Motivation

If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.
~ Fred Rogers

I spent the last three days with about thirty of my colleagues at the Ken Blanchard Companies – other consulting partners, founders (including Ken and Margie Blanchard), and our Professional Services team. It was a joyous time had by all.

During the meetings, I was reminded of the keys to motivation espoused by Jim Diehl in his book: “Why We Do What We Do.” As I understand it, there are three factors that impact our motivation:

1. Autonomy
   
2. Competence
   
3. Connectedness
   

I definitely have a sense of “appropriate” autonomy in the work that I do. I also have been receiving sufficient coaching and feedback to help me to build competence in developmental areas, and to reinforce the competence I’ve demonstrated in my key skills. In many ways, this feedback comes when I have regular one-on-ones with my leader.

It was the third piece that can prove difficult in the work we do – connectedness. For the most part, we are lone wolves out on the road, working with our clients. These past three days were the most meaningful for me in that they recharged my “connectedness” batteries. I am blessed to work with wonderful colleagues who love and support me when we are together. The key, I believe, to keeping that “connectedness” feeling is to make sure I reach out to them on a regular basis – don’t wait for our once or twice a year gatherings.

And… thanks to Scott Blanchard for coaching me thru water skiing for the first time in 25 years – I got up on the 3rd try, and to the rest of the team for cheering me on!

Being Specific

Two weeks ago, my wife Paula and I were in the Midwest to attend a family funeral and to do some vacationing. We were on a drive to Kansas City going about 70 mph on a 4-lane divided highway when a deer crossed over to the median about 200 yards in front of us. I asked Paula if she saw the deer and she said “Yes, I do.” A few seconds later she shouts out: “The deer!!” Next thing I know we are hitting a large deer, smashing in the front end of our rental car. Luckily, we were not hurt. The same can’t be said for the deer.

As we were waiting for the tow truck we discussed what happened. It was a classic case of not being specific in our communication. When I asked Paula if she saw the deer, I was referring to the one in the median in the middle of the highway. When she responded “Yes, I do,” she was referring to the deer on the side of the road.

A better, more specific form of communication would have been:

JOHN:
“Do you see the deer in the median?”

PAULA:
“No, but I see the one on the side of the road.”

Too many times we are not specific in our communication and we end up creating unnecessary conflict – or a deer dies…

Here is an article with more in depth information on being specific:

http://itmanagersinbox.com/1692/communications-skills-how-to-be-specific/