Character Corner: Take Action


Don’t worry about what other people think. Stay the course. Be proud. Be industrious. Ask what’s next. Ask how you can help. DO. PRODUCE.

Set Goals. Think of the steps to get there. ASK FOR HELP.

Character Corner: Audacity

Character Corner text on yellow background

Yesterday I had a conversation about audacity and whether or not it’s a positive character trait. While it’s true that many know the second definition of audacity, which is, “Rude or disrespectful behavior,” the first and more common definition is, “A willingness to take bold risks.”

BOLD. DARING. BRAVE.

Your first vision may be the audacity to do something that conquers a fear, like skydiving or cliff jumping. Sometimes, though, it can be the momentary bravery you need to make that call you’ve been dreading. Audacity is Sisu. It’s chutzpah. It’s the stuff of courage and determination.

In fact, our most difficult experiences become the crucibles that forge our character and develop the internal powers, the freedom to handle difficult circumstances in the future and to inspire others to do so as well.

Steven R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

These are concepts that don’t translate easily because they represent a set of ideals. Often we find them difficult to explain but we know them when we see them. There is a line where audacious behavior can become a negative trait – just like the definition. Chutzpah in it’s original meaning also has negative connotations. Our Americanized version has turned it into the audacity we admire, even if it’s wrapped in brash, unapologetic behavior.

A few friends have taught me a lot about audacity. Just today, Tracy Seville (who can tech you plenty about living an audacious life!), shared an exceptional video of Pat Mitchell, Editorial Director at TEDWomen, giving her acceptance speech for receiving an honorary Doctorate from the University of Miami. It’s about having the audacity to live dangerously – as a problem solver and a change-maker. For me, it is the reminder to look past the judgement and opinion of others in order to make a difference.

Recently I’ve also been paying attention to Christopher Lochhead. It’s hard not to because he’s audacious. Christopher is a Best-Selling author, Advisor/Investor to over 50 Silicon Valley Startups and I met him when he was a CMO at a public company.  He celebrates audacity on his podcast with guests that live the Lochhead, “Follow your different,” ethos. It has quickly become one of the not-to-miss podcasts for business leadership. Tune in and listen up if you want to learn from audacious leaders.

I encourage you to embrace your day and your week with audacity. Learn from those around you that follow their different. Live boldly with vision and a plan for progress.

How do you do audacious?

#GivingTuesday – What cause touches your heart?

GIVE on #givingtuesday

I recently wrote a post about the worst wildfire disaster in the history of California, the Camp Fire in Butte County, and how non-profits would alter strategy to get our donations this winter.
Some of the leadership of non-profits objected to my approach and set me straight. It’s important that I pass along what was shared:Red Heart logo for #givingtuesday 2018

Natural disasters impact both local and national not-for-profits’ revenue each year. The fact that disasters happen does not diminish the vital impact these organizations make and we need to support them in order for them to continue their mission.

I was reminded that for a year after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, research on diseases and critical care services suffered a loss in funding and significantly slowed advancement.

So I’d like to make my own appeal, as a good friend suggested, and ask that you please give where your heart guides you. We all lose in local and national disasters. Let’s GIVE while keeping in mind that the not-for-profit you support needs your continued contributions to fulfill their vital mission regardless of current, natural, or terrorist events.

The following causes are important.
Please support them if they touch your heart in the same way they do mine:

St. Baldricks Foundation – More children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease. Give to St. Baldricks to help conquer childhood cancer.

Stand Up Placer – Saves lives by empowering survivors and educating communities to stand up to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) – provides optimal care and services to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses and to their families and caregivers.

California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund  – supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts.

Follow the Global Giving movement

#givingtuesday on Facebook
#givingtuesday on twitter
#givingtuesday on instagram

 

 

The Giving Season on Fire

Wildfire burning home roof on fire

Nonprofits get most of their donations this time of year. The holiday season is typically when organizations that use fundraising as a primary source of revenue get the money they need to operate year-round.

This year presents a special challenge. A natural disaster is garnering the attention and support that the people affected by it deserve. The non-profits are scrambling. How will they get the donations they need when the rest of us are giving money and resources to the victims of the Camp and Woolsey Fires?

I’m sure many of them are meeting this week to discuss how to adjust their year end appeal materials when there is even more competition than usual for donation dollars. Be cautious.  Be wary.  And, to the executives and managers of non-profits and associations, approach your appeals with dignity that rises above the fear of your donations going elsewhere.

The answer is that no matter what their cause or how many people they help regularly, this disaster and the families affected by it deserves all we can give. While there is a lot of important work being done, we haven’t had a disaster like this in our region since the San Francisco earthquake in 1989.

The Camp Fire alone (66% contained at the time I wrote this) is responsible for 77 fatalities. Over 1000 people are missing or unaccounted for. More than 15,5000 home and buildings have been destroyed, including the entire town of Paradise. Now, a contagious gastrointestinal illness, Norovirus, is spreading through evacuation shelters. The immediate outlook is grim.

We must do everything we can to help

Our friends that do good work that also need donations will have to wait and weather the storm. Right now these people must get whatever help and resources we can provide. I’m sure that would be your response as well if it were you sleeping in a shelter, family members missing and your home burnt to the ground.

How to Help victims of California Fires

Right now, people need cash and gift cards.  There’s a lot of “stuff,” being donated and there isn’t anywhere to put it. Money to buy basic supplies is immediate.

California Fire Foundation. Through its SAVE program, the California Fire Foundation is distributing $250 cash gift cards for those who have lost their homes. “Anyone who has suffered a loss of more than 25 percent of their home can get a gift card for $250 per household,” says Carroll Willis, communications director at the California Fire Foundation and the California Professional Firefighters.

United Way (Greater Los Angeles) and United Way of Northern California. Olmstead says that it is working both with immediate financial aid for survivors and on long-term recovery efforts.

California Community Foundation, assisting with long-term recovery efforts and people who have been displaced and/or unemployed because of the fires. This organization also supports mental health services.

Resources:

California Fire Incident Report – Camp Fire

CBS News: California fires: Latest updates on Camp Fire, Woolsey Fire including death toll, evacuations, map

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger, File (Noah Berger)

Why A Democrat is Voting Republican in the California 7th District 2018 Midterms

Ami Bera and Andrew Grand congressional candidates for 2018 California District 7

We all make voting decisions in our own way with our own rationale. Just like any other potential hire, I’m choosing the best candidate for the job. I believe that the election process should more closely resemble a job interview rather than a beauty pageant. I am not deciding based on party affiliation. I’m a Democrat voting for a Republican in the California 7th District and here’s why:

I care about who the candidate is. In other words, I care about their principles, ability to arrive at creative strategies and make difficult decisions. I want to know why the candidate is running for office. I am interested in job performance to date. I measure commitment to community engagement. I review depth and breadth of experience. I want to ensure that they will listen intently to outside expertise in their evaluation of alternative solutions, enabling them to make choices without emotional attachment or bias.

When I consider all that I mentioned above it becomes clear that Dr. Ami Bera is not putting my welfare, or that of California District 7, first. It seems like a gig for his own personal achievement – bragging rights and privileges of office –  not a commitment to public service and a greater good in the way it does for his opponent, Andrew Grant.

If you take a look at Andrew Grant’s profile on LinkedIn (today’s mandatory public resume for everything) you find depth in government, military experience, corporate experience, small business and non-profit experience. I couldn’t find a profile on LinkedIn for Ami Bera.

I have watched this campaign develop into a daily hum of Andrew Grant’s Town Halls and community visits discussing issues.  Where is Ami Bera? It seems his campaign consists of ducking one-on-one debates with his opposition and slinging expensive ad campaigns that make him look like a friend to Veterans.

As a registered Democrat I find Ami Bera embarrassing. The Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked Ami Bera 171st out of 193 Democrats in the 114th Congress. There is no evidence anywhere (that I could find) of a bill or initiative he has sponsored.

This is a difficult time as we are so polarized as a nation – its too much about choosing sides, partisan agendas and fighting against what we dislike or disagree with. How about we hire the smartest, most talented person for the job?  How about we fire a representative that doesn’t care to devote his effort to the responsibility of service that the job requires?

Apple Ipad Commercial and Why We Write Poetry Quote

I’m watching the NFL playoffs from the comfort of my living room, just like many other Pittsburgh Steelers players and fans. If you are too than you’ve probably seen the Apple Ipad Air commercial.

Cool. Inspirational. Creative.

We’ve come to expect cool from Apple. But this commercial is one I really like because it makes us think about how technology is weaving itself into the fabric of our lives. Right now it’s the tablet and the smart phone. Soon it will be a variety of wearable devices.

But that’s not all that’s cool. Robin Williams narrating the commercial with his classic quote from Dead Poets Society. Now that’s cool. It’s also compelling – daring you to live out loud.  Williams character in Dead Poets Society is Professor John Keating, one of my favorites. And, if you don’t recognize it from the commercial then perhaps you didn’t see Dead Poets Society, or need to see it again or share it with your children.

O me! O life!

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, “O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?” Answer: that you are here; that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?

 What inspires you? What will your verse be?

Do What You Love

 What’s your happy place? How will you get there in 2014?

#musicmonday motivation [Video]

Does music motivate you? It’s an important part of my life. Recently we’ve been assembling playlists for different occasions on Spotify. My daughter loves her neon dance music list. My son is digging his “Action Cole,” list of high energy rock and roll. I like to think we’re a music family and I know the soundtrack of our lives influences our mood in a positive way.

Read more

Be Vulnerable

I’ve given a lot of thought to vulnerability lately. The power of being vulnerable and the courage that it takes. Many of us believe the opposite. We protect ourselves with a shield of false bravado. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable means overcoming fear of failure or ridicule if we’re not accepted. Our relationships require it or they don’t succeed. We all make mistakes and have to apologize or we don’t move on. We perform better at work if we have permission to screw up as part of the process of learning.

The path to each other starts with our own vulnerability.” says Brené Brown in her talk, The power of vulnerability, from TEDxHouston. Watch it below…

Is there something that gives you courage? Or allows you to be vulnerable? Please share.

8 Exponential Trends That Will Shape Humanity: Century of the City State

LinkedIn gets me. Granted, I’ve taught it’s news aggregating algorithms a thing or two about me over the last ten years. This slide deck really struck me as it was presented in the recommended news on my LinkedIn home page. You didn’t think I got my news from an old media network on TV did you?

I hadn’t heard of Sparks & Honey, the New York advertising, marketing and PR agency that “Helps brands hijack, accelerate and ultimately ignite culture, ”  but I’m following them now on Twitter and Tumblr. They produced the trend report below (that found me).

Cultural change is driving our revolution and evolution and we’re at the very beginning. 3-D printing, the city-state, morphing education systems. We are restructuring how we are spending our time. As most generations have said before me, what an amazing world my children will experience. If you’re as excited about the future as I am, you’ll appreciate this overview of trends with a detail on the “Century of The City State”…

What is driving your path to the future? How is your world changing?

© 2019 Jeff Marmins. All Rights Reserved.