The word evolution has most often been used in reference to a specific theory concerning the beginning of life on this earth. In reality, the word evolution by definition speaks simply to the nature of change. While I don't embrace the word evolution as an explanation for the creation of the world, I do respect and embrace change as a reality in life. It has implications both personally and professionally.
If you ask any group of people what they think about change, the majority will quickly say they don't like it. They often will say they resist it. Unfortunately, change is not something that can be resisted. It is our reality. People change. Markets change. Companies change. Churches change. Countries change. The challenge we have as human beings is to keep ourselves ready and fit for engaging it.
The first suggestion I would make is to not become dependent upon the status quo. Simply do not let yourself become contingent upon the way things are presently. The only thing you can know for sure is that things will change. People will make choices that disappoint you. Companies will do the same. The evolution of life will take things in new directions. Stay constantly prepared to reinvent yourself. It doesn't mean you should become cynical about relationships in life. It simply means you must stay interdependently related to people and their groups and not inordinately dependent upon them.
The second suggestion I would make is to stay in a state of purposed development. What you know today or what you think you know today could be totally irrelevant tomorrow. What works for you today may not work for you tomorrow. Learning is the energy essential to navigating the flow of evolution. When the world begins to shift around you, what you have actively learned in life will determine how successfully you create your next chapter of life.
Finally, I suggest you continue developing relationships. Relationship development works in tandem with learning in today's world. Seizing each day as an opportunity to meet people who could be a dynamic part of your life is vital. The reality of attrition in life alone insists upon it.
So, don't resist evolution. It is your reality. It really is a gift. Nothing stays the same even though it may not seem that way at times. Everyday represents the birth of new life. Choose to engage it. Do it on purpose!
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Things We Forget To Say
Welcome to Tappe Talk, a Purposed Connection Podcast by The Tappe Group. There can be great power in the spoken word. Are there words that you wish that were spoken to you or words you wish you had spoken? Allen suggests a few words that can make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.
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- Thank you
- I appreciate you
- It will be ok
- I believe in you
- I could use your help
- What do you think?
- Help me understand
- Good job
- How can I help?
- I love you
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Where Is Your Wealth?
Many people today are watching their portfolios slowly but surely erode. There is a sense that personal wealth is diminishing right before their very eyes. What if, however, true wealth is not measured exclusively in terms of stock value or bottom lines? What if true wealth does not exclude those measurements but is more significantly experienced and secured through other measurements altogether.
In their book, Revolutionary Wealth, Alvin and Heidi have made that case for the 21st Century. They suggest that as we move more deeply into this new century, wealth will be measured, not exclusively by dollars and cents, but rather by knowledge and relationships. The term "guanxi" has received recent attention because of what it represents to the Asian community. The thought process is that having relationships with people, something close to family, is an essential for doing business. Trust is everything. Through the tragedy of 9/11 we learned that when people face tragedy the only thing that really matters is talking to someone they love. In those times, we look for family or relationships we value. In his book, Vital Friends, Tom Rath elevates relationship to an essential both personally and professionally. So, wealth without relationships seems to amount to very little, while relationships, with or without financial wealth, will always measure up.
The second thought developed by the Tofflers with regard to contemporary wealth is knowledge. Beyond financial statements and information access, there is the presence of knowledge. The emphasis seems to be on more than "intelligence". It involves the presence of communicative, contemporary, emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman, in his book Emotional Intelligence, draws a distinction between a quotient measurement of intelligence and an applicable, applied measurement of intelligence. The former can be present and be of little value. The latter, even with less measured intelligence, is worth more. John Naisbitt, in his book Mindset, gives us all insight into the importance of philosophical filters. He maintains that we all have mindsets. The value they represent rests in their width, depth, and breadth. If you are a life student who has actively and humbly learned across a variety of life experiences, then you have a filter for making life choices that can be extraordinarily valuable to a life filled with options.
So, how you choose to measure wealth is an interesting discussion at the very least. For my money, or lack thereof, I weigh in with the Tofflers, Naisbitt, Goleman, Rath, and a host of others. Take a few minutes and do an inventory of wealth from a relational standpoint. Think about all of the people with whom you have shared and do share life. While you're at it make a list of things that you have as active convictions in your life. Identify convictions through which you filter life decisions. Once you have completed the exercise, I think you will have a better sense of your true wealth.
To comment on this blog, click on the COMMENTS link located directly below. If you are not yet a subscriber, please follow the simple steps to become one. I would love to hear your thoughts!
In their book, Revolutionary Wealth, Alvin and Heidi have made that case for the 21st Century. They suggest that as we move more deeply into this new century, wealth will be measured, not exclusively by dollars and cents, but rather by knowledge and relationships. The term "guanxi" has received recent attention because of what it represents to the Asian community. The thought process is that having relationships with people, something close to family, is an essential for doing business. Trust is everything. Through the tragedy of 9/11 we learned that when people face tragedy the only thing that really matters is talking to someone they love. In those times, we look for family or relationships we value. In his book, Vital Friends, Tom Rath elevates relationship to an essential both personally and professionally. So, wealth without relationships seems to amount to very little, while relationships, with or without financial wealth, will always measure up.
The second thought developed by the Tofflers with regard to contemporary wealth is knowledge. Beyond financial statements and information access, there is the presence of knowledge. The emphasis seems to be on more than "intelligence". It involves the presence of communicative, contemporary, emotional intelligence. Daniel Goleman, in his book Emotional Intelligence, draws a distinction between a quotient measurement of intelligence and an applicable, applied measurement of intelligence. The former can be present and be of little value. The latter, even with less measured intelligence, is worth more. John Naisbitt, in his book Mindset, gives us all insight into the importance of philosophical filters. He maintains that we all have mindsets. The value they represent rests in their width, depth, and breadth. If you are a life student who has actively and humbly learned across a variety of life experiences, then you have a filter for making life choices that can be extraordinarily valuable to a life filled with options.
So, how you choose to measure wealth is an interesting discussion at the very least. For my money, or lack thereof, I weigh in with the Tofflers, Naisbitt, Goleman, Rath, and a host of others. Take a few minutes and do an inventory of wealth from a relational standpoint. Think about all of the people with whom you have shared and do share life. While you're at it make a list of things that you have as active convictions in your life. Identify convictions through which you filter life decisions. Once you have completed the exercise, I think you will have a better sense of your true wealth.
To comment on this blog, click on the COMMENTS link located directly below. If you are not yet a subscriber, please follow the simple steps to become one. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Listening, On Purpose!
There is no more important discipline in human relationships than listening. Allen suggest five effective ways to master this discipline:
- Believe in your non-verbal messages
- Set the stage
- Learn to ask good questions
- Focus: Stay active as a listener
- Affirm and confirm
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
"Managing Excuses"
Never have we had more excuses available to us. We can blame our performance, or our lack of performance, on any number of people and things. Unfortunately, doing so is a waste of both our time and emotion. In reality, we alone are responsible for the choices we make.
The challenge with excuses is that they represent both a human need and a deceptive nature. Without over psychologizing things, we simply have to justify our behavior. It either has to be justified or something has to change. To straddle the behavioral fence is uncomfortable at the very least and unhealthy if it is not addressed. We simply must find a reason to support the choices we are making.
The other challenge involved with excuses is the nature of the beast. There will always be some element of truth in the excuse. It began in the beginning. God confronted Adam with his behavior. What did Adam do? He blamed Eve. In reality, he blamed God for creating Eve and for giving her to him as a companion. The truth is God did create Eve. He did give her to Adam as a companion. And, she did give him the fruit to eat. The part missing, however, is Adam's part. He choose to eat the fruit. Eating the fruit was his responsibility but you have to admire the creativity of his justification. Unfortunately, it was not a complete truth. Truth fragments can always be found in excuses. That is what makes them dangerous and us sick.
The conclusion, don't make excuses. Face reality. Accept responsibility. Look for opportunity. Above all, look out for the fruit you are about to eat. The giver of the fruit just might be a snake.
Monday, February 9, 2009
What Could I Choose?
Are you bombarded with an abundance of choices? A great choice you are about to make is listening to the words in this podcast. Welcome to TappeTalk, a Purposed Connection podcast by the Tappe Group.
- Work your plan
- Qualify more wisely
- Be consistent
- Stay disciplined
- Listen actively
- Lead someone
- Be thankful
Monday, February 2, 2009
Leadership In Action
Welcome to TappeTalk, a Purposed Connection Podcast by The Tappe Group. Is your leadership effective? Allen suggests 10 choices an effective leader must consider in order to make a difference in their world. Leaders:
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- Choose not to be a victim
- Choose to create
- Choose to listen
- Choose to love
- Choose to forgive
- Choose to be positive
- Choose to connect
- Choose integrity
- Choose respect
- Choose to succeed
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Sunday, February 1, 2009
PURPOSED LEADERSHIP-The Rythm Of Leadership
Leaders are born. We have all been created with the responsibility of influence. Leaders are positioned. However, not all positioned people lead. Purposed leaders choose to lead. They recognize the rhythm of leadership. They realize that all leadership begins with following. As a result of who and what they follow, they provide leadership. And, as a result of the presence of leadership, there will be followers.
Any discussion of leadership must begin with following. Leaders are first followers. They have a personal philosophy that they represent. They have a story that has been created through their faith and convictions, through the people who have invested in them, and through the unique applications and adaptations they have made. Leaders are students of their own history. They are humbled by the reality that they are a product of the creation of others. People who seek to lead, without the humility that is produced through following, miss an essential beat from they beginning.
With the seminal beginning of following, leaders are able to lead with conviction. They have things they believe. They have philosophy they represent. They carry with them a spirit of clarity. Confusion does not characterize them. They remain students because they know that their story is continuing to be written. They remain followers in the process of leading. They encourage people to write their own story. Leaders have passion because they are people who believe.
It has been said that you will know you are leading if people are following. Leaders will always have people who are looking to them for direction. They will have a voice that others want to hear. Purposed leaders stay conscious of the story they represent with humility and the security that accompanies it. As a result, they are recognized as a force of dependability and they produce confidence. There will be followers for leaders who are leading purposed lives.
Leadership is not a program. Purposed leadership is a life creation. It has a rhythm that must be recognized and respected. Follow … lead … follow … lead … And, with that rhythm, others will follow, others will lead, still others will follow, and the result will be a remarkable symphony!
Any discussion of leadership must begin with following. Leaders are first followers. They have a personal philosophy that they represent. They have a story that has been created through their faith and convictions, through the people who have invested in them, and through the unique applications and adaptations they have made. Leaders are students of their own history. They are humbled by the reality that they are a product of the creation of others. People who seek to lead, without the humility that is produced through following, miss an essential beat from they beginning.
With the seminal beginning of following, leaders are able to lead with conviction. They have things they believe. They have philosophy they represent. They carry with them a spirit of clarity. Confusion does not characterize them. They remain students because they know that their story is continuing to be written. They remain followers in the process of leading. They encourage people to write their own story. Leaders have passion because they are people who believe.
It has been said that you will know you are leading if people are following. Leaders will always have people who are looking to them for direction. They will have a voice that others want to hear. Purposed leaders stay conscious of the story they represent with humility and the security that accompanies it. As a result, they are recognized as a force of dependability and they produce confidence. There will be followers for leaders who are leading purposed lives.
Leadership is not a program. Purposed leadership is a life creation. It has a rhythm that must be recognized and respected. Follow … lead … follow … lead … And, with that rhythm, others will follow, others will lead, still others will follow, and the result will be a remarkable symphony!
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