Communicating through Action

Recently, I traveled to Nicaragua with Habitat for Humanity International Global Village Build Louder.  My expectations were to work on homes, advocate for housing policy, and get to know new people from Nicaragua and the other 12 individuals from the US who also went.  What I gained and learned was that and so much more.

Providing housing for individuals who have gone from a makeshift home of corrugated sheet metal and whatever items look like they could serve as a wall to a concrete block home as seen in these two pictures was definitely inspiring.  The main purpose of the trip was to build and work on homes.

What I learned is that these extremely poor individuals (living on less than $150 per month) have ingenuity and adaptability beyond what I could conceive.  And the end result...individuals incredibly gracious and visibly committed to improving their communities.  What was even more amazing was that even though I can not speak their primary language of Spanish very well (muy mal), the smiles on the children and adults' faces was universally communicated.

As we moved from home to home, the 15 individuals with whom I shared this journey taught me even more about communication.  Despite the fact that we had varying degrees of Spanish speaking skills, we were able to communicate with each other on several levels.  We did not all agree on every policy solutions for making changes in the communities, but we never disrespected one another's opinions.  We each came from diverse backgrounds and experiences that provided different perspectives and approaches.  When we reflected on our days on the sites and after visiting with policy makers and organizations, we shared our interpretation of the events that unfolded.  Like the professional photographer who captures perspective based on positioning of the camera and himself, we all saw things from different lenses.  Hearing how each individual comprehended the information or engaged in a moment with a child or a home owner gave us an opportunity to see a larger picture than just what our personal experience was.

Communication was a key component of our trip.  We talked with home owners, Habitat for Humanity employees, government officials, nonprofit organizations, and many others through the best language skills we knew.  The most important form of communication was through the nonverbal: smiles, gestures, and dancing.  (Yes, we even squeezed in a flash mob!) My expectations were surpassed, but more importantly I learned that communicating through action exemplifies the saying, "Actions speak louder than words."

'Tis the Season

Have you noticed the stores, commercials, and yes, your neighbor's house yet?  Is it really almost the end of 2012?!? I recently received my first 2013 calendar and planner.  http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/For-Each-New-Day-2013-Planner,9373.aspx?Tab=Books&sj=749 

Inside it has pages for writing monthly goals.  I started to ask myself, "What were my 2012 goals?"  Strategic planners will review their goals periodically and determine if the goal is met, continued, or no longer needed.  Here is my personal strategic plan:

• Goal 1.0:  Pay off debt...well, it depends on which debt you are asking about?  How about consolidating debt to pay less fees?  I feel I am making good progress on this goal, but I most likely will need to continue it for 2013, unless that winning lottery ticket ends up in my stocking.  Next step...identify strategies to work to complete this goal. http://www.daveramsey.com/home/
• Goal 2.0:  Lose weight...I know EVERYONE has this as a goal.  But I seriously needed to take a look at not only my eating habits, but also my stress level and exercise regime.  I think I started five different diets this year and only found one successful.  It happened to be the one that made the most sense:  QUIT EATING! I reduced my calorie intake, and increased my exercise.  Woo Hoo! 15 POUNDS DOWN!  Stress level was reduced when I started saying "no" even though I do not like to use that word.  Next step...increase and change up exercise routine and quit worrying about what I cannot control. http://www.raystrand.com/
• Goal 3.0:  Focus on being positive...It may sound cliche or corny, but it is so easy in today's world to get caught up in negativity.  Surrounding myself with positive people has been a more difficult task than I though it would be.  I am going to church again, spending time with old friends I lost touch with, and taking time to read good books and the GOOD BOOK.  http://fountainspringschurch.com/

I don't think any of these goals are fully achieved.  I believe I need to evaluate the strategies and assign measurable benchmarks.  That means another goal...GOAL 4.0...Write out my strategic plan for 2013.  And one must remember when reviewing goals and targets: 

It's Been a Long Time

It has been a while since I have blogged.  It seems that life continues to move forward and I am running to keep up...or getting left behind.  It is a matter of the glass being half empty or half full, or just needing to put it in the dishwasher!  

I was encouraged to return to school to get my 6 Sigma certification at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.  Woo Hoo!  Frat parties, football games, and club sports...that's all I need to spice up my life.  Actually, I haven't seen one frat party, let alone a football game.  How on earth did I study when I had two kids and completing my degrees? I was even working full time then.  

But I am in a class that requires group work.  There is a group of young men from the Industrial Engineering Department who have graciously allowed this woman...who just happens to be old enough to be their mother...into their group.

A lot of people ask what 6 Sigma is.  Click here: What is Six Sigma? 

I think the thought provoking question is Why do I need a certification? Although I can take pride in the work I do, sometimes it takes certifications to be considered "credible."  In South Dakota, it seems that you have to live outside of the state to be credible.  However, I am thinking, why NOT get certified (versus certifiable)?!?

As I watched a movie the other night, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the character, Sonny, repeatedly states: Everything will be alright in the end... if it's not alright then it's not the end.  So despite the challenge of returning to school, I guess for me it is all about making sure that everything turns out alright, certificate in hand!  

Road Trips

This week I am traveling with my boss.  We drove to Omaha first.  The first mission: get her daughter to Creighton.  CHECK! Second mission is to meet with contractors.  If there is anything I am learning is that I am able to be flexible.  Anyone who knows me well knows that can be a challenge for me.  

Last night after dinner we took a walk downtown Omaha.  If you never have it should be on your To Do list (http://www.oldmarket.com).  At one shop I found a journal.  My thoughts about journals is that you normally write deep secrets.  This one is to write all the awesome things in your day.  I needed that reminder.  Why not focus on the awesome...when your room key works at the hotel, when you see students return for school, chocolate raspberry frozen yogurt that is 95% fat free, when you get to travel with your new boss!

Flexibility can be tough but writing about awesomeness in your day helps keep everything in perspective.  What awesome things to happen today?

On the Road Again!?!

I am frequently asked if I get tired of always traveling.  Are you kidding me?!? Who doesn't enjoy a good ol' fashion road trip across South Dakota!?! Especially during the week of the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally...

I am not complaining in the least.  I was headed east; the bikes were headed west.  The sun was shining and I had my radio blasting (satellite radio is about all the works between Exits 110 and 192).  That is, after I made a few phone calls using my hands-free option in my car.  I have nothing but time on my hands when I am driving from town to town.  That is until the bars on my phone indicate that there is no cell tower and the satellite radio becomes mundane. But never fear because there are always books on tape/CD/downloaded/etc.  

I enjoy seeing the people who get pulled over for some traffic violation.  It is most enjoyable when it is the person who just passed me going 120 mph, but that moment of sweet karma seldom happens.  I also get the chance to see what new cars people are buying and who is traveling from where.  License plates adorn the interstate and highways all the way from Alaska to Florida and from Maryland to California.  I get to have my own traveling bingo and I don't have to share the prize with anyone!


The best part of driving alone to the next destination...reflection time.  It seems like I have enough time to reflect on the way things are going and how to prepare for the meeting I am heading to.  I get a chance to really think about how to handle a complicated or not-so-complicated situation.  It's my time with no television, limited cell phone service, and just a few motorcycles.

It is all in how you perceive ALL THAT TRAVEL! 

To Pin or Not to Pin

How many of you have heard of Pinterest?  I must admit that I must be the last person on the earth to have set up a Pinterest account.  Mostly, I believe that I have so many usernames and passwords to social media mayhem that I do not think I need yet another account.  I have Twitter, Facebook, Hootsuite, Google +, Foursquare, Skype, Messenger, and now I have been invited to join Pinterest.  

Amazingly, I have been introduced to a whole new way to use Pinterest with my work.  I can set up a board to link to different resources that I like to use in my professional life.  I do not have to put my "fun" hat on and reveal every hour of every day what I am doing and where I am and who I am doing it with.  Although I know my LARGE fan base absolutely hangs on every word! Ha!


I have found a useful link for Pinterest (http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2012/02/guide-to-proper-pintiquette-pinterest.html).  It talks about the ettiquette.  I think there should be one of these for every social media tool out there.  So if you are with me as one of the last Pinteresters, read the attached article and then decide.  If all else fails, hold on because there may be yet another social media site coming soon to your Google Chrome! :)

Last Week in the Office

Packing and moving out of the office.  It is bitter sweet!  Seeing how many things are going in the trash makes me wonder just why I keep certain things.  The financials and reports need to be kept, but there seem to be so many items that I don't need.  It is good to purge.  

 I look at some of the pictures I have in the office.  Pictures of my sons before they turned into adult men.  Pictures of my nieces and nephew before they grew up.  There are a lot of memories not only in the pictures, but in the original placement of those pictures in my office.  I was so proud to set up my "new" office and now it is time to move to another office.  I am sure I will put the details into the placement of those pictures again.  Better yet...maybe it is time for more current pictures of the boys and my granddaughter.  Thus, symbolizing another new memory and many more to come.

By the way...see the books?  Maybe I should think about reading more than the table of contents and the covers. I resolve to scan each book more diligently.  Packing and moving can be cleansing.  Bitter sweet, but rejuvenating.

Transitions

It has been a few days since I have posted.  I am experiencing transition as a leader...once again.  I have found myself working for two companies as I leave one and begin a career with another.  As I spoke to one of my board members from the organization I am leaving, I was finding myself asking the critical question of what I want for this organization.  I have been a short-timer (3 years), but so many accomplishments have happened because of the people who have and do work here.  I hope that I am leaving with people knowing that they can accomplish so much with or without me.  More importantly, without me.  We have experienced leaving the nest and our parents hoping that they raised us right.  I think this is no different.  I have seen the people I work with grow personally and professionally.  I want them to continue on that path.  


There is an Irish proverb that I hope they all remember as I leave:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Declaration of Independence

Today we celebrate America's birthday, the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  What a precedence for leadership.  Those men went beyond the boundaries that had been set forth and developed a statement of independence.  There are plenty of books about the authors and their styles of leadership, but one can still wonder what made them take that step.  Not all of them were admired, and some considered them renegades.  But they did it any way.  This is an example of stepping out of the euphoric box.  When have I gone outside of the box and challenged the system?  How will my leadership be remembered? 

What Lies Beneath

Friday was supposed to be the day that the staff spent the day treating weeds, mowing the lawn, and weed eating.  We have spent almost three months under construction...that is...tying into city water and sewer.  The weeds were growing and grass was almost nonexistent.  I figured as the CEO, I needed to arrive early to get the equipment ready and maybe, just maybe, get it done before everyone got to work.  One...it is not beneath me to mow or do hard labor; two...what a great relief it would be for the staff to have it done.  Three hours later, a trip to the gas station, another trip to the auto parts store, and yet another trip to the implement store, it was clear that the lawn mower was not going to be operational and the gas powered weed eater was also needed more TLC.  I used the only piece of equipment that seemed to cooperate...the electric weed eater!

In our organization we try to conserve dollars.  Staff is willing to step up to take out trash, dust, vacuum, and even mow the lawn.  This results in savings, but it is also the team building aspect of the work.  Do not be fooled.  We still hire a weekly cleaning, but the day to day duties are completed by everyone, even the CEO.  Staff stepped up to pick up trash and water the plants so that the outside of the building is presentable to our visitors and customers.  It was a great change in the schedule, despite the hangups.  What a great environment to work in! 

New Adventures

I met this incredible young lady from North Dakota . http://www.pinkepost.com  She talked about having a blog so people can see what life is really like in agriculture.  Hence, the inspiration to discuss life in leadership.  I am beginning another chapter in my life.  Some may think it is a mid-life crisis...I think of it as opportunity.  I have never been one to wait for things to happen.  It is innate in me to "go for it."  If everyone waited for the next BIG THING, then nothing would get achieved.  I realize that there are those who prefer to go with the flow, but I prefer to challenge the flow.  Leadership started for me as the first born child.  I really had no choice.  I was the one who started school first and the one who tested the waters for my siblings so they could learn from my mistakes on how NOT to get caught.  Here is another opportunity to be a challenging force.  What kind of leader am I going to be today?  We shall see.