Everything is an audition

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

We’ve all heard that before and we hate to think of always “performing” all the time, but let’s face it……. everything in life is audition.  First impressions are no longer made when we meet someone face to face – thanks to social media, our lives have become ever increasingly transparent and people are/will be forming impressions of us.  What impression are you leaving with others?  Does every Facebook/Twitter post HAVE to be a rant/emotional/veiled/provocative?  Is that the way you are all the time?

Here’s the golden rule: behave the same way whether you are alone, with people, behind people’s backs, on Facebook, in your car, at the grocery store, etc.

BE REAL – everything is an audition and everyone is watching.

Are you looking for work?

Looking for work? What if your potential employer perused your Twitter/FB?
Before you post, it’s not a bad idea to think, “What if this came up in an interview?”

Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 29:20 NIV)

Such a fool

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues. (Proverbs 17:28 NIV)

Sometimes, even a wise person is thought a fool if they can’t keep silent and seem to lack discernment if they can’t figure out the right time/place to hold their tongues.

The answer is…… “no”

Let me empower you with a word – no.
It’s quite a simple word and yet, one we seemingly forget is in our arsenal.
How many times do we feel the overwhelming sense to say yes to everything? Is it that we fear confrontation or how the other individual will react?
Sometimes, in order to say “yes” to the best thing(s), we have to say “no” to things that don’t fit the bill.
Try it, today – “no.”

Let me ask you a question…..

Anyone can question. We do it every week during a sports game, when our boss makes decisions, when we read the news……. The world is full of question askers…..
The world is NOT full of people who answer those questions. Better yet, what if everyone tasked themselves with solving just one of the questions they posed?

Consciously incompetent

Whenever there is a change (which occurs quite often in my “profession”), people naturally arrive at their new post “consciously incompetent.” They may be: trained in their new job, credentialed in their new job, experienced in their job, etc etc, BUT they’ve never done THIS job with THESE people in THIS place. The mistake most leaders make is in ushering these consciously incompetent newbies in their new post(s) and immediately seeking to: befriend, build consensus, make them feel welcome. These are critically important, but the MOST important thing to do is to begin immediately communicating clear expectations, setting parameters, and giving feedback.

Leaders answer the questions – “Who loves/accepts me?” and “Who is in charge?” To have the first and not the latter leads to confusion and throws water on the flames burning in this newly tasked individual. The best time to stoke the flames of excitement is AT THE BEGINNING – letting the fire cool BEFORE parameters are put in place and feedback routine(s) are established does no good.

It’s not too late to start – sit down with your folks and outline a clear job description, then lay out some goals, and then GIVE FEEDBACK!! A leader who only praises and never corrects isn’t challenging their people enough. Be brave – most people like feedback.

“I have the whole story……”

Presumption – the idea that I know enough information to make a determination. How often are our presumptions made before we even go to get another view on a story? I find that mine most often are set in an instant. What a shame.
If the experts are to be believed, most of communication is listening and since most of leadership is communication, there must be a link between listening and leading. We can infer from this that perhaps decisions should come later in the process.
How are you cultivating the art of less presuming and more listening?

Communication

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that is has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw

Do you work/recreate/live with/relate to humans? Then this applies to you just like it applies to me. The older I get (my 20′s die very soon and I’m not happy about it), the more shocked I am to find that I have not communicated what I intended. Frequently, the fault lies with me and thankfully I am surrounded by those who love me enough to tell me when I’ve made the error of either not communicating OR communicating the wrong thing.

Ever asked spouse/co-worker/parent/friend/passer-by if you’ve communicated clearly or if you’ve wrongly communicated something? Takes a smidgen of bravery, but I believe you’ve got it in you. You read this blog, after all…… Cheers