DISCRETIONARY EFFORT

I have a few Leadership blogs that I enjoy reading. One of my favorite bloggers is Kris Dunn and he led me to this site. The video is quick and powerful.

It may be the best video I've seen related to Employee Engagement, and it's from the Employee Engagement Group.

After you watch this, think about who is rowing in your boat and figure out what discretionary effort is worth to your company.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4nwoZ02AJM

It's Time to Take Them to College - Go Ahead and Cry

Every August finds many parents in my age demographic taking their kids to college. As I reflect on taking my daughter Ryanne to Notre Dame last year, I can’t remember my parents having anything but joy in getting rid of me when I left for Wingate. I could almost hear them say, “Finally, some peace and quiet.” But for me, the anxiety in taking a child to college was worse than asking your dream girl out on a date; you don’t throw up, but you come pretty darn close.

I hope it gets easier for the second and third years, but everyone says, “It gets a little easier.” Is that like being “a little” pregnant? That must be code for it’s still hard as H@#$!

Last year I didn’t cry at any graduation events. And I didn’t even get emotional as she would easily exclaim, “this is the last time I will do ______ (fill in the blank).” I smiled through senior days for her sports teams, grad parties, award presentations and even graduation itself. I was as cool as the other side of the pillow. I may have gotten a little misty sitting in a rocking chair looking out over the ocean while on the family vacation, but that was probably the Makers Mark talking.

Last August I wrote a blog about taking her to school. http://ycam.blogspot.com/2012/08/im-not-on-twitter-but-if-i-was-these.html

I was pretty cool the entire time. I was in awe of the beauty of the school. I was making mental notes of certain quality things that I wish our Y team could implement. I thought about converting to Catholicism and I factored my odds in meeting the pope.  I was pretty cool until…..until I found myself standing beside the car and it was finally time to say goodbye.

I couldn’t breathe. I mean I stood there for what felt like the length of an Insurance Seminar and I couldn’t speak, move, or breathe. I wanted to tell her how proud I was of her and how she had surpassed all my dreams in 18 years, and I was paralyzed. I think April and I cried for at least an hour.

Be prepared. It is going to happen to you!

So here is my advice to all the parents taking their kids to college for their freshman year.

1.       Don’t even look at the other students. They all look 28 and your child looks 13.

2.       Enjoy your trip to college and reflect on the great vacations, awesome accomplishments and how wonderful they are.

3.       On Sunday or the day you finally leave, don’t be embarrassed about crying….every parent is crying. Maybe go Hollywood and wear your sunglasses all the time.

4.       And don’t beat yourself up over not being able to say how proud you are, THEY KNOW.

God speed, Go IRISH and Pass the Kleenex!

The All T-Mac Team

In case you don’t like to read my sports related ramblings you can stop reading now.
In the wake of all the NBA discussion of “Who signs a free agent contract for millions of dollars,” I thought I would share my All Tracy McGrady Team.

McGrady put up tremendous stats. Had some remarkable plays and tried to carry around a swagger that he was one of the all-time greats. But in reality, he never won. At least not anything significant. Did he make all-star teams? Sure. Did he make ESPN videos? Of course. Big Shoe Contracts? Check. Long term mega-million contracts? Yup!

Did he ever win a playoff series? Only the first round insignificant games. Oh he did win this year as a water boy for the San Antonio Spurs. But his teams never made it to the second round!

My son and I decided to create a team of guys who command millions of dollars but truly are useless for winning. Big stats and big contracts but they are more concerned for themselves than the success of the team. They would rather get 20 points and 10 rebounds than win. Their teams perform better when they are out or even after they get traded. They demand attention versus sharing the accolades. They are coach killers. Prima donnas since they were 13.

Straight from the Home Office in South Bend, IN!

The Post Players

·         Andrew Bynum – You might as well take all of your money, put it in a nice pile and just set it on fire. Why pay this guy anything is a mystery. He once was reprimanded for taking a long jump shot. Went back in the game and took the same shot again. Idiot.

·         Zach Randolph – He puts up 20 and 10 every night. Once asked to miss a game to go to a funeral only to go to a strip club on his way out of town. (Hey, they had good wings)

·         Josh Smith – Would rather have a high-light dunk than win a game.

·         Dwight Howard – I am just tired of hearing about him. 3 years ago he could have been the face of the NBA, but his immaturity has made his public persona spiral to the bottom. He’s complained about every coach he has ever had.

The Wings & Shooters

·         Monte Ellis – Golden State got remarkably better when he was traded. If you want someone to score, you should get him. He may be the last person on your team that will lead you to a championship.

·         Rudy Gay – Maybe I am biased because he is a graduate of UCONN

·         Carmelo Anthony – I know this will get some eye rolls, but winning at Syracuse doesn’t count anymore. The Nuggets improved without him. The Knicks play better when he’s hurt. And he must take 30 shots a game to be happy. Coach Killer!

The Point Guards

·         John Wall – I sat on a plane beside an employee of the Wizards when he was a rookie and they said then that he wasn’t physically or mentally tough enough. He was always too hurt to practice. Oh sure he will have the occasional big game or high-light play, but he can’t win.

·         Brandon Jennings – Ditto

·         Deron Williams – Showed so much disrespect for his Hall of Fame Coach that the coach quit and his team traded him. He was fat and out of shape for the Olympics. Coach Killer.

After I read this list I noticed something….Deron Williams played college basketball for 3 years, Rudy Gay had 2 years at UCONN, Carmelo, John Wall and Zach Randolph all played 1 year. Jennings, Bynum, Ellis, Howard and Smith all came from High School. Maybe this is a maturity issue.

Who is on your “Most Over paid and Can’t Win List?”

My Sports Mt Rushmore

Recently I had a discussion around my personal favorite sports stars. The question on sports radio was, who would be on your personal sports Mt Rushmore?

I have a scrap book I kept on Andre Dawson when I was in the 9th grade. I loved the Montreal Expos and he was their best player. When he left for the Cubs I finally got to watch him regularly on TV. He is now in the Hall of Fame.



 
Cal Ripken was on my other favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. I had VHS of the game where he broke Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played. I converted to DVD a few years back. Occasionally when I need to wax nostalgic, I break it out. He is in the Hall of Fame.

Pete Maravich was my first sports hero. I had a poster of him on my wall as a kid. The day he died, my brother called and told me to sit down and close my office door, because he knew I would be upset. I have the USA Today news articles in a box.

I am one of the few Detroit Lions fans (story for another day) Barry Sanders is their greatest all time player. He had some Thanksgiving games that were unbelievable.

Who is on your sports Mt Rushmore?