See Me Remember Me Buy Me

There often seems to be a lot of strife happening in businesses and organizations. Many people have told me over the years, that “there is politics in everything.”

NONSENSE

Politics, manipulation, prejudice, and guile are certainly abundant, but they are not in everything because they are not in me, and I am part of ‘everything.’ Sounds a bit bold? Too bad. I’m not perfect, but I’m working the journey.

What is there to do?
I have seen two general reasons for trouble in business, regardless of industry: Greed and Ego. Years ago I worked directly for the Vice President of one of the largest companies in my town. I was privy to some information that showed a pattern of decisions made based on what would make the company more money, regardless of commitments made, laws broken, or even employee harassment.

In another capacity, I worked with someone for a time who’s ego was so large she would often make decisions based on what boosted her ego and gave her control over options that would have (in honest ways) made the company more money.

These are only two examples from my own life. When my mentor, Michael Dlouhy, told me that he has seen the same thing in over 30 years of experience, I started watching for these two things. Now, when I see greed and ego involved in the decisions of an individual or company, I work to change my relationship with that group or person. I will conclude commitments and make changes when it is financially safe for me to do so. At times I have had to make such change when it was financially unsafe. I will not trade my integrity for my paycheck and neither should you. Stand up for principles of decency and respect, lift up those you can, look down to no one. Any other approach will bring only short-term reward or profit, if any at all.

I am often angered at the injustice I see, and wonder what I can do about it. Part of the answer is being healthy enough to make a difference. Once you are, “Pay It Forward.” Don’t worry about the past, and make a difference now. You cannot lead if you are wrapped up in your own issues. I know that from my own experience.

For example, I taught high school for two years in a very small, unique town: Big Water Utah. It was a difficult experience, mostly because I was not, at that time, healthy enough to make a difference. There had been some politics, ego, and prejudice that created an unfortunate environment for the students. I was told it was an unusual place, and it was. Unusually heart-wrenching because of the ego and prejudice of not the townspeople, but the district leaders. Three mentors from that time, Pat, Gerry,  and Patricia taught me more than they know. To them, if they by chance read or hear of this post, a sincere thank-you.

If you find yourself in that situation, don’t get caught up in the drama. Do what you must; do what you can, utilize your strengths and improve your weaknesses. Determine your values and stand by them. Over the long term, you will fare better than if you tried the shortcuts you see others take, even if they seem to profit well from them.

And then, when the beam is gone from your eye, when you are no-longer holding on to the toxic waste of your own pride and issues, only then will you make the difference you seek in service to others and riches untold.

 I love writing, I love Education (teaching, learning), and I love computers. So becoming a blogger was inevitable. I have been an Instructional Designer for 12 years, designing educational materials that would be delivered to students via the Internet.

I have 9, yes NINE, blogs that I want to do. This is the second I have actually started. It's ok if you react with surprise. I'm used to that. I have six kids, and people say, “Six? Really?” Are blogs like kids? Do the older ones help the younger ones?

Currently my instructional design is for a training company that teaches Internet Marketing. After working for these people for two years, learning from their experts and organizing what they have researched into instructional lessons and courses according to sound educational strategies, I decided to put it into practice.

I have learned from these experts that there are four fundamental principles of Internet Marketing specific to a website:

·         Content (Information on your site, its value, quality, and credibility).

·         Tenure (Length of time your site has been on the Internet).

·         Linking (Number and quality of links from other websites to yours).

·         Frequency (How often you add content to your site.)

Social Networking is now the fifth principle. Like the “Fifth Race” from Stargate. I need to learn it, and learn by doing. So that is why I am here. 

-Gary