Don’t Cut Off That Nose!

Certainly most readers are familiar with the idiom, “don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” I’m not much for cutting off any part of my body and particularly my nose. We understand this idiom to mean that we don’t do things our of spite which may come back to bite! And the bite can be much worse than the spite.

A few months ago, I read a blog by career coach and leadership trainer Kathy Caprino titled, “The Top Five Things You Should Never Do At Work.” She describes a pain-filled 18-year corporate career in publishing that left her empty. Along with gender discrimination and sexual harassment, there were other joy killing work related issues. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140915121120-17850276-the-top-5-things-you-should-never-do-at-work?_mSplash=1

In admitting she made mistakes and witnessing others, Kathy identifies five “blunders” that she considered “as the most negative, damaging, and irreversible in your career and professional life.” I find them all worth noting for a particular reason. But first, here are the five:

1. Speak, behave, or quit out of rage or revenge
2. Backstab your colleagues
3. Lie
4. Proclaim that you’re miserable
5. Burn bridges

I think it quite possible to add to this list, but it is hers. One might call it “Kathy’s Five Commandments for the Workplace.” Of course, she would be borrowing one of them from the original list given by God to Moses.

Speaking of that original list, (which you can read in Exodus 20:1-17 if your memory fails you) some believe they are the ten suggestions. Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, living out those commandments gets much harder if you’ve done them or the equivalent in your heart.

Kathy’s list, while valid and appropriate to our everyday work life, has companion teaching in the Bible. For example, of her first blunder to avoid actions based on rage or revenge, we find this directive from Ephesians 5: 26-27: “Don’t get so angry that you sin. Don’t go to bed angry and don’t give the devil a chance.” (CEV)

As for backstabbing colleagues, “Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law.” That is found in James 4:11…among other places. (NLT)

Lying, of course is one of the Big Ten.

Ephesians 4:29 addresses Kathy’s fourth concern about sharing misery. It reads, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

And then there’s that last piece of advice about burning bridges. The essence here is to recognize the importance of relationships. While we may tend to discount certain people in the workplace as unimportant to our success, we never know what the future holds. One day, you may be calling on a former associate for a recommendation, a job, or a new business relationship!

We are most likely to burn bridges with those we consider our “enemies” in one sense or another. Jesus’s teaching on this is quite clear as well. As it’s recorded in Matthew 5:43-47: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends, hate your enemies.’ But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil. Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? … And if you speak only to your friends, have you done anything out of the ordinary?” (Good News Translation)

The bottom line here is to realize that reading your Bible faithfully can truly impact and improve your career!

Huh. Who knew? And you can save your nose in the process!

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.

Foundations of Entrepreneurship

Many are those who dream of being in control of their destiny in the workplace. Unfortunately, success does not favor the majority of those who actually take the leap. In most cases, it would have been better to never to have ventured out. A lot of pain and lost resources can follow.

A new Swiss-German study may give some useful information to consider for us dreamers. It has to do with personality types. The study reveals that disposition is a good predictor of who is likely to find more success as an employee or entrepreneur.

Employees tend to be specialists. Entrepreneurs lean to the "jack of all trades" work style. This predictor breaks down if that person has a high score for job or income security. And a second tipoff appears if the person had an apprenticeship or internship. Both suggest a leaning to specialization that corresponds to an employee work style.

The "jack of all trades" person has a combination of a bundle of life experiences and a bunch of contacts. This contributes to the broad range of "connectedness" that proves of value to starting a business. Good insights.

Having been down this road a couple of times, I have a few other observations. If a newbie to entrepreneurship asked for my counsel, I'd incorporate a few more immediate "checks."

Spousal support. Single people can bypass this one. But launching an enterprise with a skeptical, disinterested, and generally unsupportive spouse is a red flag. A very positive and encouraging spouse is a true asset ... and especially if this spouse contributes in some way to the operation of the business.

Skill level of the leaper. Starting a venture beyond your skill level and relying solely on smarter people is very risky. Good luck in raising capital.

Field experience. Likewise, a great idea in a field where you see opportunity but lack true understanding is a huge obstacle. An exception here can be a franchise where there is an abundance of training and coaching.

Uniqueness of the market entry. There are several ways to say this. Competitive advantage. Unique selling proposition. Bottom line, if your new business contributes nothing new to the marketplace, why do it?

Basic to mid range accounting knowledge. No business survives unless profits exceed losses. But learning the details of what drives a profitable business comes in accurate financial reporting. And the entrepreneur has to be able to grasp that data and keep it flowing accurately, usually with a good bookkeeper or accountant's help.

Willingness to sacrifice. Hard times are likely to come. If needing image and fine living are critical to you, the party may come to an end sooner than you'd like. Can you learn live frugally?

Sound financial footing. Undercapitalization is a primary cause of business failure. But a lack of adequate personal capital can be equally as dangerous. Six months to a year of monthly expenses saved up is the basic guideline.

Don't hire full time employees. Until you must! Benefits are very costly and so are other entanglements. Use free lance, contract, and part time talent whenever possible.

PMA. Positive Mental Attitude. That is likely an inadequate way of saying you need mental toughness to launch your own business. Lots of naysayers along the way. Lots of unexpected roadblocks. Are you an overcomer?

Luke 14:28-30: "Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’" (The Message)

You may be a self-starter but do you have what it takes to be a finisher?  Big question.

And like all consulting advice, it's a whole lot easier to talk about these things than to actually do them.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.

Habits of Likable People

As an on-air radio talent, I’m always interested to know a little bit more about “likability.” (It should be noted that the spelling of this comes into question, since you can also find a word “likeable” with the same meaning. But I digress.)

Thus, I was particularly interested in an article I found recently titled, “13 Habits of Exceptionally Likeable People.” It was stated that people tend to think that being likable is something beyond our control. In fact, developing certain habits can truly change perceptions about you. Or me. http://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/01/27/13-habits-of-exceptionally-likeable-people/

From the article: “In a study conducted at UCLA, subjects rated over 500 adjectives based on their perceived significance to likability. The top-rated adjectives had nothing to do with being gregarious, intelligent, or attractive (innate characteristics). Instead, the top adjectives were sincerity, transparency, and capacity for understanding (another person).”

Let me suggest a way that I perceive this plays out in media. My example is late night talk show hosts. Johnny Carson appeared to have a high “likability” factor. No one could topple his ratings. Likewise, Jay Leno had it. Then he left, and his replacement, Conan O’Brien, did not have it. David Letterman began to conquer the ratings. Leno returns. The ratings also return, and Letterman falls back into second place. Why?

This is strictly my perspective, tested only through unscientific, anecdotal feedback from friends. Jay Leno was and is an “everyman” kind of person. While a major talent, he gave off the impression of being a guy with whom you can easily connect. And, of course, he was funny. David Letterman often comes off as arrogant and cocky and above the crowd. He’s funny as well, but in a superior sense. Thus he can turn off a lot of people.

Then there’s Jimmy Fallon. This guy has it—likability. There is a boyish look and charm to his presence along with his superb talent. He has captured the hearts of the younger crowd, but I find his sense of humor, silliness, and “average man” approach to life engaging and, well, likable.

I’ve been in the studio audience for both Carson and Leno. Very different men. Carson engaged the audience only when he had to. Leno came out ahead of the show purposely to engage with the audience. Hard not to like that guy.

There is another good word for this likability of people. Winsome. From Merriam Webster: “generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence. A winsome smile.” That…is Jimmy Fallon. And Jay. And Johnny.

In the workplace, likability can deliver very strong payoffs. This is especially true in fields such as politics, media, public speaking, sales, and so forth. I will withhold my thoughts (for now) on the candidates we see emerging as presidential hopefuls. But think about that when you see them in the days ahead.

I imagine you’d also like to know those 13 traits of exceptionally likable people so you can start working on them yourself! Here are a few.

• They are genuine. 
• They don’t pass judgment. 
• They are consistent. 
• They smile. 

(You can look up the rest.)

People who are followers of Jesus of Nazareth should become more likable people as they mature. In Colossians 3:12-15 we read: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony….And always be thankful.” (NLT)

I’m working on those. But for now, I shall go out to face the world with more “childlike charm and innocence.”

Right. Who’s kidding who?

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.

Awards and Recognition

Last night the Oscars were presented in the 87th annual Academy Awards presentations. This used to be one of the biggies. Used to be.

Nowadays, it’s become ridiculous how Hollywood manages to praise itself. You can find the lists of awards presented in numerous locations on the web, including Wikipedia. One list for the movie world includes these popular gems:

▪ The Academy Awards (AKA “The Oscars”)
▪ The Golden Globe Awards
▪ The S.A.G. Awards (Screen Actors Guild)
▪ The People’s Choice Awards
▪ Hollywood Film Awards
▪ MTV Movie Awards
▪ Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards
▪ Critics' Choice Movie Awards (AKA the “Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards”)
▪ Teen Choice Awards
▪ Kid’s Choice Awards

…and on and on, ad infinitum it seems, with more than THIRTY additional
movie industry awards in the US alone beyond the ones list above.

And in case you missed last night’s party, you can find the big winners here: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/arts/birdman-wins-best-picture-at-oscars-2015.html?emc=edit_na_20150223&nlid=68618012&_r=0

There must be money in “them thar trophies” along with television ratings, or most of these would fade to black. But not yet. So the star fraternity keeps on recognizing themselves. And, apparently, folks watch. The irony of the Best Picture award for this year is that is was a movie about…a Hollywood actor!

Speaking of awards, a form of really silly recognition has found its way into millions of mailboxes. I just received a personalized “Certificate of Appreciation” with a gold seal and raised ink border for something I haven’t done yet: give money to this organization. This is one of many I’ve received. Imagine if I actually framed these and put them on display. Just call me goofy.

Many people will go to work this week and receive little to no recognition. They may be among the most consistent performers in their field and certainly worthy of praise. They are “stars” lost in the black hole of the “ordinary” work force.

Sometimes companies try to recognize employees with framable certificates. And it can come off corny. Any real award should have a look of quality and be suitable for framing. A really nice team award with everyone’s name works. Truly excellent achievements should get public recognition and perhaps lunch with the boss. Or a gift card.

There’s even a simpler way to show recognition. Handwritten notes. Trust me…some people would treasure these and hold on to them for years. But please, no electronic signatures.

On the high end, what about a red carpet event for your team? Let people dress up and make it Hollywood-esque with a photographer, an emcee, and envelopes with the winners. Making achievements memorable is impactful.

Quite often, managers who deliver results get the praise while the team did the real work. Attention often goes to the powerful. This is the way of the world. A humble leader could learn much from Jesus of Nazareth.

In Philippians 2:5-8, we find these words, particularly worth reading during this Lenten season:

“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” (The Message)

The hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” gives us this challenge: “So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown.”

Imagine your name being called one day to receive the award of eternal life. And to think it was never based on your performance. Wow.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.

The Business of Politics

Today (Monday) being Presidents Day, I decided to look up the latest poll information on how Americans ranked our “best presidents.” At the website ranker.com they give such a list ranked strictly by people casting votes on the web.

May I have the envelope please? The top ten, starting with the most popular goes like this:
Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, James Madison, and Harry Truman.

Other notables in the middle of the pack include:

#12 Bill Clinton
#15 George H.W. Bush
#18 Barack Obama
#22 George W. Bush
#28 Richard Nixon
#29 Jimmy Carter

Bottom feeder presidents were Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Johnson, James Buchanan, and Woodrow Wilson.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll released last summer, a plurality of voters think Barack Obama is the worst president since World War II. Obama’s predecessor, former President George W. Bush, came in at second-worst with 28 percent, and Richard Nixon was in third place with 13 percent of the vote.

Thirty-five percent of voters said Ronald Reagan was the best president since World War II, receiving nearly twice as many votes as any other former president. (http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/poll-obama-worst-president-since-wwii-108507.html#ixzz3RpIBWCrG)

As we all know, presidents and their popularity can shift wildly. One of the most recent examples was the G.W. Bush polls around 9/11 versus the numbers at the end of his second term. Clearly a matter of, “what have you done for me lately?”

There are countless intersections between business and politics. Much has been written on the “marketing” of a candidate. Similar to developing a product or service to a point where it is desirable for the consumer, so it is with creating a political agenda that generates sufficient votes.

In the business world, talent supposedly rises to the top. But untried and undeveloped talent can lead to huge problems for a company. A lack of true leadership skills can be fatal to a firm.

Untried and undeveloped political candidates can wreak havoc as well. Looking good and gaining popularity cannot replace leadership. Simply put, it can only take you so far.

The main point of this blog is to examine a business related topic and apply a spiritual connection. Guiding America’s future is big business. Our current president had an unusually untested path to the top. Community organizer, turned State Senator, turned U.S. Senator, turned U.S. President.

Few have had such a road that did not require demonstrated leadership experience. As a nation, we assumed great risk in placing such a heavy and demanding mantle on one without a background of proven toughness for the role. Perhaps some of the public concern in polls stems from that.

Interestingly, the Bible has plenty of examples from Israel’s history of inexperienced, and sometimes very young, men becoming king. Many of them failed the test of loyalty to God and His principles. During those times for Israel, things did not end well.

The world is much more complex today. We don’t elect 12-year-olds to to the office of President. We don’t make them kings. We’ve got more players on the world stage. The ability to make wise decisions with tested leaders is critical in our nation today. We need more than “great communicators.” We need leaders who soak themselves in biblical truth for guidance.

Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (ESV) Psalm 72 is sometimes titled, “The Reign of a Righteous King.” The passage closes in this way: “May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.” (NASB)

God help the one who leads from the Oval Office. And may God help us discern the person best qualified...one who kneels before the True King for wisdom.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.

Bankruptcy Protection

You don’t have to be engaged in the real business world to go bankrupt. Ask anyone who has played a few rounds of the board game Monopoly. Simply stated, a player is eliminated from the game if they cannot pay what they owe…whether that is to the bank or to another player. At that point, we say the player is bankrupt!

In a game, it’s easy to start over. In real life, it’s not so easy. Just ask Radio Shack. This past weekend, a final round of sales began at some 1700 of their stores. It is the first wave of liquidation of stores in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the consumer electronics retailer.

I feel their pain. Well, a little. In the 1970s, I was employed for several months in a Radio Shack store in Sacramento, California. It was in the heyday of CB radios and hot-selling stereo equipment. Christmas at Radio Shack was a bonanza of customers. And, of course, there was that free battery-per-month promotion.

My first video game was played with a fellow employee at Radio Shack. On slow nights, we spent time becoming experts in Pong! The company soon had its TRS-80 computer and handheld models to boast about.

But times change. CB radio sales died. Smartphones arrived. Personal computer competition became intense. Home stereos transitioned into more sophisticated options. And no one cared much about a free battery. A sad reality took shape as Radio Shack lost its edge…and then its customers. Bottom line: bankruptcy.

I feel their pain for a second reason. In the 1980s, I had my own dream shattered when I started a video/marketing enterprise in California. I raised capital, generated a lot of enthusiasm for an idea, and was building a small business on high hopes. Undercapitalization was primarily responsible for dealing me out of the world of big dreams. I ran out of cash. Bottom line: bankruptcy of a small business.

It’s painful to see this happen. At least, it should be. Competitors often celebrate the demise of a lesser foe. Because winning — in business — is everything.

I saw a different side of a kind of bankruptcy last week. For a few days, I was in the throes of Guatemalan families who live on virtually nothing. Their “assets” are sometimes their children, sold to be laborers or for more demonic purposes. Men who have no jobs. Women and children living in corrugated metal shacks with no food and scarce water. I was on a mission with the ministry Food for the Poor.

Just a few miles away from these destitute families in Guatemala City, streets were bustling, and people with good paying jobs filled high-rise buildings. As with many places in our world, the “haves” connect little with the “have-nots.” In a sense, there is a bankruptcy of human compassion.

Jesus of Nazareth saw it happening. He was well aware of earthly kingdom builders who were willing to risk it all on the big stage for a losing payoff. Jesus said it this way: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT)

Jesus also offered bankruptcy protection. In verses 24-25 of that same passage he said: “…if any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

When it comes to bankruptcy, forget Chapter 11. Or Chapter 7. For true eternal protection, go back and read Matthew, Chapter 16.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.

Weakness & Meekness

Today is Ground Hog Day. Supposedly, if it’s cloudy in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the groundhog Phil is telling us spring will come early. But if the sun is shining on Phil, and he sees his shadow, we get six more weeks of winter. In this case, the sun causes him to retreat back into his burrow.

In a job interview, questions that tend to make us feel awkward or embarrassed cause us to retreat as well. One commonly used question of this ilk is, “What is your greatest weakness?” AWKWARD! Let me go hide.

Forbes contributor Liz Ryan has no regard for this personal interrogation. As she wrote in Forbes a few weeks ago, “It’s an unspeakably rude question for one person to ask another. We don’t hear the impoliteness in this question on a job interview, because we’ve been trained to think it’s normal for recruiters and hiring managers to ask job-seekers very personal things.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2014/09/25/how-to-answer-the-question-whats-your-greatest-weakness/

People often respond with comments from career coaches explaining that their weakness might be they work too hard or are perfectionistic. Hardly real weaknesses. Just a mild self deprecating spin to make the weakness a strength.

Liz attempts to wisely help those who will still face this job interview question. If asked about perceived weaknesses, she suggests a reply that explains that you don’t focus on your weaknesses, but on your strengths. I like that. It’s really a good philosophy for life.

Sharing our weaknesses can make us feel more timid, mild, broken, and even spiritless. All of those words are interestingly synonyms of the work meekness. But meekness is actually a much more healthy word. It should bring to mind a godly sense of humility, recognizing our true place in the universe.

With this is mind, we should feel freed up to admit, in a more honest and lighthearted fashion, our weaknesses. For example, I am clearly out of my league on virtually anything mechanical. No natural skill. No interest. I am also not a meeting kind of guy. Long classes, sermons, etc., must be truly compelling or I want out. I could go on.

But I also bring strengths to the workplace. A healthy self perspective requires I not boast, but neither should I retreat from sharing what I believe I’m best at. In fact, the more that my best abilities can be identified and put into practice in the workplace, the more valuable I can become to my employer or those I serve.

Here is the way the apostle Paul advised followers of Jesus to live life. “I therefore, …appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.” (Ephesians 4:1-2, Amplified Bible)

My counsel? Be grateful to God today for your strengths. Recognize they are gifts from Him. Admit you have weaknesses, but focus on your strengths. Don’t overestimate or underestimate who you are. Live…meekly. Not weakly.

I will now return to my burrow. Let me know when winter is over.

That’s The Way WE Work. Click on the link to the right to connect via Facebook.

Catch “Let’s Talk with Mark Elfstrand" weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on AM 1160 Hope for Your Life. To listen to the live broadcast or a podcast of previous shows click here.