What happens when you invite someone different to the meeting, are glad to have them there, but they aren't prepped to do things they way they've always been done?  This week, a few thoughts about inclusion and innovation inspired by true stories shared by two professional performers.

Huge thank you to the Shezam Podcast, and hosts Kayla Drescher and Carisa Hendrix for opening many eyes in not just the magic community, but many industries, and sharing their journeys.  Check out their podcast for wonderful interviews, ideas on elevating a variety of voices, and hard experiences and truths that many can learn from.

Have a strong week and thanks for sharing your time!

-Shawn

This week we explore the Four Stages of Competence Theory and a phrase many in the corporate world have heard a version of: "professionals don't ad-lib".

Is it true that those at the top of their game don't improv or go off script?  Who on the team should have a license to ad-lib?

In case it doesn't come across as fully in the episode, the concept of "knowing the rules to know when/how to break the rules" comes into play with this thought as well.  Those that are the best at ad-libbing, likely know the script, and the reasons for each impact point in the script, better than most anyone else, hence operating at level 4: unconsciously competent.

Here are a couple of additional links to the theory and please continue to send your ideas, questions, and feedback to [email protected]

Thanks and have a strong week!

-Shawn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence

https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/strategy-alignment-and-planning/the-four-stages-of-competence/

Last weekend I added some wiring to our electric panel.  Prepping and executing that scary project illuminated a few parallels to leading a team and how to upgrade a system.

Here are a few quick takeaways:

Please continue to send ideas and questions to [email protected].  Thanks for sharing your time and have a strong week!

-Shawn

As the world continues to learn and take advantage of remote meeting tools like Zoom, are you showing up and connecting with others the way you want?  Are you coming across like the person that never looks at the camera in a selfie, or the seasoned pro?

This week is a quick thought on how to remind and prime yourself to connect warmly with your audience through virtual tools.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes at [email protected]

Have a great week and thanks!

Season 2 of the podcast starts with a quote from The Prophet by Khalil Gibran that leads us into some thoughts on the phrase "getting comfortable being uncomfortable". Is this a helpful phrase? Does it lead to straining and injury or stretching and growth? It may all depend on how you support your family, friends, and team as they find their individual definitions of "uncomfortable".

Thank you for all of your feedback on season 1 and for sharing your time.  Please keep ideas coming to [email protected].

Have a great week!

This one is a little different: Far less scripted, a bit longer, a bit more rambling, but also a bit more conversational and authentic.

Please keep sending in your ideas and feedback to [email protected]  Thanks!

Here's a take on the 100 hour rule discussed in the episode.

Here's how to actually remove blue painter's tape (I did this and it only mostly worked...).

And if you've never seen Spaceballs - here is a quick clip compilation on YouTube.

How do you make sure that all the members of a team or project are on the same page?  Do you all actually agree on the definition of important terms and goals?  What happens when portions of the group think that discussion is a waste of time?

In this episode we explore a couple of exercises to illustrate how even the simplest of concepts can be defined very differently by members of a group. If a team doesn't define key terms similarly, it is tough to build anything on top of that shakey foundation.

Here are the Story Cubes mentioned in the second example (non-affiliate link).

I'd love to hear your feedback and ideas.  What do you think of the podcast?  What concepts would you like to see covered in a future episode?  Email me at [email protected] and your ideas might be featured in the future.

Thanks and have a great week!

Have you ever tried ballroom dancing?  This week is a quick story about my experience taking lessons with my wife (who is much better than I am) and learning about backleading.

Have you encountered a partner or client that isn't getting the right lead from you?  Maybe putting yourself in their danceshoes can help you give better signals and increase connection in the future.

For a bit more info about backleading, try this article from dancecompreview.

Thanks for sharing your time!

Based on your feedback, I'm trying to go a little less scripted this episode. Thanks to everyone for their ideas and reactions, please keep them coming!

We've all seen the ads about the "1 simple trick that doubles your business", or the "simple thing that will make you drop 30 pounds".  We know there is usually some sort of gimmick associated with these often less than truthful lines. Today's discussion is about gimmicks in both magic and business and where the most successful professionals invest their time and effort. Plus there's a little challenge at the end about when a gimmick might be the best way forward, regardless of how you feel about it.

By the way, if you're looking to get into magic, Vanishing Inc. has been a great partner in my journey - highly recommended.

Thanks for sharing your time and have a great week!

We all have an inner monologue that can range from helpful to a complete derailer.  In today's episode I explore some ideas from a friend that recently came to visit, along with personal experience in nudging that voice in a more helpful direction.

www.toolatetostart.com has an accompanying article link for how to become a copy editor for for your inner voice, or better yet, build "autocorrect" for phrasing to drive better outcomes.

Thanks for sharing your time!