Greedy Wolves & You

I have not seen The Wolf of Wall Street. Probably won’t. I do admit to being fascinated by the intensity of the lifestyle of traders and financial players.

The film features Leonardo DiCaprio playing the role of one bad and out of control banker, Jordan Belfort. It’s a true story, replete with the trappings that come from incredible wealth. We get a picture of the very ugly side of Belfort and his eventual fall involving crime and corruption. The feds took him down.

Early in my time in Chicago, a friend arranged a lunch for me with a trader after he gave us a tour of the Chicago Board of Trade. It was surprising how in that array of activity someone could focus and maintain sanity. Apparently the burn or burnout rate comes at a fairly young age.

Two recent New York Times stories gave me reasons to think about the passions and lessons learned from financial power brokers. Cliff Oxford wrote the article, “Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Wolf of Wall Street." Quoting, “Two of them were: You can’t build a culture in a comfort zone, and there is a dark side in the drive to be first. He added that the film shows “how you can take ordinary people and make them maniacs for the mission.” You can read the article for more insights on this. http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/entrepreneurial-lessons-from-the-wolf-of-wall-street/?nl=business&emc=edit_sb_20140108&_r=0

The second article gave quite a bit more depth to another wolf who has left the pack. It’s powerful. It’s titled “For the Love of Money” and is written by Sam Polk. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/opinion/sunday/for-the-love-of-money.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20140119&_r=0

Polk had an upbringing in a middle class home with a salesman father who dreamed of being rich. Sam did more than dream. After his time at Columbia University, which included significant drug use and suspension, he got himself a trading floor job. It started his rather meteoric rise to wealth. He next went to Bank of America and, four years later, he was offered a Citibank job at $1.75 million per year. Perks galore.

But his self-written story is about how there was never enough. He came to learn about envy. Greed. Power. The kinds of things that take a man down. Like Jordan Belfort.

But Sam Polk had an epiphany. And it came from his superior’s reaction to hedge fund regulations being implemented. As he challenged the assumption that these regulations were not necessarily bad, the responses he received showed almost unbelievable self interest. Almost.

Polk’s epiphany led him to serious self examination. And he acted on the dark sides of his life. He left the company. He experienced withdrawal symptoms of greed. His world today is vastly different as his testimony tells.

Sam Polk does not make a clear connection to any specific spiritual driving force. But reading his story, it reminded me of Jesus telling his audience that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) Folks in Jesus’s time believed wealth was a sign of God’s blessing. How possibly could wealth be a barrier to God? We know better.

Here’s our challenge. Forget the amount of wealth involved. Our souls need to be constantly on guard against the destructive forces of envy, greed, the love of power, and pride. There are a few more as well, categorized over the years as “The Seven Deadly Sins.” Google that if you need help.

To avoid becoming a big bad wolf, discipline yourself to fight those sins as a camel would fight to get through the eye of a needle. You’ll likely need a lot of prayer ... to get over the hump.

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

Somebody’s Watchin’ You

Somebody’s Watchin’ You

Certainly you’ve heard the song, and you might even know the lyrics by heart:  “Somebody’s Watching Me.”  The song is by Rockwell:

I'm just an average man
With an average life
I work from nine to five
Hey, ****, I pay the price
All I want is to be left alone
In my average home
But why do I always feel
Like I'm in the twilight zone

And (I always feel like)
(Somebody's watching me)
And I have no privacy
Are the neighbors watching me
Well, is the mailman watching me
And I don't feel safe anymore
Oh, what a mess
I wonder who's watching me now
The IRS?

The lyrics also ask, “Am I just paranoid?” No, I don’t think so. Witness the recent story in Fast Company magazine titled, "Can Performance Be Quantified? Wearable Tech In The Office." (see:  http://m.fastcompany.com/3023793/dialed/can-performance-be-quantified-wearable-tech-in-the-office)

Notes the article, “Companies from Hitachi to Walt Disney World resort are using wearable tech to track staff and improve collaboration and customer service, according to a report by management researcher H. James Wilson.” Apparently companies such as The Container Store like these devices to help track sales people’s performance in the areas of communications with other staff and shoppers. Promoters of these devices also claim they help improve innovation by getting more team inclusion in what’s happening around the company.

Then there’s the argument that a workplace personality who is said to be uncooperative or consistently unpleasant can be monitored and adjustments made to save his or her job. So it’s a new tool to observe “personality metrics.” Since participation would be voluntary, the candidates for wearable tech must be convinced the devices are to help and not punish them for bad performance.

Thinking back on the work zones in which I’ve been employed, there are MANY conversations between coworkers that one would NOT want recorded. Then there are comments made by sales people when not in the presence of the customer. Oh boy. And how about a little reverse fun? Can the employees get a dose of those private management conversations, or is this likely just a one way street of accountability? I’m guessing here.

Most people are unaware how much of their lives is under observation. Those little cameras are everywhere. My wife and I enjoy watching the show Person of Interest (on CBS). That’ll make you paranoid! And it’s now no secret that government has a TON more eyes on you than we’ve been told.

Now here’s the question: what does this say about our human condition if our behavior improves ONLY to make ourselves look good in front of others? Truth is you really ARE being watched in everything you say and do. Everything.

Jesus made it clear: God’s eye really IS on the sparrow. Read Matthew, chapter 10. Here’s an excerpt: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Ideally, our knowledge that “somebody’s watching me” ought to remind us to live as we should. The knowledge that God is watching should challenge us to an even higher standard.  His metrics are the ones by which we are measured most for eternity.

As for all those other "watchers," well, I hope my mailman has better things to do.  And, by the way, where IS my mail?

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

Seasons of a Job

As best as I can summarize, I’ve had about 20 different jobs in my lifetime. While some of them are similar kinds of work, every work environment has a uniqueness. But there is also a consistency in adapting and growing on the job, and we might call this the seasons of a job.

As I’ve welcomed people into new positions, for which I’ve been in a supervisorial or management role, I try to encourage new hires to see these seasons and accept them. It also helps management lower expectations a bit as an employee fits into their new job.
  
I think there are four of these seasons: Familiarity. Efficiency. Mastery. Creativity.

• Familiarity. While there is no particular length of time that must be associated with these seasons of work, familiarity usually takes about a year in most jobs. It is when all the basic details of the work environment must be learned, paperwork completed, nuances appreciated and relationships developed and interpreted. Many companies have particular issues that arise during certain times of the year and one can only absorb the dynamics of these issues after a full cycle of twelve months.
• Efficiency. During that first season, there will be a "growing into the job."  As this occurs, a person gains the experience needed to become efficient and proficient on the job. Decisions come quicker. Performance moves up. The needed relationships are cultivated and expertise enhanced. An employee who reaches this stage quickly and maintains a good work ethic is valuable.
• Mastery. Longer term players in the workplace become the best contributors. They know and understand the culture. They clearly have established themselves as productive. Usually, a loyalty and commitment to the cause and the firm exist.  Assuming productivity remains high, these workers are among the most trusted associates of an organization.
• Creativity. An exceptional “value added” contribution by an employee is to have ideas for improvement, or visionary thoughts on expanded business opportunities.  These are easily the coveted “keepers” because they energize the group and foster growth. Often, they are the hardest to keep because of their entrepreneurial nature.  But they are worth their salt and investment.

Entry level jobs generally do not go beyond familiarity and efficiency. That’s okay. People should grow and then move on, unless there is due cause to grow within the company.

These seasons are not perfectly linear over time. A person can show early signs of creativity from the start. Allowing for the maturation of an employee, along with good coaching, will contribute to a very strong workplace and will reward those who stay on.
  
Life has its seasons as well. Especially our spiritual lives. The gifted pastor and Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll gave us a wonderful resource in one of his early writings. His devotional book, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, has 144 offerings to navigate these seasons.
  
Spring is a time of renewal and certainly a season our soul finds beautiful. Summer can be a season of warmth and rest. Fall is a season of change and perhaps reflection. And winter can be a time of discouragement with those cold winds chilling the soul.

Learning and adapting to the seasons can provide a great deal of maturity as well. The end result is a healthy soul and a great sense of God’s working. Swindoll’s book is a good read … for those in need.

Maybe there’s a rhyme and reason to every season. Eh?

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

Security Check

Target Corporation made the news over the Christmas holidays in a way they were certainly hoping to avoid. A breach of their customers' credit card information was the culprit. It is estimated that as many as 40 million Target customers' credit and debit card data was hacked.

The USA Today reported that the “real problem is that so many breaches occur in the first place. Credit and debit card fraud has nearly quadrupled in past decade.” Staying a step ahead of thieves is hard work.

Security breaches in our modern age put our finances, medical history, and loads of personal information up for grabs. A recent story in the New York Times offered an eerie glimpse into new ways of enhancing personal security. A bank in Britain now provides voice analyzation for added security to high net worth individuals. In Japan, some ATMs scan vein patterns in a person’s palm before money is released. Fingerprint sensors on computers and smartphones are becoming more common.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/business/reading-your-palm-for-securitys-sake.html?nl=todaysheadlines&adxnnl=1&emc=edit_th_20131229&adxnnlx=1388315522-YdqRNabLGR4YUhWDLrcqYg

As we know, pets are now commonly sold and adopted with microchips to give them identity in the event they are lost or stolen. Radio Frequency Identification tags are being encouraged in various parts of the globe for humans. Proponents say these devices embedded under people’s skin could help curb identity theft, improve medical care, and even help identify disaster victims.

It would seem obvious to most of us that more people are willing to sacrifice personal privacy for this sense of personal security. Cameras, for example, are everywhere. We are monitored at every turn. 

So what is a person to do? Tough decisions may be ahead. How far will people go to give themselves these earthly personal protections?

Many also believe that all of this activity is connected to events leading to what are called “the end times.” One of the most difficult instructions Jesus gave his followers had to do with reading the signs of the times. Note these words of his … “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:24-26) So … are you ready?

Oddly, it seems the vast majority of people on our planet are more concerned with personal security than eternal security.  We’re more worried about a Target breach than a spiritual breach in our own lives. The kind that could rob us of eternal reward.
  
As we start a new year, I suggest you take the best precaution possible regarding your greatest asset: YOU! Protect yourself with a “living trust.”  Make a day by day decision to abide in Him. Put your faith in Jesus.

There is no more sound investment strategy. And it never needs an upgrade.

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

Pay No Attention

There was once a great teacher. He had many followers. Some were more dedicated than others and chose to frequent his classes and public presentations. His message became familiar. Too familiar.
Over time, while the teacher was speaking, those who thought they knew his words all too well disengaged. Not intentionally. They simply occupied themselves with other interests. Specifically, smartphones and tablet devices. It seemed quite productive.

Gatherings of any kind with the teacher enabled his followers to text friends. Make appointments. Catch up on emails. Read up on the latest news. Some of them were even caught laughing out loud at memes. Or their smartphones would ring. Now that was embarrassing.

Occasionally, an announcement was made before the teacher began to speak. It said, “Please. Refrain from distracting technology so that what is being said can be learned and applied.” But many paid no heed.

It was not too long before even the most dedicated followers found the teacher’s messages passé The thrill of social media and being “in the know” captivated them more than the wisdom from the teacher. They became fad followers. And many of them lost common sense.

My fictional story may have a not so obvious point. I have become increasingly troubled by what has become nothing short of rude social behavior. Rude with no words being said.

I’ve been in meetings and gatherings where many in the crowd “tune out” what is being said or done for the pleasure of their technology. It would be one thing if devices were used to take notes or contribute to the purpose of the gathering (e.g. tweeting a highlight at the speaker’s request or with permission.) But this is quite often not the case.

People are just deciding that their private world takes priority over the very reason they are in the group. It’s less noticeable in a larger setting. Yet I’ve sat in small groups with people sharing ideas and personal thoughts and watched other group members disengage and start texting. Really!

I thought about this as it relates to the true Great Teacher, Jesus. His disciples followed Him around every day. And likely got very familiar with the content of His messages. Imagine that group emailing, texting, and laughing over memes with each other while Jesus “droned on” to the masses.

Even more so, imagine the pleas of your heart for yourself, your child, your most precious need … going unnoticed to a God with a gadget. Imagine Jesus constantly checking texts instead of gazing deeply into the eyes of His followers; and listening closely to someone … like you.

For the record, I’m gadget equipped. But when a technology asset becomes a liability, it’s time for a gut check. And if you find yourself addicted to the latest update at the expense of good social behavior, I have a word for you: repent!

That, my friend, is common sense. And a good resolution to start 2014.

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

Showing up with Gifts

This week is Christmas. Songs of the season will reach their zenith this week. And then, gone for another year. Let me focus on one to suggest how to make it last all of next year.

Most, if not all, who read this blog will know the song The Little Drummer Boy. Let’s put aside the “pa-rum-pah-pum-pums” for a moment. The message of the song is about the boy who was told to visit a newborn king, with others, to bring their finest gifts to lay before the King, and thus, to honor him.

Of course, the boy was poor and had no gift to bring that was fit to give the King. But he inquired of Mary if instead he could use his gift of playing the drums to honor this King. Mary nodded, the animals kept time. And the baby smiled. Obviously, a fan of the drums.

I believe that the little drummer dude was given the gift of rhythm. He may have practiced and practiced and nurtured his innate ability. But his talent to play originated with a gift given to him by his Heavenly Father.

And so it is with you and me. God has put His imprint on us a number of ways. Having talent is one of those ways. There are several verses in the Bible that connect us to our gifts. There are the professional gifts as mentioned in Exodus for those who were involved in building the temple.  (Exodus 31) 

There are the spiritual gifts as mentioned in the New Testament. Most of us take these gifts for granted every day. We fail to appreciate how any ability we have has come to us through God’s goodness. Notwithstanding our efforts to excel, one small brain malfunction could render any of us incapable of producing the music of our work. You have much for which to be thankful!

Now … what you do with those gifts of yours can make a big difference in our world. Play the music only for yourself and others are robbed of its beauty. Played with a heart to please the King and you’ll provide a true blessing to others. Are you able to read between these musical lines?

You may march to the beat of a different drummer. No matter. Every gift given by God yields a return when played with an inspired servant's heart. (Colossians 3:23) This Christmas, why not commit to play your life music for the King during the coming year? It will be a sweet sound to God and a gift He can use to impact the world. Even a little drummer boy can figure this one out.

And the beat … goes on. Pa-rum-pah-pum-pum.

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

Just Ask Chuck E Cheese

Imagine for a moment a Kingdom where a mighty and good king reigns. He is truly the kind of king humans dream of having as a ruler. As time passes, people come to take him for granted. In fact, it comes to a time when even his birthday is ignored. His greatness is dimmed as his special day goes unnoticed.

[Don't get ahead of me here. I have a workplace application from this story. One that puts you a step ahead.]

Many years ago, I would make it a point to find a way to determine a business associate's birthday. And before Outlook, I would put these days on a calendar. Then I used a spreadsheet program and sorted these birthdays by date for easy reference.

I did this for many of my radio coworkers over the years as well. It was a kick to announce them on the air. That way, they got LOTS of recognition. In fact, in a smaller community where I worked, people would call in and tell us someone's birthday and we would share the list a few times during the day.

Sales people are often taught to do this kind of remembrance for clients. When it becomes routine, it loses true value. A generic card with no real message is better than nothing, I suppose, but not by much.

I would encourage you today to take better notice of birthdays. Few days are more special to a person than the day they first showed up on this planet. A quick call, note, email, Facebook salute, or text will brighten their day. And be sure to tell this person in a sentence something special.

Two of my grandsons have birthdays in December. (One of them is tomorrow, December 17th!) Kids' birthdays are a big deal. A VERY BIG DEAL!  Just ask Chuck E Cheese!  

The greatest King to ever live has a birthday we recognize this month. Interestingly, Jesus of Nazareth never asked us to celebrate His birthday. In fact, we don't really know the exact date. We’re almost certain it is NOT December 25th. 

That reality caused me to reflect on how odd it is that the actual day passes every year without any fanfare or notice. Imagine that. The One Person who has impacted humanity the most has a birthday in history that actually goes unnoticed!

Is it a big deal in heaven? Or is "every day with Jesus sweeter than the day before"? Don't know. But my life has been forever altered by His arrival. And I think it’s the most important day in history.

Want to let Jesus of Nazareth know His arrival on this earth really is important? Tell Him. Today. Tomorrow. Every day. No need to bring cake.

Want to let your coworkers, friends, and clients know that they are important? Tell them. At LEAST once a year.

If Jesus were physically present on Earth today, he would be around 2,016 years old. And there’s a lesson here, too. Best not to ask a person’s age on their birthday. Unless they’re a kid. Just ask Chuck E Cheese.

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