Tuesday, May 03, 2016
Nothing to See Here. Please Disperse..
Take a look at the chart at Anderson Layman's Blog on the growth of physicians and administrators.
And, once again, Lt. Frank Drebin.
And, once again, Lt. Frank Drebin.
Side Benefits
This list from Nicholas Bate (a.k.a. The Incomparable Bate) on the side benefits of walking has sparked thoughts on other activities with side benefits. Consider the side benefits of:
- Having a telephone/computer-free afternoon.
- Working slowly.
- Taking naps.
- Reading for an hour each morning.
- Reading a book a week.
- Upgrading the way you dress for work.
- Keeping your car clean.
- Writing more thank-you notes.
- Having a day in which speaking is kept to a minimum.
- Gardening.
- Visiting rather than emailing or telephoning clients.
- Keeping a journal of aphorisms.
- Setting aside an hour each week to go off somewhere and think.
- Others?
When Selling an Online Ethical Decision Making Class
No. It's not for this guy.
My online ethical decision making class is called "Practical Ethics for Honest People."
A lot of thought went into that name. These were my considerations:
- The title could not be intimidating. Many people expect an ethics class to be something akin to listening to people in togas talking about philosophy. They want something they can use as well as know. Note the first word in the title.
- The second concern was to set aside the suspicion that anyone who wants to take an ethics class may sense that he or she has some deficiencies in that subject. Although ethical decision making can be tough, few people want to admit that they might be anything more than ten steps away from sainthood or that they need the class. That's why the title notes that the class is for "Honest People." And yes, they do need the class.
- There is another reason for the reference to honest people. Except in rare circumstances, an ethics class won't turn around a crook. It can, however, help honest people get even better.
- I also sought to avoid insulting anyone who has been required to take the class. A manager who tells a team "I want you to take an ethical decision making class" may encounter some resistance. Requiring someone to take Practical Ethics for Honest People sounds - and is - far more positive.
Quote of the Day
There's an element of truth in every idea that lasts long enough to be called corny.
- Irving Berlin
- Irving Berlin
Monday, May 02, 2016
Don't Tread on Me
If you are in the market for an armored personnel carrier (and who isn't?), Sippican Cottage has details on that and living in Maine.
Ben Franklin's Guide to Making Friends
Franklin’s group of twelve Philadelphians met Friday nights at a local tavern they called the “merchant’s Every-night club,” where they discussed business, morality, politics, philosophy, and whatever else interested them. The membership was vocationally diverse, with businessmen, a clerk, a mathematician, a shoemaker, a surveyor, and a mechanic. Members of the Junto did a great deal of what we today would call “networking,” promoting each other’s advancement and keeping an eye out for useful connections with others beyond their group. The underlying agenda was to help one another become successful in their careers and good citizens. They discussed the role that virtues—such as prudence, diligence, and humility—play in building a successful life. Later in life, Franklin reflected on the role the Junto played in society: “the club continued (for forty years), and was the best school of philosophy, morality, and politics as then existed in the province.” The Junto also took on civic and charitable causes, such as establishing a public library by asking members to donate some of their own books.
Read the rest of William Damon's essay here.
Here's the link for Ben Franklin Circles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)