The Guest Room is Open

This was written by poet and theologian Rūmī six hundred years ago and the message is as valid today.

We all have struggles and stress; issues and challenges, and it's tough to see clearly at times but that is where we grow. It's been a challenging year for many I know, me included, on various fronts. The words of Rumi are worth reviewing.

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably,
he may be clearing you out for some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
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Convenient Misremembering

Merriam-Webster defines selective memory as "an ability to remember some facts while apparently forgetting others; especially when they are inconvenient." It goes on to say; "the ability to retrieve certain facts and events but not others." 

You and I may have been at that same dinner when Bob spilled his wine on Sarah's dress and recount it with a different point of view. I thought Sarah was taunting Bob while you saw Bob as unprovoked and inebriated. It might have simply been an accident with no malice by either.

Details and distractions 

Think about a time when you lost most if not all memory of a situation. I've been on the earth long enough that there are gaps of my history I don't remember. That doesn't mean I have deficiencies or those events didn't happen, but rather I've filed them in some badly labeled box in the basement of my brain. Often with a few added details, I can recount them. I'm sure you've experienced the same. 

It's not that we don't remember or we are being selective, but rather the experiences are packed away because they're not important at the moment. Sometimes events that happened twenty years ago feel as clear as if they had happened this morning while there are days I don't remember what I had for breakfast the day before. 

Sometimes it's inconvenient; sometimes it's unimportant.  

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Guests in Your House

This was written by poet and theologian Rūmī six hundred years ago and the message is as valid today.

We all have struggles and stress; issues and challenges, and it's tough to see clearly at times but that is where we grow. It's been a challenging year for many I know, me included, on various fronts. The words of Rumi are worth reviewing.

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably,
he may be clearing you out for some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
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Invited Guests

A friend sent me this a few days ago. It was written by poet and theologian Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī six hundred years ago and the message is as valid today.

We all have struggles and stress; issues and challenges, and it's tough to see clearly at times but that is where we grow. It's been a challenging year for many I know, me included, on various fronts. The words of Rumi are worth reviewing.
____________________________

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes

As an unexpected visitor
Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably,
he may be clearing you out for some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
__________________________________________________________________

HBR – Leadership Mistakes

Being a leader has absolutely nothing to do what what it says on your business card or company org chart. A few years ago, the Harvard Business Review asked a simple question. Here are some valuable responses.


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The Human Guest House

This was written by poet and theologian Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (known as Rumi) six hundred years ago and the message is as valid today.

We all have struggles and stress; issues and challenges, and it's tough to see clearly at times but that is where we grow. It's been a challenging year for many I know, me included, on various fronts. The words of Rumi are worth reviewing.
____________________________

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably,
he may be clearing you out for some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
__________________________________________________________________

I'm Weird. You're Weird.

The great Mark Twain once quipped; "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story”, which is funny at first but quite correct with a closer look. We all have our own truths. Sure, most of us agree gravity keeps us on the ground and the sky is blue, but how many truths do we hold on to that may or may not be in fact true?

If you multiply that by hundreds or even thousands of employees, you can see how we get into trouble in the business world. Michael Shermer examines why we believe and hear weird things in science, relationships, and music.


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Asking and Listening

We admire those who seem crystal clear on their calling, their goals, and their passions. Most of us perhaps just think we are clear. But it can be tough when mortgages and car payments and our myriad responsibilities can crush our day. Corporations often compensate people for being agreeable and not making a fuss.

To get clear, I think we need to stop thinking the answer is one crisp well-crafted sentence. We can get clear by deciding what we don't want to do, who we may want to avoid, who could be a good fit, and how we want to spend the rest of our lives.

Here's an idea; let's reach out to two people tomorrow who will help us and tell us the truth and have that open conversation. Share that big idea you have, get some feedback, and ask them for one idea that may push it forward. Saying no is easy, finding out how is where the work resides.

Let’s be open for real answers.
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The Biggest Mistake a Leader Can Make?

Being a leader has absolutely nothing to do what what it says on your business card or company org chart. A few years ago, the Harvard Business Review asked that simple question. Here are some valuable responses.


__________________________________________________________________

The Guest House

A friend sent me this a few days ago. It was written by poet and theologian Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī six hundred years ago and the message is as valid today.

We all have struggles and stress; issues and challenges, and it's tough to see clearly at times but that is where we grow. It's been a challenging year for many I know, me included, on various fronts. The words of Rumi are worth reviewing.
____________________________

This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably,
he may be clearing you out for some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
__________________________________________________________________
As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience as a business advisor and project manager in numerous industries and organizations including; human resources, corporate training, financial services, media, real estate, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting leaders who want to improve their bottom line through strong culture and leadership. knealemann@gmail.com

It Takes Ten Seconds

It takes ten seconds to let them into your lane.
It takes ten seconds to say I love you.

It takes ten seconds to lose a friend.
It takes ten seconds to open your heart to a new friend.
It takes ten seconds to have that last sip of coffee.
It takes ten seconds to ask the question.

It takes ten seconds to send that text that could brighten their day.
It takes ten seconds to make it right.

It takes ten seconds to let them finish.
It takes ten seconds to make the call.
It takes ten seconds to speak your truth.

It takes ten seconds to breathe before your presentation.
It takes ten seconds to forgive them.

It takes ten seconds to wait ten seconds before making the decision.

It takes ten seconds to mean it.
It takes ten seconds to stop talking long enough to let them talk.
It takes ten seconds to figure it out.
It takes ten seconds to care.

It takes ten seconds to remove judgement.
It takes ten seconds to understand.

It takes ten seconds to grab their hand.
It takes ten seconds to apologize.
It takes ten seconds to see it.
It takes ten seconds to help a friend.

It takes ten seconds to change your career path.
It takes ten seconds to say yes.
It takes ten seconds to show compassion.

It takes ten seconds to enjoy.
It takes ten seconds to not be so hard on yourself.

It takes ten seconds to change someone’s life.
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As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience in project management, leadership development, business, marketing, media, and talent coaching in numerous industries and organizations including; radio, digital marketing, corporate training, real estate, financial services, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting companies and organizations who want to become even greater.

Speaking Our Truth

If you’ve done any reading on topics of self-improvement, Tarot, or the Buddha, you know about the importance of speaking your truth. Sure, sounds good, I’ll get right on that. But what does it mean?

I’m going through a program right now that has enlightened and shocked me on this whole topic. It’s exciting and scary, remarkable and uncomfortable. What the hell does it mean to speak your truth?

Eureka!

This is at our core, deep down past the conscious mind where that unseen bullseye resides. One of my colleagues said that healing is not unpainful and she was absolutely right. It’s tough to reprogram our behavior to align with what we feel is right and what we deeply want in our lives.

Speaking our truth can be messy. There will be causalities; most of which are truths you’ve told about yourself your entire life. I’m a helpful person, I love others unconditionally, I enjoy being creative. Speaking your truth is deeper than that. It began before we were born. We have spent our life defining our truths aligned with what our parent taught us, what our teachers told us, and what our family showed us.

That’s it!

It hit me on a phone call over the weekend, mid-sentence, I found myself falling into my self-imposed traps of guilt and excuses. I had plans, I couldn’t change them for the request that was asked of me on the call and I said no. It was like a knife in my throat. How could I say no?! Well, I found the strength to do so.

But I let that guilt ride with me for a few more miles. I felt bad I didn’t drop my plans to help them. No! This isn’t about dishonouring others for your benefit; it’s about understanding who you are and being okay with healthy boundaries and a healthy relationship with yourself.

The toughest part about speaking our truth is letting go of the truths that we feel have defined us. When we do that, something profound happens.

Our truth speaks to us.
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As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience in project management, leadership development, business, marketing, media, and talent coaching in numerous industries and organizations including; radio, digital marketing, corporate training, real estate, financial services, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting companies and organizations who want to become even greater.

My Life Path

I don’t share much about me and my life here. Sure, there are stories of clients and work and situations I try and relate but still not a lot of me here.

This website was born in April 2008 and it’s one of the only things in my life I have committed to consistently since then. I have done good work, I have felt lost, I have moved twice, I got closer to my friends, I walked away from a long shitty relationship, and I have had a lot of time to think about my life.

Good for you, son!

My parents were always supportive of my creative pursuits. They didn’t always understand how their son would make a living being on the radio or creating social media workshops or speaking in front of strangers or writing a blog or coaching executives. And they certainly wouldn’t enjoy finding out that their son has been a stuck in a lot of ways for a lot of years. Keep up a good front, don’t let them see you sweat, smile and wave.

I had told myself for years I was following my passion. Then an emotional truck broadsided me and put my on me ass for years. I'm reading more now, I'm seeking knowledge and inspiration, and most importantly, I'm moving again. I read this post from my Mark Manson and he's bang on.

Sit down!

This past Sunday, I sat with a remarkable woman named Lindsay Knight. As soon as I sat down, she looked at me and said; “Wow. You have a lot going on in there.” We sat for what felt like half an hour but was almost three. She did my life path and outlined all the places where I had acquiesced to other people.

The repeated patterns in my life were so clear and obvious to her. They are clear to me now too. I had always said I was curious about others. I felt the need to help and talk about them. She said that was a defence to not allow myself to show up. I had lived a life avoiding any conversation about me for fear I’d appear egotistical. She called bullshit. I was scared. I didn’t want to make a fuss. I did everything to smooth things over. I didn’t want to offend or stand up for myself. She smacked me around and it was wonderful.

Wake up!

I’m writing a book, I’m working with clients, I’m meeting prospective clients, I’m finding my way after years of being lost, and all the while thinking I was fooling everyone around me that I had my shit together. Lindsay woke me up to see me.

I don’t know if this is for you. For me, it’s life changing. I slept through the night last night for the first time in years. I woke refreshed and ready to write. I have begun to allow myself to be creative again and do what I want in my life. It has reminded me to stand up for me and do what I want with my truth no matter what anyone else thinks.

I had forgotten that or maybe never knew it.
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As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience in project management, leadership development, business, marketing, media, and talent coaching in numerous industries and organizations including; radio, digital marketing, corporate training, real estate, financial services, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting companies and organizations who want to become even greater.

We Are Weird

The great Mark Twain once quipped; "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story”, which is funny at first but quite correct with a closer look. We all have our own truths. Sure, most of us agree gravity keeps us on the ground and the sky is blue, but how many truths do we hold on to that may or may not be in fact true?

If you multiply that by hundreds or even thousands of employees, you can see how we get into trouble in the business world. Michael Shermer examines why we believe and hear weird things in science, relationships, and music.


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Let's Get Clear

I went through an exercise recently with a colleague and friend. We have worked together and been friends for years. We were talking about a bunch of things; life, work, family, goals, dreams, strengths, what we want to do with the rest of our lives. It was a great conversation.

Then he asked; “Are you clear what you want?” I thought he was asking a career question but it was deeper than that. He has two small children and his priorities have shifted. He no longer wants to spend the wee hours of the night behind his desk. He wants to spend time with his kids while his desire to do meaningful work is stronger than ever. But meaningful doesn't mean grinding in the trenches to climb a factious ladder.

False evidence appearing real

Last week, I had a similar conversation with someone I’ve known for years and we ended up talking about the same thing but in the context of our own lives and those around us. He said people are scared. They are scared to make mistakes, take chances, be bold, and truly be innovative.

We admire those who seem crystal clear on their calling, their goals, and their passions. Most of us perhaps just think we are clear. But it can be tough when mortgages and car payments and our myriad responsibilities can crush our day. Corporations often compensate people for being agreeable and not making a fuss.

Does it have to be that way?

To get clear, I think we need to stop thinking the answer is one crisp well crafted sentence. We can get clear by deciding what we don't want to do, who we may want to avoid, who could be a good fit, and how we want to spend the rest of our lives.

So reach out to two people tomorrow who will help you and tell you the truth and have that open conversation. Share that big idea you have, get some feedback, and ask them for one idea that may push it forward. Saying no is easy, finding out how is where the work resides.

Let’s get clear. Let’s ask for help. Let’s be open for answers.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

wikia

The Truth About Facts

Einstein said; “If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts. Maya Angelou added; "Don't let the facts get in the way of the truth". Mark Twain pondered; "How empty is theory in the presence of fact?”. And Felix Cohen opined; “The theories we believe we call facts. The facts we disbelieve we call theories.”

It’s been said few will argue with their own data. But how do we separate fact from theory? Tom Asacker ponders that very question in his recent TEDTalk.


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Kneale Mann | Leadership and management consultant helping leaders, teams, and companies get clear on their goals and results.

TED | Tom Asacker

Mistakes and Missteps

Think about someone you would consider a great leader. They may be your direct report, someone famous you’ve never met, your biggest mentor, a colleague or friend, they may not even be in a traditional leadership position.

Now think of someone you would consider a bad leader. Sadly that name often comes to mind faster. The Harvard Business Review asked a simple question:

What are the biggest mistakes a leader can make?

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Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.

harvard business review

How Can Leaders Use Comedy?

Crisp and clever writing can take a lifetime to master. Writing comedy can be the most difficult form of communication. It can create a viral explosion or fall on its face.

Chris Bliss writes and studies communication through translation and comedy. He may give you some ideas of how to create better lines of dialogue for your work, your leadership journey and other aspects of your life.


Kneale Mann

TED | Chris Bliss

Inspiration Moves Mountains

Think about someone you have met who left such a positive impression you had to tell someone else about them. Why was that? What made them remarkable?

Do you enjoy meeting inspiring people? Does it help you grow to be around people who share their positive energy? Do you strive to do the same with others?


Do you think if you surround yourself with inspirational people who want to help each other, tell the truth and work in the same direction, you have the makings of a successful venture?

Hmmm, I wonder why more people don't do that?

Your thoughts are always welcome!

@knealemann
knealemann at gmail dot com

Helping you better utilize all media.
How to make it, use it and profit from it.




photo credit: intercivil.net

Truth Can Hurt. Truth Can Help.

When I tell any truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do.
– William Blake

If you have ever been in a marketing meeting where it’s clear no one is going to step out or tell the client the truth, you have experienced the true magic of covertis buttas.

Yes, it stings and sometimes we don't want to hear it. We are human after all. Respect and decorum need not leave the room.

Truth is a great flirt.
– Franz Liszt

During my years in radio, I used to laugh whenever an announcer would come in to my office to discuss a listener complaint. Sometimes it was warranted, sometimes not. But one email or call would set the announcer on to a tirade about this person’s ability to make such comments. They didn’t know what they were talking about!

Reverse the listener comment and the reaction was very different.

Negative comment + one person = dismissed.
Positive comment + one person = positive audience feedback.

Truth is rarely writ in ink; it lives in nature.
– Martin H. Fischer

Okay, I admit it I watch American Idol. There, glad that’s out in the open. What I find fascinating about it is the number of people who truly think they have a shot at winning it all. Really?

But that is the exact reason viewers are engaged. It is our attraction to the proverbial car wreck. It makes more interesting television than showing a stream of talented performers. That would be boring. That would not hold your attention. And most of all, it would not create the viral conversation.

There is no truth. There is only perception.
– Gustave Flaubert

Simon Cowell is the bad guy, the one judge who isn’t afraid to tell the truth. Sure, he can be mean but the entertainment business is fraught with mean. I don’t necessarily agree with his deep personal digs, but say it with me - that makes better television. If Simon was not on the program, and all they did was show talented people in auditions, American Idol would not be as successful as it is.

American Idol is not high art and that's not the point of the show.

If a thousand old beliefs were ruined in our march to truth we must still march on.
-Stopford Brooke

One of the best pieces of advice I received when I was consulting media full-time was from a colleague who had been doing it a lot longer than me. He said when you speak with clients and potential clients, it’s important to remember that (and I quote) “No one wants to hear they have an ugly baby.” Two words: Seinfeld episode. Two more: great advice.

Of course you would never say something detrimental toward someone’s looks that is just mean, but if a company is heading for the rocks and you have a legitimate way to help them, is it best to avoid offending someone or speaking up?

I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth - and truth rewarded me.
– Simone de Beauvoir

If people stopped believing false promises, companies would be forced to stop using them as tactics to grow their customer base.

Would you be shocked if I told you that the laundry detergent will not make your shirts smell like a mountain stream or that the face cream will not make you look like a famous movie star? Some people must believe these claims, companies keep making them.

As the world struggles through an historic time in our ecomonic history, perhaps tellin' people the truth may be the way to go? Just sayin'.

Truth is after all a moving target.
Hairs to split. And pieces that don't fit.
How can anybody be enlightened?
Truth is after all so poorly lit.
– Neil Peart

km

Jack Nicholson: A Few Good Men (1992)