Friday, October 14, 2016

Playing life is like playing chess...concentrate and calculate...

Concentrate on the next move...if something feels wrong...

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Wenston DeSue-Author

In working within organizations, among people with different attitudes, personalities, professional viewpoints and even progressive or regressive business states, we tend to forget our first minds.  Today, there are many voices swirling around, making claims and engaging our attention.  What we have to do is stop, take a minute and listen to that still small voice that encourages us to actions.  If we listen to the still, small voice within ourselves, we will find the answers that we need concerning many an issue.  Whether it relates to personal, professional and even spiritual guidance, everyone knows when things are moving in the right direction, stagnated in process or regressing to a virtual standstill.

Life is a series of calculated moves and given the right opportunity, involve decisive action.

This morning, I have decided to take a different tact with these blog posts as for some strange reason, the negatives seem to outweigh the positives. We must all make a conscious effort add positives to the conversation in every area.  All I am going to say this morning is that if something just feels wrong...it probably is...go with that.

TPP

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Take your ball and go to the world...kicked out of the group?


Networking 101:  Take your ball and go to the world...
Wenston DeSue-Author

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When your networking group becomes "small minded"...take your ball and go to the world...

Have you ever wondered what it would take to build a solid network of contacts, connections or colleagues?  Have you ever thought about what would happen if traumatic experiences in life would cause those connections to dissipate, knowing that you could do nothing about the demise?  What are you going to do?

The other day, I obtained a message from a contact at one of my networking groups that I had not spoken to for several months.  The connection was always a friendly one and a part of a bigger picture in regards to formulating collaborative strategies through the purpose of continued constant contact, both through social media and an annual alumni strategy meeting.  Well, needless to say, some traumatic professional experiences over the past year, have caused the contact to diminish and in an effort to catch up, I contacted my networking group to reconnect.  The group had developed a new public forum that reaches many individuals and although I had been told to resolve those professional issues, there was a hope that I would be welcomed with open arms...not so...

I was told that they had heard about my professional issue and although they appreciated the connection, other members in the group did not see my participation as beneficial.  At first, I was a little put off by the admission, totally disconnecting my networking connection from all social media, but I continue to get updates about their initiatives, asking me and others for continued engagement into the group.

The networking group was established through various academic channels and although requested not to participate in the group, I have decided to take a different tact;  expand beyond the confines of the existing group, but addressing the elitist perceptions cast by the myopic scope of the existing group.  The take your ball and go home mindset does play well in situations such as this.  The results have been resounding.

No review today...just a word of advice...when removed from an existing networking group, don't dismay because your purpose should be to expand to larger, more purposeful groups, thereby resonating resiliency and ultimately success.  So, when I return to the group as I will be invited to their next alum event, I may chose to attend or not.

TPP out!

P.S.  Thanks to all those who follow our little blogpost...our world is expanding daily...

Sunday, October 9, 2016

It's sunny in Florida...AFTER THE STORM...

WELCOME....
to all of the leaders who have decided to follow 
thepaperpusher

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Today is Sunday and after the week we have had with a little storm called Matthew, we are finally getting some dryer, calmer air.  Our prayers go out to those families who have been displaced or even lost loved ones here and in the Caribbean.

There is a saying that storms bring rain, wind, hail and floods.  But in these parts, storms clear brush, get rid of toxins in our waterways, and helps foster beautiful tropical weather....

The same can be applied to organizations where there are "stormy" periods.  If it were not for the tempest of organizational upheaval, group dynamic conflict or even total meltdown, we as individuals as well as organizations would not grow.

So...today, we are getting beautiful weather and I believe it is because of the storm....

Well...enjoy your Sunday and see you on Monday when we will talk about organizational development even further....

thepaperpusher out!!!

Monday, October 3, 2016

ARE RULES MADE TO BEND?

Are you using of organizational systems organically?

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Over the weekend, the New York Times reported that a presidential candidate reported a $900 million dollar loss in 1995.  In reporting a loss of that magnitude there also came the opportunity to avoid paying federal income taxes for 18 years.  The overall statement of the campaign's surrogates, is that the ability to do so through the following of the tax code, represents "near genius", due to the ability to be able to find various tax breaks.  Overall, it allowed the candidate to build a business, virtually unhinged by the burden of the federal tax code.  As stated, some taxes were paid over the years at all levels of government.  This comes as there have been outcries concerning the release of tax returns, which may contain further information concerning business dealings.

Well, one may ask "what does this have to do with me?  I don't have tons of money and definitely don't find loopholes in the federal tax code.  One of the things that comes with filing income taxes is the fact that organizationally, the current federal tax code does allow individuals various opportunities to write off business operations, charitable contributions and childcare expenses.  There are also other areas such as investment capital gains/losses, costs for various other investments, as well as credits for life's events.  Essentially, we all can utilize the benefits that come from the rules of the tax code. In essence, the code is the code and of course, it is organizationally prudent.

But when you begin to talk about running for the highest office in the land, does it speak to finding benefit in the existing laws or taking advantage of systems.  I have no specific opinion to this, other than to say that organizational systems have points at which maneuverability happens in larger the organizational structure.  It goes without saying that in all areas of corporate and public arenas, the idea using systems to gain an advantage helps and hurts many.  The overall capacity of organizations to create systems puts institutions at risk for possible abuse.  There is an evolution of organizational culture, which comes from rules implemented in an effort to herd both internal and external utilization.

In the research of T.C. Mawhinney, "Evolution of Organization of Organizational Cultures as Selection By Consequences", the discussion of the effects of rules on both internal and external perceptions is discussed.  Essentially, organizational modeling, (i.e. rules) result in an effort to "herd" the masses into a way of thinking, causing the process of running the organization to go "smoothly".  Unfortunately, it also lends itself to rule bending at both the internal and external consumer levels.  True indeed, those who are encouraged to abide by the rules of the organization, look for small ways to yield those rules to their advantage.  The viewpoint is that either rules are bound to happen organically and without intent for the purpose of organization, (Gaia Hypothesis) or through an intentional social bonding, which makes rules even more appealing to bend.

Are rules made to be broken...or just bent?

Just a question of the day.

TPP


Sunday, October 2, 2016

It's Sunday..relax...

It's Sunday morning... a wonderful time for family, friends, food and faith....see everyone tomorrow when we will talk about organizational effectiveness.  BTW...totally..."take some time off".



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