Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

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  • Listen In -> Natural Networking #2: The Disconnect of Techniques and Formulas

    Beware of the “How To” workshop!

    Granted lessons on how to use a table saw or how to weld might save your life or at least a valuable limb.

    When it comes to issues of how to be yourself in business, though, the “how-to” techniques are more often obstacles than aids.

    In this week’s podcast discussion, Claudia and I look at networking techniques and the pitfalls of applying these formulas in a non-thinking or flat-footed manner.

    Yes, it is effective to ask probing questions about what people do when attending a networking event. Having said that, people know instantly when you are not really listening to them.

    Some of us want the effect of active listening without really being interested in the content of what we just heard.

    There is no way to fake natural networking. Techniques are tools for the craftsperson not rules for the technician.

    Do you find yourself depending on networking techniques and formulas to make professional connections?

    Listen in.

    Just now joining the conversation? Catch up on the entire series here.

  • Capitalism with Heart and Soul: Two Reads for the Occupy Wall Street Movement

    The best hope for progress on the Occupy Wall Street movement’s complaints is, interestingly enough, capitalism.

    Not capitalism for the few and privileged, but capitalism for all. Not the capitalism of unbridled greed, human mechanization, and economic violence, but the capitalism of opportunity, creative enterprise, and personal aspirations.

    Kudos to all who call attention to and stand against the rapacious greed and economic violence of some of our wealthy and powerful.

    We are left, though, with the problem of defining what is a good and just economic/political order. We are left with the problem of how to proceed. It is (more…)

  • Quote to Consider: Courage

    quote-to-consider“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

    Anonymous

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #52


    Reluctant gratitude unexpectedly breaths new life.

     

    Karl Edwards

  • Favorite Authors: Peter Block

    This week’s author favorite is Peter Block.

    Much of his attraction to me is our shared confidence in the intrinsic value and, I would even say, genius of every individual person.

    What any given person has to offer comes from the depths of who they are, not from what has been added to them from outside sources such as schools and seminars and workshops.

    While people can be trained in skills, informed of required procedures, and be given aggressive goals to achieve, nothing can replace tapping into and empowering their core passions, values and dreams.

    When he writes of professional development, he writes of getting to know yourself and building from the inside out.

    When he writes of leadership, he writes of empowering those who work for you.

    We are reading one of his books, The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, chapter by chapter in our Thought Leaders Unpacked™ series.

    You can find Peter Block on the web at: http://www.peterblock.com/

    Must Read Books

    The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters

    Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self Interest

    Community: The Structure of Belonging

    Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used

    Pick anyone of these gems to start with. But, please don’t put off getting to know Peter Block.

    Favorite Authors are those unique writers whom I believe are worth reading everything they have written. Explore all my favorites here.

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #51


    Pretending he didn’t see the misstep.

     

    Karl Edwards

  • Loving Learning. Or… Learning, Like It or Not

    The new school year is well underway. Midterms to take, papers to write, projects to complete.

    School is the realm of learning, standards, and grades. The place where improving is the name of the game.

    For those of us not in a structured learning environment like a school, we need a way to keep learning: improve, deepen, and broaden ourselves, our capabilities, and our relationships.

    There’s a myth out there in our culture of the strong competent leader. This myth would have us believe that to be effective and/or in charge we need to be (or pretend to be) beyond learning and training.

    We know everything we need to know already. We can do everything we need to do already. We teach, evaluate and correct others. We don’t have anything else (more…)

  • Listen In -> Natural Networking #1: Rethinking Networking for a New Economy

    I hate networking.

    I suppose, more accurately, I should say I hate networking events.

    I hate the uber-confident professional masks people wear. I hate the feigned interest in my business, which is really an assessment of whether I have potential as a client. I hate the polite exchange of business cards, as if either of us plans to do anything with them but expand our e-mail lists.

    This week Claudia and I begin a new discussion series we’ve entitled, “Natural Networking.”

    This series is for my sake as much as yours.

    It began with a personal need to rethink networking to better fit my own style and personality.

    It became a realization that in the current economic turmoil, the impersonal, manipulative, superficial, technique-based “rules” of successful networking are on the way out.

    Demonstrated integrity, credibility, character, generosity, and competence are the building blocks of the trust necessary to network beyond superficial exchange of business cards.

    Successful networking is being achieved by the people who can sustain conversation beyond any given professional event. Successful networking is best accomplished by those most comfortable with being themselves.

    Join us for the discussion. 

    Natural Networking
    Week #1: Rethinking Networking for a New Economy
    Week #2: The Disconnect of Techniques and Formulas
    Week #3: Fostering Conversations and Discovering Connections
    Week #4: Keeping Conversations Context Appropriate
    Week #5: Being Yourself, Your Greatest Asset

    Listen in.

  • Favorite Authors: Robert Quinn

    Robert Quinn is one of my favorite leadership authors.

    He goes to the heart of the matter, that is, the heart of the leader as the starting point for thinking about how one approaches leadership.

    His books are character builders. Learning from the inside out. He is more concerned with what sort of person we are becoming than with the techniques we employ.

    You can find him online at:

    The LIFT Blog

    The Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship

    Must Read Books

    Quinn has written extensively, and everyone of them is worth reading.

    I have listed his major works with links to their Amazon.com pages.

    Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within

    Building the Bridge As You Walk On It: A Guide for Leading Change

    Change the World : How Ordinary People Can Achieve Extraordinary Results

    Letters to Garrett: Stories of Change, Power and Possibility

    I am excited to offer this new resource of identifying my favorite authors with links to their works. I can think of no better author with whom to begin than Robert Quinn.

    Favorite Authors are those unique writers whom I believe are worth reading everything they have written. Explore all my favorites here.

  • Loving Monday: Go For It!

    loving_mondayGo for it!

    My, that was easy to say.

    Some words are easier to say than to do.

    Go for it! is an enthusiastic, high confidence encouragement to dive in without hesitation or reservation.

    Commit. Invest. Push. Give it everything you’ve got. Operate with abandon, joy, zeal.

    As I said, easy to say. Not always easy to do.

    There are times when we’re weary. There are obstacles we encounter along the way. Not everyone is encouraging in either their words or deeds.

    As much as we may desire to “Go for it!” our reality is sometimes dimmer, slimmer or grimmer. (No corny rhyming intended, though I must admit I’m smiling.)

    Sometimes we need someone to shout “Go for it!” as a reminder, as an exhortation to action, or as a walk-up call.

    Sometimes we need to tell ourselves to “Go for it!” so that we don’t miss out, settle for less, or get into a rut.

    Sometimes the easy words are needed as a catalyst to the more difficult action.

    So to you I say, “Go for it!”

    You are a gift… even if you are currently weary.

    You have a contribution to make… even if you’re having trouble seeing your way forward.

    The complexities of today are a part of your life as much as any of the idealized futures you are building for yourself.

    So, “Go for it!”

    On your side,

    – Karl Edwards

    Loving Monday is a weekly column designed to encourage us to step into our weeks with an intention to show up authentically, engage fully, and choose to make it a good week for ourselves. Explore past columns here.