Wednesday Wisdom Worth Sharing

A Tinker's Damn

The grave was just a breath away

I cheated death again today;

though how I cannot clearly say,

but I won't moan and cry.

Today look back on my life

and proudly boast of kids and wife

believing I was satisfied,

though that might be a lie.

What life won't offer some would take;

and most agree that's a mistake

for every action leaves a wake

of questions asking why?

Still, after all is said and done

I know I am my father’s son

and couldn't give a Tinker's damn

that death has passed me by.

            from The World Through the Eyes of a Cop by Eugene Matthews

Understanding and Leading Millenials in the Workforce

A key to successful leadership is understanding what motivates the led. -E.Matthews

In a recent Forbes article, Frances Hesselbein, the founding CEO Peter Drucker’s leadership institute, said of Millennials ages 18-29, the Pew Research Center found them to be confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and open to change. She suggested Millennials are most like the leaders in the 1930s-40s, now called the Greatest Generation.

She described the Millennial mindset as one on the pulse of changing technology, and offered suggestions for tapping into their strengths:

1. They multi-task and enjoy a challenge. 
2. They need projects that utilize their knowledge and skills that can connect with their philosophical or deeper interests. 
3. They recognize the importance of teamwork and inclusion – they are experts at leveraging the efforts of others to achieve results and share rewards.

Hesselbein concluded by saying Millennials also consider that being true to themselves equates to personal and social responsibility: "They advocate to: reduce, reuse, recycle, re-purpose, rescue, and remember."

For organizations across the spectrum of services, it's essential that they invest in ways to leverage the talents, skills, and natural aptitude brought in by Millennials if they intend to sustain or grow the organization. 

Dr. Catherine Giunta, Sentin Hill University echoes this notion in her work, The Next Great Generation? Her comparison of business related factors during The Greatest Generation from 65-75 years ago, and those seen in this generation are reveal significant similarities.

Dr. Giunta elaborates on the comparisons in terms of education, the economy, and technology, which serves to better demonstrate the need for today's leaders to examine the past practices of yesteryear in terms of organization and personal/professional success, if they hope to replicate those achievements today.

Wednesday Wisdom Worth Sharing

The easy answer will not challenge you, it will not make you grow. It is only when we have navigated, negotiated, or researched and investigated the difficult choices, that we gain a sense of accomplishment.

Anyone can find the simple solution - but only a leader identifies the 'best right' solution. Sometimes the easy answer isn't the best solution; sometimes the best solution in't the easy answer; the mark of a leader is one who can identify the 'best right solution' for a given challenge, and move on it with confidence.  

"If it were easy, everyone would do it." 

                                                 - E.Matthews