Listening to Others

Stoic Quote of the Week

It is folly to say, 'What I have said must remain fixed.' There is no disgrace in having our opinions change with the circumstances

-Seneca

What I learned this week:

The success of an organization rests in the people of that organization working together as a team, no matter what the organization is created to do. I reconfirmed that this week in Baltimore. I had the opportunity to participate in a planning and development meeting with a group of people I've known for about three years but never met in person. The Commit Foundation (TCF) is a nonprofit that provides transition support to military personnel at the end of their service, whether retiring after 20+ years or wrapping up their second enlistment. Our purpose for the gathering was twofold, to bring everyone together and to brainstorm where we want the organization to go in the future. There is a different level of energy in the room when it is filled with people who are passionate about what they do as individual contributors and truly believe and buy into the mission (purpose) of the organization. The ideas and discussions flow freely from everyone in the room, no matter their position in the organization. Because we all work remotely for TCF, there has been no water cooler discussion to sense the organization and where “it” wants to go. When we opened the discussion for ideas of where to take the organization and who to serve, it was all over the map and emotional, which is a testament to the people of the organization and the leadership. Because we all arrived with our own perspective and vision for what we think should happen next as TCF goes forward, the discussion started off a little disjointed on day one. By the end of day two, the group of ordinarily remote workers became a unified group with a focus and a direction, and as one member put it, back in the same boat, rowing in the same direction. This was because of the willingness to listen to everyone in the room and not be so stuck on our individual perspective or agenda. The key to success in any group, whether business, military, or even politics, is to listen and be accepting of others' opinions as their own, not judging whether it is right or wrong. We don't have to agree on everything; we must agree that the outcome is what is essential. The purpose of the organization is the thing that brings us all together. ?

Planning thought of the week:

Planning in a vacuum or all by yourself is a surefire way for the plan not to work when the time for execution arrives. When the leader locks the door and writes the plan, the team's buy-in does not exist. No matter how good a salesman you are, the team won't understand the plan, and buy-in to it is way harder than it needs to be. Involve your team in the planning effort early and often. This assures that implementation will be a success.

Business idea I heard about or thought of:

I spoke with a retiring Green Beret last night, and he reminded me of an opportunity he has as he separates from the Army. He wants to be an entrepreneur but told me that his talent isn't creation; it is execution. He's spot on. After 20+ years of being handed missions with varying degrees of information and guidance, he always accomplished the mission. There are a lot of us who are like that. We may not be able to come up with some unique idea, but we can sure take an idea or a plan and achieve a better solution or outcome than anyone else could. If you are that kind of a person, an executor, look into buying an existing business. There are thousands of businesses for sale across the USA. Most of these businesses are profitable, and the owner is ready to move on to something else. The other thing to remember is that you don't have to be an expert in the business. You must be willing to learn and listen to the experts in the business. If you are an expert in the business, you might want to find a different path. ?

Veteran opportunity of the week:

Servicemember Transitional Advanced Rehabilitation (STAR) Program for SOF service members and Veterans is a program in central Virginia (based in Richmond, VA). STAR is a comprehensive rehabilitation program designed specifically for?Special Operations Forces?service members to facilitate recovery, maximize function, promote successful community reintegration, return to duty, or transition to civilian employment. Learn more about what they do and who is eligible here.

Someone I met this week:

Meeting people in person is a natural human thing. The group of people I met with this week I've known and worked with for 3+ years, but I never met any of them in person. Sure, we've talked on Zoom and Google Meet many times, but a different connection happens when you have physical contact with the person and see who they truly are. It's hard to pick one person out of the 30 of us there, and many, like myself, had never met the others in person either. I confirmed again that the internet and the phone will never replace our personal connection when we meet with a person in person, face to face; we breathe the same air and physically touch each other with a tap on the shoulder, handshake, or hug. The human connection can never be replaced by augmented or virtual reality. Don't ever forget that.

Link to current The Cam & Otis Show podcast episode, Ep 203 Creating a Movement with PR- James Foo Torres - Imperium Authority. Please note that we updated our show's webpage to https://www.camandotisshow.com.

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