“…And What Else?” January 2022 newsletter

“...And What Else?”

Newsletter and Thought Starter

January 2022

Success begins by asking the right questions. So why not a newsletter that asks a powerful question: “…and what else?”

Hope these insights pierce through the clutter and create a moment to reflect on your purpose.

First Thoughts

Chocolate chips and pineapple do not mix.

Here’s the scene: I’m eagerly awaiting my chocolate chip ice cream cone when the server accidently dropped my scoop onto the adjacent ice cream tub; a tub of pineapple ice cream. She laughed, scooped up the renegade ice cream ball, embarrassingly placed it onto my cone, and made an additional scoop of pineapple, scrunching it onto my cone. “I’ll still just charge you for the single,” she said happily, smiling brightly. I smiled awkwardly. I do not like pineapple. I especially do not like pineapple with chocolate chips. Yet I accepted the gesture, said nothing, and stepped away to “enjoy” my hybrid-flavored treat.

Intent vs. outcome.

It’s hard to approach unintended results with care and compassion. But sometimes intent should be acknowledged even when results aren’t ideal, i.e. I should have thanked her.

By the way—it wasn’t all that bad. While I will never go out of my way to order pineapple and chocolate chips again, I would have never learned that otherwise.

Thinking Out Loud Blog

Results or Kindness:

The False Choice Trap

In a scene from the movie Patch Adams, medical students Hunter “Patch” Adams (played by Robin Williams) and Mitch Roman (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) have a confrontation about each other's approach to patient care. Mitch chastises Patch for his inappropriately comic approach to patient treatment. Mitch says, “You ask the average person when death comes to their door whether they want a prick on their side…because when that day comes, I will want the prick. And so will you.”

The Forty-Two Challenge

Question #33: What brings you joy?

The Challenge: Many years ago I was gifted the book “14,000 Things to Be Happy About.” I have since realized that 14,000 is an underestimate—almost too many to choose from.

Try this: Identify one thing today that makes you smile. Share the memory with a friend.

Share your reflections on your favorite social channel. #FortyTwoQuestions

Worth Reading

The Passion Economy by Adam Davidson

This book was one of the inspirations that led to Forty-Two Consulting. It reinforced the concept that a successful economic model exists for those who seek to fold the things they love into their careers. A cynic might claim this is merely confirmation bias—I was searching for support of passion-based companies. I say who cares. I’m here now doing this thing (and you’re reading about it).

The highlight of the book is the “rules of the passion economy, one of which—#5: Passion is a Story—I work to communicate every day.

Thought Starter: Rule #2 is: Only create value that can’t be easily copied. What value does your organization create that is uniquely yours? Or how can you make it so?

Worth Watching

The World’s Most Mysterious Book

The Voynich Manuscript is a mystery. It is from the 15th century, of unknown origins, and of an indecipherable language. Despite all the knowledge that the 21st century has at its disposal, the source and meaning of the manuscript remains unknown (although theories abound).

Thought Starter: Can we always find the answer? Can all things be “known”? Is the pursuit of the answer more rewarding than the answer itself? Maybe it’s ok to just keep looking and wondering.

Five reasons you could benefit from an executive coach.

Accountability: Growth is so much easier when you have someone to ask you (in a constructive, supportive matter), “What progress did you make since our last meeting?”
Results: Often we have too many choices; not enough direction. A good coach helps you focus on what matters for greater impact and results.
Influence: No matter where you are in your career, a good coach provides insights to allow you to wield influence.
Alignment: It’s easy to go off-track, especially in today’s unpredictable remote/in-person/hybrid environment. Coaching can help you stay aligned with your top goals and the organization’s mission.
Gaining visibility into ineffective, dysfunctional, and possibly toxic behavior (see January blog): A coach is your partner to help you navigate awareness and progress.

Does this pique your interest? Learn what some clients have said about their Forty-Two Coaching experience.

Final Thoughts

“You teach best what you most need to learn.” *

Richard Bach
*Corollary: I have a lot to teach

Executive Coaching & Strategic Advising