Life’s journey

My time with Arianna Huffington!

Have you heard of Arianna Huffington? She is a master of using social media. She started an American news content aggregating website in 2005 and sold it to AOL in February of 2011 for $315 million! Not bad! OK, so I led you into thinking I interviewed Arianna with my title for this Wisdom. She actually spoke at a conference I attended. She is a fascinating woman, very funny and very insightful. I would like to share with you some powerful wisdom that she shared with me.

Arianna spoke mostly about engagement. People today want to be understood and heard. It’s so easy to be heard … start a blog! Some of you have your own blog like I do and I applaud you. Arianna discovered in 2005 that there is so much great content, why not direct it to one site called the Huffington Post? Here are three of my favorite quotes (I forgot who she quoted) that I took away from her hour-long presentation:

1. There are so many things that I’ve faced in my life and most never happened.

2. I’ve had such a wonderful life … I wish I would have realized it sooner.

3. How I deal with an issue IS the issue!

The third is the one that I’ve dedicated my life to helping others address, as my life’s journey is focused on teaching. When it comes to teaching and learning, not everyone understands language and style of communication the same way. Some people love it when you’re direct. Some prefer a softer approach to coaching. If you don’t know how a person likes to be communicated with, how do you expect to make an impact?

People think they need to be “fair” to the people they lead so they treat them all the same. That works only if everyone IS the same and we are not. How you resolve issues with one person is often completely the opposite for another if you wish to have a real impact. Understand that Servant Leadership is meeting the legitimate needs of another person. Learn what makes everyone different and unique and be aware of HOW you treat people.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Until Friday you can get a FREE About Me Card and find out what makes you unique. Go to www.aboutmecard.com, create a business account and use the coupon code: SHRM11 to create your About Me Card! The code will no longer be valid after the close of business on Friday!

Share our time and talents

 Have you ever heard that quote by George Carlin? Paraphrasing somewhat, he once said, “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting…‘holy [cow]…what a ride!’” Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s how I want to live my life! It worries me to see folks these days who are afraid to try new things, share their opinions, and rock the boat a little. It seems that society has taught us to fly beneath the radar and go unnoticed because it’s safer to not take risks. But what kind of life is that?

 I go by the philosophy that we should be open and honest with everyone and share our ideas; that we harness the greatest creative power when we all work together. And being a Servant Leader sometimes means we need to step outside our comfort zone in order to serve others and contribute to the greater good. We need to share our time and talents in as many ways as possible, even if that means being slightly uncomfortable from time to time when trying new things.

 That’s why I started sharing my thoughts through the Prophit Marketing Road Show years back. I knew I had some fresh new ideas that were worth sharing with others so I jumped out onto the stage and shared them. If I hadn’t, I might really regret missing that opportunity.

 Personally, when I slide into the grave I want to know that I’ve enriched the lives of others and loved deeply those in my care.

 Joe Kiedinger

Action Plan: What risks are you willing to take?