If in Doubt, Coordinate

I've seen a lot of hard feelings created because someone was not copied on a memo.

There is, of course, a need for balance. Most of us receive copies of items in which we have zero interest. The cheerful use of the Delete button is a partial remedy to that excess.

Over-coordination, however, is a minor irritant compared to the sin of exclusion. The excluded party carefully examines all of the included ones and asks, "Why were they copied when my operation has just as much, if not more, interest in the outcome?" The answer may not be benign. Many a conspiracy theory has been launched by a missing name.

If you sense that a person might have a sliver of a claim to being legitimately upset by an exclusion, send a copy. Who knows? You may be surprised by the intensity of the individual's interest.

Escape from TV

I've decided to take a vacation from television for several months just to see how it affects my life.

I won't be able to escape the monster at the gym, where large, subtitled screens are positioned to keep treadmill users from going mad, but when at home, forget it. Books, radio, magazines, music, recreation, and the Internet will easily fill any gap.

The contraption will still be used for DVDs; I'm not giving up movies. That shift may affect the way I regard the set.

This "sacrifice" may well be a sizable gain.

I'll keep you posted.

Taking Time

This post by Cultural Offering is a reminder of how simpler and slower can indeed be better.

Quote of the Day

For a long, long time it seemed to me that I was about to begin real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

- Alfred Souza

Raymond Chandler Territory

A documentary on crime in Los Angeles in the 1930s:

• Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three.

Business, Booze, and Productivity

Rome ruled the world while intoxicated on wine. Grant beat Lee on a quart of whiskey a day. When people complained of Grant’s drinking, Lincoln asked them to find out what was his beverage of choice so he could give it to the rest of his generals. Churchill we already know about. And on a much smaller scale, the guys who ran my corporation’s sales department in the 80s were a total bunch of friendly rummys. Our top sales guy was a case in point. I used to smell the gin coming out of his pores in the elevator going up to our floor in the morning. Sales grew at about 12% that year.

Read the rest of Stanley Bing.

[Execupundit note: So why aren't the Russians leaving the rest of us in the dust?]

Versions of Fear

Fear comes in many versions. Some common ones are:

Productive Fear. The sense that something is not right about a situation. This can be a helpful early warning system that helps you avoid danger. Being able to spot potential problems can be an advantage. When carried to extremes, however, it can be ruin appreciation of the moment and the enjoyment of life.

Anticipatory Fear. There is insufficient evidence to warrant fear, but you start worrying anyway. This is highly unproductive. Imagination needs to be brought down to earth by reality.

Enjoyable Fear. This may be minor or serious. The minor cases are where a certain pleasure, akin to watching horror films, is gained from fear. Deeper problems, however, are indicated when the victim, once saved from the "fire" of an unpleasant experience, turns around and runs back into the burning building.

Unfortunately, there are no neat divisions between these categories. Self-awareness and analysis help so you'll know when a warrantless anticipatory fear has become a productive one.

Fear is one of those basic topics that deserves much greater attention in the workplace. As a leader, you can rest assured that your associates often fear that you'll do some things and won't do others.

Discussing their fears may give them a sense of control. [Control is an antidote of fear.] It may also remove some of your own fears.

Hard Times on Film

From The Wall Street Journal, a collection of trailers for upcoming disaster films.

If "The Road" is half as good as the book, it will be extraordinary.

Miscellaneous and Fast

Dr. Helen Smith on "Do men really want to get married?"

2Blowhards: False-functional car design details.

John Phillips: When dancers experience a lay-off.

Larry Kudlow sees a new bull market.

Tim Berry: 10 really bad, 11 really creative, designs.

Despair.com has a new and timely poster.

John Kenney: Beer in the White House.

Costa Tsiokos on the "Amazon's Kindle ate my homework" lawsuit.

Suits in the Workplace on when a CEO sent an email to the wrong person.

Print newspapers decline and digital replacements appear.

Music break: Lydia the Tattooed Lady.

A lottery for smart people?

Neatorama: A floating apartment building.

Quote of the Day

I have learned more theology as a practicing management consultant than when I taught religion.

- Peter F. Drucker