A question we should continually ask ourselves.

What people wouldn’t want to be here or in this conversation?

Who did we not make space for?

What voices are we missing in this discussion?

Who am I not considering in this strategy?

Hopefully we expand the circle but also sometimes we realize what we have is specific and designed for a specific audience. We must sit with that before we proceed.

This is important in strategic thinking and implementation but also important when working on our own development.

With my work on DiSC workshops, we have a page to analyze your own and others primary styles and how to adapt to each other, increasing collaborative effectiveness. The page only has space for 3 “others.” Today I added several extra pages to reach beyond the first round of people to consider and imagine who else should I try to adapt for. Who’s not here?

Thanks to Steven Durr for helping me see this. For more on my work with DiSC.

Write out Black Lives Matter. Don’t just type it.

Let it resonate inside you.

Do the work yourself to uncover your own racism.

Right now I’m reading How to be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendo. Join me and let’s discuss together.

To my Black Friends. I am with you. I hear you. I will be better.

The good problem is too many scraps from our work to pick up in the moment.

The challenge is we might want to pick up the scraps before we even begin making them.

How often do you find yourself not starting something because concern or judgement of what it will require afterwards?

Of course, we shouldn’t make un-necessary mess especially if others have to clean it up without agreeing to it…

But if we make a mess in a controlled environment or even just make scraps with our work, most often, we are doing work of value.

To physically create or manipulate something, whether words, images, paint, structure, is to commit to it. Just as I type these words on my computer, they don’t carry as much meaning as if I were to write them out, cut out each word, move that word around on a canvas, and paste it down.

Of course, we can’t always physically manipulate something but even if this is a metaphor, we must be trying to leave behind some sort of scraps.

It can then be just as much of a joy to pick up those scraps afterwards as they represent real value added. Real ideas put out there. Real art actualized. And we may even find something new in the scraps

But first, don’t fret about picking up scraps before you’ve created them. Simply create some scraps and go from there.

This idea relates to the Madman, Architect, Carpenter, Judge blog based on an idea from Betty S. Flowers.

I’m learning a lot on how to do this well but recently heard Seth Godin talk about a new perspective on starting a business with friends. Check it out on his Akimbo Podcast, Episode “Leverage and Gearing” at about 17:10.

Instead of allocating the winnings at the beginning, allocate them as you go. Make a list of all the responsibilities and to-do’s. As you get ‘wins’ each person who gave something got equity. Keep track and build up responsibility among the partnership.

Clarity of who’s doing what, what you get when you do it, and how to wrap it up at some point.

Photo of me, Kelly Hassman, and Anna Tragesser as we are starting Carnival Group. A few friends trying to figure out how to start a business together!

Feel stuck? Anxious? Unable to proceed?

Maybe your madman needs freed from the judge.

Betty S. Flowers discusses this concept with the writing process. In essence:

The madman generates all the ideas. The architect organizes and chooses whats needed. The carpenter puts it together. The judge refines and pollishes.

Often though we don’t give our madman free reign as it deserves. We let the judge jump right in.

Find ways you can let your madman free reign and remind yourself that the judge will come, just not right now.

I first heard of this concept when at a Fuller Youth Institute summit on engaging Young Adults in faith communities. Also, Ed Batista has a great blog on this as it fits with coaching and business leadership.

Soft Skills or as Seth Godin calls them Real Skills are critical to being successful in a career or role.

Sometimes these can be lofty or unattainable at first glance. If “leadership development” or “soft skills” make you hesitant or unsure where to proceed, start with Hard Skills or Technical Skills.

While working through these Technical Skills looks for ways to add in and enhance your soft/real skills. Growing in specific, technical ways give you an avenue to practice the essential real skills.

These Technical Skills will vary in your role but consider these three areas to make your own list:

Technique: what specifics are required for you to perform your job. Procedural understanding. Improvement or innovation ability. Troubleshooting. Specific functions.

Team: which tasks or abilities do you need to function in your team or with other people. Communication. Other awareness. Self awareness. Etiquette. Delegation.

Work Standards: what aspects of your work need to be at a specific level. Quality. Integrity. Client service. Effective decision making.

If you notice a lot of this overlaps with Real Skills. That’s the point. Considering Technical/Hard Skills makes Real Skills…well…real.

When we encounter someone with a different perspective than us it can be frustrating. I find it’s more frustrating if their perspective is from a totally different angle on multiple axis.

This image has four perspectives of the same scene. If my perspective is the first and largest one above, I’m going to be even more annoyed or challenged by perspectives in the bottom left and bottom right corners. The bottom center image might no be as irritating but actually might be appreciated. In it i see a little more about the image in background and what’s on top of the wood.

Often this is true with interacting with people. We appreciate a perspective that is slightly different than our own but are frustrated by those very different than our own.

I believe awareness and appreciation is key to solving this tension.

We first must be aware that our perspective is unique and acknowledge that perspective. (Side note: we must also be aware of our life theme and or purpose and check if our perspective aligns with who we hope to be)

Then we must listen well enough to understand another’s perspective and truly appreciate it. That doesn’t mean we agree with it but we must honor it as their perspective. Sometimes we can take on their perspective and in tern become better ourselves (Side note: if you find their perspective aligns with your life them). Sometimes we can invite the other to take on our perspective

At times, we must simply recognize their perspective is dramatically different and change our expectations for mutual contribution. We must realize we will stay the course of our perspective and not expect them to change theirs.

I anticipate adopting this attitude will help me find more creative ways to engage with people of different perspectives and be less frustrated when a request which seems obtuse to me comes up, I hear an opinion I disagree with, expect someone to contribute in a specific way and they fall short. I will be more willing to take on their perspective, be more adept to help them take on my perspective, or simply change expectations as we go forward.

If you have suggestions for working with people of different perspectives, please let me know! I’m hoping to grow here.

I just finished Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon after deliberately and slowly digesting it. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Here’s my overall take away:

Building in sharing and production of your work grows you and your connections. If you want to do more of the work you love, simply do it and share it. Along the way it can be tough to share and when you hit a slog…

find others to be inspired by, share their work or your taste of it

get better at telling stories

build a habit of sharing everyday

find your form of a cooking show…share your trade secrets

make meaningful connections beyond a view or a “follower”

get good at the work…hone and tweak after each project…don’t lose momenrum

be generous but selfish enough to get your work done

don’t be afraid of being an amateur…it’s maybe the best thing to be

Thanks to this book, I’m writing every day, sharing everyday. As I plan to post one thing or share one thing, I’m finding at the end of the day I have several things to share.

What can you share? It’ll help you and us all.

Proximity is important.

Definition: Closest in relationship; immediate. Nearly accurate; approximate.

Important when convincing others

Important with learning things

Not proximity physically always nor only but proximity of being where someone, something is emotionally, intellectualy, mentally.

When we are understanding someone anew, being in the same headspace is important. Being in the same physical location as wel is impactful. When we learn something, being close to the source of original data/information is valuable. Hearing it from the “mouth” maintains validity of the information. It is ensured more-so to be true and complete.

Where else is proximity of value?

When is proximity challenging?

How can you hear it from the source? Get close to the origin? Be more true?

Recipe this week inspired by warm weather evening porch sipping.

0.5 oz BlackBerry simple syrup (large batch is 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 2 cups blackberries on stove until dissolved and blackberries softened. Mash blackberries while hot. Strain our blackberry pulp and let cool)

1 oz fresh lemon luice

1 oz gin

2 oz bourbon (gin + bourbon = bin)

Best when shared. Make in pitcher and multiply 5, 6, 8, 12 times! Mix and serve over ice in tall glass.