PRESENTER: BRIAN BLASKO
NACE Experience 2011 | Scholarship Article Summary
Allison Schultz, CPCE
First, I must tell you if you ever have a chance to see Brian Blasko speak, jump at the chance! At first he appears to be a silly mid-westerner, with a slight accent and way too much enthusiasm. However, he puts on a high-energy presentation filled with poignant stories and great facts, all relevant to the topic. This particular speaker session was the closing keynote of the NACE Experience 2011 Conference. This session is normally a conclusion style presentation and wraps the week with an inspirational message to pump you up and put you back to work, ready to change the world! Using a universally understood “driving” metaphor, Brian delivered with huge marks. His message was on the FIVE tools leaders’ use each and every day, when faced with the challenges of our industry, tough clients, employees, the economy, competitors and our own desires for life/work balance.
ONE | “A PENNY for your thoughts” gives you opportunity for conversation and insight as to the mental awareness of others, as well as your own positive outlook. Thinking positive is a way to focus your energies, rather than harping on the challenges and negatives. Turn your frown upside down. Make lemonade out of lemons. Chin up! These expressions all remind us that we wake up each day with two choices: Have a good day or make it a bad day. How we tackle the issues that confront us every day will determine our own approach, as well as the way others view us. Are you a Negative Nancy or a Happy Heidi?
TWO | a RUBBER BAND illustrates how being flexible is a great tool. When wrapped tightly, a rubber band can constrict, but when loose, it is pliable and gives when tugged. A rubber band also reminds us that every change presents a new opportunity. Flexibility opens new windows and gives us a chance to make things better, unique and different. Change, when applied, is often scary to a group. Asking for input and sharing the ‘why’ behind the change can inform others and supply the support necessary to implement change in a positive way.
THREE | a good set of SHOCKS, to help absorb the bumps in the road. Even with a full tank of gas and a well researched road map, you are going to hit pot holes along any journey. Being able to take them in stride, rebound strong and stay on course, will allow you to reach your destination. Keep your eyes on the road, and you may see these obstacles coming towards you. Paying attention will allow you to shift lanes, or swerve to avoid many of the pot holes. However, when you least expect one…WHAM! The shocks you use will assist to quickly process the out of control situation and make corrections, getting you back to the smooth road ahead.
FOUR | a MIRROR to see the real truths. You can’t hide the truth from yourself, and keeping yourself ‘in check’ is a good way to assess your choices. Take a long hard look at yourself. Do you approve? If you like what you see, sing it from the mountaintops! Confidence is a beautiful and appealing characteristic for a leader to carry, sharing it along to others. If you don’t like what you see – make changes! This same mirror can be used to see around corners along your path, hidden by obstacles. Identify where these tricky intersections are and slow down; take pause before you charge through. This same mirror can be a reminder of where you’ve been, when used as a rear-view mirror. Knowing the history and mistakes made during a journey can help you steer clear of these same pot holes and treacherous intersections into the future.
FIVE | a STEERING WHEEL to navigate your way. Turns and maneuvers require both hands on the wheel! Many days we coast down the road, with the window rolled down, elbow propped and steering with a two finger grip. These are the easy days. When the road gets tough, traffic slows you down and detours appear, grab hold of your steering wheel at ‘10 and 2’ and stay on course. Be the driver in your own life and choose your own route to success! |
