they acknowledge it or not, have difficulty being here. In the present. Listening to the person speaking to them. I know, not you, but let’s talk about others…. Or me…. When I’m supposed to be listening, I immediately refer to my past. Yeah. Been there done that. I often don’t even know what the person speaking to me is saying because I’m reliving the past. To help the speaker of course, with the benefit of my experience. Been there. Done that! Really?! NO! It was different then. None of us have been there nor done that!

 

And the future is constantly attempting to influence me. What shall I do once I straighten out this person speaking to me? Maybe I’ll do this. Or that. When will they stop talking? Let’s get on with me fixing you!

 

I had what I believe to be a profound thought just now. The future is happening right now! All that I prepared to do one day is happening, or not, right now! And as much as I try to affect that future, it’s going to happen in the present! Isn’t that profound? Call me if you need more explanation. 

 

Here’s the truth. We only live now! In the present. It’s a gift! Try to prepare for the future by learning from the past, but practice being effective, being YOU, right here, right now. Focus on what you can do right now. And if you intend to be an Effective Leader, be here, listening to understand, right now. With. ME! Not somewhere else. It will pay off. You may even learn something. Something really important. Then, you can consider the future.

 

Until next time,

 

Be GREAT!

 

You ARE!

 

HEIRPOWER!

 

bob vásquez!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m confused! Is today Monday or Tuesday. It’s the beginning of the work week so it should be Monday, right? But yesterday was a holiday so that makes today Monday, doesn’t it?