Musings on a Monday Morning from Mike Mullin…
The weekly Newsletter of Without A Vision Consultancy LLC
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July 13, 2020
Good morning!
- Trevor Noah inspires this thought: The answers are in the nuances — and our society does not do nuance well. Where is philosophy when we need it?!
- It is an interesting and a challenging paradox. As technology continues to insert itself into every segment of our lives with no apparent end in sight, at the same time there is an equal if more difficult demand for the personal touch.
- At Without A Vision Consultancy it’s the final two-fifths of our bigger, better, stronger, healthier, happier mantra.
- We believe those who deliver authentic personalized service (and products) within a supportive and unobtrusive framework of seamless technology (it works!) will rule the day.
How Leaders Communicate
- When I was in my young twenties I was selected to participate in a highly respected national leadership school.
- It was a ten-day around the clock experience using the wilderness as the classroom.
- I remember many things from the experience, one of which was the focus on getting and giving information (it wasn’t called communication per se).
- Getting and giving information. We were drilled on it, given practical examples, required to apply it in a variety of ways, demonstrate competencies, and develop (good) habits.
- When was the last time you had your listening skills tested?
- Are you a good communicator? A talented practitioner of getting and giving information?
- If you are, your answer should be, “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask those with whom I get and give information.”
- That is to say, the receiver of information — whether spoken, written, video, illustration, or body language — is the judge of how well you communicate.
- And don’t forget, communication is always a two-way street; sender and receiver must be equally motivated and synchronized.
- Oftentimes it is also the job of the sender — especially if you’re the leader — to sufficiently prepare and motivate the receiver.
- If you say to yourself, “I’m a great communicator,” a better statement might be, “Those with whom I communicate tell me I’m an effective communicator.”
- But, that was yesterday, and possibly today… tomorrow’s messages — sending and receiving, giving and getting — will require the same application of skills that dull quickly if you don’t work purposefully to keep them sharp.
- “We’re all rough drafts of the people we’re becoming.” (Letterfolk)
- “Don’t be afraid to start over. This time you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.” (The MindsJournal)
- “Racism is a public health crisis.” (Hennepin County Board of Commissioners – Minnesota/ U.S.)
- Book: Learning to Conquer Life’s Crises, (Feiler, 2020)
- “If you look at mistakes as failures, you must reassess your outlook. Instead of thinking of mistakes as slip-ups, you should consider them learning experiences. When something goes wrong, analyze it and see what you can fix for next time.” (George — and not the king)
- Where do you reflect and do your best thinking? Go there often.
- “If the music is playing that’s where I’m going.” (Ruis)
- Even after you think you know it all you don’t know the half of it! (YT)
Grackles Galore
By Michael A. Mullin
A gaggle of grackles greets the dawn
marching in columns four abreast across the velvety lawn
glistening with tiny droplets of dew.
The young fresh from their nests are drunk on adolescence
as they noisily gorge on newly discovered exotic foods.
Euphoria.
The warm succulent earth refreshed by recent rains
teems with an abundance of life to be sampled and savored.
It’s like young humans in a strawberry patch.
Breakfast is bountiful.
Tiny seeds, grubs, bugs, maggots, nuggets of this and that,
stretchy worms yanked from what had been the safety of their homes.
This exclusive table, this perfect reverie is disrupted by
Jays, Doves, Juncos, Robins, Chickadees, Brown Thrashers – even squirrels.
Breakfast is over.
Dozens of the dark-feathered guests make way for the greedy interlopers.
The feast is finished; time for a critique and a nap in nearby trees.
©2020 Michael A. Mullin
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