Nicely Networking or Really Relating

There are abundant networking opportunities every day.  Most of us don't utilize these forums as effectively as we might. 

Natural curiosity and an interest in people are the underlying keys to effective networking.  We can get unnecessarily caught up in trying to appear interesting.  Being genuinely interested in another generally makes us plenty interesting to them. Listening to and learning about others will allow a relationship to develop.  When we focus on the other person's wants and needs, we're able to assess whether we have value to add, which might lead to a meaningful relationship.   Meaningful relationships require a mutually beneficial long-term versus short-term focus.

When making introductions, I like, when possible to be able to give a 20-second elevator speech about each of the two parties I'm introducing rather than merely giving their names and company affiliations.  Though my version won't be as eloquent as their own, it may spark a connection, and will allow each of the individuals to enhance their introduction from the launch pad I've provided.  Being an effective connector is a great way to add value to our daily networking opportunities.

We can choose to network nicely at every event or really relate.

Wellbeing

Sterling Bank once again partnered with Houston Business Journal to present the fourth annual Celebrate!Enterprise, seven events during four days in May which provide educational, recognition and structured networking opportunities.  Dr. Jessica Tyler, Practice Manager, Employee Engagement and Wellbeing from Gallup Inc., the Healthcare Heroes event keynote speaker, addressed wellbeing, drawing from her colleagues' newly released book, Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements by Tom Rath and Jim Harter. 

The five essential elements of how we think about and experience our lives are:

• Career Wellbeing - Liking what we do every day
• Social Wellbeing - Relationships and love in our lives
• Financial Wellbeing - Managing economic matters to reduce stress and increase security
• Physical Wellbeing - Good health and enough energy to do the things we need to do
• Community Wellbeing - Sense of engagement and involvement in the area where we live

While 66% of people are doing well in at least one of these areas, just 7% are thriving in all five. As our individual wellbeing improves, we positively impact the wellbeing of those around us, yet another indication that everything's connected.

Electronic Leashes

Our electronic leashes (mobile devices), can provide 24x7x365 access if we allow it.  Used appropriately, this anywhere, anytime connectivity provides peace of mind and increased productivity.  Checking in, making requests, providing direction, giving and receiving timely responses, sharing information, accessing data and getting directions are some of the functions my Blackberry has enhanced as I'm scurrying from place to place.

Physical leashes provide safety and security for pets.  Electronic leashes do the same for us.

Intelligence-Slave

This is another exciting season at the Alley Theatre with three world premieres: Intelligence-Slave, Gruesome Playground Injuries and Wonderland.  Intelligence-Slave opened on Wednesday and runs through June 20.  Kenneth Lin is the playwright whose inspiration for this work came from reading an article about the concentration camp prisoner who invented the world's first hand-held four function calculator, the Curta calculator.

The inventor is being kept alive in order to complete this extraordinary break-through.  He clearly understands that he must show progress, but realizes that his value diminishes the moment the invention is complete.  There are life and death consequences to his actions. 

Though the consequences in our daily lives are not as dramatic, we are often held hostage by intelligence- slaves.  Our intelligence-slaves are our colleague experts who think that knowledge creates finite rather than infinite power.  They are afraid to reveal too much for fear of diluting their usefulness, or worse yet becoming obsolete.  As a result, we must make decisions and take action based upon incomplete information. 

Only in safe environments do creativity and innovation flourish.

Leadership for a Lifetime

Dr. Harriett Romo, a Sociology Professor and Director of the Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio, was our terrific keynote speaker at Sterling Bank's Women's Business Initiative luncheon yesterday.  This warm, charming, intelligent and successful woman presented "Leadership for a Lifetime".

She vividly contrasted very different effective leadership styles of several female leaders:

• Mother Theresa - an unassuming leader who passionately and compassionately fought poverty
• Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton - charismatic leaders who've effectively used media exposure
• Nancy Pelosi and Condoleezza Rice - academic strategists
• Dolores Huerta - unassuming co-founder with Cesar Chavez, of United Farm Workers

She vividly described one of her own early leadership experiences.  As a 10-year old child she organized a variety show engaging her neighborhood's younger and older children.   Though she was clearly the leader, she was quick to highlight that followers and colleagues are crucial parts of the leadership equation.

Leaders learn their skills through mentoring, observing, reading and experiencing.

One of Dr. Romo's huge community collaborative successes, building a child development center at Navarro High School, required vision, action, persistence, passion, partnerships and funding. 

She closed with a proverb from Dr. Eugene Washington:  "If you have a vision without action, it's a daydream. If you have action without vision, it's a nightmare."

Because of Dr. Romo's vision with action, she's brought dreams to life.

Power Washing

Watching the dust, pollen and mildew magically disappear from our outdoor teak furniture with Edgar's vigilant command of the power washer is the equivalent of a do-over.  My elbow grease merely took a layer away.  His power washing produced sparkling new furniture.  Makes me wish I could power wash my to-do list.

Swimming into Summer

Though the calendar indicates that summer begins in several weeks, my summer began this weekend with my first plunge into the pool.  My assessment is that cold water is only for drinking, so I always wait until we've had several days of warm temperatures before braving the chilly water. 

I love the pool. 

• It's a magnetic gathering place for fun with family and friends.
• Swimming is exercise that I can enthusiastically embrace. 
• The water washes away stress.
• Everyone's playful side emerges.