Words of Wisdom: Episode 046 ~ Jason Ayers | Mobile Device…

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this something, at whatever cost, must be attained.

~Marie Curie…

READ THIS

It's an article from the Wall Street Journal (May 8, 2011). It's important to understand this reality especially when you're a strengths enthusiast or like me, evangelist. What will you say to people when they respond to your encouragements to do more of what strengthens them with: I don't have a choice. I do the jobs of the 3 team mates I used to have.

It's really happening out there and we need to help people…

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

~Aristotle…

I just had a chance to facilitate the Strengths Essentials Workshop in Dallas last week.  Full class of 25.  It went great, as usual.  It's great to watch people go from a general sense of what

their talent themes are, to a practical sense of describing their strengths specifically.

We laughed that saying your strengths statement out loud is like AA in reverse.  It's pretty funny how passively some people read their statements out loud.  Maybe some people are bashful…

You know the value and irrefutable logic of a strength-based approach to managing. There is no mystique about it and it's not difficult to learn. And yet.

For some people, a strengths lens both demands and causes a fundamental change in the way they perceive themselves…

Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.

~Ambrose Bierce…

I'm in Hawaii this week- lucky me- and meeting with some very talented managers who're new to their roles. There's a pretty good book, The First Ninety Days, that illustrates things to avoid and things to do when you're new into a role. Have you read it? What was your impression? What would you add?

I'm going to share my one piece of advice. If you only do one thing as a new manager or leader, do this:

Be curious. Let curiosity be your #1 driver in your first month. BUT…

I've had the pleasure lately of getting to know members of a local chapter of STC - The Society of Technical Communicators. These are the folks who write Operator and Policy Manuals for complex machines, software applications and services. One member has been writing articles for medical journals for 30 years. She works with doctors and medical researchers to understand what they've done and then puts it in words other medical…

I am researching how each persons likes and dislikes can be the underlying aspects of their values.  In the same stretch of context, I think that many times we clash with others due to our values.  Here is an article I posted today, tell me what you think....:)

Values, Energy and The Good of All

I’ve been keeping a blog forever. I never complain about work on it, but just to be safe, should I tell my boss?

You’re wise not to vent any work frustrations in a public forum. Not only can it come back to bite you, it’s also simply not the best way to approach your problems at…