The Art of Building Relationships

When you ask people, what is the foundation of good relationships? I often hear, "trust." Trust is so important that Stephen M. R. Covey wrote a great book titled, The Speed of Trust."

I agree, trust is a huge part but there is something even more foundational. If you don't believe me, try removing this from any relationships in your life and see what happens.

What am I talking about? Communications!!!

If communication is important what should it look like? Better yet, what should it not be like?

Consistent, accurate, regular, open, are just a few key words.

When a military battle plan is drawn up the first objective is to knockout the enemies communications. More effective than precise reconnaissance or carpet bombing, if communication lines are cut, everything quickly falls apart.

Come back for more suggestions on the power of communications.

Anger On The Rise!

Have you all noticed how angry people are getting? Just yesterday morning I watched a report about a 15-year old boy that was set on fire by a group of other teens. When these teens were questioned by the police, several of them laughed and joked about it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Two people in a Boston McDonald's were so upset that their large fry order was delivered as a small fry that one threw their change in the cashier's face and the other one threw yellow "wet floor" signs hitting a second cashier.

10 Nations and 11 States Attend the Character First! Networking Conference

Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Romania, Philippines, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Taiwan, Trinidad/Tobago, and 11 US States attended the Character First! Networking Conference in Oklahoma City. The schedule was full of dynamic speakers and helpful information.

One of the most exciting things was an idea shared by one of the Ugandan delegates. They asked if a US Character Council would be willing to partner with them to assist in building a Character Council in Uganda.

We were all so thrilled to hear such a great idea. We immediately hooked them up with the Fort Collins Colorado Character Council which had 4 members in attendance.

Watch this blog for more details soon!

Why Be an Ethical Company?

I just read an interesting article titled, "Why Be an Ethical Company? They're Stronger and Last Longer". This was a focus on short-term profits to the exclusion of all else led to the current financial crisis. And guess what? Companies with the steadiest moral compasses have sailed through it.

Here is the first paragraph:

With everyone still buzzing about the outrageous bonuses Wall Street continues to pay, it seems like now might be a good time to write a column about ethics. No, I don't want to write another article calling greedy bankers unethical. Plenty of pundits have already done that. Rather, I'd like to speculate on why some executives are so greedy, the role it played in their downfall, and how an inability to change organizational mindsets will probably lead to future banking crises. I'd also like to go beyond Wall Street and examine ethics in the broader context of American business. By Vivek Wadhwa READ MORE

The Power of Choices

Nothing builds a person's character more deeply then a long line of choices. Here is a simple analogy:
You need to be at work by 8am. Well, first we must discuss "at work." What does this mean? Are you officially "at work" if you pull in the parking lot at 7:55am? No? Certainly you are "at work" if you walk in the door by 7:59am! Not sure? I am almost positive your "at work" if your at your desk by 7:59am. What do you think?
If you are at your desk (on time) but checking your personal email or Facebook page, does this satisfy the request of being "at work" by 8am? Wait, I know, your "at work", just sat down, relieved you made it on time, when you get up and head to the break room for some coffee, at work or not?
I think your getting the point. Teenagers are not at the "at work" point and have many other decisions to make. Like:

• what time should I get up so I can get to work on time?
• if it is 7am then what time should I get to bed so I am alert while at work?
• should I hang with my friends or head home for a good nights rest?

I could easily come up with 30 or 40 more thoughts, all just to prepare for our arrival at work.

Don't run from the mundane! Embrace the many daily decisions confident that if you choose right you will be deepening your character.

General Thoughts!

I have been spending a great deal of time contemplating the state of leadership in general. I really do see a trend towards impersonal and non-relational management.

When I say leadership, you can swap this term for many others!

Spouse, parent, teacher, officer, etc. Relationships are stressed to the breaking point all around us.\

When stress is out-of-control, it can get in the way of your ability to:

• Think clearly and creatively
• Communicate clearly
• Accurately "read" other people
• Hear what someone is really saying
• Trust others
• Attend to your own needs

I am learning to focus on the positive!

I recently watch a tremendous video titled "The Secret". If you are interested, visit the website by clicking the banner below. After watching this I realized that I need to focus my attention on more positive things. I especially need to point out the positive in others.

Keep coming back and hold me accountable to this!

If the banner does not work click The Secret

href="http://www.whatisthesecret.tv">