My Gramps' Advice

My grandfather used to love telling the story of his boyhood friend Campbell. One day, they were at my great grandmother’s house and she had just baked a delicious chocolate cake. She asked my grandfather if he’d like a slice and he replied; “Yes please!” and she gave him one.

She then turned to Campbell and asked him the same question and he said; “I don’t mind”. She replied; “I don’t mind either” and left the room. No cake for Campbell.

Real or Imagined

Whether this story happened or not isn’t the point. My grandfather was trying to teach his 9 year old grandson to say please and thank-you and if I wanted something someone had offered me, it was okay to accept it.

How often do we do that to ourselves? We send out confusing messages to the universe and wonder why more confusion returns. My grandfather didn’t teach his grandson to take what wasn’t his or be an arrogant self-centered person, he was showing me how to discover what I wanted and be okay with wanting it.

Say What You Mean

Now take the Campbell story into your life, your work, your company, and see how often basic communication breaks down to the point of confusion. We humans try our best but often we don’t communicate very well with each other.

In our relationships, if we aren’t clear, how on earth can we expect others around us to have a clear sense of what we want, mean, or say? So the next time someone offers you a piece of cake, simply say yes please or no thank-you. It’s all you would expect if you were doing the offering.

Thanks Gramps.
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One Day Some Day

One day we’ll figure it out. One day I’ll follow my passion. One day you’ll push past the fear. One day we’ll collaborate better. One day I’ll finish my book.

One day you’ll go for that gig. One day we’ll create a more collaborative culture. One day you’ll lead the charge. One day I’ll stop doubting myself.

One day we’ll enjoy the ride. One day you’ll listen to your gut.

One day we’ll dump the excuses. One day I’ll stop worrying about what others think.
One day you’ll take the chance. One day we’ll make those changes.

One day you’ll stand up for yourself. One day we’ll appreciate what we have now. One day I’ll get laser focused. One day you’ll believe. One day may never come.

One day is today.
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Grandfather's Lesson

My grandfather used to love telling the story of his boyhood friend Campbell. One day, they were at my great grandmother’s house and she had just baked a delicious chocolate cake. She asked my grandfather if he’d like a slice and he replied; “Yes please!” and she gave him one.

She then turned to Campbell and asked him the same question and he said; “I don’t mind”. She replied; “I don’t mind either” and left the room. No cake for Campbell.

Real or Imagined

Whether this story happened or not isn’t the point. My grandfather was trying to teach his 9 year old grandson to say please and thank-you and if I wanted something someone had offered me, it was okay to accept it.

How often do we do that to ourselves? We send out confusing messages to the universe and wonder why more confusion returns. My grandfather didn’t teach his grandson to take what wasn’t his or be an arrogant self-centered person, he was showing me how to discover what I wanted and be okay with wanting it.

Say What You Mean

Now take the Campbell story into your life, your work, your company, and see how often basic communication breaks down to the point of confusion. We humans try our best but often we don’t communicate very well with each other.

In our relationships, if we aren’t clear, how on earth can we expect others around us to have a clear sense of what we want, mean, or say? So the next time someone offers you a piece of cake, simply say yes please or no thank-you. It’s all you would expect if you were doing the offering.

Thanks Gramps, you are still teaching me!
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Relationship Changes

If your internal customer service (employees to employees) is not strong, the expectation your external customer service (customers, suppliers, partners) will be strong is flawed logic. If we don't treat each other with respect, how can we possibly expect it to magically shift when we are talking to a customer?

It was a quick call with a friend that said everything. She was upset because her co-workers were just barking orders at her. It’s not that she can’t take the heat or the busy work environment, it was the attitude. Please and thank-you goes a long way.

Attitude Shift

Something to think about when you wonder why the mood is off in the building or people seem grumpy. Begin the shift by looking them in the eye and saying; good morning. And when they do something right; say thank you. And mean it!

The little things are the big things when it comes to leadership. If you want to create a collaborative atmosphere at work, start today. A few small changes can make the necessary shift to make all the difference.

And since you dropped by here, thank you!
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Please and Thank You

If your internal customer service (employees to employees) is not strong, the expectation your external customer service (customers, suppliers, partners) will be strong is flawed logic. If we don't treat each other with respect, how can we possibly expect it to magically shift when we are talking to a customer?

It was a quick call with a friend that said everything. She was upset because her co-workers were just barking orders at her. It’s not that she can’t take the heat or the busy work environment, it was the attitude. Please and thank-you goes a long way.

Hello

One of my long standing clients always begins an email with my name. Hello, Hey, Hi and I always reply back in the same manner. We could exchange 12 emails in a day and every one begins with a salutation and a nice ending.

It takes seconds to completely change the culture of your relationships.

Attitude Shift

Something to think about when you wonder why the mood is off in the building or people seem grumpy. Begin the shift by looking them in the eye and saying; good morning. And when they do something right; say thank you. And mean it!

The little things are the big things when it comes to leadership. If you want to create a collaborative atmosphere at work, start today. A few small changes will make the necessary shift to make all the difference.

Thank you!
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Focus

I met Mike when he was just finishing teachers' college with a bright outlook on a positive future. I spoke with him this week, days before his second wedding, and he is just as positive after teaching for almost three decades. Mike has a great family, strong friendship network, and outstanding outlook on life.

Mike isn't just a friend, he's one of my brothers.

I asked him how he has kept so calm and positive all these years and he said it's all about focus. He works hard to ensure his students are well prepared for their future, enjoys his home, hangs out with friends, plays a bit of hockey, has a few at his local pub, rides his motorcycle, and spends time with his loving partner Sue.

Less is Much More

Mike doesn't view his life as overly complicated yet he also noted that most of us make it far too messy and confusing. He knew what he wanted 30 years ago and kept his focus on a balance of fulfilling work and a good life. I've often used Mike as an example of someone who has it right. Perhaps we do make it too complicated chasing something we can't often define? There's ample evidence Mike has had it right all along.

So as I travel to his wedding this weekend, I will look forward to seeing my old friend who has been with me through every twist and turn of our lives; the friend you can call after not speaking for months and it feels like no time has passed. Mike's unspoken lesson for me, and perhaps for you, is that focus is not something that requires a lot of sweat and toil once you know what you want.

Let's stay focused and enjoy the ride.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

One Day

One day we’ll figure it out. One day I’ll follow my passion. One day you’ll push past the fear. One day we’ll collaborate better. One day I’ll finish my book.

One day you’ll go for that gig. One day we’ll create a more collaborative culture. One day you’ll lead the charge. One day I’ll stop doubting myself.

One day we’ll enjoy the ride. One day you’ll listen to your gut.

One day we’ll dump the excuses. One day I’ll stop worrying about what others think.
One day you’ll take the chance. One day we’ll make those changes.

One day you’ll stand up for yourself. One day we’ll appreciate what we have now. One day I’ll get laser focused. One day you’ll believe. One day may never come.

One day is today.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Leadership is Not a Title

Being a leader is not exclusive to management, nor determined by a salary; it is everywhere. In your business, you must lead teams, teams must lead individuals, and individuals lead themselves.

Your most valuable resource is your people. When people are your priority, profits will increase. I help business build business to realize positive and profitable results through customized action learning programs and coaching.

Measurable Results
• Crystal clear vision of personal and professional goals
• Collaborative culture leading to stronger growth and improved bottom line
• Actionable plan for attainable and sustainable results
• Healthier and more productive teams, departments, and company
• Stronger leadership and management skills from all aspects of the business
• Organization prepared to meet future challenges
• Creation of a robust talent pipeline
• Improved bottom line and sustainable profits

Area of Focus
Leadership development goals, individual and team coaching, team dimensions and assessments, strategic planning, conflict resolution, presentation skills, human resource management, talent acquisition and retention, building powerful teams, creating effective meetings, open collaboration, and improved communication skills.

STEP Process
• Conduct a discovery brainstorming session to identify specific needs and goals
• Create a plan to include employees who you recognize need to be part of the process
• Design a results-based action learning curriculum
• Identify 2-3 key areas to focus on improvement and growth
• Provide comprehensive solution maps
• Once refinements are complete, produce a mutual contract of accountability
• Develop process of check-in calls, sessions, webinars, and workshops
• Build in monthly status sessions to measure ongoing results and identify refinements

I always enjoy meeting new leaders and learning more about them and their business. It begins where you are so let's book a call and discuss.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
knealemann@gmail.com | 613.983.5009

Help Someone Up

I often say we see what we’re looking for but how often do we get what we don’t want? The human brain seems to do a great job of building up the negative energy in an instant yet it gets stuck on its way to positive thought. We get scared, we worry, and we play out scenarios that could take us in the wrong direction, which are destructive behaviors that get us nowhwere.

Earlier this week, I was reading a few articles on being bold. They sounded great – regret is worse than failure, freedom is better than money, I was getting excited and re-energized. But then that monkey brain takes over and the cycle continues.

Replacing Negative Thought with Positive Action

It’s clearly not enough to do what we tell each other to do and go for our passions, reach for our dreams, and dig deeper to find what we really want. Just saying it is just a bunch of words. If we don't take one more step today, we might wake up tomorrow beating ourselves up again.

We are battling generations of behavior inside each of us that contribute to our behavior maps that direct us to the wrong destinations. And we are doing it without a plan. We are hoping and wishing for a different result yet staying where we are.

Change is hard. Regret is worse.

I’ve been revisiting a great piece of advice recently. If we’re feeling down, help someone up. And it works. It feels great to take our minds away from our real or imagined problems and lend a helping hand to another.

It shakes loose the rubble of our confused and clutter minds to clear our way to potential ideas. So just for today, let's put aside what we are worried about and help someone up.

It could be exactly what we need.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Do You Want Some Cake?

My grandfather used to love telling the story of his boyhood friend Campbell. One day, they were at my great grandmother’s house and she had just baked a delicious chocolate cake. She asked my grandfather if he’d like a slice and he replied; “Yes please!” and she gave him one.

She then turned to Campbell and asked him the same question and he said; “I don’t mind”. She replied; “I don’t mind either” and left the room. No cake for Campbell.

Real or Imagined

Whether this story happened or not isn’t the point. My grandfather was trying to teach his 9 year old grandson to say please and thank-you and if I wanted something someone had offered me, it was okay to accept it.

How often do we do that to ourselves? We send out confusing messages to the universe and wonder why more confusion returns. My grandfather didn’t teach his grandson to take what wasn’t his or be an arrogant self-centered person, he was showing me how to discover what I wanted and be okay with wanting it.

Say What You Mean

Now take the Campbell story into your life, your work, your company, and see how often basic communication breaks down to the point of confusion. We humans try our best but often we don’t communicate very well with each other.

In our relationships, if we aren’t clear, how on earth can we expect others around us to have a clear sense of what we want, mean, or say? So the next time someone offers you a piece of cake, simply say yes please or no thank-you. It’s all you would expect if you were doing the offering.

Thanks Gramps, you are still teaching me!
__________________________________________________________________
Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

A Living or A Life?

We can pretend that work is one part of our lives and life is the other but we live a blended existence. It’s the second question most people ask when we meet them – what do you do for a living? A living? Is that where we’ve come? We get paid to provide a service and we call that a living. I’m not sure if that’s sad or a reflection of how far we have gotten off track.

Perhaps the perfect scenario is you work at something you truly enjoy; watch the Alan Watts video I posted recently and it might give you insight into what will do it for you.

Last week I had lunch with a colleague I hadn't seen in years and he reflected on the time he sold his brand new car because he realized he bought it to get to work to pay for it to get to work to pay for it. He stressed about the payments and it affected his work and then his life. He replaced the car with a bicycle.

Show me the Money

I have another friend who says he’s stuck in a bad relationship because he doesn’t want to lose his life’s savings. How sad is that. I wonder where that will be on his list of life’s passions and enjoyment as he takes his final breaths.

I’m often asked by clients and prospects how I can help them. The bigger question is understanding why they do what they do and what they want to accomplish. If there were easy answers and instant results, we’d all be millionaires.

Transformation Imminent

If we’re running a company that isn’t doing as well as it should, if we’re in relationships that aren’t making us happy, if we’re in a job that is restraining us from our true gifts, or if we’re simply unhappy where were are, what should we do? Or better stated, what are we prepared to do to change it?

The late Jim Rohn once said; “Your life doesn’t get better by chance, it gets better by change”. And the change needs to start with ourselves. I’m as guilty as you in the making excuses department.

Let’s start making a living not a paycheck.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

All Wretch No Vomit

The question seems simple but the answer is clearly complicated. What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about the financial elements of life?

Alan Watts was a writer, speaker, philosopher, teacher, and spiritual leader who posed the question in his legendary speech about our quest to find passion and purpose. If you haven’t heard it, listen. If you have, it’s worth another.


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Changes

It may win an election. It looks good on a coffee mug. It gives us hope for better results. But what does change really mean to you and me? Some say we don’t mind change but we don’t want to be changed. It’s perhaps easier to point to large events in our lives as change but we are constantly changing.

Change is inevitable, the only constant is change, we’ve heard it our whole lives. But how often do we let external forces create the change rather than knowing we have more control than we allow?

Despite the effort of our conscious minds – thinking, hoping, fretting, and trying – our subconscious only measures our actions and pulls us back into our (often not so comfortable) comfort zone.

Some other thoughts on the topic.

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.
W. Edwards Deming

You can do anything you choose to do.
Maya Angelou

When we are no longer able to change a situation,
we are challenged to change ourselves.
Victor Frankl

When in doubt, choose change.
Lily Leung

You must welcome change as the rule but not as your ruler.
Denis Waitley

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.
Harrison Ford

How can you know what you're capable of if you don't embrace the unknown?
Esmeralda Santiago

When you are through changing, you are through.
Bruce Barton

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.
Japanese Proverb

You have to speak your dream out loud.
Kelly Corrigan

Our only security is our ability to change.
John Lilly

The only way to make sense of change is to plunge into it,
move with it, and join the dance.
Alan Watts

No heart has suffered when it goes in search of its dream.
Paulo Coelho

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.
Jim Rohn

If you are taking a risk, what you are really saying is,
I believe in tomorrow and I will be a part of it.
Linda Ellerbee

If you live the questions, life will move you into the answers.
Deepak Chopra

People underestimate their capacity for change.
There is never a right time to do a difficult thing.
John Porter

To exist is to change, to change is to mature,
To mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
Henri Bergson

When you're trying to motivate yourself, appreciate the fact you're even thinking about making a change. And as you move forward, allow yourself to be good enough.
Alice Domar

I still don't know what I was waiting for and my time was running wild.
David Bowie

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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

david bowie | istock

The Past Has Passed

The phase seems easy enough to grasp. No matter how much effort we exert, money we possess, or expertise we apply, there is nothing we can change that has already happened. Yet many of us get stuck on events or behavior from the past.

What should have been? What could I have done?

It’s all irrelevant now, but for some reason we spend far too much of our consciousness on what happened and what may happen.

Individual Teamwork

You see this in organizations as well. It’s the way we do things around here, we can’t do that at this company, and all the while, we create memes that drive us or worse, stall us. We put up walls because of things in the past, false barriers to stop us from moving forward and progressing.

If you look at an organization, there is a chart mapping all departments and functions. Within those subsections, subject matter experts focus on their areas of proficiency. The sales department create new client relationships, the design team perfect the new line of products, the management team ensure the strategic plan is adhered, etc.

Learn and Move

But how much of our time is spent creating today through our beliefs from yesterday? How often do we break out of the comfort zone – which often doesn't feel very comfortable – and take a leap?

The past can teach us not make the same mistakes twice. But often if we focus on those mistakes, the very behavior we are trying to avoid repeats itself.

I'm often reminded by friends and colleagues that the past simply doesn't matter. The only thing that counts is what we do right now, this minute. Our next one is not guaranteed and our last one is gone.

If we lose the past we can begin to grow.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

david macdonald