Category / talk shiFt™

…talk(ing) change by shifting the conversation about careless communication, bad behavior, and poisonous pop culture psychology.

by Tom Leu

Eighty-Five (85)

Majoring in the minors; Minoring in the majors. It happens everywhere, much of the time. This is when people spend inordinate amounts of time focusing on stuff that matters least, at the expense of the stuff that matters most. This happens because it’s easier to avoid the bigger, harder issues at hand, and instead manage the smaller, softer things.

It’s faster. It’s common. And it’s the path of least resistance.

But it’s counter-intuitive because the easy way is actually the hard way. And it’s very destructive long-term. It’s destructive to the health of individuals and organizations. The solution? Become hyper-aware of it. Notice, sooner, when it’s happening. Especially if it’s coming from you. Begin talking about it with your trusted crew. Choose to shiFt your focus, time, and energy to the hard work at hand. Go inward. Take an inventory, and then take new and outward action, despite any apprehension.

By doing the tough stuff first, much of the soft stuff begins to take care of itself. Efficiencies are improved. Time is saved. Sanity is preserved. Win-win-win.

Stay tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

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by Tom Leu

Eighty-Two (82)

In an impressive and heartfelt TED-Talk given on the price of shame and public humiliation, the notorious Monica Lewinsky says “the internet is the super highway for the Id” (as in Freud’s Id, Ego, & Superego personality structures). A very astute observation from arguably the most well-known, unknown of all time.

The internet and social media has become a place where restraint is the exception, and rancor with little regard for others is the rule. She goes on to challenge us to “… acknowledge the difference between speaking up with intention, and speaking up for attention.” Many have lots to say (often with little substance), but their primary intention is to get attention by defaming others. Compassion and empathy in our technology-driven society are often sorely lacking, and not just on the internet, but everywhere.

It’s time to shift our output of compassion and empathy toward others UP. It’s too easy to be a loud mouth online or in line at the local market. It’s much more difficult to be a person who brings solutions. A person who adds value to others rather than take it. A person who recognizes their own fallibility, and extends a hand to others in need. Yes, it’s much more difficult and noble to be a person of character and decorum… which is why it’s needed now more than ever before.

Stay tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

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by Tom Leu

Eighty-One (81)

I write a lot about time. Much more so as I’ve gotten older. I suspect this is not unusual. It’s the most valuable commodity any of us possess. Of course our time is finite; it’s going to run out. We just don’t know exactly when. As such, we need to use it wisely, very wisely.

168… hours per week.

That’s all we get. No matter who you are, where you live, or what you do, you only have 168 hours per week to spend. I like to think of it as currency, and then carefully consider how I’m spending mine.

The richest person in the world, all the way down to the poorest, have had, and continue to have the exact same amount of time to spend each day, week, month, and years of their lives. Any differences among people’s outcomes, is largely due to HOW they’ve chosen to spend their time, up until this point in time.

Stay tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

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by Tom Leu

Eighty (80)

PreJUDGEment (you’re doing it right now deciding if you’re going to keep reading this or not).

Preconceived notions. Stereotypes. Judging a book by its cover. Hell, just judging in general is pervasive (and kinda fun sometimes you have to admit — and if you don’t admit it, you’re a damn liar and you know it).

These are behaviors that are impossible to avoid, more or less, for everyone, unless you live under a rock. Some don’t even attempt to avoid them; they in fact, embrace them. It’s not always bad because sometimes, even oftentimes… you’re right about the conclusions you jump to.

All of us see the world through acquired filters that skew our view. Filters that are formed and shaped from your experiences and compounded over time. And I’ll argue that they’re impossible to completely eliminate. You can only moderate and manage them (like your drinking on a scant few New Years Eve’s past).

the shiFt:

It starts by becoming super aware of their existence, and then beginning to look at these filters and (pre)-judgements with the same amount of scrutiny and exuberance that you often assign to others. Most people deserve the benefit of the doubt (just like you want from other people). So work to give a little bit of it up to others with the same conviction as you expect others to give it up to you.

It’s a choice.

Stay tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

Get my articles and exclusive content with science-based insights to shiFt your communication from adequate to ass-kicking!


 

by Tom Leu

Seventy-Nine (79)

Quality of life… that elusive little slice of heaven we’re all pining for.

I’ve heard it said that taking the easy road gets progressively harder, while taking the hard road gets progressively easier.

I’ve been finding this to be true in my own life.

Enduring the varying quality of life levels during these journeys is the hardest part of all however. The perpetual ups and downs… Perseverance can be a real prick, you know? Things will always ebb, and things will always flow. But, if your quality of life is currently compromised through choices you’ve made, you only have yourself to blame.

Your getting there (in most cases), and staying there, are definitely choices. Letting others convince you otherwise is only choking your chances at real, lasting change. Choose something else; make a shiFt; go down a different road. No amount of money, prestige, power, pill, or any other temporary pleasure is worth a chronic lack of life quality.

Tick Tock.

Stay tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

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by Tom Leu

Seventy-Eight (78)

Core competencies. Any individual or organization that is not primarily focused on executing their core competencies is suffering significantly. Their effectiveness is compromised. Their productivity is diluted.

We all need to be doing the stuff we’re best at doing, and little else, to maximize personal and professional growth.

We need to do this for ourselves as much as for whatever entity we’re working for, or with. As an organizational leader, I’ve always insisted on hiring and having 1) the right people, and 2) the right people in the right roles. Everyone understands the first part, but the second part is the big differentiator that often gets overlooked.

A lot of time and attention goes into recruiting the right people for jobs and career opportunities. People obviously need to be qualified with the proper education and experience mix to do certain jobs. But often, these good people get shoved into jobs that aren’t in their wheel house so-to-speak. They’re asked to do stuff that isn’t their core competency simply to fill a need quickly. This is a big, common mistake.

Put a person with talent into a role they’re capable of doing, but doesn’t match their core competencies, and you’re simply waiting for their eventual, and costly exit. Often at very inopportune times. But, put a person with talent AND passion for what they do into a role that makes a difference and means something to them personally >> and watch their engagement and productivity soar!

Stay-tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

Get my articles and exclusive content with science-based insights to shiFt your communication from adequate to ass-kicking!


 

by Tom Leu

Seventy-Seven (77)

There’s lots of stuff out there on what leadership IS. Good stuff, but to truly understand sound matters, it’s also important to recognize contrasts.

Here’s what leadership ISN’T:

  • Leadership isn’t management.
  • Leadership isn’t pretending you’re a leader.
  • Leadership isn’t shirking your responsibilities.
  • Leadership isn’t choosing to hide and coast.
  • Leadership isn’t about doing the bare minimum to get by.
  • Leadership isn’t bitching and moaning about the past.
  • Leadership isn’t being a victim.
  • Leadership isn’t placing blame.
  • Leadership isn’t making others feel bad or less than.
  • Leadership isn’t about power, but empowering.
  • Leadership isn’t the easy road.
  • Leadership isn’t always fun, good, and grand.
  • Leadership isn’t being comfortable.
  • Leadership isn’t the majority.

Legitimate leadership will spot all the isn’t in others very quickly and call your ass on it.

Leadership is no joke. And leadership isn’t words. Leadership is action.

Get moving.

Stay tuned-in…

Please share and click HERE for info on my Communichology™ course.

Get my articles and exclusive content with science-based insights to shiFt your communication from adequate to ass-kicking!