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Advice for Graduates From Creator of Calvin and Hobbs

Graduation Cap and DiplomaWith graduation season once again upon us, our thoughts turn to the many students who are preparing to enter the next phase of adult life. Some will continue their education. Some will begin careers. All will face the pressure of juggling competing claims on their time and attention.

In 1990, Bill Watterson, creator of the famous Calvin and Hobbs comic strip, addressed the graduating class of his alma mater, Kenyon College. Watterson was just ten years removed from his own graduation, and shared with the graduates some of the struggles he faced as he worked to break into his chosen field and then dealt with the pressures that come with success. 

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To Build Relationships, Speak in Bullet Points or Paragraphs

Executive Businessman in Meeting with Businesswoman

#31 Speak in Bullet Points or Paragraphs

Whenever possible, deliver your message in the preferred style of the listener: bullet point or paragraph.

  • The “bullet point” person favorably responds to a style that is brief, to the point, and supported by hard evidence of results. He/she will become impatient if made to wait for the bottom line.
  • The person who prefers “paragraphs” is more open to hearing anecdotes, examples, or explanations that help him/her understand and to soft evidence that infers a certain result.

This is the thirty-first post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.

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3 Actions to Get Ford’s New CEO Off to a Great Start

Businessman tying up his tieAs seen on Fox Business.

Mr. Fields, congratulations on your appointment as the next president and CEO of one of America’s treasures, the Ford Motor Co. You have big shoes to fill — Mr. Mulally has done a remarkable job, as I wrote about in a previous article.

Now it’s your turn.  In the opinion of this advisor to leaders, here are three actions you should be laser-focused on to get off to a great start. 

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Connect by Negotiating With the Right Mindset

Disengaged employees explaining employee engagement to their boss

#30 Negotiate With a Mindset to Solve Problems Rather Than to Win

You can build connections with people during negotiations if you adopt and maintain the right mindset. Thinking of the people you are negotiating with as competitors leads to disconnection and distrust. Instead, think of them as holding knowledge that you need to unearth in order to identify an optimal solution that is a win-win for everyone involved. This requires probing, patience and perseverance to understand other people’s objectives, perceptions and sensitivities.

This is the thirtieth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.

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Be a Connection Catalyst

Happy Business People Giving High Fives

#29 Be a Connection Catalyst – Research by Rob Cross, Barbara Frederickson and Lynn Anderson has shown that the emotions of a group can spiral up or down.  Take the initiative to be optimistic, positive and upbeat.  Intentionally make positive connections with others to be a catalyst to get the positive spiral in your group going.

This is the twenty-ninth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.

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Boston Strong and the Power of Connection

Jeremy KingsleyJeremy Kingsley, author of the book Inspired People Produce Results:  How Great Leaders Use Passion, Purpose and Principles to Unlock Incredible Growth, has some important insights into the power of connection.  

I really appreciated how the country (and others around the world) paused on Tuesday, April 15, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. Many gathered in Boston. Elsewhere, people witnessed the ceremony the same way they’d witnessed the attacks, on screens and through speakers.

Wherever we were, we remembered the lives lost and harmed as we listened to the church bells and bagpipes, the speeches and children’s choir. We reflected on the admirable courage of the first responders and others who put aside their own safety and rushed in to help others.

The most memorable voices at the commemoration were those of the survivors. Many had been through an agonizing year of physical and emotional recovery.

Almost with one voice, they cited the same source of strength and healing. What we heard from them again and again was the importance of community. 

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Connect at Work By Saying “Hello”

Two Businessmen Greeting Each Other#28 Greet People First Thing in the Morning

When you first arrive at work, take the time to say hello to the people with whom you come in contact.

One friend of ours said that as a young retail store manager, his district manager told him that some of the store employees complained about not receiving a personal greeting in the morning. The young manager didn’t intend to be rude; he was simply focused on the day’s tasks as soon as he walked in the door. But to his employees, it was important that he take the time to show that he valued them through greetings each morning. He began intentionally greeting each employee every morning, and his employees’ perception of him improved.

This is the twenty-eighth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.

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Connect by Saying “Thank You”

Delivering a Letter#27 Say “Thank You” and Write Thank You Notes

When someone does something for you, be sure to say “thank you.” This seems obvious but you would be surprised how many people don’t do this.

If the person did something for you that required considerable effort on his/her part, send a handwritten thank you note. Several outstanding leaders we know send handwritten thank you notes on a regular basis. They know that a handwritten note stands out in this age of electronic communications and communicates that they value the recipient.

This is the twenty-seventh post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.

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John Wooden: They Called Him Coach

Day of Discovery Document John Wooden They Called Him Coach

Day of Discovery Documentary – John Wooden: They Called Him Coach

I’ve written a lot about legendary Coach John Wooden on this blog, and for good reason. His life, leadership, and legacy are an inspiration to us all.

I highly recommend taking the time to watch the documentary John Wooden: They Called Him Coach, available online. You’ll learn more about Wooden’s perspective on success, love, and faith and see interviews with his family and former players. It will definitely motivate you to be a better leader, family member, and friend.

What’s your favorite Coach Wooden story? Feel free to share in the comments.