IT’S WHAT WE DO FOR OTHERS

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One of the things I did this weekend was complete the final assignments associated with the Positive Psychology course I’m taking through Penn.  One of them sticks with me and becomes the basis for this week’s newsletter.  The assignment (Fun vs. Philanthropy) was given two weeks ago.  Dr. Seligman previewed the assignment with the following statement, “It turns out we’re wired to be outsources.  We’re wired to be generous. That helping other people, being philanthropic, increases well-being.”
The assignment was simple.  
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WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST??

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In 2006 Mark Fields, President of Ford Motor Company ,made the statement, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” He attributed the quote to management guru, Peter Drucker, who also said, “Company cultures are like country cultures. Never try to change one, instead try to work with what you’ve got.”  I wonder what Drucker would tell United Airlines and Fox News?  The question challenging us today is, “Can we afford to continue to work with what we’ve got?” 
 
Organizational culture is, “ A system of shared assumptions, values, and beliefs, which governs how people behave in organizations.
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GRIT

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What is the secret to success?  Well, there is no one answer, but there are a host of contributing factors.  In 1985, Dr. Benjamin Bloom and a team of University of Chicago researchers considered these questions and others.  Their study, Developing Talent in Young People, provided strong evidence that no matter what the initial characteristics (or gifts) of the individual, unless there is a long and intensive process of encouragement, nurturance, education, and training, the individual will not attain extreme levels of capability in their chosen field.  
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ARE YOU INSPIRED TO INSPIRE???

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IN-SPI-RA-TION
inspəˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
noun: inspiration
  1. 1.
    the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
    “Helen had one of her flashes of inspiration”
    synonyms:  creativity, inventiveness, innovation, ingenuity, genius, imagination, originality; More
    • the quality of being inspired, especially when evident in something.
      “a rare moment of inspiration in an otherwise dull display”
    • a person or thing that inspires.
      plural noun: inspirations
      “he is an inspiration to everyone”

      synonyms:  guiding light, example, model, muse, motivation, encouragement, influence, spur, stimulus, lift, boost, incentive, impulse, catalyst“her work is a real inspiration to others”

      Can you guess the theme for this week?  
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GO FOR THE BRASS RING

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On more than one occasion I’ve been asked, “Is there any special significance to your email/website name?”  Well there is a story behind it that will lead to this week’s theme.

Four years ago I was invited to participate in a US Marine Corp Leadership Conference held at MCRD Parris Island.  The program was designed to provide educators with an understanding of the opportunities available to graduating seniors through the Marine Corp, and the manner in which the Marines transform young men and young woman into United States Marines.  …