One of the hardest leadership attributes to master is "delegation".
Someone on vacation or out sick? Guess who did their work? Sudden emergency? Guess who jumped in to save the day? I had to learn the hard way that I did not have to do it all.
Now our son Mark struggles much the same way.
We received a notice late this week that a local group will be at Eagle Aviation tonight to see off a contingent of sailors headed for the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will give each sailor a box of Girl Scout cookies. They will let them know that they are appreciated.
Mark feels compelled to cover their departure for our newspaper. He has a soft spot in his heart for military people. His father and his grandfather served their country.
Mark lived with the troops in Iraq in 2003, covering their deployment. He saw some awful stuff happen to good people over there.
I understand what drives him. He came by it honestly. It's in his genes.
But, he doesn't have to cover their departure this time! He has other good people he can assign to do it. And they will learn from the experience.
He has to learn to relax and let go. Only then can his people grow.
Easy lesson to talk about. Harder attribute to practice.
What say you? Send your comments.
By the way, if you have not yet voted, see our weekly poll below.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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At the left side under my bio you'll find our burning question of the week... You're important to us. We want to know what's on your mind. Take a moment to vote.
Why write a book?
I believe there's a book inside all of us.
I just happen to have several in me impatiently waiting to get out.
Our son Mark, a highly talented journalist, interviewed me yesterday about my new book. It's called "Your Life's Great Purpose: Set Sail for the Adventure of Your Life".
I thought you might enjoy part of the exchange between two journalists a generation apart.
Mark's Q. What prompted the idea for this book?
A. Many of us are concerned over what appears to be a growing involvement among young people with drugs, gangs and violence. I started writing about making hard but good choices and choosing smart options back in January 2007 in our Success Strategies eLetters. The series talked about turning dreams into goals, planning your life in eight major areas — spiritual, mental, physical, family, community, financial, career and fun. People began to tell others about the series. Our subscribers rose to 3,000 plus and is still growing. We are discussing adding additional eLetters on Leadership, Smart Business Practices and Marketing and Sales.
Mark's Q. What do you hope the reader will take away from reading this book?
A. A recognition of their God-given talents, skills and opportunities, a realization of their great purpose in life, a plan for the future, the determination to succeed in all that they want to achieve, to live an exciting and adventurous life and the decision to build and leave a legacy for a better world. That’s what I’m trying to do in my own life and I want to see more people have that opportunity.
Mark's Q. How did you research this book and what personal learnings do you share with the reader?
A. The book contains many personal stories and many other stories that friends have shared about their own lessons in life. I feel that I have been researching this book for more than 50 years, thinking about my own mistakes and what they could teach me — and about a few personal triumphs and successes that suggested I wasn’t a completely hopeless klutz.
Mark's Q. Were there any stumbling blocks in creating this text and how, if so, did you overcome them?
A. The writing was the fun part. I would get up many mornings at 2, 3 or 4 a.m. and go down and crank up my laptop because God was talking in my head and telling me to go write. When I would sit down, I felt I was in "the zone" and He was guiding my thoughts and my fingers on the keys. I am not a particularly mystical or religious person so this may soiund strange coming from me. But I knew He was showing me the way.
The editing, design and formatting of the book was less fun but I knew it had to be done. If I ever get where I can contract this part out to someone else, you can bet I’ll seriously consider it.
If you are interested in this book, an eCopy is available at http://www.jerrybellune.com/. We plan to make personally autographed print copies available as soon as they arrive from our printer in the next few weeks. They make great graduation, birthday or wedding gifts, if I may modestly say so.
I just happen to have several in me impatiently waiting to get out.
Our son Mark, a highly talented journalist, interviewed me yesterday about my new book. It's called "Your Life's Great Purpose: Set Sail for the Adventure of Your Life".
I thought you might enjoy part of the exchange between two journalists a generation apart.
Mark's Q. What prompted the idea for this book?
A. Many of us are concerned over what appears to be a growing involvement among young people with drugs, gangs and violence. I started writing about making hard but good choices and choosing smart options back in January 2007 in our Success Strategies eLetters. The series talked about turning dreams into goals, planning your life in eight major areas — spiritual, mental, physical, family, community, financial, career and fun. People began to tell others about the series. Our subscribers rose to 3,000 plus and is still growing. We are discussing adding additional eLetters on Leadership, Smart Business Practices and Marketing and Sales.
Mark's Q. What do you hope the reader will take away from reading this book?
A. A recognition of their God-given talents, skills and opportunities, a realization of their great purpose in life, a plan for the future, the determination to succeed in all that they want to achieve, to live an exciting and adventurous life and the decision to build and leave a legacy for a better world. That’s what I’m trying to do in my own life and I want to see more people have that opportunity.
Mark's Q. How did you research this book and what personal learnings do you share with the reader?
A. The book contains many personal stories and many other stories that friends have shared about their own lessons in life. I feel that I have been researching this book for more than 50 years, thinking about my own mistakes and what they could teach me — and about a few personal triumphs and successes that suggested I wasn’t a completely hopeless klutz.
Mark's Q. Were there any stumbling blocks in creating this text and how, if so, did you overcome them?
A. The writing was the fun part. I would get up many mornings at 2, 3 or 4 a.m. and go down and crank up my laptop because God was talking in my head and telling me to go write. When I would sit down, I felt I was in "the zone" and He was guiding my thoughts and my fingers on the keys. I am not a particularly mystical or religious person so this may soiund strange coming from me. But I knew He was showing me the way.
The editing, design and formatting of the book was less fun but I knew it had to be done. If I ever get where I can contract this part out to someone else, you can bet I’ll seriously consider it.
If you are interested in this book, an eCopy is available at http://www.jerrybellune.com/. We plan to make personally autographed print copies available as soon as they arrive from our printer in the next few weeks. They make great graduation, birthday or wedding gifts, if I may modestly say so.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
How to beat inflation
If you are a consumer, you may not want to read what I'm about to tell you. But if you're a business owner, this is imperative to staying solvent in business.
You must raise your service rates or product prices annually.
As your costs rise, you must pass this along to your customers.
Here is the advice I'm offering business owners on Ruth King's Internet ProfitabilityChannel.com in my weekly Essential Entrepreneur Business Tip of the Week.
These tips are based on my new "Doing More With Less: 73 strategies to get you and keep you out of the red" at my website http://www.jerrybellune.com/
If you’re a retailer, do it at the start of the fourth quarter when consumers are in a buying mood.
If you are in a service industry, do it at the start of your busiest season. For instance, pool installers and landscapers should do it in the spring.
Gift shops should do it before Mothers Day, one of the busiest gift giving times of the year.
Mom's worth every penny. Sorry, make that dollar.
On Friday, we'll talk about how much to raise prices.
You must raise your service rates or product prices annually.
As your costs rise, you must pass this along to your customers.
Here is the advice I'm offering business owners on Ruth King's Internet ProfitabilityChannel.com in my weekly Essential Entrepreneur Business Tip of the Week.
These tips are based on my new "Doing More With Less: 73 strategies to get you and keep you out of the red" at my website http://www.jerrybellune.com/
If you’re a retailer, do it at the start of the fourth quarter when consumers are in a buying mood.
If you are in a service industry, do it at the start of your busiest season. For instance, pool installers and landscapers should do it in the spring.
Gift shops should do it before Mothers Day, one of the busiest gift giving times of the year.
Mom's worth every penny. Sorry, make that dollar.
On Friday, we'll talk about how much to raise prices.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Creating giants
Here's a great leadership thought passed along by our friend and fellow editor Bill West.
It's from Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.
"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."
Think about that in terms of what the Kansas Jayhawks did to what may have been a more talented Memphis team in the NCAA finals last night.
Despite 17 turnovers and trailing by three huge points in the last 2.1 seconds, the Jayhawks believed in themselves, did not give in and came back with Mario Chalmers' clutch three-point shot to drive the game into overtime.
Was this just another example of the game's unpredictable nature?
I don't think so.
In the locker room before the game, Kansas Coach Bill Self told his players that for the rest of their lives, wherever they went and whoever they met, they would be reminded of this night and how they performed. He did not need to say more.
Look what this simple philosophy of leadership did for Sam Walton and his people who were running what is basically the old Five & Dime store on steroids.
It made Sam and his family one of the wealthiest in the world and Wal-Mart into a giant among businesses.
What kind of giants might we create when we help our people believe in themselves and that nothing — I mean nothing — can stop them
It's from Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.
"Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."
Think about that in terms of what the Kansas Jayhawks did to what may have been a more talented Memphis team in the NCAA finals last night.
Despite 17 turnovers and trailing by three huge points in the last 2.1 seconds, the Jayhawks believed in themselves, did not give in and came back with Mario Chalmers' clutch three-point shot to drive the game into overtime.
Was this just another example of the game's unpredictable nature?
I don't think so.
In the locker room before the game, Kansas Coach Bill Self told his players that for the rest of their lives, wherever they went and whoever they met, they would be reminded of this night and how they performed. He did not need to say more.
Look what this simple philosophy of leadership did for Sam Walton and his people who were running what is basically the old Five & Dime store on steroids.
It made Sam and his family one of the wealthiest in the world and Wal-Mart into a giant among businesses.
What kind of giants might we create when we help our people believe in themselves and that nothing — I mean nothing — can stop them
A winning chili recipe
How long does it take to win anything?
Frankly, I don't know. But I do know that persistence counts. We've competed in the West Metro Rotary Club Chili Cookoff for three years. The first two years we didn't even place.
Mark and I figured something had to be wrong with the judge's taste buds. When we cook chili for our newspaper staff, everybody goes back for seconds. Family and friends rave about our chili. Could they be prejudiced?
This year we started with our basic recipe but added a twist. Did that do the trick? Wait and see.
Here's our chili recipe if you want to try it:
Chronicle Chili Masters'
Award-Winning Chili
5 lbs. lean ground beef
3 lbs. bulk pork sausage
3 large cans crushed tomatoes
6 16-oz. cans chili beans drained
2 16-oz. cans black beans drained
4 large heads garlic peeled and halved
Chili powder to your taste
Ground cumin to your taste
Cayenne pepper to your taste
3 cans beer (your choice)
Here's what you do with all that stuff:
1) Brown pork sausage in large Dutch oven or stew pot. 2) Add ground beef and brown. 3) Lower heat to simmer and drain most of liquid into a large cup. 4) Place in refrigerator or freezer until fat hardens. 5) When fat hardens, remove fat and pour remaining meat juices into pot. 6) Add tomatoes and beans to meat. Raise heat to medium. 7) Add peeled and sliced garlic. If you are not a big garlic lover, cut garlic to your own taste. Don't be afraid. As the garlic cooks, it turns sweet and soft as butter. 8) Add chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper. We use 4 oz. chili powder, 3 oz. cumin and 1/2 oz. cayenne. 9) Pour 3 cans of beer in the chili. Pour the other 3 cans in the cooks. 10) Bring heat up to cook off alcohol and some of the liquid so the chili isn't soupy. Serve with a dressed green salad, hot garlic bread and sweet iced tea.
Now, back to the chili cookoff... It rained monsoon rains. I know all about monsoons; I spent 16 months in the Far East where it really rains. Standing ankle deep in water, we heard the judges' decision.
The Chronicle Chili Masters had won the Civic Class. People flocked to our booth. The chili started going fast.
How long does it take to win anything?
This took three years. Next year, we have to defend our title.
Frankly, I don't know. But I do know that persistence counts. We've competed in the West Metro Rotary Club Chili Cookoff for three years. The first two years we didn't even place.
Mark and I figured something had to be wrong with the judge's taste buds. When we cook chili for our newspaper staff, everybody goes back for seconds. Family and friends rave about our chili. Could they be prejudiced?
This year we started with our basic recipe but added a twist. Did that do the trick? Wait and see.
Here's our chili recipe if you want to try it:
Chronicle Chili Masters'
Award-Winning Chili
5 lbs. lean ground beef
3 lbs. bulk pork sausage
3 large cans crushed tomatoes
6 16-oz. cans chili beans drained
2 16-oz. cans black beans drained
4 large heads garlic peeled and halved
Chili powder to your taste
Ground cumin to your taste
Cayenne pepper to your taste
3 cans beer (your choice)
Here's what you do with all that stuff:
1) Brown pork sausage in large Dutch oven or stew pot. 2) Add ground beef and brown. 3) Lower heat to simmer and drain most of liquid into a large cup. 4) Place in refrigerator or freezer until fat hardens. 5) When fat hardens, remove fat and pour remaining meat juices into pot. 6) Add tomatoes and beans to meat. Raise heat to medium. 7) Add peeled and sliced garlic. If you are not a big garlic lover, cut garlic to your own taste. Don't be afraid. As the garlic cooks, it turns sweet and soft as butter. 8) Add chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper. We use 4 oz. chili powder, 3 oz. cumin and 1/2 oz. cayenne. 9) Pour 3 cans of beer in the chili. Pour the other 3 cans in the cooks. 10) Bring heat up to cook off alcohol and some of the liquid so the chili isn't soupy. Serve with a dressed green salad, hot garlic bread and sweet iced tea.
Now, back to the chili cookoff... It rained monsoon rains. I know all about monsoons; I spent 16 months in the Far East where it really rains. Standing ankle deep in water, we heard the judges' decision.
The Chronicle Chili Masters had won the Civic Class. People flocked to our booth. The chili started going fast.
How long does it take to win anything?
This took three years. Next year, we have to defend our title.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Keeping love of your mission alive
Terry Dozier was telling me about his new job last Saturday.
We were at the West Metro Rotary Club's annual Lexington County (SC) Chili Cookoff. Terry was one of our judges. My son Mark and I were competing for the third year.
Terry, a former star basketball player at the University of South Carolina and for the NBA Charlotte Hornets, has joined the Columbia (SC) Recreation Department. Terry said he is working with young people to show them options to gang life.
"I'm excited every morning about going to work," Terry said. "I can't believe they're paying me to do this."
What a wonderful way to live. Terry is having fun and making a difference in the lives of young people.
No telling how many will live successful lives instead of becoming career criminals.
Whatever you'e doing in your life, I hope you feel the way Terry and I feel.
Every morning is a great new experience. Get out there and make a difference in someone's life. You'll be making a difference in your own, too.
We were at the West Metro Rotary Club's annual Lexington County (SC) Chili Cookoff. Terry was one of our judges. My son Mark and I were competing for the third year.
Terry, a former star basketball player at the University of South Carolina and for the NBA Charlotte Hornets, has joined the Columbia (SC) Recreation Department. Terry said he is working with young people to show them options to gang life.
"I'm excited every morning about going to work," Terry said. "I can't believe they're paying me to do this."
What a wonderful way to live. Terry is having fun and making a difference in the lives of young people.
No telling how many will live successful lives instead of becoming career criminals.
Whatever you'e doing in your life, I hope you feel the way Terry and I feel.
Every morning is a great new experience. Get out there and make a difference in someone's life. You'll be making a difference in your own, too.
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