Tag: values

Today and tomorrow

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Success is about aligning the actions of today to the desired outcomes of tomorrow.

This is where most of us fail.

Because the short-term adrenaline rush, the immediate reward, is very attractive when compared to something that might (or not) come at some point in the future. And what if when we are there we will not like it? And what if this shiny thing right here, right now will actually become a once in a lifetime opportunity?

It never does.

We spend our days moving from one distraction to the next, and it is only when we look back at our day, at our week, at our year, (at our life?) that we realize we are not a step closer to where we want to go.

It is natural, common and accepted. And we need to stop it.

Endorsement

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Endorsing someone or something demands a huge amount of honesty and awareness.

Honesty, because you need to be absolutely sincere both with those you recommend and with those you recommend to. The former need to know what you stand for, what you can and cannot accept, what you will do in case trust is broken. The latter will hold you accountable and decide whether to confirm or dispute your reputation

Awareness, because you not only need to know which values are at stake, but also if and when they are challenged, how you would react, and what you would do to continue on your path.

This is good to keep in mind in a context where everyone is an influencer. And a good reminder also for when you write a recommendation for a colleague or share the profile of a friend who is looking for a job.

Dangers and threats

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We are constantly scanning our environment for dangers and threats. And we end up seeing dangers and threats pretty much everywhere. Even when an actual danger or threat is not there, or is still just a hint of what might later become a danger or threat.

The wisest way one can spend their time is by exploring and understanding their own triggers, so that the auto-pilot can be kept under control.

Therapy and meditation are two great ways to do just that.

Gap

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And of course, this is a direct consequence of the fact that concepts are susceptible to different interpretations.

As long as organizations will continue approaching culture as a list of evocative words, the gap between culture (what management wants) and climate (what employees experience) will remain wide. And values statement will be abstract, generic and aimless.

Say it isn’t so

Fabrizio1 Comment

I have always been fascinated and vaguely astonished by the fact that, at times, communication is successful.

We do not put enough emphasis and preparation into it, and we have so many different ways to look at the world and interpret it, that it is quite a thing that two persons can come together at some point and understand each other.

What is your mental image of a tree? Of a car? Of a house? Of course, with such physical objects we often get past the ambiguity. But what with more complex concepts?

What do you think when you hear about honesty? And productivity? And work-life balance? What is your intent when you use words such as “democrat” and “republican”, “conservative” and “progressive” and “liberal”, “capitalist” and “communist”?

I promise you, it is different from how the person sitting next to you thinks about them.

And so, why are we not training for better communication? Why is this not a matter taught in school? Why are we left growing up under the false impression that everyone around us understands what we mean? And shares our same set of assumptions and priorities?

Communication is unorganized chaos for the most part, and when it succeed it truly is a work of magic.