For 2o19, I wish you and your family a happy, joyful, and fulfilling 2019. May all your dreams come true and may your path lead you to better outcomes.


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Today is nuts at the malls and shopping centres for Christmas shopping. Parking is the worst this time of the year. My husband quoted saying that he'd rather drive in 140 Highway in Toronto than find parking in down town. 

This Christmas would you buy something for free or less value to give to your loved ones? Better not. This also comes once in a year and you want to give something special that the receiver will truly value and appreciate. It's not the gift or the presents that count, it's the thought, right?

While this is a seasonal topic, investors, business owners, executives tend to think twice before obtaining a course, training, workshop, book, executive education, professional development that will actually support their aspiration for the next level.

This is not about breaking your bank but this is an investment for greater returns and that will redound in a lifetime of great benefits. Most organizations that are cash-trapped and under a starvation cycle refuse to give out their precious dollars for improvements to their staff and to their organizations believing that saving their monies will give them better returns. On the contrary, the status quo mentality will not allow them to get out their pernicious situation if they refuse to invest on education and growth strategies that have long-term positive outcomes.

They often seek what is free to them from their networks and communities. This free stuff often comes with lower quality and does not anticipate and customize it to the individual organizations' needs and aspirations. It is more of the 'one-size fits all' model that is being used and rarely is innovative and strategically oriented towards the future. What you get out of free is not really valuable to start with. 

If you want to give something for yourself or for your organization, don't settle for free, mediocre, or one-size fits all remedies. These are merely palliative if not average and do not have your best interest at heart. Get the best education, resources, tools, strategies, and advice you can get in the field and don't worry about the monies- the value that comes out it will be accrued back in many folds.

In 2019, think about the best education and resources that your organization or yourself as an executive should get and invest on these. If you refuse to evolve, you will stagnate and that is a painful slow death you don't want to see. 
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If there is high commitment, it beats compliance any day.

If there is no commitment, then you have rules and more rules to compensate for the lack of real and genuine engagement.

Governments and regulatory agencies slap rules and more rules when it is more wise, productive, effective, and affordable to elicit more engagement, thereby in the long-term, you get commitment and fierce dedication.

Business leaders, owners, and managers must clearly understand this differentiation. If there is no real accountability and commitment to staff and employees, you will get compliant but mediocre and low-performing average crew. Businesses cannot thrive in the atmosphere of compliant, obedient, but brainless individuals whose task is to keep their jobs, stay away from trouble, and always say yes to the boss.

Committed employees take their time to understand their roles, participate in efforts to improve their work and their performance, and show their best towards the customers or clients of the organization. They are enabled, empowered, and do not ask permission to make a decision that will redound to the greatness of their organization. They are permitted to cherish the customer and showcase their talent going sometimes beyond their duties to accommodate what seems to be the right thing to do versus what is comfortable at that time.

There is a risk taking that is not merely tolerated but actually acknowledged and encouraged because the rewards for action make the difference. 

When nobody is looking or paying attention to their work, are your employees able to showcase compliant behaviors or committed behaviors? Find this out for your self. 


 

It is frightening that a lot of professionals get sued by such an alarming rate because of malpractice, incompetence, lack of integrity, lack of due diligence, and other questionable practices and actions. When these happen, clients, customers, and partakers of services or products do get the bitter end of the deal.

A botched operation, million dollars wasted, deaths or injuries, inexcusable long list of maladies--

People in suits and white coats are no longer seen as 'gods' but any professional doing their daily jobs. When they rush to diagnosis without seeing the bigger picture and analyze the evidence from medical or technical data, they simply are not the best people to render the proper examination of data and err on safety side- meaning -being more sensitive to patient or customers' safety, health, and well-being. When they play 'smart,' they become the real monsters of their profession.  Do no harm principle extends to ensuring the well-being of people in care, especially those patients and clients that are not effective advocates of their health and well-being.

You might have to get a second or third opinion, before you get yourself rush to procedures or processes that are simply not your self-interest to do but the providers!

Beware of  (please insert which ones applicable to you) from hell!

A lot of businesses, ventures, initiatives, projects do not even get implemented. They were trashed even before they were tried and tested.

People who have tried at least can examine and explore the courage that they have. No amount of preparation can really prepare you to all the things that you will encounter when it hits reality.

At least the courage that you developed will be something that will help you build that muscle to create, dream, and fulfill those things that you want to happen in your business, life, and career.

Taking the initial step is very important. Being self-absorbed will not get you learn faster from your mistakes and initial 'oops.'  Postponing action is the worst that can happen, when inaction is more convenient but potentially lethal to what you want to accomplish.

Failing to try is the worst of all. Give yourself the chance to learn, adapt, and manage the complexities of your endeavor, before you have the right to throw in the towel. But for some, giving up is not an option.

It is all up to you. 


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