Just Another Day on the River

The day was perfect for a run down the world famous Payette River in Idaho—hot! It had been awhile since I last went whitewater rafting and after the run on the canyon section I am left to ask myself, “What took so long?”

We began the run just after noon and it started off with a few teaser rapids, wave trains as they’re called (or something like that). These teasers gave our guide (who happened to be my brother) an opportunity to shout commands at us such as, “all forward!” or, “right forward, left back!” to see what and how our response would be. I think we responded well. Then the fun began. “Make sure we’re locked and loaded” I heard from the rear of the boat. Of course, this meant we were approaching a rapid that deserved our full attention. Our boat was getting closer and closer to the rushing whitewater and then, “ALL FORWARD!” My heart began pounding in my chest.

We all dug our paddles into the water hoping to propel our boat forward successfully without flipping and without swimming. Needless to say, it was intense. We made it successfully through the rapid and a few subsequent rapids listening to the guide’s commands and following them. We were approaching our lunch spot and I hear, “Now, this next rapid is the reason a few members of my family won’t let me take them down this section of river anymore. I took a class 4 line and slammed them into the wall.” Not very comforting words. One of the passengers in the boat asked, “What line will we take?” The guide responded, “ Class 3.”

He positioned the boat perfectly and we made it through the rapid successfully and then we were at our lunch spot. The energy lunch provided was much needed as the fiercest part of the run was up next. A few class 4 rapids in succession. As one kayaker who was with us said, “Now the real fun begins.” And boy, was he right. After lunch it was class 4 after class 4. I don’t know that my heart has pounded so hard for so long in my life. I loved it! Lets not forget the portage around Big Falls. What a spectacular rapid—how beautiful the river. Oh, and the cliff jumping! Groovy! We made it through our entire run without flipping and without any swimmers. Some might call that a success, some might not. At any rate, that entire run was a blast and the adrenaline was sure in abundance.

What I’m getting at with this story is how great the run was, how fun the experience. Thanks to AIRE for making such great products to allow us to enjoy this world in which we live—to put ourselves in places that only rafts can take us and see the beauty that can only be seen from river level. I suppose I shouldn’t wait so long next time to enjoy me some whitewater! Until then…

Guidance

What is leadership and what are the qualities of a sound, effective leader? What is it about someone that motivates and even compels others to follow? These are questions that are often asked, and the answers are not necessarily universal. Circumstance and environmental surroundings can often dictate the answers. However, I would like to take an objective and outside approach, looking at qualities and characteristics in personality of an effective leader.

Leadership, a noun, is defined as “an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction.” This could suggest that someone leading is doing so as others are searching for guidance or direction. I’m reminded of an exchange in the 1985 movie The American President. The incumbent president does not want to engage in a character debate with the opposition who is running against him. One of the president’s aides advises him to stand up to his opposition, saying, “They don't have a choice! Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking! People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand.” To which the president responds, “We've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference.”

We need to know the difference! It is the true, genuine leader whom we should want to follow. How is it we know the genuine leader from the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”? If you search the web for “qualities of a good leader” you are sure to have to several hits and articles outlining those qualities. Some articles may have more qualities listed than others. However, I believe the following qualities are at the core. They are not listed in any particular order.

1. Vision

2. Drive

3. Passion

4. Care

5. Concern

6. Humility

7. Warm

8. Willingness to Sacrifice

9. No Desire for Power or Gain

Are there others you believe need to be a part of this list? Please share your list. There might be some other characteristics or even personality traits, such as charisma or humor, which helps and motivates others to follow. However, caution should be used in judging a potential leader or someone you might want to follow solely on charisma or oratory skills. While someone might possess these characteristics, they might not possess genuine traits of a quality leader.

I believe it is our responsibility to find the genuine leaders and follow them. This subject will continue to be examined in the coming days, weeks and months. I look forward to your comments as we explore leadership and define its true value together.

Poker Face

Well, howdy all again! There have definitely been things that have changed 'round here these parts since I last "blogged." Uh, I think North Korea decided to launch a missile of some sort--yeah, a nuclear missile. Hey, no biggie. The Navy SEALs saved the day killing three pirates that were holding a U.S. ship Captain hostage--really pirates, I mean REALLY, you thought you were going to get away with this one? Superman found a way to counter the effects of Kryptonite. Oh, and I am moving to Utah--relocating with my work.

Yes, you read that correctly. I am leaving my beloved home in Idaho and moving to Utah. It is an exciting process, and I am sure that there are some adventures to be had in Utah. Life throws curve balls and screw balls at ya all the time. But, when it throws that fast ball, be ready to swing and send it out of the park! (I would dare say over the green monster at Fenway. Yes, the BoSox are my favorite bball (for baseball) team--Yes Dave!)

The focus of my entry today is not all the changes, but a rather an interesting convo I had with a co-worker recently (same guy that I talked rock climbing with--see old post). Somehow we were talking poker and poker faces. See, the player who holds the best hand in poker doesn't necessarily win. The one who wins is the one who convinces others that their hand is the best--through their poker face. Some in life have been dealt a bad hand of cards. Some who hold those cards will tell you how bad their life is.

Then there are others who have it rough, but you would never know. Their life isn't centered around themselves, but around others and how they can help others. They find opportunities and sieze them when they find them. Some have been given great cards to play with, but they throw them away. How is your poker face? How positive is your life and the energy you give off?

Take a moment if you will, take stock or inventory of your life and the cards you hold in your hand. Is it a good hand? Could it be a bad hand? I propose to you that it doesn't really matter. As long as you seize opportunities when they come your way, take life by the horns if you will, help others when they seek your help, always give your best and all, your life will be full. Full of what you may ask? Only you have that answer...

Where are you taking me?

Wow, it has been awhile since I last "added value" to the blagosphere. Well, here I am--I'm back!

So, I posted this video to my facebook, but it makes me laugh enough that I thought I would post it here to the ole' blog. Maybe it is because this accurately depicts me and my attitude to Twitter. I don't "tweet" often, it seems to be kind of a hassle. Enjoy!

Shoot!

I am a sports fanatic, I will admit it. Last night I went to a basketball game to cheer on my high school alma mater. It was a squeaker of a game, and my team pulled out the victory 50-47 over our hated rivals.

While I was pleased with the result, I have a recommendation for the governing body of high school sports: there needs to be a shot-clock imposed for high school basketball. The quarters are only 8 minutes in length, and one team can just pass the ball around the perimeter and use a lot of clock, slowing the game way down and truly changing the dynamic of the game.

The college shot clock, in my opinion, is too long. Over half a minute to get a shot off? With college hoops really as the testing grounds for the NBA, the college shot clock needs to be trimmed a little. Take the college shot clock, put that in high school to help speed the game up and efficiently use the 8 minute quarters, and trim the college shot clock to be closer to the NBA clock. I think something like 28 seconds for the college shot clock will help develop college players vying for a NBA roster spot.

Imposing a high school shot clock will help high school players develop for their future days in college hoops.

Working hard or hardly working?

I had an interesting conversation recently with a coworker. As seems to happen with colleagues, the conversation turned to "work." We began discussing the difference between hard work and smart work--which are two completely different things.

It seems all of our lives we are told to work hard or work harder, as if hard work makes up for all else. I would like to submit and ask why we are not told to work smart or work smarter instead? Smart work outdoes hard work any day of the week.

My coworker used a great analogy to prove this point. He related an experience where he went rock climbing. He had never before been and so he was doing what he believed to be the right way to climb--working hard to scale upwards. After a short period of time he said that he became tired, exhausted even, and his brother down below (who was belaying him) shouted, "hey, use your legs!" All this time he had been using his arms to pull himself up, instead of using his legs to lift himself. As be started using his legs to lift, and his arms only as guides, the task of climbing became easier.

Now, was he working any harder when he started to use his legs instead of his arms to climb? No. He was working smarter; and by working smarter he in actuality did not have to work as hard. Is hard work important? Absolutely. However, it really is no substitute for smart work.

Are you kidding me?!!?

In debate about the stimulus bill, the Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee declares: the American people don't care about wasteful spending? Are you kidding me?!? The American people care very much how their tax dollars are spent, at least the Americans I know. This is without doubt one of the dumbest comments I have ever heard, and believe me, I have heard some pretty stupid sound bites before.

I honestly do not even know what to write or how to respond. I want and am all in favor of a stimulus package. A jolt needs to be sent through our economic system, jobs need to be created, and more tax dollars need to be kept in the tax payer's wallet in order to stimulate the economy. President Obama in his first prime time press conference explicitly said that no pork was in this bill, none whatsoever (and Sen. Schumer's comments came not a full day after). So, this begs two questions really: Did the President lie to the American people, or has Sen. Schumer not read the stimulus bill and is speaking out of turn? I guess there are three questions: does Sen. Schumer now how to read? I mean, legislation is pretty lengthy (especially with the amount of money the "Spendulus" bill is), and the legal terminology used can be quite confusing I'm sure.

If there ever was a time not to engage in the "politics as usual," that time is now! Americans are losing jobs and homes, but no, we don't care about the "porky amendments" and where our money is headed. We need to stimulate the economy, not spend it to death with over-excessive debt and wasteful spending. Democrats like to respond by blaming republicans and the former president for the dire situation we are in. Well, how long have the dems had control of congress? And how does over-spending now differ from over-spending during President Bush's administration. Sorry, but two wrongs don't make a right.

Senator Schumer, it is time to reconnect with the American people--and I don't mean those who contributed to your campaign. News flash: Americans care what you do with their money!