Art Break: Toussaint

Art Contrarian looks at the work of Fernand Toussaint.

The Skills Gap

All of us have encountered gaps in instructions. We hear or read a lengthy list of things that should be done in various circumstances and although we are nodding in agreement there may be a serious question in the back of our mind: "How do I do that?"

We sense that the person giving the instructions regards that part of the job as obvious but it sure isn't obvious to us. Technical or people skills may be lacking. So too is self-confidence.

We have entered the gap.

This brings three important points:

1. When we are giving guidance, we need to step past our expertise and search for the areas that are likely to make people nervous. 
2. When we are in the gap, we need to press our "dumb"questions until we have a clear view of how to proceed. 
3. We then need to open a channel to the expert or seasoned advisor so we can ask follow-up questions when what we thought we knew doesn't work out. [You know how often this happens, don't you?]

Quote of the Day

The greater you are, the more you must practice humility. 

- Ben Sira

First Paragraph

We tend to think that we owe it to ourselves to be as happy as we can be. And this is true. But happiness is far more than a personal concern. It is also a moral obligation. 

- From Happiness is a Serious Problem: A Human Repair Manual by Dennis Prager

Back in Town

Was out of town today for a meeting about a training program on ethical decision making.

It was a good meeting with a lot of information on the client's needs. That will be invaluable as the project proceeds.

One good sign: I'm still thinking about some of the issues. There were some new scenarios on the table and those in turn are producing new perspectives..

Ponder, ponder.

Perception is Reality?

Perception is not reality. Reality is reality. A mad man may perceive that the people around him are lizards but that does not make it true. We may strive to understand the mad man's perception but we do so while knowing the reality.

Sloppy language, like sloppy labels, can shut down thought. It can head off further inquiry and produce skewed reactions, as in "Well, if that's how he (or she or we) perceived it then the question of whether or not it is true is irrelevant."

No. What is true is vitally important. Perceptions may provide an excuse or explanation for someone's conduct but they don't alter reality.

We can find a similar problem with the "appearance of impropriety" standard, another convenient dodge. Just because something appears improper doesn't mean it is improper. Such cases should be approached with that fact in mind and individuals should have the guts to make the distinction.

Not everything that looks bad is bad.

Highly Recommended

Homebound from Baltimore

David Kanigan recalls an incident on a train.

In these times of terrorism, what would you have done?

The Morning Edge

Our household is up and moving at 4:30 most mornings, mainly due to my wife's work schedule. If I sleep in, a rare event because she is hardly cat burglar material, then I can stretch it out to no later than 5:15. 

Our newspaper "boy" - a man in his forties - used to drop off the papers by shortly after five but lately rolls by closer to six. This challenges our schedule. We have a ritual for all events and since my wife leaves earlier, she has dibs on The Wall Street Journal. That gives me time to scan The Arizona Republic for local scandals and to see if anyone I know has died. [Believe me, when you get older that is a serious part of your morning.]

The night before usually had an evaluation of how to facilitate the following morning. Anything that may shave a few minutes off the morning rush is considered. This is partly due to the fact that morning scheduling must consider the family member known as The Dog, a finicky soul who likes to breakfast, patrol the yard, and then return to her bed. No fool, she.

Our neighbors are also early risers. The commercial realtor across the street leaves for work at six and a nearby lawyer leaves even earlier. In a sane world, the major transportation arteries would be deserted at six but you know that is not the case. Work schedules are crazy and everyone likes an edge.

Morning is the time to get it.

Get another cup.

"Dog Bites Man" Story

FutureLawyer, is ordering yet another smartwatch. 

This may bring his total to 112.

He relates a story of rain and loss where his schedule was saved by talking to his wrist. .