johnmaconline

Introverts, this is for you. 

Here’s another first-step strategy to use at networking events — break into a conversation.

To be honest, this isn’t better than starting one on your own because of power and energy. If you’re the third (or fourth, fifth, etc) wheel, you’re already not standing on the same rung of the power ladder. But sometimes, it’s the best you can do, and that’s OK.

To break into a conversation, simply walk up to some people already talking, smile, make eye contact, but be silent.Whether it’s right away, or 20 minutes from now, somebody eventually will greet you. Most likely asking you a question. 

Here’s what you say:

• Answer the question.
• If you’ve been listening to the conversation, make a point about it, or better yet, ask a question about it. 
• If context is missing, ask something like, “Tell me about what you do?”

Never say:

• “I never know what to say at these things.”
• “I hate these things.”
• “I’d like to tell you about…”

Power and energy. It’s very hard for us introverts in a room full of extroverts to earn power and keep energy. But you can do it. 

Stay tuned for the next installment…

Introverts, this is for you.

I get it. New people are scary. Talking to new people? You gotta be kidding me. What do I say? What will this person think of me? How do those people seem so comfortable? I look stupid. These people see right through me. I think I’m leaving. 

As an introvert, I know you need a plan. You can do this. Here it is. 

First, don’t leave. At least not yet. Your plan is very simple — Get one single conversation started. That’s step one. We’ll talk about step two later. In fact, don’t even think about that right now. 

To start a conversation, do this: 

Scan the scene (that’s your thing, anyway, right?) Find the people that look friendly. Don’t think about that too much. Yes, this is pure “book by its cover” and “window dressing,” which goes against everything you believe in. It’s OK right now. Push through. 

Try to make eye contact with someone physically close to you. Walk around if you need to. Smile once you make eye contact (most likely by accident). If they smile back and hold your gaze for even a fraction of a second, simply say, “Hi, I’m <name>.”

Pause there. If they engage, keep smiling. If they don’t, simply move on. Do it again until someone reciprocates. Yeah, it feels terrible. 

The very next thing you say is something like (pick what feels comfortable):

• “So what’s your story?”
• “Tell me about what you do?”
• “Tell me about your business?”

That’s it. You’ve passed the baton to them, and now you’re already more comfortable because they are talking, not you.

Never lead with these:

• “I hate these things.”
• “Don’t you hate these things?”
• “What brings you here?”
• “My business is… [prepared speech]”

The “do this” and “never do this” above are about power and energy. You want/need to be at least on equal power ground with the extroverts bubbling over with the energy gleaned from the room. Getting them talking gets you responding. You’re good at responding and then volleying back. The “nevers” start you out on a lower rung of the power ladder. It’s hard to regain equilibrium. 

Stay tuned for the next installment…

Corn sweat. Who knew?

“One acre of corn can release 4,000 gallons of water a day.”

Are you kidding me? Nature is crazy interesting.

That’s it. Just an appreciation post about showing up each day with curiosity and ready to be surprised.

Don’t ever let age, those around you, or the system beat the sense of wonder out of you. 

It’s now official. 

SpaceX is gonna bail out the astronauts that Boeing has stranded. An eight-day mission stretched to eight months. 

NASA awarded both SpaceX and Boeing money in 2014 to develop private transportation to the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX has successfully flown nine crewed NASA flights to the ISS since 2020. Boeing has yet to complete a successful mission despite reportedly going $1.5B over budget.

What’s the problem here?

There’s a host of issues, of course, but here’s a core pillar:

“Boeing, as we’ve all recently seen, is no longer an aeronautics company — it’s a profit company, the kind of business you get when MBAs hellbent on “efficiency” take over from the engineers.”

Quartz

Both SpaceX and Boeing’s cultures run on fear. 

Boeing’s culture runs on the fear of taking responsibility, of looking bad in front of the boss, of making a mistake that leads to reprimand, of losing control, and of stepping on toes. 

SpaceX’s culture runs on the fear of being unsuccessful.

Mouse poop versus elephant dung. Keep the thing the thing. 

A friend of our son’s was at our house and said, “Oh, you have an ingredient kitchen.”

Didn’t know what he meant at first.

“It means you don’t have prepared meals, you have the ingredients to make meals.”

Ah. We don’t have frozen waffles, but we do make waffles from (gluten-free) flour, eggs, baking powder, butter, and milk.

It’s slower to make waffles from ingredients, but you can get exactly what you want. You want blueberries? No problem. Maybe a little cinnamon. Sure.

Today, maybe we’ll make pancakes instead of waffles. If you have the right ingredients, you have flexibility. Plus, single ingredients are healthier. Fresh. Less-processed.

That’s also how you build a great team — ingredients.

I want an ingredient team.

You can tell when you find one.

They’re curious about different things than the others you’ve spoken to, but likely the same things as you. They ask questions that make you nod your head. They might ask questions that make you say, “Aha!” They also ask questions that make you feel uncomfortable.

This is a person who cares enough to make it better. Just like you.

If you’re talking to someone who cares enough to make it better, put that person in your contact list on your phone. Name, number, email address — Not “Philly guy” or “Red girl” or “Jake from State Farm.”

People who care enough to make it better are your people. You definitely want to know when they’re calling you.

Such a simple word. Such a slippery slope.

When applied correctly, no means focus, we’re this not that, generosity, self-care, principles, my people are over here, and growth.

When not applied correctly, no means missed opportunities, narcissism, I’m afraid, you see it wrong, and those people are dumb.

You’re gonna have to say no. The magic is knowing when to do it correctly.

Modern life is all about comfort.

We strive for comfort across all the axes — physical, emotional, intellectual, status, social…pick your own.

If you can withstand discomfort on at least one axis, or better yet, learn to thrive amid discomfort, you can make a difference.