keith's blog

Many times we hear our jobs referred to as “So easy a monkey could do it!” and that is usually a gross underestimation of the skill set and dedication that it takes for a person to do that job. If you’ve ever seen a show like Undercover Boss (reality show on CBS) where a CEO tries to run a product assembly line or a fast food drive-thru window, you will see that the job that is considered “easy” actually has skill sets that can be taught and measured.

I sat with a co-worker in my car today and she is the kind of person who likes to put herself down in a humbling gesture whenever she thinks that she is bad at something. And I asked her, "Why do you do that?" And she asked, "What?" I said, "Put yourself down?" She asked, "What do you mean?"

Recently my boss told me that I am "Too trusting"! He mentioned that there was a process that was not being checked thoroughly enough and that it needed to be fixed immediately. He even threw my own policy of "Trust but Verify" at me as if I had never mentioned it before to him or anyone else in the organization. After coming out of the Army, that policy is second nature, but I'm admittedly imperfect.

Leaders we are at the end of yet another year! And what a year it has been!

The world of business has been gauged by events like the Gulf oil spill, the US Real Estate Crisis, and Toyota's recall of their defective cars. Europe has been stricken with financial crisis and has needed a series of bailouts. Some good has occurred in the mix as well, like GM's powerful comeback and even China's increased trade with the US (although I know this could be dangerous as well).

In an effort to always increase the global appeal of Amazing Leadership, we have opened some simple-but-fun T-shirts that can be customized to fit your personality. I believe that we will have some interesting designs created. The one who makes the most interesting Amazing Leadership T-shirt design and forwards me a picture of you wearing it somewhere fun (keith@amazingleadership.com) will win a copy of one of the best business books of our time - Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh!

There are several books that will transform your life and several books that will transform your business -- very few do both! Tony Hsieh of Zappos.com, CEO fame has accomplished what few have in their books over the years. He has managed to match his personal life story and his business experience in a way that transforms the way you will look at how you make decisions in life and in business. Actually, Tony has so effortlessly demonstrated a perfect marrying of his passion for life into his business ventures. This is a great book!

Recently, I saw an advertisement for a book, Delivering Happiness, that has not been put in stores yet. It is the story of the CEO of Zappos shoes Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay) and I have only just begun the journey through his tale of dedication to his business. It is a great premise and it reminds me of how I started in business.

In 2005, I was given the opportunity to change locations within the same organization and learn some new things. I had worked for some very good and very bad leaders in my lifetime, and I was not going to settle for any job unless it: 1) taught me something and 2) I could work for a good boss. With these two goals in mind I began my search.

This month we have seen two rather amazing things occur. A year after President Obama took office, he has now addressed the country on the situation in Afghanistan and there has been a terrible crisis in Haiti. The President addressed some serious issues that have changed the face of the conflict and how the United States military will be working with the Afghani people, and he has led a charge to help those in Haiti.