"Arouse in the other person an eager want." - Dale Carnegie
I like the phrasing. Each person has wants. Sometimes they're latent, maybe even unknown to them. It can be a fool's errand to create a want in a person, but a rich man's scrapbook will be filled if he can help someone discover what feeds them, and more so if he can help them achieve it.
What is it? A chance to succeed independently in a project? Good relationships with their associates? Better organizational skills? Conquest of worry? The ability to shoot a jump shot or play tougher defense? Or just to pass geometry?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Magnanimous
"Let nothing be said against Hardin... nothing deserves to be said against him." - Abraham Lincoln
Magnanimous: Very generous or forgiving, especially of a rival or someone less powerful than oneself.
Hardin had made an effort to run for a second term of Congress, in breach of a gentleman's agreement within the Whig Party that would have ascended Lincoln to the county's representative position.
Lincoln's children were notorious for running around his office in a state of mayhem. He assembled his presidential cabinet with former political adversaries. The wiry president was incredibly strong with the power of forgiveness and spent very little time flexing his vindictive muscles, with fantastic results.
It all adds up. The ability to shake off perceived slights or wrongs matches right up with the ability to get things done. A cultivated gracious mind makes for a graceful life.
Magnanimous: Very generous or forgiving, especially of a rival or someone less powerful than oneself.
Hardin had made an effort to run for a second term of Congress, in breach of a gentleman's agreement within the Whig Party that would have ascended Lincoln to the county's representative position.
Lincoln's children were notorious for running around his office in a state of mayhem. He assembled his presidential cabinet with former political adversaries. The wiry president was incredibly strong with the power of forgiveness and spent very little time flexing his vindictive muscles, with fantastic results.
It all adds up. The ability to shake off perceived slights or wrongs matches right up with the ability to get things done. A cultivated gracious mind makes for a graceful life.
Thought Provoking
"A man is what he thinks about all day long." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Spent about twelve hours this weekend watching videos on basketball coaching. Defense by Dick Bennett and Bobby Knight. Zone offense by Rick Torbett. Conditioning drills by Alan Stein. Perimeter drills by Bob Hurley.
Basketball camp begins this week and runs for the next two weeks.
The 10,000 hour rule of practice to eliteness requires continuous attention. This month, at least, is on track for success.
Spent about twelve hours this weekend watching videos on basketball coaching. Defense by Dick Bennett and Bobby Knight. Zone offense by Rick Torbett. Conditioning drills by Alan Stein. Perimeter drills by Bob Hurley.
Basketball camp begins this week and runs for the next two weeks.
The 10,000 hour rule of practice to eliteness requires continuous attention. This month, at least, is on track for success.
He Madoff With His Money
"Don't be angry. Be very disappointed in Bernie. Hurt? You can feel that personally. But don't get angry. Because if you get angry, you will eat up your own insides." - Fred Wilpon
This from a man who, after 30 years of relationship with a man so close he felt like family, learned that Bernie Madoff had bilked him of $550 million. And after investing so confidently in Madoff for so long, jilted other investors had filed suit against him as a perpetrator in the fraud - for another $1 billion.
"Don't get angry," he says.
I e-mailed a question to someone this week, who responded in a trite and incomplete answer, leaving me in the lurch. Irritating yes... devastating no. That is, non-devastating as long as I step away for a deep breath. Or about ten minutes of deep breaths. As a result, the follow-up e-mail was focused rather than emotional, and resulted in a healthy conclusion after a little more conversation.
Squalls are harmless, as long as we refrain from chasing them.
This from a man who, after 30 years of relationship with a man so close he felt like family, learned that Bernie Madoff had bilked him of $550 million. And after investing so confidently in Madoff for so long, jilted other investors had filed suit against him as a perpetrator in the fraud - for another $1 billion.
"Don't get angry," he says.
I e-mailed a question to someone this week, who responded in a trite and incomplete answer, leaving me in the lurch. Irritating yes... devastating no. That is, non-devastating as long as I step away for a deep breath. Or about ten minutes of deep breaths. As a result, the follow-up e-mail was focused rather than emotional, and resulted in a healthy conclusion after a little more conversation.
Squalls are harmless, as long as we refrain from chasing them.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Auto-Correction Begone
In my last post I typed the word "prayerfulness." Then did spell check, which told me that no such word existed. It recommended two words as alternates: "prevalence" and "provolone's." Apparently Blogger regards matters of faith as universal and cheesy!
Climbing Back To Old Times
Yesterday there was a meeting to discuss the future of Higher Ground, the church band I used to play guitar and sing with years ago, and nowadays am an infrequently-called-upon sub. Recently the director of the group decided to simplify his life and better meet the demands of his day job by resigning from the band at the end of July. Also, the church has created a new position of worship coordinator, an overarching responsibility spanning all three (soon to be four) weekend services, including the musical elements.
These situations are uneasy ones for dedicated band members, some of whom are experiencing their third change in director. Each change in director brings changes in style as well. What level of musicianship, leadership, prayerfulness will result? How organized, how flexible, what type of music, how empowering? Worship coordinator Isaac Gaff is new to the church and while he had met several of the musicians, still had several unknowns in front of him as he began to lead the meeting.
From missteps in leadership of my own, I've come to a philosophy that new leaders ought to spend lots of time listening before proposing any personal ideas. Isaac made a good impression by starting the meeting with open-ended questions about the group's questions, and he received each one calm confidence. He made little reference to his own role beyond a humble vow to help us get through it, which by default would seem to have him becoming the new/interim director in August. He suggested another meeting in a month, encouraging the group to reflect on how often they'd like to play and how the band might be modeled to ensure health rather than burnout.
As an outsider yet a fan, it was a promising visit from someone who came across as far to the non-micromanagement end of the spectrum... my favorite place. And for all the nervousness of the members present, they were in good spirits by the end, which is a heartening place to see old friends.
These situations are uneasy ones for dedicated band members, some of whom are experiencing their third change in director. Each change in director brings changes in style as well. What level of musicianship, leadership, prayerfulness will result? How organized, how flexible, what type of music, how empowering? Worship coordinator Isaac Gaff is new to the church and while he had met several of the musicians, still had several unknowns in front of him as he began to lead the meeting.
From missteps in leadership of my own, I've come to a philosophy that new leaders ought to spend lots of time listening before proposing any personal ideas. Isaac made a good impression by starting the meeting with open-ended questions about the group's questions, and he received each one calm confidence. He made little reference to his own role beyond a humble vow to help us get through it, which by default would seem to have him becoming the new/interim director in August. He suggested another meeting in a month, encouraging the group to reflect on how often they'd like to play and how the band might be modeled to ensure health rather than burnout.
As an outsider yet a fan, it was a promising visit from someone who came across as far to the non-micromanagement end of the spectrum... my favorite place. And for all the nervousness of the members present, they were in good spirits by the end, which is a heartening place to see old friends.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Written With The Greatest Of Ease
I can instantly think of at least one friend of mine who could easily have written this article about trapeze artists. He can't throw a ball without streaks of pain, but boy can he write.
Also, as I read this I found myself about 90% amused and 10% somber, with a couple laugh-out-loud moments. Does that put me in the class of "normal" or "abnormal" person? Let me know how you read it!
Also, as I read this I found myself about 90% amused and 10% somber, with a couple laugh-out-loud moments. Does that put me in the class of "normal" or "abnormal" person? Let me know how you read it!
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