What I have learned about people and organizations...so far.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

What is Your Resolution?

What is Your Resolution?

While the large posters hung throughout England, in the dark days of World War II all of Brittan was hanging on the resolve of Sir Winston Churchill.  Did you know that Churchill had to overcome many limitations, such as a serious speech impediment and an outright panic concerning public speaking?  Sounds like he had some resolving of his own to do.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

I have been known to walk the halls singing ...

Just like you have to decide to be courageous you have to decide to be cheerful too.  Do you think my dad felt cheerful every morning that he sang that song?  Of course not!  But I have learned that cheerfulness is contagious.  At several places where I have been employed I have been known to walk the halls singing the song made famous by Fred Rodgers of “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” that goes “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…” for the purpose of raising the spirit of my team.  They would at first look at me as if I was nuts but in a few moments their cheerful meters were pegging higher.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

What is Your Cheerfulness?

What is Your Cheerfulness?

Early American author William Fender is credited with the quote “Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious”. 

(And now, another one of my childhood stories.)

When I was in the first grade our music teacher, Mrs. Holbrook, taught us some songs that we presented one night to our parents.  One song was called ”Good Morning Merry Sunshine”.  It went like this:
“Good morning merry sunshine, how did you wake so soon?  You scared the little stars away and shined away the moon.  I saw you to go to sleep last night before I ceased my playing.  How did you get way over there and where have you been staying?”

My father must have like the song because he proceeded to wake my brother and me up every morning for several years singing it at the top of his lungs.  While his early morning cheerfulness felt obnoxious at the time, it did teach a powerful lesson for starting the day with cheerfulness.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Your courage is your decision to do the right thing ...

Your courage is your decision to do the right thing regardless of the physical or moral cost.  You do this because of what you value in life. 
  • If you value freedom then you will fight for it.
  • If you value your family then you will protect them. 
  • If you value justice then you will stand up for the falsely accused even if you are his or her only advocate.
When we are courageous we do the right thing regardless of the possible cost because we are led by our values.