Leader or Gatekeeper?

Photo used courtesy of:ndanger.

When you first became a manager or supervisor did you feel special? Perhaps you thought you were recognized because of your intelligence, problem solving skills or leadership abilities.

 

I hate to disappoint you. In all likeliness it was due to your ability to submit yourself to company loyalty. You weren’t necessarily the best candidate due to your skill set or work history.

 

Gatekeepers are chosen to protect the company at all costs- nothing more. The minute your loyalty is in question, you’re position is history.

 

Being a Gatekeeper is similar to a being a member of a cult. You become a member of the mysterious inner circle of protection within the hallowed halls of the company. This typical well paid position has its roots in the manufacturing era.

 

Times have changed, however; many companies are still operating in the past. Those businesses will continue to struggle until they change management styles.

 

Leaders serve their people and customers. Gatekeepers serve the company.

 

You are either one or the other. Do not confuse the difference.

 

It is impossible to confuse the outcome!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/
 

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

 

 

 

Book Review- Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate.

Last week, I received the new book co-written by author and life coach Dan Miller and his son, Jarad Angaza entitled- Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate.

Dan Miller is the best-selling author of No More Dreaded Monday’s and 48 Days to the Work You Love. Dan Miller has two websites offering community assistance, classes and podcasts at 48days.com and 48days.net.  Jarad Angaza is the president and co-founder of KEZA, an ethical fashion label in East Africa.

Special Prize

I purchased the book with a pledge on a special offer through indigogo.com. The book arrived quickly and the shipping envelope had a label with a special instructions to call a specific phone number “before doing anything else.”

The package was like a box of Cracker Jacks. What would I hear or receive from calling the phone number? What would I discover inside the package? Like a child, my mind began to wonder.

Upon calling the number, I received a (fittingly) 48-second message from author Dan Miller thanking me for participating in the project along with an encouraging message. I’ve never seen anyone else offer this nice little gesture in regards towards anything I’ve ever purchased.

Inside the package was the UBUNTU medallion necklace designed by Jarad Angaza and Hannah Woodard at KEZA. Nepali refugees through Hope Rise (a Nashville, Tennessee based charity) assembled the necklaces. Hope Rise assists the Nepali refugees with integration into Nashville, Tennessee. Each of the beautiful medallions sold allows the refugees income and dignity.

I removed the autographed book from the envelope and the bright cover artwork immediately attracts your attention. As I opened the book, I noticed a couple more “little surprises.” Inside the front cover was a post card size promo photo of Dan and Jarad and a “Wisdom meets Passion” book marker (featuring additional dowloadable files). The added gifts show the genuine appreciation of the authors for the purchase through indigogo.com.

Added Stuff

Separate from the book, folks who joined the 48days.net group, Wisdom meets Passion- were able to download a couple of free eBooks, to go along with the hard cover version of the book. It’s safe to say Dan and his son, Jarad understand the power of added value to a customer. Thank you Dan and Jarad!

The Review

Once I started to read this extra-ordinary book, it was difficult to put down. Of all the books I’ve read this year it is easily my favorite- hands down.

The wisdom and passion of Dan and Jared is immense throughout every chapter. The motivation and hope gained through reading Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate is inspiring, gratifying and immeasurable.

Dan’s view of wisdom and passion is traditionally based ideology, so the older folks (like me) can easily relate too. While Jared’s view is on the edge, off the cuff and raw, perhaps relating better with a younger audience or a different cultural mindset.

Together, their views present quite different ways to arrive at a similar path for success. Separately, Dan and Jarad’s methods stand on their own merits and remind us that not everything is accomplished the same way, while breaking down- what really matters in life.

I have waited several years for a new book from Dan Miller and I can honestly say this is his best work yet! The message is joyful and resonates with words of wisdom and passion. This is a book I will repeatedly read and study.

Wisdom Meets Passion: When Generations Collide and Collaborate is the book you must read if you’re serious about changing your life or the world you live in.

I highly recommend it!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.
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The Alternative to Being Average



Photo used courtesy of: cliff1066â„¢)

The end of the Industrial age has already brought many changes in the way we do business. The problem is most employers and employees haven’t grasped the change in direction.

Many companies are still run as if they are factories and many employees are being treated the same as if they are factory workers. Worse yet, many of the employees have preconceived notions so ingrained into their brain; they don’t know the rules have changed.

The Race to the Bottom

From the first day of school; compliance, fitting in, and being average were drilled into our heads. Everyone used a #2 pencil; sat in a straight row, bells rang to signify the beginning or end of class, and we raised our hand to ask or answer a question. Formulated measures were used to teach compliance to the masses.

In order to produce more factories and sell more products we were taught that purchasing items would buy happiness. Mass television, radio marketing, and peer pressure were some of the ways used to get us to buy into the idea. Corporations became extremely wealthy. Unions prospered and employees earned a comfortable living style. Everyone was happy, waiting for the gold watch and retirement pension.

Then the unthinkable happened. Someone decided they could manufacture stuff cheaper. Factories moved overseas, many closed or were bought out and relocated. It was always about manufacturing something cheaper and faster. It always will be. That is what produced the Industrial age and it is the reason we can’t compete now. It’s a race to the bottom.

End of the Industrial Era

So here we are. The Industrial age has run its course. Suddenly fitting in, being compliant, and following the manual created an entire group of average people that can be replaced at a moment’s notice, with more average employees. No job security. This is the same type of employee sought after for a fast food business job. Where’s the progression?

The Alternatives

1. Be creative, innovative, and unique.
2. Stand out and make yourself a valuable asset to your organization.
3. Stop trying to fit in, stop being average, and unleash the chains.
4. If the business you work for doesn’t allow you to make a difference, change jobs (Chances are the organization will go the way of the factories anyway.)
5. Start your own business, do something you’ve always dreamed of, become that someone you always wanted to be.
6. Be a leader, not a follower!

Take charge of your life today and do something meaningful that matters.

Your future is only as secure as you choose to make it!

 

Until We Meet Again,

 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”

Something Meaningful that Matters!

 

www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

 

The Wall of Fear!

One of the problems in business is the lack of support from management. Management should be a buffer between the frontline of the business to provide support for the employees with the customers. Also, management should be the support of the backline between upper management and employees.

 Too often in today’s business world a breakdown or total collapse occurs in one or both areas. High stress related careers become unmanageable when there is a lack of support. Quality suffers and morale plummets in situations where the buffering isn’t an ongoing activity.

The worst cases are when middle management appears to run by a dictatorship from the top down. The middle manager just passes the “push of persuasion” down to their employees. Wouldn’t a direct email do the same amount of collateral damage?

The sound of the crack of the whip would be the only thing missing.

Whenever middle management is run by fear the responses are the same. Leading by fear is a terrible motivator. The truth is the middle managers are probably more fearful than the employees. When managers become more concerned with “possibly looking bad”, rest assured you won’t find any support.



Photo used courtesy of: Daniel Antald.

Insecurity is fear and fear is when the lizard brain and survival instincts take over. At this point, nothing else matters. Providing a buffer-forget it. Truth, integrity, and common sense left the station a long time ago.

Actually, I am not sure why an organization needs many levels and sub-levels of management to operate in this outdated 1950’s style of the atrocity of class warfare. It seems to me if they can’t actually provide support or help, one gatekeeper could easily cover a good size herd. You shouldn’t need a small army to convince the sheep to be scared, be very scared.

Obviously, this type of situation is an unhealthy work environment. The bigger question is why would anyone want to work for an organization that fails to respect their employees or values their effort? Does the negative treatment make you believe there is no better job out there? Aren’t you worthy or have the years created self-doubt in your own abilities? Have you sold out your value and ethics for a paycheck?



Photo used courtesy of: Krossbow.

I think we all deserve better. I believe we could succeed in a work environment that operates on trust, integrity and support. I believe we could be happy, enjoy our jobs and work together for a common goal if an organization eliminates the use of fear in the workplace.



Excitement would fill the air and innovation could overtake an organization to levels of success never before thought possible. Imagine seeing smiling faces, motivated to a call of action. Instead of employees regressing on a daily basis, what if their disappointment only occurred when the implementation of a new process failed to reach the desired results?

Everybody united in a common quest for excellence.

But to do that, we must tear down- The Wall of Fear!

Are you with me?

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The 12 Steps of a Dysfunctional Business

1. The System creates the rules.

2.   If you have a question, ask us.

3. We create rules, but we don’t discern right from wrong.

4. We are not responsible for enforcing the rules.

5.   If you don’t believe so, ask us.

6. The enforcement is up to whoever chooses to follow or interpret.   .

7. Management is always correct and not responsible.

8. We just create the rules.

9.   If you don’t understand the rules- neither do we.

10. We just make the rules.

11. If you don’t believe us we will find someone who does!

12. If we cannot find someone to agree- see step one.

Until We Meet Again, Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”Something Meaningful that Matters!www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

 

Disclaimer- Books and links on The Rust Belt Chronicles contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Who Builds The Road to Success?

"You can have everything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want"- Zig Ziglar 

I've noticed in discussions concerning being successful, one of the obstacles often shared is the attempt to diminish the desire of someone from becoming successful.

It’s a roadblock between taking the leap and doing what you did yesterday. The belief in your desire is an advantage towards climbing the steps to success.

Yet, we let one opinion or more dissuade us and prevent us from becoming what we were meant to be. We have given others the power to approve our present and future. Why?

Whatever happened to “the little engine that could?”

Why don’t friends and family  share our enthusiasms, dreams and ideas? 

10 Reasons- Why others don’t support our ideas:  

1.     Fear

2.     Lack of Interest (their lack of interest)

3.     Risk

4.     Change

5.     Envy

6.     Competition

7.     Jealousy

8.     Growth

9.     Financial Gain (for them or us)

10. Lack of Knowledge (their lack of knowledge)

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Whose Got Your Back?

All ten reasons are beneficial to our growth as a person. The educational and personal experience substantially offset the risks of most ideas. Even failing helps us to grow and improve ourselves.

Risk has always offered a larger reward. Doing something scarce drastically increases income. Competition pushes us to excel and succeed. It separates us from the pack and quantifies goals.

Fear keeps us from moving forward and people know how vulnerable we are to fear. Does the fear represent someone being worried about our relationship changing? Who owns the fear- you or them?

Some folks just don’t want someone to accomplish something they can't. Perhaps the people you are seeking approval from believe they are higher up the social ladder. If you often seek their advice, this could be the case.

People like the comfort of feeling they are in control. The truth is- only if we choose to relinquish our control. Giving someone else the power to alter or decide our finances, life or career is unwise.

Do we value an opinion because it is in our best interests or theirs? Is our decision based on their income or wealth? Do they share any common knowledge or perhaps the topic isn't interesting to them?

It’s nice to have peers, family or others onboard; unfortunately don’t be surprised if there is a lack support or if the first problem you encounter-the negativity jolts like a sonic boom from those closest to you.

No Permission Required

While I was writing my first book I kept it low-key until I was nearly done. I didn’t want opinions or distractions. I found support from people within the industry to be the most positive influence. This gave me the opportunity to develop friendships with people I barely knew and in some cases were total strangers.

Being able to standout and be a lynchpin requires effort, passion and perseverance. The journey begins within you.

"You don't have to be great to start, but you do you have to start to be great"- Zig Ziglar

 I hope you reach a decision on your own dreams, desires and destiny. Take charge of your own life. You’ve waited too long for permission. It’s not necessary. Not anymore.

Grant yourself the power and start today!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3<sup>rd</sup> party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The Art of Self-Publishing

Ever Consider Writing and Self-Publishing?

Note: I am revisiting and updating my blog from July 2010 on self-publishing to offer some advice from one of my readers. Enjoy!

First, consider learning everything you can about the publishing business. There are many companies who will attempt to take advantage of your lack of knowledge concerning the book industry and publishing. These “sharks” will have you paying a large sum of money to print, store and sell your book. They will ask you to sign a contract, which will give them the rights to your book and this will prohibit you from earning money. In the end, the disappointment will likely lead you to never write another book again.

I began my quest to write the first book without any experience. I asked questions, scoured the internet for best solutions and became knowledgeable to self-publish my book. I started my own publishing company and will soon launch the book. I am using the POD (print on demand) method. My printer will print the quantity of books, I choose; based on my need.

Sometimes decisions regarding business details were based on my situation financially or my audience. Self-publishing has some limitations, but when you choose to self-publish a book; you remain the author and sole decision maker.

If it sounds easy and someone promises to provide a simple solution for several thousand dollars to publish a book for you- walk away!

For those of you wishing to self-publish, here are a few items to consider:

· Purchasing a domain name

· Searching for the lowest cost solution in creating an attractive webpage

· Blog topics for a blog

· Website content

· Joining social network sites

· Writing press releases

· Creating advertisement flyers

· Choosing an editor

· Graphics person

· Printer company

· Shipping method

· Postal rates

· Pricing

· Taxes

· eBook solutions

· eCommerce shopping carts

· Payment gateways

· Photo releases

· Scanning Photos

· Purchasing an ISBN and copyright registration

· Creating a PDF file specific to the printing company in Adobe Acrobat

Did I mention writing 10- 12 hours a day of writing during weekends?

(Photo created by: gilles chiroleu.)

Yes, writing a book can be a tedious task. But the educational aspect is priceless and the next book will be easier to publish, given your vast experience and knowledge! Don’t allow any company to take advantage of you.

 The 10 Best Secrets of Self-Publishing

1. You don't need anyones permission to self-publish.
2. You become a writer once you decide to write.
3. Don't worry about mistakes, hire a good editor.
4. Pre-plan the layout of the chapters in the book.
5. Realize a book can be self-published cheaply as an ebook through online resources.
6. Income from the ebook could help fund the hard copy book or vice-versa.
7. Self-publishing and marketing are two separate aspects. Write first- worry about a website later.
8. Take advantage of using books, community forums and YouTube for ideas and assistance.
9. Perserverance is the biggest challenge in writing.
10. Start today!

 Until We Meet Again,

 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”

Something Meaningful that Matters!

www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3<sup>rd</sup> party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.