Tips for newbies- those just entering the “workforce”

We always have a bunch of interns at Catalyst. And most folks on our team have cut their teeth in their “first job” here at Catalyst. They are all really talented, really sharp, and really hungry to learn.

Having young early 20 somethings around reminds me of the days when I started my first “real” job just after college. And while that wasn’t that long ago, I feel like there are a few things I’ve learned since then that might be good reminders for recent college graduates, or those just entering the “workforce.”

1. Show up on time (early). As I tell our team all the time: If you are on time, you’re late. If you are early, you’re on time.

2. Always have something to write with and write on. This is crucial. Don’t go strolling off to a meeting without pen and paper, unless you are planning to take notes on your phone, on your iPad, or on your laptop.

3. Be informed. Regardless of what you are doing, be informed before you get there- whether that’s a new job, or a meeting, or a lunch appointment. Do some research and show up educated about the topic, about the person, or about the context.

4. Be intentional. Start your first day by asking great questions and being inquisitive.

5. Request the tough assignments. Take initiative and request the tough assignment that no one else really wants.

6. Relentlessly get things done. When given responsibility and a task to get done, make it happen and try your best to get it done early. Then anticipate what else needs to get done beyond what you were assigned, and get that done. Under promise and over deliver.

7. Remember names. If you are new in a large office with hundreds of staff, this one can be especially difficult. But it’s your responsibility. Know everyone by their first and last name within your first week. If that means studying the staff directory at night, so be it.

8. Know what your leader/boss appreciates. If your boss appreciates humor, then lean into that. If your boss appreciates staying late, then lean into that. If your boss appreciates constant feedback, lean into that.

9. Figure out the team culture, embrace it, and add to it. Our team culture at Catalyst includes several key elements- food, hard work, loud, fun, young, etc. Whatever the key elements of a team culture where you are coming in as the newbie, try to add to it. So, for example, if your team’s culture is built around food, then add to that and bring in some snacks without being asked (Katie Corven and cookies!). If it’s celebration, then add a new way to celebrate. If it’s being loud, add a new loud instrument to the team breakroom.

Food Revolution and Patras Burgers

Yee-haw…Leadership Lessons from Horse Training

I worked on a working guest ranch after college. Lost Valley Ranch in Colorado. An amazing place. I’ve written about it before here on the blog.

Over the course of 5 years at Lost Valley, I spent lots and lots of time around horses. We had 150 horses at the Ranch. 8 hours a day around them. And these horses taught me a lot. Actually a lot about Leadership.

Here are a few of those lessons I learned:

1. Make the correct thing to do really easy, and the wrong thing to do really hard.

2. Whether you like it or not, you are ALWAYS training.

3. I would much rather have a horse I have to hold back, vs. a horse I have to spur to get going. Build your team with those who are self motivated.

4. Horses would rather eat, poop, and sleep vs. do any work. I know there is a lesson here somewhere….

5. Horses reflect their trainer- if you train incorrectly, then horses will mirror that bad training. The way your horse acts is a mirror many times into the soul of you as the trainer. Same thing with our teams- as the leader, does your team reflect the qualities you most despise about yourself?

6. Consistency is key. Repetition and persistance are crucial for training to stick.

7. You must intentionally lead them away from the group. Horses are naturally herd-bound animals, meaning the herd mentality will always drive their decisions, many times to their own detriment. They need someone to constantly guide them.

8. If you back a horse into a corner and give them no options, they will kick you. Don’t put them in that position. Maybe applicable to parenting as well.

9. Immediate feedback is crucial. You can’t kick a horse for something they did 5 minutes ago. They can’t connect the two. You have to correct them instantly after bad behavior.

How to connect in a conversation

I recently posted about proper ways to greet. Whether someone you are meeting for the first time or everyday greetings in your office.

As a follow up, I also wanted to provide some thoughts on How best to Connect in a Conversation. Whether with someone you are meeting for the first time, or a follow up meeting, or a longtime business associate, it’s important to not just greet properly, but also connect.

So here’s your cheat sheet for connecting in a conversation.

1. Start with a proper greeting- We’ve talked about this before. Handshake, bow, hug, etc. Figure out what is appropriate and then stick to that.

2. Look them in the eye. It’s amazing how many folks still can’t do this. Recently posted more about this.

3. Listen more than you talk. Ask more questions than you give answers. Listening is an art.

4. Make at least one valuable connection for them. Might be that you commit to introducing them to a friend of yours, or you heard about a business opportunity they might be interested in, etc.

5. Create one simple action item. Could be a follow up call, another meeting, an email they need to send, an email you need to send, or a simple reminder to connect again soon.

6. Ask great questions. Here are a few:

What are you learning lately?

Who has had the greatest impact on you?

What gets you up in the morning and keeps you awake at night?

What do you love most about your family?

What do you love most about your job/profession?

What are you most excited about right now? 

7. Look for opportunities to provide encouragement. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to be encouraged. Find places in the conversation where you can provide some “ego biscuits” (as my good friend Steve Graves always told me).

8. Give plenty of “conversation exit ramps.” Always give opportunities in a conversation with someone new the ability to exit quickly. Options to jump out of the conversation and into another one. This is paramount in environments where there are lots of other folks- dinner parties, weddings, social gatherings.

My Simple Rules for Greetings

Hello. How are you? What’s up? Hey.

All of us greet differently. There is no right or wrong.

These are a few of my thoughts on Greetings that might create a few laughs. Most of these are related to greetings within the office, but a few are appropriate anywhere.

Enjoy these and add more below in the comments section!

1. If I don’t know you, we’re probably not going to hug. Let’s stick with a firm handshake for the first introduction. And no fist pumps if we don’t know each other.

2. If I’ve already seen you that day, we don’t have to regreet each other. Regardless of in the office, at an event, or at a social gathering, we’ve already established a connection, so no need to have to re-establish that. Stick with a simple head nod or a thumbs up, or just walk by like gunslingers in an alley.

3. When greeting, avoid using nicknames that you think are funny and the other person doesn’t. Not necessarily a good way to build a bridge.

4. For greeting those you know, I prefer the clasp and hug, not just the straight hug. Straight hugging can get awkward, but when you go to the clasp handshake first, it establishes a point of contact to then hug from.

5. When in doubt, the high five still works. Especially for those you know well or work with. No words, just a high five. The fist bump can also be substituted in here.

6. Unless you really want to know, don’t ask me how I’m doing. Just make a statement instead, a statement that stands on its own, that doesn’t require a response from me. Something like “today’s the day” or “there he is!” or “you’re the man!”

7. Greet with a compliment whenever appropriate. Such as “I really like that shirt!” or “I appreciate you!” or “that jacket looks great on you!” Those who greet with compliments are always remembered and someone you always like seeing.

8. If we are just exchanging friendly passerby greetings, don’t ask me something deep, or something that requires me to necessarily stop for a complete conversation. Again, I love conversations, but if we’re passing by, that probably means we are both on our way somewhere.

9. If I know who’s calling me on my phone, because of caller ID, I’ll usually greet them with a customized greeting vs. a standard greeting. You should do the same. If I am confident of who is calling, I don’t need to say “This is Brad.” But maybe “what’s up bigtime” or “where are you?” or “you ready to go?” Feel free to say the other person’s name in your customized greeting.

10. The holy kiss only works in the following scenarios: 1. family, 2. older women or men, 3. spouses of close friends as long as the close friend is present. Always on the cheek, never on the lips.

Lights, Camera, Action!

One of the most valuable traits of any employee or team member is someone who executes. A leader who gets it done. A team member who makes things happen. Is driven towards ACTION.

However, most of us, at the end of the day, default towards INACTION. We lean towards giving up, quitting, stalling, “redirecting” our attention, or procrastinating. We start with a great idea, but getting to the finish line and “shipping” as Seth Godin likes to say is a rarity.

One of the things I love about our Catalyst team is that we have team members who get it done. Action and execution is one of our core values. Action and completion is what drives why and how we do what we do. I love being around leaders who are passionate about making ideas happen and moving the ball across the finish line.

So, a few points on being a leader of action, and not inaction, and making sure this permeates through your organization:

1. create a plan and stick to it.

2. set up a culture that is motivated towards completion, not just idea creation.

3. find doers, not talkers.

4. as the leader, let your team manage up way more than you manage down. Reversing the micromanaging system that many type A leaders automatically set up can free your team up to get things done. Make sure your team knows that on projects they are leading, you are just as accountable to them on getting things done as they are to you on projects you are leading.

5. if a project or initiative needs to be dropped, kill it immediately. Don’t hesitate in freeing up your team to focus on the things that are truly important and need to get done.

6. Reward and celebrate action. Constantly. Let your team take pride in getting things done.

7. Model it. Ultimately, the best way to create a culture of action is to show and tell. You have to live this out as the leader. If you are motivated towards execution and getting things done, your team will be as well. I know many leaders who talk a lot about getting things done, but think that it’s ultimately someone else’s job on the team. This won’t work.

Favorite things from 2011

Got this idea from my buddy Jon Acuff. Listing out my favorite things from last year in 2011.

I’m a little late to the game in reviewing 2011 since it’s now already the first part of February 2012, but oh well.

Here you go:

Favorite new band: Seryn

Favorite new artist: Josh Garrels 

Favorite song: 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

Favorite organization: Atlanta Mission

Favorite movie: Moneyball 

Favorite book: Unbroken

Favorite TV Show: Gold Rush

Favorite App for iPad: Fruit Ninja and Netflix

Favorite new person: Katie Davis, founder of Amazima Ministries and author of Kisses from Katie

Favorite sports figure: Tim Tebow. Duh.

Favorite Catalyst moment for me: tie between John Perkins and Eugene Peterson- presenting the Catalyst Lifetime Achievement Award to them individually at Catalyst Dallas and Catalyst West.

Favorite video: all the antics from Tripp and Tyler in 2011. Too many to list!!

Look me in the eye

So I had the chance last week to attend all the festivities in DC tied to the National Prayer Breakfast. Every year this event is put on by Congressional leaders, and high profile leaders from all over the world are invited to attend. I’m always honored to be in the room with many well-known folks.

One thing I’ve noticed about those who have “arrived” in terms of influence, and stature, and credibility, is that they are usually the kind of leader who authentically takes an interest in you when you first meet them. They ask good questions, and are genuinely interested in talking with you and learning more about you. They look you in the eyes. I noticed this with several leaders I met for the first time last week, as well as friends who I got to catch up with and hadn’t seen for a while. They didn’t gaze around the room looking for someone else to talk to- they truly engaged in conversation with me. Very authentic. Very real. Interested and eye to eye.

Then there’s the “posers.” John Maxwell categorizes these kind of folks as “climbers.” As with any other gathering, party, function, or event, everyone wants to see who else is in the room. Especially those who aren’t as “well known.” And they are way more interested in climbing than connecting. Talking to you is just simply a step in the right direction to someone else who is way more important.

That really bothers me. And I know I’ve been guilty of doing this before. And that bothers me even more.

So let’s all commit to truly being present in conversations, especially with new folks. Last week, I was reminded of how important it is to focus on who and what is in front of you. Being present. Whatever environment you are in, it’s way more important to be a concerned connector rather than a climber.