(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
December 24, 2018
December 23, 2018
@Tree Top Park, Davie, Florida
Most Amazing Sculpture
Let me explain why?
It looks like a bust of a woman with a fine fabric lace veil over hear head and face.
But believe it or not, the veil is part of the sculpture.
And her eyes are just shadows of it.
In other words, there is no veil or eyes.
The museum tour guide pulled out a flashlight and pointed it and her eyes and they were gone.
How any artist can have such a divine gift to make something like this is really beyond me.
All I can do is stare in complete marvel at this sculpture of a veil covering this woman's face. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Trump Is Right On The Border Wall
By themselves, walls do not work to fill us spiritually or protect us physically. Rather, they are a necessary component in a normal and healthy toolbox for living our lives. Spiritually, we need to not just pray toward the holy wall in Jerusalem, but we must augment this with following G-d commandments–doing good in our service to Hashem and in how we treat others. Likewise with protecting us physically, we need a strong mix of “gates, guards, and guns.” A wall is a critical component of our overall spiritual and physical well-being and protection.
Until Mashiach comes and the temple is rebuilt and there is peace on earth, we need to pray to the Western Wall (Kotel) for our spiritual well-being and have border walls to protect us physically.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 21, 2018
December 20, 2018
Don't Get a Huge Hierarchy or a Big Fat Flat
Too hierarchical and you can get lost in the maze of corner offices.
Too flat, and there is no one to make a darn decision.
Huge hierarchies can be costly and inefficient, but flat as a board organization are mob rule.
I think there has got to be a happy medium.
- One, where there is leadership, accountability, a reasonable span of control, and room for professional growth.
- Two, where there is dignity and respect for everyone, and your tile and level doesn't make any difference in terms of having your voice heard and being able to make a difference.
Hierarchies that reach to the pompous sky and flat organizations where all the air is let out and nothing can get done are those that need to be hailed away in a big menacing orange wheel lock.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 19, 2018
Project Management - The Best Day
The best day of project management is usually the first day, but I want to show you that the best day is really the last day of the project.And as I thought about this, I sort of starting laughing to myself and thinking, you know what, I think this guy has something here.
- Day 1 of a project, everyone is usually all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
We're embarking on an adventure together to build something new for the organization and our customers.
We're going to team up and everyone will contribute.
And out of the project sausage maker--poof!--like magic comes a new system or product.
- But as we all know, things don't always go so smoothly.
With some projects, the pretty smiley faces of day 1 may quickly turn to ugly frown faces.
There is analysis paralysis, scope creep, conflicting or changing priorities, resource issues, technical challenges, or the sausage just doesn't come our right--oh sh*t!
Thus, many projects end up going bust in terms of cost, schedule, or performance.
That is, they end up costing too much, being delivered behind schedule, or just not meeting the performance requirements.
You have some projects that never even truly get off the ground, have multiple resets, or get dumbed-down or even cancelled altogether along the way.
So by the time you reach the last day of the project, many people seem like they've been through the project ringer.
I'm sure that I've heard more than one project manager say:
Just take me out back and shoot me!
So when this colleague said that he wants the best day of the project to be the last--in terms of satisfaction with the project (not that that pain was finally over!)--I really appreciated this as an awesome goal.
We should all look to the last day of our projects as the best--one where we can look back and say:
Wow, great job everyone! We really got something great done here--and we did it right! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 18, 2018
Sing Louder
If you can't sing better, sing louder!
It's funny that people actually do that type of thing all the time.
My colleagues boss told someone I know:
You're a fake it till you make it type of person
This can apply to all sort of activities and not just singing.
-- Public speaking, your job, sports, cooking, etc.
Often, people have to do things that they really just don't do very well.
- Maybe it's not their forte.
- Maybe they're just not into it.
But rather than call it for what it is.
Instead, they pretend and make a show out of it.
They exaggerate what they think they are supposed to do.
Or they try to compensate with something tangential.
Hey, maybe no will notice.
But people eventually catch-on and do know when you're lip-singing and faking your way through or just screaming out the lyrics to mask how horrible you singing is.
Better to be honest and admit what you can and can't do.
Take some classes or get some training.
Practice, practice, practice.
Or even consider doing something else that you do enjoy and are good it.
Either way, you don't want to be the one singing loudly their whole life. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal. Note: this blog is not connected to this or any particular musician)
December 17, 2018
Don't Give A Fire Truck
People are unhappy.
They are being unreasonable.
Complaints are rolling in.
It seems like you can't do right.
But you have to have a thick skin or as one colleague told me:
You need to be like Teflon and have it all just roll off you.
And this book title reminded me of this:
"The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck"
Yes, we do have to care about doing good in what we do.
It's just that we shouldn't "give a f*ck" when others are just wanting to tear us down and enjoying it.
Constructive feedback is good.
But destructive negativity at every turn is just hurtful.
It's also a way for others to not take ownership.
We all need to do our part to make things better in this world.
Sure, no one does everything right and no one is perfect.
But everyone needs to try their best, and when others just want to beat on you...
That's a completely appropriate time to not give a firetruck. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 16, 2018
My First Interfaith Event
The first lady that I spoke to said that she wasn't any one religion.
When I asked more about this, she said:
The core to all religions is Rachamim (mercy, compassion) and Ahavah (love).
Pictured above are the table seating cards that directed people to sit next to people of other religions: Jewish, Muslim, Other.
The event was led by the One America Movement, and the Director, Andrew Hanauer spoke very well about bridging what divides us.
Here are some of the take-a-ways:
- We need to address the divisiveness, polarization, and conflict.
- Remember that we are talking with other human beings and not with labels.
- Polarization is not just issues, but devolves into identity--"I hate your stupid face!"
- But we are all human beings (and children of G-d).
- Republicans and Democrats each say that the other is 20% less human than they are.
- We all have our own "facts": My facts vs. Your Facts.
- We attribute good that happens to us as being because of "us," but bad that happens to us because of "them."
- Similarly, we believe that we act out of love, but they act out of hate--and:
- We interpret threats to our viewpoints (political and otherwise), as threats to our groups and to ourselves.
- Try to remove binary thinking (right and wrong, left and right, etc.), critique your own point of view, and share doubts
- Reconciliation: If we can cross the divide, have open dialogue, and positive interactions with each others, and develop cross-cutting identities then we will make it easier to counter divisive narratives, solve problems, and reduce violence.
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
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