"Breath of Fresh Air" One of my fellow consultants in the speaking, coaching and training world, and quite successful at it I’ll add, was speaking with me about one of his business clients. Meaning not a one-on-one individual client – rather a company which pays him a monthly retainer to work with them and their business. The CEO of this company said, “You prevent us from breathing our own exhaust. You bring us…It’s Like A Breath Of Fresh Air.” Do you hear this – what the CEO was … [Read more...]
Is Your Career and Business Always Safe and Secure?
You and your career and business are safe and secure right? Are you sitting still in chair? Peace, stillness and quiet for a moment or two. The chair probably has four legs and when you first sat down in the chair, or in any chair for that matter, you know there will be sturdy legs to support you. Have you ever bent over and checked that the legs were there first? Checked to make sure the chair is sturdy? You know to make certain the chair was going to work. It remains in one place. The … [Read more...]
Do You Inspect What You Expect?
If you have ever been part of an early stage start up with a founder or two with a great idea or two – just ask them – revolutionary, a real disrupter. “Don’t worry, the numbers will take care of themselves!” “What we really need now is …..” Inspect what you Expect. The details matter! The voyage heading south along the West Coast of South America, on our ship, had been day after day of smooth seas and sun filled days. As we came closer to going around Cape Horn the seas picked up … [Read more...]
Do You Have A Lookout?
If you have ever worked aboard a merchant ship you know about the responsibilities of the lookout. A lookout is a person most often stationed on the ship’s bridge who maintains a constant watch of the water to report any kind of hazard that can be an obstacle in the navigation and cause harm to the ship. According to COLREG, a lookout is required to give his uninterrupted attention at all times to the ship’s navigation in order to inform the officer on watch (OOW) about other ships, shipwrecks, … [Read more...]
How Well Do You Communicate?
What would others say? Like the people you work with... The people you live with? What would they say? When aboard a deep sea ocean going ship traveling internationally you will stop at a variety of ports. Each one having its own culture, architecture and language(s). When the ship first arrives at the port the first contacts are made with people from there. A majority of people initially helping the ship into and at the port speak English. This would be the Pilot, the Docking Pilot … [Read more...]
Are You A Plumber?
Here’s the thing – yes I have a toolbox and some tools – yes there are things I am able to do around the house, the car and even more. However one thing I’ve learned the hard way, more than once or twice, is when to stop and get a professional. This is where I found myself recently. Through a contact in my local area I was able to get the name of a plumber. A few weeks go by and magically the time and date arrive for the appointment and the plumber shows up. The plumber said you need an … [Read more...]
