COURAGE
THE SECOND C OF
THE SIX C'S OF SUCCESS
Courage:
"Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and
withstand danger, fear, or difficulty."
- Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary
How courageous are you? Will you take a stand for what you
know to be right? Would you quit your job if asked to do something against your morals?
Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?
Courage brings to my mind images of someone standing at the
front of the group holding a challenge high above their head. The challenge can be a
variety of things, from something small and insignificant to one of enormous importance.
Each day you and I are challenged to be courageous in the
way we handle our assignments and responsibilities. Taking on a new project, leading new
people, changing the way the company does business or the way our family exists - all are
fraught with risk. Risk implies the danger we face. The danger of making a wrong decision,
wasting resources or not getting results.
Yet if we just stand there we are also at risk. The risk of
becoming ordinary, average or even sub-standard in the eyes of the business or our family.
Attitude
- What is your attitude about courage? When you choose an attitude for your courage, it
might as well be the positive one. A "can do" attitude is resourceful. It will
find a way to succeed. It is self-fulfilling. Likewise, an attitude of "it will never
work" is also a self-fulfilling prophesy, the same philosophy that has brought down
businesses and nations throughout history.
Think positively about your abilities! Your positive mental
state is the first step toward overcoming the "danger, fear, or difficulty"
before you.
Skills
- Does courage require some kind of skill? The skill needed may be a technical one, based
on the content of what needs to be done. But, be sure not to overlook the skills of
process; leadership skills such as communication, presentation, inspiration and coaching
are all needed to get those behind you to follow your lead.
You may need to learn new skills to accomplish the task. The
learning process is part of growth. Being courageous means willing to learn new things and
the ability to change, both yourself and others. Learning and teaching others is the
channel to be inspirational to the very people you need to complete the challenge.
Knowledge
- Do you know what courage is? Find a hero, a role model or a mentor upon which you can
base your behavior. It is not necessary to think in grandiose terms. While Martin Luther
King, Mother Theresa, Lincoln, Gandhi or Mary, the mother of Jesus all are magnificent
examples, don’t be afraid to choose someone more "ordinary." Your peers,
family members and community leaders all have examples of courage that you can emulate.
Knowing what to do to be courageous may be as simple as
pattering your behavior on the ways you have seen business done in the past. Sit down with
someone you respect and ask them to mentor you in being more courageous with the
challenges you face.
Chances are you have more courage than you think you do. The
only way to find out is to venture forth, take a stand or speak your mind. The worst case
that can result is that you learn what you need to master. The best case is that you have
demonstrated yet another aspect of your ability to handle success and leadership.
NETWORK,
NETWORK, NETWORK!
A Powerful and Willing Resource
With the holidays surrounding us, take a moment to think
about the excellent resource you have in your family and friends. Who, more than your
friends and family, would like to see you succeed? Each year we receive cards and letters
of the good things that have happened to others. Most people would love to help others
this time of year, so simply ask them!
Whether you are looking for a better job, trying to find a
source of education or training, seeking new customers, or simply wanting to enhance your
list of business, political or social contacts, ask your family and friends! I am NOT
suggesting you use the holidays to market your products or services TO your friends and
relatives! I am suggesting that you ask them for ideas on who they think you should
contact to expand your opportunities in the future.
Another Kind of
Willing Resource
After recently presenting a session on how to network at a
computer conference called SHARE, I received the following note regarding one of the
dangers of active networking. While it did not produce any usable business for my friend
(who will remain anonymous for quite obvious reasons) it does point out that asking others
questions about themselves and their business will quickly provide the information you
need. With this new information you can decide to either help them in their networking,
or, move on to another person who may have better contacts for you.
Gerry;
I had the pleasure of attending a couple of your
sessions at the recent SHARE in Atlanta which I very much enjoyed and have implemented a
number of your strategies and suggestions with very good results to date.
I have been meaning to pass along an incident that
happened to me the day after I attended your Techies are People, Too.
I was very impressed with all your suggestions and was
determined to implement a number of your strategies when I returned home.
As I sat in the Marriott Sports Bar enjoying my dinner,
a women entered and asked if the seat next to mine was taken. I informed her it wasn't and
she sat down. Right away I thought of your Network, Network, Network suggestion and I
asked if she was with the SHARE convention. She nodded that yes she was. I immediately
thought of your idea of exchanging business cards. So I mentioned that I am a Software
Engineer and I specialize in tuning and performance issues on MVS systems.
Thinking that had surely impressed her, I inquired what
her connection and specialty was to SHARE. Without batting an eye she said that she was in
the escort and companion business and was I interested? I must of turned about a thousand
shades of red and stammered something brilliant like thanks but no thanks.
I resolved that I would pass along this little incident
of what I am sure some would consider a benefit of implementing your Network,
Network, Network strategy!!! I am happy to report that I
have not been dissuaded by this experience and I am in the process collecting cards when
ever the opportunity presents itself. Thanks again for a great session at SHARE. I look
forward to seeing you at future conferences.
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TECHNICAL
HOLIDAY HUMOR
The Twelve Bugs of Christmas
At the First bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"See if it happens again."
At the Second bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Tell them its a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Third bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Say its not supported,
Tell them its a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Fourth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Change the documentation,
Say its not supported,
Tell them its a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Fifth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say its not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Sixth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Seventh bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Ask them how they did it,
Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Eighth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
Say they need an upgrade,
Ask them how they did it,
Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Ninth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Reinstall the software,
Say they need an upgrade,
Ask them how they did it,
Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Tenth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Find a way around it,
Reinstall the software,
Say they need an upgrade,
Ask them how they did it,
Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Eleventh bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Use a debugger,
Find a way around it,
Reinstall the software,
Say they need an upgrade,
Ask them how they did it,
Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
At the Twelfth bug of Christmas
my manager said to me,
"Blame it on the hardware,
Use a debugger,
Find a way around it,
Reinstall the software,
Say they need an upgrade,
Ask them how they did it,
Try to reproduce it,
ASK FOR A DUMP!
Change the documentation,
Say it’s not supported,
Tell them it’s a feature and
See if it happens again."
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