The Phoenix Infection – Seeking the Right Level, Part 6

I’m sure you have heard the phrase that “water seeks its own level.” While this may be true for water, this expression is most often used to describe people and how we end up with those that are at our same level, be that income, lot in life, intelligence, common interests, class, etc…, And this would seem to be true when we describe friendships orpersonal relationships. However, this is not always the case when describing business relationships and how we end up in a profession or career that challenges us and inspires growth or change.

Each position I have held has typically been more difficult than the one prior. And maybe this is just me, but in order for me to have a full and balanced life, it actually has to be slightly askew. Sounds funny and not quite right, eh? Well, neither am I. I have always gravitated toward leaders and managers (employers) that were excellent at what they did. I never saw their leadership as a way to keep me down or stifled as many might feel. I thrive on the challenge presented by wisdom and intelligence – whether it be core or learned.

This is the reason I believe that finding your own level when it comes to “following a leader” might be just a bit detrimental and a setback when it comes to your own personal progression. The challenge presented by working for someone or with someone that drives excellence, either out of necessity or by their very nature, is infectious but, unfortunately, not for everyone.

When I made the switch from healthcare search to tech, it was a big jump, a huge challenge. There were days when I wondered what the heck was I thinking. Then there were days when I leapt forward in my understanding and development. Those were the days that made it worth my while, when the Phoenix I was following flew just low enough that I could actually touch him and gain strength from that contact.

As humans, when we stop craving growth or stop learning, we fail at the simplest function that sets us apart from all other animals. Our ability to think and alter course because we can strategize, not just blindly follow the pack or the smell of blood, allows for a beneficial erudition, one that causes us to seek a greater level, avoiding stagnation. A Phoenix cannot reside in pond scum, swatting at mosquitoes, so don’t look for one there.

“Find Your One Thing” – The Phoenix Infection, Part 5

We spend our days working toward something, trying to be successful, trying to make a difference, achieving something bigger, greater than ourselves. Maybe that is too great of an assumption. Of course, not everyone is working toward greatness. Many give up, many assume they cannot achieve it, and many are stunted by lack of leadership. Those who need a nudge are not always in the right place at the right time to receive it from the right person. I suppose I am one of the lucky ones.

For most of my work life, I have been led by leaders that were good at what they did and enjoyed their work. And when they no longer enjoyed it, they changed it up and tried something new, something different. I was a young high school graduate – only seventeen years old. And when I was just eighteen, I finished a certificated dental assisting program at Indiana University. It was grueling. Seriously; not kidding. Forty hours a week for three semesters that included such hits as Oral Anatomy, Oral Pathology, Radiography, Behavioral Science, Dental Therapeutics and Emergency Medicine, the list goes on. It was tough and I worked hard. But by the time I was nineteen, I had jumped in, feet first, and joined the adult world of working forty hours a week and paying bills.

I bought a car from my parents and had my own land phone (way pre-cell phone.) I purchased independent health and life insurance; those benefits are rarely provided by dentists to their employees. I think the only thing I didn’t pay for myself was car insurance; luckily, my parents kept me on the policy because it was the most affordable option and I was very thankful. The first dentist I worked for was very good at what he did, but he didn’t like it much. He only became a dentist to pay the bills but he was extremely smart and he managed his practice well; selling it and leaving the field completely after twenty-five years. When he retired? He became a substitute teacher at the local junior high and coached after school sports – basketball. He went from making an extremely good living to barely making minimum wage and he loved it. He had found his one thing.

I have written before about finding your one thing – the thing that gets you up in the morning, that gets your motor running, that motivates you, that floats your boat. My one thing is just doing it better – everything. It’s not that I want to be perfect for that is impossible, I just think I can always do better, find the better way, be smarter about it, figure out a different plan, be strategic about it all. That is my one thing. What is yours? Have the leaders in your life, in your career been clear about their one thing? Have you followed the right leaders for you? It is easy to get caught up in following someone that is very charismatic or who has power and authority or money. But do those attributes make a good leader? Yes, for some, no, for others. 

 
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I look back at the first dentist I worked for and think of the impressionable eighteen year old I was when he hired me. I learned a lot about running a small business, about ethics, and choices. The work was just a job for me too, but the path I was on became the road to my career and the first of many lessons. Perseverance and patience, study and continually learn while you mark your time, if you don’t love your work then add something to your life that you can love (my dentist loved bass fishing) and keep goals- not just have them but keep them. And, of course, find your one thing.

© by rayannethorn

The Rising – The Phoenix Infection, Part Two

There have been leaders throughout my life whom I have followed with vigor, some since junior high. My parents, of course, and then there was Mr. John Grandi, my history and drama teacher during those tortuous years. He quickly became a mentor, as many junior high teachers do for their students. Those between years mark a passage of time that can be very impressionable. My life changed quite a bit during that time: someone stole from me, a friend betrayed me, a boy held my hand, and one of my brothers passed away.     Trust lost.

It could be said that I was probably not ready for high school. I was a delightfully innocent and naive young woman. I had never seen anyone my age smoke a cigarette, let alone imbibe in alcohol or do drugs of any kind. I lived a kind of Utopian youth that I am thankful for today. Given my propensity to engage quickly and be a people pleaser, I can imagine that my life might have taken a very different turn during those years had I not had parents that were strong leaders and influential teachers like Mr. Grandi that understood the freedom a twelve- and thirteen-year old girl needed to test – it wasn’t much, believe me, for I didn’t know any better. 😉

Different phases in our lives require different types of leaders. They are not all good experiences, but those in my life have taught lessons that have altered my core, my precepts, and made a mark on either my soul or brain. That is what happens when we really learn, we change and the change may be small or even imperceptible to others, but inside – there is a difference. It may not be how we act but it might be how we react. It may not be what we do, but it might be what we think. It may not be how we respond, but it might be how we feel. Change is a direct result of learning.

My brother, Andrew, recently made a statement and asked a question in his group on facebook a few days ago and I was compelled to answer; that answer contained an idea that has been brewing in me for awhile. It is the idea of The Phoenix Infection.

Andrew Thorn: Leadership can be defined as the ability to motivate a group of people toward a common goal. How do you define leadership?

Me: A leader inspires by passionately sharing a vision and allowing participation in the creation and fruition of that vision. A leader is not bogged down by fear or jealousy. The active sharing of knowledge and the Phoenix Infection they gladly pass along define the line between leader and manager.

The Phoenix Infection is what happens when a leader is able to take you with him to fulfill his vision; you gladly join because his dream and aspirations are infectious – you, as a follower, really have no choice. The engagement is so pure, so true, that the joining is natural and fulfilling. The mythical phoenix has long held a magical place in my thinking. It represents immortality, the triumphant rising from disaster or struggle, always strategizing – looking ahead. It is a visionary with the capacity to continually re-invent itself and stimulate enthusiasm and continual motivation.

This fulfills part of my definition of a leader – a leader I can learn from.

© by rayannethorn

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The Phoenix Infection

One time, I interviewed with a CEO that had me instantly wrapped around his finger with the vision of what his company could do, what it would do eventually. His technological mind had brought him much success and a significant fortune in Canada, where he had built a couple of tech companies to a point where they could both be sold for a considerable profit. He had an idea for another company but wanted to expand into the United States. He landed in Silicon Valley for a time and then relocated to Newport Beach, where he ventured into university technologies and was able to gather the funding necessary to build yet another company.

Needless to say, I joined his company and loved it from the minute I started. He was an incredible visionary. He quoted Peter Senge and Everett Rogers and John Wooden. He loved to see the sparks when great minds worked together and made that entrepreneurial magic happen. He led with what we all believed were strong ethics and a design for company greatness. I loved hiring folks to join our company. I loved hooking them with company culture and what a great opportunity it was. Then, September 2007 happened and life, as we had known it, started to change.

My requisitions began to constantly be altered, offered salaries began to drop. The phone company called and threatened an admin assistant that they would shut off services and remove all the phones. Somehow an agreement was reached that kept our phones live each month. I knew that my position was threatened, but I believed “our visionary, our leader.” I wanted to believe forever but the writing on the walls became clearer and I knew I needed to look for another job. If hiring ceased completely, what need would there be for a Manager of Recruitment?

And yet, I still believed in the company vision and the company mission. That is what kept me loving my work and why it was so hard for me to take another job…, but my gut kept telling me it was time. I took another position after deliberating for two months. I guess I was hoping for a miracle that Christmas, but 2007 held no miracles. I left without much fanfare, my two-week notice was ignored and I was immediately escorted out of the building with my two boxes.  I began to hear stories, dreadful stories of deceit and ruin. Our beloved leader, our visionary, had led us down a fake, primrose path.

He had lied, he had cheated, he had stolen from us. Money, hope, dreams, and trust. He took it all. Why did we buy in? Because we believed in a plan, we followed a charismatic leader that seemed to know what he was talking about – we believed because we wanted to. I learned many lessons, we all did. Mostly, I learned that great leadership is more than someone talking you into something, it is more than the talent of coercion. But interestingly enough, greatness rose around the rotten core we all had been drawn to. Others that worked there have grown their own companies, or gone on to better careers, or finished school, or joined growing companies – taking with them, with us, more than simple life lessons. We have taken with us complex business lessons of ethics and intricate thought processes. And we were touched by greatness, even if it failed, we had been part of something great.

And though we had been hurt and it had been risky, we wanted more.

©by rayannethorn

Function Three: To Motivate

The crowd roars in the background and stadium lights flood the field. The smell of freshly cut grass mingles with popcorn and dogs. An announcer calls out the first batter’s name in muffled tones and eager anticipation fills the stands. The batter crosses in front of the dugout to home plate, accompanied by cheers and jeers. Wringing the bat in his hands, tightening his grip, he checks his stance and settles his feet. He brings the bat back with the full intent of achieving his team’s goal – to win.

Everything up until the swing is planning. The actual crack as the bat makes contact with the ball is organization in action. This connection moves to action – action which is motivation and direction. The run to first base paves the way for the next batter and moves the team forward, each act brought about by the organized plan. The coach sits and views all this with a watchful eye making adjustments as needed or encourages passionate play to continue. Direction is necessary to maintain organization and pursue victory.

Evaluating each play and each player is the job of the manager. Was that the right next step? Is he in the right position? The coach and manager must communicate and supervise. Sharing concerns with the team must be coordinated and constructive in order for it to have impact and value. Whether you are a sole proprietor, only recruiter, part of a team, or managing the team, directing and leading from within – the 360° Leader – sees needs and defines action. Through example and motivation, goals are chased with zeal and are within grasp.

Leadership finds its way to the center, whatever role is held. The leader, the manager, the director, or the motivator are the lead-off batters, clearing a path and holding the torch, not only for visibility and clarity but to pass on when the time is right. The control of resources plus focus are imperative in the game – keep your eye on the ball. And players have to reach – motivation pushes employees to reach. Don’t wait for the ball to come to you, go to it. Meet it head on.

As the team moves through practices and takes the field for the big game, a level of trust must be in place. The relationships among employees, the amity held with clients, hiring managers, or candidates must reflect the commitment brought to each game. The game plan reveals the barriers early on, they are surmountable. The playing of the game displays shortcomings, they can be rectified. The desire to win, the direction taken to make it so, comes from within and it is achievable.

“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” ~Hank Aaron

by rayannethorn