Author: whatifconcepts

Empowering those that inspire so they can excel at the work that matters.

Who is in Your Front Row?
Seth Godin
Too often groups spend considerable effort trying to get the attention of those in the back rows, ignoring those who are first in line for every event.    There is always a few in the balcony who are ready to join the fan club so you want to amplify to all attendees but the audience that is anticipating your message is right in front of you.  The permission we need to give ourselves is that we do not need everyone to succeed.  Even McDonalds and Walmart do not try to serve everyone.

Hit By It

A couple years ago, I played golf with my father-in-law.  The twosome behind us were constantly waiting on us but we were keeping pace with the group ahead so there was not real opportunity to let them play thru.  On the 18th hole we parked the golf cart in the fairway as we looked for an errant drives.  Walking back into the fairway, the gentleman’s tee ball landed a few feet from us.  We raised our clubs and shout “just wait a second.”  The woman jumped into their golf cart and raced up the fairway.  My father-in-law and I were perplexed at this response to our our shouts of dissatisfaction   The woman arrived in tears.  She explained that her husband has early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms and had teed-off on his own recognizance   Immediately, we felt terrible.  We had assumed their constant shadowing was poor etiquette when in reality it was the wife’s best effort to chaperon for her ailing husband.  Upon reflection we noted that his execution was flawless on the golf course.  Where his mental faculties had begun to fail, his physical skills were superb.  

What assumptions do we make that have been false?  What do they cost us?

Everyone’s Story

I read a LinkedIn post calling for simplified versions of Strategic Planning.  One contributor referenced their book, The Six Hour Strategic Plan, which offers fascinating approaches.  The barrier to simplifying any process is that one must draw a boundary and eliminate the infinite possibilities.  If we took note of every individual’s story in the above painting that hangs in the Louvre, the task would be laborious   But if you know that you are seeking those in a starring role who sit on the stage, the story-gathering is more focused.

Remarkably there can be clarity.  The real challenge is knowing what you believe and how you can deepen your connection.  Then you can work on the pathway to reach them.  The ridiculous part in this methodology is being willing to ignore everyone else, no how compelling their narratives.

Strength in Numbers???

It is easy to go where everyone else is going.  The way is well marked and illuminated brightly.  However, the closer you get to the busiest boulevards the less personal it feels.  The shops and cafes must appeal to the masses, their business relies on volume and high prices.  Rare is the fond memory that start, ‘myself and three thousand people….’  Even in the most popular athletic endurance events you find yourself connecting with those who match your pace.  You tend to encourage and inspire those who surround you, not all fifty thousand runners.  So why not taken the less travelled path?  The activity on the most travelled streets will be well documented but the real treasurers are found in the side alleys where the artists and innovators find room to launch their unique ideas.

What is your focus?

There is a well known rule in racing, you go where you look.  See a stone wall on the outside of corner and stare at it too long, you may just find it unavoidable.  See a gap between competitors, you can squeeze through.  Spot a smooth section of road, you enjoy the experience of riding on silk.

We gravitate towards our focus (maybe not precisely) but powerfully enough that it is a law of attraction.  Where is your focus?  Barriers, paycheck, saying ‘yes’, a new world view?

The Post

Is there a place where your tribe can gather and mark their presence?  The days of signing a guest book have given way in many causes to virtual check-ins on Foursquare, location activation on Facebook, and real-time streaming.  Whatever the technology employed, do you have a special club for those that belong?  Augusta National Golf Club has its green jackets and Harley-Davidson its tattoo.  These are ways of standing out among the masses.  These groups also have specific locations to gather and connect.  Where is your tribes gathering place?