Tom's blog

How to get to "Yes!"

This is a question faced by everyone. Everyone has some kind of agenda, things they need, things they want to do, places they want to go. At some point we are all faced with the need to garner someone else's support or approval to continue on that path.

If you were to read many of the articles or books on the topic, a large proportion of them would advocate using some manipulative method or other, car-salesman-like tactic to get your way. (There is a reason car salesmen have a poor showing in the popularity contests)

I was reading another book by a fellow called Jeff Gitomer who advocates an entirely different approach. He proposes that the best way to move things forward is to establish a worthwhile relationship with the people who need to be part of your plan, that they actually want to support things (or buy things) and that they prefer to do that from people they know and like. Dr. Steven Covey describes this as expanding your circle of influence. Seth Godin suggests that you should associate yourself with people who are more likely to say "Yes"!

Isn't this basic psycology? I enjoy being around people who agree with me, it's a lot less stressful. But you know what, only being around people who agree with me has lead to some of the biggest rat-holes that I have ever been down.

Technorati Tags: collaboration, jeff gitomer, life, manipulation, Marketing, seth godin, stephen covey, yes

What is "History"?

I was reading the newspaper this morning on a early morning flight and there was an article talking about George Tenet's new book covering his tenure as the director of the CIA. The reporter Douglas J. Feith was somewhat skeptical of the story contained in the book, particularly with the events that appear to have been omitted, misstated, or incorrectly documented in the chronology.

This caused me to think about the overall question of what is history? This book is simply Mr. Tenet telling his side of the story, apparently cherry-picking events and facts to support it. In doing so, trying to adjust the populous recollection of the events that lead a country into war, with the end result of future generations looking upon him on a more favorable light. At the very least, it's a tome dedicated to the statement "It was not my fault".

The dictionary says: History

1. the branch of knowledge dealing with past events.
2. a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle: a history of France; a medical history of the patient.
3. the aggregate of past events.
4. the record of past events and times, esp. in connection with the human race.

But there is another aspect here. I read about this particular historical account in the newspaper and because of that got a fairly detailed (even if edited and biased) understanding, with reasoning, as to why Mr. Feith thought this particular historical entry, is not such a good one. Today, most people, won't get that understanding. At best they will get a very carefully worded, 30 second sound bite from a media conglomerate that may or may not capture the essence of the entry (or indeed be factual), but will undoubtedly cast an opinion.

I took a look at possibly the oldest statements of history around and the newest. The Bible. This book comes in a huge number of different versions, all subtly different variations on the same theme. This book in all of its variations is actually a very carefully edited selection from the writings of mass of authors, with only a very small, carefully chosen, carefully edited selection of the actual writings were considered "suitable" for inclusion. The other more modern example, Wikipedia. This modern collection of knowledge is amassed and edited so quickly (and should someone post an unpopular edit, be corrected with blistering speed), that it has very quickly become the de-facto statement of the populous knowledge for the latest generation.

It seems that our recorded history has always been a very carefully edited accounting of events, where in fact, the most popular, or the most marketed and controlled version will ultimately win the prize of longevity and thus becoming the accepted version of events.

Some supposed "historical facts" to illustrate:

Al Gore "invented" the internet.
Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
George Bush "won" to 2000 elections.
Bill Clinton "did not" have sex with Monica Lewinsky
The [7 fired] US Attorneys were doing a sub-standard job

See what I mean?

TC.

Technorati Tags: al gore, business, collaboration, Conservation, ecology, global warming, life, Marketing, Politics

When the conversation stops (or didn't start...)

I really will never understand why people are surprised when bad things occur because the conversation stops, or in some cases didn't start.

This can be seen everywhere, in politics, the work place or even at home. Here is the perfect example, Nancy Pelosi and some other folks went to the Middle East and met with a number of people from other countries to discuss many of the huge issues that face the world today, most of whom have a very different viewpoint from that of the US.

On their return, that group of politicians came under a lot of fire for even starting the conversation and are now being criticized for reputedly screwing the conversation up...but here a thing...no one else is having any conversation with these folks about any of the issues. So which is the bigger screw up?

I believe it would be much better for everyone if more conversations were happening, particularly if within those conversations, everyone was listening and really trying to understand. Then there might be less wars, less tension, fewer frustrated employees or fewer broken marriages etc.

Just a thought.

TC.

Technorati Tags: business, collaboration, life, Politics

Happy St. Patrick's day (no calls please)

Today is St. Patrick's day, a whole lot of people will most likely proceed to the nearest pub (or bar) and promptly drink themselves to oblivion. Most likely a good portion of these drunks will paint some part of their body, hair or something else bright green. Hmmmm...I wonder where the history goes on this one.

WikiPedia on the topic seems to indicate that Saint Patrick was actually a poor Englishman, living sometime around 400AD who spent some year's in slavery, escaped, became a Bishop, travelled to Ireland and spent time there as a missionary. I guess he was pretty successful at it, because they made him the Patron Saint of Ireland. However, no where in the text does it talk about St. Patrick painting part of his body green or him drinking to excess once a year.

The holiday was kicked up in the 17th century by a Franciscan guy called Luke Wadding (another Englishman) who somewhat randomly started an Irish college in Salamanca, Spain and then promptly retired to Italy.

This particular holiday as steadily evolved from a day of feasting to a day of complete drunken stupidity with parades, painting yourself and things like the rivers being coloured green.

On a separate but possibly related note, I was traveling on business this week and while out to dinner with a couple of folks, we were regaled with tales of their local parties down at the beach houses. This is where I heard of an interesting concept that I have not been exposed to before, The Drunk Dial. Apparently this occurs after copious amounts of alcohol have been consumed and at ridiculous hours of the morning.

Some research on this topic reveals that it's a widespread phenomenon and it even has it's own web site Drunk Dial . ORG where people can report tails of their drunk dialing exploits. These guys are even running a (St. Patricks Day contest).

The closest I have ever come to something like this is the "Emergency Room Dial" where I have called people to explain why their boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse is now being repaired after having gotten drunk and breaking themselves. Perhaps I should have let the drunk one call, then it would have been a drunk-dial.

So to summarize, a couple of really well intentioned Englishmen did some really good things, resulting in a national holiday, that now results in millions of people drinking way too much (often covered in green paint) of which probably a good proportion will go home and drunk-dial someone else. Kinda weird how things turn out...

Happy St. Patricks everyone...don't call me after 10pm unless your in the emergency room that is, everyone else call (800) 734 0880 and leave your drunk dial there.

TC.

Technorati Tags: Drinking, Funny