Just Stop Talking

The Ringmaster has the greatest impact on the success of the circus.

-Juggling Elephants, page 30

While spending time with my 5 year old last week, I had to laugh at her "babbling." She would just talk and talk, sometimes making sense, sometimes saying things that only she could understand it's meaning or intent. At one point, I invited her to help me solve a minor problem (to build her critical thinking skills, of course). She would offer an answer and then continue talking about it, often to the point that I forgot her solution. At one point I simply said, "Just stop talking for a minute and let me think about it."

Sometimes I need to take my own advice. I am guilty of "talking too much." Silence between people is not a bad thing. It gives us time to reflect, ponder and evaluate. We certainly wouldn't want a ringmaster of a circus to babble on about an act. Introduce it, give me the facts, and then get out of the way.

In my travels I have come to really appreciate conversations with individuals for whom English is not their primary language. They use only the words needed to get their point across. There are often moments of silence while they think of the words they want to use, and that gives me time to think about what they are saying. I have learned much about true conversation from such people.

Today, why not try to choose your words more wisely. You might just find yourself a better conversationalist, and that people around you are more in tune with what you are really saying.

For Those Looking For A New Work Ring

Liz Ryan has offered a fresh perspective on an essential tool for those looking for a new lineup for their work ring (i.e. a job). There are so many people now looking for jobs that last typed out a resume on a computer that was thrown out (or recycled) years ago. Like those computers, today's resumes should look and perform much differently than ones from the past.

In 10 Boilerplate Phrases That Kill Resumes, Ryan encourages us to have "human voiced resumes" instead of the cold, institutional ones of the past. One of my favorite parts of the article was the 10 phrases that kill resumes. They include:

-Results-oriented professional
-Cross-functional teams
-More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience
-Superior (or excellent) communication skills
-Strong work ethic
-Met or exceeded expectations
-Proven track record of success
-Works well with all levels of staff
-Team player
-Bottom-line orientation

She gives several good tips and even an example of how a resume should reflect a warmer tone.

Drive-Bys Are A Good Thing

Kip Tindell, CEO of The Container Store, is accused of doing "drive-bys." In fact, he does several of them each day. And he's not in jail either.

The drive-bys referred to here are "unscheduled interactions with others." [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/09/03/100172326/index.htm]. Tindell says, "A lot of people try to keep their offices quiet, but I like to hear-and encourage-loudness and laughter."

One of the key quotes from Juggling Elephants is that People often need to laugh, relax and not take themselves so seriously. Tindell knows the importance of connecting with his employees on a regular, but often unscheduled basis. Many issues or situations won't wait until a regular weekly or monthly meeting. Someone might be bogged down in a complex project and just need a quick laugh or conversation to renew their energy.

His frequent "drive-bys" most likely improve morale and help his staff stay focused on the right tasks. Did I mention that the company has produced 15%-20% annual sales growth for over 25 years?

If you are responsible for the productivity of others, maybe a few "drive-bys" like these should be in your lineup today.