Sure-Footed

Posted on by Scott

volcano-1784658_640My daughter and I have taken to watching a new Netflix show called Floor is Lava. It’s a reality competition based on a game many can identify with. As kids, my brothers and I would pretend the floors of our house were covered in lava (or quicksand, or shark-infested water) and would role-play various adventures that required us to navigate the house by climbing on the furniture. We’d jump from bed to bed, crawl over tables, and use couch cushions as islands – anything to avoid touching the floor. Netflix has taken this concept and created an adult-sized obstacle course.

Filmed in an old Ikea building (because no studio wanted their property covered in 80,000 gallons of pretend lava), the show pits teams of three in a race from one end of a room to the other. One point is scored for each member who makes it to the exit, with ties decided by the fastest time. There’s only one rule – don’t touch the floor. This means that everything in the room is a potential asset. With multiple routes at their disposal, teams must figure out the best way to navigate the room and escape. The winners take home a trophy and $10,000.

The show is simple and somewhat cheesy – some might even call it stupid – buts it’s a huge hit for Netflix. It’s also turned into an interesting character study for me. After watching contestants work their way through a variety of themed rooms, I’ve noticed that those who do well tend to operate very differently from their less-successful counterparts.

Winning teams get busy. The teams that win don’t spend a lot of time thinking about their moves. They identify a way forward and get started. When things don’t work out, they try something different. Losing teams tend to wait longer before getting started and waste a lot of time debating even the simplest maneuvers.

Winning teams work together. While viewers can see the entire course laid out, contestants have limited sight-lines. They can’t always judge the distance between objects or see where footholds are located. Teams that do well communicate with each other, shouting encouragement and advice even as they each navigate their way around the course. They support each other (literally) when necessary to ensure the team stays together and on track.

Winning teams have fun. At first, I was frustrated with the way some teams seemed to be more interested in chatting with each other than in getting the job done. I soon realized that these teams were still moving forward, they were just enjoying the process rather than agonizing over it. They view the experience as an adventure, not a chore. Completing the course takes concentration and effort, but it doesn’t have to be work.

Creators Irad Eyal and Megan McGrath are already working on plans for a second season of Floor is Lava. Given the success of the first few episodes, I imagine the sets will be larger and the obstacles more daring. One thing I bet doesn’t change though, is the formula winning teams use to get from point A to point B.

Thanks for Your Support

Posted on by Scott

directory-973992_640At 25, Sara Blakely found herself working for Danka selling fax machines door-to-door in the hot summer sun of Florida. The one-time lawyer want-to-be discovered that she was pretty good at selling. She had a knack for it and quickly began moving up the ranks, training others to sell the way she did. What she wasn’t good at though, was handling the summer heat.

Wearing pantyhose was part of the company dress code. However, the options available were thick and often unappealing when matched with summertime outfits. While preparing to attend a company event one evening, Blakely stared down at her feet and moaned at the sight of a seam poking out of her open-toed shoes. In a fit of frustration, she cut the feet off of her hose.

While the cut edges started to ride up her legs during the evening, Blakely felt she was on to something. Surely other women had felt the same frustration, and here was a potential solution just begging to be developed. Fast forward a few years and Spanx, the intimate-wear company started by Blakely while still selling fax machines, was a top-line brand. Blakely became a billionaire by acting on her idea.

As I read about Blakely’s story, I was inspired by her passion for what she knew was a good idea. She invested her time, energy, and limited savings into making it become a reality. She succeed despite everyone telling her the project was a mistake. And I do mean everyone.

“No one told me to do this, but intuitively, I just felt I should keep my idea to myself and not seek validation from friends and family.”

That’s Blakely talking about the early days of her entrepreneurial journey. But it could be one of any number of successful inventors, business owners, artists, and team leaders speaking about their struggle to create something great. Sadly, it’s the people you should count on for the most support who tend to offer the most criticism. It’s those closest to you – those with the most potential to encourage – who are most likely to crush your dream.

“You’re wasting your time.”

“No one will buy that.”

“Management won’t support it.”

“The competition is too fierce.”

“It costs too much.”

“You don’t have any experience.”

Every success story worth reading includes some version of this early chapter. Our hero identifies a potential solution to a problem, gets excited about it, and starts pouring their heart into it. But the first obstacle they encounter comes from those who ought to be counted among the staunchest supporters.

After a year of work on her project, Sara Blakely began to share her dreams with those close to her. Right on cue, the naysayers spoke up. Her confidence was rattled. The self-doubt set in. Thankfully, Blakely wasn’t deterred and she continued her quest to change an industry.

All great ideas encounter opposition. We expect it from the competition. We expect it from those with something to lose. We expect it from those comfortable with the status-quo. We see those shots coming and prepare for them. It’s the friendly fire that always seems to find its mark.

There are certainly times I’ve allowed my own dreams to be crushed by those I counted as supporters, even allies. I wonder though, how many times have I been the one doing the crushing?

Behind Closed Doors

Posted on by Scott

Over the weekend I ran into a former coworker, Greg. It’s been close to 20 years since we worked together, and we spent several minutes catching up. We talked about our current work situations, gave family updates, and laughed about the old times. We eventually parted ways, promising to do a better job of keeping in touch.

As I went about the rest of my day, I couldn’t help but recall some of the projects and conversations we’d had during our tenure at the same employer. There was one incident though that my mind kept going back to. It’s the same one that always pops up when I think of Greg. It was the time his office door went missing.

Our CEO at the time believed strongly that managers should be available whenever the team needed them. As a result, he expected that we follow an “open-door” policy. Whenever possible, the doors to our offices were to remain open. It served as a conspicuous signal that any employee was welcome to speak to any member of management at any time.

The problem was that Greg liked to close his door. He didn’t want to be interrupted while he was working. He said he needed to focus in order to do his best work. So while the rest of us kept our doors open most of the time, Greg’s was typically closed; much to the ire of our CEO. So one day, Greg came in to find the door to his office had been removed.

Glenn Geher, a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz, says that closing your office door too often sends negative signals to the rest of the team. It shuts people out, making them feel excluded or unworthy of your attention. At a minimum, it communicates an unwillingness to engage with others. Closing the door is a silent social cue about your approachability.

Obviously, there are legitimate times when the door should to be closed.

  • You’re having a confidential conversation with another associate.
  • You need to take a private or sensitive phone call.
  • You need an hour or so to focus and finish up some time-sensitive work.

However, these should be rare occurrences. If your door is always closed, there may be larger issues that need to be addressed. Besides, think of what you’re missing.

  • You’re missing out on the chance to hear new ideas from other member of the team. When you shut the door, you communicate that you are not interested in anything outside the scope of your current focus.
  • You’re missing out on the opportunity to coach others. When you shut the door, others learn to seek out coworkers who are more receptive to sharing ideas.
  • You’re missing out on the little, seemingly inconsequential conversations that inevitably pop up from time to time throughout the day. When you shut the door, the team decides to move on without you.

Geher suggests using the door sparingly. Communicate the occasional desire to close your door for some quiet. Everyone understands the need for some distraction-free work. But let your default be an open door. Don’t watch through the glass as the team moves on without you.

Nothing But Net

Posted on by Scott

basket-801708_640Sports have always provided excellent metaphors for success, and at this time of year college basketball takes center stage. Here in Lubbock, we’re celebrating the new NCAA Division II Women’s National Champions (Lubbock Christian University’s Lady Chaparrals), and the first trip ever to the Division I Final Four for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Obviously, basketball fever is running high in West Texas.

The road to any championship includes numerous stories of personal adversity and team achievement. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy playoff seasons and even the Olympics. There’s always someone who defies the odds. There’s always a team that shouldn’t be on the leaderboard. Underdogs make for compelling television; but when it comes to winning, they share many traits in common with the perennial top seeds.

It starts with strategy. Winning teams begin with a roster of talented players and a leader – a coach – who knows how to maximize their abilities. After building a team with the desired skill set, a strategy is formed. A style of play is developed and communicated. Assignments are given out and expectations are set. Goals are established and progress is measured. Does your team have a comprehensive, written strategy?

A strategy requires discipline. Every player accepts and embraces their role. Skills are honed and expanded. Teammates come to rely on each other and trust that each is doing their part for the team’s success. The coach promotes a culture of accountability. Mistakes are made, but every eye is on the prize and no one slacks off. Ability grows. Does each member of your team approach their role with discipline?

That discipline allows for flexibility. With the basics securely in place, teams gain the flexibility to change things up as necessary. They can adapt to different opponents and circumstances. They ramp up intensity when needed to overcome unforeseen obstacles they encounter. They begin experimenting with new strategies knowing that the fundamentals aren’t in question. Has your team developed the ability to shift as needed to address unexpected change?

In short order the 2019 NCAA championships will be over, but that doesn’t mean the work will end. Even now, most teams are analyzing the data from their season and revisiting their strategic plans. They’re looking to recruit new talent and identifying skills that need to be improved. There’s no time for looking back, because the future lies ahead. Winners are always moving forward, eyes focused on the next play.

Watch for Ice

Posted on by Scott

road-587451_640The thermometer read 14 degrees when I left the house today. That’s a stark contrast to the balmy, 70 degree drive home I enjoyed on Friday afternoon. A cold front descended on West Texas this weekend. There wasn’t much precipitation; just enough to make things interesting and driving a little dangerous yesterday morning. Just enough to create patches of black ice.

While dry streets are obviously preferred, heavy rain or snow are much better for driving than the spotty conditions presented by black ice. With the really bad stuff, you know how to prepare, and you can be reasonably sure that other drivers will be just as cautious as you are. But black ice is different as it masquerades as dry pavement. The thin layer of ice allows the dark coloring of the road surface to show though, giving you a false sense of security. Often, you don’t know it’s there until it’s too late. Even if you do see it coming. It can be difficult to navigate.

We have patches of black ice at work too, don’t we? Again, I’m not talking about the “all hands on deck” type of emergencies. I’m talking about the random slick spots that we don’t see coming; the technical hiccups, the upset or demanding customer, the corporate demands that blindside us. Navigate them incorrectly, and you can spin out of control. Handled them properly though, and you can continue on to your original destination with little impact.

When you encounter one of these slick spots, the first thing you should do is put both hands on the wheel. Typical driving involves a lot of multitasking. We adjust the radio and climate controls. We drink our coffee and finish off a breakfast sandwich. But at the first sign that something is off, we need both hands on the wheel. This one act focuses our minds on the immediate situation. We can feel changes in road conditions through the steering wheel and react more quickly to changes that we sense. The simple decision to focus brings all of our resources to bear on navigating safely through the slick spot.

Next, we need to take our foot off of the gas. Make sure you read that correctly. Don’t step on the brakes and don’t accelerate. Either of those actions can make the problem worse. Hit the brakes, and you’ll create new problems as the car will quickly spin out of control. This endangers everyone around you. Trying to go faster will result in your spinning your wheels. You’ll waste a lot of effort with no result. The goal is to keep moving. Just ease off a little bit. Once the danger has passed, resume normal speed.

Finally, steer the vehicle in the right direction. A tendency is to over-correct. If the car starts sliding left, we want to jerk the wheel hard to the right. This is a recipe for disaster as once the immediate threat is over, you find yourself barreling in another wrong direction. Instead, we need to keep the wheel pointed in the direction we ultimately want to go. Keep your eyes on the desired destination and avoid the temptation to over-steer because of a single little unsteady patch.

Even when the road ahead looks to be clear, there are a million little decisions to make in order to reach our goal safely. And while it may be comfortable to set the cruise control and relax, we have to remain vigilant. When you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to make sure you are prepared to deal with the unexpected. Having the right plan ensures you can tackle whatever the road throws at you.

How’s Your Driving?

Posted on by Scott

snowscapeOn Friday night Mother Nature passed through Lubbock, leaving behind our first snowfall of the season. Residents woke up Saturday to between seven and twelve inches of snow, with a steady curtain of the white stuff continuing to drop until mid-day. Cold temperatures and icy conditions led local authorities to recommend staying off of the streets if at all possible. But Christmas shopping, weekend jobs, and other responsibilities forced many people out onto the roads.

My son Alex and I were a couple of those who had to get out. We had an obligation that couldn’t be postponed so after a quick breakfast, we hit the streets in my four wheel drive pickup. Making our way through town, it didn’t take long for us encounter the wonders of winter. Children and pets played in the snow, homeowners shoveled their driveways and sidewalks, and there were plenty of great photo opportunities; such as the attached picture from my own backyard.

But it was the vehicles on the road that really grabbed our attention; well, actually it was the people driving them. There were three types of people on the road Saturday morning. Each of them had distinctive goals and observable driving patterns.

There were those like Alex and myself; people with jobs to do and a desire to accomplish those jobs as effectively as possible. These people drive slowly, being careful to avoid the slick spots and allowing other drivers plenty of room to operate. They anticipate changes and adjust their course accordingly. They give themselves plenty of time to stop at a traffic light and move at a speed that allows them to maintain control while making steady progress.

Every now and then, these drivers encounter someone else on the road who makes their commute even more difficult. These are the people who feel the need to drive at top speed regardless of the road conditions. They can’t be bothered to observe safe driving habits, so they speed by others; throwing up a wave of ice and slush (not mention a few choice words) as they pass. They tailgate, applying unnecessary pressure on the people on front of them. Their reckless behavior causes them to slip and slide, putting everyone around them in danger.

And then there are those who clear the way; the street graders and ice trucks. These people were out working in the wee hours of the night, long before the rest of us; working to remove obstacles so we could safely go about our business. It’s a thankless job, and one most of us don’t give a second thought to – unless we encounter a street that needs a little clearing.

Of course, we don’t need to travel through a snowstorm to encounter these people. All three types are out there every single day; on the roads, in our businesses, and everywhere in between. The real question is this: What kind of driver are you?

Are you the kind of driver who works to make steady progress toward your goal? Are you the kind who works to clear the way so that others have a clearer path to success? Or are you the kind who makes everyone else’s journey even more difficult?

The Incredible Power of Tradition

Posted on by Scott

ornamentWhen Susan and I got married (November of 1991), we knew Christmas was just around the corner. There wasn’t a lot of time to set up a joint household and figure out how we were going to decorate our new place for the holidays. It was stressful enough thinking about how we were going to navigate all of the family, work, and other gatherings; let alone establish some kind of celebration of our own. We knew that our own traditions would evolve over time, particularly once we added children to the mix. But there was one tradition we decided to start right from the beginning, and I’m so glad that we did.

We bought a small, table-top tree and an ornament commemorating our first Christmas as a married couple. The ornament is from the Hallmark Miniature series and features a Victorian-era couple in a sleigh. It has the words “First Christmas” and the year printed on it. The idea was that each year, we’d find a new ornament to celebrate our new family and place only those items on this particular tree.

As you can imagine, the tree looked pretty bare at first. That single ornament looked rather sad floating in the sea of pine needles. But a short year later it was joined by a second one. Then came a third and a fourth and so on. The tree began to fill out with ornaments and memories. Now, twenty-seven years and twenty-eight Christmases later, we’ve got a nice little collection assembled. It’s gotten harder to find the miniature ornaments, and we’ve had to hand-write the dates on a few; but even those elements add something to our shared story.

Traditions are important, as they serve as markers for us to orient ourselves to. Each time we engage in meaningful traditions, we reinforce values that define who we are and what we stand for. As Susan and I look at our marriage tree, and either put the ornaments on or remove them for storage, our commitment to each other is strengthened in a variety of ways.

Obviously, there’s the connection to the past. Each ornament signifies a chapter in our life as a couple. We can pick up an ornament and recall significant events that happened during the 12-month period it represents. Recalling the good times (and yes, the bad ones as well) helps to cement our history and what our family stands for.

There’s the anticipation of searching for and selecting each new season’s ornament. Participation in the tradition brings us together in a time when our schedules pull us apart more often than not. As we look for the next addition to the tree, we engage with each other and rediscover what it is that we have in common.

And there’s also the joy of sharing the tradition with others. Back in 1991, I envisioned a future where our children would open each ornament; counting the years to ensure all were accounted for and identifying the year when they first entered the story. That came to pass. Just this weekend, my daughter Abby sat down and decorated the tree, strategically placing each ornament for maximum effect.

I’m sure you have traditions of your own. Some may be heartfelt while others are corny and cause eyes to roll. But know that each of them are meaningful. Each of them are important.

Don’t let this season disappear in a blur. Rather, grab hold of your traditions, and create new ones, so that you and those you care about have a reason to come together. Make a point to celebrate, anticipate, and engage this Christmas.

Not So Different After All

Posted on by Scott

gratitudeLast week I quietly posted a Gratitude Survey on the home page of my company’s intranet. Being Thanksgiving week, I thought it might be interesting to invite people to share what they were especially appreciative of (besides some extra time off from work). As the days went by, more and more coworkers encountered the survey and the list of entries grew. Some were funny, some were poignant; all were obviously heartfelt.

Expressing gratitude has been found to improve your quality of life in several ways. Here are seven scientifically proven benefits of cultivating a sense of gratitude.

  1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
  2. Gratitude improves physical health.
  3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
  4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
  5. Grateful people sleep better.
  6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
  7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

As I read through the responses to my survey, often several times a day, it was impossible to ignore the common threads weaving throughout the entries. The same words and phrases kept popping up. A creative coworker put together this word cloud for me to illustrate the frequency with which certain ideas were expressed. The larger the word appears, the more often it was found in the survey responses.

It doesn’t matter what our differences are. It doesn’t matter that we have different jobs, backgrounds, belief systems, life objectives, or political affiliations. We can disagree on any number of practical and ideological matters. Yet, through it all, we still have so much in common. When we take time to think about what’s really important, we tend to agree. We are so much more alike than any of us tend to realize.

I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with warmth and laughter. I hope you took time to express your gratitude to all those who bring joy and happiness to your life. And I hope we’ll keep that spirit of gratitude front and center long after the specifics of this holiday season have faded from our memories.

It’s not too late to express your gratitude. It never is. Any time is the right time to say “thank you” to a coworker, a customer, a member of your family, or even a stranger. Let’s ignore the things that pull us apart and grab hold of those that bring us together. Because, as you see, there’s always something to be thankful for.

Desirable DNA

Posted on by Scott

dna-1811955_640Last year, scientists in Seoul, South Korea, approached Vanesa Semler of Dorado, Puerto Rico with an odd request. They wanted to know if they could clone her dog.

Semler’s furry friend Milly is very small, even for a Chihuahua. In fact, “Miracle Milly” holds the distinction of being the world’s smallest dog by height. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Milly stands 3.8 inches tall and weighs about one pound. Using 50-year-old cloning technology, nuclear transfer, technicians from the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation planned to compare Milly’s original DNA to that of her clone in order to determine what causes her small size.

By focusing on a single, distinctive characteristic the scientists hope to learn better how to identify the causes of other genetic markers. The lessons they learn from Milly and her clones could pave the way to one day preventing various birth defects and genetic predisposition to disease.

Despite how you feel about the idea of cloning, I’ll bet there are attributes of certain people you know that you wish you could duplicate. Managers will often tell me how they would love to transfer the skills and personality traits of one employee to some of the others. And as a customer, there have been many times when, after interacting with a service provider, I’ve thought “I wish everyone who worked here was like this.”

I think these scientists may have a lesson to teach us about replicating desirable traits. Consider how they’re going about it.

  1. They zeroed in. The cloning experiment is focused on just one of Milly’s traits – her size. Eye color doesn’t matter. Neither does the texture of her fur or the sound of her growl. By identifying a single attribute, scientists are able to devote all of their energy to the same issue, and they are much more likely to succeed.

    What’s the single most important trait you wish you could multiply in your team?

  2. They dug in. Initially, the South Korean scientists asked for a 10 clones; nine to research and one for the owner. They quickly expanded the request, producing an initial litter of 12 puppies. To date, 49 clones have been produced; allowing them to study multiple sources for the same DNA markers and to see whether small differences impact the result. In the end, they hope to crack the code and be able apply their findings to other animals.

    How much time and effort do you devote to understanding the drivers behind team performance?

  3. They started with the best. When looking for a basis to compare their results to, the techs from Sooam didn’t pick just any dog, they decided to go with the record-holder. Milly represents an outlier in terms of dog height. They just don’t come any shorter than her. Choosing Milly ensures a strong benchmark for their tests.

    Who represents the absolute best in terms of the behavior you’re looking to duplicate?

The experiment is far from over. Specialists at the Beijing Genomics Institute have been called to collaborate on the next phase of the study. Milly’s clones all have the same eyes and markings on their coat, but they are all slightly different in height. Semler sees other similarities as well. The new dogs are “amazing to be around….they are all so smart, very playful. They are sweet and loving.” Maybe the experiment was a success after all.

Winning Is a Team Sport

Posted on by Scott

document-3268750_640Last Friday night the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, completing a four game sweep and winning the NBA title. While most of the conversation surrounding this series focused on Lebron James and the herculean effort he put forth to give his Ohio team a fighting chance, it was the well-rounded team play of the Warriors that one the day. They were simply too much for one man to handle – even if that man is Lebron James.

Speaking to reporters, Finals MVP Kevin Durant shared that he found it very difficult to be considered an MVP when he is surrounded by so many great teammates.  He said “I feel like it’s easy to be the best player when you don’t have good players around you. I feel like it’s harder to stand out when you have great players around you.”

What Durant and the rest of the Warriors understand is that great players don’t win championships. Great teams do.

It doesn’t matter how much time, and effort, and passion, you put into your job. If those around you aren’t just as committed you won’t win. You simply can’t do it alone. The more Lebron James has to carry the rest of the team, the more he stands out. And the more likely the team is to lose. You may be the best employee the organization has ever seen. You may be the top performer by a wide margin. But if your teammates aren’t pulling their weight, you will not succeed.

That’s why so many top performers leave their organizations. When you want to win, you want to be around others who feel the same way. If teammates are content to give minimum effort, then winners start to stand out – and they start to lose. It’s emotionally taxing to give 110% day after day while those around you choose to coast.

Are you a champion? Are you a member of a team that’s so strong, it’s hard to pick out an MVP? Are you surrounded by individuals who desire to win just as strongly as you do and put forth the effort to prove it?

Or are you watching your team’s best player give their heart and soul to a game you have no interest in playing? Are you coasting along, enduring the occasional criticism of your performance so that you can go back to sleepwalking your way to the next paycheck? Are you content with watching from the bench while others succeed?

Managers, ultimately this message is for you. Because as leaders, it’s our responsibility to create championship teams. Are we ok with second place, the middle of the pack, or even rock bottom? Do we have team members who are content? I hope not.

We’re quickly approaching the mid-point of another year. Will this be another championship year for you, or another disappointment? There’s still time to crush your goals. There’s still a chance to win.

Embrace excellence. Imagine your team in the winner’s circle. See your coworkers hoisting the trophy. Hear the applause of the crowd and feel the rush that comes from being part of a championship effort.

There’s a game to win and it’s going on right now. Want to play?