Four Tablespoons of Shortening – Yum
By Ron | September 4, 2008
I was recently reminded that some things were not meant to meet with my taste buds. Next to cooking the food, I enjoy eating, but unless you have a tongue scraper some foods should never pass for flavor.
Let’s play a game. Would you eat four tablespoons of shortening? What about two teaspoons of baking powder? How about two cups of flour? Maybe this last one will be attractive to some – three quarters cup of buttermilk? I can’t see putting any one of these into my mouth.
Yes, you guessed it – none of these individually would ever be found on a menu. Put them all in a mixing bowl, place on the baking sheet, and a few minutes later you have biscuits. Would I eat a biscuit? You bet I would. In fact, I had a buttered biscuit at lunch today. That biscuit would not have been worth eating without the buttermilk or the flour or the baking powder, or the shortening.
I can tell you that any team or organization is made up of shortening, four, buttermilk and baking powder–people with varying skills and personalities. Administration is not the main ingredient; it is only one. just like each department that contributes to the whole. Lest we look down on one person’s contribution or one department because they are different from us, we should remind ourselves that similarities negate the need for the other. Everyone combining his or her strengths makes the perfect recipe.
If you want to teach your team these principles through different strengths brought together within one organization, then take a look at Leading From Your Strengths Building Close Knit Teams and Team Building Discovery Kit. Your team needs to look at each person as a valuable ingredient in the organization.
Topics: Leadership | No Comments »
The Hurricane and the RNC
By Ron | August 31, 2008
I never typically post anything political. I have my opinions but the purpose of this blog is not political satire. However, I would like to float an idea that I hope someone sees and it gets traction.
On Tuesday night of the Republican National Convention when they are talking about doing a telethon to raise money for the victims of the hurricane, I propose the following. Have a neutral person to preside and host and ask eight to ten leaders from both sides of the aisle to give three to five minute speeches about times in America that we as a people endured together the toughest times. Do not make these political but historical and start in chronological order from the birth of our nation to the present. Then have the host offer these as a book that in addition to the pledge of money people can purchase and all proceeds go to the victims as well.
I am a publisher and understand what all is involved and these would be pre-orders and delivered later but what a great TV night this would be. And the keepsake of the book would inspire generations to come.
Topics: Leadership | No Comments »
Flash Point
By Ron | August 29, 2008
Set in Toronto Canada this crime drama depicts a SWAT-like force that has all the bells and gadgets an urban tact team desires. Not only is Flash Point set in a province but also the cast is almost entirely Canadian as well as all the writers. In America this show airs on CBS and has become my new favorite.
Within two minutes of the show’s beginning, you see someone cross the line to reach the crisis point or “flash point,” causing the team to be called in to stabilize the situation. But just as this flash point is reached, when someone kills a person or takes hostages, the scenes also flash backward quickly rewinding to usually three or four hours to show the events that lead up to this upheaval of events. What is amazing is to see how normal their lives appeared.
It has been said that we are the sum of all our decisions made up to this point. What if we all had a rewind button and could catch a glimpse of what choices and actions that led to our current crisis. Tragically, like the people on the show, we all make poor choices. And also like the characters playing out the sad scenario we knowingly make these realizing the potential consequences. When you see a flash point on the horizon, pause your own life and start calculating how to avoid the tact team’s involvement and let the only Flash Point be the show you watch–not live.
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous | No Comments »
Ron goes to NY and writes about a hot dog
By Ron | August 25, 2008
I traveled to NY to do a couple of interviews on television and radio covering my new book, Toy Box Leadership, (seen at the right). While traveling I like to eat something distinctly local rather than national chains you can eat anywhere. There are several choices to make while in New York City but on this trip to the big apple one place caught my attention. The place was the Brooklyn City Diner on 43rd Street in Times Square about a block from my hotel. The setting is slightly refined with modest menu across from the Nasdaq exchange.
Items on their menu that caught my attention were the split pea soup, which has bits of hot dog in it, the New England shrimp roll, or the jumbo lump crab cake club sandwich. The dish I settled on did not fit on the dish. The entrée making them famous is the 15-bite Hot Dog. This dish comes as pictured above with Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Miscellaneous, Travel Tips | 4 Comments »
Three paces west to the D6 Conference
By Ron | August 21, 2008
I remember as a kid burying treasure (OK, a favorite hot wheel car and dad’s old watch . . . well, it was old afterward) in the backyard and then drawing a treasure map of how to get there. It read something like four paces from the oak tree toward the shed; then at the red wagon turn left and go twenty paces to the fence post.
Getting to the D6 Conference will not be as difficult and what you will find there will be far more valuable with less dirt under your nails. George Barna, John Trent, Dave Ramsey, Jim Daily, Fred Stoeker, Darren Whitehead, Angela Thomas, and that is just half of the platform speakers. Talk about an all-star cast assembled for the D6 Conference!
Check out D6family.com or visit Randallhouse.com for a short video clip promo.
Where? Dallas (Three paces to the west)
When? September 23-25, 2009
This is a Southwest destination with two airports (Love Field and DFW) just minutes from the conference center. Six Flags, historical places, and a host of other attractions surround this area.
While digging up backyard treasure never amounted to much, – what we unearth at the D6 Conference could be the single greatest help to parents and churches today.
Topics: Leadership | 2 Comments »
How long can you hold your breath?
By Ron | August 20, 2008
I have to tell myself to breathe, and then I wonder how long I have been holding my breath. These lapses of not breathing regularly have also been accompanied by other symptoms. They include a straining of the neck, mild stretching of core muscle groups, shorter sleep cycles, and occasional audible gasps. The good part is these symptoms seem to be intermittent about every four years. Oh yes, there are quite frequent outbursts of “You can do it!” shouted at the TV.
I find that I am not alone – my co-workers show up with bags under their eyes even though mine seem bigger. We are enamored with the Summer Olympics. Even my family finds evening excitement in watching the events. Watching these phenomenal athletes spend years to perform for ten seconds in a 100-meter race or one minute on a balance beam makes one value time and the investment some pour into the moment. What are we non-Olympic competitors pouring ourselves into? Do we value hundredths of seconds or even an hour? These athletes are better for having trained even if they do not get to compete.
I hold my breath wishing and nudging the runner, player, and the gymnast. Who is nudging you? Who pushes you to be better? Who holds their breath in confidence for you?
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »
Lobby Ambassador
By Ron | August 18, 2008
This is Michael and he is the “Lobby Ambassador” for the Hilton Fort Worth. He greets you as you walk through the oversized entry doors of this historic hotel. Michael takes seriously his role in helping guests with their every need. I have it on good information (the manager) that Michael brings a brief case filled with a hundred different things a person might need in any given day, from safety pins, paper clips, super glue, Tide pen, permanent marker, to various shades of nail polish a lady might need.
Michael is more than the lobby MacGyver; he is a multi-tasker like no one’s ever dreamed. I first met him when I needed to check my two bags while I met with the key people concerning a hotel we were considering for an upcoming event. I walked up with an overnight bag and my briefcase. He was on the phone and two other people were standing in front of his podium desk. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous | 2 Comments »
The Laws of Marketing
By Ron | August 13, 2008
Coupons, slogans, commercials, ads, blogs, billboards, etc. makes one wonder where to spend money. If only the laws of marketing were as simple as the laws of physics. You remember those, what goes up must come down, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and if I study for a science test I will probably get a “C.”
I would love for there to be laws of marketing that said, “For every dollar spent in advertising you would profit two dollars.” What about this one? Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Leadership, Miscellaneous | 2 Comments »
Three AM wake up call
By Ron | August 11, 2008
Waking up is never easy for me because I love sleep. You would never guess that based upon the five-hour average I get. Even with my phone sitting on a cloth I heard it vibrating on the dresser. Who could be calling this early I wondered as I focused my eyes on those LED numbers. Does it say 3 a.m.? I just crawled into bed at midnight . . . better answer whoever this is that interrupted my precious night’s rest. My alarm is scheduled to go off at 4 a.m. in order for me to catch my 6 a.m. flight. Didn’t I just leave the airport the night before last? The phone is still vibrating. When I get out of bed I see the call is from an 800 number; I remember that today I am flying Delta, which I booked on Orbitz that gives you these wonderful calls with flight status updates exactly three hours before your flight takes off.
I never get these calls when I fly Southwest Airlines. There is no computerized voice telling me if my Southwest flight is on time, delayed, or if there are gate changes. Oh yes, they are not typically delayed.
Checks and balances are helpful, but at 3 a.m. I would rather not be notified if everything were normal. When giving those around you feedback relating to accountability, do it within the right time frame. That means as close to the event as possible and with consideration for the big picture that is their lives.
Topics: Leadership, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Connecting with my son
By Ron | August 5, 2008
My son, Michael, and I have a very good relationship. We are both quiet by nature and say very little unless necessary – we are both utilitarian in our personality. Speak, do, eat; well, I would not go that far, only when there is purpose. I am proud of my son’s choices in life so far. He is fourteen and looking forward to fifteen. Amazing how we long to be the next year older until we hit about twenty-six.
He and I just returned from one of the most adventuresome weeks of our lives together. In fact all the posts you have read in the last week were time released because I gave up my computer to spend time with my son. No cell phone calls to or from the office, no answering emails, just focusing on him. We spent this past week at the JH Ranch in northern California where they have specialized programs to better help dads and teens connect on levels they have not experienced since their kids were children and thought dad could do no wrong. This program included white water rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, high ropes courses, low ropes, and other events that stretch your fears, confidence, and trust levels. These high wire walks and leaps only begin to teach Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: D6 | 1 Comment »
