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Dilbert’s Education

I’ve always been a big fan of Dilbert cartoons.Created by Scott Adams, they provide hilarious perspectives on many aspects of worklife, education, politics, the environment, and just about any frustrating ritual of life that many people experience.A recent Saturday essay by Adams in the Wall Street Journal focused on How to Get a Real Education, and detailed how he learned more usable skills outside the classroom than inside it during his college years. In short, he didn’t simply follow the prescribed path, but instead crafted experiences to fit his interests, fund his education, and have fun doing it.

It helped that he attended a small college with a culture of flexibility in supporting student ideas.I’m sure the expectation was that he’d learn the most from his academic experience. Instead, he learned more about entrepreneurship, leadership, and motivation from his extra-curricular activities.Adams said that by the time he graduated he had “mastered the strange art of transforming nothing into something,” and this formed the basis for his successful adult experiences. As I read Adams’ story, I admired his creativity to see opportunities in his environment and his boldness to convince others to go along with his ideas.

I was reminded of a young woman who recently complained to me that she’d been reassigned laterally to a new job within her company that in her opinion involved less responsibility than her current assignment.She was feeling frustrated because she had hoped she was in line for a promotion.I recounted to her that over the course of my career, the assignments that I least desired, turned out to be the ones that I learned the most from.Not only did I learn the specific work involved in the role, but my initial reluctance at the position forced me to examine my motives, my desires and my abilities.I instead honed new skills, took on new responsibilities, and changed my thinking about the challenge ahead; and as a result I experienced life changing personal growth in those positions.

I encouraged the young woman to approach her new assignment with a perspective of learning more than just what was in the job description. Quite possibly she could add a dimension to it that had not previously been contemplated, and it might turn into a pivotal learning experience…a real education. The thought of this made her smile brightly, and I knew that she had grasped a new perspective on her role; one that would enable her to grow in the coming months. I’m convinced that a real education doesn’t come simply through academic or intellectual pursuits. Instead it comes through emotional, mental and spiritual experiences that shape our perspective and pursuits in life.

Moses provides us with an example of this.Though a Hebrew, he grew up in the Egyptian king’s home, and likely received the best education of his day.He somehow knew that he was to deliver his people from slavery and thought that killing an Egyptian soldier might just launch his career.Wrong! Instead he fled for his life to the desert for the next forty years. There, in the middle of a flock of animals, God was able to deal with his spirit and teach him the greatest lessons of his life.Moses learned about God’s:

• Purpose – sending Moses back to Egypt to deliver the Hebrew people.
• Provision – Moses would have everything he needed to get the king’s attention.
• Power – God equipped him with signs and wonders to prove His power.
• Presentation – His brother Aaron was provided as a spokeman for Moses.
• Presence – God promised to be with Moses, and told him to tell the children of Israel that “I AM” sent him.

In the natural, Moses had become the least likely candidate for this job. But because he obtained a real education in the midst of the most undesirable assignment, he was prepared for the role. He carefully followed God’s plan and was successful in leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

So when you get that assignment that you least expect or desire (and trust me it will come) don’t shirk from the moment.Focus instead on the deeper learnings, how you can contribute in unexpected ways. Remember that God isn’t here to serve us, but we are here to serve Him and to fulfill the purpose for which He created us. Life isn’t about what we want to get from God, it’s about what God wants to get from us. Our real education is discovering God’s creative plan for our lives.

Copyright 2011 Priscilla Archangel

Photo courtesy of IStockPhoto

Insider Trading: A Humbling Decision

Two hedge fund managers who used to be employed by one of the world’s largest hedge-fund firms were recently charged with insider trading.  The charges came as part of the government’s wide ranging investigation into potential insider trading involving not only hedge-funds but also “expert-networks”.  According to an article on MarketWatch.com by Alistair Barr (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/more-insider-trading-charges-being-filed-2011-02-08), these men kept a log of inside information stored on a USB flash drive, and destroyed the external drives when the government’s investigation began closing in on them. Their employer fired them in 2010 for poor performance, and is cooperating with the investigation.  One of the persons charged has already pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, and a second count of securities fraud.

Throughout the course of time they were able to gather information on technology companies’ profit and loss statements, earnings, sales, product orders, and other information considered “material” or insider information.  They paid cash for the information, and allegedly netted millions of dollars as a result of their fraudulent activity. Other individuals have also been arrested on insider trading charges, and the government has raided several other hedge-fund companies beginning late last year.

I can almost guarantee you that these individuals never expected they would be charged with a crime. Their guilt will be determined by due process of the courts, but meanwhile, their lives have been changed, likely forever.  The world of hedge-fund managers is probably very similar to being in a pressure cooker.  Their role is to anticipate the future of the companies in which they invest in a way that maximizes profits for their funds, investors and employers.  Every bit of intelligence, every hint of information is critically analyzed and added to the equation of predicting the future.

They thrive in an environment of high risk and high stakes.  Their adrenalin rush comes from the huge sums of money they can make from a single transaction, the fortunes they control, and the sheer pleasure of winning.  The thrill from winning leads to the desire to do it again and again.  They crave the spotlight of success. They love standing on a pedestal. If they aren’t careful, they may find themselves playing a dangerous game, walking a tightrope, finding it difficult to pull back and make investment decisions without that “expert” information.

Luke 14:11 (NKJV) says “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  People in positions of great power and influence are more vulnerable to making decisions or exhibiting behaviors that will ensure they not only remain in control, but that they increase in dominance and strength.  They may begin to feel that they’re above the normal rules by which others in their profession operate. They become addicted to the thrill of victory.  We’ve seen major political figures, corporate chiefs, entertainers and sports figures all go down this path.  One day they were heralded for their greatness, the next day they were shown on TV being led in handcuffs to a court arraignment….a process now known as the “perp” walk.

By the same token, those leaders in positions of great power who operate with humility, integrity, and a focus on giving to and serving others, will be lauded for their greatness.  Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are examples of such leaders. They’re worth billions of dollars, are shrewd businessmen, but have given more of their money away than they’ve kept.  They see their wealth as an opportunity to benefit those less fortunate than themselves. They understand the greater value of giving over receiving.

A familiar saying reminds us that “the higher you go, the harder you fall.”  So as a leader, make up your mind now whether you’re going to operate in piety or in humility, in receiving or in giving, in deceit or in honesty.

Motley Crew or Marvelously Capable

( Article first published as Motley Crew Or Marvelously Capable on Technorati.)

H-P recently announced a change in their board of directors as four people stepped down, and five new directors were appointed.These changes are considered significant in the wake of the scandal surrounding their former CEO, who left last year as a result of violations of their policies linked to an inappropriate relationship with a contractor. That was followed by the appointment last fall of a new non executive chairman, and a CEO.

Concerns about this newly appointed board as expressed by a variety of writers include some business relationships these new directors have with the CEO since several of them sit on various other boards together. More directly, Therese Poletti’s article in MarketWatch.com, H-P’s New Board a Motley Crew  on January 25, 2011 voices the concerns of some analysts and experts that the board “has become a haven for failed executives”, and identifies several new directors who exited their previous companies under not so positive circumstances. This, along with other aspects of H-P’s future plans, could cause concern for H-P’s investors if they’re not confident in the ability of the new board to lead the company to a successful future.

When we look at the leaders of companies where we’re investing our money, we typically want people with proven successful track records in the arena we’re focusing on. We want to minimize risks and optimize our future gain, and we don’t necessarily have the same view or perspectives as those who selected the leaders.We’re typically looking “in” or “up”, whereas those making the selection decisions are looking “down”. The position from which one is viewing is important here. Looking “in” implies that we’re on the outside, lacking complete information on the organization’s business and financial strategy and capabilities.Looking “up” suggests that while we may be on the inside, we’re not privy to all the information regarding the key criteria and experiences these leaders should possess. Finally, looking “down” means that we do have more knowledge and wisdom on the business needs and capabilities of who can fill them.So is the new H-P board really a “motley crew”, or are they “marvelously capable”?

Courtesy of Idea go

I’m reminded of another group of men who were hand selected and appointed as the leadership team for a service organization. They had no prior experience in the work they were asked to perform. They had the greatest respect for their leader, but for a while they didn’t really understand who he was or what he was doing.Though he spent a lot of time teaching them, they didn’t always understand his style of communication.They didn’t have the stamina that he exhibited.Though he expected them to do so, they couldn’t always replicate the things he did. Finally, one of their own leaked information that led to their leader’s capture and assassination, and they momentarily dispersed in fear.Some would have thought this was the end of that organization, but miraculously they rallied and came together again, stronger for their trials, and met to determine their next steps. After practicing and repeating all they had learned from their leader, they suddenly got it, and understood what he had been saying.

You’ve probably figured out that I’m talking about Jesus and His disciples. Why did he call fishermen and others to support Him in preaching the gospel and healing the sick?Who knows other than He looked “down” and in His infinite wisdom knew the deepest parts of their hearts.He knew what they were capable of doing.He didn’t call them based on who they were; he called them based on who they could become. He knew that he could use them in his service. They were anointed by God to form the first churches and lead thousands of people to salvation, carrying forward the gospel for future generations like us.

So in spite of the criticism and skepticism leveled at new leaders, rest assured that if they’re anointed by God for their position, their past is only a stepping stone for their future, and they can prosper in their new role, and lead their organization into victory.Though others may not see it, they may indeed be “marvelously capable” to excel in their role.

Copyright 2011 Priscilla Archangel, Ph.D.

Note: In the interest of full disclosure, H-P is a vendor of my employer, and one of their new board members also sits on the board of my employer.I have no business dealings or interactions however with H-P nor that board member.

Tigers, Coddling and Leadership

Assume with me that the goal of every “good” parent is to raise children to be smart, well rounded, and who will discover and fulfill their greatest potential. Most parents will agree with that statement, but when we begin to talk about how to accomplish that, the consensus generally stops. What type of parenting is most effective in achieving this goal? Consider a set of articles that appeared recently in back to back weekend editions of the Wall Street Journal.

It started with an excerpt from Amy Chua’s new book, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” where she describes Chinese mothers as being superior in their tactics of raising children to get straight A’s, and play the violin or piano.She didn’t allow her two daughters to attend sleepovers, watch TV or play computer games, be in school plays, choose their own extracurricular activity, not be the top student in class, and not play the piano or violin. Though she had “clashes of wills” with them, they learned to meet her high expectations, and her oldest teenager played the piano at Carnegie Hall.Amy’s perspective is summed up this way.”Western parents try to respect their children’s individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they’re capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.”

As you can imagine, there was a firestorm of responses from readers.Ayalet Waldman provided a rebuttal the following week by saying that her four children of a Jewish mother were allowed to sleep over at friends houses, participate in and quit any extracurricular activity, play on the computer and surf the internet, and not play a musical instrument. She recounts a learning challenge that one of her daughters faced.Ayalet’s constant tutoring and practice drills only succeeded in making her daughter miserable, until they found a specialized training program and enrolled her in it.It was a grueling program for a second grader, but her daughter persevered to complete it and overcame her issue, not because of her parent’s pressure, but because she loved books and wanted to read.Ultimately Ayalet said “Amy Chua and I both understand that our job as mothers is to be the type of tigress that each of our different cubs needs.”

Leaders have a challenge similar to the mothers in these articles.Their goal is to develop individuals into high functioning teams, leveraging their specific skills to accomplish organizational objectives. They need to identify emerging talent and develop them to take on greater responsibility becoming the leaders of tomorrow. There are probably millions of books on how to be a great leader, with an equal number of different perspectives. What’s the right approach? The answer is a combination of the organization’s culture, the leader’s personality and talents, and the individual employee’s traits and skills.And the basis of this is every good leader’s gut instinct on what’s right for their team; what works for the moment; and what motivates the group.

As a leader, are you as attentive to developing your team as you are to raising your children? Or are you as focused on motivating your children as you are on getting results out of your team?Proverbs 22:6 directs us to train our children in the way they should go, so that when they’re grown, they won’t depart from it. So be attentive as a leader to train your team based on their needs; whether your style is to be a tiger mother, to coddle them, or hopefully something in between.Ensure that they develop to their highest potential.

Copyright 2011 Priscilla Archangel

Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior, by Amy Chua, Wall Street Journal, January 8-9, 2011, page C1

In Defense of the Guilty, Ambivalent, Preoccupied Western Mom, by Ayalet Waldman, Wall Street Journal, January 15-16, 2011, page C1.