2009 September

Getting Paid to be a Jerk!

Have you seen the reality TV show, Hell’s Kitchen with Head Chef Gordon Ramsay? Well the premise of the show (and I’ll only tell you what I know because I don’t waste my time watching it) is young apprentice chefs work under this “renowned chef” (I’ve never heard of him before). He screams and yells at them to cook things right.

I don’t see how people can watch that stuff. Perhaps it’s because they think, “Yeah, it’s not me!” I wonder what his turnover rate is at his restaurant? This is a perfect example of a person leading with power: “Do it this way or else!” Leadership by power is the most common approach by many executives. The problem is you don’t get too many seasons out of a person with this approach.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got better things to do than be yelled at all day. Leadership by authority is the ticket in today’s workplace. Can you inspire and have associates willingly follow you because of how you lead? Work at it; work hard at it because how you make others feel in your presence is the essence of growing your paycheck and your status within organizations you serve.

Do you think the president would raise someone up to senior management if he or she didn’t “feel” something about that person? They must “feel” confident about that person in order to entrust them to such a high position.

Become the boss you wish your boss was. Become the friend you wish your friends were. Lead with authority, not power, and look out! Oh the places you’ll go!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Go to Amazon.com and check out the book The Brander-In-Chief and start your journey today!

Uncharted Waters

Why didn’t I take it slow the second time? Alex, my 13 year-old, just received his boating license this summer. Over the 4th of July holiday he was with his buddy on our 18-foot runabout when the propeller hit a rock. Luckily he was going very slow so there was no damage done to the propeller and the engine. Alex warned me of the spot and pointed it out.

Later, and pulling a water-skier, I headed right into that rock at 35 mph. Guess what? Damage! And lots of it! $1,600 later I had my beautiful boat back. Fast forward to our trip up north this last Labor Day weekend…we decided to navigate the Wisconsin River. This water we have never navigated. Alex wanted to go skiing and so I pulled him on a stretch of water that was calm and had no traffic.

I learned why that was…BAM! Up went my motor again. I immediately stopped the boat and looked back. There was a large tree trunk that floated to the surface, tumbled a bit, and sank. Whew, luckily there was no damage! Apparently soggy, floating wood is more forgiving than rocks. How could I make that same mistake twice?

We do this in business as well. The water looks safe so we dive in and get to it. Then, BAM, we hit a rock, that unforeseen but predictable hazard that, in hindsight, could have been avoided had we done a little research and navigated more slowly.

I do believe there are times when you need to jump in, do it, and then fix it. However, there are times when slowing down and taking your time is a good thing. Stop banging your engine (and your resources) around. Be wise: navigate and chart your destiny!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Slow down, think, and evaluate.

Shortcuts Can Lead to a Longer Road

I’m a true believer in efficiencies. I’ve seen comparable businesses operate with similar success but one made much more profit than the other. The only difference was efficiency. I don’t want you to confuse shortcuts with efficiency. They are two totally different things. We often look at shortcuts as “cheapening” a product. The shortcut is usually followed by, “the customer won’t notice the difference anyway.”

How many of you have stubborn drivers in the family? I know I can be one sometimes. “Forget the map, I know a shortcut.” Meanwhile I’ve just sent my family on a wild goose chase through backcountry trying to guess at a shorter path. And, yes, sometimes (ok, most of the time) the shortcut leads me to a road that went out of my way or delayed our arrival.

Impatience is the contributor to shortcuts. Entrepreneurs are so driven and passionate about what they do that sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that things aren’t moving fast enough. So we pull out our duct tape and patching tools and try to get our ideas to stick before they’re ready. You know, a good plan with a good strategy works like Elmer’s glue.

Remember in school? Using this white goopy glue would get frustrating. If you opted for taking your project home the art fell apart. However, those that left it to dry on the heat vents overnight returned to school the next day with a solid masterpiece!

Allow your ideas to take form. Allow your plan to be worked in a consistent venue. As you introduce your ideas to others you’re adding more pieces to the artwork. You’re feeding your prospects glue – meaning they’re interested but not fully committed. By being patient and staying consistent your prospects begin to see your benefits and slowly dry into your framework. Be patient. Keep using the glue, but give it a chance to dry!

- Joe Kiedinger -

ACTION PLAN: Give impatience the boot!

Looking Out Your Porthole

I used to be an entertainer on a cruise ship, but I did more than just entertain! I did party games on deck with the guests as well as ran the gangway welcoming passengers on and off the ship throughout the day. I’ll never forget a funny experience I had when welcoming new guests on the ship the very first day.

A woman stormed into the lobby after checking in and returning from her cabin. She went to the head of the line at the Pursers Desk (a pursers desk is like a hotel check in desk) and slammed her fist on the counter. She made it quite clear that she was upset and she wanted everyone to know it. Glaring at the purser she stated:

“My husband and I saved for three years for an ocean view cabin!”

The Purser assumed the woman accidentally was placed in an interior cabin, one that doesn’t have a window. He learned this wasn’t the case as she continued…

“When I got to my cabin I looked out the porthole and we have a view of the parking lot!”

Everyone began to chuckle and then broke into an uproarious laughter. The woman couldn’t figure out why everyone was laughing. The Purser didn’t miss a beat, “Ma’am, in about four hours you will have the most spectacular view of the sun setting into the Caribbean Sea! I guarantee it! Yes, the boat moves!” Needless to say, she felt childish and laughed with the rest of us.

My question to you is this, when a person visits your stateroom and looks out your porthole, what do they see? The crystal blue ocean? Or do they see a parking lot? Start making change happen now if the view isn’t so spectacular.

You have it within you to be great! It’s up to you, parking lot or ocean?

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: If you’re struggling on your road to greatness find a mentor, someone who has already been successful, who can give you an advantage like no other. Get going and set sail!

Hope Still Radiates in a Recession!

I had the honor of speaking at a United Way kickoff breakfast earlier this week. I was asked to “inspire the crowd”. I opened up the 70-minute event, of which I took up 30 minutes, and then sat down feeling pretty good. However, it was the second half of the event that was truly inspiring.

No less than eight companies were asked to come up to the front to present their 2008 donations (which were raised by their employees). These companies are called “pacesetters” and together raised over $300,000! Amazing! It wasn’t just from people contributing a little from their paychecks each month, but it also included stories of employee fundraising events like car washes and bake sales.

What’s better yet, the donations raised exceeded the previous year’s figures! During a time of massive layoffs, these companies raised even more money! That is what’s truly inspiring. The United Way really does touch so many people’s lives. I was honored to be a part of this event.

It really goes to show that great things can happen when people LIVE UNITED!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: It’s important to support a cause. Do you have one? Please, if you currently do not have a cause… find one.