Wisdom on Wednesday

Respectfully challenge each other’s ideas!

admin — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:35:41 +0000

This weekend I overheard a couple of folks having a heated debate about politics and it really got me thinking. The world would be a pretty dull place if we all agreed with each other 100% of the time!

Think about it, if we all were raised the same way and had the same beliefs, there wouldn’t be much to talk about because we would probably all have similar viewpoints.

In the workplace, we eventually all face people with opposing viewpoints. But luckily, our differences can be really healthy! Because it’s from debate that great ideas are born! Without having someone pushing us to think outside our own box and consider other ideas, business would be sort of stagnant, wouldn’t it? When we challenge each other’s ideas in a respectful way, that’s the mother of invention!

Joe Kiedinger

Action Plan: Use what we know about Servant Leadership and our About Me Cards, and have really effective conversations! Because it’s only when we really understand and accept each other that true innovation can occur.

Lead With Your Heart, Not With Your Head!

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:24:16 +0000

The title above was the title of a speech I gave just two weeks ago. I’ve actually had this title for the past year. However, I’ve realized that your head must always be involved. When I was little, my siblings and I were watching an episode of The Brady Bunch. This particular episode had a story line where the parents were friends with their kids. Afterward watching the show, my siblings approached my mom and said, “Mom, we want to be your friend!” My Mom responded, “I can’t be your friend. I’m your mother. Friends do things you want. Parents do things you need. Our relationship is much closer than being friends.”

As leaders, our employees need us to lead them. This means giving a strong focus to the future and steering the ship. I used to always say to my staff, “Figure it out.” I realize now that this response isn’t fair. Although we want our staff to think for themselves, we also need to guide them and lead the way. Our employees don’t need more friends—they need something much more relevant: They need leaders.

I’m not sure what my new speech title will be, but it definitely will be changed!

Joe Kiedinger

ACITON PLAN: Next Thursday, May 24^th, our Servant Leaders of WI meeting will be held at The Marq from 3-5 p.m. The focus will be on “The How” of Servant Leadership! All are welcome. It’s free. Let me know if you can make it!

Your best resource

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:36:02 +0000

You never know just how much you rely on something until it’s gone. You know what I mean, like the time your computer crashed and all your contact information and files were suddenly inaccessible. Or the time your power went out and you couldn’t answer the phones on a business day. Or the time you had an incredibly important meeting just an hour away and the printer decided to go kaput. We’ve all been there.

Besides all these technological tools, what about the people we rely on so much? What if we didn’t have the team that makes the gears of our businesses turn? Sometimes we take these people for granted and don’t appreciate just how much they do for us and our companies. Imagine walking into work one morning and finding out each and every one of your associates was out sick. To me, that would be tough!

Joe Kiedinger

Action Plan: So, this week, observe just how well your team keeps the ball rolling. Notice how they all play an integral role in the success of the company. And then thank them for it! Our people are our very best resources!

Everybody’s Talkin’!

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:19:18 +0000

I was just forwarded a Facebook conversation string. A person posted, “Who can you recommend to do a logo?” About 20 people replied and Prophit Marketing showed up several times along with a host of others. This has me thinking about the power of social media. What are people saying about you? What are they saying about your company? Ask Google… if you really want to know. Everybody’s talking—are you listening? Are you contributing?

Social media is really helping the Servant Leadership movement grow quickly. Social media helps hold people accountable to good behavior and business practices. If I were the Better Business Bureau, I would be nervous because all reviews for companies can be found online through a search.

It’s more important now than ever to embrace and understand digital and social media. If you need help or have a few questions, contact me. It’s here and it’s staying, so harness its power to serve your business.

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Do something today to help build your understanding of digital and social media!

What Is Marketing Anyway?

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:50:45 +0000

Don’t let this title sway you if you don’t happen to be a professional marketer. Marketing simply means effective communication, and communication only occurs when two people leave an interaction and mutually understand what was said. Just because two people have talked doesn’t mean they have communicated.

Marketing occurs throughout your life. The true marketer of oneself is one who has high character. Character is moral maturity and sets the stage for a successful life. How are you marketing to your kids? We often think of marketing as a business term and indeed it is; so, how are you marketing to your department? Do your people know what your department stands for?

On May 24th from 3-5 p.m. at The Marq in De Pere, Dave Skogen, Chairman of Skogen-owned Festival Foods stores, will be our keynote speaker for the next Servant Leaders of Wisconsin (S.L.O.W.) get-together. The S.L.O.W. movement reminds us to slow down and take notice of the little things, because it’s the little things that create great marketing or communication. Space is limited so please RSVP if you’re interested. You can email me at joek@prophitmarketing.com

Don’t just talk, communicate! Learn how on May 24th!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Let us know if you’re interested in attending and how many people you’ll be bringing. See you in May!

Is there a “right time”?

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:33:31 +0000

So many folks out there are just waiting for the “right time” to do something. They patiently wait, hoping their lot in life will change. They wait, hoping for a promotion at work. They wait, hoping the economy will improve. They wait, hoping someone will point them in the right direction. They wait, hoping all the bits and pieces of their life will fall into place.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: Time doesn’t change things. Only we can change things!

Don’t wait for time to decide your fate. Get out there and do something! After all, life’s too short, right? You have dreams—what are they? What’s holding you back from pursuing them? Desire? Ambition? Courage? Gumption?

As John Maxwell said, “Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential”.

If you want to be successful, you can’t wait for your life to unfold before you. You need to take the initiative! Be a change agent! And encourage your associates to do the same.

Joe Kideinger

Action Plan: Quit waiting and go for it. Your time is now!

What do you mean?

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:56:41 +0000

Words, words, words! Everywhere are words. Words that inspire for some are words that intimidate for others. No wonder we confuse ourselves with words! It’s long been a paradox for the human race. I wonder when primitive man communicated with pictures if there was less misunderstanding? Why is it that some people are on the same page with you and some people completely miss your meaning? It’s simple really: Words have different meanings for different people! The question is, are you a person who cares about understanding a person’s words? Or, are you a person who says, “It’s your problem. Figure it out!”

There will always be misunderstandings between people. However, I’m stepping in to help. Last year through our About Me Card system, we began helping groups of people learn how to understand and interpret the words that another person speaks. We’ve had more than 75 people participate in free educational sessions on understanding others in 60 seconds. If you’re someone who wishes to better understand other people, e-mail me and I’ll send you information about our next seminar. You’ll be energized by this newfound information and motivated to lead!

Don’t be confused by words any longer! Care enough to know and I’ll tell you what you need to know to care!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Be aware of the words you use. They will define you!

Inspired!

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:35:50 +0000

I believe that inspiration is all around us and it seems to hit us when we’re not even looking for it.

How many times have you seen a sign at a restaurant, read an article in a magazine, or met a person who just made you stop in your tracks and think, “Wow! I’ve never thought of it that way before.”? I think we’ve all had those moments of clarity when we sort of re-evaluate our lives and walk away feeling a little taller, a little wiser, and a lot more inspired.

Here’s a quote I ran across that might inspire you:

”The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”

~ William Arthur Ward

This quote just screams “Servant Leadership” to me: learning, growing, changing, overcoming challenges. Caring about, serving, and giving to others. That’s what it’s all about! I’m feeling inspired, how about you?

Joe Kiedinger

Action Plan: Be inspired to do something for someone else today!

The Weather Vane

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:59:45 +0000

Every quarter our company takes a half day to reflect on our Servant Leadership journey. This involves gaining some insights from one of our Prophiteers on the subject followed by an inspirational activity and ends in a gathering together for some camaraderie and a celebration! Our first quarter meeting had a very clever activity. The leaders of this meeting had us divide into groups of two and travel across the street to “Somewhere in the Time Antique Mall.” Our entire company had a budget of $75 to find something that would support our company mantra, “Reach Higher.” Each group had 20 minutes to find at item of some kind and then present it to their fellow Prophiteers and “pitch” the reason why their object best expressed the feeling of our mantra.

The item that was chosen by all was an old weather vane. We all agreed that this best said, “Reach Higher.” At first many of us didn’t get it, but then the team explained why: The weather vane represents the direction you’re heading. In order to truly reach higher, you must feel the direction of the wind and change direction. Reaching higher is about accepting change. That’s why this old weather vane reminds us that we must know where we are heading and, at the same time, be prepared for a change of direction.

Think of your own business. When a person sees you from the outside, what do they see? Do they know your story? It’s the story that attracts people to you. Are you telling your story? Do you know how? If you believe you’re truly not getting credit for how great you are, tell your story. If you feel stuck, call me—I’ll help you! You deserve to be heard and understood!

Joe Kiedinger

ACTION PLAN: Articulate your story to someone else. Is it compelling? Is it complete?

The Power of You!

admin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:58:12 +0000

We all have a power inside us that’s uniquely ours. We also have the choice to use this power for good, for evil or not at all. Unfortunately, there are people who have great dreams and big ideas but who stifle their power with excuses.

The most common excuse I hear of why people aren’t being great is they blame their children. “I want to be here for my kids and if I pursue my dreams it may mean being away once in awhile.” I think this a pathetic excuse. How dare anyone blame their kids for their mediocrity. The biggest crime is when a kid becomes a young adult and mom and dad ask, “What do you want to do with your life?” The kid says something like, “I want to become the world’s greatest magician!”

This is usually when parents say, “That’s risky. It’s not stable. You should become a lawyer or go into sales.” They take their mediocrity and project it on their kids. Wouldn’t you rather say to your kid, “Go for it. I did!”

Go big or go home. Life isn’t a dress rehearsal. We all have greatness inside us. What’s your choice?

Joe Kiedinger

Action plan: Start dreaming and begin implementing small things every day!