Kay Stout

Road to Redemption - Miracle on Ice - - It's about winning!!!

The connection between sports and the world of work is strong.  I've watched the Road to Redemption several times and admit it ranks up there with Miracle on Ice (the 1980 U S Hockey Team).   Bud Greenspan has written that the 1980 Hockey Team win over Russia was the greatest Olympic story he's covered. 

What both depict is the power of working as a team and the positive results that can occur.

When you look at the diverse personalities of the team members and coaches, it becomes very clear that at some point they laid their individual egos on the bench and entered the game to play together and WIN.  And, win they did.  In the competitive business world, the same rules can be successfully applied.  But the leadership and direction start at the top with the head coach.  Certainly, these past few days have shown us what happens in the financial world when there is little or no true leadership at the top of a large financial institution.  This is a time in our history where true leadership can bring about significant change and a more stable future.   Leadership in the business world that equals Coach K's methodology of building a winning Olympic team comprised of successful athletes from competitive teams.  Herb Brooks understood it with amateurs in 1980.

Quid Pro Quo - Dijkstra's Algoritm - and More

I am thrilled there are brilliant people like Jerry Luk who write the code so I can LinkIn with people around the world.  For me the connections  start with something I learned a long time ago - how to type.  The analogy is similar to driving a car.  I learned how to drive a car, but I have no idea how the car works.  Likewise, I find it thrilling and amazing to connect with  people around the world from the comfort of my home, in front of a screen.  These connections may seem random at times, but patience pays off.  Examples follow.

It was refreshing to know that the saying "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" applies to the virtual world as well.  In a recent Virtual Handshake Blog,  Diane Darling reached out to Scott Allen to conduct a teleclass with her.  Why?  Because Scott was willing to share what he knew with her over the past few years whenever she had a question is his area of expertise.  While the relationship was built electronically, the virtual handshake was a reality when it came to conducting business together.

In Scott's blog posted on Sept. 17th, he writes:  "focusing on a smaller number of stronger relationships is more valuable in the long run that chasing numbers and building a list with no substance to support it.  I couldn't agree more.  A focused approach  to building links will result in stronger connections that can prove invaluable."

For me, this was recently proven when a good friend, Joyce Lain Kennedy connected me with Tony Beshara.  Joyce and I met several years ago at an HR Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.  We've stayed in touch over the years and  she's quoted me in two of her syndicated columns.  Tony is also quoted in an upcoming column and she connected us.  The rest, as they say,  may be history!!  Tony hosts a show every Thursday on KVCE Radio 1160 a.m. from 1 - 2 p.m.  I'll be a guest this coming Thursday.  Would I know Tony, if we met on a busy Dallas street?  Probably not.  Would we have connected as quickly without Joyce's help?  Absolutely not.

So, thanks to the brilliant minds who write the code that unlocks the virtual world for those of us who want to go along for the ride.

Charice - Oprah - Celine

YouTube  opened the door for Charice.  That magical door led to Oprah, with amazing stops along the way including singing with Celine.   Most assuredly, Charice has a voice that brings you to your feet in amazement.  Is she the only young girl with an incredibly beautiful voice - no.  But she is the girl who was found, electronically, singing in the Philippines.  She was then transported 8,000 miles to Oprah's stage and her career has skyrocketed since then.

I often talk about the power of connections with clients as they transition to a new position.  The overwhelming evidence still affirms that it is the personal connections that pay the richest rewards.  In today's electronic world, it may begin on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or a host of other websites or professional groups/blogging sites.  No matter how you slice it, the operative word is "connection". 

As I continue to develop connections through LinkedIn, I never cease to be amazed that,  no matter how far apart we may be geographically, once you make a connection through a shared group interest, alma mater or hobby, that person becomes a part of your life professionally, personally or both.

It does take an investment of time.  You do need to remember that everything (I do mean everything) you put on the internet for public viewing paints a picture of you professionally.  The good news is that it can be a Charice-Oprah-Celine event that launches your career.