Some of our thoughts. We hope you find these inspirational and they spur you to take action!

It is the rule from the British Secret Service manual quoted by Austrian Bureau Chief Sauders to James Bond in the movie “The Living Daylights.”

The rule states that information can only be relayed on a “need-to-know” basis.

Watching the movie again recently, the thought occurred about the need to know. About Information.

Information. It is probably the most valuable commodity we have. We make decisions and choices every day based on information.

But what if EVERYTHING was on a need-to-know basis? Though some information must remain confidential and only accessible by selected parties, we’re lucky that so much is free and easily obtained.

What we need to know is right there standing right in front of us. 24 x 7.

For example, information on COVID-19. It’s available through the media, Internet etc. to the extent that to be uninformed is to be willful or even derelict.

But information isn’t necessarily fact. And that’s the next step. Processing information and verifying it against the truth. That is the rest of the story.

“Alone Again (Naturally)”

How do you think?

Killing Superman

It has been called one of the most depressing songs ever written. But it is very well constructed and has a beautiful melody.

It was a big hit for Gilbert O’Sullivan back in 1972 - his only American #1 song.

It swept the Grammy Awards, 1973.

It has also been ranked the 5th best song of the 1970s.

70s music! Disco, funk, jazz fusion. The psychedelic imagery, the big hair, the weird and colorful clothing, all meshed so well with the music, too. And how about Hot Chocolate? Wow! Through the magic of YouTube, we’ve been able to live what we were way too young to understand or appreciate.

But this song from O’Sullivan was a departure from the common themes of typical 70s upbeat music. It is a melancholy offering whose main discourse is about returning to the character’s natural state of being alone. Everything else has failed and here he is alone again - as usual. In his mind.

You really can’t blame him for feeling that way.

Left at the altar. Death of his parents. He’s defeated. He’s on the brink.

He’s burdened by so much and carrying it all on his shoulders. As far as he’s concerned, it’s over.

Listening to the song today, this thought came to mind: Is there a connection between such a beautiful arrangement, powerful and moving imagery, and negativity?

Maybe. It often seems to flow easier when it is not constructive.

Feeling alone and helpless is a common state right now. It’s forced on us now and magnified by the pandemic, but it’s always been a societal issue.

In many cases, though, we can take back control.

We’re all writing a song. By our thoughts, words, actions – a song is being written.

Which song are you writing? What will they say about your song?

Chart your course. Don’t go it alone. Personally. Professionally. Partner with an expert who can help move you to a new and positive direction. They can educate you with new ideas and perspectives and prevent the fall into the abyss. Remember - you can’t beat experience.

How do you THINK?

As distinct from what we think about, HOW we think is so important to the results we achieve.

So, does everything find a nesting spot in your thoughts, or is your thinking controlled by a filter?

If you're letting too much in, that can be a problem and can cloud your judgment and ability to be decisive. The reverse is true too - too little coming in, and we'll all know about it...

Our favorite clients may not have thought too much about how we do our job, but we learn from them that they do think about solutions and how they can achieve great results.

Their thinking is SPECIFIC.

After all, who wants to think about all the details involved in getting that great Superintendent on your jobsite? (But if you really want to know....)

Thinking, thinking, thinking. And getting it clear and precise is so powerful! But it packs an even more potent punch when those thoughts become action items.

That's what trained thinking ALLOWS.

Thinking about your next hires and how that process may be accomplished? Great start!

Now, we can't tell you how to think, but we can help with crystallizing those thoughts into an action plan.

I ask you to kill SUPERMAN…

...and you’re telling me you couldn’t even do that one simple thing.”

--- Robert Vaughn, “Superman III”

And then he drops the phone in disgust! The irony is, of course, that killing Superman is, well, not a simple thing to do – and that’s because, well, he’s Superman.

But when it comes to hiring and retaining top talent, there’s another irony-  

Hiring managers and organizations ARE killing Superman - and Superwoman - with great regularity! The very superstars and top performers they want and hire, are also getting slaughtered by them. And for these companies , it’s pretty easy to do.

HOW?

-Hiring - Posting job descriptions that demean, and to which no superstar will apply.

-Hiring - Not realizing that supermen and superwomen must want you, too.

-Retention - Stifling the creativity and independent thinking that makes them supermen and superwomen.

-Retention – Treating them as “average” performers.

And that’s just a FEW ways to issue the dooming KRYPTONITE!

Truth be told, top talent needs to be carefully engaged and nurtured. And they need to be allowed to grow and express themselves. Fully.

Are you killing Superman? Superwoman? Killing your chances of hiring them?

Luckily, there’s a better way. We can show you how.

Be Diverse and Win!

The daily protests across the country for almost a month now are highlighting injustices, inequality, and racism, towards minorities.

It’s 2020, the country is reopening, and there’s still a tremendous amount of discrimination in hiring - ignoring the fact that qualifications transcend skin color, race, gender.

But the world is moving. From working in an office as the norm, to companies going fully remote (we’re next!), to changes in social justice, there are seismic shifts in thought and attitude.

Some are already there; others need to be won over.

Change often creates more than the intended outcome. For example, hiring more qualified minorities to your team, means you now have greater access to more qualified non-diverse candidates – further strengthening your organization.

Why?

Because that’s what the PEOPLE want! More diverse teams, justice, equality, inclusion.

If you lead an organization and you’re involved in hiring, what are you doing to give the people what they want?

Living is Easy with Eyes Closed

Living is EASY with EYES CLOSED because accountability doesn't have to be met if you didn't "see it."

It’s amazing how so many pros are still thinking and operating pre-pandemic style. Head held high in oblivion, they continue with the same business approach as before.

Is 2019 style working for them?

Their eyes are closed to the reality that the world has changed – maybe forever.

Why?

Because it is easy. If you don’t acknowledge reality, you won’t feel compelled to make adjustments – which takes work, time, planning, and even inconvenience. You can just keep on keeping on. Blinders and all.

Eyes closed mindset is universal. No country, race, gender, color, creed, has the monopoly on it. You’ll find it here, there, and everywhere.

But this is an amazing time to have eyes wide open! See all the new possibilities that the worst of times offers. Example: many of the new great partnerships formed would never be explored without the interruption of COVID-19.

Take a hard look at what you did and how you did it prior to this past Spring. Are you still in 2019? If so, you’re probably shortchanging yourself, your organization, goals, business relationships. It’s a long list....

Agree, but unsure how to pivot? We have some solutions.