Professionalism

2/25/08
Playing on the XM Satellite Radio station in  Jeff’s rental car:	Jeff’s airplane reading this week:	Jeff’s website of the week:
Whirlpool - Seal (www.seal.com) I’ve seen Seal live twice and his shows are amazing.  But what I like about this particular song is that I can play along on my acoustic!  The way he threads a melody on top of a beat-based acoustic guitar line is absolutely wonderful to me as both a listener and a player.  (Added bonus, my 7 month old daughter seems to like this song when I strum it. She watches the strings go back and forth with open eyes and a focused intensity!)  There are various versions of this song out there – some of the acoustic ones are fantastic!	An Arsonist’s Guide to Writer’s Homes in New England - (Brocke Clark- Brocke Clark)  What a wonderfully painful protangonist Clark weaves into this tale of trouble, dispair, and tremendous humor!  You cannot help ask the question, “What would my own life have been if I’d burned down Emily Dickenson’s house, accidentally killing two people in the process?”  The story begins after our hero (???) gets out of jail for just such a crime.  However, life doesn’t go quite as he would have liked as he can’t out run his problems. The story is genuinely funny, although sometimes out of the fact that you’d rather laugh than cry.  While I’m not completely through it, I have no doubt that the last few chapters won’t disappoint!  A good read for many genres!	The Clandestine Chef -  www.clandestinechef.com –  What an amazing experience.  (Sorry, if you’re not in Denver, you’ll need to find someone near you who does this same thing…)  Enedina showed up at our house – we had 4 people there for a cooking class.  She brought utensils, all  the food, even a cuisanart!  And we embarked on a delicious 4-course meal that we helped prepare.  She taught us how to supreme an orange (I’ve been practicing!), how to add “special ingredients” to bring out food flavors, and how to correctly hold and use a knife!  I HIGHLY recommend this service if you can – it’s a great birthday gift, Valentines occasion, or just about anything you could imagine!

Professionalism:  Can you do your job? Do you do it well? Do you know how to do that job better than you are given credit for? I’ll bet for many of you, this is the case…I had one of those profound, life-changing, paradigm-shifting moments not too long ago. It was a moment that crystallized thoughts and feelings I had, but until then, had never consciously put into words. A mentor faculty member at Argosy University asked a simple question that clarified the notion of standardization, creativity, work ethic, and free thought. In reference to ‘No Child Left Behind’ he asked, “When will our government trust in our professionalism as teachers? Why is the assumption that after all of our schooling, all of the research, and all of our effort, that we must be micro-managed in how we act, think, and do our jobs?”

There was a conversation that ensued, but the gist of the discussion was that other professions are allowed to govern themselves and to create measures of accountability. But at the same time, these professions are looked to for research, innovation, and ideas around that same governance. So why does that not happen for education?

But it got me thinking more broadly than education. This concept applies to almost every profession in some way, but more importantly it likely applies within the walls of your office, your institution, or your organization.I know several sales-persons who feel like their job is not a profession. These men and women are good at what they do: selling. Many of them have been in sales for decades. Yet, the companies that they work for spoon-feed them exactly what to say, exactly what collateral to use, and exactly how to negotiate. Essentially, they are treated as rookies, children, or incapable adults in terms of salesmanship. At the same time, these companies are often losing out on sales. As any good sales-person will tell you, each situation is complex, unique, and requires various persuasive strategies. Some people respond to cognitive dissonance. Other sales situations require expectancy value. Sometimes, all that is required is use of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. But this “one size fits all” sales approach not only frustrates effective sellers, it also leads to missed opportunities that may have been there had a quality sales-person done what they do: sell.

As I talk with people around the country, this example seems to be the norm more often than not, rather than the exception. But, it begs some questions (at least to me), that need to be addressed. 

First, if a person is not capable of making the kinds of decisions necessary for a job, why hire them? I’m not talking about their first week on the job. This is not about training. This is about allowing a person to do whatever it takes to do the job you’ve hired them to do! Of course there are guidelines and boundaries, but would you fire a chef because they cut vegetables with their left hand, rather than their right? Would you tell a surgeon how to sew up an incision and if it was not done to your specifications, find another surgeon? If a person cannot do what you need for a job, then isn’t it simple enough? Don’t hire them!

Second, this makes me question leadership. Why is it so rare to find leadership that gives control to appropriate people and groups? One of my favorite quotes regarding leadership is from Theodore Roosevelt. He said, “The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what needs to be done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” In reading articles and books by leaders of GE, Kinkos, and Motorola, and Google, it seems that there are people who get it. But it doesn’t seem to be the majority of leaders, whether you are talking about education, business, government, or private enterprise. Control seems to be an issue that hinders progress.

There are even some leaders who understand that even they don’t know everything about the company. How exciting it must be to work for a company like GE, where they take retreats over the year with several individuals from GE (line workers, managers, directors…just about anyone). These retreats are designed to ask essentially two things: 1) What don’t we do very well? 2) What ideas do you have that would allow us to do even better?

Haven’t we all worked someplace where the person running the show believed that they knew better than everyone else about every product, every job, every decision…and it’s frustrating! (Especially when they’re wrong – which can seem fairly often.) This really is business communication 101 – typically an elective in most Business programs. If you want to find out what you do well – ask your people. If you want to find out what is ticking off your customers – ask your people. If you want to know where there are holes in the process – ask your people!

And so, to all the leaders out there who don’t do this, it’s time to step up to the plate. It might bruise your ego, but so what? (Isn’t that what you think if you bruise somebody else’s?) It might also lead to better processes, better morale, and (bottom line) better profits. If you aren’t a leader and this frustrates you, I have two pieces of advice. First, get used to it. You don’t have to be a good leader to run a company or manage a department and I could poll you to find thousands of examples proving this point. Second, polish up your resume. There ARE companies out there that listen, that value, and that care what the workers think. Find them and apply.

(If you want some consulting around how to better communicate organizationally, how to treat your professionals professionally, or just how to motivate all things business, contact http://jeffpresents.com for more info!)

Outcomes

2/18/08 (As originally posted on http://jeffpresents.com)
Playing in Jeff’s truck CD player right now:	Jeff’s favorite (current) tv drama:	Jeff’s website of the week:
The Reason – (Hoobastank) I’m the first to admit it…I’m a sap.  I actually like romance.  But, at the same time, I’m pretty selfish.  I have my own ways of doing things, my own ideas, etc.  So, when it comes to relationships, I’ve had my share of negative experiences, some of which were because my selfish side was at war with my romantic side.  But this song depicts what happened to me when I met Keena.  I think of this not as the ultimate love song – but as my anthem.  The chorus sums it up: “I’ve found out a reason for me – To change who I used to be  – A reason to start over new – And the reason is You.”	Prison Break – (Fox – www.fox.com/prisonbreak)  As much as I love comedy, a great story is my real cup o’ tea.  And of the shows currently on (despite the Writer’s Strike), Prison Break blows the rest away.  In fairness, I like LOST a lot.  But, the show seems to trod along, barely getting to the poignant story points each episode.  In contrast, Prison Break gives you 3X as much each episode!  My wife will look at me halfway through the show and say, “I thought they’d draw that out until the last show of the season!  Not halfway through one episode…”  This show really moves!  Get the DVD’s of season 1, catch up, and start watching.  It’s a great ride. (I must admit, there is one show I would put above PB – I am loving “Life” from NBC.  But, I have no idea if it’s coming back next year.  Plus, it hasn’t been on for a few months, so I’m not sure if it was a flash in the pan or what…NBC - KEEP THIS SHOW ON THE AIR!)	The Spellings Commission Report - A Test Of Leadership ) As I head to DC to speak with some of our government leaders about the “future” of education and how technology might fit into that vision, it’s important to note that there are other important issues too.  The commission lists many of these items in this report.  Although it’s pretty PC so as not to snub too many educators, the underlying message is big, powerful, and very real.
Outcomes:  I have the honor of presenting information to educators all around the country every week. In my journeys, I get asked various questions about everything from, “How is teaching online possible” to “How do we fix what is wrong with education today?” But lately, many of the questions surround the idea of outcomes and/or standards. In my thinking, I often break higher education and K-12 into two different categories. After all, adult learning (andragogy) and child learning (pedagogy) are different. However, the relevancy of context to the learner, the need for varied teaching methodologies, and the presence of several (perhaps dozens) learning styles is slowly blurring. But I am not the only one making this distinction – the final “product” for which millions of students, teachers, and schools at the k-12 level are held accountable for are standards. In higher education, standards go by several names: outcomes, goals, standards, values, tasks, products, and more. However, across every enterprise – from education to business, from government to science, the “end result” is almost always the name of the game. “The joy is in the journey” means very little against the bottom line, which is typically money. As a professional speaker, this is also true. The final result is what matters at the end of the night. Did the audience enjoy the speech? Did you persuade the group to act? If entertainment was the desired outcome, how did you do? Any speaker who does not go into a presentation thinking about the outcomes is foolish indeed. But there are some important things to remember about outcomes. Things that our government should be advised to remember. Things that accrediting agencies would be remiss to forget. Things that educators had better master quickly, or forget about teaching. Here is the beginning of a very important list…a list that should not end with this discussion, and hopefully it never will: 1. Outcomes need semantic clarity. It amazes me how often the words associated with outcomes are blurred. But there are, and have to be, differences associated with each “level” of outcomes. I am particularly appreciative of Jonathan Mueller’s work – I highly recommend checking out the Authentic Assessment Toolbox to help guide your understanding of terminology. But, to assume that goals and outcomes and objectives are the same thing is setting you up for failure in ever attempting to measure results. (For my purpose here, I’m using the term outcomes as the highest measurable task for a person. This is because higher education often uses outcomes as a term versus standards in k-12.) 2. Know what is measurable and what is not. I saw a k-12 standard the other day that asked if students “understood the value of the dollar.” Really? Can anyone tell me what “understand” looks like? I’ll bet it’s different to you than it is to me. Stay away from the big no-no’s of outcome writing: understand, know, get, to do, etc. What can you measure? An explanation, a product, a synthesis of two complex ideas put into real world application. Essentially, you can measure a test question, a computer program, a model, or a portion of a speech. 3. Know that outcomes are individual. When teachers bring up No Child Left Behind, it’s almost always with contempt. They are so frustrated with the lack of individuality associated with k-12 classrooms today, they are leaving the profession in droves. (The last figure I heard was that the average teacher coming out of college leaves education after 2 years of service.”) Why are the so frustrated? Because the assumption of No Child Left Behind is that every student is exactly the same cognitively, developmentally, emotionally, psychologically, and socio-economically. The assumption of the mandated Act (and the reason I’m guessing it’s been restructured year after year) takes away the notion of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as well as decades of brain research, which is why it hasn’t gotten a lot traction from most educators. My wife was a 1 st grade teacher. She had students come in every morning who hadn’t eaten because their families couldn’t afford breakfast. Do you think they were invested in learning to subtract? Brain research tells us that at any given time, a person might learn to connect synapses never before bridged – this could happen (developmentally) at any age. In other words, some students understand algebra in 9th grade very easily while others will not figure it out until 11th grade. Uh-oh. 4. The best outcomes are derived from pre-assessment. As a speaker, I wish that for every presentation I give, I could survey the audience. How much easier that would make my life! But, unfortunately, that’s not the case. So, I create sudo-surveys based on any demographic, psychographic, or situational characteristic that I know before stepping out onto a stage. (Presenters Tip: audience analysis is one of 5 keys to effective speaking.) However, in education, there is no need for sudo-anything! Loads of pre, a, and post-assessment can be done throughout any quarter, term, semester, or whatever you call it. And as vast amounts of research show us, assessment should drive instruction. Is it fair to ask a student who is 2 years behind another student to “catch up” to be equal? More importantly, is it realistic? Or, should we expect teachers to provide the equivalent of one year’s progress for each student? How would we do that? Assessment. We would set benchmarks and let professional educators take them to the next level without presuming other assumptions on them. By the way, this is as true for adult learners as it is for child learners. Unfortunately, most college professors have never had a class in teaching, education, or learning. That practice has to stop. 5. Outcomes are measurable. Once you figure out the above concepts, it becomes vital to actually measure these outcomes. This is as true for accreditors as it is for State (and National) standards boards. And with technology, measured outcomes are not only easily attainable, they are easily reportable. (When accreditors finally figure this out, higher education should beware – this will change education as we know it.) Outcomes can be correlated to an individual student’s progress, how an instructor teaches the outcome, or how an entire program of students succeeds at mastering the concept. Outcomes can measured at the program level, at the course level, at the department level, and at the content level – even going down to a test item. Technology has actually gotten to a point where this is not only possible, it’s easy (comparatively). 6. Outcomes need to be realistic and attainable. In the latest TIMSS report (Math & Science Government Report), it was discovered that our student’s textbooks have 175% more material than German textbooks and 350% more material than Japanese textbooks. Yet, they are continually measured against these other countries outcomes achievement by students. What a shame…I know that I have to “reel in” my outcomes for basic public speaking students, so as not to include more advanced ideas and concepts that really aren’t appropriate for novices. As a professional speaker, I need to edit my PowerPoint slides, my key ideas, my example websites, and my stories so that I do not saturate my audience with too much. I’m heading to Washington to speak with our government about these (and many more) issues regarding education. But this conversation needs to happen at various levels and with real (educational) thought and perspective. The bottom line is that outcomes do not have to be hopeful goals. Nor, do outcomes need to be assumed impossible. Both of these notions would be fallacious in reasoning. But, outcomes should be individual. Outcomes should be based on assessment as much as curriculum design. Outcomes should be understood by each level of accountability.My intended outcome of this blog? I want you to think about how you create and measure your own outcomes, regardless of industry…did it work? (Ask Jeff to present an outcomes strategy for your organization. Go to http://jeffpresents.com)

Email

2/11/08 Originally presented at http://jeffpresents.com
Playing over iTunes right now:	Movies Jeff just saw (which is a mini-miracle with my daughter being 7 months old):	Jeff’s website of the week:
We’re Ready - Boston  (http://www.bandboston.com)–  I first bought the album “Third Stage” illegally in the Philippines when I was 17 years old.  It was a yellow tape with a xeroxed cover on it.  Since that time, I have bought the cd (legally) about a dozen times, giving it to friends and family.  As much as I love all of Boston’s stuff, this album is the ultimate memory trigger for me…with this song being the pinnacle.  My best friend and I cranked this as we drove around doing ”nothing” in high school.  That same buddy actually was able to set this song as the morning alarm, using his roommate’s thousand dollar stereo in college.  I played this album in my first apartment and I still play it today, trying to airband every possible instrument for my daughter.	Cloverfield & I Am Legend- (http://iamlegend.warnerbros.com & www.cloverfieldmovie.com) First off, I LOVE movies.  I always have.  Yes, I’m an avid reader, but there is something thrilling about the cinema to me… I actually dream in movie.  So, as for a “review” – Cloverfield was as clever a movie as I’ve seen since Memento or Sixth Sense.  It was a great idea and the ending was absolutely plausible.  The one question I wish they would have answered better was why the guy refused to put the camera down in the midst of chaos… As for I Am Legend, this also was a good movie.  Will Smith is as good as they come and the plot was engaging from start to finish.  I was surprised, but not disappointed, by the religious undertones near the end.	Happy Cow -http://www.happycow.net  Anytime Keena and I prepare to travel just about anywhere, we check this website first. It is a fantastic resource for healthy food, vegetarian cuisine, and even vegan fare. By the way…notice how FEW places are in and around Denver, CO. Watercourse (www.watercoursefoods.com) is one of the best choices in the country, but that’s about it for Colorado’s hub. What gives???
Email:  Does it amaze anyone else how little thought goes into email.  Specifically business email?  Companies use this tool for internal communication, external communication, client facing messages, and so much more, yet nobody feels the need to talk about effective use of this communication tool… What gives? A lot of websites and experts give great advice, top fifty mistake lists, etc.  So, rather than repeat what is already out there, let me put my own practical spin on it.  (I don’t care how you use the bcc field – it’s either appropriate or it’s not!)  What I do care about is how you communicate with this tool and how it makes you look. Here is what I mean… Do NOT “Reply All” when simply thanking someone for something.  Nothing fills up an inbox like unnecessary “thanks Bill” replies.  If you want to thank someone, do it privately.  If you want a boss-type to see it, just cc them! Just give me the message.  Do NOT ask me to search through a string of 10 emails to see what it is you’re talking about.  It makes you look lazy and incompetent. Easy with the forwards.  I like a good joke as much as anyone, but please take it easy with the forwarding of collective messages, jokes, funny pictures, etc.  If you send me more than 1 per month, you have too much time on your hands.  (By the way, that’s what your boss will think if s/he gets wind of all the forwards too…) Please read the entire message before asking questions.  I can’t count how many times somebody got their mind all a twitter with potential problems because they didn’t read all the way through a communication piece. Preview the email if it’s long.  If there are pieces for multiple departments or stakeholders, explain that in a quick, 2 sentence preview.  (It’s also helpful to give various parts of an email unique colors.) Enough with the receipts.  You should know…most people are given the option to send you a receipt or not and most people say, “NO” when asked.  Use that feature sparingly…like when you are delivering legal news or a financial statement.  Otherwise, let it go. Use some etiquette.  I realize occasionally there is a need for a super quick email, but would it kill you to use a greeting and a signature?  In most programs you can create an auto-signature, so it’s now just a greeting.  “Hi Susan” or “Hey Gang” doesn’t take that much out of you, does it?  And it looks so much more professional.  (By the way, bosses…I know this is a great “power” move.  Just giving direction with no “frills” makes you seem important and like you’re so busy that you don’t have time for trivialities.  At least it seems that way to you…not to anyone else.) In the name of all that is holy, use a spell-check and read over any external emails for grammar.  Don’t look like a dufus because you misspelled something to a client.  Don’t look like a 12 year old because you can’t capitalize “I” when talking about yourself.  And don’t CAPITALIZE EVERY WORD because you don’t want to take the time to actually use proper grammar.  All of these things make you seem…well…stupid. Try to remember that emailed words have no paralanguage.  Have you ever received this kind of message: “What is this all about?”  Wow…is the sender mad?  Are they frustrated with me?  Do they simply not get it or are they confused?  A bit of context helps everyone online.  Stop sending me stuff that I don’t need.  What don’t I need?  If you want to really get ahead, you should already know that… The written word is sometimes as powerful an indicator of your ability as your ability itself.  Use your head when it comes to email and it can go a long way towards ensuring that your boss, your clients, and your co-workers think you have something important to offer.

Lists

2/4/08 (Originally Presented at http://jeffpresents.com)
Playing in Jeff’s truck right now:	Game just downloaded to Jeff’s computer:	Jeff’s website of the week:
Moto Perpetuo Op. 11 - Wynton Marsalis  (http://www.wyntonmarsalis.org/)–  This album (Carnaval) is probably most known for The Carnival of Venice rendition played impeccably.  However, when you understand that Marsalis plays this Paganini classic using circular breathing – that is to say that as he expels air from his lips he intakes it through his nose without ever stopping – that’s when you marvel at this amazing song.  You’ll also find sad surrender to his blues rendition of Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child.  From a trumpet major in college who could only wish to be as great as Marsalis…this album is brilliant.	Scrabble Blast- (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=scrabble+blast)Google - this popular game (you can play it online or download a copy for yourself) and I think you’ll be hooked quickly.  Granted, this is coming from a school “Scrabble Club” member.  Geekier people you’ll never know, but word-smythes all, we love our rhetoric…	A Vision of Students Today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o  –  In preparation for my visit to congress in 2 weeks, I wanted to present this video.  This piece was put together by over 200 Kansas State students – working collaboratively.  They surveyed themselves to try and make sense of education today.  It’s well worth watching…
Lists:  I’m a huge fan of Nick Hornby (http://www.nickhornby.net/).  High Fidelity was a fantastic book / movie for myself and many of my friends.  The integration of music into the narrative was copacetic but it was the lists that really got us going.  If you haven’t ever had a list debate, you’re really missing out.  I love working through the best comedies of all time with my wife, the best 80s band of all time with my best friend, or the best red wine region with buddies from work.  I think the best part about it isn’t the nostalgia and it isn’t getting to hear, “Oh, I forgot about that…you’re right!”  It’s the give and take of the human brain.  It’s the imagination and determination that a person’s will produces when they want to share something valuable and important to them.  And so…as a dedication to one of my favorite hobbies, here are a few lists, a few bests, and a few worsts.  (This ties in to immediacy and transparency, but more than that…it’s fun!)  They are absolute opinion.  And of course, you can disagree!  It’s you’re right to be wrong at any time in our country! The best fictional novel of all time: Point of Impact (Steven Hunter – www.stephenhunter.net) – This is the book that made me want to write books… The best textbook I’ve ever found to teach communication principles (or any principles for that matter): The Persuasion Edge by Dr. Richard Crawford.  It’s out of print, but you can find copies.  Dealing with communication aspects of the courtroom (for lawyers, policemen, judges, bailiffs, etc.) it’s actually quite powerful for ANYONE wanting to learn how to communication and advocate just about anything.  It’s worth searching for. The best television show of all time: M*A*S*H (www.mash4077.co.uk) - I’ve seen every episode at least 5 times.  It was irreverent, funny, psychological, and impactful.  11 seasons means I wasn’t the only one who thought so. Top 3 80’s songs: 1) Take On Me by A-ha.  (Pop up video says the Swedish band got their name because “a-ha” means the same thing in both English and Swedish…)  2) The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby and the Range (My first CD I ever bought…)  3) Owner of a Lonely Heart (Yes is still one of my favorite bands – they continue to release albums!) The worst soda of all time: Ok…trick question.  Soda is HORRIBLE for you.  How has our country not figured that out yet?  We slurp down gallons of high fructose corn syrup and CUPS of sugar each year.  Top 3 movies of all time: I know it’s hard to do this without categorization, but I’ll give it a shot.  I’m going with 1) Memento (http://imdb.com/title/tt0209144/) – one of the most clever, well established plots of all time.  But you’ll need to see it twice.  2) Braveheart (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112573/) - this movie is just plain inspiring and it even has a love story sewn through the middle for everyone to enjoy!  3) The Shawshank Redemption (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/) – the best of King, Darabont, Robbins, and Freeman.  Time to get busy livin, eh? Speaking of…The best Stephen King novel: The Stand (http://www.stephenking.com/pages/Works/stand/) – King creates characters that you feel you’ve met when he’s through.  And this one twists and turns to the end.  (Plus, it’s cool that it takes place in Colorado…) The top 3 Presidential Speakers: I realize it’s unfair as I did not get to hear many President’s speak prior to recordings from the 40’s, but I’m going to have to say – 1) Reagan  2) Clinton  and 3) JFK  –  All 3 seemed to be able to capture the audience and persuade, charm, or inform them throughout their entire Presidency. The worst time of day: 5am…tell that to my daughter.  (Please!) The 3 best places to visit:  I traveled 147,000 miles last year.  I’ve been to Hawaii, New York, Orlando, and a ton of other places.  (48 out of 50 states!)  I feel that I have some knowledge here – let’s see if I can help some of you out!  1) Louisville, KY – the place is beautiful in the Fall & Spring.  2) Flagstaff, AZ – close to amazing hiking, great parks, and cool restaurants.  This isn’t a “fancy shmancy” place – it’s for normal folks.  3) Austin, TX – Keep Austin Weird…go there and you’ll see what that’s all about. Worst thing religious people can say: 1) God won’t give you anything you can’t handle.  (Really?  Tell that to the pediatric AIDS patient dying in the hospital…) Best guitar player of all time: A lot of people go with Santana or Hendrix, but for longevity, creativity, and chops, you have to say Eddie Van Halen! Best list of all time: http://jeffpresents.com Try a list discussion out yourself.  There are countless ways to do it.  Believe it or not, it can be pretty cool at parties, in the car, or the dinner table.  Just don’t get too wrapped up in right or wrong!  (Then it can become, “name the fastest way to lose your friends or get kicked out onto the couch…”) Name your favorite writer. Name the top 5 comedians of all time. Name the best dog breed to own. What’s the best dessert? What’s the best line from a movie…ever?