Ever notice that when the weather is rainy, gray, and overcast that people begin to notice the weather and it affects them in a negative manner? Like, for instance, the past three days have been nothing but rain and gray, and unseasonable cold temperatures. People are sluggish and moving and sometimes thinking slowly.
Team leaders need to be sensitive to weather effects on their teams. Leaders tend to be highly charged people who on most days probably don't even notice the weather--and this can become a source of frustration when dealing with their teams.
Leaders need to find ways to interact with the sluggish team members and help them overcome the effects of the weather. Charge them up--without turning them off. Help them spin up to speed and obtain the high energy that you have.
So what is a leader to do when confronted with a lethargic team on a high energy day?
First, begin to ramp the energy level up so they team rises to meet you.
Second, allow them the opportunity to rise on their own up to your expectations--but expect them to meet you.
Finally, recognize--people are affected by weather. Adjust your activity and expectations.
Success means recognizing the capabilities and limitations of your team as well as understanding the impact of outside influences.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Makayla's Surgery Journey
Well, I dropped off the wonder puppy this morning for her surgery. She is having her female parts altered to prevent off-spring. Puppies are fun but they are a lot of work, especially in multiples of like five or six. And then you need to find homes. Yeah! And worming them is always fun.
I'm not too amused at the vet--because they were supposed to micro-chip her as well, but I just got a call that they are out of micro-chips. I suggested they get one form another store and was informed that that was not possible due to the way they are ordered. So we get to return for more puppy adjustments later.
It is amazing how inefficient the vet is in processing dogs into the center for surgery. There are incredible mountains of paperwork to fill out and then--the add on questions. Trim her nails? Express her anal glands? Use some new surgical technique? Micro-chip? It was worse than buying a car.
I'm surprised they didn't want to add a USB port to facilitate future programming changes.
But all-in-all, Makayla was brave when I dropped her off. Of course she was playing with two full-grown black labs when they came for her.
We really didn't even get to say good-bye and I didn't get to reassure her that I would be back for her.
I wonder if that is important for puppies.
I'm not too amused at the vet--because they were supposed to micro-chip her as well, but I just got a call that they are out of micro-chips. I suggested they get one form another store and was informed that that was not possible due to the way they are ordered. So we get to return for more puppy adjustments later.
It is amazing how inefficient the vet is in processing dogs into the center for surgery. There are incredible mountains of paperwork to fill out and then--the add on questions. Trim her nails? Express her anal glands? Use some new surgical technique? Micro-chip? It was worse than buying a car.
I'm surprised they didn't want to add a USB port to facilitate future programming changes.
But all-in-all, Makayla was brave when I dropped her off. Of course she was playing with two full-grown black labs when they came for her.
We really didn't even get to say good-bye and I didn't get to reassure her that I would be back for her.
I wonder if that is important for puppies.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday Musings - 13 April 2009
And now, for the first week in a row, the Monday Musings--on Monday!
1. Birthdays and holidays stirred together form a weekend unlike any other weekend ever seen before.
2. Yes, Ethan, there really is an Easter Bunny. Makayla saw it in the yard and chased it away.
3. We appreciate warm weather more after it has been cold. OK, we got it, bring on the heat--now!
4. For the Orioles to win 2 out of every 3 games in a series is great--I just wish they wouldn't get blown out on the day they lose. I mean, 11-3? Really? And the 3 were gratuitous runs in the bottom of the 9th.
5. MASN needs to rethink its HD broadcasting policy--the O's games should be broadcast in HD and the Nats should be on probation until they get a win.
6. Pictures on Easter Sunday after church bring back memories of times long ago.
7. Everyone keeps asking me when I'm going to open the pool--and I will open it just as soon as we have a week where the temperatures aren't in the 30's at night. That may not be until June at the rate we're going.
8. Chaos is the only way to enjoy a holiday. It means everyone is together and most of them are happy. It is also what you get when you add a 5-month old puppy to a 1-year old and then toss in a 4-year old for good measure.
9. I forgot to drive the Jag on Easter. And we still got to church 30 minutes early.
10. You know its been a good day when at 9PM Makayla is laying on the floor in the family room and I get up to make coffee and she doesn't even move. Pure exhaustion from all the activity.
11. After four days off from work--a total of six counting the weekend, I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning.
1. Birthdays and holidays stirred together form a weekend unlike any other weekend ever seen before.
2. Yes, Ethan, there really is an Easter Bunny. Makayla saw it in the yard and chased it away.
3. We appreciate warm weather more after it has been cold. OK, we got it, bring on the heat--now!
4. For the Orioles to win 2 out of every 3 games in a series is great--I just wish they wouldn't get blown out on the day they lose. I mean, 11-3? Really? And the 3 were gratuitous runs in the bottom of the 9th.
5. MASN needs to rethink its HD broadcasting policy--the O's games should be broadcast in HD and the Nats should be on probation until they get a win.
6. Pictures on Easter Sunday after church bring back memories of times long ago.
7. Everyone keeps asking me when I'm going to open the pool--and I will open it just as soon as we have a week where the temperatures aren't in the 30's at night. That may not be until June at the rate we're going.
8. Chaos is the only way to enjoy a holiday. It means everyone is together and most of them are happy. It is also what you get when you add a 5-month old puppy to a 1-year old and then toss in a 4-year old for good measure.
9. I forgot to drive the Jag on Easter. And we still got to church 30 minutes early.
10. You know its been a good day when at 9PM Makayla is laying on the floor in the family room and I get up to make coffee and she doesn't even move. Pure exhaustion from all the activity.
11. After four days off from work--a total of six counting the weekend, I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Good Friday 2009
He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Col 2:14 NET Bible
Chris and have this problem. We can't really celebrate Easter without first going through Good Friday. Seems we both need to be reminded of the sacrifice before we can celebrate the redemption--and it is in the somberness and remembrance of Good Friday that we are reminded of how we were bought with an incredible price--not of our own doing but out of Christ's love.
At service last evening, we were reminded of Christ's sacrifice, but it was the words from Colossians which really caught my attention and brought it all to reality.
We had a debt that there was no way we could pay--but Christ took it and paid it and nailed it to the cross for us. That is why a tool of torture and execution has become a symbol of hope and redemption--the cross. A place of death has become the way to life.
Happy Easter--our debt is paid and we are sons and daughters of God.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvingnon 2006
I am a big fan of the Smoking Loon wines--but I have to say I was let down by this wine. Unlike most of the others that I have had the pleasure to sample, this wine was lifeless. The nose was flat, the palette unremarkable, and the finish non-existent.
The tasting can be described as: This wine is dark deep plum in color with a nose of cherry pie and dark ripe berries and tree bark spice. Flavors of dark berries again fill the palate with a rich fruitiness and tingling acidity while ending with a smokey finish.
While the cost of this wine is definitely less than $8.00, I believe you can do better.
RECOMMENDATION: Not a first choice. In desperate times following two or three other bottles--it will hold up O.K.
The tasting can be described as: This wine is dark deep plum in color with a nose of cherry pie and dark ripe berries and tree bark spice. Flavors of dark berries again fill the palate with a rich fruitiness and tingling acidity while ending with a smokey finish.
While the cost of this wine is definitely less than $8.00, I believe you can do better.
RECOMMENDATION: Not a first choice. In desperate times following two or three other bottles--it will hold up O.K.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Knowing: Movie Review
Took some of our precious Spring Break time to see the movie Knowing. We had thought it looked intriguing and wanted to see at least one current movie during Spring Break.
The movie is directed by Alex Proyas and stars Nicolas Cage and Chandler Canterbury.
The movie has a lot of promise as it begins. The plot is well developed and quickly pulls the viewer into it. A time capsule is opened 50 years after it is buried at an elementary school and there are troubling signs in the numbers on the sheet given to one boy that ultimately predict the end of the earth.
OK--it is a great start and a good story. The acting is good--not great but good. The story compelling as all of the pierces come together including the daughter and grand daughter of the girl who wrote the numbers on the paper 50 years ago. The interaction of the actors and characters is very good and the movement along the plot if compelling.
But let me tell you this--the ending is poor. Beautiful, Hollywood grand style, but a cheap movie trick. Yes it is set up at the beginning of the movie--but any movie that ends this way (and there are a lot lately) just is not a good movie. here are so many other ways to end movies other than resorting to this type of ending.
RECOMMENDATION: MUST MISS. There is no reason to see this movie unless you have absolutely nothing else to do. The ending is just bad. And I was left wondering if the movie producers believe I have any intelligence at all.
The movie is directed by Alex Proyas and stars Nicolas Cage and Chandler Canterbury.
The movie has a lot of promise as it begins. The plot is well developed and quickly pulls the viewer into it. A time capsule is opened 50 years after it is buried at an elementary school and there are troubling signs in the numbers on the sheet given to one boy that ultimately predict the end of the earth.
OK--it is a great start and a good story. The acting is good--not great but good. The story compelling as all of the pierces come together including the daughter and grand daughter of the girl who wrote the numbers on the paper 50 years ago. The interaction of the actors and characters is very good and the movement along the plot if compelling.
But let me tell you this--the ending is poor. Beautiful, Hollywood grand style, but a cheap movie trick. Yes it is set up at the beginning of the movie--but any movie that ends this way (and there are a lot lately) just is not a good movie. here are so many other ways to end movies other than resorting to this type of ending.
RECOMMENDATION: MUST MISS. There is no reason to see this movie unless you have absolutely nothing else to do. The ending is just bad. And I was left wondering if the movie producers believe I have any intelligence at all.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Out of the Fog
One morning last week, as I was walking across the parking lot to go in the front door of work, I noticed a real picturesque scene.
The parking lot was draped in fog--which always makes it kinda eerie, but it was just after dawn so the sky was brightening up lending a surreal lighting to the parking lot. On top of this, the fog was very close to the ground and so the flag, illuminated as it was, was flying above the fog boldly waving in a light breeze.
Wow I was a cool scene and I wished I had a camera or was an artist to be able to process the scene from my mind onto canvas.
I was filled at the same time with a feeling of patriotism and awe about the beauty of the world around us. Sometime we need to stop to smell the flowers--and likewise we need to stop to see the world and take it in.
Those are the moments where we realize we are part of something larger than ourselves.
The parking lot was draped in fog--which always makes it kinda eerie, but it was just after dawn so the sky was brightening up lending a surreal lighting to the parking lot. On top of this, the fog was very close to the ground and so the flag, illuminated as it was, was flying above the fog boldly waving in a light breeze.
Wow I was a cool scene and I wished I had a camera or was an artist to be able to process the scene from my mind onto canvas.
I was filled at the same time with a feeling of patriotism and awe about the beauty of the world around us. Sometime we need to stop to smell the flowers--and likewise we need to stop to see the world and take it in.
Those are the moments where we realize we are part of something larger than ourselves.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday Musings on Tuesday
OK--totally missed last week and I'm late this week--but life does that sometimes.
1. I love baseball, especially when the Orioles beat up on the Yankees, 10-5 yesterday. I need to enjoy it while I can because there are another 161 games to play and reality will set in soon enough.
2. Opening Day should be a national holiday--it is simultaneously the beginning of both Spring and Summer.
3. The Orioles are the only sports team that all of us agree about being our favorite team.
4. I actually have two favorite teams: the Orioles and whoever is beating the Yankees.
5. I worked all weekend and had a lot of new experiences--who says an old dawg can't learn new tricks?
6. As the weather grows warmer--I love begin able to go outside without having to bundle up like Nanook of the North.
7. Makayla is growing like a weed. I can't believe how small she was just over three months ago.
8. Despite my belief to the contrary--I look forward to Spring Break. I decided to take the rest of the week off.
9. I wish we had planned a trip this year to somewhere for Spring Break. Key Largo comes to mind.
1. I love baseball, especially when the Orioles beat up on the Yankees, 10-5 yesterday. I need to enjoy it while I can because there are another 161 games to play and reality will set in soon enough.
2. Opening Day should be a national holiday--it is simultaneously the beginning of both Spring and Summer.
3. The Orioles are the only sports team that all of us agree about being our favorite team.
4. I actually have two favorite teams: the Orioles and whoever is beating the Yankees.
5. I worked all weekend and had a lot of new experiences--who says an old dawg can't learn new tricks?
6. As the weather grows warmer--I love begin able to go outside without having to bundle up like Nanook of the North.
7. Makayla is growing like a weed. I can't believe how small she was just over three months ago.
8. Despite my belief to the contrary--I look forward to Spring Break. I decided to take the rest of the week off.
9. I wish we had planned a trip this year to somewhere for Spring Break. Key Largo comes to mind.
Monday, April 6, 2009
And God said "play ball"
I love baseball.
And when the game is going good it is really good.
Especially against the Yankees wjen the O's are winning and I'm at the park watching.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from my Blackberry
Opening Day
I'm at Camden Yards for opening day with the Orioles. Baseball is back and I'm thrilled.
And I'm thrilled to be at the game with my three sons.
Wow.
Spring really is here.
Let's rock.
Bob Doan
Elkridge, MD
Sent from My Blackberry
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