Get the Cream Sauce!

 

There is a lot to unpack in the below quote from the late Anthony Bourdain.  What a great way to do life!  There are nuggets in here about getting out of your comfort zone, trying new things, talking to new people, and taking care of yourself and others.  This topic relates to last week’s MMM ‘Til You Can’t.  It is also about trying new and different things, experiencing life, having a beer with a stranger.  Great wisdom here.  Cheers Anthony!

"Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride."

- Anthony Bourdain

Business Is Not All Business

 

It can’t be! People work in businesses and people can’t be all business all the time. We have issues in our lives, there is family, and of course there is drama.

It is important for leaders care about the people on their team. They need to know what is going on in their lives. Many leaders disagree with this. They believe that it is possible, and even preferable, to completely separate business from their team’s personal lives. I believe it is more nuanced than that. Leaders don’t have to be best friends with their team, but they do have to care. If a team member is facing a personal challenge, it will impact their work. Leaders need to understand that. Business is not all business, because we are human! Remember this….

“People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care”

-       John Maxwell

Fight Fire with Fire?

 

There is an old saying that states, "You have to fight fire with fire".  I am not sure that is always true, nor wise. When the fire is an argument or disagreement, adding more fuel is not helpful.  If you take the analogy literally it would seem that you should fight fire with water, after all that is what puts out fire.  Fighting fire with fire escalates arguments and wastes energy.  It can make existing problems larger, hotter, more volatile.  The use of calming water can make them smaller, cooler, more manageable.  It may even put the fire out entirely. 

Be calm when dealing with a difficult situation, don't spread the fire.  Consider using a dose of cool, calming water the next time you have a fire to fight.