Saturday Brain Test and an Irish Blessing

How's your Brain?

This is a trick -- so don't say we didn't warn you.

READ THIS SENTENCE:

FEATURE FILMS ARE THE RESULT

OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

Now, count the F's in the sentence. Only once -- don't go back and count them again.

There are six F's in the sentence you read in the paragraph on the reverse side. An average intelligence recollects three of them. If you spotted four, you're above average. if you get five, you can turn up your nose at most anybody. If you got all six you're a genius, and a lot too good to be wasting your time on foolishness like this.

Now on to the Blessing

Its a blessing to be Irish

And to look with Irish eyes

On the very special heritage

All sons of Erin prize...

It's a blessing to be Irish

And to celebrate in style

With other who are loyal

To the dear old Emerald Isle...

It's a blessing to be Irish

Sure it always will be, too --

As long as there's an Ireland

And Irish folks like you!

Today's post courtesy of some old papers left by my father that were given to my sister. Last night she shared them with me and I thought I would share them with you.

If you took the test, leave a comment and let us know your score.

Atmosphere of Trust

"You can't believe how many times I'd be sitting home replaying a game I had just played. I'd watch myself come off a pick, and I'd see Danny Ainge, wide open in the corner, and I'd say to myself, "Geez, how did I miss him?" Then I'd go in the next day to say to Danny, "Hey, you were wide open on that play last night in the third quarter. My fault, call for me next time, and I'll get you the ball." Larry Bird

The value of creating an atmosphere of trust is worth the extra effort it may entail because it can:

• reinforce trust among team members
• bring people together so they can focus on issues
• help you regulate the friction that is often necessary to do the job
• uphold principles of mutual respect and consideration
• focus on behavior, not personality
• give workers a sense of purpose
• create opportunities for others' professional growth
• foster a positive attitude
• protect a team's members

ACTION POINT: Credibility is imperative if you are to lead people and achieve your vision.

Create a Trusting Environment

...become a cohesive team, working toward the vision for the benefit of all

A work environment based on trust allows the individuals of a group to become a cohesive team, working toward the vision for the benefit of all. To achieve this kind of environment,

• Treat everyone, at every level of the hierarchy, with respect and consideration.
• Give everyone's ideas serious consideration.
• Be fair, kind, and courteous at all times.
• Never put other people down.
• Be honest. Admit it when you make a mistake or when you don't have the answer.
• Protect your group. Define a boundary around your group and shelter them from interference. Got to bat for your team to get the resources you need. Show courage in sticking up for your people.
• Do not tolerate scapegoating or misapplied blame.
• Use every reasonable opportunity to foster others professional growth.

ACTION POINT: Create an environment of trust for your organization.

Care For Your People

Empower your people to develop their own leadership skills.

The people within your own group--whether that group is a company, department, or team--are critical for achieving your vision. Motivating them, caring for them, and leading them is your primary duty.

Make sure they are with you. Once you are certain your people understand the vision, the mission, and the steps to be taken en route, create a sense of urgency about your shared endeavors. Keep your people excited about what they're doing.

Be prepared for resistance to change. Most people dislike change, even when they know the change is for the better. Rather than ignore that fear of change, recognize and deal with it openly.

Acknowledge and celebrate successes. And continue to celebrate successes, right up to the end. Celebrations can be large and small. A cheer for all, a lunch or picnic, t-shirts or caps--anything to keep spirits up.

Keep people informed. People don't like feeling excluded from the news of progress or of problems. By keeping your people updated, they will be ready to help solve problems as they arise.

Remain committed to the vision. Your commitment will be a model for everyone in the group. If they see you working hard to attain the goals, they will join you.

Empower your people to develop their own leadership skills. The benefits of supporting and trusting others can be enormous. You will gain loyalty as well as experienced and productive employees.

ACTION POINT: Understand the importance of caring for and developing your people.

How to Motivate the People You Need

Work to win over those key people who aren't enthusiastically behind you or who for some reason may feel threatened by you and your vision.

To ensure that your vision is embraced and fulfilled, you have to pay attention to the people around you--those who will help and those who may hinder your progress. Take care to handle both the political and the personal sides of leading and implementing your vision.

Know who could hinder you or help you. Take the time necessary to identify those who might resist you in some way--for example, by blocking your access to needed resources. Plan how you will deal with such problems. Work to win over those key people who aren't enthusiastically behind you or who for some reason may feel threatened by you and your vision.

An effective leader has to be a persuasive communicator. Building coalitions is when this skill becomes particularly useful. You will need cooperation from people at all levels of your organization and beyond.

Choose carefully whom you assign to important roles. People in key positions need to be competent in their roles and loyal to your vision.

If the changes you are making are significant, then make sure everyone is involved and understands what's happening. If you are realigning the company's organizational structure, for example, do it quickly and fairly.

You may not be able to make dramatic changes simultaneously. There may be technical or political barriers. But even if you can make only small changes that show success, you'll be on your way. Any movement toward your vision should be noted as positive.

ACTION POINT: Pay close attention to the politics, people and progress that are necessary for pursuing your vision.