Category: Making a Difference

Decidedly Different: A riff about workplace culture

Posted on by Carl Weber

Jessie Cozart, Justin Patton, Christopher Roberts, Hunter Cozart, and Danielle Mussman.

The “Magic” behind Local’s Raw Bar

https://www.facebook.com/people/Locals-Raw-Bar/100091781995548/

I’m in the middle of preparing a talk for an upcoming leadership program.

I have presented before this group before, but they are looking for something different.

Something new.

Something fresh.

In my little notebook I sketched out the talk. Ideas that would challenge them on the impact that Culture has on recruitment, retention, and productivity.

I could already hear the opposition.

“You don’t understand the constraints we have.”

“This is how we were treated and trained.”

“In this industry, we cannot change the way things are.”

I needed an example, but serious writers block set in.

Lunch seemed like the appropriate remedy.

I wanted something different, and did a little search.

We arrived, but it was closed. I neglected to check the hours and the fact that a few days a week they are “out fishing.”

Hunter greeted us at the door. It was his place, and he was excited to tell us about the food, and the fish that was coming in the following day. We made plans to return (when it was open).

We sat at the bar. We could see everything happening in the kitchen.

The greeting, seating, chopping, slicing, sushi rolling, frying, mixing, plating, and serving.

Something was different.

There was flow.

There was timing.

There was fun.

There were minor adjustments.

There was respect.

Everyone had a part to play.

Everyone was part of this team.

The mezmerizing symphony played out before our eyes.

The food was amazing, but the culture was just as memorable.

We returned a second time.

They remembered us and greeted us.

The cultural symphony played again.

We returned again. Third time in a week is a charm right?

This time I had to ask.

I had to understand why this was so different.

Jessie came over and gave us some of their story.

Young local couple works in a high end restaurant in a big City.

They learn lots of skills, but see the culture: big egos, yelling, disrespect and negative Culture.

They move to another City, another high end restaurant.

More Skills.

More of the same Culture.

They decide to make a change.

They move back home.

They start something new.

They leverage their skills, but decide to create a different Culture.

Respect, Fun, and Passion.

Something new.

Something fresh.

Exactly the example I needed.

It takes courage to go against the Culture of your industry.

It takes courage to try something new.

How can you be Decidedly Different with your workplace Culture?

How can you leverage the skills, but have the courage to abandon the negative parts that don’t serve you or your staff?

Based on the crowds on our fourth visit, I would say it is well worth the risk.

Do what You love

Posted on by Carl Weber

“I Do What I Love.”

I turned off my head phones.

It was during my post-run walk and I still had my music on.

I almost missed it.

I asked again just to make sure.

I Do What I Love.”

She lives next door.

She grew up with our kids.

We have little chats when she is walking the dog or after my runs when she is outside.

This time she was playing basketball on the curb.

“I love basketball.”

“I love music.”

“I also love dance.”

“That is a great list of things you love.”

She beamed.

She took a few steps back.

The music was playing.

She paused and planted her feet.

Now watch this!”

It was a choreographed masterpiece.

A few moves back and forth.

Dance steps towards the basket.

A full 360 spin.

Raised arms with the ball.

Swoosh.

Score.

“It’s better when you combine what you love.”

I couldn’t help but clap.

I thanked her and finished my walk home.

As I turned into my driveway, she called out one last time.

Remember, Do What You Love!

As I am writing this, I caught a glimpse of her Mom out walking the dog this morning.

Little does she know that her daughter provided such wisdom for me, and for all of us.

Thank you little neighbor for leading the way.

Do What You Love.

And when you can combine them, it gets even better.

Old Tracks

Posted on by Carl Weber
Photo courtesy of Robin Lake

We make progress.

We learn to respond, not react.

We practice better habits.

We are not the same as before.

We forge new mental pathways.

We forget the old emotional reactions.

We forget the old pain.

We forget the old tracks.

We haven’t used the old tracks in years.

But the old tracks remain – overgrown, almost hidden from view.

We walk through new pain or trauma.

We experience fear and anger.

We overreact.

We lose ground.

We are hurt.

We find ourselves speeding down the old tracks.

Recently, I was speeding down the old tracks.

I thought I had moved beyond these old tracks, these old ways of thinking and reacting.

All those years of progress and hard work seems to disappear instantly.

The progress didn’t disappear. My brain and my emotions simply found those old tracks and they were so familiar and so self-preserving. The old tracks in my mind – a protective response to recent pain.

I didn’t even realize I was on the old tracks until I was talking it through with two of my best friends on my couch. Those old tracks became the default mental pathway again and everything was being filtered through that lens. Even though the pain was gone, the echos or memories of that pain still took the old tracks to view, react, feel, and interpret events.

How are your old tracks?

How have recent events, pain, or trauma caused a return to these old tracks, patterns, or reactions?

Recognizing these old tracks is a good first step.

Mythology

Posted on by Carl Weber

It was good to hear their voice. We were catching up on a recent phone call. We are related, have known each other for most of our lives, and it has been a while since we talked. Their voice was familiar but different. Time has a tendency to change things.

Lots of topics. Work, life, and struggles. We spoke of our parents. Resolved and unresolved issues. Loss and times of reconciliation and times when we did not or could not reconcile before the end.

“Things got a lot easier for me when I simply saw my parents as people. People who struggle, not on some pedestal.”

Their reframing was helpful. We also spoke about the stories we heard growing up. The stories that shaped us. Some of the stories were supposed to be inspiring. Some of the stories were supposed to provide a warning. Some stories were for fun. Some stories were more serious. There were always stories.

These collective stories were really part of something else.

Mythology.

Mythology is a set of stories or beliefs about a particular person, institution, or situation, especially when exaggerated or fictitious.

Mythology was exactly what we experienced.

Sets of stories and beliefs.

Exaggerated and fictitious accounts.

Mythology that shaped us, our views, our opinions, and our beliefs.

“People do have a tendency to put themselves (and sometimes others) in the best light.”

This new frame helped us both. We see the Mythology clearly and understand some of the motivation behind it. Attempts to teach, to assist, to cover-up, to deal with pain and issues, to inspire hope in dark times.

We all have Mythology.

Our Mythology shaped us, but it may be fictitious.

Our Mythology might have served us, but it may be time to look beyond those stories.

How has your Mythology limited you and created barriers?

How can recognizing this Mythology help you move forward?

For me, simply recognizing Mythology was a great first step in clearing out some of the mental baggage we all carry.

Thought of

Posted on by Carl Weber

It was a simple text exchange. I was sending a music video and typed those words.

Watched this today and thought of you.

Thought of. Those words stayed with me after the exchange.

Thought of. I began to think of times when others – the important ones – occupy my thoughts.

Thought of. I was reminded of all the times I crossed others’ minds.

Thought of. A fundamental need.

Thought of. Takes many forms.

Thought of. A quick text.

Thought of. A handwritten note.

Thought of. A gift.

Thought of. A call.

Thought of. Taking action when they come to mind.

Thought of. Let’s put this into practice today.

Thought of. Find that one, or two or more and take action.

Thought of. They need to know.

I thought of you when I wrote this.

Perspective

Posted on by Carl Weber

The format of the conversations with clients, friends, and family in the past 22 months changed.

A lot more electronic. A lot less in person. A lot more isolating.

The content of those conversations changed as well.

A lot more struggle. A lot less hope. A lot more isolating.

And something else changed as well.

Perspective.

A lot more emphasis on what is important.

A lot less wasting time on trivial things.

A lot more openness about challenges – internal, relational, and professional.

A lot less pretending that “everything is fine.”

A lot more real.

A lot more open.

A lot more honest.

A lot more wisdom.

One conversation had a nugget of wisdom that I thought I would share. It is profound and open, and inspiring and helped me with perspective. It was during a period of significant struggle.

“No idea what tomorrow has in store. But there is more going well than going badly.”

They laughed when they saw their words on a t-shirt. I had one made for them, and one for me. It was the perspective I needed as well.

Listen closely, there may be some t-shirt worthy wisdom around you as well.