If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.

Remember this-that there is a proper dignity and proportion to be observed in the performance of every act of life.

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts, therefore guard accordingly; and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue, and reasonable nature.

By a tranquil mind I mean nothing else than a mind well ordered.

How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy.

In the morning, when you are sluggish about getting up, let this thought be present: ‘I am rising to a man’s work.’

Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.

Nothing happens to any thing which that thing is not made by nature to bear.

Tags: dignity happiness lose your self marcus aurelius antoninus neighbor notions proportion quotes revoke self respect thinks tranquil mind virtue
 

Responsibility is a hot topic. In politics, news, business and last but not least society. As long as there are unsolved issues—we can fight about whose responsibility it was: The boss, co-worker, politician, government? Play the blame game. But never think about yourself!

Or should you?

Dealing with blame is what differentiates the good, the bad and the ugly; especially in the really tough times. Management has to show responsibility not only inside the team but also outside the team. Still many fail to show their responsibility towards customers. Having a complaints department just does not cut it anymore.

Too many overlook that responsibility starts within the own yard. It’s not a question of education, position, hierarchy, gender, et cetera. How much blame can you take? How much should you take? What can you do to deal with it?

How do you play the blame game?

Tags: blame game boss co worker complaints department education education position gender good hierarchy hot topic politician politics news position responsibility the bad and the ugly tough times
 

Interesting posting from hugh macleod in his blog:


Tags: advertising blog macleod people punch
 

The public will always fascinated by the amount of money paid to managers who lead a company through the chapter 11 procedures. Not because of their knowledge, their wisdom, their ability to save jobs and the business. But the mere fact that more then once there have been companies which could have been saved if it was not for the payouts to new or old managers.

Have you ever been asked to pay back your bonus—because the company could not pay the bills anymore? The willingness of the blue collar workers to give back; go without or raise or even cut back their income is traditionally higher then the one of white collar workers. A while ago the upper management of Daimler-Chrysler decided to cut the managers income. Many hoped it would lead to a change in the minds of many managers.

Did it?

Would you ask for a bonus or even give back when it could save the company?

Would you trust management when they tell you it would save jobs?

Tags: amount of money blue collar workers bonus chapter 11 company daimler chrysler give back higher then jobs managers pay the bills payouts save the company their ability to save jobs their knowledge their wisdom trust management upper management white collar workers willingness wisdom would you trust management
 

Management is nothing more than motivating other people.

Lee Iacocca

“I can do that!” many will answer. “I can motivate others.”

But how?

Have you ever seen management as nothing different then motivation?

Is motivation just a better / nicer sounding word for management?

Tags: lee iacocca motivating motivating other people motivation management people sounding
 

A recent study has shown that companies spend more money on toilet paper then on the further education of managers. Yes—toilet paper indeed!

A great many companies do not have any plan when and how to educate their managers and potential leaders. Yet all companies agree that their employees are the biggest asset they have. But just looking at the companies is too easy: There are many offers to train employees, but just a few concentrate on leadership issues. And most cover the theory only.

Pressure from fast developing markets—India and China—increase the need for better education; especially for management. But this education needs to be less theoretical and more practical. There is the need to change the way we teach economics; our understanding of economics. And the same goes for the training of our managers and leaders. Not just the markets get more global; buyers too.

Way too often young managers have received an education without practical experience. The title alone does not make a person an authority or an expert; nor does the knowledge of all the theories. In theory you know how to change the tire of your car—but did you ever do it? And if you had to—was it as easy as you thought? Was their great room for improvement?

This practice is as unsatisfying for the growth of a company as the often used strategy to hire the top talent, put them at their desk, miss to provide inside knowledge and still expect outstanding results within a fortnight.

Nobody thinks it is right to give you your driver’s license after taking the theoretical exam. You have to take a practical test. New managers on the other hand…

What is your company’s budget for leadership training?

When was the last time your company send a manager to an educational seminar?

Tags: better education concentrate economics educate educate managers educational seminar fortnight further education global buyers great room last time leadership issues leadership training managers practical experience recent study spend more money theoretical exam toilet paper train employees
 

Looking for an inspirational quote or a business quotation for your newsletter, business presentation, bulletin board or inspirational posters? These respect quotes are useful to help motivation and inspiration. These quotes about respect will help you create success in business, success in management and success in life.

Tags: bulletin board business presentation business success inspiration inspirational posters inspirational quote inspirational quotes motivation newsletter business quotation quotes about
 

Every once in a while there comes the discussion up who is an asset in a team and who is not. Some will—even vigorous—supporting others. And some will fight to get rid of someone else.

The removal of a team member—even if it is done temporarily—puts a big pressure on any team. Sometimes the pressure and the presented evidence become so much that there seems to be only one option: To give up and remove the offending member. Some think that as long as everyone in the team agrees everything is fine. But let’s step back and take a look at it:

• Some team-members will not speak up—out of fear (to make enemies, to get booted out themselves, bullying, etc.)
• Some team members have not made up their mind yet.
• Some team members decided to sit back and wait how the situation resolves.
• Some do not have an opinion and just go with the flow.
• Some will only be happy if they can continue to get others booted out.
• Different people have different views: What sounds upsetting to one can be motivating to another one.
• Politics: Some think booting someone out will increase their chances of getting more control or even becoming a leader.

No matter how the constellation—the leader can not win. See, leaving the member usually costs as much stress in the group as does removing the member (sometimes only visible in the long run).

All the leader can do is damage control. It’s a fine line she has to walk on and it’s the time most leaders learn that they still have a long way to go.

For some group members this is the perfect time to show their bad side: They start playing the blame game, bashing others, et cetera. Most of this will be against the leader and those considered weaker; often the ones less outspoken. If not controlled properly it can lead to the destruction of the team.

Key in resolving this situation is communication. All the communication breakdowns have to be identified immediately. They only lead to more confusion and even more complications down the road. Never assume that everyone understands or knows what was going on. Take just a little extra time to create an environment that is destined to allow every team member to grow—peacefully and in harmony with others.

Tags: becoming a leader blame game communication communication breakdowns confusion constellation control damage control destined destruction enemies evidence extra time fear go with the flow group members harmony kick one out long way to go peacefully perfect time resolves stress team member team members