Honesty

I have recently been involved in a work situation where it was brought to my attention one of our competitors in Tampa has been telling outright fallacies concerning one very important aspect of their service.  While I will not blast them (directly) in cyberspace nor divulge the mistruth, it was unsettling enough to evoke quite the range of emotions within me.  When I first heard what was said, I laughed at the lunacy of the statement.  This was until I realized the person telling me actually believed what was being said – at face value; simply because they said it and “why would they lie?”

I pride myself on being honest in both my professional and personal dealings.  In the closing of every email I have the phrase “Honesty, Integrity, Ethics, Responsibility”.  These are not just words to me, but the very basis of who I am and what I try to represent in my life.  Please do not get me wrong, I am not perfect – far from it – I fall into the same traps as everyone else.  There are times where my moral compass may wind up a bit off its center.  However, I am not oblivious to these times and when I find myself slipping I work very hard to bring things back to what is, my center. 

It is very unsettling to me when I realize how blatant of a lie someone will tell simply because they think it will cause them to get ahead!  We all know even the “little” lies have a way of catching up with us.  With the lines of our professional lives and our personal lives constantly being blurred, these “untruths” have a way of catching up with us quicker than before. 

The information super highway has made it almost too easy to catch us in our embellishments.  Companies and people more than ever have to be careful what is being said as any slip up is quickly researched and the truth can then be uploaded for all to see in the matter of seconds.  Something as simple as a word said in a meeting which seems to not exist can be googled from a smartphone and create havoc on one’s credibility.

I am not saying anything new here at all!  Everyone reading this post knows this!!  My question is simply this – Why are there so many out there who seem to insist on not simply telling the truth?  Why do companies hide the bad financial reports from employees?  They are smart enough to know when things are going poorly.  Why do Sales people lie on the capabilities of their product?  Buyers are diligent enough to do their homework!  Why do people in relationships feel it is ok misrepresent themselves?  It is always found out! 

The simple truth of life – both professional and personal is this:  The Truth will set you Free!  If we could all learn to follow this – many of our problems would cease to exist!

What’s Important

The past week has been incredibly tough on my family.  What started as a surgery to enable my dad to be cancer free; has turned into a concern of what our next steps will be for his treatment.  The purpose of the surgery was to extract two tumors, and to determine how much additional cancer existed.  Unfortunately they found much more cancer than anticipated.  The seriousness of this has gripped us all and caused me to become quite introspective.

I started this blog to put out some ideas which would be thoughtful and cause intellectual thought and conversation.  The subjects have ran the gamut from teamwork to healthcare to some of my political opinions (arguably a bit watered down).  The question which has begun to permeate through my consciousness is:  How do all of these subjects really affect our lives?  At the macro level, we can all understand the big picture; however, when things get personally really bad, does any of it really matter?

My job is very important to me and I take it very seriously.  So seriously, I have forgone personal fulfillment to be sure everything I do represents my company at the highest level.  Even in my work at the University of Tampa, I do my best to represent my company in the best possible light.  Even in writing this blog, I have purposely not listed my company, and until recently, not listed my name as I do not to have any ill effects on the company. 

However; as I was getting the news about my dad, and sending updates out through Twitter and Facebook; I realized, what my company thought of my updates did not matter.  Thinking through all this I began to think everything we do to improve ourselves and our position in life means nothing if we do not transfer this skills with our family.  While this is not at all a new concept, nor an awe inspiring revelation, it is something which has recently come into perspective.

Here is the one critical lesson thus far: friends come and go; business relationships are developed and maintained often for a season; family is always family.

Value of Life

One of the biggest discussions going on in Washington these days is Healthcare Reform.  It has become so pervasive even shock jock “Bubba the Love Sponge” has had guests on his show discussing the subject.  I do not profess to understand its nuances, nor have I formally made up my mind on the direction I think the country should take.

However, there is a piece of the reform policy which I find unsettling.  It is the concept of the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY).  This is the concept of where a person would only be granted any medical procedure if it would allow for greater the 1.0 QALY’s.  The exact parameters of the plan, while important, are really not what I find concerning.

The problem as I see it is the quantifying the value of life.  The further concern is the slippery slope this will ultimately lead too.  I can foresee the question quickly becoming one of the social position of the person for whom QALY is measured.

This has come to the forefront of my mind as this week I will be anxiously anticipating my father’s major surgery to remove several cancer tumors. In my family’s opinion, this surgery is absolutely necessary.  However, under a new policy, I do not know which way the ruling would go.  Early this week Senator Edward Kennedy lost his personal battle with cancer.  Due to Senator Kennedy’s political influence, if surgery could have given him additional time, would he be given the same measure of QALY as my father?

I wholehearted believe this country needs Healthcare Reform.  However, putting a monetary value on life is a dangerous and I believe socially irresponsible path.

Micro, Macro or Both?

After finishing the first year of the MBA program at the University of Tampa, I found the subject of economics to be quite interesting. I have found myself following the blogs of Keith Hennessey, Greg Mankiw, Paul Krugman, and Robert Reich pretty religiously. Understanding the bigger effects of decisions our elected officials and the Federal Reserve make have not only made this interesting to me, but also helped me to have an intelligent opinion of why certain decisions were made.

We did a study of both macro and micro economics and while micro seem more prevalent to everyday life; I really think I liked macro better. What is the difference? The definitions tell us microeconomics relates to how households and firms make decisions to allocate limited resources where macroeconomics involves the “sum total of economic activity, dealing with the issues of growth, inflation and unemployment, and with national economic policies relating to these issues. However, in practice, I have seen microeconomics policies are what can make or break a political career (we have all heard of Joe the Plumber). Once elected, it is the macroeconomic policies which keep an official in office (how will we come out of this recession?). Is it any wonder our elected officials seem to never keep their promises? However, understanding why the decisions are made on a macro level helps to make sense of some of the decisions.

The dirty secret seems to be the government is trying to manage the economy from the macro level; therefore, Joe the plumber, or you and I, are not really the biggest concern. The concern is really for the greater good of the country as a whole. Unfortunately, in times of recession, the more personal concern is our own self preservation and not the community as a whole. Hard decisions have to be made for the “greater good”. I do not agree with all of the decisions being made or how resources are allocated, all I am trying to do is think of things from a different perspective. I would think a study of both Macro and Micro economics would be good for all Americans; it would help us all to better understand how our system works.

Robin Hood is no friend!

We all have celebrated the story of Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.  I too, was regaled by the tales of how he fought for the oppressed.  However, our current administration has caused me to see this character in quite the different light.

I found myself reading a blog update by the venerable Robert Reich (http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/07/house-tax-wealthy-to-keep-everyone.html).  While I enjoy reading what Reich has to say and don’t always agree with him, I found this post particularly disheartening.  It seems the House is considering paying a portion of the new health care reformby taxing the top income earners.  Mr. Reich even calls this “Robin Hood economics”. 

Here is part of the problem I see with this thinking.  If we continue to, in my opinion, take the easy way out and tax the “rich” – what incentives will there be left to go after the almost obsolete American Dream?  Greg Mankiw points out, if this is passed, the top 1% income bracket will be taxed at nearly a rate of almost 50% (http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2009/07/top-tax-rate-may-soon-exceed-50-percent.html).

Have we forgotten this country was founded by people so tired of taxes they left otherwise comfortable lives to face complete uncertainty and most likely death?  Have we really come to a place where there will be a penalty to achieve financial independence for our families?  This country was not built on taking handouts; unfortunately, our administration seems to feel this is the best way to go forward.

I have to think there is a better way.  I have to think there are more creative ways to pay for those less fortunate among us.  Am I wrong?  Have I completely missed it here and does every think this is the best idea we can come up with?

A Celebrity Pass or The State of Current Society

I think I may be either old fashioned or “old school”.  While I was saddened by the passing of recent celebrities, I find myself at odds with my thoughts and feelings.

In the first case – Michael Jackson.  Much like most of my generation,  grew up on both his music and dance moves.  I “moon walked” across my kitchen many times.  His death caught many of us by surprise.  If we take a hard look through the shock of his passing, most realize for the last decade and a half, he really did nothing to help his legacy.  While we will never know what really happened at Neverland Ranch and I will by no means either condemn or condone his actions.  I will say, for a grown man to have 12 year old children spend the night in his room, is at a minimum odd.  Given the choice, it would not be something my children experience.  Yet, the media, who condemned him, deifies him in death.  Suddenly, because he died and had arguably great music, all the strangeness is put aside and you are looked at as insensitive if his more recent activities were brought up in the last several weeks.

Steve McNair’s homicide caught all of us by suprise.  I was dumbfounded when I heard the news.  Then the reports came out of the details of his death.  My only thoughts were of how this not only could have been, but should have been avoided.   The simple facts are he was killed by his “girlfriend” while he slept.  Now the city of  Nashville, and McNair’s hometown will honor thier star.  This man was killed by the woman with whom he was having an affair.  Yet, again, the media is choosing to diefy him.  The comment which appauls me is – he made a mistake!  Really? A mistake which lasted serveral months?  A mistake which he took on serveral vacations?  I cannot understand how this is a mistake.  How are his wife and four children supposed to feel?  

Where are we as a society when our celebrities can do anything they please.  Whether it is questionable activity with minors, or outright disrespect for thier families as long as they can sing a good tune or through a ball well, is it ok?  I found myself agreeing with Mrs. Rodney Peete with her outrage, but she was lamblasted for expressing it. 

My concern is the messages we are sending.  How bad will it have to get before we realize no matter how a person it, they still need to follow the rules of what we call civilized society?

How do you eat an Elephant?

I try to make a habit of keeping up on current events.  To this end I read various news sources on a daily basis.  Today’s reading brought me to the USA Today – a generally credible and decent source.  However, I read something which incensed me.  The article was concerning the rising debt we are experiencing as a country.

This is not a new subject or one which has been held “under the covers.”  The subject comes up in conversations and all over the blogsphere.  What concerned me was the sense of gloom the article portrayed.  Yes, the debt is rising this is to be expected.  Yes, it is at is highest levels in history, so is our national GDP, so again, to be expected.  There are less and less lenders available, really? With the world in the midst of recession, why is this surprising?

There are many problems which we (as a country) are trying to reign in, and yes the debt is one of them.  However, I firmly believe our weak and somewhat sputtering economy is our biggest problem which needs our attention.  We have to fix the present problem first then work on fixing the rest.  The Keynesian principle of the government being the consumer of last resort is in full effect – the unfortunate consequence to this is a rising national debt.  However, I have to agree, the alternative is most certainly less desirable.

The old addage on how you eat an elephant (one piece at a time), is never more true then dealing with the economic problems our country, and the world, is facing today.

Too Connected?

I have a Twitter account, a LinkedIn account, a Facebook Account, an AIM id, a Micrsoft Live ID, text messaging and three email accounts.  I read through several different blogs on a daily basis and following various news feeds on my iPhone.  Oh yes, and I periodically update this blog.  The question on my mind lately is how connected is too connected?  One of the assigned readings during my undergrad at Florida State was Data Smog by David Shenk.  The premise of the book was the concept of how much information is contained on each person.

Shenk was concerned we were absorbed in gaining so much information on other people/markets we were going to cloud our vision.  It is not much of a stretch to look at all the information we are constantly bombarded with 12 years later and have some real concerns on where this is all going.  I kept in touch with a friend as she traveled through Germany through private posts and updates on facebook.  I feel like I know Shaquile O’Neil because I receive his Twitter updates.

Here is my concern in a nutshell – Are we begining to loose interpersonal communications?  I can have an entire txt conversations with friends, for weeks on end without ever having a “real” conversation.  I have other friends who discuss their Twitter “friends” but yet has never met them.  If we look at phenomenons like 2nd life, the concern becomes very real.

Do you prefer “real” conversations as apposed to txt conversations or facebook updates?  I wonder where all of this is leading.  Is the simple art of face to face communication going to go by the wayside?  Are we giving up a handshake and a hug in exchange for the buzz of the latest txt message?  I for one, still enjoy the inflection in a friends voice and the twinkle in their eye as tell the stories of their last vacations!

Working In Teams

A big part of any MBA program is the “dreaded” working in teams.  Ask almost anyone who has gone through this experience and you will undoubtedly elicit a horror story of the team member who did not carry his/her own weight or simply did not get along in the group.  Unfortunately, this phenomena is not only regulated to the academic community.  In the “work” world, we often have to work in teams as well, often with similar horror stories. 

How does one handle this problem?  In reading The Art of Possibility I have found a suggestion which really seems to work.  The authors described a concept of Giving an A.  We all know this is the highest grade possible and we think of the most studious and well deserving among us will achieve the ever illusive A.  However, the Zanders’ concept is to give the A to everyone in the group to start out with and not to judge them on the same scale as their peers.  Each person brings something of value to the table.  To borrow a analogy from Michelangelo – every piece of stone has a masterpiece trying to get out, it was Michelangelo’s job to remove the excess pieces of stone from around this masterpiece. 

What does this have to do with working in groups?  Well, if you realize every person has something to add to the group which is unique, and give them the A for their value - you are then appreciating for their uniqueness allowing him/her to succeed naturally to their own highest ability.  The key to this, in my opinion, you have already taken the pressure off of yourself by giving them the A in the beginning.  You are then enjoying watching the journey of them achieve that A. 

This does take some discipline and work initially, but if the concept is followed, teamwork can become incredibly rewarding.  Who knows, along the way you may find some hidden gifts in a person which go beyond the project at hand and are with you for the rest of your life.

Positive Mental Attitude

These days, I often find myself looking back on the first day of my junior year of high school (I will leave out the year!).  The theme of the year was PMA (Positive Mental Attitude).  While this was not surprising lost on my sixteen year old mind; I find myself echoing the theme many years later.

When I look back on the summer of 2009, I am going to remember the difficulties of working in the worst economy the US had experienced in 70 years, I am going to remember unemployment at 25+ year highs and consumer confidence shaken to the point where you can see it in the eyes of everyone you meet.  I am also going to remember one of the more challenging terms of my MBA program as this is the time where they really overload us with courses.  My personal feeling is this is done to find out what we are made of! 

Going through all of this, I find my self constantly reminding my peers, my colleagues, my family, and myself to stay positive.  Even though things seem bad, and the media insists on telling us everything our leaders are doing is wrong (and why nothing our try will work to fix things).  I am going back to the first day as a junior in high school – Positive Mental Attitude.  It is amazing how that simple concept can actually feel come in the middle of the storm.

Are things bad? Yes.  Am I living in some alternative universe where I do not understand how bad it could and just might get? No.  However, I steadfastly believe things will get better.  It will take some serious intestinal fortitude, but things will get better.  It all starts with simply believing it will.