Letting go of control is not easy: all too often it feels unnatural or premature. When our own reputation or job is on the line, it is even harder to not attempt to control every detail and every person. The more control we attempt, the less effective it is; paradoxically, though, this only convinces us […]
Author Archive | Stephen Balzac
What Big Picture?
It’s amazing how much better the picture is when you give yourself the space to enjoy it.
The Efficient Light Bulb
Setting a goal, for example, to be more efficient, seems like it makes sense and certainly feels good. However, it pays to determine if that goal is actually going to get you what you want. Otherwise, you may just end up with a dead light bulb.
Sir CEO and the Green Knight
One fine day, Arthur, the CEO rode forth upon his trusty steed. At his side hung his magic sword, Expostfacto. Expostfacto was widely considered to be a sword with a sharp legal mind. Arthur had made his fortune renting camels, which he parked every day in a large camel lot.
A Tale of Two Light Bulbs
Three valuable business lessons to be learned from a friend’s experience with a problem he was having with a light fixture in his home.
The Hydrangea Conundrum
Planting hydrangeas is as much an indication of whether or not someone is a spy as being charming in an interview is an indication that a person is a good hire or working long hours is an indication that someone is dedicated to the company. In other words, are you focusing on something real, such […]
Why Do They Keep Doing That?
What is the half-life of a New Year’s Resolution? Apparently not very long. The new year is still young and already I’m hearing managers complaining about how none of the promised, worked-for, much talked about changes are occurring. After a brief flurry of action, everything pretty much fell back to status quo. It’s not that […]
Being Fred Flintstone
Results are a form of feedback. However, as long as you’re on track to accomplish those results, then it doesn’t much matter how hard or how easy it looks; as Fred Flintstone discovered, you probably can’t accurately gauge that anyway. When something doesn’t work, then you need to know the process so you can figure […]
The Engines Cannae Take Much More…
Imagine for a moment Mr. Scott giving his famous, “Captain, the engines cannae take much more of this,” line and Kirk responding, “No problem, Scotty. You take a break and I’ll fix the engines.”
A Satisfying Thump
I recently had the opportunity to attend a jujitsu clinic with Coach Ed Griffin, a 75 year old, 7th degree blackbelt in Judo and Jujitsu. He demonstrated a technique in which someone would punch him in the face … or at least try to. All he did was turn around and gently place his hand […]