Learning to Talk to my Best Friend Better

I've fallen in love. Yes, I'm a passionate guy, I may not show it, but I am. Deep down I'm passionate and fall in love often. I was telling my team about my soulmate I met when I was 26 in a pool at the Holiday Inn beachside in Panama City, FL during spring break. I never spoke to her, but she squeezed my arm and I knew we were meant for each other. The police officer clearing the patio and pool of non-guests didn't agree and we never saw one another again. 

But! I've fallen in love again. This time it's with a podcast (see HERE) and with a dog named Tucker. Seriously, go check out how talented Tucker is through this podcast, you'll be stunned by his talent!  

Anyone who is an avid reader of this blog will know I'm a podcast fan. I've been a guest on several (see HERE and HERE . . . for those counting, two links is "both" . . . I said "several" because one is about 3 weeks from being released! . . . so stay tuned!). I'm also a guest host on a podcast and that's always fun as well. 

Additionally, I get to listen to podcasts quite often on my drive to and from work. This one is AWESOME. 

I love dogs (see I told you I'm passionate, I love everything!) and getting to know more about dogs is always fun. I love getting to know more about my best friend (see HERE, HERE and HERE). The better I know her the better life is if you ask me!

One of my other favorite things to do is to watch Cesar Milan videos and shows. I know there are many people who think he is too tough, but when I watch him work with a dog, I can see his love and understanding of the dog. Again, the more you know, the better off the relationship. He seems to talk a ton and his dogs obviously communicate back. The better my ability to talk to Sadie, the better the best-friendship if you ask me!

Essentials

I was listening to a podcast for a while, James Thayer's podcast on novel writing. It was good but each time I listened to it, usually on my commute, I found myself wanting to take notes and really listen, not background listen as I tend to do when I listen on the drive. 

So, I've stopped listening to the podcast. Which is too bad, I really liked it. 

Another Podcast

I had the opportunity to record another podcast (see HERE and then see HERE for a full list of these that I've done lately). 

This one I got to host the podcast. This was the first one that I had the opportunity to host. I've hosted three I think thus far. They haven't all been released. I look forward to more. 

Personally, I like being on the guesting end rather than on the hosting end. Why? I don't know. I just don't think I do as good a job hosting as I do guest. 

There's a damn video of this one. Ugh. I have a voice for podcasting, not for video! Only click the video link if you have a strong stomach (see HERE). 

BTW . . . We have worked on our audio quality since this last podcast. 

Podcast on Memory

I had a long discussion with Tommy at work - find the link to the podcast here, and he recorded it. He podded me, then he cast me. So, I've now been captured as a part of a podcast. 

In the podcast (see here) I go over how memories are made, what we are doing at work to support the industry, and alot alot on VR. It was tons of fun, but man-oh-man is it hard to hear my own voice. 

Give a listen and let me know if you like it!

Another Podcast

I recorded another podcast (see HERE). I got a chance to record a podcast interview with my friend and colleague JoAnn the other day for a group called "Oil and Gas Global Network." The theme was "Digital Doers" and brother do I have a voice for that! 

Speaking of voices, and my voices, does anyone enjoy the sound of their own recorded voice? I'm stunned when I hear mine. I can't stand it. Maybe that is 

Regardless, I really enjoyed speaking with JoAnn and I've replaced my old interview with this new one as the featured post. I have tons of podcasts where I'm the host, but it's always good to be on the other side of the table. 

This is all a part of that goal I discussed a few weeks back, about being an expert in the community. Another check box checked!

Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis

I heard a great podcast this morning that was all about ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a fungus that infects ants and drives them manic or insane. The podcast likened this fungus in ants to the idea that people need leaders, or that leaders are better and more apt that people. It was a bit of a libertarian podcast as you can guess. 

It's an interesting concept, the zombie ant, and anyone can easily see how it could be translated into a terrific zombie movie or zombie series. Fungus that is supposed to infect ants crosses over to infect humans. It writes itself to a degree. 

Where's the Make Up and Hair Stylist?

In my defense I didn't know that Kerry was going to use the video! I can understand why though. Kerry is so good looking that she can use any pic or video of herself and look outstanding . . . not so for me obviously. 

This is from a podcast on waterblasting and industrial cleaning that I recorded with Kerry (see HERE). Kerry is blessed with amazing looks and in our world of industrial contracting a gal is rare. A female leader is more rare. A great looking female leader is the hardly ever seen! 

See what I mean? Kerry compared to Dick? No contest. She at least combs her hair!

So, a couple of notes. 

1) I should have brushed my hair. For some reason my hair looks like a toupee!

2) I should have sat up straighter. I look like I can hardly be bothered to hold my head up on my neck.

3) How bout I one day introduce that shirt to an iron. I look like I jumped on a wrinkle grenade to save my friends from getting hit. 

4) Consider a plant or something in the background to draw the eyes off the horrible looking guy. 

A few days after recording this podcast I ran into Kerry in San Antonio at an event. I got to run her through our welding VR simulator. 

She's one of these people who looks great in pictures and looks even better in real life. That type of person who's charisma jumps out at ya. Great leader to follow in our industry. She needs to pick better podcast guests. 

Ghost at your Own Risk

I was listening to a podcast about emotions, and I was considering my "challenges" with ghosting. Anyone who has read my thoughts in these blog posts before will no that I'm not a fan of "ghosting." I think it's a horrible way to deal with things. Not only am I not a fan, but I think it's a perniciously bad thing to do that can be devastating to relationships. 

One of my good friends, who has quite a bit of background in conflict resolution, disagrees, and he says that ghosting is a viable form of "conflict avoidance." He is probably right, and it's a good thing for me to think about, self-authorship and all that . . . being able to put oneself in another person's shoes and see things from the perspective. Still, I think it's horrible. 

4-Dimension Digital Transformation Framework

We were given a 4-dimension framework to discuss as a part of a module in my most recent class. The model focused on digital leadership and digital transformation. 

I really liked seeing the 4-dimension framework discussed as a part of this module. Going through the readings, and seeing all of the videos made me want to do a bit more research in the "return to office" arena, especially in regards to several articles I've read recently. 

I found a great podcast from the WSJ (transcript linked below) where they discussed the evolution of the Google workspace design. In that podcast, they discussed an open office/town center type of design that was being incorporated into a hangar space. The benefits of this type of space they said were its flexibility for shared areas but also for closed-off areas for privacy as well. Then I read another article (Bindley & Cutter, 2022) where the major theme was the need for hybrid workspaces that also made it easier for workers to blend back into the business, especially at the hours that were most convenient for them. 

What's the point of all of this? First, there is the theme of adaptability and flexibility in digital leadership that was a part of these discussion boards in the past few weeks. Even in my interviews with leaders at my organization, the predominant characteristic that the interviewed leaders felt was needed was adaptability and an open mind. All of the readings, videos and other resources seemed to show the need for adaptability. Even the Luddite movie showed how leaders, workforces, and organizations need to be adaptable to the changing work landscape in order to be successful. 

What I liked about the 4-dimension framework was that it didn't focus on one or two of these aspects of change, but rather wrapped them all into one large change framework, showed users all of the areas that can be affected by digital transformation, and most importantly showed how different aspects of one area could bleed over and touch others. Specifically, the podcast on office redesign was not just about how best to allow for workers to do more work, but how to foster effective communication as well. The designers were focused on the changing nature of the work world, changing demands by workers, but also on the organization's need to foster good, effective communication for all the workers. 

I know we have seen these same issues at play in our own office space. Our leadership has not yet fully embraced remote or hybrid work environments and I worry that we are missing out on talented workers because we aren't more accepting of this capability. Our leadership will need to embrace this style of work if they want to attract and maintain good quality workers, and as yet, we haven't seen that become a focal point for our organization. I see that large organizations seem to be moving that way, I wonder from the level our classmates are at what you see at your own organizations? 

References

WSJ’s the future of everything. (2022, May 13). WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/wsj-the-future-of-everything/designing-the-office-of-the-future-building-serendipity/36a1975f-74bf-4c7d-95d6-41c781fa3b6c?mod=Searchresults_pos16&page=2 (Links to an external site.)

Bindley, K., & Cutter, C. (2022, January 25). Workers care more about flexible hours than remote work. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Ed.). https://www.wsj.com/articles/workers-care-more-about-flexible-hours-than-remote-work-11643112004?cx_testId=3&cx_testVariant=cx_17&cx_artPos=0&mod=WTRN

Another Pod Cast . . . This One with Kerry

 A couple of weeks ago I mentioned getting to record a podcast with Kerry that was all about training in our industry. So, it came out today (see HERE). Geez I sound like a dope!

Blending Digital and Traditional Leadership

How do you define digital leadership and how is(n’t) it different? Use evidence from real-world examples, scenarios provided in this class, and/or quality literature to support your response.

Our organization has just released a new leadership training course called "Turnaround Leadership" that is focused on step-up crew leaders, or non-leaders who are pressed into leadership positions during periods of significant work activities, which in our industry we call "turnarounds." In this training, we review the Ken Blanchard Situational Leadership model with our learners to provide a framework for how they should lead. 

This style of leadership is similar to the matrix that Oberer and Erkollar (2018) highlight in their article from Lussier and Achua regarding behavioral leadership theories; a mixture of consideration and structure. In the case of Situational Leadership, Blanchard promotes changing the leadership style to meet the needs of the employee. In their white paper Why a Situational Approach to Leadership Matters (n.d.), the Ken Blanchard company writes, "this leadership framework advocates that leaders change their leadership style depending on the situation and the person whom they are leading, and, as a result, this model puts leadership style flexibility at the top of the list for leadership effectiveness" (p. 3). We like using this as a framework for our leadership courses because it promotes flexibility, and adaptability and gives a framework for the growth of each team member regardless of experience or motivation, and thus for the growth of the team. 

When I juxtapose this with the article by Kane et al. (2019), I see many areas where a natural overlap occurs, as the authors write, "tied for the third most important capability, a leader must also be change-oriented - that is open-minded, adaptable, and innovative" (p. 36). The authors promote this as the third most important trait of a digital leader, right behind vision/ability to see trends and digital literacy, but I believe that adaptability is the first most important trait. Traditional leadership, like our turnaround leadership course, promotes and digital leadership may have different inputs and outputs but the ability to be adaptable, to adapt, adjust and overcome is imperative in both cases in order for a digital leader to have the opportunity to see his vision take place or for his understanding of digital literacy to be utilized or a traditional leader to work around a new subcontractor who may have showed up and changed the hazards on his worksite or to adapt to a new schedule because of delays in delivery of equipment. Adaptability is needed in both cases and a framework like Ken Blanchard's sets leaders up with an adaptable framework for team leadership. 

I was hoping that Oberer and Erkollar's article might discuss how best to adjust the framework to the digital age, to make a focus on the changing and evolving workplace to confront and overcome a more and more digital arena, but use the behavior leadership theories and situational leadership as a model for their new digital leadership framework, but found their 4.0 leadership framework less than complete. Instead what I found was I reverted back to what President Astrid Tuminez on UVU’s Digital Transformation (n.d.) said in the Community Conversations podcast about how every industry will become more and more digital and that it is important to "restore, evolve, and transform" as they continue to hit digital leadership challenges. 

References

Kane G. C., Phillips A. N., Copulsky J.R. and Andrus G. R. (2019). How digital leadership is(n't) different. MIT Sloan Management Review (Spring): 34-39

Oberer, B., & Erkollar, A. (2018). Leadership 4.0: Digital leaders in the age of industry 4.0. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 7(4), 404–412. https://doi.org/10.33844/ijol.2018.60332 (Links to an external site.)

President Astrid Tuminez on UVU’s Digital Transformation [podcast]. (n.d.). Educause.Edu. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://er.educause.edu/podcasts/educause-talks-tech/president-astrid-tuminez-on-uvus-digital-transformation

Why a situational approach to leadership matters. (n.d.). Kenblanchard.Com. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://resources.kenblanchard.com/leadership-skills/why-a-situational-approach-to-leadership-matters

A Podcast that Sticks

I was a part of another podcast (see HERE). This one I'm not as proud of. This one I was determined NOT to go down the same road of VR, spaced practice and adaptive learning. Guess what? I did. Anyone who wants to hear it . . . check it out HERE or the others HERE.

It wasn't my fault! The host, Mark, wanted and almost forced me to talk about these things. I don't blame him. VR, because of Meta and Covid and other industry drivers are making VR a bigger and bigger part of the world. So, here I am, writing a dissertation on the effectiveness of VR, so what else do you talk about?

Truth, I wanted to talk about the uniqueness of our learning community. Contractors have not gotten great training in the past. Our job is to fix that. But, when I read studies about adult learning, I see that most of the participants of the studies are female and college-educated. I wonder to what degree the studies and what they find and conclude actually represent what our adult-learning community needs and wants.

The other issue, Mark sounds so smart. I sound stupid! I think it's the British vs Texas accent. Still, it was fun to meet Mark, I hope I get a sequel. 

Old Friends

One aspect of social media that never fails to astounds me it's ability to promote the resilience of friendships. When my birthday comes around I hear from all sorts of people I never thought I'd hear from. I've got friends on social media channels who would not be friends unless for that platform. Case in point is my old girl friend Nicole.

Nicole was someone I dated in Seattle over twenty-five years ago. When I knew her (that first time) she was a sales person for a meat distribution organization and drove around in her company car with a refrigerated trunk filled to the brim with meat samples for restaurants. Coolest date ever! She reached out to me over ten years ago and we have been pen pals (on and off) ever since. Nicole sent me this the other day right out of the blue.



Thought I would pass this link along.  These books are on sale 8/17-8/23 for $.99 each.  I like Jeff Goins and there are some fiction books here.  Thought of you.  Hope you are well during this season.  Life is great - it’s hot this week - I don’t love 100+ days.  Got to paddle board yesterday.  Waiting to hear from Apple - hoping to launch my podcast later this week.  



So, several things here. First, I love the fact that she's a fan of the writing. There should be a new book out in the next few months to keep her occupied with my writing life. LOVE the fact that I'll have another podcast to listen to on my (insane) commute. So be on the lookout for that. But this blog too, is one of the oldest social media channels I have and I dig the fact that it can act as a bridge to so many people from my old life.

Workforce Challenges

 Alexis, works in a field similar to mine. Heavy regulations, training demands, a less educated workforce. She was discussing the divide between the workers and the executives. 

Several things popped to mind when I read her paper. First, like her, we train workers who enter and remain in our industry and provide manual labor and field-work-type activities. Like she mentioned, there is a huge divide between the working class and the executive class in our world, and instead of closing, I think the gap is widening. 

HOWEVER, I do feel as though our executive class would love to be able to do things to help the workers remain at the job and grow, but in many cases, we are stymied by state and federal bureaucracies and red tape. Initiatives like sponsoring child care for all of the single moms we hire or new parents would be a welcome benefit to our workers, but the challenges of setting something like up, having it linked to our business, staffing, etc etc made it impossible. 

At my previous job, I wanted to have a "return to work" initiative to help parolees and former convicts find worthwhile work in our industry. However, background check requirements made this impossible despite the fact that I proved that these employees have far less turnover and increased retention than our average worker. I could go on and on, and it's always a tough nut to crack. 

The second point I thought about as she wrote about public transportation challenges, was a podcast on public transportation that I heard on Freakonomics. Their contention was the benefits of providing free public transportation far outweigh the downsides. I had never thought about this before, but listening to the podcast changed my mind completely. The revenue from fares is negligible when compared to the operating costs, and the amount of time saved on routes is significant. When she discussed her workforces challenges in missing the bus, this came to mind. I don't think many municipalities have tried it, but the ones who have have seen benefits for workers and riders who use the systems. It was quite enlightening to me. 

Recently, I've been challenging myself to always end on a positive note. So to that end, I will say that several of our workers work the system to their benefit and find a rewarding and profitable career. I met one guy, high school graduate, who traveled the country from Jan to April working different jobs. He would stay in company-paid hotels, his work clothes were paid for, he had a nice per-diem that he never fully used so he kept the extra, he didn't have to pay for a car since there was transportation every day to the plants, and between jobs, and he racked up tons of overtime. 

Then he would take June to Aug off and then do it all again from Sep to November. In the winter months he would hunt and fish, in the summer months he would take the family to his lake house to mess around. No work demands at all during these months. He made enough in working just 6 months that he wouldn't have to work the other 6 months. 

Not only that, he made so much in double time and over time that I found out later he made more in those 6 months than I did in annual salary! He was a testament to hard work paying off and being able to work the system to his advantage. 

Back to Novel Writing

Now that I'm through with classes . . . man that still seems weird to write . . . I guess when something has been a daily part of your life for 3 and a half years . . .  when it goes away, it's a bit of a loss. 

Regardless, now that I'm through with those classes, I'm thinking of . . . I'm going to get back into my novel writing. It won't be immediate. I still have to finish my dissertation, but just the experiment and the report on it over the course of the next few months is nothing compared to taking 6 or 7 Masters and PhD level classes every year. 

More on Sunset Perfect

As you all know, I am a fan of this loose series of mysteries and thrillers. Vapor Trail, On the Edge, Toe the Line all have working out and athletics as a theme (see HERE). 

As a part of Sunset Perfect there is a theme of culture and trust, there's also a murder that brings up a theme of family and simmering betrayal, but all of this takes place around and among a football team that is going through some drastic turbulence and challenges. 

Variety Among Drinks

I think I’m depressed. I have the doldrums. Several people have pointed it out to me lately. They say that I look and act “down.” 

I believe it. All this semester I was going one hundred miles an hour, now, just about 0. I mean maybe I’ll hit 5 mph or so, since I have one more class, a residency class in Kansas. There’s a book to read for that. Just one. A small one. Serendipitous for my novel writing career, the book is called, “How to Write A lot.” I betcha I love that book!

Priorities

I was thinking about priorities. There was a podcast wherein they discussed how much work there is out there to be done. Basically if you have a worker, we have the work for em. I think about my folks at work. They are overwhelmed with work. They have to prioritize. 

Then I also think about that gal who came to work a few weeks back, new on the job. By the middle of the morning she had her head down on the desk bored and exhausted. She looked up and said, “is there any room for advancement at this job?” All of my advancement, and the advancement I promote comes by way of more work. Her words should have been, “anything I can help with?” Overload yourself with work, and the advancement will come. 

Make a Schedule

 I'm reading "How to Write Alot" by Paul J. Silvia. Yes, this is for a class  . . . my very last class thanks very much. It's on Writing and Publishing in the academic world. So, it should help me move forward on my white papers, my dissertation, and other writing projects. 

I'm trying to also apply his tips and tricks to my personal writing life as well. These . . . among other things . . . are the things I think would be fun to include in a podcast on writing if I ever decide to do "So I'm Writing Another Novel."

Most Recent First Line

When I first read Tom Clancy's books, I think I was in college, I skipped Red Storm Rising. Jack Ryan isn't in it. Where's the central character? This is now my second time to read it, and although sure I miss Jack Ryan as a central character, but man, oh man is it ever a great story. 

Regardless, it's my time to read for fun, and I'm in the midst of a "series" jam . . . Hackett's, WEB Griffin, etc etc. So I read Hunt for Red October last month. This month, book 2 by Clancy, Red Storm Rising.