John TV: Episode #16

So what’s ON SALE?  Never hurts to do a little soul-searching!

John TV: Episode #15

Decisions … decisions … decisions.  Life is full of them.  And the outcome of our work, our family and our life ultimately depend on them.

John TV: Episode #13

 

 Make your commitments count!  It all starts with being very conscious about when, where and to whom you make a commitment.  Be careful with your commitments … and then consistently make your commitment count!

JOHN TV: EPISODE #9

 What have you been truly “wondering” about lately?  I’m just curious … and I would love to hear about it.  Maybe this would be a great day to drive somewhere … turning off your cell phone and your radio and turning on your mind to just wander and wonder!

JOHN TV: EPISODE #8

Make collaboration a practice.  Who do you know who can help you practice collaboration … someone who sees the world from a different point of view from you, yet thinks the world of you!

John TV: Episode #6

Once the truth has been spoken … no other words are necessary!

John TV: Episode #5

Listen up! Literally.  Listening is simply a DECISION.  And our habit of listening may be the biggest contribution you can make to building genuine relationships.  It may also be the most important thing you can do to contribute to the conversation.  So listen up!

John TV: Episode #3

Take a moment to think about who you need to encourage this very day.  Stop what you are doing … and do it!  Make that call, write that note, or get up from your desk and go see them.  I encourage you to do so.  It will make a difference in them … and in you!

Celebrating Independence … and those who make it possible.

This morning I received an email from a great friend.  Just three years ago, David Fahrenkrug and I could sit and enjoy a 3-hour lunch in Oakbrook IL.  We could sit and cover a number of topics from family to trends, world events to faith, and the journey of life itself.  At the time, the Air Force was putting David through a doctorate program at the University of Chicago.  Last month the Air Force gave him another assignment — the command of the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron in the Middle East.  I know if I was serving in the Middle East, I would want to be under David’s command.  He is one of the smartest, substantive, authentic and faith-filled individuals that I have met in my life.  With his beautiful family back in the USA, it reminded me how much sacrifice has been endured to provide the independence we celebrate today. 

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, today, I will be gratefully celebrating our freedom (which oh so many take fully for granted) and I will be thinking of David and all the men and women who are serving in danger’s way.  I pray they will be kept safe and, sooner rather than later, they will be able to celebrate the Fourth of July at home with their families back in the USA!

Serving Up Lessons

Today’s post is the monthly reflection from the May 2004 issue of  The Front Porch Newsletter.  If you would like to automatically receive The Front Porch e-newsletter on the last Thursday of each month just click here to sign-up for your complimentary subscription.

It had been a great first day. My daughter’s volleyball team had gone undefeated in their end-of-the season tournament. That was until they met a fairly mediocre team for the last set of the tournament’s first day. The first game mirrored the decisive victories they had been experiencing throughout the day. But the second and third game did not. It was a puzzling pair of losses. At the team dinner that night, I happened to sit next to the coach. Christina is a steady force for the team. I knew how much my daughter and her fellow teammates respected her. Was it because of her experience in training Olympic athletes? Was it her knowledge of the game or some specific skills? If so, these were only minor points. Three things, over the next 18-hours would give me a great insight into their deep respect for Christina .

Our conversation at dinner would be my first insight. I asked her what she thought had happened in that final set of the day. Were they just tired? Did they simply lose focus? What she said surprised me. Her answer was no and no. She then explained, “The other team had gone into a mode of “sloppy” play, simply doing anything to get it over the net — and at age thirteen you can win games doing that. I called a time-out and told the team that I would rather lose the game than drop to that level of play. At age thirteen, they are still learning to master the right skills and techniques. Staying committed to the learning process requires a greater risk and you are going to make mistakes. The payoff is in the long-term. I was not about to sacrifice the long term for a short term victory.” In Christina’s mind, those were not losses. Those were investments.

The next morning she squeezed the whole team into her hotel room. They played a game of trying to identify each other’s voice without being able to see their fellow teammates. A simple exercise, but a useful weapon for a game where you often have only a voice to trust in those split-second decisions.

These were two powerful lessons for the girls. Don’t shortcut the long-term for a short-term win. And learn to hear and trust your teammates to the point that it starts to become second-nature. Great lessons for volleyball — AND powerful lessons for your business.

By noon the next day, it had already paid off. They had won the championship! What happened next was the most powerful insight as to why these girls love their coach. She asked the girls to line-up on the sideline of the court. And then one-by-one she purposefully gave each one of them a hug. As the parents looked on, it was hard to hold back your tears.

They say that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. These girls may very well forget winning the championship, but they will never forget the coach who got them there! How will your team remember you?!?