The sentence I most dread: Can you leave me a professional rating?

The sentence I most dread in business social media: "Can you leave me a professional rating?"

As I write this, I am connected to 7,272 connections across several platforms. Yet, too people who ask me to talk about them are people who have blindly connected to me and then ask me what I think of them.

Face it: If I don't know you, then how can I review you?

For those of you will persist and clog my in box with requests, here's a blanket endorsement:  "I like you. I stand here and behold the inner goodness with in you. I support you in having powerful and prosperous professional relationships." If you give me a mailing address, I will send you a certificate that explains this for all to see and a gold star for your forehead.

But I can't say anything specific and won't rate you on a one to ten scale because frankly, I am not aware of your work, work ethic or your output. I can't offer a fair assessment, and I'm not comfortable with you paying someone's make a million dollar web scheme for me to tell you this.

If you want a fair assessment, get to know me and let me know you by your deeds.

I'm glad you don't have all the answers.

I am sincerely glad that everyone who reads this doesn't have all the answers. Those who don't will continue to try new attempts, set new goals and reach beyond where they are. They will react to change and look at things in different ways.

I once worked on the island of Jamaica. It is a lovely and lush tropical place to visit, but a tough
place to conduct business. One key reason is that the national model is "No Problem," which is supposed to mean it will be handled with a casual ease. Yet, many Jamaicans take this to mean that there is always tomorrow, and if we can't solve it now ... we can try to solve it then. As a result of working withthat mindset,  I have always quipped, "With no problems, come no solutions." Think about that ... how many processes, inventions and solutions in our lives came about as a solution to a problem.

Right now, there are people who would look upon the problems and issues which you face as answers to a prayer. Be glad you don't have all the answers, but keep working towards finding many of them.

Stop Telling Me The Problem Is With THEM!

I recently dropped someone from my social media accounts.  I did so because I was tired of hearing about "THEM."

To read these posts, this person believed that the problem is totally and completely with them. They are so wrong. They have no sense about them. They can't do anything right. They should be subjected to any of a number of punishments, retributions and consequences. If we didn't have them to contend with, the world would be a much better place.

I gave this contact more than enough time to talk about what they were doing right, how to possibly chance for the better and what the rewards would be from such actions.

I finally concluded that after several hundred posts over the past several months, I was better off with out them.

Social media is as disposable as a paper plate.

Social media is as disposable as a paper plate.

I know many professionals who craft great blogs, tweet insightful thoughts and post outstanding images. Yet, they get ignored in the tsunami of information that is auto-posted. Texts, emails and posts are easily deleted.

While cleaning out our storage unit last night, I came across five letters which my father sent me in 1979, my freshman year of college.  These are worth more than gold to me. If I had counted on them being in an In Box, I doubt they would be there. I am grateful I found them.

Take a moment this week and put a pen in your hand. Write one person a sincere note, card or letter.

ON THE DEAN'S LIST

I am launching a new solo podcast called “On The Dean’s List.”  This is a celebration of the art of conversation.  Our podcasts will air LIVE on Wednesday’s at 11 am Eastern Time. You can even call in to the show and join in the fun. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onthedeanslist On The Dean's List I am so excited about a new project I want to share it with you. Let me share our upcoming line-up … We launch on Wednesday June 5th with former WDIV Channel 4 Sportscaster Katrina Hancock.  She will share what happened at the station, what’s she’s been doing since she left, and sharing her thoughts about media and communications with us: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onthedeanslist/2013/06/05/katrina-hancock On June 12th, author Ellen Meister will join us to talk about her current book release, the novel FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, channels the great Dorothy Parker, through her heroine movie critic Violet Epps.   We’ll also talk about Dorothy Parker, the writing and publishing processes and much more: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onthedeanslist/2013/06/12/ellen-meister June 19th, Our guest is Sharon O'Dell, our technology contributor, talking about gamification. Gamification is using game elements to help engage, inform and motivate employees, customers and other publics - Join us and learn how to use the process of gamification the right way: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onthedeanslist/2013/06/19/sharon-odell Other upcoming guests include friends Danielle Workman and Rosh Sillars. You can listen live every Wednesday morning and call in, catch us on iTunes and download the show onto your mp3 player, or listen to a recording on our social media sites.  On The Dean’s List is sponsored and produced by Dean’s List Publishers.  Make plans to check in every week --  You never know who may wind up “On The Dean’s List …”  Join me~! Dean La Douceur Celebrating the art of conversation ...  Click Here!

In Praise of Collaboration

While Phil Jackson may be regarded as the most successful professional basketball coach, his collaboration with Tex Winter produced the Triangle Offense, which powered these championships.  While Duke Ellington is considered a 20th Century Icon of jazz music, his collaboration with Billy Strayhorn produced the Ellington Band sound, and those memorable arrangements. Hum the first few bars of Take The A Train, if you ever doubt me.

Going it alone is a rocky, lonely and uncertain route. In my upcoming series of blogs, I will be introducing to a series of articles on this, In Praise of Collaboration. 

Working with a professional collaborator will bring out the best in you. Collaboration brings in resources greater than your own.  Collaboration allows others to bring both their expertise, experiences and and contacts.

Here are four quick benefits from working in collaboration:

1. Collaboration ends isolationism. -  While one should never be the town crier of a great concept and tell everyone around town, the idea of having someone else who is a part of the process gives this a third party accountability. It also adds energy to the process.

2. Collaboration forces you to hear different opinions. – People with ideas for which they are passionate love to say phrases such as “Everyone needs …”  “You’d thing that …”  “My experience is that …” Often, this is little more than conjecture.  Different opinions can help shape your idea profoundly.

3. Collaboration lets you give and get support and feedback. – In our minds, all ideas sound proud, tall and majestic.  Yet, experience teaches us that not everyone has the same ideas we do. In collaborating, we work together to explain something, analyse something and listen as others express their perspectives.

4. Collaboration teaches you what you’re ‘willing to fight for …’ – A certain degree of challenging someone is important. If it doesn't happen in the creation stage, it will certainly happen in the marketplace.

Literature from the New Testament and Think to Grow Rich all champion the ability to work in concert.  Entrepreneurs need to be open to the idea of having collaborators to achieve the outcomes which they seek.

All these messages ...

Between ad's selling us things trying to make us more complete, social media posts trying to justify why someone thinks what they do, news broadcasts capturing our inhumanity to each other and the cold slap in the face of all life's data and details, do you really think you or I need another dose of the so called truth? How about spreading a little bit more hope and inspiration?

January's LinkedIn Seminars

Thank you to everyone who have signed up for my conference calls about LinkedIn.

I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to teach what I know, make new friends and empower people.

Start your new year off by improving your profile on this powerful tool for business! Learn real tips, tools and techniques that make a difference in how you come across using this.

Here are the links with all the details and the ability to register for each:

1/3/13: http://linkedin2013.eventbrite.com

1/24/13: http://freelinkedinseminar.eventbrite.com