The fast way to the insights of this post is to watch the 2 minute video below. The long version (about a 15 minute read all up) including a link to my BS Free Workplaces manifesto is the PDF here.
I love the rule of 3.
I'm sure you're familiar with it.
“Friends, Romans, Countrymen”
“Blood, sweat and tears”
“The good, the bad and the ugly”
And of course we know that we humans can last 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food.
Chris Brogan's idea of having 3 words to help us to achieve what's important to us each year, is a further great example of the rule of three. I have adopted this practice for several years now. Chris says:
"Every year, at the beginning of the year, choose 3 words that have personal meaning to you that you will use as guideposts for your chosen path forward in the coming year. Make the words such that they influence your choice of actions, encourage you to decide in favor of your goals, and guide you towards lasting results that you want to experience throughout the year.
Write these words down. Post them everywhere. Schedule them to pop up in your calendar. And use these words as part of your decision-making process every day."
More from Chris and his 2018 3 words.
My 3 words for 2018 are Candid, Convivial and Compassionate
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
CandidI think the first words that came out of my mouth where candid. They caused a bit of a stir apparently!
I've never been backward coming forward. I think life's too short for BS. Being candid is one way to stand out because most people aren't candid.
Not everyone appreciates candour either and therefore being candid can be tricky.
This year I'm working very hard to make sure that my candour means I'm also kind.
"Every day we get to choose what lens we see the world with." says Dewitt Jones in the wonderful talk that was the topic of my last blog post. He goes on to say "there's more than one right answer."
Knowing and acknowledging that there's more than one right answer keeps being candid in context, inspires careful choosing of words, and helps to make kindness the focus.
Being candid in kind ways helps you to stand out, show empathy, and shine a light for others on their path.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
ConvivialBeing convivial adds something to all our communication.
We all take ourselves too seriously. In presentations, conversations and communication in general I use a lot of self-depreciating humour. It deepens, adds value to and strengthens relationships
Some synonyms for convivial: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, agreeable, good-humoured, cordial, warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious. We're all capable of these character traits when we're being the best version of ourselves.
Being convivial in kind ways enables you to take yourself less seriously, delight others, and laugh a lot!
There's a lot of truth for me in the following attributed to Fred Kofman, a leader in the conscious business movement:
"Wisdom without compassion is ruthlessness,
and compassion without wisdom is folly."
One of the Apostles of the Christian Church is reported to have said, “Faith without works is dead.”
A lot of faiths are dead, dying, or in trouble today because the actions of a few of the faithful betray their stated beliefs. I meet a lot of people more interested in being right, than being compassionate for example. Compassion for me is at the truthful heart of all the world’s religions. Compassion is not a belief, it's a behaviour.
If we are not living and breathing a compassionate life we render whatever we believe as null and void, regardless of what we say.
A new world is being born. Compassion is a key component. There is a place for faith in this new world. For me belief is personal and therefore deserving of respect. What really matters in this new world though is behaviour.
Some people have asked me what has compassion go to do with the future success of my business? My answer is - Everything! particularly in a world where being purpose driven and people focused, and seeing technology as an enabler and enhancer of the human experience, is the leading edge.
This year I'm on a mission to be more compassionate.
Being compassionate brings out the best in you, other people, and makes the world a better place.
Being candid, convivial and compassionate are how I'm going to ensure I don't get distracted/disrupted/disturbed by all the BS. You?
How could you apply the above in your own best way?
What are your three words?
Who will you become?
What will you do next?
Be remarkable.
Ian
PS Interesting case study here of work done with Microsoft by David Rock cofounder of the Neuroleadership Institute. The Harvard Business Review article is titled "Tell Employees What You Want Them to Strive for (in as Few Words as Possible)"
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