Here's my new favorite quote based on a variety of recent experiences (fortunately, very few of them first-hand). I'm not sure I can completely take credit for this one, but it's my wording:
"Some people just aren't happy unless they can find something to complain about."
- http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Some+people+just+aren%27t+happy+unless+they+can+find+something+to+complain+about%22
A couple (updated 3/25/09) for motorcyclists:
"Live every day as though it was your last, but ride to make sure it's not!"
- me
"Riding like there's no tomorrow is the quickest way to prove yourself right."
- me
Also, from the wisdom of the iPhone Backgrounds app:
"Take risks: If you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise."
...and another that is exactly right:
"Don't look for inspiration. Start working, and inspiration will come to you."
And, one from a friend:
"To achieve one's goals, one must be willing to give without expecting to receive anything in return. Be proud even when you think you don't have anything to be proud of, and be friends with those who wish to see you fail. Because a follower will always be a follower until he or she makes the sacrifice of a leader."
2/25 GSX ODO 8119Around.Notable: 50 really is too cold to ride. I missed my first real turn when I felt the rear breaking loose and wasn't sure the front-end was going to turn-in properly. I've skidded the rear a couple of times on the same downhill run when braking, but this is the first time I felt like I might not make the turn. I rode on straight (in spite of my turn-signal) rather than risk it, glad that no one else was at the intersection. ...but tomorrow is supposed to be 60+!!! woohoo!!If you aren't following religiously already, check out the (near) daily updates here:http://www.examiner.com/x-2294-DC-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner
Happy New Year! And, yes, I have been riding around Virginia in the middle of winter! 2/11 GSX ODO 8114To work and back.Notable: After a visit to the eye doctor, the weather (68 and partly sunny) was just too good to pass up. So, after swapping the car for the bike, returned to work, wrapped everything up, and then headed back home. It's necessary.2/8 GSX ODO 8099Woohoo! Waxpool, 50, Snickersville Turnpike, 7, lunch at Nick's, and then home!Notable: Riding the sweepers on Northern Virginia’s historic Snickersville TurnpikeMeeting up with 14 other sport-bike riders at noon, then hitting the road with the group. Heavy Metal Thunder! The pace was quick, and mostly legal, most of the time. It was well after noon, so it's unlikely that we woke any of the Snickersville residents, and passing rapidly, it's unlikely they were troubled by the roar of the bikes for too long. We may have seen 116 briefly on the way back on 7, but for the most part, kept the pace with the traffic. A fantastic ride, with a great new group of friends as a bonus! Oh, most notable of all: nearly 70 at 11:30AM and warming; still comfortable when I finally headed home at 5:30PM. This is the way winter is supposed to be!2/7 GSX ODO 8017Out to enjoy the weather for just a bit before heading to the Washington Auto Show.Notable: In the high fifty's and sunny, it's good enough for a quick run around the block. (It's a big block.) Passed a couple riders going the other way, and then caught them again arriving home.2/1, GSX ODO 8006To pick up Joe's truck and back.Notable: How different a Ford F150 and a Suzuki GSX-R1000 handle. And yet, the Ford's massive V8 and four giant tires their share of work to handle all that mass. But, nothing beats a bike and a rider weighing in under 600 lbs! 168 HP can handle that weight nicely.Hauling lumber with the F150, I missed the apex of the temperature -- into the mid 60s. But, it was warm enough to enjoy the ride out and only a little chilly on the way back after 5PM.
Leadership is about "what" must be done (and why). Managing is about "how" it will be done. The distinction between the two is less about an individual's level in an organization, and more about the nature of the direction being provided by that individual and whether constraints (e.g., resources, time, money) are informing that direction (leadership) or limiting that direction (management).
This distinction is important, because I'd argue that good managers are also effective leaders, great managers understand when and why they need to switch hats, and the best leaders and managers clearly understand the distinction between the two roles.
The basic keys to being an effective manager are succinctly enumerated in The One Minute Manager. Certainly far more vast volumes have been written. But few can claim to be so clear and concise in capturing the core elements of good people management.
Through a mentorship program I recently participated in, I had the opportunity to analyze and discuss the nature of leadership. I've been fortunate through my career to work with a number of great leaders, and see a wide range of leadership styles. Taking the best of the attributes I've seen, I assembled this list characterizing...
A great leader...
is honest, treats all members of their organization with respect, and communicates with integrity.
treats others as he/she expects to be treated, and leads by example.
demands accountability from all members of the organization, including themselves – both taking on appropriate responsibility, and accepting responsibility.
has a clear long-term vision for what the organization will accomplish, and clear understanding of the specific goals that must be achieved to support that vision.
effectively communicates their vision to their management team and the organization as a whole.
is able to clearly articulate a mission for the organization that inspires the members.
is enthusiastic about the organization, the people, and their collective mission.
is humble, and serves the organization.
is confident, and unthreatened by disagreement or conflicting ideas.
listens.
makes it clear that although they will listen to criticism and differing ideas, they are not looking for approval – "it's not a democracy."
provides thanks, praise, and other positive feedback at all opportunities (daily) to individuals, groups, and the organization as a whole.
provides constructive criticism and/or reprimand when necessary, and is sensitive to providing this feedback in an appropriate venue.
sets clear priorities, and makes decisions rapidly.
knows when to ask for more information in order to make an informed decision.
is comfortable not always being right, and isn't discouraged by making mistakes.
recognizes that it's often better to make a decision and be wrong than it is to fail to make a decision.
encourages a culture in which it is OK to make mistakes and take responsibility for them.
reacts positively to adversity, seeking solutions rather than placing blame.
knows the limit of their expertise and when to seek expert counsel and/or specialized professional support (e.g., logo design).
is genuinely interested in the people that work for them, and makes an effort to learn and address all members of their organization by name.
is willing to spend time with members of their organization at all levels.
Thank you to the great leaders I've worked with, who, by their example, made this summary so easy to assemble.
What other aspects of great leadership have you seen?
7 Qualities of the Best Engineering Leaders - by Patrick Sweet, Hired.com
They can develop and communicate a strong mission and vision
They have a plan
They thrive in dynamic situations
They care about you as a person
They are servants of the team
They are role models
They are humble
Related:
AKA, 50 Degrees is Too Cold for Regular Riding GearTuesday, 12/30, GSX ODO 7954Out.Notable: Safe to say that this is the last good riding day of 2008 in this part of town. At 50 and sunny, it was too tempting to stay in... but without cold-weather gear, it's too chilly to stay out for long. An uneventful wrapup to a good riding season.Sunday, 12/28, GSX ODO 7947Fosters for lunch, and Starbucks for coffee.Notable: Overcast but "warm" (mid to high 60s), with clearing clouds and a beautiful sunset. One more "last day" of the season.Saturday, 12/27, GSX ODO 7932Out - gas from Shell and back.Notable: Late afternoon, but the sun is out and it's still just above 60 degrees (my "minimum" comfortable riding temp). After nearly two months away, I'd forgotten how light the handling of the bike really is... the rumble of the inline-4 pulling down the road really is something to hear; not as loud as a Harley, but much easier for anyone to appreciate (i.e., enjoy)... like the sound of a slowly passing Ferarri... on two wheels. :-) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEe5N12L1Us perhaps? My laptop is nearly dead, so I can't hear the clip....)Update: [New computer...] Yep! The clip above is just about right.This clip isn't like any sound I've heard from my bike (really!) but it's pretty awesome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_t038mHs_M. Maxing out the RPMs in 1st gear will put the bike at 100 MPH, so to hear these sounds while moving, in any other gear than first, you'd have to be traveling between 120 and 180 MPH!
OK. A bit of a backlog, here... September, October, and the last few riding days in November! But this update is even more boring than most... nothing particularly notable in my notes.November, 11/8, GSX ODO 7921Out - to the library and work for sunglasses.Notable: Clearly, any excuse to ride will do.November, 11/7, GSX ODO 7895Work and back.Notable: My notes are a bit thin.November, 11/1, GSX ODO 7880Football and back.October, 10/31, GSX ODO 7855Work and back... just in time for Halloween!October, 10/25, GSX ODO 7833Work and back? Approx date...October, 10/17, GSX ODO 7818Work and back.October, 10/15, GSX ODO 7802Work and back.October, 10/14, GSX ODO 7787Work and back.October, 10/12, GSX ODO 7774Out.October, 10/11, GSX ODO 7747Gym and back.October, 10/7, GSX ODO 7698Work and back. Approx. date.October, 10/3, GSX ODO 7658Work and back.October, 10/2, GSX ODO 7642Work and back.September, 9/30, GSX ODO 7616Work and back.September, 9/27, GSX ODO 7601Out - gas and gym.Notable: Nice to be out after a couple of days of rain... not bad after nearly two months of good riding days.September, 9/23, GSX ODO 7568Work and Reston Town Center for lunch!Notable: A bit chilly - but with bright sun and great company, a great day to be out!September, 9/22, GSX ODO 7525Chicken?Notable: No idea what my notes mean....September, 9/21, GSX ODO 7521Loudoun Motorsports and football.Notable: 7,500 mile checkup complete.September, 9/19, GSX ODO 7489Gym and back, work and Loudoun Motorsports for service.September, 9/18, GSX ODO 7452Work and back.Notable: A perfect day for riding!September, 9/17, GSX ODO 7436Work, lunch(?) and back.Notable: Chilly!September, 9/16, GSX ODO 7398Work and back.September, 9/15, GSX ODO 7382Work and back.September, 9/13, GSX ODO 7362Football and back. (The long way? 41 miles!?)September, 9/12, GSX ODO 7321
Work and back?September, 9/10, GSX ODO 7308Work and back.September, 9/7, GSX ODO 7286Football and back.Notable: Rain on Thursday (4th) and Saturday (6th).September, 9/5, GSX ODO 7253Work and back.September, 9/3, GSX ODO 7225Work and back?September, 9/2, GSX ODO 7194Work and back.September, 9/1, GSX ODO 7178Rt.28 South to West Ox(?)
Continuing the collection of a few of my favorite quotes, three from Warren Buffet that are appropriate to our current financial climate:"According the name 'investors' to institutions that trade actively is like calling someone who repeatedly engages in one-night stands a romantic."
"We think the very term 'value investing' is redundant. What is 'investing' if it is not the act of seeking value at least sufficient to justify the amount paid? Consciously paying more for a stock than its calculated value -- in the hope that it can soon be sold for a still-higher price -- should be labeled speculation."And, the quote that every investor should carefully consider in these times:"What we do know…is that occasional outbreaks of those two super-contagious diseases, fear and greed, will forever occur in the investment community. The timing of these epidemics will be unpredictable. … We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy when others are fearful."and many more: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett"The adversarial approach to truth isn't necessarily always the best one." Quoting another source: '"When two opposite points of view are advocated with equal vigor, the truth does not necessarily lie mid-way between them."- Richard Dawkins
About two years ago I began blogging about my iTunes Top 25 Most Played list. Only a bit behind schedule, the annual Top 25 list is here:Erase-Rewind - The Cardigans - Gran Turismo
Catch the Sun - Doves - Lost Souls
Par Avion - Mike + The Mechanics - Mike + The Mechanics
Claire De Lune (Philadelphia Orchestra) - The Philadelphia Orchestra - Ocean's 11
All We Need Is A Dream - Cheap Trick - Lap Of Luxury
More Than This - The Cure - The X-Files: The Album
Muzik - Knoc-Turn'al - The Transporter Soundtrack
You And Your Friend - Snake River Conspiracy - Sonic Jihad
It Really Doesn't Matter - Electric Light Orchestra - Zoom
Atomic - Blondie - Best Of Blondie
You Look So Fine - Garbage - Version 2.0
More Than Love - Snake River Conspiracy - Sonic Jihad
Let Me Be The One - Def Leppard - X
When You Kiss Me - Shania Twain - Up! (Red Disc)
How Soon Is Now? - t.A.T.u. - 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane
True Companion - Donald Fagen - Heavy Metal
Slow Ride - Foghat - The Best Of Foghat
Hella Good - No Doubt - Rock Steady
How Soon Is Now? - Snake River Conspiracy - Sonic Jihad
Burnin' For You - Blue Öyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper: The Best Of Blue Oyster Cult
Casualty - Snake River Conspiracy - Sonic Jihad
My Elastic Eye - The Chemical Brothers - Come With Us
Hysteria - Def Leppard - Hysteria
Milk - Garbage - Garbage
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing - Garbage - Version 2.0
