What We See is Our “Must Do List” Between Now and the New Year

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

This is our “Must Do List” to be accomplished between now and the New Year.

We all know it is extremely difficult to keep focused and complete projects between Thanksgiving and the New Year. So we developed:

Our Top 5 Must Do’s

  1. Priority One: Client Care
    Take care of customers by delivering a superior product or service and communication. This is the foundation of success. (This might be the best marketing we can do to secure our future.)
    Completion date: Now
  2. Comprehensive Continuous Improvement List
    In order to improve and frame our future, it is critical everyone is crystal clear about our priorities. Clarify projects that must be completed between now and Thanksgiving. Why? It’s simple: Change or die. Your continuous improvement projects list needs to be public and reviewed weekly.
    Note: Ask us how to do this and/or meet with one of our C.I. project managers. We can also provide you with a form to use that will make this easier.
    Completion date: Now
  3. Do an anonymous company-wide survey to give all stakeholders a voice in assessing 2019 and planning 2020.
    This is a step most of us skip. We need to stop, review, and complete 2019 instead of just having 2019 run into 2020. We need a process approach on assessing and planning. Why? Worldwide research (ask for this report if you want it) indicates over 50% of one’s staff needs time to process and review to go forward effectively.
    Completion date: By the end of the year or earlier if you are a very large group of people.
  4. At the Holidays provide sincere “thank you’s” to all stakeholders that have contributed to 2019.
    2 Reasons why:

    1. It costs very little to say thank you and it is a thoughtful, personal way to express our gratitude to those who brought us to where we are today.
    2. Normally, 50% of our staff people are high on the “people” side of the equation. They want and need to hear that they are appreciated. Doing this, as a process, can be the start of enrolling their support for 2020 (and increases the possibility of retaining them).
  5. Take Care of Yourself
    We cannot be effective leaders for others unless we first ensure that we are taking care of ourselves. As the flight attendant says, “Put the mask on yourself first!”

Now to December 31st
When we have done the above well, we are ready to design and package a great 2020 game plan to support and achieve our 2020 vision, mission and values.

PS: To help you sort out how you might do this for yourself and give you a head start, we are offering a FREE introduction session on Continuous Improvement to assist you.

Call/email us at 773-641-9631 or John@JohnRuh.com

Next 49 Days

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Next 49 DaysThis is our “Must Do List” to be accomplished between now and Thanksgiving.

We all know it is extremely difficult to keep focused and complete projects between Thanksgiving and the New Year. So we developed:

Our Top 5 Must Do’s

  1. Priority One: Client Care
    Take care of customers by delivering a superior product or service and communication. This is the foundation of success. (This might be the best marketing we can do to secure our future.)
    Completion date: Now
  2. Comprehensive Continuous Improvement List
    In order to improve and frame our future, it is critical everyone is crystal clear about our priorities. Clarify projects that must be completed between now and Thanksgiving. Why? It’s simple: Change or die. Your continuous improvement projects list needs to be public and reviewed weekly.
    Note: Ask us how to do this and/or meet with one of our C.I. project managers. We can also provide you with a form to use that will make this easier.
    Completion date: Now
  3. Do an anonymous company-wide survey to give all stakeholders a voice in assessing this year and planning next year.
    This is a step most of us skip. We need to stop, review, and complete this year instead of just having one year run into the next. We need a process approach on assessing and planning. Why? Worldwide research (ask for this report if you want it) indicates over 50% of one’s staff needs time to process and review to go forward effectively.
    Completion date: By Thanksgiving or earlier if you are a very large group of people.
  4. At Thanksgiving/Holiday provide sincere “thank you’s” to all stakeholders that have contributed to this year.
    2 Reasons why:

    1. It costs very little to say thank you and it is a thoughtful, personal way to express our gratitude to those who brought us to where we are today.
    2. Normally, 50% of our staff people are high on the “people” side of the equation. They want and need to hear that they are appreciated. Doing this, as a process, can be the start of enrolling their support for 2020 (and increases the possibility of retaining them).
  5. Take Care of Yourself
    We cannot be effective leaders for others unless we first ensure that we are taking care of ourselves. As the flight attendant says, “Put the mask on yourself first!”

Thanksgiving to December 31st
When we have done the above well, we are ready to design and package a great game plan for next year to support and achieve our vision, mission and values.

PS: To help you sort out how you might do this for yourself and give you a head start, we are offering a FREE introduction session on Continuous Improvement to assist you.

Call/email us at 773-641-9631 or John@JohnRuh.com.

Now to Thanksgiving

Posted by & filed under Business Planning.

This is our “Must Do List” to be accomplished between now and Thanksgiving.

We all know it is extremely difficult to keep focused and complete projects between Thanksgiving and the New Year. So we developed:

Our Top 5 Must Do’s

  1. Priority One: Client Care
    Take care of customers by delivering a superior product or service and communication. This is the foundation of success. (This might be the best marketing we can do to secure our future.)
    Completion date: Now
  2. Comprehensive Continuous Improvement List
    In order to improve and frame our future, it is critical everyone is crystal clear about our priorities. Clarify projects that must be completed between now and Thanksgiving. Why? It’s simple: Change or die. Your continuous improvement projects list needs to be public and reviewed weekly.
    Note: Ask us how to do this and/or meet with one of our C.I. project managers. We can also provide you with a form to use that will make this easier.
    Completion date: Now
  3. Do an anonymous company-wide survey to give all stakeholders a voice in assessing this year and planning next year.
    This is a step most of us skip. We need to stop, review, and complete this year instead of just having one year run into the next. We need a process approach on assessing and planning. Why? Worldwide research (ask for this report if you want it) indicates over 50% of one’s staff needs time to process and review to go forward effectively.
    Completion date: By Thanksgiving or earlier if you are a very large group of people.
  4. At Thanksgiving/Holiday provide sincere “thank you’s” to all stakeholders that have contributed to this year.
    2 Reasons why:

    1. It costs very little to say thank you and it is a thoughtful, personal way to express our gratitude to those who brought us to where we are today.
    2. Normally, 50% of our staff people are high on the “people” side of the equation. They want and need to hear that they are appreciated. Doing this, as a process, can be the start of enrolling their support for 2020 (and increases the possibility of retaining them).
  5. Take Care of Yourself
    We cannot be effective leaders for others unless we first ensure that we are taking care of ourselves. As the flight attendant says, “Put the mask on yourself first!”

Thanksgiving to December 31st
When we have done the above well, we are ready to design and package a great game plan for next year to support and achieve our vision, mission and values.

Victimization Creates Unnecessary Stress

Posted by & filed under Leadership, Professional Development.

All of us at some time or another fall prey to becoming victims of our own choices. We experience stress and if we unknowingly choose denial, blaming, or shaming, it can cause unnecessary suffering. While we all experience unpleasant circumstances in life, it’s helpful to remember what Victor Frankl, an Auschwitz survivor, said: “When faced with circumstances we cannot change, we are forced to change ourselves”. His famous book, “Man’s Search for Meaning” explains this in detail. He tells us that even in the worst of circumstances, one has choice and can choose one’s own attitude/context/ mindset.

Why this might be important to you

  1. You might think your level of stress is unavoidable – It is not.
  2. You may not understand the true cause of your stress.
  3. A permanent solution is better than a temporary fix.

The Source of our Stress
We all have unpleasant people and circumstances in our lives; however the true cause of our stress is what we tell ourselves about these circumstances and people. If we are into blame, shame, or denial and never own up to our accountability, our stress level can increase exponentially. It is up to us to determine how we respond. It does not have to be so painful.

What Victor Frankl taught me

  1. We can stop at any time and be present to what is (even at our worst moments). We can visualize what is possible and start the process of creating it.
  2. Sacrifice ceases to be sacrifice once meaning is attached to it.
  3. Having a clear mission and/or purpose and understanding why you are doing what you are doing can put meaning to literally anything.
  4. To get beyond judgement, one must enter the zone of acceptance. (Acceptance in this context is more eastern than western. It does not mean resignation, giving up or submission)
  5. All things belong. (Many deep thinkers have said this in different ways)

Here is a Model you might consider using
The conscious leadership model is a best practice tool which can support you in understanding, accepting and subsequently strengthening your operating ego (a Dr. Hal Stone term or what Jung called a healthy ego). It allows you to start the process of looking inside for answers vs outside for excuses and learning little by little the nature of your operating ego. Over time your ego can become your advocate vs your adversary. It takes some time to learn the model and practice it, however, once you finally start the process of understanding and accepting yourself, your level of stress can drop like a rock. This model is not a quick fix, or panacea, rather it can be a long-term structural solution that can enable you to understand the true source of your stress and assist you in creating the bliss you seek for your life.

Worth a conversation?
Call/email me at 773-641-9631 or john@johnruh.com.

Additional Links
Are you chasing your tail? johnruh.com/are-you-chasing-your-tail/
Success and Satisfaction johnruh.com/success-and-satisfaction/

Opinion vs. Commitment

Posted by & filed under Leadership, Professional Development.

Do you put a lot of stock in your and other’s opinions?

Do you have a distinction between opinion and commitment?

Opinion vs. CommitmentWhat really matters?
Unfortunately, most of us tend to think our opinions are important. If you listen to the radio, read newspapers or are active on social media, opinions on everything under the sun are rampant. If you study peak performers or visionaries however, as we have for many years, you can quite easily see that while they also have opinions, and very strong ones at times, what really differentiates them is their commitment to action. It may be a bit disconcerting to the ego that one’s opinions do not matter much yet understanding and accepting this is an important step toward supporting oneself right.

Why bother with this?
One simple reason: To save time – not clearly seeing how little opinions matter, one wastes a great deal of time chasing one’s tail. To paraphrase Goethe…Until one is committed nothing happens.

How to start this process:

  1. Stop and look internally
    Be more introspective. Doing so may help you see the foolishness of putting too much value on your opinions and can start the process toward not taking yourself so seriously.
  2. Pay attention
    Acknowledge and understand what you are truly committed to doing and be honest about it. Again, this requires some introspection and really benching your ego.
  3. Get into action
    Nothing really happens until one is committed and it begins to show up as action. These may simply be small steps, yet they can point you in the direction you want to go.

Hopefully this piece may move you to do some hard thinking about this important issue. If you want to have a phone conversation or meet, please reach out to me at 773-641-9631 or email john@johnruh.com.

The Lost Art of Communication

Posted by & filed under Leadership.

Todd J. Stukenberg
May 22, 2019

In the modern-day world, there are more vehicles and tools for human interconnection than could even be imagined just a generation ago. When I think of my childhood in the 1970s and 1980s, there were essentially 4 ways that people connected and communicated: face to face (in person), via a telephone system that consisted of a mess of wires, through the written (and printed) word, or unilaterally via radio or television broadcast. Today, I can think of at least 3 times as many options, most of which are fully interactive with visual and audio elements.

Has the proliferation of these tools made communication better? In some ways, yes. It is more immediate and available. However, these new and more robust vehicles have also brought to light the importance of the content and quality of that communication over just the availability or frequency. This is evidenced by the fact that anecdotally there seems to be more conflict, polarization and confusion than before.

This is particularly important when it comes to effectiveness in leadership. It’s not enough just to communicate as a leader, disseminating words via email, text or video conference. A leader must choose not just the right vehicle, but the right thoughts and translate them into the right words. Effective communication has a four “leg” foundation:

  1. It considers its audience and how they might perceive the intent of the message and where the audience is “at” in terms of its ability to process and understand.
  2. It is clear, concise and direct. Use of obscure terminology, poor grammar/word choices or meandering thoughts do more harm than good.
  3. It incorporates an element of nuanced and varied repetition to increase comprehension.
  4. It makes a summarized, strong concluding point that is the clear takeaway if nothing else is retained.

As leaders, we must consider our communication skills and approaches every day and in every engagement. It’s an absolutely critical capability for leaders in the modern world.

2019 Fun Summer Specials

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Our annual list of free/low cost things to do in our great city of Chicago.

Walk Chicago Riverwalk – Free

Hamilton exhibit on Northerly Island

CAC Chicago Architectural Tour

Pullman Historic Monument: www.pullman-museum.org

Bloomingdale Trail Park: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/bloomingdale_trail.html

Best Value: Chicago Architectural Center http://www.architecture.org/.  Rated the #1 thing to do in Chicago!

  • More than 85 FREE walking and bike tours
  • Buy-one-ticket-get-one-FREE on the Architecture River Cruise*
  • Priority Pass for citywide festival Open House Chicago
  • Discounts on bus, elevated and Segway tours
  • Access to Members Travel Program and Behind-the-Scenes tours

Best Kids Special
http://www.chicagokids.com/

Chicago Things to Do
http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/

Enjoy IL / Chicago
http://www.enjoyillinois.com/region/chicagoandbeyond#chicago

Chicago Events for the Next 12 Months
http://www.events12.com/chicago/may/

2019 City of Chicago Cultural Affairs & Special Events
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/festival_events_dates.html

Choose Chicago, what to do in Chicago: Chicago Official Visitor’s Guide
http://www.choosechicago.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-services-and-resources/request-visitors-guide/

Chicago Summer Festival Guide
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/chicago-summer-festivals

Chicago Food Truck Fest
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-food-truck-festival-summer-festival-tickets-42218908893 

Additional Chicago Attractions

The Adler Planetarium – http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

The Field Museum http://fieldmuseum.org/

Free Days:

  • June 26, 27, 28

Shedd Aquarium discount days for Illinois residents https://www.sheddaquarium.org/

  • June 17, 18, 24, 25
  • August 26 – 27
  • September 3,4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30
  • October 1,2
  • December 4

The Art Institute of Chicago http://www.artic.edu/

Charnley-Persky House Museum http://www.sah.org/about-sah/charnley-persky-house

Wednesdays – 12 p.m.
Cost: Free

Chicago Children’s Museum – http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/?gclid=CNHE0qehhLcCFeZFMgodDQcA7g

Target Free Family Night
Thursday Evenings 5pm – 8pm
Free admission for all visitors		 Free First Sundays
First Sunday of each month
Free admission for visitors 15 and under

Teachers, Firefighters, & Police Officers
To honor their contributions to the community, Chicago Children’s Museum offers a discounted admission price of $5.95 to teachers, firefighters and police officers with a valid form of employment identification.

Veterans & Active Military
For their service to our country, veterans and active military receive free admission every day. Please present a valid form of military status identification at the admissions desk to receive free admission.

Museums for All $3 Admission
All Illinois EBT or WIC card holders receive $3 admission for up to 6 people. Families must include 1 adult and 1 child age 15 or younger. Present a valid EBT (known as the Link card) or WIC card to qualify. Learn More

Chicago History Museum – http://www.chicagohs.org/

The Museum is free to Illinois residents every Tuesday* from 12:30 to 9:00 p.m. and on Commemorative Days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, March 4, and July 4. *Excludes December 17, December 24 and December 31.

Clark House Museum – http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/clarke_house_museum.html

Free Public Tours

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1pm and 3pm; Starting April 1, tours will take place at 1pm & 2:30pm

One-hour guided tours

Admission is FREE

Tours are limited to 15 people, available on a first-come, first-served basis. For groups of 5 or more, please contact clarkehousemuseum@cityofchicago.org.

DuSable Museum of African American History – http://www.dusablemuseum.org/ Tuesday’s free

Glessner House Museum – http://www.glessnerhouse.org/ Wednesdays free

Loyola University Museum of Art – http://www.luc.edu/luma/ . Tuesdays free

Museum of Contemporary Art – http://www.mcachicago.org/

FREE for members of the military and police and fire departments, veterans, and anyone 18 and under

Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays, year-round

Notebart Nature Museum – http://www.naturemuseum.org/

Spertus Museum http://www.spertus.edu/

Swedish American Museum Center and Children’s Museum of Immigration – http://www.swedishamericanmuseum.org/

Lincoln Park Zoo http://www.lpzoo.org/ free

McCormick Tribune Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum – http://www.chicagoriver.org/get-involved/attend/mccormick-bridgehouse-chicago-river-museum ($5/pp)

Pritzker Military Library – http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/

Chicago Sinfonetta: http://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/

Combination of symphony and funk.

Garfield Park Conservatory http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/ free

Navy Pier  https://navypier.org/

Grant Park/Millennium Park http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html (The Bean, Lurie Gardens, Pritzker Pavilion) free

Chicago Cultural Center
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html

(Tour of Tiffany glass/structure) free

Federal Reserve Bank – http://www.chicagofed.org/webpages/education/money_museum/index.cfm  (See $1 million in a briefcase)

Metrowalkz Self-guided Walking Tours. Download at www.metrowalkz.com

Illinois Holocaust Museum – http://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/

Adult Admission*: $15.00
Senior (65+): $10.00
Student (12-22): $8.00
Child (5-11): $6.00
Retired/active Military personnel & up to 5 family members: 50% Off
Disabled visitors (with Federal ID) – 50% off
Members: Free

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art http://www.lizzadromuseum.org/ – Fridays free

Illinois Railway Museum – Thomas and Friends Days
The new dates of the event are:

  • Saturday, July 13th, 2019
  • Sunday, July 14th, 2019
  • Saturday, July 20th, 2019
  • Sunday, July 21st, 2019

Additional calendar for special events at http://www.irm.org/schedule/index.html

Historic Water Tower http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/city_gallery_in_thehistoricwatertower.html – free

Lincoln Park Conservatory http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/lincoln-park-conservatory/ – free

Bahai’i House of Worship https://www.bahai.us/bahai-temple/

Oriental Institute http://oi.uchicago.edu/ – free

Jane Adams Hull House http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/hull_house.html free

Newberry Library http://www.newberry.org/ – free

National Museum of Mexican Art http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/ – free

Museum of Contemporary Photography http://www.mocp.org/ – free

Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/ – free

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture  http://www.balzekasmuseum.org/

Terra Museum of American Art http://www.terraamericanart.org/

Museum of Broadcast Communications  http://www.museum.tv/

Smart Museum of Art http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/

Garden Conservancy Garden Walk, https://www.gardenconservancy.org/

Volo Auto Museum http://volocars.com/#sthash.b23JuiDo.dpbs

Websites for additional attractions:

Concierge Preferred: http://www.conciergepreferred.com/chicago-attractions/4305-top-10-chicago-attractions.html

Greg Borzo http://www.gregborzo.com/

Greg is a Chicago author and tour guide on the Chicago El, Chicago Cable Cars, Biking in Chicagoland, and Chicago History in general. Superior knowledge.

Chicago Interactive Map: https://www.choosechicago.com/mapexplorer/

Broadway in Chicago for theater lovers: http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/

Chicago Shakespeare Theater: https://www.chicagoshakes.com/

Chicago Riverwalk: https://www.chicagoriverwalk.us/

Success Can Be Blinding

Posted by & filed under Leadership, Professional Development.

“The only thing worse than ignorance is arrogance”
Albert Einstein

In most Western cultures, we’re born into and grow up in the context of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”. It’s at the very foundation of our way of life, bred into nearly every thought. We soon learn, however, that life and the pursuit of happiness is doesn’t happen in a straight line, and our experiences are fraught with continual up and downs. This is very prevalent in the business world, where companies and people are in a constant state of flux. We finally begin to wonder….

What’s going on?
Best-selling author and renowned business expert Jim Collins says that a key problem with very successful teams/companies is hubris. Hubris (perhaps Collins read Einstein too), or its close “cousin” arrogance, can be blinding to the unavoidable downs that occur. Why is this so? As successful leaders we often “get too full of ourselves”. Our Ego gets in the way (All egos think their perspective is the truth). This arrogance can lead to blind spots that block attention from business or market needs and often lead to unnecessary stress and dire consequences, as well. How can this be addressed, or better, prevented?

Consider the following:

Start the process of

  1. Understanding the nature of your ego
  2. Accepting (all aspects of it)
  3. Learning how to support your ego right

Want to test this out?

Read the following blog and email me at john@johnruh.com or call my cell 773-641-9631.

johnruh.com/are-you-chasing-your-tail/

The Cultural Implications of DISC

Posted by & filed under Business Culture, DISC.

The Cultural Implications of DISC Learning to understand individual behavior and personality elements and their collective impact on groups is a significant aspect and benefit of the DISC Profile tool. Ultimately, the collective dynamics of individuals creates and sustains cultures of nations, organizations and teams. Therefore, DISC is a highly viable tool for defining and promoting effective cultures based on understanding.

Call Darlene at 773-775-6636 or send an email and request one FREE
profile per company to learn how to develop a more effective team culture through DISC profiles.

What DISC Offers from a Cultural Perspective

  • Improved understanding and sensitivity to global cultural differences.
  • Culture-appropriate communications.

Key Benefits

  • Enhanced effectiveness of global teams and efficient communications.
  • Improved sales impact for global marketing organizations.

Learn more about DISC and Culture by requesting John to facilitate a 60 minute meeting at your company to discuss the impact of an effective team culture. Call 773-775-6636.

DISC and Stress

Posted by & filed under DISC, Leadership, Professional Development.

Stress, personal and work-based, is part of everyone’s life and impossible to avoid but it is possible to alleviate it effectively.

Personal life issues such as illness, relationship conflicts, and financial burdens are common and often lead to increased stress.

Work life is accelerating and making increased demands. New communication technology makes us reachable and “on” 24 hours a day. This is only continuing!

DISC is a proven tool that has been refined by researchers over decades to provide a better understanding of oneself and others. How can DISC help with stress? There is a quick, simple application of the tool that works!

  • Take a 12-minute online profile and learn how your DISC behavioral style also plays a major role in triggering your personal stress reaction.
  • Gain awareness of personal stressors and learn how to adjust your style to improve outcomes and gain control and power over situational stress.

Call Darlene at 773-775-6636 or send an email and request one FREE profile per company to identify your stressors and how to gain control over them or email John directly at John@johnruh.com.