Monday Morning Motivations Tenacity Pays

Published by Robert A. & Vicki L. Prentice of Professional Development Systems
February 2, 2009 Issue 336

From the Desk of Bob

Special Opportunity!

A friend of mine is looking for people who would be willing to be interviewed for an inspirational book, Jim O'Connor, is writing titled, "Facing the World: How people unlucky in looks found self-esteem, love and success in a culture that favors beauty." It's an anthology, somewhat similar to the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series or a Studs Terkel book. He already has several stories and a literary agent, but needs more people to interview. He is looking for adults (about 25 or older) who were teased, bullied, or ignored as youths because of their looks, but overcame the emotional damage, recognized their strengths, and found ways to fit in. Their "problem" could have been facial (big nose, pointed ears, cleft palette, acne scars, birthmark, disfigurement from fire or accident, "different" looking, or just plain unattractive) or physical (obese, anorexic, very short, very tall, Down's Syndrome, etc.). Jim will send them questions in advance, interview them by phone, edit and restructure what they say in about 2,000 words, and have them approve it.

Please contact:
Lynda O'Connor
Executive Vice President
O'Connor Communications, Inc.
333 Warwick Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Phone: (847)615-5462
Fax:     (847)615-5465
lyndao@oconnorpr.com
www.oconnorpr.com
Bob

This week's "E" word: Explore
verb [trans.]: travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it

Life Attitudes

John Ford: "You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your hear."

Frank A. Clark: "Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots."

Henry Ward Beecher: "Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation."

Seeds of Success: Confront with Courage and Kindness

By Robert A. Prentice

To be an effective leader-and we are all leaders in one way or another-a person must have the courage and confidence to discuss something with a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or even someone you don't know very well that may be difficult to communicate. I find this is especially true if I have to speak to someone about something they are doing the wrong way or about their needing to improve.

The other day, I participated in a conference call and at the end of the call the facilitator-a professional communicator-requested input and suggestions regarding the call. Throughout the call, I could not help but notice that she used the word "fantastic" in just about every sentence. I knew this was something I needed to tell her, so I mustered up the courage to let her know of her little challenge.

The next day, I got an email from this woman-who had taken the time to listen to the recording of the teleconference-thanking me profusely for bringing this to her attention. It was definitely a win-win all around for everyone involved and I am really glad I was courageous enough to speak up. Otherwise, she may never have realized she had acquired this bad habit; neither would she have gone to work on correcting it. This nice lady instantly became my friend and I believe my example has given her the confidence to do the same for another.

With all the writing and speaking I do, using lots of words to convey my thoughts and attitudes, I occasionally mess up in my punctuation or my spelling or even in the use of "proper" English. I have found that what I might consider to be taking creative license can
really be an irritation to those listening to me, and once in awhile I get called on it. I am always appreciative when someone brings my less than perfect language skills to my attention, and I do my best to change my ways. After all, if a person doesn't know there is a challenge with the way they are doing a particular thing, how can they fix it?

Just be sure that when you must communicate something of this
nature that you share it in a healthy and positive way. You don't need to bark at people; you don't need to gloat as you draw attention to their mistakes; you don't need to discuss this person and their "issue" with others not involved. (Try to think how you would like to be told if you were in the other person's shoes.)

There are way too many people in our world that go around tearing others down, making them feel bad. It's much better to remember when you must confront someone about something the goal is always to build up rather than tear down and to be honest and kind in your communication. Surely you can find at least one good and positive thing to say about the person, so look for it and once you find it say it with boldness and confidence. Then go ahead and kindly deal with the thing that needs to be corrected.

Communication is difficult even under the best of circumstances, but when you must confront someone about something rather delicate or even negative, using effective communication skills-confronting with courage, confidence and kindness-is an absolute must.

On the Sunny Side of Life: Where to park?

One winter morning at breakfast a couple was listening to the radio. They heard the announcer say, "We are going to have 8-10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through." The wife went out and moved her car.

A week later while they are eating breakfast, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 10-12 inches of snow today, you will need to move your car to the odd-numbered side of the street so the snowplow can get through." So the wife went out and moved her car again.

The next week, while they were eating breakfast, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 12-14 inches of snow today and you must park..." Then the power went off! The wife was very upset. With a worried look on her face she said, "Honey, I don't know what to do. Which side of the street am I supposed to park on?"

With love and understanding in his voice her husband said, "Why don't you just leave it in the garage this time.

Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments Call to schedule Bob TODAY! 800.437.9715

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