Friday, March 19th, 2010
THINK
During a coaching session yesterday, I asked a question. I’ll ask it of all of you reading this post:
What, specifically, do YOU think you need to work on to get to the next level?
You probably will not be surprised at the answer from my session – - “I need more time. I need to think more long-term and strategically now if I want to move up in the firm but I’m too deep in the details.”
I agreed because I contend that managing partners, firm administrators and other internal management leaders need more time to THINK. You cannot address the issues strategically if you never have time to THINK about the BIG picture. Too many of you are so caught up in the details that you rarely THINK long-term.
Did you ever wonder about the slogan THINK? It became widely used at IBM in its early years and is attributed to Thomas Watson. Following is the history from the IBM archives:
When Thomas J. Watson joins the Computer-Tabulating Recording Company — the forerunner of today’s IBM — in 1914, he brings with him the “Think” motto he coined when he managed the sales and advertising departments at the National Cash Register Company. “Thought,” he says, “has been the father of every advance since time began. ‘I didn’t think’ has cost the world millions of dollars.” Soon, the one-word slogan “THINK” appears in large block-letter signs in offices and plants throughout the company.
I didn’t realize that Watson was affiliated with National Cash Register – now known as NCR and founded right here in my city, Dayton OH.
Now that April 15th is on the horizon, begin to THINK about what you are going delegate or get rid of to allow you more time for dreaming about the future.
The picture is Thomas Watson with his famous THINK sign. When I was working at Brady Ware I used a similar slogan and had it on a small card under the glass on my desk: THINK BIG!
“What we think, we become.” – - from Buddha quotes
[...] This week-end be sure to “lighten-up!” Take time for golf, running, hiking, biking, attending a concert or play, gardening, reading, napping, laughing and be sure to take time to THINK. [...]
[...] these “Too’s” cause you to think? Fall is just around the corner. You will be preparing, once again, for another busy season. [...]
[...] Do you foster creativity in your firm? Do encourage your team members to actually THINK about things and figure out how to make something better without having someone hold their hand? Do you give them time to THINK? [...]
[...] once in a while slow down to think. Have your client service teams do the same. Enjoy the journey – you shouldn’t just be [...]
[...] It’s Sunday morning, a great time for reflection. Actually, every day is a great time for reflection. Find a time, early morning, mid-day or late at night and take time to THINK. [...]