As we prepare our plans for the 4th of July, take time to reflect upon why Americans celebrate this holiday. Consider what freedom meant for those brave souls in our land and what they sacrificed. The impact that our founding mothers and fathers had on the lives of future Americans and the rest of the world is nothing short of amazing.
United across the land for a solitary purpose - freedom, Americans joined hands to fight at the front lines, defend their homes, and protect their loved ones despite significant and seemingly unsurmountable challenges. Their resiliency, steadfastness, and courage gave birth not only to a great nation, but to a centre of hope for all the world to experience.
This 4th of July, let's pray that our nation remembers that we can accomplish great things together, especially when the stakes are high and victory seems elusive.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
All They Can Tell You Is, "No!"
When I was growing up, that's the advice my dad offered me whenever I was worried about how I was going to do antying - get a job, ask for money (usually from him). And, "What do I do if they DO tell me, "No!" I'd ask him. His answer, powerufl and simple, "Figure out another way to the answer you need."
I've used that simple philosophy in more ways than I'd ever imagined in my life, including overcoming a myriad of blockades in my entrepreneurial journey. Reducing sales resistance, finding avenues through financial constraints, you name it. Dad's philosophy of not being afraid to ask for waht you want and knowing that there are ways to overcome anything, has had a profound impact on my self-confidence, resiliency, and unbelievable positive attitude.
He wasn't just a philospher. He knew what it took to overcome any negative situation. He had a pretty rough childhood. His mom had three small kids to raise, when his father died suddenly and unexpectedly of a brain tumor. His grandparents were not supportive - emotionally or financially. At the age of 12, he was given a hardship license to drive in order to get a job and help the family out financially. His mom worked three jobs to support them, but Grannie somehow managed to make it to as many of Dad's softball games as possible. Softball became his ticket to fame and financial security. He landed a job with Goodyear Tire & Rubber to play on their promotional softball team (corporate-sponsored teams were abundant back in the '50s) and was skilled enough to make it into the Amateur Fast-Pitch Softball World Series games and World All-Star Teams at least five different times. A requirement for induction to the World's Softball Hall of Fame requires only three different stints in the World games. It's a grand achievement for someone who had so little going for him and so much going against him. "No" was never a word to stop him, and he certainly wasn't going to let it stop his kids. Thank goodness.
Throughout my struggling career-building years in corporations, my father would always suggest that the hours and effort that I was putting into those companies would be better spent in a company of my own making. After 15 years of learning the ropes in the corporate world, I left to start my own business - finally. At a time in my life when I can express my gratitude and share with my father how his philosophy has shaped not only my career but my life, words are no longer useful. The same year that I started my own consulting firm, my father was diagnosed with vascular dementia. The guidance and council that I had come to rely upon was gone. And although I can't communicate to him in words that he understands, I know that won't stop me from expressingmy love and gratitude for all that he has given me. I can still see the pride and joy in his eyes when he sees me and, in rare moments of clarity, he can put his arms around me to give that familiar hug telling me that he's proud...not just of my business, my career, but proud of me and the person that I've become.
In watching him struggle with his disease, I realize that he's following his own advice by refusing to give up even when life has dealt him such a cruel curve ball. His resistance to the disease that incapacitates him more and more each day is an unbelievable journey in courage and determination to overcome a horrible human condition. He still utters the words, "Sure," and "We did it," to express his confidence, joy, and gratitude when attempting and accomplishing the simplest of tasks. His struggle to be part of life when life is nearly gone for him never ceases to amaze me. At holidays and birthdays, Dad gathers all of his energy to sustain a level of alertness to share with us in our celebrations. The exertion exhausts him, and he sleeps for days afterwards.
When I look at the events in my life on a daily basis, especially on the business side of my life, the issues that I manage are just that....manageable. There is nothing with a client, project, or business deal that is so overwhelming that it can't be managed successfully. Determination, resiliency, passion to keep going forward...these are the messages that my father sends me on a daily basis. As mountains appear on the horizon, I know there's nothing that can stop me or prevent me from finding a million different paths to cross it. Thanks, Dad, for continuing to show me the way.
Footnote: I found this "Letter to Myself" as I was cleaning out old files. My Dad passed away five years ago. Although this letter was written 10 years prior, it feels like I wrote it only yesterday. Wisdom is timeless.
Jill Hickman, SPHR
Jill Hickman Companies
www.JillHickman.com
Jill@JillHickman.com
I've used that simple philosophy in more ways than I'd ever imagined in my life, including overcoming a myriad of blockades in my entrepreneurial journey. Reducing sales resistance, finding avenues through financial constraints, you name it. Dad's philosophy of not being afraid to ask for waht you want and knowing that there are ways to overcome anything, has had a profound impact on my self-confidence, resiliency, and unbelievable positive attitude.
He wasn't just a philospher. He knew what it took to overcome any negative situation. He had a pretty rough childhood. His mom had three small kids to raise, when his father died suddenly and unexpectedly of a brain tumor. His grandparents were not supportive - emotionally or financially. At the age of 12, he was given a hardship license to drive in order to get a job and help the family out financially. His mom worked three jobs to support them, but Grannie somehow managed to make it to as many of Dad's softball games as possible. Softball became his ticket to fame and financial security. He landed a job with Goodyear Tire & Rubber to play on their promotional softball team (corporate-sponsored teams were abundant back in the '50s) and was skilled enough to make it into the Amateur Fast-Pitch Softball World Series games and World All-Star Teams at least five different times. A requirement for induction to the World's Softball Hall of Fame requires only three different stints in the World games. It's a grand achievement for someone who had so little going for him and so much going against him. "No" was never a word to stop him, and he certainly wasn't going to let it stop his kids. Thank goodness.
Throughout my struggling career-building years in corporations, my father would always suggest that the hours and effort that I was putting into those companies would be better spent in a company of my own making. After 15 years of learning the ropes in the corporate world, I left to start my own business - finally. At a time in my life when I can express my gratitude and share with my father how his philosophy has shaped not only my career but my life, words are no longer useful. The same year that I started my own consulting firm, my father was diagnosed with vascular dementia. The guidance and council that I had come to rely upon was gone. And although I can't communicate to him in words that he understands, I know that won't stop me from expressingmy love and gratitude for all that he has given me. I can still see the pride and joy in his eyes when he sees me and, in rare moments of clarity, he can put his arms around me to give that familiar hug telling me that he's proud...not just of my business, my career, but proud of me and the person that I've become.
In watching him struggle with his disease, I realize that he's following his own advice by refusing to give up even when life has dealt him such a cruel curve ball. His resistance to the disease that incapacitates him more and more each day is an unbelievable journey in courage and determination to overcome a horrible human condition. He still utters the words, "Sure," and "We did it," to express his confidence, joy, and gratitude when attempting and accomplishing the simplest of tasks. His struggle to be part of life when life is nearly gone for him never ceases to amaze me. At holidays and birthdays, Dad gathers all of his energy to sustain a level of alertness to share with us in our celebrations. The exertion exhausts him, and he sleeps for days afterwards.
When I look at the events in my life on a daily basis, especially on the business side of my life, the issues that I manage are just that....manageable. There is nothing with a client, project, or business deal that is so overwhelming that it can't be managed successfully. Determination, resiliency, passion to keep going forward...these are the messages that my father sends me on a daily basis. As mountains appear on the horizon, I know there's nothing that can stop me or prevent me from finding a million different paths to cross it. Thanks, Dad, for continuing to show me the way.
Footnote: I found this "Letter to Myself" as I was cleaning out old files. My Dad passed away five years ago. Although this letter was written 10 years prior, it feels like I wrote it only yesterday. Wisdom is timeless.
Jill Hickman, SPHR
Jill Hickman Companies
www.JillHickman.com
Jill@JillHickman.com
No One Can See Into Your Heart
I love today's quote from Notes from the Universe: "No one can see into your heart which is why we have to show them how we feel."
In leadership classes that I facilitate, business managers often wonder why they have to show that they care about others when they are there to do a job and get results. What they fail to understand (at first) is that our job as managers is to get results through others. Others won't work for us, with us, or by us, if we don't show them that we care about them first. Remember the old adage, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care!"
Leadership is about outcomes (business results) and relationships (people). If we only address and concern ourselves with getting the job done, we risk ruining the relationships with others. Conversely, if we only address and concern ourselves with relationships, we risk eroding the productivity and quality to support what we're in business for in the first place.
When I'm brought into an organization for leadership training, it's not to provide technical business skills training. That's what got the leaders hired in the first place. What I'm brought in for is to provide leadership training to enhance relationship skills. The lack of relationships skills (ability to get along with others) is what will get you fired and what prevents an organization from growing into what Jim Collins calls, "GREAT."
If people are a company's greatest asset, are your relationships with others demonstrating that? We treat our equipment with tender, loving care to ensure that our investment is protected and lasts. We should do the same with our people. Let's treat them with TLC to ensure that they remain engaged, productive, and stay with us!
In leadership classes that I facilitate, business managers often wonder why they have to show that they care about others when they are there to do a job and get results. What they fail to understand (at first) is that our job as managers is to get results through others. Others won't work for us, with us, or by us, if we don't show them that we care about them first. Remember the old adage, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care!"
Leadership is about outcomes (business results) and relationships (people). If we only address and concern ourselves with getting the job done, we risk ruining the relationships with others. Conversely, if we only address and concern ourselves with relationships, we risk eroding the productivity and quality to support what we're in business for in the first place.
When I'm brought into an organization for leadership training, it's not to provide technical business skills training. That's what got the leaders hired in the first place. What I'm brought in for is to provide leadership training to enhance relationship skills. The lack of relationships skills (ability to get along with others) is what will get you fired and what prevents an organization from growing into what Jim Collins calls, "GREAT."
If people are a company's greatest asset, are your relationships with others demonstrating that? We treat our equipment with tender, loving care to ensure that our investment is protected and lasts. We should do the same with our people. Let's treat them with TLC to ensure that they remain engaged, productive, and stay with us!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Living & Working Conditions Around the World
How often do we take our rights and freedoms for granted? When I read about horrific working and living conditions elsewhere in the world, I am literally jolted back into thankfulness and gratitude for living in this country. In the USA, such abuse is not tolerated, is illegal and perpetrators will be punished.
Read about the garment industry workers in India and the punishments received or threatened for failure to meet production quotas: men's hands are burned, and women are beaten and threatened with sexual assault. http://www.globallabourrights.org/admin/reports/files/110827-Another-Crisis-in-Jordan-IBGM.pdf
Learn about the indignity of intolerable sanitation conditions for women who must pay for the use of a public toilet (if they can find or afford one). Their other options: stop drinking water and suffer dehydration or relieve themselves in the fields, gathered in groups with other females in the early morning hours to avoid sexual assault. http://www.bluegranola.com/tag/sanitation/
Absolutely, there is injustice throughout the world. This is only a limited view into a world where most of us are fortunate to only read about it. I hope reading these two articles will do one of these things for you: 1) Appreciate the great things that the USA affords you the right to do. 2) Remember to express your gratitude for the rights that others have fought for you to enjoy. 3) Don't take any freedoms for granted. 4) Read, learn, and publicly denounce the intolerable living and working conditions that exist throughout the world. 5) Refuse to support the companies that create these products and services under such horrific conditions. Hanes? Perry Ellis? Read on....
Read about the garment industry workers in India and the punishments received or threatened for failure to meet production quotas: men's hands are burned, and women are beaten and threatened with sexual assault. http://www.globallabourrights.org/admin/reports/files/110827-Another-Crisis-in-Jordan-IBGM.pdf
Learn about the indignity of intolerable sanitation conditions for women who must pay for the use of a public toilet (if they can find or afford one). Their other options: stop drinking water and suffer dehydration or relieve themselves in the fields, gathered in groups with other females in the early morning hours to avoid sexual assault. http://www.bluegranola.com/tag/sanitation/
Absolutely, there is injustice throughout the world. This is only a limited view into a world where most of us are fortunate to only read about it. I hope reading these two articles will do one of these things for you: 1) Appreciate the great things that the USA affords you the right to do. 2) Remember to express your gratitude for the rights that others have fought for you to enjoy. 3) Don't take any freedoms for granted. 4) Read, learn, and publicly denounce the intolerable living and working conditions that exist throughout the world. 5) Refuse to support the companies that create these products and services under such horrific conditions. Hanes? Perry Ellis? Read on....
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A BIG first step for women in business today
Today I have witnessed a BIG first step forward for businesses moving women into leadership positions.
For the first time in over 30 plus years in business teaching leadership curriculum, five senior managers on separate occassions throughout one week-long leadership session within a male-dominated industry and corporation asked, "Where are the women?" (There were none in the session - not unlike the other sessions previously held at that company and elsewhere.) The last senior executive to speak went further. As the general counsel for the corporation, he said it was time for the organization and its leaders to change. Time for the organization to bring women into leadership positions and change the face of the organization.
I felt as if the earth had moved, that I was witnessing a significant change within the business world and within society itself. For the first time in any leadership session, I had not only five senior executives raise the question to promote awareness of the lack of gender diversity - I had a general counsel say, "Enough," and continue to charge the hiring supervisors with the responsibility and duty to actively seek out, recruit and hire women.
I was at once relieved and so deeply pleased that I had lived long enough to witness something that I had long ago been trying to bring great awareness to and improve the odds for women in business. THIS was the idea behind the Women's Leadership Advisory Board and the reason behind its implementation and great success.
In my book, TODAY is a BIG day for women! I have marked my calendar accordingly. Celebrate with me. Maybe your company will be next!
I felt as if the earth had moved, that I was witnessing a significant change within the business world and within society itself. For the first time in any leadership session, I had not only five senior executives raise the question to promote awareness of the lack of gender diversity - I had a general counsel say, "Enough," and continue to charge the hiring supervisors with the responsibility and duty to actively seek out, recruit and hire women.
I was at once relieved and so deeply pleased that I had lived long enough to witness something that I had long ago been trying to bring great awareness to and improve the odds for women in business. THIS was the idea behind the Women's Leadership Advisory Board and the reason behind its implementation and great success.
In my book, TODAY is a BIG day for women! I have marked my calendar accordingly. Celebrate with me. Maybe your company will be next!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Let it go...
Assumptions are rooted in the roles we play. As our responsibilities grew out of need and changing times, our roles as viewed by society never changed accordingly. Women took care of the house and children. Men worked. As women work, do they continue to take care of the house and children? Yes. At what cost? Burnout, dropout. If women don't do it all - work, take care of children and house as well as themselves- are they judged? Yes. Do women judge each other? Yes. If women want things to change - women must be a part of that change by stopping the abuse of each other and changing expectations by setting them.
Be courageous. Hold yourself accountable for letting go of guilt in not being able to get everything done. Women can't do it all - getting up another hour earlier or staying up one hour later (or two or three) than everyone else still won't get it all done. Women have to ask for what they want and need and learn to delegate. And the biggest lesson of all to learn: let go when you do. Let go of the guilt and the assumptions that others will frown, be disappointed, or angry. Give yourself permission to appreciate all the good that you do. Eliminate the lesser priorities. Release them to another person or another time. Don't expect others to change their assumptions first or at all. Let them follow your lead. And if they don't, stand strong and let them at least see the path you've made. It's a trailblazer!
Be courageous. Hold yourself accountable for letting go of guilt in not being able to get everything done. Women can't do it all - getting up another hour earlier or staying up one hour later (or two or three) than everyone else still won't get it all done. Women have to ask for what they want and need and learn to delegate. And the biggest lesson of all to learn: let go when you do. Let go of the guilt and the assumptions that others will frown, be disappointed, or angry. Give yourself permission to appreciate all the good that you do. Eliminate the lesser priorities. Release them to another person or another time. Don't expect others to change their assumptions first or at all. Let them follow your lead. And if they don't, stand strong and let them at least see the path you've made. It's a trailblazer!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Get Up and Run
As I was driving past Memorial Park on the way to a client meeting in the Texas Medical Center, I saw a woman dressed in scrubs running. I wondered what she was running away from, toward or for. She was so focused. I imagined it was for all three reasons. She was running away from a stressful situation, running toward recapturing her joy, running FOR her life. I considered her choice regarding where she chose to run this day - into the woods, away from the concrete and metal, to let nature surround her, hold her in its loving hands to heal, re-energize, and connect with her Higher Self and guiding spirits. What a perfect choice.
Then, as I turned the corner, I saw another woman sitting on a curb, crying her eyes out. My hope was that she, too, would get up and run.
Then, as I turned the corner, I saw another woman sitting on a curb, crying her eyes out. My hope was that she, too, would get up and run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)