Adamas Systems

more with less...

2010-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I've contributed to this forum. In my time away I've been developing a way to offer more content and more access to me.

I'm excited to launch www.adamassystems.com. Shorter name, more content.

It's all a work in progress. Let's see what develops.

I invite you visit me there.

Sharing On...

2010-03-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

This evening it was my pleasure to deliver a keynote address to my ShareOn Leadership Development partners on the idea of Using Learning Technologies in your practice.

Integrating the variety of different technologies into our web presence and into the work we do, and most importantly overcoming our resistances and embracing change in our own practices, is critical to how effective we can be in helping others impact change in themselves and their organizations.

In the spirit of sharing, I demonstrated a possible use of a certain technology tool and hope to have inspired my partners to try something different and maybe even do something... more.

It is good to hope good things for others... it is perhaps better to share some hope with others.

(Click image to view this enlargable video.)

is it too much?

2010-03-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

After years of frustration and feeling underappreciated in various jobs, a friend of mine has decided to join so many other dissatisfied professionals and use the current economic "stand still" as an opportunity to go to graduate school. Exploring various programs within his area of interest, he finally found "the one" that would be his salvation from the bind of the grind only to discover that the much coveted degree from his desired institution came with a $30K price tag.

"No way in hell am I paying that much to go to school!" His sentiments to me over glasses of fine barley and hops.

So I threw two questions his way: did he view going back to school as buying a product or making an investment in himself? Secondly, if he's making an investment in himself, how much is too much?

Too often we- whether it is as individuals or organizations- seek out that product we can purchase that is going to make all the difference. When we place that sort of value on any thing it becomes very difficult for us to truly gain satisfaction from that "thing." Investments, however, are made with an understanding that the rewards come in multiple and varied forms, and that those rewards take time to reap. A $30K product better prrr like a kitten and drive like a race car, we expect that. With a $30K investment we'll take a little here and a little there because it's all part of the huge payoff.

If we live by the perspective of an investor rather than a consumer we can enjoy much greater and more sustained rewards.

be inspired by someone you know-

2010-03-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

Last week copies of my father-in-law's long awaited first novel arrived, and he had his very first book signing event this past weekend.

For him this novel was a bit of a personal "tour-de-force." Seeing it come to be is an inspiration for me.

It is easy enough for anyone to talk about doing something or even begin any type of self-defining effort. Being able to live a passion strongly enough to see your efforts through- despite all personal struggles, the obstacles of life, moments of self-doubt, the sneers and questioning from one's peers- this is the mark of a special type of individual.

Bringing your dreams to life- this is a leadership quality.

the "next" reality

2010-03-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

Last week my partners and I had our annual Leadership Development Forum- an opportunity for many of our clients to be exposed to the knowledge experts within our network, and participate in a variety of sessions centered around the theme this year of "Leading in the New Reality."

The keynote speaker this year was Harry Debes, President and CEO of Lawson, a global leader in software and service solutions across a number of industries. As head of the company Mr Debes has instituted a culture where, as he said, "What you do is as important as how you do it." Mr. Debes personifies the seven principles that guide his leadership practice:

Trust
Focus
Embrace Diversity
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Simplicity
Communicate
Own the Results

These principles have become the core values that guide Lawson's relationship with it's clients and partners.

Whether in the old reality, the new reality, or the "next" reality, Mr. Debes and Lawson model the very simple idea that how I live is how I run my company.

We salute you Mr. Harry Debes- a Leader.

The New Reality of FEAR

2010-02-25T10:18:00.001-08:00

Let fear overpower you!

Fear from Senenge Andzenge on Vimeo.

a leader always leads

2010-02-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

While in the doctor's office last week I was plesantly distracted by a back issue of Bloomberg Businessweek from December 2009.

Circuit City was the number two consumer electronics retailer in North America. After bankruptcy filings, and a valiant struggle to stay afloat, all stores of the one-time giant closed in March 2009.

What's interesting was the reaction by number one retailer Best Buy. Instead of let up and relax, CEO Brian Dunn pushed the company in the direction of experimental growth. By the end of 2009 Best Buy had launched a number if new initiatives in stores nationwide- selling electric vehicles, putting an emphasis on wireless mobile devices, moving into the digital reader market, and offering personal health devices such as blood pressure monitors. Beginning this year many companies whose products are sold in Besy Buy stores will have commercials run in-store on floor model television sets, computer screens, and even on Besy Buy radio.

This response to the demise of it's closest number two is a reminder that a leader never sleeps and diligence to being ahead of the curve is what makes number one.

Compassion

2010-01-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

It is better to give...

As of Thursday January 22nd, just ten days after the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti,the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that 35 U.S. non-profits and collected more than $380 million dollars in donations*.

Broadcast on most basic and premium cable as well as all of the major television networks throughout the United States, the major stars of film, stage, and music held a donation telethon raising at least another $58 million with donations continuing to come in and plans for record and dvd releases of the event to further raise money.

Compassion as an attribute is often overlooked and grossly underrated. This is leadership!

Flexibility, Adaptability... Strength!

2010-01-11T21:01:00.001-08:00

Athletes, Western physicians, and even ancient Eastern philosophers sing the praises of flexibility in achieving the greatest of feats.

Adaptability in a system is the quality that allows for appropriate response to sudden and unexpected changes.

This week I had one of those unwelcome experiences for a lecturer. I had a fully prepared presentation. Detailed notes and diagrams, even some video. The students we primed and ready, the stage was set… and the technology failed me. No internet connection to the instructor station.

Whilst an audience member during a lecture this evening, I witnessed a similar debacle. The presenter displayed a beautifully prepared website… and none of his links would load.

In both of these situations a technology failure could have been completely crippling, but improvisation prevailed.

Thinking quickly on his feet tonight's lecturer pulled archived stills and, with the aid of curious audience members, overcame his "tec-hurdle".

Resorting to some tech-tricks of my own, good 'ol trusty markers and a dry erase board allowed me to have a successful session with my students.

Sometimes when caught by surprise we forget that it's the content of the message, rather than the method of delivery, that carries the most weight. Flexibility and adaptability in the face of challenge are paramount to ensuring strength in any organization, team, or individual.

What do you "Brand" for?

2010-01-07T13:40:00.001-08:00

What do you Brand for from Senenge Andzenge on Vimeo.

Your individual brand is your reputation! Own it, build and develop it, share it, refresh it.

The Mantra-

2010-01-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

2010 is the year of shameless self-promotion!

Too often we do things we are quite proud of but don't share as widely as we ought to due to some sense that it is socially unacceptable to talk about ourselves.

Donald Trump, Oprah, Martha Stewart, Sean P. Diddy Combs, actors, athletes, politicians, and even celebutants like Paris Hilton all make a livelihood out of promoting themselves as frequently and in as many places and ways as possible.

You and I should be no different.

At this time of new years and new beginnings I invite you to take a slightly new approach to your accomplishments- share them and share them often!

Happy New Year.

The most difficult thing

2009-11-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

"Thinking is easy, acting difficult, and to put one's thoughts into
action, the most difficult thing in the world."

- Goethe

In leadership situations, it isn't enough to have great ideas or even to explore the plausibility of those ideas. The true mark of leadership is to actively pursue those ideas based on your belief in their merit, dispelling any and all feelings of fear.

Go forth and do!

New Beginnings

2009-08-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

"You will never win if you never begin." - Helen Rowland (English-American writer, 1876-1950)

With the dawn of fall upon us, we pause to enjoy the anticipatory excitement of new things to come.

As government readies to open a new fiscal year, individuals, families, business, and indeed society as a whole waits with hopes for good delivery on promises made.

Students of all levels, disciplines, and styles look forward to new lessons, having old thoughts challenged, and moving one step closer the completion of studies and progression to the next life stage.

In the world of business, members and leaders of production teams launch fourth quarter projects making the final push for a positive end to a challenging calendar year.

Of course fall also brings the opportunity to cheer our favorite teams as they contend for championships on the pitch.

The point is this, as important as it is to celebrate and enjoy our successes, the new season brings the chance to become champion anew, to set and exceed new goals, to redefine what is impossible, and discover the pleasures of prizes yet unattained.

Have a great season!

Celebrate!

2009-08-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Marking milestones is perhaps the most important part of growth and development in any endeavor. One of our partners developed The Wave as a model marking the stages of organizational change process. The final stage in the change process, after all the "i's" are dotted and the "t's" are crossed, as the wave is rolling in and gathering itself for another push through the next big change, there is need for a moment of pause, reflection, and celebration of what has been accomplished.

The point of celebration is where we realize that highest of human needs, self-actualization. Without celebration... if we don't celebrate, one change cannot fully finish and the next one may not properly begin.

Regardless of the magnitude or type of change, whether birthing a child, electing a "different" president, completing a merger, ending a relationship, etc. we must remember to celebrate the accomplishment of what we have achieved, the choice to change.

Ubuntu

2009-07-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Archbishop Desmond Tutu famously uses the philosophy of ubuntu as reminder of our being interconnected. From the highest levels of organizations to individual members, we are connected to each other and must remember that our actions effect each other.

An associate of mine is very frustrated with her team. A new initiative has been introduced which is agreed by all stakeholders will enhance operational performance. Training of the new processes happened in two sessions, one for management, one for the frontline workforce. When the new bright idea hit the floor, chaos ensued. Managers made decisions that didn't agree with how the frontline did their job. The frontline tried their best to meet managers requests, all the while very annoyed that little consideration is given to what works best on the floor.

These kinds of missed communication opportunities are the seeds that sprout into conflicts within organizations.

My question to the organization is if you are one community, why segregated training sessions? Both managers and frontline staff could have enjoyed the benefit of each others experience and ideas raised during the training sessions. Sharing and co-mingling in the training experience would have created an environment of greater understanding for all.

Organizations all too often forget ubuntu. The whole is a sum of interconnected parts that must continuously engage each other, work for common understanding, and keep the lines of communication open on all levels at all times.

Good Fortune

2009-07-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

My fortune cookie this week read "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

Living in a world where socio-political systems are becoming more cooperative and interdependent, and we are just beginning to appreciate our similar desires rather than fight over simple minor differences, it is nice to be given reminders of the fundamentals that help maintain our oneness.

Be a friend... and make an interesting one.

Get Reconnected

2009-07-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

A colleague recently shared with me her feeling under appreciated by her staff. “They don’t understand or care that I’m giving them everything I can.” I asked her two questions 1) did she know if “giving them everything she could,” was what they needed from her, 2) had she told the staff what she needed from them?

Our conversation reminded me of a friend and his struggle with his teenage son.

Home after his first year at college, the son, fancies himself an artist and doesn’t want to find a summer job. To support and encourage his son my friend buys supplies and has emptied space in the family garage. In response, the son sleeps in late and doesn’t help out around the house. Now my friend is upset and feels under appreciated.

Relationships are a balancing act of trading and meeting needs. Open and honest communication about what all parties involved need is a sure way to avoid engagement disappointment.

My friend had a talk with his son, an adult talk. He laid out, clearly, how much he would support his son and what he, as the parent, was willing to do. He also made it clear what he needed his son to give to make the relationship equitable for the both of them... and mom.

After visiting with my colleague, she returned to her staff better prepared to have a conversation about the individual and collective needs of the team, how they might address many of those needs, and how meeting everybody's needs could contribute fulfilling the group's purpose.

Ask and share needs. Get reconnected.

Citizen Diplomat

2009-07-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday morning I sat in audience at the US-China Business Connections town hall discussion featuring Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. The Mayor recounted his recent address at the International Forum on Development of High-Tech Enterprises in Beijing, and visit to “Minneapolis Hall” at the Sister Cities Museum in the Minneapolis sister-city of Harbin, China.

While speaking of the many opportunities to develop stronger relationships with global partners, Mayor Rybak linked the multiple purposes of his trip with a common thread he called citizen diplomacy. He described this as our individual responsibility to be ambassadors of our communities: familial, cultural, social, civil, national, etc.; to engage the world by sharing and reflecting our unique and desirable assets.

This community of nearly 200: students, educators, small business owners, politicians, immigrants, and corporate executives, each with their own purpose and mission, left the discussion that morning with a charge to become bridges within their communities by recognizing and appreciating value in each other, and sharing knowledge and experiences.

Thank you Mr. Mayor.

R. T. Rybak, Citizen Diplomat.

Leadership desperately needed

2007-04-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Modern society is "supposed" to have evolved to the point where people and nations can be governed by civil means and where international cooperation presents some transparency to ensure more equitable society and the adherence to rule-of-law.

Unfortunately much of Africa has been removed from inclusion to modern society, and therefore, continues to suffer from and be held back by underdevelopment and foolish thought. Case and point, the recent Nigerian elections.

In fact, to call the occurrences of the past few weeks elections is laughable. They couldn't even be characterized has a popularity contest, or talent pageant. The whole thing is a really sad declaration to the state of affairs in Africa.

There is this persistent ideology in Africa that those who rule, and I say rule because few of the affairs of the continent are handled with any type of government, that those who rule are entitled or beneficently ordained. Therefore the rules of society which do exist, few as they are, only apply to the lowly. Further, the problem of Africa’s exclusion from participation in world society is perpetuated by the insistence of African “leaders” to run their house with closed doors. There is very little transparency to the affairs of any African nation. Therefore, the outside world has very little exposure or input to development on the continent. I think that as much as there hasn’t been much interest from the world to take notice, the fault also lies within the African continent. Africa continues to slowly suffocate itself with many of the ailments that have been cooperatively combated around the world.

Africa needs more Mandela's- revolutionaries to stand and voice their concerns that their nations, that their homes, are at risk of total collapse. The masquerade that passes for leadership in African nations needs to be challenged by a united people who have had enough.

Africa is a great case study of an organization with poorly managed departments, no leadership, and clearly no sense of direction.