Silly Putty Leadership Survey: "WHAT'S YOUR FLEXIBILITY FACTOR?"

"Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft can you be extremely hard and strong." Zen Proverb

Take a moment to take a survey we've put together to determine your Flexibility Factor. (It isn't like taking a DNA test, you will not be implicated in any crimes by participating, you'll simply get to see where you are at and where you can improve).

We'll email you your Flexibility Factor score and some ideas on how to keep improving as it relates to flexibility at the personal, team and organizational levels.

As our way of thanking you for your time we'll also mail you THE WORLD'S ONLY, Flexibility Leadership Kit.

><(("> Jeff

Can Distraction be a Good Thing? Look, a Butterfly!

Last week was hell.

Saturday at 6:00, my air conditioner decided to switch vocations and become a full-time heater. It didn't consult me beforehand, or even leave a note, but instead just welcomed me home from work with a steamy hot, tropical hello. No matter how hard I tried to convince it that the oppressive heat was a little out of season, it insisted that my guitars and sound equipment would enjoy the humidity. The fact that it chose 6:00 on Saturday to start "thinking outside the box" is significant, because this is the exact time that my complex closes its office for the weekend. Which means that the only person capable of persuading my air-conditioner to do its job was out of reach until that next Monday... Beautiful.

That night I crawled into bed, every fan I own set to turbo. If anything could take my mind off the heat, it would be some good old fashioned Hulu therapy, so I switched on my laptop and opened my browser. What happened next is almost too horrific and scarring to share, so if you've got children reading you may want to shield their eyes for this next part.

The internet was down. Not slow, not fixable, but down. Not just for me, or my building, but for the entire complex.

I tried not to panic. I'd just get online and find the number to call to get it fixed and... Wait, how can I do that without getting online?! AM I IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE?

I hadn't gone to sleep without my Hulu fix in months. It was a rough night. I tossed and turned, dreaming of a land where air conditioners blew cold air, and the internet flowed like a raging river.

By the time the internet and air-conditioning were fixed on Wednesday, I had grown a full beard and lost 70 pounds. (Note: this part may have just been a mirage, like the oasis that periodically appeared on my living room floor, only to turn to carpet when I tried to jump in.)

The moral? I'm not sure. It could be that the human spirit drives us to survive, even without necessities like internet and air-conditioning. Or it may be that, despite the adversity, I rallied myself and ended up having a fairly productive week. My T-Shirt company bought 3000$ worth of printers and ink, I came up with a handful of designs to print, and set up my recording studio in my apartment. For a 5 day heat-wave with no heat or internet, I consider that a massive accomplishment.

I didn't go into the week with the goal of accomplishing as much as I did; I was just trying to distract myself from the heat and lack of internet. This week, I've decided to pick another distraction: I'm unplugging my TV. Every time I reach for the remote control, I'm going to stop and ask myself: "What else could I be doing?" Is there another way I could use this time to help me get ahead of the game? And if so, why aren't I doing it? The end goal is to form good habits, and simultaneously phase out the bad ones.

So if you're having one of those weekends where you just can't muster the energy to tackle your endless to-do list, give yourself a distraction. Hey look, a butterfly!



This week's listening recommendation is "Coffee" by Copeland.

---Brock ><((">

The Wright Brothers Created a Nightmare

It started out as one small flight for people kind, but now it is a downright nightmare.

Flying sucks.

And, it's all thanks to Orville and Wilber ... the Wright brothers.

Today, I flew with an airline I will not mention (Northwest). I was routed from Richmond Virginia to Detroit on my way to Jacksonville Florida. I guess Detroit is so depressed, it needs all the planes in the world be rerouted there. I mean, if they don't have cars, how about planes?

About the time I was buckling up for the landing, the pilot announced because of crazy weather he was going to fly to Canada and circle back over Lake Erie to land in Detroit. So ... by the time we landed I had to run, escalate down, run, escalate up, run and run some more to make my next flight. I made it because, you guessed it, it was delayed.

When I asked the Ticket Taker (I know she must have a better title than that ... maybe, Explainer of Why These Damn Planes are Always Late to Arrive and Depart Person) if it had stormed in the last hour or so she said, "no, but we sure need some."

Liar, liar pants on fire Mr. Northwest pilot.

So, then, it was off to Jacksonville. And, would you believe it ... when it was time to land in Jacksonville the pilot (who sounded a lot like the last one) said he was going to circle around a little bit so we wouldn't crash into a thousand pieces because of a horrible thunder storm.

For forty minutes we circled until we all wished we would crash into a thousand pieces.

Pass the air sickness bags, please!

The interesting thing is, the sun was shining and we could see the ground below ... beautiful ... dry. No bumpy ride, no nothing but circle after circle after circle.

When we landed the Ticket Taker confirmed my hunch that indeed there had been no rain ... but that she was expecting it anytime now. Probably just in time for the next plane to be delayed.

Maybe our pilot was clairvoyant, or maybe he was liar, liar, pants on fire.

So, Orville and Wilber Wright, shame on you. Why didn't you stick with bicycles. Maybe we wouldn't be going as far and wide, but we would get where we were going on time.

Come to think of it, maybe you were in the same boat, make that plane, as today's pilots.

Maybe on the day of your first flight in 1903, you were supposed to land in Charlotte, and not just 120 feet from where you took off in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

If truth be told, there is probably some Ticket Taker in Charlotte still telling passengers that the Wright Brothers are on their way, they just had a little delay because of a horrific thunder storm.

All I can say is, Wilber and Orville, liar, liar, pants on fire.

Tom Laughon

Flying late as usual

Relationships vs. the Bottom Line

When I think of the term “strong personality,” I tend to think negative. I think bossy, rude, hard to work with, not fun to be around and difficult.

Lately I’ve realized that I have a strong personality. It’s hard to admit. However, I think I’m the opposite of the characteristics I described. I want to form friendships, build bonds, find common ground, hear other people’s thoughts and ideas and have a good time in the process.

People like me don’t really see why people wouldn’t choose to be this way. Why be all business, when you can get amazing things done and have fun?

I’m not sure why or how I’m the way I am or how my personality developed, but I am learning slowly that some people just don’t appreciate it. Some people want to focus on the bottom line and nothing else. No joking, no one liners, no getting to know each other and certainly no standing ovations or high fives. No hugs, no touchy feelyness, no rounds of kumbayah and certainly no celebrations … because to my polar opposites, business is business - and insulting others or causing a rift in a team doesn't matter to them if they're getting their way.

I definitely know that there is a time and a place for everything, and that money makes the world go ‘round and that a lovefest necessarily doesn’t. But, my point is pretty simple. Building relationships is like building a house of cards. You do it one by one and rely on all cards to keep that house up.

We’re all living and breathing, have feelings, emotions, past experiences and straight up DNA that determines who we are and how we act. We can choose to not build relationships, but that house of cards, will not be very strong. In a town as big, yet as small as the one in which I live, everybody knows everybody in some weird way.

People are loyal to each other, and people’s perceptions are their realities. If you are known for being a jerk, or unethical or just a little tiny bit not so nice, that house of cards will fall time and time again because your good and bad relationships are what will determine your fate.

One of the basic examples I can give is the restaurant industry. I firmly believe that a restaurant’s destiny is directly related to its level of service. I’ll use the locally owned restaurant in Tallahassee, the Red Elephant (http://www.redelephantpizza.com/) as a real-life example.

They serve pizza (possibly the best ever), pasta, salads, grilled items and much more. I have been a fan since the day they opened. I love their laid-back ambiance, the game room for my daughter and the overall sense of fun there. I’ve never, ever had my order wrong or had bad service. I always enjoy my food. I’ve never had an empty glass. I’ve never had a server that hasn’t smiled, said please and thank you and checked on me more than enough.

Let’s take it a step further. The manager, Brian, has noticed that I enjoy the restaurant. He introduced himself and remembers my name and my daughter’s name. He gives me a hug every time I stop in. Every time I go there, I consider it a great experience, and always look forward to going back.

How many places offer that kind of service? What do I do in return for the Red Elephant? I bring my friends and family there as much as possible. I refer other people there. I use them for catering and take out, and I have nothing but praise for them. The Red Elephant can’t buy that kind of advertising or such a good reputation without that level of service.

On the other hand, if I visited a restaurant with bad servers, gross food, rude management and an unhappy atmosphere – I would probably never go back and I’d tell everybody I know not to go there either. A bad reputation can almost never be fixed.

I’m glad I am realizing that I do have an extreme personality. I have thought about some things I can do to have an even better balance. One thing is to consider the people with whom I’m working. Personalities are a funny thing. We all have them and we can all be so different. I think it is important to be around people who are different than us and to even learn from them. I also think it is important to adapt while staying true to yourself.

I am a business oriented person and truly care about “the bottom line” and yes, fun might be something I enjoy. Maybe that comes across sometimes ... I’m glad I’m taking a harder look at myself and seeing where I can change a little. I don’t have the answers quite yet. But, I’d rather be known as a nice, ethical, hardworking and easygoing person than somebody nobody wants to work with.

I believe it is possible to make money, be successful in business and have great relationships all
at the same time. I know that I’d rather have 1,000 friends than $1,000. Think about that. Would you? The bottom line sure is important, but in the end, I feel that relationships are the bottom line.

by Mandy Lou Stark, Guest Blogger (misslou20@aol.com)

Take a Moment - Visit My Whirling Mind

Last week, I blogged about inspiration. And, as it often happens in creativity, that blog was just the beginning of a million thoughts whirling around in my mind about what I find inspirational.

My mind whirls a lot. It's kind of like Ally McBeal's. So, in my world where things are constantly whirling, there are days that I long for simplicity.

And on occasion in the middle of my whirling mind, Connie Talbot appears singing this song, I see rainbows and Simon is a bluebird and tells me, "I think you are fantastic." For a moment everything stops.



Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Posted by Melissa Laughon

CYL Words of Wisdom

1. Anybody can workout in gym attire… Be different and wear a three piece suit. Your fellow gym patrons will appreciate the effort and so will your dry cleaner. Works well on a lunch break.

2. Make it happen! (yes you)

3. Buy a Chihuahua if for no other reason, you can say Chihuahua.

4. Fishing with Big Stick Guide Tom is like hopscotch for adults… Keep jumping around till you win or run out of beer.

5. It’s okay to feel like the dumbest person in the room. There is a reason why the others want you there.

6. Put a peep in a microwave.

7. Big Stick Guide Melissa’s Native American name is Lion Hair.

8. Even Tiger hits bad shots.

9. When buying a car in Chicago and you have the option of navigation or a sunroof… opt for the navigation. Chicago is sunny 8 days a year.

10. Playing on the CYL softball team is like bowling with a 4 year old. No power and at the end of the game there is usually 7 or 8 left standing.

11. Whatever is an unacceptable answer.

12. "Two captains sink the ship." (okay I stole that one from Turkish Proverbs but it fits)

Kyle Freund

Post2Post Virtual Book Tour Canceled: Author Mauled by Cougar

POW! Right Between the Eyes!

CONFESSION

I ate a pound of turkey at the grocery store while shopping yesterday and instead of paying for it I hid the package behind the Fruit Loops.

In truth the tour is not canceled. I did my homework and read the book like a good boy, though I initially thought of hiring a hit cougar to maul Andy Nulman, author of POW! Right Between the Eyes! Profiting From The Power of Surprise only because I was being a lazy dork and spending too much time socializing with gangstas (see picture of me as gangsta below).

WARNING: THIS BOOK WILL LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT & POTENTIALLY FACIAL PARALYSIS

Once I actually picked up the book I experienced extreme pain in my facial muscles as I never stopped smiling. Andy's ideas about the power of Surprise and his storytelling make him the Ali of business writing with a deadly POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!POW! POW! POW! POW! POW!

As someone who teaches Creative Strategy I & II, advertising classes at Florida State University, Andy's concepts are so dead on and essential I'm considering it as required (beatings for those who do not) reading for next semester.

Nulman believes, "Surprise is the most important aspect in contemporary marketing." And through POW! he's very convincing. He even convinces the reader that it is the reason we buy clothes, watch tv, movies and watch sports.

One of the greatest accomplishments of the book is that all of his ideas can be implemented by an individual, a Fortune 500 company, a mom and pop bakery or a local non-profit. Surprise can be budget line item or it can be completely budget free.

Nulman defines Surprise as, "the constant expansion of the boundaries of delightful extremes." It's about going beyond what people expect (not service), zagging when you're expected to zig, or being unexpected but relevant.

Nulman's theory is stronger because he argues the downside of Surprise. He says, "Surprise is not invulnerable, it's main weakness is itself." If people begin to expect your surprises, it no longer is, like M. Night Shymalan movies. It's by being aware of this weakness which actually makes his argument stronger.

For me, the concepts in POW! are ones I've not expressed or heard expressed before but lived by, unwittingly in many ways as individual. What I haven't done is implemented the concepts into my professional life. The timing of this book in my life is quite significant as lately I've been thinking a lot on why I haven't been able to merge these two worlds.

After defining Surprise and explaining it's physical, mental and emotional effect Nulman spends some well used time explaining mindsets for creating and embracing Surprise as a strategy.

My favorite lesson from Nulman's book:

"Suppress the need to ask why instead embrace the idea of doing things just because."

As an individual, I'm most often described as "random" and "out there." Most of the things I've done in my life that I'm most proud of have been without an answer to the "why." Nulman's recommendation of incorporating that into business is bold and genius in a world obsessed with metrics, statistics and market research.

My second favorite lesson in POW!

"Silliness and irreverence can have an exponentially positive effect on "social" Surprise."

It goes like Milk and Oreos with the previous lesson but to me it seems like one of the concepts people and the business world have trouble embracing. It's the assumption of our world that silliness can't be very serious business. It can. As the lesson before instructs there doesn't always have to be a why. In fact if there isn't it may be even more surprising.

After reading POW! I've decided to make a significant change in my life. I'm going to purchase the peacock I've been wanting for years. Further, I'm going to embrace Surprise as a strategy at work and in my personal life to a greater degree than I've done naturally. It is going to make me wildly successful and more important insanely happy.

I do not suggest anyone else read this book.

To follow the rest of the Post2Post Virtual Book Tour check Idea Sandbox where Paul Williams will give you directions on where the tour stops next.

Nine Pieces of Wisdom from Peter Drucker and One Insight from Me

Peter Drucker observed that,

1) The purpose of business is to create and keep a customer.

2) Business has only two functions -- marketing and innovation.

3) The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.

4) The best way to predict the future is to create it.

5) Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.

6) The only thing we know about the future is that it will be different.

7) Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.

8) Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

9) Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.

And now the one insight from me that you've been waiting for.

1) Complication leads to confusion and confusion leads to failure whereas, simplicity leads to confidence and confidence leads to success.

Gayle Turner

Out of sync?

I was IM'ing a friend of mine the other day (funny how you can make any word a verb these days) and I was telling her that I just felt "off" and out of sync. Things just didn't seem to be going right. I just chalked it up to work, school, being sick, etc...; you know - the usual suspects. She then told me that it was because Mercury was in retrograde. I couldn't help but tilt my head to the side and say "huh?" as I know nothing about astrology other than I'm a Cancer, so I asked her what that meant. Basically, she said when Mercury is in retrograde it throws the universe totally out of whack.

Interesting. I decided to look it up and here's what I found:

A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. According to modern science, this traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth with relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way due to this cosmic shadow-play.

Fascinating. So, it's a planetary illusion that is causing me to feel angst? I read on...

As a rule, retrograde planets mark a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events that relate to their sphere of influence. Unresolved issues from the past tend to rear their heads. Retro phases present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no conscious control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs.

Little or no control... hmmm... I don't like not being in control, so that makes sense. What else?

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray or awry.

Aaahhh, it's becoming clear. I've been trying to get a huge contract signed at work and have been going back and forth between the business groups and lawyers for weeks!

It is also a time when matters begun under a previous retro period will come to fruition, or completion as the case may be. Firm decisions that have been previously made when Mercury is travelling normally through the zodiac may be implemented or finalised while Mercury is retrograde without too much worry, for experience shows that this can be done without undue problems arising.

Yes! We did get the contract signed yesterday!

It all made perfect sense now! Mercury has been messing with my life lately! The good news, however, is that it is all supposed to be said and done by the 14th of June! Whew! Unfortunately, it is supposed to start again on September 7th.

So, if you've also been feeling out of control, out of sync, or just out of it, blame it on Mercury being in retrograde! I am!

Although it could simply be work, school, and/or being sick.

For further enlightenment on this subject please visit the site where I got this great information: http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html

Julie Silbar

For the times they are a changin

It's amazing and scary to me that these words are so relevant today:

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to youIs worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road isRapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order isRapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

- Bob Dylan



Posted by: Melissa Laughon

The Catch Your Limit Corn-Hole Tournament

In ancient times, the Greeks would celebrate their most talented and heroic athletes during a legendary event they referred to as the Olympics. The event became so popular it was adapted into western culture, adding new events, new passionate athletes, and worldwide participation. And now, an event so epic, so competitive that it overshadows all events that came before.

Catch Your Limit is proud to present the 2009 Cornhole tournament. We're scouring the earth to assemble the most talented, dedicated corn-tossers to compete in this single-elimination tournament that will undoubtedly change the world as we know it. Take your place among such corn-hole greats as Juan "The Mexicutioner" Cortez and Ronnie "Romance" Masterson. Feeling a bit rusty? Watch this instructional video and join us for a last-minute practice session this Friday (May 15th) to hone your skills for the big day.

The tournament is next Friday, May 22nd. Pre-game festivities begin at 4:30, the tournament kicks off at 5:00, and we don't stop until someone is crowned supreme corn-hole world champion. Catch Your Limit will be providing free beer, wine, sodas, and grub, so bring your friends and come enjoy the competition. To RSVP and secure your position in Cornhole history, simply send us an email at brock@catchyourlimit.com.

-Brock ><((''>

Blog Confessional

Just posted a blog confessional to our Spring Creative I class...on their World Famous Creative Strategy Blog

Go ahead and read it, everyone loves to read a confession.

My confession about the confession is that it feels good to confess and I'm not even Catholic.

><(("> Jeff

Gen Y Understands Creativity: Coolest FSU class ever

Several of us from Catch Your Limit team up to teach a class each semester at Florida State's Communication school. We teach Creative Strategy I & II and this semester we may have had the most amazing group of students ever. It seems like every year they get better and better. The semester ended a couple weeks ago and I find myself really missing them more so than other classes in the past (students from other classes don't hate). After going through the blogs from the past semester I really realized I love them. This group understand pure fun and creativity more than any I've seen before. It wasn't that other classes didn't have stars but this whole class produced some amazing creative efforts, most of which were simply for the pure of fun it. Here are two videos they did for pure fun and of course check out their class blog for many others I couldn't seem to transfer over but are pretty much awesome moments of creativity.

><(("> Jeff

Inspiration

We love to inspire and we love to be inspired.

Our entire team feels honored when our fans share with us how we've inspired them. We've inspired the people we touch to be more creative, to have courage as a leader, to be more of a team player, to follow a dream, to talk with someone they've been meaning to talk with, to believe that their work is meaningful, to believe that they are worthy of respect, to take risks, to forgive ... it's really quite unbelievable. And, the great part of this is that we get so much joy and inspiration from their stories ... it's what keeps us going.

Providing inspiration is "not for the weak of heart."

Tom* tells all of our ><(("> employees, all of our clients and all of our audiences that the work we do and that they will do with us is "not for the weak of heart." He'll say, "imagine the signs at theme parks that say you must be this tall to ride this ride ... think hard before you commit to this journey."

Inspiration is just one part of our business, but I feel that Tom's warning applies. In our business, we are trusted advisors. And, for some time, for a lot of reasons, there's a lot of worry and pain in the minds and hearts of the people we work with. There are special moments when people open up to us and share their concerns and we see so much news of "doom and gloom" is taking its toll.

In these moments, sometimes the greatest thing we can offer to those people who we care deeply for is a small dose of much needed optimism. And, our fans all over the world have come to rely and expect this from us ... it's a core component of the Catch Your Limit experience.

So, we're seeing more than any other time over the past 10 years that we've become "caretakers" for the leaders who are "in our world." And, this year, we've noticed the signs that come along with the caretaker role.

I'm reminded of times we've worked with caretakers and how much time we spent discussing the importance of taking care of yourself so that you could sustain taking care of others.

So, who inspires the inspirers?
There are times we (yes, even us) could use a little more inspiration and optimism and a few more reminders to make sure we're taking care of each other - in order to sustain the spirit, the hope and the joy that we strive to bring to our clients and ourselves.

Some of the sources that I've been going to lately for inspiration are:

1. Our ><(("> fans - as mentioned above, what you share with us does give us energy to keep doing what we're doing


2. Each other - our ><(("> team is unbelievable and when it matters the most, we're there for each other and we love each other


3. Photos - we are lucky to have Scott on our team who takes unbelievable photos (featured in this blog) and he has the ability to capture real emotion - it's fun to be able to refer to our photo galleries and relive moments when we had the opportunity to just be and to play together


4. Our Catch Your Limit Credo that we developed so long ago-We at Catch Your Limit Consulting are passionate people. We guide our clients in the pursuit to catch their limit. The people we touch find joy in being challenged, stimulated and encouraged to feel a part of and accountable for their mutual success. Catch Your Limit is about people paying attention to people … about the power of good ideas that passionate, motivated, fully energized people can generate.We strive to create working environments where you can discover and develop your capabilities and potentials, support each other every step of the way, celebrate your successes, learn from your failures and never forget how to play. The only thing off limits at Catch Your Limit is making excuses.

And, there are more! Maybe this will have to be a series of blogs on inspiration.

Inspiration is a personal thing, so I'm sure that each of our ><(("> would have a different list of the things/people who inspire them. I'd love for them to share ... that would be a good exercise for our Monday meeting (each Monday, we have "inspiration" on the agenda and someone who's the conscience of bringing just a little or a whole lot to help us kickstart our week).

Who will you breath upon?

According to a quick search online, the word inspiration literally means "breathed upon."

I believe that inspiration helps center you, helps remind you of purpose, helps redirect you and get you back on track or helps you see something in an entirely different way.

So, if you're like us and just can't get enough inspiration, take a moment to:

1. Think about who/what inspires you. Share with us who/what they are.
2. Tell at least one of those people how much you appreciate it ... you just may be the inspiration they need to keep it up.
3. And, decide who else in your world needs a little inspiration ... who will you "breathe upon" today?

* Tom Laughon is our ><(("> founder and the man I love and someone I (and many others) rely on for inspiration.

And, until recently I never knew how much.

Tom, if you're reading this ... thank you!

Written by: Melissa Laughon

Realizing Insight by Stating Unstated Assumptions

The field of Economics can be summed up in one sentence: people respond to incentives. This premise coupled with the ever constant pursuit to understand the cause and effect relationship of events are foundations of western thought. It’s this drive to discern the causes of behavior that drives people to search for answers when predicted behavior fails to materialize.

One of Mark Twain’s more amusing quotes is, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics.” That quote never fails to bring a smile to my lips. Not because I believe numbers lie; given our business of course I don’t. But because, numbers can be manipulated to serve whatever position someone wishes to support.

I bring up these three isolated concepts not to debunk them, but to raise our consciousness as we pursue understanding our customers. Many of us have built huge repositories of data chronicling the behavior of our current and prospective customers. We believe that within these oceans of data lies hidden the keys to understanding their future behavior. And, perhaps, it does.

In his best seller, Freakonomics, Steven Levitt encourages us to pull back and look for relationships between apparently unrelated subject areas. Some of his insights about such varied topics as lowered crime rates, the motivations of salespeople and parenting all required the willingness to consciously examine and then question unstated perceptions and commonly held explanations.

So, let me encourage you to examine the obvious. It’s difficult, because most unstated assumptions seem so obvious that it feels condescending to even mention them. Taking the risk to seem foolish stating the “givens”, questioning their current validity and then looking at all of our data can be the beginning of discerning earth shaking new insights.

We are finding that given the current economy getting the basics right is now more important than ever. Remember, at one time it was common knowledge that the sun revolved around the earth.


Lynnette Leathers

Sliding Outfield

Last Friday night, our company softball team witnessed a crushing loss of 15-0 to a fellow media agency. While I’m sure our lack of talent/the other team recruits high school all-stars had something to do with our defeat, it also may have something to do with the round of layoffs that happened this past Tuesday.

The morale on the field was pitiful. While players did make crash dives into the mud for passing balls, the follow through was lacking. It’s hard to get people to care when they fear they may be canned any day.

Last week I mentioned that the agency had a cover of smoke, stifling creativity – this week that smoke has been combined with a poisonous gas called fear. When times are tough, and uncertainty rules the work persona, how can any employee feel safe enough to create the work that will keep their head from the chopping block?

That aside, things are rolling smoothly for introducing an “inspirational plan” for the agency. I’ve gotten some necessary players on board, and it looks like maybe next week I will brief my CEO on the plan. Oh goody.

So, a little bit about this plan, now that the proposal has been written. It’s a three-part innovation “expedition”. The first component is a think-tank discussion forum where the most forward thinking employees can discuss what’s going on the industry and develop projects to study these trends. The next component is a social network, information-sharing platform that allows for more group collaboration, giving everyone the opportunity to contribute. The last part is a series of monthly “education courses” that will teach employees the skill sets necessary to be more creative in their media thinking and work they create.

These monthly activities will come in three waves: the first wave will be organized around fun. If the agency wants to be one that takes creative risks, we have to learn to shut down the barriers that keep us from trusting our ideas to our peers. The next wave of activities will be organized around strategy – learning to approach challenges in new ways, because the tried and true doesn’t always create the most effective results. The last wave will be agency-specific challenges where employees will be able to put fun and strategy into real-life scenarios that will add value to the agency.

Considering that two of the people I was working on the social network aspect of this project with are no longer at the agency, let’s hope that I can do more than slide in the mud of the outfield. I have hope that I will be able to follow through, catch the ball and strike out all those creative-haters.

Kelsey-Lee LeGassick

Replenishing the Creative Well

Our ability to create is directly impacted by our inventory of raw material. Whether you're engaged in what's thought of as the "arts" or your creativity takes the form of finding new solutions to life's problems your ability to create is tied to your collection of images and experiences.

One of the ways that I replenish my creative well is attending live theater. Last night I attended a production of Translations by Brian Friel at Sycamore Rouge theater in Old Towne Petersburg, VA.

A friend of mine, KB Saine is the Producing Artistic Director and I attend their shows as often as I can to support her efforts.

Last night, the minute I walked in the door I knew I was in for a treat. The production values of the set told me this show was going to be a step up in Sycamore Rouge's resume.

The show from the minute the lights came up until the curtain call was captivating. I'm a fan of the playwright's work, but was unfamiliar with this particular play. The story takes place in 1830's Ireland and recounts the impact of the English upon the Irish of that period.

I'll not tell you the story nor will I speak of any actor's individual performance. I'll only say that it was one of the finest examples of ensemble work I've seen in years and to encourage you to attend this coming weekend as the show closes next Saturday.

For those of you reading this for whom a trip to central Virginia is impossible at the moment; let me urge you to check out your local theaters. Whether amateur or professional; observing flesh and blood performers will enrich your life and deepen the well from which you draw upon to create. Your creative well, like all wells will run dry if you don't periodically refill it .

Check out Sycamore Rouge online http://www.sycamorerouge.org/ they've an exciting season coming up and you'll enjoy visiting Old Towne, too. http://www.oldtownepetersburg.com/

Gayle Turner

Watch Closely For Burnout In Top Performers During Tough Times

Most every day we read the news (notice I said news not newspaper … that’s a whole other story). And, if you’re like me you truly wonder what the latest headlines will hold for the world and for you. In fact, I almost hesitate to look because I wonder how much more uncertainty and change we can process as mere mortals … it’s stressful!

And, even prior to the most recent changes that have impacted our economic and business environment, discussions about stress were already at all time highs. Work life balance wasn’t attainable for most professionals a year ago and it sure doesn’t seem to be in reach now. In fact … remind me again what work life balance even means?

As leaders, these tough times are calling for innovation and determination like never before. That’s why we’re all working as hard as we can to keep our teams together, especially our top performers. You know the ones that I’m referring to … the motivated, tenacious, dedicated, responsible, driven ones … your “go to” team that you never have to worry about performance issues with.

Or, do you? The same attributes that you list as strengths for your top performers can quickly become liabilities during times of uncertainty and change. In fact, the words I used above to describe your top performers came straight from the research I’ve done on the type of people most likely to experience “job burnout.”

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long-term exposure to demanding work situations. Burnout is the cumulative result of stress. It doesn’t just happen overnight. Therefore, the symptoms do not just appear overnight. However, when the symptoms reach a level where your top performers’ interpersonal relationships, ability to function and overall health are being affected, it is very important that you get involved. Burnout is a condition that should be taken seriously because the psychological/physical affects can be extremely serious.

More than ever before, I’m noticing that top performing professionals are communicating more and more about having to do more with less, about being overworked and even about the physiological affects the stress of the times is having on themselves and their teams. Don’t shy away from these discussions … lead them. If last year’s wellness program focused on walking more, this year’s wellness program should focus on talking more. As leaders, you need to be aware of burnout, able to recognize the warning signals and prepared to help your top performers reduce and manage stress. And, as Randy Pausch reminded us all in The Last Lecture, “put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.” Don’t get so focused on your work and others that you forget to take care of yourself.

Melissa Laughon

Other resources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/burnout/wl00062

http://careerplanning.about.com/od/workrelated/a/burnout.htm

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm

Making Decisions

Last week I wrote the most vitriolic post I have ever written. I was exhausted and coming down on myself pretty hard. The good news is I deleted it instead of posting it. After a week's reflection I'm clearer about what was bothering me.

I've not been making decisions. I've allowed a series of issues to pile up and haven't addressed them. The ensuing angst finally caught up with me last weekend.

Here I am a week later and I'm digging myself out of the morass my inaction created. I'm getting out of this quagmire by taking the time to do the things that by not doing them got me into this mess.

1) I'm opening and processing all the mail that has piled up.

2) I've sat down and listed all of the "to dos" that have stacked up.

3) I'm sorting those things on the Urgent & Important axis.

I've been so busy running I haven't taken time to think, much less make decisions.

It's probably going to take the rest of this week to finish all of the "stuff" I let pile up, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.

If you're feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment; let me encourage you to stop for a moment and assess the situation. Build a list of tasks and prioritize them. Then regain control by attacking the list.

Sometimes you have to hit PAUSE before you can PLAY again.

I'm telling you, I'm feeling better. I'll bet you can, too.

Gayle Turner

Picking the right creative team

When I was in elementary school my favorite part of the day was recess, because it meant one thing: Kickball. When the clock struck 11:3o, we knew it was time to double-knot our Skechers and change into our "sliding pants". The teacher would line us up and appoint two of us (usually the ones jumping up and down with the most enthusiasm) to be 'captains'. As a captain, it was your job... Nay, your responsibility; to choose the best team you could in order to claim victory over your opponents. And what was your prize?  The highest of high stakes: your team got to be at the front of the lunchline. Being captain was a huge responsibility. 

If you're in the creative business, it's important that you pick your creative team with all the care of a seven year-old kickball captain. There are several key players that help you to become the best creative captain you can be, and by identifying them in your life, you'll be eating at the front of the lunchline in no time. 

The Collaborator

Arguably one of the most important roles in a creative environment, The Collaborator is always ready to brainstorm. No matter how raw or unformulated your idea may be, bring it to this person and he/she will help you mold your idea into something great. A good Collaborator is someone who is supportive, creative, and who you feel comfortable sharing ideas with. They're typically the first person you would go to with an idea.

The Mentor

The Mentor is a seasoned veteran of the creative field, someone who's opinions and ideas you respect above that of your peers. This person, apart from being a valuable resource of ideas, is someone you can go to during the inevitable writers' blocks for some creative strategy. Someone who's been in the business as long as they have can help you shake your cerebral etch-a-sketch and start fresh. They're an especially great resource if you're having trouble coming up with ideas, or want to refine your creative technique.

The Critic

Every great artist is going to face critics, which is why it's so important to have this person on your roster. There's a huge difference between a Critic and a yes-man, and it's vital that you don't get the two confused. A Critic steps in during the last stages of creation to offer an outside perspective on your work. It should be someone who you're comfortable accepting criticism from, and who isn't overtly partial to your work. Keep in mind that this person doesn't hold veto power, but instead acts as the voice of the casual observer. 

The Muscle

No matter how great your idea may be, it's not going anywhere without The Muscle. This is the person who knows how to put rubber to the road. Whether it's event planning, marketing, or guerrilla tactics, The Muscle will do whatever it takes to make your idea a reality. A good candidate for The Muscle is someone that is organized, driven, and good at networking. They shouldn't be afraid to get their hands dirty, and since they're an extremely important part of the creative team, should also be allowed a say in the creative process.

Sometimes something as simple as the people you associate with can either inspire or stifle your creative energy. Can you identify the line-up on your creative team? Find out where you fit into the roster, or you might find yourself on the bench!

This week's listening recommendation: "The Flower of Rhodes" by Cavil At Rest

-Brock ><((">