If you choose not to decide...

...you still have made a choice.

Throughout my various work and personal experiences I have always been amazed by the individual that seemingly turns on a dime and executes decision after decision. I am one that sometimes views those individuals as moths attracted to the flame. Truth be told though, I err too far on the other side - deliberation, consideration, what could go wrong; I will throw one chip in but am very unlikely to push all my chips to the center of the table.

While that has served me well in my line of work, I ask you - is it better to always go, go, go or to more often take it slow?

(Title and opening line influenced by "Freewill" lyrics as performed by Rush. Remainder of text influenced by all that is my life.)

Silence

During my college days I was blessed with the opportunity to play in a fantastic jazz ensemble at West Virginia Wesleyan College. During one of our rehearsals we were taught by Bob Thompson, an accomplished jazz pianist, and some of the lessons from that day continue to resonate in my life. One of those dealt with silence.

Mr. Thompson was discussing the power of music, and how music was comprised of both notes and rests. He asked for a volunteer to improvise with him and one of our best jazz players answered the call. They spoke for just a minute and then Mr. Thompson started playing some standard jazz chord progressions. The trombone player lifted his horn to his mouth but didn't play. He then lowered the horn. A couple of measures later he did the same. He then played a few simple long notes and then returned to listing his horn but not playing.

His message in this demonstration was simple... the rests cause the listener to begin to anticipate. The silence builds anticipation. By not playing, the musician is, in a way, ensuring that the focus of the listener is heightened so when he does play it is more impactful.

I can't help but think of this lesson often in the workplace.

Each time I am in a meeting and someone dominates the conversation I think of this lesson.

Each time an issue arises and emotions flare I think of this lesson.

I work hard at listening. I like silence and listening to be my way of demonstrating the importance of the other people in the room, of the person who is wanting to get their point across.

I learn through listening, not through talking. When I speak I am only solidifying my views, which doesn't lead to learning or growth.

And when I want my voice heard, I try to set the stage like a musician using rests to focus the listeners on the music to come.

Thanks Mr. Thompson.

(Note: If you haven't taken in Bob Thompson's music do yourself a favor and buy some of his work; maybe start with Bob Thompson "Live" On Mountain Stage)

The Boss Shows the Way

Watching and learning. As I watched, some short but obvious principles of leadership kept running through my mind.

-- Once you get to a point where people call you The Boss, you've developed experience in many skills and situations. Rely on those skills.

-- Similarly, there are likely many around you that also have vast experience and accomplishments, rely on them as well.

-- And yet add youth, or new talent, often so that the overall ensemble remains fresh and willing to consider the new not just the old.

-- Do not lose sight of the importance of family. Whenever possible, honor the families that are part of the success.

-- While you are leading with your strengths and experiences, do not hesitate to try new things, new ways of accomplishing your mission.

-- When you know you are right, do not listen to the critics. Stay true to your gut and confidence.

-- Find opportunities for others to take the lead. When they do, step back and let them be clearly out in front. But also take care to not completely relinquish your role.

-- Honor those who contribute to your success including your competitors and your customers.

-- Remember that outworking others can be as important as outsmarting. While your talent may be an obvious part of your past success, your continued desire to outwork the competition is key to your future success.

-- Give the public what they want but also teach them and lead them to new approaches.

The concert Saturday night in Pittsburgh was fantastic. The Boss continues to lead. Sixty six years old and he never left the stage during the three hour and twenty minute concert. The entire E Street Band accompanied him, absent those that had passed away, yet a couple of new musicians were present as well. Jake Clemons, son of Clarence, filled in on sax and percussion. While much of the setlist centered on one album from 1980 (The River), the Boss also played many of his standards, along with some newer songs in his catalog that are important to him.

"Yeah we know that come tomorrow, none of this will be here. So hold tight to your anger and don't fall to your fears."

A Lesson in Success, Learned From My Son

There are many times when lessons are learned even when you are not seeking knowledge. My son has taught me a significant lesson over the past few months and the lesson deals with commitment, initiative, optimism, learning and application of the skills acquired.

My approach to problem solving and empowerment at work will be impacted by this lesson.

This all started with a 2006 Volvo S40.

Commitment

My son is 17. Early last year he became interested in acquiring a used vehicle, a standard, and hopefully one that could meet the test for being cool in today's high school environment. I was surprised by his efforts to locate just the right vehicle, and even more surprised when he told me he found what he wanted. The sleek black Volvo was for sale at a very reasonable price and he worked towards acquiring it. Once it made it to our driveway he worked on it almost every available hour - washing / waxing almost daily, detailing the inside, resolving small issues that he could repair and customizing the paint and wheels to his satisfaction. All was well until the engine blew.

Initiative

My son is interested in becoming a diesel tech / mechanic and currently works in a diesel shop. While he is interested in engines and how they work he certainly is early in the process of understanding them and / or knowing how to repair them. When the Volvo engine failed he dug in to try to figure out what went wrong and how it might be resolved. We involved a Volvo mechanic at one point and his message was clear, this engine can't be fixed and the price of replacing it is too much. Scrap the car and move on. From my perspective (meaning I have no idea when it comes to engines) this sounded like sound reasoning, wisdom even - cut your losses and give up on this difficult if not impossible project.

Optimism

From my son's perspective he just could not accept giving up on the problem so quickly. He was invested in this car. Financially invested, yes, but more so through the hours of effort and the emotional attachment that comes with owning your dream car. Despite my efforts of acting on the wisdom of the Volvo mechanic, my son pressed on. And without fail he continued to state that it could be fixed. Everything that the Volvo mechanic stated (I won't bore you with the mechanical details; I would probably relay them incorrectly anyway), my son said "but he wasn't considering this", or "I think I can find a way to solve that". Optimism was the drum beat.

Learning

Every so often my son would give me an update. The Volvo was now in our garage in quite a state of disrepair, with engine parts strewn everywhere. One day my son walks up to me and starts talking about some progress he has made. I see his mobile phone and I ask him why there are black marks all over the back of it. Oh, he responds, it is just engine grease. So I learn through this interaction that he is using YouTube as his knowledge center, looking up how-to's related to foreign cars, Volvo specific, and how valves and cylinders and timing belts work and sometimes don't. Many times he would just set his phone down near where he was working and watch the video as he applied what he was watching and learning. Amazing.

He also sought out additional expertise through a friend and his father that work on cars as a hobby. They had a similar optimism in their views on getting the car running.

Application

Soon enough, and for far less than a complete engine rebuild / replacement, the optimism started to appear well founded. The application of the knowledge he had gathered was tremendous. I would get almost daily updates that would go something like this - "we think we have it narrowed down to three options. I am pursuing this option first and will have the parts tomorrow". Everything the expert had told us was right in some ways - from his perspective this would be a huge project, very time consuming and therefore very expensive, without 100% assurance of success. He didn't know that my son would invest the time, gain the knowledge, work endless hours for no charge but with confidence that the car would live again. My son was 100% confident that he would be successful.

Solution

Earlier this week I received a text from my son. It read simply "It's allllivvvvveeeee!!!!!". He soon sent me a Snapchat as further proof.

So much of his success was based on his approach; he wouldn't accept no as an answer without proving it to himself, he committed himself to learning and took the initiative to gain knowledge and apply it, and he remained optimistic throughout, regardless of the setbacks along the way.

Success.