July 29, 2024
Good morning! “Change, but start slowly, because direction is more important than speed.” (Coehlo) A sensational Selebration on the Seine. How do you top that? Would you want to?!
- To be the best of the best at anything is a rapt, never-ending fascination for the human race.
- Why do you suppose that is?
- We rarely celebrate being average or mediocre, though that’s where the vast majority of us land, like it or not.
- Whether it’s sport or scholarship; surgery or windsurfing, we search the world over for that person who is better than all others, the best.
- Can you think of things that have quadrupled in price in the last quarter century?
- A can of Coke? A hamburger? Flight to Europe? Pair of socks?
- Not sure, but the median price of a home in the United States has — from just over $100,000 to currently ~$427,000. (Nat’l. Ass’n. of Realtors)
- In other words, ~327% inflation.
- The official Consumer Price Index has not yet doubled during that same period of time (169 – 314 = ~86%)
- So, if these data are accurate, and we think they are, the cries of pain and suffering from those trying to buy a home — or rent — are probably with merit and warrant sympathy.
- Among the astonishing realities of those data is half the homes in the U.S. cost more than $427,000.
- Unsustainable, we would think.
- Several weeks ago we posed this question to our readers:
- Of all the spheres and projectiles used in all the different sports, which travels, on average, at the highest speed?
- Having received no responses from you, The New York Times has offered a few counterintuitive answers.
- For purposes of this incomplete research, The Times only considered eight devices.
- And, lest you think a firearm of some sort would be the fastest, as in marksmanship, for example, we stipulate its unparalleled speed and rule it outside of this query.
- Tennis and baseball are rather easy as those speeds are communicated constantly, but…
- … here’s the clincher: The shuttlecock from badminton (don’t forget the n!) is faster than tennis, and faster than an arrow speeding from its quiver and bow toward your heart.
- Badminton can supposedly reach 260 MPH, whereas that arrow is a mere 133 MPH, akin to tennis.
- And, here’s the other counterintuitive for us: Ping Pong at 33 MPH… it appears to be much faster, perhaps because we are never able to hit it?
- Perception, perception… a very small playing area probably increases the perception of speed and distance… didn’t Einstein opine on that?!
- How to sustain the excitement and energy during the early stages of transformational strategic planning?
- Sorry, but the answer is one you already know but maybe don’t like: Daily discipline.
- Change is difficult — very difficult — and even change precipitated by excitement and energy must be sustained with new daily habits.
- More on energy, informed by Torres:
- Positive energy does not just happen, it is deliberately designed and generated.
- The preparation and thought going into critical meetings, conversations, body language, settings, and messages all contribute — positively, negatively — to resultant energy.
- Energy management can be learned, practiced, and perfected.
- Must it be said again? Leaders must be true to who they are.
- “You are always better when you are playing true to the integrity of who you are.”
- Charisma is nice, but not necessary; transparency, intention, optimism, and empathy can all transmit energy.
- Suggestions:
- Balance energy-draining events with energy-generating events;
- Manage your calendar to allow plenty of time for recharging, thinking, processing, and preparing;
- When traveling, schedule fewer meetings and events to stay focused on the things most important;
- Fewer meetings, people, fewer meetings… critically assess each minute spent (wasted?) in a meeting;
- Make unrelenting, healthy curiosity one of your organization’s core values.
- Suggestions:
