What we do for ourselves dies with us but what we do for others becomes our legacy. Even with this sentiment, loss is hard.  It’s even harder when it’s the person who was always there when we needed anything…ever.

My father, Leon C. Bradley (1938-2017) was born & raised in Battle Creek, MI the son of a contractor/electrician & an accountant.  He told stories of working on his Grandpa’s farm to help provide for the family during WWII, defending himself on his journey to/from school & working with his father building houses starting when he was just 10 years old.

In High School he led a band of his classmates that played for events around MI.  He & his father were very similar in temperament and their relationship was often strained. This led to his wanting to leave as soon as he could after graduating.  Having a birthday in September, he graduated when he was 17 in 1956.  Soon after, his father signed over “loco parentis” to Woody Herman so he could tour with the band as a minor.  Really.

*Photo from alamy.com

He’s the trombone player shown farthest to the right.  Years later, at a jazz convention in Kansas City, MO our family got on an elevator & to our surprise there stood Woody Herman.  He & Dad began chatting & we were invited up to his room to reminisce.  Dad reminded him of the time he spent on the band & Woody confessed that he didn’t remember many of the guys from that era.  In 1987 Dad helped bring Woody’s band to Branson, MO & we again met up with him.  He couldn’t have been nicer remembering all of us & our time together in Kansas City.  But I digress….

After touring with Woody Herman he enrolled at Michigan State as a Veterinary Medicine major.  A professor in the music department, Oscar Stover, knew of his musical talents & convinced him the move would be worth it (and the cows wouldn’t miss him). He studied trombone with John Swallow & euphonium with Leonard Falcone.  A theory teacher soon discovered he had the gift of perfect pitch; perfect recall of any pitch he heard.  He completed his Bachelor’s degree in 1961 and soon after went on the road with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

He’s the trombone player next to the drums.  There were many great musicians on that unique “Mellophonium” band.  He learned a ton from Kenton’s leadership & remained friends with him & many of those musicians.  The Kenton band spent some time a few summers at Drury College in Springfield, MO during their jazz education clinics.  He was a very warm, welcoming & charismatic leader that lit up every room he was in.  This was a quality Dad inherited from his father!  Back on track….

He returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant in the theory department completing his Master’s in 1967.  He was the first person ever to complete the Brass Specialists degree & probably the only one to do so on all 5 brass instruments.  One of his theory professors, Dr. Evan Copley, was teaching at the University of Northern Colorado during my Master’s degree.  Dr. Copley remembered Dad fondly…small world!

He had several teaching stops including a summer gig in 1967 with Motown Records as a recording engineer before landing a job at Minot State College in North Dakota.  He met my mother there who was professor of piano.  This began their enjoyment of performing together for the rest of his life.  They married at her parents home in Oklahoma in December of 1968.  Their honeymoon took them to Yosemite National Park & the Bracebridge renaissance dinner hosted by Ansel Adams. They continued to Pasadena where Dad led the Minot State marching band in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 1969.  He also started the jazz ensemble there which is still in the curriculum today.

*Picture from Minot State University web-site

Due to nepotism rules of that time, they couldn’t be married & teach in the same department.  The job search was on!  They began teaching at a small “work” college in southwest MO, School of the Ozarks, in the fall of 1969.  The president of the college at the time, Dr. M. Graham Clark, recognized the need for a comprehensive music education degree program & hired Dad to create it.  He did & a few short years later the band program was going strong with many instrumental ensembles anchoring the program.  He provided many opportunities for his students including bringing in big name music groups to campus & arranging for the jazz band to perform for the Miss MO pageant 13 straight years.

My parents bought a piece of land in a subdivision just outside Branson. They rented for years before we moved on campus while they saved to build on their dream home.  In 1983 they broke ground.  Dad & his father along with our Mom & other MI contractors worked hard & we moved in later that year.

He retired from the College of the Ozarks (formerly School of the Ozarks) in 1993 having inspired countless students over his tenure.  In 1995, he accepted a position at the Xian Conservatory of Music in China where he directed chamber music ensembles and founded the first American symphonic band in the country.  During retirement he was a visiting professor at Southwest Baptist University and continued to teach private lessons in Springfield, Branson and Lebanon.

Throughout his life, he was active in many professional organizations and held honorary memberships in Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  Over the years, he authored numerous articles and other contributions to scholarly journals and publications.  He was a charter member of the Missouri Jazz Educator’s Association serving as Treasurer for 25 years.  For his expertise and dedicated service to jazz education he was given the “Jess Cole” lifetime achievement award in 2003.

During his career, he remained an active performer with the Springfield Symphony and Regional Opera Orchestras, led the Abou ben Adhem Shrine band and co-founded the Branson Brass Quintet & MOzark Brass Quintet.  His clinician & consultant offerings spanned over 50 years on behalf of both the Conn and Selmer-Bach instrument companies.

He was active in the community as a member of the Masonic Lodge, Abou ben Adhem Shrine temple, Ducks Unlimited and served as President of the Branson Lion’s Club.  He proudly served on the Branson Adoration Parade Committee for nearly all his years in Branson.  He loved his church, serving in many capacities including Jr. Warden and Sub-Deacon.

He saw the best college football game ever played in 1964; Michigan State coached by Duffy Daugherty vs. Notre Dame coached by Knute Rockne. This epic battle ended in a tie & cemented its place in history.  He was a Golden Gloves boxer, drove in stock car races, played semi-pro football in MI & scrimmaged against the Michigan State basketball team when they didn’t have enough players to simulate game conditions.  Had his own radio show on the local NPR station that brought depth of understanding about jazz to its listeners with his unmistakeable voice.

He cared courageously for his students & worked tirelessly to provide them the best opportunities to succeed.  He never stopped coaching them or me with his vast knowledge, charisma, strong character & boundless energy.

He taught me how to…drive, wear musicians “work clothes” (a tuxedo), play the gentlemen’s game of golf, chop wood, tie a tie five different ways, use a lawnmower, do laundry, play a couple instruments & make them “swing”, connect with people, be yourself & a million other things.  He held my hand when I got stitches from a head injury & picked me up late at night when I started my first job at 13 years old.  His example showed me the value of hard work & perseverance.

He was a renaissance man & a leader, period.  He meant so much to so many.  He was right, wing tips & paisleys never go out of style…just like him!  So proud of you Dad, thanks for everything!

Miss you terribly & love you more,

Karl
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https://www.facebook.com/LeonBradleyMemorialGrant/

Hobbies are such a great extension of our curiosities & can naturally develop passions we wouldn’t in any other way.  There are countless ways to pursue opportunities that fill voids in “everyday” routine.  If you can dream it you can find it or create it.  Recently had the pleasure of chatting about this with someone who is the polar opposite of myself & has more hobbies than time or money.  Why do their whims take them in so many different directions?  Can they get out of balance?  How do you regain control & not let them control you?  It’s not easy but here are the thoughts & lessons learned from a dose of common sense about what we’re spending our time & energy on.

Flip the Script

A challenge to our thinking can come from many different sources & can be the catalyst for change.  Our conversation led to one powerful, life changing question.  Is what your spending your time on important or fun?  Now, if you love questions, really thought provoking ones, this should hit you pretty good.  Making a conscious, really well thought out decision is the key.  Are flying lessons or softball really important or just for fun?  If it’s just for fun or you’re taking on to much risk, they’ll understand you have to step away to pursue other ventures.  If the activity is important, those closest to you will understand & throw support your way!

Be Yourself

Staying true to your beliefs can be tough as we tackle responsibilities of home & work. However, it’s essential to stay in touch with who you are, your passions & goals.  Tomorrow isn’t promised so making the most of the “present” is not only a gift for yourself but a great example to others on how to enjoy life’s moments along the way.

“Empty” Bucket List

The way we distribute our lives is often kind of silly when we stop to think about it.  The time in our lives when we have good health & money we often don’t have time & likewise as we age we have time but not the health or resources.  The challenge then is to create space in our lives for the really important goals we have.  If you want to climb Mount Fuji you should do it next month not in 20 years.  If you always wanted to be a musician you’ll add more substance to your life if you do it now.  Applying this common sense is easier said than done but if we’re tactful in expressing the importance of our goals to family & work they will happen.

Life goes slow then fast

Children have the perception that life goes slow.  This is probably due to the fact that they are learning new things everyday, it’s all new to them.  As we age, time seems to speed up as we learn things through new experiences much less often.  Taking time now to purposefully work in your “important” things is vital to living a fulfilled life.  There is no wasted effort, we literally learn from everything we do, good or bad.  Do yourself & those around you a favor and tap into your incredibly creative self.  In this way you’ll feed your curiosities consistently through the “adventures” you take.

Take that trip, climb that mountain, get those piano lessons, learn photography, just go do it!  You’ll have much more to share with others along the way because after all we don’t do anything by ourselves.  Someone made that toothbrush you use everyday right?  What we do simply for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others is our legacy.  What will your important adventure inspire others to do?

All the best,

Karl

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My brother & I talk a lot, especially since we live so far apart.  It’s only temporary but in a way it has brought us closer, especially during our “philosophical” discussions.  We like to “dive deep” into passion areas, share what we’ve learned from books, articles, Ted Talks, work situations, parenting, etc.  We just go with whatever is on our minds in a healthy banter.  One thing keeps coming up regardless of topic, leadership & its close relationship with character.  We agree on one point…leadership is situational but character isn’t.

Character

Predictability in this area is a strength.  If we treat people with dignity & respect we can expect them to “pay it forward” to others.  A strong connection to our character can help us overcome ever changing work/life dynamics with the right amount of compassion.  Our display of the “golden rule” helps encourage personal growth & is without judgement.  We need everyone…together is better.  Is what we’re doing getting us closer to our goal?  Only you decide.  Character is doing the right thing even when nobody is looking & compromising isn’t fun to reconcile later.  These actions are what we talk about in therapy sessions right?

Leadership is always “situational”

Everyone has a set of talents, skills, abilities & passions we need to tap into.  In a sense, companies “buy” these from employees to move the enterprise forward.  Our ability as leaders to encourage individual & collective wisdom collaboration toward any goal is paramount.  Sometimes we have what it takes to do this & sometimes we don’t.  It remains “situational” always.  Reading the situation to provide the right key ingredient makes all the difference with individuals & the team.  Knowing when to help more, present a challenge to ignite passion, drop an idea to see where it leads or become a partner to great idea development are all opportunities for growth & encourage “leading” from everyone involved.

Leaders typically do these things so well they become habit…

Sets a coaching environment & not drive employees; generate enthusiasm instead of inspiring through fear; say “we” not “I”; fixes the breakdown without placing blame; shares how it’s done instead of simply knowing; develops people not use them; gives away credit instead of taking it; asks instead of directing; says “lets go” instead of “go”.

Ethics

Character & leadership are tied together through ethics.  Ethics in its simplest form, to me, is when we can look ourselves in the mirror & are happy with who we see.  The decisions we’ve made and actions we’ve taken are in line with how we want to live according to our “values”.  So, ethics is a result of us putting into action choices that align with those things we hold most important in life.

Life is all about choices.  We can choose what to value & how to act/interact with those around us.  All of this has ramifications on others.  This awareness is the beginning of leadership development; understanding how we influence others positively or negatively.  This focus gets us away from aspects of life we can’t control (problems or the past) puts emphasis on the present & a preferred vision of a future state.  Thoreau said “know thyself”.  This has to be first before we begin to realize growth as a leader.  If we can’t “manage” ourselves, how can we tackle the responsibility of leading anyone?

Two quotes come to mind….

“Courage is being scared & saddling up anyway.”  -John Wayne

“You’re never wrong to do the right thing.”  -Mark Twain

Having courage for our convictions is developed through a strong sense of what we believe (values) & staying true to them in our daily lives (ethical decisions).  This is our platform for leading.  Deciding to focus on others (leading) with a humble approach guides us to the “right” interactions based on the situations we find ourselves in.

It takes more courage than we are prepared to admit to live as an extension of our values.  The diverse situations we are faced with on a daily basis can be tough.  The capacity to help others creates an “acceptance space” for them to flourish.  It’s only when we really know ourselves that we can be open/humble for everyone to develop in the specific ways each situation dictates.  You’ll inspire others with your solid character & be humble enough to let go to develop others.  This is your leadership strength, go for it!

All the Best,

Karl
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You’ve got tickets to the big game, the players are ready for some fierce competition but the scoreboard is missing.  Really?  Why?  How could they miss that?  This happens all the time with organizations where we work, do business & in our own lives.  This analogy is a powerful example of how getting what we say aligned with what we do can make all the difference in “winning” in any enterprise.

*Picture from www.clipartkids.com

What we SAY

Organizations everywhere have fancy mission, vision & priorities; we can’t help but notice them.  This is the primary way we begin to get to know & decide to have a relationship with companies.  Whether you want to work with or need their services, this is where it starts.  Every companies values should be obvious, authentic & transparent.  The best ones you can probably put on a t-shirt; short, simple & to the point.

What we DO

How can we tell if what they said is fluff or not?  Carrying out actions aligned with what we’ve said is important projects to employees & customers we’re committed.  This is the way we instantly show that all the stuff we said isn’t just a smokescreen to lure people to work & spend money.  If you say customer service or loyalty is where it’s at but don’t empower everyone to provide it then somethings broken.  This divide isn’t because you’ve hired the wrong people (maybe) but a lack of follow through from leadership. Whatever the leaders style, skills, talents, etc. they’ve got to model the values & encourage a positive environment to enable employees to do the same.  Change is constant & leadership is situational but our values must remain steadfast.  If employees don’t know what to expect they can’t figure out how they’re talents can best be utilized as things shift.

Goals Matter

If your team doesn’t have a goal to align their efforts they are unlikely to give their best. If they don’t play hard, really bring it, then we get the result we’ve set up….lackluster engagement.  Legendary NFL Coach Bill Parcels only asked one question of anyone who played for him, the essence goes like this…

Are you willing to get on board with what we’re trying to do (win a championship)?  If so, come on, we’d love to have you.

So simple because they know why they’re doing what they’re doing.  The stage is already set & the scoreboard tells the main story along the way.  Without this single aligning element you don’t have anything for people to aspire.  Whether for profit or not, companies who don’t figure out “say & do” won’t last long because they just know one thing, make money or die.  Businesses come & go everyday so money can’t be the sole reason.  Now what?

Fix it with “Why”

This is so powerful yet we often don’t take the time to truly discover a solid answer. Figure out your comparative advantage inside your industry, articulate it (overstate for clarity) & go do it.  Easier said than done as “feelings” are near impossible to communicate but won’t be overlooked or ignored once you nail them down.  No matter if you’re a one person show or a large company, success stories come when focus is like a laser from leaders on “why” you’re doing what you’re doing.  With your scoreboard in place “players” remain engaged & know how their talents naturally combine on the team.

Thanks for sticking out yet another sports analogy!  Here’s hoping the scoreboard reads “success” to however you’re making our world a better place!

All the Best,

Karl

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Almost every organization would like to remove delays to unlocking their team’s capacity to generate & implement great ideas.  If you can identify & develop new opportunities quicker your business model will probably have a better chance to survive, right?  The answer is a solid “maybe”.  No hard answers here just some thoughts on possible links, hang with me!

I’ll Procrastinate Tomorrow!

Graphic from www.jamesclear.com

We’ve all received & given feedback on this topic.  For the proactive person someone who lags a bit can be maddening.  For a procrastinator, the person who’s overtly proactive can seem silly.  When we advise someone to be something they’re not it leads to coping & frustration.  However, learning to be effective with the personality, talents & passions we possess can relieve this tension.  Read some Peter Drucker for more on that!

Instead of creating a typical “to-do” list to prioritize & stay on task let’s check out self-discipline vs. self-control.  Lists are great but these we all have in common.  We’re naturally good at one while the other needs intention to become more effective.

Marshall Goldsmith says, “Self-discipline refers to achieving desirable behavior while self-control refers to avoiding undesirable behavior.”  So why do we procrastinate if we generally feel like it’s not a positive trait?  Conversely, why do we feel in a hurry to get things done?  Just so our desk is clean?  The push to achieve?  For me, when putting off a task or project it’s usually because the timing is wrong.  It’s not the best time of day for the attention needed to see something through or possibly more thinking is required which means more time.  Whatever the situation, knowing ourselves can help us schedule things properly for quality completion.  Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook hung up a sign that says “Done is better than perfect.”  For high achievers doing things perfectly can keep things from moving ahead for collaboration.  This also works for procrastinators for the same reason.  Do your job & push it on so the team can work through the project…together is better!

So, it’s not about procrastination at all.  It’s about understanding one another to build trust throughout the entire organization no matter what our tendencies.

Innovate or die?

The great business thought leader Gary Hamel states, “Innovation takes time, time to dream, time to reflect, time to learn, time to invent and experiment; uninterrupted time when you can daydream!”  The law of diffusion of innovation gives us a clue as to how each of us adds value to the process.  Some of us are early adopters, some are laggards & more of us are in the middle areas.  How do we unlock the capacity to integrate the great ideas from our team?

Graphic from www.purposelyleading.blogspot.com

All ideas have innate power & energy.  The culture we create about how they “compete” is the key.  If we instill an “internet” model where ideas are initially seen as equal then everyone will feel free to express new opportunities.  Where we fall on the scale & how we interact can help us decide what ideas are best to accelerate & which ones to wait on. Every idea has its time.  Letting go of the pressure to be “Don Quixote” on all ideas gives us the freedom to discover the best new direction.  It’s less important to be first than it is to be great at what you’ve chosen.

Closing Thoughts

These two concepts naturally live together & our ability to know each other well enough to take advantage of our “back-pressure” tendencies makes the key difference.  The interplay between when we choose to take more time (procrastinate) vs. where we fall as an innovator (adopting tendency) can de-conflict team tensions.  This leads to inserting the right amount of patience into the innovation continuum so momentum forward has team consensus.  So, the right blend of innovation & procrastination will keep your company from becoming obsolete overnight.  The world is counting on the awesome ideas that come as a result of collaboration & we’re excited about what you come up with.  And as my old science teacher always said before a pop quiz….”Take your time but hurry!”

All the Best,

Karl
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*Picture from www.workboard.com

There we are, attending another meeting struggling to stay engaged.  Why?  We want to be there (but our mind is wandering), we’re interested in the reason it’s taking place (but the slides are so boring) & most importantly we’re ready to participate (if we ever get asked).  This all too familiar scene seems to plague us even with so many great ideas floating around to make it better.  Transparency of information & the speed at which it flows can make all the difference in focusing on what’s important now.

The great management guru Peter Drucker informs us in his many writings that one can either meet or work, one cannot do both.  Sage advice!  Why then, are meetings often unproductive?  We all have asked this, been frustrated & even disappointed with how these seemingly “necessary” events seem to be such a time suck.  In asking this question it leads our thoughts from a negative point of view.  How can we be part of a positive solution for our situation?  Here are some thoughts on time, discovering ideas to make it better & why we meet at all.

Why (do we meet)?

My favorite question!  Answering it often leads to keeping things the same.  However, status quo is standing still & in today’s full speed ahead work life isn’t satisfactory.  Let’s take some advice from Ricardo Semler & ask 3 Why’s in a row instead.  This can apply to our individual role for the meeting, collective goal(s) & even whether or not we should meet at all.  Semler says when we do this the first answer is pretty good, the second gets fuzzier & by the third, we don’t really know why we’re doing what we’re doing.  If you get 3 good answers he still advises to ask “What for?”  It probably won’t always be popular but every 6 months or so be the person who suggests…

*Cartoon from Pinterest.com

Eyeball to Eyeball

We can’t overlook the importance of human interaction.  After all, people work with us no matter where we work.  Eyeball to eyeball communication is best.  We’ve all heard managers/leaders say by simply meeting it will solve the ever-present communication issues that always seem to appear.  The office talk complaints about never knowing what’s going on & blaming someone for not telling us.  Disparaging remarks steal our intention away from the positive momentum we had & come with a “wait” time before resolving if we ever get there.  When we get away from our desks & engage directly with people it shows we courageously care about their success as well as the teams.  There is no substitute for this so meetings of all kinds must exist for engagement.  Focus on opportunities, not problems & set a tone for “only good news” to be spread.  When we take the first step to reach out, seek to understand before being understood it opens the doors for meaningful personal & team growth!

Soapbox time:  e-mail is simply information exchange, nothing more & you can’t effectively lead through this medium.  Try getting “tone” from even the most well-composed message, it’s difficult at best & largely a waste of time.  Getting to the acceptance point on this can put this “tool” in the right box.  Text is a bit better for “tone” but not totally effective.  Leaving notes can be great but if they aren’t positive in nature they can be damaging for effectiveness & productivity.

Make It Better

What ideas work?  Over the years there have been some that have had success, after all, why can’t meetings be fun?  Robert Townsend suggests having a round table instead of a rectangle so everyone is equidistant from one another.  This encourages interaction & helps remove titles/responsibilities so ideas can compete on an even basis, like the internet.  Try standing up.  If nobody gets comfortable in those heavenly designed chairs the meeting won’t last as long.  Set an agenda & stick to it.  Only the people who have something pertinent to the event will present.  Then simply have a “one more chance” around the room to accommodate additional comments that may have arisen.  Have a time-keeper.  This can take the pressure off the “leader” of the meeting to keep things on track & focus on the purpose of getting together.  This works well if you have an overall time limit.   Another great focus tool is to take minutes.  This scripting of the meeting keeps comments focused on recording it for reference.  Be careful here, as misquoting can be common & can increase anxiety but for the right reason, you might find it helpful.  Ricardo Semler suggests not putting pressure on a certain group of people to show up for any meeting.  This is brilliant because after the purpose is defined, you really only need the folks who want to be engaged to attend.  With this framework in mind, he also suggests having a couple seats open for whoever wants to attend.  Literally anyone from the organization.  Who knows, maybe their attendance will yield some “thought leadership” the typical group missed.

Related Stuff

“Time is what keeps everything from happening at once.”   -Albert Einstein

Too obviously funny way of putting it!  The only thing we all have in common is time so treat it like the precious commodity it is.  One of my mentors framed it this way; if someone is late 5 minutes & kept 10 people waiting, that’s 50 minutes of productive time wasted.  Another epiphany moment & with such simple math even I can understand it!  Show people you’re not going to be cavalier with their time & they will freely give it to any project, from anywhere.

Idea Generation

Good ideas don’t come while we’re at work.  Really?  Why not?  It’s only when we’re spending time away from the activities of work that our mind can begin to creatively ponder ideas, new ventures, risks, innovations, etc.  Similar to when we try hard to remember something.  When we aren’t trying it magically comes to us!  If we as leaders can help instill a “thinking” culture instead of on a “knowing” culture we’ll move in the intuitive direction.  When we feel the pressure to have all the answers all the time it promotes a culture of “certainty” & when we’re certain things will happen the way we think it sets current & future projects up for failure.

There’s nothing new here, just some thoughts on the challenge we all have to stay connected with our passions to move any enterprise forward.  Hope this helps in some small way with the “problem” of meetings so we can love all the work we do…even meetings!

All the best,

Karl
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