So, you're looking for trouble, are you?

Paul Johnson Professional Trouble Maker

I like you already!

But now you're in for it. I'm going to give you the whole story, the looong story, so grab a beverage and dig in for the next 10 minutes (I warned you not to click here, so quit complaining!). Don't worry, it'll be worth it.

"You always deliver what you say you're going to deliver, and then some."

Xperio
Steve McCullough, President

Wouldn't it be great if we could lead transformations at work every day? What it we could overcome the obstacles that frustrate us and threaten our ability to move forward? Imagine the great changes that would happen:

• Would we finally break free of chronic, nagging problems?
• Could we leapfrog the competition?
• Might we have more cause to celebrate and have fun?

It seems like everyone would like to (a) get more done, and (b) have more fun. If that's the improvement everyone is after, why doesn't it happen more often -- like, every day!!?? Why are we surrounded by monotony, frustration, and mediocrity? Why do some days feel like a do-it-yourself mugging?

Since the start of my business career in the late '70s, my "road less traveled" has revealed unusual paths for getting things done and achieving performance improvement. Most people never even "see" these paths, much less take them, because of one simple human "blind spot".

This blind spot makes it tough for leaders to motivate employees beyond mediocrity. Yet showing people how to compensate for this "blind spot" can pay huge dividends to individuals and the companies they work for.

Here are the real benefits to removing the roadblocks to business breakthroughs:

• Encourage responsible behavior.
• Get individuals to initiate change.
• Remove the paralysis that prevents people from taking action.
• Allow people to be more comfortable with moving out of their comfort zone.
• Spur under-performers to break free and live up to their potential.
• Make politics obsolete and ineffective.
• Disperse tensions that often erupt as petty fights and pointless argument.
• Eliminate the "Not my job" syndrome.
• Make it easier to complement achievements and improve morale.
• Enable employees to do what needs doing without being told.
• Remove the blocks to behavioral change.
• Get employees happily engaged with their work.
• Allay fears about consequences of making a mistake.
• Diffuse worries about job security, layoffs, and outsourcing in the face of change.
• Alleviate shortsightedness and work toward the long-term vision instead of only the task at hand.
• Generate more creativity and innovation.
• Enable people to THINK.

"Wow, what a great time. We more than accomplished our objectives."

Kinetic Design, Inc.
Ellen Benelli, President

It wouldn't be fair to you if I just blurted out the key to making all these things possible without giving you some context first.

I must confess -- I'm a trouble maker, and I'm dang proud of it!

Now, I don't try to get into trouble (well, maybe sometimes :-P), and I consider myself a lucky person. Yet I'm no stranger to getting into trouble (in fact, I've made it my life's work!). When I see a need for improvement, I'm willing to roll up my sleeves, get my hands dirty, and cook up a solution. Sometimes, a few eggs will hit the floor. I'm just willing to try, then try again, and again, and accept the fact that I may make a few mistakes along the way. I'm not afraid to fail, and fail fast. Then, I take what I've learned, put it to work, and succeed fast! That's the "road less traveled" I mentioned earlier.

So while I may be known as the world's only professional trouble maker, I don't get paid because I'm good at getting into trouble. I get paid because I'm good at getting my clients out of trouble. What can I say -- it's a gift! Now here's a gift I'd like to give you for reading along this far.

If folks in your organization would like to enjoy performance breakthroughs every day, everyone on your team must be willing to get into trouble. That doesn't mean they will cause trouble, but they must be willing to. You see, they already know what needs doing, but they won't do it because they might cause trouble. This is the blind spot that is holding them back. It's very simple name is "fear." It is fear of causing trouble -- of getting into trouble -- that stops them from embracing opportunities to do great things.

So there it is -- take away their fear, and employees are free to move forward and get things done. Here are some options for tackling their fear:

• Bring in a pompous academic with intimidating letters after their name to lecture your group about how stupid it is to be afraid of change.
• Hire one of those modern-day idols who has led a picture-perfect life, or experienced mind-boggling success, or overcome death-defying challenges you'll probably never face (and gladly!).
• Invite a mistake expert like me who isn't afraid to fail, does OK anyway, and is willing to laugh about it OUT LOUD.

I'm so used to fouling up, I'm no longer afraid of it. Haven't been in years. Do you think your folks could honestly say the same thing? Or are they so afraid of making mistakes, they'd use masking tape on a paint-by-numbers picture?

I'm not afraid to talk about my goof ups, mistakes, and miscues, either. I actually find it fun. Others seem to find it funny ("Better you than me," it seems!). I know your group will, too.

"The audience really enjoyed your content and your wry sense of humor. We knew you'd be good, but we expected something more serious. What a nice surprise to be so entertained."

SecureWorks, Inc.
Marilynn Mobley, VP - Client Advocacy

 
"We feel we are much better off now. More revenue, much higher margins, a strategic plan, and a simpler business."

Iris Programmers Group
John Lavell, President

Contact me today and you'll soon be enjoying your own superior results.