Men's Night

My church is very active. With lots of different groups supporting charities, school and church activities & events. Last night the church held a 2^nd Men’s night at Rob’s garage and driveway.

What was different about Men’s night? No purpose other than getting to know other men you did not know before. No fund raising. Bringing food was optional. The pulled pork and beer was already donated (Thanks Knights of Columbus).

Saw men I knew from my small group, K of C, and weekly coffee and donuts. Met a three nice men much younger, two older members, and we had more than two dozen around Rob’s $24 bar and brewing equipment.

Stories, quips, snarky comments and the occasional joke were told. We ate together, choose from 9 beers by Sean & Rob’s future micro brewery, and generally acted like men.

Father Brad was there with humor in fine form. Joked we were going to do 20 rosaries “on our knees” for the evening. Most of us would not get up after 1 rosary from our knees without help. He just held a short prayer before food was served.

There was no planned activity. What was accomplished on a nice spring evening? The community was strengthened. New people welcomed. Experiences were shared. Advice given. Deeper knowing of each other. Bonding. You become known to others and a resource for the future.

How are you planning build connections in your business? Take time to build people up, and expand their networks. When needs come up, you have a real team.

For example the storm took out the power the day of the St Patrick’s dinner. The volunteers at church cooked by flashlight. Dinner had candles. About 60% of the expected parishioner’s showed up. Everyone was fed. Funds were raised. The team rose to the challenge.

Build people up and build teams. For work, charity and life.

In Honor of Veterans

Woke up this morning thinking of my late Uncle John and the calm character this Korean Veteran had with his little sister’s kids. He kept living with mom in his house, even after marrying the love of his life. He grew two good kids of his own, was a leader in the state insurance department, affected by trench foot & circulation issues in his feet. Uncle John was a beacon of calm in a family that often did not have it.

My late great uncle Bob who I barely remember was a Green Beret.

Uncle Bill married into the family was a Navy man in the Pacific for WW2. He lived to 88, outlived 2 wives, and refused to buy Japanese cars or products. Just enjoyed spending time with him when visiting my family in Florida.

My first job was with several veterans of the Seabee’s (We Build. We Fight) WW2 vets Charlie, Phil, Stan, and many others in the large office of 100. Their kindness with fresh out of college kids, working hard, telling jokes, and occasionally singing the Seabee’s anthem for no reason at all. They are part of the reason I never feared growing old.

At another company worked with Stan who was a German prisoner of WW2. Mistreated, tortured and starved. Stan came back and his military doctor told him not to hold it in. So instead Stan told everyone the truth and even shared it with school presentations. He always had a smile and truly enjoy life, family and work.

At my age have a lot of Vietnam veteran co-workers and friends over the years. Remember the stories Tom told being an aircraft mechanic. His friends being tunnel rats or taking small boats up the river to bring the fight. Tom was most proud of his kids.

Thinking about the men and women vets have worked with it is not their discipline that stands out. Not their contributions to work. It is the humanity, caring, charity, faith and their confidence if something went wrong, they had been through worse, and had faith all would thrive.

The greatness of this country came from ordinary people who were willing to do the extraordinary, and then come home to raise families, work hard, and enjoy life. They are also the reason I mentor others and believe things will always get better.

Better way to manage your teams - Ask Better Questions

Doug Krug (http://elsolutions.com/) is challenging my focus on problem solving. He teaches managers to Ask Better Questions.

1.     “What is working now?” “Where are we already getting the result(s) we want?”

2.     “What is causing the results we are getting?”

3.     Re-clarify the desired outcome with questions like, “What is the goal/objective we want to accomplish?”

4.     “What will be the benefit(s) when we achieve the goal or outcome?” Or, “What will be the cost if we don’t achieve our goal?”

5.     “What can we do more of, better or differently to get closer to the goal?”

Instead of starting with "What is the problem?", start positive and build on what already works. It focuses your team to build on strengths and look for more ideas to combine.

Results come much faster.